Earth Day, hailed from the US, is a globally recognised on April 22, annually. Embedded within the YCIS philosophy is the responsible acknowledgement of sustainability and care for our environment and animal kingdom.

This year, YCIS joined the global eco-charity The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to bring Earth Day to Hong Kong, in a full public event. Dr Betty Chan, Director of Yew Chung International Schools, led the opening of the occasion by saying, “Yew Chung International School shows its solidarity with The Nature Conservancy – our environmental charity for this event. I am delighted to be here with Louisa Ho, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy and Kayla Wong their special Ambassador today. Today, around the world, millions of people are recognising Earth Day and the absolute necessity for our love and care for sustainability. With more and more worldwide awareness of the serious situation within our living world, we should make every effort, big or small, to give our planet the best chance to sustain.”

The event provided activities for all ages; with textural soil and water play for the very young, where they were able to get their hands “stuck in” with feeling earth, moisture and rocks hidden within. Snails were examined through transparent boxes, munching on cucumbers. Primary aged children learnt more about the endangered rhinoceros and made awareness posters. Secondary science teachers led an “adopt a plant” campaign which saw families plant propagated small cuttings, learning about “Mother Tongue” being a high oxygen producer.

Children and adults were able to shop at the plentiful eco-friendly vendors’ booths, which sold natural products and products from eco-friendly sources. Vendors donated at least 20% of their day’s revenue to The Nature Conservancy. Interspersed through the event was a stimulating programme of music, arts and dance. Drawing on the talents of Yew Chung Arts & Language Centre (YALC) children wowed the attendants and we were particularly honoured to showcase the Wells Cathedral Jazz Band, from the UK, which gave us a soulful musical background. Raising the “roof” was the energetic threesome of the African Drumming and Dance Connection; their beat got folks swinging!

The Live Art Battle was kindly sponsored by the Young Post. The winners received annual subscriptions of the Young Post and nice prizes from TNC too.

There were four YCIS teams and one team from Canadian International School (CDNIS):

1st – Mother Earth, YCIS Year 11Rilla WangNiki TseHo Ching KwokTiffany Wong

2nd – Every Life Counts, YCIS Year 7Rosita Tong

3rd – Tree of Life, YCIS  Cho Laam Yuen (Year 13)Scarlett Sun (Year 13)Nicole Wong (Year 11)

4th – YCIS Year 12Patrick Cheung Jean Louis KhaouClaudia Lau

5th - CDNIS Grade 11Vesta KwanCherie YuSophia Kee

Our gratitude goes out to all who came together to continuously care for a sustained planet, for generations to come, and our event partners The Nature Conservancy. The event raised many thousands of Hong Kong dollars directly to the charity.