Why did you decide to volunteer with Projects Abroad in Jamaica?
Paula: When I had finished school, I did not want to immediately start studying again. Instead, I wanted do something else and volunteering abroad was on the top of my list. So I did some research on the Internet, found Projects Abroad and decided more or less to spontaneously go for it. Because I had never been to the Carribean before, I imagined Jamaica to be very interesting and different from what I now know.
I chose two projects: the care project because I wanted a project where I could work with children and the music project because I love playing music and liked the idea that I could make use of my skills.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Paula: At the Hanbury Children's Home: On most days I started work around 9 am. After signing in the volunteer book in the office, I went to Babyland, the building where the smaller children live. We helped them put on their school uniforms and made sure they all brushed their teeth. Afterwards, I accompanied the children aged 3-6 to a pre-school (on the children's home's terrain). I either stayed there or went back to babyland to return later. In Babyland we basically played with the children (the really small ones, who weren't old enough for any school yet). Sometimes I helped with cleaning the dining hall and windows.
At the pre-school, I helped the teachers with things like teaching the children the letters of the alphabet. Thirty minutes of the day were devoted to "music time". They sang traditional Jamaican folksongs while I played the guitar alongside with them. We also did some clapping exercises and I showed them some percussion instruments like the shaker or tympanums. As it was close to Christmas, we also rehearsed a german christmas song ("Oh Tannenbaum", it worked quite well!).
At Jamvybz: I always worked in the afternoon, but had no fixed working times. For my first day I was told that I should be there at 1 pm, but when I arrived, the secretary told me that my students wouldn't be there until 3 and asked me to wait. This happened several times so I would just go to the rehearsal room and play the piano for myself.
The students were all young men, in their 20's and beginners. So I started with teaching them the meaning of the different keys and their respective names. I remember there was this one talented guy with whom I rehearsed an entire song. I was even able to teach him some music theory.
What made this experience unique and special?
Paula: Jamaica is such a unique and special country. Being involved in the everyday life and calling the island my home for three months was a great thing. Jamaicans are a warm and happy people. The kids at Hanbury's were just lovely and were so honestly grateful for us being there.
Besides, I found some new friends, both Jamaican and international. We spent our leisure time together (playing pool in town in lunch break, going on weekend-beach-trips).
How has this experience impacted your future?
Paula: After finishing school, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but after coming back from Jamaica, I was sure that I wanted to do a job where I could interact with people. I've always wanted to do something with music, which is what I did in Jamaica. So my stay there was a factor in the decision to commence studying music and special needs education.
The time on the project in Jamaica has also influenced me personally. For example, I now LOVE reggae music, or way more than I already did before the trip. And I got to know dancehall, which can be awesome.
It also changed my character in a way. Today I am less shy and have no problems with approaching people (like I used to) and I somehow attached myself to the laidback and "soom come" attitude of the Jamaicans. I try to see the positive side of things and whenever there's a problem, I remind myself that it can still be worse (as I have seen people living in absolute poverty firsthand). Also, I think I have improved my English skills.