GEORGE TOWN – A church in Penang is determined to show parishioners that its holy grounds are not just a place for worship, but also to learn about cultivating greenery and nurturing sustainability.
This has led to the Divine Mercy Church becoming the country’s first house of worship to win a state award on greenery and conservation.
The Penang Green Council last year named the church as the winner of the Penang Green Event Award, for its rooftop vegetable garden project.
Community help group Friends of Creations, based at the church in Sg Ara here, has won three state awards for its initiatives, and is also certified as a “green” parish.
It continues with its traditional mission to help the needy, and at the same time, creates awareness about the need to conserve the environment.
Reverend Fr Martin Arlando, who was with Friends of Creations, said the idea was mooted to help the needy, and to fully utilise vacant space.
“We in Penang, living in high-rise apartments and condominiums, have been complaining about insufficient land for cultivation. We have to shift our thinking, as cultivation is not only possible horizontally, but vertically, too.
“The rooftop vegetable farming project is aimed at helping the poor. We give away the produce to deserving people in the community, and encourage them to plant vegetables around their houses.
“You don’t need to have a big piece of land to carry out vegetable farming. Some people plant potted flowers and vegetables in their houses, as it is cheaper. Residents can benefit immensely, as vegetable prices are sky-high now.”
He said the rooftop vegetable garden was set up to cover produce shortages amid Covid-19 movement curbs, which have been in place since July last year.
“It is called Divina Hortus (Divine Garden in Latin). The plan is to get enough revenue to sustain the project, and also to be able to provide vegetables to the poor. We do not sell the produce.
“All the parish priests in the Diocese of Penang are aware of the project, and it can be extended to other parishes, as many have land to carry out vegetable farming. The produce can be provided for free to the community living around the church.”
The church won the 2020 Penang Green Event Award for its eco fair, themed “Zero Plastic Waste”, held on February 15 and 16 last year.
The award was given last November, with the state government initiative aiming to encourage businesses, government agencies and the public opt for eco-friendly alternatives.
In 2019, the parish won the Green Office award from the state government, and the Aqua Save award from PBA Holdings Bhd, which manages water supply and distribution in the state.
It has also received the Green Office Certification from the Penang Green Council, making it the first parish in the country to receive such a certification.
The Divine Mercy Church has started a recycling centre, an enzyme-making project and an eco-friendly cafe, and organises gotong-royong regularly to ensure the church grounds are well kept.
In addition, it has embarked on a kitchen waste composting project, a rain harvesting system, vertical gardens, and a solar power harnessing system, and was featured in the January 12 edition of Vatican News. – The Vibes, February 14, 2021
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