For three consecutive days over the weekend of 5th to 7th June, 2009, the Singapore Tzu Chi collegiate youths (Tzu Chings) were spotted at Bugis Junction, not shopping, but conversing with strangers at the atrium. (Photo: Su Kwan Hui)

Tzu Chings kept themselves busy with making copies of the “Eco Know-How” booklet prior to the day of exhibition.  [Photo: Su Kwan Hui]

The hot and humid weather over the weekend did not dampen the spirits of the Tzu Chings. Picture shows them engaging the public nonetheless. [Photo: Ng Xuan Yi]

Public in awe with the sight of harmful chemicals released from the disposable chopsticks after soaking and boiling. [Photos by :Su Kwan Hui]

“This is what we can do at home and in office…” The “Eco Know-How” checklist comes in handy for briefing the public.  [Photo: Lam Ruey Na]

Temasek Polytechnic students Chen Hui Yi and Xiong Jia Ping were surprised to learn that being a vegetarian actually helps slowing down global warming. The two friends joined the Tzu Ching association after touring the exhibition. [Photo: Su Kwan Hui]

Although new to Tzu Chi’s environmental concepts, Wu Pei Jia (right) has gained a better understanding of Tzu Chi’s environmental concepts through involvement in the event. [Photos by Liau Su Li]

NTU graduate Sim Lit Wee briefing a lady about the locations of Tzu Chi recycling points around the island. [Photo: Ng Xuan Yi]

“Would you like to make a guess on what this blanket is made from?”

“It is actually made from recycled plastic bottles like these!”

These were the Tzu Ching’s opening lines to attract the crowd’s attention before introducing their exhibit tour during the RE-Live! - Rethinking the Way You Live roadshow. The event, launched in conjunction with the World Environmental Day on 5th June 2009, was organized by the Environmental Challenge Organization (Singapore) or ECO Singapore, a youth social enterprise advocating sustainable lifestyles for youths in Singapore and the surrounding region.

In 2008, ECO Singapore organized the inaugural event at The Atrium, Plaza Singapura, engaging around 20,000 members of the public over the span of 11 days with the effort of more than 200 student volunteers. This year, the occasion was celebrated at Bugis Junction with the objective to raise public awareness, especially amongst youths, on environmental issues and to emphasize the fact that environmental acts need not be mighty but rather the daily routines weighs more significantly. 

RE-Live! 2009 evolved around the main theme “Environment – forever the same”, six topics emerged in line with ECO Singapore’s approach in environmental sustainability, namely “water”, “waste”,  “biodiversity”, “shelter”, “food” and “energy”. The Singapore Tzu Chings were invited to exhibit the topic of “waste”.

Planning and preparation started as early as March where the involved members actively created educational and publicity materials. After much discussion, they decided to focus their exhibition on promoting eco-friendly habits and utilizing reusable utensils.

Kick-off day
There had been a big crowd at the atrium of Bugis Junction since morning, many of whom were youngsters and tourists. Tzu Chings stood in front of their well-decorated exhibition booth were particularly eye-catching in their bright blue uniforms. Putting on their most cheerful smile, they enthusiastically approached the crowd.

Many curious onlookers slowed down their pace as they were drawn to the booth’s amusing experiment with containers of murky liquid. Within the four containers were portions of disposable bamboo chopsticks treated under different conditions – either boiled for a few minutes or left to soak in hot water. The murkiness of the waters differed depending on the time the bamboo chopsticks were being soaked. The longer the soaking; the more traces of black particles s seeped out from the chopsticks.

Chen Hui Yi and Xiong Jia Ping were stunned by the experiment results. Prior to this, the two Temasek Polytechnic students were not aware of the fact that besides causing deforestation of bamboo forest, they were actually consuming harmful chemicals every time they used disposable chopsticks. The two ladies were even more surprised when the Tzu Chings explained about the eco-friendly message they drawn (“Reduce meat intake”) that vegetarian food produces lower carbon emission and therefore helps slow down global warming. Immediately after the tour around the exhibition, they decided to join the Tzu Chings to be part of the environmental cause.

Other than striking poster boards, the Tzu Chings also prepared an “Eco Know-How” checklist to educate the public on environmental-friendly tips in offices, schools and homes. Indeed, green practices can be easily assimilated into everyone’s life.

Wang Yi was among those who slowed down to listen. She was amazed with the Tzu Chi International Humanitarian Aid Association (TIHAA)’s initiative turning plastic bottles into thermal blankets, which was then given to disaster victims to keep them warm.

Recycling was part of Wang’s life when she was in China.  However, since coming to work in Singapore, she had stopped the practice because of unfamiliarity with the local recycling practices. When she was informed of the 11 Tzu Chi recycling stations around the island, Wang vowed that she will try to participate in the monthly recycling activities in future.

Youth inspiring each other
Throughout the three days, students from Nanyang Technological University’s youth environmental club Earthlink, Raffles Junior College, and Singapore Polytechnic too played their role in participating as volunteers in the event.

Lim Wei Hong from Earthlink NTU lingered around the Tzu Ching’s exhibit for quite a while simply because there was an enormous amount of information to digest as well as “the concepts were inspiring”.

Identifying with Tzu Chi’s practical approach, Lim Wei Hong said, “Environmental problems can be solved only through actions, not by words. We should put our words into action and not just utter without doing anything.”

When a Tzu Ching offered to serve him another bowl of cooling tea made by the culinary volunteers (bowl was used because everyone brings their own water bottle and there were no extras around), Wei Hong replied bashfully, “That’s enough for me. I shouldn't take more as I do not have my own bottle. I will wash and return the bowl to you.”

He told the Tzu Chings that he had actually mistaken the moldy chopsticks in their experiment for cigarette butts at first sight. He confessed his admiration for schools that encouraged students to bring and use their own eating utensils since his own school continues to allow students usage of disposable ones.  Much to his surprise, there has been a group of Tzu Chings who has been using their own utensil on campus for quite some time already. He was attracted to the creative foldable and mechanical pencil-like chopsticks set produced by Tzu Chi’s Jing Si Publications and the blankets made by PET bottles. Before he left, Wei Hong left his contact information and hoped to learn more from the group.

After browsing through the informative posters, President of Earthlink NTU Lee Hui Min concluded that little sacrifice or changes to one’s lifestyle can indeed help reduce consumption and thus eliminate the need for waste recycling. She echoed the Tzu Ching’s plea to cut down disposable waste and pledged to carry her own utensils when she goes out. When told that Tzu Chi also does charitable work other than recycling, she immediately filled up the contact form in hopes to get in touch with Tzu Ching and its volunteering opportunities.


Each contributing experience is a learning experience
Second-year Chemical Engineering student Wu Pei Jia was one of the new members of NTU Tzu Ching family. Since she has yet to familiarize herself with the Tzu Chi’s environmental concepts, she decided to utilize part of her holiday to get involved in the event. It was through the hands-on participation that she had gained a better understanding of Tzu Chi’s five aspects of environmental protection on “Involve the young in Environmental Protection”, “Commit Environmental Protection in daily living”, “Promoting knowledge in environmental issues”, “Participating in environmental protection as a family” and lastly “Environmental protection of the mind”.

In comparison to the recycling activities carried out on campus, this greater scaled event presented as a challenge to Wu Pei Jia. As someone who already does carry her own utensils with her at all times, Pei Jia would often forget to switch off the lights and fans after use. She said in a humble tone that from that day onward, she will make it a point to remind herself of the gesture.

“When there is a will, there is a way” was the spirit Sim Lit Wee upheld when she accepted the position as the coordinator of the event. Having completed her undergraduate studies and heading to start a career, the vice-contact person of the NTU Tzu Ching nearly rejected the invitation to participate in Re-Live! 2009. Her main concern was the timing of the event, which was during a university holiday.  She had worried that most Tzu Ching may not be around to assist in the event. Fortunately, the pessimistic thought did not linger. With the change in frame of mind, Lit Wee worked her way through with much support from the alumni members and new fellow Tzu Chings.  She was exceptionally grateful to have Luo Xin Yi to assist in the preparation of the exhibition during the two weeks she was away in Malaysia.

Lit Wee was much thankful to have participated in this near-missed event seeing the great public response. Although there were a few pleasant surprises during the event, Lit Wee is still grateful for the valuable learning experiences gained while overcoming the odds.

The three-day roadshow mobilized an approximation of 30 Tzu Chings and alumni. A total of 27 people took the initiative to sign up as a Tzu Chi environmental volunteer and most of them were youths. The responses proved the event to be a success.