Your support helps sustain initiatives such as Hari Orang Pulau, enables us to research and document the traditions and knowledge of coastal communities, and supports former Southern islanders and their descendants who are.
It also allows us to fairly remunerate community members for their time, knowledge, and expertise, while creating opportunities for these histories, practices, and knowledge to be shared and carried forward.
Taste Our Heritage
Our food carries the memories and knowledge of island life, shaped by what was gathered from the sea, what was grown, and what families prepared and shared with one another. These recipes have travelled with our community from the islands to the mainland, adapting while remaining connected to where they came from.
Sharing our food is one way we continue these traditions, support the community, and keep our connection to the islands present in everyday life.
The phrase ‘ikut hati kau’, or ‘follow your heart’, underlies how we cook and sometimes, how we live. We are opening our hearts and kitchens, warmly inviting you to experience the food and the story of our family. Every dish is lovingly prepared by two former islanders of Semakau, Mdm Rohaini and Mdm Nooraini, who have learnt the art of cooking from their mother, Nenek Ninah.
Our work is made possible by people who believe in learning, contributing, and growing alongside the community.
Volunteering with Orang Laut SG is an opportunity to support our programmes and community initiatives while learning more about Singapore’s island histories, cultures, and living heritage. Whether through events, research, documentation, or working behind the scenes, every contribution helps us continue this work with care and purpose.
We work with organisations, schools, and communities to create meaningful ways of engaging with Singapore’s island histories and living heritage. This can take many forms, from guided walks and conversations to cultural programmes, research, and longer-term collaborations.
We welcome partnerships that are thoughtful, reciprocal, and grounded in a shared interest in supporting the community and the work we do.
