SUB workshops a big hit at RAYS 2025

BorneoTalk's Ivy Pan (third from left) presents a bag crocheted using single-use plastic bags to Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

KUCHING, 19 June 2025 – Stirring Up Borneo’s (SUB by BorneoTalk) Waste to Wonders workshops, which embraced the theme of sustainability, were a big hit with young participants at the 2nd Rainforest Youth Summit yesterday. Held on the first day of the three-day event at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, they attracted well over the target of 100 participants, drawn by the fun factor of the workshops, namely postcard making and crochet.

The first workshop invited participants to "weave" their own postcard using either a standard anyaman template or one shaped like the iconic Padungan Cat Statue. Leftover strips of cloth were used to craft the postcards. This encourages participants to upcycle unwanted fabric into beautiful, purposeful creations. They could either send their handmade postcards to friends or family in their home countries via the onsite postbox or take them home as keepsakes.

The second workshop taught them the basic techniques of crochet using plarn (plastic yarn). Again, this workshop reinforced the value of repurposing waste into items that are both beautiful and functional. At the end of the session, each participant walked away with a crochet coin purse made from single-use plastic shopping bags.

Besides these creative activities, participants were drawn to the relaxed atmosphere of the workshop space, complete with bean bags for them to sink into while working on their creations. Artwork made from recycled materials and the presence of lush live plants added to the refreshing ambience.

The Waste to Wonders workshops also received a special visit from the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, his Deputy Ministers, and representatives from the Sarawak Tourism Board. It was an honour to showcase BorneoTalk’s social enterprise initiative, SUB, not just for RAYS 2025 but also for the benefit of environmental sustainability.

“I am very happy to see that our sustainability agenda, championed through our Waste to Wonders workshops, has been so well received by the participants of RAYS 2025. Not only did they enjoy making their own postcards and learn the basics of crochet, but they also appreciated the message of sustainability behind these activities. It’s especially heartening to note that our workshop was fully booked. We even had to accommodate more than our target number of participants because they were so eager to join,” said Ivy Pan, Editor-in-Chief of BorneoTalk.

“The whole idea behind these workshops is rethinking waste, embracing innovation, and empowering communities,” she concluded.

In addition to the two workshops, visitors to SUB by BorneoTalk’s workshop space also got the chance to unleash their artistic side at the Anyaman Fun Hub, where they got to tie strips of discarded cloth onto a mesh in creative ways. That too was a hit with the visitors and young participants.

In summation, SUB’s workshops were an overwhelming success, and we’re excited to see them return as part of future RAYS events.

BorneoTalk's Ivy Pan teaches participants the basics of crochet using plarn.

BorneoTalk's Ashley Pan shows a finished woven postcard to a workshop participant from Denmark.

Young participants tying strips of cloth onto a mesh at the Anyaman Fun Hub.