From The Heart

Leica Camera Asia Pacific managing director Sunil Kaul shares with Grace Ma how the brand has been quietly clicking behind the scenes to bring hope to slum communities in Manila

- Grace Ma

SUNIL KAUL, MANAGING DIRECTOR of Leica Camera Asia Pacific, has only one guiding principle when it comes to doing good: support those who know best what is happening on the ground. With this in mind, he leverages on the German manufacturer of premium cameras’ strength by providing equipment and expertise to produce soul-stirring photography that can move the hearts of Leica’s well-heeled customers to contribute to a meaningful cause.

“As a business, we have responsibilities to our employees and shareholders. We may not be able to give money directly but we can find ways in our capacity to generate funds for a charity,” says Sunil. “We can provide an event space, print pictures, provide the equipment and send photographers to take the best pictures, and the money can be raised through the purchase of prints.”

In June, Leica coincided the opening of its Leica Galerie Singapore at The Fullerton Hotel with the launch of Mysterious Happiness, a thought-provoking 200-page documentary book of slum dwellers living in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines, such as the Happyland, Aroma and Smokey Mountains dumpsites.