DATIN Paduka Hjh Adina binti Hj Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, officiated a uniquely successful 5th Green Xchange project organised by the Society for Community Outreach and Training (SCOT), which aims to eradicate poverty through the exchange of rice with recyclable items in the water village.
Since the project’s start in late 2011, SCOT has managed to collect 18,100 kilogrammes of recyclable items, which were exchanged for 5,000 kilogrammes of rice. Those involved in the project are youths from various educational institutions.
Datin Paduka Hjh Adina in her speech said, “The concept of the programme is very unique and interesting, because it does not only cover the importance of environmental conservation through recycling, but also combines the aspect of humanitarianism, instilling humane values and a sense of caring to the surrounding community in need of attention.”
The deputy minister recalled following the success story of the project by saying, “I have been following the development of the programme since it started two years ago, and in a just a short period, the programme has left a positive impact on the community. I would like to congratulate SCOT for showing their capability in making the programme sustainable. The success of the programme also shows that youths can play a role in the building of our community.”
The deputy minister also views the Green Xchange concept as a very good approach to instil awareness on environmental issues among the community, as well as to inculcate a sense of care for people who need assistance. In addition, the deputy minister highlighted, “The concept of the project is in line with the values and characteristics of Bruneians as a whole, as well as the MIB concept which stresses on the caring attitude. It also stresses on maintaining cleanliness, an important concept in Islam.”
Besides the Green Xchange project, the deputy minister also revealed that SCOT is also involved in an English teaching project for local youths, as well as youths in the rural areas of Cambodia. SCOT is also involved in the caring of underprivileged families in Tutong.
The activities, she said, are in line with the outcome of the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Ministerial Meeting and the Asean Ministerial Meeting on Youths, which gave focus on the involvement of youths in volunteerism. “I hope that the call of the Asean ministers will receive very good responses from youths and NGOs in Asean.”
Meanwhile Mohd Fadzil Afifi bin Hj Mohd Hussin, the project manager of 5th Green Xchange, in a separate speech said, “Green Xchange is a project to provide assistance for low income families to increase their source of income, whereby the villagers are urged to collect recyclable items and exchange them with basic commodities like rice.”
In yesterday’s Green Xchange event, a total of 180 sacks of rice were exchanged for recyclable items.
This is the second time that the Green Xchange project has come to Kg Sungai Kebun. The first time was in early 2012, when some six tonnes of recyclable items were collected.
Following the launch, the deputy minister presented certificates of appreciation to the sponsors of the event, and then toured the house of Hj Omar Damong bin Hj Maidin, who has continuously collected recyclable items in exchange for cash to earn more income. Also present at the event were the senior management of HSBC as well as foreign dignitaries.
Source: Borneo Bulletin
Author: James Kon
Published Date: 2 September 2013
