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Hi, I'm Andrea, professional nomad. If you know me, then you already know that I'm an expatriate living and working Saigon with the curiosity of a kitten and a sense of adventure like a lion!

What is H2H you ask? Well, its a 1,200 mile cycle from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City! Not a feat for the meek! It takes 27 days to complete the journey through the beautiful but also arse-kicking mountainous terrain of Vietnam. We support five different local charities that all aim to support the growth and education of underprivileged children throughout the country. These charities include Saigon Children's Charity (www.SaigonChildren.com), The Children's Initiative (www.ChildrensInitiative.org), ILA Community Network (www.facebook.com/ILA.CommunityNetwork), KOTO Saigon (www.KOTO.com.au), and Live and Give (www.LiveAndGive.eu)

This is my second year being a part of H2H. H2H only exists if a volunteer from the previous ride commits to organizing the next ride. Well, I had such a wonderful time and experience on H2H.4 that I'm happily volunteering my time to be that person and organize the fifth annual ride!! My passion for traveling and sport align perfectly with this opportunity and I am very much looking forward to H2H 2014!!

Our main partner this year is Saigon Children's Charity. The SCC aims to help disadvantaged children in Vietnam to reach their full potential through receiving a quality education relevant to their needs. The SCC is distinguished for giving scholarships, building schools, running a vocational school in Saigon and working with other, smaller organizations that focus on children with disabilities. They enable over 3,000 children to go to school everyday in Vietnam!

Another charity we're supporting is called Live and Give. Initiators of Live to Give are Oanh Le Tinh and Jan Peeters. Live and Give is a foundation in Belgium which main purpose it is to help disadvantaged minority children in central Vietnam. Its biggest accomplishment is the construction of Thien An boarding school in Pleiku in central Vietnam. Funds will go towards building facilities there for orphans from minority groups in the Central Highlands. Another project is being launched in Thua Thien Hue province and some of our funds will also support the construction of this project.  The government wants to build a kindergarten in that valley where the young minority kids can get taught the Vietnamese language and where they get a free meal.
 

So, please please please give me some donations!! There are so many reasons why! Most importantly, it's for the children! The average income in Vietnam is about $150 USD and many children are born into financial hardships that they have no control over. I've been living here for almost two years and I'm sad to say that its common to see children as young as 8 years old selling candy and lotto tickets on the streets. Secondly, I'm participating in the ride AGAIN! It is very challenging and requires will, stamina, heart, and endurance! Let your donation also reflect your support for my efforts! Show me that you care! And finally, YOU have the opportunity to "be the change you wish to see in the world." You can keep track of our progress and where your money is going with H2H and follow us on our blog here: http://h2hrfvc.blogspot.com/

Huge expression of my gratitude in advance,

Andrea

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