By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SPURRED by the thick smoke from this year’s fires in the Midshipman Road area in Grand Bahama, ten-year-old Lucaya International School student Anaiah Sands has launched “Breathe Easy and Fresh”, a campaign to improve indoor air in homes, schools and workplaces by placing Snake Plants.

Anaiah is partnering with local nursery and landscaping company Divine Favour, operated by Ms Nadia Meadows, to promote the hardy succulent’s air-purifying qualities. Her push began with personal frustration at the disruption caused by the fires. “Because of the fires, I could not go to school because of the bad air quality. My mummy could not see the road clearly because of the thick smoke while she was driving. I even had difficulty breathing,” Anaiah explained. “So, I wanted to do something so we can live in a better and fresher community.”

The year six student’s first phase is to supply her school, donating a snake plant to every office and classroom before expanding to the wider community.

Also known as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue”, the snake plant is a low-maintenance houseplant with sword-shaped evergreen leaves. Experts say it absorbs toxins from cleaning chemicals, releases oxygen at night to promote better sleep, acts as a natural humidifier, and helps reduce stress to boost mental well-being.

“This is just the beginning,” she said. She added that with support, the community can get healthier and fresher, with greater awareness of how nature can help everyone breathe easier.