The disabled help turn trash into Christmas tree

Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 16 Dec 08;

DISCARDED plastic bottles have been turned into a Christmas tree now on display at Tanglin Mall.

The creation was made by a group of 10 adults with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, with help from Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (COH).

COH enlisted students to help, blending two of its causes into one: first, that those with disabilities have skills to offer society, and second, that what seems like rubbish can be recycled and put to good use.

Since January, young adults with disabilities have been spreading the green message to schools, teaching students how to recycle and produce art from discarded plastic water bottles.

'We wanted to show students that people with disabilities have skills to share,' said programme manager Julius Koh.

The idea of recycled art came from one of its volunteers, Mr Khor Tuck Kuan, a creative director with Timmermann and Tan Advertising.

COH, the only voluntary welfare organisation that actively cares for adults with autism, showed 10 of its members how to teach students to cut and weave lampshades from plastic bottles.

Schools were happy to take part because it supported their lessons on climate change.

About 10,000 bottles were piled up in 18 educational institutions from primary to university level for the project.

Despite their social impairment, the creators reached out to 2,000 students. At Victoria School, teacher Peh Siew Kuan took on the project because she said 'it was ideal for our community involvement programme'.

'Although they can't communicate using words like us, they can find a way to show us what to do,' said Aravind Seeralan, 12.

Classmate Jeremy Chew added: 'I didn't know something so beautiful could be made from mineral water bottles.'

COH raised about $10,000 in sponsorship from Tuas Power and the National Environment Agency for the project, while Tanglin Mall provided a spot for the Christmas tree.