HANDY APP FOR GIVING BACK

jul16_people1 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/jul16_people1.jpg?sfvrsn=b9f75352_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/HANDY-APP-FOR-GIVING-BACK
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/HANDY-APP-FOR-GIVING-BACK
HANDY APP FOR GIVING BACK
19 Jul 2016 | PEOPLE

HANDY APP FOR GIVING BACK

STORY // Tan Jun An
PHOTO // James Ng & Courtesy of Joe Tan

Giving his time to those in need was not enough for Captain (CPT) (NS) Joe Tan, who went a step further to help others do the same.

Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and a heart to help the needy, CPT (NS) Tan wanted a new and more convenient way for volunteers to sign up for community work.

To accomplish this, he was not afraid to take the road less travelled.

"We developed this app to make volunteering in Singapore not only easier, but cooler as well," said CPT (NS) Tan. The 33-year-old is the Battalion Operations Officer of 113th Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Battalion.

The inspiration for the mobile application (app) came from what CPT (NS) Tan saw in Afghanistan in 2012. He was part of an Imagery Analysis Team deployed in Operation Blue Ridge, the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) contribution to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts there.

He saw the contrast in the lives of Singaporeans and the Afghans, who did not even have access to a clean water supply.

"But they were happy in their own right," he noted. "It was through this experience that I was able to reflect upon what I have in Singapore and count my blessings.

"My experience in Afghanistan played a big part in what I'm doing today and, of course, in the development of Hands Up."

Hands up

CPT (NS) Tan started his volunteering journey three years ago with his first social enterprise, Love Action Project, which provides a platform for people to engage in charity work.

It was through this project that he realised there was a lack of means for Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to advertise their community work, as well as for the public who may not know where to look for meaningful volunteer work.

"Our objective is very simple: we want to revolutionise the volunteering landscape in Singapore, while ensuring that volunteering is made easy," said CPT (NS) Tan.

The problem was finding an easy way to do this. That's when he came up with the idea of Hands Up. Available on iOS and Android platforms, the app was launched on 3 Apr and has since garnered support from eight NPOs and about 50 users.

"We have been very fortunate to have a group of very patient NPOs and users, which has made the progress of our app development much smoother and easier."

What's up

Tired of checking email? Well, CPT (NS) Tan created a system within the Hands Up app that allows volunteers to post their concerns under the Frequently Asked Questions section of a particular event.

The organisation can then address them quickly, eliminating the trouble of sending emails.

The app also enables a volunteer to record the total number of hours he or she has volunteered for.

And on the other end, NPOs can check relevant statistics such as the number of volunteers who signed up for a particular event using the app.

In future updates, users can also expect to see new features. "We are planning to invite vendors on board to provide a reward system for volunteers through the introduction of a Goodwill points exchange system to redeem promotional offers or vouchers with vendors," explained CPT (NS) Tan.

In addition, he asked NPOs to consider revamping their existing community work programmes to ensure that they are current and suit the interests of today's youth in order to attract more volunteers.

CPT (NS) Tan's plans do not stop there. He wants to expand the app to cover volunteering events and NPOs in the region.

"We are looking to have as many as 100,000 users on board. We also want to arrange cross-border volunteering events where people from different walks of life can come together for a common cause."

Visit handsup.sg to find out more about the Hands Up app!

Suggested Reading
Cover story
SISTERS IN ARMS
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

One's got her feet firmly on the ground, the other's hungry for adventure – CPT Rebekah Abbott and CPT (Dr) Hannah Abbott share the joys of growing up and signing on with the military.

Cover story
FOUR WOMEN, 4 SERVICES, 19 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

Meet ME6 Toh Bao-En, LTC Nah Jinping, LTC Tong Wei Lynn and SLTC Tung Wanling.

Feature
NS ALLOWANCE TO INCREASE FROM 1 JULY 2025
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

The increase is among a series of various measures to enhance the National Service (NS) experience and recognise servicemen’s contributions. 

Cover story
SAF TO GET NEW INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE, 2 MORE SUBMARINES; BUILD UP UNMANNED CAPABILITIES
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen highlighted the SAF’s long-term approach to building a next-generation fighting force, during the Committee of Supply debates on the defence budget. 

Feature
SAF SET TO EXPAND PULAU TEKONG TRAINING AREAS; SAFTI CITY OPEN FOR TRAINING
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

Pulau Tekong will be expanded to stretch 10km, and is part of the SAF’s investments in training infrastructure for more effective and realistic training.

Combat medic learns to save lives in SAF-SCDF attachment
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

LCP Chen Anhong stepped up to treat patients and provide emergency medical services during his six months with the SCDF.

Feature
MATCH MADE IN THE SAF
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

MAJ Jayaram Venugobalan Naidu and Kasturibai Athmaram went from schoolmates to soulmates after a chance posting to the same unit reconnected the two.

HE STRUCK (DIVERS’) GOLD
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

Inspired by his father who was a Commando NSman, 3SG Fong Zheng Wei went from failing IPPT to achieving Divers’ Gold.

TWICE THE STRENGTH, DOUBLE THE PRIDE
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

3SG Irfan and 3SG Iryan Hidayat have walked almost identical paths all their lives —from attending the same schools to enlisting for NS and, now, graduating as newly minted sergeants together.  

Feature
AFTER “EVER AFTER”
PEOPLE
19 Jul 2016

From best friends to lovers, and now parents of two (with a third on the way!): Army couple CPT Nuraishah and 3WO Shahibul share how their love is still going strong.