Tzu Chi volunteers collaborated with the Fengshan Diamond RC to promote environmental awareness to residents during the distribution of SG50 fun packs. (Photo by Wang Shui Fa)
“Usually, we would go door to door to promote environmental protection to the residents. But today, they will come down to the RC Centre to collect the SG50 fun packs. So, we will be able to spread the message to them all in one go,” said Wu Nan Kai, the Tzu Chi volunteer in charge of the activity, while giving a briefing to fellow volunteers.
To effectively introduce environmental protection to residents, Tzu Chi volunteers worked together with Fengshan Diamond RC members to plan the layout of the venue, which was located just outside the RC Centre. There was a poster display area, a recyclable sorting area, a corner showcasing Tzu Chi’s DA.AI Technology products (made from recycled PET), a demo on how to make eco-friendly garbage enzyme, a reception area, and an information booth. The volunteers took the opportunity to propagate the environmental concept of “recycling at the source” to residents in the vicinity.
Recruiting Green Volunteers
To facilitate the recruitment of recycling volunteers, the Tzu Chi recycling team specially created a simple, user-friendly electronic sign-up form, which could be downloaded to the volunteers’ smartphones, allowing interested residents to sign up as volunteers with just a few taps.
At the poster display area, Wu Nan Kai, who is fluent in Malay, explained to a Malay mother-daughter pair about Tzu Chi’s Mission of Environmental Protection. Inspired, they later signed up to join the ranks of Tzu Chi recycling volunteers. Like many of the older generation, Wu grew up in a Malay Kampong, where he learned the Malay language.
“Recycling starts at home. Don’t just throw everything into the rubbish chute. You can clean the recyclables and sort them for recycling, then you are helping to protect the environment.” Volunteers on duty explained to residents how they could do recycling at home, and then directed the latter to the sorting area where they further explained how to sort the recyclables. After listening to the volunteers’ patient explanations, many of the residents signed up as recycling volunteers on the spot.
Some of the residents already have the habit of collecting and sorting recyclables in their homes. Upon learning that Tzu Chi uses the earnings from the sale of recyclables for its charity projects, they agreed to give their recyclables to the local Tzu Chi recycling point on its monthly Recycling Day. The volunteers happily took down their mobile phone numbers so that they could send them reminders of the event.
A Fun Experiential Learning Opportunity
On the afternoon of 25th July, half an hour before the RC started to distribute the SG50 fun packs, many residents were already standing in queue under the hot sun outside the centre. Tzu Chi volunteer Wang Shui Fa took the opportunity to introduce to them the eco benefits of garbage enzyme and even gave a demo on how to make the solution using fruit peels. The curious residents asked many questions, which were all patiently answered by Wang. He also invited them to have a go at making the enzyme to let them experience how useless garbage could actually be converted into something useful.
Estelita Gumpal, who had just moved from the Philippines to Singapore to live with her son, was among those learning to make the garbage enzyme. She managed to master the skill in a short time and happily shared her experience with her neighbours. With encouragement from a Tzu Chi volunteer, she put on a Tzu Chi volunteer vest and had her first experience of being a recycling volunteer. As she enjoyed the work very much, she told the volunteers that she would join in their recycling work on the Recycling Day the following month.
Heartfelt Appreciation, Genuine Care
Seeing Tzu Chi volunteers hard at work in the hot and humid weather, Liang Ya Mei, a recycling volunteer who lives nearby, specially went home to prepare some cool fruit juice for them. The cool drink was a timely treat that warmed the volunteers’ hearts.
Deeply touched by the volunteers’ efforts, Fengshan Diamond RC Manager Huang Bao Sun said, “It is the first time I see so many volunteers helping out in such an activity. Though they are all drenched in sweat, everyone still works happily and maintains a warm and friendly attitude. I’m really impressed by them.” To show their appreciation, the RC also provided ice-cream and refreshing drinks for the volunteers.
During the two-day event, a total of 41 Tzu Chi volunteers were mobilized, and over 100 residents were recruited as recycling volunteers. Such a feat would not have been possible without the united efforts of the volunteers and the support from the RC.
Indeed, it is only when every resident makes a genuine effort to protect the environment can we keep Singapore clean and green, and take pride in calling this city state our home.
Volunteer-in-charge Wu Nan Kai briefs his fellow team members before the start of the activity. (Photo by Wang Shui Fa)
A corner was set up to showcase DA.AI Technology products. Here, a Tzu Chi volunteer introduces the DA.AI eco-blanket (made of recycled PET) to a resident. (Photo by Wang Shui Fa)
Volunteers patiently explain to visiting residents how to sort recyclables. (Photo by Wang Shui Fa)
Tzu Chi volunteer Wang Shui Fa explains how to make the eco-friendly garbage enzyme to an elderly resident. (Photo by Zhang Mou Sheng)
Filipino Estelita Gumpal (middle, in red shirt) put on a Tzu Chi volunteer vest and started helping out at the enzyme making section. (Photo by Wang Shui Fa)
Raymond Lim Siang Keat (second from right), MP of the Fengshan Division, paid a visit to the site and was impressed by the volunteers’ efforts in promoting environmental protection. (Photo by Zhang Mou Sheng)
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