In 2015, four volunteers visited Little Hearts for the very first time. Not together, but each at a different moment and with their own story. Tineke, Gerrit, and Jack (now better known as Mama Jack, Papa Jack, and just Jack), and Monique were introduced to Little Hearts and the children for the first time.
What none of us could have predicted back then is that it would not be a one-time visit. Eleven years later, in 2026, we are still visiting Little Hearts! During our stay this year, we spent four weeks here, weeks filled with big and small moments that, as always, flew by far too quickly.
Holiday time!
The children had finished their exams and there was great news: everyone had passed! And with the holidays about to begin, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. We wanted to treat the children to a day filled with fun and relaxation. Our plan? Take everyone to a water park.
Of course, a day out with a large group of children does not come cheap. So, we asked our family, friends, colleagues, and former colleagues if they would like to sponsor our activity. We hoped for a little extra support, but the response exceeded all our expectations. The donations started coming in, and they just kept coming.
Thanks to all that support, we were able to take the children to Garden City Water Park, the biggest water park in Phnom Penh, just north of the city. An entire day of swimming, sliding, splashing and, above all, having lots of fun.
After all their hard work for their exams, it was wonderful to see the children enjoy themselves so much – no school or responsibilities for a while, just time to celebrate freedom.
And thanks to our sponsors, we were able to do so much more.
Two wonderful Sundays
We organised two Sundays dedicated entirely to fun and games. There was plenty of experimenting with crazy modelling clay and, of course, a little friendly competition.
During the game known as “Who has the highest number?”, the children challenged one another and competed enthusiastically. The result? Lots of excitement, a healthy dose of chaos and, most importantly, plenty of laughter.
But in between all the games, we also got creative. The children’s lockers received brand-new nameplates. Each child got a pink or blue nameplate and was able to decorate it themselves. Time to colour, draw, and let creativity run wild!
This way, every locker not only had a name again, but each child could also add a little bit of their own personality to it – a small change with a very personal result.
A brand-new mattress for every child
The support from Belgium kept coming. This meant that, in addition to all the fun activities, we were able to do something that would make a difference to the children every single day: Every child received a new mattress and new bedding!
A trip to a water park makes for a fantastic day, but a good mattress and fresh bedding make a difference every single night. Being able to provide this for every child thanks to so many generous sponsors made us incredibly happy and grateful.
What about the old mattresses? We didn’t just throw them away! The ones that were still in good condition were donated to families from the New Hope Community. There, the mattresses immediately got a second life. The community children welcomed them with great enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see that something being replaced at Little Hearts could still be valuable somewhere else. This way, the same initiative allowed us to help even more children and families.
A night out with the young adults
One of the many cherries on top of our already gigantic cake was a night out with the young adults from Little Hearts who are now standing on their own two feet.
For us, this was a very special moment. We first met Ilang, Ilay, Sothon, Saradee, Chamrong, Sarim, and Noah when they were still children. Now we were sitting around the table together with young adults who are finding their own way and building a future.
It is wonderful to see how proud they are of the journey they’ve made. And rightly so. But what touched us most was the bond they still share. Even though they are becoming increasingly independent, they continue to look out for one another. They did not simply grow up together. They have become a close and loving family.
Laughing together, sharing memories and stories and hearing what everyone is doing today made it an unforgettable evening. It was one of those moments when you realise just how much has changed over the years and, yet, how much has stayed the same.
Pancakes, spaghetti, and memories to treasure
Before we knew it, our four weeks were almost over. But we couldn’t say goodbye without enjoying one more big meal together, so, together with the children, we organised a proper pancake feast. There was baking, flipping, stacking, and, of course, tasting.
Then came a spaghetti night. Cooking together, sitting around the table together, and simply enjoying each other’s company. Often, it is these simple moments that become the most treasured memories.
For this final evening, we had one more very special surprise in store. As a farewell gift, we made a personal photo album for every child, filled with pictures we had taken during our visits over the past 11 years. For Belgians, having family albums filled with photos and childhood memories is something we take for granted. For the Little Hearts children, however, these albums turned out to be precious gifts.
Suddenly, their memories became something they could actually hold in their hands – photos of themselves when they were younger, of brothers and sisters, friends, and their big Little Hearts family. Moments from long ago came back to life, all collected in a book that was theirs to keep.
It was beautiful to watch them turn the pages, discover old photos, call each other over, laugh together, and share memories. There was surprise, joy, and more than a few tears.
From a first visit to a lasting bond
In 2015, each of us arrived at Little Hearts for the first time. Back then, we could never have imagined how important this place and these children would become to us. What started as a first encounter grew into a lasting bond, year after year. We came back, again and again.
And perhaps that is what makes all these moments so special. We have watched the children grow into young adults. We see them finding their own path, pursuing their dreams, and becoming more independent. At the same time, we see how strong the bonds they built at Little Hearts remain.
The children grow older, new faces arrive, and things change over the years. But one thing stays the same: that warm feeling whenever we return.
Please keep Little Hearts close to your heart
Finally, we would like to make a heartfelt appeal: please continue to support Little Hearts!
Every contribution, no matter how small or large, makes an enormous difference to these children and young adults. Your support can help provide a good education, a home, healthy food, medical care, or simply that extra helping hand a child needs to be given opportunities and turn dreams into reality.
And believe us: every single cent is spent thoughtfully on the development, wellbeing, and future of our beloved Little Hearts children and young adults.
Over the past 11 years, we have been privileged to see with our own eyes what that support can achieve. Children growing, studying, and discovering their talents. Young adults becoming independent and feeling proud of everything they have achieved. And, above all, a group of children and young people who, no matter how much life changes, continue to form an incredibly close and loving family.
To everyone who already supports Little Hearts: a huge thank you. And to anyone considering making a contribution, please know that even a small donation can make a big difference here.
Because sometimes it all starts with one journey, one encounter or one small contribution. And only years later do you realise just how great the impact can be.
Little Hearts will forever have a place in our hearts. We hope it has found a little place in yours, too.