July 6 th , 2012 was an unforgettable day in the life of Sam Wilson, Callum Ewing, George Blurton and Jamie Richards, members of Ride4education team, as they have completed their 2,400km trans-Vietnam cycling program from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. During the journey, these four British students raised more than $24,000 to help needy Vietnamese students with their study.
Education to eliminate poverty
The mission of the Sai Gon Children’s Charity (SCC) to “Eliminate poverty through education” urged these four British youths to carry out such a meaningful program to support education projects of SCC while undergoing interesting experiences in Vietnam. It was also the driving force to help them overcome difficulties during their journey.
Sam Wilson, the tallest one in the team, used to teach in Guyana and witnessed poverty, violence and social evils in this South American country. This helped him realize how much education affects children’s life. “Children are the future of every country. Therefore, if the country wants to develop it is necessary to start from children”, said Sam Wilson.
For George Blurton, experiences in universities are enjoyable ones in his life and he felt sorry to see many Vietnamese children fail to enter universities due to difficult financial conditions. University brings about not only knowledge but pleasure. “I want to share my happiness with needy Vietnamese children,” said George Blurton.
Experiences in Vietnam
The four foreigners left Hanoi for a 2,400 km long cycling trip in early June. The first days were utterly exhausted, however, it became better when they got used to the weather in Vietnam. The beauty of Vietnamese villages, excellent food and the hospitality of the Vietnamese people cheered them up and gave them more strength to complete journey.
Along the journey they could enjoy different and typical dishes of each region of Vietnam and they all enjoyed Vietnam’s marvelous dishes.
Besides, the vast beautiful rice fields in valleys in Buon Ma Thuot had captured these four foreigners’ attention and passing the Ho Chi Minh Trail was the most wonderful experiences in their life. “Sometimes, we thought that we had already reached the top of mountain pass, however, when we were about to reach the base of mountain pass, we saw another mountain pass waiting. These were really interesting experiences in our life,” the four British youths confided.
During their journey, they also offered presents such as pens, books and studying kits for needy children they met on the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and they were very happy and touched to see the happiness of Vietnamese children as they received small presents from the team.
“Happiness is to give to others. It is not too late for you to share and give happiness to people in need”. The four foreigners’ explanation vividly reflects what they had done during their meaningful journey.
Source: TP
Translated by Tran Hoai