Debate me if you will, but I’m a firm believer that anyone can be a philanthropist. I’ve always affirmed to myself that everyone is capable and worthy of championing a cause that’s close to their heart.
Some might disagree. After all, a philanthropist is often seen as someone who has already made it to the top of the mountain and has the means to help others do the same. But consider this: only 1% of the world’s population is deemed truly successful. How can that 1% extend their hand to the remaining 99%?
Looking at the above, I’m convinced that our ideas of what a philanthropist is might be flawed. We tend to associate philanthropy with the wealthy, who can donate large sums of money to charitable causes. However, I believe everybody has the capacity and worthiness to support a cause they are passionate about. The only thing that holds us back from being the philanthropist we desire to be is our own self-doubt. We often underestimate our own ability to make a difference, but the truth is that every little bit counts. Saying this is easy, I agree, and therefore, I also must admit that I sometimes question my own capability to be a philanthropist.
As I take a moment to reflect on my life, I can’t help but think about my lifelong aspiration of becoming a philanthropist. This dream has been with me since my junior high days, and it has always been my desire to make a positive impact on others’ lives while turning the impossible into the possible. However, I often feel overwhelmed and intimidated when I think of the perfect perception of a philanthropist. When I look at amazing women like Melinda Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, and Amal Clooney, who’ve left significant impacts on the world, I feel far from their level.
Fueled by self-doubt, I buried my dream deep within. Yet, it remained, acting as a compass for every life decision, propelling me closer to what I deemed “qualified.” Over the years, I have followed my heart, and it has led me to some incredible experiences. I have taught refugees how to integrate with the Indonesian community, assisted public interest lawyers in providing free legal aid, spoken up about issues related to women’s rights, and helped provide free, accessible, and quality education to Indonesians.
The culmination of various life experiences has led me to the present moment. The path that I have taken has led me to develop my own nonprofit organization and social movements that are centred around women, leadership, and policymaking. I combined my legal knowledge and skills with my passions to champion social issues. It’s been two years, and I wouldn’t say that I’m a philanthropist because, at the end of the day, it’s just a title. But I can proudly say that I embody the values and essence of a philanthropist, and for me, that’s good enough for me.
