Mas Mahathir Bin Mohamad: 2nd place winner, 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking transcript

Mas Mahathir bin Muhammad. Raindrops. Raindrops. Mas Mahathir bin Muhammad. [Applause] Thank you, contest chair. You're welcome. 12 years ago, I had no idea how simple raindrops could change me. Curious? Let's go back to 2013. I'm a self-absorbed 20-year-old who cares about me, myself, and money. Helping others, not my priority. Now, sensing who I'm becoming, my mom says, "Son, there's an orphanage I help at on the weekends, and you're going." What?

I don't want to go. But when mothers say go, you go. at the orphanage. While mom helps in the kitchen cooking meals for the kids, I have to help the kids in the study hall. And that's when I meet Ali. Ali is a too cool for school teenager who's allergic to homework. He won't study. He won't listen. The one thing he will do, write bad jokes. And one One goes like this. What must go away? M mahade. And what's worse, his joke is full of spelling mistakes.

Only my name is correct. I hate it here. But every weekend, mom drags me back and reminds me, "Son, you can help Ali by being kind." What? I just have to ensure he improves fast so I can get out of here faster. So I go tough on him. H I flood Ali with homework. He drowns me with excuses. I push him to spell right. He puts up a fight. I say, "I'll tell my mom about you." And he says, "Then I'll write more jokes about you." M one gloomy rainy day I flip Ali what's your problem and he yells back you and storms off to his room so I storm off to the kitchen mom's cooking and I say mom I am done with Ali and why is he being so difficult mom switches off the stove she says son Ali is not as lucky He as you.

What do you mean? He's lost his mom, his dad. He's lost hope. But we can help. She points outside towards the rain and says, "Before it rains, it starts with the first rain drop. Then other raindrops follow. And in the same way when you show kindness first sooner or later others follow and eventually kindness reigns everywhere. But son you have to start it. Go be a raindrop for Ali. I don't want to but when mothers say go so I go. to Ali's room.

He's on his bed holding his family photo. I asked Ali, "What's wrong?" And after a long silence, he says, "I miss my mom. I miss my dad. No one cares about me like them. Those words flood me with shame and guilt. My 20-year-old brain starts realizing he's not here by choice. He's not as lucky as me. Then mom's voice echoes. Be the first raindrop. I sit next to him and I say, "Ali, I'm so sorry." And I just listen. And it turns out that's all he needs for someone to show just a little bit of care and kindness.

And so I sit there comforting him, listening to him until the sun comes out. Since that moment, I try to be better by showing kindness more. And soon I notice he follows. Ali is making small changes every single day. One day I see him helping mom in the kitchen. Another day he shares his food with another kid who didn't have enough. He even pushes other kids to do homework. What? But mom's right. When you show kindness first, sooner or later follow.

And I kept helping Ali at that orphanage for six years. While mom's lesson stayed with me since. You see, in our world today, we witness so much hopelessness, loneliness, ignorance, and the list goes on. And we can either look up waiting for the first raindrop or we can be the first raindrop. How? By lending a hand to a stranger, standing up and speaking up for somebody in need or showing care for someone even if they're allergic to homework.

Well, last year we received an email from Ali and it moved us for two reasons. One, no spelling mistakes thankfully. And two, it said this. Dear Mr. Mars, auntie, thanks for carrying back then. I got into college and I started volunteering, too. My friends, online and on night. Snap your fingers with me. Imagine how beautiful this world could be if we choose to be raindrops like this. So remember, when you show kindness first, others follow.

So let's make it rain kindness everywhere we go. Let's be the first raindrops. [Applause] [Music]