Trekforce Worldwide

2008-07-01T20:48:00.002+01:00

Pirates of the Caribbean

With all PADI open water and advanced certificates gained the only thing left for 08B1 was to dress up as pirates (and parrots!) and sail off into the sunset! The guys had a great time diving seeing sharks, rays, turtles and a whole host of fish. As luck would have it, it was also ‘lobster fest’ Caye Caulker’s annual lobster festival whilst the group was there.

Fieldbase is currently putting the finial little bits together for the summer expedition - Trekforce Ceiba Creek …

2008-06-23T15:24:00.009+01:00

Last day at school

There were a few teary goodbyes as the trekkers waved farewell to their schools, host families and villages which have been their home for the past 7 weeks. They all did an amazing job with principles commenting on their hard work and the benefits of having them.

At Iguana Creek John and Tori completed their playground to the delight of all the pupils. One of the teachers Earl Said “we would never have had a playground if John and Tori hadn’t been with us, we are very grateful.” Tori also hand made a flag for the school which is now proudly raised on the flagpole every morning.

Clare and Sara were very sad to leave as they had become very close with their host family. They will be keeping in contact by mail to let them know what new adventures they have been on. Earlier in the week they put into practice the first aid skills they learnt in jungle training, when one of the children from their host family cut her leg badly on a piece of glass. They handled the situation brilliantly cleaning and dressing the wound and calming everyone down. A quick trip to the hospital and all was well.

The schools in El Progresso were over the moon with Sophie, Synnoeve and Aileen’s fundraising efforts. They managed to raise a whopping $2000. Aileen used some of the money to re-floor the three classrooms at St Peters. Normally the children suffer from the dusty concrete floor, but now they have brand new lino floor. Lily said “It was pretty emotional seeing how excited they all were about it, especially as we had fundraised the money for it”. Up the road the whole school came out to wave Sophie and Synnoeve goodbye and the principle was full of thanks for the fundraised money.

During the past week at Duck Run II Alex and Kieran have been really busy; Kieran finished laying the concrete for the raised walkway between classrooms and both lads worked on a playground, getting two towers and a wooden bridge up in just over a week! The school had their graduation on their last day and Alex gave a speech congratulating all the students and thanking them for their time at the school.

The students at Calla Creek got a treat when Eloise and Kat gave out letters written by children from Eloise’s Auntie’s primary school back in the UK. The children from their school have all written letters in return. On their last day the girls held a sports day, with sack and skipping races, the children had great fun and they both said it was great to finish on such a high. Eloise and Kat both received a thank you card, for all their hard work, signed by all the children at the school.

We’re really proud of all the hard work and effort the trekkers have put in during their teaching placements. The principles and students are all incredibly grateful for all that they have done. Pats on the back all round!

2008-06-12T23:26:00.009+01:00

Trekkers organising charity beer festival

Aileen, Synnoeve and Sophie are putting on a fundraiser this Saturday in the form of a charity beer festival. They are hoping to raise a good few thousand dollars for their schools. Aileen said “we are going to spend the money on renovating the school classrooms” Sophie added “also to improve the sewerage and toilet system”. Keep checking the blog to find out how the event goes.

Elsewhere teaching is in full flow…..

Eloise and Kat have there own little classroom which the children have decorated with all their work. They teach a small group from each class throughout the day, Infant I and II in the morning and Standard I and II in the afternoon. Kat say “Having a smaller group means we can make sure everyone understands what we are teaching”. After observing a morning class it is great to see how the children respond to Eloise and Kat and the progress they are making.

With all the rain we have been having their school was closed at the start of the week as the teachers couldn't get there! Returning on Wednesday Eloise said "It's sooo good to be back in our classroom. All the infants came up and hugged us, it was such a good feeling".

John and Tori's playground at Iguana Creek is coming along well. Even though it isn't yet finished the children are still lining up in their break time to play on it!

Alongside building the playground they have been assisting with classes and at the start of the week their school had a visit from the Minister of Education. John and Tori got the oppertunity to tell him all about what they have been doing at the school and in Belize.

In the near by village of Duck Run II Alex and Kieran have been busy with a mixture of teaching, football and building! They are helping their school by building a concrete walkway between classrooms. This will come in very handy as the rainy season is now upon us. In an inter school football tournament, which was held a few weeks ago, both the boys and girls teams triumphed over the other local schools. Alex and Kieran were there cheering them on and said they were really chuffed for the teams especially as they beat the teams from some of the other trekker’s schools!

Over at La Gracia Clare and Sara along with teaching have been taking the girls for football practice. Maybe they are hoping for a rematch with Duck Run II!

Sara teaches the infants she says that her knowledge of Spanish has come in very useful for explaining things that the children don't yet understand in English. Clare teaches some of the older children and is helping them to prepare for their exams. Both are extremely close with their host family, so close in fact that Clare says “It’s going to be so sad to say goodbye, I might try and sneak one of the kids home in my rucksack!”

The Teachers make an impact in first week

2008-05-09T18:29:00.005+01:00

The trekkers have just completed their first week of a two month teaching placement in the Cayo district of Belize. Their tasks and responsibilities have been wide reaching from taking full classes of 6 year olds, running an hour's PT lesson in the morning, helping the less able children with their reading skills, or helping out at the regional girl's football tournament in San Ignacio.

Kieran and Alex in Duck Run Two found themselves both teaching a lesson on fractions, to separate age groups. Kieran recalls "It was easier for Alex as he had an older group who had a grasp of the idea, whereas I had a younger age group and found it a bit more challenging".

The guys have already been involved with the local community during their first week, as Alex says, "There's a football pitch across from our school and we've found ourselves there every night training with the local team".

Lily, along with her teaching buddies Sophie and Synnove in El Progresso, have found their placements so far to be a real cultural eye opener. She says, "We don't have electricity at our homestay, there's 50 chickens in the garden and it's really hot! This morning we got up at 5:30am to go for a run and when we came back we did some sit-ups and the family's children were looking at us as if we're mad!"

Lily is also going to try to undergo some fundraising, as she says there are a lot of projects that the school wants to accomplish, but it is all hampered by the constraints of funding. She has also been running practice sessions on playing the tin whistle, which she has brought over from her native Ireland, and hopes that the children will be up to scratch before their Mother's Day performance this afternoon!

Tori in Iguana Creek School already fundraised money before she arrived for a worthwhile project for the school. Her teaching buddy John thinks he has come up with a 'super-duper' plan for an amazing playground he has designed using his new found building skills in the jungle phase of the expedition.

He says, "They started on a playground already and it is just a few chopped down trees stuck in the ground. I've designed a playground of monkey bars, slides and climbing bits for the kids, which will be a fantastic extra way for me to help the school. With the fundraised money Tori has, we can get proper tools and materials and make it so it will stay there for a long time".

The pair have also been writing tests this week for their classes on Geometry and Maths.

Check back soon for more information about how our teachers are getting on in their teaching placements....

Meanwhile in fieldbase, preparation is already hotting up for our July project in Belize in the Chiquibul national park.

Back from Guatemala, to teach in Belize

2008-04-28T16:46:00.001+01:00

For our Trekkers, the month of April has been filled with an array of cultural experiences and exciting trips during their Spanish language phase in Guatemala. Living in the town of San Jose on the banks of the Lake Peten Itza, everyone had another new wide-eyed experience, having been confined to the depths of the jungle for the previous two months.

Each morning, everyone has woken up to rice or tortillas, with beans (and eggs, if they're lucky) to start the day at 8am with 4 hours of one on one Spanish tuition. Some are quite advanced in their knowledge of Spanish, and others are learning "Buenas Dias" for the first time!

Their afternoons are filled with activities such as football with the locals,

visiting a local school, learning about Mayan medicine, taking part in the town's parade,

learning to make rope from bay palm, jewellery making, a boat trip, tortilla making, an archaeological tour, dancing lessons, or just swimming in the lake.

The Trekkers stayed with local families in the town, where they could practise their Spanish in a real environment and get to know more about the local way of life.

It has been a month of new experiences and learning a lot about Guatemala and the Spanish language (with a few parties inbetween....!).

Now, those who are continuing their Trekforce experience have arrived back in Belize, and are about to go through a week's teacher training programme, preparing them to be rurally placed in pairs around the Cayo district of Belize.

Chiquibul projects one their way to completion

2008-03-20T18:38:00.007Z

Trekforce North:

• Since completing their trek through the Maya mountains, the North Team are nine days into phase 2 of the boundary clearance, with nine days remaining until the Opening Ceremony (2:00pm, Tuesday 25th). Enjoying the added fitness since the trek and now expert machete skills, they are making faster progress, and have cleared to a point 7.4km from their start-point at the Macal River, with a further 4.4km of boundary line to demarcate, to complete their expedition objective.

• The dry season is well under way, and the water table in the western Chiquibul is receding beneath the limestone hills. On Saturday 15th, they moved their base-camp (BC) to grid reference: BP 767 669, midway between the east/west boundary line and a mediocre water source, discovered by a recce team and park rangers on Tuesday 11th.

• Tomorrow’s resupply will provide the team with two Millbank bags to filter the water (in addition to the usual sterilising treatment of Iodine and/or boiling),15 packets of Tang (fruit drink powder, to conceal its murky flavour) and as many jerry-cans of fresh water as they can carry, in addition to any letters and parcels sent from home.

• Water for washing is in short supply, and team members are putting their wet-wipes to hard use.

Trekforce South:

• …completed construction of the Ranger Station in time for the Opening Ceremony on Friday 14th. A British Army helicopter flew assorted dignitaries (Commanding Officer of the Belize Defence Force BDF Col Tapia; Deputy Chief Forestry Officer Marcelo Windsor; Natalie Rosado of The Nature Conservancy) and film crews from two Belizean TV news channels to the remote location by the Guatemalan border.

• The OC was also attended by TFW Country Manager, Rafael Manzanero (CEO of TFW’s project partner FCD) and senior Park Rangers. All those present thanked the volunteers for their outstanding efforts, and spoke of the huge contribution to the management of the Chiquibul.

• After the OC, when the helicopter had left, the team and less important visitors began the two-day hike out to Natural Arch, the location for the team’s rest day on Sunday. A Trekforce Landrover and BDF army truck will transport the team from there on Monday (17/3/08) to the start of their trek phase in the Eastern Chiquibul.

• They don’t know it yet, but after seven days moving south exploring this untouched region of forest, they will rendezvous with canoes and the equipment required completing the last 26km of their journey down the Raspaculo Branch of the Macal River over two days. HOW EXCITING IS THAT ?!

Teams Complete Mammoth Trek

2008-03-12T14:07:00.007Z

The North and South teams have successfully completed their crossing of the Maya Mountains in small groups over the last 2 weeks. With big smiles when they reached Caracol, the groups sat and watched the sun set after an amazing 9 day trek which saw them making their way through tough and untouched jungle.

Trekforce HQ is still waiting for images of the trek as all cameras are on project while the groups work hard to get ready for their opening ceremonies next week but here are a few for now....

Trekking is hard work. The volunteers must carry everything with them so they can set up camp each night...

Ice cold drinks are always a welcome sight after the Maya Mountain Trek...

The North Team celebrate at the top of Caracol...

Then the finale- watching the sun set over the jungle canopy and listening to the calls of primates and birds...

First Phase of Project Completed by North Team and South Team Get a Special Visit

2008-03-03T11:20:00.005Z

The North team have managed to clear the first 3.5km of the boundary line. With the first phase complete, the group are rewarding themselves with a trek to see a bit more of the rainforest. They headed to San Jose on Sunday 24th February where the trek started and they returned this weekend to begin phase 2 of the project which will be to clear the other 9km of boundary! Phase 2 will also involve the group finding water. It may be the rainforest but because the team are going so remote, they are yet to find easy access to a natural source. Belize Defence Force is currently delivering plenty of water to them in jerry cans until they find water of their own…All adding to a sense of adventure for the group!

Talking about a sense of adventure, we mentioned that the groups had a difficult time getting into their project sites on a previous blog? Here is what they had to contend with.....

The South Team have begun the construction work on project. The group have had a visit from 2 light engineers- members of Belize Defence Force who are assisting with the construction work. South Team also had a visit from country manager Greg, who flew in by helicopter with Brigadier, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Manzanero (CEO of Friends for Conservation Development) and the Minister for Defence to talk to the volunteers and witness the exciting developments which Trekforce are proud to be a part of!

Jungle Training Week in Pictures

2008-02-14T15:53:00.006Z

This time last week, here is what the volunteers were up to...

The buddy system in action! The Trekforce Buddy System is all about trust...

River crossings are lots of fun and Trekforce show volunteers how to do it safely...

Josie, a Trekforce medic shows us a perfect example of a fire. Question is, did she light it herself?!

It's ok, they're just pretending! Volunteers learn about First Aid and CPR

Stretcher carrying is hard work, but the group work together to complete a search and rescue exercise...

Project Groups Chosen

2008-02-14T11:41:00.011Z

Sooner than expected we have had a call from the jungle! Country Manager Greg called us at 4pm UK time on Monday from the Trekforce Satellite phone to tell us that the volunteers had chosen their project groups and everyone was in good spirits after their first few days in the rainforest.

The Northern Project Group are:

Standing (L to R): Ian (AL) Lara, Jim, Tess, Alex McGee, Kat, Laura, Stuart, Dr Josh
Kneeling (L to R): Katie (EL), Eloise, Josie (Nurse) Clare, Sara

The volunteers’ main focus of the project will be to mark out the 13k boundary line for the National Park. This will include clearing jungle across tough terrain- A real challenge! The group will also record any notable flora or fauna they see along the way too. They could be returning in 2 months time having discovered a new plant or spotted a rarely seen frog!

The Southern Project Group are:

Standing (L to R): John “Boo”, Will (Staff Assistant), Alex McNichol, Nick, Kieron, Sully (EL), Simon (AL)
Kneeling (L to R): Lawrence, Sophie, Synoeve, Sam, Kat (Nurse), Vanessa

The group will be in the south of the Chiquibul National Park which is a largely unknown area. Farmers on the Guatemalan side of the border have been cutting jungle for farmland but this cutting is now encroaching onto the Belizean border and the Chiquibul National Park. If they keep going, the jungle will sadly be destroyed. The main aim of the project is to construct an observation post, accommodation and cooking facilities for national park rangers to inhibit these illegal activities effectively.

The groups had a slow and challenging journey onto their project sites, as the roads and jungle tracks were extremely muddy due to the rainfall they had had over the last few days. However, they made it! And apart from a few sore feet, the volunteers can’t wait to get stuck into their rewarding projects!

When we get the next report from the jungle we will let you know, but remember, no news is good news!

Trekforce HQ

First Week In The Jungle For Volunteers

2008-02-06T15:05:00.000Z

Volunteers headed to Belize on Saturday 2nd February to begin their gap year with Trekforce Worldwide.

The 25 volunteers are currently completing a week of Jungle Training where they have all been assigned a Trekforce Buddy. Their buddy, a fellow volunteer will make sure that their partner is drinking enough water and looking after themselves. They will also have the very special job of checking each other for bites and ticks!

The Trekforce buddy system works well on all of our expeditions whether for 2 weeks or 5 months and reinforces the high levels of safety we strive for. All trekkers can experience life in the jungle safe in the knowledge that they don’t only have expert leaders and medics on hand 24 hours a day but they also have their own personal support from a fellow volunteer.

The group are also spending the next few days in the rainforest learning how to survive in the jungle. This includes lighting fires, navigation, cooking, health and hygiene and first aid. All transferable skills the volunteers can bring back with them to the UK.

As the group are currently out of comms, Trekforce HQ has not received any images yet but we will get them up onto the blog as soon as we get them. In the mean time if you want to send any letters or parcels for them to receive when they get onto project you can send them to *insert volunteers name* Trekforce, PO Box 266, San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, CA . Please be aware that it will take a while to get post in and out of Belize and you could be waiting at least 2 weeks for parcels and letters to arrive.

Watch this space for more information over the next few weeks.

Trekforce HQ.

Staff Arrive in Belize

2008-01-09T14:08:00.000Z

It's getting closer….! Staff are arriving in Belize to finish preparations for the 2008 Gap Year with Trekforce.

Tasks completed include checking the trek routes which the group will then undertake during their project, field base has been painted, medical kits have been prepared along with a jungle training location and local tradesman have met with logistics staff to go over the equipment and materials they will need to complete the projects successfully.

The Trekforce landrovers have been checked and are in full working order for the group arriving so goods can be transported in and out of the jungle. Our landrovers are a familiar sight around Belize and smiles greet anyone in them from locals who know about the work Trekforce do in Belize.

One of the biggest achievements since staff arrived in Belize was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Trekforce Worldwide and Friends for Conservation and Development for the long term conservation of the Chiquibul National Park. The partnership will create a unified approach to conservation in Belize's largest national park, with Friends for Conservation and Development identifying vital projects, key to their management plan, and Trekforce providing the manpower and expertise to see the projects through to completion. The project sites have been set up in the North and South of the Chiquibul National Park, the 2 groups will have 2 months to complete an extremely rewarding and very important project.

Volunteers meet staff in Belize on 3rd February where the adventure begins!

Reunion brings together old and new

2007-12-03T13:30:00.000Z

Trekforce got into the festive spirit at the weekend as we held our annual Christmas party and reunion. It was a great turn out, with volunteers’ turning up from as far back as 1988 to the volunteers from 2007. Everyone was there for the same purpose, to celebrate the impact expeditions with Trekforce have on both the project country and the volunteers.

People travelled the length and breadth of the UK to join us in Newcastle for an afternoon presentation which included a talk by Ed Swales, son of founder of Trekforce Wandy, and presentations by volunteers and leaders who showed us photographs and shared anecdotes. There was a great atmosphere as the group reminisced about their gap year experiences and the worthwhile projects they took part in. The presentations ended and turned into christmas celebrations for the evening when there was a chance for everyone to catch up with each other, medics and members of staff at a local bar.

We hope this is just one of many reunions that are going to take place as Trekforce goes form strength to strength with new jungle expeditions to Borneo, Papua New Guinea, and Guyana for 2008.

Go to www.trekforceworldwide.com to read about how you can join us on an experience of a lifetime.

First Desert Trek a Success

2007-12-03T13:15:00.000Z

We have returned from Morocco after our first 2 week extreme expedition. The 10 day trek saw the group clock up over 120 miles by foot, walking across black Hamada desert and challenging Sahara sand dunes, experiencing sand storms and enduring searing temperatures. As with all expeditions with Trekforce there was a back to basics approach as the group landed at a new camp each night where they threw down their carry mats and slept under the stars, washed at wells and ate with local Berber guides who accompanied the group with camels to carry the water and food.

The first 2 week desert trek for a leading expedition company has proven to be a massive success, with the group walking over 120 miles off the normal tourist trail.

The group began in the lower Atlas Mountains in 4x4s to reach their starting destination of Merzouga, before heading South West into the Sahara Desert where scorching temperatures could reach 30oC at midday. The trek ended in the small village of Tazarine, where there was an opportunity for the group to wash at a well and repack for the journey back to Marrakech.

Rob Murray- John, Director of Trekforce Worldwide and expedition leader for the 2 week Extreme Expedition explains: "The aim was to take the trek away from the normal tourist trail, avoiding hostels and well trodden routes so that the trekkers could say that they have completed a trek no other visitor will have done. The desert environment is an unforgiving one, with little water or shelter, we are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to repeating this next year."

The trekkers also got the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local Berber culture during the trek as they had chances to stop at nomad villages for lunch en route where the family would cook for them and give them an insight into living as a nomad family.

Andrew Bedwell who joined Trekforce on the expedition says: ‘I loved the simplicity of the whole expedition. Only relying on bare essentials, being able to throw your sleeping bag down wherever you wanted to and experiencing the local foods cooked in the middle of the desert.'

This was a massive accomplishment for Trekforce - building on our renowned strengths in jungle expeditions with a growing expertise in desert environments and with fantastic feedback from the trekkers we are already accepting applications for the 2008 desert trek which takes place in October. Call 0845 241 3085 for details.

Trekforce Morocco Hamada Expedition begins

2007-10-11T12:26:00.000+01:00

The Trekforce team have successfully completed the first two phases of their expedition and are now organising their kit and preparing for their main challenge - the 100 mile trek across the fringes of the Sahara to the tiny settlement of Tazarine.

They have already managed to cross the Atlas Mountains on rarely used 4x4 tracks, following nomadic herder routes that have been used for centuries (while some team members discovered they had a problem with car sickness en route!) and have recently completed their desert training and acclimatisation in the spectacular dunes near the village of Merzouga.

Now with the camels ready, and the water skins filled, it is down to them to overcome the major hurdle - ahead of them are many long days of difficult trekking in the searing heat - we wish them all the very best.

Rainforest Conservation expedition ends on a high

2007-08-15T10:22:00.000+01:00

Trekforce Worldwide were able to obtain the special permissions needed to enter the Forest Reserve. The trek to be the first team to the Nohoch Ch'en sinkhole (which means very large hole in Mayan!) in many years was amazing and on route we found a new set of caves with stacks of Mayan Pottery (some with painted icons and pictures on, and much of it decorated and glazed). It is approximately 400m deep at the deepest point and around 500m across.

The team completed an outstanding amount of work in a small amount of time. Despite the harsh weather and regular flooding of their basecamp, the team managed to tap a natural spring at the base of a hill, which was then redirected into a series of silting chambers and sinks, allowing visitors to the site access to fresh water for the first time. This was complemented by the construction of a small palapa with two shower areas, and a set of 30 steps which lead to the facility. This took the team only 3 days to complete.

At the main site a large palapa was constructed using almost 2000 bay palm leaves which the volunteers collected from the surrounding forest, and a toilet made from hardwoods completed the facilities. The whole project was completed in 8 days, an incredible effort. Who said volunteers and gap year projects cannot make a lasting difference?

The articles printed in the national press on the 14th August 2007 from a press release of another organsiation, done to try and whip up 'anti-gap year project' feelings are dangerous in their generalisation. We all support codes of conduct with teeth, but in terms of the main thrust of the article, it couldn't be further from the truth as far as Trekforce projects are concerned.

Sunsets, Sharks, and Rum Punch

2007-08-14T10:04:00.000+01:00

After a successful trek, it was time for the volunteers to be rewarded with the final party! The group headed to Caye Caulker for a snorkel tour. Accompanied by 'Maggamuffin Tours', the group boarded a sail boat to visit the marine reserves which surround Caye Caulker.

The sites visited were Hol Chan, meaning 'little channel' in Mayan and a natural hang out for marine life, the next site visited was the aptly named Shark and Ray Alley, and as the name suggests it was teaming with Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays as well as a huge variety of other marine life.

The group then returned to Caye Caulker watching the sunset and celebrating all of their achievements with a glass of rum punch. They then finished off the evening with a meal at Rasta Pasta where they could choose from local sea food dishes, pasta meals and burritos.

The majority of volunteers will now remain on the island for a week to complete a PADI dive course, while others have headed back to the UK.

This expedition is one that will be remembered by Trekforce for a very long time. The discovery of the sink hole is a unique experience that can never be taken away from the trekkers, the project was more successful than anyone thought it would be, and then to finish it off the volunteers got to reward themselves with time on a Caribbean island. Their achievements illustrate that hard work and a team effort really does pay off!

The UK office will receive more photographs when the trekkers return, so keep a look out on the website for new images of your nearest and dearest coming soon!

Arrived at Caracol in the Rainforest and Beach beyond

2007-08-09T20:05:00.000+01:00

The team arrived into Caracol (the second largest Maya ruin in Central America) yesterday afternoon. The looks on their faces were amazing as they came out of the jungle to be met by the awe-inspiring site of ancient ruins appearing out of the jungle canopy.

They camped the night at the base of the ruins, feasted on rice and beans and headed off in the early morning by 4x4 truck to Iguana Junction - where they all are now, enjoying a cold beer, resting their limbs in the Belize River, watching Iguanas and Parrots fight for tree space!

They have achieved so much with their trek and are feeling very chuffed with themselves - what a trek and what a challenge!

Tomorrow morning the trekkers head of for a day and a night on the beach, snorkling and savouring the Caribbean sun.................

Project Site Already Making An Impact

2007-08-07T12:59:00.000+01:00

Just 2 days after our volunteers left Elijio Panti for trek, we had news that the project site was to be used by a group of teenagers who were flying over from America on a school trip!

This is great news for the park who are fighting to keep National Park status and also fantastic for Trekforce. To hear that our projects are having an impact reinforces the importance of the hard work carried out by our volunteers.

The group will have access to the whole of the completed project site which reads something like an impressive estate agents advert.......!

Wash Site/Mayan spring converted into shower area- small palapa complete with twin shower and wild cherry wood flooring, screen divisions, towel rail, accessories rack and steps dug to the washsite.

Visitor Palapa: Thatched using 2000 bay palm leaves and suitable to hang hammocks for many an eager eco-tourist.

Long drop: with corregated tin roof and toilet roll holder!

Fire shelter: Modest palapa thatched with bay palm, complete with a fire stand and stocked with plenty of wood for future visitors!

The group far exceeded everyones expectations and should be very proud of what they achieved. The work that the volunteers have carried out this summer means that Elijio has national park status for another 5 years, and long may it continue...

AN ADVENTUROUS TREK LIKE NO OTHER

2007-08-05T09:24:00.000+01:00

They made it ! At 1916 GMT we received another sat. phone call from Matt (the Trekforce Leader) confirming that the team had found the sinkhole. This is fantatsic. The team had achieved their objective of trekking to the edge of one of the largest sink holes in the jungles of the western hemisphere. Very few people have achieved this and in the true challenging spirit that is becoming a unique part of every Trekforce expedition, they made it.

Matt reported that they had follwed a compass bearing for a few days and alongside their amazing local guide had found the sinkhole deep in the jungle; he then turned the phone to the team who let out a great cheer ! Serious tingles down the back of the neck feeling as we know how great the trekkers must have felt when the jungle suddenly opened up to reveal the awesome sight.

We are so proud of the Trekforce leader, Belizean guide and the team. This is the first Trekforce trek in 10 years to find the sinkhole and just proves what can be achieved when a team really pulls together. This is a trek that no-one will forget. The area is very special and they know how priviliged they are to have reached their objective - very few people in this day and age can say they have been to such a place, deep in the rainforest of Central America............

Pictures to follow when they are back in civilisation around the 09th or 10th August. They will enjoy the awesome sight for 24hrs, then carry on with trek, reaching Caracol (one of the largest Maya ruins in Central America) on the 08th. At that point they can part company with their machete, iodine and basha, have a well deserved final party and soak their tired limbs in the Caribbean sea!

Good skills team, what a challenge!

UPDATE FROM THE HEART OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN JUNGLE

2007-08-03T22:25:00.000+01:00

We have just received the sat. phone update from the Leader that all is really well, 2 days into their 7 day trek through unchartered Belizean jungle of the Chiquibul Forest. The group are all doing fine and enjoying the fact they have their rucksacks and supplies on their back again and are trekking through some amazing forest, seeing some incredible rainforest sites. Living and breathing the jungle again. A typical Trekforce experience, like no other !

They have reached the cave that is the largest in the wetsern hemisphere and they are en route and on track to a site that very few have seen. Location secret, photo below.........our Belizean guides are amazing and the team are really looking forward to pioneering a new route through the jungle.

They are on target to reach Caracol on the 08th when they will receive a well deserved slap up meal and a few cold Belikins...........

The project itself was an amazing success, the dedicated Trekforce Worldwide team completed all the Palapas and other projects asked of them to make Elijio Panti National Park and its archealogical heritage a great example of managed and protected biodiversity.

Latest from the Leader Matt on the Sat. Phone

2007-07-26T16:54:00.000+01:00

Just got off the sat. phone from Matt deep in the jungles of Belize with an update on the project at Elijio Panti..............the Mandy (washing) facility is complete (!) and they have tapped a freshwater spring which has already filled the 400 gallon water container they hauled in. The 2 Palapas are almost complete - all the trekkers have learnt how to thatch locally with Cahoun Palm, and they have cleared the Helicopter Landing Site for future use in an emergency.

To cap the experience all off so far they had a Maya blessing ceremony by the niece of Don Elijio Panti, the famous Mayan herbalist. Wonderful ! Spirits are high and they are really enjoying the project. They have achieved so much already and the community of San Antonio and elsewhere are really pleased and grateful.

And on to the project!

2007-07-24T16:05:00.000+01:00

Here's a little bit straight from our Belize Country Manager today as the group head out to their project site. Enjoy...

"It rained a lot during JT prep, torrential on the day they [the trekkers] arrived, but it was dry since then (lucky for them) but it then rained again cats and dogs in the 2 hours deploying on project. Cloudy since then and not too hot. A chance of rain later in the week again. By the end of today the structure of the pallapa will be complete, the spring gutted and a 200 gallon container installed.Tomorrow is baypalm cutting, finishing the steps at the wash site, constructing a mini pallapa for the shower, and later on making a long drop"

Keeping them pretty busy then?!

Jungle training done and dusted!

2007-07-24T09:57:00.000+01:00

Jungle training is over and the trekkers have progressed from wide eyed new arrivals into fully fledged jungle survivors!

Their training started at Douglas Da Silva camp, a former forestry camp in the Mountain Pine Ridge area of Belize. Here the trekkers formed buddy pairs (who they will become joined at the hip to) and learnt first aid, stretcher carrying, communications and how to cook for a big group of people with jungle rations.

Two and half days after their arrival, they plunged into the jungle to head for ‘Scorpion Camp’ (it’s just a name!). Along the way, the group learnt about the various flora and fauna they passed, until 3 hours later they arrived in camp, sweatier and dirtier.

Everyone feverishly set about clearing the camp, erecting a tarp covered area and finding two adequate trees to put up their bashas. Everyone also successfully made their first fires and enjoyed a cool wash in the river. That night, a ‘wahhh’ *thud* meant that Clare D became the first person to fall out her hammock!

Another day was spent learning how to navigate through the thick undergrowth, how to build shelters from jungle materials and collecting water in a survival situation. All essential skills for their final task, as the group were lead thinking they would be leaving the jungle, but sat down and told they would be spending the next 24 hours by themselves alone!

Matt, our leader, placed everyone in pre-determined spots out of sight of the next person and armed them with rations for that night. Everyone jumped at the experience and embraced the opportunity, (especially Julie, who made modesty screens for her cat hole, and Laura M who made a whole separate kitchen area!) to have some alone time and practise the skills they had learnt, Josh going all out and constructing the biggest shelter!

The next morning, starting at 4am saw the group walking down a river and through Rio Frio Cave, a 100 metre high and 300m long cave. A good test for waterproofing their kit! On their cold and wet exit, their final surprise saw them having to search and rescue Sean, the Country Director, diagnose and treat the injury (in this case a snake bite drawn in pen!) and stretcher him a mile before loading into a Land Rover!

The group pulled together extremely well with all they had learnt and demonstrated an efficient CASEVAC operation, should they ever need to do it again for real.

All were able to unwind that night with a few beers and watching a magnificent sunset over the jungle from a lookout tower, lead by Bruce singing Breakfast at Tiffany’s. A night time nature walk distracted them enough to bring the surprise of a candle lit dinner under the pallapa at Rio Frio Cave, arrayed with rum punch and the Belizean cuisine of chicken, rice and beans. The drinks flowed and everyone relaxed into the party until late into the night, Clare S showing her dancing skills and Harriet teaching everyone to dance like Shakira!

On Saturday 21st July, the group deployed on project in the back of a Belizean Defence Force truck, before walking 8km in the first torrential rain we’ve seen this week. The wet season is finally arriving!

At their project site, the two main tasks for the coming week are to create a system to collect water from a spring and starting work on the main pallapa.

Watch this space for more updates and photos shortly!

New trekkers arrive in Belize

2007-07-16T11:57:00.000+01:00

They did it! After all their effort, Ant, Sam and Joe met their target so big round of applause for that.

Just as all of the teaching placement volunteers have said goodbye to their schools and host families, we have waved hello to another intrepid group heading out to Belize to carry out their own 1 month project expedition. They have arrived safe and sound, if a little exhausted after all of the inevitable irritations of airports, etc! Since arriving at their Jungle Training site they have had a nice early night, started their medical training, and been drenched by bucket loads of water (no doubt a nice refreshing cool down in the heat!).

We'll get some pics up for you to have a look at as soon as they send some over to us.