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Youth leadership trek to deliver sustainable development outcomes

Developing the skills and competencies to drive sustainable change

Together with two volunteer managers, three expert trek guides accompany each trek team, to ensure the wellbeing of all throughout the adventure. The local guides are trained in navigation, endurance, and mountain survival skills and work alongside the Country Office team of logistical, medical and project management experts.

 

From left to right. Top row: Jemima, Sakar, Lorna, Charles, Rufus, James, Alexandra, Isabelle & Bhabisya. Bottom row: Susan, Emily, Jessie, Shashank, James, Jacqueline & Rose

 

From left to right. Top row: Suprabha, Sandeep, Arpan, Austin, Tom, Ross, Djoeke & Olivia. Bottom row: Nirdeshika, Isobel, Rohini, Lily, Lauren & Camille

 

From left to right. Top row: Bishal, Sujan, Harry, Jake, Elen, Lily, Jess & Chris. Bottom row: Nabina, Juliet, Holly, Kanchan, Nichada, Harriet & Eleanor

 

Our team of experienced Trek Guides: From left to right. Top row: Surcha, Dil, Bikram, Chandra, Prem and Mingmar. Bottom row: Kopche, Purna & Subba

 

Whilst a certain level of strength and endurance are required whilst on trek, the challenges are much more than physical. Volunteers will each have the opportunity to lead the team, developing their leadership skills, emotional intelligence and personal resilience – skills and competencies needed to drive sustainable change on the next stage of their Expedition and in their lives at home.

The youth leadership trek is a crucial part of Raleigh Expedition. It allows volunteers to  share cultural experiences, opinions and beliefs developing respect and understanding of differing worldviews. The self-reliant trek also enables volunteers to reconnect with the natural world, inspiring awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of the environment. This is particularly true in Nepal, where heavy rainfall in monsoon season often impacts travel plans, meaning that the teams need to be patient, flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances – life skills that will be important for future education or careers.

 

Volunteers developing their problem solving, team work and communication skills

 

We asked our young volunteers what they had learnt so far in their Raleigh journey. The overriding response was one of increased independence, boosted confidence, and a better understanding of differing cultural backgrounds:

“Culture, communication, and developing relationships” Tom, Harry & Suprabha

 

Volunteers learning together in preparation for Trek

 

When asked what they were hoping to gain from the trek phase of the Expedition, teamwork and a determination to succeed where considered vital attributes:

“Perseverance, teamwork, motivation, cooperation, endurance, exploring, inspiration, and finding good place”

Bhabisya, Olivia & Lorna

 

Volunteers sharing experiences and expectations with Volunteer Managers Jacqueline and Shashank

And finally, when asked how the skills learnt so far could support young people in the creation of better future, resilience, confidence, and openness, together with a respect for the natural environment and diverse cultures were considered paramount.

“Keeping an open mind, and the conference to think what is right” 

Tom, Harry, Suprabha, Sandeep, Ross & Refus

“Respect for the environment, for other cultures and the importance of humanity over divides”

Rose & Susan

 

 

Volunteers wave goodbye as they prepare for Trek

 

Look out for our next blog post where we will update on the impact of our Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in rural Nepal.

 

Blog post by Communications Officer, Susie Hill and Photography by Rachael Sture. For more information and the latest updates, follow the progress of our programmes in Nepal on Facebook and Instagram. 

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