By Brent Ah Kee
PULAI, Johor – Caritas MJD (Malacca Johore Diocese) held their second bi-annual Kindness Bazaar or Bazar Sumbangan Kasih on Sep 7 at Pangsapuri Merak, Bandar Baru Kangkar. This was a collaboration with Pertubuhan Kebajikan Shechinah Johor Bahru, headed by James Issachar. Salt and Light Centre representative Geeva, was instrumental in getting its premises available as the homebase and venue for the environmental talk during the bazaar.
After much hard work and pre-planning, the organising team was pleased to see the various teams of volunteers arrive early to set-up and layout the many goods on offer. Included in the spread of items for sale were women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing and accessories, toys and an assortment of trinkets. The themes of “take what you need” and “contribute your own pre-loved items” were very much in evidence alongside the eco-friendly initiatives like “bring your own bag”.
Before the festivities began, Fr James Rajendran, assistant parish priest of the Church of Divine Mercy in Skudai opened the bazaar with a prayer followed by a briefing by the organising chairperson, Jesicca Kee.
The atmosphere was festive with music, clowns and goodies for the younger set, along with the many smiling faces from the members of the volunteer team and the local community participants. Amongst the more than 40 volunteers, were re-presentatives from the Church of Divine Mercy Skudai, POHD St Joseph, Plentong, POHD St Elizabeth, Kota Tinggi, the Creation Justice Commission (CJC) and even a few kind hearted helpers from previous bazaars.
Whilst the festivities were ongoing, Dr Maria Lee, the CJC Diocesan Team Lead, gave a presentation on plastic pollution.
She taught that plastics do not decompose but rather disintegrate into microplastics which are now found in the air we breathe, the fish and marine products that we eat and even in the water that we drink. She highlighted that the best way to combat plastic pollution is to use alternative products, and to refuse single use plastics but opt to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The participants were also shown how to identify the plastic resin number and recognise harmful ones which should not be used for food, due to their health impact. They also learnt that not all plastics are recyclable in Malaysia.
This talk was attended by the younger set from the Church of Divine Mercy, Hosanna Anglican Church, the Salt and Light Centre along with other interested attendees from the community.
In closing, the youngest volunteer, Louis Jong, 12 years old, of the St Joseph Church, Plentong, said that he is always happy to help others, and that he was very pleased to see everyone working together for the greater good and showing such warm fellowship towards others. This young man has encapsulated the very essence of the Kindness Bazaar, showing that it’s not about the money!
If you would like to find out more about how you can spread kindness in this way or on volunteering opportunities with Caritas MJD, please contact Albert at caritasmj@mjdiocese.my. – Herald Malaysia
