KOTO Dream Ride 2018: Riding to the future

The KOTO Dream Ride 2018 recently received favorable response from 160 sport and charity enthusiasts. After the 55-km ride, the squad has raised over USD 17,000 for the disadvantaged youth.

KOTO Dream Ride 2018 held on November 10 was joined by 160 sport and charity enthusiasts.

Among the 160 were officials of Australia Embassy, UN International School of Hanoi (UNIS), British University in Vietnam (BUV), British Vietnam International School (BVIS), Pepsi Co. KOTO Dream Ride 2018 aimed at raising USD 20,000 to sponsor vocational training activities for disadvantaged youth in the KOTO Vocational Training Center, according to the Organizing Committee of the event.

The 55-km ride started from the UN International School of Hanoi (UNIS) in the Ciputra Hanoi, wound through beautiful natural landscapes of the Red River delta. A special feature of this year KOTO Dream Ride was a 25-km ride exclusively for children destined for Co Loa Citadel Hanoi.

The bitter weather failed to dampen the riders’ spirits. (KOTO)

Ambassador of this year’s KOTO Dream Ride was Country Representative of Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) Nguyen Thu Thao.

Thao was born in the mountainous, far northern Ha Giang province and grew out of childhood difficulties to become the youngest Vietnamese to win the Fulbright Scholarship at the age of 25.

Nguyễn Thu Thảo (middle), Ambassador of KOTO Dream Ride 2018. (KOTO)

“I used to bike delivering chưng cakes and sugar-coated Vietnamese donuts to support my family when I was at the age of KOTO learners. Being the Ambassador of Dream Ride 2018 to support KOTO learners is my joy and honour.”, Thao said.

Founded in 1999 by Vietnamese-Australian Jimmy Pham, KOTO is a non-profit social entrepreneur that empowers at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam through its intensive training program.

KOTO provides learners with hospitality, soft skills and English training course. Throughout nearly 20 years of operation, KOTO has trained around 800 students. KOTO training restaurants are based at 59 Van Mieu St., Hanoi and 19A Nguyen Dinh Chieu St., Ho Chi Minh City./.

( Translated by Hong Anh )