From Orphanage to Bachelor: The Inspiring Story of Note
The story of Note is one that touches and inspires. Now 23 years old, Note grew up in a Thai government-supported orphanage. As with many other orphanages, support ends on the children's 18th birthday, meaning they suddenly find themselves without housing, healthcare, or education. From that point on, they must build an independent life on their own, often without the necessary guidance or resources.
But Note was fortunate. He received an educational scholarship from TCDF, the Thai Child Development Foundation, and this changed his life. Thanks to this support, Note is now about to earn his bachelor’s degree in tourism at just 23 years old. His future looks bright, and his journey from orphanage to graduate is a beautiful example of the impact that education and support can have.
Cycling Highlights
In addition to Note's inspiring story, we are busy preparing for our upcoming bike tour from Hanoi to Paksong.This journey promises to be an exciting challenge, full of cultural and natural highlights. In the first part of our trip, we will cycle through the Mekong region, an area known for its amazing heritage of ancient religions and beautiful architecture.
We begin in Hanoi, where we will cycle along the coast to Vinh. Hanoi itself is a city that evokes images of an endless stream of bicycles and motorbikes, and that’s exactly how I remember it. The historical heart of the city, the "Old Quarter," has been a hub of commerce and activity for over 1,000 years. While the name might conjure up romantic images, the reality of the Old Quarter is mostly busy and vibrant. We’ll spend the first few days here to acclimatize to the country, the customs, the food, and of course, the time differences.
The Coastal Route to Vinh
The route from Hanoi to Vinh takes us along the coast, and although it may not be particularly spectacular in terms of scenery, I am looking forward to discovering the local cuisine. In the small villages where we’ll stop, I expect to experience the influence of soy sauce noodles and hotpots from northern Vietnam. It’s these culinary discoveries that make the journey so special.
After Vinh, we will cycle through the hills towards the border with Laos. Here, the focus will be less on culture and more on the physical challenge of cycling through the mountains. It promises to be a strenuous but beautiful ride.
Preparations and Sponsorship
So far, I’ve completed 5,500 training kilometers and have 10 weeks to go until my departure to Hanoi. By sponsoring a kilometer for €5, you directly contribute to a better future for children in Thailand. Together, kilometer by kilometer, we can make a world of difference.
Next week, I will write more about the media attention leading up to the bike tour.
Thank you for your participation and support in this special journey!
PS: Sharing this blog is greatly appreciated.
PS: A few notes on donations and their visibility: as the Bike4Kids team, we have no insight into the flow of funds. This is managed by the financial department of the TCDF team. For the transparency of this campaign, we prefer to keep it that way. Everyone who contributes, in any way, is equally and immensely valuable. Once again, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who, in any way, contributes to this fundraising tour.
Ps: Yesterday, we received the news that the Thai temple in Purmerend is no longer able to participate in the "Fundraising Dinner" on September 14th. Unfortunately, there are too few volunteers available internally to organize the event. We also don't see any opportunity to offer a good alternative on short notice. We have informed the potential participants about this. Very unfortunate.
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