From Local Streets to Global Reach: A Journey of Inspired Contribution in Social Upliftment and Empowerment
"Oats are horses' food, right?" This unexpected question from a resident stumped one of the panel speakers during an example shared of a food distribution exercise. It highlighted a crucial lesson: our well-intentioned efforts, like providing healthy foods to rental housing residents, may miss the mark if they do not meet our beneficiaries' preferences and needs. This experience underscores the importance of being client-centric in our community initiatives, keeping our beneficiaries at the heart of our efforts.
The above example is one of the many illuminating insights I gleaned as I listened to the Panel 1 discussion of the International Conference on the Communities of Success (ICCOS), which centres on Social Upliftment and Empowerment. The discussion featured speakers whose initiatives ranged from local to global impact. Their stories prove to me that we can make a difference—be it in our local communities or on a global scale.
Social Impact of a Local Community Initiative
It was during the pandemic when Project Hills started during the COVID-19 pandemic when, as Zulhaqem recalls, Mr Zulhaqem’s father, Mr Zulkifli Atnawi, is well-regarded in Mei Ling Street, located in Queenstown, Singapore, helping residents in various ways, including with money, food or other administrative matters.
Mr Zulkifli, in turn, approached Mr Zulhaqem and galvanised his whole family, including his daughter, Ms Zulayqha, who has been recognised with The Straits Times Generation Grit Award 2018. The assistance they rendered was immediate as they bought and distributed groceries to families in need. They would speak with residents about the items they want to purchase. Some may decry that they are not helping the residents to become independent or “teaching them how to fish’ to get them out of their financial hardship. However, Zulhaqem pointed out that their struggle is real. He emphasised that “the fish has to be given first to fill up their bellies”.
It is that level of sensitivity which highlights how acutely aware Project Hills is of their residents’ needs. They put the residents’ needs at the front and centre of their focus.
Project Hills has since grown from a small group of family and friends to a team of volunteers from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Their role, too, has evolved. Over time, it includes befriending and connecting with residents. Interestingly, the team does not use technology to assess residents' needs but manually uses human interactions like direct interviews and conducts checks on their beneficiaries. While acknowledging the challenges the team faces, such as the deeply emotional cases of these vulnerable families, their personal touch allows them to gain deeper insights into residents' lives, working closely with existing social service agencies to identify gaps where Project Hills can supplement care.
This direct mode of garnering support and consolidating resources to empower and uplift community members reflects Project Hills’ genuine and practical approach to community leadership. It impresses me how they have become a bridge between families and service providers. The most fulfilling outcome of the project is witnessing someone rise above their difficult circumstances and become a person who gives back to the community.
Transformative Role of Early Childhood Support in Empowering Vulnerable Families
While Project Hills fosters sustainable change and resilience within the community that is rooted in compassion and long-term support, there is also value in research and science to strengthen vulnerable families, as emphasised in the KidSTART programme. The panel shared that early childhood is a critical period for brain development to lay a strong foundation for future learning. CEO of KidSTART, Mdm Rahayu Buang, said her team also focuses on simple, everyday interactions like talking, singing, reading and playing to help foster strong parent-child relationships.
A study conducted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation and Murdoch University found that children who participated in the KidSTART programme showed improved socio-emotional development and better cognitive skills by age 3. Parents also reported reduced stress and a stronger sense of competence in supporting their children’s development, validating the program’s effectiveness.
Despite the challenges faced such as encouraging eligible families to join the programme, as well as scaling up resources, KidSTART has since benefited 9,000 children, up from a pilot of 1,000 children, thanks to various partnerships and a strong research foundation.
From Local to Global: Expanding Our Impact
While Project Hills demonstrates the potential of local community-building, and KidSTART focuses on supporting families in early childhood development, the panel also introduced me to an initiative that takes this spirit of giving to a much larger global scale. LaunchGood, the world's largest faith-based crowdfunding platform, shows how we can extend our reach beyond our immediate neighbourhoods.
LaunchGood’s platform ranges from helping the vulnerable in Aceh, Indonesia, to contributing to the operations of a Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, Canada, and even building mosques.
Image credit: www.launchgood.com
The story of LaunchGood showed how our potential contribution can impact beyond our shores and how our global Muslim community can be positive role models contributing to good causes. With 2 million donors across 154 countries and millions raised through over 100,000 fundraisers, the numbers are staggering! However, it is not just about the figures; it is about the lives changed, the dreams realised, and the bonds strengthened across borders.
LaunchGood's success, however, did not come overnight. Mr Omar E. Hamid, co-founder of LaunchGood, shared during the panel that their journey was met with initial rejections and scepticism. When they first pitched their idea for a Muslim-focused crowdfunding platform, investors dismissed it. Undeterred, the founders started small, relying on their unwavering belief in the potential of their platform and the campaigns raised.
LaunchGood also recognises the importance of good governance in the campaigns raised on their platform. They acknowledge the microscope being placed on them. Hence, they will vet the campaigns rigorously and conduct community checks after. They also review the campaigns to see if they meet compliance regulations and have a positive track record with high integrity. For example, they check if there are processes which involve updating the donors.
Their persistence and diligence paid off as LaunchGood gradually gained traction. Today, its remarkable success stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, diligence and upholding responsibility to the community in publicising good campaigns.
What resonated with me most about LaunchGood was their brand persona being inspired by Khadijah r.a. - a beacon of strength, support, and entrepreneurship in Islamic history. Mr. Omar explained that LaunchGood wants to be the first (and strong) supporter like how Khadijah r.a. was for Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. They are not just facilitating donations and enabling individuals and organisations to fundraise; they are showcasing the heroes within the Muslim community, amplifying the good work they are doing worldwide, and inviting others to contribute as well.
Another insight from Mr. Omar I took away was when I discovered a term that struck a chord personally: GUMEES - Global Urban Muslims, Educated and English Speaking. It is a group 350 million strong, yet overlooked. I realised that I, too, am part of this global network, and the possibilities for connection and impact are limitless. I, too, have the capacity to contribute or gather my friends to fundraise for a campaign supporting the underserved, for example. The impact of Launchgood showed how community leaders can play a crucial role in fostering unity, building a shared sense of purpose and mobilising resources among community members, thus empowering social development, regardless of the scale yet imagined.
Read: How to Donate to Gaza, Palestine in Singapore
A Call to Action
Through focused and good leadership practices, the initiatives presented in Panel 1 were able to demonstrate the profound impact of support, guidance, and resourcefulness in building stronger, self-sustaining communities.
Their efforts emphasise the importance of collective action and resilience for long-term societal growth. Each of us plays a significant role in the ‘ecosystem of change’. Regardless of our individual duties, we can all contribute to developing our communities and a hopeful future for all.
As the Panel 1 chair, Ustazah Amalina said community leaders can play a crucial role in fostering unity and a shared sense of purpose, as reflected in the saying, "A society grows great when people plant trees of which the shade they may never sit in," a principle aligned with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, who said,
"The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others."
(Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat)
Your action, no matter how small, can create ripples of positive change in someone's life!
P.S. As any conscientious journalist would do, I did a fact check on whether oats are horses’ food. A source confirms this, and you read it here. I’m certain it’s useful for trivia nights with family and friends!
