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.”

GNFI is sure there are many more kindhearted individuals in Indonesia like Mr. Soehardi. If you happen to know someone who does such noble work, feel free to share the story on GNFI Network. Let the world know that Indonesia cares.

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