Greenpeace Malaysia volunteer-led activity at Bestari Jaya (Batang Berjuntai) on June 29, 2019.
Volunteers come together from diverse backgrounds from all ages with one principle in mind – to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. Their work, whether it’s an educational tree-planting activity to organising movements are invaluable and eye-opening. These are just a couple of stories from three of our outstanding volunteers in their efforts to create that difference, tailoring their skills and talents to make far-reaching impacts in their field of interest. These and new ideas are always welcome.
Here are their stories.
Two of a Kind: A husband and wife team
Abdul Halim Bin Ahmad Mazlan and Muhaidatul Ismah Bt Ismail (aka: bang Halim and kak Aida)
Muhaidatul Ismah Bt Ismail giving a talk at Hari Organik 2010, one of the many programmes she and husband Abdul Halim Bin Ahmad Mazlan have supported as volunteers.
Our passion towards wildlife conservation especially the big cats led us to get involved in volunteering works. Starting in 2008, marked our first journey as volunteers when we joined World Wildlife Fund (WWF) activity called The Tiger Day. The activity which was held in Zoo Negara aimed at raising awareness among the public concerning the tiger population’s extinction in the wild. From this moment, we started to volunteer actively with various organisations, not only concerning the wildlife but for nature, helping of domestic animals, as well as humanitarian work.
The reason behind our involvement with these organisations was that all these elements made up the ENVIRONMENT. We feel that it is our duty to take care of the nature, animals and humans, creating a peaceful and harmonious living environment not only for us, but for the future generations. Among the organisations we actively volunteered were Malaysian Zoological Society (MZS), Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MyCAT), Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), EcoKnights, Trash Heroes, Global Environment Centre (GEC), Reach Out Malaysia and recently Greenpeace Malaysia.
Abdul Halim Bin Ahmad Mazlan at the First Make SMTHNG Week in Malaysia organised largely by Greenpeace Malaysia volunteers. © Nandakumar S. Haridas / Greenpeace
Besides being volunteers for organisations, we also carry out activities on our own. We pick up recyclable trashes (plastics, aluminium tins, papers/boxes and rubbish) at the road side around our housing area, segregating them and sell to the recycle operators. We make it as habit by carrying recycle bags where ever we go for putting all recyclable items found. We established and managed a recycle point at our home for our neighbours to discard their recyclable trashes. We continuously educating the public on how to manage their household used cooking oil through candles and soaps making workshop. We met and work together with people with the same objective during our volunteering activities. Whether volunteering for humanitarian works, for wildlife or for the nature, the objective is to ensure that the ENVIRONMENT is well preserved and conserved.
Teaching it Forward: An educator of young minds
Yuki Eu
Yuki Eu (left) and Good Deeds Kumar (right) at a tree planting event in Bestari Jaya (Batang Berjuntai).
I remember when I was 7 years old, the painting of my ideal home was a house surrounded by flowers and trees. The older I get, I have seen more trees being cut down for new houses and developments. When my primary school teacher first introduced me to the word “POLLUTION”, I knew that this is the bad guy that I would have to fight with! Also, I have been working in the education sector since my graduation, so my passions are education and sustainability. 5 years ago, I quit my job and chose to work in a pre-school as I believe everything starts from education.
I first came across Greenpeace when I was in an environmental event, a nice lady came to me and told me that they were the ones who helped in reducing haze pollution from Indonesia. I was amazed! It was like meeting my childhood heroes and I thanked them for that. A few months later, I had a chance to join their Non-Violence Training (Apr 2018). Since then, I have got to know more about Greenpeace. As a Greenpeace volunteer with a full time job, and an avid traveller, I have managed to volunteer in few activities – the ‘Break Free from Plastic’ campaign at Batu Caves, the arrival of the Rainbow Warrior , ‘Non-Violence Training’ (March 2019) and a campaign demanding big corporations to stop using Single Use Plastic . Through these events, I have learnt that Greenpeace take their research seriously and holistically before they raise the issue with the public. They also take responsibility as an independent organisation by not taking donations from big companies and government.
After just over a year volunteering for Greenpeace, some of my friends asked to what extent my involvement with Greenpeace has changed my life. Well, I feel I have managed to share my idea bravely. I have given a few talks to the 5-6 years old children in my pre-school on sustainability issues and I have been trying to operate the school in a more sustainable way. At home, I live in a minimalist and zero-waste lifestyle, so I seldom visit the garbage room. A few of my family and friends have been impressed! I really hope more people listen to our arguments and information, and, ultimately, take action.
Change should start from ourselves.
There are a lot of ways to get involved with Greenpeace. Register here to be a Greenpeace volunteer.