Chealy (pronounced Kelly) Sin, wife of Life Member, North Carolina Army National Guard LTC SaQuang Lam, is a Khmer-American whose career has been centered around helping refugees and victims of landmines and UXO.
As they were visiting Cambodia, she noticed that Khmer children had to walk long distances to attend school. So, instead of wringing her hands and fretting about the situation, she took action and formed an organization to address the issue.
The Wheels of Peace Foundation, home based in North Carolina, currently buys and distributes bicycles to children who have no other means of travel.
Children from _Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia, posing with their new bikes.
So far, they have distributed 400 bicycles to the children of two villages.
So, isn't a bike just a kid's toy? How can that make a difference? Quoting from the website,
"For many children in rural Banteay Meanchey, getting to school is not [an] easy walk each day. Some walk more than five kilometers just to reach their classroom. The trip can make children tired, miss school, or have a hard time keeping up with their education.
A bicycle costs only $65.... To us, it is a bicycle. To a child, it is a way to get to school and a better opportunity."
The Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575 applauds her, and our Comrade's, efforts to improve the lives of Khmer children.
This article is not an endorsement by The Veterans of Foreign Wars, nor by the Mayaguez Memorial VFW Post 11575. We recommend that you perform your own due diligence before donating to this or any other charitable organization.
FOLLOW US