Volunteering Abroad in Jamaica

My service trip to Jamaica has been a great experience. I had the opportunity to work at a basic school and build a build a playground for the children. It was a much better experience than i can imagine anyone getting as a tourist. I was able to work alongside individuals who were either married to a teacher at the school, had children there, or where related to the principal. Participating on this trip gave me an understanding of the true Jamaican culture. Meeting the local people and working alongside them has taught me more than any class could have. I have made relationships with the people and was sad when we had to say goodbye. This trip not only focused on service but provided us with opportunities to get to see different areas of Jamaica such as the beach, the mountains, and the city. I would recommend this trip to anyone!

I had an amazing time in Jamaica with this program. We had a ton of fun doing day trips to places like Blue Mountain and Hellshire Beach. However, the time we spend working with the children at Mannings Hill Primary school was just as much fun. It was wonderful to see how excited the children were to see the volunteers come in, and the cultural exchange was great. We didn't have much direction going into the schools which was challenging, but we found ways to serve them regardless. I absolutely loved my time in Jamaica because the people were so welcoming and helpful.

I spent two weeks at Smokey Manor just outside Kingston, Jamaica. My friend and I chose this guest house because the host seemed very genuine in the on-line video. When we arrived we were warmly greeted at the airport and for the next two weeks chauffeured back and forth to the school where we volunteered. We also enjoyed several trips to tourist attractions that were planned by Jamaica Volunteer Programs. Host Maureen checked on us daily and was interested in our successes and compassionate with our difficulties.

We quickly discovered the differences between schools in Jamaica and schools in Canada. In Jamaica, the classroom noise level is much higher; the educational resources are extremely sparse; and prayers and devotions are very much a part of the school day.

I had the opportunity to give eleven presentations on a children's book I wrote, called, "The Boy Who Was Bullied" which tells the story of Canadian John Peters Humphrey, who wrote the draft copy of the "United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights". The Grades 4-7 students quickly identified with young John Humphrey who was bullied as a child and were fascinated to learn that young John moved beyond the childhood bullying to spend his adult life working for human rights around the world.

The students were curious about us. One Grade 5 student asked, "Please, Miss, is your blood dark?" I replied by asking him if he cut his finger what colour would his blood be, and he answered, "red". I told him that if I cut my finger, my blood would be red as well.

One skit I did with the students was based on one of the articles of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" - "All human beings are born free and equal, regardless of skin colour". I played the part of the "white-skinned" person who was not included in the football game because I did not have black skin like everyone else. That gave me, for the first time in my life, a chance to play the part of the minority. One of my lines was, "I was born with white skin and although I look different from you, I have hopes and feelings just like all of you." The skit ends with one of the students saying, "Alright, you can play with us. The colour of your skin doesn't matter." These daily interactions with students were the highlight of my trip!

At Smokey Manor we were surrounded by young people in their early twenties and my friend and I are over 65. This was not a problem although sometimes they stayed up too late and could have been quieter. I enjoyed their vitality and their passion for being involved in a service project. At the same time, they were fascinated with the fact that my friend and I had met at university fifty years ago and have remained good friends ever since. We all have an interest in helping others and enjoying an adventure at the same time.

I highly recommend coming to Jamaica through the Jamaica Volunteers Program. Be prepared for the friendly nature of Jamaicans and leave some of your Canadian expectations behind - like an unlimited supply of water for long luxurious baths and showers!

As a "mature" volunteer, my overall teaching experience here in Kingston was fabulous. The primary and junior high school I was placed at was welcoming and the teachers/administrators were supportive. They were very appreciative of my work with the children. I am so happy I chose the Jamaica Volunteer Programs. My stay with Maureen Wright-Evans, owner of her beautiful Smokey Manor house on top of the hill was absolutely wonderful in every respect....stunning views, authentic Jamaican food, everyone was so warm and friendly here. I truly felt like part of the family. The tours Maureen provides were magnificent as they enable you to experience the true beauty and interesting culture of this amazing country. Do go on as many as you can! I highly recommend this program - you will be well taken care of here!

Through participating in health fairs, visiting different clinics and meeting patients we have gained practical skills and learned about the challenges that Jamaica is facing. We are happy about our placement.

My trip to Jamaica was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I've never traveled to a place that was actually more beautiful than the pictures. The magnificent green mountains took my breath away. Smokey Manor was even nicer than expected, and the warmth of the Evans family quickly made it feel like home. I've heard many bad things about safety for tourists in Jamaica, but I never felt unsafe at all during my trip. The Evans family took care of me as if I was one of their own.

I was fortunate to get to volunteer at the Alpha Boys Home, SOS Childrens Village and a home for the elderly. It was rewarding to meet Jamaicans in such a wide spectrum of ages. I especially enjoyed working at Alpha because the boys were so happy just to sit and talk with us and learn about each other. Also, the history of Alpha School band and how it has made an impact on Jamaican music and music worldwide was really fascinating. Since returning home, I've decided to sponsor 2 of the boys I met there. Receiving their letters always brightens my day.

As far as the tours, I went to Hellshire Beach, Dunn's River Falls and Bob Marley's house. The falls were an amazing once in a lifetime experience that everyone visiting Jamaica should see. I enjoyed the beach because unlike most beaches in other parts of Jamaica it was not filled with tourists, mostly just locals enjoying their holiday. I loved drinking fresh coconut water and chewing on sugar cane while I soaked up the sun. Bob Marley's house was a moving and emotional experience for me because I am such a fan of him and his music. It was wonderful for me to just sit in his favorite spot under the mango tree, knowing he had done the same so many times before.

Jamaica is such an amazing place. When you think about all the music and other culture that is known throughout the world came from such a small country. Jamaica is smaller than the metro area of the city I live in, but the impact it has made on the world is huge. I feel like everyone should get a chance to visit the real Jamaica, outside the typical tourist resorts. Jamaica Volunteer Programs is the best way to do this and give back at the same time. I'm already planning my next trip, and I can't wait to get back to see all the wonderful people of Jamaica.

As a leader of the VISION program at the University of St. Thomas, I collaborated with the Jamaica Volunteer Program long before we stepped foot in the beautiful mountains of Kingston. I have to say, from start to finish, Maureen and the rest of the Evans' family and staff have worked relentlessly with our group to deliver the best, most complex and culturally enriching experience of our lives.

Some of the most memorable moments during our two week stay at Smokey Manor happened when we put down the itinerary and set our clocks to island time! The Evans' family always helped us feel at ease, pushing us to set our busy lives aside and enjoy life stories and adventures from the land they call home.

The Evans' family never failed to accomodate our every need. From scheduled itinerary stops to sporadic trips to the Devon House ice cream shop, the family did an excellent job managing our time to fit in as many new experiences as possible.

Overall, I commend the Evans' family for its leadership, passion, and mission during our stay and throughout the entire Jamaica Volunteer Program. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to escape from their comfort zone, try authentic Jamaican jerk chicken, serve as a volunteer to those in need, and experience the beauty of this vibrant family and the greater community of Kingston.

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!