The 2-day overnight Tzu Shao Camp encourages young people to act on their dreams based on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and Tzu Chi's four major missions. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
What are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
What practical actions can we take to achieve these goals?
The SDGs are not faraway goals but achievable targets that anyone can incorporate into their daily life. From 22 June to 23 June 2024, the 2-day overnight Tzu Shao Camp integrated the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals with practical examples from Tzu Chi’s four major missions. This camp aimed to inspire youths to pursue their dreams, enhance environmental sustainability, and contribute to making the world a better place.
(Photo by Tan Chee Han)
A sustainable future is not far off; with dedication and effort, one will learn
On the morning of 22 June, Tzu Chi Teenagers a.k.a. Tzu Shaos arrived at the Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall. The programme began after everyone was settled down. In the station game, Tzu Shao first acquired the core concepts of each goal, followed by brainstorming on actions that could be taken to implement the SDGs, such as using bamboo to construct roofs, maintaining safe distances between buildings, planning clear escape routes, designing earthquake-proof buildings, etc. These are to achieve the eleventh goal which is “sustainable cities and communities”.
Despite living in the safe garden city, with minimal exposure to earthquakes or other natural disasters, the students participated ardently to conceive ways to make buildings earthquake-proof. Some of them based it on ingenuity while others based on what they know, all in an effort to improve existing technologies.
Singapore is a low-lying island surrounded by sea. Thus, marine ecology is of utmost importance. Tzu Shaos first found their way out of the maze and then seized to answer various questions on issues surrounding marine conservation, learning how to protect the marine ecology. This segment was designed to highlight the 14th SDG.
The teams competed in pairs, engaging in a lively challenge on who could flip more cards in a shorter time. This game was played in double-quick time which also accentuated the alarming speed of deforestation and the urgent need to protect the environment. Through the games, the youths realised that SDGs may seem complicated and mammoth in scope, but they can actually be implemented in daily life, slowly but surely.
Most teenagers at the camp have never experienced disasters such as earthquakes, but they still participated ardently to think of ways to make buildings earthquake-proof. (Photo by Ng Hock Soon)
Learning through Play at the Excursion to Marina Barrage
After lunch, the Tzu Shaos eagerly anticipated their excursion. They travelled by bus to Marina Barrage to visit the Sustainable Singapore Gallery, where they learned about Singapore’s innovations in environmental protection, energy conservation, and resource management, all aimed at building a green and sustainable future.
The subsequent question-and-answer game was both informative and interactive, covering sustainability goals such as affordable and clean energy, climate action, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production. Through these engaging activities, the Tzu Shaos not only expanded their knowledge but also deepened their understanding of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Tzu Shaos visiting the Sustainable Singapore Gallery at Marina Barrage. (Photo by Tan Chee Han)
The accompanying Tzu Chi volunteers constantly reminded the youths that every small effort when combined can bring about huge changes to Singapore and the earth.
Almost every Tzu Shao was deeply impressed by the trip to Marina Barrage. 16-year-old Tzu Shao Joran Chan said: “Through this trip, I learned more about sustainable development, and I will stick to my habit of just ordering the right amount of food and disposing the waste correctly, such as cleaning plastic containers before recycling them and discarding items that cannot be recycled.”
Through this visit and games, Tzu Shao Toh Yu Xiang learned about the importance of water resources. He realised that lack of water is disastrous and is committed to making efforts to conserve and reuse water.
Through this visit and accompanying games, Tzu Shao Toh Yu Xiang (first from left) learned about the importance of conserving water resources. (Photo by Tan Chee Han)
Witnessing hardship uncover appreciation of our blessings, triggering the will to help others
Although the activities of the first day were intensive and required the youths to leave the comfort of home to spend a night outside in different environment, all these did not affect Tzu Shaos’ spirit in starting a new day.
The Tzu Ching curriculum team led everyone in a charity-themed station game. The Tzu Shaos must work hard to complete the games at each station to earn points so as to use them to help disaster victims tide over the difficulties and rebuild their homes.
The game included activities such as origami making, relay river-crossing and more. The games were not simple, each requiring skills, endurance and teamwork, but these posed no problem to the confident Tzu Shaos. Every team worked closely together to overcome the difficulties and succeeded. Through the games, the Tzu Shaos learned the importance of cooperation and the sense of accomplishment in helping others.
The games were not easy, each requiring skill, endurance and teamwork. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Phoon Yixin, 14, who participated in the Tzu Shao Camp for the third time, happily shared: “I learned many more interesting things in the camp this year.”
Yixin has always been actively advocating and practicing environmental protection, both at home and at school. She shared with her classmates the importance of environmental protection, encouraged them to eat vegetarian meals and often shared the importance of adopting a vegetarian diet on the environment and future generations.
Yixin recounted that the charity-themed station games were the most difficult to champion, because they must first gain profits with limited resources, and then plan and execute how to maximize the development of charity work. She thus realised the overwhelming challenges confronting Master Cheng Yen when she led a group of housewives to save five cents a day so as to start charity work. However, despite the intense adversity, Master Cheng Yen persevered in her determination to help those in need.
Third time participant Phoon Yixin (middle) happily shared: "I learned even more interesting things in the camp this year." (Photo by Chuah Chin Kah)
Living in poverty and lacking basic public health knowledge is the norm for many children in Nepal. Volunteer Fong Kok Kee shared with the Tzu Shaos how they taught Nepalese children in schools about food hygiene. In Nepal, where resources are scarce, children often use old newspapers as plates and leaves as spoons for drinking milk. The team also distributed crockery and cutlery and worked to instil hand-washing habits.
The Tzu Chi education team gathered Tzu Shaos, Tzu Chings and Great Love Mothers to design hand-washing games and germs cleaning experiments. Through vivid displays and interactions, the children can see firsthand how washing their hands removes bacteria, highlighting the importance of clean hands and hygiene.
The heartfelt sharing of real-life experiences deeply touched every Tzu Shao, immersing them into that environment, and being reminded to be appreciative of their excellent living conditions. At the same time, the youths realised their potential to transform the community and help others through volunteer service.
Volunteer Fong Kok Kee shared with the Tzu Shaos about a trip where Tzu Chi volunteers went to Nepal to teach children about food hygiene. (Photo by Chuah Chin Kah)
(Photo by Chuah Chin Kah)
Participants Enjoy a Fun and Educational Experience in the Escape Room
The curriculum team specially prepared the next game, which is the popular escape room, a favourite of youths. The game simulated a post-earthquake scene. The room was pitch dark, dimly illuminated only by a projector displaying images of broken walls. Occasionally, sounds of falling rubble and splashes echoed throughout, enhancing the realistic experience.
The room was pitch dark and dimly illuminated by a small flashlight. It turned out that Tzu Shaos were playing an escape room game. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
The moment the Tzu Shaos entered the escape room, they were immediately captivated and immersed in it. Everyone began searching for clues to solve the puzzle. Tzu Shao Conan Cheong was especially engrossed in the game. He worked with his team to solve the questions while occasionally assigning tasks to his teammates, just like a seasoned team leader.
The 14-year-old ardently shared that the camp games were more enjoyable this year, with the escape room providing the most challenge and sense of accomplishment.
Conan Cheong also mentioned that he and his family frequently help out at the monthly eco points. In their normal daily lives, they would sort the recyclables and use recycled bags for shopping. After learning about the SDGs, Conan is eager to find ways to share his knowledge with his schoolmates, helping them understand the simple daily acts they can take to protect the earth.
Tzu Shao Conon Cheong (middle) was very engrossed in the games, and would occasionally assign tasks to his teammates, just like a seasoned team leader. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
"Young people are our future. This camp aimed to instil habits in Tzu Shaos so they can contribute to safeguarding the earth. Each of us is like a firefly, shining brightly; together, we can bring about tremendous energy to create a better world," said Tzu Shao Camp coordinator Gooi Ming Hong. He hoped that through the games, discussions and excursions, Tzu Shaos will gain a better understanding of SDGs and Tzu Chi’s four major missions.
During the two days overnight camp, the Tzu Shaos gained valuable knowledge and life skills, forged new friendships, and discovered that teamwork is one of the most powerful means to overcome challenges.
The camp not only enriched the social experience and developed leadership skills of the Tzu Shao, but also inspired their sense of social responsibility and understanding of sustainability development goals. It was, indeed, not only an educational experience, but also a journey of growth and inspiration.
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