New Zealand woman makes Malaysia her home, pioneers schools for marginalised children in Sabah

Rivai believes that education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty, especially for children from marginalised communities. Photo: Merdeka Award Trust

Educationist Dr Kathryn Anne Rivai’s favourite song may be Imagine by John Lennon, but her lifelong mission to make the world “borderless” in terms of education for marginalised children in Malaysia is not just mere imagination.

The New Zealander, who moved to Malaysia in 1977 when she married a Sabahan, recently received the 2024 Merdeka Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia (given to an individual of any nationality/foreign organisation for their substantial contribution to Malaysia/lives of Malaysians), for her dedication towards improving educational access for marginalised children in the State.