While most teenagers spend their weekend relaxing, 14 year old Melbourne student Williem Duong is training for his fifth consecutive Blue Dragon Marathon Walk – the Intrepid Foundation’s flagship fundraising event that supports victims of human trafficking in Vietnam through its long standing partner, the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
The Year 9 student first joined the walk in 2021, when Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns inspired him and his siblings to donate their Christmas money to help children in Vietnam. Since then, Duong has taken part each year raising more than $7,000 AUD.
“We don’t really talk about human trafficking or slavery here in Australia because it’s not something most of us will experience. But in Vietnam, it’s a real issue that affects thousands of young people,” said Duong.
The inspiring teen had the opportunity to see his impact first hand when he visited Blue Dragon’s Hanoi headquarters on a family trip to Vietnam last year.
“Meeting the kids there and seeing how different their lives were was eye opening”, reflected Duong. “It made me even more motivated to keep walking and raising money”.
This year, Duong will step up his challenge again, running a half marathon alongside Do Duy Vi, Co CEO of Blue Dragon and former street kid whose life changed in 2003 when he met Blue Dragon’s Founder Michael Brosowski.
After quitting school at 15 to earn money for his family, Vi found himself working as a shoeshine boy on the streets of Hanoi. Then, after a chance encounter with Brosowski, Vi was provided assistance which allowed him to stop working on the streets, live in a safe home, and return to school.
Two decades on, Vi now works to help other vulnerable children, with Blue Dragon supporting more than 40,000 people affected by human trafficking across the country every year.
The Intrepid Foundation has partnered with Blue Dragon for the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk since 2018, and has since become a cornerstone event for The Intrepid Foundation, raising more than AU$1.5 million, attracting over 5,000 walkers globally, and helping change over 51,900 lives for the better.
In 2025, Intrepid’s co-founder and chairman Darrell Wade will complete his sixth marathon in six years, joined by CEO James Thornton and Blue Dragon founder, Brosowski, this time walking together in New York City to mark the global event.
“At a simple level, the dollars raised are critical for Blue Dragon to continue its work. Without them, rescues and prevention slow down. What makes this walk so powerful is that just $500 can rescue someone from trafficking,” says Wade. “It’s not often you can have such a dramatic, direct impact on a person’s life.”
Together with The Intrepid Foundation’s support, Blue Dragon has:
- Rescued 365 people from human trafficking
- Provided education and vocational support to 15,579 youth
- Trained 1,536 government officials on child rights and anti-trafficking
- Supported community-based prevention, legal advocacy, housing and family reunification In 2025, The Intrepid Foundation’s goal is to raise $500,000 AUD.
On Sunday 14 September, walkers around the world are invited to take on a 10km, 21km or 42km challenge from wherever they are, raising vital funds for children in Vietnam who have been trafficked, abused or abandoned.
Australians are encouraged to join the virtual global walk from anywhere, at any time, and take on a challenge solo or with friends, family or colleagues – because every step helps rescue, protect and empower children at risk of human trafficking.
Interviews available with:
- Williem Duong, Blue Dragon participant
- Do Duy Vi, Co-CEO of Blue Dragon
Darrell Wade, Co-Founder Intrepid Travel
