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Giving it Back to Kids

How special it is

How special it is
Today's note was written by Tam Tong - our Vice President. 
 
First, I want to say… I am grateful that I had opportunity to attend bike distributions to 100 kids on my 43rd birthday. It must be the most special birthday in my life. I say “special” because it was “special” in so many ways ????. I didn’t expect to spend three hours on a bumpy road to get to the first distribution site. It went well so we expected to finish the second one and get back to the hotel by 5 pm. But guess what? Unexpected things happened. 65 bikes weren’t ready to deliver to the kids ????. We spent almost 4 hours to fix all the issues before we handed over the bikes to each kid. We had to make sure to provide safe bikes to kids. When we’re about to finish the last few bikes, it rained so hard. I just see that kind of rain when we hit a typhoon in Da Nang. The rain scared me so much when we had to drive back for few more hours through the mountainous areas. But with God’s grace we got back to the hotel safely. 
 
(Kids helping us at the second distribution)
 
Although GIBTK team worked hard and we asked for help from several others to get the job done, I was happy that we got kids smile. Having a bike in the mountainous area is a big thing for kids. 
 
By a delivery mistake, one of the boys couldn’t get his bike because the left-over bike was a pink one for girl. Our plan was to send him one in few days later. But at the end of the distribution, he came up to my teammate and asked if he could get that pink bike for his sister instead because his sister walks 45 minutes to school each day. He said: “My friend has a bike so I can ask for a ride every day and wants to give this opportunity to my sister.” What a beautiful story it is? 
 
(The sister got a new bike)
 
In my early journal in June, I wrote a story of a girl from Meo village, Dak Pling commune, Kon Chro district, Gia Lai province. Y-Nhung who was given a bike in our distribution in June told me that many kids in her village had to walk for hours to get to school each day. My heart broke to hear that, and I prayed that I would come back one more time to help many of them. My prayer was answered. I came back and distributed 30 more for kids from this village this trip. My heart was full of joy. 
 
(One of the 30 kids from Meo village with his new bike)
 
At this distribution, I asked if anyone knew Y Nhung from Meo village - the girl in my story in June, a girl named Thien had a big smile and knocked her head. She told me that Y Nhung has been her classmate and they walked to school together. Since Y Nhung got a bike, she gave Thien a ride to school every day. She let Thien ride her bike few times. By riding Nhung’s bike, Thien dreamed of having a nice bike like that but did not dare to ask her mom for one because of her family’s poverty. Two days ago, Thien knew that she would get a bike, she was so happy. She said: “Thank you for giving me hope for a better life and a better future.” I was speechless to hear that from a minority ethnic girl, 7th grader in the very remote area. 
 
(Thien's dream came true)
 
Dinh Thi Ha, a 9th grader was so excited to touch her new bike. Ha’s mother passed when she was 4 years old. Ha’s father goes to the forest to collect stuff like orchid flowers, honey … for sale. He is rarely at home with Ha and her sister. Ha and her sister have lived with their grandparents and uncle. Every day, it takes them two hours to walk to school each way. They leave home at 5 am so no time for breakfast. Their lunch at 12 pm is also their breakfast. After school, they help take care of their uncle’s children. Ha was so happy and touched to own their first bike. It is a lot easier for them to go to school each day. She said: “My sister and I don’t have to walk anymore. I am grateful.”
 
(Ha with her new bike)
 
I am grateful that I am doing the work that bring kids joy, happiness, and a better future. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you to everyone ??!
 
"We highly appreciate you and thank you for transforming lives"
 
Sincerely,
 
Tam Tong
 
Robert Kalatschan
Giving it Back to Kids

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