Welcome To Canodia

Hello,

I’m excited to launch Canodia and give people the opportunity to explore our website and learn more about Cambodia, the children and our work. It took me many months of hard work and countless late nights to get here. I’m proud to show you the results.

I’d like to thank the many people that have supported me on this journey. I’ve received amazing support from family and friends. I’ve had great support from my place of work, PricewaterhouseCoopers. I’d like to give special thanks to my new friends Elia and Halimah, who give freely of their time to help Canodia and the children of the Center for Children’s Happiness (”CCH”). I thank father Sokha, Director of CCH and Main Tough, Director of the School for Poverty Children for always making me feel like family.

I want to thank the schools that have invited me in to speak with their children. I want to thank Tides Canada for helping get through all the paperwork. And, I give great thanks to new friends at Relish Design that helped make this site reflect the passion I have for this place and people.

Most of all, I want to thank the many children and youth that are writing me from Cambodia. Their stories and words of encouragement give me energy and enthusiasm. I admire their eagerness to learn and hope for the future. I’m amazed by their concern for other people.

I believe that everyone can serve the disadvantaged. I believe that in helping others, we help ourselves. We can help Cambodia. And, Cambodia can help us.

Thank you for caring about these children. This is just the beginning.

Welcome to Canodia

Love Gerry

“Cambodia is unforgettable. Don’t go if you cannot stand witness to suffering. Don’t miss it if you want the experience of a lifetime. For better or worse, Cambodia is like no other nation on earth. It is not an easy trip to make, but it has the power that few other places hold; if you keep your eyes open, when you return from Cambodia, nothing anywhere will ever look the same.”
- Anonymous Traveler

I, Gerry Valois, have a good life here in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I have an incredible and supportive family. I have a nice small house and a good career that I enjoy. I’ve always had a passion for humanitarian work and especially helping disadvantaged children.

In the Spring of 2006, I decided to start learning more about global issues and poverty. I spent many late nights on my computer, moved by the many stories of poverty and struggle from around the World. At the same time, I was also inspired by the many self-less people that gave their entire lives to Helping Children. It was time I did something that I’ve wanted to do for years. The student was ready.

I left my home and family in Canada, alone, for my own journey to Cambodia. Over a few months, I toured many humanitarian organizations and volunteered at my “Special Places”. These “Special Places” weren’t just helping the poor, they were Changing Lives. I spent time volunteering with organizations that were giving hope to Cambodia’s dump children and its many street kids. I also found my third Special Project with a School for Children of Poverty. The school gave children the hope of education and a better life.

My “Special Projects” all possessed a similar philosophy to life. They taught the children to study hard, have a successful life and then help the other disadvantaged children to do the same. These places were Inspiring People. These places inspired their children to become strong, healthy and loving human beings that served others.

At home, my experiences never left me. I talked to many people and gave presentation about the children I wanted to help. I realized that my experiences away from home, also affected people around me. Many people were eager to hear my stories and see my pictures. The more vivid and real that I could articulate my experiences, the more people felt that they were there with me. The more these people wanted to help the children too.

MyCompany Name is an organization is an organization helping children, changing lives and inspiring others. We are an organization promoting volunteer travel. We are an organization that wants to give you and your family the incredible experience of giving and helping the most disadvantaged of our human family. Please join us on this wonderful journey, where by helping others, you also help yourself.

Please read about my journey and experience it through my pictures at my blog site www.gerry-volunteeradventure.blogspot.com

“We Can Change the World, With Our Own Two Hands”
- Jack Johnson -