About Rayyan Haries

My story begins, in some ways, in a small Indian restaurant in Little India, Singapore. I was travelling alone for the first time, nervous and unsure, when a stranger joined me for lunch. We shared a simple vegetarian thali, talked about life and travel, and even fumbled through a game of chess. When the bill came, he insisted on paying. I never saw him again, but his quiet act of generosity left a mark. It was a reminder of how compassion, when offered earnestly, can change the way we carry ourselves through the world. That small moment became a compass for everything that followed.

When Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, I was there as a disaster responder. It was my first time stepping into the chaos of a humanitarian crisis. From clearing debris to distributing food, I saw both the fragility of life and the resilience of people who had lost everything. That experience set me on a path — one that would take me from the Philippines to Nepal, Japan, and eventually to the shores of Lesvos, Greece, where I worked in community kitchens serving refugees arriving by boat. Food became my way of restoring dignity. A meal could say, you are not forgotten.

Over the years, my humanitarian journey grew into different forms. I founded The Volunteer Cook, coordinated food programs with The Giving Food Truck in Lesvos, and co-built refugee food distribution in Serbia with Collective Aid (previously called BelgrAid), serving more than 2,000 meals daily. Later, as Communications Officer at Humanity Crew, I developed global campaigns to advocate for mental health in crises, amplifying stories often left out of humanitarian narratives. With Teach for ASEAN in Myanmar, I led education programs for marginalised children, weaving compassion into classrooms as well as kitchens.

Over the years I have work across many countries, cultures and communities in Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Japan, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Greece, Serbia, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Portugal, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Timor Leste, Kiribati, New Caledonia, France and many others. 

I always believe that we traverse through our lives building on our connection with other people. We learn from each other and we continue to leave our impact onto each other. That is why I believe that it is important that we lead our life with compassion and kindness. 

So, welcome to this space - come learn, come share and come leave your positive impact. I hope to continue writing here, like I have always done for years. May the stories I share and write find space in your life and may they positively impact you. 

Love, 
Your friend Rayyan Haries