“When I learned that my Humanities teacher had organised a learning journey to Little India, I must admit that my expectations were not very high. How interesting or insightful could this learning journey be, bringing me to a place I’ve already been to?

Turns out, very. My occasional trips there were not even the tip of the iceberg! My facilitator was eloquent and informative, sharing the challenges, facts, and perspectives of migrant workers working in Singapore.

The trail was tremendously informative and shed light on a marginalised group within Singapore. It opened my eyes to the daily injustices migrant workers face, the prejudice they endure, and the high stakes they risked just to come to Singapore.

The interactive student booklet with reflection questions was deeply insightful and thought-provoking. Without it, I would still be as ill-informed as before, unknowingly aligning myself with stereotypes of migrant workers. This introspection was what compelled me to volunteer for Migrant & Me.”

“My gap year in 2024 led me to Migrant & Me, seeking a new experience. What I found was far more profound. There, I witnessed the incredible resilience of migrant workers, who not only survive but thrive in a foreign land despite facing significant challenges like language barriers, sunk costs, and the pain of leaving loved ones behind.

My role transcended mere participation; I became a bridge between migrant workers and Singaporean youth, facilitating their understanding through shared learning journeys and classes. This transformative experience instilled a deep sense of gratitude.

Volunteering at Migrant & Me wasn't just about gaining an experience; it was about making a tangible difference in the lives of others.”

“I first participated in M&Me's programme, as a participant from NTU. It was eye-opening and inspirational, and many of the points discussed resonated deeply with me, considering my Bengali descent.

As part of the programme, one of the calls to action is to advocate for the cause. So when the opportunity arose, I joined the team as a facilitator with the strong belief that, as a youth myself, I could have a very profound impact on positively influencing the negative mindset that a lot of my peers hold towards the community.”

“Migrant & Me's focus on highlighting the experiences of migrant workers deeply resonated with me. "Table Talks" with injured workers were particularly impactful, offering students firsthand accounts of their struggles and aspirations. This transformed students' perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding. My role in facilitating these discussions allowed me to develop crucial skills and contribute to a more inclusive society. I'm incredibly grateful for this experience and committed to advocating for migrant workers' rights.”

“As a primary school teacher now, I see the importance of Migrant & Me’s work in cultivating empathy and appreciation for migrant workers. Their efforts to engage youths through educational programmes are crucial in fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.

By impacting the younger generation, they are planting the seeds for long-term change. I believe that many more youths will be positively influenced by their programmes, and I am excited to see a more inclusive society being built by these empowered youths.”

“I started volunteering with Migrant & Me in 2022 as a JC 2 student. I decided to become a facilitator for two main reasons: a strong interest in migrant issues and seeing directly the negative stereotyping of migrant workers amongst Singaporean youths.

Being a part of M&Me has given me the privilege to see students engage in meaningful dialogues, learn about the harsh realities faced by migrant workers, and contribute in small ways to support the transient workers in their own little communities. These moments of connection and learning are truly heartwarming and are my motivation to continue my volunteering journey.”

“Being an intern with Migrant & Me gave me time to learn about the complexities of the migrant worker community's difficulties. Through my internship, I too, started to question and break down my own assumptions and hidden prejudices.

I strongly believe that M&Me is grounded in a strong and clear purpose to build a new generation of energetic advocates for migrant workers.

M&Me empowers participants to make informed decisions about their role. With this knowledge at hand, participants are less likely to ignore their role.”