Recently, Rotarians and guests at the Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland werc treated to a superb address given by Sam Hodson, a former head boy at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland.

Sam is coming to the end of a gap year which has included a 10-week expedition to a remote region of Borneo.

In his excellent power point presentation, Sam described his experiences, some quite arduous, in fulfilling a programme designed to help local people in the remote jungles of this fascinating country - still largely unknown to many of us.

The trip was arranged under the auspices of Raleigh International which organises expeditions and volunteer projects abroad for people taking a gap year, although opportunities are also available for volunteers, retired and others.

Many areas in Malaysia still have no safe water supplies and part of Sam's trip involved helping to build a gravity water supply in the remote Imbak Canyon, thus reducing the occurrence of diseases like typhoid which can be contracted by drinking polluted water.

Sam was amazed by the strength and stamina of the local men in very difficult conditions in spite of their having an average height of only five-foot two inches.

Part of the trip also involved building a bridge and finally a strenuous five-day trek through spectacular jungle and near stunning waterfalls brought the 10-week adventure to a close.

Sam, in thanking the Rotary Club for its financial support, described the adventure as a 'life-changing experience' and an event which will be of great value as he goes up to Exeter University in September to read philosophy and theology.

President Derek Williams thanked Sam for an excellent address, which was much appreciated by all those present.