By Ivenathika Naranthiran
Hello, Circuit Blog readers! This post is about a project that I hold dearly: Hada Labo's Sending Love & Care to Nature’ 2024 initiative - which is to promote urban planting. If you’ve been following my posts, you’d know this is the third project I’ve been deeply involved in. I cannot fathom how fast the world is spinning! Everything feels like it happened just yesterday—from being an intern to BOOM! —my third project. I can’t thank my boss, Angela, enough for entrusting me with this opportunity.
Anyhow, from the moment I was given the project lead role, I knew this event was an opportunity to make a real difference by bringing a touch of green to both urban spaces and the digital sphere.
You might ask how. Well, here’s what I thought: instead of doing it the old-fashioned way of a CSR project, which often comes across as boasting on owned or paid media, why not shift to earned media? By engaging students, having them participate in the activity, and giving them the option to post it as an Instagram post for a full-sized product redemption, we could make it more interactive and authentic. Initially, I believed it was a breakthrough moment, but the process was far from straightforward.
Twice, the project had to be postponed due to external factors like venue availability and unpredictable weather. Yet, every delay only strengthened my resolve. I clung to the vision of a perfect day when everything would come together—a day when our efforts would finally yield fruit, or in this case, trees!
As the project lead, I was deeply involved in every step of the process. From collaborating with the incredible teams at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) to coordinating logistics and ensuring every small detail was perfect, this project pushed me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I wanted to make sure that, when the day arrived, it wouldn’t just run smoothly—it would leave a meaningful impact on everyone involved.
But let me be honest—this wasn’t something I achieved alone. I can’t actually say everything was about me (nor should I), because it was only with the unwavering support of my team lead, Jian Mei, that this initiative reached its full potential. She made sure I met my deadlines punctually, frequently exceeding expectations by providing guidance based on her expertise and experience. Words can’t fully capture the depth of her help or how her mentorship brought a sense of calm and precision to the process. If this initiative touched on perfection, it was because of her steady hand and thoughtful guidance.
Seeing the energy of 61 UPSI students and future educators on the big day was truly inspiring. Their enthusiasm for the tree-planting activity reminded me why this initiative mattered so much. It wasn’t merely about planting trees—it was about fostering a sense of connection, responsibility, and pride in creating greener spaces within our community.
Leading this project came with its share of challenges. From last-minute changes to late night double-checking plans, I learnt how to stay calm under pressure and find creative solutions when things didn’t go as expected. Every obstacle became a lesson, and every small win brought us closer to making the initiative a success.
Standing there on the big day, watching our vision come to life, was a moment of pure fulfilment. The smiles, the camaraderie, and the visible transformation of the space—it made every late night and setback worth it.
This initiative wasn’t just about planting trees; it was about planting hope and inspiration. It taught me that with the right mindset, a supportive mentor, and a dedicated team, even the most daunting challenges can turn into incredible opportunities. Reflecting on this journey, I’m excited to take on more projects like this—where passion, teamwork, and mentorship come together to create a lasting impact.
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