The pilot run of 2023 was truly a year of experiences for everyone on the team

Did you know that several Singaporeans and tourists actually go to Ubin for camping, kayaking and fishing adventures? On this trip, we sure got to explore Ubin in a different way and even learnt some related terms like a fish species named the Barramundis!

There are very few places that invokes the feeling of nostalgia the same way as Pulau Ubin. I am reminded of the importance and fragility of community, especially in a place where the remaining population is dwindling. There were many aspects of the culture on Ubin that were unique, such as the politics at play with the different residents.

The Tua Pek Gong festival on Ubin remains my most cherished recollection from Ubin Kakis. This memory holds a special place in my heart as I witnessed the entire Pulau Ubin community uniting to organize and celebrate a collective endeavor. What left a profound impact on me was the sight of non-residents dedicating their time from the mainland to participate as volunteers.

Ubin project surprised me on how much involved we are to the local community’s culture and traditions. We communicated a lot and learned so much from the residents and locals regarding their lives in Ubin. Hearing about the local’s experiences and stories contrasts with our fast paced life in the city. Unfortunately some of the customs and unique things in Ubin are lost due to time. Hearing how fondly the uncle and aunties talked about their younger days in Ubin makes me realise how rich and important the island is to them and how preserving their stories matter even in the simplest forms.

As Singapore modernizes, many residents have moved out. Basic necessities that can be found on the mainland such as healthcare, supermarkets etc, are no longer as readily available/non-existent on the island. This also encourages the community to move out and fewer and fewer people are willing to stay in Ubin.

After being in Ubin and attending various events and engaging with different residents, it has hit me that a lot of these culturally driven festivals and celebrations, regardless of race, have a reduced attendance in general, especially from the young people. This might be because of the westernization of the Singaporean culture, and perhaps the lack of emphasis of celebrating our own culture from our elders, cultures are slowly flowing away...

The cultures of Pulau Ubin are continuing fading with the moving out of the residents and the leaving of the old residents. Through Project Ubin Kakis, I had a better connection with the residents instead of just visiting Ubin as a visitor. I was so thankful to meet everyone on the island and listen to their stories about Pulau Ubin in the past.

This project highlighted the importance and power of leveraging diverse skill sets within a team. One key takeaway was how effectively we could accomplish our goals by utilizing each member's unique abilities. For instance, Adele and Victoria's knack for connecting with residents significantly broadened our outreach. Their approachable demeanor made the residents feel comfortable and more willing to engage with us.

He's been working as a bumboat operator for 5 years, but his relationship with the Ubin bumboat industry started way earlier when he helped to wash and repair the boats at the boatyard about 30 years ago!

Our experience organising and participating in a Deepavali Event.

Also known as Ah Di, he's a familiar face on Pulau Ubin, reaching out to visitors who come to the island to cycle!

Chek Jawa Wetlands is a famous tourist spot in Ubin. It’s a wonderful location to relax and take a breather from the hustle and bustle. Chek Jawa is located on the East side of Pulau Ubin and it has 6 diverse ecosystems.

Introducing Uncle Satay! Even before embarking on our project, the Ubin Kakis already knew Uncle Satay as the crab hunter featured on OGS. An extremely friendly individual, we're so glad we've gotten to know Uncle better!

If you frequent Pulau Ubin, she would be a familiar face! She and her husband have been running Yak Hong Provision Shop together for the past 48 years, a business that's passed down to them from her in-laws. Originally from mainland Singapore, Auntie Ngak Heng often shares with us how it was like moving to Ubin and running the business in the early days!

Hear the story of Ubin's Tua Pek Kong festival from Aunty Doreen.

Ubin Day is a celebration for those who love Pulau Ubin. In particular, Wan from Wan's Ubin Journal organised a Malay Kampung Heritage Tour around the island, during which he shared his Ubin Orang Pulau heritage.

Meet our Project Partner, Artsolute! In this video, we'll be chatting with Terence, Founder and Director of Artsolute.

We're a group of SMU students deeply passionate about culture and community. We're very excited to see what we can learn and do on this one-year community service project for the different communities on Ubin!

It’s been about 4 months since our first team visit, and time really flies by so quickly! It’s been a time filled with nothing but curiosity, joy and gratitude.