Fil-Am Biking to Build School for Kids in Need

Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

CALIFORNIA – A San Diego-based Filipino-American took a flight to Virginia and has been biking back to California, camping along the way, and making new friends just to raise funds to build a school in Guatemala.

This is how high school academic coach Carl Henry Diaz is spending his summer break. But more than a bike ride, Diaz is carrying the hopes of Project Heart on his back and across the country.

He is hoping to raise funds to build a school in Guatemala through the international charity group Pencils of Promise.

“Hopefully, during those 60 days that I will accumulate enough pledges and sponsors to help raise money to put a dent in this $50,000. When we’re building this school, it’s not just giving them a place to read or a book, it’s saving their lives giving them a better future,” he said.

The former paralegal took a job in San Diego’s High Tech High School two years ago. Through the career change, he found a chance to change the world.

Now at 28 years old, the former high school soccer standout is surrounded by youth. He felt it was now or never when it came to launching Project Heart.

“They’re about to go off to college, and before they go off to college, I kind of want to teach them one last lesson: to give back to the world and to change the world,” he said..

His kindness has become contagious. Other students are now looking to their own projects, bringing people together and raising money to give to various charity groups and causes.

“Some of them are running their first half marathon. Others are doing dance workshops,” he said.

Diaz’ journey will stretch across nine states and is expected to arrive home in San Diego in mid-August.

His adventure can be tracked on his website projectheartorg.com.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)