So far in my life, the richest people I’ve met have been some of the unhappiest people, but the poorest people I’ve met around the world (who are living off $60 a MONTH) have been some of the happiest people I’ve ever met. They’ve been the ones with huge brimming smiles and deep caring hearts full of pure joy. While sitting here in this orphanage in rural Cambodia and reflecting on another magical experience of helping these kids, it hit home at how lucky we are to have won the “birth lotto” simply by being born in Australia. Many of the kids I’ve spent time with are orphans due to some horrific life circumstances, that they’ve had to endure so early in life – one boy saw his own father murder his brother in front of him when he was 8 years old just because his father’s new step-wife didn’t like his kids…. luckily the boy was able to escape and run away.
What blows me away, is even after life events such as these, all of the kids are smiling! Simply happy that they have found a new ‘home’ at Sunshine House where they can all feel safe and secure. Awareness Cambodia gives these kids what ALL kids deserve when growing up – to be surrounded with love and care, in a safe environment.
I was lucky enough to be able to give 500 of these kids in rural Cambodia all their first ever backpacks, filled with books and stationery for them to go to school. For many of them it was the first and only present they’d ever received in their entire life! Seeing their beautiful eyes light up with pure gratitude when handing the backpack over is very special to experience.
I’ve discovered that this is when I’m happiest; when I’m giving!
Whether it be time or money, it gives me a sense of true ‘flow’ and fulfilment to be able to help people. My focus is how can I help more people, how can I make more of a difference? I can only gently suggest for you to try the Gift of Giving – it doesn’t have to be huge or expensive; even buying a coffee for the stranger behind you in line at the local cafe is a beautiful and simple gesture.
It’s great to feel the sense of fulfilment that comes from the simple act of giving.
Thank you all for choosing to do business with us, because of you I have be able to fund these regular donations for the past 6 years on behalf of Crown. You have helped make this happen and you have helped these kids in your own special way. It’s amazing how the universe works when you pay it forward…
