Explore the NO Trash in Danang anymore group, found by Sasha Shakhov an expat determinned to make a positive impact in the community. Follow Danang Leisure to delve into the origins of the group, the challenges they face, and the rewarding experience of participating in community clean-up activities in Danang. This is how expats and locals unite every week to keep Danang city clean, the perfect way for anyone interested in meaningful expat activities in Danang. Let’s get to know more about the “NO trash” activities in Danang through the story of Sasha Shakhov

What inspired you to start this trash collection group in Danang, and how did it all begin?

A week before I arrived in Vietnam, I had my first volunteer experience and probably for the first time in my life I realized the value of giving not only to yourself or your loved ones, but also to people you don’t know or may never see. After that, I realized that I wanted to do something good while I am in Vietnam. In the first few days I met a Russian man who told me that he and his wife go and clean the beach every day. I thought it was a great idea and its realization did not require knowledge of Vietnamese. After the first month, I made some friends and suggested that once a week we could go and clean the beach for just an hour.

From November 2023 to March 2024 we went in a group of 5-7 people not stable. sometimes once in 2 weeks, sometimes once in 3 weeks. From March we started to go once a week, but in the same small group of 5-7 people, mostly consisting of Russians. 3 months ago I decided to try to attract at least a few Vietnamese and decided to make some posts in Facebook groups. And something unimaginable began. For 1 hour in my empty Facebook group joined 100 people, for the first day 200, and now after 2.5 months in the group is already more than 1000 people

Can you share some of the group’s most memorable or impactful clean-up events?

In fact, from the very first day after the group grew in June, all of our events have gotten really big. A lot of people come and we manage to clean up large areas, collecting a lot of litter.

But I can still single out one event, which was at the beginning of August. On that day we had over 50 people and the local TV station came to make a video about us.

What challenges does the group face when organizing trash collection activities, and how do you overcome them?

We constantly need a large number of bags to collect trash in. we use up to 100 large rice bags per event. I have asked people who have the opportunity to donate bags to us. Now we will have enough for a while.

The next problem is seeing the place you cleaned 2 weeks ago almost as dirty. Here I haven’t yet come up with anything better than just doing our job onward

How can new members or volunteers get involved with the group, and what can they expect when joining a clean-up event?

We do an event every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. In the Facebook group I make announcements of locations. People can just show up and that’s it. We give them bags, gloves, and trash pickers. After the cleanup, they will 100% get a cleaner city they live in and a great feeling in their heart when it’s only 8 a.m. and you’ve already done a very good deed. Usually a lot of Vietnamese and foreigners come, so it’s also a great place to practice languages

What are the future goals for the group, and how do you envision expanding your efforts to make Danang a cleaner city?

The main goal is of course not to clean up more trash, but for people to litter less. Now a large number of people on the street see us picking up trash and I really hope that next time they will think twice before throwing trash on the curb instead of the trash can. I would also like to get to know the local authorities so that they know about us and we can work together for the same goal. There are thoughts to somehow involve schools, universities and different community organizations in our cleanups

This meaningful activity has strengthened the bond between expats and local residents, fostering a sense of closeness and mutual respect. It has also helped to cultivate a positive perception of the expats community in Da Nang livable city.

Join “NO Trash in Danang anymore” here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/notrashindananganymore/