World Cleanup Day- Suriname
Leonsberg was also in action during World Cleanup Day. On Saturday, 20 September, Leonsberg was also a part of World Cleanup Day, the biggest clean-up action in the world.
From Leonsberg, volunteers left by boat for Braamspunt to clean the coast there. Just like elsewhere in the country, a lot of things were rolled up here to make Suriname cleaner.
During the opening, representatives of various organizations and institutions addressed the attendees. Mr. Glenn Ramdjan of Support Recycling Suriname emphasized the importance of behavioral change and waste segregation. Mrs Monique Pool from the Green Heritage Fund Suriname pointed out the vulnerability of the ecosystem at Braamspunt and the importance of a clean living environment for both humans and animals.
DC Budike Marlon of Paramaribo North also addressed the group and called for the responsibility of garbage not only today, but every day: "Un yep krin Sranan, un yep krin a kondre." The day was closed by Oil, Gas and Environment (OGM) Minister Patrick Brunings, who stressed that in addition to clean-ups, the government wants to focus on behaviour change and awareness: "Suriname is too beautiful to be polluted – and we can change."
During collection, the garbage was evenly separated into plastic, aluminum, and residual waste. Before it was exported, all pockets were weighed. In total, at least 95 bags of garbage were collected.
In addition to the organizations, there were also young people present, including members of Father Anton Donicie scout group, who cooperated with great enthusiasm. At the end of the day, the young people of this group each received a school bag with necessary school supplies as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Despite the large amount of trash, the feeling of togetherness and determination to build together a cleaner Suriname prevailed. “World Cleanup Day is just one day, but a clean future requires 365 days of commitment. "
(Story taken from Ministerie van Olie, Gas en Milieu Facebook page)
