[ad_1]
Garbage collecting is a job that many people look down upon.
It handles garbage, yet it is despised. Yet without garbage collectors, our towns would be practically drowned in garbage.
Iosefo Waqatabu, a Savusavu Town Council employee, finds joy in picking up other people’s rubbish.
Three years ago, with no formal education and limited job prospects, collecting garbage became his mainstay of life.
The money put food on the table, paid his bills, and made his day.
“I love my job, it makes me happy, happy because it helped me survive when I needed a lifeline,” Iosefo said.
“Whatever I earn, I am able to pay my bills, buy food and attend village, family and church functions.”
Iosefo’s job requires him to wake up early.
By the time the coastal town of Savusavu wakes up, he’s already at full speed — hopping off a green garbage truck and moving trash cans from the roadside. He works six days a week.
“I have a job that people look down on,” he said.
“When I started three years ago, I was shy and ashamed of the job I was doing because I had to deal with trash, flies and bad smells”
“But over time, I decided to change my mindset and take pride in my work. Now, no matter what others say or think about me, I know that my work is vital.”
“I don’t want to brag, but without the garbage collectors, Savusavu town would not be clean, tidy and beautiful.”
Joseph found the attitude and lack of civic pride on the part of some citizens alarming and said people needed to be educated about the impact their carelessness was having on the environment.
“I work from 6am to 4pm with some breaks in between, but surprisingly there is always rubbish.”
“I think people should change the way they deal with rubbish. I mean, rubbish can’t be stopped, but it should be dealt with in a way that respects the environment, the land and the sea.”
Joseph believes that as a seaside town whose economy relies on tourism, locals and the city council should work together.
He added that no one should feel ashamed if the work provides them with a livelihood.
“Even though I deal with dirt and odor, I always tell myself that my job is special,” he said.
“I also believe that no matter what type of job you are given, you have to do it to the best of your ability.”
Trash collectors in every town, like hard-working Joseph, contribute to the local economy, public health and safety, and environmental sustainability.
They need support and respect.
Iosefo is from Watua, Ba Province, and lives in Savusavu with his wife, who is from the village of Urata. They have one child.
[ad_2]
Source link
