Projects Abroad, Newsletters from Jamaica

The addition of a new community to the CLP was also an improvement in efforts to expand the project and assist more community members. The Tulsa Road community was selected and they responded with eighteen students coming out to register. Two volunteers were to begin with each student based on the timetable being seen at least twice for the week.

So, how to start writing an article for the Projects Abroad newsletter and write about what, it’s been a main concern since I was asked to do so yesterday. I guess I’ll start by telling you about myself. My name is Mikkel Kunwald, I am 26 years old and have for the most of the last four months, been a medical volunteer at the Mandeville Regional Hospital.

I am Steffi Geisler and I am a new staff member in the Jamaican Projects Abroad Team. When I arrived four weeks ago I was very excited about the job and its responsibilities, the volunteers, the host families and all the placements, in all about the whole Jamaican experience and I must say I like it here!

Volunteers are always excited to know more about Rastafarianism and so when they heard that the cultural trip for this month was to the Rasta Village they just could not wait to go there. This month's day trip gave volunteers the opportunity to learn about Rastafarians their way of life, philosophies and meet with the Rastas in their "village". On April 29th, they visited the Rasta Village which is located in the quiet hills of Montego Bay.

Just a few days from its second birthday, Projects Abroad Jamaica has already begun to talk the language of volunteerism, walk the roads to success and has taken a few jumps up towards becoming a popular destination.

Projects Abroad has been a remarkable program and has had a great impact on Jamaica, especially for the tourist industry. The experience is especially wonderful for me, as I am learning different languages which I really enjoy. There is absolutely no race barrier, as we "mix and mingle". Sometimes we cannot understand each other so we normally just have a big laugh. It is fun to be around these volunteers.

The month of January was a pretty good month for the care placements. Overall we have had over 20 volunteers, and most of our placements had the privilege to get a volunteer. At the Hanbury home we currently have 4 volunteers who are working in different departments with the children. The volunteers are really happy with the children and the cultural exchange that they are getting.

Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meats are dry-rubbed or marinated with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Jerk seasoning is traditionally applied to pork and chicken. Modern recipes also apply Jerk spice mixes to fish, shellfish, beef, sausage and tofu. Jerk seasoning principally relies upon two items: allspice (called "pimento" in Jamaica) and Scotch bonnet peppers (among the hottest peppers). Other ingredients include cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme and garlic.

The community of Black River is approximately 1^1/2 hours drive from the town of Mandeville. The river, "Black River" is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4km (33 miles), it was believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho was 92.8 km long. Its name refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass.

The original Jamaican Maroons are the ex-slaves or descendants of enslaved Africans brought by the Spaniards and who had fled to the hilly regions of the island. It is held in some accounts that they also intermixed with members of the Taino population still existing in these regions, who had themselves fled the oppression of Spanish occupation. This has been one of the bases on which the Maroons have been declared and recognized as indigenous people. Their existence as indigenous people therefore goes back as far as the 15th century.

Each month Jamaica is blessed to have volunteers coming to make significant contributions to the growth and development of "Jamaica Land We love". Nine new volunteers arrived this month and there were twenty six volunteers here at different times within the month. Volunteers continue to work hard to improve the lives of the persons at their placements.

We have been fortunate to receive enthusiastic and dedicated teaching volunteers Abbey Cullen and Alison Evans. The volunteers worked mainly with remedial students at the Hanbury Children's Home who needed help in Arithmetic and English Language. The staff at the home welcomed their efforts.

The words "Bob Marley Museum" were enough to spark the interests of volunteers. On July 30th, in a "jampacked" bus, we went to the Bob Marley Museum approximately 1 1/2 from Mandeville. As we departed from the bus, the heat of the city was overbearing, but volunteers were enthused to learn much more about this reggae legend.

These volunteers become readily beloved by staff, students and community citizens for their consistency and encouragement. Visiting current volunteers Daphne, Jennifer, Sophie and Helene has been a joy. To watch the effort put into the delivery of their lessons was a good experience. It was clear that planning had taken place. Some were known for their constant evaluation of their classes so as to improve on their approach the next time around.

Jamaica Land We love - while this is the sound that resonates in the Jamaican National Anthem, it is not only true for Jamaicans. Volunteers have grown to love Jamaica and are eager to contribute to its development. In May we had eight new arrivals; the total number of volunteers moved up to thirty one for the month. Our volunteers continue to touch the lives of children and patients at their placements as well as impact the lives of staff, host families and Jamaicans in general. We are grateful for the hardwork, dedication and team spirit of the volunteers.

Most of our volunteers are enjoying our Patois class and so we decided to give them a double dose this month. Patois classes were held on April 2nd and April 21st, where volunteers (even the new ones) could be heard saying the popular greetings – "wha gwaan?" or "wha happen?". In the first class, volunteers were encouraged to ask whatever question they had on slangs or phrases they heard but had no clue of the meanings. In the second class, volunteers learnt some new words and the meanings. After this, they were given a quiz.

Built in 1820, with limestones cut by slaves, the Mandeville Courthouse, situated in the centre of the town, is an example of "indigenous" architecture. Today, it is still be used to carry out many court cases.

Jamaica is the third largest island and is uniquely positioned almost at the centre of the Caribbean Sea. The island is 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of Cuba and 160 kilometres (100 miles) west of Haiti, its two nearest countries. The latitude and longitude of the capital, Kingston, are about 18 degrees N and 78 degrees W.

All you need to know about reggae dance can be had in our two hour dance class every month. On January 7th we had the largest dance class ever; 17 volunteers participated. We had volunteers from Australia, Germany, England, Canada, United States of America, and Austria all blending in to ‘buss di place’. This dance class was like none other as volunteers were exposed to the latest dance moves.

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has committed to working with us on the youth, literacy and parenting projects that are now being developed. The SDC is an agency of the government charged with creating and deepening mechanisms for the involvement of civil society in the management of their affairs at the community and national level. The vision of SDC is "a Jamaican society where all citizens actively participate in a process and benefits from the resulting good governance, economic prosperity, sustainable environment and social wellbeing".

To strengthen the partnership and cultural exchange along with the Projects Abroad volunteers local volunteers will also work on these projects. The Parent Teacher's Association at the school and volunteers from the National Youth Service will work on the projects. The mandate of NYS is to tackle youth issues and make a meaningful impact on the number of unattached youth (youth that are unemployed and not enrolled in school) in Jamaica now totalling over 140,000.

Two weeks? I’m staying here for one month, and half the time has already passed. I can’t believe that! Well, I always wanted to come to Jamaica, and of course there were a few thing that I’d expected when I thought about what it would be like. Actually, all expectations have become true but in a way that I hadn’t expected! Everything is so colorful and the music that surrounds you no matter where you are – love it! Also the family that I’m staying with is so friendly and helpful, no matter what I’m ask for. So I have another two weeks left, and I’m sure that I’ll enjoy it as much – actually maybe a little bit more, because I have a guitar now.

Do you want to learn all the latest reggae dance moves? This includes Dela, Bogle, Signal Di Plane, Log On, Gully Creeper, Flowers A Bloom, Umbrella, Rum Ram, Cut Dem Off, Shovel, Ever Fresh Ever Clean, and many others.

Maybe this is cliché but Jamaica has truly become 'one love' I will always treasure. In a matter of just four short weeks I have met some of the most wonderful people. At my home I have been spoilt with delicious food, comfort and care, all making my adapting to the culture much easier. It has been a while since I have really felt like such a part of a family, and even though they laugh when I try to speak Patois, I have loved trying to catch on.

We are most grateful to the placements that accommodated Project Abroad volunteers from May 2008. These include Kendal Primary School, Villa Road Primary and Junior High, Hanbury Children’s Home, May Day High School and Anna Miller Basic School. Both the placements and volunteers have benefited immensely from this experience. I was impressed with the competence of Dominik Rohe and Thorsten Rosch and their level of commitment in assisting the children in learning new skills. The volunteers for the most part punctual and respectful to students and teachers with whom they interact. We are grateful for the cross-cultural exchange, this is an excellent initiative and I hope we get more volunteers soon. Their time was too short.