What is HOPE Initiative?

HOPE Initiative is SA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, an extension of the organisation’s mission to help improve the lives of the people in Southeast Asia. HOPE is an acronym for Helping Ordinary People Everywhere and this initiative was established to provide assistance to the less fortunate people in this region, specifically in the area of water security. SA is a Singapore-based organisation and HOPE Initiative projects are generally target towards overseas community care programmes as well as relief aid in the aftermath of disasters.

 

How do we provide water security?

With the use of new technologies, we are able to explore more options from which we can provide potable, clean drinking water to those who need it. This complements one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals of clean water and sanitation, and SA is proudly involved in this effort to provide equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water in Southeast Asia.

The vendor partners with whom we are currently working with are

  1. Watergen
  2. Lifestraw
  3. Good Water

 

Which communities does SA’s HOPE Initiative serve?

We identify the needs in various overseas locations in the region, then establish a relationship with a local partner with whom we collaborate and provide logistics support. Together, we determine the extent of the help required, the duration that support will be required, the solutions that can be offered, budgets and measurement of outcomes.

At present, HOPE Initiative is working with 1001 Fontaines in Cambodia, a local NGO, to provide access to safe drinking water using Lifestraw and Good Water in a pilot project to assess emergency flood relief capability.

 

Why is this important?

  1. Every year, contaminated water causes 1 billion people across to globe (in developed, developing and under-developed nations) to fall ill and 1.7 million children under the age of five die from illness due to the shortage of clean drinking water.
  2. It is predicted that by 2025, 50% of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas.
  3. Quote from Dr Sam Geall and Dr Mohamad Mova Al’Afghani:

“The right to safe water, is fundamental to leading a life with dignity – and a foundation for achieving many other internationally recognised human rights, such as the rights to life, work, and adequate housing. Yet approximately 844 million people live without access to safe water worldwide, of whom around 110 million live in Southeast Asia.”

 

How can you contribute to SA’s HOPE Initiative?

  1. Inform us if you know of any specific needs that HOPE Initiative can volunteer in.
  2. Volunteer with us, especially in disaster relief aid efforts, or in general outreach activities where relevant.
  3. Be a donor and contribute financially towards our help efforts.
  4. Be available and ready to help – leave us your contact so we can be in touch!

 

Contact email: HOPE@SAsiapac.com