Tough lessons in survival and strategy led Alan Chew to become a leader in innovation and philanthropy. The 66-year-old's now garnering applause for his role in helping New Zealand combat Covid-19.

Amidst profound deprivation, Alan Chew's illiterate parents raised him to become a leader in innovation and helping those in need.

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Chew says his success is largely thanks to his family's focus on education, which saw him move from Malaysia to New Zealand to further his studies.

Getting involved in helping with New Zealand's response to the global Covid-19 pandemic is the ultimate 'thank you' to his adopted home.

Alan's father Chew King Loon was born in Guangdong Province (formerly Canton) in southern China when famine was rife.

Chew King Loon was packed off to Hong Kong to work as a goatherd, Alan says.

"Being the oldest in the family, he had to leave the family around age 12 or 13 to see if he could earn enough money to help support the family back home. My father left the family not knowing if he would ever be back again."

Chew King Loon was illiterate but went to extreme lengths to better himself. He began to teach himself how to write by watching lessons through a classroom window during his breaks at work.

"He never had a proper education, but I think he's quite a clever guy because as a result of just that education he managed to be able to read and write in Chinese to a large degree."

Chew King Loon then made his way to Singapore by ship. He had to work for a long time at low wages to pay off debt, and when it was paid, he made his way to Kuala Lumpur and put roots down.

Alan's mother Ng Suet Moy lived next door and the two married. They raised their three children on squatter land - an abandoned coconut plantation in the village of Kampong Dollah, near Kuala Lumpur.

Even though Alan was raised in abject poverty and deprivation, he says growing up in his Malaysian village was the happiest time of his life.

"I didn't mind and I didn't know any better. We were living in a house built off building materials my father had brought back from other jobs. I can't remember anything new in the house, everything was second-hand, but that was absolutely no problem for me…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details