We all have a stake in building a stronger, more inclusive community in Singapore. Ray of Hope’s Building Community Champions initiative promotes inclusion through creating regular opportunities for migrant volunteers and local volunteers to be more socially connected.

Why migrant workers?

As of June 2023, Singapore hosted approximately 714,500 work permit holders, the majority of whom are employed in labor-intensive sectors such as construction, domestic work, manufacturing, and marine-shipyard industries. These migrant workers come from Bangladesh, India, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, etc.

However, their contributions to the economy are often accompanied by numerous challenges. These include facing exclusionary work conditions, enduring unregulated working hours and limited mobility imposed by employers, encountering social stigma and discrimination based on nationality and job roles, and grappling with personal hardships such as family separation and cultural differences.

Building Community Champions strengthens the friendships first formed during Ray of Hope’s cricket friendlies in 2022 and 2023. This initiative seeks to nurture volunteer leaders from different backgrounds, to eventually drive inclusive community projects together.

Building Community Champions campaign aims to:

1. Nurture volunteer leaders from diverse backgrounds, who will eventually spearhead inclusive activities and strengthen social cohesion.
2. Increase the number of opportunities for both migrant and local volunteers to engage meaningfully in community initiatives.

The funds will go towards:

1. Covering event expenses beyond what each community partner can provide; and
2. Supporting migrant volunteers with costs (transportation from dormitories, venues and meals, etc).

Recurring donation:

Community building is a long-term endeavor, and every one of us has a part to play! We invite your support for Building Community Champions, with a monthly, tax-deductible contribution of $10, as part of the community’s stake in this initiative.

With each successive event, we create opportunities for all volunteers to actively engage and contribute meaningfully.

To date, Building Community Champions has focused on sports:

#1 Football (Nov 2023), co-organised with St Patrick’s School football CCA.

#2 Bowling (Feb 2024), co-organised with Singapore University of Social Sciences’ bowling team. Read more about the event here.

#3 Frisbee and Games (May 2024), co-organised with students from St Joseph’s Institution

#4 Art jamming and Sports (June 2024), co-organised with students from Tampines Meridian Junior College

#5 Yoga and Wellness (September 2024)

Q3 to Q4 2024: discussions in progress with community partners