The focus of this project was to sensitize the village of Gutter on their improper garbage disposal habits and to assist them to play their role in keeping it clean. The project has had an immediate and visual impact in Gutter Village and neighbouring communities have expressed an interest in undertaking similar activities. 

 Who's involved?

Project leader: Marvo Didier

Lead organisation: Dominica Youth Environment Organisation Inc.

Other organisations: Gutter Village Improvement Committee; Youth Division; DYEO Inc

Timeframe: July 2005 - January 2006

Objectives:

• To educate residents on the impact of improper waste management.
• To get residents involved in cleaning up their neighbourhood and keeping it clean.
• To uplift the image of the community.

Activities:

• Engage residents of Gutter Village in raising awareness of improper waste management practices. Specific activities to include: creation and distribution of flyers depicting harmful waste management practices; 2 workshops for children on proper waste management, presentation of a PowerPoint slide show in the village square depicting with photos the effects of harmful waste disposal practices.
• Coordinate a clean-up campaign in Gutter Village. Specific activities to include: creation of a schedule for heavy garbage day with the Local Solid Waste Management Office; organisation of clean-up activities.
• Hire a videographer to obtain footage of activities and interview participants and take digital photos of the activities and the areas to be cleaned, both before and after.
• Prepare a report, accompanied by digital photos, featuring the event.
• Investigate and report on ways of making the activity an annual event, possibly with local support.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the activity with repeat photographs before the campaign and three months after the campaign, and interviews with a minimum of ten residents 3 months after the campaign.

Results:

The best attended activities were by far the children's workshop, which months later continue to bear fruit, and the heavy garbage day. It is strongly recommended that these activities be repeated.

The effectiveness of the clean up activity would normally be judged from the amount of garbage found in the ravine, after a month period, it must be noted however that this is not entirely reliable as it has been observed that storm drains from neighbouring hamlets feed the ravine in question. Actual evidence is more obvious; increased use of the bin provided, persons taking the initiative to clean their immediate surroundings and a few children are less inclined to litter.

Neighbouring communities have been impressed by what has been done thus far and have requested that the same be done in their own communities. So this initiative has been well received and it has become an excellent stepping stone for future projects.

Downloads:

Final report [PDF]