The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.116)

16 2019 • 11 eature for recyclables. In the recycling centre’s early days, some members of the public deposited their recyclable and non-recyclable waste indiscriminately without first sorting them. In the beginning, the volunteers faced numerous obstacles in their attempt to reform the mindset of the public. Some ignored the volunteers’ advice and walked away without a second thought after discarding their waste at the recycling centre, while others were reluctant to sort their waste. The dismissive attitude of the public towards waste management practices was worrying, but Francis rememberedMaster Cheng Yen’s principle of harbouring kind intentions in our speech, thoughts and actions, which inspired him to take a more persuasive approach to influence change in public perception. He has noticed that some members of the public have not only started to take the initiative to sort their waste, but also remind others to be responsible for sorting their own waste. The volunteers’ efforts in educating the public on waste management have generated a ripple effect that spreads across the community, sustained by mutual encouragement and support. Francis aims to promote the concept of environmental conservation to all ranks of society. Since 2016, he has conducted over 150 talks on the subject matter upon invitation. Preparing for the talks demands a great deal of time and effort, yet he continues to commit himself to tailoring the content of his talks to effectively engage his target audience. He is ever eager to provide solutions to queries from the public on recycling and remains steadfast in his duty to discourage others from using disposable plastic products. “I would lead visitors on a tour of the exhibition area in the recycling centre and inform them that recycling should only be adopted as a last resort in waste management. Ideally, we should prioritize reducing the use of plastics in the first place,” he shared. Educating the public on the importance of environmental conservation, like any other form of education, requires enduring commitment for a paradigm shift to come to fruition. Francis’efforts were once dismissed as futile, but he persisted in his conviction. “Even baby steps go a long way in raising awareness. One day, one of the children who attended my talks might grow up to become an influential figure with the potential to bring about change to the world. Who knows?” Francis Tan Hui Kiat engages his young audience with lively performances and animated gestures.