The Aziza Foundation UK - Aziza's Place - Safe house and learning center for impoverished Cambodian children

Aziza Foundation UK was established in 2008 to honor the memory of our daughter and only child, Aziza Yasmeen, by whom we were graced for ten short but extraordinary years.

Our goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of the neediest children and their communities and to facilitate the efforts of others to make a similar impact. We select projects where financial support can make the greatest impact in the lives of the children and their immediate communities.

Amjad Ghori - Aziza’s Father and Co-Founder/Director
As an international banker and global energy project developer, Amjad has spent a great deal of time in emerging areas and knows the impact that small donations make toward improving the lives of the world’s neediest, especially children.

Amjad co-founded the Aziza Ghori Charitable Foundation to provide educational opportunities and safe homes for underprivileged children in selected countries across the world. Between September 2004 and September 2006, Amjad took a sabbatical and spent significant time developing the various projects being undertaken by the Aziza Foundation, visiting each location and project.

During this time, Amjad has also devoted his personal time and effort to advocating child-safety in hopes of eliminating child fatalities through a variety of educational and legislative measures. As part of this process, Amjad provided input into the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act that was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007. The Act mandates stricter safety guidelines for spas and pools to eliminate instances of child-fatalities through entrapment.

Friends and acquaintances of the Ghori family help Amjad find and develop projects for the Aziza Foundation. Amjad makes a personal point of site visits to review ideas, develop initiatives and craft Foundation support. Amjad has close friendships with the children and staff at Aziza's Place, the Foundation's most active and dynamic project, where he visits at least three times per year.

Adam Cooper - Trustee
Adam Cooper, a Trustee of the Aziza Foundation, first travelled to Cambodia in 1993 and was very deeply moved by the state of the country following 20 years of war and the continued suffering of the Cambodian people. Adam believes strongly in the Aziza Foundation's mission to provide direct, sustainable aid to individuals and communities in need in Cambodia and elsewhere.

Adam is a partner specialising in energy and infrastructure finance at a leading international law firm. Outside work, with three children under 11, Adam's priorities include spending time with his family. Sadly for them, that means sometimes having to listen to his tuneless efforts on his adored Gibson guitar. Fortunately for Adam, the kids' piano and guitar lessons are going well, and the family's musical skills are finally starting to improve."

James McKellar - Trustee
James McKellar, a Trustee of the Aziza Foundation, has an important day-job as a Managing Director at one of the leading global investment banks in London. He has worked advising international clients on development and finance of power, renewable energy and infrastructure projects on a global-basis for over 20 years. James interests include travel, food and wine. He has dual British and New Zealand citizenship.

Davina Clay - Finance and Administration Manager
Davina first came into contact with Aziza Foundation when she left London and her job as a Sales Manager to volunteer in Cambodia. In Cambodia, Davina taught English to the most energectic, enthusiastic, fun loving kids! Cambodia is without doubt the most warm, friendly, place and despite the past suffering of the country, the people are more than welcoming. The experience she had in Cambodia was the most eye opening but rewarding time and not to be forgotten. Upon returning to London, Davina started volunteering with Aziza Foundation UK and now works hard to secure a safe future for the children as they grow into well rounded, educated adults.