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A crew at work in Santiago. Photo Billy Adams.
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Santiago.- It is 10:00 AM Sunday Morning, March 19, 2006. Two pickup trucks pull into one of the more trashy streets in barrio Pueblo Nuevo in Santiago. The trucks stop and out jump six young boys armed with shovels and push brooms.

They wear T-shirts emblazoned with the logo “Cleanup Brigade” on the front and the motto, “Help Us to Help You Help Yourselves” on the back (both in Spanish).

The people on this street don’t comprehend what is about to happen. When the boys start to sweeping the gutters and sidewalks, putting the refuse into plastic bags and putting those bags into the trucks, they finally get the idea of what is taking place.

The “Cleanup Brigade” has invaded and is doing its thing. The city of Santiago has not seen fit to clean these streets for quite some time due to many reasons, one of which was a lack of funds.

The idea of a “Cleanup Brigade” is the brainchild of one Robert Bliestein, of Tampa, Florida.  When interviewed by this writer, he stated that this is but one of his many past projects to help the Dominican people find their place in the sun.

It must be noted that Mr. Bleistein underwrote the entire expenses of this venture totally out of his own pocket. In fact, he traveled to the Dominican Republic solely to implement this action.

Previously, he has contributed time and money to several orphanages in the Puerto Plata and Santiago areas.

This is his 5th trip to the Dominican Republic on his various efforts to provide a “just a little bit” of aid to communities here.

His idea for the Cleanup Brigade stems from a sincere desire to bring that ingredient of “self help” to the forefront and to try to get community minded people to respond to his beginning efforts.

It would appear that he was successful because when he explained how to organize a community effort to those listening, he received many favorable comments and promises to “make it happen” in their community.

Time will tell.

Written by: Billy Adams
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COMMENTS
8 comment(s)
Written by: Hardin Longcock, 21 Mar 2006 11:46 AM
From: Santo Domingo
I'm sorry, I don't see the value in this. Helping orphans, yes. Cleaning up behind people that have no interest in cleanliness, no.
I bet if he went back to the place he cleaned up, I bet he'd find it dirty again.
Written by: Billy H. Adams, 21 Mar 2006 12:29 PM
From: Santiago, RD
Perhaps what you say may be the case.
But, that FIRST STEP in any LONG JOURNEY is a necessary action in any endeavor.
Written by: Rellosk, 21 Mar 2006 12:50 PM
From: USA
You might be right about it being dirty real quick. But what they are doing helps raise people awareness. It's a start.
Written by: Ginnie Bedggood, 22 Mar 2006 12:41 AM
From: Puerto Plata
I disagree with the euphemisticaly (?) named Mr. Longcock. If you don't make a start on being part of the solution, then you might be part of the problem. From little nuts large oak trees can grow, Mr. Longcock. Congratulations to Robert Bleistein..........and also to the reporter, Billy Adams, who may have been more participant than observer..............methinks.
Written by: Get it, 22 Mar 2006 12:44 AM
From: USA
That is why the country is the way it is, because of people like you, Instead of been positive and suportive you are the oppisite. What you need to do if follow the sample with doing the same thing for your neighborhood and keep your mouth shut,,,,,,,And you'll see that it does work
Written by: Hardin Longcock, 22 Mar 2006 10:38 AM
From: Santo Domingo
Perhaps I should rephrase my comments. Picking up after people is usless unless you educate them as to why they shouldn't litter in the first place. Pick up some trash, they'll just throw more.
"Give a person a fish, feed them for one day. Show them how to fish........."
Written by: G.W. Bush, 23 Mar 2006 11:05 AM
From: Puerto Plata
You may like to "re-phrase" your comment again Mr. Longcock. If you note the last two paragraphs stated the intent WAS to teach the people living in that area to "self help" & their promises "to make it happen"!! Education DID take place!

Now, if THAT is not "teaching people to fish", please could you explain further what YOU would do (or better still, what you have DONE) to try & encourage such "self help"?
Written by: Hillbilly, 25 Mar 2006 12:14 PM
From: Santiago
According to my "sources" when the garbage pickups are regular, the people have responded quite well. In fact. there is a front loader that is no longer in use, when 'before' it had to accompany the trucks.
Not mentioned in the story was the fact that the people came out of their houses and helped, too.
Sure, this was a tiny, albeit very long day, effort. BUT IT WAS A START>>>and came from a sincere desire to help.
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