A charity cycle in Vietnam opened one reporter's eyes to hardships impoverished kids face
Charity collectors are everywhere these days. They’re in your supermarkets, they’re on your street, they’re outside your favourite shops.
Occasionally you will see someone self-consciously throwing a euro or two in the bucket, paying the ferryman for safe passage, if you will.
But more often than not, people will keep the head down or pretend to be positively engrossed in conversation until they’re a respectable distance away from the fear-inducing sight of the luminous-vested chugger.
Anyone who cares enough to ask people why they do this will undoubtedly get answers along the lines of “sure I don’t know that crowd, who are they?” or “never mind them, God knows where that money’s going”.
Given this pessimistic mindset, it’s slightly surprising to hear that Ireland is one of the most charitable countries in the world.
We may not like giving money to people on the side of the street, you see, but we’re the first to whip out our wallets when a friend is getting behind a cause.
This particularly Irish trait is why organisations such as Plan International are so successful. They adopt a personal approach, getting people on the ground involved in causes that mean something to them.
Take myself, for example. Avid Irish Examiner readers may remember an article published at the start of the year detailing this somewhat ambitious reporter’s monumental New Year’s resolution: To successfully complete a 250km charity cycle in the northern mountains of Vietnam.
Many who read the report scoffed at the prospect. Those who knew me personally scoffed even harder. Here was a girl who couldn’t even keep her recurring year-on-year resolution to give up junk food — what on earth makes her think she can do a trek as physically demanding as this one?
While it will come as no surprise to hear that I didn’t train as much as I could have or, indeed, as much as I should have, I did eventually start taking the challenge seriously.
Why? Because it was in aid of a cause I truly believed in, the rights of girls in low-income countries, and it was for a charity I didn’t want to let down, considering I have a personal relationship with them; I have been sponsoring a child with Plan International Ireland for almost a year now.
So in the weeks leading up to the cycle I cut out alcohol entirely and was generally peddling my long-suffering bicycle up to 35km or 40km in one sitting, once or twice a week. Considering I was also cycling to and from work each day, I thought I was in fairly good physical condition.
I was wrong.
On the first day of the six-day Vietnam Cycle for Girls, which I undertook with 13 other people of varying fitness levels, we were faced with a mountain roughly three times the size of Carrantuohill. As luck would have it, it was also the hottest day of the whole trip with temperatures of more than 40ºC and high humidity.
Needless to say, it was a rude awakening. More than once I questioned my life choices. Why was I here, in the middle of nowhere in Vietnam, putting myself through such terrible torment? How was I ever supposed to make it to the finish line if I couldn’t even finish the first day? Would I ever be clean, free of dust and dirt and mud ever again?
I pushed myself to the limit that first day, sweating my way up that sheer and unforgiving slope that genuinely seemed like it was never going to end.
A tired, camera shy, yet excited bunch embarking on @PlanIreland #CycleForGirls. In London now, next stop Thailand! pic.twitter.com/vfrdR4thHp
— Ceallach Ní Bhriain (Kelly O'Brien) (@Kellingtondawg) April 13, 2016
I told myself I was a machine, repeating it over and over again in my head, and sometimes out loud when I thought nobody was around, convincing myself I didn’t really feel the pain seeping through my legs and arms and hands and groin. The mantra may seem odd, but it was strangely comforting.
Over the following days of blood, sweat, and tears, the cycle alternated between excruciating uphill slogs and exhilarating downhill freewheels, all set to the backdrop of a stunning Vietnamese countryside. It was breathtaking, in more ways than one.
Settling into a routine of sorts, I began to think I could handle the pain. And I was right, I could.
But experiencing physical pain was one thing I had at least prepared for somewhat. No amount of training could have prepared me for the emotional pain I was about to suffer.
You see, the whole premise of the trip was to visit a number of schools and communities in some of the most rural and isolated areas of the Vietnamese mountains. As I mentioned previously, the trek was a charity cycle, raising much-needed funds for Plan International.
I would later find out that the trek raised €33,000 — a phenomenal amount.
But the idea was that not only would those going on the trip raise money by doing the cycle, their route would also take them to some of the areas directly benefiting from the money.
As such, we visited schools funded and supported by Plan International and fresh water systems the organisation had installed there.
Our first site visit was a happy one. The children there were well dressed and well looked after.
We were allowed to sit in on a group called Girls Club which Plan International set up as a way to encourage more girls to stay in school.
In Vietnam, you see, particularly in the more rural areas, child marriage is a huge problem. Young girls tend to be married off very early on in life. Sometimes child brides can be as young as 12 or 13. After marriage, a girl moves into her new husband’s family home and is far less likely to go to school than she was before she wed.
Plan International is working to end this practice and also aims to keep girls in the education system for longer.
While the facts and figures surrounding child marriage in Vietnam were hard to hear, the first few site visits we undertook were overwhelmingly positive.
The welcomes we received were unparalleled. Children of all ages lined the roads waving to us and shouting hello while those in the schools we visited were only too happy to sing and dance for us, as prompted to by their teachers who had obviously been preparing for days, if not weeks, for our special visit.
These displays of genuine warmth and affection brought tears of joy to our eyes. But for every happy tear we shed, 10 more of sorrow were lurking only a few kilometres down the road. As we continued our journey, the areas became more and more isolated, and the children became more and more marginalised.
The final visit was the hardest. There we saw children wearing nothing but filthy old t-shirts, wandering around with no shoes or underwear, their hands and feet and faces marred with dust and dirt. Some were so underfed that their stomachs were bloated from malnutrition.
As emotionally draining as the site visits were, I can’t help but feel grateful that my eyes have now been opened to the harsh realities of what is going on in the world.
You can sit down and read the facts and figures all day, I’m sure, but it’s not until you see the problems manifested in human terms that they truly hit home.
We played with those children in that final school just as exuberantly as we had in the first but when it was eventually time to leave, each Cycle for Girls participant did so with a heavy heart.
On the way back to Ireland I couldn’t help but feel fundamentally changed. Suddenly, the things I cared about before no longer seemed relevant.
After a number of days of post-trip depression, however, I began to realise there was light at the end of the tunnel.
Knowing that Plan International was working in the area, actively trying to change things, and succeeding, was a great comfort to me. Having seen the work they do, I will fully admit that I am now at their beck and call morning, noon, and night. Whenever they need me, I’ll be there.
Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll will be too.
We finished! 250k cycle across Northern Vietnam for @PlanIreland @PlanBIAAG :) woohoo! Best experience ever 😊 pic.twitter.com/1ZmJO1L4iM
— Ceallach Ní Bhriain (Kelly O'Brien) (@Kellingtondawg) April 22, 2016
‘I couldn’t believe how generous people were’
While a 250km cycle across the northern mountains of Vietnam is no mean feat, every single participant from the 12-strong team from Plan International Ireland managed to cross the finish line at Bao Lac.
Jacqueline McBrien, a consultant paediatrician at Portlaoise Hospital, said the participants gelled incredibly well as a group, which helped everyone get to the finish line in good spirits.
“I took it as an adventure day by day, minute by minute,” she said.
“I think I would have seen the trip as a ‘win, win, win, win’ — raising money for a cause I truly believe in, girls’ education in low-income countries, with a challenging physical task, as an adventure with likeminded people, in an incredibly beautiful country.”
Jacqueline was joined on the trip by her friend Penny Linton, who is originally from the UK, but now lives in Dublin.
“This trip has been just phenomenal,” said Penny. “It has surpassed all my expectations. Vietnam is an amazing country and the people we’ve met along the way were so friendly. The cycle was exhilarating and it was great to do something for charity.
“I’ve travelled in Asia before but up on the mountains, up near the border of China, it’s economically poor. It’s a real eye-opener. But they are rich in other things. They’re a culturally rich people.”
An employee at Google’s headquarters in Dublin, fellow cycle participant Avril McManus was delighted to learn her employer would be gift-matching — essentially doubling — the money she raised. All participants were asked to raise €3,500. Avril, however, managed to raise an incredible €10k — a feat she puts down to the generosity of Google’s employee gift-matching programme, as well as her friends and family.
“I couldn’t believe it. They were so generous. The money raised will be of great benefit to the Vietnamese schools,” she said.
“Overall, the trip itself has been absolutely amazing but it has been tough, physically and emotionally. There’s no doubt about it. Now that I’ve seen all the kids in the schools I realise just how worthwhile this charity actually is. I’m delighted I got involved.”
Plan International Ireland’s next event is the Sea Stack Challenge in Donegal, which takes place from May 28 to 29 and June 18 and 19. The organisation’s Because I Am A Girl Ball takes place in October, as does their Nepal Trek Challenge.
‘You see what impact it’s having on people’s lives’
As part of her work with tech company LinkedIn, Amy Kelly Atkinson gets one day each month to take part in charity and community projects.
Since her company has such close ties with Plan International Ireland, Amy decided to get involved in the Calling for a Cause initiative — phoning donors and child sponsors to personally thank them for their generosity.
“I think that Plan International’s work is amazing,” she said. “They do so much more than provide shortterm help to communities.
“I love that they support a number of initiatives, from crisis intervention to the ‘Because I’m a Girl’ campaign. This campaign is particularly important to me because I have been so lucky to have had great education and opportunity. I believe that, in an ideal world, every young person should have the support to reach their full potential.”
Late last year, Amy found out about Plan International Ireland’s Cycle for Girls in Vietnam.
“I think anything like this that pushes your physical limits and introduces you to new cultures and experiences is such a great thing to get involved in. I’m so glad I signed up to take part,” she said.
“I have always wanted to get involved in something challenging for charity but always doubted that I would be able for it.”
Myself and @avrilmc1 at Plan International offices in Vietnam! #CycleForGirls #CycleforPlan @PlanIreland @PlanBIAAG pic.twitter.com/Lc58ylXHcf
— Ceallach Ní Bhriain (Kelly O'Brien) (@Kellingtondawg) April 14, 2016
Amy’s other half, Mark Grehan, a fellow LinkedIn employee, also completed the challenge.
“I’ve done two similar things before, two cycles for charity, but never have I actually seen what actually happens with the money that I’ve raised,” said Mark. “This is the first one I’ve done where you actually visit the projects which is really nice because you kind of feel like everything is worth it when you get here and you see what kind of an impact it’s having on people’s lives.”
“It has been great to see what Plan International is doing in Vietnam, like pumping water to the village and helping with education. They’re obviously doing great work here where it’s much needed.”
Both Amy and Mark admitted the cycle was tough but said it was well worth it. Together, they raised more than €7,000 for Plan International and thanked their family, friends, and all who donated, for their incredible generosity.
‘Out of comfort zone’
When 16-year-old transition year student Ronan Daly approached his mother about the possibility of embarking on some charity tourism, she instantly knew it was something her family just had to do.
“I’ve been sponsoring children with Plan International Ireland for around 15 years now and I find it really worthwhile,” said Ronan’s mother, Clodagh Daly Tumilty. “I write to them maybe twice a year and get updates about how they’re doing and photographs of them.
“So when Ronan came home from school one day and said he wanted to do something abroad to raise money for charity, I thought of Plan International.”
These are the guys who got us through the @PlanIreland @PlanBIAAG #CycleForGirls - they're the best! :) :) pic.twitter.com/BkUwVaXCeG
— Ceallach Ní Bhriain (Kelly O'Brien) (@Kellingtondawg) April 22, 2016
As luck would have it, the organisation has just started to recruit volunteers for its latest challenge — a 250km cycle across the northern mountains of Vietnam.
“I wanted Ronan to do something constructive in transition year and I thought that this was something we could do together,” she said.
Clodagh also got her husband, Brendan Tumilty, involved and the trio began to fundraise.
“I find with things like this there’s a very strong misconception out there that you’re asking people to pay for your holiday,” said Clodagh. “First of all, I suppose, it’s not a holiday. Anyone who went on the trip will tell you that. But also, we were very adamant from the word go that we would pay €3,000 ourselves, paying for our own costs, and that everything else we raised would go to the charity. So that’s what we did.”
Overall, the Louth-based family raised more than €11,000.
“I’ve never been involved in any sort of fundraising before now so I was certainly out of my comfort zone asking people for money,” said Brendan.
“But I found myself focussing on the good it was going to do and that made it easier. You’d feel embarrassed but you just have to eat a bit of humble pie and get over it and realise it doesn’t matter that you’re asking for money, it matters where who’s going to benefit from it.” Brendan, Clodagh, and Ronan all said they found the 250km cycle incredibly tough, especially when you factor in the steep inclines, the 40 degree heat, the altitude, and the high humidity.
But, apart from the cycle, the trio said it was seeing the poverty some of the Vietnamese people were living in that truly opened their eyes.
“It’s made me more grateful for what I have. The things we complain about at home, they just seem so stupid now,” said Ronan.
“It’s great to see the work Plan International has done here though, supplying schools, supplying teachers, providing clean water. It’s great to see the money we raised is going towards a good cause.”
Clodagh said she was extremely proud of how her son handled seeing such poverty.
“I’m so proud of him,” she said. “Not only of the way he handled the cycling, but of the way he handled the school visits, particularly the second one, which was very stark. He would never have seen poverty like that before, so for him it was a big eyeopener.
“The cycling end of it... now that was hard, it really was. But the trip as a whole, it’s something I don’t think any of us will ever forget. Not only the cycle, but the people we met and the things we saw.”
Brendan agreed: “It was very tough but extremely informative and we raise a hell of a lot of money. Not only that but now we know exactly where the money’s going, which is great. The cycle was tough but we got through it. Would I do it again? Absolutely.”
Sponsor a child via Plan International Ireland at plan.ie/childsponsorship.
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