habitat
SINGAPORE
JANUARY
2015
Uncle Michael and Habitat staff after a
Project HomeWorks session
BACK TO BASICS by Angela Wu
We c e l e b r a t e d I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Volunteer Day on December 5 and
the Habitat staff went back to the
roots of why we do what we do, by
volunteering in a single-unit Project
HomeWorks clean-up session!
It was a blistering Tuesday morning
when the Habitat staff team arrived in
Beach Road. But soon, we paid no heed
to the heat as we got to work on
HomeWorks beneficiary Uncle Michael’s
home.
Uncle Michael is one amazing individual.
He suffers from cerebral palsy and yet is
one of the most independent souls I have
had the joy of meeting. Although he has
to move around with the help of a
motorised wheelchair, he is able to
handle typical daily tasks such as
bathing and doing the laundry on his
own. Uncle Michael is even a talented
song-writer and poet, and he shared
with us the many poems and songs he
had written in his youth.
We were there to help Uncle Michael
with some cleaning and tidying that
proved more challenging for him, even
though his place was relatively wellmaintained. But as we were removing his
wardrobe doors for easier access, I was
reminded of the fact that every action
counts, no matter how small it seems.
Even though we had encountered flats in
far worse states, whatever we did made
a real difference to his quality of life.
This couldn’t be clearer as we bid cheery
goodbyes to an appreciative Uncle
Michael.
We would like to take this opportunity to
honour each and every volunteer who
has given of himself or herself to the
vision of Habitat Singapore. You are
precious to us and our beneficiaries and
we are grateful for every sink scrubbed,
every tile mopped, every corner
painted, every foundation filled, every
brick laid and every wall plastered. I’m
always encouraged by Mother Teresa’s
oft-quoted words about casting a stone
across the waters to create many ripples.
This International Volunteer Day, know
that you’ve created many ripples that
together help shape a better world.
DID YOU KNOW...?
International Volunteer Day also
marks the beginning of our Habitat
YOUTH Build campaign. Check out
our Facebook page for more
details on how you can play a part!
Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit Christian housing organisation with a mission to
eliminate poverty housing worldwide by building simple, decent houses with the help of
home partner families and volunteers. Anchored by its vision of a world where everyone
has a decent place to live, Habitat builds for people of all backgrounds, races and religions.
Since its inception in 2004, Habitat Singapore has continually mobilised volunteers under its
Global Village programme for building projects and disaster response all over the world.
Locally, Habitat Singapore started Project HomeWorks, a programme that seeks to improve
the living conditions, safety and sanitation of vulnerable elderly across the island.
BORNEO BLITZ BUILD | September 13-20, 2014
The inaugural Borneo Blitz Build took place over September 13 to 20 and
saw about 200 volunteers from all over the world gather to build homes
for 14 families in need. We are incredibly proud of our super volunteer
team, the Speakeasy Crew, for going ahead of the build and laying much
of the groundwork before the build officially commenced!
GLOBAL VILLAGE
The Global Village programme
allows Singaporeans a chance to
contribute to eliminating poverty
housing on an international scale,
as well giving them various
cultural experiences. Global
Village programmes last longer
than short builds, for typically 7
days, so that the work will have
more significant impact. Email
[email protected] for more
information.
DISASTER
RESPONSE
A volunteer and a home partner pose for the camera in front of a completed Habitat house on
the last day of the Borneo Blitz Build. Happy smiles all round!
EVEREST BUILD III | November 15-22, 2014
The third Everest Build took place from November 15 to 22 in Amelia,
Ratnanagar, Chitwan! Over 500 volunteers from 16 countries were
represented in this year’s build and they built for some 36 home
partner families. Do check out their Facebook page for more photos
from the build!
Singaporean volunteer Chng Hwee Chin: “It feels
good to do something real.”
HFH Singapore believes in her
Christian mission to show love,
and her social responsibility to
neighbouring countries and the
world at large. As such, HFH
Singapore aids in the rebuilding
work of countries struck by
calamities suc h as natural
disasters by providing funds,
m a n p owe r, a n d t e c h n i c a l
exper tise. In 2005, HFH
Singapore sent teams to
participate in a post-tsunami
building project in Indonesia,
Aceh. In 2008, about 1700
houses were built, made possible
by S$14.3 million donation from
the Singapore Red Cross, and an
additional S$800,000 that was
raised by HFH Singapore.
A traditional community welcome for international volunteers at Everest Build III
HABITAT JANUARY 2015
GOA RUN & BUILD | March 1-6, 2015
An annual event jointly organised by Habitat for Humanity India, the Nise Gel Goa Marathon
is one of the most interesting! and enjoyable marathons in India with a race route along the
scenic! River Mandovi. The event aims to raise funds to provide safe and decent homes for
families in need, sanitation facilities for target communities and educational centers for children
in Goa and the Konkan region. In conjunction with the marathon, Habitat for Humanity India
will host the Goa Run & Build where runners will go on to volunteer on a Habitat build site
after the marathon. The marathon will take place on March 1 and building will commence from
March 2 to 6. For more information on itinerary and costs, please email [email protected].
KUCHING BUILD
BATAM BUILD
Merely a short one-hour flight away from Singapore,
Kuching Builds take place every week and teams can
opt for a 1, 2 or 3-day build. There, you can
experience warm Sarawak hospitality, see exotic
wildlife and savour local delicacies while contributing
to a good cause. For more information, email
[email protected].
The Batam Build programme has the same
objectives as Global Village, except that it
comprises short builds in Batam that range from
1 day to a maximum of 3 days. The Batam Build
programme aims to allow volunteers who may
not have the financial ability nor the time to go
on a longer and further trip, an opportunity to
contribute to building houses for the poor.
Email [email protected] for more
information.
HOPE-BRICKLET
The Hope-Bricklet is a small brick that you can make at home, to be sent to us and embedded in an
actual house built by Habitat volunteers in Batam. We will send you an assembly kit and by following
the instructions on the card, you will be able to make a bricklet and change a family's life!
Click here to read more about how Liew Sing and her son did their part for charity! Purchase your
Hope-Bricklet today by clicking here!
ONE MAN’S JOURNEY
Lim Nghee Huat in the Brazil 135+ Ultramarathon
Singapore’s ultra-man Lim Nghee Huat will be running in the Brazil 135+ Ultramarathon for Habitat for
Humanity Singapore in Sao Paolo from January 14 to 17! Nghee Huat is the only Singaporean in the
competition and will be the first Singaporean to attempt to run the 281 kilometres non-stop. As usual, he will
be raising funds as part of his incredible challenge and we’re so thankful to be the chosen charity this year!
Nghee Huat previously raised funds for St. Hilda’s Community Services, Heartware Network, National Junior
College and the Mountbatten CCC in the invitation-only Badwater Ultramarathon, and entered the
Singapore Book of Records for being one of the first Southeast Asians to complete Badwater, a grueling
135-mile marathon recognized as the world’s toughest foot race in Death Valley, California. He was also the
first Asian to complete the Sahara Marathon in Tindouf, Algeria.
Did we mention that he’s 61 years of age and a grandfather of 3? Join us in cheering him on as he leaves
for Sao Paolo and leave your encouragements on our Facebook page as we bring you updates of his
progress! Give to Nghee Huat’s fundraising feat at www.omj.sg.
PROJECT HOMEWORKS
Many elderly and handicapped people live alone in houses that are cluttered and sometimes unhygienic. Habitat’s
‘Project HomeWorks’ engages volunteers to clean, clear clutter, remove pests, replace broken down furniture and
bedding to improve the safety and sanitation of the homes of the elderly and handicapped monthly.
Project HomeWorks has benefited close to 1,000 elderly and disabled peoples' homes to date with the help of more
than 5,000 volunteers. Email [email protected] for more information on how to volunteer.
BE A SANTA 2014
Last Christmas, Habitat for Humanity Singapore collaborated with Seed-Gifts Limited to
benefit the elderly and low-income families we serve in Project HomeWorks. Individuals and
organisations purchased a daily necessities gift box consisting items such as shampoo,
tooth brushes, toothpaste, laundry powder and towels, and the gift boxes were delivered
by the lovely angels from Seed-Gifts right to the doorstep of our beneficiaries. They were
very surprised and grateful indeed! Many thanks to our wonderful supporters for sharing
the love and joy of Christmas by caring for those in need in such a simple yet tangible way.
View more photos from the Be A Santa project on Seed-Gifts' Facebook page.
Surprising our elderly beneficiaries from estates such as Ang Mo Kio and Bedok with your Be A Santa gift boxes!
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SINGAPORE AT THE
STANDARD CHARTERED MARATHON EKIDEN 2014
Bright and early on the morning of December 7, 2014, 9
Ekiden teams ran in relay-format in the Standard Chartered
Marathon Singapore 2014 in aid of Habitat for Humanity
Singapore. Close to $15,000 was raised for our local
operations and almost 400 kilometres was clocked in total.
The teams bonded over the challenge and were proud to
have the opportunity to run for those in need of decent
shelter worldwide. Many thanks to our wonderful runners as
well as to those who gave to their campaigns!
CENTURION 10TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
October 24, 2014
Centurion Group recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in Singapore and Habitat for Humanity
Singapore was invited to be the official charity of the occasion. A gala dinner was held and guests were
entertained by world-renowned illusionist Lior Suchard as well as aerialist performances and light
shows. International mixologist trio, the Flow Brothers, were also especially flown in for the event. It was
a beautiful night indeed, made more meaningful by guests who donated generously to Habitat
Singapore’s cause. Thank you Centurion for your support and here’s to many more good years!
FOC OPENING PARTY | October 28, 2014
Congratulations to the newly-minted FOC by Nandu
Jubany! Habitat for Humanity was invited to be the
official charity during the restaurant’s opening night
and we are grateful to FOC’s partners and guests
for donating so generously to our cause. Guests
were treated to an incredible degustation menu
created specially by Michelin-star chef Nandu
Jubany and the event raised close to $40,000 in
total. Thank you and we wish you all the best, FOC!
CYCLE OUT POVERTY 2015
CYCLE OUT POVERTY - Gearing For Change
FEBRUARY 28, 2015 | 7AM to 1PM | Changi Civil Service Club
Join us on February 28 as we take to the road in our bid to Cycle Out Poverty! Cycle Out
Poverty 2015 is Habitat Singapore’s inaugural cycling event and aims to raise $50,000 in
support of the Star-Builders programme. The Star-Builders program seeks to enable youths
from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds to take part in a Habitat experience. This
can take the form of our local clean-up projects or overseas builds. Many young people
have the desire but lack the means to give back; at the same time, the volunteer experience
has proven to be transformative for these youths. So no matter how much cycling expertise
you have, you have the opportunity to empower others through this event by setting a
personal challenge and starting your own fundraising campaign. 40KM, 25KM and Fun
Ride categories are available; and when you’re done with your route on the Eastern park
connectors, regroup at the Changi Civil Service Club for a celebration!
Email us at [email protected] or call 6744-7326 for more information on how to register.
DONATIONS
DONATIONS
Habitat for
for Humanity
Humanity Singapore
Singapore is
is a
a non-profit
non-profit organisation
organisation and
and relies
relies entirely
entirely on
on donations
donations and
and support
support from
from corporations
corporations
Habitat
and
individuals
for
her
operation.
Habitat
for
Humanity
Singapore
is
an
Institute
of
Public
Character
(IPC)
and
issues taxtaxand individuals for her operation. Habitat for Humanity Singapore is an Institute of Public Character (IPC) and issues
exempt receipts
receipts for
for donations
donations that
that benefit
benefit Singaporeans.
Singaporeans.
exempt
To make
make a
a donation,
donation, write
write a
a cheque
cheque made
made payable
payable to
to “Habitat
“Habitat for
for Humanity
Humanity Singapore”.
Singapore”. Include
Include your
your name,
name, contact
contact
To
number,
address
and
“donation”
on
the
back
of
the
cheque.
number, address and “donation” on the back of the cheque.
You can
can also
also make
make a
a credit
credit card
card donation
donation at
at http://www.habitat.org.sg/donate.html.
http://www.habitat.org.sg/donate.html.
You
NEW! Create
Create a
a donation
donation page
page at
at www.give2habitat.org.
www.give2habitat.org.
NEW!
WRITE!
CLICK!
Got a story, a picture or a quote about your
Stay in the loop about upcoming builds, or tag us in
volunteering experience you want to share with us? Let
photos if you’ve been on a build or a Project
us know, and we could publish it in this e-newsletter!
HomeWorks session! We want to celebrate your
Your submission should include the following:
amazing work together! Not forgetting keeping up with
– Full name
special deals on our merchandise! “Like” us on our
– Date and location of your experience
Facebook page today!
– A caption if it is a picture submission
– A photograph of yourself (optional)
Do note that any submissions received are subject to
editing. Please send all submissions to Angela at
habitat
[email protected].
SINGAPORE
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION
JANUARY 2015
Habitat for Humanity Singapore
56 Lorong 23 Geylang
#05-00 Century Technology Building
Singapore 388381
T 6744 7326
F 6844 5383
E [email protected]
W http://www.habitat.org.sg
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