Help me get to Malaysia

World Challenge specialise in getting kids around my age to participate in life changing experiences. My college has been given the opportunity to fly over-seas to Malaysia. This expedition will be like no other as it is all student led. Challengers (students like me) take on all the day-to-day responsibilities and manage the budget for the duration of the expedition. By planning our own itinerary and travelling to the other side of the world, spending time volunteering in a developing community and trekking through challenging terrain ( we have the choice between a mountain range, desert or jungle ). World Challenge believes that we will come back with a different perspective on life as we 'knew' it.

The expedition will involve a 6-24 month build up phase culminating in a 3-4 week overseas expedition. One of the big assets to the trip is the fundraising.

I will need to raise $7,250 by the 18th of December 2018. That money goes towards hammocks, insurance, accommodation, food, transport and tents. The money won't cover personal needs like jackets, rucksacks, boots, clothes and technology.

Before the actual expedition, Challengers will take on a two-day mini expedition designed to prepare and arm us with skills that will be of use in Malaysia. We will camp overnight in tents, prepare and cook team meals and talk about first aid, personal safety, traveller health, water and food consumption and expedition gear and equipment.

Once in Malaysia, we have a few a days to adapt to culture shock caused by altitude, food, terrain, climate, culture and smells. Our group will have to become a team, rotate leadership and run daily review sessions to ensure we learn from all our experiences. In the second week of our trip, we will have a week long trek through jungle or desert or mountainous terrain. The skills learnt, sights seen, and sense of achievement will be second to none. Our leaders will step back and let us decide on what's next.

The next and probably most rewarding phase of our trip is community engagement. We will get to interact with baby orangutans, and give back to a local village. Whether we, make a playground, brick a classroom or just re-roof a house, we are giving something beneficial back and getting perspective on our privileged lives. Last but definitely NOT least, Rest and Relaxation. The final few days will be spent relaxing with time to take everything in, whether visiting land marks, food markets, white water rafting or just relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Malaysia, we will have time to soak everything up like a gigantic, human shaped sponge.