Starchild: Malaysian children feel strongly about protecting the environment

Zachary Sanjay Joseph, 5

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ITEM: Teacher’s Day is celebrated on May 16.

Tell us about your favourite teacher/s and how they have guided you in your studies. What subject does your favourite teacher teach? Or you could write about how Teacher’s Day is celebrated in your school. Send us a drawing or selfie taken with your favourite cikgu.

All letters must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below), gender, e-mail, phone number and address. Please write your name behind the drawing and the topic, Teacher’s Day, on the envelope. All letters must reach us by May 12.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by May 6. Please put “STARCHILD: “Teachers Day” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact and address.

Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.

Today is Earth Day, a special day to increase our awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment.

Children can show their support for Earth Day by participating in green activities like tree-planting, picking up trash and using recyclable containers for snacks and lunches. Ask Daddy or Mummy to put on a few environmental documentaries on YouTube or telly.

Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, Earth Day.

Wong Zhi Ying, 8

Wong Zhi Ying, eight, encourages children to be environmentally friendly and protect our planet. “On Earth Day, I plan to plant some flowers. I will also recycle plastic bottles, newspapers and boxes. I hope children will learn to care for Mother Earth.”

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 6

“To protect Earth from environmental damage like pollution and global warming, let’s plant more trees, conserve water and reduce plastic consumption. We can use an electric scooter to travel around the city,” says Claire Yap Jyn Wei, six.

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 9

Older sibling Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, nine, thinks animals should be protected to prevent them from facing extinction. “My drawing features a hand holding a plant and some soil. It means we must protect our planet before more animals go extinct. Sadly, the American woodpecker has gone extinct. If animals go extinct, then so will we.”

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

“We can invest in our planet by not wasting earth’s natural resources. We should switch off the lights and fan when we leave the room, or turn off the tap when we are brushing our teeth. We should also walk or cycle more instead of driving, to reduce fuel consumption and minimise pollution,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four, recycles things at home to take care of Mother Earth. “I reuse my paper by drawing on both sides and dispose of my used papers in a recycling bin. We should have more recycling trucks to collect things that can be recycled.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Eight-year-old Wong Cheng Yang has a few methods to ensure Mother Earth doesn’t fall sick. “We can recycle, reduce waste, save water and save electricity. We should recycle used paper, aluminum cans, cardboards, and glass. Also, we can put food waste into a compost bin.”

“I love all types of animals. For Earth Day, I hope people are reminded to protect animals so that they do not become extinct like dinosaurs,” says Zachary Sanjay Joseph, five. – Compiled by Sheela Chandran

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