Tutors International was proud to sponsor two tutors' tough eight-day cycle across Thailand, raising funds and awareness for tsunami relief charity, Hands Across the Water.
On the 26th of December 2004, a tsunami with waves reaching heights of 100ft hit the shores of Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It caused catastrophic damage and took the lives of more than 227,000 people.
That Boxing Day, two of our tutors, Erin Lashmar and Steve Hill, were travelling in Thailand. Minutes before the first wave hit, Steve managed to climb aboard a stranger's pickup truck, escaping the danger zone. A little further away, Erin witnessed the devastation of those impacted, and comforted many of the young children who’d found themselves so suddenly lost and alone.
Surviving this tragic event, and witnessing the suffering first-hand has had a long term impact on both Erin and Steve. Now 20 years on, they’ve taken on a 800 km cycling challenge to raise funds for a cause that has remained close to their hearts. They have teamed up with Hands Across The Water, a tsunami relief charity which continues to support and help educate more than 350 children across Thailand.
Speaking about the impact of Ride to Provide, Steve said:
With 50 riders altogether, all the money raised is equal to about a third of the annual operating costs for seven houses. It’s really been a tremendous impact.
Tutors International has been immensely honoured to be involved as an official sponsor of Erin and Steve’s charity ride. When asked about the cause, Tutors international founder and CEO, Adam Caller, said:
"Erin and Steve are exceptional tutors, and we're delighted to sponsor them. It's a very emotive cause for them, and we're honoured to be part of their ride."
Reflecting on the Ride to Provide
Steve and Erin reflected on the impact the Ride to Provide and Tutors International's sponsorship will have on the people they met, and what they take away from their experience. Watch the video here:
Follow Steve and Erin's journey in his updates below
The 8-day 800km route was a massive undertaking. Erin and Steve faced challenges, witnessed the stunning beauty of the Thai landscape, and travelled through communities still healing from the 2004 disaster. Steve captured his personal highs and lows, sharing them with his supporters on social media - here are some of the highlights.
Day 1
Erin Lashmar and I just finished day one of our 800 km ride with Hands Across the Water!
70 km cycled through beautiful scenery.
This is such great support from Tutors International -the corporate Sponsor of this ride! It is so good to feel this support that can help transform and enhance the lives of learners worldwide!
Day 2
Day Two of the Ride to Provide!
Another 86/800 km ridden with Erin Lashmar!
As we ride further down the coast we appreciate the Thai people who cheer us on and wave as we ride past. They are so kind and considerate. The drivers on the road always pass us slowly and with great consideration. It is a pleasure to be here:)
The group of riders we are with is also fantastic! There are over 50 riders in this group who have raised well over $500,000 AUD for Hands Across the Water! As we ride, we hear more stories from these riders who sponsor children here. Each of us carries a picture of a child we are riding for and whom we will meet on day 9 of the ride.
There are people here from Hands Across the Water who dedicate their lives to these children. Parma House is the full time home for children who have HIV and is one of seven homes that Hands Across the Water has set up. It is so heartwarming to know that these children are able to lead normal lives: they go to school, receive life saving medication and dedicated care from truly selfless individuals dedicated to making this world a better place.
We are so grateful to have met so many warm-hearted and caring individuals on this trip so far and hear about the reasons so many of these riders commit to riding for this organisation year after year.
Day 3
This is a remarkable experience to ride with Erin Lashmar & Hands Across the Water who have set up a tourism company with 100% of revenue generated funding the charity. Through this structure they are able to employ Thai people and give jobs to some of the children who have grown up in their care. The importance Hands Across the Water places on education is phenomenal, a value that resonates with us at Tutors international. Hands have paid for over 30 children to study at university, giving them power and autonomy over their own lives.
It has been so heartwarming to see Hands' investment in human growth and development in action as we ride further down the Thai coast towards the first home that was built after the tsunami. One of our trip leaders grew up in one of the seven Hands’ homes and studied tourism at university. She is now helping lead and support our group on this meaningful journey. I am so pleased to be able to share them with you and to include these pictures from the day.
Day 5
Another long ride today - 125 km - and we are steadily ticking off the kilometers to Khao Lak.
Day 6
Today was another tough day: the heat beat down after a brief morning shower and Erin Lashmar and I covered 135 km!
Riding with this unique group of riders is truly inspiring! There are so many stories within this group of caring individuals. One such remarkable tale is from Brigid Gibson who is the originator of the Ride to Provide! She came up with the idea of riding from Bangkok to Khao Lak (800km) on a whim and then committed to do it!
This ride has turned into a major annual fundraiser for Hands with a dedicated following, accounting for over half of all the charity donations Hands receives annually. But it all started with a dream; a silly impossible idea that wasn’t ignored. She got 100$ from 100 people and then the challenge was set!
With a “must do” mentality Bridgid researched and led the first ride which was a massive success. Dreaming big and following our hearts to see those dreams through to fruition is the key to so many success stories. In this instance the ride to provide was developed and has raised millions of dollars for Hands and helped the charity thrive through the years.
Act on your dreams and act in the interest of helping others and making this world a better place.
Day 7
It’s been a long journey with Hands Across The Water on our way to riding 800 km. Making this distance target will be huge! As I rode today I reflected on how great accomplishments are achieved one step (or pedal) at a time. Consistency and tenacity through small actions we perform for the things we believe in will amount to tremendous accomplishments over time. From a group of children living in tents after the tsunami - to the first home - to the 7th - and beyond - as Hands continues to develop sustainable enterprises to help fund itself. It all came from a dream that was followed through one step at a time with so many willing helpers to care for and educate so many children to university and beyond. What they have achieved is truly remarkable.
Day 8
It’s been 800 km.
We rode it all and have come to the end of the road. We stopped and took a photo with Peter Baines at Wat Nikornwararam which was a major centre for forensic identification of bodies in the wake of the tsunami and where Peter worked for months in the identification process.
The damage was catastrophic and I remember trying to make sense of what happened- how and where and why. The damage up and down the road was so severe and so many lives were lost. At this temple, 3500 bodies were placed from the surrounding area as they were discovered and removed. This area was one of the hardest hit due to the geography of the coastline.
The pain of these losses will never go away. Holes in hearts remain. But in spite of this, life continues.
The story of the star thrower you have probably heard. It’s the one where there are countless stranded starfish on the beach and someone tosses them one by one back into the sea. “What difference does it make ? There are so many, “ a passer by asks. The star thrower replies, “ It makes a difference to this one.”- and tosses it back in the sea.
In the midst of such death and destruction along the whole coastline Peter Baines saw that small group of children living under tents without parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles utterly alone in the world after the wave took everyone. He helped raise the funds to build the first home just 4 km down the road - Baan Tharn Namchai.
He founded the charity Hands Across the Water and the home he built took them off the street and gave them a safe place with people who cared for them and helped raise them. He looked after their health, education and dentistry. He has put those children through university. And some of them work now with young ones who for other reasons still have nobody.
As we rode the last leg into the home we were greeted by the sweetest children of all ages- so full of life and promise. In their community they are cared for and live and learn and grow with the possibility of following their dreams, getting jobs and starting their own families.
They will always have no family tree above them and only each other. There are so many more children who could use this much love and support. There are many children who experience war, disaster and poverty.
It warms my heart to know that a difference has been made to these ones.
It is also true that all your donations you have given, from Tutors International sponsorship and from all our friends and family make us all bound together in bringing this much needed support to these children.
Surpassing the Ride to Provide goals
The ride’s final destination was the home of the children Steve and Erin rode for, and a great opportunity to see firsthand how the funds raised were being used.
Steve and Erin’s dedication and hard work resulted in them surpassing their fundraising goals, raising a combined total so far of over 23,000 AUD. And there is still time to donate to this very worthwhile cause. You can show your support here:
Learn more about Hands Across the Water and Ride to Provide:
