“Surein Foundation Environmental Leadership Training Scholarship” 2026Completed by Diocesan Girls’ School
Surein Foundation’s “Environmental Leadership Training Scholarship” 2026 was awarded to students of the School Sustainability Team, Diocesan Girls’ School. Led by a teacher, 22 Forms 3 to 5 students of DGS completed their three‑day-two‑night environmental education leadership training programme, from 16th to 18th October 2026, at the Surein Green Farm in Xinxing County, Yunfu City, Guangdong.
The training programmes were intensive and enriching. DGS Girls used the 40‑hectare Surein Green Farm as the venue and the Surein Lodge as the base in learning sustainable food production. Farming functions practised included forming soil ridges and ploughing, means of crop rotation, harvesting sweet potatoes, guavas camellia fruits, and picking Tieguanyin Tea-leaves and tea‑making. Students observed bee-honey collection, caring of farm animals -- cleaning horses, feeding pigs, goats and poultry. At the Chinese Herb Garden, students gained exposure to the Chinese culture of food‑medicine homology. They also tried making organic enzyme fertiliser, and insect‑repellent sachets using the herbs harvested.
Leadership-training was attained through team work and competitions. The Girls learned farming practices hands‑on, from soil‑turning to harvesting. They visited the Farm’s museum, a pride of local rural conservation, and saw the traditional farm tools on display. Insight on biodiversity and sustainable development was attainable through the close bond between humanity and nature.
An important aim of the Scholarship was nurturing leaders of sustainable lifestyles. Students drove the programmes they prepared. In the evening of Day One, a bonfire party was held in the Surein Camping Ground. Students from different classes successfully broke ice. In Day Two, the Hong Kong style BBQ was equally enjoyable. Students took on different initiatives: fire‑starting, food distribution, barbecuing, socialising, site cleanup and food‑waste disposal. Reusable tableware was used to reduce wastage.
Day Three happened to be the Double-Ninth Festival. Students took the opportunity of hiking up the Surein Trail to enjoy the autumnal sun, as well as the clear views of Lidong County and Zhuang Gu Ping Village. The 3D2N camp drew to a close after lunch as students boarded their bus and bid farewell to the Farm staff. Hopefully environmental awareness and leadership will gain a position as girls plan their lifestyles later on.
“Surein Green Farm is thankful to Surein Foundation which gave us the opportunity to take part in this programme. Farm colleagues were motivated while assisting in this training programme, and learned a lot from the Students too!” Said Ms Guo Qiaohong, Managress of the Farm.
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Students of DGS sampled recent Farm harvests ---- black-eye bean, green bean, black sesame, yellow bean, camellia fruit, and Dracontomelon (ren mian).
Picking tea leaves at the Tieguanyin Tea Farm.
Transferring the half-dried Tieguanyin Tea Leaves into the Swing Machine, thus starting the “Yao Qing” process of Tieguanyin Tea Making.
A party was held in the first evening at the Camping Ground. Girls of different classes mixed and broke ice under the glamorous light of a warm bon-fire.
Students dearly cuddling two new-born goats in the Goat Zoo – Joy was celebrating the arrival of new lives, and witnessing sustainability in practice.
Learning how to care and clean horses under the instruction of Farm staff.
Girls turned the soil after harvesting sweet potatoes. Time will be allowed for the soil to lay fallow, after which ridges are formed, fertilisers added, and new crops grown in place.
Learning farming bees at the Pipa-Plum Bee Farm, and sampling honey collected from hives.
The Surein Farm Museum exhibits collections of wooden and stone farm crafts once used by villagers. The premises is a good example of restoration and rehabilitation of rural dilapidated buildings.
Students witnessed enzyme fertilisers made from fruit peels and legumes, mixing with brown sugar and water. The end-produce is a good source of organic fertiliser after fermentation.
HK-Style BBQ on the Camping Lawn, Night Two. With the half-moon shining, the Milky Way was discernible. Stargazers will not have difficulty finding the Polar Star.
Girls planting a Lagerstroemia indica Linn in the Tree Plantation area, to mark their memorable visit.
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