An Amazing Opportunity – Journal by Aria

I had the honour of working with Giving It Back to Kids, an amazing organization based in Vietnam and Cambodia where having a good education and Homes are considered a privilege, not a right. When I worked with them, it was such a moving experience that I will never forget and knowing that my family and I helped so many people makes me feel so happy.

Aria (in the middle) with the kids

Overall, visiting all the families who barely have enough to eat made me feel very sad as well, because it made me think of all the families in the world who struggle for the necessities such as shelter, food and safe drinking water. It also made me feel extremely lucky to have such an amazing family and go to an extraordinary school, whereas most of the kids in Vietnam have to start working jobs from age 8 just to contribute money to help provide basic needs for their family.

I was embraced warmly by an elder, creating a bond of love

One day, we visited a family to gift a cow to them, but found out something even more heartbreaking, they didn’t have any doors. Imagine you were a mom living in an unsafe community, and the worry of someone breaking in, or even just the worry of getting too cold was always on your mind.

I had the opportunity to give a cow to a family

The doorless house, the first I have ever seen

So, my family and a friend donated doors to them, because we couldn’t bear to think that they had to go one more night with shivering or worrying. Even though their house has not much furniture, the inside is always immaculate. Floors shiny, tables dusted. Its so heartbreaking to see them in houses so small, but no matter what little they have, they are so grateful for anything, big or small.

My family helped them get a complete door

Two of the places that felt very heartwarming and impactful to me were the Father's House, which is an amazing home that provides place to live, education and love for young mothers and their babies who otherwise would be thrown on the street, and Mary’s Home, a home for orphaned girls who don’t have anywhere to go.

Me and the babies at The Father's House

I was surrounded by the girls at Mary's Home

Both places provided hope and opportunity to the young girls and mothers, so that in time, they could go out and achieve their dreams, and no matter what they’ve been through, to see the look on their faces now is so special and so heartwarming. All the kids are so polite, and it was such a joy to be able to help them in some way, big or small.

The sad gaze of a heart patient

The most impactful experience for me was the Heart Surgeries. We sat in a room with 5 kids and their mothers, hoping their child would be funded for a life-saving heart surgery, which would give them a longer, happy life to pursue their dreams and see so many more things.

I had an amazing time with those heart patients

At the interview, it broke my heart to hear their stories and see all the poor mothers worrying for their child’s own life, until they got the most amazing news- they would ALL be funded. Instead of one child, FIVE were given a second chance.

All were funded, and I was overwhelmed with emotion

Giving It Back To Kids was truly a heartwarming, emotional and most of all, inspiring experience that I will never forget, and I hope I will inspire many more young people to come work with Giving It Back To Kids, and change the world, one small step at a time.?

-Aria Forsyth, 11

Thank you for giving me such a special memory here

"We highly appreciate you and thank you for transforming lives"