The Western Union, in collaboration with HOPE worldwide (Singapore) (HOPEwwS), awarded education grants worth a total of S$25,000 to 50 migrant workers working in Singapore during an Award Ceremony which took place on 04 October 2009.

Now in its fourth year, the Western Union Education Grant Program aims to avail funds that will help aspiring individuals and their families overcome barriers and journey to a better life through higher education. Each grant of S$500 covers as much as a year’s tuition fees in countries such as India or the Philippines, and other necessities like books and uniforms. This year, more than 2,000 applications were received and the 50 winners are migrant workers originating from China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

Mr David Batubara, Country Director, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei, Western Union, said: “Western Union has continued with its Education Grants program to help extend a helping hand to migrant workers in Singapore. The Education Grant allows individuals to realize their tremendous potential with scholarships supporting literacy.”

He added: “In the past year, the recession has made itself more keenly felt in countries around Singapore, areas that this city has turned to for additional work support – the Philippines, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, India, Thailand, etc. So, in its fourth year, the Western Union Educational Grant Program has experienced unprecedented need.”

Ms Joyce Tan, CEO of HOPEwwS, said: “In these economic times, the program is more relevant and needed than ever before. Among the 2,000 submissions, we short-listed and interviewed a hundred applicants to select the 50 deserving winners. Through their stories, we learnt that there are more single parents, while others are sole breadwinners of their families. Yet, for all of them, their main concern is for their children to have a better education and a better future.”

Mr Batubara concurred: “Take one of this year’s grant winners for instance. Ms G Rajendran Indrani is a 41-year-old woman who took a steep loan in order to travel here from India. Her job as a domestic worker only pays her $270 a month and she is the sole breadwinner of her family. In order to support her four school-going children aged from eight to 18 years, she sends back all her hard-earned money and is unable to set aside any savings. With the $500 grant, Ms Indrani will be able to set aside some savings in the next few months as her children’s immediate education needs are taken care of.”

The Western Union Education Grants were open to migrant workers in Singapore from all countries with school-going children in their respective countries. The final 50 recipients were determined based on criteria including number and ages of children, marital status and income. The short essay developed by the applicant about why he or she should be selected for the grant was also taken into consideration. The judging panel included staff and volunteers of both Western Union and HOPEwwS.

Western Union has given a total of 195 education grants worth $97,500 to migrant workers in Singapore since the launch of the Western Union Education Grant Program in 2006.

Since 2000, Western Union’s philanthropic arm, the Western Union Foundation has granted almost US $55 million to more than 1,870 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. In addition, since 2007 the Foundation also runs the Our World, Our Family program, a US $50 million, five-year initiative to empower migrant families worldwide, helping them stay connected, overcome barriers, and realize their dreams.

Through programs such as the Education Grant, The Western Union Company embraces the hopes and dreams of the more than 200 million people around the globe who live outside their country of origin*.

*World Migration 2008 – Managing Labour Mobility in the Evolving Global economy, International Organization for Migration and company estimates based on data available