Dear MEI Partners,

We are pleased to report, the Trash Collection Project, to provide the Helene communities the first-island wide trash collection program, is nearing fruition. The last phase of this project is to construct ten permanent, weather-protected stations, each housing from two to six large trash plastic barrels.  They will be placed logistically through-out the island, covering the entire seven island communities.

As pictured above, these stations, designed and constructed by Doel, a Helene local leader and tradesman, were constructed the Helene way, by making use of all available materials.  Some of these materials included repurposed wood from the former prayer deck to zinc metal roofing pieces left over from the new clinic building zinc metal roof.

As pictured above, just this week, a visiting Short-Term Mission team, from South Juniata Baptist Church, Honey Grove, PA, as part of their many various ministries, put the finishing touches on the stations with solid coats of paint.

Once these stations reach their island locations, the trash collection program begins.  The Island-sized tractor, donated last year, will be used to pull the collection trailer to collect the trash and then take to a designated landfill on donated land. This collection program, along with the communities’ recent year’s efforts to reduce loose trash all over the island, will greatly enhance Helene’s local beauty. 

In addition to the communities enjoying a much-improved environment, it is envisioned the tourism visits to Helene for fishing and diving will increase.

Thank you to all for your gracious donations of financial resources and time, along with your steadfast perseverance to make this dream a reality.

Yours in Christ,

Larry