We all know we have to do our bit to protect the environment, which we try to do as much as we can where we can. Most of us probably remember the 1980’s anti-littering campaign “Do The Right Thing” which, after nearly 40 years, people still remember the catchy song associated with it!
Unfortunately, places like Indonesia aren’t as fortunate enough as Australia to communicate this message, as the majority of the country doesn’t have adequate or any waste management systems in place to promote.
I’ve just spent the last week with our Project Coordinators at our Mentawai Education and Conservation Centre, and seen again the plastic and waste management issues these communities are living with. As part of our new environmental initiative, we’re been organising various activities with our local community providing an opportunity to educate the younger generation about the impact of littering their environment.
We continue to operate our collection scheme called ‘Bank Sampah’ (Rubbish Bank) where we work with the community to collect and clean plastic waste from the village and the beach. We have sourced a sustainable route for this plastic material to be transported back to the mainland to recycling depots, and managed to visit Pak An’s recycling operation during our visit.
We are now in the process of expanding the programme to encourage and educate more families, communities and local businesses (including the expat community operating guesthouses, lodges and villas in the region) to join our campaign and develop a sustainable collection and recycling facility for the Mentawai Islands, reducing plastic waste being dumped and polluting the environment, the air and the ocean.
We were also excited to announce we have finally found some land just down the road from where we’re currently based, and negotiating a long term lease where we will build the new multi-purpose Education and Conservation Centre!! Even my kids were excited about checking it out!!
We are still sourcing funding to make this happen, so we will be launching a new crowd-funding campaign next week and by donating you could win a humanitarian trip of a lifetime for two people staying at Kandui Villas! You will get to implement water filters in collaboration with Waves4Water, meet the traditional Mentawai tribesmen, the Shamen, and visit our new Education and Conservation Centre!! There will also be a top surfing legend as ambassador for the trip, so keep an eye out next Tuesday for the details!!
Thanks again for your continuous support, from all of the APF Team and students!!
