A youth group in Atabae seized the chance to learn new skills when they attended a one-day plastic recycling training facilitated by the UNDP Coastal Resilience Building Project and the Government staff in March 2018.

Atabae Youth Group or “Grupu Juventude Atabae [Jovat]” consists of 36 young people aged 16-19 who are volunteering to implement community activities such as planting coconuts along the coastal area, waste management and educational and creative initiatives.   

The youth group immediately decided to utilise their newly acquired skills to start up a new small business using plastic bottles to create household ornaments such as flowers.

“From that day we organized ourselves every weekend to collect plastic bottles and turn them into something positive,’’ explains team leader Madalena Tavares.

Madalena testifies that all group members are now taking the initiative to collect plastic and are using the internet, friends, family members and existing networks as way to promote ideas and sell some of hand-made products to sustain their group business.

“The idea behind this start up business is to protect the environment,” adds Madalena.

She encourages group members to the keep the spirit up without ignoring the fact that they need to continue working to build their artistics skills to produce high-quality items which can be sold.

Madalena expects that UNDP and other organisations will support them to explore their hidden talents and boost their spirit so that they can contribute to environmental protection and help the wider community.