09G (5 Weekers) Project Planning Visits

For the last few days the brave Project Managers of the 09G expedition have been venturing out into Costa Rica to complete their Project Planning Visits (PPVs). These give the PMs a chance to see their project site and plan out where they and the venturers will eat, sleep and work. They have met with their project partners to agree on a work schedule and discuss how Raleigh with work together with them on the projects. The next job is to write up all the paperwork....far less exciting but very important!

The two community projects are both based in Tayni Indigenous Reserve, and will work with two separate communities to build schools.

Delta 2 - Cuchey Constructors - Freya, Charlie and Julia

Delta 2 faced an arduous walk to their project site, albeit through a beautiful landscape


They were met by members of the local community, Jeison, the teacher, Adolpo, the maestro de obra (foreman) who will manage the work on site everyday, and Elissio, the community leader who currently has some of the school in his house.


Delta 2 also has a chance to inspect their site - it may look unimpressive now, but in just 21 days this will be transformed into a fully functional school!

Nearby is a rushing river providing a lovely foreground to the mountains
Check out the building in which the PMS and venturers will sleep (plus the pigs who bunk up underneath the floor)
Delta 2 are now writing up reports and finalising their plans before the arrival of the venturers.

Delta 1 - Bajo Coen Builders

Not to be outdone, Delta 1 also had a hard walk to Bajo Coen, but weren't too puffed out that they couldn't enjoy the views
They were met by teacher Jose Felix who showed them the route in
...their worksite...
...the prepared materials being dried out...

...while Kate reciprocated by showing the school children photos of her family and home.

Alex, Rachel and Kate gave a presentation explaining the project and experienced the warm welcome from the community who each brought a bunch of bananas as a gift - they ended up with an impressive collection! The community will cook for the venturers each day, allowing them to experience local food and interact more with the community.

After a long day Delta 1 set up their beds

Delta 3 - Barbilla Trailblazers

Jana and Sandrine, accompanied by photographer Maja took several buses through Costa Rica to reach their project location in the east. Based in the jungly Barbilla National Park, they will work alongside the park rangers to restore a trail down to a river and swimming hole.

Barbilla National Park - the top of the trail
The clouds gathering round
They were met by Ranger Giovanni and Oscar, who took them on a tour of the Park and their project site - describing the wildlife they were likely to see during their stay.
Oscar, Sandrine and Jana

Part of the trail
Maja and Sandrine trekking down
Discussing making steps with Oscar
But it won’t all be hard labour at Barbilla, the Rangers also took Jana, Sandrine and Maja to a nearby waterfall - which the venturers will be able to visit during their stay.
And on the way home its back to the grinding stone - must get on with the paperwork!
Sandrine on the trail...



Time is ticking down to the venturers arrival and preparations at Fieldbase are in full swing. After finishing their reports the 5weekers have two more days of training before the venturer descend upon us!