#1
Photo by Dominik Scythe via Unsplash.
There’s nothing more satisfying than making something with your own hands, as the folks at Clamps & Braces would tell you. Founded by an occupational therapist and a social worker, this organisation uses woodworking as a therapeutic medium to help raise participants’ self-esteem and boost creativity. To pick up this cool lifestyle hobby, sign up for any of their workshops spanning wood characteristics, use of traditional tools and basic machinery, and so on.
#2
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The mounting threat of climate change calls for urgent action. ECO Singapore, which stands for The Environmental Challenge Organisation (Singapore), is a youth-led environmental enterprise that engages with schools across the island to encourage young Singaporeans to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and habits.
#3
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The use of social media as an influencing tool has burgeoned over the past decade, and London-based artist Hannah Daisy is employing her personal online presence as a force for good. On her Instagram account, Daisy shares her unique artwork centred around themes like mental health, queer identity and chronic illness. Having personally struggled with mental illness, her illustrations particularly highlight the importance of self-care.
#4
Photo by Nguyen Thu Hoai via Unsplash.
Despite globalisation and economic progress, many people around the world still struggle with poverty and access to basic necessities like food, water and shelter. In Singapore, elderly poverty is one of the issues stemming from the country’s rapidly growing ageing population. Believing firmly that “no one can do everything but everyone can do something”, the volunteers behind Singapore’s Happy People Helping People Community reaches out to needy seniors to help them with bills and take them on outings. Thanks to social media, the public has been able to plug into HPHPC’s various initiatives and make donations that will go towards improving the quality of life for many elderly beneficiaries.
#5
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Since making its debuting over three years ago, YouTube channel Improvement Pill has been gracing the Internet with informative and entertaining videos on self-improvement. With over 1.9 million subscribers, it is a popular go-to for creative content and well-made animations covering everything from advice on social anxiety and becoming happier, to getting over past mistakes.
#6
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Bothered by pollution and climate change? Like the idea of planting more trees? One Tree Planted works with reforestation partners around the world to make it easy for anyone to do plant a tree at the price of just US$1. With the collected donations, this American non-profit has been able to plant over 20,000 trees on a daily basis.
#7
Image via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
The People’s Movement to Stop Haze, otherwise known as PM Haze, is a non-profit focusing on outreach, research and advocacy on the transboundary haze crisis. Part of its efforts include steering consumption patterns towards sustainable palm oil and paper, two industries that bear a huge responsibility for the haze due to their uncontrolled expansion in Indonesia.
#8
Photo by Sydney Sims via Unsplash.
A peer-powered platform for mental wellness, Resilience Collective works to reduce societal stigma surrounding mental illness and empower all individuals take charge of their mental well-being. Besides being a safe space for persons in recovery or who wish to share their experiences, Resilience Collective also hosts talks and workshops aimed at narrowing the gap between health and social care.
#9
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In the face of rising suicide rates in Singapore, the work of organisations like Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) has never been more critical. SOS provides confidential emotional support to anyone facing a crisis or contemplating suicide. They additionally conduct educational workshops and training programmes to raise awareness and improve public understanding of suicide and the various methods of prevention.
#10
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As of 2018, there are some 821 million malnourished people around the world. Enter ShareTheMeal, a mobile app designed to combat global hunger. An initiative by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), anyone can use this platform to donate money for meals to those in need, the minimum accepted donation being just US$0.50. ShareTheMeal is a testament to the collective impact of small contributions adding up to make a huge difference.
#11
Image by Harry Quan via Unsplash.
Committed to supporting LGBTQ+ persons and their allies, a group of Singaporeans came together in 2012 to form The Purple Alliance. With a mission to increase understanding, promote acceptance and advance equality, this organisation is a platform for people to tell their stories. The Purple Parade additionally hosts programmes and gatherings where people of different sexual orientations can interact in safe and friendly space.
#12
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Socially and eco-conscious chocoholics can satisfy their cravings with Organic Wildness Chocolate. Beyond their sustainably made products and biodegradable packaging, this New Zealand-based chocolate manufacturer believes in making positive contributions to society. Under Wildness Asia, its social enterprise operating in both NZ and Singapore, it works with prison inmates and persons with intellectual disabilities. It most recently partnered with the APSN Centre for Adults to provide employment to Singaporeans with special needs.
#13
Image by Paweł Czerwiński via Unsplash.
As its name suggests, Zero Waste SG aims to eliminate the concept of “waste” in Singapore. This NGO disseminates information on reducing, reusing and recycling, and works with individuals, households and corporations to optimise waste minimisation. The Zero Waste SG team hopes to meet and exceed the Singapore government’s target of achieving a 70 per cent national recycling rate by 2030.
Banner photo by Sydney Sims via Unsplash.
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