And I Thought Fundraising Was Hard!

This April, I am going to voluntarily submit my body to a level of discomfort I haven't felt since my days playing college basketball. And...I'm going to love it. From April 14-23rd, I'm biking from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, Vietnam in the spring heat and doing it for charity. In fact, spring heat might correctly paint the picture. Stand in the bathroom with the hot water blasting from the shower and as the room steams up start running in place. Imagine doing that for several hours a day and that is more like a spring cycling challenge in Vietnam! I'd like to say I'm prepared (not yet) and I've done this before (does spin class count?) but in all honesty, this is going to be a CHALLENGE!

The adventure began when I met a former operations manager at GVN Vietnam and now good friend while at a Be The Change conference in Taupo, New Zealand. We're both athletes, and we started chatting about some of the treks GVN runs to support projects in the local communities. She loved the idea of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for GVN Foundation's partner in Kenya, Mt. Everest for Nepal, and Machu Picchu for Peru but her heart is in Vietnam and well, there aren't exactly massive mountains to tackle. "What are 'we' going to do about it," was her next question. As soon as she posed the "we," I knew I was in trouble.

Spending the next week with someone who literally glows (eyes widen, smile pops out, the works) when talking about the children in Vietnam, there was no way I wasn't going to help! We started brainstorming about alternative ideas that would pose a challenge but in a way that in the end, every single person could walk away feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride in their efforts. Most importantly, proud of their efforts to raise funds to support a better life for some very deserving children!

As with all other treks, a major component to the trip is the fundraising aspect. Prior to arrival participants are responsible for raising $USD2,000 and we encourage all participants, even if they can afford it themselves, to engage their family, friends and community in the effort to spread the word and let others know about the incredible effort they are undertaking! If you're like me, you're happy to support your friends and family who are willing to go through the ringer for something they believe in (my most recent friend ran her amazing 5th marathon for charity...ridiculous, Brooke Alston!) but when you donate, you want to know they are serious and this is important to them!

Therefore, 540 kilometers of sweat and hard work will hopefully show these participants are serious: they are flying to Vietnam, taking vacation time away from home and hopping on a bike for more than 500 kilometers (think of it like this: If cycling 20 km/hr, they will be on a bike from the time you wake up tomorrow until the time you wake up the next day and still not be finished! I don't know about you but I couldn't even watch The Office for that many hours without feeling like I was participating in something grueling!) because they want to make a difference. By difference, I don't mean drop a dress-size (although hey, I'm not going to lie and say that isn't something I'm hoping I'll accomplish!) but profoundly change the lives of children that given the opportunity, will change the future.

There are a few self-motivated reasons I'm participating on this trip that include having the opportunity to really "see" the lush and beautiful country-side of Vietnam, finishing the trip off with some very well-made clothes tailored just for me and my goal to feel my muscles fully relaxed by a massive massage as a reward for roughly 1/6 the price I would pay in New Zealand. However, much more than that I get the opportunity to meet amazing like-minded individuals who appreciate what they have and want to provide that opportunity for others. I'm really proud to be doing this trip and so excited. Knowing that when we've completed this challenge, we will have contributed to nutritional programs to help the children grow physically and mentally and supported the work of the centers that care for children with disabilities makes me so happy. These are the motivating factors that get me to the gym at 6am to train!

If this sounds like something you're up for or if you want to accompany a friend/partner but just be on the support crew that rides in the nice air-conditioned vehicle, visits the projects, but doesn't have to cycle, leave a comment or visit the sign-up page for more information. Know a company who'd want to sponsor the trip? Send 'em my way and I'll take care of them :)

cảm ơn bạn (thank you!)

Caitie Goddard
GVN Foundation Programs Coordinator
Future Cycling Champion...or maybe just future cycler...