Helens Gap Year
This is where Im going for my 3 month placement. Penisular Malaysia with World Challenge Expeditions.
They do other Gap Challenges as well as other expeditions, team and first challenges and the Leadership challenge course (which I did).
On my placement I will be working in the Kuala Gandah elephant sanctuary, which will entail looking after the elephants, building trails and maintaining enclosures, making signs, helping with research and the tourist centre and helping locals with their English.

After the placement is finished I want to travel more around Malaysia, and go to Singapore, Malaysian Borneo, Brunei, Thailand and hopefully Hong Kong if I have the money.
Preparation diary
I have my selection course on 17th and 18th October so wish me luck! I will be doing lots of things, outdoor stuff, team games and a presentation (which Im very nervous about!)

It went ok, except my presentation! and i'm waiting for my my letter saying if i'm in or not.  If i'm not, i'll definitly try again as I really want to go.  Got my Money Management folder which has given me some good ideas to raising my fee.

                
I GOT IN!!!!!

Have found some really cheap insurance. £150 for 8 months from Insure and Go.  Have aslo managed to whitle down some of the stuff on my kit list to get it down to £300 from £400 with slight potential to go down a bit further.

I may have found insurance for £58. but im still checking it out. My kit list is going down too, currently at £280.

That insurance is good so Im going for it.

Am still waiting to find out where Im going, Im hoping on the elephant sanctuary cos that'll be fantastic!  But anywhere'll be great.

Also I have a doctors appointmant to talk about what jabs I need.  I am NOT having them in my bum!

I didn't have them in my bum, I did have them in my arm though; Hep A and Typhoid, Tetanus and Diptheria and Polio. I'm having Rabies and Jap B Enceph. mid-july, which will cost about £190, so Im debating whether to have them or not.  I also found out I will need Chloroquine and Proguamil anti-malarials which will cost about £50 (less than usual cos my mums a pharmacist and I get 20% off!)

Ive been working on my kit list and I think Ive finalised it.  Also I remembered I have a £10 book token so I can buy another guide book and have also got a £10 voucher for Nomad so thats good too.

Got my guide book, its really good and having a more accurate price guide for flights and accomodation has really cut my estimated spending and so I may be able to stretch to those 2 expensive jabs (also some guy has told me I might be able to persude the doctor to give them to me cheaper or free cos Im a student) and Im able to absorb those nasty customs charges on my filter.

Ive managed to scav a battery recharger from my Dad so I only need to get a few rechargeable batteries, which will save me money while Im out there, if theres electricity that is!

Have decided Im definatly getting those 2 jabs, even if I have to pays loads.  Ive been talking to people and the general concensus is; Get them, theyre worth it.

Have just heard a rumour that we wont be going to Malaysia, dont know why or if its true tho.

Just heard that only applies to people doing teaching, so I'll  be alright.

Its the training thing soon- 1st-2nd July, should be fun.

Ibe had to revise my insurance as the cheap one doesnt have good enough cover.  Im currently looking at
COEconnections or Gosure, each with good deals but I need to check them out futher to be sure on which one is best.

ARRGGGG!
I am having a big crisis at the moment; I start my exams in 2 days; I dont have enough money; I dont know how to get any money; I cant find the right stuff to take and I keep making mistakes whilst buying stuff.  Its times like this I just want to turn back time to early March so I can think through all my reckless purchases a bit more throughly.  >:((

I feel better now.  Click
here to see my money.

I just got the first part of the Rabies and Japanese Ecephalitis jabs, costing £177.50 for the lot.  The rabies was a pretty pink cololour and didnt hurt but the Jap hurt like ****!  Probably the most painful jab Ive ever had.  And Ive got two more to go- with them and my Hep A booster,  Im going to feel like a pin cushin by the end of the month!

Ive just come back from my training course which was really good.  I learnt more about Malaysia (its looks absolutly beautiful!) and the possibly placements and also met the two others going to Malaysia with me, James and Lizzie, though Lizzie is doing care work not conservation, and theyre both very nice.  We'll hopefully be travelling together after our placements which beats going alone.  We also made a drystone wall, which was fun too, I found fitting all the rocks together very theraputic.

I had my second lot of Rabies and Kap E today.  Didnt hurt as much as last time but its still sore.  Ive got my Hep A booster tomorrow too.

I have settled on COEConnections as my insurance company as its the only one which covers everything I need at a price I can afford. (They should pay me money for all this free advertising!)

Ive learnt lots of bahasa Melaysia.  I can say;
Yes and No (Ya, Tidak)
Please (tolong)
Thank you (terima kasih)
Nice to meet you (seronok berjumpa dengan anda)
Hello (helo)
Good, Bad and So-so (baik, tidak baik, boleh)
Goodbye (selamat tinggal)
Do you have.. (anda ada)
Tea (teh)
Beef (daging lembu)
   various other bits and bobs and I can also count to 99 (I cant rember what 100 is though) and Im very pleased with myself.

Ive just found out that Ill be working at the Kuala Gandah Elephant sanctuary with another challenger, Priya Brar.  I also found out the time and date of my flight and various other bits like where Ill be staying. (I stay at accomedation at the sanctuary- and its free!)

I AM VERY EXCITED NOW!!!!!!! (hee hee)

Whoo Hoo! Ive bought the last of my kit and am ordering my insurance tomorrow.  Then Im just an ISIC card away from being ready.

Just found out Priya Brara isnt going so I might be alone.  I hope not.

Woo hoo, less than 3 weeks to go and Im VERY VERY excited now.  My insurance is all arranged and Im all ready to go.

YEY! I got my ISIC card, with the help of a little subtefuge because technically I shouldnt have one untill this december as Im deferring my year.  But Keele very kindly sent a postcard confirming my place and saying I enter this year. Hee Hee.  That means Ive got all my kit and only need to get my travel money sorted and Im all ready.

Ive just given blood, both becasue its a nice thing to do and because then Ill find out my blood group for free.  And that means Im nearly ready! yey!

Ive decided that I wont get any travellers checks, even though theyre a good idea, because since Ill have a cash card with no charges (
Natiowide) Ill have access to instant cheap currency and as changing T.C's incur a charge at most places I worked out they just wouldnt be the best mode of money for me.  That means I am totally ready! WHOO HOO!!
In order to go, I need to raise £4500 by this september.  I will keep a funds diary here to let you know how Im getting on.  At the moment things are going a bit slow so Im once again requesting donations from all you rich people out there.  Email me with offers, PLEEEAASSEEEE!
27th September
Not much so far.  Have bank money and some from working.  Have to give up working during term time as I can't keep up with the work.

15th October
I'm currently thinking of companies I could write for sponsorship.  I have 6 so far.

21st October
Have had the idea of geting sponsored to shave my head.  My mum isn't to happy but I might be able to persuade her!  Watch this space!

No chance!

5th November
Have got lots of ideas to raise money now; washing cars, walking dogs, walking around the Isle of Wight and the challenger run, leaf blowing, selling cakes and christmas cards.  Also will try and get money from my old school and family.
Fund Raising Diary
Malaysia is made up of two parts, Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo.  The enviroment of Malaysia is diverse with 60% rainforest along with mountains, plains and coastal areas.  There are loads of plants and insects as well as many endangered animals and one of the most diverse bird populations in the world.  
Its hot and humid all year round with a rainy season somewhere between september and Feburuary.
Malaysia has a vibrant and interesting fusion of Malay, chinese, Indian and Indigenous cultures.
Malaysia
What I'll be doing
Funds Thermometer
Kit List

Click
here to see my kit list and stuff I need to get. (Thrilling huh?!)
16th November
Found 7 charities that might want to give me money so I'll be writing to them soon for money.  I also got a job. Great!

26th November

I've sent off most of the letters to the charities and am expecting replies soon.  Though I still have some addresses to get for the remainders.  I also got a Betterware delivery job.

5th December
I quit the job.  It was rubbish because I only got £12 for delivering and collecting 160 magazines, which took ages, and I was expected to do over 1000 in 4 weeks!  Just not worth it.

29th December
Got my first donation. £10 from my old junior school Headmistress.  Also got £130 for Christmas which  brings my total fund up to  £1197

5th January
I just got £100 from my Grandad, which was nice, and also have been promised a £100 donation from the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth's Trust.  Guides is coming up well too, the Olave Baden Powel Fund is looking very promising.  Am also working on doing the WCE national car wash with a few other challengers which hopefully should raise some good money.

21st January
Apparently Ive got some money from the Distrct commision, I dont know how much yet though.  And Ive got an application form for the Olave Baden Powel Fund which should give me some money too.

1st Feburary
Ive just got £50 from Guides which is nice and the £100 from the Mayor too, so money is going great.
I also just passed my driving test! yey!

2nd Feburary
Grrrr. Those mean Catenians wont give me money.  Stingy lot.

1nd March
Im now 18. YEY!!! 
My birthday significantly boosted my money situation, I got £990 in total, bring the fund to £2374. and I found another £1300 in a bond thing which comes out in October this year.  Also, am getting my new debit card soon so I can start buying stuff!

3rd March
Im getting the Olave Baden Powell Award application signed today so I can send it off.  Should bring in quite a lot hopefully.  Should do, I put enough nice letters and stuff in with it!

5th March
Ive just been promised £150 from my college.  Theyre so good to me. 

7th March
I just received 10 years interest on one of my bank accounts. (I'd forgotton about it.)  £239 from an account that only had £169.  Not bad for a days work!
So now I have a total of £2594.

14th March
I just was given the £150 from college.  which was nice.  Im still waiting for my debit card but I got a 10% discount voucher from Nomad.

19th April
I did a bit of painting for my Grandad which I got £40 from, cool.

31st May
Have just got a job! I wont be starting until I finish my exams (8th july) but I might be doing some saturdays before then.  Guess what Im doing... being a post deliverer! The pay more than makes up for the early hours (5am eek!), its £5.50 before 6am, £4.79 after, and £7.13 on saturdays, I can even get time off for the family holiday.  Hopefully I should get around £1400 in 6 weeks!

25th June
Im getting annoyed with the guides.  They said theyd let me know how much theyd give me (if any) by early June, and I think its way past that now.

29th June
Stared my new post delivering job today- its great.  You just wander about for a few hours putting letters in doors and get paid loads for it!  Plus you get exercise.  Even getting up at 4.30am isnt that bad cos its all quiet and peaceful- really nice.  So I can see myself keeping this job, its the best Ive had yet!

Ive paid the last installment for the placement and also, I think I may need less money than I thought as I have paid around £2200 and in total its probably costing £4400 and as I have about £900 in the bank and expecting £300 from family when I get my exam results (yey Ive finished college!) I only have to get about £1000 from working!  Anything after that is extra!  Great huh!

8th July
I just got £80 from the Olave Baden-Powell Bursary Fund.  Not bad huh.  Also, Im having trouble finding a day job, post is only available on saturdays, the agency have gone all formal on me and started asking for my CV!  All I want is a well paid job where I can have time off for holidays and do as little as possible.  Is that too much to ask?!

10th July
I am chronically unemployable- and desperate. Ive applied for a job in..... Bon Marche!  Or as my sister calls it- Hell!

13th July
Thats another £30 got for 4 hours work. Ahh, I love that job. its vaguly fun, exercising and paid!

20th July
Still havn't got a job, and I didnt do postie today either as there were no spaces.  Money crisis!

19th August
YEY! I passed all my exams, a B , 2 Cs and a D.  That means I get £100 from my parents, £250 from my Gran and also my Uncle John and Sue gave me £50 too.  I also did a bit of extra work, postal emergency, so Ive got a bit extra cash!

21st August
Am a bit annoyed today cos I found I have to wait a month to empty out my National Savings account, meaning I have to get my parents to put it into my account for me.  However, my parents have agreed to give me a card on their Nationwide Credit card as its cheaper to use abroad, no exchange charges. Course, its for emergencies only.

22nd August
I am exhausted. I did 8 hours work today cos there was a postal strike. But I can handled the aches, the pains, the severe dehydration, the no food or breaks, at least I get paid and Ive paid for my malarials in this week alone. (Ill get about £60!)

23rd August
Just done some m,ore postie work, another £20 in hand.  Also the strike might go on to next week so its likely Ill get lots more work.  I also sorted out my Halifax troubles, I simply closed my accounts- thats what happens when you annoy me Halifax!

31st August
Im working all of this week. That means I should get about £150 for it. Yey, that and the money from my advanced pocket money (£120) should pay for my mini trip to Hong Kong (Im going on Chinese New Year, how cool will that be!)  I also got my nationwide credit card which my parents have agreed to pay while im away and set up a slate from me (this also applies to my barclaycard, though I probably wont use that much due to the hign charges)

4th September
Whoo Hoo, I just did 9 hours of work (eek, im knackered) which has really boosted my money thing.  Well, thats what youd think but really I only get £40 odd for all that work.  Hardly seems worth it really until I think of Malaysia. <sigh>
Also, my grandma gave me another £100 towards it which was real nice of her.
THANK YOU This is my thank you page honouring those who have helped me on my way to Malaysia.
I am now back, check out how it my travels went here
5th September
OMG!! I just did 11 hours of work!  Is this what life is all about?  Sod that, im staying in education as long as I can!  Still, if exhaustion and aching limbs give me an extra £50 for my trip, so be it.  Im not going in tomorrow though, only satuarday.  I need a break!

7th September

Yey, no more work. Ive just done my last day and got £50 for it and now I can relax and enjoy being with my family for these last few days before I go.  Cos they wont see me for 6 months!! (poor them)

10th September

yey, I just got a 6 month advance on my pocket money- £120
They also said theyd give me a proper donation to my gap year matching what Id got from working, about £300, which is very nice of them.  Thank you mum and dad.