2023 was another busy year for all our staff as they took on a number of initiatives to give back to local communities and help support those less fortunate than themselves. While many of our projects aim to build beneficial, long-term relationships that contribute to the improvement of livelihoods, we also took part in last minute fundraisers and collections to provide immediate support whenever possible.
Tresna Werdha Elderly Nursery in Bali, Indonesia, is a social housing project for elderly people who can’t afford a place of their own. It’s a registered, fully independent organisation with the sole objective of serving people in need. Destination Asia’s Indonesia team were delighted to offer a donation and spend the day with the residents of the "Panti,” as it’s locally known. The residents shared stories of their youth while also sharing and enjoying nasi tumpeng, a conical tower of fragrant rice with an array of delicious side dishes, made for special occasions. The highlight was by far the karaoke, with a mix of traditional and modern songs. All in all, it was a memorable break for the 31 residents.
In late 2023, the team also coordinated donations of stationery and computer screens to the Bali Wise Foundation and TK Kandayani II kindergarten in West Denpasar. Later they raised funds and donated non-perishable food items to the Bali Children’s Cancer Care Foundation and spent a fun afternoon entertaining the children.
The team’s initiatives also included a tree planting activity last December in the West Bali National Park Forest, which is renowned for its natural diversity. This area encompasses a conservation zone that houses a range of ecosystems including mangrove forests, savannas, mountain forests and monsoon forests. It boasts 175 flora species and 167 fauna species, including the protected Bali Starling.
The Shelter Thien Duyen in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, cares for over 100 disadvantaged children and homeless people. Many of the residents are orphaned children suffering from cerebral palsy. Destination Asia Vietnam organised a food drive with collections taken at its office, which were then donated to the shelter.
The consignment was made up of essentials such as rice, salt, sugar, fish sauce, diapers, shampoo and more. The team raised an amazing 35,000,000 VND (about US$ 1,500). This enabled them to purchase goods worth 25,000,000 VND and provide Mama Miuoi, their lead carer, with an extra 10,000,000 VND to spend as she saw fit. The local Co.opmart store helped greatly by supporting the drive with special discounts on purchases.
A not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation in Penang, Malaysia operating since 2008, Kechara Soup Kitchen serves hot meals, dry food, fruit and drinks to homeless and disadvantaged people, as well as providing basic medical care and welfare aid.
Destination Asia Malaysia stepped in to help the cause, participating in food distribution over the course of three days. Our colleagues across Malaysia also donated dry food items and funds to Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, a not-for-profit, single-discipline cancer hospital.
A non-affiliated charity in Singapore, Willing Hearts is managed and run mostly by volunteers. It operates a soup kitchen that prepares, cooks and distributes about 7,000 daily meals to over 70 island-wide locations. Staff from Destination Asia Singapore volunteered their time for a day early on in the year, preparing ingredients, helping to pack lunch boxes, cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes and providing general help around the place as requested.
In October the entire Singapore team also dedicated time to a clean-up day at Changi Beach, so it can continue to be safe for local wildlife and enjoyed by visitors.
The Rajvithi Home for Girls in Bangkok, Thailand, was established to provide assistance and development for orphans and disadvantaged children aged between five and 18. These children often lack guardians, have been abandoned and live in extreme poverty. Some have been sexually exploited or have parents serving a jail term. Destination Asia Thailand along with the team from head office in Bangkok organised a food drive for the home. A total of around 20 large boxes of food items were collected and donated including essential items such as rice, cooking oil, noodles, sugar and sweet treats.
In December the team collected items such as cuddly toys, school supplies, toiletries and clothing at the head office in Bangkok. The donations were for girls and boys aged 2-14 years living at Baan Nok Kamin home for street children and orphans – a charity supported for several years by Destination Asia Thailand.
Our team in Cambodia visited Mebon Primary School mid-year to deliver a donation from KAI Foundation, a charitable division of our sales partner in North America.We looked after the local purchase and delivery of five sturdy wooden shelves, a large cupboard and a brand-new printer.
The team supported the donation by collecting contributions around the office to buy books and stationery. The school is in a beautiful setting within the Angkor Archeological Park, close to the 9th century East Mebon and Pre Rup temples. But its funding is scant, it has very few resources and is showing distinct signs of wear and tear, so any support it receives is welcomed with open arms.
Food Angel is a non-profit organisation in Hong Kong that rescues edible surplus food from catering industry outlets that would otherwise go to waste. After thorough checks, the food is then turned into tasty, nutritious meals in the central kitchen and redistributed to underprivileged communities. The Destination Asia Hong Kong team helped prepare meals and received an informative briefing on food waste and poverty issues in the region. By volunteering with this excellent cause, we can help ensure that perfectly good food is saved from disposal and given to people who need it.
