Primary schools in Aitutaki took part in the island-wide clean-up effort last month to mark Clean up the Cook Islands Day.

Araura Primary School, Apii Vaitau and Tekaaroa Adventist School stepped up to the challenge in their commitment to keeping Aitutaki beautiful.

Apii Vaitau students divided into two teams collecting rubbish around both the Vaipae and Tautu wharfs. Armed with sacks and gloves provided by Tu’anga Taporoporo/National Environment Service NES), the students collected six bags of carelessly discarded trash.

At Araura Primary School, the students cleaned up around their school and nearby roads, through Arutanga and Ureia villages, finishing at Orongo.

Their waste collection included broken bulk plastics, bottles and discarded items amounting to eight bags of rubbish.

Tekaaroa Adventist School got in on the action tackling the largest area of land, cleaning from Vaitupa heading inland through Vaipeka right up to Takapora, collecting 12 bags filled mostly with cans and bottles, weighing in at approximately three kilograms per bag.

The children were commended for making a valuable difference in keeping their environment clean and tidy, and free of unsightly trash.

School staff and parents alike were disappointed to see so many alcohol-related items such as beer bottles and beer cans discarded all over the place.

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo would like to thank waste management for their usual weekly efforts and for working alongside the schools to collect the rubbish bags.

On top of their clean-up efforts, the children showcased their artistic talents creating vibrant art inspired by the theme “What does a Clean Cook Islands Look Like?”

Te Tu’anga Taporoporo stated that the clean-up not only brightened the landscape but also sent a powerful message about waste – especially the alarming amount of alcohol-related litter found.

“This day was not just about cleaning, but also about inspiring change, and these young champions did exactly that.”

The children were treated to ice cream.