By Sam Haddin
Board Member/Director for Palms International Volunteering
Palms Volunteer, Timor Leste (2014 – 2015)
During the first weekend of May, a friend of Palms, Constantine Carluen, and his goddaughter, Rebecca Jauco, took on the HOKA Half Marathon, running not just for personal achievement but for a cause close to my heart—Palms International Volunteering. As the organiser of this fundraiser and a former Palms volunteer, seeing them finish and knowing we raised over $2,500 was incredibly rewarding.
Having volunteered directly with Palms, I’ve seen first hand how effectively we work with limited resources. Unlike larger government-funded programs through AusAID (where Constantine previously volunteered), Palms volunteers often accomplish similar outcomes with significantly less financial support. This reality drove me to organise this fundraiser—I knew exactly how far this money could go in the communities Palms serves.
While Constantine and Rebecca tackled the physical challenge of 21.1 kms, I worked behind the scenes—reaching out to potential donors, sharing stories from my time in the field, and explaining how every dollar would translate to real impact. My experiences with Palms gave me authentic stories to share—like the dedicated teachers I worked alongside, making do with minimal classroom resources and still showing up every day for their students. I could speak to the real needs, and more importantly, the real impact of even small contributions.
My time as a Palms volunteer taught me that sustainable change comes from consistent, community-driven support—not the size of the NGO. That experience shaped how I continue to advocate for development today. While I’m no longer in the field, organising fundraisers like this marathon lets me keep contributing to the communities that taught me so much.
If you’d like to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating, or even running for a cause—reach out by phone 02 560 5333, email or visit our website. Who’s joining us for the next challenge?