The world of Tzu Chi January 2021 (Vol.130)

TZU CHI 130 33 garbage or sent off for recycling purpose, into exquisite and lovely handicrafts. Peck Yoong said, “Environmental protection must begin at the source. Do not use unnecessarily when it’s not needed. With a little imagination, easily available materials can become useful materials for handicrafts. The promotion of environmental protection can be done in many ways. For me, I use my expertise in handicrafts to influence others.” Sixty-year-old Peck Yoong has promoted environmental protection through handicrafts for many years. She established Yun House, a handicraft centre, in Malacca city centre. Many of her handicrafts are also displayed in her home. Without her mentioning it, one would not have noticed that many of her handicrafts were made from recycled materials. Unlike handicrafts that we commonly see, her handicrafts are uniquely different from others. Peck Yoong not only conducts classes, but she also volunteers to teach in schools and associations so that more adults and children get to try out handicraft work. Ever since she started teaching in Tzu Chi Malacca Continuing Education Centre in 2007, she began reading Master Cheng Yen’s books and Jing Si aphorisms, which have profoundly influenced her to practise environment protection as a way of life and blending this concept into her handicraft classes. Zero waste trend, reduction begins at source In earlier days, handicraft materials were not easily available, so they were quite expensive. Doing handicraft over a long period of time could become an expensive affair. Through Lye Peck Yoong’s skillful hands, all kinds of recycled materials have turned into lovely handicrafts.