>>>>Drake says:...

her name is Koong Hui Yein, as i was told, she just got back from Raleigh Borneo Summer Expedition 09E. She said, she spent an absolutely awesome 10weeks at Borneo.

Before joining Raleigh, Yein felt constantly trapped in her current life, she keep asking herself, " now, beside studying, what else i could do? ". With this question in mind, she started to seek her own adventure. By chance, her cousin sister, who too joined the 10 weeks Borneo Expedition on 2006 told her about it. Since then, she's determined to join Expedition when there is chance. In fact, she's bit scare of what would expedition be, she's always doubt that whether she can face the challenges ahead, expedition taught her that with determination and effort, yes it's possible to achieve what she desire. It was the type of confidence expedition had taught her to possess. She's more calm and steady when dealing with stuff now. Now, she learn to live and laugh everyday~ she learned that there is always something around the corner, just waiting for her to explore. Expedition triggered her curiosity.

So, i met Yein at Kota Kinabalu on 8th of September, i joined her to visit Kampung Pinapak, a small little village in the district of Pitas, Sabah. It was located somewhere up North of Sabah. I was told that it was one of the poorest region in Sabah. Yein was at Kampung Pinapak for her community phase. Her project was aimed to build a water gravity feed system for the village. I was so excited when she told me about the project, so i decided to tag along the group consist of 4 girls ( Yein, Su Lan, Shu Woan & Kar Lye) for their post-expedition trip to Kampung Pinapak.

On 09/09/09, we departed from Kota Marudu to Kampung Pinapak in the afternoon. We traveled there on a four-by-four. After a 2 hour bum-bumped road, we reached the beautiful Pinapak.
According to Yein, we were going to overnight at Mr. Jeffrin's house, a very generous uncle who gave us such a warm welcome and made me felt i am not a stranger at all. So, after we stopped by Mr.Jeffrin's house half an hour, Yein was anxious to see how was the outcome of her hardwork and sweat for the past 3weeks, and decided to go and see the dam she and her team built. Together, we walked up 2 big and 3 small steep hills before we reached the entrance of trail. That trail, which was 300 meters, lead us to the water source for gravity feed system and was where the dam built. It was quite well hidden among the trees. The water was so clean and clear, compare to the river.

Said Yein, before the gravity water feed was built, villagers rely on river and rain water for water. The river was claimed to be polluted, so there's no promise to the villagers that they are having clan and safe drinking water. After seeing the dam, we went to the hall where the tap is located. The girls turned on the tap and saw water flowing out! Yein felt really happy to be part of this project because she felt she had made a difference.

So, after the visit, the girls went to cross the newly built suspension bridge which its existence will overtake the present low-level crossing at the river. Hmm..i realised that Kar Lye was extremely afraid of heights. Though I am small, it was significant that i was much more braver than her as I could cross the bridge without hanging on the handler, but she kept both of her hands tight on the handler and yelling and can't stand still to her feet.

After some pictures taken, the girls decided to go to swim in the river. I couldn't join because i saw a tag on my ass saying that " Dry Clean Only". Oh well, i could just sit there and enjoy the marvelous view of the river and the river bank.

At night, us and Mrs Jeffrin and her daughter went to the river bank and had a mini bond fire. We had corns which were bought from Kota Marudu to roast with. Then, by chance, Mrs.Jeffrin spotted shrimps in the river. They could be easily spotted because the river water was clear on that day. So, holding Yein's parang made in Long Pasia, she bang the shrimps with it. So, all the girls were excited by the catching of the shrimps and started the shrimps hunt. Other than shrimps, they spotted small fish too !! They ended up having corns, shrimps and fish for barbeque, all the fresh food with the natural freshness. I couldn't eat as, you know... Beside the fire, i too enjoyed gazing the stars. Then when it was near 11pm, suddenly, the little girl, Jeffrin's daughter spotted a black figure not far from us. We were scared, especially when that figure became closer and closer. That's when we started to pack our sruff and get ready to leave. So, when it get so close, we all walked quickly to leave that spot, but strangely while we stareted to walked, that figure ran away, so quick we can't really see what or who was it! weird.... We really really had a wonderful night. What a day for a night, and what a night for a day~

With strong reluctance to leave in our heart, we departed from Kampung Pinapak to Kota Marudu in the morning. I could say for now, how awesome it was to be part of Raleigh International because it could take you to places where humanity and warmth can be discovered.


my name is Drake, the bear.