Kalekana’s inspiring story
IT was encouraging to see how residents of Kalekana settlement in Lami braved the gloomy weather to pick up rubbish in their neighbourhood yesterday morning.
Organised by the Eco Guardians of Fiji, the event was about raising awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean.
Given the massive challenges we face daily in terms of the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish around the country, such an initiative deserves attention.
In fact it should be the way to go in as far as commitment to ensuring the protection of our environment goes.
This cleanup wasn’t just a rubbish-removal exercise. It carried a powerful statement about community spirit, environmental awareness, and the unwavering commitment of ordinary citizens to create positive change.
Against the backdrop of our daily struggle with rampant waste dumping, Kalekana’s initiative is a testament to the power of collective action.
We can reclaim our environment, one plastic bottle, one aluminum can at a time.
Program organizer Captain Rainer Hoehn, a former German Air Force pilot who now champions environmental causes, highlights the critical role of education. Again we say, the cleanup wasn’t just about collecting rubbish; it was also about creating awareness, particularly in the minds of children, about the negative impact of waste on our marine ecosystems and our health. It resonated with Assistant Minister Sakiusa Tubuna, who also emphasized the importance of appreciating the value of a clean environment in young minds.
Early education fosters a lifelong commitment to sustainability, ensuring that future generations inherit a healthier planet.
As we said, Kalekana’s story isn’t just about a single cleanup; it’s a call to action for every Fijian. We need to be reminded about the power of unity, and embracing the fact that the power to initiate change lies within each of us.
Let’s be inspired by Kalekana’s spirit and embrace responsibility to protect our environment. Wouldn’t it be good to organize cleanups in our own communities, educate our children, and make conscious choices that reduce our waste footprint.
Far too many Fijians are still spitting out chewing gum for instance, or flicking away cigarette butts on our streets. There are people who still throw away disposable food containers even with a rubbish bin staring at them at our parks and beaches.
We still have people throwing plastic wrappers or rubbish from moving vehicles without a care in the world.
Sometimes we are so careless and sadly, ignorant about the damage we cause our environment.
But, together, we can transform Fiji. What we need is the commitment to take ownership of our environment. That means being responsible, and aware!