World Kindness Day: How Asia’s altruistic leaders are paying it forward

Make-A-Wish Singapore CEO Hazlina Abdul Halim is dedicated to bringing joy to critically ill children through transformative experiences. The community leader, who was previously the president of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association and currently chairs 7oaks preschool, believes deeply in the organisation’s mission: “When you give the children a reason to believe in a better tomorrow and their families, it’s a different kind of fire in their bellies,” she says.

To date, Make-A-Wish has granted over 2,000 wishes to children aged three to 18, following a five-step journey that begins with capturing and designing wishes to finally realising these requests. Some of the fulfilled wishes include taking a 15-year-old enthusiast to the Pokemon Centre in Tokyo to helping a seven-year-old become a pilot for a day.

Read Hazlina Abdul Halim’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

“I always believe in togetherness. We can achieve so much when we work as a group, as a team,” said Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam to Tatler. With a career that includes leadership roles at Malaysian Tobacco Company and Malaysia Airlines, Siew Yong made history in 2024 by becoming the first Asian president of Soroptimist International, the global organisation dedicated to championing women’s rights.

In her new post, she remains an advocate for women but also turns her focus to environmental sustainability. Highlighting how climate change can disproportionately affect women and girls, she enjoins Soroptimist’s five federations, from Africa to Southeast Asia, under the banner of “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future”. She said, “While we all have different ways of doing things and you can’t force anybody to compromise on their culture or history, my goal as president is to make sure that all the federations are very united.”

Read Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Healthcare should be accessible to all, and Andrew Kok is on a mission to make this happen. The medical doctor is the founder of Autrui Global, a non-profit organisation on a mission to meet four of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, namely no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being and quality education.

One of the pillars Autrui Global has developed is The First 1,000 Days programme, which supports underserved pregnant women. These women and their children are usually at risk of medical complications and are often overlooked by the traditional medical system. So far, Autrui Global has administered over 3,500 antenatal and postpartum treatments. 

Read Andrew Kok’s full profile on Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 

By shining a light on the talent of the special needs community, Carys Mihardja is changing how people view children and teenagers with Down Syndrome. Her social foundation Carys Cares holds painting lessons for children with Down syndrome and then transposes their artwork onto dresses, totes and scarves, the proceeds of which are directed to Persatuan Orang Tua Anak Dengan Down Syndrome (Association of Parents of Children Living with Down Syndrome).

The foundation showcases the potential of individuals with Down syndrome further through programmes such as their involvement in the coffee shop Kopi Kamu, where they demonstrate the value of inclusive opportunities. In addition, Carys Cares supports the parents of children with Down syndrome, providing skills training for sustainable employment.

Read Carys Mihardja’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Lynette Nam initially wanted to become a journalist to tell other people’s stories and make an impact. But after her family pressured her into pursuing a law degree, she realised how important it was: “When you first take up a law degree, they teach you topics like commercial law and property law, areas that are somewhat removed from the everyday people. But when I began studying refugee law, I realised that the law can both create injustice as well as create the conditions to remedy it. I looked at it and thought, ‘This is such a powerful tool.’ You can use it to exclude and marginalise, or you can use it to ensure that the people who need it the most get a fair chance. That realisation was extremely motivating to me,” she recalls.

Today, Nam is the executive for Justice Center Hong Kong, where she focuses on everything from legal services to mental health support to refugees and other vulnerable migrants. “When it comes to refugees or asylum seekers, unfortunately, it is an issue that some people don’t see eye to eye on, often because they are considered foreign and not from the city. But that’s a narrative we’re trying to change. For us, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter what the colour of your skin is, it doesn’t matter what passport you hold. A person in need of help is a person,” shares Nam.

Read Lynette Nam’s full profile on Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 

Ricky Yu extends a helping hand to the temporarily impoverished households of Hong Kong. Together with like-minded landlords, his social housing organisation Light Be rents flats at below-market rates for three years so that families experiencing economic or housing difficulties can turn their lives around. The platform also provides upward mobility training with guidance on work-life balance and self-reliance.

The organisation has three housing programmes across Hong Kong: Light Home, which is mainly for single mothers, Advanced Light Home, which has extra facilities and activities, and Light Housing for young nuclear families. Said Yu to Tatler, “I believe in the talent of people. If we give them a second chance and the right conditions, they can go far.”

Read Ricky Yu’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

The Amber Foundation started as an Eagle Scout project when James Thomson-Sakhrani was 14 years old. He and his friends gathered items from the toiletry kits their families would collect from hotels and airlines, and created hygiene packs to be distributed to the underprivileged. The charity took a life of its own when others started donating to the cause, inspiring the family to officially start The Amber Foundation in 2011. Today Thomson-Sakhrani serves as its managing director, and is committed to its mission of helping “people at the most basic, core level”. He adds, “Our focus specifically has been on people in need, who aren’t getting served by the broader community.” 

Read James Thomson-Sakhrani’s full profile on Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow

Breast cancer survivor Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala co-founded ICanServe Foundation to raise awareness about breast cancer, especially its early detection—a mission inspired by her own experience of being initially misdiagnosed. To help women access quality healthcare, ICanServe’s flagship programme, Ating Dibdibin, provides comprehensive breast cancer screening and free or subsidised cancer treatments for local communities. Magsanoc-Alikpala also co-founded Cancer Coalition Philippines, which advocates for institutionalising cancer care (timely screening, diagnosis, rehabilitation) for patients and survivors. In September 2024, ICanServe celebrated its 25th anniversary with The Pink Room, a fundraiser featuring works by 25 Filipino visual artists led by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera. Proceeds of the event will fund treatments and medical procedures for breast cancer patients, as well as support healthcare worker training, breast cancer control programmes and more.

Read Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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