James Josehph Kendal from the US, the founder of the Keep Hanoi Clean group which has joined hands with the community to safeguard the capital’s environment through practical activities, was honoured with an insignia from Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on May 18.

James and his friends waded into a ditch in Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi to collect rubbish and clean the water on May 8 and 15.

At the meeting, Chung expressed his gratitude to James and his associates and presented him with an official stick-pin of Hanoi. The Chairman also invited him to attend a tree planting ceremony in response to World Environment Day on June 5.

Chung also called for the further participation of foreigners working and studying in the capital in environmental protection activities as the city is currently running a campaign on protecting the environment through daily actions.

He assigned the Hanoi municipal Youth Union (HYU) to work closely with the volunteer group to repeat the significant activities.

James expressed his gratitude to Yen Hoa ward’s authorities for their collaboration in cleaning the site.

Secretary of the HYU Nguyen Van Thang discussed practical activities with James to protect the environment over the coming time.

James has lived in Vietnam since 2013, teaching English to children in several schools throughout Hanoi.