Smart Rangers

SMART means Sorting and Managing All Resources Thoroughly is a program organised by Global Environment Centre (GEC) in collaboration with MBPJ and Education Department and funded by DANIDA-SWMC. The program aimed at educating 5 schools in PJ to be environmental steward. The schools should practice 3R thoroughly toward achieving zero-waste and combating climate change. These schools are Sri Kelana, Yuk Chuen and Vivenkanada Primary School and Kelana Jaya and Bandar Sri Damansara 1 Seconday School.

We have a working committee meeting on last Tuesday in which the schools representatives brought out some pertinent questions on time factor, target group, organising structure, appropriate programmes and activities, finance, expertise and support. A total of RM3,500 per school is allocated for them to carry out sustainable initiatives, tree planting or even awareness campaign.

This is excited especially seeing the success of Sri Kelana School implementing similar programme since year 2004. The sustainability element is emphasized so that initiative will not continue due to loss of interest, change of leadership and management as well as the students. In doing so, economic sustainability apart from due recognition from the education authorities is very important. It is with sufficient financial allocation that the initiatives can go on. However, the money must be self-generated and not spoon feed by others. For example, the Smart Rangers of Sri Kelana is earning much to contribute the construction of pagoda, rubbish bin and other facilities to the schools.

Another contributing factor is the leadership and dedication of teachers. One of the undeniable success factor of Sri Kelana is due to the commitment and dedication shown by Mr Ong. With full support from the headmistress and other teachers, he managed to steer the smart rangers for greater and total involvement in the field of environment conservation. We need champion like him. Thank you, Sir.

Environmental Education for Kindergarten

Whenever the need for environmental education was discussed, focus would be given to the students from primary and secondary schools, and some time the communities. Having said this, we have always complained about students with thorough training and practices for environmental conservation during schooling days forgot to be environmental friendly immediately after leaving the schools. What went wrong then? Some offered the reason of environmental conservation value has not being inculcated and becoming a norm and way of life. They further argued that students at the primary level is too burdened with the academic subjects that peripheral life long learning topics are scarified. This is understood with many schools fighting for glory on academic excellency and parents "kiasu" symptom.

Acknowledging this, Environmental Working Committee of Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya organised the inaugural environment education workshop specially for the operators and teachers of the kindergarten in Petaling Jaya last Thursday. The Workshop is to raise awareness, knowledge and skills on environment conservation and sustainable development. It is hope that acquiring the skills will motivate them to initiate sustainable initiatives and programmes together with the children aged 6 years and below within their school compound. The participants were taught on sustainable development and Local Agenda 21, natural resources, urban ecology, solid waste management, energy conservation as well as demonstration on natural craft making, Eco-enzyme making and tree plantings. At the afternoon session, the participants were divided to group brainstorming an action plan on sustainable kindergarten.

It is such a wonderful experience for having the kindergarten stakeholders for the first time in our effort pursuing sustainability. It is also the first time that participants are asking more of these kind of capacity building programmes. It is also heartening to see the involvement of NGOs in this workshop. We have Ecoknights, GEC, CETDEM, DANIDA-SWMC, RT Flat PKNS PJS2, May Collection, Beautiful Gate and Justlife partnering with LA 21 MBPJ to conduct the one-day event.

The participants are promised of RM300 as an incentive for them to implement any sustainable initiatives within a month after the workshop. After the third month, evaluation will be carried out to select the kindergartens with best practices to share. 3 kindergartens with best practices will be conferred with Sustainable Kindergarten Award. This must be the first time ever such Award is presented, I presume.

With the inclusion of kindergarten, LA 21 PJ has extended the environment education training from pre-school children to the community. This is crucial to educate since young, practice it daily as way of life and hence will not feel uneasy of practicing some "dirty" acts such as collecting and sorting rubbish for 3R etc.

Community Sustainable Initiative - SS5

The SS5 Neighbourhood Watch is synonymous with its Chairman, Mr Sanggat Singh. One can easily confuse with the administrative boundary of SS5 and SS5D Neighbourhood Watch, but never able to ignore the presence of Mr Sanggat. It is so dominant that all activities carried out are bearing with his believe and value.

As an advocate for peace and inter-faith, many of the community programmes were planned with the principles of peace and social integration in mind. For example, prayer session by different religious representatives is conducted at the beginning of an event, signaling high tolerance and mutual respect.

The participation of multi-stakeholders, internally and from external is very encouraging. Their involvement have not only widened the social networking of the local residents, but also their awareness and knowledge on sustainability issues. I believe, this form of collaboration between NGOs and CBOs is a must for Local Agenda 21 to move forward.

Community Sustainable Initiative - SS5D

The judges went into a terrace house for their visit. It is not the chairman's house or shelter for any of the committee members. It is the Centre for SS5D Neighbourhood Watch. The once abandoned dwelling house is used for serving the community albeit as a temporary measure. The Committee approached the next of kin of the house owner who passed away for turning the house into community centre as they were not able to maintain it. To me, this bold move can become a learning curve for those community without a proper centre, always complain but yet do nothing. Some have even using the absence of a proper centre as an excuse for non-commitment.

Another milestone is having the correspondence number of service agencies and government departments printed and distributed to every households. I believe many residents will appreciate this handy gesture the most.

Bloggers Carnival

PJ Challenge for this year is moving into cyber world instead of the physical challenge for the past few years. Starting from year 2004, the annual event has created a lot of excitements and expectation from the public. These include the climbing of 4 hills in PJ, Towerthon, Charity Climb of Bukit Gasing and River Search.

In conjunction with the 3rd Anniversary celebration of PJ City, the Blogger Carnival features number of activities will be held on 20th June 2009 at the Jaya 33 Complex. Clinic on teaching blogging techniques will be conducted for the beginners and season blogger. Apart from that, lucky draw, art contest, treasure hunt, photos snap and "cool" activities are being organised.

This must be a celebration with many innovations and first. Since, new media is becoming important communication tool for social networking, information searching and political alliance, learning to master it or at least to understand is a necessity now. Of course, if your blog is attracting high traffic, it is a wealth creation as well.

I expect many will grab the opportunities to attend the event. Perhaps MBPJ as the frontier city council on K-Management should facilitate similar events in the future.

Community Sustainable Initiative - Taman Bukit Mayang Emas

A community that has done so much for sustainability, yet hear very little about sustainable development is an under statement in describing the Taman Bukit Mayang Emas Residents Association. The leadership is very strong and the bonding as well. When you listen to the founding chairman explaining how he has started the establishment, you will be very touched and excited. It all started in 2004 when Mr Yeong decided to call his neighbours to do something for their central park. The park is big in size, but under utilized without good facilities. Since then, a basketball court, cycling track, children play area and BBQ pit were built. I believe this must be the first public BBQ pit in Petaling Jaya.

Realising the fear about safety and security, they spoke to Police Department and started their security scheme. The scheme together with cooperation from the police has managed to bring crime rate to the lowest.

Having said this, the least unexpected initiative was converting a plot of abandoned no man land in the neighbourhood to an orchard for passion fruit. Apart from the plants, all structure in the orchard are built from recycled items. It is very well thought of and managed.

Community Sustainable Initiative - Taman Mayang Jaya SS26

This winner for merit award and 2nd placing in Year 2007 and 2006 has not changed much but continuing with their initiatives on recycling and youth programmes. They organised the annual 3 days 2 nights youth camp for educating the young people on good neighbourliness and value. This must be one of the very few residents association put their head together for tackling the youth challenge.

They tried on the organic planting, albeit with slower pace. The recruited new members albeit with fewer to come forward. Nevertheless, trying is their motto. Similar effort applies to their security scheme now. With an initial BIG NO, more people are subscribing to the idea of having their neighbourhood guarded now. This is done through persistent.

Delegated leadership is being practiced here with the chairman given opportunity to others to lead, to plan and to implement programmes. This attitude is well reflected during the discussion and Q and A session with judges. The committee members must be given ample chance and time to contribute and to learn how to lead. Leadership succession must have started from the day one the chairman was elected, i presume.