Moncton’s newcomer mother-and-son duo have been doing weekly cleanups in their neighbourhood to show their gratitude to the community. So far, they’ve completed eight cleanups and plan to keep going.

Fourteen-year-old Cheng En Du admitted he wasn’t very confident at first when his mother suggested picking up garbage every week, but together they decided to make a positive difference in their new home.

Cheng En and his parents moved from China to Moncton last year. When they were new to Canada, many people helped them settle in, said his mother, Geng Chen. To give back, the family started cleaning their neighbourhood every week. Now that things are more stable, they spend a few hours each week picking up garbage to keep the streets clean and show their appreciation.

At first, Cheng En felt shy and unsure, especially when people questioned what they were doing, but his mother encouraged him to keep going. Together, they’ve completed eight cleanups, bringing the trash home to sort and dispose of properly.

Geng Chen and her son share their weekly cleanup updates on a Facebook page called Green Guardians Moncton. They plan to keep cleaning their downtown area whenever the weather allows. The family believes everyone can make a difference by cleaning their own neighbourhoods. Though their busy schedules make it hard to plan group cleanups, they continue their efforts weekly.

The family has volunteered in China, Nepal, and at a local Moncton animal shelter, and now collects recyclables during cleanups to donate the proceeds to the local food bank.

Source: Rhythm Rathi, CBC