Following three days of hard work by a number of youth of the Sixth District, sections of Johnson's Ghut have received a facelift. The works included clearing of bushes, debris and tree planting as part of beautification efforts in the area of the bakery to the end of Brewley's Superette.

On Monday, August 20, Hon. Alvera Maduro-Caines, the Sixth District Representative who was at the work site told BVI Platinum News that the project is spearheaded under the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

"They [Ministry] asked each representative to identify a project in their district that the youth can do; youth ranging from ages 13-17 year old. So I know in Johnson's Ghut the overgrown trees are kind of getting to be stressful to the people, so I decided to use the monies allocated to do this project with the youth," she stated.

Asked about how the youth were chosen for the work, the District Representative said she worked with persons in the district.

"I had Lucinda Tom helping me, so she identified some in the Johnson's Ghut area and I identified some in Baugher's Bay and Belle Vue. So we took youth from the three parts of the district...We are doing straight down to Brewley's Superette," she explained.

The District Representative stated that the project also involved tree planting.

"When we are finished cleaning up, we are going to put in the plants and also tackle this little area here at Gabby as well to finish putting plants. That would be under National Parks Trust...We have asked them [National Parks Trust] to come here this week while the children are here so we would have the whole thing done," she stated on Monday.

The District Representative related that it was refreshing to see how eager the youth were to take part in the project. "They [youth] were up and ready early at 7:00 to get started. They were all excited. I told them I would get a backhoe to help and they said no. They are going to be paid under the Ministry of Health," Hon. Maduro-Caines stated.

In relation to maintenance of the area, Hon. Marduo-Caines stated that persons in the area have already volunteered to maintain the plants without pay.

[Pictured: The area today, Wednesday, August 22, 2012]