Peeking Through The Journey of Go Green Vegetarian Card

One of the transactions using the Go Green Vegetarian Card issued by Tzu Chi Indonesia.

Bulan Tujuh Penuh Berkah (The Seventh Month Filled with Blessings) is one of Tzu Chi’s event which is held to eliminate the belief about the 7^th month being an unfortunate month. Encouraging a vegetarian lifestyle is one of the program offered in this event. It also acts as way to socialize a healthy lifestyle without meat consumption.

Encouraging vegetarian lifestyle can be done in many ways, for example through Tzu Chi discount card called Go Green Vegetarian Card. This card is issued for campaigning and raising the awareness of the importance of vegetarian lifestyle for health.

In cooperation with some vegetarian restaurants in Jakarta, Tangerang, Pekanbaru, Palembang and Medan, this card gives discount benefits for the holders. One of the vegetarian restaurant that has this cooperation with Tzu Chi is Café De Sunshine in Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta Utara. The use of the Go Green Vegetarian Card in this restaurant is quite high. The number of transactions in this restaurant is increasing since the start of this program last August 1, 2017.

“From the beginning until August 26, we have had 24 transactions using the Go Green Vegetarian Card,” said Deny, Manager of Café de Sunshine.

This card also has increased the number of customers that visit Café de Sunshine. Customers will be able to use the card multiple times under certain terms and conditions. “The increment (of the number of customers) is not bad, because this card can attract customers and beneficial for both parties”, said Deny.

To Spur The Spirits of Being Vegetarians

Deny, manager of Café de Sunshine, PIK, North Jakarta, explaining the transaction process using the Go Green Vegetarian Card.

How to use the Go Green Vegetarian by showing and writing down the number printed at the back of the card.

Go Green Vegetarian Card, initially was created to call forth the community to become vegetarian and to welcome Bulan Tujuh Penuh Berkah. This card was socialized and distributed through the communities of Tzu Chi volunteers in Jakarta and also through Tzu Chi liaison and branch offices in some areas in Indonesia.

This card is easy to use. Before each transaction, presents the Go Green Vegetarian Card, and then on the paper provided by the restaurant, writes down the serial number printed at the back of the card. Payment can be made after the different discounts set for each restaurant is applied.

The benefits of this Go Green Vegetarian Card can be felt by Tommy Cendana (17). He has become a vegetarian for a year. This card has benefited him in many ways; especially that he likes to eat with his friends. “This card can motivate and inspire more people to become vegetarian”, he said.

Tommy received the Go Green Vegetarian Card from his parents, an active volunteers in Tzu Chi Jakarta. He also said that he started his vegetarian lifestyle during the Bulan Tujuh Penuh Berkah event in 2016.

“At that time, I didn’t make any pledge, and just did it, which has lasted for a year”, said Tommy.

Tommy hopes he can always be a vegetarian. “If possible, I want to stay a vegetarian, not because it’s a lifestyle but because of health reason, for now and the future, said this student from BPK Penabur, Pluit.

Translator: Mely Kartono

Editor: Wida Maryani