Spence Chau's Raleigh Report

“Is this real? Am I really home?” I asked myself suspiciously. It was the day I arrived at the Hong Kong Chep Lap Kwok Airport from a 10–week expedition in Namibia . Everything in Hong Kong looked mostly the same, yet, after 10 weeks, there was a great transformation in me. It may not be the longest period I have stayed out of Hong Kong , but it's definitely the most inspiring.

The day before expedition

It was a breezy morning when I first stepped onto the territory of Namibia . It was also my first time to meet the other 4 Hong Kong Venturers, who later became my life–long friends. I was so touched by them. At the very night after I arrived at Namibia , they bought me a gorgeous cake as birthday gift. Imagine spending your birthday in a country you hardly know, at a point, a surprise can lighten up everything.

Expedition started

Throughout the expedition, the term “field base” was heard over and over. It was basically a home for nearly a hundred Raleighians. We did not stay there for the entire 10 weeks, only at changeovers from phase to phase. It's also the only place we could do our washing, showering and proper long drops (a deep pit as a toilet where you have to squat to do your business). But they are luxury in contrast to the next 10 weeks.

1 st Phrase — Environmental Phase

After a couple days of training and to allocate in groups, off we went to the first phase! We spent 3 weeks in Sperrgebiet (meaning restricted area in German). The person in charge was Trygve Cooper, a chief warden of the restricted area, who is a strictly solemn person, seeing him smile may equal to the sun has arisen from the west. You may also be surprised to know that hardly anyone in Namibia is allowed in this restricted area, we were really honoured to be allowed in.

Trygve once told us not to underestimate what we were doing to help out the environment. It might not benefit Namibia at that moment, but years after, if we ever brought our sons / daughters to Namibia , we could surely and proudly say that particular bit your father / mother had once taken part in.

Probably because of his speech, all of us were working our very best. We

•  did the preparation work of building a national park;

•  maintained laboratories in the middle of no where of a dessert;

•  erected hides;

•  cleared invasive bush;

•  built shelters; and

•  did some other paintings.

We were surprised that our group could do so much over the 3 weeks. Afterwards I realized that not only did we help the environment, but our view and friendships among the group become non–destructible. And maybe because of that friendship, our synergy was gained. “Would you come back and see all these if you got chance?” I asked my tent mate one day. “I think I would” he said. “Same here. Should we come back together?” I replied. “Of coz!” He answered.

2nd Phase — Community Phrase

“Come on! You are nearly there!” I shouted out hysterically, a burst of applause around almost covered my voice. It was the day we were having a sports day with the students. It happened in the second phase in Northern Namibia .

The sports day was a catalyst for us to get to know the students better. Every one of us participated in the games: basketball, football, relay and obstacle race. That was the day when the field was filled with laugher and sweat.

Apart from the sports day, we also built a school and even joined their Sunday service. Building a school was not difficult, but to work as a team was the main aim. Since the foundation had already been built by the previous group, all we needed to do was to lay more bricks, to put up a roof and some plastering.

Among three phases, this may probably be the most interactive with the locals. One day, when my tent mate Louis and I paid them a visit after the Sunday service, they warmly guided us to the local shops and houses for photos. What impressive was that they were really passionate with the photo taking and went round to invite nearly all the people in the village for photos.

The only shame was that we weren't able to see the final product of the school. It was the job of the next group.

3rd Phase — Adventure

After two days of rest, there it came the most toilsome phase, the trek from the east to the west of the dessert. People said this challenge was not physical but mental. Having to carry a weighty rug sack every day to travel through the dessert on foot was no longer a torture once you had got used to it.

Our life styles seemed to be routine, going to bed at 6 or 7 at night, waking up before foggy dawn and be ready to go once the first gleam of the day is out. This might seem boring for some but definitely not all. At around 6am everyday, most of us would be savouring how marvelous the sunrise was and busy taking photos of it. At that point, the sun not only made the fog disappear but also our fatique. The sun seemed to fill everyone of us with energy which could sustain for the rest of day.

When we were walking through the dessert, most of our conversation was concerned about home. After 7 weeks of hectic work keeping my mind busy, this phase did the opposite. Images of family and friends kept playing in mind. “What is the first thing you want to do when you get back?” I asked. Most of my group mates would answer, “To see my family and friends”. Everyone seemed to say that after these 7 weeks, we have every right to miss home and friends.

Not until we reached the destination did we able to see the most spectacular sunrise we had ever seen. It was amazing. We all stood there and were rendered speechless, all appreciating. At that point, I realized this might be the gift for helping out Namibia . And this may be the best gift I have ever had. Thank you!