by Curlan Campbell
- 30 years keeping Grenada trash-free
- Began as a groundskeeper under the Gairy administration
- ‘Keep the Carenage Clean’ first started in 2006
For over 30 years, Theophilus ‘Taffy’ Stephen of Lucas Street, St George’s, has dedicated his life to keeping Grenada trash-free, beginning as a groundskeeper under the Sir Eric Matthew Gairy administration. Stephen is as dedicated as they come when it comes to keeping The Carenage clean but says his contribution seems to go unnoticed by ordinary Grenadians, and as a senior citizen at 87 years he struggles each day to get his task done safely.
Stephen, who goes by the nickname “Taffy” regularly traverses The Carenage with his pole net, scooping trash from the water, starting from the pier and ending at the Ministry of Finance located at the opposite side. His main concern is the lack of respect from citizens for the natural environment through the indiscriminate dumping of trash and other unsightly items into the ocean. Stephen encounters and collects plastics bags, glass bottles, paper and all sorts of debris, and has dealt with animal carcasses on many occasions. He said his contribution goes unnoticed by ordinary Grenadians.
Environmental groups such as the Grenada Green Group hail Stephen as an unsung hero for his role in keeping the Carenage litter-free.
The initiative to ‘Keep the Carenage Clean’ first started in 2006. Sarah Slinger of Insurance Consultants of Grenada wrote to then Tourism Minister Brenda Hood, expressing interest in embarking on this campaign. Stephen received a monthly contribution in exchange for his services and tools, including garbage bins to carry out the task.
Reminiscing on the glory days during the reigns of Herbert Augustus Blaize and Sir Eric Matthew Gairy, he said there was a great emphasis placed on cleanliness especially along the pristine Carenage. “Years ago, since I know the Carenage, it was never dirty in the days of Mr Gairy, and after his death, everything changed and the Carenage is now in a mess. [Carenage] is a real ‘sea’ Perseverance,” Stephen said.
Stephen finds great joy in cleaning his environment and remembers helping to clean at Blaize’s residence. “I worked for Mr Blaize to clean the inside and outside of his home where I polished the floor, and I did the landscaping outside and I love that. This is my hobby, and by the grace of God I like to do it with taste, not for the money, but so that when I look at it I can say it’s well done and pleasing to my eyes and God; and the people who employ me must be satisfied.” He is appalled that the “good old days” where people had pride in their work is now no more. He laments the sloppy way in which road workers of today carry out their duties.
“The people that the government say they employ to clean the road and the gutter, I do not find that they are doing a clean job. They use a weed eater to clear the grass on the street, but all the grass remains scattered about the street and no one picks it up.”
Stephen faces constant disregard by vehicular traffic along the road. He complained that motorists get impatient and sometimes disrespectful whenever he has to manoeuver the garbage bin through the streets. “The authorities need to be more strict on those drivers. They are not concerned about those who are walking on the road, especially the elderly people. [motorists] will tell me ‘go to the side’ — seems like they want me to go in the gutter.” He remains in high spirits and said that he will continue to do what he loves most, as long as he can walk.
Congratulation bro taffy, good works always be rewarded, if not here on earth but always with God. Thank you very much for your patience. And to those who recognized this brother and his committed effort, thank you very much. I am overjoyed.
A man who love his country, a man of honor. Gather together and not only thank him but attend to all his needs as he did for years for us. Children, look upon his work and admire the humanity of it and pay respect to your elders.
Something needs to be done to honour him. Not just to give him an Award and a medal. Someone needs to find out his living conditions, and help to meet his daily needs etc.
I would love to met and talk to this man. He is right Gairy took pride in the esthetics of the country. This man is a Grenadian hero
I salute you Elder Taffy. I pray the Creator showers you with blessings for the work that you are doing, and that he keeps you strong whilst taking care of all your material needs.
I hope those drivers are shamed into changing their behaviour, and that the rest of us use the bins provided to dispose of our litter as a mark of respect to both Elder Taffy and God’s beautiful creation.
What a great undertaking by the elderly guy. We too often underestimate the importance of keeping the carenage clean. I have seen him at work and always admired the initiative. Our citizens need to do better with litter and we also need more bins. Cheers to you sir, your works should be recognised in a big way while youre still in the land of the living.
Kellon agreed 100%. These are the ppl we need to emulate. Not the bunch of scoundrels like British royalty that raped and plundered others to achieve their status and wealth.
I know that man for years, he need to be placed on the Queens honor calendar and be made SIR TAFFY.