Task Force Team

VEPA has started a series of community presentations to recruit young adults to actively participate in VEPA's Task Force team. The team was created to increase local ownership and leadership on environmental issues. Members of the team will help identify and find solutions for the environmental problems faced in their different communities. To begin with, the Task Force team will work on environmental conservation, waste management, resource development and educational outreach programs.

Tonga Waste Logo

VEPA is supporting the "Talanoa Veve" (Talking Trash) logo competition put together by Waste Authority. The competition is encouraging students island-wide to come up with a creative new message and design to "stop littering" in Tonga. VEPA members are reaching out to students in Vava'u to discuss this environmental message and collect submissions for the campaign. For more information go to: http://www.talanoaveve.com/index.html

Tragic Loss of an Important Leader

The members of VEPA wish to express their grief and condolences for all those affected by the sudden passing of Vava'u's honorable Governor Lord Luani who died of a heart attack early Wednesday. Lord Luani was a dynamic and well loved leader who supported many important development projects on the island, including VEPA's work in the environment. His presence will be greatly missed, and VEPA has postponed holding community meetings for their Neiafu clean up event in order to respect a period of mourning for this important Noble. When the group resumes their waste awareness campaign, it will be in honor of Lord Luani's great vision. May he rest in peace.

The Quiksilver Foundation Supports Clean Up

The Quiksilver Foundation is sponsoring 200 t-shirts for VEPA's "Vava'u Ko e Feitu'u Malu mei he Veve- Making Vava'u a Refuge from Waste" clean up event in June! This generous contribution is a great display of Roxy/Quiksilver's vision to make a difference in communities and the environment worldwide. The Quiksilver Foundation's donation will help VEPA's efforts to launch a waste awareness campaign that will lead local communities and students to collect and sort through 4,000 bags of coastal waste. Thanks Quik!

For more information on the Quiksilver Foundation check out: http://quiksilverfoundation.org/

Newsletter May 2010