Acquisition International - Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2023 27 Making education available for children in Vietnam is the mission that Rock-Paper- Scissors Children’s Funds is devoted to do. Founded in 2012, it is run by Sara Stevens Nerone, and her two Vietnamese born daughters Sophie and Phoebe Nerone. Here we take a closer look at what it does and how it accomplishes its mission. Mar23514 fter adopting Sophie and Phoebe, Sara and her late husband had always dreamt about going back to Vietnam so their daughters could learn about their culture and the country that they were born in. In 2011, Sara, Sophie, and Phoebe made the return to Vietnam to work and live for one year, and quickly realised the issues that young students face accessing education in rural communities, and wanted to help in some way. On their return to the U.S. they started their small organization to provide after-school programs in the arts to provide a place for students to share their creativity and be mentored by peers and adults, and to improve their confidence in learning. To help girls specifically, they also started their Bikes for Girls and summer tutoring program. For girls that live in rural areas the journey to school can be long by foot, which means that during that time their safety is at risk. Because of A Most Empowering Low Income Community Support Charity 2023 - Vietnam this, many girls are absent from school or drop out completely, missing out on having an education. Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund provides new bicycles and helmets to girls so they can get to school safely and quickly. This has changed the lives of over 3,200 girls as now they have the chance to learn, to be children or teens, and eventually have access to opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without education. Additionally, it also provides summer tutoring classes to ethnic minority girls to help them advance their education. In the future, Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund aims to be able to provide further support, to help girls progress with their education and connect them to life changing opportunities. In addition to their bike program, Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund has an expansive education enhancement program providing art and music classes to over 100 students . These classes take place yearround, two-three days a week to help build student’s self-esteem, confidence, self-expression, and creativity, and since the start of their program in 2012, many of their students have won competitions in the arts, and have gone on to win scholarships at some of the top arts academies in Vietnam. To be able to make this possible, Sara, Sophie, and Phoebe manage the organisation in the U.S after work or school and don’t take salaries. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund has hired seven locals who are teachers, artists, and musicians. Together with, nine chemistry, physics, math, language, and literature teachers who run the girls tutoring program. Sara adds, “We try to recruit from our alumni students once they complete college and have obtained their degree.” Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund’s commitment to its mission is so inspiring. Thanks to Sara, Sophie, and Phoebe thousands of girls and boys have access to school and tools to improve their ability and desire to learn and stay in school, and this has led Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund to receive the title for Most Empowering Low Income Community Support Charity 2023 – Vietnam. We hope that it can continue its mission for many more years so girls in Vietnam have a chance to choose their future. If you want to help Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund’s mission, go to its website to find out more on how you can help. Contact: Sara Nerone Company: Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund Web Address: rockpaperscissorschildrensfund.org
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