The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) has initiated its Annual Christmas Gift and Stationery Drive, in collaboration with Pacific Energy, aimed at bringing joy to the children of the Collection Pillars of Recycling (CPR). This compassionate effort, now entering its third year, seeks to alleviate some of the challenges faced by families engaged in recycling activities, often under tough circumstances and with limited resources.
Amitesh Deo, the Founder of PRF, emphasized the importance of community in this initiative, stating, “We should not be this broken as a community that some of our children are left without gifts during Christmas.” For many children from CPR families, the holiday season often represents opportunities missed rather than celebrations, as their parents labor to make ends meet in challenging work environments like dumpsites.
Launched in 2022, the Christmas Drive addresses this gap by providing thoughtful gifts and essential school supplies that help these children confidently embrace the new year. In its two years of operation, the PRF has successfully reached over 600 children throughout Fiji, thanks to the generosity of the community and partner organizations.
“This drive is about showing these children that they are seen, valued, and loved,” Deo stated, recognizing the crucial, yet often overlooked, contributions of their parents to Fiji’s recycling efforts. Many families from economically disadvantaged backgrounds prioritize basic needs such as food, often leaving little room for leisure items like toys or educational supplies. Consequently, children sometimes receive discarded items as gifts from their parents.
Through this initiative, PRF aims to relieve that burden, ensuring that parents don’t have to rely on thrown-away items to brighten their children’s Christmas. The foundation seeks to provide dignity to their work and reinforce the belief that every child deserves a new, special gift during the holiday season.
PRF warmly welcomes participation from businesses, organizations, and individuals to contribute gifts and essential stationery items for the children. Suggested gifts include child-friendly items that avoid violent themes and are ideally plastic-free, aligning with PRF’s sustainable practices. Contributions can be delivered to the Malhana Cloud Kitchen Restaurant on Koronivia Road or placed in designated boxes at select Pacific Energy Service Stations.
From December 16-20, PRF teams will distribute Christmas hampers at various locations across Fiji, each containing a gift, festive treats, and personalized messages for the CPR children.
In summary, the PRF Christmas Drive is a commendable initiative that highlights the power of community support to make a positive impact on children’s lives during the holiday season. By ensuring that every child experiences the joy of receiving a gift, this program showcases the spirit of giving and strengthens the bonds within the community.
This endeavor not only brings hope to children but also uplifts families and reinforces the idea that no child should feel overlooked during the festive period.
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