The Rotaract Club of George-town will be hosting its inaugural “Recycle Fair,” on March 25th, aimed at not only helping the environment, but also the less fortunate.
The event which will be held under the theme of, “Think Eco-friendly. Live Eco-friendly,” will be one of several that will be carried out as part of local Earth Hour observances.
Speaking at the official media launch on Tuesday, President of the Rotaract Club of George-town, Noelle Plass said, not only is the event expected to encourage persons to reduce, reuse and recycle, but it will also show care to those of lesser means.
“It’s one of our upcoming projects, and is also in line with what the President is asking to have, a Green Guyana and a Green Economy, while at the same time having many implications for those who are less fortunate.
We have many persons who are using things that can actually be given to other persons. We are acting as the facilitators to try to enable this, with the gracious help of other organizations, such as Food for the Poor and Iwokrama; other sponsors of the event include, Impressions and Star Party Rentals.”
Meanwhile, Director of the Project, Anjanie Able explained that the Fair was created as a part of a community service mandate, to plan and execute a project that will see the club reducing its carbon footprint.
The aim, she said, is to establish a hub that encourages individuals and families to reduce their unwanted items, and reuse them in the form of donations to those families in need.
On the list of items which the organizations are requesting, are books, stationery, shoes, non-perishable goods and utensils, toys and lightly worn clothing.
Additionally, Able noted, that if in the days leading up to the event persons find themselves unable to deliver the items to the fair, the group can be contacted, and efforts will be made to have the items collected by the Food for the Poor organization.
“It is our hope that through these practices, irrespective of how small they may be, they will encourage persons to reduce, reuse and recycle… We are encouraging everybody to get under their beds, in their cupboards, unpack wardrobes and let’s reduce, reuse and recycle,” the Director said.
An invitation is also extended to members of the business sector, to come out and exhibit whatever environmentally friendly products or services they may have to offer to the public.
Important to note as well, is that all the proceeds from the fair will be presented to the local arm of the Food for the Poor organization, who, will in turn distribute the items to communities which are in need.
Jameel David, a representative of Food for the Poor, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the initiative, more so, since it is one that is geared to help the country’s transformation into a green economy.
“For the past 25 years, Food for the Poor has been distributing recycled and reusable items to the less fortunate; we will continue to do so with the help of initiatives, such as this,” he said.
“Food for the Poor is pleased to be a part of an initiative and we commend organizations such as these that are involved; we are very grateful that the Rotaract Club of Georgetown took this opportunity,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vanessa Benn from the Iwokrama International Centre, described the fair as a commendable effort on the part of the Rotaract Club, and encouraged more collaborations of a similar nature, not only with Iwokrama, but other organizations as well.
The fair is set to take place on Saturday, March 25th, at the Parade Ground, at Middle and Carmichael streets, between 8 am and 5 pm.
