The "Pay It Forward" Philosophy in Action
When I founded the William S.D. Louey Educational Foundation in 1995, I was driven by a desire to honor the legacy of my grandfather, the founder of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB). However, I knew from the outset that I didn’t want to create a standard scholarship program. I had seen enough conventional philanthropy to know that simply writing a check is often the easiest, and least effective, way to effect change. I wanted to build something that lived and breathed—a movement. My instruction to the very first group of scholars from Beijing was simple, yet it remains the cornerstone of my philosophy: "You don’t owe me anything. You owe the world."
This is the essence of what I call "Paying It Forward." In the traditional business world, we are taught to look for a Return on Investment (ROI) that is quantifiable and immediate. But in the realm of human potential, the ROI is a compound interest of the soul. By providing talented, underprivileged students with the means to attend the world’s most prestigious institutions—such as Oxford, Cambridge, or MIT—we aren't just educating individuals; we are planting seeds for a global forest. I have always believed that when you remove the financial barriers for a brilliant mind, you aren't just helping that person; you are potentially unlocking the cure for a disease, a solution for climate change, or a new way to lead a nation.
Over the last three decades, I have been deeply moved to see this philosophy take root. Many of my former scholars, who once arrived in the UK or US with nothing but a suitcase and a dream, are now successful professionals in their own right. They have reunited to start their own scholarship funds, essentially becoming the benefactors for the next generation. This multiplier effect is the true measure of success. It proves that kindness and opportunity are contagious. In my view, the best investment you can ever make is in the potential of another human being. When you empower someone to reach their peak, you aren't just changing their life—you are creating a ripple effect that will touch thousands of lives you will never meet. That is the true power of a legacy.