Raleigh looking for local venturers
Any young person in Belize who is out of school and not yet in a job — this covers a lot of people — should pay close attention to the next story, as it’s going to tell you about a real once in a lifetime opportunity. Patrick Jones reports.
Like the Marines up north, they’re looking for a few good young men and women, and if you’ve got adventure in your spirit, then Raleigh International has got a challenge for you. The volunteer organization is now recruiting Belizean young people between the ages of seventeen and twenty five to travel the length and breath of Belize, undertaking a number of projects.
Lucy Varcoe, Raleigh International
“They range from the north to the south, starting in the north in Sarteneja, there they will be canoeing and assisting with environmental education at a place called Wild Trek, so they’ll be using these canoes here, they’ll be going to Cockscomb Basin and climbing Victoria Peak, we hope, if they make it, and they’ll be in the Toledo district building schools at Crique Sarco which is two hours walk from the nearest road, so that will be challenging and at Bella Vista which is on the Southern highway, they’re going to be helping build a school there.”
The next Raleigh expedition in Belize will also take venturers from digging in the ground at El Pilar near San Ignacio to exploring the Barrier reef near Coco Plum and Cary Cayes. Those who think they are up to the challenge will face their first hurdle this weekend at Camp Oakley in Burrel Boom, where Raleigh International is holding as assessment camp.
Lucy Varcoe
“And all that means is we’re looking to see if they have a sense of humor, if they can look out for their team mates and if they have a bit of endurance to go through what can be sometimes a little bit uncomfortable twelve hours, twenty four hours of easy tests.”
Tests which, after gaining them a seat on the next expedition, will leave the venturer with a lifetime of memories. Each year, Varcoe says there are roughly twelve or fifteen young Belizean who go on expeditions but there is room for many more.
Lucy Varcoe
“Raleigh is one of those well kept secrets which we want more young Belizeans to find out about because we think it will really be something that they enjoy, people who love the outdoors, but also people who want to meet people from all over the world and people who are interested in putting something back into Belize.”
Raleigh expeditions are not for boys only; girls willing to take up the challenge are especially invited to show up for the try outs this weekend. Those who make it past phase one will join other youths from the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Japan and Singapore among others, for what is hoped will be the beginning of a life-long friendship. Patrick Jones, for News Five.
For more information about how you can get in on the latest Raleigh expedition call 025-2602. We repeat that’s 025-2602.
