SOLS Foundation Managing Director Danutcha Catriona Singh Named First Malaysian Obama Scholar for 2024-2025

We are beyond proud to announce that our Managing Director, Danutcha Catriona Singh, has achieved a groundbreaking honor by being named an Obama Foundation Scholar for 2024-2025—the first Malaysian ever to receive this prestigious recognition. This is not just a personal triumph for Danutcha; it is a momentous occasion for SOLS Foundation and a testament to the global impact of the work we are doing.

The Obama Foundation Scholars Program is reserved for visionary leaders who are tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. To see Danutcha selected is a profound acknowledgment from the Obama Foundation of the transformative work that SOLS Foundation has been driving for years. It validates our mission to empower underserved communities through education, energy access, and personal development, and places our efforts on the world stage.

For over two decades, SOLS Foundation has been dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities, especially the Orang Asli and Orang Asal (indigenous), by breaking cycles of generational poverty. Under Danutcha's leadership, our programs have delivered free education, solar energy access, and life-changing opportunities to those who need them the most. This recognition from the Obama Foundation underscores the global significance of these efforts, confirming that what we are doing is not only impactful but also critical to advancing social equity and sustainable development.

Danutcha will be part of an elite group of global changemakers who will engage in a 10-month of academic learning and leadership development at Columbia University, New York. During this time, she will connect with and learn from other leaders who are driving social change in their communities around the world. Her participation in this program will further sharpen her skills, broaden her network, and open new opportunities to amplify the impact of SOLS Foundation in ways we could only dream of before.

This selection represents more than a personal achievement for Danutcha—it signals a pivotal moment for SOLS Foundation as a whole. The Obama Foundation’s recognition of our Managing Director is also an acknowledgment of our collective mission to transform lives and empower communities, a mission that now has the endorsement of one of the world’s most esteemed foundations.

As Danutcha embarks on this exciting journey, we know her experiences as an Obama Scholar will only enhance the work we do. The new insights, skills, and connections she brings back will help us accelerate our mission, increase our reach, and create even more lasting, positive change in the communities we serve.

We invite you to join us in celebrating this historic achievement and remain with us as we continue our journey of empowering individuals, improving lives, and creating a brighter future for all.

Together, we are proving that change is not only possible, but inevitable when we work with purpose and passion.