It started with one slide at my wife’s village school in rural Cambodia.

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I witnessed a child injure themselves badly while playing on it. That moment made me stop and really look. I noticed holes eaten through the metal, heavy rust along the steps, and unstable supports struggling to hold up a clunky, outdated metal structure that should have been removed decades ago. Yet children were still climbing it every day — not because it was safe, but because it was all they had.

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It took a while, but with the help of some amazing people we replaced that slide with a safe, durable one, build to last decades.

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The change was immediate. Children played without fear. Parents had peace of mind. Teachers noticed happier children and improved attendance. One simple slide transformed the entire school and prevented countless more injuries from happening. 

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But it also opened my eyes. When I visited neighbouring schools, I saw the same dangerous equipment everywhere. That first slide wasn’t an exception — it was the beginning.