Routing Trash on 3
Corey Paulino and James Coqmard shoveling the trash off the side of Route National 3
Route National 3 is one of four national highways in Haiti. Its significance in bridging the country’s capital, Port au Prince, to the neighboring Dominican Republic makes this paved roadway a highly traveled route. With a large amount of traffic comes a high volume of roadside debris. Towards one end of this highway is our home, Santo 5 in Croix des Bouquets. Due to the road’s close proximity and national significance, Louverture Cleary has given Louverturians a new task during netawaje (cleaning hour): the cleaning and maintenance of three miles of Route National 3.
Although we have only taken on three miles of highway, the project appeared initially daunting. The supply of trash seems endless and the lack of civil organization leaves everyone with an every man for himself mentality. Regardless of the challenges, the students of Louverture Cleary, who are ready to rebuild Haiti, know it needs to be cleaned up first. Over 100 students, Haitian Junior Staff, and U.S. Volunteers armed themselves with wheelbarrows, shovels, buckets, and rakes to get started.
Yards of uncontrolled brush were cut down, numerous piles of trash were gathered, recyclable plastics were collected, countless burn piles were ignited, and many holes were dug to bury the remaining metal and ash. A large sign was painted across the concrete wall that ran across the newly cleaned ground. It read, “Atansyon! Pa Jete Fatra La Tanpri Souple,” which means, “Attention! Do Not Throw Your Trash Here Please.”
It worked! After only a few weeks, the impossible happened. One mile of roadway was cleared of every form of trash that ruined the landscape. “In the past, [this area] was filled with trash,” said a student from the Philo class. “We changed that by working together to stand by our goal of rebuilding Haiti. As Louverturians, we made this place an example of cleanliness.”
As the weeks passed and the route became cleaner, many locals and passers-by became naturally curious. Their questioning turned to interest, which soon transformed into personal obligation. Men helped light the fires and dig the holes. Women cleaned around roadside shops and created burn piles of their own. The national police created a checkpoint close to our site and promised to uphold the law, since a standard was created. The local mayor created public mandates to cease dumping at once favored sites. The students constantly received praises of thanks for pursuing a goal many would never attempt. Although the visual beauty of the site was a marvel of its own, the students witnessed something even more beautiful: a change of heart.
