The document summarizes the author's experience participating in a community cleanup event in a village on Roatan. The author arrived and spoke with some local children. They then visited the only restaurant in the village, where they spoke to the owner Virginia. Later, the author learned of an upcoming community cleanup and volunteered to participate alongside the organization I4E. On the day of the event, over 70% of the village's population showed up to help. The author captured photos and highlights of the large turnout and residents working hard to clean up the community. The author was thankful for the opportunity to take part in the meaningful experience.

1. Roatan
Cleaning up
Communities in
ErickBrimen.com

2. INTRODUCTION
I arrived at the community’s central plaza and
was almost immediately approached by
some intrepid young children who reside in the
community. After speaking with them for
a moment, I approached some of the other
community members loitering in the plaza,
eager to learn more about this little slice of
paradise I had stumbled upon.
I was quite hungry at the time, and so I walked
along the beach to the only restaurant in
the village, Gina’s Café, which also happens to be
one of the first recipients of the I4E’s
Empowerment Funding Program that I’ve
mentioned previously. The Café looked
splendid, mere feet from the idyllic blue
Caribbean waters:

3. After catching up with Virginia
for a bit, I joined a few of the
villagers for one of the best
tasting meals I’ve had on the
island thus far.

4. We spoke for some time about the history and future of the
village. I was interested to discover just how hopeful and
optimistic these people are for a brighter, more prosperous
future. It is my hope that I can continue to play a role,
however small, in improving the prospects of these wonderful
Roatanians.

5. In the course of the conversation, I learned that community cleanup was to occur in a
few days’ time. I immediately recognized this as an opportunity to help the village in my
own small way and asked if I could participate. However, I quickly began to realize that
there was an even larger opportunity here: by getting the I4E involved, we could have a
larger impact than just cleaning up. I called my close friend and I4E Leader Tristan
Monterrosso to discuss my ideas with him. I will go into more detail about the program we
implemented for the community cleanup in a separate post soon. Thus, after a few moments
discussion, it was settled: I would participate in the community cleanup along with the I4E. In
the intervening few days between the event and this meeting of the minds, I caught up with a
few friends and acquaintances around the island. Before I knew it, Cleanup day was here. I
arrived to find over 70% of the village’s total population eager and waiting to get involved!

6. Rather than attempt to verbally explain the
beautiful community coordination and
participation I saw, I will show you:
This was moments after I arrived. I made a
point of meeting and conversing with as
many of the young men as possible.

7. AS THE EVENT KICKED OFF IN EARNEST,
TRISTAN AND THE LEADER OF THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY, ERICK, EXPLAINED THE
LOGISTICS TO A CROWD OF EAGER WAITING
CHILDREN:

8. Moments later, the event
began in earnest:

9. HIGHLIGHTS:
I tried to capture as much
of the cleanup as possible.
Here are some highlights:

16. I find myself at a loss for words in trying to describe the experience. I can only thank
the community members for making me feel so welcome and giving me the opportunity
to participate in their community day. It was one of the most meaningful moments of
the last year for me. I can’t wait to see what other sort of experiences like this I can
have as I continue to work to improve local communities like this!

17. THANK YOU!
ErickBrimen.com