This year 13 teenagers have gone with Raleigh International Bermuda to Malaysia and Namibia for a ten-week expedition.

The young people either studied at the Berkeley Institute or CedarBridge Academy, were members of Government youth centres around the Island or from YouthNet.

Seven of the students departed for Sabah, Borneo, and six for Namibia, South Africa.

Those who went to Malaysia were Atiya Symonds, Alana Burchell, Alex Dill, Antoine Williams, Terrina Nolan and Taneah Bean.

And the young people who went to Namibia were Deshun Richardson Kacey Smith, Kelly Savery, Nakia Foggo,Tomika Easton and Terrieka Simmons.

While in their respective countries they will participate in community, environmental and adventure projects.

?These will include building schools and bridges, teaching English, establishing water gravity systems, trekking in the desert, climbing Mount Kinabalu, which is 4085 feet, and working with the World Wildlife fund tracking animals,? said Karen Diel, Raleigh International Bermuda organiser.

?Prior to the expedition they completed a rigorous training programme including two five day camps with the assistance of Raleigh International UK and the Bermuda Regiment.

?They also received certification at the Olympic Club for climbing with the entire group making a final 80 foot descent at Great Head, St David?s.?

One of the UK Raleigh International trainers Nathan Roberts, who worked with them at the Bermuda Regiment, said: ?It has been an honour to work with these young people.

?They have so many strengths. The expeditions will have such an impact on their lives.?

Staff volunteer Brendan Millett, an ex-Regimental commissioned officer who runs his own construction consultancy business, went on last year?s expedition and described the adventure as an experience of a lifetime.

Mr. Millett also works extensively with young Bermudians both at the Angle Street Community Centre and with the Bermuda Cadet Corp. ?This was one of the hardest life-changing experiences I have ever seen Bermudians undertake,? said the 46-year-old.

?For myself, it was a step backwards in time to the ?60s when Bermudians worked together. The saying, ?it takes a village to raise a child? came to mind?, is what I remember about Bermuda when I was young. That?s what I saw in the village in Borneo where I worked for three months.

?I learnt a lot about people and people management skills from this experience.?

The village he worked in adopted him calling him ?uncle?, which is a term of considerable respect.

Ms Diel said that on their return to Bermuda they will complete a community project and will assist with Raleigh?s 2006/2007 programme.

?A presentation on expedition life will be given by the venturers at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, in September.

?Raleigh will continue to work with the venturers to ensure that they continue their education or enter a training programme in conjunction with the National Training Board.?