2023 Malaysia Root and Shoot Environmental Education Exchange Diary-- by Kefa & Yuba

September 6, 2023

we got the fantastic opportunity to visit the Free Tree Society. Meantime, we are so happy to join this activity with Roots & Shoots Malaysia. They introduced us to their important mission, which is all about taking action against climate change and promoting sustainable urban development. We were really excited to take part in some hands-on activities that were all about making our world greener and healthier. These activities included things like growing new plants from scions, preparing the soil to help plants thrive, and planting young seedlings. It was a great way to get our hands dirty and do something good for the environment.

After we enjoyed a nice lunch break, we made our way to the Kuen Cheng High School Environmental Conservation Club. The people there gave us a warm welcome and shared some insights into what their club is all about. Then, it was our turn to introduce ourselves and talk about CJCU and the IPSD department (a club has 30 students and 4 teachers). It was a really interesting and educational day that let us actively play a role in protecting our environment and connect with others who care about the same important issues.

Free Tree Society向同學們介紹馬來西亞原生種植物	植樹活動	參訪Free Tree Society
Thanks to the hospitality from Kuen Cheng High School 🥰	Experience sharing with the students who care about our planet	From the Facebook of the Environmental Conservation Club in Kuen Cheng High School

September 7, 2023 

we had an exciting day visiting various fascinating places. Our first stop was Taman Tugu Park, where we enjoyed an amazing hike lasting around 1 to 1.5 hours🚶🏽🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽🚶🏽‍♀️🚶🏽

In this park, more than 5,000 trees averaging 8-10 years old consisting of more than 230 indigenous Malaysian rainforest species have been added to the site. These trees, sourced from nurseries include 1,000 trees that are categorized as “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). During this hike, we learned about the importance of conserving nature for the development of our cities. It was a great way to connect with the natural world.

After lunch, we headed to the Biji Biji Initiative, where we took a tour of the Mereka space in Publika. We also had a short ice-breaking session and a discussion about "leveraging social enterprises". It was eye-opening to see how businesses can make a positive impact on society and the environment.

Our third destination was the National Museum, accompanied by Yvonne, our teacher at CJCU COSET, and her history teacher. Here, we explored the rich history and culture of the region through the explanation of her history teacher, which was both informative and captivating.

Last but not least, we spent time preparing as a team for our upcoming presentation at Kwang Hua Private School, which was scheduled for Friday. This was an essential part of our trip as it allowed us to fine-tune our presentation and ensure we were well-prepared to share our knowledge.

Hiking in Taman Tugu Park	Visiting Biji Biji Initiative
Yvonne (CJCU COSET teacher) told us the history of Malaysia	Discussion for Presentation

September 8, 2023

Our group had the privilege of visiting Kwang Hua Private School, where we attended their English spelling challenge event. During our time there, we had the opportunity to present a cultural exchange program and share our experiences in Roots and Shoots action in Taiwan. A total of 5 teachers and 45 students participated in this exchange. Through this sharing, we are also glad to have sparked their interest in environmental conservation issues, and they have started to pay attention to it.

In addition to our visit to the school, we also had the chance to explore Artense play in Klang. This visit gave us valuable insights into the incredible creativity nurtured at their center. One highlight was the multi-cultural gallery, which showcased a diverse range of artistic expressions and the captivating stories behind them. What is even better is that the art pieces they displayed were co-created by local children. They guided the children to learn and understand the history of their own living place and enabled them to imagine and create their own artworks through interactive workshops. In the end, the boss of Artense Play led us to visit almost 9 different attractions within the center of Klang and explained them to us.

Later in the evening, we gathered for a wrap-up meeting. This provided us with an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and knowledge we gained throughout the trip and share our thoughts and reflections on this trip. It was a valuable occasion to discuss and consolidate our understanding of the various activities in which we had participated.

Environmental Education Exchange in Kwang Hua Private School	Visiting Artense Play in Klang
Q&A time after our experience sharing	Thanks to Artense Play for guiding us in the center of Klang

The wrap-up workshop marks a perfect ending for this journey. 🎉🎉