tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67708035572213002602024-03-13T18:57:27.423+00:00QuestoverseasUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-41074591947088317842009-07-24T09:53:00.003+01:002009-07-24T10:32:24.722+01:00Kenyans Invent Pedal Powered Phone Charger<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Sml_B7oCwOI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/D4ZoAYrkpXE/s1600-h/Kenya+bike+man.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361956502523527394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Sml_B7oCwOI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/D4ZoAYrkpXE/s400/Kenya+bike+man.jpg" /></a><br /><div>2 Kenyan electrical engineering students have invented a phone charger which runs off the power generated when riding a bike.</div><br /><div>It is estimated that some 17.5 million people out of Kenya's 38.5 million population own a mobile handset - up from 200,000 in 2000, however in rural areas without easy access to electricity, charging a mobile phone can be extremely difficult. People have to travel great distances to shops where they are charged $2 a time to power their phone, usually from a car battery or solar panel. Both coming from small villages, Jeremiah Murimi, 24, and Pascal Katana, 22, said they wanted to help those without electricity in rural areas.</div><br /><div>Bikes in Kenya are already sold with a dynamo attached to the back wheel to power the lights, this instead can be plugged into the phone charger - about an hours pedalling will fully charge the phone!</div><div><br />Kenya's National Council for Science and Technology has backed the project, and at least one NGO working in Kenya are interested in testing the chargers, proving it to be an absolutely cracking idea. The students hope they will find a way of mass-producing the chargers. At the moment they have only hand-made 2 of the tiny devices using bits from scrapped radios and TVs. </div><br /><div><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8166196.stm"target="_blank">Read the full BBC story</a></div><br /><div>Find out more about <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/africa/kenya_community.php"target="_blank">Quest Overseas' Water Relief Project in Kenya!</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-14840437458009740162009-07-23T16:53:00.005+01:002009-07-23T17:03:02.658+01:00No longer just Justgiving<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SmiHxoUfUyI/AAAAAAAAAK4/RDRNBHBLeXE/s1600-h/logo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361684643091272482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SmiHxoUfUyI/AAAAAAAAAK4/RDRNBHBLeXE/s320/logo.gif" border="0" /></a>Virgin Money is launching an online fundraising site which will be the official online giving engine of the London Marathon, potentially sidelining Justgiving.The financial arm of the Virgin empire, Virgin Money has launched <a href="http://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/giving/" target="_blank">Virgin Money Giving</a>, a website which will enable individuals to raise money for charities registered on the website for the London Marathon and other events and causes.<br /><br />Virgin Money Giving will begin operation this summer to allow people to fundraise for the first Virgin London Marathon in 2010, the first of its five-year sponsorship deal with the event. Justgiving, meanwhile, has worked with the London Marathon since 2002, raising £62.5m for charities supported by runners.<br /><br />The arrival of Virgin Money Giving could potentially dint the former’s hold on the lucrative fundraising event. However, Justgiving has officially welcomed the entry of a would-be competitor.<br /><br />Managing director at Justgiving Anne-Marie Huby said: “We believe that anything that gives charities more choice in their online fundraising is a great thing, so we welcome Virgin to the sector.”<br /><br />This launch, many would say, is coming at an opportune moment, since the recent launch of the new Justgiving site was riddled with problems. It seems Sir Richard has got it right again...!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-43286967186200451022009-07-22T10:58:00.004+01:002009-07-22T11:41:54.933+01:00Amazon in final for "new" Seven Wonders!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nyvmqW-Fhrc/SmbkbzhoDII/AAAAAAAAAAU/AFZnmoxHzRw/s1600-h/800px-CataratasdeIguazu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361223572770000002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nyvmqW-Fhrc/SmbkbzhoDII/AAAAAAAAAAU/AFZnmoxHzRw/s320/800px-CataratasdeIguazu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">As of yesterday lunchtime the 28 finalists for the new Seven Wonders of the World were announced! These were chosen from a list of 77 nominees by the New7Wonders Panel of Experts.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Among the 28 final choices are the Amazon River and Rainforest, Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil, Angel Falls, The Galapagos, The Grand Canyon and The Great Barrier Reef. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The Amazon Basin spans 7 million square kilometers and the forest occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers; it is located within nine countries: Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana; Suriname and Venezuela. It represents over half of the planet's rapidly disappearing rainforests and is the largest and most species-rich area of tropical rainforest in the world!</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Iguazu Falls consist of 275 falls along 1.7 miles and are nestled on the boarder between Argentina and Brazil and taller than the more famous Niagara Falls.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Competition organizers expect more than a billion people to participate in the online voting, which will continue into 2011, when the 7 finalists by categories will be announced, so still plenty of time to vote at </span><a href="http://www.new7wonders.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.new7wonders.com</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> !</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Check out our <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america.php">South American Gap Trips </a>and <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america.php">Summer Trips </a>for the chance to experience both living in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and to venture to the amazing Iguazu Falls !</span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-64415544395561645332009-07-20T13:11:00.004+01:002009-07-20T17:31:19.770+01:00350.org - a workable solution for the planet?<p align="center"><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s5kg1oOq9tY&rel=0&border=1&color1=0x6699&color2=0x54abd6&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s5kg1oOq9tY&rel=0&border=1&color1=0x6699&color2=0x54abd6&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="349"></embed></object></p><p align="left">350.org was founded by U.S. author Bill McKibben, who wrote "The End of Nature" in 1989, a book regarded as the first one written for the general public on climate change.</p><p align="left">It is based on a statistic provided by scentific research, and backed by climate experts and many governments. 350 parts per million of CO2 is considered the maximum safe level for humanity to exist on the planet for the long term - we are currently at 390.18! Current environmental targets set by the leading governments will not reach this target of 350. </p><p align="left">October 24th has been set as the international day of climate change, and people round the world are encouraged to speak up on this day, so that the worlds leaders will take notice in advance of the UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen in December this year.</p><p align="left">Find out more about the campaign at <a href="http://www.350.org/" target="_blank">http://www.350.org/</a> and watch the video above.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-78168274515091770432009-07-20T10:30:00.004+01:002009-07-20T10:41:34.801+01:00Quest Leader setting new challenge<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SmQ5a_7gpfI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Rw6TTc1aroM/s1600-h/colca_canyon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360472592478152178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SmQ5a_7gpfI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Rw6TTc1aroM/s320/colca_canyon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For anyone who has a Facebook account (or any online presence for that matter), you will have received at least the one message about a friend or relative doing some crazy fitness challenge. Marathons, triathlons, epic cycle journeys, who says we live in an obese Britain?!<br /><br />Anyway, it seems this "challenge fever" has hit our Quest leaders this year as well. One of the treks which many of our teams in South America enjoy is into the Colca Canyon, three days trekking the 1000m vertical to the bottom, and then back up again! It's a beautiful trek, taking us through local villages and over raging rivers, lots to see.<br /><br />With super expedition leader Robert Thoren though, he decided to use the route as a time trial. Having a bit of a break between leading teams, he decided to run the three day trek, in 4 hours 29 minutes! This is annoying for two reasons: firstly, because it really is just showing off; but secondly, because the rest of is won't be able to resist trying to better it!<br /><br />Damn you Thoren!<br /><br />To see how to enjoy this trek at a pace where you can actually take in the views (!), check out our <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/andean_expedition.php">Andean Expedition</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-14712246520553562132009-07-16T11:04:00.002+01:002009-07-16T11:20:11.842+01:00Quest Greenhouse Bears Fruit<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Sl7-tgJftaI/AAAAAAAAAJc/rdPr5Vp4T-A/s1600-h/tomatoes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359000664294798754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Sl7-tgJftaI/AAAAAAAAAJc/rdPr5Vp4T-A/s400/tomatoes.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Just for Andy...the first pictures of the very first Quest Overseas tomatoes. It looks to be a bumper crop out in the Quest greenhouse with a whopping 6 individual tomatoes merrily growing away at the moment. Lets hope these are the first of many!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-64356500650760339912009-07-10T12:32:00.003+01:002009-07-10T12:41:07.510+01:00Richard Dimbleby Lecture by Prince Charles<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlcngvTOu1I/AAAAAAAAAKg/blPP83uyQVc/s1600-h/1648110635_090708125040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356793725186915154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlcngvTOu1I/AAAAAAAAAKg/blPP83uyQVc/s320/1648110635_090708125040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The Prince of Wales issued a stark warning about impending environmental catastrophe, telling an audience: "If we fail the Earth, we fail humanity."</p><p>Giving the 33rd Richard Dimbleby lecture, The Prince set out his vision for tackling what he said were the pressing problems of the "environmental crisis", and spoke of an economic system with "enormous shortcomings".</p><p>A new order was needed to combat these issues which moved away from a "mechanistic" approach to one that was more "balanced and integrated with nature's complexity", The Prince said.</p><p>You can see the entire lecture on BBC iPlayer <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00lncxc/Richard_Dimbleby_Lecture_Facing_the_Future" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>The lecture is held in honour of the veteran broadcaster, who died in 1965.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-60686211185750060812009-07-10T11:52:00.005+01:002009-07-10T12:17:22.895+01:00So Why Are Cheetahs So Speedy...?<div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SlcgzQWQBeI/AAAAAAAAAI8/z-3VYza1ewY/s1600-h/cheetah.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356786346714203618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SlcgzQWQBeI/AAAAAAAAAI8/z-3VYza1ewY/s400/cheetah.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Cheetah chasing chicken on a string...<br /></span><br />Scientists at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) are attempting to find out exactly what makes the cheetah the fastest animal on the planet.<br /><br />Cheetahs can reach speeds of at least 104km/h (64mph) and they can achieve their top speed in just a few paces. This is 50% faster than any of the other animals the scientists are familiar with.<br /><br />The study is being carried out with the help of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, where cheetahs in captivity are being enticed to run by tying chicken - wings and feet appear to be a cheetah delicacy - to a piece of fast moving string (pulled along by an electric motor. Special plates in a running track and 4 extremely high speed camaras monitor the cheetah as it runs.<br /><br />Results so far are inconclusive, although the scientists have noticed that when a cheetahs run it does different things with either side of its body - it has an asymmetric gait. This could have something to do with it.<br /><br />Unfortunately the cheetahs cant reach top speed in the enclosure at Whipnade - the team are hoping in future they will be able to continue their research using cheetahs in a larger area.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8137962.stm">Watch the video and read the full BBC story here. </a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.questoverseas.com/africa/african_expedition.php">Spot cheetahs in Botswana during our 6 week African Expedition.</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-84231092398031985172009-07-08T14:12:00.003+01:002009-07-08T16:49:59.050+01:00Harvard Admissions Tutor on the Benefits of Gap Years<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SlS_ypbXVII/AAAAAAAAAI0/Xbb_eVtMPzE/s1600-h/Building+a+classroom+in+Malawi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356116733685355650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SlS_ypbXVII/AAAAAAAAAI0/Xbb_eVtMPzE/s400/Building+a+classroom+in+Malawi.jpg" /></a><br /><div>In a recent article entitled "Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation", William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions at the prestigious Harvard University has extolled the virtues of taking a gap year and has recommended that more American students should consider the option of a year out between High School and college.<br /><br />He says...<br /><br />"Students taking a year off prior to Harvard are doing what students from the U.K. do with their so-called "gap year." Other countries have mandatory military service for varying periods of time. Regardless of why they took the year off or what they did, students are effusive in their praise. Many speak of their year away as a "life-altering" experience or a "turning point," and most feel that its full value can never be measured and will pay dividends the rest of their lives. Many come to college with new visions of their academic plans, their extracurricular pursuits, the intangibles they hoped to gain in college, and the career possibilities they observed in their year away. Virtually all would do it again.<br /><br />Nevertheless, taking time off can be a daunting prospect for students and their parents. Students often want to follow friends on safer and more familiar paths. Parents worry that their sons and daughters will be sidetracked from college, and may never enroll. Both fear that taking time off can cause students to "fall behind" or lose their study skills irrevocably. That fear is rarely justified. High school counselors, college administrators, and others who work with students taking time off can help with reassurance that the benefits far outweigh the risks.<br /><br />Occasionally students are admitted to Harvard or other colleges in part because they accomplished something unusual during a year off. While no one should take a year off simply to gain admission to a particular college, time away almost never makes one a less desirable candidate or less well prepared for college. "<br /><br /><a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/time_off/index.html"target="_blank">Read the whole article here. </a><br /><br />To see all Quest Overseas Gap Year options <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/dates_and_costs.php"target="_blank">click here</a>!<br /><br />For advice on how to choose a worthwhile and sustainable voluntary project take a look at <a href="http://www.ethicalvolunteering.org/"target="_blank">http://www.ethicalvolunteering.org/</a><br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-80304516828357284922009-07-08T12:01:00.005+01:002009-07-08T12:08:49.178+01:00New monkey found in Brazil!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlR821HQBcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/2Y-VhrjYqI8/s1600-h/monk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356043138262631874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlR821HQBcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/2Y-VhrjYqI8/s320/monk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Researchers have discovered a new sub-species of monkey in a remote part of the Amazon rain forest - the Mura's Saddleback Tamarin!<br /><br />The newly found monkey was first spotted by scientists in 2007 in the Brazilian state of Amazonas and is related to the saddleback tamarin monkeys, known for their distinctively marked backs.<br /><br />The small monkey, which is mostly gray and brown and weighs 213 grams, has been named the Mura's saddleback tamarin after the Mura Indian tribe of the Purus and Madeira river basins where the new sub-species was found. It is 24cm tall with a foot long tail.<br /><br />"This newly described monkey shows that even today there are major wildlife discoveries to be made," Fabio Rohe, the lead author of a study confirming the new discovery, said in a statement released by the WCS.<br /><br />The study found that the monkey is threatened by development projects in the region, including a major highway through the forest that is being paved and which could fuel deforestation.<br /><br />"This discovery should serve as a wake-up call that there is still so much to learn from the world's wild places, yet humans continue to threaten these areas with destruction," Rohe said.<br /><br />If you want to help protect the threatened species of the Amazon Rainforest, join our one of our <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/ambue_ari_bolivia.php">Bolivian Animal Project </a>teams next yearUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-19686924860510879162009-07-06T14:42:00.005+01:002009-07-06T15:01:40.276+01:00How to deal with homesickness while away<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlIDnMQmZjI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/rcXpyqJV8wg/s1600-h/Andys-Veg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355346878737573426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlIDnMQmZjI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/rcXpyqJV8wg/s400/Andys-Veg.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div> </div><div>We all miss things while away from home, whether it's friends, family or bacon sandwiches. The good news is, the more you travel, the easier it gets, as you know you will be coming home soon (and let's be honest, not much will have changed). But if we're honest, we'll always miss something, no matter how much we've travelled, so it's nice to have a bit of reassurance that all is well at home from time to time.</div><div><br /><p>Testament to this is our experienced expedition leader and Africa manager Andy Deaville. He's currently out in Africa visiting our project sites in Tanzania, Malawi and Kenya, as well as researching a new Expedition route through Uganda, very exciting! Whenever he contacts the office though, the first question we get is "how's my vegetable patch?"!!!</p><p>Well Andy, to help you sleep better at night under the African stars, here are some photos of your loved ones blossoming away the the office garden, we're taking good care of them!</p><p>To find out more about our expeditions in Africa, <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/africa.php">click here</a></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-6084451390913670192009-07-06T12:10:00.005+01:002009-07-06T13:15:39.222+01:00Nelson's Column Upstaged?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlHbxODB_2I/AAAAAAAAAKA/2pPOTUK0AS4/s1600-h/one-and-other-flash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355303070551113570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SlHbxODB_2I/AAAAAAAAAKA/2pPOTUK0AS4/s320/one-and-other-flash.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wondering what to do with your summer? Perhaps you'd like to make a statement being a part of one of London's most famous monuments. If that does sound tempting, then you might want to join Anthony Gormley's "One and Other" project in Trafalgar Square. For the next 100 days, the square's "fourth plinth" will be occupied by a different person every hour, 24 hours a day. You can do whatever you like, the only rule - keep it legal.<br /><br />The project has already received thousands of applicants but there is still time to try your luck, just go onto the <a href="http://www.oneandother.co.uk/" target="_blank">one and other website</a> for details on how to take part.<br /><br />You'll also see there is a live video stream of the plinth on their website - if Big Brother has finally got too dull for you, maybe this will fill the gap...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-12736530456225434162009-07-01T07:30:00.005+01:002009-07-01T07:54:44.728+01:00Andy in East Africa<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SksFkSF32rI/AAAAAAAAANM/Zb8dpWe-AJw/s1600-h/IMG_4583.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353378702949866162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SksFkSF32rI/AAAAAAAAANM/Zb8dpWe-AJw/s400/IMG_4583.JPG" border="0" /></a> First of all I have to congratulate the entire Tanzania GAP 2009 team for their efforts at Waang'waray School. The new classroom is incredible and is already in use by the kids so that they can get top notch primary education. The task for the 2010 team will be to finish another classroom so that the School will have a total of 8 classrooms. They have also been experimenting with new techniques on the schools farm by growong vegetables in bags. This requires less water, the plants grow faster and they are less prone to disease!<br /><br /><div>Next stop is Uganda to check out some activities for Quest Overseas new exciting expedition as part of our Kenya GAP trip departing in January 2010. On the list are visits to monkey island and white water rafting. Watch this space for updates on our Kenya and Malawi Summer Projects over the next few weeks!</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SksHmfm-CTI/AAAAAAAAANc/_DmXJtHIBOo/s1600-h/IMG_4949.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353380939961338162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SksHmfm-CTI/AAAAAAAAANc/_DmXJtHIBOo/s400/IMG_4949.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Andy - Africa Operations Manager in Arusha, Tanzania</div><br /><br />Africa GAP 2010Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-39236067757059806092009-06-30T09:41:00.004+01:002009-07-01T16:28:34.122+01:00See us at Cheltenham Ladies' College today!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SknRSTMme7I/AAAAAAAAAIs/3JKroq2jBYU/s1600-h/cheltenham+ladies+college.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353039744427522994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SknRSTMme7I/AAAAAAAAAIs/3JKroq2jBYU/s400/cheltenham+ladies+college.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Vicky & I will be at Cheltenham Ladies' College this afternoon from 2:30-4:30pm at their annual Gap Year Fair. Now exams are over it's the perfect time to start thinking about what you might want to do on your gap year - either this year or the year after. There will be representatives from loads of Gap Year Organisations there so do come along for a chat and to find out more about the projects we offer in Africa and South America.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cheltladiescollege.org/welcome/findingus.asp" target="_blank"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Directions to Cheltenham Ladies' College can be found here!</span></a><span style="color:#33ccff;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/dates_and_costs.php" target="_blank"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Click here to see all the projects and expeditions departing next year!</span></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-66155292457792373252009-06-25T14:28:00.003+01:002009-06-25T14:49:28.343+01:00Gap Year Fair at Oundle School<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkN9L5BI-BI/AAAAAAAAAIk/HT2x9hg3D60/s1600-h/oundle+school.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351258425483917330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkN9L5BI-BI/AAAAAAAAAIk/HT2x9hg3D60/s400/oundle+school.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Now that exams are coming to an end its a perfect time to start thinking about what your options are for a Gap Year next year. So why not come down to Oundle School in Oundle, near Peterborough tomorrow and have a chat with us to find out more about our projects and expeditions in Africa and South America.<br /></div><div>We will be there (along with loads of other gap year organisations) from 5-7pm so do come and say hello!</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.oundleschool.org.uk/about/gettooundle.php"target="_blank"><span style="color:#33ccff;">If you need directions to Oundle School just click here.</span></a></div><br /><div>Find out more about gap year opportunities with Quest Overseas in<span style="color:#33ccff;"> </span><a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/africa.php"target="_blank"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Africa </span></a>and <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america.php"target="_blank"><span style="color:#33ccff;">South America</span></a>.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-75229807357594012402009-06-24T12:13:00.005+01:002009-06-24T12:49:05.732+01:00Run the Brighton Marathon for Quest4Change!<div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIQJcArZrI/AAAAAAAAAIM/iq5_YFwoagM/s1600-h/QUEST_4_CHANGE_LOGO.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350857061593474738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIQJcArZrI/AAAAAAAAAIM/iq5_YFwoagM/s400/QUEST_4_CHANGE_LOGO.jpg" /></a><br />Exciting news - the 1st ever Brighton Marathon will be held next year on 18th April 2010 and places are going fast!<br /><br />If you fancy tackling the 26 mile route taking in the best of the city centre, fabulous stretches of coastal road and stunning views over the South Downs why not run for Quest4Change and support our projects in Africa and South America. Over the last 13 years Quest4Change has raised over £1.2 million to alleviate poverty and protect endangered environments through the support of worthwhile and sustainable projects.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIQdCO9KdI/AAAAAAAAAIU/w_jHzu_jxmo/s1600-h/england-brighton.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350857398271420882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIQdCO9KdI/AAAAAAAAAIU/w_jHzu_jxmo/s400/england-brighton.jpg" /></a>Be a member of the Quest4Change Brighton Marathon Team and we will help you with fundraising and training. <p><strong>You'll receive:</strong> </p><li>Sponsorship Forms </li><br /><li>A Quest4Change t-shirt </li><br /><li>A marathon training program </li><br /><li>You get entrance to a special "Charity Runner Hospitality" area at the start and end of the race which includes food and drink, extra toilets and a dedicated bag drop. </li><br /><li>Information about the projects your fundraising will support </li></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIRqh6qAxI/AAAAAAAAAIc/7d679NOzK7M/s1600-h/marathon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350858729626141458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkIRqh6qAxI/AAAAAAAAAIc/7d679NOzK7M/s400/marathon.jpg" /> <p align="justify"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Marathon route through Brighton & Hove</span><br /><br />For more details take a look at the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.quest4change.org/get-involved.html"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Quest4Change website</span></a> or get in touch with Heather on 01273 77206 or by email <a href="mailto:heather@questoverseas.com"><span style="color:#33ccff;">heather@questoverseas.com</span></a></p><p>For more information on the marathon itself visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/"><span style="color:#33ccff;">http://www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/</span></a> </p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-9552565736229814732009-06-23T17:16:00.004+01:002009-06-23T17:30:40.323+01:00Quest LettuceToday marked a momentous occasion in the Quest office...after weeks of careful planting, re-planting and watering Andy's efforts to create a makeshift vegetable haven in the back garden have finally paid off. In his absence (sorry!) we enjoyed the first taste of Quest lettuce, hopefully soon to be followed by Quest courgettes, Quest tomatoes, more Quest lettuce, Quest aubergines and Quest chili peppers...watch this space!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkECC2JY8gI/AAAAAAAAAIE/L7NmrrvahYg/s1600-h/spr2007_lettuce_and_mustard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350560080210752002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SkECC2JY8gI/AAAAAAAAAIE/L7NmrrvahYg/s400/spr2007_lettuce_and_mustard.jpg" /></a> Not quite what the Quest Overseas greenhouse looks like...</p><p><br />The verdict...tasty, in a lettucy kind of way.<br /></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-46497312356671932122009-06-19T15:35:00.005+01:002009-06-19T15:54:50.831+01:00Come visit us at Eton on Saturday<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SjujlWosmWI/AAAAAAAAAIo/uppPBSTGhC0/s1600-h/eton_air.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349048844559358306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0AEzAh3SQpY/SjujlWosmWI/AAAAAAAAAIo/uppPBSTGhC0/s320/eton_air.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The forecast for this weekend is looking pretty good, but before you head on down to the beach, to the last day at Royal Ascot, or perhaps even to Silverstone, you might want to stop by and find out more about your gap year options at Eton College. We'll be there from 10.30am until midday, as will dozens of other gap year providers, so do stop by and ask us about our expeditions in South America and Africa.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etoncollege.com/HowToGetToEton.aspx" target="_blank">You can find out how to get to Eton on their website by clicking here</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/dates_and_costs.php">Want to see your gap year options with Quest? Click here to see our team departures for 2010</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-13048835039886122902009-06-16T09:27:00.005+01:002009-06-16T09:43:32.844+01:00Repton School Gap Year Fair Today!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SjdaSostARI/AAAAAAAAAH8/pfLfEekNf_Q/s1600-h/Repton+School.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347842358734815506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SjdaSostARI/AAAAAAAAAH8/pfLfEekNf_Q/s400/Repton+School.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Si and Jon will be at Repton School in Derbyshire this evening for their annual Gap Year Fair. The event starts at 7:30pm and finishes at 9pm. <a href="http://www.repton.org.uk/mainlist.html?pgi=adm.maps"target="_blank">Click here for directions to the school!</a></div><br /><div>Do come along and say hello, ask questions about our projects or just for a chat about gap years, Africa or South America in general!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-70685461553753904152009-06-15T17:18:00.006+01:002009-06-15T17:53:40.678+01:00Our nude Hero!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ3alQFlJI/AAAAAAAABI8/CmJUAEqgZ4Y/s1600-h/nakedbikeride+0161.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347592906108933266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ3alQFlJI/AAAAAAAABI8/CmJUAEqgZ4Y/s400/nakedbikeride+0161.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>A massive congratulations to Ted who in the name of charity exposed himself to Brighton and Hove. Wearing only socks and sunglasses (so to not get caught looking at the other riders privates) Ted managed the uncomfortable ride in aid of raising funds to buy two much needed wheel chairs for the kids of Casa Lar. Unfortunately he did however forget to wear any sun cream, silly Ted!</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ5rXPH5jI/AAAAAAAABJM/y5kyH024U4c/s1600-h/P1000085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347595393427826226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ5rXPH5jI/AAAAAAAABJM/y5kyH024U4c/s400/P1000085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>If you want to know more about he effects of exposure to the sun please follow the link bellow.</div><a href="http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sunburn/article_em.htm">http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sunburn/article_em.htm</a><br /><br /><br />If you wish to know more about the reason behind the nudity and volunteering at Casa Lar then please click on this link <a href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/rio.php">http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/rio.php</a><br /><br /><br /><br />A massive well done Ted!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ5q8Ggc-I/AAAAAAAABJE/74-1SPsE4cU/s1600-h/nakedbikeride+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347595386143929314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mXfmFuoKspU/SjZ5q8Ggc-I/AAAAAAAABJE/74-1SPsE4cU/s400/nakedbikeride+015.JPG" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-61751761206140519622009-06-12T14:16:00.005+01:002009-06-12T14:40:35.572+01:00Quest Nudity on Southern FM<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SjJZUk_bh4I/AAAAAAAAAH0/2qD8vUg7XYg/s1600-h/naked+bike+ride.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346433917704177538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/SjJZUk_bh4I/AAAAAAAAAH0/2qD8vUg7XYg/s400/naked+bike+ride.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Continuing the Naked Bike Ride theme, have a listen to Southern FM's interview with Heather about the upcoming big event to raise money for the boys of Casa Lar in Rio. To hear her 5 minutes of fame on the Southern FM website simply click on the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.southernfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=1365443">link here</a>! The bike ride kicks off this Sunday on the Level in Brighton at 12pm, before heading down to the nudist beach for a paddle and a picnic in the buff.<br /><br />To sponsor the guys to get their kit off and to help us raise enough to buy two new wheelchairs for Junior de Silva and Daniel Netto (and ensure Si and Heather have to join in!!) simply visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.justgiving.com/nakedted">www.justgiving.com/nakedted</a></div><div><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/rio.php">Volunteer at Casa Lar and join in the world famous Rio Carnival next year!</a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-72587034998840399922009-06-11T17:02:00.004+01:002009-06-11T17:08:36.779+01:00Tanzania GAP 2009 video is here!<p align="center"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ysByrPMy7ug&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ysByrPMy7ug&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-61087189560377516652009-06-11T16:49:00.003+01:002009-06-11T16:54:03.224+01:00Quest in the Mid Sussex Times<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SjEoTav5qpI/AAAAAAAAANE/x7AbVftgprM/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346098546728348306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ttM5Oe26DQk/SjEoTav5qpI/AAAAAAAAANE/x7AbVftgprM/s400/scan0001.jpg" border="0" /></a> Please click on the article to enlarge the text.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-12258460468693710892009-06-10T15:45:00.009+01:002009-06-11T09:43:19.962+01:00Quest Gets Naked for Casa Lar<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Si_T1H7FInI/AAAAAAAAAHs/yWyY6Yn8Tyg/s1600-h/tedheathersi+pic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345724192325444210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Si_T1H7FInI/AAAAAAAAAHs/yWyY6Yn8Tyg/s400/tedheathersi+pic.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />This Sunday various members of the Quest Office will be getting their kit off to join the <a href="http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/"target="_blank">4th World Naked Bike Ride</a>, in Brighton. Ted, Heather and Si will be cycling along the seafront in the buff, paddling in the sea and getting involved in a very naked picnic.<br /><br />Please support Ted who is raising money for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.quest4change.org">Quest4Change</a> to provide new wheelchairs for Junior de Silva and Daniel Netto two disabled boys who live at Casa Lar in Rio. The new chairs will give Junior and Daniel (who is blind) the freedom to live more comfortable, fuller lives.<br /><br />If we raise £500 Ted will bear all, if we reach £750 Simon will join him and if we get to £1,000 in just 5 days then Heather will be joining the naked boys on the seafront for some cycling freedom.<br /><br />Life for the disabled boys of Casa Lar has never been easy and this year things have been particularly precarious. The boys are in desperate need of new wheelchairs and just £1,000 will cover the cost. So dig deep, charge your camera batteries and support staff nudity for this excellent cause.<br /><br />To sponsor Ted, Simon and Heather simply go to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.justgiving.com/nakedted">www.justgiving.com/nakedted</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.questoverseas.com/south_america/rio.php">Volunteer at Casa Lar in Rio next year!</a> </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770803557221300260.post-16799619988757426492009-06-08T16:34:00.002+01:002009-06-08T16:45:03.730+01:00Marlborough College Gap Fair Tomorrow<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Si0x6uPoJTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/2zbuw1GLx9o/s1600-h/marlborough+college.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344983217674396978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pfd8--EJgBc/Si0x6uPoJTI/AAAAAAAAAGg/2zbuw1GLx9o/s400/marlborough+college.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Simon will be at Marlborough College Gap Fair in sunny Wiltshire tomorrow (Tuesday 9th) from 2-3pm. If you would like any information about any of our projects and expeditions, want some advice about gap years in general or have some questions about Africa or South America then do come and say hello!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.marlboroughcollege.org/col_map.aspx"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Directions to Marlborough College can be found here!</span></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15774132320038720423noreply@blogger.com0