Back to Cambodia: A Filmmaker's Journey of Hope and Gratitude

HOPE-JP (with Elena Omura) • September 21, 2025

Four people smiling, outdoors, camera and audio equipment, green landscape background.

Returning After Eight Years

Elena Omura worked with HOPE International Development Agency until 2018 and is now an award winning filmmaker based in Prague, Czech Republic. This summer, she returned to Cambodia for the first time in eight years - revisiting familiar project sites that once shaped her early work at HOPE and seeing them through both new eyes and a filmmaker's lens.

"It was incredible to see how much has changed," Elena reflects. "Districts that lacked even basic infrastructure now have paved roads and busy markets. The HOPE office itself has relocated to reach more remote communities. Most of all, I was humbled to see the transformation in families I first met years ago."

One such family, Van and Pouen, once struggled simply to survive. When Elena visited them again, they proudly showed her their flourishing gardens, a new house they had built, and their daughters - all attending school.

Four people in a field, smiling. Two hold cameras, one has a microphone, and one appears to be the subject.

From HOPE Staff to Filmmaker

Elena's connection to Cambodia began when she served with HOPE Japan, where she directed and produced Every Drop Counts, a film supporting HOPE's clean water initiatives. Since then, she has launched her own production company, Ishiki Studios, dedicated to creating films that inspire real-world change.

Her return to Cambodia provided not only a reunion with families and colleagues but also the opportunity to capture their ongoing stories of resilience and progress.

Telling Stories of Water, Gratitude, and Hope

The new film Elena created focuses on the transformative power of clean water. Families who once struggled now proudly share baskets of vegetables grown with water from their wells. HOPE's field coordinators describe their work as the greatest gift of their lives - a sentiment that moved Elena deeply.

"If there is one theme I hope resonates through the film, it is gratitude," she explains. "Gratitude from families empowered by clean water. Gratitude from HOPE staff who dedicate their lives to walking with these communities. And hopefully, gratitude among donors who can see the impact of giving."

A Documentary in Every Sense

True to her vision as a filmmaker, Elena ensured that nothing was staged or scripted. Every word spoken in the film comes directly from the families and HOPE staff themselves.

"I wanted audiences to see the murky water that some families still drink, contrasted with the joy of those receiving new wells. I wanted them to witness the smiles of children who can now go to school and return home to a bath. Water is such a simple thing, but it changes everything."

The Unchanging Heart of HOPE

Even as Elena marveled at the progress made since her last visit, she was reassured to see certain things remain constant.

"What has not changed is the way HOPE works," she says. "HOPE doesn't give temporary fixes. It invests in people's self-reliance, beginning with clean water. And the HOPE staff continue to approach families with humility - sitting with them, listening, and building trust. That commitment is at the heart of HOPE's work, and it's what I wanted this film to portray."

A Message to Readers

Elena closes her reflection with a message of thanks:

"This film is about gratitude - for the people of Cambodia, for HOPE's dedicated staff, and for the chance to use my craft to tell stories that matter. I am deeply grateful to everyone who worked on the project pro bono, and I hope the film inspires audiences to give - not out of guilt, but from the desire to do something meaningful for someone else. In doing so, we discover gratitude in ourselves as well."