Cheong Suk-Wai, “Heroes with ‘gritty’ stories”, The Straits Times, 27 Dec 2015 This book is an excellent snapshot of 12 Asian countries and their circumstances and challenges. The authors provide good and succinct background information on each country and also…
Photo Gallery Book signing, October 2015 At Greenfield At CHARIS At Epigram Pre-launch party with the heroes at Crossings Café, 7 November 2015 Jack Sim (WTO, Singapore) & Sir Fazel Hasen Abed (BRAC, Bangladesh) Braema Mathi, Singapore’s hero in the…
DOUGLAS MILLER Chairman, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network October 1, 2015 Hidden amidst the myriad of social issues that plague this world are a great many people who work relentlessly to find solutions for these issues and alleviate their worst…
With his aspirations to become a university lecturer, the last thing on 20-year old Bindeshwar Pathak’s mind was a career in sanitation. Yet, 30 years later, providing decent toilets and improving the plight of manual scavengers have become his steadfast…
To many, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed is an enigma. Though born into a well-to-do traditional Bengali family, he is far from traditional. With a penchant for choosing the path less travelled, Abed1 studied naval architecture in the UK, read literature…
For over six decades, the potential and image of resource-rich Indonesia have been blighted by corruption. While corruption is considered a norm by much of Indonesian society, some citizens, like Teten Masduki, have chosen to fight back against it. A…
In glistening city-state Singapore, it would be easy to overlook the needs of migrant workers. Even as they help to power the economy, they do not have much money, identity, or voice. However, in the world according to Braema Mathi,…
With some 35 laws restricting freedom of speech, one may hold little hope for the survival of objective and independent journalism in Malaysia. Malaysiakini, an online news portal that was created through a “Super Corridor” loophole, proves otherwise. Steven Gan…
A street urchin who was fortunate to receive a university education, Sompop Jantraka became, after graduation, a tour guide and research assistant. In both his growing up years and working life, he was no stranger to the tribulations of poverty.…