Building legacies of change
The iconic ethologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall famously said, “We have the choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother.”
In a time when environmental degradation accelerates at a worrying pace and humanitarian crises unfold on an unprecedented scale, her words strike a profound chord.
They aren’t just mere observations – it’s a rallying cry, urging individuals and organisations to take a stand, inspire change, and forge a legacy of impact. For Gamuda, a regional engineering, infrastructure and property group, this ethos is at the heart of the Gamuda Inspiration Award (GIA).
Since its inception in 2016, the GIA by Yayasan Gamuda has been a platform to spotlight and celebrate Malaysians who have dedicated their lives to uplifting others and the planet.
This year’s awards, themed “Echoes of Hope”, embodies the idea that positive actions today reverberate across communities and generations, creating ripples of change.
Rooted in hope
The GIA ceremony was also graced by Goodall herself.
Known worldwide as the foremost expert on chimpanzees, her presence marked a pivotal moment, signalling Gamuda’s expanded commitment to positive social impact.
At the heart of this lies a groundbreaking regional collaboration between Yayasan Gamuda, and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), alongside its youth-driven Roots & Shoots programme.
“As the GIA makes new strides this year, we are extending our impact beyond Malaysia to the countries where we operate such as Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore and the UK through our regional partnership with the JGI and Roots & Shoots.
“This is a significant and meaningful collaboration on a shared vision to encourage more youth to be involved first hand via volunteering and on-project experience to protect the environment, wildlife and their communities,” said Gamuda’s group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling.
Empowering youths
For Goodall, the power to create meaningful change lies in the hands of the youth. Her own journey began at the young age of 26, when she stepped fearlessly into the dense jungles of the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to study chimpanzees.
The Roots & Shoots programme, which began as a small initiative, has blossomed into a global youth movement spanning across 71 countries.
“It lies in the energy and passion of young people. Once they understand the problems, they are empowered to take action.
With our intellect and indomitable human spirit, people are finding ways of living in better harmony with the planet and tackling that which seems impossible,” said Goodall.
Its Malaysian chapter, Roots & Shoots Malaysia, founded in 2015, has already impacted over 1,300 volunteers, including 469 in 2024 alone.
By connecting young people with local NGOs focused on wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and community empowerment, Roots & Shoots Malaysia is equipping them with the practical skills needed to drive lasting impact.
In her speech, Goodall also expressed admiration for the GIA winners, praising their dedication to action and the betterment of the planet.
“I want to congratulate all the winners of the GIA awards. It’s because of your work and the work of others like you, that there is hope for our planet.
It’s exciting to see NGOs, corporates and the public coming together to try and make this world a better place,” she added.
Honouring champs of change
The GIA focuses on three pillars: environment and wildlife, education and community empowerment, and human rights.
These cornerstones embody Gamuda’s deep commitment to fostering harmony between people and nature – a vision where communities flourish hand in hand with nature.
“This year, the total funding amounts to RM1.7mil, supporting winners in their mission to create tangible change. In celebrating these incredible Malaysians from all walks of life, we are laying the foundation for creating more changemakers across the nation,” said Datuk Lin.
The award offers three categories to support various scales of impact.
“With a grant of RM300,000, the Gamuda Inspiration Award category is presented to organisations creating scalable change.
The Gamuda Empowerment Award helps organisations amplify their initiatives with a grant of RM50,000.
The Gamuda Impact Fund is a project-based seeding fund with a RM500,000 grant pool to nurture creative solutions and drive sustainable progress,” said Yayasan Gamuda head Ts Lim Hui Yan.
In total, 14 winners were awarded this year.
A full feature on the winners will be published next week.
Recognising excellence
The journey to identify this year’s winners began in August, drawing over 100 nominations across the three pillars.
“The judging panel featured a distinguished group of local activists, including renowned wildlife conservationist Datuk Mohamed Shah Redza Hussein, indigenous rights advocate Anne Lasimbang, naturalist and educator Irshad Mobarak, and passionate refugee education activist Heidy Quah.
Their wide-ranging expertise brought a wealth of knowledge and perspective to the selection process, ensuring a thorough, fair, and insightful evaluation,” said Lim.
Everyday heroes
By championing and empowering changemakers, the group is cultivating a legacy of hope and transformation that bridges communities and transcends borders.
In the words of Goodall: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
For Gamuda, the difference lies in empowering those who dare to dream, act, and inspire.
Click here to watch the video showcasing the GIA 2024 winners and their inspiring achievements.
