John Chong (beekeeper)

John Chong
Nationality	Singaporean
Occupation(s)	Beekeeper Teacher
Known for	BEE Amazed Garden
Children	1
Website	beeamazed

John Chong is a Singaporean beekeeper and teacher who founded BEE Amazed Garden, one of Singapore's only beekeeping centres.[1] Chong uses BEE Amazed Garden to educate others about bees.[2][3]

Career

Teaching career (1979–2016)

Chong started teaching in 1979 at Yung An Primary School. He worked for numerous schools and was one of nine Singaporean teachers who started the Singapore International School in Hong Kong.[4] He would also become the vice-principal of Zhangde and MacPherson Primary School.[5]

In 2015, Chong took a trip to Myanmar and India and stated that "After my visit to the two countries, I saw the poverty there. And I thought, well, maybe it's time to give back to the society".[1] Once he returned to Singapore, he retired from MOE in December 2016.[6]

Beekeeping career (2017–present)

Chong developed an interest in bees after trying some honey from stingless bees. When he accompanied his son to Australia for his studies, he wrote to 10 local beekeepers on advice in beekeeping.[7] Afterwards, Chong decided to concentrate his beekeeping efforts in Singapore.[1]

In December 2017, Chong founded BEE Amazed Garden in Yishun.[4][8] Chong uses his garden to relocate bees and educate others about bees.[9] He also sells honey he imports from Israel instead of selling the honey his bees make.[1]

In 2022, BEE Amazed left its premises at Yishun as it was under redevelopment. BEE Amazed is currently located on the rooftop of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).[2][6] Chong also educates students on bees.[10]

References

1. Tan, Ashley (14 April 2021). "After 37 years as MOE teacher, HOD & vice principal, S'porean quits to be a beekeeper in Yishun". mothership.sg. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
2. Begum, Shabana (5 June 2023). "Relocate beehives instead of exterminating them, urge rescuers". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
3. Ang, Jolene (5 November 2018). "PCF Sparkletots to organise more field trips, offer more learning programmes". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
4. Ching, Shi Jie (31 January 2023). "'They should be thankful to me': This ex-teacher talks to the 120,000 bees he rescued". AsiaOne. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
5. Lor, Kelly (14 April 2020). "Creating a buzz with bees". The Republican Post. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
6. Tan, Ee Jia (5 October 2023). "BEE AMAZED Garden: The Amazing Life Of Bees In Singapore At SUSS". Little Day Out. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
7. Lee, Clara; Abu Baker, Jalelah (12 June 2023). "Beekeepers in Singapore encourage relocating instead of exterminating bees". CNA. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
8. Lee, Michelle (13 July 2021). "4 Bee Farms In Singapore You Can Visit With The Kids". The Singapore Women's Weekly. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
9. Choong, Olivia (4 June 2018). "Bee Amazed Garden: Learn About Bees & Beekeeping in Singapore". The Tender Gardener. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
10. "SUSS- The First Bee-Friendly University to Nurture Entrepreneurs for Agriculture | SUSS". www.suss.edu.sg. Retrieved 10 October 2023.