THE Learning and Ecological Activities Foundation for children (LEAF) program of Japan has promised to pump in more funds to help Honiara City recycle PET bottles and export it back overseas.
This was highlighted by LEAF coordinator in Honiara, Natsuko Kishimoto during her presentation last week at Honiara City Council conference room.
LEAF is a two years program carried out in Honiara city recycle PET bottles and exports it as part of reducing PET bottle waste in the city.
The program was established through an initiative from Nishinomiya municipal government in 1998 with the aim of supporting environmental activities of children, in partnership with citizens, businesses and public administration, who will lead the next generation.
In 2002, LEAF obtained the certification for NPO corporation. From 2008, LEAF has implemented group training for planning and management (waste material) for Oceania region, which hosted by Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Officer from the Environmental Health Division and the Works Division of Honiara City Council have participated in this training in Japan (2012, 2013 and 2014). This is the beginning of relationship between LEAF and Honiara City Council.
Ms Kishimoto told the stakeholders attending the workshop jointly organised by HCC and LEAF that this program is committed to provide more funds for the program objectives in Honiara town.
“Yes, I would like to confirm to you that LEAF has a budget to fund this program and we are committed and ready to fund our program here.
“This program is a two years program which LEAF want to assure you for more funding assistance funds program and very little support LEAF would need from you,” the LEAF coordinator in Honiara said.
She urged all the stakeholders to work closely with them to make sure this program is carried out and done done on time.
“The only thing LEAF need from you and government of Solomon Islands is working together and cooperation to make sure this program objective can be fulfilled here.
“We have done this program in our country and was very successfully that we saw it fit to be implemented here, so I encourage you to work closely with us so that we can able to carry out this in this town and Honiara a PET bottle free town,” Ms Kisimoto said.
Some of the objective of LEAF program are;
- Approach regarding establishing a sustainable social system in Nishinomiya city;
- Approach regarding promoting nature experience activities and nature conservation;
- Approach regarding environmental learning and environmental conservation activities in cooperation with companies and businesses;
- Approach regarding environmental activity exchanges of children of the world and international cooperation.
By DENVER NEWTER
