MIRI: Eight missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have been promoting the 3R recycling drive here for the past few months.
Elder Scott Riser (standing third left), Jolene (fourth left), Yee (left) and other missionaries and volunteers pose for a group photo at Tzu Chi Miri Krokop Recycling Education Centre.
Met at Tzu Chi Miri Krokop Recycling Education Centre yesterday, Elder Scott Riser noted that 3R awareness among the locals was improvising.
Riser and his wife, Sister Jolene Riser, who arrived here last January, said they were initially approached by Tzu Chi volunteers for help.
“After being briefed by the volunteers, we are peculiarly amazed and eager to come to see the recycling centre. We were glad that through the centre we get the chance to interact with many locals, both young and old,” said the 76-year-old retiree.
Riser, an active volunteer and church member in Utah, USA, said more needed to be done to preserve Mother Earth.
“Back in Utah, we have various programmes by non-governmental organisations and schools who dedicated part of their time to doing recycling work.”
One of the events, he said, was the cleaning drive, whereby a day was dedicated to clean most parts of Utah City. Over 20,000 people, mostly students, would take part.
“The local government of Utah has been very supportive in assisting us, like providing rubbish collecting service during that day. Similarly, the citizens and local city council here must work hand-in-hand to make recycling effort a success.”
Riser also stressed the importance of educating the people on the importance of recycling waste.
“There is no point cleaning the rubbish left behind by the people because it would be very exhausting and puts a strain on the budget. Only by educating the people, particularly children, would we be successful in the long-run.”
Riser hoped to engage in as many programmes as possible through the church that could help the environment and the people.
Meanwhile, Tzu Chi Miri public relations officer Dennis Yee revealed that the foundation had embarked on recycling education at Kampung Api-api in Lutong.
“Previously we found rubbish everywhere in the village. Negligence and ignorance on hygiene and cleanliness are a very serious problem. Since we believed in starting young, we have been organising fun recycling educational programmes for children there.”
Two months into the programme, Yee said response from the local community had been very encouraging.
“We hope to expand the programme to enable the adults to take part.
“Loving Mother Earth starts from home, and we are confident we could educate more people to love the environment by throwing less rubbish and recycle more reusable items.”