Restoring Pride, Peace and Dignity
- Habitat for Humanity Singapore
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
For Winston, his journey of volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity Singapore was not one of chance. Already possessing the desire and drive to contribute to his community, Winston discovered Habitat Singapore and Project HomeWorks and took the leap to give back meaningfully to the community through volunteer work.
Moved by the vision of everyone deserving a decent place to live, Winston acted, signing up as a volunteer with Project HomeWorks.
Winston describes his very first session volunteering as humbling and eye-opening. Winston got to see firsthand how much a few hours of hard work can impact a person. “That first experience left a deep impact on me.” Winston recounted. “Seeing firsthand how a few hours of work could drastically improve someone’s living space and dignity was humbling and eye-opening.”
Cleaning an elderly woman’s home is an encounter that has left a lasting impression on Winston. She was living alone in a one room rental flat, in a space cluttered and dim, filled with dust, clutter and pests. It was clear she has been overwhelmed and unable to maintain the place herself due to health issues. Despite her living conditions, she still possessed a quiet dignity. As the volunteers worked, she went from quiet and withdrawn to engaging and lively. That moment impacted Winston deeply, and made him realise that a clean, safe home is more than just shelter, it’s a source of pride and peace.
After volunteering for 7 years, Winston has continued to hold on to the same ideals and beliefs. “What motivates me as a HomeWorks Champion is the belief that everyone deserves to live in a safe, clean and dignified home, regardless of age, background, or circumstance”, Wilson explained. “I’ve seen how something as simple as a freshly cleaned room and a reorganised space can bring light and hope back into someone’s life.”
Winston does more than volunteer and contribute to home rehabilitation works. He is a champion of change and giving back to the community - going the extra mile for others in need and staying motivated to continue to serve the community whenever possible.