Good Humans 268 Inc. continues to make strides in environmental conservation and disability awareness through its dynamic partnership with The Sandals Foundation and GEF Small Grants Programme. The collaboration, launched on Monday, February 12, 2024, aims to engage a remarkable 17,000 students across Antigua and Barbuda.
The success of the Pilot Student Community Service Program, initiated at All Saints Secondary School during the 2022-2023 school year, marked a significant achievement. Over 200 trees were planted, and more than 30,000 bottles and cans were recycled. Building on this momentum, the initiative has expanded to include all private and public schools, as well as seven organizations, in the ongoing 2023-2024 academic year.
Under the visionary leadership of Joshuanette Francis, President of Good Humans 268, the organization is dedicated to waste management and reduction through recycling initiatives. Endorsed by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment, the program has successfully placed recycling bins in all 82 public and private schools across the island. The ambitious goal is to recycle 85,000 aluminum cans and 765,000 plastic bottles, creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Twenty individuals within the disabled community will be directly employed by Good Humans 268. The collected materials will be sorted and directed to various recycling initiatives on the island, including the WISH Foundation, the Plastic Waste Free Islands Initiative, and the Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation.
The Student Community Service Program integrates recycling, volunteering, and tree planting into the daily lives of students from kindergarten to Form Five. By actively participating in these initiatives, students receive practical training to inspire a change in their environmental stewardship approach. A key emphasis of the project is to demonstrate the vital role that people with disabilities play in climate action.
Joshuanette Francis emphasizes the program’s goal to cultivate students’ sense of responsibility, awareness, and commitment to environmental conservation. “Our Student Community Service program aims to bring positive changes to the environment while providing employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
The Sandals Foundation has invested USD 48,000 into the Student Community Service Project, showcasing Sandals Resorts International’s commitment to environmental stewardship. David Latchimy, General Manager at Sandals Antigua, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in waste management and environmental conservation.
“Waste management stands as a significant challenge in our region—one that requires a collaborative effort from all sectors of society. At the Sandals Foundation, we champion the three Rs of conservation: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. These principles guide our environmental initiatives, driving us to minimize waste and maximize sustainability,” says Latchimy.
Natalya Lawrence from the GEF Small Grants Programme emphasizes the global impact of local actions and expresses delight in working through this project to instill behavior change in youth towards caring for the natural environment. Good Humans 268 has been granted USD 50,000 for this project, one of three plastic projects currently financed by The GEF Small Grants Programme – Antigua and Barbuda.
The project aims to educate and involve students, motivating them to become proactive guardians of the environment. In harmony with the global sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, the initiative holds the promise of boosting the island’s tourism industry, shaping the future workforce, and highlighting the essential role of individuals with disabilities in the fight against climate change.
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Great initiative(s)! Keep #Paying_Forward!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Good job. Nice to see young people using their gifts and talents for good and helping to preserve their environment.
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