Jamaica Maahn

I came to Jamaica with a group called VISION from a university in Minnesota. Vision is a service learning group that travels to different parts of our beautifully diverse world to experience just that. The Evans family and their business, Jamaican Volunteer Programs allowed me and my group to experience the real Jamaican culture starting by so generously and lovingly opening up their own home to our group, blessing us with the beautiful, jaw-dropping view of the Blue Mountains surrounded by the lush and bright Jamaica, providing delicious traditional Jamaican meals cooked by the sweet Ms. Louise and the quiet yet talented chef Jerry (who even taught us how to Jerk chicken and make my all time fave, gingery, sugary coconut drops:) ) The Evans family smoothly coordinated a diverse itinerary for our group- allowing us always to feel safe in route and on site. It was a wonderful and fulfilling learning experience working with the bright children at Mannings Hill Primary, the energy filled children at SOS and Salvation Army Orphanages, and the inspiring elderly at Ozanam Home for the elderly. These service sights all provided a different view into Jamaica, and paired with educational and adventurous field trips to Hellshire Beach, Marroon Tour, Dunns River Falls (INTENSE AND SO FUN!) and finishing up the week with the breath-taking Blue Mountain hike and picnic, Maureen, Audley, Omar, Marlon, Louise and Jerry passionately and smoothly created an experience that catered to our groups concrete goals and visions. Shout out to the amazing Evans Family for allowing me and my group to have the experience of a life time.