Kautitubuna Pleads With Game Spectators to Avoid Littering
Thirteen-year-old Irinimo Kautitubuna is hopeful that spectators will not litter after watching any sports event at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Kautitubuna and 12-year-old Sakiusa Volotui were spotted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka picking up rubbish after the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific round 6 match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Western Force match last Saturday.
It was a double header, with the Fijian Drua side taking on the Western Force in their Super W match in the second match of the day. Mr Rabuka thanked the duo for taking the initiative to pick up rubbish after the Drua matches. “Among the spectators, I saw these two young boys picking up rubbish even though they were soaked in the rain. Kudos to these young lads for their efforts in keeping our environment clean. I admire their generous civic-minded actions, and I am certain that they will become good environmental ambassadors in future,” Mr Rabuka said.
“As someone who is passionate about environmental stewardship to always leave every place I visit better and cleaner if possible, I was deeply moved by their community spirit.”
Kautitubuna is in Year Seven at Lautoka Muslim Primary; he is the youngest of six siblings and resides at the Vunato Settlement in Lautoka with his family.
“I had gone to get my haircut, and while standing outside with a group of kids, we were told to go in, so I followed,” Kautitubuna said. “Then I saw my sister, so I followed her as she was part of a group with some Japanese people who had come from abroad giving out plastic bags so we took a few and started picking up rubbish,” he said.
“It took us about an hour to pick up rubbish. There were six children and the rest were adults, the whole group was around nine to 10 people, and we were posted at different spots around the ground. “I’m pleading with spectators to always put their rubbish in the right place or pick them up and dispose of them correctly.
“It was a surprise to be recognised by Prime Minister Rabuka and other spectators.
“We ran when he called us. He thanked us for what we were doing, and gave us a flag and bag.”
Proud father Lodoviko Cakau said his son was always eager to be part of such initiative. His older siblings are part of the Pacific Recyclers Foundation.
“I am part of the Pacific Recyclers. There are about four of us staying here and another four staying on the other side. We were part of the group that went to QVS (Queen Victoria School) when the Prime Minister was there and we were given our gear,” Mr Cakau said.
“He (Irinimo) always follows his elder siblings when they go to pick up rubbish; he is always eager to do these kinds of things.”