Hope Initiative Alliance Appointed to Operate Kaki Bukit Recreation Centre
- Hope Initiative Alliance
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
“Hope Village @ KBRC” to Foster Inclusion, Empowerment
and Community for Migrant Workers
Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA), together with its facilities partner Advancer IFM Pte. Ltd. (Advancer), has been appointed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to operate the Kaki Bukit Recreation Centre (KBRC) for a period of three years, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028.
Through this collaboration, HIA and Advancer will jointly revitalise and operate KBRC into a holistic Community Hub. This hub will be branded as “Hope Village @ KBRC” and will integrate recreation, skills development, and community engagement under one inclusive framework.
As a registered Institution of a Public Character (IPC) charity, HIA brings extensive experience in migrant worker welfare through its movement, the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach (AGWO). Since 2018, AGWO has mobilised hundreds of partners across faiths, civil society, and corporates to provide holistic care and meaningful engagement for migrant workers through skills training, health screening, festive celebrations, and psychosocial support.
At Hope Village @ KBRC, HIA envisions a joint collaboration between Advancer and HIA. Advancer will oversee daily facilities management, while HIA will take the lead in community programming and partnership coordination. This model will position the Recreation Centre as a dynamic, community-anchored hub that not only meets workers’ social needs, but also supports their aspirations for learning, wellness, and belonging.
Under this new initiative, KBRC will undergo a series of upgrades and programme rollouts to enhance the visitor experience:
Refreshed Facilities: Simple renovation and rejuvenation works without affecting RC operations will be carried out to improve cleanliness, lighting, and safety, creating a comfortable and vibrant atmosphere.
Affordable Offerings: HIA and Advancer will work with tenants to maintain competitive, community-focused pricing, ensuring affordability for workers.
Skills and Training Programmes: Courses in English, digital literacy, financial literacy, AutoCAD, and safety awareness will be conducted through the HIA Learning Academy.
Sports and Recreation: KBRC will host regular futsal, badminton, and pickleball activities, and serve as the official home of the Kabaddi Association of Singapore, featuring weekly training sessions and tournaments.
Health and Legal Clinics: HIA will work with our partners such as SATA CommHealth and Pro Bono SG on offering regular health screenings and free legal advisory sessions for migrant workers.
Community Partnerships: HIA will collaborate with various partnering organisations such as the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) to bring in diverse programmes for migrant workers and domestic employees.
Connectivity and Entertainment: Free Wi-Fi, outdoor movie screenings, and cultural performances will create a lively and inclusive environment.
Festive Celebrations and Carnivals: Regular festive events and pop-up booths will enliven the Centre, fostering a sense of home and belonging.
These developments build on HIA’s ongoing social and wellbeing programmes for migrant workers, while also leveraging the management expertise of Advancer, an integrative facility management partner. Together, the partnership ensures that Hope Village @ KBRC combines compassionate community engagement with professional operational excellence, thereby creating a holistic environment where every worker feels cared for, empowered, and at home.
To usher in this new chapter, a series of community events has been planned:
1 January 2026 – Launch Booth: A pop-up booth introducing “Hope Village” and showcasing artist impressions and upcoming plans.
4 January 2026 – Official Takeover Ceremony: A carnival and formal handover event with invited guests, media representatives, and community partners. Guests and migrant workers can look forward to a day of booth activities and finding out more about HIA’s future plans for the RC.
18 January 2026 – Pongal Celebration: A vibrant cultural festival celebrating unity and gratitude with traditional food and activities.
8 March 2026 – Grand Opening of Hope Village @ KBRC: Official launch event following the completion of renovation works.
Rev Ezekiel Tan, President of Hope Initiative Alliance, shared:
“We are honoured by MOM’s trust in appointing us to operate Kaki Bukit Recreation Centre. Through Hope Village @ KBRC, we aim to build a place where every migrant worker feels a sense of home, treated with dignity, and supported by hope. This reflects the values of inclusion and partnership at the heart of Singapore’s social compact. This initiative demonstrates how civil society, corporations, and government can work hand in hand to uplift lives and strengthen our community fabric.
HIA is working in close partnership with our esteemed collaborator, Advancer IFM Pte. Ltd., an integrated facility management expert with a strong track record in workforce and property solutions. Together, we seek to ensure that Hope Village @ KBRC operates as a model of holistic care and efficient management, blending compassion with professional excellence to serve the needs of Singapore’s migrant worker community.”
This collaboration between HIA and Advancer sets a scalable model for the future, transforming recreation centres from leisure spaces into thriving community anchors that uplift and unite migrant workers.
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