OUR VISION
An inclusive, equitable world where every individual can live with dignity, have a voice and a right to self-determination.
Our Mission
To accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn and determine their own future.
JRS Singapore was formed in the early 1980’s to address the urgent Vietnamese Refugee and East Timor crises.
The country’s first coordinator for Jesuit Refugee Service Singapore was Fr Desmond Reid. He will be remembered best for coordinating humanitarian relief at the height of the exodus of the Vietnamese boat people after the war.
Fr Reid would not only appeal for donations in kind for the Hawkins Road Camp but would mingle with the refugees to teach them English.
JRS Singapore reports directly to the JRS Asia Pacific Regional Director, based in Bangkok, Thailand. Jesuit Refugee Service (Singapore) Ltd was formed in early 2017 and we were registered as a Charity in August 2020.
Today, we are a group of about 50 active volunteers from different churches and backgrounds. We come together monthly for faith formation and discussion on our projects, fundraising activities and social mission trips.
Our focus for 2021 is to ramp-up our support for various refugee programmes in the region and to do local outreach to our migrant community.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ~ 1 Peter 4:10
Raising Awareness
Our Outreach Programs are brought to churches, schools and organizations to raise awareness of the plight of refugees, displaced persons and victims of human trafficking. We also engage with other like-minded organizations in Singapore to share our stories.
Anti-Human Trafficking
We accompany victims of human trafficking by organizing vocational outings to different industries to showcase the various job opportunities they may have when returning to home countries.
Mission Trips
Our volunteers go on assigned mission trips as part of accompaniment for the refugees and also do teacher-training for classroom management, lesson planning, anti-human trafficking courses. Volunteers also conduct field research and project assessments.
Fundraising
We do fundraising through various activities to support local and overseas projects. Most donations are in aid of refugees, displaced persons and victims of human trafficking in South East Asia.
“It is our duty not only to ensure refugees receive protection from war and oppression in their country of origin, but also to protect them from trafficking and other risks in their new communities. Education plays a key role in this protection.”
Corporate Information
Jesuit Refugee Service (Singapore) Ltd
A registered company limited by guarantee.
Registration No: 201713923E
Executive Committee
Caroline Seow
Gordon Pinto
Tricia Kat
Elaine Wong
Country Representative
Elaine Wong, Country Rep
Board Members
Caroline Seow, Chair
Collin Yap, Dep Chair
Adrian Teo
George Lim
Gordon Pinto
Josephine Choo
Lie Foeng Sugiman
Louie Bacomo