We love Raleigh!

Here at fieldbase we have a few permanent members of staff who keep coming back for more- they just can’t get enough of Raleigh! Here they are being interviewed for the blog....

Keiner

Keiner (aka K-Dawg)

1. How long have you worked at Raleigh?

1 year

2. What kind of things do you do here?

Promote Raleigh, recruit potential Host Country Venturers, offer them all the support they need before, during and after expedition and create links with youth organisations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

3. What is your favourite Raleigh Moment?

The arrival of the HCVs on this expedition was incredible. The energy and songs among people from different countries together as a huge family was amazing (see video in previous blogs).

4. If you could do an expedition what kind would it be and why?

Trek, over and over again. To visit different places every day, to meet new people and to see how people change in positive ways makes an adventure really special for me.

5. What is your funniest Raleigh moment?

Making videos with the team ZERO – Fieldbase staff!

Don Martin

Don Martin

1. How long have you worked at Raleigh?

6 years

2. What kind of things do you do here?

Security, logistics, repairs (vehicles, tools and infrastructure) and I drive the bravos (Raleigh vehicles) (K -" and a lot more").

3. What is your favourite Raleigh moment?

Every moment is special, but during the expedition it is very exciting to meet new staff and I like it when old friends send letters to me.

4. If you could do an expedition what kind would it be and why?

Community, I’m worried about poverty and injustice. I want to help families to have better living conditions.

5. What is your funniest Raleigh moment?

Making the video of "Pork and Beans" on the last expedition (K – "Don Martin rocks!")

Sandra

Sandra

1. How long have worked at Raleigh?

9 years

2. What kind of things do you do here?

Cook and make friends (K – "she’s also the best hugger in the world!")

3. What is your favourite Raleigh moment?

When everybody is at fieldbase, the energy and happiness is lovely.

4. If you could do an expedition what kind would it be and why?

Community, it is an amazing feeling when you help people, for example providing fresh water for families.

5. What is your funniest Raleigh moment?

When people wear fancy dress for parties!

Better know Team Zero: Finance Manager

Money makes the world go round and obviously no Raleigh expedition can operate without funds but as a charity we have to get the most out of every colon and cordoba. And our amazing Finance Manager, Abi, ensures none go to waste.

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
Money, money, money. Looking after the finances for the whole expedition, issuing funds to project staff, monitoring spending against the budgets, foreign exchange for the Venturers and helping with the shop.

2) What can't you live without?
Tea.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
My best friend, cause we'd chat all the time and sing along to the radio and have fun exploring.

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
Visiting all the different projects, getting involved and helping to make a difference. Getting a chance to see more of these amazing countries and their wildlife. 

5) Who did you think would win the World Cup?
I didn't care.

Better know Team Zero: HCV Coordinator

One of Raleigh's key aims in all our countries of operation is to involve local volunteers in all our projects both as Project Managers - this expedition we've got the amazing Oscar leading Delta 3 in Alto Pacuar - and as Venturers.

Through our Host Country Venturer (HCV) program, young people from Costa Rica and Nicaragua can join the expedition and add a really special dimension to our project teams. And the man who facilitate this is our lovable HCV Coordinator, Keiner - known simply as K around Fieldbase.

A former HCV himself, K is a dedicated to promoting Raleigh, recruiting potential HCVs and offering them all the support they need during the expedition. Plus he's one of the niciest guys you'll ever meet... romantic too, girls.

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
I recruit and support host country venturers before, during and after expedition, I establish relationships with youth organizations and maintain links with the Raleigh Costa Rica Society.

2) What can't you live without?
Music is life, I carry the music with me everywhere... and a umbrella.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
Gabriel García Marquez

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
My first time out of Costa Rica, both (the official to Nicaragua and the illegal by mistake to Panama) I was like a happy kid.

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Holland! I like Dutchies!

Better know Team Zero: Field Photographer

It would be a bit sad if we couldn't share some of the fun and excitement of Expedition 10F&G with all our loved ones back at home (that's you), so where would we be without our supremely talented photographer, James?

As our resident tech guru and film geek (don't get him started on James Bond), James has already started a small workshop on his desk and you wouldn't believe how much kit he's brought with him. Plus, as an added bonus, he's just informed me you can follow him on all manner of social media from Facebook to Flickr.

For those of you who aren't already familar with his work, he really knows how to take a picture. And the only place you'll be able to see the cream of the crop is right here on our blog - definitely the best reason to visit us as often as possible.

Time for the questions:

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
Photography! From the blog to images for press use back in the UK, I cover the expedition from a photographic point of view.

2) What can't you live without?
Electricity and electrical items. From all of time.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
Roger Moore, clearly the best Bond to take with you on the road, from the stories of the women, the films & his driving ability while wearing a very smart safari suit!

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua? Visiting project sites. I’m very fortunate in my role being able to travel to both amazing countries.

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?

NOT England, maybe Germany?

Better know Team Zero: Logistics Coordinator

Food is obviously a massive part of any Raleigh project and the responsibility for ensuring everyone gets feed rests with our sensational Logistics Coordinator, Vanessa.

Vanessa has returned to Fieldbase after managing projects in the Conte Burika indigenous reserve and leading the Coast to Coast trek during the 10B expedition earlier this year.

She can often be found in the Raleigh Bodega (storehouse) buried under cans of pork and beans and packets of pasta.

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
Feed the masses.

2) What can't you live without?
Laughter. In good times and bad.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
A dear friend of mine who loved travel and adventure and would have loved Nicaragua. The food, the hiking, the driving, listening to good tunes and of course, the sunshine. Perfect road trip :)

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
The possibility of the Maribios trek in Nicaragua. Doing the Coast to Coast trek last expedition has given me the trekking bug! The most exciting thing I've done... six weeks on a jungle hilltop overlooking the Pacific in the best indigenous reserve in the country - Conte Burika!

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Uruguay - I was there last year and loved the country and the people so despite their dodgy refereeing decisions I still want them to win.

Better know Team Zero: Logistics Manager

Every Raleigh expedition is a huge logistical undertaking from the vehicles to radios to all the tools and other kit - all of which rests on the broad shoulders of our seemingly inexhaustable Logs Manager, Jonathan.

Johnny - "Soft Hands" to you and me - has done a power of work since arriving at Fieldbase three weeks ago but is still always ready to lend a hand (and a smile) to anyone who needs it.

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
To lead an enthusiastic and dedicated team in providing all 10F&G logistical matters and trying to provide as much laughter and smiles to all around me.

2) What can't you live without?
At the moment, nothing springs to mind but one thing I've learned to live without is a mobile phone.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
The presenters of Top Gear, total lads holiday!

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
Continuing my journey to become the person I want to be.

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Argentina.

Better know Team Zero: DPM

Running the day to day operations of Expedition 10F&G is far too much work for one, or even two, mortal men but luckily Julian, Ross and all the rest of us can rely on our lovely Deputy Program Manager, Sarah.

Sarah is a Raleigh veteran - she was the Logistics Manager for Expedition 10B earlier this year. A master listmaker, Sarah makes sure we all know where we're supposed to be and she's always ready with a quick icebreaker (a getting-to-know-you game) or energizer (an activity to raise energy levels) to get the group going.

I now present the questions:

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
I work with Julian (Country Director) and Ross (Country Program Manager) to help run the expeditions. That includes everything from organising the schedules for 39 staff and 121 venturers when they are at Fieldbase, entertainment, transport and generally making sure everyone is OK.

2) What can't you live without?
At the moment, my lovely blue and pink flowery wellies  a present from my sister and essential for Costa Rican downpours.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
Michael Parkinson - he'd have amazing chat to while away the many hours of driving, and he's a true gent!

4) What are you most excited about doing in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
I'm most excited about meeting all our venturers and the amazing experiences they'll have here. The most exciting thing I've done in CR&N is a 10 day road trip to visit our projects in the remote north of Nicaragua - amazing people, fantastic projects and great company on the road.

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Ghana!

Better know Team Zero: CPM

Today's Team Zero subject is the man with all the answers, our amazing Country Programme Manager, Ross. A proud Scotsman, Ross has been working for Raleigh in Costa Rica & Nicaragua for over three years.

Any worried parents reading can sleep a little bit easier knowing he's running the show - he really knows his stuff.

Now on to the questions:

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
Day to day management of expedition including training volunteers in everything from off-road driving to living in the jungle to development issues.

2) What can't you live without?
Music - a 24/7 requirement.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
Chris Rock... although he'd have to drive as I'd be laughing too much.

4) What is the most exciting thing you've done in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
Watching the sun come up at the top of Volcan Cosiguina - stunning!

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Scotland... Brazil 2014.

Better know Team Zero: Country Director

At this time we'd like to kick off an ongoing series which we hope will help you get to know our Fieldbase team - better known by its radio call sign "Zero" - a little bit better, the people who make this whole expedition possible. And what better place to start than the head honcho, our wonderful Country Director, Julian.

Julian is a real Central American aficianado - he's been living and working in Costa Rica for the past eight years and knows the region inside out. He's very passionate about Raleigh's work in Costa Rica & Nicaragua so it's quite inspiring to hear him talk about the projects we'll be working on over the next few months.

His other passion is cricket. He has recently returned from leading the Costa Rican national team in its first ever official ICC tournament, the World Cricket League Americas Region Division Four tournament in Mexico. And while Julian will be the first to tell you their results were a little disappointing (you can read all about it at Cricinfo), we're sure better days lie ahead in the international cricketing arena.

Here are five questions we'll be posing to all the Fieldbase staff:

1) What are your responsibilities at Fieldbase?
My job is planning all the projects, managing relationships with project partners and long term planning. During this expedition I will be helping to deliver all aspects of the expedition.

2) What can't you live without?
Real Costa Rican coffee.

3) You're about to embark on a week-long road trip to Nicaragua and you can choose one person, living or dead, to be your co-pilot. Who would it be and why?
Carlos Fonseca, founder of the Sandinistas. I'm sure he would have had some amazing stories about the Nicaragua revolution.

4) What is the most exciting thing you've done in Costa Rica & Nicaragua?
I came across a jaguar last year whilst visiting a national park.

5) Who's going to win the World Cup?
Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerlaaaand (sorry Julian).