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Pacific People of the Year Pacific People of the Year

Marlene Dutta

BARTERING FOR BETTERMENT

MARLENE DUTTA’S BIG VISION

By Samantha Magick response to the pandemic and Fiji’s “I was just angry all the time. Every-
tourism industry came to an abrupt where I went, I felt no one was taking
Marlene Dutta is the brains, and the halt, Marlene Dutta started asking her- coronavirus seriously, there was little
heart, behind Barter for Better Fiji. She self, “what do you do when there is no to no social distancing wherever you
is also our Pacific Community Champion more cash?” At the same time, she said went…and I knew something had to
for 2020. she felt she was becoming a “horrible give, something had to change.”
Early this year, as borders closed in person.” Dutta turned to social media, and

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