Climb to Change a Life event in Kanchanaburi soon
AFTER carrying disabled children to the summit of Mount Fiji recently, Thailand’s C-Suite team plans to hold a similar event in Kanchanaburi later this year with this raising money for Zy Movement Foundation.
This event was led by Walter Lee, better known as Chef Zani, whose son Zy Lee was the original inspiration for the Climb to Change a Life Initiative which is part of the Zy Movement Foundation to raise awareness of children with disabilities in Southeast Asia.
As the C-Suite team is from Coca & Mango Tree Restaurants Worldwide, group chairman and celebrated Thai chef Pityaya Phanphensophon, the managing director Trevor MacKenzie, Japan branch’s managing director Ari Kumagaisan and Coco Yuri Takasugi from his team took part in the hike.
Also joining them were members of the Entrepreneurs Organization of Japan who organized the event on behalf of Zy Movement Foundation as well as two trained guides.
“There was an incredible sense of teamwork as we planned and managed the challenge of carrying these wonderful kids to the peak of Japan’s highest mountain,” said Mr MacKenzie.
“The experience brought families, colleagues and even strangers together as we shared a common bond, which was very emotional. I was also incredibly impressed at the trust the parents put in us and their willingness to have the children experience something so incredible for themselves.”
“There are millions of children with movement disabilities in Thailand who have to face physical and social barriers every day, preventing them from making the most of their lives,” said Mr Lee.
“Reaching the summit of a mountain gives them a sense of pride and helps them create a positive attitude about themselves so they can develop a sense of independence.”
Since the Zy Movement Foundation became official in 2010 it has partnered with leading global institutes and launched several campaigns to promote equality for disabled children by raising awareness, bridging the knowledge gap, and bettering the public’s understanding of locomotive disabilities.
Doctors have been brought over from Germany to teach new therapies and technologies that can make a real difference to the quality of life for disabled children in Asia.
“The Climb to Change a Life project not only gives these children a chance to experience something they would not normally dream of achieving, it also raises money for the Zy Movement Foundation that supports them,” said Mr Mackenzie.
“This is the second time Mango Tree Group has sponsored the event and once we complete the third expedition in Thailand later this year, the idea is to roll out the concept globally.”
CAPTIONS:
TOP: Walter Lee, better known as Chef Kani and the founder of the Zy Movement Foundation, climbing Mount Fiji with his son Zy Lee.
INSET: Parents and children pose with the volunteer climbers from Coca and Mango Tree Restaurants on the slopes of Mount Fuji.
By Thai Residents reporters
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