Bahamian Paint has become the latest contributor to ‘Project Green’, a volunteer programme that promotes a clean and ‘green’ Bahamas.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, the Bahamas National Pride Association and Dolphin Encounters – Project B.E.A.C.H., the programme arranges for the cleaning and recycling of large oil drums, which are turned into attractive trash receptacles and placed in schools and public areas throughout The Bahamas. Students who participate in the programme paint the cleaned containers with eco-friendly pictures and slogans, thereby sharing their concern about the environment and the importance of keeping the Bahamas litter-free.
“We are very happy to be to donate paint supplies to this extremely worthy programme,” said Bill Johnson, President of Bahamian Paint. “It’s always great to see young people involved in a community service project like this, and it was an honour to become part of a venture that teaches young people they can make a difference in keeping our country ‘green'”.
In the two-and-a-half years that Project Green has been in existence, hundreds of artfully decorated oil drums have been placed in participating schools and public places like Goodman’s Bay, Long Wharf Beach and Saunders Beach. Before painting the drums, participating students are given educational materials that underline the vital role that proper trash collection and recycling play in protecting our environment, including marine life.
“Children inspired this programme, and they are responsible for its continuing success,” said Annette Dempsey, Assistant Marine Mammal Director and Director of Education at Dolphin Encounters. “Project Green was born out of our Beach Buddies Programme, the free marine conservation field trip offered by DE-Project BEACH. Many participants told us that there weren’t enough trash receptacles in their local communities. We put two and two together, and joined with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas National Pride Association to create this programme, which has superceded all of our expectations.”
“We are so pleased that Bahamian Paint have chosen to make a generous donation to Project Green,” said Michael Jervis, Manager of Vertical Markets for the Ministry of Tourism. “Keeping our environment clean is not only important to the quality of life of Bahamians; it also makes an enormous differences to the many visitors who come to The Bahamas everyday. Given the increasingly competitive and difficult economic times we are experiencing, awareness of that fact has never been so important. We very much hope that other businesses will support this commendable programme.”
The painting of oil drums for Project Green takes place at the headquarters of the Bahamas National Pride Association, near Fort Charlotte. Hundreds of youngsters have had hours of fun there conceptualizing and painting their recycled containers.
“Many students from public and private schools have participated in Project Green, and I have seen them become very empowered by the realization that they can be stewards of their own environment,” said Mr. Alpheus Ramsey, the Director of the Bahamas National Pride Association. “I know all the children hope that the public will heed the message they have painted on these containers, and we invite all schools to join us in this exciting effort.”
The not-for-profit Dolphin Encounters – Project B.E.A.C.H. (Bahamas Education Association for Cetacean Health), was developed in close consultation with the Bahamas Department of Education; the National Science Teachers Association; and BREEF (Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation). To date, thousands of local children have benefited from its numerous educational programmes.
