By Aida Hovhannisyan

Wissam Al Jayyoussi, Arab by origin, plans to tour 100 countries by a motorcycle in upcoming two years to raise funds for children from war zones in the Middle East who need medical aid. The Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent talked to Goodwill Journey coordinator Goaran Veselinovic about trip to Armenia.

Tell a little about yourself. Where are you from?

We are a group of enthusiastic individuals from all over the globe that lends a helping hand to heal lives in places torn by war, famine and other perils. Each one of us contributes in a different way according to our professional expertise and related industries, from IT support, advertising, PR and event management, we all join efforts for a bigger objective that bring out a change in the lives of people who need it.

Wissam Al Jayyoussi the founder of the Goodwill Journey is riding on his motorcycle around the globe, raising awareness about the cause. IT professional based in Dubai for over 13 years.

Why and when did you decide to make such journey? What is the aim of this journey?

It started with a father calling me to ask for help. His daughter got the straight A’s in her high school but he did not have enough money to put her through collage. He told me ”I wish she failed because I wouldn’t feel so guilty not affording university, but she got straight A’s and now I have to live with this guilt”. It started from there by climbing mountains to raise money for education of women in war zones. And from there I found out that I need to spread the message across the world and decided to do that on a motorcycle by visiting every country in the world. The focus of the upcoming journey is medical needs for children in war zones in the Middle East.

First Adventure was in 2008 when Wissam climbed Mount Pumori in Nepal. It took him 30 days climb to 7,000 meters. The goal was to support education of women in the Middle East

Then it was a motorbike ride through Europe in 2010 when Wissam crossed 36 countries from Dubai to London in order to raise funds for the support of building a playground for children with special needs. The next was a motorbike ride across Asia on the Silk Route to Singapore in 2012. Donations were used for building of the first free standing pediatric cancer center in Bait Jala.

Which countries have you already visited?

This current Journey Wissam started in Iran going trough Armenia heading north to Georgia and Russia. Full journey of 2 years and 240,000 km will cover 5 continents and 100 countries.

Are there any dangers or difficulties with this journey?

Harsh environment, desert crossings and harsh terrain. The weather is also a big factor in making this difficult with temperatures ranging from -20 C to +50 C. And finally the security issue in some countries.

You are in Armenia now. Tell about your impressions! What did you like or dislike in our country?

Armenia is great beautiful country. First of all its the people! Warm, welcome, genuine supportive people. I had some technical issues with the bike and got the best support I could have asked for. Everything was fixed. Then of course there is the nature and amazing scenery riding through Armenia, but journey must continue and I had head to my next destination but an amazing memory will stay.

Have you faced any difficulties in our country?

From the beginning to exit from Armenia absolutely none.