Reusing helps teenager through school

A 15-year-old student supports his education through reusing empty papers and plastics.

Maloni Vakacegu of Ravitaki in Kadavu managed to pay his fees and buy school books from making confectionaries out of empty packs of bongo, twisties, biscuits and juice wrappers.

Speaking to FijiLive at the opening of the Bula 2012 Trade and Culture Exhibition, Vakacegu said he had benefited a lot from the skills.

For the last four months, he said he had learnt the skill from a workshop conducted by Indonesian Nun, Sister Anna Soepraptiwi by the women in Nausori where Vakacegu accompanied her mother to the training.

He said he learnt the trade so fast that he had sold more than 25 case bags and pencil cases for $40 and $20 respectively.

Sr Soepraptiwi, who was also present, said Vakacegu is an amazing student who has the urge to achieve greater things in life and its hard to see such committed people like him.

For the environment, she said the main cause of pollution in Fiji is plastic bags.

" Why dont we change the habit and make something out of rubbish to save our Fiji and our earth,"� she said.

She said there is no reason now for unemployment among youths as there are things that are readily available to be used for a living even though if it is a rubbish.

Staying in Fiji for almost two years, founder of Daughters of Charity whose mission of doing good with trash" said Fiji is a beautiful country and "if we love it, we have to protect it by one way or another".

Sr Soepraptiwi, who loves doing charity from her heart, is a mentor to most women and children who encoruages them to do their own business in either art and craft or cooking.

By Ropate Valemei