Lee Meng-fa (李孟發), owner of an “elephant” from Green Island (綠島), is to visit the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Thursday next week is to promote education in environmentalism.
The elephant is actually an old playground slide designed in the shape of the animal, which Lee said serves as a cultural ambassador that embodies the environmental spirit of Green Island.
Lee, manager of the licensed social enterprise the Green Island Elephant Project, said the mascot — which he bought in an online auction for NT$100 six years ago — was taken on a tour of Taiwan last year to promote education in environmentalism.
Photo: Wang Min-wei, Taipei Times
He said he initially planned to refurbish the slide and return it to Green Island, but he was inspired by a child to put wheels on it and tour the nation. With the elephant in tow, in 2010 he began a national tour of schools to teach about environmentalism. He completed the tour in August last year.
Hong Kong’s historical role in the global ivory trade might be a reason for the invitation from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lee said.
“The story of the Green Island elephant will be used as a case study in waste utilization on the Hong Kong tour,” he said, adding that Taiwan’s transformation of dilapidated communities into tourist attractions, the construction of ecological tourism parks over waste disposal sites and organic farming practices are topics he discusses.
National Taiwan University environmental education professor Chang Tzu-chau (張子超) said he is moved by Lee’s dedication and ingenuity, adding that the elephant is evocative of childhood memories and might represent Taiwan’s history of environmentalism and culture.
Taipei Municipal Zhiqing Elementary School principal Cheng Fu-lai (鄭福來) said he is working with Lee to bring the elephant to Singapore through his school’s contacts there, which were established through Zhiqing’s participation in international education events.
Lee said he is researching using corrugated fiberboard to make storage boxes, commercializing dried custard apples and working with schools and corporate entities to further the nation’s environmental education.
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