'Good amount of work done'- Mitsy J. Ellis-Simpson

Approximately 65 adults and children answered the call to clean up the community, including property owners, residents, students from Elmore Stoutt High School, St George’s Secondary School, Francis Lettsome Primary School, Willard Wheatley Primary School, Cedar International School and Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies.

Many of the students were able to add to or complete their community service hours as a result of the project.

"We got a good amount of work done. We focused on garbage and litter collection, bush cutting, tree trimming, drain clearing and sidewalk cleaning. The Solid Waste Department assisted in removing large amounts of material which was a testament to the hard work of the participants," Mitsy J. Ellis-Simpson, the coordinator of the cleanup initiative, told Virgin Islands News Online.

Brady Ghut Community Group

Ellis-Simpson added that the idea came from starting a Brady Ghut Community Group for residents and that the cleanup exercise was the group's first collective venture.

"A few months ago, I began a process to create a neighborhood association for the Brady Ghut/Fat Hog’s Bay community. It’s a group that will listen and consider the needs of the residents. There are several things a number of the property owners and residents have expressed that they would like to see done in the community. One of which is to keep the community clean and groomed.

"The clean up on Saturday was our first collective venture. The process to fully set up the association will continue and this involves informing more residents and encouraging their participation," Ellis-Simpson shared.

The group homes to remain vibrant in making a change in their communities.

"This was our first activity and we expect to continue with activities that will encourage community spirit, address community issues, beautify the community and ultimately enrich the lives of residents," Ellis-Simpson said.

Before and after!

Mitsy J. Ellis-Simpson, centre, along with some youngsters, during the cleanup exercise on November 20, 2021.