Resort operator Sands China said in a statement earlier this week that it is sponsoring a first-of-its-kind farming project in Macau called the “Therapeutic Garden”, a 520-square-metre garden on the Association for Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau (ARTM) service centre’s rooftop.
According to the statement, the project is pioneered by the Manna* for People Association and aims to promote sustainability while providing “a healing experience” for ARTM members.
The statement noted that around 80 Sands ECO360 Ambassadors took part in workshops on April 15 and May 6 at the ARTM service centre in Ka Ho village in Coloane.
Sands ECO360, the statement added, is designed to use measures such as energy saving and community engagement to help minimise the company’s environmental impact and “lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations”.
During the workshops, the ambassadors learnt how to help ARTM create the therapeutic garden, which the statement pointed out is “a place where its members can connect with nature and learn new skills through a unique farming experience, thus helping them start a new model of healthy living”.
It is being constructed to provide “a dynamic platform to engage both the local community and ARTM members, and raise awareness about mental health and sustainable living in Macau”, according to the statement.
Sands China Executive Vice President of Operations Sean McCreery was quoted in the statement as saying that the company is “very proud” to be the first integrated resort operator to provide support to the project.
He added that Sands China is “very pleased that our team members were able to join the programme’s workshops, where they learnt hands on how urban farming can contribute to building a green city, counteract climate change, and support the local community.”
The statement said that the company’s support for the project is part of its environmental sustainability efforts under its parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp’s Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy.
For more information on the programme, one can visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility/planet/#our-program-sands-eco360.
*“Manna” is food miraculously produced for the Israelites in the desert in the book of Exodus. Manna nowadays denotes a boon which comes into one’s hands by good luck, according to Wiktionary.
This undated handout photo provided by Sands China earlier this week shows some of the Sands ECO360 Ambassadors during one of the workshops for the Therapeutic Garden.
