Rudi Can't Fail??

Hi Folks,

This post is a little different to the run of the mill posts that appear on these pages. In July 2014, my son, Rudi, is down to participate in a school expedition to to Borneo.

The idea is that young teenagers, having completed their GCSEs, travel either to Borneo or Cambodia (depending upon environmental and political stability in those regions at the time of travel) to spend a month contributing to a range of social and conservational projects that meet the particular needs of the local population and environment as required. These activities may include amongst other things:

• assistance with school/clinic construction
• teaching children and adults within schools
• assisting in planting and harvesting activities
• reforestation activities
• marine monitoring

As well as engaging with the local community, there are opportunities for recreation that with luck would lead to a PADI scuba qualification.

Funding

This trip is unsurprisingly very expensive (it goes beyond the trip to France and the obligatory trek to the Science Museum that I did!) and as such the candidates are expected to use their own initiative to formulate ideas that will generate the funding of the trip on the back of their own efforts.

Of the money raised, approximately 50% goes directly into the funding of the projects that the children themselves become involved with.

It happens that Rudi is an enthusiatic music student and he suggested busking. We looked into the feasability of this and found that such a plan involves local council licencing issues amonst other considerations. However, some exposure on these pages is easy as a first step (call it on-line busking!). In the video on the right of this page is a Youtube clip in which Rudi and his sister, Ramona, perform 'Bohemian Like You' by The Dandy Warhols. Please take a look if you have the inclination and the time.

For my part, these pages are put together with the intention to bring the music of The Stranglers to as many people as possible. Previously, site visitors have covered the cost of my Rapidshare subscription that will ensure the continuation of the site for the foreseeable future. I have absolutely no desire to make any money for myself out of this site other than in order to cover the annual running costs. However, in terms of funding opportunities for something very worthwhile I have added a Paypal button to the site. It's entirey up to you, but if you are a frequent downloader from this site or perhaps if you missed the opportunity to contribute towards the subscription (as several said they did) any small donation would go towards the funding of this expedition. In doing it in this way, I think that inititive is with Rudi. If there is any interest, they have other stuff lined up! Gunta is thinking 'The White Stripes' here..... I'm more inclined towards Peters and Lee!

Thanks in advance.

Adrian.