After two successful community projects, namely Projek Pelangi and Project Family Reunion, in the Tanglin Halt estate, SPACES was invited by the Queenstown Queensway Zone RC to return to the estate to serve the disadvantaged in anticipation of Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Project Vaanavil aimed to bring cheer to underprivileged Indian-Hindu and Malay-Muslim elderly and families by offering to paint their homes for Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2004. Apart from offering people from all walks of life an opportunity to engage in meaningful social work, it also promoted inter-racial and religious harmony. At a time when different races and religious groups in the world are drifting apart, we want to set a positive example of how different peoples, regardless of race, language, religion, age, sexual identity, nationality, education level or economic status, can work together to make Singapore a better home for everyone.

Project Vaanavil

Vaanavil means "rainbow" in Tamil. We added colour to the living spaces of the homes and families we served as we painted their apartments. During the Muslim fasting month, we humbled ourselves in acknowledgement of the hardship experienced by the poor and needy around the world. In this project, we hoped to brighten lives as we celebrated Hari Raya Puasa, the fasting month observed by Muslims, and Deepavali, the Festival of Light celebrated by Hindus.

What We Have Done

We painted the homes of Indian, Malay and Chinese Singaporeans living in two- and three-room flats. Our VIPs, Mr Zainudin Nordin, MP for Bishan-Toa Poyah GRC, and Mrs Chin Bee Kuan, first Vice Principal of Hwa Chong Junior College, joined us to visit some of the families in the afternoon as our volunteers painted the houses. This was followed by dinner, where we broke fast and when we invited the Indian and Malay families to dine together with the Chinese elderly we served in our previous projects. In addition to bringing joy to the families we served, this project also gave the non-Hindus and non-Muslims among us a cross-cultural experience and an opportunity to participate in community building.   

Who We Have Helped

We served Indian, Malay and Chinese families and elderly in the low-income estate of the Tanglin Halt area.  

Read the Streats article on Project Vaanavil here!