Dear Friends,
OVERVIEW
“Why Are We Doing What We Are Doing ?”
Every week our members and participants of our CSR and VIA programmes picked up quite a sizeable amount of litter from the Kallang – Marina reservoir and its waterways; plastic bottles, food wrappers, groceries bags, cans, drink straws, cigarette butts, etc. The question we need to ask is whether the people who litter understand the seriousness of littering? A small behavioural action can seem to be insignificant but the consequences of it are huge. Understanding the impact of littering especially on our waterways allows us to be more aware of the implications.
Our experience conducting the various CSR and VIA activities, have shown us that many of the participants, adults included, do not know our waterways are collecting water for our reservoirs, that we are harvesting urban stormwater on a large scale.
Keeping our environment clean and free from litter is not only to promote an image of a Clean City and enhance hygiene but, really ensuring that litter does not get into our waterways. Hence, we cannot overemphasise again the need to educate and share the information about our waterways and their importance for the nation.
The sharing of information must not only be for the benefit of the future generation (the young ones), the adults must be included. All citizens need to know the real situation we are facing in Singapore regarding Water Sustainability and Survivability. The spreading of information ensures that everyone is aware of the problem of littering and it serves as a start of an individual’s change. We have to be responsible for the trash that we generate and not push our responsibilities to the cleaners.
We need to stop this littering problem. It is not sustainable and it is costly.
In summary, the following activities were done for this week:
- We conducted 4 CSR and 1 VIA programmes which were attended by 88 participants and 134 participants respectively, and together they collected a total of 311 kg of litter.
- CSR activities comprised 1 Boat programme, 1 Foot programme and 2 Kayak programmes.
- VIA activity comprised 1 Kayak programme.
- We conducted an Assembly Talk on site at a Primary School. The Talk was attended by 300 students and teaching staff.
- An On-the Job Orientation was conducted for 20 new members on their roles and responsibilities when doing patrol.
- This week a total of 85 members were involved for CSR/VIA programmes, talk, patrols, administration, housekeeping duties and training and, the total trash collected = 401 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 2 Bike patrols were carried out; 1 each at Marina and Lakeside.
- Foot Patrol. We did not conduct Foot Patrol at Pang Sua.
- Pedal boat Patrol. No Pedal Boat patrols were conducted at Marina.
- Kayak clean up. A total of 8 members turned up at Jurong Lakeside and did a clean up of the Lake.
- Physical Bike and Boat Clean Up Orientation for New Applicants. This was conducted for 24 new members at Marina
- Boat Tour for Frontline workers. No boat tour was conducted at Marina.
ACTIVITIES AND REPORT
- Educational Programmes
2. Volunteer Patrols & Activities
a. Marina
b. Punggol
c. Lakeside
d. Pang Sua Pond
e. Yishun Pond Patrol
