A major pre-Christmas community clean-up campaign was carried out in Savusavu over the weekend, with the aim to encourage residents to take personal responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
The initiative, led by local volunteers, was the first large-scale effort of its kind beyond previous work by the Savusavu Town Council.
Speaking to fijivillage News, one of the volunteers and Tourism Fiji board member, Josaia Rayawa says their aim is to inspire a change in mindset so cleanliness becomes a normal part of everyday life.
Rayawa says one of the major issues highlighted during the clean-up is the limitation of town council boundaries and budgets, which leaves many areas outside formal waste management coverage.
He says that while Savusavu Town Council works to manage cleanliness within town limits, many surrounding areas remain outside its scope.
INSERT: Rayawa on clean-up 23rd Dec
Rayawa says with limited resources, councils cannot do everything, and that the community must take ownership if they want a clean town.
He says this is about pride and responsibility, and if people look after their own areas, there will be no need for clean-up campaigns.
He adds that monthly clean-up campaigns are planned over the next few months, with the hope that people will eventually take ownership of their own areas without needing organised efforts.
