On August 1st 2015 I embarked on a life changing trip to Cambodia, volunteering with Projects Abroad on a public health outreach attempting to better Cambodia’s health care system. I would like to sincerely thank The Aaron Lewis Foundation – especially trustee, Helen Lewis – for granting me this opportunity through the Aaron Lewis Award. I am so very grateful for it and it has changed my view on the world.

The medical group and I visited a medical centre on one day which dealt with people with leprosy. All of the residents greeted us with warm welcomes, despite their pain and discomfort. The centre, unfortunately, could not afford to cure these residents of leprosy, but could at least give the residents food and shelter for them and their families. Additionally they show the residents how to properly clean and bandage the wounds caused by leprosy. At the end of the tour, we thanked the owners of the centre and were able to give them a donation to allow them to carry on their excellent work.

My experiences made me painfully aware of how much support is still needed in these communities and I would encourage anyone with the will to pursue a volunteering opportunity to do so.