When Clean and Green Wasn’t What She Saw

Over the past year, the programme has grown to more than a dozen regular volunteers. Through educational talks, recycling efforts, and hands-on action, seniors are not only helping to keep the estate clean but also encouraging others to care for the environment.

Whenever Eco Kakis volunteers spot children eating or drinking, they take the opportunity to gently remind them to dispose of their rubbish properly. “Now, when the children see us picking up litter, they tell us they’ll remember not to litter,” said Saw Kim. “Some even stop to help out. I find that very encouraging.”

Despite relying on a personal mobility device, 72-year-old Tang Chan Tuck is one of Eco Kakis’ most enthusiastic volunteers. A member of his school’s gardening society in his younger days, he has rekindled his lifelong passion for caring for the environment through the programme while forging new friendships with fellow seniors. Chan Tuck’s story reflects the wider impact of Eco Kakis. Beyond keeping the neighbourhood clean, the initiative has given many seniors a renewed sense of purpose and ownership of their community. “Many seniors once felt resigned to the state of the environment,” said Saw Kim. “Now, they see that they can make a difference – and that has empowered them.”