Five years ago, TheOneHourProject started with a simple premise: that one hour — freely given — could matter. Half a decade later, the numbers bear it out. Over 500 volunteers across Singapore, the Philippines, and beyond. More than 100 organisations. An average of 500 hours of help logged every year since 2021.
But numbers only tell part of it.
The other part lives in what people actually experienced when they showed up and it may surprise you.
“Volunteering helped me to use my experiences and skills to create confidence in others,” says Jayaram Nagaraj, a TOHP volunteer. “Impact is not measured by how much time we give, but by how present we are when we give it.”
That presence takes many forms – digital is a way to bridge help. . Alyza Santos, who volunteers from overseas, found something she hadn’t expected: “TheOneHourProject gave me the opportunity to give back using my skills, even from afar. Volunteering gave me back so much more than I expected — a sense of fulfillment, gratitude, and connection to communities I care about.”
And on the receiving end, partner organisations feel it every time. “Whenever a volunteer signs up, we feel reaffirmed that our work for migrant domestic workers matters,” shares Uplifters. Liwanag at Dunong puts it this way: “We feel thrilled to have more people in solidarity and involved in forwarding the indigenous peoples’ cause.”What TOHP has quietly proven over five years is that volunteering doesn’t require a particular background or a full weekend. It asks only that you show up with what you already have.
“If you’ve never volunteered, I wish you knew that what you do every day — SEO, accounting, whatever — is also your superpower,” says Jeremiah, TOHP’s Digital Manager. “Every skill is important.”
Patrixia Castillo, a volunteer, found it simply: “The one hour I gave gave me back fuel for my soul.”
One hour. Given freely. Returned differently.
Volunteer work makes people feel seen, heard and valued more than you know. At half a decade, we’re just starting. And we’ll always welcome more partners, more hands and hearts – when you’re ready, hit our DMs, send us that email and be part of hope in action.
