Volunteer in Jamaica With Jamaica Volunteer Programs

Traveling to Kingston, Jamaica to spent two weeks with my university group in Smokey Vale at the Evan's family's beautiful Smokey Manor has been the most memorable experience to date. I came to Jamaica as a student in the VISION program from the University of St. Thomas from St. Paul, Minnesota (USA). I cannot believe the opportunities I have been presented with, and Maureen (our program director) encouraged us to experience every aspect that we could. When we went to the Charleston Maroon Tour to learn about the history of the Jamaican Maroon slaves who combated the British, Maureen would not let me leave the Buff Bay River without experiencing the cool water of the river. "You can't leave Jamaica without it!" She was right and that was one of the coolest tours we had here! Okay, all of the tours were cool.

Other than the Maroon tour where we learned how to dance, eat, and use herbs like the Maroons, we also ventured to various parts of Jamaica to see the various sides of the island. We met a Rastafarian man who taught us about his alternative use of herbs, did building maintenance at the Ozanam Home for the Aged, volunteered to teach at Manning's Hill Primary School, renovated a library at Salvation Army's orphanage, and entertained or tutored children at Salvation Army and SOS Children's Village orphanages. I feel so lucky to have contributed to these various programs and places, and I think that I have also been entirely impacted myself.

Realizing how much we have at home in comparison to some of the rags that the children of the orphanage have is still flabbergasting to me after spending two weeks in and out of my comfort zone in Jamaica. I feel so lucky to have been been able to help, and I hope that we have left a little insight on the culture of USA along with learning SO MUCH about Jamaica!

Our home was wonderful to come home to at night with the Evans family. It was made even better (if at all possible) with the hospitality of Louise and Jerry, our housekeepers and cooks for our two week stay. We ate like kings and queens learning about so many different Jamaican dishes. Maureen welcomed us with open arms into her house, literally as she hugged us as we stepped off the bus. She never failed to make us smile, and we were so happy to see her in her element when speaking to people and especially in her own home church. She was clapping and praising God as we found so different from churches back home in the States. We loved it! Omar was our paparazzi and inside man for our duration of the stay, and we felt safe with him with us for the tours and the service experiences. Marlin was great to unwind with at the end of the day, and he had a lot of fun with us I think too :). Audley was the best driver in Kingston and we loved to be able to have our car rides with him every morning and afternoon. Maureen and Audley have a beatiful home with amazing kids, and we could not have asked for a better stay.

Thank you so much to the Evans family and Jamaica Volunteer Programs! We couldn't have had a better experience, and we love you for it!

Critical Feedback:

With a group bigger than 10, sometimes it was hard to feel like we were getting enough food. Breakfast was often smaller than we were used to and we would sometimes be hungry afterwards.

Also, we would have benefited from knowing all of the tour costs before arriving in Jamaica so that we could have budgeted how much money to bring with us. We often had costs that came up unexpectedly, including lunch that we did not know was not provided. Having ALL program costs for the trip included in the program fee would have alleviated a lot of stress on the trip.

Every day we were met with a new experience in Jamaica through the Jamaica Volunteer Program. Our host, the Evans family, was extremely gracious to drive our group all across Jamaica to volunteer and experience the local culture. They answered all of our questions, met our every need, and ensured that we were completely immersed into the culture. We could not have asked for more!

Our first volunteer experience was at the Manning's Hill Primary School. Our team helped tutor first, second, and third graders there and assisted with after-school activities. We learned much about the Jamaican school system and were able to interact with Jamaican children, exchanging bits and pieces of our culture with one another. The experience was exactly what our group was hoping to have.

After volunteering at the primary school, our team traveled to the SOS Children Home in St. Andrew. There we interacted with the energetic and sweet children who lived there. The following week we visited another orphanage run by the Salvation Army in St. Andrew. Our team assisted the site in cleaning and reorganizing their library while also sharing in fun activities with the children.

Throughout our entire two-week stay, we were greeted with a delicious breakfast prepared for us before we left for the volunteer site. The food consisted of ingredients grown locally and the dishes were all traditional Jamaican foods-- allowing our team to experience real Jamaican cuisine. After breakfast, the Evans family kindly ensured that we arrived at our work site safely and on time. Our team then worked at the site for much of the day until we were driven back to Smokey Manor for a delicious, home-cooked meal. One night we were even able to cook with the Evans family and prepare a Jamaican meal on our own. It was quite a treat for us and we thoroughly enjoyed cooking and eating a traditional Jamaican meal.

Our team was able to experience a wide variety of sites and activities during our stay. The Evans family ensured us that we would experience the real Jamaica-- and we definitely did! Learning about the Maroons, climbing Dunn's River Falls, and spending a day at Hellshire Beach were just a few of the exciting activities and sites our team was able to participate in.

From the moment we stepped down in Jamaica, the Evans family was extremely kind, warm, and welcoming to our team. We shared laughs and exchanged information regarding our respective countries and cultures, giving our group a better understanding of the people and country that we were visiting. We were even able to take a walk with Maureen, the founder of the Jamaica Volunteer Program, and tour the neighborhood-- learning much about the neighborhood and surrounding cities. Furthermore, her two sons who still live in Jamaica freely answered all of our questions and were eager to serve our group in every way. It was quite a pleasure and privilege to get to know them both.

Our group was extremely satisfied with our experience through the Jamaica Volunteer Program and would recommend the program to anyone interested in volunteering or participating in service learning in Jamaica. The program is very flexible and creative in their approach--ensuring an experience that will surely satisfy your desire to experience the real Jamaica. We could not have asked for a better experience and are sad to leave!

Critical Feedback:

Our team had to adjust to "Jamaican Time" a little bit, but became quite comfortable with it at the end of our stay. Our wake-up times and such changed occasionally but is to be expected with varying circumstances. There were no major problems during our stay

From being on this trip, I can pleasantly say I've had one of the best experiences of my life and that wouldn't have been possible without the support, help, and accommodations from the Evans family. From very first day of the airplane when we were greeted with the smiles and hugs and lots of love from Mrs. Evans to the continuous hugs we received from the people and children we served, being here was truly a rewarding experience.

For me specifically, being able to complete the adventure of Dunn River Falls and experiencing the exciting and uplifting way to show praises to the Lord at the Pentecostal Church, I truly had the most amazing time in Jamaica because I was able to serve wonderful people and children who will never leave my heart and I was able to challenge myself and experience things I never in a million years thought I would.

Critical Feedback:

For me specifically, the only thing I would change is to have a more detailed itinerary of our daily activities. To some this wont pose as a problem but for me who is kind of a control freak, knowing everything about what my day consist of is somewhat important.

The truth is, it's hard for me to compare my experience in Jamaica with anything I've ever done. I woke up to the sun shining on the mountains for two weeks straight. I was living in a place where snow in January is as absurd as no cheese curds in Wisconsin. I truly lived in paradise, and I loved it.
I traveled with a service group from my University, and didn't quite know what I was getting myself into, but I was prepared for the ride of a lifetime. The Evans family made my stay in Jamaica feel just like home. The food is exquisite, the rooms are very hospitable, and the view from Smokey Manor takes your breath away. It was truly a blessing to be able to stay with the Evans family.
The main reason why I came to Jamaica was to do service. Jamaica Volunteer Programs definitely gave me that opportunity. We worked at a primary school in the hills, at two different orphanages and at a nursing home. I was pushed hard at all of the sites that we worked at, but I loved it. The kids received us all very well and we even got to teach lessons to the kids at the school. At the orphanage it was great to be able to be a kid again, run around and play games. Working at the nursing home was mainly physical labor, but we also had time to interact with the residents, which was a time that I will never forget.
While I was there, I also had the opportunity to explore the culture. I got to go to the beach, which in itself is a wonderful endeavor. Learning about the herbs, climbing a waterfall, swimming in a river, and learning traditional Jamaica dances were all typical encounters in Jamaica. The "excursions" that we went on were wonderful, but it's the everyday Jamaican life that I think I will remember the most. The people on the street, the vendors, the sunrises, the friendly faces, the crazy rides up into the mountains; these are things that will be imprinted in my mind forever.
This trip has changed my life for the better in so many ways. The faces of the children that I met will be on my heart forever. I thought I went on this trip to change lives. Maybe that happened. Only time will tell and only God knows. But this trip changed my life and because of that I am blessed.

Critical Feedback:

I loved this trip, but I would change a couple of things. The communication between the Evans family and our group seemed to be off. We didn't always know what time things were happening at, or what exactly we were supposed to do throughout the day. Part of not knowing what we were doing was exhilarating, but it would have been nice just to have a more concrete idea. I also thought I had to use more money while I was in Jamaica than was told to me. We had to pay for some lunches, which wouldn't have been a problem if I knew more before hand. Overall it was a great experience, but I would just change a couple of things.

Jamaica Volunteer Programs is a well accommodating and diverse program. The program directors continuously catered to our needs by creating a programs specific to our goal of service learning and cultural exchange. Throughout the week, a variety of service sites as primary schools, orphanages and nursing homes provided insight to the community and people. Each week we were given a day off of service to immerse ourselves deeper into the beauties of Jamaican culture. From climbing the Duns River Waterfall to living a day as a historic Maroon, this program is full of adventure and spirit.
I especially enjoyed learning about natural medicine by a Rastafari Herb Man, rebuilding a library at an orphanage and of course, the food unique to this area.

I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn about themselves and a new culture. You will receive the real taste of Jamaica through this program (it's wonderful!) The Volunteer Programs team is truly amazing and passionate about making a difference in their community. You will be welcomed with open arms!

Critical Feedback:

Well, I know we were the guinea pigs of this program but next time, include all trip costs in the package price. It was unexpected that we would have to pay extra for additional trips (we thought it was included in the total cost.) Also, communication of house rules, departure times, and day trip plans could be improved. We received different instructions from different family members which was confusing.

Travelling to Jamaica through Jamaica Volunteer Programs was one of the most amazing experiences I've had in my life. It's difficult to sum up my two weeks in a short paragraph. The program directors were extremely hospitable. They went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. My group spent our first week in Jamaica volunteering at Mannings Hill Primary school (elementary school) and SOS Children's Orphanage. At the school, we were able to ask questions about Jamaican culture, answer questions about American culture, and teach lesson plans. The children were all so excited about having us there. We were able to make unforgetable connections with the students and staff. At the orphanage, we were able to play games and paint with the children. They loved having extra people there to love them. I made a special connection with a young boy. I am considering sponsoring this child. It was difficult to leave the children on the last day. Our group was able to visit Hellshire Beach. We learned how one of the vendors makes his delicisou fish and bammy. We learned about the costs involved in his business. We were able to enjoy a relaxing day on the beach (not without getting a little burnt, of course). The program directors brought us to a local market. We were able to buy ingredients to learn how to cook our favorite Jamaican foods (jerk chicken, banana fritters, and jerk vegetables). I can't wait to cook these items for my family and friends. My group also had the chance to go to Dunn's River Falls. The falls were beautiful. We even climbed the falls top to bottom. It was probably the coolest thing I've ever done! During our second week, we volunteered at Ozanam Nursing Home and Salvation Army Orphanage. At the nursing home, we did yard work, painted the building, washed windows, and visited with the residents. It was fun to make connections with a different generation of Jamaicans. At the orphanage, we re-organized and cleaned the library. We also played games with the children. We were also able to bring donations for the children. My group was able to "live like a Maroon" for a day. We learned how the Maroons eat, dance, bathe, and use herbs for medicine. I feel like I learned so much about Jamaica while making a difference in the lives of many people. I especially enjoyed the delicious food we were served each day. I also enjoyed waking up to the beautiful mountains and sunshine every morning. I definitely want to come back to Jamaica someday and volunteer through Jamaica Volunteer Programs again.

Critical Feedback:

Our itinerary didn't always reflect the actual time we would be leaving for the day. It was sometimes a little confusing - especially with a larger group. I don't think this had a negative impact on our experience though.