CLEAN-UP My Country is an initiative of the Government of Guyana aimed at building capacity of individuals at the community level and providing opportunities of direct employment for hundreds of community residents across Georgetown by setting up the framework for the community residents to sparehead the clean-up activities.  

The objective of the “Clean-Up My Country” Programme is to improve the drainage systems and aesthetics of communities and to enhance the facilities of Municipal Markets across Georgetown, and to address the inefficient solid waste disposal system which is managed by the Mayor and City Council.

Over the last few weeks, communities across Georgetown had the opportunity to meet with the Programme Implementation Community of the Clean-Up My Country

Programme to engage the residents in a people-government partnership through contractual arrangements to undertake cleanup activities within their communities.

West Ruimveldt and Albouystown are two of the many areas which have and will continue to benefit significantly from the Government’s programme which has brought direct employment opportunities to those communities.

Some of the young men in Albouystown who were employed under the programme expressed their gratitude to the Government for the opportunity to earn “a clean dollar” and for “giving we money in we pocket at the end of the week”. Some of the young men said “this is a break for us. Look everybody working. Nobody ain’t got time fuh go and lime in de street and get in trouble.”

Fubia Monforth, Chairman of the West Ruimveldt Community Development Group (CDC) is one of the many women on her team who benefit from this opportunity not only to earn, but to stand in the capacity as leader. Speaking on behalf of her team in West Ruimveldt, Monforth said “this is an opportunity for the young people within her community to earn. The young men are busy at work and don’t have time to be idle. At the end of the week they are getting money. “Clean-Up My Country” is helping the young people and the residents have an appreciation for cleanliness of their

community. The residents will come out and give the boys water and juice. They too will come out with their tools and help the boys clear their parapets.”

To date 250 persons would have been beneficiaries of the clean-up programme. “Clean-Up My Country” is implemented under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.