About Engineering Good (EG)

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Engineering Good is a Singapore-based charity dedicated to using technology and engineering to empower vulnerable communities. We build and customise open-source assistive technology solutions for individuals with disabilities and distribute refurbished laptops to low-income families, promoting digital inclusion and sustainability through e-waste reduction.

Working in partnership with 200+ social service agencies locally, we provide opportunities for innovators and tinkerers to contribute their expertise to address community needs through skilled volunteerism.

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EG is a Singapore-based charity that supports vulnerable communities through sustainable engineering and technology. Our donations are channelled to serve over 200 social service agencies in Singapore. We focus our efforts on two key groups.

1. Assistive Technology (AT) for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): EG develops technical solutions that empower PwDs to live independent and fulfilling lives. This includes the following programs:
   • Tech for Good: A festival that brings together youth innovators, tech and engineering mentors, and the disability community to collaboratively build affordable open-source AT devices and solutions.
   • Inclusive Makerspace: A space where makers and tinkerers can access free tools to create open-source AT solutions.
   • Bespoke Projects: Collaborative initiatives with social service agencies and community groups to directly support PwDs with tailored AT solutions.
2. Digital Inclusion Initiatives for Vulnerable Communities: EG empowers disadvantaged communities by providing digital connectivity and the necessary skills. The programs in this area include:
   • Laptop Refurbishment and Distribution: EG refurbishes and distributes laptops to individuals who lack access, enabling them to stay digitally connected.
   • Laptop Refurbishment Workshops: EG runs laptop repair training with corporate partners and volunteers to inculcate a repair mindset, where volunteers can provide tech support for vulnerable communities.

Our Story

Established in 2014, Engineering Good (EG) is a Singapore-based non-profit organisation. We empower low-income and vulnerable communities using technology and engineering solutions.

Our primary focus areas are Assistive Technology and Digital Inclusion.

Digital Inclusion involves salvaging and repairing laptops, primarily, which we redistribute to vulnerable communities such as low-income families. This not only supports these communities but also reduces carbon and e-waste. Our Assistive Technology initiatives focus on developing assistive devices for persons with disabilities to promote independence and opportunity.

Currently, we collaborate with over 200 social service agencies in Singapore. Together with our volunteers and partners, we have distributed nearly 8,000 laptops/devices to various beneficiaries. We firmly believe everyone plays a part in bridging the digital divide.

Our contributions have improved digital literacy for single mothers, enabled low-income students to attend online classes, assisted a visually impaired senior in feeding his service dog and helped a child in a boys’ home learn coding, among other achievements.

Early Days

In 2014, a group of volunteer engineers set out to make a difference through humanitarian engineering. They started their journey in shared spaces at Red Dot and SG Enable. As their efforts, like powering villages with solar panels, began to show results, they moved to a dedicated space within One Maker Group (OMG) at NDC in 2017.

In 2018, they found a new home at a generously donated desk at TinkerTanker in Tai Seng. Later that year, they packed up their dreams and moved once more, setting up shop alongside TinkerTanker at Apex@Henderson.

Then, the world was hit by COVID-19.

Education moved online, and thousands of underprivileged students found themselves without laptops for home-based learning. Seniors and migrant workers were also in need of digital tools to keep in touch with their loved ones. Rising to the occasion, we launched our Computers Against Covid (CAC) programme at Apex.

What started off as a humble Facebook post requesting 24 laptops turned into a national rally cry, thanks to overwhelming public attention and media coverage. Our mission evolved into a nationwide effort to bridge the digital divide.