Activity
As part of my CAS experience, I participated in three community cleanup drives. The first drive was at Navdi Owaro, and the other two were at Dumas beach. Each time, we worked in groups to pick up litter from the locations. My role included collecting and sorting waste and coordinating with teammates to cover our assigned zones efficiently. What struck me the most was that when we returned to one of the sites a week later, much of the litter had reappeared. Despite our efforts, people continued to dispose of waste carelessly. This highlighted how deeply rooted the issue is and how collective habits, not just one-time cleanups, are necessary for real change.
LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Maintaining motivation across three separate cleanups required consistent commitment. The drives were held on Sunday mornings, and it was really hard to get the motivation to go each time. The work was repetitive and physically tiring, yet I returned for each drive with a sense of purpose. My perseverance in this activity showed my resilience in working toward a collective goal.
LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
The cleanup drives were entirely team-based, and division of work was essential. We coordinated who would manage different sections of the area, shared resources like gloves and trash bags, and helped each other deal with more difficult tasks, such as carrying the heavy bags around. This collaboration built a shared sense of accountability. I learned to communicate clearly, offer support where needed, and trust teammates to fulfill their responsibilities.
LO6: Engage with issues of global significance
These cleanups aligned strongly with Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. However, seeing the waste return so quickly was a powerful reminder of how persistent and global the problem of pollution is. Waste left in public areas often makes its way into drains, rivers, and oceans, harming biodiversity and public health. Our efforts showed me that while local action is valuable, long-term impact depends on changing collective behavior and improving waste management systems.
LO7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Cleaning up public spaces made me reflect on the moral responsibility individuals share in maintaining the environment. The fact that people continued to litter even after we had cleaned underscored how individual choices (like whether to properly dispose of waste or not) carry ethical weight. My participation was a way of acting responsibly and showing that everyone has a duty to protect shared spaces. It also made me more mindful of my own daily habits, reinforcing the value of small ethical choices into broader social change.
Conclusion
Although these community cleanup drives were straightforward in task, they carried deep personal and global meaning. I gained new skills, practiced collaboration, and engaged with environmental issues that affect communities worldwide. The experience helped me grow in discipline, awareness, and ethical sensitivity. Most importantly, the reappearance of waste reminded me that lasting impact requires both action and education—because without collective responsibility, the cycle of pollution continues.
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