Rugby: A New Ally for Child Victims of Exploitation in Vietnam

In partnership with Like a Ruck, an organization founded by former national team player François Trinh Duc, A new activity is being offered in Vietnam to children who are victims of—or at risk of—trafficking and exploitation: rugby.

A Meaningful Sports Partnership

Since June 2026, we have been partnering with the organization Like a Ruck to offer rugby sessions to children from families receiving support through our PEGASE program. This activity complements the prevention efforts already underway with these families to combat child trafficking and exploitation, including psychological counseling, career guidance, and informational and educational sessions.
The goal is simple: to give children a chance to play, be active, and spend time together during the summer, while helping them grow with greater self-confidence.

• Thirty children enrolled in the PEGASE program are participating in this activity.
• Ten sessions are scheduled between June and August 2026.
• Each session lasts 90 minutes and takes place twice a month.
• To date, four sessions have already taken place: on June 9, 16, 23, and 30.

Benefits That Go Beyond the Field

Rugby isn’t just a sport—it’s also a school of life, with rules and values. These sessions also give young people a chance to get outside, be active, and meet other kids in a supportive environment.

The principal of the Ai Linh Charity School, which serves some of the children in our program, is delighted with this new development:
“The children participate in this activity with great enthusiasm. It’s an excellent opportunity for them to spend time outdoors and develop discipline, teamwork, and a sense of fair play. The foreign coaches are very attentive and also provide the children with a natural setting to practice English.”

Children enrolled in the PEGASE program in Vietnam

In April, 40 new families joined the program to receive six months of support from social workers, who will help them identify their challenges and find solutions.
92% children in these families have already been subjected to labor exploitation.

The Program PEGASE, which is entering a new three-year phase of operations, aims to strengthen and implement mechanisms for the prevention of and protection against violence, particularly against child trafficking and exploitation in Southeast Asia.