NGOs in Kerala reuse FIFA campaign flexes to give roof to the needy

In Kerala, flex used for promotion of FIFA World Cup on the hoardings are being recycled for a worthy cause. A few independent and non-profit organisations are taking the responsibility to recycle the flexes used for the FIFA campaign by distributing them among lower-income people for use as rooftop covers. The aim behind this initiative was to reduce the harmful effect of PVC.

The National Service Scheme (NSS), an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India in Kochi has taken the responsibility to collect the material to help poor people repair their dilapidated houses by covering the damaged roofs and to make temporary toilets. NSS is also seeking help from the masses and industry concessionaires for this initiative.

Blood Donors Kerala (BDK), a state-wide non-profit organisation that arranges blood for patients and accident victims is another body that joined in the effort to re-use the flexes. The NGO has requested the football lovers to provide fading flexes to build shelter for the needy. The Kozhikode district unit is pioneering the campaign with the intention to help the residents of the district’s slums to have a leak-proofed monsoon season. Various fan clubs are coming forward to support this cause.

The Alappuzha district committee of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP), an organisation working to popularize a scientific outlook among people, has created a flex bank with a tagline stating “One phone call to help earth and man”. To run a long term campaign called, “Waste is unused wealth”, the association found FIFA as the best launch platform for the same. however, their final plan is a little different from others as they are planning to collect old flexes from different parts of the district and transport it to the district environment office where they are planning to coordinate the rest of the campaign.