Salaam

In an interview yesterday by Kevin Petersen, the English cricketer -- he said it's great to be in India wearing a T-shirt and shorts rather than in cold, dreary, England.

 

Karl Benzio M.D. wrote the following a few days ago. Like most people, I love this time of year. Daylight Savings time a few weeks ago! Then official Springtime hit and some buds are showing. Awesome … longer days … warmer weather … more sun … outdoor activities … more energy … more color … people in better moods … life abounding everywhere. All this is even grander when contrasted to the elements of winter. I am continually amazed at (but don’t necessarily like) the cycle and uniqueness of the seasons God designed. Actually, to be truthful, except for Christmas and football, I hate winter.

 

I HATE winter.

 

Now here we are in a tropical country blessed with weather that both Petersen & Benzio would love. But they both went on to say that they love the beauty of the places. Can you imagine what they would say in a day-trip around this city.

 

We have squandered the continuous "summertime" we have been blessed with by not keeping this city clean  and a riot of colour. Instead of "life abounding everywhere" we have death & vulgarity surrounding us in the form of obscene small & large piles of trash.

 

One can draw a parallel between the garbage inside Parliament and that outside. Both stink! Budget cuts and garbage pileups. They both deal a body blow to the citizens of this city, leaving them traumatized. People will agree litter is ugly, & it has economic, legal and environmental repercussions as well.

 

Can the govt & m&cc tell us where on the calendar we can find "commence soon"? This phrase has been used a lot regarding Restoration GT. Can you guys start TODAY which means that MONEY (this is how you measure life) can go into circulation by paying all the workers involved. And more money will be generated as people will find joy in coming and doing business in a clean city. Litter discourages economic development because it impacts real estate values. Good stores and important businesses will not locate in a community which lacks the pride to effectively control litter.

Here's hoping that we can begin to BOTH enjoy the warmth AND beauty of this city SOON. And invite Petersen...so he can spend some British Pounds here...along with thousands of those who HATE winter.

 

Shamal...

 

 

Salaam

Went to the Park this sunny morning...but with fears hanging like dark clouds over me. Of what I will encounter...and they were realized. I could only manage 1 lap (when I normally do 3) amidst the minefield of garbage. How I wanted to puke!!! You claim that Jesus is resurrected...and that's a CLAIM! But by your nasty actions...you PROVE that you're really DEAD!

 

If Hollywood wants to make the scariest movie for 2013 all they need to do is bring their HD cameras to the Park & the seawall. With all this shit they would have a box-office hit. Their audiences would be cringing in their seats wondering where on earth such savages exist. Their pop-corn and coke would remain untouched as no one would be able to eat viewing such horrible scenes. With sweat on their brows and wishing for The END; when it comes they would hurry home but not forgetting to take with them their unopened goodies.

 

Even the birds were not singing...even they were horrified at the carnage left behind by the "highest" of God's creation.

 

Even a resurrected Jesus would fall permanently dead viewing what people do in his name. This would be his last "miracle"...caused by the nastiest people he would have ever met.

 

What role models were the adults to the children...your crazy passions set in rippling motion by temptations have checkmate their futures being any brighter. When you're supposedly having "fun" is the best time to teach children lessons. Teach them decision-making skills and the rewards they will experience physiologically (their brain chemistry is renewed), psychologically (their personality and skills mature and grow), and spiritually (their connection to and relationship with God grow more powerfully). Yes, knowing the benefits of doing the right thing will help motivate them to do the right thing.

 

BUT all you did was the WRONG thing...littering...and wired them incorrectly so all this society will experience from them is continuous short-circuiting & blackouts. Civilization stymied by you...the litterbug adult. How is it that you bring all the "goodies" in bags...but feel it's your damn RIGHT to leave the "baddies" on the ground? Is it WRONG to take the "baddies" back with you home?

 

Shamal...

A Transformation

 

Salaam All

Aisha (peace be upon her sacred soul) called the Prophet (peace) A Walking Quran...meaning he practiced what he preached. So for a band of Muslims from across the different organizations to leave their comfort zones and literally hit the trenches was a mini revolution. A revelation of sorts. ISA school children; teachers, professionals; 3 hours; Over 200 bags of garbage collected & picked up immediately by a govt/m&cc vehicle; one brushcutter operating (we should have had at least 4--this being the only hiccup). WOW...what a transformation to the East St. Avenue.

 

Those overseas can you please make collections via your religious centers and purchase brushcutters for us. Help us to Let Guyana Glitter.

 

Many persons who drove and walked on by had positive comments to say. To see schoolgirls & women in hijab in a public exercise such as this was a pleasant shock. Walking Qurans indeed!!! Homeowners & business owners were pleasantly surprised by this sudden appearance of angels on a mission of mercy...they pledged to help on the next occasion. May we have Walking Bibles and Walking Vedases joining this GMEI campaign.

 

There were lots of ideas floated...please send them via email...and a database of Ideas will be created so that we can work on making them a reality.

 

One teacher said she had reservations in coming out. The sun and itches being her fears. (May God protect us all from contracting diseases). However as she saw the transformation before her eyes her negativity vanished in the pleasant sunshine & breezes.

 

The children, yep the children, they were enthusiastic...such energy needs to be tapped, for from this a New Guyana will emerge.

 

Along with cutting the grass & picking up the trash, 4 No Littering Signs were erected.

 

Thank you all. Please talk about your experience to others and encourage them to join this campaign.

 

Shamal

Salaam All

O People heed the call of this letter writer in today's paper. Have all the campaigns of the past failed? No....or not really! Or yes if you look to the deplorable state of the city. To succeed the Govt & the M&CC have to do their jobs. Groups act as the wake up call...as the kick in their pants...maybe if their is a mass protest or a a mass refusal to pay taxes until the city is cleaned then those two dead bodies would be jolted back to life. However the GMEI's campaign to adopt streets and to lecture on the environment at schools is more than a step in the right direction. To say "join us" would elicit zero response. Most people are also "Dead." But those that are still breathing need to take & make a stance. Hey, you live here. Help us (need it be said that the "help" being asked for is MONEY) to put up signs that warn people that there is a $10,000 fine for littering. Help us to print more of the Let Guyana Glitter stickers.

Thanks

Shamal

 

An epidemic in Georgetown would not discriminate between government and opposition

February 21, 2013

 

Dear Editor,
I am dumbfounded by the perverse thinking of individuals who would wish that a health crisis would arise in the city of Georgetown.

What would it take to convince the relevant authorities that the obscene accumulation of rotting garbage in our capital represents many health risks. Not only do citizens have to put up with a variety of obnoxious odours that arise from the ubiquitous mounds of putrid organic matter, but much worse are the nuisances caused by the ever increasing hordes of flies, mosquitoes and vermin. I recently heard of an incident in which rats nibbled the feet of a diabetic.  Further, a not too insignificant portion of some citizens’ disposable incomes (and the state’s meagre foreign reserves), is being used up in futile attempts to achieve some measure of relief.

Any primary school graduate would know that fleas, flies, mosquitoes and rodents are the vectors of diseases such as typhoid and malaria, among others. Despite a variety of actions to destroy its historic character, Georgetown remains the principal axis around which all of Guyana revolves. An epidemic of any one of these or other diseases would not only overwhelm our inadequate health services, but would also have grave economic and social consequences throughout  the length and breadth of the entire nation.

From all accounts, it would appear that the Mayor & City Council is up against a stacked deck.   Efforts by the city council to broaden its revenue base so that it can more effectively discharge its mandate have been frustrated or stymied for years. Besides, the ultimate solution to the problems of urban environmental health is beyond council’s mandate.  It would require a multi-sector approach, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Environment.    But where is the leadership?

Could the assistance of the courts be sought in an effort to resolve the current impasse between the city council and the Ministry of Local Government?  Is there any civic organization that would initiate a lawsuit on behalf of the citizens of Georgetown with the aim of expediting some form of relief from this most formidable health threat?  Further, does this recurring impasse demand a more strategically located IMC that would have a more effective impact on the development of our emergent democracy? Could communities be permitted to freely determine ‘how’ they will manage their local affairs?

If there is a health crisis in Georgetown, then it would most certainly be a pyrrhic victory.     There will be no winners − only losers. The ensuing epidemics will not discriminate between government and opposition supporters.  All will be at risk!
Yours faithfully,
Clarence O Perry

Dear Mrs P. Roberts

 

Peace

 

We are pleased to inform you and the various agencies that we are working feverishly to move the GMEI forward. We are in the process of mobilizing our resources to launch the initiative on Saturday, March 02 at 8:00 pm on East Street opposite ISA Islamic School. Therefore, we are seeking your kind support in the following areas:

1. Permission to place signs, receptacles and plant trees along the East Street Avenue
2. Presence and participation of officials from EPA, MNRE etc
3. Quantity of bags and gloves
4. Quantity of trees to be planted
5. 2-4 Brush cutters and operators
6. Vehicle to remove garbage collected

We look forward to your kind support to create a clean, beautiful and healthy environment in our city.

 

Please find flyer, letter to stakeholders and revised copy of the GMEI proposal attached.

 

Imam Haseeb Yusuf

On behalf of the coordination team

Support the Printing of this Sticker

Please call Shamal 225-9031 to make a pledge.

Proposal

	2/14/2013
Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative (GMEI)

Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative

Removal of refuge from streets and open areas; chopping of shrubs and planting of trees and flowers to enhance the aesthetics of the environments across Guyana and developing social consciousness to effect behavioral changes in the preservation of the natural beauty of the environment

Prophets Muhammad & Jesus

(peace be upon them) both stated that:

“Cleanliness invites toward faith,

and faith leads its possessor to the Garden.”

They also said: “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

Cleanliness is beauty …and the rapture of beauty should & must prevail over the madness of environmental destruction such as littering. The environmental crisis then, based on the sayings of the Prophets, is an external reflection of modern humanity's spiritual crisis..."

 

Introduction

The provision and maintenance of a clean and healthy environment is indeed a critical dimension of the quality of life for all individuals as well as the flora and fauna species that is in constant contact with their ecosystems. A clean environment promotes good health and is essential for disease prevention and disease incidence. Growth of the natural ecosystem will be proliferated and all forms of life will be sustained due to a clean and healthy environment.

Guyana has been described a “paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the Eco-tourist”, because of the irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests; immense waterfalls; amazing wildlife; blended with a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people. With these immaculate descriptions and attributes given to such a country, a clean environment is necessary to attract tourist to access our service which will have positive implications for the local economy.

The government and civil society have been doing its part to ensure that our country remains clean and free of litter. The education system has an important role to play in the education of the young minds on the effects and impacts of a litter filled environment. The print and electronic media and all other stakeholders involved in the communication and the dissemination of information also have an important role to play.

This project will bring to fore a transformation in the environment which is unwholesome to one of appreciation by citizens, and an enhanced presentation through the beautification drive. This project will be managed by the Guyana Muslim Environmental Initiative (GMEI) in partnership with Government of Guyana and citizens.

 

Background

Littering has been plaguing our global environments for decades now. It has been a persistent problem in the United States of America since at least 1953 when “Keep America Beautiful” (KAB) initiative was launched by a non-profit organization with the aim of ridding the streets and roadside of garbage (Forbes, 2000).

(Cone & Haynes, 1980) posited that Americans alone generates about 145 million tons of Garbage in the year 1977. This amount has increased significantly to an approximate figure of 251 million tons in the year 2008, a 73% increase according the EPA, which cost the government approximately $500 million annually to remove.

Over the years, the impact of improper solid waste management has become the critical environmental problem in Georgetown and all over Guyana. This problem has become more acute over time, creating unpleasant esthetic conditions and threatening the health of the urban population. The negative impact of improper waste disposal was heavily felt during the January 2005 flood when waste-filled canals did not drain as rapidly as expected (IDB, 2013).

Guyana’s central metropolitan population of 352,000 generates about 103,000 tons of solid waste annually, of which half is produced by Georgetown and the remainder by residents in the 15 surrounding NDC districts.

With the proliferation of the fast-food industry, stores and mini-cook shops, coupled with the exorbitant levels of plastic containers and other receptacles in use, our streets, vacant lots and roadways have become the dumping ground for refuse, which significantly contributed to our current garbage crisis, especially in our cities. With this current trend, if not arrested in a timely manner by all concerned, our ecosystem and our tourist industry will face dire consequences.

 

Project Identification

 

Stakeholders Analysis

a) Littering of streets, open areas and waterways.

b) Growth of shrubs which mars the aesthetics of the environment.

c) Lack of sustained effort in the cleaning and maintenance exercises.

d) Limited number of receptacles to store litter

e) Improper timing for collection and removal of refuse

Environmental Issues

a) Blockage of drains and waterways which leads to flooding.

b) Proliferation in the infestation levels of Rodents, Arthropods (Scorpions) and Blattellidae (Roaches)

c) Destruction of biodiversity and ecosystems.

d) Ill health in humans and animals.

Goals & Objectives

The objectives of the project are:

1. To beautify Guyana through the removal of litter from streets, open areas and waterways

2. To educate citizens on the proper method of garbage disposal and its impact of the environment and ecosystems.

3. To improve the aesthetics of the environment.

The goals of the project are:

1. To development and implement an educational program to manage litter within selected areas.

2. Achieve low levels of litter throughout the selected communities.

3. Restore dignity in our beautiful country.

Launching of Project

The project will be launched on March 02, 2013 on East Street, Georgetown.

Time Frame for Project

The project will continue to be sustained way after its launching. Specific areas will be adopted by GMEI to be cleaned, maintained and kept in a beautified manner.

Proposed areas to be adopted by GMEI

Some of the areas proposed to be adopted are: Independence Blvd and Hunter Street, East Street, Woolford Avenue, Waterloo Street and other areas. Sections of streets and roadways around the Masjids and Islamic Centers in the coastal regions will also be cleaned and maintained.

Procedures to execute Project

For the project to be successfully executed, GMEI will host a series of meetings with stakeholders to derive commonalities and relevant commitments as it relates to the project. The group will also need to acquire a tractor & trailer to move the garbage to the disposal site. Brush cutters, garbage bags, tools and implements like cutlasses, files, rakes, hoes, shovels, forks and gloves will be needed to execute the various tasks.

Bumper stickers, fliers and other relevant information will be distributed to schools and other institutions, masjids and community centers, bearing messages of environmental protection and cleanliness. The public will be made aware of the project through the different media (print & electronic), signs and billboards under this initiative.

Principal parties in the Project

This project will have the following groups as its main parties, whose involvement are solicited at the early stages of the Stakeholder’s analysis:

This project is a component of the GOG initiative under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. In order to successfully develop this proposal; various entities have to be engaged as stakeholders. These stakeholders are categorized as follows:

a) Funding Agency:

· GOG

· Ministry of Natural Resources & the Environment

· Guyana Islamic Trust

· Central Islamic Organization of Guyana

· Other Islamic Organizations& Groups

· Muslim Businesses and Private Sector

· Ministry of Tourism

b) Implementing Agencies:

· All organizations and individuals under the GMEI umbrella

· Ministry of Tourism

· Pick it up Guyana

· NDC’s

· RDC’s

· M&CC

c) Collaborative partners

· MOA

· MOE

· MNRE

· MOH&W

· Private sector

· Business Fraternity

· EPA

· Ministry of Home Affairs

 

Human Resource Management

This plan will set out a road map on volunteer needs, recruitment, training (if necessary), roles, reporting procedures, remunerations, performance reviews, discipline and replacement.

Estimated Cost of Project

The cost is estimated at approximately $10 million annually to execute this project which will include publications, wages for tractor operator, fuel to operate grass cutters, signs, banners, billboards and other overhead costs. A full breakdown will be provided on the actual costing of the project

References

1. Forbes, Gerry, J, (2000). Reducing Litter on Roadsides, Transportation Research Board, USA.

2. Cone, John, D.& Haynes, Steven, C, (1980). Environmental Problem/Behavioral Solutions, University of Cambridge, USA. 3. Sugii, Takeo, (2008). Plastic Bag Reduction: Policies to Reduce Environmental Impact, ProQuest LLC, USA 4. Prather, Don & Nelson, John, P, (1978). Impact of Litter: an update, University of Minnesota, USA 5. www.strabroeknews.com 6. www.chronicle.com 7. www.epa.com 8. www.idb.com