It wasn’t a trip for the fainthearted, but our Project Engineer Raj Aghera knew he wanted to make a difference.
Growing up in India, IPS Project Engineer Raj Aghera has seen his fair share of hardship.
But nothing could have fully prepared him for the moment he handed food to starving children in Cambodia.
“There was so much innocence on their faces,” he said. “As they took the food big smiles appeared and they started to eat with so much enjoyment.
“When I looked into their eyes, I could see how hungry they were and how happy they were to have something to eat. I couldn’t bear it. I ran out of the building and cried.”
It’s a moment that will stay with Raj forever, as he returns to work and reflects on the 10-day charity mission in collaboration with the Ponheary Ly Foundation (PLF).
Supported by IPS, he was part of a group of volunteers who travelled to the war-torn country in July, to deliver food to 300 schoolchildren and groceries and stationery items to 50 families in one of the country’s most poverty-stricken regions, near the city of Siem Reap.
According to World Bank research, 45% of the population in the province are under the poverty line.
“When I heard about the mission I didn’t hesitate to get involved,” he said.
“Being from India I have seen people struggle in life and I’ve always wanted to be able to make a difference.
“The children were so hungry that they couldn’t concentrate in school. To be able to feed them meant that they could then learn something. It was incredibly emotional for me.
“I firmly believe that we need to focus on kids’ education if we are to promote a brighter future.
“We need to support children living in hardship to become engineers or doctors. The food drop was a vital step in the process.
“I talked to the ones who could speak English and asked them about their favourite subjects and colours, their siblings and families, what they wanted to be when they grew up. It was heartwarming.”
Fortunately, there was also some light relief on Raj’s emotional rollercoaster ride, as the group took some time out to visit an elephant sanctuary and silk manufacturing firm.
Raj, who has been with the company since October 2023, said he would be forever grateful for the opportunity to travel to such a beautiful country.
In the future, he hopes to return with more funds so he can make a bigger impact.
“It was a priceless experience for me, and I feel really grateful that I work with a company that values this charity work as much as I do,” he said.
“Cambodia is coming out of a dark chapter of history and people are facing incredible hardships. Despite this, they are super nice and very welcoming. You can walk up to anyone and strike up a conversation about anything.
“They have so little, but they are so happy. If there’s one message I took away from the trip it was probably that.”
Meet more of the IPS team here.
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