As a Youth Development Volunteer, I spend most of my time in classrooms, chatting with students about leadership, the importance of volunteering, how to plan for their future, etc. It’s definitely valuable work, but there’s something about getting my hands dirty that makes me really feel like I’m working hard, doing something of greater importance. Planting trees, picking up trash, building something. The affects are usually immediate and very visual.
That’s why I didn’t mind spending four hours one hot February day cleaning the main avenue in town. The municipality basically shut down as government employees flooded the street, armed with shovels, brooms, dust pans and over-sized, empty bags. A dump truck followed us as we made our way to the giant triple arches that mark the entrance into town from the Old Pan-American Highway.
Once at the entrance, we began our work. We picked up litter that lined the streets, swept up the excess dirt, and pulled weeds along the half mile stretch ending at the main plaza. The stretch of road consisted of houses, transportation terminals, small businesses and a few open lots. Some people came out to join us as we cleaned in front of their property. Others thanked us for what we were doing.
In the grand scheme, this was a small job. But, this was only the beginning. The local government has plans to do the same clean-up on other streets in town, and ideally get other groups (students, professional groups, etc.) involved.
While I was sore for several days (sweeping is a great ab work out, by the way), I couldn’t help but be proud of the initiative the community leaders showed and the work we accomplished, especially as I walked up and down the clean street over the next few days.
Brittany McGee 