A whole group of us just returned from Chiang Mai. We were there for the 26th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. This one was very special, as the project involved building 166 houses in Chiang Mai, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Chengdu China. In Chiang Mai, we built 82 houses, the number 82 chosen in honour of the Thai King's 82th birthday. We had celebrities from Singapore there, including Irene Ang, Paul Foster and Caroline Jane Smith, working on house #22. There were many other celebrities from around the world there, including Jet Li, soccer superstar Hidetoshi Nakata (who worked on the same house the Singaporean team did), John Abraham from India, and many more. Another team of Singaporeans worked on another house, house #59.

There are so many wonderful lessons learned from the project. Witnessing the cult-like passion of Habitat supporters was one of them (some call themselves 'Habiholics'). Watching and listening to the Carters was another one. Here is a moving speech President Carter gave at one of the evenings. He was introduced by the US Ambassador to Thailand, who spoke of President Carter's contribution to the promotion of basic human rights around the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OChLBUBX5QM

 

I have asked my staff to update our facebook page more often, since it is a lot easier than updating a web page. So if you can, sign up as a fan so that you can get the latest and greatest from us (see the facebook banner above).

We would not be able to do our work without the support of literally thousands of people in Singapore, and many more around the world. People support our work in varying degree of course, depending on their resources and generosity. There are outstanding individuals and organisations that will give more than the usual. One of them would be the folks from Star Furniture (www.starfurn.com) Group. Mr Kenny Koh, Managing Director of the Star Furniture Group, has been supporting Habitat Singapore's Operation Homeworks since July 2008. Star Furniture has supplied beds, cupboards, tables, cabinets of all sizes and other furniture to the homes of the elderly in need under our collaboration "Star HomeTouch".

   Above: Star Furniture banner     Above: MD Kenny Koh behind mask

Not only did Mr Koh come to the Operation Homeworks event on the 26th September 2009 at Marsiling, he joined his staff and spent practically the whole of that Saturday cleaning up the houses of the elderly residents. And of course, his company's furniture were all available, as the staff and other volunteers worked to replace bed-bug infested furniture items, cleaning and scrubbing the flats, ensuring that the elderly have a decent place to live in.

One of the phrases I am fond of using is "its not rocket science"... What Mr Koh did was not rocket science. What he did was to simply encourage his company and staff to make a difference in the lives of others, on top of their regular work; and he joined them in the effort. We certainly wish that more would do the same, contributing more than the usual.

We note also with great sadness the passing of the CEO of Habitat Philippines, Bert Jugo, who died today from complications from a heart attack. I knew Bert personally, and have always been very impressed with his passion and drive, and innovative approaches to the problem of poverty-housing in the Philippines, using technologies like interlocking bricks (which we intend to use in Batam) and more recently, steel-frame technology. Bert certainly was a person who gave more than usual, and I do believe there is a special place in heaven for him. Rest well, Bert. Till we meet again at that place where everybody has a more than decent place to call home.

Love, peace, joy.

Yong Teck Meng
National Director
8th October 2009

As part of HSR Property Group’s corporate philosophy of engaging in CSR efforts, Habitat for Humanity Singapore was invited to one of their real estate seminars on 15 July 2009.

Their director, Patrick Lieu, started the session with a brief talk on HSR’s corporate philosophy and values which included CSR making “a positive difference through leading-edge services”. They aim to touch lives, bless families, enhance communities, and improve society by serving them in the best possible way. Patrick himself demonstrated his belief through his involvement in the founding of non-profits such as Operation Blessing.

A total of $709 was donated by the attendees of the event which included agents of their company.

More than 50 volunteers gave up the chance to laze in bed when they gathered in the warm and humid Crocs warehouse at Changi to do what some people will avoid – spending a Saturday afternoon with dirty old shoes. Their aim? To sort, scrub, dry and pack 4,000 used shoes collected from donors from the Bare Your Sole campaign in order to give shoes that are still in presentable and usable conditions to the underprivileged.

The responses from volunteers were always encouraging. More than a hundred people had signed up for the event, but many enthusiastic hearts had to be turned away due to the limited number of slots.

Despite the vast number of shoes that had to be sorted and cleaned, spirits were high as the volunteers readily organized themselves into teams to sort, clean and pack the shoes. The volunteers who stationed themselves at the cleaning station had the toughest job. Some of them scrubbed until their wrists ached.

Their skin were wrinkled from the constant contact with detergent and water. One volunteer went back home having blisters and peeling skin, but she did not mind it, knowing that she had spent her day meaningfully. A total number of approximately 1,500 pairs of shoes were salvaged. Many thanks to all the volunteers who put in their effort!

We were with a team of 5 volunteers, Bare Your Sole 2 nd Place winner Noreen Taha, photographer Jack Yam, videographer Aaron Lim, air-stewardess Jacqueline Ong and manager from Crocs Asia Emily Ang in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, between 12 to 16 August, to distribute shoes as of a follow-up project of Habitat’s Bare Your Sole. In total, donors gave S$10,130 and donated 4,000 pairs of shoes. 10, 000 new pairs of shoes were pledged by Crocs to be given to needy children around the region.

We were warmly welcomed by the villagers, who greeted us by giving us flowers and bethel nut leaves as a sign of welcome. We spent the next 2 days working hand in hand with the locals in building 2 houses. The conditions of the old house of the home owner are deplorable. The house is made of mud bricks with a shelter that leaks. A family of 6 all squeeze into a tiny bedroom to sleep.

I was particularly touched by a local construction worker, who willingly and patiently taught me how to lay bricks. He could have accomplished more by working on the house, as we volunteers were really clumsy and slow, but he chose to give me an opportunity to be part of the process in helping the poor. He passed me every single brick I was to lay for me to try my hand at constructing a wall. We were there to help, but instead were touched by the locals’ spirit of humility and sincerity.

All in all, it was an experience that we will cherish for many years to come. Special thanks to Cathay Pacific who kindly sponsored part of the cost of the trip.