In a bid to encourage fair trade with Cambodian Farmers while simultaneously giving back to the community, TranSwap has partnered with local charity organisations, Hope Villages Fund and Hemispheres Foundation. Carried out in May 2021, TranSwap invited their partners and clients to participate in the Gift of Compassion project where participants purchased boxes of fresh produce from Cambodia air flown to Singapore for friends and family or to donate to Beyond Social Services. Through this project, TranSwap aimed to increase the awareness of the initiatives of Hope Villages Fund and Hemipsheres Foundation to their partners and clients while also donating more than 40 boxes of organic produce to Beyond Social Services for distribution to underprivileged and low income families.
It is hoped that this partnership with Hope Villages Fund empowers Cambodian Farmers with means to continue their practices and earn a reasonable living through fair trade. Moreover, the distribution of fresh, organic produce to low income families in Singapore further echoes TranSwap’s allegiance to the community and mission to help the underserved.
Established by a team of Singapore professionals in 2007, Hope Villages is a Non-Profit Organisation devoted to channelling change to the lives of the underprivileged in Asia. With hopes of broadening access to drinking water, education and livelihood opportunities through farming, Hope Villages has also undertaken various development projects that have consequently aided in the resettling of many families comprising of over 1,000 residents.
"We are grateful to TranSwap for their contribution to the compassionate farm gift programme. Their donation provides education of the underprivileged children in Kampong Seu in Cambodia and takes us a step closer ensuring the villagers are empowered in realising their dreams having brick houses and sustainable livelihoods. The donation of fresh produce to low income families in Singapore is also very helpful during this difficult time." said Ann Phua, co-founder of Hope Villages Fund and Founder of Hemispheres Foundation.
Commenting on TranSwap’s CSR efforts, Mr. Benjamin Wong, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of TranSwap, added, "TranSwap’s mission has always been to be as involved with the communities as we can. We feel fortunate that we are able to engage with plans to give back the community especially at a turbulent time like this. I would also like to express my gratitude to my staff and clients who have underpinned our efforts and tried their best at spreading their word to be a part of this project. We hope to encourage the farmers through fair trade and inculcate a sense of unity across borders."