The teachers participated in the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk to raise money for the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
In Vietnam, it's estimated that one in five children live in poverty. Too often, they are forced to leave school and look for work, often far away from home.
As a result, they are seriously at risk of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and illness.
The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation serves street children, kids with disabilities and survivors of human trafficking with everything they need to recover from their ordeal, stand on their own feet and achieve their dreams.
Indonesian teacher Angela Molinaro was keen to raise money for a worthy cause and set herself a personal challenge.
She enlisted the help of fellow teachers and their extended families to raise money by walking 42 km from near Cheviot to Tallarook along the Mansfield to Tallarook Rail Trail.
“It took us 10-and-a-half hours of walking and there were a lot of sore feet when we were done,” Ms Molinaro said.
“I’ve done some hiking before but the furthest I’ve gone is 22 km, so this was really pushing my limits.
“I walked the first 30 km in walking boots but switched to sandals for the last 12 km. My feet needed a break.”
Angela said her primary motivation for the marathon walk was to raise money for a good cause, but it also gave her something to look forward to while in lockdown.
“The foundation does amazing work and everything we raise goes directly to impacting the lives of disadvantaged children,” she said.
“It felt great to be helping out but it was also nice to have something to work towards while we were not able to get out and see each other.”
Donations can still be made at bdmarathon.raisely.com