Cleaning up Communities in Roatan
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The document summarizes the author's experience participating in a community cleanup event in a village on Roatan. The author arrived and spoke with some local children. They then visited the only restaurant in the village, where they spoke to the owner Virginia. Later, the author learned of an upcoming community cleanup and volunteered to participate alongside the organization I4E. On the day of the event, over 70% of the village's population showed up to help. The author captured photos and highlights of the large turnout and residents working hard to clean up the community. The author was thankful for the opportunity to take part in the meaningful experience.
Cleaning up Communities in Roatan
- 2. INTRODUCTION I arrived at the communitys central plaza and was almost immediately approached by some intrepid young children who reside in the community. After speaking with them for a moment, I approached some of the other community members loitering in the plaza, eager to learn more about this little slice of paradise I had stumbled upon. I was quite hungry at the time, and so I walked along the beach to the only restaurant in the village, Ginas Caf辿, which also happens to be one of the first recipients of the I4Es Empowerment Funding Program that Ive mentioned previously. The Caf辿 looked splendid, mere feet from the idyllic blue Caribbean waters:
- 3. After catching up with Virginia for a bit, I joined a few of the villagers for one of the best tasting meals Ive had on the island thus far.
- 4. We spoke for some time about the history and future of the village. I was interested to discover just how hopeful and optimistic these people are for a brighter, more prosperous future. It is my hope that I can continue to play a role, however small, in improving the prospects of these wonderful Roatanians.
- 5. In the course of the conversation, I learned that community cleanup was to occur in a few days time. I immediately recognized this as an opportunity to help the village in my own small way and asked if I could participate. However, I quickly began to realize that there was an even larger opportunity here: by getting the I4E involved, we could have a larger impact than just cleaning up. I called my close friend and I4E Leader Tristan Monterrosso to discuss my ideas with him. I will go into more detail about the program we implemented for the community cleanup in a separate post soon. Thus, after a few moments discussion, it was settled: I would participate in the community cleanup along with the I4E. In the intervening few days between the event and this meeting of the minds, I caught up with a few friends and acquaintances around the island. Before I knew it, Cleanup day was here. I arrived to find over 70% of the villages total population eager and waiting to get involved!
- 6. Rather than attempt to verbally explain the beautiful community coordination and participation I saw, I will show you: This was moments after I arrived. I made a point of meeting and conversing with as many of the young men as possible.
- 7. AS THE EVENT KICKED OFF IN EARNEST, TRISTAN AND THE LEADER OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, ERICK, EXPLAINED THE LOGISTICS TO A CROWD OF EAGER WAITING CHILDREN:
- 8. Moments later, the event began in earnest:
- 9. HIGHLIGHTS: I tried to capture as much of the cleanup as possible. Here are some highlights:
- 16. I find myself at a loss for words in trying to describe the experience. I can only thank the community members for making me feel so welcome and giving me the opportunity to participate in their community day. It was one of the most meaningful moments of the last year for me. I cant wait to see what other sort of experiences like this I can have as I continue to work to improve local communities like this!