Savez-vous planter des choux?

a la mode, a la moooode....

If there’s only one thing to say : we were extremely lucky with the weather last week-end, especially on Sunday. Given the apocalyptic weather of the past few days (storms, black rain, and so on) we were inclined to write off the tree planting activity in Lantau and hope for a better way to spend our week-end. But there was no need to worry. On International Earth Day, Mother Earth favored us with a more than wonderful weather (way too hot some might even say). It really felt like summer, and we were in excellent spirit to join our long planned first CSR interbank activity, leaded by the green association Ark Eden.

I'm happy to report that we got a pretty good participation rate and commitment: out of 13 registered volunteers, 11 actually showed up!

Along with 4 other financial institutions, we made our way to Mui Wo (Lantau island) before climbing the hill slopes behind the village area.

Just off the pier, Jenny from Ark Eden association, briefed us a bit on the organization of the day, and the purpose of the association.

Concerned about the fires destroying regularly the forests and more globally the ecosystem in Hong-Kong, she has been dedicating herself to protecting the environment by replanting various species of local trees, via this association, and helped with volunteers, building up her knowledge of the ecosystem of Hong-Kong. Rising awareness of the danger of an unsuited reforestation with Australian trees, she pointed out the “plastic forest” in the distance. We listened carefully, took the group picture…

…then headed to Ark Eden “center” where all the plants were ready to be taken to the top of the hills. About 80 of us were gathered there, piling up small trees in plastic (!) bags, and bottles of water. 

After a brief description of the planting sites, we divided ourselves into 4 different groups, and somehow, the valiant SG group ended up planting trees on site A, the hardest of all. Luckily, the path was shaded, even though a bit slippery. 

But at last we got there. Wonderful views. A lot of (warm) air, not the kind we get back in the city. This one is pleasant. There’s even a slight breeze. 

Then we followed attentively how to plant the trees properly.

Where sould I start digging ? What do you mean “not yet”? For site A, there’s still some climbing needed. Really??!!

That’s when you learn the meaning of the word “slippery”. It was practically impossible to haul oneself up onto the top of the hill. Needless to say, with our hands full of trees and bottles. But I’m glad and proud to say : we made it !

Then we started planting, like madmen, under the hottest sun. But glad to take part to this meaningful activity, and happy to show our care for Hong-Kong, and for our planet.

A few data:
SG staff & family : 11 volunteers
Overall # participants : about 80 (to be checked)
Trees planted : around 800

Fairy Green Home exhibition

English version at the bottom

Dans la série: je m’intègre au sein de mon entreprise et de la communauté de Hong-Kong, je présente : Livia l’ambassadrice CSR (corporate social responsibility). Eh non, ce n’est pas une blague. Pour ceux qui me connaissent, je vous rassure. Non je n’ai pas été prise d’une fièvre exotique qui rend fou et pousse les gens à entreprendre des activités inconsidérées. Mais en cherchant à m’ouvrir petit à petit, j’ai eu d’envie d’en faire un peu plus. Et puis après tout, je ne serai pas à Hong-Kong indéfiniment, alors si je ne fais pas quelque-chose maintenant, quand le ferai-je ?

Tout ca pour dire qu’avec d’autres collègues nous avons pris la relève de ce comité qui gère des événements de charité, au bénéfice d’associations locales et internationales. Nous avons collecté des fonds auprès du staff en début d’année pour HAC qui est notre principal partenaire. Et de nombreux projets sont en cours pour l’année 2012. J’aurai l’occasion d’en reparler.

J’étais donc samedi dernier en « représentation officielle » (mais oui, voyez-vous ca) lors d’une cérémonie de clôture organisée par HAC. Il s’agissait d’une remise de prix et d’une exposition clôturant un projet sponsorisé par mon très cher employeur tout au long de l’année 2011 : le Fairy Green Home project.

Comme l’exposition n’a duré que du 31 mars au 2 avril, je n’ai malheureusement pas eu le temps de blogger à ce sujet plus tôt.

L’association HAC cherche à contribuer à l’éducation, l’intégration, la solidarité et au développement d’enfants provenant de milieux défavorisés. Ils se basent sur l’importance des relations parents-enfants, la lecture, la découverte de l’environnement et la conscience écologique. Enfin, ce projet à portée éducative a entrainé les enfants et les volontaires dans différents coins de Hong-Kong, notamment les iles Lamma et Lantau (des endroits que ces enfants n’auraient probablement pas l’opportunité de visiter par eux-mêmes). Bon en gros, on leur a dit, faites attention à votre environnement, ne laissez pas trainer des ordures par terre, etc. et essayons de penser à une manière de vivre dans un meilleur environnement. C’est ainsi qu’ils ont été incité à créer leur maison « écologique » idéale à partir de matériaux de récupération. Et on peut dire qu’ils ont été sacrément ingénieux !

Outre les maisons que je vais décrire plus tard, l’exposition se voulait interactive. Il y avait ainsi un endroit pour écouter des bruits de la nature, un coin pour sentir des odeurs naturelles, une mini éolienne qui fabriquait de l’électricité quand on activait ses pales, et des pierres qu’il fallait réussir à mettre en équilibre !

J’ai pris en photo chacune des dix maisons qui étaient présentées pour le concours, et un village. Il s’agissait de noter les maisons selon différents critères : leur aspect écologique, la créativité, la beauté et la qualité du travail. C’était pas facile. J’avoue que je n’ai pas compris grand-chose à la remise des prix, puisque tout était en cantonnais, mais il semble bien qu’aucun gamin n’est reparti les mains vides !

Durant la cérémonie, Jim (collègue du CSR) et moi-même siégions au rang d’honneur ! avec la responsable de l’association, et des membres de la communauté de Hong-Kong (social welfare department) et d’autres personnes dont je n’ai bien sur pas compris les fonctions. J’ai eu le droit a une traduction (partielle) des discours. Et puis chaque enfant est venu présenter son projet, en décrivant les matériaux utilise et la logique écologique qui les avait amenés à leur production finale. Seul l’un des projets était réalisé par des non cantonnais. Il s’agissait de 2 sœurs Philippines, une troisième jeune fille se chargeant de traduite de l’anglais au cantonnais leurs explications. C’était tout à fait international !

A la fin de la cérémonie, c’était séance photo a gogo ! tous les gamins voulaient être pris en photos avec nous. Et puis il y a eu les nombreuses photos de groupe aussi. C’était plutôt marrant !

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English version

From March 31st to April 2nd, HAC, the main local charity that we support, was holding the “Fairy Green Home” exhibition, in the Central Market area. This exhibition was the final touch of the year-long “Fairy Green Project” that led children from the association and SG staff to Lamma island and Tai O fishing village in a number of green projects throughout 2011. Children got the opportunity to discover remote areas of Hong-Kong they would probably not get the chance to know without the help of the association. But the main goal here was to draw their attention to ecological matters, and the importance of preserving our environment. With this in mind, HAC children were encouraged to create their ideal green home model, made from recycled materials.

This exhibition was a unique chance to admire their work, and award the children well-deserved prizes.

Jim and I came as the Official Ambassadors from SG during the official closing ceremony, that took place on Saturday March 31st from 1:30pm. We were introduced to the work of the children, I’m sharing now with you:

All I can say is that I was truly amazed with the work they did. It was so creative, beautiful, colorful and I can add high work quality. A small notice above each artwork would also explain the ecological logic behind the model home architecture and conception.

We were to “judge” this piece of artwork according to 4 criteria : ecology / creativity / beauty / quality of artwork
The ceremony itself was perfectly organized, featuring a video reminding the good times during Lamma and Tai O trips, then a few speeches were given, from HAC, and some members of the Hong-Kong social welfare department. Finally, each child (I should say artist) came up on stage and presented their work, with much detail. Although I could not understand much of what was said (since my Cantonese knowledge is inexistent), I was impressed by such young kids able to express themselves in front of a crowd. (Luckily, May Wong, executive director from HAC was translating the main ideas to me in English)

Finally, Jim and I were honored to present the awards to the children, in each category mentioned above. And at last, take about a million pictures with everybody.

Care and inclusion sculturing competition at Lamma Island (CSR)

I must be some kind of a masochist. Every single day, when the alarm clock rings at 7am, all I can think of " I can't wait to be Saturday, and sleep in". Comes Saturday, and what do I do? I wake up at 7am to join a CSR event (corporate social responsability) at Lamma Island. 

Lamma island for Christ's sake! Meeting point : Pier #4, at 9am. Hopefully, I won't get seasick. Well, I chose to come, didn't I?

Why is that again? Oh right, I had a very good time, at the last CSR event I joined in Tai O. 

Suddenly, I'm glad I woke up. Plus, it's a wonderful day I might add. Hot and sunnny. I meet up with CSR ambassador for SG, his daughter, and other SG volunteers at the pier, and we embark at 9:10am towards Yung Shue Wan, Lamma island.

What's today's event all about? 

Organized by the Hans Andersen Club, today is dedicated to a sand sculpturing competition. At first, I joined as a volunteer to help out building up the tents, and dismantle them after the event is over, as well as packing up everything and cleaning up the beach. 

But I was soon to find out that we had to participate to the competition as well. Hummm interesting... I had never built a sand castle before, and haven't played in the sand since I was 5. I'm curious to see how this will turn out!

SG group was eventually divided into 2 teams formed by 3 and 4 people respectively. It's only 10am and the weather is already extremely hot. I'm wondering if sun block 50 will be enough.

Our competitors are very well organized. At least some of them. They brought tools, instruments, boards, pots etc. We're suddenly look like such amateurs! The team next to us is planning on building a train. They already have a cardboard train station, all nice and pretty. They appear as real professionals! 

Here's SG teams:

Our team plans on building the Tour Eiffel. No more, no less. :) Our allies, a few fields away, are working on a giant turtle. In order to impress the "jury" they come out with a environmental oriented story behind this choice.

It's kind of funny, because they joke about it, but there's some truth in it. After all, giant turtles are endangered species. 

Their final piece of work is quite impressive. Both adults and children seemed to love it.

We worked hard on our project, but it might have been sighlty too ambitious. But I guess in the end, you could guess what it was. Sort of. In any case, I had, surprinsingly enough, a lot of fun doing it. 

After an hour and a half building and sweating under the excessive heat (wheather forecast was expected 33C, but it felt like 45C), all teams were done. 

Themes were aquatics (a giant lobster, turtles, sea shell, etc) or more peace-oriented messages (one of the sculture was entitled "endless love", to say the least), and others, more diffcult to categorize. But there was a lot of thoughts and involvement in each piece.

As you can see

After lunch, there were 2 nice entertainments on stage. A drumming band, then children performing a dance. Quite enjoyable moment. 

Then they eventually announced the competition results. We lost. Both our teams! We'll have to do better next time!

We helped out packing up, then returned to Central.  

What a day!