Volunteering on the cheap

Volunteering can be an expensive business, travelling to the other side of the world and supporting a project in a developing nation does have its cost. We at Quest do our best to justify every penny that is spent on our volunteer projects and you will have total transparency if you go away with us.

Of course it's not in everyone's budget, but don't assume that means you can't do anything worthwhile. There are hundreds of opportunities closer to home where you are supporting local communities and environments without having to spend much at all. The website Help Exchange has lists and lists of projects in the UK and Europe, where you can volunteer for any time from a week to a year.

We'd love you to go away with us, but more important we want you to just DO SOMETHING!

Visit the Help Exchange website here

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Royal Geographical Society

Geo-blogging for Gap Projects and Expeditions
Royal Geographical Society with IBG, London

Wednesday 28 January 2009 - morning Wednesday 28 January 2009 - afternoon
A practical half day workshop that will equip you with all the skills you need to create a multimedia blog about your project or expedition.

The course is ideal if you are looking to:
· Create a multimedia record of your Gap Year / expedition
· Involve family, friends and sponsors in your project or expedition
· Have an online project or expedition CV for future funders
· Use your Gap Year / expedition as an educational opportunity and share it with pupils and teachers at your present/former school
Cost: £55 for a half day course.Details: T 020 7591 3030 E go@rgs.org W www.rgs.org/GOseminars
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Kung Fu Squirrel?!

Yes a British photographer David Slator has the evidence.  The pictures are real life ground squirrels from Etosha National Park in Namibia.  They apparently found the camera very interesting and have been shot play fighting with each other.

What next I wonder, maybe capybara's performing Capoeira?

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Grim Challenge no trouble for Quest Boys

Well done guys, despite waiting for the course organisers to break the ice on the water with sledgehammers and Land Rovers (!), Simon, Jonjon and Andy weren't fased and stormed through the 8 mile circuit last Sunday morning, finishing in a respectable 1144th, 1145th and 1146th! More importantly though, two children in Peru and one in Malawi will now have their primary school fees covered thanks to the generous efforts of our friends and family - thank you all!
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Update from our Peru Construction Project

Here's a brief update on the work the guys in Villa Maria are getting up to. Zoe, Trevor and Steph are working away to provide better living conditions for a family in the shanty town, just on the outskirts of Lima, keep up the good work guys.

Working on this construction project has also given them the chance to meet some of the families in the community and learn about their realities. One thing they have relayed back to us from this experience is the story of one child in particular, and they have asked us to pass on this message:

A young lad of three years in the school has a tumor, the size of a tennis ball, that is growing rapidly. He requires an operation to have it removed otherwise he will die. The operation costs 500 pounds but his family have no money to fund his operation. We thought of setting up a just giving account so that our family and friends could, if you wanted to make a small donation of just 2 pound. If 250 people donated, this young lad would have a chance at life.

Please use the link to donate a minimum fee of just 2 pound as this could make a small lad and his family's Christmas.

http://www.justgiving.com/josevillamaria

The money donated goes straight to Quest overseas, and they will ensure the funds go directly to Jose.

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