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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2021: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Rotary Club of Maracas/St. Joseph has proven that community efforts are better together when combined with public and private sector support. The not-for-profit organisation used TT$50,000 funding from the Digicel Foundation and partnered with several other agencies to upgrade the rest spot and picnic area at the Maracas Waterfall as part of the Foundation’s ‘Better Together’ community initiative.
Even after months of delays due to Covid 19 restrictions and inclement weather, the team persisted and they are almost at the finish line. Understanding the importance of community efforts, the Maracas Valley Community Council, Maracas Valley Action committee, Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation CEPEP, Coosals Construction Company, ANSA Coatings ltd and Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries, Forestry Division and even nearby residents all chipped to ensure that the project was a success.
The funding provided by the Digicel Foundation covered the costs of upgrades to building and refurbishing picnic sheds, power washing and painting tables and benches at the rest spot. Additional upgrades to the visitors’ booth, road works and minor landscaping were also included.
Past President of the Rotary Club, Anil Sieukumar commented that the aim wasn’t just to clean up but to help enforce behaviour change. He said “we want persons to enjoy the environment, feel safe and welcomed but we also want them to do their part.” Project Manager and Past Assistant Governor, Vinodatt Lutchman added, “we’ll be placing signs along the path to remind visitors to take their trash with them so we can all enjoy a clean scene.”
Digicel Foundation, Operations Manager visited the community project last weekend and got an opportunity to get involved in some of the clean-up efforts.
The partnership with the Rotary Club of Maracas/St. Joseph, is one of four NGOs that participated in the Foundation’s ‘Better Together’ challenge earlier this year. The initiative is meant to engage community based organisation to implement a community project bringing as many stakeholders on board as possible.
