One of the highlights of living in Laos is the ability to cycle out of the city and in to the countryside within minutes. Who knew riding my bike would also open my world to a fun new group of people and the opportunity to reach out to my host country? If you’ve been following my Team Dai posts, then you know I’ve signed on for a fairly ridiculous challenge.
Here’s the scoop from the Team Dai organizers…
The Ride: Vientiane to Phonsavan, March 6-8
The Challenge: 400 kilometers (around 250 miles) with an increase in elevation of more than 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in three days
The Riders: 30 local cyclists aged 16 to 60ish from more than 10 countries
The Reason: To raise funds and awareness for three great causes. Please click on the links to read more about the wonderful work these organizations are doing for the people here in Laos.
1. COPE: to build a mobile workshop (retro-fit a truck/van) and support an outreach program so they can get services, prosthetics, wheelchairs, etc. to disabled people in remote villages;
2. Handicap International: to support their group of UXO survivors who are lobbying for the Cluster Munitions Treaty to be signed by the final four countries (out of 30 needed) during the international conference planned for Vientiane in October 2010; and
3. Deak Kum Pa Orphanage (no link ’cause it doesn’t have a website): just outside of Luang Prabang in northern Laos, the orphanage is home to about 500 homeless and orphaned children and urgently needs funds to provide basic food, accommodation and teaching services.
We’re aiming to raise $20,000 (last year the team reached $16k) to be divided among the three causes (all riders pay their own costs), and we’d really appreciate your support. We have a fund raising plan, including corporate donations and a raffle in Vientiane. However with only three weeks left, we’d welcome any small cash donation towards the target.
I know people are suffering all over the world, and it seems every organization is knocking down your door for a donation, but I hope you’ll be able to scrounge up a wee bit to help me give back to this beautiful country.
Donations can be made using the PayPal service on the Team Dai website: www.teamdai.org. If you make a donation, please let me know so I can send you a big cyberhug and heartfelt thank-you!!
Deak Kum Pa Orphanage just outside of Luang Prabang in northern Laos
Go to http://www.lao-kids.org for the web site of a group that looks after fund-raising for the orphanage and other orphanages in Luang Prabang province.