________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22 November 2011The Tour of Hope cycles to support education (read in thai)
Chiang Mai: The Tour of Hope, set up five years ago has over 50 cyclists from all over the world coming together to do charitable activity every year. Each member not only makes a donation, they also help to raise funds by telling friends and families to do good works. The money is used towards supporting education and health care of needy children and poor communities in Asia. In 2011, The Tour of Hope donated one million Baht to build a library in honor of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday and gave bicycles for students at Ban Pang Mai Dang School in Mae Tang district, Chiang Mai. WVFT has been working for the well-being of children and families in this area. The cyclists donated 50 bicycles to Wat Ban Noi School, San Kampang district, Chiang Mai. The over 50 cyclists came from 10 countries: Australia, Belgium, Germany, the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, USA, UK and Thailand. The tour started on 29 October until 5 November 2011 in Sukhothai and ended in Chiang Mai. WVFT's senior leaders, school director, teachers, community leaders and parents of children welcomed the cyclists. There was an opening ceremony of the library in honor of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday and hand-over of bicycles to students on 4-5 November 2011. Mr Anupong Wawongmoon, Mae Tang district officer, Chiang Mai was chairperson in the opening ceremony of the library at Ban Pang Mai Dang School in honor of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday and hand-over of library resources worth 650,000 Baht and 85 bicycles according to the "Tour of Hope 2011 cycling to give hope through education project." WVFT's senior leaders, the school's basic education committee, local agencies, parents and locals joined in the opening ceremony. Mrs Chitra Thumborisuth, Executive Director of WVFT stated, “WVFT is working for the quality life development of children and youth. We want to provide educational opportunity for youth living in rural remote areas. This library will be a fountain of knowledge of the world. Science and innovative technology will motivate children and youth to love reading. People in this area now have a source of knowledge that they can use to educate themselves. WVFT would like to thank every sector for your cooperation in making this event successful. I hope that this library will provide knowledge and enhance the school's education for the students, youth and greatly benefit community organizations.”
The objective of bicycles for students project is to support children's education - children who live far away from school. With no transport, they have to walk the distance to school. The bicycles are on loan until students complete grade six and they will pass on to the next group of students. The project will also provide teaching on basic care of bicycles to the borrowers and bicyclerepair to the parents. “I have joined The Tour of Hope for four years already. Today I'm glad to see children with smiling faces as they now have bicycles and a new library. They are the future of this country. I know immediately that my small gift today can one day become big in the future. I feel that my tiredness is now gone,” Ms Selina Wong, member of The Tour of Hope from Singapore stated. |
