Thu has worked hard to get to where she is.

January 2012: Child sponsorship accounts for about 2/3 of Plan’s income. But where does that money go? Who does it benefit? What are the outcomes?

Meet Thu, 1 of Plan’s sponsored children in Vietnam. She lives in Quang Ngai province and after more than 10 years with Plan she is about to graduate from the programme and is looking forward to a bright career in the media. 

From humble beginnings

Without support from Plan and community volunteers, she would have been unable to go to school because her family was so poor, she says.

"I am proud to be a sponsored child," she adds.

Plan helped Thu learn about the importance of education, which inspired her to learn. Through scholarships, she acquired new knowledge and life skills.

Thu has worked hard during her time at school and she had been entrusted to be the head of her class, a position that has enabled her to lead discussions on child rights, child protection, education and life skills with other young leaders, Plan staff and her peers at school. Thu’s friends now regularly come to her for advice. 

A career beckons

As a member of the Young Media Club, Thu has learnt to write articles and make films about issues affecting children such as bullying and corporal punishment. Her stories are published by the local newspaper, her messages broadcast on local speaker systems and her films screened on local TV.

Thu’s organisational and leadership skills have helped her play a leading role in organising children’s events such as Children’s Day and the mid-Autumn Festival in her community. Participation in Plan-organised activities has given her confidence, she says.

Now at high school, Thu is trying her best to pursue her dream of becoming a journalist. The knowledge and skills she has gained in the past 10 years have helped her strive towards her goals and to positively influence the people around her.