Top 3 Finalists 2019
Dr. James Gollogly
Transforming a country’s medical system and the lives of the disabled
In 1998, Jim left America and headed for Cambodia and founded the Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) in Phnom Penh to provide world-class surgical services for poor, disabled Cambodians.
He offers each patient an individualised treatment plan with surgery at no cost. This not only improves their quality of life but helps them avoid sinking deeper into poverty. Through a network of visiting international specialists, CSC’s medical staff are trained under a range of specialities and by introducing new programmes, Jim has helped transform and modernise the Cambodian medical system.
Thanks to his endeavours, thousands of Cambodia’s disabled can lead independent lives and support their families. To date, 75 local doctors, numerous nurses and medical staff have been trained by CSC and over 67,000 free surgeries have been conducted.
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Jeff Rotmeyer
Empowering the homeless, autistic and down-syndrome communities
with kindness and love
Jeff Rotmeyer founded Impact HK and Love 21 Foundation to care for the homeless, autistic and down syndrome communities in Hong Kong. He applies a unique, holistic approach to all his programmes.
At Impact HK, volunteers go on daily “Kindness Walks” to distribute food and necessities to the homeless. Jeff’s rehabilitation programmes for them include counselling, recreational activities, language classes, employment and housing assistance. Just last year, 37 people were helped off the streets into permanent homes.
The Love 21 Foundation caters to 50 down syndrome and autistic members from low-income families. With the goal of increasing the life expectancy for this community, members are given a wholesome lifestyle focused on nutrition and fitness. Jeff also involves entire families and offers counselling and family planning services.
Transforming lives with his simple philosophy that “kindness matters”, Jeff has earned a strong following of caring individuals for both his charities.
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Subasini Mistry
Turning tragedy into a noble promise to save the sick and needy
Many years ago, Subasini’s husband passed away at the young age of 35, unable to get the treatment he needed. Determined that no one should experience the same tragedy, she vowed to bring affordable and free medical treatment to all the villagers of Hanspukur.
After twenty hard years of selling vegetables, cleaning houses, laying bricks and various odd jobs, Subasini finally saved enough to purchase a plot of land at Hanspukur. Thanks to the combined kindness of villagers who donated money and building materials, the Indian government who helped with construction and doctors in residing areas who agreed to treat the needy, the Humanity Hospital was established in 1996.
Today, the hospital treats 450-500 out-patients daily and Subasini spends up to 18 hours a day supervising patient care and comforting the sick. She is living proof that those from humblest of origins can accomplish great deeds for society.