Antigua and Barbuda recently witnessed a bold and inspiring feat: the 3-2-1 Impact Drive Walk, an eight-day journey covering more than 95 miles to raise awareness and funds for Good Humans 268’s Student Community Service Recycling Project. Spearheading this initiative was the organization’s founder and president, Joshuanette Francis, whose determination to champion disability inclusion and climate action is as relentless as her steps.
The walk was inspired by the mission to create awareness about the connection between climate action and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Over the past 24 months, Good Humans 268 has placed recycling bins in all 81 public and private schools across Antigua and Barbuda and diverted over 1,000,000 items from the landfill. This walk was a call to action for the public to support these efforts so recyclables can be sorted and the larger vision realized.
The route of the walk was extensive and purposeful. Starting in John Hughes on January 1st, the journey proceeded to Swetes, Liberta, English Harbour, Piccadilly, and ended at the burial grounds in Bethesda. On Day 2, the team continued from Bethesda to Freetown, then through Collins, along Pares Main Road, and ended at the Wilikies Primary School, now the Nelvie E Gore Primary School. Day 3 was shorter due to technical difficulties, covering from the school to the famous ice cream parlour in Wilikies. On Day 4, the walk resumed from there, heading to Long Bay, Devil’s Bridge, back through Wilikies Road, and along Pares Main Road then though Parham straight though Crabb’s Peninsula. Day 5 started late but included a route along the Sir Sydney Walling Highway, Sir George Walter Highway, and ended at the V.C. Bird International Airport. Day 6 took the team from the airport to Liat Road, Burna Road, Jabberwock Road, Cedar Grove Main Road, and Trade Winds Drive, ending at Marina Bay Road. Day 7 saw the journey through St. John’s, Five Islands, Face Green, and Valley Road, finishing at Sign Pro. Finally, on Day 8, the walk concluded by moving through the southern communities and ending back in John Hughes.
The walk was more than just a physical journey; it had 10 key objectives. It aimed to complete Objective 3 of the Student Community Service Project, recruit 100 businesses for the Eco-Business Initiative, and raise awareness of the Transforming Waste Management Document. Additionally, it encouraged donations to support ongoing work, educated people on aligning efforts with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and showcased how individuals with disabilities can participate in climate action. It also attempted an unofficial Guinness World Record, highlighted the project’s connection to the vision for a state-of-the-art compound, sparked conversations about legislative changes in waste management, and aimed to bring regional and international attention to the work being done as a small island developing state.
The walk was not without challenges. There were technical difficulties, including delayed starts due to phone issues and other equipment problems. On Day 5, for instance, a phone charging issue delayed the start until noon. However, the kindness of people, such as the team at Storage Techno in the public market who assisted on a Sunday morning, provided much-needed support and reminded the team why their mission mattered. These moments of community support underscored the essence of Good Humans 268’s work.
Throughout the walk, the team engaged the public by live-streaming the entire journey on their Facebook page, sharing 100 stories about individuals, businesses, and the organization’s milestones, and carrying a backpack with 100 bottles to symbolize the 1,000,000 items diverted from the landfill. These efforts kept the public informed and inspired to join the cause.
This walk was just the beginning. Good Humans 268 is planning a similar event in February and is training to participate in the world’s seven major marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Sydney. At each marathon, Francis plans to carry a custom-made backpack to raise global awareness about the intersection of disability inclusion and climate action. Locally, the organization is working toward its vision of a state-of-the-art compound on 50 acres of land: 35 acres for a farm, 5 acres for a nursery, and 10 acres for the compound. Additionally, the plan includes 10 acres in Barbuda for similar purposes.
There are many ways the public can support Good Humans 268’s efforts. Donations can be made through their GoFundMe, and people can follow updates on Facebook and Instagram. Every contribution, whether financial or through advocacy, brings the organization closer to achieving its goals.
Francis believes the future is bright. The walk not only highlighted the resilience of individuals with disabilities but also showcased Antigua and Barbuda as a leader in climate action and inclusion. Together, these efforts are creating a world where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute to a sustainable future.
