KENNETH SPEIRS

Youngsters go on ‘incredible’journey

A troop of intrepid Scouts from Paisley travelled across the world to help others.

The Paisley JNI Scouts went to Malaysia to help build a classroom and a playground for those living in poverty.

The Scouts, aged between 15 and 25, travelled for more than a day- and- a- half to reach a village in the Bellum rainforest.

Once there — having travelled from Glasgow Airport to Dubai, then to Kuala Lumpur and by road to their destination — they carried out a number of useful tasks in a bid to make life better for the villagers.

They have not long returned after a highly successful trip.

Scout leader Frank Donnelly said: “West Region Scouts — 55 in total from five different areas of the west of Scotland — travelled to Malaysia to spend eight days in the rainforest in Belum Perak working with the Orang Asli villagers.

“We successfully created a table for the local tribe chief Samad and also put in place a playpark, including a swing, and we painted an open air area, which will be their new learning centre, and cleared a plot of land for agriculture plating fruit trees and herbs.

“Some of the young people donated books and other items, including baby clothes.

“Just as importantly, however, our young people were fantastic.

“They bonded as a team and we had no issues with behaviour. They threw themselves into the work wholeheartedly and were proud of what they had achieved.

“It has been an incredible journey and a chance to move outside our comfort zones.”

Frank and the Scouts thanked Stephen Allan and John Kitson for leading the trip, as well as all the leaders who not only gave up their time for the trip, but who continually give time every week to give so many young people skills for life.