GEORGE TOWN, May 19 — What started out as a hands-on agricultural project has turned out to be a rewarding project for the students of SMK Tanjong Bunga in George Town, Penang.
The project to learn how to plant vegetables was mooted by a property developer as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes with the assistance of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
The Eastern & Oriental Berhad’s (E&O) “Think Green” project has now taken an interesting turn with the school incorporating an entrepreneurship element into the programme.
SMK Tanjong Bunga, which was only introduced to the programme three months ago, has begun selling its garden-grown produce to teachers, parents and friends.
To date, the school has already made a profit from the early harvest, with green spinach, water spinach and spring onions among the popular choices.
The school’s Think Green project coordinator M. Kitha said the project has exposed them to agricultural knowledge and at the same time cultivated an enterprising spirit.
“Our students have developed a keen interest in the initiative and are proactive in making the project successful.
“It has created a heightened awareness among teachers and students about organically-grown and pesticide-free vegetables.
“I am sure that with more time and further guidance, we can enhance our achievements and succeed with this project,” she said after the launch of its food garden, Think Green Bunga Tanjong, recently.
Present at the launch were E&O’s government liaison and planning senior general manager Datuk Zawawi Yusop and Education Ministry district education officer Muhammad Abdul Samad.
Also present were the school’s headmistress Faridah Hussain, its Parent-Teacher Association chairman Abdul Wahab Tahir, CAP education officer NV Subbarow, teachers and students from SMK Tanjong Bunga.
E&O had roped in CAP for the project to render expert knowledge, such as a new method of composting at the project site.
During a guided tour after the launch, lush vegetables were seen growing in abundance at the 180sq m garden located within the school compound.
In his speech, Muhammad applauded E&O for the innovative project and hoped it would be expanded to more schools in the district.
He said the money generated from the sale of the vegetable sale could be used to upgrade some of the worn-out equipment at the school.
Faridah said she hope E&O would continue supporting them in their other upcoming green programmes under the Think Green umbrella.
Fifteen-year-old L. S. Alice Uvenesvary said through the project, she has learned to grow vegetables and prepare the compost.
“I was very proud when we harvested our crop which was in great demand among teachers and parents,” she said.
Danial Haris Zairil Hizam, 14, echoed her sentiments, adding that he was very happy to be part of the project.
“It has taught us how to work as a team and a collective unit towards a common goal of growing healthy vegetables,” he said.
Another student, S. Monesh Nair, 14, said the collaborative nature of the programme allowed the students and the teachers to benefit from the healthy exchange of ideas in a setting defined by mutual respect and a shared interest.
Meanwhile, Subbarow said CAP started the collaboration with E&O five years ago on a very small scale as they were not sure what the response would be.
“The teachers, students and parents have been truly wonderful and supportive. The Think Green initiative is now active and thriving in six schools,” he added.
Following the success of creating food gardens at SK Tanjung Tokong and SJK (T) Azad, the company is currently planning to set up another garden with its new Think Green partner school, SK Convent Pulau Tikus.
