Reflecting on YMCA of Singapore's Earth Day Event: Fostering Sustainability for a Greener Future
Reflecting on YMCA of Singapore's Earth Day Event: Fostering Sustainability for a Greener Future
As the World YMCA works towards the vision of a sustainable planet by 2030, YMCAs around the world are stepping up to the challenge, weaving environmental consciousness into their core values and operations. On 22 April, the YMCA of Singapore took a significant stride towards this vision by hosting a special event in alignment with Earth Day, a testament to their commitment to the World YMCA Vision 2030 and its pillar of Sustainable Planet.
This event was a vibrant collaboration between the YMCA of Singapore and Plastify, a local company that specialises in recycling plastic waste into reusable goods while conducting educational workshops on sustainability. Together, we orchestrated a 3-hour workshop, inviting a diverse audience comprising children from YMCA Student Care Centre @ Northshore and YMCA Student Care Centre @ Valour, guests from YMCA @ One Orchard (YMCA’s social enterprise accommodation) and YMCA staff.
The heart of the event lay in its educational component, targeting the future custodians of our planet — over 20 children from YMCA Student Care Centre @ Northshore and YMCA Student Care Centre @ Valour. These young minds delved into the intricacies of environmental sustainability, getting hands-on experience in transforming plastic waste through an injector machine into functional items like carabiners and coasters. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they learned, created and departed with tangible reminders of their contribution towards a greener Earth.
In addition to practical workshops, the children had the opportunity to glean insights from the experts themselves. Interviews with Plastify's Director, Paul Lee, shed light on the multifaceted dimensions of environmental stewardship. These conversations bridged theory with practice, inspiring the children to envision tangible actions within their communities.
Beyond the educational aspect, the event fostered a sense of camaraderie among YMCA staff, who found themselves bonding over a shared passion for sustainability as they learned about recycling techniques and crafted their own eco-friendly souvenirs.
Looking ahead, the YMCA of Singapore harbours a profound hope — that events like these will serve as catalysts for broader awareness and action. By engaging client groups, stakeholders and staff alike, we aspire to ignite a ripple effect, where each individual becomes an ambassador for change within their circles of influence. It's a vision where caring for the planet becomes not just a duty but a shared endeavour — a journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
By-Marketing & Corporate Communications Team
YMCA of Singapore