The Tribune

A FAMILY initiative that has been going on for at least 10 years is poised to link up again with Bahamas Waste to help keep Over-The-Hill communities clean.

Back in 2001, Bahamian musical icons Tanya and Paul Hanna began a neighbourhood clean-up initiative in the area of Evans and Comfort Streets, with the support of their two young children. Evans and Comfort streets are located in the Over-The-Hill area between East and Market Streets, just south of the ridge. Like many similar areas, it is environmentally challenged, with street and yard litter being prominent issues.

Mrs Hanna said: "We got into the clean-up idea way back in 2001. A tourist from Atlanta had commented on how dirty the Bahamas was. We took 400 photos and sent them in packets to members of Cabinet and the House of Assembly. The letter from the tourist was also included. A mass clean-up of Over-the-Hill resulted.

"We eventually got an award as most outstanding citizens from the then-Minister of Health, Dr Marcus Bethel. The presentation was at his office. Since then our clean-ups have never stopped. At times the clean-ups ventured into other areas like Woods Alley, Wulff Road, Yamacraw and the Long Wharf area. Lately, it has settled in Evans and Comfort streets."

Around Evans and Comfort streets the Hannas, along with neighbourhood residents, have been banding together and are making a big difference. Yards are cleaner and road sides are generally litter free.

So successful has been the effort that it is having a spill-over effect, with residents now eager to go into adjourning streets. Though it started as a clean-up, more neighbours have since caught the spirit and joined in. Nowadays, the majority of persons in the areas, including children, actively take part in keeping neighborhood streets clean.

Mrs Hanna said Bahamas Waste has been one of the primary supporters of the project since its inception, providing the vital garbage bins to collect waste.

She said: "Managing Director Francisco de Cardenas gave the green light from the very start. The company has been consistently supportive. We approached them early in the exercise. When they saw what we were doing they joined in right away. We've been looking forward to working with them again, as their planned massive Over-The-Hill clean-up initiative, being synchronised with the collection of residential waste, comes into full bloom."

Mr de Cardenas described the work of the Hannas as uniquem and worthy of being emulated and encouraged.

Bahamas Waste has targeted the three areas where it collects residential waste for major environmental clean-up. They made a commitment to be more than garbage collectors in these areas where they operate, namely Bain and Grants Town, Farm Road/Centreville and Englerston/St. Cecelia.