Dinner with a Purpose 2026

On 15 September, 80 passionate supporters came together in Singapore for a very special Dinner with a Purpose.

It was an evening of connection, generosity and giving back, bringing together people who share our belief that education can create brighter futures for children.

The evening opened with Dr Michael Yap, Chairperson of the PeopleStories Accelerator Board, reminding us why we had all come together:

“Tonight, we came together to celebrate the power of education.”

Our Founder, Victoria, then took to the stage to share how far PeopleStories has come and, importantly, where we hope to go next.

“This year, we have grown to support 220 children in villages who need help accessing education. With everyone’s support, we will be supporting 250 children in the coming new school year.”

It was a wonderful opportunity to share the progress we are making in rural Cambodia with many of the people who have helped make that progress possible.

And the support in the room was incredible.

Long-time partners, friends and new supporters came together knowing that 100% of donations to PeopleStories go directly towards funding our work with children.

Shaun MacEwan, CEO & Founder of GalaBid, captured the potential of that support beautifully:

“PeopleStories Dinner with a Purpose is giving 250 children the gift of education, benefiting the generations to come.”

Sylvie Gleises, CEO of AXA XL Asia, also reflected on her organisation’s long-standing support:

“AXA XL’s commitment to PeopleStories has been strong for years and I am proud that our teams are helping children in rural Cambodia get a better life through education. Well done, Victoria!”

But perhaps one of the most special moments of the evening came from someone who knows personally what access to education can mean.

Sreymey Sor has been a PeopleStories scholar since 2018. She travelled from Siem Reap to Singapore to stand in front of the room and share her own story.

Her message was simple:

“Education changed my life. PeopleStories changed my life.”

For us, those words brought the whole evening back to what really matters.

Behind every donation is a child. Behind every school uniform, bicycle, school bag or set of supplies is a young person with their own ambitions and hopes for the future.

And thanks to the generosity of the 80 people who came together that evening, we raised enough to provide:

• 70 bicycles

• 250 sets of school uniforms

• 250 school bags

• 250 bundles of school supplies

  
  

These might look like simple things. But for a child living in a rural village, a bicycle can make the journey to school possible. A uniform and school bag can mean being ready to start a new school year. And the right supplies give a student the tools they need to learn.

That is what Dinner with a Purpose was really about.

To everyone who joined us, donated, supported the evening or has stood alongside PeopleStories over the years: thank you.

And as we prepare to support 250 children in the new school year, we hope you know that you are part of every opportunity we are able to create.

Story written by volunteer: Caroline van 't Hoff