Minister of Tourism, Marsha Henderson has been a part of a community beautification initiative in Central Basseterre. While the project has seen participation from several individuals, groups and organizations, it has been coming under undue fire from the opposition sources.
The Our Community Our pride initiative was organized in collaboration with partners like Solid Waste Management Corporation, Parks and Beaches stakeholders, Ministry of Health, Department of Environment. The project, spearheaded by Minister of Tourism, was started with the vision of entrusting the people of the island with the responsibility of keeping the communities clean and beautiful.
Where the vision of Minister Marsha Henderson was to bring the community spirit of St Kitts and Nevis to light, some opposition backed organizations have taken the initiative and turned it into a joke. Some opposition backed platforms shared the images of the Minister of Tourism working and leading the charge at the Our Community Our pride initiative and called it performance.
However, the success of the Minister’s efforts is indicative of the fact that Minister Marsha Henderson is a leader who goes beyond optics and shows up to do the work. The community beautification initiative was started with an aim to make the people of the community feel responsible for the state of their surroundings.
The people were educated on how they can help make their communities more beautiful and appealing. Minister Henderson took tangible actions on some issues which she had been witnessing in her community.
Calling this optics is not only distasteful, but also takes away from what could be taken as a good example of leading from example. Minister Henderson personally showed up and helped in drainage cleanup, tourism site upgrades and general beautification.
Through these efforts, the community is at a lesser risk of flooding. The people can play a more active role in keeping their communities clean and hygienic.
The Presece of the Minister is nothing but a boost of morale for the people who were participating in the initiative wholeheartedly. Opposition may well call it optics, but the people of the community, who know the truth of her constant efforts at promoting beautification and cleanups around her community have applauded Minister Marsha Henderson.
One of the locals said, I have seen her work with the people of her community to clean up some areas. This highlights that the community cleanup drive is not a one of event ass claimed by the negative media, but has been happening very regularly.