42 schools take part in Eco Day at SJK (C) Woon Hwa
IRDA CEO launches project supported by Woon Brothers Group & Japan NGO
Kangkar Pulai, Johor Bahru, October 29, 2017 – More than a thousand participants, including hundreds of pupils from 42 schools in South Johor had a hands-on experience on environmental sustainability when they attended Eco Day at SJK (C) Woon Hwa here today.
Chief Executive of Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Datuk Ismail Ibrahim launched the half-day programme, organised by the school with the support of Woon Brothers Group (WBG), IRDA, Japanese NGO Kyoto Environmental Activities Association (KEAA), and local NGO EcoKnights.
The programme also included an Eco Centre – an engaging “See-hear-touch learning showcase” covering all aspects of our environment, such as waste, water resources and pollution. This Eco Day is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by WBG, in partnership with SJK(C) Woon Hwa.
Eco Day is organised to share with people of all ages about how humans are affecting the environment, as well as suggesting eco-friendly methods so as to tackle environmental issues.
The project is also endorsed by the Johor State Education Department and the Johor Bahru District Education Office as well as the Johor Bahru Tengah Municipal Council.
“At Woon Brothers, we believe that raising environmental awareness amongst the community is crucial in preserving whatever we have now. Especially important is to educate the young early so as to shape their attitude towards the environment,” said Woon Brothers Group Senior General Manager Wong Yen Yap.
In her welcome speech, school principal Phang Oi Mei thanked all sponsors and collaborative partners, particularly KEAA which was represented by Ms Satomi Tomita from its international projects division.
Madam Phang hoped that this comprehensive and hands-on exhibition would encourage everyone to take environmental issues seriously and make going green trendy.
“The only way to bring about environmental change is through education. We strive to educate our next generations through our green activities, green school projects and fostering a healthy lifestyle,” explained Madam Phang.
“One such green project is urban farming. With the blessing of an abundance of soil, this initiative aims at providing students a precious opportunity to experience farming that is free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Our school volunteers have painstakingly researched the most eco-friendly ways like making vermicompost, green waste compost, eco enzyme and kitchen waste compost. Due to the great efforts made by them, we are on track on our mission to create a low carbon society” she concluded.
Participants were taught composting techniques, attended practical workshops on mudball formulation and were introduced to Kuru-kuru, a Japanese concept of donating unused items for re-use.
It is hoped that through this engagement, participants would be aware of current environmental issues in the world and take active action to implement what they have learned in environmental conservations in their day-to-day routine.
About Woon Brothers Group
Active since 1976, construction-based Woon Brothers Group has been deeply involved in Johor’s growth, through their expertise in infrastructure works. Among their recent projects are IKEA Desa Tebrau, Johor Premium Outlets, Medini Iskandar and Senibong Cove.
Its real estate arm, WB Land, is noted for its award-winning Frontier Industrial Park, a 55-hectare gated and guarded eco-friendly industrial park in Desa Cemerlang. Comprising 87 semi-detached factories and Built-to-Suit detached factories, it comes complete with a 2-acre central park, a dormitory for workers and fibre-optic broadband.