The Story of Berlin
Local Thai village schools are often not equipped to properly support students like 13-year-old Berlin, who has a learning disability. TCDF's special education program provides a safe and suitable learning environment where children like Berlin can develop based on their unique abilities. The ultimate goal is to reintegrate these children into their local village schools and communities.
TCDF makes this possible by offering a daily school bus service for children in remote mountain villages. Without this service, they would remain isolated at home, without access to the education that could help them realize their potential. While these children may not go on to earn a bachelor's degree, they are invaluable to TCDF.
The departure is approaching.
The excitement is building as the departure date for Hanoi quickly approaches. There is still a lot to be done, but the preparations are going smoothly. One of the most important things is arranging the necessary vaccinations. It's essential to get these well in advance so that they are effective at the time of departure. Recently, I visited the GGD (Municipal Health Service), where my yellow vaccination booklet was updated for Southeast Asia. Every year, I have my vaccinations checked to ensure they are still up-to-date, and fortunately, this time I only needed one shot. Unfortunately, dengue fever remains a risk for which no vaccine exists, so it's crucial to protect ourselves well with DEET.
In addition to the vaccinations, the visas for the countries we plan to visit are also important. For Vietnam, the visa can be applied for in advance and stamped upon arrival at the airport. The visas for Laos and Cambodia can be purchased at the border upon entry. For Thailand, where we plan to stay longer, the visa must be applied for digitally in advance. Luckily, this is easy to arrange.
My bike will soon be getting a maintenance check. I don't expect any major repairs, as I always keep it well-maintained. The oil of the Rohloff hub will be changed, which means I'll be good for another 5,000 kilometers. I'm also bringing spare inner tubes and brake pads for the road. Other parts, like wear items, are available in larger cities along the way.
Meanwhile, Dries and I are working on putting together a packing list for the items we need to bring to Hanoi. An old list from last year serves as a basis, and we're updating it. We're trying to take as little as possible on the plane to save weight. There's also a list of items we'll buy at Decathlon in Hanoi and a list for a visit to a local supermarket.
The hotel in Hanoi is already arranged, and the transfer from the airport to the hotel is booked. With two bikes in boxes, this makes things a lot easier; you certainly don't want to be standing at the airport having to negotiate with taxi drivers to get away.
Preparations and Sponsorship: Kilometer by Kilometer to a Better Future
With six weeks to go until my departure for Hanoi, I've already logged 6.600 training kilometers. By sponsoring €5 per kilometer, you directly contribute to a better future for children in Thailand. Next week, I'll write more about Cambodia on two wheels. Thanks for sharing and for your support!
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