Hope springs anew in Glengoffe’s fight to protect water source

The community of Glengoffe in St Catherine is looking forward to better days with the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation’s injection of $100,000 into its efforts to combat water pollution.

The Glengoffe Community Development Committee (GCDC) has been on a mission to combat pollution of the Rio Pedro, which is the heartbeat of the neighbourhood.

“We don’t have proper garbage receptacles, so when it rains, waste is washed into the river and makes it dirty,” said Howard Hunter, president of the GCDC. “The river is the main water source for many residents, especially those who live further away from the main road and don’t have access to the pipe. So we have to ensure it is as clean as possible so people can carry out their daily activities.”

Now that the D&G Foundation has selected the GCDC as one of 56 community groups to receive a share of $5.6 million as part of its 100 For A Century campaign, Glengoffe residents have banked their hopes in a new skip to be erected.

A WELCOME CHANGE

“The residents will be grateful because the construction of this garbage skip will improve the quality of life for us all. It is a welcome change from just throwing waste along the side of the roads. We look forward to using the river to do basic activities like fishing, washing, cooking and cleaning more regularly,” Hunter said.

Fifty-nine-year-old Gladston Mitchell, who has lived in the community all his life, is also hopeful that the skip will encourage proper garbage disposal.

“This is the first time the community will have this kind of garbage collection method on such a large scale. Because of the pollution, there have been times when we haven’t been able to fish or bathe. We can’t have our children bathing in garbage water and we can’t keep pulling garbage out of our nets,” he said.

“Through our partnership with The Gleaner, we are happy to have selected this community initiative that promotes sustainability and environmental protection. Those principles are among the pillars of the D&G Foundation so we support the community as it takes a pragmatic approach to solving its water pollution problem,” said Dianne Ashton-Smith, board member of the D&G Foundation.

The project is set to be completed by April of this year.

Since its establishment in 1988, the GCDC has worked towards acquiring resources to improve the quality of life for residents and build togetherness among community members. Some initiatives include the delivery of care packages to more vulnerable residents, tree planting activities and river clean ups.

Hunter said, “The GCDC is always looking for ways to make the community a place where residents can feel comfortable and proud to live in. As simple as they are, these skips will save Glengoffe. We look forward to living in a healthier community, where we can all thrive as we work towards community development and upliftment.”