On Saturday 18th September, 2021, Anguilla joined more than 190 countries across the world to commemorate World Cleanup Day. This activity known as the world’s largest one-day civic action to tackle the global waste crisis, engaged more than 25 million volunteers.
World Cleanup Day began in the small northern European country of Estonia, in 2008, where 50,000 people united to clean up the entire country in just five hours. Consequently, a global civic movement was born. Many countries around the globe were inspired to adopt the ambitious ‘one country, one-day’ formula.
In commemoration of this world-changing event, the Department of Natural Resources (DNaR) – Environment Unit, in collaboration with the Department of Health Protection – Environmental Health Unit, organised an Islandwide Cleanup activity themed, ‘Take The Pledge of Cleanliness: Clean Spaces & Create Happy Faces!’ The main objective of this activity was to assist in protecting the environment by cleaning up litter and other types of municipal waste from across Anguilla.
Twenty two (22) groups (See Table1) which comprised over 350 incredible volunteers, registered for the event and worked effortlessly across Anguilla to make their impact in creating litter-free spaces. There were also several other small groups who participated in the activity but did not register for the event.
REGISTERED GROUPS OR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ANGUILLA ISLANDWIDE CLEANUP ACTIVITY 2021.
# NAME OF GROUP/VOLUNTEERS Group Leaders
1 ALHCS – 5B1 – Randy Bishop
2 Anguilla Lions Club – Jocelyn Johnsom
3 Anguilla National Trust – Farah Mukhida
4 Anguilla Youth Parliament- 3rd Cohort – Tyeisha Emmanuel
5 AXA Yacht Services Ltd. – Gabi Gumbs
6 Cherishing Cedar Village – Avenella Griffith
7 Department of Natural Resources – DNaR Management
8 Department of Probation – René Henry
9 Homegrown Car Club -Avalon Richardson
10 Josharmond Mackisin- Romney – Josharmond Mackisin- Romney
11 K&K on Wheels – Karla Hughes
12 Little Harbour Community – AXA Shamar Gaskin
13 National Youth Ambassador Corp – Tishon Gumbs
14 North Hill Community – Sandra York – Gumbs
15 Nurse Boy Car Wash – Shawn Reid (Nurse Boy)
16 Optimist Club of Anguilla – Kemoloy Murphy
17 Sandy Ground Community Council – Patricia Hodge
18 South Hill Community Club – Agnita Hodge
19 South Valley Community – Travis Carty
20 Up Girls – Afia Akbar
21 Welches Community – Joseph Vanterpool
22 West End Improvement Club – Cardigan Connor
The experience was not only about cleaning up litter. It also provided a great opportunity for cooperation and collaboration among family members, and citizens at varying levels of society – from citizens to businesses, to government. The event was dubbed as a great initiative to build bridges within communities, while creating a litter-free environment. One group of volunteers also stated, “The Islandwide Clean Up Day was a great opportunity to further push the Village projects.”
The Departments would like to thank all volunteers, and other stakeholders, for their invaluable contribution to the success of this event. Thanks to all those who assisted in promoting the event which resulted in overwhelming support and participation. Special thank you to the Proprietor of Klass FM 92.9 – Mr. Abner Brooks (DJ Hammer). Special appreciation is also extended to Mrs. Nakishma Rogers-Hull (President) – Anguilla Enhancement Project for promoting the event and encouraging persons to register, and Mrs. Gilda Gumbs Samuel (CEO), Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, for organizing donations from the following:
1. Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association
2. Aurora Hotel
3. Belmond Cap Juluca
4. Four Seasons Resort
5. Richardson’s Car Rental
6. Sunset Homes
7. Warren Buddle
While there is still much work to be done to create a litter-free Anguilla, the Department of Natural Resources would like to encourage all persons to care for the environment by disposing of garbage in the correct manner.
– Press Release
