Integration
Low-wage migrant workers make up one-fifth of our population. They fill the jobs in industries such as marine, construction, cleaning, manufacturing, and F&B; some serve as domestic helpers.
Leaving their homes to build our home here and take care of our families in Singapore, migrant workers are undoubtedly our nation’s unsung heroes. Yet, many Singaporeans impose negative labels on migrant workers before even interacting with them. Although migrant workers form almost one-fifth of our population, most Singaporeans are not friends with a single migrant worker. Defying norms, we befriended migrant workers!
2013-2014:
back alley badminton
With a shared love for badminton, a friendship between a Singaporean and a group of migrant workers has been formed in the back alleys of Geylang!
Like us, migrant workers have aspirations, dreams and hopes of a better future. Some even make huge sacrifices to achieve their dreams.
oct 2014-present:
#backalleybarbers
After hearing one of our migrant worker friends sacrifice a haircut to pay off his dad’s medical bills, we decided to provide free basic haircuts!
Back alleys had been perceived as dangerous. With the aim of changing the public’s perceptions of back alleys, we organised various initiatives in the back alleys.
Oct 2014:
backalley festival
We celebrated Christmas in one of the back alleys in Geylang, where Singaporeans had dinner with migrant workers from India, Bangladesh and China.
Feb 2016:
backalley hygge
In one of the back alleys in Geylang, we organised a dinner where renowned migrant worker poet, Md Mukul, shared his poems with fellow Singaporeans.
As bridge builders, we organise events for Singaporeans and migrant workers to interact with one other.
mar 2016: Environmental Awareness and Migrant Workers Appreciation Day
We organised a session whereby Singaporeans and migrant workers kayak around Singapore together to pick up litter.
aug 2015 & sep 2016:
majulah belanja
Food unites people from different backgrounds. We organised sessions where Singaporeans and migrant workers cook together at a migrant worker dormitory.
Just as how friends help one another, we organised Migrant Mail to bring relief to our migrant workers friends’ homesickness.
dec 2014, aug 2015, aug 2016, jan 2017: migrant mail
Away from home, migrant workers would want to update their families on their wellbeing. We organised an event for them to mail a letter and a photo home.
We also want to raise awareness about the social issues in one of the neighbourhoods where migrant workers congregate, Geylang.
june 2017:
geylang secret dinner
We brought some of the world leaders on an adventure in Geylang, to dinner in one of the backalleys in Geylang, and listen to migrant worker poet Md Mukul’s poems.
As we build deeper friendships, we find meaning in sharing this friendship with others: students and volunteers.
apr 2019: Volleyball Friendly between Geylang Methodist School (Secondary) and Bangladeshi Friends
Beyond playing volleyball, the students interacted with the migrant workers, understanding more about their stories and sacrifices.
mar-jul 2019:
Weekly Volleyball Friendlies with Singapore Migrant Friends
With students, we join our migrant worker friends in friendly volleyball matches and their iftar celebration at one of the fields in Kallang for a number of Sundays.
nov 2019 - mar 2020
Lorongs of wisdom x
singapore migrant friends
Meet a new friend, hear their stories.
Through our tours, we brought 2 groups of people and gave them the opportunity to interact with one another.
Jan 2020:
capture & caption: a PHOTOJOURNALISM workshop
Learning never stops.