Samuël Dirksen turns 12 on 17 October 2026. Four weeks later, on 15 November, he cycles away from Málaga with his parents. Through Europe, Asia and beyond. In every country he stops at a local animal shelter, and in some cities at more than one. Seventy seven of them along the whole route. He films one dog and shares their story with the world.
He leaves behind his school, his bedroom and his best friend José. That is the part nobody talks about when they hear about a trip like this.
This is not a holiday and not a stunt. Eighteen months on the road means school from a tent, laundry in sinks, and getting back on the bike on the days nobody feels like it.
What you give to a shelter goes to that shelter. Not to us. Just a boy, a camera and a dog waiting for a home.
"It's sad that they don't have a home."
Samuël, on why he wants to do thisEvery euro helps cover food, shelter and safety for the family on the road. No corporate backing. Just people like you.
Pay in your own currency. Donations are managed by Wendy Dirksen Hermans on behalf of Samuel Cycles the World.
At six years old, Samuël walked ten days of the Camino de Santiago. On his own legs, alongside his parents.
That is the child who is now getting on a bike for eighteen months. This is not a sudden idea. It is the next thing.
"Some days eighty kilometres. Some days almost nothing. I already know I will cry somewhere. I am going anyway."
Samuël