Genoa resident rides 3,600 kilometers for children in Mongolia

This past spring, part-time Genoa resident Betsy Cooksey set off on a 3,600-kilometer charity ride across Mongolia to help disadvantaged children.

“The ride was challenging in all elements, the weather and sitting on that horse for eight hours, but the rewards were over the top,” said Cooksey. “The friendships developed, experience and cause will last a lifetime.”

In May, Cooksey and 14 other riders from around the world and a Mongolian crew headed north from the Gobi Desert toward the Alti Tavan Bogd Mountains, riding 20-70 miles per day on horseback.

“I didn’t expect to be able to go 35 miles a day,” said Cooksey. “I saw a quote that said ‘courage is doing something where you’re pretty sure you will get kicked, but you do it anyway,’ and I was sure I was going to do it anyway.”

Cooksey said the ride is full of Mongolia history from prehistoric times to present day.

“It takes riders to mountain shrines, sacred points along rivers and burial shrines of ancient Mongolian warriors and famous and lesser-known historical spots,” she said. “The scenery is fantastic.”

This was her third Mongolian adventure, having made the trip twice in the last two years.

“My family frankly was surprised when I told them I wanted to do this, and my son thought it was just some bucket list item I had to cross off,” said Cooksey. “But an opportunity to repeat it and raise money for the kindergarten absolutely floats my boat.”

The purpose of the Blue Wolf Totem Charity Ride is a partnership with Veloo Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the foundation’s Children of the Peak Sanctuary Project/Narnii Huuhduud.

The Children of the Peak Sanctuary Project/Narnii Huuhduud is a sanctuary and school for children of more than 200 impoverished families living amongst garbage where food, clothing and fuel is scavenged for survival. The Sanctuary provides children with a warm place, three nutritious meals a day, clothing, education, adult supervision, and peer interaction.

While the Blue Wolf Totem Ride pays homage to the legends and heritage of Mongolia, the Veloo Foundation serves to improve the lives of the families who live there. Both coming together to serve Mongolia’s past, present and future.

During the journey, riders raise money for the cause. 100 percent of all donated funds goes to help the children.

Cooksey raised over $20,000 during her expedition and said her team’s efforts were awarded a medal of honor from the Minister of Youth in Mongolia.

“When he presented the medal and announced that it was a medal of honor for making a difference in children’s lives, the whole Gala went silent,” said Cooksey. “And he said, ‘do I need to say that again?’ It was that powerful and everyone in the audience was in tears. Now, doesn’t that motivate you to do more?”

Cooksey is motivated for more and plans to set out on another ride soon. Her presentation on the Blue Wolf Totem Charity ride and the Veloo Foundation 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the River Fork will provide more information and donation options. For more information and to reserve a seat call 301-751-3763 or email betsycooksey123@gmail.com

“I am so looking forward to going back to Mongolia to join the Blue World Totem,” she said, “3,600 kms in 84 days of riding is going to be an epic challenge for me and all of it supports children.”

The Veloo foundation was founded in 2013 by Julie and Chelvan Veloo after the couple moved to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, for work.

Since then, it has built two kindergartens, one community library, a summer camp and various other projects.

For more information visit www.veloofoundation.com