It is the most special time of the year for children as this is when they look forward to receiving gifts from loved ones, and in Vunato, Christmas came early for children from a month old to 18 years of age.
Pacific Recycling Foundation and Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited CEO, Amitesh Deo highlighted this as they handed over presents to 102 children of Vunato Settlement in Lautoka in partnership with Kokomo Private Island Resort.
Deo says the recipients are part of PRF and WRFL’s wider family as they are the children of Collection Pillars of Recycling who are engaged in informal waste picking.
The CEO says the PRF and WRFL teams ensured that they bought educational gifts, including stationery materials for children who will be returning to school next year.
He says they have been working very closely with the Collection Pillars of Recycling.
Deo says this year has been quite significant as those that are involved in informal waste picking were officially given deserved recognition through a name change, that will hopefully bring an end to the stigma associated with waste picking.
He says the name change is a fitting acknowledgment to their contribution to the waste management and recycling sector and perhaps the biggest and precious gift this Christmas.
Deo says this is a milestone achievement and a stepping stone in their bid to move the CPRs to the formal sector through Green Jobs.
The CEO has thanked Kokomo Private Island Resort for their partnership as this only goes to show their commitment towards recycling and those involved in informal waste picking.
He has also acknowledged Lautoka City Council for their continued partnership and assistance towards the gift handover ceremony.
