WEEKLY REPORT: 25 JULY 2022 – 31 JULY 2022

Dear Friends,

OVERVIEW

“Our Effort is Never in Wane!”

“Is more enforcement action needed to catch litterbugs? (Straits Times, August 2, 2022, Forum). This is yet another talking point in the papers. We see these write-ups quite too often to suggest that there is a problem. People are concerned that the littering is getting from bad to worse, ‘especially at the void decks with tables and seats’. We would add that they litter in the parks and our waterways too! They eat and drink and just leave everything there! So what is the solution? Have more dustbins, cleaners and enforcement officers and heavier penalties for offenders?

We need to have a more SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION in the long run to keep our waterways and environment clean and safe. Yes, like one of the writers in the Forum suggested… “Better to educate and try to stop this mindset, that they can throw rubbish anywhere they want as long as no one is watching.”  It is really sad and disappointing to see such littered sights and so many used masks in our public places.

This is the stand which the Waterways Watch Society is taking, i.e., to educate the public, starting with the schools through our Values-In-Action programmes and leading by example, conducting weekly patrols. Tiring though it may be, we believe that our effort is never in wane. Unfortunately this will take at least 2 more generations to achieve if done properly. Not in 4 years!

The work done by our volunteers this week:

1. We conducted 11 CSR programmes; 6 Kayak, 4 Boat and 1 Pedal Boat. We have a total of 224 participants and they collected a total of 478 kg of litter. 
2. We conducted a virtual School Assembly Talk on Plastic Pollution to 1000 students from Henry Park Primary School
3. This week a total of 121 members were involved for CSR/VIA programmes, talk, patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training and, the total trash collected = 545 kg.
   • Boat Patrol. A total of 8 Boat patrols were carried out; 3 at Marina, 3 at Punggol and 2 at Lakeside.
   • Bike Patrol. A total of 5 Bike patrols were carried out; 2 at Marina, 1 at Punggol and 2 at Lakeside.
   • Foot Patrol. We conducted 1 Foot Patrol at Pang Sua.
   • Pedal boat Patrol. 2 Pedal Boat patrols were conducted at Marina.

ACTIVITIES AND REPORT

1. Educational Programmes

2. Volunteer Patrols & Activities

     a. Marina

    b. Punggol

  c. Lakeside

    d. Pang Sua Pond

    e. Yishun Pond Patrol