The Raleigh International Bermuda kids set off to Borneo on Saturday evening.

They went to Sabah, Malaysia, to assist less fortunate communities.

The first part of the programme lasts ten weeks, when the students will be in Malaysia doing community work, but when they return to Bermuda they are expected to lead a group that will either benefit the community or the environment.

Raleigh International Bermuda director Michael Spurling said the organisation was sending the group for just under three months.

He said: ?When they are there they will get involved in building schools, clinics and community projects. They will be involved for another three weeks in an environmental project, and adventure training, where they will be trekking for two weeks climbing Mount Kinabalu and they may take part in white water rafting and even getting their dive certificates.?

He said while there they were not going to be comfortable.

?They will be sleeping in hammocks, under tarpaulins and mosquito nets,? he said. ?All of their possessions will be right there.?

Mr. Spurling said the young Venturers or travellers went through a multi faceted training programme.

?They spent time on Paget Island for five days and while they were there they practised on the high ropes,? he said.

nWhat are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

Generally the whole experience, but specifically meeting new people.

What do you think it is going to be like?

Hard

Have you checked it out online etc?

Yes

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

I have been to the camps, took part in walks and tried to mentally prepare myself.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Yes

What are you most hoping to learn?

How to live maturely and also in a group setting.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people?

That Bermudians are great and interesting people.

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

The difference in our cultures.

What do you think it is going to be like?

It is definitely going to be different, but I also think that it is going to be beautiful.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

Well no, because my next door neighbour is from Borneo and she told me about the different cultures.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

I?ve mainly been trying to prepare mentally.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Yes, I don?t know what?s in store for me when I get there.

What are you most hoping to learn?

Mainly about myself and also to get a new lease on life.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

That I have matured ? grown as a person, and have changed for the better.

nWhat are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

I am looking forward to learning about their culture, the way of life and what they eat.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think it is going to be really hard and challenging.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

Yes, I have.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

I have been out camping, out hiking for about over ten miles with 40lbs on my back.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

A little bit.

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What are you most hoping to learn?

A whole lot: languages; culture; the way they live; and how they survive.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

I hope that they recognise that I am a wonderful, helpful and fun person who really cares about them.

Juvonne Cann

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

I am looking forward to see and experience what no other person could do, so it can broaden my horizons.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think at first it will be hard, but on the way I?ll get used to it.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

No, not really.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

I have exercised and trained to get my body fit.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Yes, a little.

What are you most hoping to learn?

I hope to learn how to be more confident in myself, as well as not to take life for granted.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

I hope that we have a mutual learning experience.

Georgio Fox

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

The great experience.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think it is going to be wet and soggy.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

No, not yet.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

We have done rock climbing, spent a week on Paget Island, walked from Shelly Bay to St. Davids Battery and back.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Not really, I?m ready for anything that comes my way.

What are you most hoping to learn?

How to survive without my family and friends.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

Don?t know.

Stuvon Outerbridge

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

I am most looking forward to meeting people and learning about how they live in their parts.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think it is going to be like Bermuda, but just a little bit more humble and not so rich.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

No, I haven?t checked it out, because I want it to be a big surprise.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

I have done a few things like push ups and walks to where I have to go.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

No, I am not frightened at all, because in Bermuda it?s a bit too much trouble and stress, so I?m glad that I am going.

What are you most hoping to learn?

I am most hoping to learn about their gold to tell you the truth.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

I want to leave the impression that Bermudians are good people even though we are so much more spoiled than most.

Terrylynn Cordeiro

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

Mostly, in Borneo I?m looking forward meeting the people and diving.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think it is going to be a lot of hard work, but a fun adventure.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

Yes, I have read up on Malaysia.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

To prepare we have done two camps, which has helped give us the information on how to do different things.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Not really, I just know that my back is going to hurt.

What are you most hoping to learn?

I am most hoping to learn how to build and speak the language.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

Just that Bermudians are very nice, helpful and kind people.

Cushi Ming

What are you most looking forward to in Borneo?

I am looking forward to seeing the cultural differences between Bermuda and Malaysia, helping people who are less fortunate than I and also to see the amazing scenery.

What do you think it is going to be like?

I think it is going to be hard, rough, and at times and even demoralising, but I understand that despite the difficulties, the experience will be rewarding as well as beneficial for my future endeavours.

Have you checked it out online etc.?

Even though I have Internet access at my finger tips, checking the site never crossed my mind.

What are some of the things that you have done to prepare for this adventure?

Personally I had to better my swimming and walking, as a team we went to two different outdoor residential camps. One was a week at Paget Island on Outward Bound and the other was all over the Island.

Now that you are about to leave - are you frightened at all?

Bit frightened, but disappointed to be away from home for so long.

What are you most hoping to learn?

I would like to learn some of the customs of the Malay culture more than anything.

And what is the impression that you hope to leave with the people when you return?

I would like to be remembered as a hardworking individual with a good spirit.