Magong, Taiwan :: Crew visit a local school focused in marine conservation.
A commitment to environmental education
At He-heng Oceanic Experimental Primary School in Magong, Taiwan, there is a strong focus on instilling the importance of environmental conservation in students, particularly when it comes to protecting the oceans. Zizi, a teacher at the school, is deeply committed to ensuring that her students not only learn about the natural world but also play an active role in preserving it. A team from Doulos Hope had the privilege to visit the school and participate in some of their daily activities related to marine education and beach clean-ups.
In Magong, Taiwan one school is focused on the values of environmental conservation through their marine efforts. One teacher Zizi is leading this initiative. Some of the Doulos Hope crew had the chance to visit and take part in a beach clean-up.
The journey to partnering with Doulos Hope
Zizi’s connection with GBA Ships stretches back more than a decade. She first encountered the organisation while living in Taichung, Taiwan, where she took her son to attend one of GBA Ship’s previous vessel Doulos’ onboard children’s programmes. After ten years, Zizi reconnected with latest fleet vessel, Doulos Hope upon discovering her arrival in Penghu, Taiwan.
The importance of beach cleanup efforts
During Doulos Hope’s visit, crewmembers were impacted by the unique qualities of the school. “We invited the crew, as our school is quite special and we have a lot of efforts towards marine education,” Zizi states. The communities of the students and their own individual lives are interconnected with the sea, as Penghu is a small island off the coast of mainland Taiwan. Teaching them to care for the ocean and its ecosystems is a natural way of life.
Connecting with the environment
He-heng Oceanic Experimental Primary School’s environmental curriculum extends beyond just theoretical knowledge. The school encourages students to participate in hands-on activities (e.g., beach cleanups) to understand the real-world impact of pollution on their environment. "Every month, we arrange a time to clean up the beach," Zizi explained. The school fosters a sense of responsibility and pride in the students, teaching them that the ocean is not just a playground but a vital part of their community and the world. "We want to protect the ocean because this is their home," Zizi adds.
The interactions between the students and the volunteers was a highlight of the day. Zizi notes, "I see that the students love to play with the volunteers and the volunteers love to play with our kids.” This spirit of kindness, she noted, created a "good circle," where everyone was united in their shared goal of environmental stewardship.
We’re honoured to partner with local communities in their effort towards environmental sustainability. As an organisation, GBA Ships is committed to engaging in active efforts towards conservation. World Ocean Day is a time of reflection as we consider the importance of our oceans in our lives and the urgency there is to do what we can to take care of them.
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Thank you.