Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE-The Gambia) would observe World Coastal Cleanup Day 2014 from September 25-28 with an environment forum, tree planting, and street and beach cleansing exercises in the West Coast Region.
World Coastal Cleanup Day is dedicated to the improvement of beaches, coastal regions and surrounding areas throughout the world. It is regarded as the largest volunteer event in the world.
On September 20, YVE Gambia said it is collaborating with the Social & Environmental Society (SES) Club of the Gambia College to hold a four-day Cleanup Week as part of its activities marking the Day.
The theme for the Cleanup Week is: ‘Our Place…Our Planet…Our Responsibility.’
The event begins on September 25 with an Environment Forum at the Gambia College; and tree planting at five schools in Kiti, Sanyang, Kabafita and Brikama.
On September 26, street and beach cleanup at Tanji and Tujereng on September 27; Street and beach cleanup at Sanyang on September 28, the release said.
YVE Gambia said it is “integrating clean coastal area and sustainable beaches for human purposes”, and urges volunteers to “be that change you want to see”.
“These activities marking World Coastal Cleanup Day are a prelude to our upcoming Keep It Clean (KIC) Project that will inspire and empower individuals and communities from every corner of the country to clean up, fix up and conserve their environment,” YVE executive director Joe S. Bongay said.
The Keep It Clean project, which is set for launch in 2015, will include activities like recycling and resource recovery, tree planting, education campaigns, water reuse and conservation, competitions, exhibitions, and fix up projects.
The KIC campaign will bring together businesses, community groups, schools, government actors and individuals in a range of activities and programmes that will positively improve the local environment.
YVE Gambia is a youth-oriented, non-profit organization, helping the youths fulfill their potential participation in sustainable development in all aspects, and to help young people in communities provide continued strong leadership in the areas of environmental education, social justice and economic, social and cultural rights, youth empowerment and volunteering, access to natural resources and biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development (renewable energy, recycling, participation).
As we believe the actualization of a sustainable development is the responsibility of everyone, be it young or old in meeting community needs for useful environmental information, knowledge sharing and the promotion of actions for better environmental outcomes.
YVE-The Gambia has a great deal of membership among the youth, local communities and provides training and capacity building to the youth, as well as promotes advocacy for environmental sustainability in The Gambia and beyond.
It is managed by a five member Board of Directors, elected for two years, and an Executive Staff of five (5), Two (2) internal auditors and hundreds of volunteers and over 20 local branches in cities and villages across The Gambia.
The mission of YVE is “to involve youth (and marginalised groups) in the sustainable development process and promote social justice for all”.
YVE Gambia is a member of the Togo-based Jeunes Volontaires pours l’Environnement (JVE International) which has chapters in over 28 African countries.
JVE activities mainly focus on access to basic energy, water and sanitation services; cultural biodiversity and eco-conscience; climate change; and natural resource management.