TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD OF KIDS WHO NEVER GAVE UP
Buyandorj the Champion
Buyandorj lives high in the rocky and cold mountains of Mongolia. He loves to run, jump, and balance on his head. But most of all, he loves to wrestle. And in Mongolia, wrestling is a big deal.
He is part of a transformation that’s happening for girls and boys around the world through the support of their sponsors. Read how Buyandorj’s life changed when his sponsor stepped in to help him and his family support his dream of one day becoming a champion.
A kid with big dreams
Buyandorj lives with his grandparents. He is 13-years-old with wide shoulders, strong eyes, and a round face.
When he was little, he went to a small school in a small village. During lunchtime, Buyandorj would stand in the yard and call out to the other kids, “Wrestle me! I’m small, but I’m strong!”
Dreaming big!
Buyandorj was no stranger to watching wrestling on TV – seeing athletes duck, dive, grapple and grip…then pause and POUNCE! He loved it all.
He copied their moves and imagined a crowd roaring his name. Buyandorj would tell his grandmother, “One day, you’ll see me wrestling on TV, Gran.” She would smile and hug him, but would also worry because buying food and paying for school was already a struggle…how would they afford wrestling?
Dressed for the occasion
“Wearing appropriate clothing is crucial…and it is not cheap. My grandparents can’t buy the wrestling clothes.” Buyandorj said.
But he had a sponsor – someone he had never seen who wanted to help him and other kids in his community grow up strong and chase their dreams. With his sponsor’s help, Buyandorj got the uniform he needed among other things, like winter clothes and schoolbooks, too.
Training to achieve greatness
Now, Buyandorj trains hard. His dream is to wrestle for Mongolia at the Olympics. Every morning, he walks 5 kilometres to train at the wrestling club. It’s a long way, but he’s willing to do what it takes.
"I started participating in the freestyle wrestling club supported by World Vision because I think spending my free time on self-development is important," Buyandorj says. “Achieving my dream is the whole world to me.”
Sponsorship is life-changing for everyone involved
In Buyandorj’s province, over 75% of sponsored children between 6-14 participate in at least one of the 17 child development clubs supported by World Vision.
Sponsorship gives children the opportunities that not only change their lives, but sponsors lives, too. Learn more about how your support changes lives, how to send your sponsored child a gift, and more at our Resources for Sponsors page.