Two Weeks to Last a Lifetime

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!