Report on Tree Planting Project

On the 23rd of February 2013, 25 Leos from the Leo Club of Assunta accompanied by the Teacher Advisor, Puan Martita Kee as well as the Leo Advisors, Lion Ivan Ho Kai Hong and Lion Fion Tey Pei Yin enjoyed a remarkable journey and experience in helping to plant trees in the Raja Musa Forest Reserve, located near Batang Berjuntai in the northern region of Selangor, Malaysia. This tree planting project was jointly organized by the Leo Club of Serdang. This programme focus on: No Peat Fire, No Haze was held to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2013 and was also officiated by Miss Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping, Selangor State EXCO and Chairman of the Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment. The cause of The Leo Club to join hands in this project is to help restore the peat swamps of the Raja Musa Forest to combat climate changes.

We left school at 7.45 in the morning and reached the gates of Raja Musa Forest Reserve around 9.30 am. We had to walk 1.25 km from the gates to the main entrance where the programme was being held. We registered ourselves under the participating booth and received our respective goodie bags. We gathered together with the other schools participants for this very special occasion for the welcoming address and speeches given by Mr. Faizal Parish, Director of Global Environment Centre (GEC ), Puan Hajjah Noraini Binti Roslan, President of the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS), Dato’ Prof. Dr. Hj. Abd. Rahman B. Hj Abd Rahim, Director General of Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM) and last but not the least Miss Elizabeth herself. The presentation of souvenirs, certificates of appreciation and demonstration of “Fire Fighting” was done shortly after the campaign was launched.

At 10.00 in the morning, we were given a short briefing on the task that had to be done by our school which was to plant 90 trees. Therefore, we Leos divided ourselves into 3 groups to plant 30 trees in our respective rows. Once we were familiar with our tasks and instructions given by our leaders as well as the guidance given by our teacher and Lion Advisors, we gathered our strength to walk another 1.5km to the planting ground and started distributing the 30 trees for each of the 3 groups. It was indeed very tiring and challenging for all of us as we had to plant 30 trees in a row from one corner till the other corner, with the sun shining brightly at us, our feet stuck in the mud and the sharp edges of wood forming mild cuts on our legs. However, the Leos were extremely strong in overcoming these challenging hurdles with the help and motivation given by Puan Martita, Lion Ivan and Lion Fion. Therefore, we continued planting diligently without complaining or hesitating. 

After 3 hours of non–stop planting, we managed to complete our task and took a few photographs. We all laughed with joy as we were literally covered with mud as proof of our hard work, which indeed opened our eyes on learning the real struggle of workers that do such jobs for a living. We packed our lunch and left Raja Musa Forest Reserve sharp at 1.30 in the afternoon and reached school safely around 4 in the evening.

In conclusion, it was a very proud moment for all of us as we worked hand in hand in this project for an incredible cause. Though we were all drained out at the end, but by looking at all the trees planted, it somehow filled our souls with a promise of a new day for a better and sustainable environment.

‘Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises’ –

Pedro Calderon de la Barca

“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

John Muir

Report by,

Leo Jaspreet Kaur Sandhu.