Ms. Camila Batmanghelidjh - The Angel of Peckham

Camila and a work colleague enjoying being interviewed by the Supreme Master Television crew.

On July 26, Golden Year 4 (2007), Camila Batmanghelidjh and her staff at Kids Company received the Shining World Leadership Award from representatives on behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai. The award was presented in recognition of Ms. Batmanghelidgh's extraordinary compassion and selfless service to thousands of less fortunate children.

Ms. Camila Batmanghelidjh is a remarkable woman who has devoted her life to serving others. Her dedication to young people's well-being has earned her the nickname "The Angel of Peckham." As a 9-year-old child, Camila first felt a calling to help children in need. Although her own family was privileged financially, she experienced emotional hardships and family loss in her early teens. She also struggled with the learning disability called dyslexia. However, with mental strength and courage she went on and as a young adult successfully completed psychotherapy training.

At the age of 25, Camila founded her first charity, The Place2Be, which now reaches thousands of children in primary schools throughout England and Scotland. The Place2Be offers a space where youths can express their feelings through dialog, creative work and play. Camila later twice re-mortgaged her apartment to finance her second charity, the Kids Company. The Kids Company is truly a haven where children can come and, with the love and care of a dedicated staff, put their lives back together.

The beautiful Camila (center) holding the Award, surrounded by members of her dedicated team.

Camila's training in psychology gave her insights into the challenges faced by families, and the effect they could have on the children's well-being. She said, "I wanted to set up a structure where the children could ask for help directly... to develop something that would meet these children's needs." Kids Company currently provides services such as counseling, education, sports, and art to over 11,000 children. Camila spends most of her time now fundraising and has received the support of businesses and charitable trusts.

Camila has truly sacrificed her own personal life in order to dedicate herself to the care of children. She works 12 hours, 7 days a week and has not taken any holidays for the past 11 years!

"Love" - one of the mottos at Kids Company.

Kids Company is run by a very close knit team of trained staff who work together as a family and provide the children with lots of love, which they believe to be the cure for everything. According to Camila, Kids Company endeavors to "reconnect the children to the society, to feel valued and value the society."

Upon receiving the award, Ms. Camila Batmanghelidjh said she was very honored and grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for this recognition of the charity's work. However, she politely declined to accept the award for herself. She insisted that the work could not have been achieved without the loving and devoted staff of The Place2Be and Kids Company. Such a statement is surely a reflection of the humility and greatness of The Angel of Peckham.