The Challenge
Friday, December 19, 2008
1 year. 2 stilts. 3000kms.
On July 1, 2009, Miki and I will begin our challenge to walk from the most northerly point to the most southerly point of mainland Japan.... on two very shaky and, at the moment, temperamental stilts! Walking determinedly, probably quite slowly, almost definitely without any grace at all a maximum distance of 15kms a day, we will take approximately 8 months to complete what is going to be the most unforgettable challenge of our lives.
While fundraising for charity may not be as well known in Japan as it is in other countries, our goal is to raise $100 000 (yes, more money than we will ever see fill the pages of our bank book) for the Borneo Orangutan Survival organization (BOS), a group dedicated to protecting the future of the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. In the face of what we know will be a long and difficult year ahead, we have gained strength in our resolve through our contact with Michelle at BOS UK, Rich at BOS US and our main supporter next year, Miyazaki-san at BOS Japan.
With the support of BOS, all money raised through the Pongo Hogo Hogo Challenge will be used to purchase forest land in the aim of protecting orangutan habitat from palm oil developments.
One of the most important aspects of next year's challenge is ensuring that 100% of the money received goes directly to the project that we are doing this for. As such, all of the costs associated with any transportation to the start line and from the finish line, our day to day living expenses, and any payments required for promoting next year's challenge will be covered by us, through our own savings that we have been putting away for the past two years for this purpose. That way you know that every cent of your donation, is going directly to secure forest in Borneo. We are going to need every penny to do it.
posted by Mick and Miki Tan @ 6:32 PM,
2 Comments:
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At December 20, 2008 at 12:52 PM,
savetheorangutan said...
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Dear Mick and Miki,
I am so impressed by your resolve to take on such a huge and unprecendented challenge, all to help save the orangutans from extinction. By supporting the acquisition of habitat for orangutans through Borneo Orangutan Survival, everyone sponsoring your challenge is providing a long term solution for the survival of the orangutan in the wild.
Please, everyone, give generously.
Michelle Desilets
International Campaigns Director for Borneo Orangutan Survival International and Founder of Orangutan Land Trust. -
At December 28, 2008 at 9:52 AM,
Pam said...
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Way to go! I will make sure my kids are following your every step. Thanks for your nice note. My daughter Allison and I will be working with Rich Zimmerman and the Redapes.Org web site to recruit many more young kids to the cause. I will send them all your way! What a great inspiration. I found it interesting that fund raising isn't done over there. I love to learn little tid bits to tell the kids...since they have the attention span of a gnat! :)
can't wait to hear more
Pam Boyer & Allie (daughter)
