FIGHT CLUB x RCoN ?
Asel OpataNew Club member, Asel Opata, introduced himself to us. An engineering graduate from the University of Auckland, and originally from Sri Lanka, Asel is a software engineer designing apps for front end data capture.
An early voracious reader, he also studied Economics and Psychology at tertiary level.
He is an enthusiastic boxer, training hard, and taking good care of himself as he follows his passion for the sport. Welcome, Asel – we look forward to learning more a bout you in 2023!
Haha Alan nice one...Did you get that? Big Wig Ed
The Chip Packet ProjectWe welcomed to our final meeting for the year Terrena Griffiths, National Coordinator for the Chip Packet Project.
A simple idea – but one that can help the environment and change the world one foil survival blanket at a time.
- After introducing herself and her family to us, Terrena, challenged us with statistics developed following the recently released Child Poverty Report, indicating there would be 69,000 homeless people out in the cold in NZ next winter. 8712 of these would be in Auckland. Shocking numbers. They would be living on the streets, in cars, in garages or struggling in overcrowded homes.
- Foil packets from chips, biscuits etc. will take a minimum of 80 years to decompose in landfills round the country.
In response, The Chip Packet Project focusses on gleaning and cleaning the foil packets.......
You need to turn the page for more pix including a well wrapped fashionista Presidente and the full story........Big Wig Ed
....melding them together with a “Foil Fusion Device,” [ie an up to 3 dot hot iron], zip-zap [not longer!] and turning them
into survival sheets, bedrolls, pillows and a pack to contain them. 
Each sheet uses 44 chip packets.
Foil from chicken and fish cannot be used. Kindies, Retirement Homes, Churches,
Schools – many community groups are involved.
There are drop-off centres throughout the country.
The project partners with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, Lifewise and Housing firms, and is in the process of gaining registration as an approved charity.
Not bad for an out of left field idea. This project is for real, and in Terrena, has an energetic, motivational sponsor. The challenge is now for us as individuals and families, and maybe collectively – once we’ve finished our chips - to get in behind!
This is one BIG IDEA...ticking many if not all boxes meeting a Need. Love it! Big Wig Ed