A citizen initiative for GUI’s Big Move (campaign story updated 16th October 2025)

Raise the next Kampung through ordinary citizens in Singapore!  

My name is Hui Ying, and I’m 35 years old. I was once part of the core team at Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) from 2014 to 2020 – I had started as an intern, then volunteer, before becoming a full-time staff. 

GUI had shaped my 20s as a youth who is grounded and grateful for Singapore and along with my faith, it set the foundation of my values, to:

– Be the change,

– Never take anyone or anything for granted, and always

– Express gratitude 

I believe that its presence needs to continue as a response to heavy urbanisation, for a more liveable, sustainable, and human-centric future. 

If you’re new to Ground-Up Initiative (GUI), watch this video by its late founder, Tay Lai Hock, about why GUI is good for Singapore.

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The Situation

GUI is currently fundraising for its rebuilding as its previous home base, Kampung Kampus for the last 14 years has been returned to the authorities for housing development as of February 2025. They need your support to make their next chapter a reality in Singapore – to finish building on their new piece of land and rebuild from the ground-up.  Their latest update can be found here as of 1 August 2025.

Through this campaign, I will be gathering 1000 Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) Connections to donate to GUI or self-organise an activity that brings in donations. Every amount helps! Feel free to get creative and have fun with what you can do for #1000GUIConnections – Some examples include:

– Donating directly here on Ray Of Hope,

– Organising a forest stream walk, 

– Running GUI kampung tours,

– Hosting a yoga session, 

– Holding stream explorations, 

– Running unconferences,

– Hosting pickle parties from food waste,

– Organising an outdoor watercolour workshops,

– Initiating doodle sketches,

– Hosting a film screening, 

– Running a neighbourhood clean-ups,

– Holding a birthday fundraisers, 

– Selling your artwork, 

– Hosting homestays in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,

– Running a workshop on Mental Wellbeing,

– Conducting an introduction to Systems Thinking,

– etc.. 

Collectively, I hope that #1000GUIConnections will help GUI move closer to its goal of $4.5 million to move into its next chapter. What you contribute here will also be added to the progress of the main campaign over at #GUIsBigMove. 

In this ground-up, citizen initiative, I hope to gather more of us who sees the potential of GUI’s presence to continue to do the work of:

– nation building

– local-foreign integration

– racial harmony

– creative problem solving

– risk-taking in action

– environmental education

– human sustainability

– mental and social well-being

– & more …

GUI has faced many odds since its inception in 2008 in Lim Chu Kang as it moved into the old Bottle Tree Park from 2009 onwards, and 16 years was an unprecedented amount of time to stay on a piece of land in Singapore, until 2025. Each and every extension has been nothing short of a miracle – and there is no community organisation in Singapore which is currently bearing infrastructure costs the way GUI has been since 2014. 

It is also an extremely dear price to pay to continue to shape, maintain and nurture the environment that allows the people in Singapore to immerse in a nature-inspired and accessible space, and also find connection and meaning at their own time and pace. If you’re wondering why people are drawn to GUI, check out their Humans of GUI series here.  

GUI has also received much abundance in its 17 years of living history, with many human stories to be told. There’s a Malay proverb which hovers over GUI’s ex-HeartQuarters: “Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama jadi bukit”. This literally translates as ‘a bit a bit, over time, it accumulates into a hill’. 

You can shape the future of GUI. Every action, big and small, allows our impact to be seen through the re(building) of GUI. With your support, the spirit of GUI can live on in Singapore as one of the ongoing solutions to heavy urbanisation The non-profit organization aims to nurture its community and model a sustainable future through nature-led learning and connection with the land.  

Will you be part of our #1000GUIConnections today?

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About GUI

Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) is a non-profit society with a mission to connect people with Nature, Self & Others. By creating a space to nurture connectedness, creativity & risk-taking, the GUI community aspires to build a 21st Century Kampung Culture that cultivates holistic solutions for a happier and more sustainable future.

Website: https://groundupinitiative.org/

Telegram: https://t.me/GUInews

Find GUI on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Koo Hui Ying

Hui Ying is a new, yet not-so-new citizen – having received Singapore citizenship in 2016 though she was born and bred here. Her experiences in hospitality and events coordination with Jurong Bird Park and Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) have grown her love for people, and eventually her country. Her current season finds her at Common Ground Civic Centre & Consultancy @ Bedok. On the side, she enjoys bringing people into the forest and connecting communities. 

Connect with Hui Ying on Telegram or Instagram @wanderlustkid.