Recycler honours work of Vunato children with gifts

MORE than 100 children of Vunato Settlement in Lautoka were given a reason to smile before Christmas.

The children were handed gifts by staff of the Pacific Recycling Foundation and Waste Recyclers Fiji Ltd in partnership with Kokomo Private Island Resort.

PRF founder Amitesh Deo said they hoped they had brought joy to the children of Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR) who had been instrumental in their work.

“We have been working very closely with the CPRs,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

He said this was a step closer to their bid to move the CPRs into the formal sector through green jobs.

“Christmas is the most special time of the year for children as this is when they look forward to receiving gifts from loved ones.

“Here in Vunato, we have children from a month-old to 18 years of age and their gifts have been carefully chosen.”

He added the gifts included stationery for the new school year.