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This previous spring, part-time Genoa resident Betsy Cooksey set off on a 3,600-kilometer charity journey throughout Mongolia to assist deprived kids.
“The journey was difficult in all components, the climate and sitting on that horse for eight hours, however the rewards have been excessive,” mentioned Cooksey. “The friendships developed, expertise and trigger will final a lifetime.”
In Might, Cooksey and 14 different riders from around the globe and a Mongolian crew headed north from the Gobi Desert towards the Alti Tavan Bogd Mountains, driving 20-70 miles per day on horseback.
“I didn’t count on to have the ability to go 35 miles a day,” mentioned Cooksey. “I noticed a quote that mentioned ‘braveness is doing one thing the place you’re fairly positive you’ll get kicked, however you do it anyway,’ and I used to be positive I used to be going to do it anyway.”
Cooksey mentioned the journey is filled with Mongolia historical past from prehistoric occasions to current day.
“It takes riders to mountain shrines, sacred factors alongside rivers and burial shrines of historical Mongolian warriors and well-known and lesser-known historic spots,” she mentioned. “The surroundings is improbable.”
This was her third Mongolian journey, having made the journey twice within the final two years.
“My household frankly was shocked once I instructed them I needed to do that, and my son thought it was just a few bucket listing merchandise I needed to cross off,” mentioned Cooksey. “However a chance to repeat it and lift cash for the kindergarten completely floats my boat.”
The aim of the Blue Wolf Totem Charity Experience is a partnership with Veloo Basis to lift consciousness and funds for the inspiration’s Kids of the Peak Sanctuary Challenge/Narnii Huuhduud.
The Kids of the Peak Sanctuary Challenge/Narnii Huuhduud is a sanctuary and college for youngsters of greater than 200 impoverished households dwelling amongst rubbish the place meals, clothes and gas is scavenged for survival. The Sanctuary offers kids with a heat place, three nutritious meals a day, clothes, schooling, grownup supervision, and peer interplay.
Whereas the Blue Wolf Totem Experience pays homage to the legends and heritage of Mongolia, the Veloo Basis serves to enhance the lives of the households who reside there. Each coming collectively to serve Mongolia’s previous, current and future.
In the course of the journey, riders elevate cash for the trigger. 100% of all donated funds goes to assist the youngsters.
Cooksey raised over $20,000 throughout her expedition and mentioned her group’s efforts have been awarded a medal of honor from the Minister of Youth in Mongolia.
“When he introduced the medal and introduced that it was a medal of honor for making a distinction in kids’s lives, the entire Gala went silent,” mentioned Cooksey. “And he mentioned, ‘do I have to say that once more?’ It was that highly effective and everybody within the viewers was in tears. Now, doesn’t that inspire you to do extra?”
Cooksey is motivated for extra and plans to set out on one other journey quickly. Her presentation on the Blue Wolf Totem Charity journey and the Veloo Basis 6 p.m. Oct. 27 on the River Fork will present extra data and donation choices. For extra data and to order a seat name 301-751-3763 or electronic mail betsycooksey123@gmail.com
“I’m so wanting ahead to going again to Mongolia to hitch the Blue World Totem,” she mentioned, “3,600 kms in 84 days of driving goes to be an epic problem for me and all of it helps kids.”
The Veloo basis was based in 2013 by Julie and Chelvan Veloo after the couple moved to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for work.
Since then, it has constructed two kindergartens, one neighborhood library, a summer season camp and varied different tasks.
For extra data go to www.veloofoundation.com
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