Haiti (MNN) — In Haiti, trash often sits in the streets or clogs waterways. The country has just one dump site, located near the capital Port-au-Prince.
Over the last few decades, many Haitians have started eating food in plastic packaging rather than local, biodegradable materials. This mimics practices of the United States and Europe, where plastic packaging is common. To fight this problem, Haiti banned plastic bags in 2012.
Many Western countries have begun to rethink plastic packaging. Recently, a study found tiny particles of plastic embedded in human lungs, raising questions about the long-term health impact of plastic use.
For Haiti with Love
For Haiti with Love launched a cleanup campaign around the northern city of Cap Haitien. Eve Dehart talks about the work. “It’s not only unsightly and smelly, but it’s also a breeding ground for all kinds of diseases. Our staff is trying to get other ministries and the businesses involved to clean up around their own areas.”
“If we can get enough people to do that, then we are accomplishing our goal.”
Businesses often create the most trash. Dehart says they pile it up, expecting the city authorities to take care of it. “Our staff is trying to spread awareness that that isn’t happening and that people need to take the responsibility for getting rid of their own trash, particularly the businesses downtown.”
This project aims to improve public health, but also build a sense of community.
As Christians care for the streets and waterways of Haiti, pray many would see the love of Jesus in their actions.
The header photo shows household trash used to build a road in Cap Haitien. (Photo courtesy of Rémi Kaupp, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons)
