GuyberNet was indeed thrilled to once again co-ordinate the International Coastal Cleanup here in Guyana. Members of the organization jumped at this task upon hearing that the activity was a data collection one. This data is used to ascertain the type and sources of coastal debris. The high level of enthusiasm and interest in the International Coastal Cleanup lent itself to the co-ordinating process.

A Co-ordinating committee was put in place. It was determined that such resources as gloves, bags, antibacterial soap and perhaps snacks for the volunteers would be necessary. Secondarily, in an effort to encourage participation, trophies for the groups with the largest number of volunteers and certificates for all participants were considered. Letters were sent to business establishments requesting their support in acquiring these resources. Responses were good and saw the supplying of a number of garbage bags, more that three hundred pairs of gloves, antibacterial soap, bottled water and packets of vanilla cookies for participants. Tents and tables and chairs for registration were also made available. From contributions received we were able to secure trophies for the group with the largest number of volunteers and the group with the second largest. The monetary contributions received did not permit the awarding of certificates to every participant but to every group that participated.

GuyberNet enjoys useful associations and networking with a number of youth or community based service groups and governmental and non-governmental organisations. Letters were sent to this organisations inviting there support. This association was useful in amassing a volunteer force. Besides the provision of volunteers we also benefited from a useful partnership with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). PAHO had been co-ordinating their ‘Cleanliness and Citizenship Day’ activities for the same day as ICC, the 20th September and was also involved in a Solid Waste Sectoral Analysis program. This partnership resulted in GuyberNet being able to play a greater role in taking the data collected at the ICC to the public.

Since data collection was the primary aim of the exercise, a training session was conducted to impart to participants the importance of the data cards. Each group that was expected to volunteer on the day was asked to send a representative. Those present at the training session where taught the proper way to fill the cards in the hope that they will in turn transmit this to the other volunteers. This year GuyberNet paid more emphasis on the reporting aspect of the exercise. As is reflected in the report, a larger number of debris items were recorded. This was due in part to the benefit of the visit of Mr. Trevor L. Benn to Virginia to participate in the ICC Conference. He provided valuable insight into the importance of data collection, an area that was not properly adhered to last year in the exuberance of getting the trash together.

GuyberNet is grateful for the support we received in co-ordinating this activity successfully. The disposal of the debris after it was picked up and accounted for was made possible by private firms. These firms volunteered their services through the Mayor and City Councillors.