Turning the Tide: Catarina’s journey against marine litter with "Apanha a Corrente"

Catarina Vilela, a passionate Rover from the 510-Cacilhas Scout group in Portugal’s Setúbal region, has a clear vision for cleaner shores and a stronger sense of community. Through her youth-led project "Apanha a Corrente" (Catch the Current), Catarina is tackling the pressing issue of marine litter in her coastal community.

"Apanha a Corrente" came to life as Catarina recognised the growing problem of litter accumulating on local beaches. Surrounded by beautiful coastal landscapes often marred by rubbish, she felt compelled to act. With her team’s encouragement, she developed a series of activities to raise awareness about marine litter, including painting gutters, crafting an educational game, organising an online tour of a rubbish dump, and leading a community beach cleanup that welcomed both Scouts and non-Scouts.

For Catarina, the project’s roots were personal and visible daily. "My region is surrounded by beaches, so I have always seen beaches full of rubbish, and I took the opportunity to make a change," she shared. Driven by a love for her region, she saw "Apanha a Corrente" as her way of contributing to preserving her environment.

Working on the project taught Catarina about the joys and challenges of community action. She recalls, "I learned that working to make the world a better place is rewarding." Setting personal goals, stepping out of her comfort zone, and cultivating resilience became part of the journey. The experience also strengthened her resolve to educate others about the issue of marine litter and inspired her to persist even through tough times.

One memorable moment came when a storm forced her to cancel a scheduled beach cleanup. "I felt like I had lost months of work and was very down. It was a bit of a difficult day until I managed to recover and reschedule," she remembers. This setback, however, only reinforced her commitment to the project, and she pushed on, ultimately organising a successful event.

For Catarina, Scouting offers young people and communities something irreplaceable. "In my opinion, Scouting is an essential educational method in the lives of young people and the daily lives of all communities," she explains. Scouting nurtures active, engaged youth who are eager to create positive change. It equips young people with unique skills and resilience, encouraging them to tackle real-world challenges and make a lasting impact on their communities.

Through her project, Catarina has not only contributed to a cleaner environment. Still, she has inspired others to recognise and act against marine litter, turning the tide for her beloved coastlines.