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I was a former intern in RAS
and current Trainer for Certified Eco-Assessor (CEA) and Volunteer
Eco-Assessor (VEA) programmes. Right now, I conduct training for CEAs and VEAs to audit on
Happy Toilet Programme.
 When I first joined RAS in
2006 under NTU Professional Attachment, I was very surprised to realize
that there is actually a group of Singaporeans caring for Public Restrooms.
Prior to this, I feel that there is a lack of support from the people, the
government and our society in Public Restrooms. Every time I visit a Public
Restroom, I am shocked to see the behavior of
some users and also the attitude that they adopt towards the Cleaners and
the facilities. After I join RAS, I realize that there is a huge room to
improve on our beliefs and habits in everyday lives.
Just like before the American
Civil War, America
is torn apart by slavery and racial discrimination. It takes such a long
time for people to open up and change their perception and behavior. It drawn to me that such behavior
for Public Restrooms does not change overnight. It takes a long time by
using proper education, public awareness and more importantly, the
perceptions of the people. With this, I held a belief that one day; we will
have the clean restrooms not only in Singapore but all over the
world.
Right now, our CEA and VEA training
have produced a group of specialists always ready to keep track of our
public restrooms currently. They do checks, spot checks and assist our
Restroom owners to improve their standards. With them, RAS is able to
expand the current network to reach out to more people. I sincerely urged
that every single one of us, Lets Observe
Ourselves (LOO) today, so in order to make our Restrooms even better and
cleaner for all!
- Ronson Zhang, Trainer
 Most
Singaporeans frequent
coffeeshops and I am one
of those guys. Needless to say, in Singapore,
we are a happy lot to have many delicacies which are reasonably priced, as
compare to countries like the United States
and Canada
with higher standard of living.
However, Canada does not have coffeeshops like we do but there are food courts and
small café along any busy streets in the city. And not surprising, most of
the loos of these café are tidy, dry and very pleasant to visit when nature
calls… but then, if we are to compare to the loos of our coffeeshops here, there is a drastic negative
difference in the hygiene standards. The ugly sight and smell in the
majority of our public toilets are unbearable. I asked myself, our nation
has been notable for several “Number-One Icons” such as our
airport, seaport, etc but why not for our public toilets? I am saddened by
every visit to the toilets at coffeeshops and
there is nothing I can do to help.
One fine day, while surfing
the internet, I stumbled upon the website of RAS. Bingo!!! It triggered me
to send an email at the “CONTACT US” webpage, shortly
after, a gentleman by the name of Malcolm Chen responded. Through him, I
get to know better about the activities RAS has been driving to promote
public awareness on the HTP. Recently in March, I was given an opportunity
to participate in the CEA training programme and had successfully become
the one and only male CEA after a two-day training session. I am grateful
to Ros, Zhitong and the trainer, Ronson, for sharing with me their
experience on pro toilet auditing skills. From now on, I am so happy that I
am able to play a role to improve the standard of our public toilets. On
the whole, I believe we can make a CHANGE and I am confident to say,
“Yes! We can make it over time.”
- John Loh, Certified Eco-Assessor
For the past ten years, I was given the
opportunity to work in the manufacturing, banking and international trading
industry. When I came to know about a job opening in RAS, I applied with
interest, thinking that it is just another well-known organisation. When I
was invited to get to read and know more about RAS through their website, I
was immediately  drawn
into excitement and curiosity.
I
am happy to be given the opportunity to integrate myself into this creative
and unique organisation with the special mission of preaching about the
importance of public toilet cleanliness and achieving five-star Happy
Toilets. I used to be a complainant with phobia about public toilets which
are not up to the hygiene standard and I always love to visit toilets at
five-star hotels and Changi Airport.
I am heartened that RAS exists to promote public awareness on toilet
cleanliness. Now that I am part of RAS to be really involved in this special
mission, I hope together with everyone out there, we can achieve more five-star
public toilets for Singapore!
- Jennifer Wong, Administrator
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