The Paper Recycling Skills Project (PRSP), a charitable non-governmental organisation in Faji-Kunda, is currently embarking on a waste management programme by collecting waste papers dumped on the streets and recycling them to make exercise books and bricks.

In an interview with the Daily Observer on Wednesday, Mr George Riegg, vice chairperson of the project, said PRSP was formed in 2001 with the aim of making exercise books, bricks, greeting cards and writing papers as valued added products from recycled wasted papers to buy school items like books, pens and pencils for schools across the country.

The project, according to Vice Chairman Riegg, is to help promote a clean and healthy environment to reduce health hazards.  “We collect dumped papers and put them to good use,” he explained.

Mr  Riegg also noted that the PRSP is trying to offer a twenty-four week training programme for early childhood development specialists.

This training would include turning waste papers into toys and giving them back to their pupils in school.  “Whatever we do, we try to involve educational aspects because the more we educate people on waste management, the better,”  he noted.

Mr Riegg added that they also intend to have exchange programmes with foreign universities and colleges in making drums so as to promote Gambian culture.

Mr Riegg finally noted that the PRSP is not without constraints, as they need funds to be able to undertake further ventures.  “We need a solar plant for electricity,” he concluded.