Let’s shine a light on looking beyond ourselves this Diwali – PRF Founder

24 recycling advocates undergo week-long comprehensive training

“This Diwali, let’s shine a light on looking beyond ourselves and embrace environmental responsibility and sustainability as our collective duty.”

This is the message from the Founder of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and CEO of Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited, Mr. Amitesh Deo, who said it’s time for the world to evolve from simply “cleaning our own houses” to collectively “cleaning up and caring for our environment” to make a meaningful impact.

His comments follow the PRF’s clean-up of Bykeitou Informal Settlement in Maqbool Road this morning, an effort to bring joy and hope to the residents, this Diwali.

Over 1,200kg of general waste and over 700kg of recyclables were collected from the settlement, mainly from the creek that runs next to the houses.

PRF also organised a week-long comprehensive training program for 24 recycling advocates of Bykeitou Settlement and Kabutri Drive on best practices for recycling, human rights, gender-based violence, gender disparity, various forms of abuse, consumer rights and freedom, health issues, and access to basic health services as well as education on cancer.

The comprehensive training follows the launch of the I Recycle Hub program at Bykeitou Informal Settlement by the PRF in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) program and Nasinu Town Council, while Kabutri Drive’s I-Recycle Hub program was done in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The week-long training included sessions by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Center, Fiji Cancer Society, and Consumer Council of Fiji. The Bank of the South Pacific and Fiji National Provident Fund also came on board to provide financial literacy training to the advocates.

Mr. Deo emphasised the significance of this initiative in preparation for Diwali, as celebrations often generate a substantial amount of waste. He hoped the knowledge gained during the week-long training would be shared and put into practice.

“We need to take responsibility for environmental preservation seriously, especially during festive occasions,” stressed Mr. Deo.

“I would also like to acknowledge the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, Fiji Cancer Society, Consumer Council of Fiji, BSP, and FNPF for providing expertise in the area of gender, human rights, cancer education, health promotion, consumer rights and responsibilities, and financial literacy, and their continued collaboration has allowed the PRF to empower communities, particularly women and members of the LGBTQI+ communities,” said Mr. Deo.

Ms. Ana Vakasawaqa, a 54-year-old advocate for recycling from Bykeitou Settlement, expressed gratitude for the training provided by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. She emphasised the added value it brought to the lessons she imparted to her six sons.

As a single mother, seeing two of her boys engage in extensive training on gender-based violence, gender disparity, and human rights filled her with pride. Ms. Vakasawaqa conveyed her appreciation for the opportunity to learn alongside her sons and the significance it held for her.

Sakapo Waqa, a resident of Bykeitou Settlement, shared his realisation after participating in the training. He expressed that the sessions were enlightening, as he had not been aware that men could also be diagnosed with breast cancer. Mr. Waqa affirmed his commitment to taking back the knowledge to the youth in the community, particularly emphasising the importance of raising awareness among males.