http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8179565.stm

Obviously i have just been away with Raleigh International in India and the fact that graduates are getting £2000 each towards going on an expedition is ridiculous. A big part of working with Raleigh is the findraising and having the motivation to do something different. If people are just given the money it will all be too easy for them and they will not then be as amply motivated when on expedition and i fear the quality and rate of work could decrease.

The news article also says 'Higher Education Minister David Lammy said volunteering would help new graduates develop "the communication and leadership skills that are so highly valued in the workplace".

Raleigh is an intense cultural experience and whilst there is an element of leadership i don't think it will be sufficient enought o merit someone increasing their employability so much that they could go from not being able to get a job to becomming employed. And as for communication, well you may find that you could be a bit more open and raleigh does help with communicating, but not to the degree as i stated with the leadership skills.

It's like saying people who have left university and cannot get a job will be able to get a job after going on Raleigh, as if they have not already got the skills they need....in-fact it's just the shitty economic climate which is preventing people from getting jobs!

Don't get me wrong i loved raleigh, but again it's becuase i was motivated to help others, these people are doing it to get a job after surely?

One thing Raleigh India did was introduce everyone to smoking....and i mean EVERYONE!