Ground‑Up Initiative Founder, Tay Lai Hock, Passes Away
In a shocking turn of events, the 54‑year‑old founder of the non‑profit Ground‑Up Initiative (GUI) – Tay Lai Hock – collapsed at his workplace on Tuesday morning, Aug 14. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital, but he could not be revived.
According to Koo Hui Ying, a 28‑year‑old volunteer coordinator with GUI, the discovery was made by a friend on the job site. She told The Straits Times the community is still reeling from the loss.
“We’re all in a deep state of shock,” Koo said. “I’ve just returned to the city last night and I’m especially heartbroken to lose a mentor, friend and elder whom I hold dear.”
What’s Next for GUI?
GUI members have shifted their focus to supporting Mr Tay’s family. A community service event is slated for Saturday at the “kampung campus,” the very grounds where Mr Tay nurtured GUI for nine years.
- Location: Kampung Kampus, 26,000 sq m former Bottle Tree Park in Yishun
- Purpose: Celebrate Mr Tay’s legacy, offer support, and honor his vision of a “21st‑century kampung culture” in the heart of a cosmopolitan Singapore.
- Activities: Farm‑based learning, nature immersion, and community bonding.
“Saturday will be a chance for anyone who crossed paths with Lai Hock and GUI to say goodbye – with sadness, but also filled with love and hope,” Koo announced.
Mr Tay’s Journey
Initially a regional sales manager for a U.S. software firm, Mr Tay quit his high‑paying job in 1999 to backpack worldwide. He didn’t envision a permanent settlement until he led a flood relief mission in Malaysia in 2007, realizing his true calling was to empower volunteers to enact change.
He brought that passion back to Singapore, founding GUI in 2008 and establishing Kampung Kampus as the hub for experiential, nature‑led learning.
Family
Mr Tay leaves behind his parents, two younger brothers, and a younger sister.
Autopsy
Results of the autopsy are pending. GUI and his family await further details.
Thank you for reading. We’ll keep you updated on any new developments.
