$171, 078

already seen over 1800 volunteers remove more than 22,000 litres of rubbish and educational presentations delivered to 5500 students with two weeks still to go.

In addition, she is learning about effective fundraising, governance and non-profit accounting up to New Zealand standards. These are critical skills to take home and leverage for the growth of SCPNG, operating in a country rated in the highest quarter in the world for corruption, according to Transparency International.

In a place with major challenges, addressing plastic pollution presents an opportunity for large-scale engagement with solid, quantifiable results. Crucially, it develops pride of place in areas where it is all too easy to become cynical about the enormity of the problems.

If we can play even a small part in cultivating and guiding solutions that have measurable impact in a place like PNG and learn from locallydeveloped solutions, I have no doubt that the Love Your Coast programme will continue to enable people to look after the places they love across the Pacific into the future.