20 Years of Positive Impact through Inspirasia Foundation
20 years ago today, a tragic event changed many lives. Many people lost a loved one, children were orphaned, families were torn apart, and celebrations came to a sudden end. An inhumane act, one of cowardice and hate, killed 202 people in Bali, Indonesia. Among them was Mark Weingard’s fiancée, Annika Linden.
When you see the atrocities that some people are capable of, you wonder how life can ever be the same and where the good in the world is. Nothing can change what happened on the 12th of October 2002, or bring the people back, but one thing that did happen, following the tragedy, was a positive ripple that changed the lives of so many in so many good ways.
Philanthropy tends to be an action that follows grief, death and tragedy, when someone realises that they cannot replace what happened, but they are inspired to do something good, to help others and to make a difference. They hold solace in the fact that maybe their loved ones did not die in vain. Today, on the 20th anniversary of this tragic event, we remember those we lost and the light that came out from the darkness.
Devastated by his loss, Mark was inspired to create something positive out of this tragic day, which started as support towards the children of the victims of this terror attack, and lead to the creation of Inspirasia Foundation, and later the Annika Linden Centre, in memory of Annika, a beautiful soul who left us too early. Over the years, the Foundation has supported a number of exceptional initiatives in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Malta. Through this foundation, Mark has given over €12,000,000 towards social impact and continues to support communities he finds himself in. Malta is one example where over €1,000,000 has been given towards social impact through social initiatives, fundraisers and events aimed at creating a positive impact.
From supporting people with disabilities that would never have had a chance to reach their full potential, to providing vital health services and educational programmes to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities living in poverty, Inspirasia Foundation has supported a number of inspiring organisations that are changing the lives of thousands of people.
Located in Bali, the Annika Linden Centre is an Incubator for Impact and Disability Centre. In addition to housing three of the organisations that Inspirasia supports, the Annika Linden Centre does excellent work empowering people with disabilities, while also supporting social organisations to be more efficient and have long-lasting impact. The philosophy of looking ahead and creating positive impact throughout echoes from the tragedy and has taught us that, if we wish to make a difference in this world, we need to empower people and organisations to get there, to reach their full potential and to think about the future.
We are proud of all the organisations and people that are part of the Inspirasia Family and the Annika Linden Centre, who have dedicated their lives to creating positive change and making a difference in this world. Thank you for all you do and thank you for being the light in the darkness.
We dedicate today to Annika and all the other lives that were lost that evening. May they rest in peace and know that they have been the catalyst for so much good and impact.
Inspirasia Foundation’s impact over the years
For more information on the positive impact created visit www.inspirasia.org
