There is something so precious—so profoundly transformative—about taking my children, even as young as two years old, to serve as volunteers. From the beginning, we made it a family tradition to spend each Christmas not surrounded by presents, but surrounded by people: children in orphanages and disadvantaged communities who, year after year, have become like family to us.
We return to the same children’s homes in Cambodia every December. And with every trip, my children grow in ways no classroom, textbook, or prestigious school could teach. Living in a first-world country, my kids have access to the best education, comfortable homes, and countless opportunities. But it was through these trips that they learned gratitude, humility, compassion—and above all, love in action.
I still remember the very first time we arrived in Cambodia. Josh, just a little boy at the time, turned to me and said, “Mum, why does it smell bad here? Why don’t they wear shoes?” It was such an honest, innocent question. And I watched, year by year, how his questions turned into empathy. On our second trip, I saw a completely different Josh. He was no longer the one asking questions—he was comforting the new volunteers, helping them adjust, sharing with them what he had learned.
At home, my children used to be picky with their food. But after a few trips, they began encouraging other kids to show appreciation to our local hosts. They began to see meals not as something expected, but as something precious. On every trip, they would clean up after meals, help with dishes, and not once did I see them waste food. They would finish everything on their plates—quickly, gratefully, and with quiet respect.
They’ve come to understand and embrace cultural differences, learning how to adapt and show respect in ways that many adults never get the chance to. And as we return to the same homes every Christmas, one of the most beautiful things is watching my kids grow up alongside the local children. Every year, they find the same friends and take the same photo in the same spot, capturing lifelong cross-cultural friendships that words can barely describe. These bonds are priceless.
But perhaps one of the greatest gifts has been watching my children build resilience and find a purpose bigger than themselves. In the developed world, there’s so much focus on personal achievement—beating others in competitions, scoring higher marks, gaining more resources. All of my children attend prestigious private schools in Australia. They know what it means to aim high.
But since volunteering, they’ve stopped chasing after recognition. While they remain respectful and responsible students, they now carry something deeper—a dream to make a difference. They’ve found a new kind of ambition: one that is not about self-glory but about being a force of good. They feel called to help others. That desire—that fire to serve—is something money can’t buy. And the gratitude they now carry within them has been the greatest reward for me as a parent.
Our volunteer work isn’t just about visiting. My kids have walked miles to deliver rice, eggs, and oil to families who hadn’t eaten in days. They’ve knocked on doors, been chased by dogs, sweat through scorching days, and never once complained. They’ve learned local skills—woodworking, building desks and chairs for schools. They’ve scrubbed homes, cleaned toilets, and renovated bathrooms. One year, we installed hot water in five bathrooms, and I watched the children take warm showers three times a day, laughing and rejoicing at something we’ve always taken for granted.
Every Christmas, our family chooses to spend the holiday with those who are dearest to our hearts—the children in Cambodia. What began as a small party for 50 kids grew to 120, and in 2024, over 500 people joined our Christmas celebration. We were once the only family bringing young children, but now 7 to 8 families return with us each year, building something far greater than a holiday tradition—a legacy of compassion.
My dream is to continue this legacy with our next generation, to raise children who pursue more than self-achievement, who understand the power of kindness, and who see their purpose as something that stretches far beyond themselves. I believe we can raise a generation that makes positive, lasting impact—one step at a time.
So today, I invite you: join us this year, and in the years to come. Let’s build this legacy together. Let’s raise children who are kind, helpful, and world-changing—children who will shape communities and change lives far beyond our own.
