SCSH 1201 - Reflective Journal
Reflective Journal 1
November 20, 2024
Hello, guys! Welcome to my Blogspot. My name is Muhammad Arif Hafidzudin bin Mohd Amir and i am a student of International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). I am currently enrolled in the Malay for International Communication Programme. Since this is my first entry in writing journal, i would like to share about my experience that i believe related to Sustainable Goal No 12: Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. At the end of my high school year, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the dorm floor, staring at the chaotic pile of belongings I had somehow accumulated. holiday was approaching, and it was time to pack up. As I sifted through clothes, books, and random knick-knacks, I unearthed an old hoodie buried under my bed. It was navy blue, slightly faded, and carried a faint smell of the fabric softener my mom always used. Back in middle school, I wore it almost every day. But now, it hadn’t left my closet. I hadn’t even thought about it in years. I held it up, feeling conflicted. It was still in good shape, but it didn’t fit me as well as it used to. And yet, I couldn’t bring myself to toss it into the trash. I shoved it back into the pile and moved on, thinking I’d figure it out later. That evening, as I grabbed some coffee in the common room, I overheard my dormmate Aqmar chatting with a few others about a asrama donation drive. “There’s a box set up in the lobby,” he said. “You can drop off clothes, books, or even food you’re not taking home. It all goes to a local shelter ". I thought about the hoodie again. Could donating it really make a difference? It seemed like such a small gesture.The next morning, I finally made up my mind. I folded the hoodie and added a scarf I’d never worn, a notebook I’d barely used, and a pack instant noddle, I knew I wouldn’t eat. Carrying the small bundle to the donation box, I still felt unsure. It didn’t feel like much, but I reminded myself it was better than letting the items collect dust or go to waste. I dropped the items into the box and walked away, figuring that was the end of it. But it wasn’t. A few weeks later, back on asrama after a small break, I signed up for a community outreach event. The school partnered with a local shelter, and volunteers were needed to help organize donations and distribute meals. I showed up, ready to do my part, but I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to experience. While sorting through clothes at the shelter, I froze. There it was my old navy-blue hoodie, hanging neatly on a rack. My first instinct was a mix of surprise and nostalgia. Before I could process the moment, a girl, probably around my age, picked it up. She held it up to her frame, smiled, and said to her friend, “This is perfect.” She slipped it on, spun around, and looked genuinely happy. I felt my throat tighten. It was surreal to see something I had almost discarded bring joy to someone else. In that moment, I realized the true power of donation. That hoodie was no longer just an old piece of clothing it was warmth, comfort, and maybe even a little confidence for someone else.
That experience stayed with me. It made me curious about the bigger picture. Why does donating matter so much? How does it fit into something as vast as sustainability? In my research, I stumbled upon Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. SDG 12 focuses on reducing waste, encouraging recycling, and promoting sustainable resource use. It’s about changing the way we consume and dispose of things. I learned that every item we donate extends its life and reduces waste. Instead of ending up in a landfill, items get reused, helping people in need and reducing the demand for new production. It’s a win for both the environment and the community. This realization sparked something in me. I started sharing what I had learned with friends and dormmates. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and together, we decided to take action.
That weekend, our dorm organized a asrama donation drive. We put up posters, shared announcements on social media, and reached out to local thrift stores and shelters. The drive wasn’t just about clothes it included books, electronics, kitchenware, and non-perishable food. The results blew me away. In just two weeks, we collected over 500 items. One of the most memorable contributions was an old laptop a friend donated. It had been sitting unused in his closet, but a local charity refurbished it and gave it to a student who didn’t have access to a computer. Seeing the impact of that simple act of giving was incredibly inspiring.
Through this experience, I began to see sustainability differently. I used to think it was all about big, overwhelming changes things like installing solar panels or switching to electric cars. But now I know it can start small, with the decisions we make every day. Donating isn’t just about decluttering or helping others; it’s about fostering a culture of mindful consumption. It’s about recognizing the value of what we already have and ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Since then, I’ve made donating a regular part of my life. Whenever I outgrow something or upgrade an item, I think about how it could benefit someone else. And every time I pack up my dorm, I remember that young woman in the shelter, twirling in my old hoodie.
If you’re a student like me, you might feel like your actions are too small to matter. But trust me they do. That hoodie taught me that even the simplest acts of giving can create ripples of change. So the next time you clean out your closet, don’t just toss things away. Think about who might need them. Organize a donation drive, volunteer at a local shelter, or even encourage your friends to donate. Together, we can make a difference not just for the people around us, but for the planet too.
Sustainability starts with us. Let’s take that first step, one hoodie at a time.
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