“I know that without UNICEF, I wouldn’t have the life I have now,” says Thai Dang.
Thai is just one real-life example of the difference that UNICEF is making in the lives of children all around the world.
Thai was born in remote village in Vietnam and grew up with no electricity or running water. Things we take for granted, like medicine, health care and sanitation, were not easily accessible to children like Thai.
In 1968, Thai battled a severe case of malaria and his parents thought there was no hope. It was by chance that his older sister heard of a medical team travelling to the area. They assessed Thai and treated him for his illness and he made a full recovery.
That was Thai's first interaction with UNICEF. His second was when he finished high school and attended a School of Social work, funded by UNICEF.
In 1978, Thai fled Vietnam as a refugee and found safety in Indonesia. After about a year he was accepted and resettled in America, then later moved to Australia, where he lives with his family in Brisbane.
"The life and education I have, I give all the credit to UNICEF"
Fast forward to today, Thai and his children are all avid supporters of UNICEF. When the family sat down to discuss where Thai wanted his inheritance to go it came down to simple math – his three children would receive 30 per cent each and the final 10 per cent would go to UNICEF.
Why are Gifts in Wills so important to UNICEF?
All children are born with potential, but they’re not all given the same opportunities to thrive.
Around the world, millions of children are enduring unprecedented crises. Their rights are being violated. They’re being displaced by war, facing famine, drought and natural disasters. And new challenges continue to arise.
But there is HOPE.
Like Thai, when you leave a gift in your Will, you are empowering UNICEF Australia to continue our work in transformational and sustainable change for children everywhere, well into the future.
Paying it Forward
Thai and his family know first-hand the work that UNICEF does in supporting children all over the world. It is his hope that all his children will continue his legacy long after he has gone, so that UNICEF can “get all the resources it needs” to help the millions of children in need.
You can hear his story in his own words here:
Meet Thai Dang
Related articles
Stay up-to-date on UNICEF's work in Australia and around the world
