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Walking around the world for peace and children |
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By Sonia K.
Jean Beliveau recently made a courtesy visit to the High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei Darussalam, Wendell Sanford. Beliveau started his journey on August 18, 2000 from Montreal. His goal is to walk around the planet to promote "Peace and non-violence for the profit of the children of the world". He is travelling alone with a three-wheeled stroller to carry a bit of food, his clothing, a first aid kit, a small tent and a sleeping bag. Jean plans to walk across all the continents, from North America to South America, then across to South Africa, up to Europe, then the Middle East, South and Eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand and finally back to Canada. So far, he has walked a distance of 59,000km and Brunei is the 58th country he has visited. Currently wearing his 41st shoe, his next city of visit is Kuching. Beliveau's goal is to promote peace for the children, in conjunction with International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the children of the world. Among the things he learnt over the years are the new cultures and observing different environment and nature. According to information by the Canadian High Commission, Beliveau would everyday walk with his stroller and the things in it. On a good day, he is able to walk a distance of 30-40km. About 85 per cent of his journey has been self-financed and the rest is contributions from locals of the country. Some of his challenges were when he was in Ethopia, where a local Ethiopian tried to steal his stroller. Another challenge he faced was in Chile, in Atacama Desert, where a puma lurked outside his tent while he was sleeping. Fore more information on Jean Beliveau, his travel and activities visit www.wwwalk.org. |
