Ask any non-profit what they need, and the resounding answer would be “funding and volunteers”. This is why tech-volunteer and monthly donor, Charles Thompson, is our star supporter this month.
From running a non-profit sports club, to helping with annual fundraisers, and giving to church groups, Charles has always been happy to give of his resources to causes which resonate with him. After graduating as a computer scientist, Charles has been working as an IT consultant for over 40 years. He uses his expertise to provide pro-bono consulting for Habitat Singapore and other charities. The 60-year-old who is currently a Program Architect in Salesforce’s Singapore office hopes to continue his voluntary IT consulting services even into his retirement years.
Charles first learned about Habitat for Humanity some 25 years ago through his nephews and nieces back home in Canada. They had joined various projects building homes and support infrastructure in Vancouver, British Columbia through their schools. He also knew colleagues who were involved in disaster relief work in Nepal after the earthquake.
Over time he has come to see Habitat as a “leading home-builder in the world”. “I love the work that Habitat does, and I love the idea that it’s a lot closer to home...looking after Singaporeans. I’ve seen that the particular type of engagement like Project HomeWorks is astonishingly good,” he shared.
Having lived here for seven years, Charles is no stranger to the needs in our island. “You just have to look around and you can see that there are places and people who need help. Redhill and Bukit Merah are other high-density locations with vulnerable families who need help,” he said.
The father of eight, started supporting Habitat Singapore as a monthly donor or HopeBuilder* after being exposed to our programmes and the need for funding through his pro-bono work. As a monthly-donor he and others like him, provide a regular source of income and contribute to the sustainability of our charity and the work we do.
When asked how he feels about becoming a HopeBuilder, Charles said “I feel good”. “There is a sense of accomplishment. It’s a small thing I do, but it becomes significant when the donation is pooled together with the other monthly supporters to help sustain Habitat’s programs…,” he shared.
Charles added, “I would recommend that others consider joining the HopeBuilder program. There is a feeling of participating, an easy way to help. It’s the commitment to help that’s important even if the amount is small,”. Truly, every dollar goes a long way to meet urgent needs on the ground and avail help to the most vulnerable in our community. Isn’t it inspiring to know that transforming someone’s life can be as easy as a dollar a day?
*HopeBuilders are a special group of people who make monthly donations to support Habitat Singapore’s programmes and operations. Speak to us today to learn how you can be a part of the HopeBuilder family.