Hello, I’m Llewellyn Van Aarde. Everybody calls me Llew.
I was born and raised in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the warmth of a very diverse community. I’m fluent in both English and Afrikaans.
My early years were characterized by a passion for learning and adventure. My love for adventure began at a young age when I joined Scouts South Africa. The thrill of the outdoors and the camaraderie with my fellow scouts were unmatched. At 18, I transitioned into an adult leader role, taking on various positions of increasing responsibility. My dedication and leadership culminated in becoming the Provincial Leader of the Western Province Scouts. One of my fondest memories from this time is the Witzenberg Adventure, a 12-day hiking expedition filled with activities and bonding with my patrol.
After graduating from high school in 1982, I pursued a degree in Human Resource Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This academic endeavour laid the foundation for a fulfilling career with a major American oil company in South Africa. Over the course of 30 years, I dedicated myself to the field of human resources specializing in learning and development, eventually retiring as the manager of my department.
After spending all those years in the corporate world, I felt it was time to give something back to the global community. I had done a lot of voluntary work over the years through various organizations and clubs, always remembering the Scout Promise I had made as a youngster, which includes the pledge ‘to help other people at all times.’ Therefore, when the opportunity arose to work for an NGO in Cambodia, I seized it with both hands.
Doing charity work in Cambodia dovetails nicely with my personal interests, which are travelling, photography and motorcycle riding. These activities have taken me to many corners of the world, and during my travels I was continually struck by the stunning beauty, rich culture and vibrant traditions of Southeast Asia, stoking my desire to live here one day. This dream became a reality when my wife, two daughters and I moved to Cambodia in 2020, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We settled in Phnom Penh, where we embraced our new roles as English teachers, at first, until I joined Little Hearts in March 2024.
On the way to my first interview with Tony, I remember trying to imagine what I would find at the orphanage and how I would fit in. But as soon as I walked through the gate, I was taken aback; the tranquillity, cleanliness and hospitable feel of Little Hearts were nothing like I had expected. I knew immediately that working here would be a wonderful opportunity.
Currently, I serve as the General Manager at Little Hearts. My vision for the orphanage is to create a nurturing and empowering environment where every child can thrive, receive a quality education and grow into a confident, self-sufficient adult. I aspire to make Little Hearts a beacon of hope and a model of excellence in child care, transforming lives and building a brighter future for all the children who come through our doors.
Working here is both rewarding and challenging – rewarding because Little Hearts feels more like a family than a workplace, which makes me look forward to coming to work every day. The challenges arise from the stark differences compared to the corporate world I’m used to. Each day brings a unique and unexpected set of problems, yet tackling and solving them can be incredibly satisfying. Collaborating with some of the staff members who don’t speak English is also tough, but we always find new ways to communicate, even if it takes some effort.
As for the kids, it’s a privilege to watch them grow into industrious, thoughtful, caring adults, with all the bumps and dilemmas and false starts that growing up entails. It took me some time to get to know all of them and their individual traits, but now I understand them as if they were my own children, and I continue to learn from them each passing day.
This has been the journey that ultimately brought me to Little Hearts. It has been marked by dedication, adventure and a commitment to making a difference, and it continues to inspire me every day.
