By Jalerie Neo
Deep in the heartland of Simei, Changkat Changi Secondary School has made it their mission to demonstrate that sustainability is more than a classroom concept – it’s also about building meaningful connections across generations by being creative!
In support of Go Green SG 2025, the students embarked on a purposeful six-week upcycling project that combined environmental responsibility with community care. They collaborated to thoughtfully design and build interactive games using recycled materials. And their mission? To bring joy to seniors, while gently sharing eco-friendly habits through heartwarming interactions.
The students generated many creative ideas throughout the brainstorming stage. For instance, beanbag toss stations fashioned from recycled materials and memory card games constructed from used cardboard boxes. Every activity was thoughtfully designed with the seniors in mind, encouraging them to stay both mentally and physically active.
The project culminated in a visit to Kheng Chiu Happy Lodge, a long-standing community partner of the school. The students presented their homemade activities to the seniors with warmth, confidence, and patience. Speaking in Mandarin and dialects, they explained the rules and demonstrated how to play each game, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and included. Despite the initial hesitation, the seniors soon lit up with smiles, laughter, and claps of encouragement. “I was surprised by how most of them are interested and excited to play games with us,” said Yuniz Lew Xin Yu, one of the participating students.
Students playing the board games they created with seniors, who are clapping and laughing along.
In addition to playing games, the students shared practical, eco-friendly tips inspired by the Singapore Green Plan. They spoke about everyday habits such as reusing containers or sorting recyclables. “We can show others that ‘trash’ can be turned into treasure”, said by Muhammad Daniel Bin Abdul Malik. Ms Zhen Zhen, a representative from Kheng Chiu Happy Lodge, shared that “The games helped make sustainability messages clearer and more accessible for the seniors”.
Now in its 10th year in partnership with Kheng Chiu Happy Lodge, the initiative continues to provide students with an avenue to practise environmental stewardship, develop empathy, and become socially responsible citizens. It has become a platform not just for learning, but for growing hearts and minds.
“It was heartening to see students take ownership of their roles and witness firsthand how their efforts brought joy,” said teacher Ms Cheryl Cheong. “This helped them see that sustainability is not just about building caring and inclusive communities.”
By transforming recyclable materials into tools for connection and care, the students from Changkat Changi Secondary have shown that a greener, kinder future begins with simple, thoughtful actions.
As the school geared up to celebrate its 60th birthday alongside SG60, it continues to nurture caring and compassionate youths who care deeply for both people and the planet, demonstrating that every small action can make a big difference.
