Empowering girls through education

In a heartwarming testimony of the transformative power of education and child sponsorship, Di, a 21-year-old Hmong girl from the impoverished Tua Chua district of Vietnam, has defied the odds to pursue her dreams. Di’s story serves as an inspiration, shedding light on the struggles faced by marginalized girls and advocating for their right to education.

Tua Chua, ranked among Vietnam’s 74 poorest districts, is plagued by early marriage practices that truncate girls’ education. Typically, girls in the area attend school until the age of 10, only to be withdrawn to assist their families with agricultural work while awaiting arranged marriages. Di’s relatives, like many others, were married off at the tender ages of 14 or 15, often becoming mothers shortly after.

Breaking the cycle

Despite tremendous familial pressure to abandon her studies, Di remained resolute, determined to break free from the cycle of limited opportunities. At the age of 14, Di faced the inevitable crossroads, but the timely intervention and practical support provided by World Vision staff and local partners made all the difference. Di’s parents, thanks to their engagement with World Vision, agreed to let her return to school, defying the prevailing norms.

Today, Di stands as a beacon of hope for her village, becoming the first person from her community to pursue higher education. She is currently a second-year student at the prestigious Hanoi National University of Education, chasing her dreams of becoming a preschool teacher—a role she believes will allow her to shape young minds and offer them the opportunities she was once denied.

Di’s compelling journey led her to Malaysia, where she recently shared her story at World Vision Malaysia’s flagship event, “Weekends with World Vision: 1,000 Girls, 1,000 Futures,” held at The Gardens Hotel. This event aimed to underscore the transformative potential of child sponsorship and highlight the urgent need to empower girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Expressing her gratitude to World Vision and her sponsor, Di conveyed her heartfelt appreciation, stating, “Without them, I would not have had the opportunities I’ve had, let alone the chance to travel to Malaysia and stand before you today to share my humble story. I hope more girls will be given the same opportunities so they can live a life full of possibilities.”

1,000 girls, 1,000 futures

Terry Leong, CEO of World Vision Malaysia, highlighted Di’s story as a testament to the power of education and child sponsorship. As an active supporter of Tua Chua’s community, World Vision Malaysia’s Child Sponsorship Programme played a pivotal role in Di’s transformation. Leong stressed the fundamental right of every child to education, emphasizing that millions of girls are denied equal access to quality education due to poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, and discrimination.

Leong passionately expressed, “Through Di, we want to bring home the point that every girl deserves the chance to dream, to learn, and to realise her full individual potential. And, we can do this through child sponsorship where girls will be provided with the resources they need to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. Together, we can create a future where girls can thrive.”

World Vision Malaysia, in its laudable effort to uplift girls’ lives, launched the “1,000 Girls” campaign, appealing to individuals and organizations to join forces with the NGO to sponsor 1,000 girls. Di’s story of perseverance and hope aims to inspire Malaysians to reach out and transform the lives of girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Leong shared the campaign’s vision, stating, “We hope to achieve our target of getting sponsors for 1,000 girls by October 11 which is the International Day of the Girl. Every sponsorship counts. Sponsorship changes lives and allows a girl and her community to break free from the constraints of poverty.”

To learn more about the campaign and make a difference by sponsoring a girl, please visit World Vision Malaysia’s official website at https://worldvision.com.my/en/sponsor-a-child/sponsor-1000-girls.