trekforce

Hi, My name is Matt Richard and I am a student at Park College in Eastbourne. I have recently been chosen to take part in a major expedition to the Amazon Rainforest of Guyana. The expedition is being organised by Trekforce Expeditions, a charity that undertakes scientific research and conservation work in the rainforests of South-East Asia and Central America.

Trekforce works in partnership with local organisations and other scientific and conservation bodies to identify projects that will help to preserve the world's different environments. All of the work undertaken by Trekforce is funded by volunteers. www.trekforce.org.uk

"I thoroughly applaud the work of Trekforce. This is travel with a purpose, to see the world and make a positive difference to it"аааааа Michael Palin CBE

Trekforce is a non-profit making charity which is entirely funded by voluntary contributions, from individuals and from corporate bodies. As such every volunteer has a fundraising target which they must reach to be able to go on expedition. For me to take part in the expedition to Guyana for 20 weeks, I have a target of г3,800 to reach. I am just starting out on my fundraising challenge but I have lots of great ideas. My first challenge is a parachute jump. I am going to Guyana in my gap year before University with trekforce, and making a positive, sustainable difference to our environment and have the experience of a lifetime!

JUNGLE TRAINING: I will be in a team of about twenty volunteers. At the start of the expedition it is assumed that no one has ever set foot in the jungle so the first week is spent acclimatising and being taught everything you need to know to live safely in this unusual environment.

PROJECT PHASE: This is the main phase of the expedition. I will move into the project location (a challenge in itself), set up base camp and then set about the project itself, whether it be a scientific or a building project. You can see all of trekforces previous projects on there past projects page. We will also be trekking into some of the most stunning jungle scenery.

TEACHING PHASE: Trekforce is the only expedition charity that effectively offers you two or more different challenges all rolled into one. After the 8 week expedition, I will learn Spanish for a month and then act in pairs as teaching assistants in rural communities for two to three months afterwards in Guyana. After this awesome adventure, I will hopefully travel on around South America with others.

Amazon Guyana lies at a point where the Caribbean meets South America on its North Atlantic seaboard, an almost unknown, but incredibly wonderful land of unspoilt beauty. Here, virgin rainforest leads to the Amazon Basin. Much of the Jungle is still unexplored, rivers uncharted and mountains are yet to be climbed. The rainforest here is located on what is known as the 'Guyana Shield' which runs through Venezuala, via the Guyanas to Brazil.