This National Volunteer Week, we are honoured to share stories from our wonderful volunteers
Feel Good Friday with Children First Foundation!
Children First Foundation helps children like from developping countries to access vital medical care unavailable in their home country, either at home in Australia. Our volunteers are central to supporting families in our care.
This National Volunteer Week, I am thrilled to celebrate the incredible people who give their time, skills and compassion to support children and families throughout their surgical journey.
Our volunteers play a central role in creating a welcoming space for families who are often far from home, many of whom are navigating complex medical treatment in an often overwhelming period of time. Alongside this, families are missing their communities, their culture and support systems. Our volunteers help bridge that gap, offering connection, understanding and care when it’s needed most.
This week, we spoke with four of our volunteers — Kerrie, Roeun, Xuan-Linh and Efika — about what inspired them to get involved, the moments that have stayed with them, and what being part of our community means.
Kerrie (left) / Xuan-Linh, Kerrie and Roeun (middle) / Roeun (right)
For Kerrie, volunteering has been deeply meaningful.
“I can’t tell you how profound it was to see how these people [Children First partners] change the lives, and even save the lives, of children from around the world,” she says.
She adds that being able to contribute, even in a small way, is incredibly rewarding.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to help. Without volunteers, I know this wouldn’t be possible for these children.”
(Watch Kerrie’s story)
Roeun has been volunteering since 2019, supporting families by sharing her Cambodian culture and language with those travelling to Australia for medical care.
For Roeun, the connection is simple: helping children and their families — “that’s my passion.”
Having once been supported by volunteers when she first arrived in Australia, Roeun says she always knew she wanted “to give back to everyone in Australia.”
(Watch Roeun’s story)
Xuan-Linh (left) / Rahia with Jelome and Lily (middle) / Efika (right)
For Xuan-Linh, volunteering is about contributing to something bigger. It’s an opportunity to “contribute in [her] own small way to the vast humanitarian work in the world.”
She believes even small acts can have a lasting impact: “By helping change a person’s life early, it can lead to a brighter future.”
Some moments stay with you forever — especially seeing the difference firsthand. She says it’s unforgettable to see the “joy and happiness on parents’ faces, as a parent myself, I understand the worry.”
(Watch Xuan-Linh’s story)
Efika sees volunteering as a way to use her time with purpose: “[I] utilise the time I have in a meaningful way.”
She’s especially impacted by the moments of connection with families.
“Jelome’s mum, Lily, was missing home so I was there...to support her emotionally and being present for her was a moment I will remember because I’m also away from home...and it was good to be there for others.”
Guided by her upbringing in the Pacific, Efika says: “We were brought up to help each other, and this is just another way I can do that living here in [Australia].”
(Watch Efika’s story)
Some of our Adelaide based volunteers
We also asked Kerrie, Roeun, Xuan-Linh and Efika what they would say to encourage others to volunteer. Their answers reflected a shared belief: that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference — not only to the families we support, but also to those who give their time.
I am so incredibly grateful to all our volunteers. Their compassion, generosity and willingness to show up for families in our care make our work possible.
If you’re inspired to get involved and support families navigating life-changing healthcare and are committed to child safeguarding, we’d love to hear from you.
Warmly,