Youths Learn to Promote the Environmental Cause at Tzu Chi Eco-Awareness Centre
Two weeks before holding an environmental event at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, Youth Corps Singapore sent a group of its members to the Tzu Chi Eco Awareness Centre to learn how to promote the environmental cause from experienced Tzu Chi volunteers. Through the process, the youths gained a deeper understanding of the topic and were more prepared to promote the green cause to their peers.
These docents at the Tzu Chi Eco Awareness Centre are not Tzu Chi volunteers; they are from Youth Corps Singapore. This is one of the activities of an environmental event organised by Youth Corps.
Eng Yiwen, Manager, Youth Corps Singapore: Today’s theme is Zero Waste, and the Eco Awareness Centre has a huge focus on recycling. I think that the 5R’s is something that will really work towards Zero Waste.
Two weeks prior to the event, the Youth Corps volunteers came to the Tzu Chi Eco Awareness Centre to learn from Tzu Chi volunteers.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Susan Tan: So, this whole exhibit centre aims to do an awareness education.
In this docent training class, besides listening to the volunteers’ talks, the youth members also had a practice session.
Tzu Chi volunteer, Susan Tan: They are the first organisation that we work with using this method. As they are very concerned about the environmental cause, we offer them this place, this platform, for them to learn how to promote environmental protection to others. I feel that this is a very positive start.
Tzu Chi volunteer: Today, in the world, plastic (trash has caused) a great disaster. There is too much of it, because plastic is too cheap and too convenient.
As the youths listened attentively, they took down notes and also interacted with the volunteers, so as to acquire a complete set of information that they could share with others. The training class benefited them as well as others.
Docent, Yasha Arvind: I learned that in Singapore, we actually produce a lot of waste, and if we do not change our habits now, we may have to pay a bigger price in the near future.
Docent, Colin Chung: This sharing is actually an exposure for me, because I feel that it is very important for us to develop the awareness among the youths and also make a small step to be environmentally friendly.
As more young people join the environmental cause, it will propel sustainable development.
