The world of Tzu Chi September 2024 (Vol.151)

TZU CHI 151 19 there due to parental divorce or imprisonment. The director encouraged the visiting children, who are fortunate to have their parents’ love, to study hard and repay their parents’ kindness. The experience reminded Hemala a/p Visualingam on how fortunate she is to have her single parent’s maternal love and care. A top student, Hemala felt inspired by the director’s words to strive in her studies and repay her mother with excellent grades. Since her husband’s demise, Hemala’s mother, Kannangi a/p Mukutalayan, has been raising her four children single-handedly. The demands of daily life often leave her too exhausted to take her children out. When she learned about the outing, she unhesitatingly signed up for her family, including her mother- in-law and younger sister. On the day of the outing, her three daughters were able to visit either the welfare home or the prison museum, while she and her eldest daughter stayed at the recycling centre. She was grateful for the knowledge she gained about water and electricity conservation, as well as recycling practices, and plans to implement what she has learned to help protect the planet. At the end of the visit, the Loving Angels presented handmade bouquets to the children at the welfare home. Friendships had formed despite the brief but well-spent time, with some already asking when the next opportunity to visit would be. Fostering environmental awareness The third group, consisting of parents and young children, visited the Tzu Chi Ayer Keroh Recycling-cum-Education Centre. They explored the exhibition zone, book pavilion, sorting area of recyclables, pre-loved items area, and the “Sustainable Environmental Education” exhibition hall. Kasturi a/p Viganasan listened attentively to the volunteers’ explanations and was amazed to learn that used plastic bottles, seemingly useless, could be transformed into eco-blankets, clothing, multipurpose foldable beds, and furniture. Natasha binti Abughani, who attended alongside her mother, Che Wan binti Yusof, was delighted to gain new knowledge. “I’m surprised that aluminium foil packages can be turned into roofing tiles. It’s incredible!” she exclaimed. Natasha has been collecting used aluminium cans, plastic bottles, and cardboard at home for recycling. Initially, she did so to supplement her income, but it later became a way to maintain a clean environment. She explained, “I eventually realised that reducing waste and recycling is crucial for environment preservation, and we must patiently sort recyclables. Small actions can have a big impact. We need to help more people understand what we are doing so they will join in too.” Through the volunteers’ sharing, Natasha became more aware of the close connection between human actions and the environment’s well-being. She is now committed to reducing plastic use by opting for reusable items, thereby fulfilling her responsibility to protect the planet. Her mother remarked with a smile that it was the first time she had heard the term “Mother Earth”. She now understands that the Earth, much like a mother, selflessly nurtures all living beings, a sentiment that resonates deeply with her. The outing provided a meaningful opportunity for parents and children to explore and reflect on life’s lessons together. Hopefully, the experience will leave a lasting positive effect on the families.