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Today is International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme is: Be Bold for Change. Aussie Sevens star and Olympic gold medallist Nicole Beck has made this a reality, by taking part in Pass It Back`s coaching and referee clinics in Vietnam, giving girls and young women the chance to learn new skills and inspire positive change in their own communities.

Earlier this year, Nicole Beck headed to Vietnam for the first time as part of a unique initiative between ChildFund Australia and the Australian Rugby Union. With funding support from Australian Aid, both organisations are working together to grow ChildFund’s successful Pass It Back program and give children from the poorest regions in Asia the chance to take part in organised sport.

Pass It Back is an innovative Sport for Development program led by ChildFund in partnership with World Rugby, Asia Rugby and Women Win. Using a fully integrated rugby and life skills curriculum, it not only promotes the right to play in communities where children have little or no access to sports and recreation activities, but gives participants important learning opportunities around leadership, gender equity, conflict-resolution and planning for the future. In particular, the program prioritises equal inclusion of girls and young women.

Speaking at the Pass It Back Cup held in Kim Boi District, Nicole said: “It is a privilege to be able to travel to these communities and support the development of new talent. I am particularly impressed that in Laos and Vietnam, where rugby is a relatively new sport, so many girls and young women are jumping in and giving it a go.”

Fifteen-year-old Than from Vietnam is one of those girls. Having lost both her parents at a young age, she was shy and lacking in confidence. Her older cousin Phuong, a Pass It Back Coach, took active steps to get her involved with the program. “At first, she was reluctant and refused but I encouraged her every week. Over time, she started to realise that she could participate in activities equally to other people regardless of her family circumstances,” Phuong explained.

Today, Than not only feels more confident, knowledgeable and positive about the future, but she is also now a cup winner! “Sharing the moment of winning ChildFund’s Pass It Back Cup with my teammates was truly unforgettable. Now, I know that I can have success in my life. All I need to do is try my best.”

To date, more than 3,500 children and youth in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Laos, Vietnam and The Philippines have benefited from participation in the program, with girls making up more than 50 per cent of the players and coaches. Because rugby is an unfamiliar sport in many Asian countries, there are no fixed ideas about which gender should be playing it. This encourages girls to take part, as it is not traditionally seen as a boys’ game.

“ChildFund`s Pass It Back program was initially set up for children living in rural and remote villages of Laos, and is now expanding in Southeast Asia for children and young people who face significant challenges of poverty and inequality,” said ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence.

“As the program develops, it is wonderful to have the support of Australian Rugby, World Rugby and Women Win to build the knowledge and skills of our young players and coaches. Women like Nicole Beck are fantastic role models to young girls, with the ability to inspire them to be strong leaders within their own communities.”

The ChildFund Pass It Back program is led by ChildFund in partnership with World Rugby, Asia Rugby and Women Win. The program aims to equip children and young people in Asia to overcome challenges, inspire positive social change and ‘pass it back’ to their communities.

As the Sponsorship Coordinator for Vietnam and Cambodia, and one of ChildFund Australia’s longest serving staff members, Sue Mandelik has been dedicated to helping children in need over the last 16 years. She has also made an incredible impact on the life of 17-year-old Thom from Bach Thong District in Vietnam.

This is what 16 years of child sponsorship looks like.

Why Sue decided to sponsor a child

Sue began sponsoring Thom in December 1999, when he was just 18 months old. “I decided to sponsor Thom as she was the same age as my daughter Jacinta, and I had learnt a lot about Vietnam and the needs of children through my work. I also wanted to be able to explain first-hand to other supporters about the benefits of child sponsorship and share my experiences with them,” she explains.

What was it like for Sue to visit her sponsored child in Vietnam?

Sue managed to visit Thom twice throughout her sponsorship, with her initial meeting taking place in 2002.

“Meeting Thom and her family for the first time was such a great experience. I was surprised at how little they had in terms of facilities and infrastructure, and could really understand why ChildFund Vietnam decided to work with children in need and families in Bach Thong. It was so eye-opening, while also exciting and emotional,” explains Sue.

The second time she visited Thom in Vietnam, Sue’s husband Ivan and daughter Jacinta joined her. “It was good to see how Thom’s community had improved since my last visit, and for Jacinta to learn about life outside Australia. I could tell Jacinta understood the needs of children as, when we returned to Sydney, she wanted to send all of her belongings, such as clothes and toys, over to Thom. It was really sweet,” says Sue.

How did life change for Thom and her community in Vietnam?

Over the years, Sue continued to write and send photos to Thom. Today, she still keeps all of her letters and Child Progress Reports in an album. She often looks at them and thinks about how fast time has passed, and how much Thom has grown.

At the end of last year, Thom graduated from the sponsorship program. With the support ofChildFund Vietnam, Thom’s community also benefited. It managed to achieve all of its development goals. Sue is delighted that Thom’s community is now self-sufficient, and Thom is well-equipped for her adult life ahead.

Reflecting on her child sponsorship experience, Sue is most proud of the fact that she provided Thom with better access to education and healthcare. And not only Thom, but many other children in Thom’s community For instance, every school in Thom’s commune now has safe water and hygienic bathrooms. When Sue began sponsoring Thom, not a single school had these facilities.

Unforgettable memories, that’s what 16 years of child sponsorship looks like

Reading Thom’s final letter, Sue can’t help but feel incredibly honoured to have contributed to Thom, Bach Thong, and ChildFund Vietnam’s achievements.

“To me, our memories are unforgettable,” says Thom. For Sue, their memories are unforgettable too.

Create your own memories

You can change the world by changing the life of one child. See what Sue and other child sponsors learned from their child sponsorship experience, or find out more about how you can create your own memories by becoming a child sponsor here.

Gifts for Good

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