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Woman rollerblades across U.S. to prove kindness still exists

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PHOTO: CATERS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA.
PHOTO: CATERS/WWW.MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA.

What started as a pipe dream turned into the journey of a lifetime for 23-year-old Hong Kong-born Yanise Ho.

It saw her rollerblading from Miami, Florida, all the way to Portland, Oregon, in just seven months.

Setting out in March, Yanise would rollerblade for 30 to 60km every day on her trusty wheels.

She left with nothing to her name – not even money.

READ MORE: Hands up if you're looking for small ways to help others in a big way? Here are 5

Hoping to shed a light on all the good that still exists in the world, Yanise relied on the kindness of strangers throughout her epic journey to provide food, water and shelter – and the student’s faith was returned in abundance every step of the way.

Despite not having any back-up plans, Yanise says there wasn’t a single day she went hungry or didn’t have a place to stay.

She was constantly inundated with strangers offering help. 

“I knew there were so many wonderful people in the world – I wanted to let them show their kindness. I knew the world could be a better place if we could cast aside fear and believe in people.

“At least five to 10 cars would pull over every day to give me a hug, a bottle of water, or see if I needed anything.

“Even those who weren’t able to offer a place to stay would never leave me out in the street, as though we were all in it together.

“I never went a day without shelter.”

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Persevering through blistering rain and scorching heat, the aspiring journalist concluded her trip in October 20 – well before the end of November deadline she’d set for herself.

“While being fortunate to be able to go on a solo journey, I also received a lot of sexist criticism – such as me ‘asking to be a victim’.

“Society still neglects a woman’s strength and chooses to instil fear instead. I wanted to change that stigma.

“My plan is to publish a book about my experience and to continue to speak for peace, love and women’s rights.

“I will never stop.”

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