Australian, Irish teachers finish 2,000km journey to raise funds for needy children
(VOVWORLD) -Through torrential rain and 40°C heat, up vertiginous mountain climbs and stunning coastal roads, Australian teacher Jake Norris, 36, and his Irish mate Sean Down, 44, have undergone a three-month test of endurance to bring about a better future for children in Vietnam.
 Jake Norris (Australia) and Sean Down (Ireland) trek across Vietnam to raise funds for charity. (Photo: Australian Embassy) |
On Saturday, the two expats completed their extraordinary 2,000 kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to raise valuable funds in support of children’s charities: Thanh Loc Project and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
Jake Norris came to Vietnam seven years ago, and Sean Down came here five years ago. The love for Vietnam made two foreigners decide to stay in Hanoi and work as teachers of English. To prepare well for the journey, both resigned from their teaching jobs in May 2023.
In December 2023, the duo departed from Hanoi Opera House and embarked on a route along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, trekking through a 2,000km journey to Ho Chi Minh City.
Their Vietnam Charity Walk: A Walk For Change, has captured the attention and support of individuals, companies, and communities from all corners of the globe. Jake Norris and Sean Down have raised about 35,000 USD from this charity walk through the website http://gogetfunding.com/vietnam-charity-walk/.
The two set a goal of increasing the fundraising level to 200,000 USD and will send all the money to domestic charities to support Vietnamese children in difficult circumstances and fight human trafficking.
Jake plans to publish a photo book of 60 beautiful photos taken during the journey to continue raising funds.