A volunteer patiently explains to a young visitor the environmental impact of disposables. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
At the entrance of the bustling Bedok Town Square on 20th April 2019, visitors were greeted by a giant “butterfly”, which signified the beginning of the “butterfly effect” in climate change. The display was one of the highlights at the Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore)’s first Eco Awareness Carnival.
The event was officiated by the chief executive officer of Tzu Chi Singapore, Mr Low Swee Seh. During his opening speech, Low said that the aim of the carnival was to raise environmental awareness among the public and to promote environmental protection. He highlighted that environmental protection required the joint efforts of everyone, so that we could leave a livable environment for future generations.
The carnival showcases 15 different themed exhibition zones, as well as creative games, skits, sign language performances and health talks, to highlight various environmental issues to the public. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
The Eco Awareness Carnival started at 10am in the morning and volunteers were seen enthusiastically inviting passers-by to view the exhibition. Many people were attracted by the creative displays and visited the exhibition out of curiosity. The friendly volunteers guided the visitors around the exhibition, with the hope of instilling a love for Mother Earth in everyone.
Apart from 15 themed exhibition zones, the event included other programmes, such as creative games, skits, sign language performances and health talks. All of these activities served to highlight various environmental issues, including climate change, the impact of sea level rise on Singapore, pollution caused by the livestock industry, "fast fashion" pollution, plastic pollution in the oceans and the damage caused to marine life due to waste disposals, etc.
Volunteers guiding visitors to sort recyclables at the “sorting area”. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
Nabees Maiden (right) used to collect recyclables for a living more than ten years ago. Now that her children have all grown up, she does recycling work to protect the planet. (Photo by Tay Wei Xian)
At the “sorting area”, volunteers advocated the 5R’s of environmental sustainability, namely Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle to the public. Besides promoting the concept of environmental protection, the volunteers also introduced the Four Missions of Tzu Chi, i.e. Charity, Medicine, Education and Humanistic Culture, which allowed the visitors to gain a better understanding of the NGO. They were then invited to join the ranks of Tzu Chi’s recycling volunteers.
Dr. Koh Tieh Leong, a dentist from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association, giving a talk on dental care at the carnival. (Photo by Tay Wei Xian)
Zhang Xiao Ying, who hailed from Hong Kong, was surprised to discover that Tzu Chi has been promoting environmental protection in Singapore after she visited the carnival. She said that due to the hot tropical weather, she often bought cold beverages outside, and although she knew that disposable cups are damaging to the environment, she found it hard not to use them.
"Today, I learned that I can bring my own reusable container, cup, chopsticks, shopping bag and metal straw when I go out. I think I should be able to do this," shared Zhang.
Zhang was also invited by the volunteers to help sort recyclables at a Tzu Chi recycling point. She could thus practise environmental protection in her daily life to help protect the earth.
“We usually use display boards to promote environmental protection to the public during our monthly recycling day. Most people would leave the recycling point after putting their recyclables there, so our volunteers rarely had the opportunity to interact with them. I saw that there are many different exhibits and games here besides the display boards, and they are suitable for encouraging interaction with people of all ages," commented Tzu Chi’s recycling volunteer, Wong Siew Kuen.
Tzu Chi volunteer Wong Siew Kuen has acquired a lot of information and ideas about environmental protection at the carnival. She hopes to share them with people on the monthly Tzu Chi Recycling Day. (Photo by Ng Shey Ying)
A big rice basket and a rice cooker were displayed at the Charity exhibition zone, where volunteers shared about the story of the “rice bank” in Myanmar to promote the practice of “eating till 80% full and using the remaining 20% to help the needy”. The story was about how farmers who had received Tzu Chi’s aid in Myanmar were inspired to save a handful of rice before cooking their meals each day, to donate to others in need in their villages. Through this story, visitors learned the spirit of “giving a little each day to help the needy”.
At the Humanistic Culture exhibition zone, there were displays of Jing Si Instant Rice, Da Ai Technology’s eco products, including the Jing Si multipurpose bed, which was specially designed for the purpose of disaster relief. Each of these products was invented in the spirit of respecting and loving Mother Earth, and they not only give disaster victims a peace of mind but also help secure their survival and livelihood.
Volunteers introducing the Jing Si multipurpose bed, which is used in Tzu Chi’s disaster relief missions, to visitors. (Photo by Michelle Pong)
While visitors learned about environmental protection at the exhibition zones, a group of adorable children from Tzu Chi Great Love PreSchool presented a sign language song on stage. In addition to that, a group of volunteers led the audience through some lively songs and movements that served to inspire all to love and care for the planet.
On this day, 174 volunteers served at the carnival, which attracted nearly 2,000 visitors. As many as 75 visitors signed up to join the ranks of Tzu Chi recycling volunteers.
Volunteers staging a lively song and movement item to encourage everyone to go vegetarian to help protect the planet. (Photo by Michelle Pong)
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