Foreign teachers trek to raise funds for two children’s charities

Australian man Jake Norris, 36, and Irishman Sean Down, 44, will leave Hanoi Saturday and walk the 2000 km to HCMC over three months by a mountainous route that has never before been attempted.

They hope to raise over US$200,0000, which will be divided equally between the two charities.

The Australian embassy is sponsoring them as part of a commitment to fight trafficking and to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, it said in a statement.

Norris, who has lived in Hanoi for seven years and visits an orphanage every year, thought of a charity walk during the Covid-19 lockdown three years ago.

“I wanted to give back to the country and its people who have given me so much.”

When his original partner pulled out, Down, who has lived in Hanoi for five years, stepped in to revive the walk.

They have temporarily quit their jobs as English teachers in the city.

The pair will set off from the Opera House.

They plan to stop at every orphanage on their way and engage with the local communities to raise awareness of how many children need help in Vietnam.

They will also stop at animal shelters.

Explaining their choice of route, Down said: “One reason we chose such a route away from the flat, major highways is to give ourselves more chances to be among local communities. Our trail adds an extra challenge because it’s longer, sparsely populated, and mountainous in parts.”

They will update their journey on their Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts and the “Vietnam Charity Walk: A Walk For Change” Facebook page.

They hope to raise money via gogetfunding.com/Vietnam-charity-walk.

Founded in Hanoi in 2004, Vietnam Blue Dragon Children has rescued thousands of children and women from sex trafficking, forced labor and slavery and provided them with access to shelter, education and employment.

Based in the Mekong Delta, Thanh Loc Project provides education to underprivileged children by granting them scholarships and builds classrooms, libraries and homes for poor people.