THOSE keen on keeping waterways clean can join River Care Education Centre (RCEC) in Ipoh, Perak, which is on a recruitment drive.
Centre coordinator S. Jayagopi is hoping youth, especially students, will join to gain hands-on experience in caring for water sources like rivers.
He said many RCEC members were now grown up, and either working or pursuing tertiary education, so this was an opportunity for other youth to do their part for the environment.
“I hope to recruit between five and 10 people interested in becoming River and Smart Rangers,” he told StarMetro.
Joining the programme could also boost tertiary education applications, he added.
RCEC, located at the Buntong 3 and 4 Rukun Tetangga centre in Kampung Buntong 3 Tambahan, was set up in 2012 by non-governmental organisation Global Environment Centre (GEC).
The centre’s activities include checking the condition of rivers, conducting cleanups and building awareness.
Jayagopi said awareness programmes had been held at residential areas and schools, while RCEC had also been invited to give a talk in Indonesia.
“One of RCEC’s talks involves a demonstration on how to turn used cooking oil into candles.”
This is relevant as one of the causes of river pollution, he said, was people pouring used cooking oil down the drain.
Stating that he hoped people would break this habit, Jayagopi said: “I am glad there is more awareness now as there are people collecting used cooking oil for recycling, but more awareness is still needed.
“I am also happy to report that fewer people are throwing their rubbish into the river.”
Those interested in joining the river care crew can call Jayagopi at 019-558 6843.
