The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) has kicked off its Annual Christmas Gift and Stationery Drive for the children connected to the Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR), in collaboration with Pacific Energy. Now in its third year, this initiative aims to bring joy and support to CPR families who work diligently to maintain a clean and sustainable environment, often facing difficult circumstances.
“It’s heartbreaking that as a community, we allow some children to go without gifts during the Christmas season,” expressed Amitesh Deo, the founder of PRF. For many children of CPR workers, Christmas is often overshadowed by their parents’ struggles to provide for the family while working at dumpsites and public spaces.
Launched in 2022, PRF’s Christmas Drive was designed to address this need by bringing happiness to these children through thoughtful gifts and essential school supplies, helping them start the new year with confidence. Over the past two years, the drive has positively impacted over 600 children across Fiji, thanks to the generosity of the local community and partner organizations.
“This initiative signifies that these children are seen, appreciated, and loved,” Deo remarked. He highlighted that CPR workers, often hailed as the unsung heroes in Fiji’s recycling sector, toil in conditions that many would find unimaginable. Families from underprivileged backgrounds usually focus on procuring essentials like food, leaving little for luxuries such as toys or school supplies. This often leads to children receiving discarded items as gifts.
Through this effort, PRF aims to alleviate this burden, ensuring that parents will not have to resort to second-hand items to bring joy to their children. The foundation is committed to restoring dignity to these families’ work and ensuring each child receives a new, special Christmas gift.
PRF is encouraging businesses, organizations, and individuals to get involved and help spread the holiday spirit by donating gifts and school supplies. The foundation asks that donated items be child-friendly, devoid of violent themes, and ideally free of plastic in line with its sustainability goals.
Gifts can be dropped off at Malhana Cloud Kitchen Restaurant on Koronivia Road or placed in designated boxes at various Pacific Energy Service Stations. From December 16 to 20, PRF teams will visit various locations across Fiji to distribute Christmas hampers that include a gift, festive treats, and personalized notes for CPR children.
This initiative not only uplifts the spirits of these children but also fosters community engagement and compassion, illustrating the power of kindness during the holiday season. The shared efforts of the community highlight a collective commitment to supporting the children and families who dedicate themselves to preserving the environment.
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