MIRI: On Tuesday, the Welfare, Health, and Community Sub-Committee (WH&CS) of the local branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) visited an economically challenged family at Rumah Mering Sungai Biar Bakong.
During the visit, Dr Uma Devi, the chairman of the sub-sommittee, delivered a short talk to educate the family members on the dangers of plastics, the importance of cleanliness, and healthy food habits.
The team also brought along English storybooks for the children to read. While it is true that Malay is the main language used in schools in Malaysia, English is still widely used in many aspects of daily life, including in higher education, the workplace, and international communication.
Additionally, exposure to English language materials such as storybooks can help children develop their English language skills and broaden their horizons.
It is also possible that some of the children may already have some knowledge of English, or may be interested in learning the language.
Therefore, providing English storybooks can still be beneficial and valuable, even if it is not the primary language used in school.
As for the stainless steel food containers that the visitors also brought with them, they were used to stress the dangers of plastic containers.
The containers were given by a group of anonymous donors, so the MRC Miri Branch took the opportunity to express its appreciation to the group.
Stainless steel containers were used to help explain the dangers of plastics by highlighting the negative impact that plastic containers have on the environment.
Unlike plastic containers, which are often discarded quickly, stainless steel containers are reusable and can last for a long time if properly cared for. This means that fewer resources are needed to produce new containers and less waste ends up in landfills or the ocean.
The visitors emphasised how using stainless steel containers can be an eco-friendly alternative to plastic containers, which can harm wildlife and contribute to environmental pollution. By providing the family with stainless steel containers, the WH&CS may have demonstrated how small changes in everyday habits, such as using reusable containers, can have a positive impact on the environment and promote sustainability.
“From time to time, we will organise such visits, and we hope that more volunteers can come forward and join us in making this community a better place,” said Devi.
Among the other volunteers present were WH&CS member VP Govindasamy, Mary Thomas, WH&CS coordinator Randai Miang, Miri MRC member Zaiful Abdullah, and representative from the Miri City Council Dayang Siti Marimmah.
