Page 7 - Rotary Matters - September 2022

Cycle for recycling - raising funds for a new social business
venture to help the urban poor in the Philippines

On Saturday 6th August, Duncan Power, CEO of non-profit Dana Asia and member of the Rotary Club of
Gawler Light set off once more on the fundraising campaign ‘Cycle for Recycling’ to raise awareness of the
economic and environmental crises facing impoverished communities in
Manila, Philippines. The funds raised will help deliver solutions through
livelihood creation and plastic waste recycling initiatives. Duncan is
cycling a collective total of 3,016km along the desolate Stuart Highway,
crossing four different desert regions over approximately 30 days.

Close to Duncan’s heart in life and work is achieving sustainable
development in marginalised communities by addressing social and
economic inequalities to give the world’s poorest an equal opportunity
to thrive. This new project has two core objectives:
• Sustainable economic development through the facilitation of
microfinance and skills training to create new sustainable livelihood
opportunities for urban poor families
• Ecological sustainability through the setup of a recycling hub to
collect single-use plastics and recycle the waste into ecobricks and
other sustainable building materials. Duncan Power

Dana Asia will work with partners in the Philippines to achieve social, economic and environmental
impact.

Partnered with sustainable building company Green Antz, a recycling hub will be established as a centre
for the collection and recycling of plastics within urban poor communities. The centre itself will provide
training and job opportunities and will collect plastic waste to be recycled, reducing the amount of
single-use plastic polluting the environment.

In addition, a community eco-store will be set up championing zero-waste retailing through bulk
purchasing and bring-your-own-container initiatives. With partner Grameen Pilipinas Microfinance Inc,
the project will facilitate microloans and entrepreneurship training for aspiring microentrepreneurs to
start their own businesses. Partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila will give access to mentoring
opportunities to help business owners succeed.

“This global crisis consumes my thoughts and
emotions each day, and motivates me to act to try
to make a difference,” says Duncan. “The Cycle for
Recycling ride will, I hope, help raise awareness of
those in our world who are most disadvantaged
right now.”

Duncan is riding with a support team of Rotary club
members from Port Augusta to Alice Springs.

Child living at the Tondo garbage dump Manila
(Picture Dana Asia)

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