About Us
About Us
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) is a non-profit society, with a mission to connect people with Nature, Self & Others.
By creating a space to nurture connectedness, creativity & risk-taking, we aspire to build a 21st Century Kampung Culture that cultivates holistic solutions for a happier and more sustainable future.
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) is a non-profit society, with a mission to connect people with Nature, Self & Others.
By creating a space to nurture connectedness, creativity & risk-taking, we aspire to build a 21st Century Kampung Culture that cultivates holistic solutions for a happier and more sustainable future.
Kampung Chief, Tay Lai Hock
Kampung Chief, Tay Lai Hock
In loving memory, 1964 - 2018
In loving memory, 1964 - 2018
Why was GUI created?
Why was GUI created?
Why was GUI created?
Singaporeans needed to be more daring and creative — a finding from the Remaking Singapore Committee in 2002.
Our late Kampung Chief, Tay Lai Hock, was 39 years old when he came across the news while backpacking around the world. It made him wonder: “How could creativity and risk-taking be nurtured when the very people who teach are risk averse, and when the environment does not allow these attributes to flourish?”
Lai Hock returned to Singapore, with a determination to do something about it. In 2008, his evolving answer to that recommendation took the form of Ground-Up Initiative (GUI).
Singaporeans needed to be more daring and creative — a finding from the Remaking Singapore Committee in 2002.
Our late Kampung Chief, Tay Lai Hock, was 39 years old when he came across the news while backpacking around the world. It made him wonder: “How could creativity and risk-taking be nurtured when the very people who teach are risk averse, and when the environment does not allow these attributes to flourish?”
Lai Hock returned to Singapore, with a determination to do something about it. In 2008, his evolving answer to that recommendation took the form of Ground-Up Initiative (GUI).
Singaporeans needed to be more daring and creative — a finding from the Remaking Singapore Committee in 2002.
Our late Kampung Chief, Tay Lai Hock, was 39 years old when he came across the news while backpacking around the world. It made him wonder: “How could creativity and risk-taking be nurtured when the very people who teach are risk averse, and when the environment does not allow these attributes to flourish?”
Lai Hock returned to Singapore, with a determination to do something about it. In 2008, his evolving answer to that recommendation took the form of Ground-Up Initiative (GUI).
our mission
Care, Initiate, Create
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) nurtures environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens through experiential education, community-building, and sustainable living practices. We empower individuals to care for the Earth and one another - cultivating a resilient, values-driven society ready to shape a better future
our mission
Care, Initiate, Create
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) nurtures environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens through experiential education, community-building, and sustainable living practices. We empower individuals to care for the Earth and one another - cultivating a resilient, values-driven society ready to shape a better future
our mission
Care, Initiate, Create
Ground-Up Initiative (GUI) nurtures environmentally conscious and socially responsible citizens through experiential education, community-building, and sustainable living practices. We empower individuals to care for the Earth and one another - cultivating a resilient, values-driven society ready to shape a better future
our vision
Connectedness
To build a sustainable and compassionate world where people, communities, and nature thrive in harmony.
our vision
Connectedness
To build a sustainable and compassionate world where people, communities, and nature thrive in harmony.
our vision
Connectedness
To build a sustainable and compassionate world where people, communities, and nature thrive in harmony.
our purpose
Creativity & Risk-Taking
To rekindle the human spirit by nurturing a deep connection with nature, self, and community – empowering people to live meaningfully, act responsibly, and co-create a sustainable future from the ground up.
our purpose
Creativity & Risk-Taking
To rekindle the human spirit by nurturing a deep connection with nature, self, and community – empowering people to live meaningfully, act responsibly, and co-create a sustainable future from the ground up.
our purpose
Creativity & Risk-Taking
To rekindle the human spirit by nurturing a deep connection with nature, self, and community – empowering people to live meaningfully, act responsibly, and co-create a sustainable future from the ground up.
Living the 5G Way – The Heartbeat of GUI
At GUI, we believe that real change begins with how we live and relate to one another. The 5G values aren’t just words – they are a way of being that shapes our culture, our relationships, and the world we want to build together.
Living the 5G Way – The Heartbeat of GUI
At GUI, we believe that real change begins with how we live and relate to one another. The 5G values aren’t just words – they are a way of being that shapes our culture, our relationships, and the world we want to build together.
Living the 5G Way – The Heartbeat of GUI
At GUI, we believe that real change begins with how we live and relate to one another. The 5G values aren’t just words – they are a way of being that shapes our culture, our relationships, and the world we want to build together.
Gracious
We honour each person’s journey. In a diverse world, we choose kindness, empathy, and the courage to listen with an open heart.
Gracious
We honour each person’s journey. In a diverse world, we choose kindness, empathy, and the courage to listen with an open heart.
Gracious
We honour each person’s journey. In a diverse world, we choose kindness, empathy, and the courage to listen with an open heart.
Green
Green is more than eco-practices - it’s a mindset of awareness, respect, and responsibility for all life and the earth we share.
Green
Green is more than eco-practices - it’s a mindset of awareness, respect, and responsibility for all life and the earth we share.
Green
Green is more than eco-practices - it’s a mindset of awareness, respect, and responsibility for all life and the earth we share.
Giving
We give not out of abundance, but out of love - our time, attention, care, and space to grow - knowing that giving strengthens community.
Giving
We give not out of abundance, but out of love - our time, attention, care, and space to grow - knowing that giving strengthens community.
Giving
We give not out of abundance, but out of love - our time, attention, care, and space to grow - knowing that giving strengthens community.
Grounded
We stay rooted in humility. We don’t just dream - we do, learning with our hands in the soil and our hearts in the right place.
Grounded
We stay rooted in humility. We don’t just dream - we do, learning with our hands in the soil and our hearts in the right place.
Grounded
We stay rooted in humility. We don’t just dream - we do, learning with our hands in the soil and our hearts in the right place.
Grateful
Gratitude keeps us joyful. By appreciating people, nature, and even challenges, we find deeper meaning in the everyday.
Grateful
Gratitude keeps us joyful. By appreciating people, nature, and even challenges, we find deeper meaning in the everyday.
Grateful
Gratitude keeps us joyful. By appreciating people, nature, and even challenges, we find deeper meaning in the everyday.
Meet the GUI Team
We’re an unusual bunch - different ages, different stories, sometimes even different ideas on how things should be done. But somehow, it works. What unites us is a shared belief : if we each work on being a better people, the world around us gets a little better too.
We listen, we learn, we laugh (a lot), and we find joy in growing - not just plants and skill sets, but also as a community that supports, challenges, and uplifts one another.
Meet the GUI Team
We’re an unusual bunch - different ages, different stories, sometimes even different ideas on how things should be done. But somehow, it works. What unites us is a shared belief : if we each work on being a better people, the world around us gets a little better too.
We listen, we learn, we laugh (a lot), and we find joy in growing - not just plants and skill sets, but also as a community that supports, challenges, and uplifts one another.
GUI Core Team
GUI Core Team
GUI Core Team
Dr John
Advisor
Dr John
Advisor
Dr John
Advisor
Patricia
Advisor
Patricia
Advisor
Patricia
Advisor
Lavanya
Advisor
Lavanya
Advisor
Lavanya
Advisor
Bingyu
President
Bingyu
President
Bingyu
President
Mei
Chief Operating Officer
Mei
Chief Operating Officer
Mei
Chief Operating Officer
Khin Boon
Craft Lead
Khin Boon
Craft Lead
Khin Boon
Craft Lead
Lynn
HR Representative
Lynn
HR Representative
Lynn
HR Representative
Kwa
Sales Representative
Kwa
Sales Representative
Kwa
Sales Representative
Priscilla
Volunteer Manager
Priscilla
Volunteer Manager
Priscilla
Volunteer Manager
Gwen
Volunteer Manager
Gwen
Volunteer Manager
Gwen
Volunteer Manager
Mrs Tang
Farm Manager
Mrs Tang
Farm Manager
Mrs Tang
Farm Manager
Chin Hui
Farmer
Chin Hui
Farmer
Chin Hui
Farmer
Kho Khoon
Farmer
Kho Khoon
Farmer
Kho Khoon
Farmer
Luin
Farmer
Luin
Farmer
Luin
Farmer
Hui Fang
Retail
Hui Fang
Retail
Hui Fang
Retail
Uncle Lee
Touchwood Team
Uncle Lee
Touchwood Team
Uncle Lee
Touchwood Team
Yumei
Touchwood Team
Yumei
Touchwood Team
Yumei
Touchwood Team
Ray
Touchwood Team
Ray
Touchwood Team
Ray
Touchwood Team
Daniel
Touchwood Team
Daniel
Touchwood Team
Daniel
Touchwood Team
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