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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2021: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Last Sunday 7th November via a brief launch ceremony, the Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph did a walkthrough of their completed community project at the rest spot/picnic areas at the Maracas Waterfall Trails.
The project was one of the four community initiatives shortlisted by the Digicel Foundation earlier this year as part of its ‘Better Together’ challenge. This group used the funding to cover costs to upgrade the picnic area, power wash and paint benches, refurbish sheds, minor landscaping and road works. They also erected signs in an attempt to discourage littering.
Digicel Foundation Board Member, Laura Dowrich-Phillip spoke at the event launch congratulating the group for overcoming obstacles that delayed their execution and urged the public to take pride in the new refurbishment of the popular space.
Rotary Club of Maracas St Joseph, Past President – Anil Sieukumar used the opportunity to launch a joint initiative with Hyper Hikes and Limitless Hikes called 1 BOG –‘Bag Of Garbage’. The initiative calls for hikers to take disposable bags with them on hikes and collect garbage on their way back. The collected trash can then be placed in designated receptacles located at the rest spot.
Rotary Club of Maracas St Joseph, President Ava Cunningham – Riley made a final plea directed towards hikers and persons who frequent the location. She said, “Take your garbage with you. Partner with groups that are environmentally conscious. Enjoy the clean space but also do your part. “
Also in attendance was Forrester III, Forestry Division – Mr Lalla Parmanan who also congratulated the group and called on other NGOs to consider partnering with public sector entities and weave these partnerships into the project’s sustainability. The launch ended with a tree planting and installation of signs.
The Digicel Foundation’s ‘Better Together’ challenge is an initiative meant to engage community based organisation to implement a community project bringing as many stakeholders on board as possible. The Rotary Club of Maracas/St Joseph along with ITNAC, Court Shamrock and Lopinot Tourism Association received TT$50,000 each from the Digicel Foundation to fund their individual community upliftment projects.
