S P Setia Foundation under its Green Ranger Programme launched its first Green House which is located at SK Felda Bukit Permai, Layang-Layang, Johor together with Feed Our Loved Ones (FOLO) and Bukit Permai Community.

"In our collaboration with FOLO, a non-profit organization focusing on a mission to feed the world nutritionally power packed, super organic vegetables, this initiative aims to inculcate and promote the value of ‘Caring for Nature' through agriculture to the students and teachers.

We hope the students will be more aware of the food and environmental issues, learn practical steps to overcome those issue and are able to act on these values to show that they care for their school community andenvironment" said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Wan Zahid bin Mohd Noordin, Chairman of S P Setia Foundation during the launching ceremony at SK Felda Bukit Permai, Layang-Layang, Johor.

A total of 40 students and 10 teachers from SK Felda Bukit Permai, SJKC Seelong and SJKT Kulai Besar, adopted schools under Setia Caring School Programme, participated in the workshop of planting microgreens vegetables where they learn to grow organic vegetables and the benefits of them. Instead of the traditional way of planting, students are taught using companion planting method where different plants are planted together in providing better nutrients in the soil and offering protection from external factors such as pests.

The activities will be conducted in the greenhouse built by S P Setia Foundation, FOLO and Bukit Permai Community. It was a collective efforts that were contributed by all three parties with the goal to cultivate a sense of teamwork, togetherness and partnership among the community. The construction of greenhouse was based on sustainability effort where Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle elements such as old furniture were used to decorate the surroundings.

This is the first greenhouse geared towards planting microgreens within a school compound that is meant for students to learn planting their own microgreens. A sum of RM100,000 has been allocated for the entire programme which aims to educate and cultivate good long term sustainable values in the caring for the nature and environment area. Part of the amount has also been used for the construction of greenhouse which inclusive of the fittings and fixtures that is built with high ceiling for better ventilation and sufficient sunlight for the plants. Microgreens contain more concentrated nutrients compared to their mature counterparts and by growing them in greenhouse, students have better control over their growing conditions under the supervision of the professionals, FOLO.

"Ultimately we envision greenhouse to be a platform to educate students on the importance of our environment and how our nature is beneficial to us. This is the place where they are allowed to be involved in practical skills of farming, empowered to improve their health and be connected to nature and most importantly the need to care for nature" said Tan Sri Dato' Dr Wan Zahid.

"Students will learn to conduct survey to troubleshoot environmental issue happens in their community and come up with constructive solutions to rectify the issue. From this lesson, students will also able to apply the same theory to make the school a better place, out of their care and love for the community around them" said Will Chua, co-founder of FOLO.

FOLO will be conducting this workshop for the next six months and upon completion, students will continue their journey of sustaining the growth of organic vegetables. All harvesting will be given to underprivileged students from these adopted schools. For more information, please contact Setia Foundation at 03-3348 2794 or setiacare@spsetia.com.