Watch a brief video of highlights from our time in Cambodia: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8o34V7pNoTLPdDgt5
Sometimes a single week can fundamentally shift how you see the world. My recent volunteer impact trip to Cambodia through Team4Tech, in partnership with Salesforce and PN Cambodia, was one of those transformative experiences that I'll carry with me long after returning home.
The Power of Global Connection
From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the incredible diversity and shared purpose of our group. Meeting ten remarkable Salesforce team members from around the world reminded me that compassion and the desire to make a difference transcend all boundaries. We came from different continents, cultures, and backgrounds, yet we were united by a common mission to support education and opportunity.
Confronting History's Shadows
Nothing could have prepared me for the emotional weight of learning about Cambodia's recent history. The Pol Pot genocide—an atrocity that occurred within my own lifetime—decimated nearly a quarter of Cambodia's population between 1975 and 1979. Standing in the halls of S-21 prison, seeing the sites where thousands were tortured and killed for suspected crimes against the regime, the magnitude of human suffering became viscerally real.
But within this darkness, I encountered extraordinary light. Meeting Chum Mey, one of only eight survivors of S-21 prison, was perhaps the most profound moment of the trip. Here was a man who had endured unimaginable trauma, yet chose to share his story with visitors like me so that the world would never forget. Holding his signed book and taking a photo together felt like receiving a sacred trust—a responsibility to carry his story forward and honor the resilience of the human spirit.
Seeds of Hope at PN Cambodia
The contrast between Cambodia's painful past and its hopeful future became beautifully clear at PN Cambodia. This technical trade school represents everything that education should be: transformative, empowering, and life-changing. Watching students participate in their two-year program—learning life skills, financial literacy, English, and technical trades like networking engineering and software programming—I saw the tangible power of opportunity.
The highlight for me was serving as a guest judge at their public speaking competition. Listening to these young people articulate their dreams and ambitions in English, watching their confidence grow with each word, I witnessed the incredible potential that education unlocks. These weren't just students learning technical skills; they were future leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers for their country.
The Ripple Effect of Giving
Our week culminated in something beautifully simple yet powerful. When presented with the staff's wishlist of needed items for the school, our team didn't hesitate. Through networking and pooling our resources, we were able to fund and purchase about half the items on that list. But the real magic wasn't in the transaction—it was in seeing how quickly a group of strangers could become a force for good when united around a shared purpose.
Lessons Carried Forward
This trip reinforced my belief that true impact happens at the intersection of education, opportunity, and human connection. The students at PN Cambodia don't need our pity; they need our partnership. They don't want charity; they want investment in their potential.
Chum Mey's survival story reminds me that even in humanity's darkest moments, there are those who endure, who choose to forgive, and who dedicate their remaining years to ensuring such horrors never happen again. His courage challenges me to live with greater purpose and to never take my freedoms for granted.
Meeting my fellow volunteers showed me that when people from different corners of the world come together with open hearts and shared values, we can create something greater than the sum of our parts. The bonds we formed and the impact we made together will continue to ripple outward long after we've returned to our respective homes.
A Call to Action
As I reflect on this week, I'm reminded that volunteer work isn't just about what we give—it's about what we receive. I went to Cambodia thinking I was there to help, but I returned having been profoundly helped myself. My perspective has been expanded, my gratitude deepened, and my commitment to global citizenship strengthened.
To anyone considering a similar journey: do it. Step outside your comfort zone, bear witness to both history's tragedies and humanity's triumphs, and allow yourself to be changed. The world needs more bridges between cultures, more investments in education, and more people willing to show up for one another across all boundaries.
Cambodia has left an indelible mark on my heart. The resilience of its people, the promise of its youth, and the power of collective action have reminded me why this work matters. Every student who graduates from PN Cambodia, every survivor story that gets told, every connection made between strangers—these are the threads that weave a more hopeful future.
The question isn't whether we can make a difference. The question is: will we choose to try?
Thank you to Team4Tech, Salesforce.org, Salesforce, Passerelles Numériques Cambodia (PNC) , and my incredible fellow volunteer team members: Carlos Ocampo, Michael Kennedy, Goutham Kumar, Ibuki M, Monica Alampur, Nancy Refki, Sarah Nkobo-Bua, Surendra Katla, Úna Hennigan, Vatsal Mehta, and Zak Khalil for an unforgettable week of impact and inspiration.