World Humanitarian Day is held every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. This year’s theme? Real Life Heroes.

So in conjunction with that, we speak to Prema Thiyagu, the co-founder of the NGO, Pertubuhan Pembangunan HOPE Selangor, who’s a real life hero herself. Prema is someone who has been mobilising and providing food and aid for the underprivileged communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, someone who for the past decade or so, has been helping to uplift and empower marginalised communities.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons