TAI JI QIAN (U2103208)

 Planning/ Preparation Stage

To be honest, I was quite stressed before embarking on this project. The thought of managing it amidst a hectic semester filled with never-ending lab reports and assignments was overwhelming. Furthermore, I found it frustrating that while students from other faculties were allowed to conduct their projects entirely online, we were required to physically carry out ours. It seemed unfair, as they could organize webinars or talks from the comfort of their homes while our group had to tackle beach cleaning. However, after discussing our concerns with our lecturer, Dr. Tan, we were relieved to receive his permission to proceed with the beach cleaning project, which we aptly named "Wave of Change."

When it came to preparing for the project, our group discussions initially felt quite awkward. We were practically strangers at the beginning, and most of us were hesitant to initiate conversations. It took some time for us to break the ice and get comfortable with each other. Thankfully, our group leader, Firdaus, played a crucial role in kick-starting the discussions and ensuring everyone's participation. Slowly but surely, we began to build familiarity, and the discussions became livelier.

Despite my initial reluctance towards cleaning the beach, I still looked forward to the project. It was my first time participating in such an activity, and I was genuinely excited. Not only was it an opportunity to clean the beach, but it also marked the first time in a long while that I had the chance to spend time outdoors with a large group of my course mates due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Additionally, the prospect of visiting the beach after such a lengthy absence added to my anticipation. For both sessions of the project, we divided ourselves into three cars, departing from UM. I'm immensely grateful to our group members who kindly offered to provide transportation, sparing us the hassle of using public transport while carrying all the necessary items for the project.

 

Project Day

Firstly, let’s talk about the first session of the project, which is at the Pantai Bagan Lalang. After we reached the beach, we started to distribute the task, by separating a few groups to pick up rubbish, a few to keep guards of our belongings, and a few to go for interviewing people. Kudos to Jinn Ren who led the session, he was quick at identifying what jobs needed to be done and distributed the task fairly without wasting time. I was among the members who were distributed to pick up the rubbish along the beach. 

And so, we went on picking up rubbish, with separated rubbish bags collecting different types of trash such as paper, plastic, cans, and others. I was surprised to find that the amount of rubbish littering there were much more than what I had expected. Most of the rubbish were scattered along the beginning part of the sand, where there were grasses and bushes. The most rubbish we collected was plastic. After the beach cleaning session, we went for a walk along the beach, and filmed some more videos for social media. 

During the process, there was one incident that I think is worth mentioning. When I was collecting the rubbish, there was one aunty who was initially strolling along the beach area which I was cleaning. After she noticed we were picking up rubbish, I have noticed that she too, started to pick up rubbish she saw along the path she walked. It is nice to see how our action has an impact on other people, that we can influence others to clean the beach just by cleaning it ourselves, even if we did not tell them to do so. 

Before & After Cleaning

Group Photo at Pantai Bagan Lalang

After

After participating in both sessions of this beach cleaning project, I have gained valuable insights and reaped numerous benefits. Initially sceptical and irritated about the project, I am now delighted and satisfied to have had the opportunity to partake in such a meaningful endeavour. Moreover, this experience has brought me closer to my fellow classmates, forging bonds that will undoubtedly be cherished throughout my university life.

Throughout this project, I've learned the importance of expressing our opinions, especially when we feel dissatisfied with a situation. Contrary to my initial belief, approaching lecturers is not as daunting as it seems—they are receptive and not as strict as we perceive them to be. An example of this is when Mr. Fazaul granted our request to combine the groups after we proposed the idea to him. Additionally, I've discovered the significance of overcoming shyness within my own group and among my course mates. By opening up and fostering a collaborative environment, we can maximize our potential by exchanging ideas and exploring a multitude of alternatives to find the best solutions.

Furthermore, I've come to realize that there is still a lack of public awareness when it comes to environmental issues. It's possible that while people are aware of the problems, there is a lack of action being taken. Therefore, I firmly believe that the key to a greener environment lies not only in our own actions but also in educating and promoting the importance of environmental preservation to others. As previously mentioned, the influence of our actions, such as the story of the aunty, can inspire others to follow suit. This is why we have created social media accounts to share our cleaning efforts and conduct interviews. By raising awareness, particularly through social media platforms, the public can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of environmental conservation and apply these principles in their own lives. Eventually, they can pass on their knowledge and spread awareness to their parents and friends.

As a result of this project, I am now more cognizant of the environmental issues surrounding me. In the future, I am determined to involve my family and friends in beach cleaning activities. Even during vacations, I will make a conscious effort to pick up litter while enjoying my time, just like the inspirational aunty I mentioned earlier. I am truly grateful to the University of Malaya for providing me with this opportunity to engage in social initiatives, and I extend my appreciation to Dr. Tan for allowing us to conduct this project with a large group of participants. Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to my teammates for demonstrating utmost responsibility in carrying out their roles.