Two of our exceptional tutors are riding 800km across Thailand in support of Hands Across The Water, a charity that gave hope to young tsunami survivors.
Twenty years ago, a failed boat engine and a late breakfast saved two lives. Now, those same survivors are cycling 800 km through Thailand, turning their near-death experience into hope for hundreds of children.
Erin Lashmar and Steve Hill, private tutors with Tutors International, were young travellers in Thailand when the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami struck. Steve survived by climbing into a stranger's pickup truck moments before the wave hit. Erin, just outside the wave zone in Phuket, spent hours comforting lost children in her hotel lobby.
"I had some crayons and juggling balls," Erin recalls. "I remember thinking that maybe the one useful and good thing I could do would be to just distract the young people around me"
That instinct to teach and comfort would shape both their futures. "The experience of understanding the fragility of life... made me understand that this really is our only life," says Erin. "To me, that looked like becoming a teacher."
At Tutors International, we specialise in providing world-class education to privileged families. Yet our sponsorship of this ride reflects a deeper commitment to education as a universal right. We're supporting Hands Across the Water (HATW), a charity that evolved from providing immediate tsunami relief to delivering comprehensive community support across Thailand. From safe housing and education to agricultural programs and university scholarships, HATW has helped transform hundreds of young lives - with 19 students currently pursuing university degrees. Their work demonstrates how initial disaster response can grow into lasting, generational change.
"As an educator, I am excited to be able to support a charity that has an explicit goal of making sure young people receive the education they need to live the lives that they want," Erin explains. "Because in my life, I have seen that education is the key to changing lives."
HATW now operates seven homes across Thailand, supporting over 350 children. Their impact extends from basic education to university studies, with 19 students currently pursuing degrees in fields including medicine and business. "Several of the young people have graduated in medicine and business," notes Erin. "It really is a grassroots organization that is supporting young people for as long as they need."
For Adam Caller, CEO of Tutors International, supporting the ride was an obvious choice:
"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."
The eight-day journey will end at Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage near Khao Lak - the first home HATW established after the tsunami. For Steve, this homecoming carries deep meaning: "For me, it's a really important chance to go back to that place... and just see what has happened since that devastation."
In this full-circle moment, two educators who once escaped death will return to help ensure that the next generation can escape poverty - through the power of education.
Support the ride
Follow Erin and Steve's inspiring journey through Thailand this January via Tutors International's Facebook page and LinkedIn profile. Their updates will share both the physical challenges of the 800km ride and the powerful stories of lives transformed through education.
About Hands Across the Water
Founded in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Hands Across the Water is a non-profit organisation dedicated to building brighter futures and providing a life of choice for children in Thailand.
Hands Across the Water is a registered charity in three countries—Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand. Supported by two social enterprise models in Australia and Thailand, the organisation ensures that administration costs are covered, allowing donations to directly impact those in need. Since its inception, Hands Across the Water has raised over $35 million AUD, transforming the lives of over 1,000 children.
In a significant milestone, 32 students have graduated from university through Hands Across the Water's educational programs, embodying the organisation's commitment to long-term empowerment. Recently, Hands Across the Water accepted its first paid traineeship under its social enterprise, Hands Experiences Thailand, further expanding opportunities for skill development and employment.
Through sustainable initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development, Hands Across the Water strives to create opportunities for a brighter future for all.
