As part of the nationwide promotion on Tzu Chi’s environmental protection initiatives, beginning from March this year, the Northwest District Recycling Team fixed the 2nd Friday evening of each month (prior to the regular recycling activity which falls on the 2nd Sunday morning of each month) to be the date whereby they will pay home visits to the residents of Bukit Panjang housing estates and Woodgrove Condominium (in Woodlands) so as to promote greater awareness towards environmental protection.

The friendly smiles from Tzu Chi volunteers broke the barriers and build the bridges of communication in the neighbourhood.

The coordinator of today’s event, Brother Cai Zhuping expressed that in these days of frequent natural disasters as a result of global warming, it was indeed the right time to share with all the need to be vigilant in peace time.

“To learn and adjust while doing”, the volunteers gained and shared their experiences in the course of activity so as to improve together. How nice!

Meeting this resident who was on his way home, our volunteers shared with him of Tzu Chi’s environmental protection initiatives.

As part of the nation wide promotion on Tzu Chi’s environmental protection initiatives, beginning from March this year, the Northwest Zone Fellowship Recycling Team fixed the 2nd Friday evening of each month (prior to the regular recycling activity which falls on the 2nd Sunday morning of each month) to be the date whereby they will pay home visits to the residents of Bukit Panjang housing estates and Woodgrove Condominium (in Woodlands) so as to promote greater awareness towards environmental protection. To-date till 6th of July, the recycling volunteers had carried out 6 such rounds of activity, successfully introducing to 470 households the environmental protection initiatives carried out by Tzu Chi in their community.

On the 6th of July, Tzu Chi volunteers from Bukit Panjang conducted the 6th Recycling Promotion session, which incidentally was their 4th time of doing door-to-door visitation. At about 7:45pm, 13 volunteers from the Northwest District gathered to form 6 teams of 2 members each so as to pay their visits to the residents of blocks 142, 143 and 145.

“Uncle, how are you today? Sorry to disturb, we are the volunteers from Tzu Chi and we would like to share with you some info on recycling.” Shaking his head and waving off with his hands, the rejections from the uncle who is having his meal did not hold back the volunteers’ enthusiasms.

Moving on to the next door, “Any one home?”

“Oh, recycling? Yes, yes, I have seen you doing recycling downstairs. I will bring some items over.” Indeed, a few simple words of encouragements from the residents are enough to motivate and propel the volunteers to continue to move ahead.

For example, there was this Malay resident who was originally expressionless. Upon hearing from the volunteers that they were there to promote recycling, he began to show his friendly smile. Moving on, the door of the next household was opened. “Hello, how are you? We are Tzu Chi volunteers.” “Yes, I know about Tzu Chi. My friends passed me a copy of your monthly magazine and I am reading it now. Would you like to come in for a drink?” The lady who answered the door was very happy to see the volunteers appearing at her door.

Walking down from the top floor level by level, the volunteers press the door bells of each and every house to promote recycling. To them, so long they can find a family who acknowledges Tzu Chi’s missions or supports its recycling activities, it means the trip for the day was worth all the while.

At about 9:30pm, before calling it a day, the Tzu Chi volunteers met a group of residents who were chatting at the void deck of their block. Upon approached by the volunteers, the residents cast some suspicious glances. “We are volunteers from Tzu Chi. It’s a charitable organization…” Before the volunteers could complete their sentence, “No, No, we are not interested in donation!” After the volunteers patiently explained and showed the environmental protection brochures with Tzu Chi’s logo on it, the Malay resident began to show some interests. “Oh, you are from Tzu Chi? I know, my friend told me before. She did volunteer service in your Free Clinic. Oh, do recycling? Sure, no problem! I will support!”

The coordinator for today’s event was Brother Cai Zhuping. He expressed that this is the most appropriate time for Tzu Chi to do visitations in the community, as there is now greater awareness to environmental issues due to increased numbers of natural disasters related to global warming. Beginning with himself, Brother Cai joyfully shared with his friends and colleagues the benefits of eating vegetarian meals and how it can promote better health and contribute to a greener earth.

As Master Cheng Yen shared with us in Jing Si Aphorisms, “Those who can help others are the most blessed.” Indeed, being capable to lead and guide others to cultivate the fields of blessing and able to do voluntary works with Tzu Chi by contributing without asking for any return are most fulfilling. Well, what can be more valuable and rewarding than this in our life?