If you’re looking for something constructive to do with your time in Singapore – other than playing tennis or doing lunch – there are plenty of philanthropic opportunities. Here are just a few organisations that are crying out for volunteers to lend a hand.


Caring for Cambodia

What is it? A not-for-profit, non-governmental, charitable organisation that aims to secure a better, brighter future for the children of Cambodia by providing them with an education.



Volunteer Jobs:

• Help to assemble hygiene packets for the children
• Host an Egg-a-Thon Fundraising for the Food For Thought Programme
• Donate supplies
• Host a Caring Tea Party

For more info, email volunteers@caringforcambodia.org or visit www.caringforcambodia.org.

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Habitat for Humanity

What is it? A not-for-profit Christian housing organisation with a mission to alleviate poverty by building simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner families and volunteers.



Volunteering Jobs:

• Build houses overseas, visit orphanages and participate in other activities as part of the
   Global Village programme
• Build houses in Batam
• Be part of its disaster response team (some expertise may be required)

For more info, email vinn@habitat.org.sg or visit www.habitat.org.sg.

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i-india

What is it? A non-profit, non-governmental organisation that reaches over 3,000 Indian children daily through street schools, residential homes, travelling services and vocational centres.

Volunteer Jobs:

• Spend time teaching crafts, English or dance to children in India
• Marketing jewellery from the Ladli Vocational Centre
• Spread the word about i-india

Email mail@i-indiaonline.com or visit www.i-indiaonline.com.

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First Hand

What is it? First Hand is a registered Singapore society that partners with inspirational organisations in Cambodia. It is made up of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of children in Cambodia. Currently, its main focus is supporting children who are vulnerable to traffickers.

Volunteer Jobs:

• Organising fundraising events
• Join First Hand on their trips to visit the children they have helped

Email info@firsthandvolunteers.com or visit www.firsthandvolunteers.com.

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Society for the Prevents of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)

What is it? A registered, non-governmental welfare charity that takes in over 700 unwanted pets and stray animals every year. The aim is to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to all creatures.

Volunteer Jobs:

• Clean cages
• Man the office and answer calls from the public
• Walk the dogs
• Organise public relations events and carry out administrative tasks
• Screen potential adopters
• Provide information on pet care, adoption and other queries

 

For more info, visit www.spca.org.sg/volunteer.html.

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Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)

What is it? A not-for-profit organisation with a mission to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore.

Volunteering Jobs:

• Fostering
• Fundraising
• Helping at the Adoption and Rescue Centre
• Publicity
• Website maintenance
• Helping with sterilisation

Email info@asdsingapore.com or visit www.asdsingapore.com.

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H.O.M.E.

What is it? Each year, the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (H.O.M.E.) responds to the needs of male and female migrant workers, victims of human trafficking and forced labour. 

Volunteer Jobs:

• Assistants to document cases of exploitation and abuse
• Pro bono lawyers to provide legal aid
• IT instructors and IT technicians
• Financial and funding consultants to help write proposals, draw up
   budgets and fund development
• Skill sharers, to share skills by providing lessons in, e.g. English or guitar-playing

 

For more info, email migrants.home@gmail.com or visit www.home.org.sg.

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Tabitha Foundation

What is it? Tabitha helps the most poverty-stricken Cambodian communities with self-help programmes designed to promote self-sufficiency and dignity through savings, counselling, and goal-setting programmes.



Volunteer Jobs:

• Organise events to raise funds for digging wells and building houses
• Sell Tabitha cottage industry goods

Email info@tabithasingapore.com or visit www.tabithasingapore.com.

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RDA

What is it? The Riding for the Disabled Association (Singapore) provides free, therapeutic horse-riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities.

Volunteer Jobs:
Side-walkers walk beside the horse, guiding and motivating the rider. No previous horse experience necessary, but you must be over 16 years of age. Training days are run periodically throughout the year.

For more info, email volunteer@rdasingapore.org.sg or visit www.rdasingapore.org.

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The Humaneity Foundation

What is it? The foundation was set up by Mark Philpott who, during an epic motorcycle journey around Asia, was touched by the impoverished kids he saw playing in the muddy compound of Aknuwat Primary School in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. The Humaneity Foundation was thus born and ongoing development projects continue at Aknuwat School.

Volunteering Jobs:

• English teachers
• Fundraisers
• Marketing support
• Medical or health professionals
• Engineers

Email info@humaneityfoundation.org or visit www.thetigerfoundation.com.


Other Volunteer Organisations

Association for Persons with Special Needs	www.apsn.org.sg
Club Rainbow	www.clubrainbow.org
Dover Park Hospice	www.doverpark.org.sg
Children’s Cancer Foundation	www.ccf.org.sg
Make a Wish Foundation	www.makeawish.org.sg
Singapore Dance Theatre	www.singaporedancetheatre.com
Red Cross Society	www.redcross.org.sg
Children’s Surgical Centre (Cambodia)	www.csc.org

Visit www.sggives.org for details of these and other welfare organisations.