SEMPORNA: While their urban peers are busy playing computer games, a group of Bajau Laut children on Pulau Bum-Bum have been collecting trash on the beach and in the sea.
They meet every morning to decide on when and where to go looking for used plastic bottles, aluminium cans and other rubbish.
Dannyleo Longfat, 12, said he had been collecting rubbish and exchanging them for money for quite some time.
“I always go to the beach and the sea with my friends to work. We pick up plastic bottles and take them to ND Divers,” he said.
“They buy our trash. We split up the money and give it to our parents.
“I give the money to my mum because she is poor. She saves the money to buy
necessities.”
ND Divers is a dive centre and lodge. Established three years ago, it is located about 200m from Kampung Terusan Laut on Pulau Bum-Bum.
Another kid, Mawi Irwan, 12, said his parents encouraged him to work with the centre to create a cleaner environment.
He said he enjoyed going out to collect rubbish as he got to spend time with his
friends.
An ND Divers spokesman said they began engaging the children because they realised the importance of promoting marine conservation and cleanliness on the island.
“During low tide, they come to the lodge to swim and they would hang around under the stilt lodge,” the spokesman said.
“One day, we asked whether they wanted to work by helping us to clean floating debris at the centre.
“We told them they would get incentives if they collect plastic bottles. We also gave them meals.
“They were excited and began working immediately. They brought back bags full of plastic bottles.
“First, it was only two children. Then, their numbers grew.”
The dive centre has installed netting system to trap floating debris.
“Pulau Bum-Bum is a
beautiful island and diving site. Therefore, we see it as important to get the community involved in cleaning up the sea.
“We hope to turn ND Divers into a recycling centre for floating trash,” said the spokesman.
“The culture of cleanliness in Semporna is still poor. However, we believe if we put in an incentive, it will encourage more people to join in the effort.”