The roads in Kaper can be extremely dangerous particularly in wet season, which will now last until November. Despite the amount of accidents on the roads, helmets are hardly used.
With the safety of TQF kids at the forefront of our mind one of our big goals for this year was to run a road safety course that would teach the TQF kids the importance of wearing helmets and the road rules that would keep them safe. We also wanted to make sure every child had a pushbike to make going to school easier for them and their families.
After months of planning it finally happened on the 24th of April. We travelled over an hour to Ranong to buy the bikes. Jen, Kwan and Wayne coordinated the day with the help of Jeff and Lesley Thomas while the Kapoe Cycling Club taught the kids how to stay safe on the roads. It was so great to have all of the kids and their extended family present.
The kids listened attentively and couldn’t wait to get on their bikes and try them out – with their helmets of course! But before they did we put on a feast for the kids and their families.
When it came time to put their new skills to the test the excitement was overwhelming. The kids started chanting “The Q Foundation”.
We think Jen summed the day up best when she said, “Some life experiences are too big for words. I held it together today giving the 60 kids their bikes but I lost it when the parents thanked me. So not possible to hold back tears when something like this has such a huge ripple through the families and community.”
Since the safety course we are so pleased to report that we are seeing more and more kids riding around town wearing helmets.
A big thanks to all who helped make this project a success. And thank you to you too! Without your generosity projects like this would not be able to happen.
