My name is Christian Benedict Meehan and I am the founder and president of the Reflect Campaign. I traveled to Cambodia for the first time a few years back and I fell in love with the people, especially the children. They are so amazing: optimistic, friendly and gracious. The children have very little but they smile like you have never seen before. It affected me profoundly and was a real life changer. It made me take a look at my own life and re-think and re-teach myself about what is really important and how fortunate I am.

While in Cambodia I witnessed things that I am not accustom to seeing living in America- things as Americans we take for granted. There were children who have no shoes, pants or enough food to eat, but they still smile. There were children responsible for providing for their family because their parents were not able to. As a person who cares greatly about people and has a strong belief in helping others and that everyone deserves an equal chance, I had an overwhelming feeling that I needed to do something to help. There are many organizations in Cambodia who do incredible work like provide clean drinking water supplies, build schools and hospitals. But I recognized a need that has yet to be addressed, and also has a relatively simple solution.

One night, taking a “Tuk Tuk” from our guesthouse to a restaurant in Siem Reap the idea hit me or should I say we almost hit the idea! We almost side swiped a group of kids riding their bicycles. The reason, of course was that we could not see them. Thus, the idea was born. Supply the children of Cambodia with a reflective tape that would act as a safeguard. It also struck me that this would apply to children walking on the road side, and not just those who ride their bicycles.