Category: Humans of Habitat Singapore
For most of us blessed to be born in Singapore, the idea of staying in a house that is deemed unfit for human habitation is too far-fetched to even cross our minds.
But did you know that every year, Habitat for Humanity Singapore serves about 400 elderly citizens and low-income families who are on Public Assistance and living in rental or purchased flats?
Since 2006, the housing charity organises volunteer-driven projects to intensively de-clutter, paint and rehabilitate their cramped, dirty and sometimes pest-infested flats.
In this interview series, The Everyday People joins forces with Habitat Singapore to tell the stories of homeowners, volunteers, staff and other champions who believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to call home.
Humans of Habitat | “Mentoring a team of people isn’t always just about looking at the forest or big picture. It often means diving deep into looking after each of these trees and spending time with them. Only then can you have a mere glimpse into the best ways to let them bear fruit.”
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I was very conflicted at first because I didn’t want to be living proof that an arts student doesn’t make a lot of money, but my own experiences affirmed that I’d rather be living a life with purpose than trying to chase money…”
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “If I have any advice for someone who wants to work at an NGO, it’s to ask yourself if it is really your calling to do something good for others.”
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I guess I’m still a work in progress. Maybe one day I would be more at peace and wander around without the artificial arm and not care about anyone staring. Perhaps one day I can fully embrace the person whom God made me instead of hiding it from the world.”
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “Coming from Jakarta where you do see a lot of poverty, I always had this image of Singapore being a very clean and prosperous country. But behind that picture-perfect façade, there are actually so many underprivileged people who need our help.”
Humans of Habitat Singapore | “Some of them are just so happy to have someone to talk to and open up about who they used to be. They feel so isolated because they might not have family members to carry on their memories for them, but I’m interested to hear, and I’m interested to learn.”