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Filipino, Indonesian Honored as CNN 'Heroes'
November 23, 2009

Budi Soehardi was recognized by CNN for providing shelter to 47 children at his orphanage in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo courtesy of CNN) Budi Soehardi was recognized by CNN for providing shelter to 47 children at his orphanage in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo courtesy of CNN)
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A Filipino who started a “pushcart classroom” to bring education to the poor has won $100,000 to further his work after he was named by CNN as its Hero of the Year, beating an Indonesian man who was honored as one of the top 10 nominees from over 9,000 contenders.

Budi Soehardi, a former airline pilot, made the top 10 shortlist for his work with children at an orphanage he founded for East Timorese in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. Budi will receive $25,000 to continue his work.

The US-based TV news network announced the results on its website, edition.cnn.com, after more than 2.75 million online votes were cast. The winner was then chosen by a CNN panel.

Budi and the other members of the top 10 were honored on Saturday night at a gala event at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. The event was hosted by news anchor Anderson Cooper.

Budi’s father died when he was nine and he said he can relate to the orphans in his care.

“Food was hard to come by and my school fee was very difficult,” Budi said. “The refugees just really strike me so badly and [I want] them to be better off.”

The overall winner, Efren Penaflorida, runs the Dynamic Teen Company. It has taught reading, writing and arithmetic to 1,500 children in poor neighborhoods in the Philippines in an effort to keep them out of gangs.