ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is an initiative that aims to improve the
lives of migrant
workers in Singapore, by building bridges to
strengthen their integration into our
community, city and country. We employ authentic and nimble strategies to help
improve the quality of the workers’ lives and make them feel
valued, appreciated, safe
and welcome in Singapore. Our raincoat emblem symbolizes the protection we provide
them from their metaphorical thunderstorms. ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is an initiative
that aims to improve the lives of migrant workers in Singapore, by building bridges to
strengthen their integration into our community, city and country. We employ authentic
and nimble strategies to help
improve the quality of the workers’ lives and make them feel valued, appreciated, safe
and welcome in Singapore. Our raincoat emblem symbolizes the protection we provide
them from their metaphorical thunderstorms.

ItsRainingRaincoats started in 2015. Prior to that, our founder Dipa Swaminathan had been
helping migrant workers in her personal capacity.

In late 2014, she found 2 migrant workers on her road getting drenched in a thunder storm
as she drove past. Destiny made her stop, pick them up in her car and take them home to
allow them to take refuge from the rain. She gave them some hot coffee and food to eat,
some dry clothes to change into and sent them on their way after the rain stopped. She also
passed them what would turn out to be a very valuable gift, a small piece of paper with her
personal number should they every require any help.

A few months later, one of those two workers attempted to commit suicide because he
hadn’t been paid his wages for 6 months. Attempted suicide was a criminal offence back
then. When the police found Murugan, the only number he had with him in his wallet was
the little scrap of paper from Dipa. The police called Dipa and asked her if she could post
bail for Murugan. Dipa not only did that, she took up his case with the police and got them
to drop all charges against Murugan while his employer was made to pay up all amounts
due. Murugan was back at Dipa’s gate a month later, like a man reborn and full of gratitude.
This episode was a powerful lesson for Dipa, one that made her realize that with very little
effort, she could make an impactful difference in the life of a worker in need.

President’s Award for Volunteerism and Philanthropy

In 2017, just 2 years after it all started, our
founder, Ms Dipa Swaminathan, was the proud
recipient of the President’s Award for volunteerism
and philanthropy in the Kampong Spirit Category.
It’s an honor for ItsRainingRaincoats to be
recognised as setting benchmarks of excellence in
encouraging the spirit of giving in Singapore.