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2024 - Malaysia - SJKT Mukundan - From Classroom to Garden: How Young Shruenraj Taught His Grandfather the Art of Composting

Feb 23, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Oct 18

True education doesn't stop at the classroom door or when the computer screen closes—it comes alive when learners take their knowledge out into the world and spark positive change right at home.


A shining example of this is captured in a heartwarming student project from SJKT Mukundan, featuring young Shruenraj A/L Uvaraj and his grandfather. Through the John Britto Academy (JOBA) curriculum, Shruenraj demonstrates how hands-on environmental education bridges generational gaps and nurtures our local ecosystems.   


A Lush Sanctuary of Biodiversity

Walking through his grandfather's thriving home garden, the video showcases a rich variety of greenery, trees, and medicinal plants—including neem, tulsi, aloe vera, papaya, and fruit-bearing trees. It is a living testament to the beauty of home cultivation and sustainable backyard ecosystems.  

 

Generations Sharing Wisdom: The Power of Organic Compost

What makes this project truly special is the exchange of knowledge between generations. Armed with the practical principles learned through his JOBA learning modules, Shruenraj takes the lead in teaching his grandfather the scientific method of making organic compost (makku uram).   


Instead of letting everyday organic waste go to waste, the family collects:

  • Dried leaves and yard trimmings   

  • Plant husks and natural residues   

These materials are transformed into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that naturally feeds the soil, eliminating the need for harsh chemical fertilizers and keeping the garden thriving.   


Why Hands-On Sustainability Matters

Projects like Shruenraj’s embody the core goals of place-based learning:

  1. Practical Action: Moving beyond theory to solve real-world ecological challenges in our immediate surroundings.

  2. Closing the Loop: Teaching children and families how to turn organic waste back into life-giving soil nutrients.

  3. Community & Family Connection: Strengthening bonds across generations while building a shared commitment to protecting the planet.


As Shruenraj shares in the video, learning through the JOBA network gives students the tools to understand nature deeply and act locally. It reminds us all that every household can take a meaningful step toward a sustainable future, one garden bed at a time.   

   

How are you turning natural waste into nourishment in your own garden or home? Share your thoughts below!



Shruenraj A/L Uvaraj



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John Britto Academy (JOBA), Australia is an educational academy, online and offline, for learning and living sustainably. It is a registered business name in Australia, recorded with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) since 30 August 2021.

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Our team of honorary experts works across education, health, organic farming, technology, psychology, philosophy, human development, media and communication, and art and literature. We work with schools, civil society organisations and scholars in Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and Singapore.

Our sister organisation, Global Giving Group Incorporated (3G), an incorporated association registered in Australia since 2018, brings together young people in 43 countries.

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JOBA

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Registered in Australia: ASIC under section 33(8) of BNR Act 2011

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