In celebration of the establishment of our Interact Club at Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan), we have proposed to our Interactors a tree planting activity to symbolize our continuous support to them. Tree planting and all the subsequent gardening care will also symbolize the laborious efforts and meticulous care that must go into any long-range enterprise to achieve substantial results - whether it is growing trees to beautify the school environment or nurturing students to grow into their full potential. As the Chinese saying goes, It takes ten years to grow a tree; it takes a hundred years to grow a person (十年樹木, 百年樹人).

We had a brilliant day for the ceremony at which four Year 9 and Year 11 exchange students from West Moreton Anglican College, Brisbane, Australia, also attended. We told them about the Chinese saying and explained why it is important to just plant one single tree and be able to attend to it carefully. We also found out that the motto of West Moreton is Faith, Knowlege, Service, and certainly Service rang the bell for all the Rotarians and Interactors present.

The tree planted is the White Jade Orchid Tree (botanical name Michelia alba, Chinese names: 白玉蘭, 白蘭, 緬桂) of the magnolia family, an evergreen tree that grows to over 20 meters in height and produces white fragrant flowers.

We'll all be back to visit the tree in another year, and year after year, in 10 years, and in another 100 years....

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