In its efforts to join hands with local government and residents to turn Da Nang into an eco-friendly city, the "Go Green" group which consists of persons with disabilities in the city has been established in an attempt to spread positive messages in local communities to promote harmony with nature among local residents, encourage them to keep the city’s beaches beautiful and clean sea, as well as raise public awareness about environmental issues.

The activities of the "Go Green" group inspire young people in Da Nang to get involved in protecting the environment. Photo: VIET AN.

Established in May 2019, the "Go Green" group which made up of persons with disabilities in the city, has worked together to collect trash from the beaches and other places across the city to keep these places beautiful and clean. Once to twice a month, the  group’s members participate in cleanups. Despite facing personal challenges and disabilities, the group’s members show love for the environment and have a desire to make the city cleaner and more beautiful.

Joining the group since the early days, Ms. Dang Thi My Trinh, a resident of Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District, shares that members of the group encourage each other to overcome self-consciousness, improve their self-esteem, and build and maintain their confidence to get involved in cleanups.

For individuals with disabilities like Ms. Trinh, bending down or moving around can be challenging. Yet, driven by their love for nature, the group’s members are determined to overcome disabilities to play their part in protecting the environment by doing simple actions.

Mr. Mai Huynh Quoc Thong, the leader of the 'Go Green' group, said that the establishment of the group aims to bring individuals with disabilities into society in a way that enables them to function as fully as possible, as well as engage them in keeping the environment clean and healthy. The group now has around 10-15 disabled members living in Da Nang.

Additionally, the group has attracted the participation of students from such schools as the Da Nang University of Education, FPT Da Nang High School, and Dong A University, along with young people who show love for the environment.

Thong said that due to potential dangers during trash collection, like needles and hazardous waste, the group’s members always remind each other to wear gloves and use trash pickers in a bid to keep them safe during cleanups. Depending on cleanup sites, the group will directly transport collected trash to the designated collection point or ask for help from sanitation workers to transport the waste to disposal sites.

The group also raises funds for charitable activities by selling recycled materials, including paper, cans, and plastic bottles,

Thong shares: "We aim to spread positive messages in local communities by engaging persons with disabilities in environmental protection. Each one of us has a part to play in making Da Nang cleaner and more beautiful by doing small actions creating big changes.

After more than a year of participating in trash collection with the members of the "Go Green" group, Nguyen Huu An, a student of  the Da Nang University of Education, expresses his admiration for meaningful actions of the group members. Despite facing health issues, the group’s members put in effort, dedication, and commitment with the aim of protecting the environment..

The group’s members set a shinning example of environmental protection for others to follow. They inspire and motivate others through their meaningful actions.

"I believe that we can all do small things that can make a big difference, thereby contributing to environmental protection. Persons with disabilities can get involved in protecting the environment so that  people without disabilities can do so. I hope that each of us should show kindness towards the environment and surroundings," says An.

Reporting by VIET AN - Translating by DUY BINH