For many, the island of Nassau in the Bahamas is a destination for leisure. For Clinton School of Public Service student Ray Little, it was a testing ground to develop a comprehensive suite of logistical and strategic deliverables for local recycling initiatives
Little, a Little Rock native, spent eight weeks during the summer of 2025 partnering with Cans 4 Kids, a nonprofit that raises funds for schools and youth organizations through the recycling of aluminum cans. Unlike traditional programs, Cans 4 Kids provides an economic incentive to its participants, paying out a portion of the funds received from selling collected materials.
Little met Ginny McKinney, founder of Cans 4 Kids, during a trip in 2024 to learn more about the recycling program.
“After meeting her and seeing the program, she expressed interest in having a student come work for them,” Little recalled. “I was drawn to the unique logistical and political landscape of recycling in The Bahamas. There is very little stability compared to programs in the U.S. To grow recycling there, you have to grow very slowly.”
Translating Theory into Action
Little’s final deliverable for his International Public Service Project was not a single report, but a 40-page “compendium” of strategic assets. This included program observations, strategies for acquiring a new program coordinator, interviews with prospective partners, and the development of surveys.
“I learned how to translate ambiguous goals into concrete products that the organization could use moving forward,” Little said. “My project helped confirm issues they had identified while providing fresh ideas on how to address them.”
Beyond the technical data, Little’s most memorable lessons came from the people of Nassau. By conducting informal interviews, he discovered the nuances of community engagement that cannot be taught in a classroom.
“I learned how to get people to engage with you who otherwise have no incentive for doing so,” Little noted. “My favorite part of the summer was absolutely those informal interviews with the local people.”
As he looks toward graduation, Ray plans to take the skills he developed in The Bahamas to expand glass recycling initiatives across the United States. His time in the Bahamas served as a vital bridge between his academic studies and his professional future.
“Ginny McKinney plans to use my deliverable to help with future decision-making as she tries to grow the program and revitalize components that have dwindled over time,” Little said. “I’m glad I was able to have the experience.”