Impactful Philanthropists in ASEAN
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Printed in Singapore. CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
ASEAN IMPACT 25
EDITION 2018
hen we first started our journey to bring ASEAN philanthropists and government officials together for the inaugural ASEAN Philanthropy Dialogue, we recognised that W there could be a lot of preconceptions that we might have to debunk between the two sides. Philanthropy, and more specifically, the kind of strategic and collaborative philanthropy we espouse at Asia Philanthropy Circle, is only still on the rise in this part of the world. Whilst many in this region are used to giving, often for religious reasons, for festivals and as part of their customs, approaching this as a means to solve social problems was often not the original intention. Many would not even consider themselves philanthropists and we were declined by more than a few for interviews. So we realised that there is much more awareness that should be built in the region in terms of what philanthropy is and can do. Regardless we see so much good done in the region, on different issues, with different approaches, on varying scales and with different motivations. We hope that through this first edition of the ASEAN Impact 25, we highlight some of the inspirational figures amongst us who are doing so much to create change for our communities, which will serve as a catalyst to others. This is just the beginning. We look forward to more joining us, and for the next edition to include even more impact.
STANLEY TAN Chairman Asia Philanthropy Circle CONTENT
EDITOR STACEY CHOE Pg. Hj Mohd Yakub Pg Hj Othman – Chea Serey
AUTHOR – Victor Hartono – Cherie Nursalim – Theodore STACEY CHOE MADHURYA MANOHAR Rachmat – Tahir – Belinda Tanoto – Mien R
ART DIRECTOR GABRIELA KARCH Uno – Phaichit Konepathoum – Jeffrey Cheah
PUBLISHED BY – Kathleen Chew – Yin Myo Su – Grace Tan ASIA PHILANTHROPY CIRCLE (APC) 352 TANGLIN ROAD, #01-07 TANGLIN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE Caktiong – Fernando Zobel De Ayala – Manuel V. SINGAPORE 247671 Pangilinan – David Zuellig – Keith Chua – T.+65 64710107 Laurence Lien – Teng Ngiek Lian – Mary Ann [email protected] WWW.ASIAPHILANTHROPYCIRCLE.ORG Tsao – Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp – Harald Link – Vichien Phongsathorn – Don Lam – Lam Nguyen-Phuong ASEAN IMPACT 25: FEATURING PHILANTHROPISTS IN THE REGION WHO ARE LOOKING TO CREATE REAL CHANGE.
Pg. Hj Mohd Yakub Pg Chea Serey Victor Hartono Cherie Nursalim Theodore Rachmat Hj Othman | p 010 p 014 p 018 p 022 p 026
Tahir Belinda Tanoto Mien R Uno Phaichit Konepathoum Jeffrey Cheah David Zuellig Keith Chua Laurence Lien Teng Ngiek Lian Mary Ann Tsao p 030 p 034 p 038 p 042 p 046 p 070 p 074 p 078 p 082 p 086
Kathleen Chew Yin Myo Su Grace Tan Caktiong Fernando Zobel De Manuel V. Thippaporn Harald Link Vichien Phongsathorn Don Lam Lam Nguyen- p 050 p 054 p 058 Ayala | p 062 Pangilinan | p 066 Ahriyavraromp | p 090 p 094 p 098 p 102 Phuong | p 106
THE STORY IS JUST BEGINNING...
008 009 Pengiran Dr. Hj Mohd Yakub Pg Hj Othman — Brunei Darussalam
By fostering safe spaces for worship, Pengiran Yakhub Othman enables communities to empower themselves and give their children an education based on strong values.
engiran Yakub Othman’s philanthropy is steeped in ORGANISATION faith and a deep sense of religious obligation. In a - P country with less perceivable needs than others, there is also less of a culture of philanthropy in Brunei. In fact, as Pengiran explains, “most needs of the communities are taken care of by the state, otherwise, His Majesty steps in. There isn’t that much to do in a welfare state.” Indeed, for an oil-rich nation, they are also just beginning to increase awareness and participation in volunteerism for the youths.
FOCUS AREA Community PHILANTHROPY BEYOND OWN BORDERS ‘Our money can Development Pengiran Yakub extended his philanthropy to the neighbouring region some 20 years ago, when he first go much further explored building a mosque in Lombok, Indonesia. Since then, he has helped to build three mosques in when we help in Indonesia and Thailand and two similar initiatives in Brunei Darussalam. What he does insist on, through his the neighbouring experience, is the commitment and ownership from the community. Thus, he typically ensures that he pays for only countries.’ AREAS OF OPERATION half the funds required, and the community has to raise Brunei Darussalam, the other half. According to him, “if they think that we have Indonesia, Thailand money and should pay for everything, then they will take things for granted”.
010 011 Children and the community gathering at Madrasah At Taqwa in Bandung, Indonesia. THE NASCENT PHILANTHROPY CULTURE IN BRUNEI Even though engaged and strategic philanthropy is not part of the Bruneian culture, Pengiran Yakub still highlighted that it is very much within the people’s religious consciousness, since Muslims have to commit 2.5% of their profits for community purposes as part of zakat. Besides the co-funding, Pengiran also works through the local authorities and However, when asked about collaboration, Islamic Council before proceeding, in he mentioned that when he tried to fundraise order to get their buy-in. for the mosque-building, he found that it was very difficult to get others to join in his THE MOSQUE AS THE CENTRE projects. “Perhaps others also have their own projects, so it is not easy to get people to put OF THE COMMUNITY in money together, so I ended up paying for The mosque is not just a place of for the young. When it comes to the them myself”, he explained. He noticed that worship – Pengiran Yakub has observed work of philanthropy, Pengiran also the practice of philanthropy is growing in his that especially in the lower-income acknowledged that it requires personal country though, and many are venturing to communities, it also acts as the centre time and involvement. He personally goes other countries in the region, where needs of life and where the community gathers to all the sites, supervising and reviewing are higher. He pointed out that their money to empower itself. He noted, “in these accounts, making sure that the funds can go so much further and the impact is communities, they go to the mosque are accountable, and understanding much greater when they are invested in the five times a day. By having a proper, their needs from the community leaders. neighbouring countries. Ultimately, Pengiran decent mosque for them, the community When asked if he could see the impact Yakub feels that the number of people who can come together and it becomes the of his work on the communities, he said, are involved in such giving are increasing place for self-enrichment.” Usually, “of course! Children can now get an and is looking forward to more joining him in the mosque will also be fitted with a education at the madrasah, and the people this endeavour. n madrasah, which provides education have a place to gather.”
012 013 Chea Serey — Cambodia
By giving Cambodia’s underprivileged children access to healthcare services and providing awareness on disabilities and mental health, Madam Serey is among those taking the lead in compassionate philanthropy in Cambodia.
ORGANISATION Raksa Koma EMPOWERING CAMBODIA’S CHILDREN Foundation adam Chea Serey empathises with families of children Mwith long-term medical needs; she is a mother of two children with their own such needs. This is why the Director General of the National Bank of Cambodia established the Raksa Koma Foundation with a mission to ensure that children in need are afforded access to proper health care. FOCUS AREA Through her philanthropic initiatives, she works Children’s Health, ‘When I show my extensively with organisations on the ground in a wide Mental Health, Blindness range of issue areas such as blindness, deafness and mental and Deafnesss philanthropic activities on health, not only illustrating her passion for giving back but setting a necessary precedent in the growing philanthropic Facebook and my friends ask ecosystem in Cambodia.
me why, it is because I want A PERSONAL ANGLE TO PHILANTHROPY to show everyone how easy it Madam Serey first ventured into social work when her own son was born with a cleft palate. While she was able to AREAS OF OPERATION is to help a person.’ afford surgery for her son, her neighbour, whose daughter Cambodia had the same condition, was unable and unwilling to proceed with correctional surgery.
014 015 There were, she realised, many families who are unable to afford necessary long-term treatment and care for their children. Her experience with her own son’s treatment sparked a long 2. association with Smile Cambodia, a non- Celebrating Cambodia Hearing Day at profit organisation that provides free cleft lip/ City Hall, Koh Pich. cleft palate surgeries. She was instrumental 3. Every year, the Raksa Koma Foundation supports in structuring the Cambodian chapter, which the organisation of Youth Mental Health Day turned out to be among the more active branches to raise awareness about mental health and of the organisation. This association led to more early intervention. Here, Madam Serey is at the Royal University of Phnom Penh attending Youth collaboration with organisations on the ground Mental Health Day and observing a group of and ultimately, more structured giving under the students and thier coach. Raksa Koma Foundation (RKF). 2.
BUILDING COMMUNITY-LEVEL AND MOVE AWAY FROM QUICK MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FELLOW INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIPS FIX SOLUTIONS HUMAN BEINGS Madam Chea Serey established the foundation This measured approach is also evident in the In the coming years, Madam Serey wants to in 2013, to continue her work in empowering way Madam Serey describes her impact. She establish a school for the blind and deaf. She Cambodia’s children to have better futures. It is cautious about clinging only to numbers: “It will also continue to work on improving the actively supports organisations that work on is good to have numbers as an indication but living conditions of rural communities as much children’s health by organising health screenings has the real impact been good?” She recalls as she can. And, much like her philanthropy up in poorer districts, funding heart surgeries, and a boy from a poor village with a cleft lip who until now, time hasn’t defined how she uplifts raising awareness about deafness, blindness 1. underwent a successful surgery. “We were able the communities around her. She is acutely and better mental health. RKF partners with Madam Chea Serey visits Mora for the first time at the National Pediatric Hospital. At the time, Mora was 20 days to give him surgery but when he went back, he aware that a school may take time to construct TPO Cambodia, an organisation that works old, weighed 1.8 kg, was badly malnourished and was facing still had problems with hearing and speech. We and to yield long-term impact and she is aware with patients suffering from mental health many other complications as well. didn’t help him reach his full potential”, she says. that unchaining a person can take up to 10 issues, some of whom are chained at home years—she is ready to do it all if it means she According to Madam Serey, it is important to see by their families. can change lives. To aspiring philanthropists and the entire picture. Speech therapy is a focus area change makers, her words of advice are simple: Madam Serey’s philanthropy often goes deeper “IF MY HUSBAND AND I, WHO that Madam Serey wants to cultivate through “You can always make time to help others.” and she builds personal relationships with her ARE EDUCATED, WERE IGNORANT her support of cleft lip/palate surgery because n beneficiaries as well. Madam Serey took the ABOUT SPEECH THERAPY AND she believes there is a widespread ignorance of 3. son of a mentally ill patient under her wing to CLEFT LIP/CLEFT PALATE, THERE its importance in post-treatment care. Pursuing ensure steady development in his early years. WOULD BE MANY PEOPLE OUT quick fix solutions, she says, is what an evolving Along with TPO Cambodia, she organised for the THERE WHO DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT Cambodian philanthropic ecosystem needs to boy’s mother to be ‘unchained’ and continues be mindful to avoid. to monitor her treatment today. To catalyse IT EITHER.” change at the community level but to also tend — Madam Serey on why spreading awareness of issues is important. to individuals who need help is, for Madam Serey, her way of changing one life at a time. 016 017 Victor Hartono — Indonesia
Passionate about his home country of Indonesia, Victor Hartono drives Djarum Foundation’s extensive philanthropic mandate, including education, sports development, and cultural preservation activities, to foster and to
ORGANISATION strengthen national cohesion. Djarum Foundation DRIVING NATIONAL COHESION IN INDONESIA uilding cohesion around the Indonesian national Bidentity is a key driver of Victor Hartono’s philanthropy. As President Director of Djarum Foundation, FOCUS AREA he oversees a range of programmes including educational Education, Community initiatives, community development, environmental Development, conservation, sports development and arts development ‘I encourage other Environment, activities that support the foundation’s mission to advance Sports Development philanthropists to formulate and the Arts Indonesia’s progress. Mr. Hartono’s father, Robert Budi Hartono, and his uncle, Michael Bambang Hartono, programmes as they deem fit, established the foundation in 1986 to address the many problems Indonesia faced at the time. Back then, the senior given their own capabilities Hartono brothers carried out the programmes simply as a way to take care of the communities around them. and priority areas. Formulate As Djarum Foundation sprints into its 32nd year of a plan on how you can make AREAS OF OPERATION operations, the vision across both generations remains the world a better place.’ Indonesia intact: To create a strong society and to ensure a good environment for a better Indonesia.
018 019 1.
2. 4.
STRENGTHENING INDONESIA’S 3. EDUCATION SYSTEM The foundation’s education initiatives also early childhood education and development as areas contribute to the greater vision. Djarum that will gain the most from philanthropic investment. Foundation is a keen advocate for vocational The project convened many players from the education education and ensuring that Indonesian ecosystem and after the launch of the report, some have youth are prepared for and absorbed into the committed to focusing on the four recommended verticals workforce. “Indonesia generates around 1.5 to and to continue working together. Mr. Hartono shared 2 million new workers a year. We don’t need about his experience from the project: “What I enjoy most BRINGING A NATION TOGETHER 100% of the workers to have undergraduate or about collaboration is sharing with and learning from THROUGH SPORTS graduate degrees but we do need to make sure other people”, he says. Sports, as Mr. Hartono identified, was an they are employed,” Mr. Hartono says. To this important step to achieving this vision. To end, the Djarum Foundation collaborates with PHILANTHROPY 2.0 nurture promising, homegrown badminton other institutions to design programmes centred Focusing on Indonesia is a deliberate decision because this 1. athletes, the foundation established Djarum on skills that are in demand in the workforce. His is where Mr. Hartono and Djarum Foundation are most Djarum Foundation awards cash bonuses to Rio mission is not just to give the youths jobs, but to 2016 Olympics gold medalists Liliyana Natsir and Badminton Club, a world-class sporting facility familiar. His advice for aspiring philanthropists - “focus on Tontowi Ahmad, Indonesia’s legendary mixed located in Central Java, Indonesia and badminton provide them with skills for jobs that pay better, your region first because you can monitor progress better”. badminton doubles pair who previously trained in scholarships that afforded young players access and to bridge the gap for such markets. Previous He also encourages others to choose focus areas they the Djarum Badminton Club. to international training and sporting events to partnerships have included vocational curricula possess good knowledge of: “Start with something smaller 2. around learning animation and maritime At SMK Wisudha Karya, one of Djarum improve their game. and work your way from there,” he explains. In line with a Foundation’s 15 supported vocational high expertise, co-designed by the Sumimoto Mitsui vision to create a better Indonesian society, Mr. Hartono schools, a mechanical engineering student puts Since its establishment, the foundation has Banking Corporation (SMBC), a Japanese wants to take the Djarum Foundation to the next level- his skills into practice on industry- standard produced approximately 5,000 badminton machinery. banking corporation. “the 2.0 version”, as he calls it. He plans to leverage the athletes and eleven Olympic medalists, including 3. connections as one of the leading family businesses in the the Rio 2016 mixed doubles champions. “We In 2017, the foundation engaged in another Victor Hartono plants a rain tree together with country and the access to knowledge he has been afforded Indonesia’s then-Minister of Public Work Ir. Djoko want to eliminate divisions based on race and fruitful partnership to map out where to shape the foundation’s programmes to be the best-in- Kirmanto in Demak, Central Java as part of the religion. When the badminton team wins, the philanthropy can have the most impact in the “Djarum Trees for Life” programme. class examples. Hopefully other foundations, and perhaps entire nation comes together. We want to education sector. In collaboration with the 4. even government entities in Indonesia, could use their propagate that unity”, says Mr. Hartono. Tanoto Foundation, the team produced a report Djarum Foundation collaborates with renowned that recommended vocational education, teacher examples as well to create positive impact for the country Indonesian fashion designer Denny Wirawan to and the planet. bring the work of local batik Kudus craftsmen to quality, school leadership and governance, and n the international stage.
020 021 Cherie Nursalim By cultivating tri-sector collaboration among government, civil and business sectors in — Indonesia Indonesia, amidst leading other initiatives in the region, Cherie Nursalim seeks to foster social, ecological and spiritual advancement in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
THE POWER OF TRI–SECTOR COLLABORATION
herie Nursalim harnesses the power of tri-sector ORGANISATION Ccollaboration to advance the United Nations’ United in Diversity seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a Foundation co-founder of the United in Diversity (UID) Foundation, she assembles leaders in business, government and civil society to initiate dialogue around and generate long-term ‘If we want to survive as solutions to the region’s pressing problems. Her belief in the collaborative approach is echoed in other ventures a human race, we need to like the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Institute of Philanthropy at China’s prestigious FOCUS AREA get our act together. We Tsinghua University and Kura Kura Bali. Promoting the need philanthropists, civil More than a decade after she first launched UID in Achievement of the collaboration with MIT and University of Indonesia, her SDGs, Engendering society, governments and vision to build trust among various communities and Tri-sector Collaboration stakeholders to advance a global agenda for sustainable businesses. We need all development holds firm. sectors to come together.’ PROMOTING THE SDGs THROUGH UID Ms. Nursalim came to endorse the SDGs rather serendipitously. UID was established in Indonesia in AREAS OF OPERATION 2003 as a response to the 1997 Indonesian financial Indonesia, China crisis and the 2002 Bali Bombing. “The country was at a stage where the people thought it was going to fall part so it was important to promote inclusiveness and repair
022 023 3. trust”, she explains. UID was built Cherie Nursalim at the UN World to plug an underying lack of trust Happiness Report launch at the United and cooperation between three Nations on March 20, 2017, presenting the SDG Pyramid to Happiness. key stakeholders—businesses, the 4. government and the civil society—via Cherie Nursalim on an Experiential fellowship programmes and training. Learning trip in 2003 that comprised of Its core values were drawn from the visit to Aids Hospitals and townships as 3. part of the Aids Mission in South Africa. Balinese belief of “Tri Hita Karana”, 1. or the Three Ways to Happiness, minutes away from the airport in the capital of which seeks to reach balance across spirituality, 1. prime Bali, Kura Kura will actualise Ms. Nursalim’s environment and social harmony. Cherie Nursalim at a THREE Talk and the “IN FIVE YEARS TIME, vision for a model community that embodies the SDGs in the spiritual, ecological and social aspects. More than a decade later, in 2016, the United China launch of ‘Better I HOPE COUNTRIES, Business, Better World’ She has not only engaged international developers Nations mandated the SDGs, which align in Shanghai in 2017 COMMUNITIES AND in the project but is also globally crowdsourcing perfectly with the three values of Tri Hita 2. SECTORS ARE CLOSER solutions for aspects of the project such as building Karana. Today, Ms. Nursalim co-chairs the Cherie Nursalim at the TO UNDERSTANDING an ecological sea wall. Her stringent belief in the Southeast Asian chapter of SDSN out of the UID 2010 Shanghai World Expo, representing THE SDGs AND BECOME vision of the SDGs and the power of collaboration campus to identify projects that can advance the China Disabled MORE ALIGNED. to achieve them continues to weave seamlessly 4. the sustainability agenda through collaboration Persons Foundation that helps impoverished WE NEED MORE through her work. within the Southeast Asian region. them to”. This concept of shared value through cataract patients. COLLABORATIVE entrepreneurial solutions is central to her approach SOLUTIONS TO MEET THE REITERATING COLLABORATION IN A VISION FOR THE COMING YEARS to business. COMPLEX PROBLEMS ALL VENTURES In the next decade or so, she foresees more THAT WE FACE.” awareness of the goals on a larger scale so as to Ms. Nursalim espouses the collaborative FIND THE DESIRE TO GIVE — Ms. Cherie Nursalim on what she catalyse more collaborative opportunities. She approach in two other ventures she is actively hopes to see in the next five years. WITHIN YOURSELF seeks to initiate transformational change through involved in as well. She co-founded the While she is embedded in the philanthropic technological innovation, such as we see in the Institute of Philanthropy at Tsinghua University ecosystem herself by virtue of her work, she fourth industrial revolution, supported by blended with governmental and academic entities to believes that actively building such an ecosystem finance solutions. Blended finance is the strategic form a think tank and a communication and ultimately boils down to individuals taking the application of development finance to invest collaboration platform for philanthropy in lead in their own giving. She believes everyone productively, particularly in developing countries. China. Having representatives of government can be a philanthropist. “I applaud any effort that By the end of 2018, she plans to support the bodies on board the organisation means that would encourage the communal spirit versus an Indonesian government and engage international the Institute can act as a bridge to push forward ego-centric approach. Ego can be very popular and partners like UN SDSN to host an event in Bali the public voice as well. “China’s issues are very it can destroy trust in a very short period of time”, on the innovative blended finance model and complex and you definitely need a tri-sector she says. She encourages aspiring philanthropists collaborate with those in private sector finance collaborative approach to address them”, she to seek people whose work they admire and speak to advance progress on the SDGs. She hopes says. Kura Kura Bali, on the other hand, aspires to them. “Find where you want to go—a new path that through the event, “the world can see that to promote a community-level collaboration. that you may not know can lead to a better, happier businesses are profitable but they can invest in A relatively undeveloped island situated 15 2. future”, she says. a way that more enlightened customers want n
024 025 Theodore P. Rachmat — Indonesia
A stalwart of the Indonesian business industry, the understated Teddy Rachmat believes that education and basic healthcare are the pathways to lifting the poor from the poverty cycle.
ORGANISATION A&A Compassionate Service Foundation TWO DECADES OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE heodore ‘Teddy’ Rachmat’s philanthropy is Tunderlined by a simple philosophy: It is our duty to help fellow human beings. And for almost two decades, the founder of the ‘We may not be able Indonesian conglomerate, the Triputra Group, has FOCUS AREA been sincerely seeing this through. He launched his to change the world, Education, philanthropic journey in 1999 with the A&A Rachmat Healthcare, Orphans Compassionate Service Foundation with a focus on education, healthcare and orphans. but for the few we Through this organisation, he has funded over 10,000 can help, it can students to remain in school and complete their education; he has provided affordable healthcare make a difference.’ to many of Indonesia’s low-income families and has sustained the welfare of thousands of orphans and the
AREAS OF OPERATION operations of several orphanages. Guided by a mission Indonesia to ensure the social empowerment of Indonesians, Mr. Rachmat continues to drive his philanthropy forward to make a difference in any way he can.
026 027 1. Recipients of the foundation’s Free Glasses Programme in Samarinda. 2. The A&A Rachmat Compassionate Service Foundation provides glasses for those in need. 3. Dr. Christine Sutandyo performs a medical checkup at Bekasi’s Medical Clinic as part of the foundation’s healthcare mandate. 3.
1. 2. ALLEVIATING POVERTY THROUGH UNITING ECONOMIC GROWTH NO CONTRIBUTION IS BETTER HEALTHCARE AND PHILANTHROPY TOO SMALL Within his second focus area, healthcare, Mr. Economic growth, as Mr. Rachmat describes, is a Mr. Rachmat applies the same Rachmat aims to ease the burden of expensive function of an efficient government. He encourages simplicity to his philanthropy as healthcare and, in the process, gradually philanthropists to work alongside government he does to his business ventures. alleviate poverty. authorities and support them in addressing the Doing good for one person, no necessary gaps in the social system. “If not us, then The foundation set up clinics in several poorer matter how small the act, is who?” he says. Economic growth can also stem suburban locales across the country which offer enough to make a difference. For from a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Mr. access to consultation and medicine at affordable example, the scholarships that Rachmat is a founding board member of Endeavor rates. Patients can expect to pay between IDR his foundation has disbursed to Indonesia, a local counterpart of the global 5,000 and 20,000, which is equivalent to USD around 1,800 students could be non-profit organisation that equips ambitious $0.35 to USD $1.40 for services. The foundation the difference between staying entrepreneurs with resources such as mentorship, has also dealt extensively in eye care-related in school and dropping out. He market connections and externships. To move initiatives, providing free glasses for seven years also hopes to perpetuate racial forward, Mr. Rachmat says, it is key to attract the to elementary school students, their teachers harmony through his giving. ‘non-givers’, influential individuals who have yet to and orphans and sponsoring cataract surgery for embrace philanthropy. As a philanthropist of Chinese 69 eligible, underprivileged patients from the ethnicity, he supports a considerable number Tangerang community. of Indonesian Muslim students and works on EVERY LIFE IS PRECIOUS Under the last focal cause, the foundation also accommodating them in madrasahs. Another “AS YOU GROW OLDER, YOUR VIEW Being one of the stalwarts of Indonesia’s business funds the operating costs of several orphanages initiative under the education umbrella is training OF LIFE CHANGES. WHEN YOU ARE landscape has not withered Mr. Rachmat’s and supports the welfare of approximately primary school teachers in mind mapping to YOUNGER AND YOU SEE SOMEONE humility and his approach to philanthropy 8,000 orphans. With poverty alleviation being a enhance teaching methods. In keeping with his WITHOUT AN EDUCATION, YOU SAY IT is similarly understated. Among the pioneer common thread between the three focus areas, Mr. vision to see a child prosper from the beginning to IS HIS OR HER DESTINY. AS YOU GROW generation of the philanthropists in the region, his Rachmat also firmly believes that complementing the end of their education, the programme aims to giving journey for close to two decades has stood OLDER AND YOU SEE THAT SOMEONE philanthropy with economic growth is the real key improve the effectiveness of teaching in the earlier testament to a simple but powerful mantra: Do HASN’T HAD A GOOD LIFE, DO YOU FEEL to national prosperity. phases of the educational journey. RESPONSIBLE? THAT IS THE KEY.” not waste a single life. The more lives you save, — Pak Teddy Rachmat on why he started doing philanthropy. the better. n
028 029 Dr. Tahir — Indonesia
‘Philanthropy is a Firm in his ambition to tackle large- commitment, whether you scale issues, Dr. Tahir has teamed up with global partners like Bill & are doing well or not. When Melinda Gates Foundation to address it is a commitment, you are problems like major diseases, refugees and education. ORGANISATION not distracted by anything Tahir Foundation that happens around you.’ GIVING BACK TO INDONESIA r. Tahir is no stranger to breaking Dnew ground. The son of a rickshaw maker from Surabaya in Indonesia, Dr. Tahir established one of the country’s FOCUS AREA most prominent business conglomerates, Education, the Mayapada Group, with interests in Healthcare, banking, real estate, hospitals and media. Refugees He exhibits similar ambition when it comes to serving others. His eponymous foundation addresses the country’s needs in education and healthcare, sponsoring scholarships for deserving students and life-altering treatments such AREAS OF OPERATION as heart surgery and cancer treatment Indonesia, for children. Beyond that, he is a preeminent Singapore, advocate for refugees around the world and Middle East has committed millions in global collectives to fight major diseases.
030 031 AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO YOUR CONSCIENCE Dr. Tahir firmly believes that philanthropy is not just about giving away the money you earn but rather a firm ‘commitment to your conscience’. It is why he demarcates his social responsibility 1. as a businessman from his humanitarian work Dr. Tahir and Bill Gates with several dignatories at the launch as a philanthropist. of the Indonesian Health Fund. He does not adhere to the principle of corporate social responsibility because there is a tendency High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a to give less when the company earns less and programme by the United Nations to protect vice versa. Instead, a sense of giving should be refugees, stateless beings and forcibly displaced inherent to all aspects of life and not tied to communities. His global humanitarianism does the profitability of the business. In fact, giving not end there. a five-year period. As the architect back to the community, he believes, is a mark of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and 2. of such cross-cultural philanthropic Dr. Tahir visits great entrepreneurship. Muhammadiyah, in order to address BUILDING A GLOBAL FORCE efforts, Dr. Tahir illustrates the Syrian refugees. rising extremism. Through his importance of collaboration in AGAINST MAJOR DISEASES philanthropy, Dr. Tahir enabled the A VOICE FOR REFUGEES moving mountains. Dr. Tahir has also pursued impactful initiatives in formation of micro-enterprises that Dr. Tahir has long been a vocal patron of “HUMANITARIANISM the field of healthcare, harnessing philanthropic can provide more opportunities for the millions in the world who have been ENGAGING THE POTENTIAL resources at an international level to alleviate sustaining livelihoods. As Dr. Tahir HAS NO BORDERS.” forcibly displaced. In line with his philanthropic — Dr. Tahir on why he chose to a spate of problems affecting the Indonesian OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR says, “The private sector is not vision to enhance the quality of life for the support the refugee community. population. In 2014, Dr. Tahir became the largest Dr. Tahir encourages philanthropists competing with the government. We underprivileged, he has actively engaged public private foundation donor of the Global Fund, to actively consider another are not replacing the government. awareness about and has enhanced fundraising with a contribution of USD $65 million. The Fund important collaboration: one with We have a lot of potential to help for the refugee cause. Having donated over is an international effort fronted by influential the government. In order to advance the government.” USD $10 million to alleviating the conditions backers such as Bill and Melinda Gates and Kofi a common agenda effectively, of refugees, he was named Champion of the With his philanthropic reach already Annan with the aim of eradicating the AIDS/HIV, philanthropists can provide Global Shelter Coalition, an alliance of leading extending beyond the borders tuberculosis and malaria epidemics. Dr. Tahir also necessary support in areas where companies and philanthropists to provide of Indonesia, it is clear that Dr. helped established a localised counterpart, called the government has less clout or a shelter solutions for refugees. He is also the Tahir has no plans of slowing down the Indonesian Health Fund and along with Bill limited budget. He cites the example third person in the world to be bestowed the on his ambitions to help build a and Melinda Gates, committed USD $100 million of his own partnership with two of title of Eminent Advocate of the United Nations better Indonesia. to healthcare programmes in the country over the largest Muslim organisations, n
032 033 Belinda Tanoto — Indonesia
Using a strategic and innovative approach, Belinda Tanoto is driving forward her family’s philanthropic legacy in empowering communities through education and enhancing their sustainable livelihoods.
ORGANISATION Tanoto STEERING THE FAMILY PHILANTHROPY Foundation elinda Tanoto is leading her family philanthropy into Ba new generation, fuelled by consistent innovation and strategic thinking. As founder of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) Group, Ms. Tanoto’s father Sukanto Tanoto is one of Indonesia’s foremost entrepreneurs. In 1981, Pak Sukanto and his wife, Ibu Tinah, laid the bricks for the Tanoto Foundation, an illustrious philanthropic endeavour that aimed to alleviate poverty through FOCUS AREA education, empowerment and enhancement. Today, while ‘Coming up with a Education, Leadership the family’s philanthropy is largely a collective effort Development, Medicine involving all members, it is Ms. Tanoto who currently strategy can dehumanise oversees its direction, representing a new, younger class of philanthropists within the region who focus keenly on the process. Going on strategy to generate sustainable social impact. the ground can change LEARNING HOW TO GIVE BACK SINCE CHILDHOOD your perspective and
AREAS OF OPERATION The idea of giving back was inculcated in Ms. Tanoto connect you with your Indonesia, and her three siblings at an early age. The Tanotos Singapore, China ensured birthday celebrations were meaningful by taking beneficiaries.’ Ms. Tanoto and her siblings to orphanages to share
034 035 1. Belinda Tanoto with elementary school students in Jambi, Indonesia where the foundation helps train teachers conduct their classes in a more interactive, engaging and fun manner. 2. Belinda Tanoto with fellow panellists, books and toys with the less Phillia Wibowo (McKinsey) and Victor fortunate. “It helped instil a Hartono (Djarum Foundation) at the sense of gratitude that carries launch of Asia Philanthropy Circle’s ‘Giving Guide’ report. forward in our work and 3. philanthropy today. We want Belinda Tanoto with participants at to share the opportunities we the inaugural Tanoto Scholars Alumni have had with others so they Gathering held in Jakarta. can realise their full potential”, 3. she says. Additionally, the Tanotos used to spend summers on plantations owned by the RGE, allowing them to stunting within the nation. “Nine million children into. Aligning the visions of the different parties interact with the communities are stunted, which is an unacceptable number is crucial. As the foundation explores their new around the operations. The 1. for a middle-income nation like Indonesia. It is a strategy, Ms. Tanoto’s team will focus on cultivating Tanoto family deems this on-the-ground approach lost generation”, says Ms. Tanoto. With stunting more high-level partnerships, both with the as ‘management by walking around’ (MBWA) and early childhood development moving into government and other entities as well, to scale the and it is a method that Ms. Tanoto continues to “IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR the Indonesian government’s radar, Ms. Tanoto impact of their programmes. use in executing programmes under one of the PHILANTHROPISTS TO EXPERIMENT, anticipates more active investment in this space foundation’s key pillars: Education. TAKE RISKS, COME UP WITH DIFFERENT from both government and philanthropists alike. ACHIEVING AMBITION TOGETHER MODELS AND THEN BRING PARTNERS “Now is a great time for everyone to be involved,” INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD Ms. Tanoto is putting an ambitious vision to play ON BOARD.” she says. DEVELOPMENT for the next decade or so: reaching out to 20,000 — Belinda Tanoto on the advantages that philanthropists elementary schools. She foresees an evolution in With both Pak Sukanto and Ibu Tinah never have in addressing social issues. ENHANCING HIGH-LEVEL the approach to basic education, intensifying the having completed their formal education, they PARTNERSHIPS focus on the early childhood phase, and honing in on have always been passionate about learning The foundation also seeks to enhance their data to generate impact more productively. and furthering educational opportunities for all. relations with the government as their programmes Under this mandate, the foundation provides However, as Ms. Tanoto says, ambition is nothing evolve and expand. “We experiment with different scholarships, trains teachers and strengthens if not executed right. In its bid to become a world- approaches to a problem and once we have a good school infrastructure. In 2017, the Tanoto family class foundation and very much in line with its model, we share with the government to try and revisited and restructured their philanthropic philosophy to invest well in human capital, the get them to replicate it.” she says. Gaining the giving. The new strategy called for more deliberate foundation continues to leverage competent support of government, she elaborates, lies in investment in human capital along the life cycle, professionals to drive its vision and strategy involving them from the very beginning of a project. starting with early childhood education and forward—with Ms. Tanoto and her family as ‘thought Clarifying the roles among partners is a tenet she development. Under the development component, partners’ in the journey ahead. n applies to any partnership the foundation may enter the foundation is looking to curb the scale of
2. 036 037 Mien R. Uno — Indonesia
Combining her own experiences as an entrepreneur and a lifelong educator, Mien Rachman Uno is educating and empowering the next generation of Indonesian entrepreneurs.
ORGANISATION A NEW GENERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS Mien R. Uno ien R. Uno is cultivating the entrepreneurs of Foundation Mtomorrow. As founder of the Mien R. Uno Foundation (MRUF) with her husband and two sons, she applies her lifelong experiences as an educator to train promising youths in skills that will prepare them to be entrepreneurs. With almost two decades of moulding entrepreneurs— some of whom have gone to be prominent bureaucrats ‘You cannot be a and bankers as well—under her belt, Mrs. Uno is working towards empowering youths to take ownership of their FOCUS AREA philanthropist if you don’t own livelihoods. Entrepreneurship, Education have something in you. Having started out in the education field at the age of 15, Mrs. Uno has run schools and donned a variety of You have to learn to sell education-related leadership roles. The foundation was first conceived when her husband visited his hometown yourself before you sell and found that people needed to know how to educate their children better. While the family worked on bridging your ideas. People have this gap initially, they realised that it was difficult for their student beneficiaries to find jobs after their education. AREAS OF OPERATION to trust you.’ “They need a job and they need income. The government Indonesia cannot always give them jobs”, she says. And with that, the MRUF shifted their focus to entrepreneurship to tackle this issue.
038 039 THE JOURNEY TO ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS Given Mrs. Uno’s decades of teaching and the “MY PARENTS DID NOT HAVE entrepreneurial successes of her own two sons, MUCH BUT WE WOULD ALWAYS 2. Indra Uno and Sandiaga Uno, the family foundation INVITE PEOPLE TO SHARE OUR was comfortably positioned to impart know-how to FOOD WITH US. BECAUSE OF MY SELLING A VISION WITH GUSTO 1. the next generation of Indonesian entrepreneurs. Ibu Mien R. Uno conducts a CHILDHOOD, I HAVE ALWAYS While the foundation is largely endowed by the class on Entrepreneur Etiquette MRUF runs a central programme, the Entrepreneur for ENVOY (Batch) V in THOUGHT ABOUT HOW TO HELP family’s wealth, Mrs. Uno pursues collaboration February 2014. Development Scholarship for Youth (ENVOY). PEOPLE LIVE A GOOD LIFE AND by actively bringing other philanthropist 2. ENVOY admits some undergraduate students from NOW MY SONS CARRY THAT SAME friends and Indonesian entrepreneurs on ENVOY (Batch) IX at the low-income families who run their own businesses FAITH AS WELL.” board to advance the students’ potential for programme opening ceremony in to modules on business coaching, mentoring September 2017. — Mrs. Uno on how her parents instilled in her a duty successful entrepreneurship. 3. and motivation training, among others. As of to give back. Mrs. Uno attributes her successful efforts at Students from ENVOY (Batch) 2015, the programme has produced around 318 VIII at a business coaching fundraising to maintaining full transparency: graduate entrepreneurs. session in June 2017. “They will donate money if they know where the money is going.” Transparency goes hand-in-hand with trust, which is an important element of 1. philanthropy. Deliver on the promises you make, as Mrs. Uno says.
NURTURING EMPATHY In the coming years, the foundation will seek more partnerships to further their ambitious mission and accelerate the number of students who can benefit from MRUF’s programmes. The foundation also hopes to replicate the entrepreneurship model more widely. In the bigger picture, however, Mrs. Uno aspires to see Indonesia’s upper class take more care of and support those in the middle and lower- income classes. Thinking beyond yourself and giving generously, is a mindset that Mrs. Uno hopes to perpetuate. As she asks, “How can you
live in peace seeing others struggle in life?” n 3.
040 041 Phaichit Konepathoum — Lao PDR
As co-founder of Laos’ first emergency rescue service, Phaichit Konepathoum provides road accident victims a fighting chance at life in a country where existing health infrastructure struggles to address a growing crisis.
ORGANISATION Vientiane Rescue ADDRESSING A HUGE AREA OF NEED haichit Konepathoum works to save the lives of road Paccident victims in the capital of Laos. He is the co- founder of the country’s first emergency service, Vientiane Rescue, which has grown from from a barebones team of seven volunteers and one ambulance to 400 trained ‘It’s quite difficult to organise volunteers grouped into specialised teams using 12 FOCUS AREA a charity in Laos, but that’s Emergency ambulances. Together, these individuals ensure that Response accident victims are given a fighting chance at life in a something we’ve come to country where road traffic accident victims can often be left to die on the roads. overcome. We started Vientiane Mr. Konepathoum established the organisation in 2010 Rescue with seven volunteers. with Sebastien Perret, a French firefighter and paramedic, who helped train volunteers in basic first aid. He was Today, we have more than 400. inspired to start the service because he felt that ‘in a city where there was no ambulance service to rescue people We’re showing the way and AREAS OF OPERATION left to die on the road side, they should do something more and more people follow. Laos through their own means’. At the start, the fledgling team of rescuers had to struggle with limited resources and were often under staffed, under trained or under equipped.
042 043 EMBODYING THE POTENTIAL FOR GIVING HUMANITARIAN VALUES BACK IN LAOS They faced other obstacles as well; two In time, the Vientiane Rescue evolved With Laos having one of the world’s years after they first began the service, into five specialised teams operating worst road death tolls and insufficient their sole ambulance was taken over out of four rescue stations. According health services to efficiently address by another NGO and being a relatively to Mr. Konepathoum, the nature of the the crisis, it was evident from the start unknown organisation, they were work does comes with its challenges. that Mr. Konepathoum and his team had unable to secure funding or grants to “It’s not always rewarding to work in undertaken a massive challenge. In fact, help them grow their service. such circumstances, but we find the he says that even setting up a charitable In order to address this desperate energy to continue by focusing on what organisation in Laos was difficult. Despite situation, Mr. Konepathoum himself is the right thing to do and without the many setbacks he and his team have has contributed tens of thousands from having much expectations at the faced, however, Mr. Konepathoum is his own pocket, not only in the initial beginning”, he says. unperturbed on his quest to save as many people as possible. stages but also throughout the years in Between 2011 and 2015, the growing the organisation, training the Vientiane Rescue saved the lives of “We’ve improved so much and this is personnel and providing equipment. approximately 10,000 people and for what makes me want to continue working He also runs a car wash service that their efforts, they were honoured with for our service”, he says. He also trusts employs permanent volunteers of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay that more and more people will follow as Vientiane Rescue and provides them Award that recognises outstanding such initiatives grow, leading to perhaps with a salary. contributions to community leadership a more promising philanthropic system In January 2013, they managed to and public service among other in the country. The fact that Vientiane secure USD $6,000 in funding from categories. “The impact of the work Rescue was able to draw 400 volunteers EXO Foundation, a Cambodian non- done by our team on Vientiane’s roads alone is proof enough. “People are very profit organisation, with which they on a 24/7 basis is not just about the generous here. Not everybody is like built a fully functioning ambulance number of people we save. It’s about this but it is the essence of the country”, in three months. the image we give of the meaning of he says. n humanity”, Mr. Konepathoum says.
044 045 Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO — Malaysia
Having established Malaysia’s largest education- based social enterprise as well as the country’s first sustainable township, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Jeffrey Cheah is committed to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals
through his philanthropic work. ORGANISATION Jeffrey Cheah Foundation RAISING THE BAR OF EXCELLENCE IN MALAYSIA an Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah’s views on Tsustainability and philanthropy were shaped during his formative years while growing up in the small town of Pusing in Malaysia. He observed how poverty cut off access to education among his friends and neighbours. FOCUS AREA ‘I have discovered that philanthropy Pusing, back then, was largely a tin-mining town. He could Education, stems from the inner conviction that we, not fail to notice the ugly scars on the landscape left by Sustainable Development abandoned and disused mining pools. who have prospered from the resources “Poverty and environmental degradation are not abstract provided by Mother Earth, have a duty concepts for me. They helped form my convictions that to give back to society, and it can be education provided the optimum route out of poverty, and that we needed to help heal a bleeding Mother Earth”, he done in many ways, not just through says. As soon as he was able to, he established the Jeffrey monetary means. We owe this to our Cheah Foundation (JCF), focused on making quality society and nation and planet.’ education accessible to all Malaysian students and on AREAS OF OPERATION championing sustainable development. The foundation Malaysia endowed US$ 10 million to the United Nations to establish the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development
046 047 1. Tan Sri Jeffrey at a graduation ceremony at Sunway University.
at Sunway University in 2016, which universities around the world and has 2. been restored, and Sunway City is home to will train a new generation of students, forged bonds with the University of Tan Sri Jeffrey interacts a thriving community of more than 200,000 with students as part practitioners and policy leaders Cambridge, Harvard University, and the of the Jeffrey Cheah people living, working and playing in Malaysia’s across Asia. University of Oxford. “We will not just Foundation’s outreach to first integrated green township, with plans stop there. We want to collaborate more urban poor students in to establish Sunway City as a model “Smart partnership with Teach For PUSHING THE ENVELOPE closely with world-renowned institutions Malaysia, to help address Sustainable City” of the 21st century. “Sunway IN EDUCATION to make Sunway University the Harvard education inequity is demonstrating that you can do well by doing of the East”, Tan Sri Jeffrey says. in Malaysia. good and that profitability and sustainability go The JCF is a culmination of his three hand-in-hand”, he says. guiding principles—giving to society, CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABLE 3. quality education, and vision in Tan Sri Jeffrey with Professor Jeffrey Sachs SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS IN perpetuity. In 2010, Tan Sri Jeffrey DEVELOPMENT at the launch of the EVERYONE’S HANDS donated all of his equity, in perpetuity, Tan Sri Jeffrey committed the Sunway Jeffrey Sachs Center on in the Sunway Education Group to the Group and the JCF to championing Sustainable Development Ultimately, Tan Sri Jeffrey believes that achieving at Sunway University. foundation. The foundation has thus far sustainable development in a robust the SDGs should be a collective effort. “We given out RM330 million in scholarships manner soon after the United Nations understand that realising the SDGs is not just and grants to deserving students. “It is General Assembly adopted the 17 in the hands of the government alone. It is a my personal goal to award more than RM Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. concerted effort of all sectors of society—the 1 billion in my lifetime in scholarships”, The Sunway Group itself was founded on private sector, academia, civil society and, of says Tan Sri Jeffrey. As part of his vision the concept of sustainable development, course, every single individual. We are all in this to strengthen the education system in with the development of Sunway City. together”, says Tan Sri Jeffrey. In line with this Malaysia, Tan Sri Jeffrey launched the Four decades ago, the area was a barren belief, he hopes his actions will inspire more first twinning programmes in Malaysia, land of disused and abandoned mining people to do good. After all, his personal motto is
linking up with several renowned pools. Today, an entire ecosystem has “I Aspire to Inspire before I Expire”. n
048 049 Kathleen Chew — Malaysia
Leveraging the power of technology and collective impact, Datin Kathleen Chew leads the YTL Foundation in crafting vibrant educational experiences for Malaysia’s students.
ORGANISATION YTL Foundation THE MALAYSIAN CLASSROOM OF THE 21ST CENTURY atin Kathleen Chew has always been cognisant of Dthe importance of quality education. Her mother, grandmother and grandfather were all educators. Today, the Group Legal Counsel of the YTL Corporation leads the company’s education-focused philanthropic arm, the YTL Foundation, which strives to provide access to and FOCUS AREA elevate standards of education in the country. While its ‘Sympathise with the government Education scholarships enable deserving, underprivileged students and the magnitude of the problem to progress their higher education, the foundation also actively addresses areas such as school leadership, school they are trying to tackle. They are infrastructure, and student development to deliver a trying to find a solution they can apply holistic learning experience for Malaysian schoolchildren. The YTL Foundation was established in 1997, primarily across the board. Malaysians lament disbursing academic scholarships for the first 15 years of the education system, but there are a its operation. Datin Kathleen, who was keen on social work and has also chaired several Parent Teacher Associations lot of people who really care. There AREAS OF OPERATION over her children’s school years, was a natural fit to are people who are really trying to Malaysia structure and lead the foundation’s work. The nature of the foundation’s mandate evolved approximately five make a difference.’ years ago when the YTL Corporation’s infrastructure
050 051 1. Students at the new Frog Classroom at SMK Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi. development arm ventured into the education to create a more connected, interactive learning 2. sector to provide 4G network capabilities to environment. With 176 classrooms completed, the Datin Kathleen Chew at the schools. When they found that schools did not have foundation is striding towards its goal of equipping launch of the Global School appropriate or updated equipment, the foundation 1,000 classrooms to reshape how Malaysian Leaders Programme. decided to look more closely into the problems children experience their education. 3. Datin Kathleen Chew with YTL facing the country’s school system. Scholars at YTL’s UK Training. THE DIVIDENDS OF 2. 4. A THOUSAND CLASSROOMS, COLLECTIVE IMPACT Datin Kathleen Chew speaks at YTL Foundation’s celebration of its 150th TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED While the partnership behind the Frog Classroom Frog Classroom. In 2014, a visit to a public school for a talk exposed initiative continues to yield its fruits, there is Datin Kathleen to the sparse conditions of its another alliance that Datin Kathleen envisions classrooms. Classrooms had deteriorating furniture, creating change at a much larger scale. The rusting window grills, and peeling paint on the walls. Malaysian Collective Impact Initiative comprises Under her leadership, the foundation partnered of 12 member organisations, —of which the YTL with Frog Asia, a social enterprise that creates Foundation is a founding member—24 partners and virtual learning environments, and co-created the 19 supporters who are all bonded by a common Frog Classroom Programme. agenda to drive systemic change in the Malaysian education system. The flagship initiative was underlined by a common vision: Transforming education through the use of Since 2016, the collective has incorporated technology. Classrooms selected by the programme programmes focused on peer coaching, skills 3. saw a major overhaul: Walls were painted and training, financial literacy and leadership for flooring renovated, sturdier desktops had uplifting students. Datin Kathleen, who is a keen proponent this is where a public-private partnership can messages coloured in, and even a punching bag in of collaboration in every aspect of life, believes that confidently take root. As Datin Kathleen says, “the 4. the corner to encourage students to express any the collective can embody how collaborative efforts government is too busy with the big picture. The frustration they may have. Each classroom is also pay more dividends than individual undertakings. private sector can make decisions and make things outfitted with laptops and projector technology move along faster”. “A LOT OF THE WHEN PHILANTHROPY FOUNDATION’S SUCCESSES MEETS GOVERNMENT A FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING ARE BECAUSE THEY Government cooperation is a recurring component Datin Kathleen’s emphasis on creating progressive ARE LEVERAGING THEIR of the YTL Foundation’s work. With a growing learning environments and using collaboration to BUSINESS EXPERIENCES. need to encourage buy-in from the government advance that transformation sets an important IT’S MUCH EASIER to scale social projects, Datin Kathleen iterates precedent to achieve the foundation’s vision. In AND MORE EFFECTIVE that collaboration with the government, fostered ten years, Datin Kathleen says, she hopes that IF THE FOUNDATION by mutual understanding, is necessary. With education in the country will be technologically ALIGNS WITH WHAT THE governments traditionally being criticised for the enabled, that children will be able to learn breadth of problems a society faces, it is important CORPORATE DOES.” independently because of the access they have been — Kathleen Chew on how the YTL to understand how difficult it is to deliver resilient afforded and eventually, the education system at Foundation chose to focus on education and solutions to such mammoth-sized problems. And large improves. n were successful at it.
052 1. 053 Yin Myo Su — Myanmar
Hotelier, Educator, Community Leader. Yin Myo Su is an inspirational figure in a country that is awakening from its isolation from the rest of the world. She is giving back to the communities through her work in livelihoods,
cultural and environment preservation, ORGANISATION and education. Inle Heritage Foundation, Inle Heritage Private School MAKING INCLUSIVE BUSINESS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT in Myo Su likens herself to a “trouble-maker”, this Yharks back to the days when she was a youth activist, but still applies to today, because she often refuses to accept status quo and constantly looks for ways to improve systems and create change. Today, she is a hotelier running FOCUS AREA three resorts across Myanmar, and through her socially Education, responsible business practices, she works to uplift the Livelihoods, Cultural & Environmental ‘People, Passion, Profit. communities through improved livelihoods. At the same Preservation, Women’s time, her Inle Heritage Foundation and Inthar Heritage Empowerment For me, people House are preserving local culture and heritage in a fragile eco-system that is besieged with economic issues always come first.’ and ethnic strife. It is important to Ms. Su that there isn’t “collateral damage” as the businesses develop, she explains that “we do not need to go fast. It is important to be inclusive from the beginning of business planning”. Ms. Su has won numerous awards for her relentless work, from AREAS OF OPERATION the 2013 Goldman Sachs & Fortune Global Women Leaders Myanmar Award to the Vital Voices Global Leadership Award.
054 055 2. 1. Behind all that is a woman who is More recently, she started the Inle proud of her community, heritage Heritage Private School, taking in and country, and is working the children of her employees, and tirelessly to contribute back to then serving the wider community her birthplace. She thanks her because of its popularity. If you ever grandparents for her life and visit the school, it is an architectural business philosophy of “People, marvel like the rest of her resorts Passion and Profit” – but she insists – built with bamboo, it reflects the that people will always come first. local environment and taps into its resources. The schools are so 3. 4. CREATING SOCIAL successful that even the Myanmar BUSINESSES TO EMPOWER President has visited and the THE COMMUNITY government is interested to see how they can replicate it in other places. EXTENDING IMPACT THROUGH 1. In fact, it is this dedication to put Students at Inle Heritage the people first that drove her to Ms. Su is adamant on creating SHARING SUCCESS AND FAILURE At the end of the day, Ms. Su believes that Hospitality Vocational build The Inle Heritage Hospitality partnerships to spread and multiply Training Center (IHHVTC). her job lies in creating small examples that Vocational Training Center, which impact. She recalls the Burmese 2. are replicable throughout the country, and has trained over 200 students, and proverb that “if a tree is strong, it The Inle Heritage even in other developing countries. As much Private School. who in turn have contributed to the can hold 10,000 birds”. However, as she is enthusiastic to share her success 5. 3. tourism industry in the Inle area. she explained why she thought that Yin Myo Su with the that is not a sustainable business models, Ms. Su is also keen to share her participants at the women’s model, “I don’t want to monopolise failures and learnings so that others can learn empowerment retreat. the market, I believe in encouraging from them. Another example she gives is how 4. her hotels started to employ what has been Good Agriculture Practices at others. We should create a forest Inle Heritage “IF YOU CARE ABOUT instead, and share the profits. referred to as Myanmar’s “lost generation”, 5. YOUR COUNTRY, YOU There should be a balanced a generation of young drop-outs that make Repatriated pure-bred SHOULD WANT TO PAY equal leadership.” up 30-70% (depending on region) of youths Burmese cats were TAXES; ESPECIALLY FOR A in the country. The Hilton hotel’s training reintroduced to the region via This inclusivity also extends to the Inle Heritage. COUNTRY LIKE MYANMAR programmes have also started accepting her empowerment and leadership 6. WHICH NEEDS SO high-school dropouts in Myanmar. Bit by bit, Class in action at the retreats. Started as a womens’ Ms. Su is slowly revolutionising not just the Inle Heritage Hospitality MUCH DEVELOPMENT.” retreat, she included a retreat for — Yin Myo Su education system, but other industries’ ways Vocational Training Centre. the men too this year so that they 6. of doing things as well. n are not left out!
056 057 Grace Tan Caktiong — Philippines
Grace Tan Caktiong is taking resolute strides in the mission to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines through the Jollibee Group Foundation and leveraging Jollibee’s corporate expertise.
ORGANISATION Jollibee Group Foundation s a philanthropist who believes in the A“interconnectedness of everything” including all human beings, and that it is both a privilege and a responsibility for us to take care of each other and our planet while living our life, Grace Tan Caktiong, co- founder (with founder, husband Tony Tan Caktiong) of Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), and President of Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) is taking resolute strides to help FOCUS AREA eradicate hunger and rural poverty. Agriculture, Nutrition, Community-based ‘As a corporate foundation, it Disaster Response NOURISHING SCHOOLCHILDREN Mrs. Tan Caktiong knows how education can transform helps to anchor programmes communities and how it begins with a child attending on the strengths of the school, eager and ready to learn every day. In many areas of the Philippines, however, there are children who come company and what it knows to school hungry and unable to participate in class due to poverty. This is why through JGF, she launched the Busog best, for internal support AREAS OF OPERATION (Well-fed), Lusog (Healthy), Talino (Smart) School Feeding and resources.’ Philippines Program (BLT) in 2007 in support of the government’s efforts in helping undernourished schoolchildren gain access to nutritious lunch every day.
058 059 2.
Under BLT, 40 of the most undernourished children “Our approach in helping farmers was quite different from kindergarten to sixth grade of each partner since we train smallholder farmers to engage with school were provided low-cost, healthy lunches for 120 corporate markets,” Mrs. Tan Caktiong said. Selling days. Parents who volunteered to run the programme directly to institutional buyers has enabled smallholder in schools, were also trained in food safety, food farmers participating in the programme to earn up to preparation and budgeting. When the Department of five times higher compared to local markets. Along with Education started expanding its School-Based Feeding the involvement and commitment of local government Program to cover all undernourished pupils across the units, microfinance institutions and NGOs, FEP has join hands with us as partners, donors or country, Mrs. Tan Caktiong and her team continued assisted and trained more than 2,000 farmers from volunteers. The genuine desire to help and to support government efforts by building BLT across the Philippines, since it started. share from our company with its annual 1.5% School Feeding Kitchens. of net income donation, the enthusiastic Drawing from the expertise of JFC, BLT Kitchens are ALIGNING BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY participation of employees and franchisees equipped with industrial-grade facilities and operates in our programmes and a highly-skilled, very The fact that Mrs. Tan Caktiong’s philanthropy is systematically to centralise food production in one committed foundation team are my other connected firmly to her business ideals, in both the school and distribute meals to surrounding schools, sources of inspiration,” she concludes. agriculture and food service aspects, is no coincidence. 1. 2. 3. feeding hundreds of pupils, with less time and effort. Jollibee Group The Farmer The Busog, Lusog, “At JGF, we strive to bring the programmes and Her foundation’s work is testament to her Through the active participation of partners, including Foundation President Entrepreneurship Talino (BLT) School partners closer to the heart of the company”, Mrs. own words: “If people come together to do Grace Tan Caktiong Program (FEP) is an Feeding Program JFC franchisees and employee volunteers, school Tan Caktiong says. “It inspires me when other people things, it is powerful.” and Jollibee Foods initiative that aims to provides daily lunches personnel, volunteer parents, local government units n Corporation Chairman increase small farmers’ to undernourished and other foundations, BLT has helped more than Tony Tan Caktiong income by linking them public school pupils to feeding public school to the supply chain of help them stay in school 180,000 pupils over the years to gain normal weight. pupils who have institutional buyers and learn better. benefitted from such as the Jollibee the Busog, Lusog, Foods Corporation. IMPROVING FARMER LIVELIHOODS Talino (BLT) School While serving great-tasting food is tied in closely with Feeding Program. the company’s ethos, improving farmers’ livelihood “I WAS AGAINST FEEDING AT THE is a cause that hits closer to home for Mrs. Tan BEGINNING BECAUSE I BELIEVED IN Caktiong. Having grown up in a farming village, she THE PROVERB THAT SAYS TO ‘TEACH saw first-hand the hard labour farmers undertook A MAN HOW TO FISH.’ BUT, A WISE for minimal pay. Being the co-founder of a large food MAN ONCE TOLD ME YOU HAVE TO company positioned Mrs. Tan Caktiong well to help the GIVE A MAN THE FISH BEFORE YOU agricultural community, particularly the smallholder farmers. Together with partners, she launched the CAN TEACH HIM HOW TO FISH. GIVE Farmer Entrepreneurship Programme (FEP) in 2008, THE CHILDREN AN OPPORTUNITY TO which equips farmers with agro-entrepreneurship skills LEARN, BY PROVIDING THEM FOOD IN to become direct suppliers of larger markets such as THE FIRST PLACE.” JFC, thereby increasing their incomes. — Grace Tan Caktiong on how her attitude towards feeding 1. schoolchildren changed. 3.
060 061 Fernando Zobel De Ayala Driving a family philanthropic legacy that is more than five decades old, Fernando — Philippines Zobel De Ayala leads the Ayala Foundation in ‘Philanthropic organisations addressing a multitude of areas, ultimately also require the same breadth aspiring to create self-reliant communities in the Philippines. of professionalism expected in the private sector. This entails adopting a strategic mindset USING PHILANTHROPY TO UPLIFT in the overall management of A NATION ernando Zobel De Ayala is a seventh-generation
the organisation, with proper Ffamily steward of Ayala Corporation, a 184-year- ORGANISATION operating efficiencies and old Filipino conglomerate with interests in real estate, Ayala Foundation, Inc. banking, telecom, water, power, industrial technologies, standards in place.’ infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Mr. Zobel also runs Ayala Foundation, a 57-year philanthropic institution centred on education, youth, leadership, arts and culture, and sustainable livelihoods. In line with its corporate vision to support the national development of the Philippines, the foundation is committed to uplifting those who are part of Ayala’s ecosystem and forming FOCUS AREA more self-dependent communities. Education, Youth Leadership, Arts and Culture, Sustainable EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES Livelihoods
The focus areas of the foundation, Mr. Zobel says, were chosen with a goal to build a more progressive society. Under the education, youth and leadership mandates, the foundation provides skills building and leadership cultivation for a range of beneficiaries, including indigenous communities, teachers and promising youths from underprivileged backgrounds. Likewise, AREAS OF OPERATION communities such as women weavers in El Nido, Philippines Palawan and families displaced by Typhoon Ondoy are provided access to employment and enterprise to create
062 063 1. In 2016, the Manara interactive art exhibition—a collaboration between acclaimed artists Toym Imao and Lilianna Manahan to pay tribute to the rich culture of Muslim Mindanao—was unveiled at the Ayala Museum. 2. Fernando Zobel De Ayala conducts a storytelling 1. session with students from the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education, more sustainable livelihoods. Mr. Zobel credits the million people. Not only did his work with Habitat a school for bright but underprivileged children foundation’s exposure on the ground for helping for Humanity attune him to community needs located in Tondo, Manila, the business segments of the Ayala Group to adjust on the ground, it also inspired him to rethink the Philippines in 2009 their corporate strategy to address developmental direction of Ayala Corporation’s real estate arm 3. challenges in a more significant way. “In recent to enter the affordable housing segment that can Fernando Zobel de Ayala joins years, we entered sectors and employed innovative cater to more communities in the Philippines. a house-building activity in Calauan, Laguna, Philippines 2. business models that allows us to help fill gaps and in 2010. meet the real needs of Filipinos,” he says. Among FORGING SYNERGY BETWEEN BUSINESS PRINCIPLES CAN LEAD the initiatives Ayala has launched are community- THE CORPORATE AND TO EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY based primary care clinics and providing financial THE PHILANTHROPIC “WE CONSTANTLY SEEK services to low-income Filipinos as well. WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR Mr. Zobel has had some insightful takeaways Mr. Zobel shares leadership of the Ayala PLATFORMS AND BROADEN from his extensive philanthropy. Primarily, DRAWING INSPIRATION Corporation with his brother Jaime Augusto. With OUR SCOPE TO REACH AS their guidance, the Ayala brand has bred a palpable he came to learn that applying discipline, FROM OUTSIDE MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. synergy between the corporate and philanthropic levying governance standards, and investing in arms to channel the resources of both ends into PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER professional talent, much like how corporates Mr. Zobel has also been passionate about putting progressive social impact. The journey of the INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN are managed, is key. “Managing other people’s a roof over the heads of the less fortunate and has Ayala brand from philanthropy to corporate social CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS money requires the greatest care and prudence always believed that living in a decent home fosters responsibility to more active and meaningful OF OUR PROGRAMMES.” to ensure that the funds are utilised well and basic dignity, security, and health. This manifested engagement with society’s needs relates to its — Fernando Zobel De Ayala on what makes can achieve the highest possible impact,” he in a two decade-long relationship with Habitat for the Ayala Foundation successful. inclusive business mandate: Ensuring that business says. He also emphasises the role of civil society Humanity, a non-profit organisation that builds is not a problem but rather, a solution to society’s organisations, such as the Ayala Foundation, to houses for less privileged families. Mr. Zobel took problems. To this end, the foundation and the be strategic, and creative in their thinking and his first steps with the organisation as a building corporate continue to innovate on ways to take the their processes to create a greater impact. volunteer in the Philippines in 1999. Several build lead in building a more prosperous Philippines. The activities later, he began to serve on the local and As the Ayala Foundation nears almost six brand, according to Mr. Zobel, strongly adheres international board of the organisation. Today, decades of operations, it continues to innovate to the United Nations Sustainable Development he chairs the organisation’s Asia Pacific Capital initiatives that can bring it closer to achieving a Goals to anchor its goals and monitor its progress campaign, fundraising about USD $500 million in Philippines where communities are self-reliant in achieving social impact. four years to build houses for approximately 15 and productive. n
064 065 3. Manuel V. Pangilinan — Philippines
By positioning his corporate resources at the forefront of disaster relief efforts and building a network of fellow businessmen to advance social change, Manuel V. Pangilinan highlights how the private sector can help create a better Philippines.
ORGANISATION PLDT Smart Foundation LEADING CIVIC-MINDED BUSINESS and MVP Sports IN THE PHILIPPINES Foundation anuel “Manny” Pangilinan is building an empowered Mand progressive Philippines by tackling some of its most pressing problems. His philanthropy addresses a range of issues such as education, disaster relief, youth and arts, sports development and livelihood and social enterprise. Not only is he the Chairman of the PLDT Smart ‘The private sector Foundation (PSF) and the MVP Sports Foundation that FOCUS AREA are under his own corporate umbrella but he also helps has an important Education, Disaster lead two prominent initiatives, the Philippines Disaster Relief, Youth and Arts, Sports Development, Resilience Foundation and the Philippine Business for role to play in Livelihoods, Social Social Progress. Through his extensive philanthropy, he Entrepreneurship has built a reputation for corporate citizenship and civic making our country mindedness in the Philippines’ business ecosystem. more resilient.’ HELPING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE Mr. Pangilinan has long positioned the various AREAS OF OPERATION companies he oversees at the forefront of disaster Philippines relief efforts. During previous natural disasters, Mr. Pangilinan has activated the PLDT brand to help improve
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telecommunications network access so those FOSTERING EXCELLENCE affected are provided access to their family THROUGH SPORTS members and other resources. Additionally, PSF too has organised large quantities Mr. Pangilinan is also a prominent patron of of relief provisions such as food packets, sports development in the country. Through blankets, and water filtration devices to be the MVP Sports Foundation, he nurtures distributed to affected communities. His world-class athletes and designs robust sports active involvement on the ground reflects programmes to ultimately fulfill a mission of his belief in the private sector’s potential ‘creating a culture of winning through sports’. to help rebuild resilient communities in the The wide range of sports the foundation aftermath of natural disasters. It is a value covers includes basketball, taekwondo, rugby he emphasises as co-chair and trustee of the and golf, among others. Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation, Mr. Pangilinan advances his mission by forging whose mission involves ‘building an ecosystem partnerships with various sports associations of corporations and partners to collaborate in across the country to provide programmatic disaster risk reduction and management’. or fundraising support. CORPORATE COLLABORATION TO 3. ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Mr. Pangilinan’s civic-mindedness extends to his businesses as well. All the companies under the MVP Group of Companies adhere to a corporate social responsibility mandate that involves a range of initiatives, such as constructing houses, providing micro-finance support, and inspiring social entrepreneurship, among others. Additionally, he applies his passion for and expertise in corporate social responsibility to help run the Philippine Business for Social 1. The PLDT Smart Foundation Progress. The organisation’s mission is to distributing uniforms and shoes at alleviate poverty in the country through Calawis Elementary School. collective impact, cross-sector coordination 2. and inclusive business, with a focus on health, Volunteers from PLDT Smart Foundation organise relief packs education, environment and livelihood. for distribution in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. Mr. Pangilinan believes in opportunities to 3. promote an empowered and progressive Volunteers from PLDT Smart Philippines, and he ensures, through the diverse Foundation distribute ‘Sacks O’ Joy’ initiatives of his organisations, that he works to to schoolchildren in the Philippines.
build a better Philippines. n 068 069 David Zuellig By training local leaders to reform their local health frameworks, David Zuellig and the Zuellig — Philippines Family Foundation are helping ignite community ownership to build more robust health systems in the Philippines.
EMPOWERING HEALTH LEADERS OF RURAL HEALTHCARE he Zuellig Family Foundation has been transforming TFilipino health leaders so they can implement reforms in their local healthcare systems. As Trustee of the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), David Zuellig helps oversee the foundation’s innovative model that returns agency of the ORGANISATION healthcare process back to the community. Zuellig Family Foundation The Health Change Model (HCM), as it is known, trains governors, mayors, and other local health leaders to be more attuned to their community’s needs, effectively strengthening both the supply and demand of health ‘You have to start somewhere services in the targeted areas. Fuelled by values of trust, by creating a sense of trust agency and partnership, the Zuellig Family Foundation and helping wherever the helps ensure no community is deprived of rightful access to quality healthcare. FOCUS AREA community accepts you. Health The Zuellig family has crafted an illustrious presence in Capacity Building in the Philippines as the force behind the Zuellig Group, Healthcare, Community is one of those things where Disaster Response a conglomerate steeped in insurance, healthcare, the wider you draw your field pharmaceuticals, agricultural equipment, and property, among other areas. Mr. Zuellig’s father, Dr. Stephen of influence, the more complex Zuellig, and his uncle Mr. Gilbert Zuellig, established it will become.’ a corporate foundation in 1997 and spent the decade after honing the family’s philanthropic niche. In 2008, the foundation became a family foundation—distinct and separate from the Zuellig Group’s business interests. AREAS OF OPERATION The foundation also decided to focus on rural health by Philippines nurturing effective health leadership and governance, and activating community ownership.
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BUILDING TRUST WITH COMMUNITIES Mr. Zuellig’s career in insurance had instilled in him the importance of building trust in relationships. municipalities and trained approximately 2,068 With the HCM model endorsing co-ownership of health leaders and continues to grow. With trainees issues and co-creation of solutions by leaders and also coming from industries outside of healthcare, their communities, it was important that trust was Mr. Zuellig says a multiplier effect ensued and ingrained in the relationship between ZFF and the the model of working with these leaders to communities it works in from the start. In a field initiate change was introduced into areas such as 2. like healthcare, however, it can be complex. When agriculture as well. the foundation took its first step into rural health 1. The model is also scaled via collaborations with in 2008, it chose communities whose local chiefs David Zuellig, along with other Zuellig Family Foundation organisations such as the United States Agency for expressed commitment to health reforms and (ZFF) trustees, visits the rural town of Padre Burgos in Quezon province where they are met by the municipal Development (USAID), United Nations agencies, better health outcomes for the poor. That year the health team led by Dr. Rolan Mendiola (left). MSD for Mothers, and the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen foundation worked with nine rural municipalities to 2. Foundation. While there is a proactive replication 4. tackle maternal and infant mortality. The Zuellig Family Foundation’s program for mayors of the model within the Philippines, differences teaches them to effectively engage their stakeholders so they can win their support for their health plans and in health systems and finding the right people to SCALING UPWARDS AND OUTWARDS programs. Here, Mayor Eric Singson (center) of Candon collaborate with make it challenging to expand “IT COMES DOWN TO A City, Ilocos Sur talking to mothers, the main beneficiaries beyond the country. But, Mr. Zuellig says, the The Department of Health (DOH) first took notice of his programs to improve primary healthcare systems. TRUST ISSUE; YOU GO INTO foundation is open to training and developing local of ZFF’s work when the aggregate maternal 3. A COMMUNITY AND OFFER leadership of other countries where there is local mortality cases in 72 ZFF municipalities dropped Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, belongs to the second SOMETHING WITH NO GUARANTEE from 74 in their baseline year to just 30 cases after batch of Zuellig Family Foundation’s pilot municipalities. buy-in and ownership. Here, Mayor Daylinda Sulong (fourth from left) talking THAT WHAT YOU ARE OFFERING three years. They asked the foundation to expand to a mother at the Bahay ni Nanay (House of Mother), a FITS OR IS WHAT THEY WANT. its work nationally, a goal Mr. Zuellig admitted that shelter built by the local government beside the ZFF- KEEPING THE COMMUNITY the trustees did not originally have in mind. So the funded birthing facility to allow mothers and their family WHEN YOU HAVE TUNNEL VISION, members living in far-flung areas to have a place to stay AT THE CORE foundation began its mainstreaming model that YOU WILL APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE before and/or after giving birth. The pioneering spirit that has driven the Zuellig transferred its health leadership and governance LEARNED WITHOUT SEEING THE 4. family’s corporate success so far is evident in technology to academic partners who then worked David Zuellig opens the Zuellig Family Foundation’s CONSEQUENCES. IT IS REALLY A its philanthropic ventures as well. By pursuing directly with the DOH regional offices, and first Health Leaders Conference (HELECON) where QUESTION OF HOW YOU ENGAGE local political health leaders, health professionals, improved health leadership and deeper community provided training to local health leaders. and other stakeholders gathered to hear about best engagement as a catalyst for more robust THE COMMUNITIES.” practices, prevailing challenges in health as well as — David Zuellig on how important it is to understand As of 2016, the Zuellig Family Foundation, along possible solutions. healthcare, it is initiating a systems change that can the community’s needs instead of assuming what with its partners, has applied the HCM in 640 sustain itself amidst the dynamism of the field. n they are.
072 073 Keith Chua — Singapore
In sculpting the social impact ecosystem in Singapore, Keith Chua is nurturing the next generation of Asian changemakers and strategic philanthropists.
ORGANISATION Mrs. Lee Choon Guan BUILDING A ROBUST ECOSYSTEM FOR Trust and apVentures SOCIAL IMPACT eith Chua is actively building a social impact Kecosystem, supporting and raising the capacity of philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, non-profits and other stakeholders. He is a trustee of the Mrs. Lee Choon Guan Trust, which was named after his great-grandmother who was among ‘As I have gotten to see first- FOCUS AREA the pioneers of philanthropy in Singapore a century ago. Education, Healthcare, The trust supports initiatives focusing on education and hand the needs of various Social Entrepreneurship healthcare and one of their initiatives is in educating the communities, I have been younger generation about philanthropy. As chairman of apVentures, he leads an informal network of venture personally changed by that. philanthropists to explore a range of social issues across the region. As a leading supporter of Ashoka, If anything, philanthropy an international nonprofit organisation for social has, I hope, made me a entrepreneurship, he supports their work in nurturing social entrepreneurs to scale the impact of their work. more compassionate and AREAS OF OPERATION Driven by his Christian faith and his family legacy in giving, caring person.’ Asia Mr. Chua continues to stretch the potential of the ASEAN region to become a social impact hub.
074 075 PHILANTHROPY IS via the Ashoka FOR EVERYONE network. He was key to Mr. Chua believes that whilst rejuvenating and HANDING A FAMILY LEGACY TO students are taught how to create expanding the 1. THE NEXT GENERATION wealth, they should also be organisation’s Hailing from a philanthropic legacy, Mr. Chua taught how to give away wealth presence in Southeast Asia and actively imparts the knowledge and experiences meaningfully. He launched the Asia continues to cultivate social that have guided him on his journey to his children. Centre for Social Entrepreneurship entrepreneurs and change But, much like how he forged his own path, he and Philanthropy (ACSEP) in 2009 3. makers who innovatively solve would leave the decisions on how his children want in partnership with the National social issues. to engage in philanthropy to them. While his older University of Singapore’s School daughter Sharon is more involved in the family of Business. Mr. Chua found that LEVERAGING VENTURE philanthropy, his other three children also retain with philanthropy growing in PHILANTHROPY an active interest. Moving forward, the family the region, it was important to intends to delve deeper into the trust’s current construct new models of social Mr. Chua also conducts his mandates of education and healthcare, supporting impact that were more relevant philanthropy via apVentures, a promising initiatives, while also elevating the role to Singapore and the Asian region venture philanthropy initiative of social entrepreneurship. at large. Since its founding, the he launched with several friends centre has spearheaded research from different backgrounds. The initiatives, international dialogue initiative thrives on combining COMPASSION AS THE CORE OF on the social sector and thought resources, experiences, talent PHILANTHROPY leadership around cultivating social and funding to build capacity 2. 4. Care and compassion will continue to be at the core impact in the region. Through this around specific focus areas for of Mr. Chua’s philanthropic work. “It’s good to try initiative, Mr. Chua aims to dispel typically three years at a time. 1. 3. to be efficient, but I would put care and compassion Keith Chua visits Canossa House in Myanmar in The collective would organise Keith Chua at a Strategy & Advisory Meeting a long-held myth. “The common with Ashoka Singapore and Lynda, an December 2015 with directors from apVentures above issues like financial efficiency”, he says, when misconception about philanthropy annual study trips around the region Ashoka Fellow from Indonesia. and their family members. describing the impact of his work. Having care and is that you have to be ‘well to do’ to understand social issues on the 2. 4. compassion also means that philanthropy can be to be a philanthropist. I think we ground. Not only has apVentures Keith Chua inaugurates the Neonatal Keith Chua stands with the first batch of SIF for anyone and implemented in any way- it is an YSE finalists that received seed funding from helped inform his philanthropic Unit in Angkor Wat Hospital of Children need to try to correct that belief. during its opening ceremony in 2013 as the apVentures. Among them is Zhihan Lee, who overarching belief that drives the ACSEP model Philanthropy is something that journey more organically, it Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Health was elected as an Ashoka Fellow in 2017 for his as well. “There are so many ways to participate in everyone can participate in”, he says. helped him introduce the concept Department observes. work in BagoSphere, an organisation that helps philanthropy. Engage in philanthropy in the way it disconnected youth find jobs by revolutionising of philanthropy to his children Continuing along this thrust, Mr. the way we see education and work. works for you”, he says. n Chua has been an active advocate of when they accompanied him social entrepreneurship, especially on these trips.
076 077 Laurence Lien — Singapore
In attempting to resolve the root causes of some of the region’s issues in education, eldercare and the environment, Laurence Lien boldly brings radical philanthropy to the region’s spectrum of social change models. ORGANISATION A RADICAL APPROACH TO GIVING Lien Foundation o string the terms radical and philanthropy together Tis a bold move but that is what best defines Laurence Lien’s approach to creating social change. As Chairman of the Lien Foundation, Mr. Lien aims to address some of the region’s problems related to education, eldercare, and the environment from the inside out.
The foundation focuses on the root of the problems—the FOCUS AREA ‘When we first tried to get underlying behaviours, the established policies, and Education, Eldercare, people to talk about death the ingrained mindsets—rather than only reversing its Environment symptoms. Such an approach leads to sustained, systemic 10 years ago, people thought change. Not only has this approach produced several we were nuts. Now, I read in high-impact interventions, it has also helped usher in a more proactive and strategic philanthropy that embraces the media about others who unconventional ideas and leverages strong partnerships. In 1980, Dr. Lien Ying Chow, an illustrious Singaporean are creating dialogues about banking tycoon and Mr. Lien’s grandfather, established the AREAS OF OPERATION death and it has nothing to Lien Foundation. In the 37 years since, it has evolved into Education and an innovative grant making organisation with a ‘Triple E’ Eldercare: Singapore do with us.’ agenda: Eldercare, Education and Environment. At the Environment by behest of his grandparents, Mr. Lien joined the board Lien Aid: Cambodia, China, Myanmar of the organisation in 2002 and in 2009, officially took over as Chairman.
078 079 Lien Foundation commissioned a study on pre-school 2. Under his leadership, the foundation environments in 45 countries around the world. Mission: I’m Possible is a first of its kind programme that screens, flags out and addresses the needs headed in a new strategic direction, guided Singapore, with its globally renowned secondary of preschoolers with developmental needs in by a vision of spearheading productive and tertiary education systems, ranked only 29th mainstream preschools. partnerships, empowering communities and on the list for its early childhood education, with 3. innovating by mobilising the right resources. affordability and quality as key weaknesses. Superhero Me is an inclusive arts movement that harnesses the power of creativity through the Thereafter, Mr. Lien and his team worked on arts to empower children from less privileged THE POWER OF COLLABORATION backgrounds and special needs communities redefining the priorities of the sector. In tandem – with a goal to create a narrative of inclusion The Lien Foundation builds strategic with a range of community partners, the foundation in Singapore. partnerships unlike traditional, one-way charted programmes that addressed inclusion, grantor-grantee relationships. After initial empowerment and accessibility for all relevant 2. frustrations with a non-profit sector that stakeholders—children with special needs and those was presumably ‘not hungry enough’ for from underprivileged backgrounds, their parents and resources, Mr. Lien and the foundation’s their pre-school teachers as well. For example, the CEO, Lee Poh Wah decided to transition 1. burdens of nursing homes; a documentary foundation’s projects include an inclusive preschool into actively co-designing and co-creating Senior citizens use that follows television host Anita Kapoor and a design competition to reimagine playgrounds. Gym Tonic, a Lien programmes with organisations. The Foundation initiative as she experiences the quality of elderly The foundation’s progress in the sector has been foundation counts the Salvation Army, Asian that advocates institutionalisation in Singapore first hand, highly palpable. Its advocacy in the area contributed Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), and “Exercise-as- for two weeks; and access to an integrated Medicine” to more government attention to early childhood Care Corner among others as collaborators. service team so that elderly citizens aren’t development, which now includes a commitment by “Things don’t happen by just sitting back and inconvenienced by switching between the Singapore government to devote SG$1.7 billion waiting for charities to come up with brilliant different service providers. to the pre-school sector by 2022. ideas. It takes a lot to create something By understanding the root deficiencies in innovative that could potentially move the approach to eldercare, from mind-sets EXPLORING PHILANTHROPY, YOUR WAY the needle,” Mr. Lien said. And move the to existing systems, the foundation did not As Asian philanthropy expands and diversifies, it 3. needle they did. only start work on ironing out faults in the is important to keep in mind that there is really no process but also helped initiate a necessary single way of conducting philanthropy. UNDERTAKING OFT-NEGLECTED “INNOVATION conversation on eldercare, end-of-life and ISSUES WASN'T palliative care. “I am sure a lot of people will not have the stomach EASY AT THE to take the risks that we have and that is fine — Mr. Lien and Poh Wah steered the foundation START. IT WAS you have to find what suits you,” says Mr. Lien. He into impactful yet underexplored territories. INVESTING IN TOMORROW: FRUSTRATING, encourages private philanthropists to be bolder, In the area of eldercare, the Lien Foundation The foundation has also taken charge of IN FACT.” to dive into non-traditional issues, to push the mobilised projects that engaged existing improving early childhood education within envelope in innovative thinking and to be involved attitudes and care systems. In line with — Laurence Lien, on Singapore. Education, Mr. Lien says, was when the foundation on the ground. “Use your entrepreneurial skills their mandate of empowering communities first started a non-negotiable tenet of running the and competence to help solve problems. Put that experimenting with new to operate at their maximum capacity, foundation because his grandfather, having together with your flexible resources and it is a some initiatives include: A cloud computing ways to do philanthropy had very little formal education himself, powerful combination!” he adds. n system that disentangles the administrative cared about the issue the most. In 2012, the
080 081 Teng Ngiek Lian — Singapore
In setting up the Silent Foundation to uplift marginalised communities and improve animal welfare and environmental conservation efforts, Teng Ngiek Lian provides those he deems the ‘silent sufferers’ a voice in society.
ORGANISATION Silent Foundation
GIVING A VOICE TO THE “SILENT SUFFERERS” eng Ngiek Lian considers himself an underdog. The Tsixth child of a clog maker from Terengganu, Malaysia grew up with limited financial means and worked determinedly to escape the vicious poverty trap. Today, he FOCUS AREA wants to help those “underdogs” who are unheard from. Environmental The founder of the Silent Foundation focuses on the areas Conservation and Animal he believes are often overlooked, such as environmental ‘We don’t want to write the check, Welfare, Marginalised conservation, animal welfare and the livelihood of Communities and marginalised communities. With a fine balance of heart and Compassionate Services feel good about it and get a report investment acumen, Mr. Teng immerses himself into giving back meaningfully—just as the many who have helped him card. There is no reason to start on his journey to this point. a foundation otherwise. We can Mr. Teng, a chartered accountant by training, established be more innovative and really Target Asset Management after stints at different financial institutions. When he turned 60, he decided to venture understand the impact by being AREAS OF OPERATION into philanthropy and set up the Silent Foundation, so on the ground.’ Singapore, Myanmar, named after the ‘silent sufferers’—those he believed do not Indonesia, Mongolia have a voice to speak or stand up for themselves.
082 083 1. Pictured is Teng Ngiek Lian, Matthew Teng, two other donors of the project and 2 Eco-Club students. The Silent Foundation is supporting a Children’s Eco-Clubs Program in Mongolia that aims to increase children’s awareness on local conservation matters “JUST HAVING A GOOD such as the protection of Snow Leopards and to promote children’s participation in HEART IS NOT ENOUGH nature conservation. —TO BE IMPACTFUL, 2. PROGRAMMES NEED Teng Ngiek Lian and a WWF staff member during an expedition to track Snow TO BE THOUGHT 1. Leopards in Mongolia. THROUGH AND FINDING GOOD PARTNERS 40% of the foundation’s as the World Wildlife Fund TO IMPLEMENT endowment is allocated to (WWF) and Greenpeace to THEM IS KEY.” environment- and animal- support some of their ground — Teng Ngiek Lian on the insights he has related causes, 40% to people campaigns such as running an 3. gleaned through his philanthropy. from marginalised groups eco-school in Mongolia and in and 20% for compassionate Papua New Guinea, protecting services such as disaster relief. the marine life in Mekong VENTURING INTO THE FIELD In addition to a local focus River, and re-forestation Despite a career that has revolved around in Singapore where he has in Malaysia. Protecting the measuring returns, Mr. Teng understands called home for more than environment, Mr. Teng says, that he may not always be able to pinpoint three decades, the foundation ultimately protects the human his philanthropic impact. “We try to measure also looks outwards into the race after all. wherever possible, we are not fussy about it. region supporting programmes Charitable work is mainly about heart and in Mongolia, Cambodia, ELEVATING emotion and not just hard numbers,” he says. Papua New Guinea and MINORITIES AND He is not only focused on the end result but is Indonesia as well. MARGINALISED also immersed in the process of achieving it. He undertakes personal site visits to scope out a GROUPS 2. AN ADVOCATE FOR project, at one point, travelling through jungles THE ENVIRONMENT Having witnessed the and sleeping in a hut in Papua New Guinea. Malaysian riots in 1969, Mr. In addition to minorities, the 4. Mr. Teng grew up by the sea, Teng is passionate about foundation also provides He also encourages other philanthropists watching sea turtles that are to do the same: Understand the Ground. strengthening racial harmony financial and medical aid to 3. native to his hometown. It was through his philanthropic distressed migrant workers Understanding the situation on the ground and Teng Ngiek Lian is pictured with WWF staff and river guards their gradual disappearance work. The Silent Minority and funds the training and networking with other people doing similar work at the Cambodia-Laos border. The Silent Foundation is that fuelled his urge to can help clarify perceptions and perhaps set supporting a WWF project along a 180km stretch of the Compassionate Bursary education of caregivers for Mekong River where the population of Irrawaddy Dolphins conserve the environment’s supports the continued mental health patients. With a philanthropist in a more effective direction. stands at approximately 80. precious resources and education of Malay, Eurasian regards to disaster relief, the With a more established network and a more 4. protect endangered species. or Indian students who foundation works with the organised process in place, Mr. Teng foresees Teng Ngiek Lian visits the Bosavi tribe in Papua New Guinea He works towards this goal a regional expansion of the Silent Foundation’s (PNG). The Silent Foundation is supporting a WWF project have faced unfortunate UNHCR in providing shelter to in PNG to list the Kikori River Basin/Great Papuan Plateau by partnering with globally circumstances in Rohingya refugees. work in the next few years—a future he is already as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ensure that 2 million renowned organisations such their families. taking confident strides into. n hectares of rainforest are protected from exploitation.
084 085 Dr. Mary Ann Tsao — Singapore
By creating holistic service models and organising collaborative efforts to reinstate agency to older persons, Dr. Mary Ann Tsao is leading the Tsao Foundation in its ambition to reframe the conversation around ageing.
ORGANISATION BRINGING AGENCY TO HEALTHY AGEING Tsao Foundation ary Ann Tsao is altering the concept of ageing to Mreinstate agency to older citizens. As the founding director and now Chairwoman of the Tsao Foundation, Dr. ‘The bigger picture is about Tsao has dedicated the past two decades to innovating numerous initiatives that provide holistic and integrated older people being masters care to older persons and gradually reframed the conversation around ageing as well. She is steadfast in advocating for mindset and systemic change to ensure of their own destiny and FOCUS AREA that one of the world’s fastest ageing societies seizes the being able to do what they Eldercare, opportunities presented by longevity. Healthy Ageing want to do for themselves The Tsao Foundation was established in 1993 by Dr. Tsao’s grandmother, Mrs. Tsao Ng Yu Shun, with a vision of and for their community. improving quality of life for older persons. The foundation Society’s mindset must has pioneered a series of community-based, holistic eldercare service models. It has also started programmes embrace that.’ that empower the lifelong learning and social participation of older persons, foster intergenerational solidarity, and build capacity in the eldercare sector. A pathfinder with AREAS OF OPERATION a strong research focus, it continuously seeks to build Singapore collaborative platforms to bring forth opportunities in longevity for all ages.
086 087 DRIVEN BY A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE 1. A paediatrician by training, Dr. Tsao has 3. always been driven by a sense of service to the community around her. From working in the leading global authorities to introduce new thinking Bronx, a New York borough often associated and accelerate learning on diverse subjects related to with poverty and urban decay, she was exposed ageing, from age-friendly cities to long-term health to the injustice that can plague vulnerable insurance and primary healthcare. It typically includes communities. “I was lucky that I was exposed to sessions for the public as well as closed door discussions it”, she says, “The sense of injustice really lights with key stakeholders, including policy makers. Dr. Tsao a fire in your belly”. Having imbibed the notion describes her foundation’s role in such interactions as a of serving others at a young age, and guided by ‘bridge’ for new thinking, solutions and partnerships and conversations she had had with her grandmother, it is a framework that she actively carries forward into she was prepared for the journey into this area the next phase of the Tsao Foundation. of philanthropy. 4. 2. EMBRACING A GROWTH MIND-SET LEAVE THE EGO BEHIND In the next few years, Dr. Tsao wants the foundation AS PHILANTHROPIST 1. 3. Exercise and fun for frail seniors A light-hearted moment shared and the work in the eldercare sector to move away “IF YOU REALLY Dr. Tsao takes a three-tiered approach to her at Hua Mei EPICC, one of a suite by Tsao Foundation staff and from society’s sole focus on “care” towards a notion of of integrated bio-psycho-social fresh graduates from its Hua Mei WANT TO BRING philanthropy: build strategic partnerships; work “growth” –and return agency back to senior citizens. healthcare services pioneered Training Academy. ABOUT CHANGE, with policymakers; leave the ego behind. “It’s not by the Tsao Foundation to help 4. Dr. Tsao is troubled by how sometimes older people face optimise health and wellbeing PHILANTHROPISTS about you, but about the people and issues we ‘Curating Whampoa’ empowers restrictions in taking their own actions and decisions over the lifecourse and enable HAVE TO DO HANDS care about and how we can bring about change,” ageing-in-place. the role of elders as custodians or refrain from asserting the agency to do so, so as says Dr. Tsao. of culture and fosters not to appear burdensome. To resolve this, the Tsao ON WORK. YOU NEED 2. intergenerational solidarity, and Foundation aims to reframe society’s understanding TO KNOW THE ISSUES To that end, she believes a more widespread, Buddies at the Self-Care on Health and is part of the Community for of Older Persons in Singapore Successful Ageing (ComSA), the of the value that a senior citizen can bring to the ON THE GROUND systemic change can stem from working with (SCOPE), a targetted age- Tsao Foundation’s latest project to family and community in ways that are more than just the community and the government to help friendly training programme for co-build an integrated system of AND BE A GOOD economic productivity - or what it calls the ‘longevity provide solutions for the challenges posed by enhancing self-efficacy in health programmes for health, personal SPOKESPERSON.” and social participation, which growth and social participation dividend’. Meanwhile, the market still needs to by an ageing population. She also sees that, to — Mary Ann Tsao on what makes an has reached thousands of elders over the life course. respond more effectively to the needs of the geriatric impactful philanthropist. be effective, it is necessary to forge strategic across Singapore. sector. “It’s not just about healthcare—it’s about partnerships to exchange ideas and expertise transportation, food, housing, travel, etc. Older people and drive towards common goals. The Tsao don’t just live for healthcare, they live for life just as we Foundation Experts Series, for instance, invites do,” she explains. n
088 089 In committing a portion of her business’ Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp profits to socially impactful projects, Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp sets a precedent — Thailand for how Thailand’s entrepreneurs can simultaneously add value to and uplift the communities they work with.
MERGING BUSINESS AND PHILANTHROPY hen Mrs. Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp started DT WGroup of Companies (DTGO) in Thailand, she ensured it would be a socially responsible business.
ORGANISATION The group channels 2% of its revenue into socially Buddharaksa Foundation, impactful projects focused on causes such as uplifting the DT Families underprivileged children and advancing environmental Foundation and Blue protection. She also established foundations to oversee Carbon Society and implement her philanthropic endeavors. With an ultimate goal of creating a healthy and sustainable society, Mrs. Ahriyavraromp is redefining how business can be done right.
AN EARLY FORAY INTO
FOCUS AREA SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION Children, Environment, After Mrs. Ahriyavraromp graduated, her father, one Spiritual Harmony, of Thailand’s most successful businessmen, Mr. Dhanin Social Development Chearavanont, recruited her to manage his philanthropic ‘We are working to projects and she deepened her understanding of social impact, sustainability, and community development. create a legacy that we Her father taught her to look into wider supply chain issues when she was tasked with helping chicken-farming can pass on to the new communities. She realised the magnitude of the problems that the communities were facing and determined that she AREAS OF OPERATION generation.’ Thailand and Asia would create her own revenue stream to enable her to do more. Mrs. Ahriyavraromp thus got started on her journey, creating her own business group to help more people while creating value through commercial operations.
090 091 1. The Buddharaksa Foundation established by Thippaporn 2. Ahriyavraromp works to improve the quality of English teaching 3. in underprivileged communities, “ I THANK MY Through her foundations, including in the rural areas of Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp Northern Thailand. FATHER FOR helps to improve opportunities for children 2. INTRODUCING by working with a variety of Through the DT Families ME TO institutions and contributing Foundation, Thippaporn PHILANTHROPY to initiatives such as school Ahriyavraromp has supported renovation projects. the innovative Bhutan for Life AND SOCIAL WORK initiative, dedicated to preserving 4. the environment and supporting AND MAKING Improving opportunities sustainable development in the MY LIFE VERY for children is central to 1. remote Himalayan nation. Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp’s MEANINGFUL.” philanthropic endeavors both in Thailand, through the — Mrs. Ahriyavraromp on how Buddharaksa Foundation, her father inspires her. into her philanthropy, she residential communities will and internationally, through HELP ONE CHILD, the DT Families Foundation. HELP THEM ALL undertook more causes that be innovatively integrated could further her overarching with the forest. Through as it is in her own life. “Philanthropy Mrs. Ahriyavraromp established mission to achieve a more the DT Families Foundation has been integrated into my lifestyle the Buddharaksa Foundation united, healthier, and safer she has also contributed to and my work,” she says. And to do so, based on the premise that community. Her foundations not conservation initiatives such she will continue to draw inspiration helping children could have a only conduct work in her native as Bhutan for Life, a project from her father’s pearls of wisdom: meaningful multiplier effect. country - Thailand, but also in initiated by The Government “My father told me, ‘If you are going “I chose to focus on children other areas of Asia, assisting of Bhutan and World Wildlife to focus your time and effort doing because if you help 200 children in disaster relief, addressing Fund (WWF) to preserve the something, focus on doing it for other and 20 of them grow up to be healthcare issues, and helping Himalayan nation’s wildlife people so you are not wasting your successful, they can grow up underprivileged communities. and support its sustainable time’,” she says. to give back as well, perhaps 3. economic development. even choosing different Impressively, Mrs. Ahriyavraromp goes SAFEGUARDING THE beyond a mid-term vision, focusing focus areas themselves,” she ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS A LONG says. It echoes a Thai moral on a 40-year period to understand precept of paying it forward, Mrs. Ahriyavraromp was TERM VISION OF how to maximise her philanthropic ensuring children under the determined that DTGO’s real DOING GOOD potential. She understands that not foundation’s care are diligently estate business–Magnolia In line with the DTGO everyone has the luxury of such a taught. The foundation helps Quality Development Corporation’s underlying long-term perspective. She encourages underprivileged children Corporation Limited (MQDC)– philosophy — adding value philanthropists to tap into the acquire education and skills should operate with concern to everything we do — Mrs. goodness in themselves and make a through providing scholarships, for society and all living beings. Ahriyavraromp is committed difference in any way: “You don’t have building schools’ capacity, MQDC is now applying this to ensuring the principle of to wait to be successful or for your and supporting vocational approach in its flagship The giving back is ingrained in her retirement to be good to people. The 4. training. As she delved deeper Forestias development, where company’s corporate culture little things count,” she says. n
092 093 Dr. Harald Link — Thailand
Supporting oft-neglected issues in Thailand and implementing ethical and compassionate business practices, Dr. Harald Link is continuing a family legacy that has strived to create a stronger nation for over a century.
ORGANISATION r. Harald Link comes from a unique German-Thai B.Grimm Group Dheritage, their family has been in Thailand for 115 years, and the B. Grimm Group is now 140 years old. As a result of that, Dr. Link’s philanthropic pursuits reflect the culmination of their long family legacy, and his personal belief in supporting neglected or overlooked issues.
SUPPORTING NEGLECTED ISSUES FOCUS AREA When asked about the varied focus of their philanthropy, Equestrian, which runs from founding the Thai Polo Club, supporting Culture – Classical ‘If I didn’t work, I could the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, to the promotion Music, Education: of Sanskrit and Pali languages, preserving the tigers with Vocational Training, STEM Education, devote my whole time the World Wildlife Fund, bringing in German vocational Environment & Wildlife education curriculum to Thailand, and many other to philanthropy.’ education initiatives. Dr. Link explains his underlying philosophy – “We like to support the things that we believe are important and that others are not supporting. For example, if we do not help the tigers, no one is doing that, and they will become extinct.” COUNTRY OF Unlike some who gather around the same popular issues, PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES Dr. Link is clear in his mission to help where there is need Thailand and where his resources can create the most impact.
094 095 1. For some organisations like the Thai Red Cross, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Vocational Education or the Equestrian Federation, it will involve a lot of time and funds while for other efforts, it is often mainly grant-making.
PROFESSIONALISING 3. PHILANTHROPY TO DO MORE Dr. Link explained that their philanthropic efforts were originally run by family members. He inherited it from his aunt and uncle, the former being a nurse who strongly believed in living simply and giving everything back to the Gross National Happiness Centre 2. community. Since then, Dr. Link has moved the Thailand, which is an extension of his responsibility of their philanthropic work to desire to inspire other businesses the company as well, as doing so would engage and organisations with the company’s more people and tap into more resources. Till philosophy. Dr. Link believes that it recently, the work has relied on the voluntary is important to consider not just the hours and pro-bono services of management bottom-line, but also emphasise the personnel. Moving forward, Dr. Link understands welfare and benefits to staff, supply- that in order for the programmes to have chain, customers and the communities greater impact, they would have to be run that they operate in. 4. professionally. The company is in the midst of His business background also informs 3. hiring professional staff to assist in expanding PHILANTHROPY RUNS IN his philanthropic approach. He explains Under B.Grimm Group’s their work. that “when I think about whether I THE FAMILY education mandate, it works with Princess should just adopt five children and help When Dr. Link speaks of his children, Mother’s Charities Fund 1. DOING BUSINESS WELL IS GOOD them become successful, or to work his eyes light up and he beams, of Thailand. Dr. Harald Link is an avid patron FOR EVERYONE at systems-level so that thousands referring to his daughter and son, he 4. of polo and often sponsors “DO IT (GOOD international tournaments and Dr. Link further explains how their focus on of children can benefit; the answer points out, “their hearts are in the The B.Grimm Group playing facilities in Thailand. BUSINESS ETHICS) is clear to me. I am looking at nation- right place. Unlike some children has partnered with social impact permeates their business. He the World Wildlife 2. FOR THE BENEFIT points out that their company motto is “Business wide impact.” He intends to scale up who might ask why their parents are Fund to advance tiger Dr. Harald Link visits OF THE PEOPLE, with Compassion (for the Development of the impact of the Dual Vocational giving away their money, Caroline conservation efforts. the Chitralada School in Thailand, as part of the AND NOT FOR THE Civilisation in Harmony with Nature)”. He advises Training that they have set up with and Felix ask – why don’t you give B.Grimm Group’s vocational PROFITABILITY.” other business leaders to do good through their German curriculum and pedagogy, away more?” It is certain that the education programme. — Dr. Harald Link business: “Go where the need is, not where the and are next looking at improving family value of contributing back to profit is.” In fact, his concern for others’ well- Thai early childhood education with society will definitely extend to the being is evident from the establishment of the German models. next generation. n
096 097 Vichien Phongsathorn — Thailand
Developing collaborative platforms for social change in Thailand, Vichien Phongsathorn believes in bringing all hands on deck to address the country’s endemic issues for maximum impact.
ORGANISATION Khon Thai Foundation, Yuvabhadana ENGAGING THAILAND’S CITIZENRY TO Foundation, CREATE CHANGE Enlive Foundation ichien Phongsathorn is currently the go-to person Vfor collaboration and convening in Thai philanthropy. Ironically, he is also one who avoids taking the credit for the achievements and his strategy is to partner with others and “keep his visibility low”. As he explained, doing so allows him to make more friends, and ultimately work FOCUS AREA with more people to realise the social impact that he is ‘We all have limitations in terms Education, working towards. Environment, of knowledge, financial capability, Anti-Corruption The Chairman of the Premier Group of Companies established the Khon Thai Foundation to develop and social networks. You don’t have collaborative platforms for Thai citizens to address pressing social issues, such as corruption. He also runs everything. Tapping into other the Yuvabhadana Foundation that strengthens the people’s resources and working with education and welfare of underprivileged children and the Enlive Foundation that focuses on environmental others will give you opportunities to AREAS OF OPERATION conservation. At the core of all these philanthropic Thailand endeavors is the belief that collaboration among all of do so much more.’ society’s relevant stakeholders can ultimately lead to wide-scale social impact.
098 099 HELPING THOSE WHO ARE impact. “We had decided in the LESS PRIVILEGED early days that we couldn’t do it “HUMAN CAPITAL alone because we were too small to IS OUT THERE. THEY Mr. Phongsathorn credits his create a significant impact”, he says. ARE NOT OPERATING parents for exposing him to the Thereon, he integrated the principle EFFICIENTLY misfortunes of others in his of collaboration into many of his AND ARE NOT childhood. “We all grew up in an philanthropic initiatives—one of its PROVIDED ENOUGH imperfect environment. I was lucky prime manifestations being the the to be born into a good family that Khon Thai Foundation. OPPORTUNITY TO encouraged children to play their DO WHAT THEY part in helping others”, he says. FIGHTING CORRUPTION CAN DO. IT’S OUR While a sense of giving back was 2. DUTY TO CREATE inherent, Mr. Phongsathorn honed Mr. Phongsathorn was keen to eradicate corruption in Thailand PLATFORMS FOR on the issue of education based on hearted people around foundations do not own any of the but tackling such a complex COLLABORATION.” research that demonstrated that who are willing to commit projects but instead are founded on and endemic issue was not — Vichien Phongsathorn on why he access to education was the top themselves to tackling co-creation. While collaboration, he straightforward. It was imperative build collaborative platforms. pressing need in Thailand. He took social issues. There just says, is not easy, it is the right way that the larger population grasped his first steps into philanthropy by aren’t any platforms for to go in achieving maximum impact. the problem enough to take action providing less fortunate children them to work effectively”, Working with the government, or towards it as well. Mr. Phongsathorn academic scholarships, and he says. One example of within the system it has set, falls referred to a joint survey on the nurturing high quality teaching this collaborative platform under this tenet as well. corruption situation in Thailand methods. It was this initiative that is the Thai CG Fund, an conducted by the University of Thai In the next decade or so, Mr. convinced Mr. Phongsathorn of equity fund that has so Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) and Phongsathorn envisions scaling the need for collaboration to scale far brought nine asset his work in a major way. “We 3. management companies 1. 1. are on the right track. We want onboard to invest in Vichien Phongsathorn, as Chairman of Khon to educate many more children, Thai Foundation, attends KhonThai Monitor companies that are provide employment for people with Press conference — a nationwide survey that the Anti-Corruption Organisation doing good in the realm encourages Thai people to reflect about the disabilities so they can be a part of Thailand (ACT) that showed that of fighting corruption, promoting quality of their life and to actively participate of society, and we want to engage in the development of their country. the proportion of Thai citizens who good governance and fulfilling their one million active citizens to fight 2. are concerned about the corruption social duties. Vichien Phongsathorn attends the BKIND issues in Thailand have grown over corruption”, he says. Until then, he Press conference — a platform that supports a six year period from 62% to 98%. will continue to fulfill his ‘duty’ in social projects through the form of mutual fund SCALING UP 86% of citizens want to play a role piloting projects that aim to combat investment in businesses that are restricted WITH CONTINUED to the Environment, Social, Governance, and in fighting corruption. The next the big problems confronting Anti-Corruption (ESGC) criteria. step was to provide citizens with COLLABORATION Thailand — with as many hands on 3. avenues to collaborate and take In the spirit of true collaboration, deck as possible. n Vichien Phongsathorn attends a workshop with Social Enterprise and NGOs for Our Hand for action. “There are many good- Mr. Phongsathorn maintains that his Better Thailand Event.
100 101 Don Lam — Vietnam
From providing Vietnamese children with heart disease a second chance at life to enhancing educational opportunities for girls from ethnic minorities, Don Lam believes in investing in the country’s youth to prepare them for
successful lives ahead. ORGANISATION VinaCapital INVESTING IN THE FUTURE LEADERS Foundation OF VIETNAM on Lam has to date helped 6,000 Vietnamese children Dwith heart problems receive healthy hearts and he aspires to help many more. Providing heart surgery for children is just one of three focus areas of Mr. Lam’s philanthropy. Under the VinaCapital Foundation, he also FOCUS AREA ‘I would like to see more action provides training and pediatric medical equipment to health professionals. Under the Brighter Path programme, Heart Surgery for Children, Pediatric from local companies in Vietnam girls from ethnic minority groups are also empowered Care, Empowerment of that are able to do philanthropic through mentorship and educational opportunities. Tying Ethnic Minority Girls his vision together is the belief that Vietnam’s children are work. It is still not as ingrained the future and addressing their healthcare and educational in the business culture here as needs early can set them on a path to more fulfilling lives. it is in other parts of the region. SHARING OPPORTUNITIES WITH But I think that will change as HIS COMPATRIOTS Vietnam continues to grow.’ Mr. Lam’s urge to help his compatriots was sparked when AREAS OF OPERATION he first returned to Vietnam after years of living abroad Vietnam in Canada. Despite the difficulties of migrating to Canada, he says, he was afforded access to health and educational
102 103 opportunities that many Vietnamese people ‘could only dream of back then’. He says, “I knew almost immediately that if I was in a position to do so, I was going to play a small part in helping the Vietnamese people.” A few years after he co-founded VinaCapital, an investment 1. management and real estate development company, he established the foundation with a long-term view of contributing to Vietnam’s LEADING PHILANTHROPIC development by uplifting its future leaders. COLLABORATION A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO The foundation’s impact as it stands today has PHILANTHROPY far exceeded what Mr. Lam initially planned. “When I first started, I wanted to help ten For Mr. Lam, a holistic commitment to his children. “The more you start to help them, 2. beneficiaries is key. Under HeartBeat Vietnam, the more you realise how little money it Mr. Lam does not only provide free heart takes to save a life,” he says. It is not just surgery for children but also provides their the surgeries alone that make a difference. families grants to afford the post-treatment Necessary supplies such as pediatric crash carts THE ULTIMATE GOAL care. “In some cases, the family often cannot and enhancing professional training in rural Collaborative philanthropy among local buy medicine or has no money to take a bus hospitals are just as beneficial in bodies, according to Mr. Lam, may still for check-ups. If we save their lives, we should the long-term. be a while away. A sense of giving back help them prosper and grow as well,” he 3. must still be instilled in the culture says. Likewise, the programme also sponsors While his personal impact has been sizeable, of the business ecosystem. While 1. scholarships for heart surgery patients who Mr. Lam also wants to leverage collaborative he continues to seek partners in his Don Lam visits children in Khanh are academically gifted. philanthropy for more large-scale change. This Hoa, Vietnam. is why the foundation was set up as separate mission to build a stronger foundation Meanwhile, the Brighter Path programme 2. from its corporate umbrella. He hoped that for Vietnam, he strides determinedly Heartbeat Vietnam celebrates its 6,000th extends this opportunity to girls from ethnic having it run more professionally would help towards another larger goal. He successful heart surgery. minority groups, who are often deprived of more people come onboard to support the plans to delve deeper into addressing 3. access to education. In order to truly break heart disease earlier through proper Don Lam visits children at the causes. “I wanted an organisation that was Tam Duc Hospital. the cycle of poverty for them, the foundation transparent because when people ask me how diagnosis and proper treatment. ensures it follows through with graduates they can be assured that the money they give is What is the larger goal? In the next 10 of the seven-year scholarship, who often go going to the right place, I can tell them to check years, no child in Vietnam should die back to their villages to recreate the same our reports”, he says. from heart disease. opportunities for other youth. n
104 105 Lam Nguyen-Phuong — Vietnam
Driven by a firm belief in the power of social entrepreneurship to effect systemic change, Lam Nguyen-Phuong is channelling his philanthropic resources into supporting individuals and organisations across Asia who embody empathy
ORGANISATION as a core value. Ashoka, Endeavor
JOURNEY INTO PHILANTHROPY am Nguyen-Phuong has lived in many countries across Lthe globe, each of which provided him with a unique perspective and set of experiences that have informed his opinion on philanthropy. Mr. Lam was born in Vietnam, which had widespread poverty at that time, however it
FOCUS AREA was not until he moved to Brazil for secondary school Entrepreneurship and saw incredible levels of abject inequality and an extreme wealth gap firsthand that he became inspired to take action. As he went on to university in Europe, ‘The guiding principle (in his awareness of the need to rectify injustice became stronger. Mr. Lam points out, “The worst part about the philanthropy) should be to realise increasing inequality and decreasing social mobility in the that all beings are one, and if you world today is the hardening of the heart. This is the worst because people don’t care anymore. That to me is evil. To achieve that, you can help other make a change, you need a transformed consciousness.” AREAS OF OPERATION Mr. Lam feels that the most effective approach to people to be more aware as well.’ Asia philanthropy is not about how much you give financially, but more about how much you enable yourself to understand the challenges and nuances of a society at the
106 107 citizen level, which inherently drives CHANGING social inequality. This deepened SOCIETY THROUGH understanding of social issues is ENTREPRENEURSHIP necessary to unleash the power of AND INNOVATION systemic, philanthropic action. This approach of utilising empathy EMPATHY UNLOCKING THE as a key driver of change has helped POWER OF PHILANTHROPY Mr. Lam to identify entrepreneurs with innovative approaches as some Mr. Lam’s reflections on his of the most successful individuals philanthropic journey have led him in solving social problems. Mr. Lam to understand that philanthropy feels that many entrepreneurs is about recognising and listening embody a selfless, empathic, to others in order to find the most genuine, and generous mindset that effective opportunity to make is critical to creating social change. an impact. He also sees social entrepreneurs As Mr. Lam states, “Philanthropy as the architects behind systemic This enables Mr. Lam to reach the and empathy must go hand in hand, shifts in society, creating the highest level of sustainable impact most forward thinking and “JUST DO IT, BUT DO IT or else you are simply helping possible, whilst simultaneously WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND yourself – you do it in order to feel impactful solutions to inequality. unlocking extensive innovation. He DON’T JUST FOLLOW better.” To deepen his engagement Mr. Lam approaches giving and sees social entrepreneurs as very in the sector, Mr. Lam uses his skills involvement not only by supporting powerful individuals who embody THE RITUALS.” and experiences to give himself as individual projects, but also by the qualities he values in his own — Lam Nguyen-Phuong on how aspiring supporting organisations such as philanthropists should approach a person to causes he is passionate philanthropic giving, as he finds their journey. about. Otherwise, he feels that he Ashoka and Endeavor who act as them to be human-centred with is losing the core value of being an intermediary between high- an empathetic approach to social philanthropic. While Mr. Lam does impact entrepreneurs and givers. change. At the same time, Mr. Lam not feel any particular social issue The reason behind supporting also supports organisations that is more important than others, he organisations like these two is help refugees and victims of human has identified working to find and that they select individuals whom trafficking, as he feels blatant support social entrepreneurs as a he feels embody his own personal injustice needs to be rectified in any views on systemic social change. key lever to ensuring innovative and way possible. n impactful social change in any field.
108 109 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ASEAN IMPACT 25
EDITION 2018
As we turn the final page of Asia Philanthropy Circle’s first ASEAN Impact 25 Catalogue, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all those who helped bring this project together. Firstly, to all the philanthropists who took the time to share their inspiring stories with us: Belinda Tanoto, Chea Serey, Cherie Nursalim, David Zuellig, Don Lam, Fernando Zobel De Ayala, Grace Tan Caktiong, Harald Link, Tan Sri Dato’Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah AO, Kathleen Chew, Keith Chua, Lam Nguyen-Phuong, Laurence Lien, Manuel V. Pangilinan, Mary Ann Tsao, Mien R. Uno, Pengiran Dr. Hj Mohd Yakub Pg Hj Othman, Phaichit Konepathoum, Dr. Tahir, Teddy Rachmat, Teng Ngiek Lian, Thippaporn Ahriyavraromp, Vichien Phongsathorn, Victor Hartono and Yin Myo Su. Secondly, to all the individuals who made these interviews possible and helped coordinate all the required materials to make each profile come to life: Aldo Joson, Alexander Wai Weng , Arif Rachmat , Catherine Lim , Chanyapat “Miki” Yothathammasit, Cheryl from Ayala Foundation, Christina Alberto, Christine Haryanto , Doris Low, Dorothy Lim, Edilbert T.Dungo, Elvina Lee Poh Jade, Esther Heng, Felicia Hanitio, Felicia Tang, Gabriel Lim, Gyneneth Tan-Murphy, Hannah About Us Collins, Jane Fonda Lokanata, Jane Poh, Jessie Marie Pascua, Jonathan Tahir, Lee Poh Wah, Leonardo Cortez, Madeleine Lee, Marisa Vongpusanachai, Ng Songwah, Noudhy Valdryno, Asia Philanthropy Circle (APC) is a membership-based platform for philanthropists Oranee Thongyai, Pengiran Anak Ja’afar bin Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak to exchange, coordinate and collaborate, to advance a better Asia. Founded in Haji Muhmmad Alam, Phung Thi Xuan Hanh , Piers Grimley Evans, Piyanit Khwanphulsri, Rajesh 2015 by philanthropists for philanthropists, the mission is to accelerate private Varghese, Raman Narayanan, Sasinan Allmand, Samantha Lee, Sebastien Perret, Shiau Wei, action for the public good by addressing systemic challenges through collaborative Sirina Hervy, Sophal Chea, Sumitra Pasupathy, Suryani Indahsari, Wendy Lim, Wit Sootaranun, philanthropy. APC believes that strategic and engaged philanthropists can be the Yap Shi Han, and Yupaporn Prempakdee. change agents needed to address Asia’s social challenges. To do so, APC acts as a convenor, capability builder, advocate and catalyst for action. Specifically, APC Last but certainly not the least, to everyone who helped us scout for philanthropists and reach is action-biased through joint projects amongst its members, builds members’ out to others, including the ASEAN Social Impact Awards committee; Winston Yien and Tan capabilities through exchange and connection to best practices, and advocates for Chee King from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the Singapore missions to Brunei the development of the philanthropy ecosystem in the region. Darussalam, Lao PDR, Kingdom of Cambodia, and Vietnam; and APC’s friends and partners. APC is a registered charity headquartered in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.asiaphilanthropycircle.org.
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