Impromptu Transition into Vegetarianism
Written by Julie Yen Yu Chu, Malacca / Translated by Tai Ren Yin![Leong Kee Soon used to love heavily-seasoned meat dishes. After encountering Tzu Chi, he and his wife, Wong Tyng Tyng, turned vegetarians. They also converted their food-stall into a vegetarian one. [Photograph by Hong Geok Hui]](/images/stories/hb/2017/20170803_HGH01_1_084.jpg "Leong Kee Soon used to love heavily-seasoned meat dishes. After encountering Tzu Chi, he and his wife, Wong Tyng Tyng, turned vegetarians. They also converted their food-stall into a vegetarian one. [Photograph by Hong Geok Hui]")
Leong Kee Soon is a chef. Having savoured all kinds of delicacies, he would not touch vegetables at all. However, upon meeting Tzu Chi, he is willing to go vegetarian with his wife, Wong Tyng Tyng. They have even converted their food-stall into a vegetarian cuisine stall. Change requires courage and determination. With a simple belief, they adhered to their Master’s teaching.
City Mayor’s Visit to Tzu Chi Recycling Centre
Written by Low Hai Loon, Klang / Translated by Yip Sook Ying![Mayor Yeoh (2nd left) was attracted by the reuseable baskets used to collect recyclables, which were converted from discarded fishing baskets. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]](/images/stories/hb/2017/RW_KA20170701_xbl01_017.jpg "Mayor Yeoh (2nd left) was attracted by the reuseable baskets used to collect recyclables, which were converted from discarded fishing baskets. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]")
Pulau Gaya is an island ten minutes off Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. An island of biodiversity, it is a favourite tourism spot. However, the threat to this biodiversity is the oceanic pollution by floating rubbish and rubbish dumped on the island. To overcome this problem, the City Council and Tzu Chi volunteers are planning to work out a recycling programme in Pulau Gaya. Having learnt about Tzu Chi Recycling-cum-Educational Centre in Pulau Ketam, the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Yeoh Boon Hai, visited the Centre accompanied by Tzu Chi volunteers and his officers on July 1, 2017.
A Changed Person
Written by Low Siew Lian, Melaka / Translated by Ong Yoke Ching
![Tay Kim Wee is seen here segregating recyclables during an activity to promote environmental protection at the Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre. [Photograph by Chong Fook Lin]](/images/stories/hb/2017/20170114_CFL01_1_094.jpg "Tay Kim Wee is seen here segregating recyclables during an activity to promote environmental protection at the Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre. [Photograph by Chong Fook Lin]")
When Tay Kim Wee first came to the recycling centre, there was always a distance between him and the volunteers. After his two years of volunteering at the recycling centre, volunteers gradually changed their perceptions towards him and the distance between them started to close.
Skilful Hands Extend Material Lifespan
Written by Kang Miew Tiang, Muar / Translated by Chan Yoon Loy
![Grandpa Low Kong What (centre) has a flair and knowledge in metal products like iron, steel and copper. Looking on is Ong Lai Ket on the left. [Photograph by Kang Miew Tiang]](/images/stories/hb/2017/20170221_KMT01_1_111.jpg "Grandpa Low Kong What (centre) has a flair and knowledge in metal products like iron, steel and copper. Looking on is Ong Lai Ket on the left. [Photograph by Kang Miew Tiang]")
A worn-out gas hob is destined for the junkyard, if not, a recycling centre. With his skilful hands and ingenuity, Grandpa Low Kong What, breathes new life into such appliances, conveying the spirit of cherishing resources and thriftiness.
Learning More about Recycling of Beverage Packaging
Written by Wong Siew Chin & Lee Heng Lun, Seremban / Translated by Tan Heang Shin
![David Choong, a recycling trader, explained to all on the various categories of plastics. [Photograph by Wong Siew Chin]](/images/stories/hb/2016/20161120_WSC01_1_037.jpg "David Choong, a recycling trader, explained to all on the various categories of plastics. [Photograph by Wong Siew Chin]")
Sixty-two volunteers and public members gathered at Tzu Chi Seremban Liaison Office for the annual training for recycling volunteers on November 20, 2016 (Sunday). On that day, disturbing questions with regards to recycling of beverage packaging were answered by two recycling traders.
Promoting Recycling at Taoist Street Procession
Written by Tan Su Mei & Kang Miew Tiang, Muar / Translated by Tan Heang Shin
![Volunteers were seen picking up trash or holding up posters among the masses. [Photograph by Low Chung Chin]](/images/stories/hb/2016/20161008_LCC02_1_023.jpg "Volunteers were seen picking up trash or holding up posters among the masses. [Photograph by Low Chung Chin]")
This Earth is the planet we all live in. Only when nursing the Earth back to health can humans live in peace. During the street procession in celebration of the Nine Emperor Gods’ Festival, Tzu Chi volunteers promoted environmental protection to the public.
Advocating Environmental Protection through Mural Paintings
Written by Hu Jia Li & Siow Lee Kien, KL & Selangor / Translated by Tan Heang Shin
![Selangor State Assemblywoman, Elizabeth Wong was present to grace the opening ceremony of the mural at Bukit Jelutong Recycling Centre[Photograph by Ng Shie Yuh]](/images/stories/hb/2016/RW_KL20160924_wsy02_075.jpg "Selangor State Assemblywoman, Elizabeth Wong was present to grace the opening ceremony of the mural at Bukit Jelutong Recycling Centre[Photograph by Ng Shie Yuh]")
Eleven guests witnessed the opening of a 5 ft by 25 ft long mural in the “Jom! Kitar Semula” ceremony. The mural depicted scenes of forest, being the home for butterflies, humming birds and various insects living in the ecosystem. It also promotes care for our environment, planet and resources.
Hi, Remember to Recycle!
Written by Yong Siew Lee, Melaka / Translated by Oon Chee Yuan
![Tzu Chi volunteers Tan Bee Chui together with Ng Ai Choon, hyped up the atmosphere, and the session was well-received by the students. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]](/images/stories/hb/2016/20160922_YSL01_1_051.jpg "Tzu Chi volunteers Tan Bee Chui together with Ng Ai Choon, hyped up the atmosphere, and the session was well-received by the students. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]")
“I won’t waste food anymore!” “I want to drive other students into recycling!” Students who had always been noisy during the lecture not only listened attentively but also sorted resources wholeheartedly. There were some who regretted wasting food previously while others wanted to carry out resource classification and advocate recycling. Everyone began to take heed of environmental protection.
A Unique Recycling Experience for East Malaysian Students
Written by Julie Yen Yu Chu, Melaka / Translated by Chung Kok Kang
![Forty-one students and four teachers from Lodge Primary National School visited a Tzu Chi recycling centre to enhance awareness on environmental protection thereby implementing recycling in their daily life. [Photograph by Alex Tan Ah Lek]](/images/stories/hb/2016/20160920_ATAL1_1_092.jpg "Forty-one students and four teachers from Lodge Primary National School visited a Tzu Chi recycling centre to enhance awareness on environmental protection thereby implementing recycling in their daily life. [Photograph by Alex Tan Ah Lek]")
A group of Primary 6 students were heavily tested when doing recycling personally. Be it the various kinds of rubbish or the filthiness and unpleasant smell, the children finally understood the hard work of recycling volunteers and the utmost importance of environmental protection.
Blessing on Me
Written by Tan Kim Hion & Ng Chai Hoon, KL & Selangor / Translated by Chong Pei Fen & Lim Wen Xin
![Chew Kooi Gaik of 70 (wheelchair bound) joyfully received recognition from Song Quek Khian (right), Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi KL & Selangor. She felt blessed with the opportunity to be Master’s disciples and join in the ranks of volunteerism. [Photograph by Kevin Tan Kok Sieong]](/images/stories/hb/2016/RW_KL20160831_cgx01_109.jpg "Chew Kooi Gaik of 70 (wheelchair bound) joyfully received recognition from Song Quek Khian (right), Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi KL & Selangor. She felt blessed with the opportunity to be Master’s disciples and join in the ranks of volunteerism. [Photograph by Kevin Tan Kok Sieong]")
“Blessing! This is blessing! I am not dreaming, am I? Am I really ‘wearing’ the blessing? This is great, thank you Master for giving me such blessing!” uttered a 70-year-old Chew Kooi Gaik, grinning from ear to ear.