BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

MORE than 25 Sixth Form students recently attended the second round of the two-day Green Leaders’ camp that aims to enhance their environmental awareness, confidence and leadership skills, among others.

Organised by Green Brunei and sponsored by the British High Commission here, the camp was held at the Berakas Forest Reserve from April 11 to 12.

In a press statement, Green Brunei said that participants also learnt about local environmental issues and ways to mitigate them.

They also increased their knowledge on volunteerism and youth empowerment, presentation skills and creativity.

The key objectives of the camp include raising the participants’ level of awareness on environmental issues locally and globally, and discussing the possible solutions to tackle them.

Upon completing the camp, the participants are expected to conduct group projects, the statement added.

Participant Muhd Zhoriif Hj Mohd Sufian, who is currently studying at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (Maktab Sains) said: “This camp has helped me in socialising, interacting and speaking in front of the public. The activities in the camp are fun and exciting overall, and this is my second time staying overnight for an event.”

He said, following the camp, their group plans to conduct a water conservation project that involves fixing broken pipes in schools, as well as educating and raising the students’ awareness.

Another participant, Mohd Norazwan Hj Mohd Anarul Adelluddin, from the Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre, said the activities at the camp was unexpected and quite tiring at times.

“However, I enjoyed the camp to the fullest as it has helped me understand the importance of the environment with detailed information and facts. I would recommend my juniors to join this camp as I have gained invaluable experience throughout the [activity],” he said.

Nur Hanis Nazihah Ideris, from Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali Sixth Form Centre, said the camp gave her good knowledge on environmental awareness, in addition to building her confidence.

“I think the most enjoyable part is the bonding session where I got to meet people from different institutions in Brunei. This is my first time staying in a camp. After this camp, my group from SMSA is planning to conduct a similar camping event (on) environmental awareness. We have decided to start small and focus on the schools in Kuala Belait,”’ she said.

Firdaus Ismail, the project manager of Green Leaders’ camp, said that Green Brunei is as excited as the youth in working together to take action on environmental conservation.

He said it was great to witness the participants getting out of their comfort zones and sharing their ideas among their colleagues.

Firdaus said that more than half of the participants would like to gain more experience by becoming committee members of the next Green Leaders’ camp.

“We hope the knowledge and skills gained from this programme could be spread to others, as we work on our organisation’s aim of building the biggest green community (in Brunei),” he said.

The Brunei Times