Jessica Su |  Mexico

The children of Tzu Chi Hope Classroom in Tijuana are collecting recyclables for the community, protecting the Earth. | Photo courtesy of Christopher Yang | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024

The Tzu Chi Tijuana Center is in a poverty-stricken area where many underprivileged families build makeshift homes without water, electricity, or permanent addresses. Although the Tijuana city government provides free garbage collection services, the lack of clear addresses leads to rampant littering and even garbage burning, severely polluting the environment.

LEFT: Local sanitation is poor, with garbage strewn everywhere. RIGHT: Children from Tzu Chi’s Hope Classroom holding discarded plastic bottles. ‌ ‌| Photos courtesy of Christopher Yang | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024

Teachers and students from Tzu Chi's Hope Classroom regularly collect recyclables, while Tzu Chi volunteers in Tijuana lead by example, teaching and guiding residents to protect the environment. Their efforts aim to restore a clean and tidy living environment for everyone.

Promoting Environmental Protection at the Spring Festival of a Public School

On March 22, Escuela Primaria Citlalmina held its annual Spring Festival, inviting Tzu Chi volunteers and the students and teachers of the Hope Classroom to participate. Despite the school's poverty, the campus was adorned with colorful balloons, and the small playground was filled with children and parents.

Students from the Hope Classroom take the stage to give a sign language performance for the song "One Family." | Photos courtesy of Christopher Yang | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024/03/22

The students from the Hope Classroom gave a sign language performance of the song "One Family," moving in perfect unison to convey Tzu Chi's spirit of unity and harmony. Afterwards, the children confidently showcased Tzu Chi's eco-friendly products, receiving applause and praise from the audience, and inspiring both parents and students to embrace environmental protection.

Parent Kimberly was thrilled, saying, "This has been a delightful experience. We must keep the streets clean and assist with recycling here." Teacher Victor felt proud to see the students demonstrating their environmental knowledge and becoming pioneers of green initiatives in Tijuana, recognizing the significance of raising awareness about taking care of our planet.

LEFT: Students from the Hope Classroom showcase Tzu Chi's eco-friendly hat made of PET bottles with a built-in solar light. RIGHT: Students from the Hope Classroom display Tzu Chi's eco-friendly blankets made of recycled PET bottles to the audience. | Photos courtesy of Roger Kao | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024/03/22

"I'm glad to be here today as an eco-friendly clothing model. I was nervous at first, but by doing this, we aim to encourage people to stop littering and start recycling," shared student Maria.

Taking Action: Picking Up Litter

After the spring festival, parents and children left, but the grounds were strewn with trash. Seeing the piles of garbage, the students and teachers of the Hope Classroom, along with Tzu Chi volunteers, immediately began picking up recyclables and trash, tidying up the area. Their actions surprised the public-school teachers and some parents, who felt ashamed and quickly joined in to help clean up the environment.

One of the schoolteachers, who came to assist with the cleanup, asked a Tzu Chi volunteer curiously, "What school are you from? Why do your children seem so different?" The volunteer introduced her to Tzu Chi’s Hope Classroom and warmly invited her to visit the center for more information. Impressed, she gave a thumbs up and praised Tzu Chi's environmental education.

Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, the previously chaotic scene was transformed into a spotless and clean space.

Spreading Environmental Awareness to Every Home

The principal of Citlalmina Elementary School expressed deep gratitude to the Hope Classroom students and Tzu Chi volunteers for participating in the spring festival and promoting environmental awareness and knowledge.

LEFT: Students from the Hope Classroom pick up recyclable resources. RIGHT: A student engaged in sorting recyclables. | Photos courtesy of Christopher Yang | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024

"We are very thankful to Tzu Chi for sharing how to promote environmental protection, how to recycle, and how to use recycled materials. Every student has benefited greatly because these recycled items are present in everyone's home. Unfortunately, some people do not know how to reuse them. Now, Tzu Chi has provided us with very productive information... we hope to continue our collaboration."

The principal also mentioned their commitment to participating in Tzu Chi's "Community Environmental Protection" event on May 11th, joining hands to protect the Earth and our shared home.

Cindy, a Tzu Chi volunteer, shared, "We all went there to perhaps start teaching people about recycling; there is so much garbage everywhere. Many people burn a lot of things, and the smoke from the burning is everywhere... We must work with our community to make a change."

Collecting recyclable resources, returning fully loaded. | Photos courtesy of Christopher Yang | Tijuana, Mexico | 2024/03/22

In Tijuana, the good deeds and positive influence exhibited by Tzu Chi volunteers and children are like spring rain nourishing people's hearts. Good thoughts are fostered within, and good deeds are passed from person to person like a relay baton. We hope this butterfly effect will gradually transform the entire community, building a village of great love and environmental protection together!