(Dreamstime)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

a way to give back

Community clean-up in Red Deer Saturday hosted by Dernière Demeure Internationale

Sep 12, 2023 | 4:23 PM

Three Black-led organizations are coming together this weekend to run a community clean-up event in Red Deer.

With help from Ubuntu-Mobilizing Central Alberta, and the Central Alberta Cameroonian Community, the event is hosted by Dernière Demeure Internationale (DDI).

Launched in 2018 after its founders noticed Afro-Canadian families were having trouble with funeral expenses, DDI began by raising money to help those families. This clean-up is one way DDI is giving back and saying thank you to those who’ve supported their cause.

“We belong to this country, we call this place our home, and we have to be part of it through our actions,” says Herve Njanjouo, organizer, and local DDI member.

“This is a duty, in fact. When I first moved here, there were hospitals, roads and schools, and only because people worked before me to put those in place. So what am I doing to make sure the next generation can benefit from my work? That’s why we do these actions. It’s the minimum we can do.”

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DDI hopes the community clean-up will become an annual fixture, and spread nationally.

Everyone is welcome to help with the clean-up, which runs from 12-3 on Saturday the 16th, starting at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre (6300 45 Ave.). Supplies will be provided.

This particular event is not a fundraiser, notes Njanjouo, sharing that DDI has helped finance 33 funerals across Canada since launching.