By Tian-Tian Huang 

For the past two years, whenever Rachel Zhang visited the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Center, she would look at its open architecture and the lush park surroundings, wondering how wonderful it would be to bring more children into nature. 

School of Imagination: Reconnecting Children with Nature 

In mid-2024, Rachel Cheong and her partner Chloe Kuan proposed an initiative to the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Center team. Their idea was to organize a one-day "adventure" activity for primary school students, taking them out of enclosed classrooms and into nature, while incorporating storytelling and artistic creation to spark their imagination. 

The pair named their community project "School of Imagination." After months of planning and implementation, they successfully brought their project to life and earned third place in Tzu Chi's International Youth Leadership Program (IYLP). 

Rachel Cheong (right) and Chloe Kuan (left) guide primary school students in nature-based art activities during their School of Imagination program, September 2024. | Photo: Zhang-Cheng Cai

Responding to Contemporary Challenges 

In recent years, as global society faces rapid changes with challenges like climate change, human rights issues, and poverty, more young people are stepping forward to address these problems through social innovation. This year marked the third iteration of the IYLP, and the first time Singapore youth participated. 

Organized by the Tzu Chi International Youth Association (TIYA), the IYLP targets global youth aged 20 to 35, providing comprehensive training and practical opportunities. The program launched in March, featuring international professional speakers and diverse courses to help youth identify sustainability issues. In Singapore, the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Center provided local support, connecting youth with networks and resources to realize their public service ideals. 

Project Implementation 

During the September school holidays, Rachel and Chloe brought their School of Imagination to life, moving the classroom into nature and letting children use flowers and leaves as artistic materials. "Many educational activities focus on concrete issues like beach cleaning and recycling, but rarely provide opportunities for children to truly connect with nature," Chloe explains. "In Singapore, the risks of nature contact are often exaggerated, such as fears about children falling or getting hurt. We felt we needed a more relaxed approach to bring children closer to nature." 

School of Imagination activities with children exploring nature and creating art | Photo: Zhang-Cheng Cai 

Their research revealed that limited exposure to nature can negatively impact children's psychological development. "Urban children often spend more time indoors or using electronic devices, and education tends to prioritize academic achievement over holistic development," Rachel explains. 

The project received full support from the Youth Center team and mentor Sharifah Faizah, who provided valuable advice on logistics and space coordination. The one-day camp required five months of preparation, including two volunteer training sessions to familiarize volunteers with "forest school" methods and principles. 

Chloe (left) encourages children to engage with nature through storytelling and drawing. | Photo: Zhang-Cheng Cai 

Sleep Health Initiative 

Another participant, Chime Ngawang, a social worker focusing on suicide intervention and mental health support, launched "The Counting Sheep Project" to address sleep hygiene issues. According to a global sleep survey, Singaporeans average only about 6.5 hours of sleep, ranking third-lowest globally. 

The project takes a youth-friendly approach, using interactive games to help people understand sleep science. For example, their "Design Your Room" game teaches players how to adjust lighting, noise, and layout to create ideal sleep environments, while their "Sleep Tarot" card game encourages players to reflect on how lifestyle habits affect sleep. 

Chime Ngawang (left) implementing The Counting Sheep Project in the community | Photo: Zheng-Yu Chen 

Sustainable Events Initiative 

Meanwhile, Wei-Lun Huang and Sherin Tan initiated "The Green Space Project" to promote reusable tableware and reduce disposable utensil usage. They developed an "Impact Quantification Model" to track and reduce carbon footprints at events, working to convince businesses to make more environmentally conscious decisions. 

The pair is currently preparing for their first pilot activity in 2025, having secured initial cooperation with reusable tableware suppliers and planning coordination between food suppliers and event organizers to establish a sustainable food service process. 

Looking Forward 


Mentor Ling-Ling Yao, the Youth Center's sustainability officer, observes that these young participants share a common passion and drive for action, willingly dedicating their spare time to social issues despite busy lives with work and family commitments. 

As Rachel notes, "Urban issues are inherently connected to sustainable justice. The ultimate goal is to connect people with themselves and the environment. While this remains key, the method of achieving it depends on each person's choice." 

Chime agrees, adding, "Just as sleep isn't only about sleep itself, it's about helping people find more balance and happiness in their lives through improved rest quality."