The Scholarship Program

 The Children's Scholarship Program

The Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10's is not only renowned as one of the most exotic of rugby destinations but also for the fund raising that is associated with the event in the form of the ACF Children's Scholarship fund which was started in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami to benefit children affected by that terrible disaster and also for children from deprived backgrounds. Since its inception the fund has kept upward of 100 children in school annually with 3 of those kids going on to study in university 

The program relies on sponsors to contribute to the Scholarship fund via an annual sponsorship of 10,000 Baht per child. This includes provision for school uniforms, school shoes and bags, study materials, stationary, lunch at school & where possible a summer camp. The impact that these basic necessities, or the lack there of, have in a child’s life is vast and the change that the program has brought about is both heart warming and extremely rewarding.

This program has brought about the enrichment and advancement of up to 400 children since it began.

In 2004 ACF was invited to join hands with Phuket Vagabonds Rugby to raise funds for the project during their annual International Rugby Ten's Competition held in Phuket at the end of each May. The competition sees teams from across globe converge on Phuket to not only participate in the tournament but to also raise awareness and funds for the ACF Scholarship Program. The continued support of the rugby teams involved is invaluable to the Scholarship Program.

Many of the teams past and present have contributed to the program and indeed many teams and individuals continue to do so. A lot of the teams sponsor multiple students and do fundraising events so as to be able to continue to do so, teams such as the Moorabbin Rams, Cottesloe Old Gulles,Pot Bellied Pigs and of course those sponsorship experts the Selangor Dog who regularly excel in their efforts to raise funds for the cause. Then there are our friends from the Bangkok Bangers on Bikes who have been cycling from Bangkok to Phuket annually for the last 3 years to raise funds for the ACF.

Without the generosity of all the teams and individuals (YOU KNOW who you are!!) to help further this program these kids would be in a lot darker place. 

If you need more information on the program or would like to sponsor a child then contact Asia Center Foundation Director Roelien Muller on roemuthai@gmail.com 

or visit the ACF tent at the ground during the weekend.

wwww.asiacenterfoundation.org