From Volunteer to National Director: Why I Believe Everyone Deserves a Decent Place to Live

Eighteen years ago, I joined my first Habitat for Humanity build as a volunteer.

At the time, I was simply looking for a meaningful way to give back. It was physically demanding work, but what stayed with me was not sweat or tired muscles.

It was the family.

I remember meeting homeowners who expressed deep gratitude for improving the place they called home. It was more than a roof over their heads. It was security, dignity, and the foundation for a better future.

Today, as National Director of Habitat for Humanity Singapore, I am privileged to witness every day how safe and decent housing builds the foundation for health, stability, and dignity.

Creating Impact at Home and Beyond

In Singapore, our Project HomeWorks programme supports vulnerable seniors and families by carrying out essential repairs and decluttering to create safer, more liveable homes. Beyond our shores, our Global Village, Batam Build extends this impact to nearby Indonesia, where volunteers work alongside local communities to build homes and strengthen livelihoods. Batam’s proximity allows us to deepen our regional impact while giving volunteers a firsthand understanding of how secure housing transforms lives.

How Your Organisation Can Make a Difference

None of this is possible without the support of our community. We invite corporates to partner with us in several meaningful ways:

Skills-based volunteering to provide professional expertise
Corporate giving to our builds and community programmes
Employee volunteerism through Project HomeWorks and Global Village Builds
Strategic partnerships to advance shared ESG and CSR goals

Together, we ensure that everyone has a decent place to live.