Yee Shuen Hwee and Fangqin Chua co-founded Terraformers to address the climate crisis through regenerative tourism. Yee Shuen’s interest in sustainability began while participating in the Audacity community in Singapore, where she focused on climate technologies. A pivotal moment during a backpacking trip in Mongolia, where she witnessed the direct impacts of climate change, sparked her passion for finding sustainable solutions. Her interactions with IPLCs (Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) inspired her to see regenerative tourism as a way to empower these communities.
Fangqin, coming from a modest background in Malaysia, has always been fascinated by natural landscapes and ecosystems. At 15, she was deeply affected by reading “The Sixth Extinction”. This reading fueled her desire to protect the environment. Her participation in an entrepreneurship boot camp strengthened her belief that innovation could disrupt harmful practices. As a frequent traveler, she grappled with the environmental impact of tourism and found a solution in regenerative tourism that aligned with her values.
Yee Shuen and Fangqin established Terraformers to democratize resources for IPLCs to preserve their cultural and natural heritage. They see potential in regenerative tourism to provide economic resilience to vulnerable communities while preserving their environment and culture. However, their journey as social entrepreneurs has involved challenges of balancing innovative solutions with practical implementation, and staying true to their mission despite external pressures.
Their participation in the Y&Y Fellowship has refined their operations and expanded their network. They value the mentorship and support provided. They share that the program offers alternative perspectives and helps them navigate the complexities of social entrepreneurship. Their advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs is to deeply understand the problem, seek mentorship, and approach opportunities openminded.
