One of the most fulfilling chapters of our family’s story began with a simple, bold decision: to volunteer in Cambodia with our young children — then just three and five years old.
It was a trip filled with purpose, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We joined a gathering of over 100 volunteers from more than 30 nations, united by one mission: to love, serve, and bring hope to disadvantaged and orphaned children across Cambodia. And among the crowd, our little family stood out — not because we had more to give, but because we had dared to bring the smallest hands to help carry the load.
Though my boys couldn’t speak a single word of Khmer, the language of love and play needed no translation. Within moments, they mingled effortlessly with the local children — sharing crayons, holding hands, giggling during games, and simply being children together. It was as if joy spoke a universal language that only hearts understand.
We led games, activities, and education sessions, gifted school supplies and hygiene kits, and even took the kids on an outing to the pool — for many, their very first swim. Their eyes lit up in wonder, and so did ours. Every moment became a gentle reminder of how powerful presence over perfection can be.
That trip marked the first time a family with toddlers joined the volunteer mission — and soon, in the years that followed, other families began bringing their children too. What began as a leap of faith grew into a ripple effect. It reminded us all that no one is ever too young to impact the world, and that families, even with small children, can serve side by side in the most meaningful ways.
For us, it wasn’t just a holiday or a volunteer program — it was a legacy-building experience. Our children learned compassion not from books, but by sitting on tile floors beside barefoot friends, drawing with broken crayons, and receiving hugs from strangers who felt like family.
Looking back now, I see how that trip shaped not only the lives of the children we served, but also the hearts of my own children, now growing with a deeper sense of purpose and empathy. We didn’t just give — we received far more in return.
And we’ll keep going — year after year — with backpacks full of school supplies and hearts wide open.
Nina Chen, Perry Gu, Josh Gu, Jeremy Gu – 2019
