The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.108)

TZU CHI 108 25 her students, who also joined the recycling cause. In 2010, Chon Moi was transferred to SJK (C) Chung Hua as Senior Assistant of Student Affairs.At that time, a group of parents was hosting a weekly recycling event at the school, and she was in charge of maintaining order at the weekly sessions. Upon observing the parents’ involvement in sorting recyclables, she was inspired to rope in the students to join the recycling cause as well. In April 2014, she was again transferred to SJK (C) Kampung Baru Rahang, where she gained approval from the school principal to encourage students to collect recyclables. She also started to regulate paper usage in the staff office. Rejecting the use of single-use materials In 2016, ChonMoi was made the Principal of SJK (C) Yu Chai. She noticed that the parents were constantly using styrofoam containers for their children’s packed lunches. This led her to invite Tzu Chi volunteers to advocate for recycling in the school. By the end of 2016, she moved on to urge all teachers, students and staff to help make the school a styrofoam-free zone. She allowed ample time for the initiative to run its course, especially for the school canteen operators to finish using their existing stock of styrofoam packaging, before fully implementing the directive. Senior Assistant Wong Siew Kim recalled that the school did not place emphasis on promoting school-wide recycling efforts before this. She said, “In 2016, the Principal suggested to the Parent- teacher Association to present each teacher with a reusable lunch box on Teachers’Day. The teachers are still using them till this day because it is convenient and healthier.” Furthermore, Chon Moi gifted some of the students from disadvantaged families with handkerchiefs in an effort to reduce the use of tissue paper. She also utilized a little time after recess each day to teach the students about recycling concepts like the “5Rs” (see Note 1) and “1, 3, 5: Simple Steps to Love the Earth” (see Note 2). She even conducted regular checks to see if the students brought along their handkerchiefs. Now, the students bring their reusable lunch boxes to the canteen during recess; and styrofoam products are nowhere to be seen. To completely eliminate the need for single-use food containers, Chon Moi bought 15 spare lunch boxes to be used by the supplier of subsidized meals for needy students. She also ensures that the students wash Students showing their clean lunch boxes. Yee Chon Moi briefing the new students on the school’s recycling practices.