Engineers Without Borders Australia are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Bianca Tong in February. An integral part of the EWB community, Bianca’s intelligence, warmth and commitment to other people shone through in all her work, she was an incredibly dedicated volunteer who was instantly liked by everyone she met.
In , Bianca volunteered overseas with Engineers Without Borders Australia and our community partner the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) in Phnom Penh personally working with and mentoring students in their mathematics and mechanics courses.
CSPO has been a community partner of EWB’s since we were first established in and Bianca was one of a handful of volunteers to have experienced a placement with them. CSPO is an educational centre providing training for students from low-income countries in the prescription, manufacture and fit of artificial limbs and orthopedic braces.
During her time with CSPO Bianca went beyond what could be expected of a volunteer. Already giving freely of her time and talents to teach the first year students, she spent many evenings and weekends tutoring students in maths, mechanics and English. She also gave generously of her time outside of school work, spending many weekends working on volunteer projects with CSPO staff and students.
Popular with staff and students alike, her wisdom and wit will be missed. In addition to her cheerful nature she will be fondly remembered as a very talented young woman, who set a wonderful example of professionalism, diligence and kindness.
Bianca was a wonderful person to work with and the entire EWB community will miss her sense of fun and beautiful smile. Join us in remembering Bianca with memories of her that are as bright and brilliant as she was.
‘Bianca was a wonderful person to work with. Her intelligence, warmth and commitment to other people shone through in all her work. She was an incredibly dedicated volunteer who was liked by everyone she met. We will all miss her sense of fun and beautiful smile.’ – Kim Axworthy, South East Asia Programs Coordinator
We’ll miss you Bianca.