January 21
This group arrived at camp Bongkud just after lunch, after spending the night in Kota Kinabalu.
Mr. Leever tells us, "In Kota we walked through a market this am. Lots of local fare, but not too many hungry after the walk. Beautiful drive and stopped at a local market to shop. Opening comment upon arrival, "It looks better in the pictures..." Good life lesson, don't be taken in by advertising.
Something to be thankful about back home: 77 people here at the camp, but only three showers - total. How badly do we want it people?
First meal was chicken and rice. Very tasty. Borneo signing in."
January 22
Saturday, this group learned a Malay song and dance. Students toured the work projects and after dinner got a cultural show from some children in the village. Our kids got to practice their dancing with the local drummers and were disappointed that they had to leave. Dinner was fish and rice and the kids wiped out what was served with very little thrown away. Mosquitos are not too bad, and most are still wearing shorts in the evening (students that is, not mosquitos). They had a light rain in the afternoon, and then the evening was cool.
Day 2 - Amazing day! Camps International is here in Bongkud to help the local village in development projects. Specifically, they are building a community center, a water tower, a Women's center and a few other projects.
Today our kids mixed and poured concrete and moved a large mountain of stone to build a retaining wall to the water tank. They were incredible. They mixed far more concrete than expected and finished the bulk of the rock moving during the morning. Twice the group went swimming in the river below camp. They even made a bit of a dam to create a larger swimming hole (moving more rocks).
Lunch was chicken, potatoes and rice. Upon arrival the kids were told that if they didn't close their tents, stray dogs would sneak in and, well... Poop. Ugh, yeah, that happened. Also told, food will draw ants. That happened too.
Volleyball, cards, basketball, frisbee and others going on as they wait for the next version of chicken and rice. Kids are warming up to the camp and will sleep well tonight. Out from Borneo!
January 23
Borneo checking in late. We had an amazing day today. We finished all projects and then some. We wiped out the concrete and finished all jobs they had in phase one of their project. A group built a bamboo shelter for single mothers in Bongkud. This shelter will be where they grow vegetables for themselves. There are about 30 such women. Another group level ground for a local church that is building a children's center. The day began with a 5:30 am climb of Golden Hill just above our camp. From the top we had an amazing view of Mt Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Amazing pictures to come. Sorry for the late update, the kids had a fantastic performance tonight of skits. Teachers also performed some skits. Great day! Students have completed all projects, exceeding expectations!!!
Day 4 - Today began with a trip to the Ranau War Memorial. During WWII, 2,700 mostly Australian and British soldiers from the defense of Singapore were marched to their death by their captors. Six escaped and returned home. All others perished. There is a beautiful memorial to the men and our kids got a small piece of Borneo history. The group returned for lunch (you guessed it: chicken with rice), and then headed to nearby hot springs. Their shopping in the vegetable market was uneventful, save the marriage proposal Mr. Leever received from the pineapple lady! Hot springs were PACKED as it is the beginning to the Chinese New Year and thus, a holiday. Instead our group returned back to camp, swam in the river, ate ice cream, played badminton against the locals and other fun things. Teachers also discovered how quickly students were willing tell their teachers about their friends’ new budding relationships for a mere piece of candy.
Tonight the Borneo group will host the local community and perform a dance, sing a local song, and will do some additional teacher skits (by request). This will be the last update, with only confirmations coming through that we have made flights and are on time.
Tomorrow the group will break camp early, head back to Kora Kinabalu to shop for gifts, catch our flight to KL and then on to Doha. As Mr. Leever writes this rather lengthy update, they are in a downpour, which is pretty exciting for kids who live in the desert.
