The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) has officially kicked off its Annual Christmas Gift and Stationery Drive, working collaboratively with Pacific Energy to bring joy to the children of Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR). Now in its third year, this initiative aims to support CPR families who play a crucial role in maintaining environmental sustainability by collecting recyclables, often under difficult conditions.
Amitesh Deo, the founder of PRF, expressed the importance of this initiative by stating, “We should not be this broken as a community that some of our children are left without gifts during Christmas.” For many CPR families, Christmas often serves as a reminder of their financial struggles, as parents work tirelessly in dumpsites and public spaces to provide for their families.
Launched in 2022, PRF’s Christmas Drive was established to create memorable holiday moments for these children by delivering meaningful gifts and essential school supplies, helping them start the new year with confidence. Over the past two years, the initiative has positively impacted more than 600 children in Fiji, thanks to community support and partnerships.
Deo emphasized that this drive not only aims to deliver gifts but also to send a powerful message to these children: they are seen, valued, and loved. He highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of recycling workers, stating, “Coming from poverty-stricken communities, these families mostly prioritize essentials like food, leaving little for extras like toys or school supplies.”
The drive seeks to alleviate the burden on these families, where children often receive discarded items as gifts. PRF strives to provide new, thoughtful gifts that bring dignity to these hardworking individuals while ensuring that every child can celebrate Christmas with their own special present.
PRF invites businesses, organizations, and individuals to join in the festive spirit by donating child-friendly gifts and stationery items that align with PRF’s sustainability goals. Gifts should ideally be free of violent themes and plastic.
Donations can be delivered to the Malhana Cloud Kitchen Restaurant on Koronivia Road or placed in designated boxes at selected Pacific Energy Service Stations. From December 16-20, PRF teams will distribute Christmas hampers across Fiji, each containing a gift, festive treats, and personalized messages for the children of CPR.
This initiative not only strengthens community bonds but also fosters hope and joy during the holiday season, demonstrating that together, communities can uplift even the most vulnerable children and bring a sparkle of happiness into their lives.
Overall, the Christmas Gift and Stationery Drive embodies the spirit of giving, illustrating how compassion and community effort can break the cycle of neglect and empower the next generation.
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