A Heart Of Gold

December is often referred to as the month of giving, and no one knows that better than the PeopleStories team.  The team's work in the rural villages of Cambodia is only possible because of the generous donations of our supporters.  Every contribution, big or small, has a significant impact on the lives of the children we support together. 

Charles is one of the many PeopleStories donors who has been with us since 2017, supporting the School for Life scholarship program. Charles is a strong believer in education, and he and his friend, Victoria, the founder of PeopleStories, discussed her work in rural Cambodia.​

​Charles recalls his enthusiasm when he first heard about PeopleStories, “I got enthused. I had supported other charities and appreciate charitable structures that are efficient in investing their funds.” 

He further added, “Admin fees, etc. are minimal and the fact that PeopleStories is a principal lead organisation also appeals.”

Growing up in the suburb of Sherwood, in Nottingham, Charles shared a bit about his younger years and education. His father was an electrician and the family couldn’t afford rent so Charles and his younger sister lived with multi-generational family members.​

Describing the family house as a terraced house with a front doorstep that opened to the street, I caught a glimpse of Charles’ sense of humor when he shared, “It used to amuse me but every Sunday morning all the ladies spent 30 minutes washing their front doorstep as they were so proud of them!” 

By the time Charles was 7, he and his immediate family moved out of that terraced house and found a house of their own on the other side of Nottingham. This is where Charles would go through his school years and at age 11 he entered his grammar school education. By 16, Charles was Head Boy of the school of 2,000 students. He didn’t stop there as he also represented his school as captain of the rugby team for 5 years. ​

After an apprenticeship and entrance into Aston University, Charles took a 4 year Production Technology & Management Hons Bsc. His many achievements, both academically and personally Charles reflects back to his support of PeopleStories, “I believe education is a vehicle to help people progress and achieve their goals in life.” 

Thinking of the bigger picture, Charles continued, “It’s broader than just academic, it’s the experiences and who you meet that also supports personal development. Education is the key but the key needs to be turned.”
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The child Charles has sponsored just graduated from Year 12 because of his generosity! He beamed, saying, “When I read the news of my sponsor child’s graduation I was soooooo proud of her and quite emotional. Being able to support someone from early in their life is advantageous. It maximises the influence as they go through life.”

Giving Charles the opportunity to share a message to his newly graduated sponsor child, he humbly shared, “I would like her to know that I am so proud of what she has achieved. I appreciate all the effort and determination that she has put into graduating. I am happy to further sponsor her if she decides to progress further in education or vocational training of some kind.”

If we don’t have you on “Team Charles” yet, let me tell you more! Going forward Charles has made a commitment to sponsor 2 children!! I had to know what moved Charles to commit to this kind of amazing support, and he said, “I was thinking of further charitable contributions but for me sponsorship gives me a sense of personal contribution to something that is tangible to someone I can relate to in a way I believe it.”

Thank you so much, Charles, for sharing your story with us and what it’s like to sponsor a child with PeopleStories! 
 
It is people like Charles that help make our mission to bring education to the children of Cambodia possible. Every charitable journey is different. Every single donation makes a difference. You can make a difference! 

Let’s change lives together: https://bit.ly/PS_Donate2023

Written By: Volunteer Kathy Aunkst
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