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For the first time, Project Happy Feet Slipper Race will be hosted in HCMC on October 21 to raise funds for the education and training of underprivileged children.
The event expects to attract around 1,500 people who will walk with their slippers on their feet for 3 kilometers in Phu My Hung urban area.
The event, organized by Project Happy Feet organization in Singapore in collaboration the Know One Teach One Organization in Vietnam (KOTO), aims to raise about US$10,000.
Conceptualized by Project Happy Feet Limited, a Singapore-based non-profit organization set up in 2009 to support education-related initiatives that empower underprivileged people, the non-competitive all-inclusive event hopes to attract schools, families, professionals, community groups and organizations.
The first Project Happy Feet Slipper Race was held in Singapore last year and saw a turnout of 1,800 registered participants, raising a total of SGD107,000 for underprivileged children in Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia.
“The idea of this race came from our many visits to Project Happy Feet’s beneficiaries in rural areas where it is a normal sight to see children walk long distances to school barefooted,” said Deborah Chew, 36, co-founder and director of Project Happy Feet Limited.
KOTO is a non-profit social enterprise that teaches hospitality skills to instill values and train street kids and disadvantaged young people so they can live a happy and productive life. “We hope this will be an annual event so that everyone in the community can lend a hand to support children to stay in schools and learn what they can and persuade them not to leave due to tough circumstances in the provinces of Lao Cai, Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Thanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Khanh Hoa, Thua-Thien Hue, Long An and Kien Giang,” said Lam Viet Hung, deputy general director of KOTO.
The cost of Project Happy Feet Slipper Race will be underwritten by sponsorship so that 100% of registration fees and outright donations collected will go towards KOTO
Foundation, Vietnam Association for Protection of Children Rights (VAPCR), and Loreto Vietnam-Australia program (LVAP).
By co-operating with Phu Song Yeu Thuong program, organizers are able to leverage on a modern and transparent payment solution from Mobivi. All donations will be updated on website www.phusongyeuthuong.org until the end of next month.
Registration is now open. Participants can purchase their tickets priced at VND200,000 per adult and VND50,000 per student and children under 12 years old at KOTO Saigon restaurant, 151A Hai Ba Trung Street in District 3, tel: 08 39349154, KOTO Saigon training center, 829 Huynh Tan Phat Street in District 7, tel: 08 37738577, Makbiti Jewelry shop, 242 Vo Van Tan Street in District 3, tel: 08 38328938 and Mobivi office on third floor, H3 building, 384 Hoang Dieu Street in District 4, tel: 08 38269109.
The first 1,000 people to register will receive discount vouchers from Makbiti fashion Jewelry.
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