Church members collected around 500 bags of garbage during a community clean-up in Betio, Kiribati, as part of the Kiribati for Christ campaign. 

Plastic litter is one of the most pressing environmental threats facing Kiribati. The nation generates roughly 9.7 tonnes (10.7 tons) of plastic waste daily, much of which ends up littering beaches and entering the marine environment.

The initiative brought together local Adventist churches for a clean-up along the Dai Nippon Causeway, where participants often gather for the Walk4Life program—a Trans Pacific Union Mission health and wellness initiative to combat high rates of chronic diseases across Pacific nations through physical activity.

Photo: Adventist Record

Photo: Adventist Record

Photo: Adventist Record

Photo: Adventist Record

Plastic bottles, food packaging, broken glass, and even marine debris were some of the discarded items scattered along the beach before volunteers began the clean-up.

The initiative was conducted in partnership with Kiribati’s Ministry of Women, Youth, and Social Affairs. Minister Ruth Cross Kwansing sponsored the activity by donating $A1 (US$0.71) for every bag of garbage collected. Funds raised through the clean-up were distributed to participating local churches according to the number of bags they collected and will support local Kiribati for Christ programs.

“We appreciate the government and the minister who is looking after church ministry,” said Kiribati Mission President Taabua Rokeatau. 

“Rubbish all around the country is currently an issue in Kiribati. I am very happy that we, as Seventh-day Adventists, are recognized as one of the organizations actively helping the government with this,” he said.

Tairati Toakarawa.

Photo: Adventist Record

He participated with guidance from other church members.

Photo: Adventist Record

Among those taking part was Betio Seventh-day Adventist Church member Tairati Toakarawa, who is blind. With guidance from other church members, he contributed to the clean-up, saying serving the community reflected Christ’s example.

“We copy the work of Jesus when He was on Earth. He helped people and showed that He was there to help them,” said Toakarawa.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.