Teacher Jake Dorris (left) and Sean Down before departing from Hanoi - Photo: Provided by the Australian Embassy
According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, after a 3-month endurance challenge, Jake Norris and his companion Sean Down will end their special journey on February 24.
The two began their journey in December 2023, walking about 2,000km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to raise funds for two organizations supporting Vietnamese children: Thanh Loc Project and Blue Dragon Children's Fund.
To date, the campaign has raised over $35,000. With more fundraising events coming up and more corporate sponsors joining the cause, that number is expected to continue to grow.
Jake, an Australian, is currently an English teacher and considers Vietnam his home country.
He confided that the motivation that helped him make the decision to make the trip came from meeting children on his travels.
Despite their difficult circumstances and facing many adversities in their daily lives, they continue to show great kindness and happiness.
“The challenges these children face are unimaginable, and it is our mission to make a difference.
By walking across Vietnam, we hope to not only raise funds but also draw attention to the issues these children face every day," Jake told the Australian Embassy.
To prepare for the journey of thousands of kilometers, both of them quit their jobs since May 2023. In the photo: Jake stopped to rest in a central province - Photo: Provided by the Australian Embassy
During the 2,000km journey from North to South, Jake and his Irish friend also had "once in a lifetime" experiences, crossing winding mountain roads and beautiful coastal roads.
"We have had three months of mixed emotions. Sometimes we struggled to find food and endured weeks of pouring rain and cold.
In the past month, the temperature has been so high that we have to travel 35km every day in 40 degree Celsius heat. So now we usually wake up and leave the house before 4am to avoid the heat!", Jake shared.
Besides the difficulties, both of them met many people and made many new friends.
"Everyone has supported us enthusiastically, from time, money to accommodation. Every day we met someone willing to stop their car to offer us food and drinks. We will always remember everyone's kindness," Jake confided.
Walking 2,000km to repay VietnamSource
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