Retired Educator Volunteers

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!