Even if you’ve lived your entire life in the Little Red Dot, there may be nooks and crannies you’ve never come across. Or perhaps you just love the fun of strolling across different districts to unearth hidden gems.
Enter Exploring Singapore for a Cause, an initiative that gives you insights into local charity organisations as you journey through the island.
The app offers 12 charity walking trails, each with interactive portions that offer you tales of the various destinations and stories about charities that help the underprivileged — from families to migrant workers — and the environment. They’re been modified from the original LocoMole trails to include elements of charity and social engagement.
Here’s a list of the trails, their beneficiaries and their highlights:
- Bugis Trail (Caritas Singapore): Browsing through museums, budget shops and temples.
- Chinatown Trail (Yong-en Care Centre): Bargain hunting at People’s Park and strolling along colourful shop houses.
- Central Civic District Trail (Make-A-Wish Foundation): Peranakan Museum, Singapore’s oldest church and the Central Fire Station Heritage Gallery.
- Lower Civic District Trail (National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre): Churches and the former Supreme Court/City Hall, now known as National Gallery Singapore.
- Joo Chiat Trail (Cornerstone Community Service): Facets of Singapore’s first Heritage Town, Peranakan treats and chats with a Peranakan scholar.
- Kampong Glam Trail (Malay Heritage Foundation): Indie shops at Haji Lane and learning about culture at the Malay Heritage Centre.
- Little India Trail (HealthServe): The Little India Arcade, local dishes at Tekka Centre and shopping at Mustafa Centre.
- Marina Bay Trail (Esplanade): Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay and Esplanade’s waterfront.
- Pulau Ubin Nature Trail (Nature Society of Singapore): Wildlife habitats, mangrove boardwalks and the Pulau Ubin main village.
- Singapore River Trail (The Law Society of Singapore Pro Bono Services Office): Asian Civilisations Museum, Old Parliament House and Clarke Quay.
- Telok Ayer Trail (Samaritans of Singapore): Hipster cafes galore, the last remaining civilian air raid shelter and Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre.
- Tiong Bahru Trail (South Central Community Family Service Centre): Trendy boutiques, art-deco shop houses and lovely wall murals.
Before you embark on a trail, be sure to take note how long it lasts (two to four hours) and how far it covers (usually about 3km). Check out more info on the trails here.
