At CDS, we’re proud of our people not just for the work they do on site, but for the values they live by beyond the working day. One such example is our apprentice engineer, Adil, whose commitment to helping others recently took him all the way to Lebanon on a life‑changing charity deployment with Human Appeal.
A once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity
In December, Adil travelled to Lebanon for six days as part of a Human Appeal Reach deployment, joining voluntary doctors and nurses from across the world to support some of the most vulnerable communities. Human Appeal is an international charity that provides emergency aid and long‑term support to people affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.
Adil has been volunteering with Human Appeal for over four years, but this was his first opportunity to travel abroad and deliver aid in person.
“This was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity so I couldn’t pass it on.”
To make the trip possible, Adil spent two years fundraising, raising an incredible £5,000 to support the charity’s work and secure his place on the deployment – a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
Supporting communities in need
During the deployment, Adil and the team visited orphanages, displaced families and communities affected by storms, floods and other disasters. Many of the families they met rely entirely on charitable support to meet their basic daily needs.
The team delivered vital aid, including:
- Winter essentials such as blankets, gloves and hats
- Food parcels containing rice, beans, flour, sugar, bread, chicken and meat
- Clean water and essential supplies
- Heating oil – with each family receiving 9 litres to help them stay warm during winter
In remote mountainous areas, Adil witnessed firsthand the harsh conditions many families endure.
“Visiting the less fortunate families in the mountains, they don’t have any clean water supply, any real source of heat or even food for the next day.”
Despite these challenges, the warmth and gratitude shown by the communities left a lasting impression.
“They get really happy and excited when they see our coaches arrive, clapping and cheering.”
Creating moments of joy
Beyond providing essential aid, the deployment focused on bringing joy and normality to children who have experienced significant hardship.
Adil spent time with orphans who, as he described, “absolutely adore us and give us the biggest smile and hug when they see us with the food supplies.”
One of the most memorable days involved taking the children to a trampoline park, followed by burgers and fries – simple experiences that meant everything.
“This put a never‑ending smile on my face, seeing the kids have fun and smiling.”
These moments of laughter and connection were just as important as the physical aid being delivered.
A powerful perspective
The experience proved to be deeply eye‑opening for Adil, offering a new perspective on everyday life.
“We are so fortunate to have such luxuries compared to other communities.”
Seeing families survive with limited resources reinforced the importance of gratitude, compassion and community.
“From these experiences I learnt a lot of life values and not to always be complaining about my life.”
Making a difference, together
Adil’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can make when they commit to helping others. His efforts – from four years of volunteering to two years of fundraising – demonstrate resilience, empathy and a genuine desire to create positive change.
“I hope we can all try our best to make a change and make an effort to help out the less fortunate.”
We’re incredibly proud of Adil for representing not only himself, but the values of compassion, responsibility and community spirit. His story shows that making a difference doesn’t stop at the job role – it’s about using every opportunity to help those who need it most.
