Building the First Recycling System in Raja Ampat

[ WHO WE ARE: A collective of passionate souls dedicated to the preservation of our world's most awe-inspiring landscapes ]

We are Soul Initiatives, a non-profit foundation of Soul Scuba Divers located on Kri Island in the stunningly beautiful Raja Ampat region.

Our mission is clear and resolute: to protect and preserve the natural wonders of Raja Ampat through impactful environmental conservation projects.

[ WHERE WE ARE: Raja Ampat, the last paradise on Earth ]

Raja Ampat, often called the Last Paradise on Earth, is located at the heart of the coral triangle, where biodiversity is thriving.

An incredible 36% of the world’s reef fishes and 76% of the world’s known coral species can be found here.

Manta rays, numerous shark species, whales, and other megafauna are frequent visitors.

A single reef in Raja Ampat is said to contain more species than the entire Caribbean.

[ WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP: Lack of waste management system in Raja Ampat ]

But unfortunately, it faces a severe challenge - the absence of a proper waste management system.

The absence of this infrastructure leads to the disposal of trash through burying, burning, or worse, allowing it to find its way into the ocean, polluting the very beauty we aim to protect.

With a surge of tourism in Raja Ampat, the waste in the islands started to pile up posing the greatest threat that we have ever witnessed in the past 6 years.

The most prevalent threat is plastic pollution. Daily, our paradise faces the tragic consequences of unmanaged plastic waste.

You can easily see numerous discarded plastics on Raja Ampat’s pristine shores.

Daily basis, the pervasive presence of plastic pollution is also posing life-threatening risks to marine creatures.

It is not difficult to encounter turtles tangled in a massive plastic bag or coconut crabs dragged by a plastic bottle.

[ OUR GOAL: To set up the first recycling system in Kri Island, Raja Ampat ]

Soul Initiative is passionate about initiating change, and we believe it starts with taking immediate actionable steps.

Therefore, we are determined to launch the first recycling system on Kri Island where we are located and is the most visited island.

This system will start as simple as possible, with 3 recycling machines - a plastic shredder, an extruder, and a bicycle shredder.

We are unable to make the long-lasting change we want without local communities’ involvement.

A bicycle shredder will take our mission directly to local villages. Kids from local communities in Kri Island and nearby villages will directly experience turning plastics into something valuable while enjoying riding a bicycle.

We believe that showcasing the intrinsic value of plastic and turning it from waste into a valuable resource will help induce collaboration from local communities.

*** Our team with recycling machines ***

[ LONG-TERM VISION: Extending our reach to Waisai & Sorong ]

Embarking on our journey to make Raja Ampat cleaner starts right where we are - Kri Island and the nearby villages of Yenbuba, Sawandarek, Yenbekwan, and Arborek.

Our commitment knows no bounds as we set our sights on an ambitious goal - establishing a comprehensive recycling and waste management system in the expansive district of Waisai.

But our journey doesn't conclude there. Our commitment extends further to Sorong, the largest city and capital of the Indonesian province of Southwest Papua. Our aim is to extend the benefits of proper waste management to Sorong, contributing to the well-being of the broader Raja Ampat region.

[ YOUR GENEROSITY IN ACTION: Your contributions will make a difference by helping us purchase 3 recycling machines ]

To kickstart this vital project, we need your support.

As mentioned we aim to start small but impactful, with the purchase of three essential machines - two plastic shredders and one extruder.

These machines will form the backbone of our recycling initiative.

To acquire these machines and begin this much-needed transformation, we require a total of 500 million IDR (approximately 30,000 Euros).

Your generosity and contribution will directly fund the purchase of these machines, enabling us to take the crucial first steps towards a cleaner, greener future for Raja Ampat.

[OUR CALL TO ACTION: Please share this campaign with your community ]

Your support goes beyond monetary contributions.

By sharing our GoFundMe campaign with your friends, family, and networks, you're not just helping us financially but also spreading awareness about the importance of environmental conservation in this breathtaking region.

Join us in this meaningful journey towards sustainability and preservation in Raja Ampat.

Together, we can create a lasting impact that transcends generations, ensuring the beauty of this paradise endures.

Thank you for being a part of this crucial initiative and for helping us pave the way for a brighter, cleaner future.

With deep gratitude,

Soul Initiatives - Soul Scuba Divers of Kri Island, Raja Ampat