Khmer New Years Show 2019

At a glance

Status: Completed

KhSA UW has joined the Sadhu for Green movement that emerged from the Khmer community in Seattle as a desire to engage in… Read full summary

Funding received
2018-2019
Grant type
Small
Awarded
$560
Funding partners
  • Student Activities Fee (SAF)

KhSA UW has joined the Sadhu for Green movement that emerged from the Khmer community in Seattle as a desire to engage in awareness and action for environmental wellness. Our current focus is on sustainability and waste-consumption, where we are aiming to reduce the amount of waste that goes into the landfills by providing alternative compostable options besides plastic items and raising awareness about how to live more sustainably by reducing use of non-biodegradable products. For the initial implementation of this project at our annual Khmer New Year Show--our largest event of the year that hosts over 500 guests--we planned to switch out plastic for polyester tablecloths, replace all plastic utensils with compostable ones, have recyclable paper decorations and props, and encourage reuse of materials (i.e. bringing in reusable water bottles), with a goal of developing personal accountability with small steps and starting a legacy of sustainability that will continue in future years. Recognizing Khmer culture has roots in environmental stewardship and reverence of nature, we hope to approach environmental sustainability with cultural pride and a justice-oriented lens in order to cultivate healthier, happier living while allowing us to reconnect to our roots.

Sustainable impact

  1. Reduce waste and consumption (reduce carbon emissions at the point of production)
  2. Engaging the Khmer community and involving the Khmer community both on campus and off campus (incorporation and collaboration with environmental activists)
    1. Start of a ripple- to reconnect our roots with the environment that we have lost
  3. “Venerable Prenz Sa-Ngoun and I have been discussing the idea of exploring environmental issues in the Khmer communities here in the Pacific Northwest. For me, environmental issues includes topics like environmental/public health, social and emotional wellness, connecting to the land and our food, and so much more. Prenz began with teaching the grandmas at his temple about reducing plastic bag use (yay, re-useable bags) and I have been at Mt Baker Village teaching residents about how to sort out their waste properly and reduce how much we are collectively sending to a landfill. Our interests have merged into this idea - សាធុ (Sadhu) for Green - to engage young Khmer people, their families, our community in awareness and action for environmental wellness. My hope is that by approaching "environmentalism" with cultural pride and a justice-oriented lens, we will push the boundaries of the environmental field, and foster healthy homes (inside and outside) for our Khmer community.

Leadership and student involvement

  1. NYS is a student run event that anticipates up to 700 guests
  2. KhSA members and officers make the body of the sustainability committee, and other leadership organizing teams for this event
  3. Student volunteers will assist in food distribution, set up, and educating people on sustainability by guiding proper waste disposal (will have volunteers stationed at trash bins, responsible for refilling water dispensers

Education, outreach, and behavior change

  1. (see above volunteers)
  2. Raising consciousness and awareness about waste production and how to develop accountability with small steps
  3. Encouraging the use of bringing water bottles to refill at water stations (unlike previous years with water bottles and soda cans) - also healthier with juice alternative

Feasibility, accountability, and sustainability

  1. To start a legacy of sustainable and have that continue in future years
  2. Inspiring sustainable practices among other people
  3. Very easy to implement, just need the funds to purchase equipment

Budget and exact numbers are included in the Excel document, our budget administrator will be emailing his part as well.

  • Andrew Chhor

    Project lead

    chhora@uw.edu
    Affiliation
    Student
    Registered Student Organization (RSO)
  • Ammara Touch

    Team member

    ammaratouch03@gmail.com
    Affiliation
    Student
    Registered Student Organization (RSO)

Request amount and budget

Total amount requested: $560
Budget administrator: See attached AAR form

Project lead

Andrew Chhor

chhora@uw.edu

Affiliation

Student

Affiliated groups

Registered Student Organization (RSO)

Categories

  • Diversity and Equity
  • Events