Budi Soehardi was recognized by CNN for providing shelter to 47 children at his orphanage in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo courtesy of CNN)
Filipino, Indonesian Honored as CNN 'Heroes'
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.
Related articles
Cycling Around the World and Across Indonesia, for Charity
5:35 PM 15/02/2010
Indonesian Hero Budi Soehardi in CNN Spotlight
12:10 AM 21/11/2009
Slum Kids Juggle Learning and Fun
6:12 PM 18/08/2009
Bringing Indonesia Hope, One Book at a Time
5:37 PM 07/02/2010
Indonesia's Students of 1998 Keep Up the Fight
6:19 PM 08/11/2009
