------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------- Valerie Madre Deus, a crusader against plastic -------------------------------------------------------------- by Joaquim Fernandes
Valerie Madre Deus from Tonca, Caranzalem, is a crusader against plastic carry-bags littering the streets, the beaches, really the full Goan landscape. Ever since 1996, when she decided to fight for the environment, Valerie has come a long way, now having 18 schools, where she works continuously to raise awareness among students, teachers and even parents.
"My fight is specifically against plastic carry-bags that dirty our landscape," says Valerie. She was a housewife earlier, caring for her two children and hotelier husband full-time and whipping up exotic pickles spare-time, when in 1996, she saw revolted against the mess of plastic carry-bags.
She learnt about waste management and having joined the Panaji-based People's Movement for Civic Action (PMCA), held an exhibition at the Kala Academy called 'Alternatives to Plastic Carry Bags.'
"Paper bags are a cheap alternative," she says. "A bag made from three sheets of newspaper can carry a load of five kilograms. You can re-use it with care." Valerie encourages other ladies to make fancy paper carry-bags and herself takes orders for such bags used for take-away gifts during Haldi-Kumkum, the thread ceremony etc.
In 1999, Valerie taught inmates of Aguada central jail to make paper bags and marketed their work for almost a year.
In 2000, the Centre for Environment for Education (CEE) invited her for an environmental workshop at Ahmedabad. Heading the PMCA's waste management group, Valerie educated shopkeepers and people about the alternatives to plastic carry-bags. "I tell people to refuse to accept plastic bags. Carry your own bag, even a plastic bag, but a re-usable one. As long as it doesn't litter the land," says Valerie.
Running a continual awareness campaign in 18 Tiswadi schools along with her PMCA team, Valerie has conducted workshops for teachers of all schools, in 2000 and 2003.
"Collecting 100 empty milk packets, gets you half-litre of milk or the equivalent sum of money. From this, one school bought rainwear shoes for the poorer students. Another school raises about Rs 300 to pay for the educational channels on cable TV." That is a whole lot of plastic off the streets; Valerie is a lot happier and Goa much prettier. ------------------------------------------------ The Navhind Times 25/1/04 page 2 ------------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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