A painting project, cultural gatherings and tree planting are among the activities planned as part of a community initiative launched this week by opposition member Lorna Smith.
The at-large representative, who recently crossed the aisle in the House of Assembly after being fired from the deputy premier post, announced Monday that she will head a programme themed “Roots to Resilience: Together We Thrive.”
The initiative will feature 17 projects, seven of which will be carried out in the coming year, she said: the “Paint the Town” beautification project; a derelict vehicle removal drive; home economics training; a week of senior-led mentorship for young adults; a “cultural dialect and slang mingle;” a tree-planting; and a recyclable art competition and silent auction.
“The projects aim to connect and engage constituents across different demographics, including youth, adults and seniors on the sister islands and the main island of Tortola,” according to a press release Ms. Smith issued Monday. “This includes every single resident in the Virgin Islands.”
For the first project, “Paint the Town,” Ms. Smith is inviting volunteers and painters to partner with families living along main roads to repaint fences, gates and building façades.
“We need to know and understand that beauty is by nature: clean is by choice,” Ms. Smith said. “We have the power to make the changes needed to return our Virgin Islands to its former heights.”
The representative added that other HOA members have been invited to partner with her to revitalise their communities through the programme.
“The projects require collaboration with the necessary government departments, agencies, community leaders and influencers,” the release stated.
