A promise for a greener and healthier world

Sep 08, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR: With its focus on inculcating a culture of care for our earth among the young ones, the Creation Justice Ministry (CJM) of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur collaborated with Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (T) Thamboosamy Pillai, Sentul, on August 23.

A total of 30 Eucalyptus saplings were planted during this collaborative effort, with enthusiastic participation from 40 students spanning years three, four and five.

The event started with the volunteers gathering for a prayer at the Church of St Anthony and then carpooling to the school. The tree planting activity, was held in conjunction with the ‘Season of Creation’, which runs from Sept 1 to Oct 4 and Program Intervensi Obesiti — an initiative run by the school under Kementerian Kesihatan, to encourage children to stay healthy, and to get involved in physical activities.

Green spaces were designed to be interactive spaces for people to engage with nature, learn about plants and serve as educational tools.

Archdiocesan Creation Justice Ministry ecclesiastical assistant Fr. Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, and volunteers, encouraged the young children, as they carefully planted their saplings, to regularly spend more time outdoors. Some children spoke words of encouragement, while others gave their saplings a high five, and one was seen praying for the plant to grow well.

For 18 students, this was the first time they planted anything, and they are eagerly looking forward to more such opportunities. Each child was given a succulent plant to nurture at home while they continued caring for these young trees at school. — By Marilyn Menezes Simon