With the help of JBay Recycling Project, every Monday afternoon, children from Jeffreys Bay bring in bags of rubbish to be recycled. They collect recyclable materials and trade them for items they may need or want, but can’t afford. The volunteer-driven programme is coordinated by Tanja Lategan who motivates the kids to become responsible and independent.
The weight of their collection determines how many tokens they receive, which can be used in a shop set up for them. The shop is filled with essentials from toiletries and blankets to stationery and toys. The children also have the option of spending or saving their money. Over 7 000 children have taken part in the project since it began in 2011.“The project empowers them by providing a way to earn what they need. They’re not receiving a handout. The best thing you can give a child is a sense of purpose,” Lategan says.
