Manila, July 27: A Taiwanese vegetable vendor, who has personally given away over 7 million Taiwanese dollars ($231,800) to several charities for children, was one of the six winners of Asia's equivalent of the Nobel prize this year, its foundation said on Thursday.
The Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation named Chen Shu-chu as one of six winners, citing her for "personal giving, which reflects a deep, consistent, quiet compassion, and has transformed the lives of the numerous Taiwanese she has helped" . From her daily earnings as a vegetable vendor , Chen, who reached only the sixth grade and sleeps on the floor, was able to help build library and feed and shelter children-at-risk as well as families displaced by disasters. "Money serves its purpose only when it is used for those who need it," she said. "I feel happy whenever I could help other people."
The awards also honoured Filipino Romulo Davide , who helped farmers fight pest infestation; Indian Kulandei Francis, head of a village self-help group; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an environmental lawyer from Bangladesh; Cambodian agronomist Yang Saing Koma who helps farmers' improve rice production; and Indonesian Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto who is fighting to stop illegal logging. Winners will get $50,000.
