Shared meals build trust that complements formal support and connects low-income young adults to employment pathways aligned with their aspirations
For many low-income Singaporeans, the support they need to get ahead is not just practical – it is relational. Real and lasting progress often begins with being genuinely heard, with someone taking time to understand their lives before offering any answers. Yet that kind of unhurried, trust-based connection is not always easy to find within formal support structures.
By listening first, MakanBersama creates the conditions for trust to grow, and it is from that foundation that the real work begins. Whether that means navigating financial options, exploring employment pathways, or building new skills, MakanBersama journeys with individuals to shape their own support. Their aim is not just to help people get by, but to walk alongside them towards something more: greater stability, stronger footing, and real progress.
Incubated under the Philanthropreneur-in-Residence programme, MakanBersama's ambition is to grow community work efforts for social mobility. This is not about replacing what already exists. Government agencies and social service organisations do vital work in casework and structured support, and MakanBersama sees itself as a complement to that ecosystem — filling a relational space that formal services are not always designed to occupy. Together, these efforts form a more complete picture of support.
​A key part of that vision is tackling employment. For many low-income Singaporeans, the barriers to better work run deep: gaps in skills, limited networks, a lack of confidence, and systems that can feel difficult to navigate alone. MakanBersama is committed to experimenting and co-creating employment pathways alongside the communities they serve — not designing solutions in isolation, but building them together, iteratively, with the people who know their own lives best.
Intended Outcomes
​MakanBersama hopes to improve the following outcomes for the residents it journeys with over the long term:
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Employment outcomes, such as securing full-time, CPF-paying employment and greater job retention.
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Financial outcomes, such as higher income levels and increased savings.