Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Jamaica

Heyho my name is Marco.

I've spend close to 3 months in Mandeville (Capital of Manchester Parish) and worked for the NCU FM radio station. Mandeville itself is very clearly arranged so you can easily overview the city after a few days walking through. Also it offers everything you need. From a post station to many different restaurants, bars, market places etc.

Even though I worked at a readio station, most time of my work was about taking and editing pictures and videos for the social media content of the radio station. There is also the possibility to work more radio related, but due to the fact I already had experience in editing I choose to be in this division, which was a lot of fun. Besides that my contact person from Projects Abroad always made sure I work in a good environment and have stuff to do (big up for that!)

At last I want to talk about Jamaica itself. On the weekends you have the time to experience the other parts of this beautiful island and culture, which was amazing. The island itself is full of history and beautiful places to visit. Me for myself never experienced an act of violence for the whole time I was there. I'm still in contact with a good friend who lives a few blocks away from our host families house.

If you're planning to go there I would be happy to share more of my experience and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask :)

Until that
Big up yourself!

This project was incredibly well organized from my pickup right to my drop off at the airport one month later. Not only did I gain experience in psychology but I also was fully immersed in Jamaican culture and had the opportunity to learn about other Jamaican projects and how they work together during community days. I felt very at home during this project and also had the freedom in weekends to travel throughout Jamaica and go on many adventures. I was also fortunate to have made lifelong friends with other volunteers from around the world with whom I now stay in touch daily. This project also taught me the importance of culturally appropriate treatment approaches in my field which i now use daily. So grateful to have had this experience and hope to return again.

I volunteered at Ebenezer Home now Ebenezer Rehabilitation center. The center is amazing the staff care about the clients, the men have as much independence as possible and for a non profit they are doing their best.
I recommend the project but I feel split because the money I paid doesn't go to the project itself. Which is a shame as they needed this. Projects abroad did but Ebenezer some items when I was there but I feel for the amount I paid more could have been done to help. When I return I will be doing so independently so I can help the project more.
Socially- you get to go around with other volunteers at weekends to different parts of the island. I would say plan where you want to go beforehand as some volunteers get to other parishes and don't know what's there. Research first.

I always wanted to visit another country after school and do some volunteer work there, even if it was only for a few weeks. So I did a research and found that child care program in jamaica by Projects Abroad.
I didn't think it would be such a culture shock when I arrived. It was so colourful and warm (summery temparatures and so many palms and other plants; I went there in winter). And I loved to see a country that was so completely different from what I knew. Life seemed more simple, but at the same time more carefree than in Germany. That experience is something I would recommend to everyone, to visit a culture that is totally new to you. Not only to visit, but also to work there for a little while.
The first three weeks, I worked in a day care center with a school and assisted the teacher. Sadly, it wasn't perfect for me. So I told the team leaders I wanted to work somewhere else, and the last week, I went to work in an orphanage which I liked much better. I had already worked in a kindergarten, so I felt confident doing that and found a good rapport to the children and the staff.
My host family was also very nice. The mother always made my food for me. I shared a room with another volunteer for two weeks, the rest of the time I had it for myself.
Sometimes there where special events for the volunteers like lessons in patois or visiting the places where the other volunteers worked. There was a house where we could always go to and would always meet one or another team leader. That was also our meeting point for activities and weekend trips. On the weekends, the volunteers could independently go where they wanted in Jamaica. I was almost everywhere across the country. We had beach trips as well as trips to the mountains and always stayed in hostels.
Overall, it was a great experience that I would recommend for anyone who wants some adventure, to help others and to really get to know other cultures.

I loved my psychology project and can't wait to come back! The team were supportive and other volunteers. The facility I worked at has tried so hard to get to where it is now. The clients were all very accommodating, as were staff. I spent my time being treated as a senior member of staff, I attended all MDT meetings and out things in place for the reorganisation. This place has my heart! I can not wait until I am able to return and continue my work with this facility but I will be doing so as an independent so that I can put money into the organisation myself.

I think the project could be improved by the money we pay going into the actual projects we do as while I was there I found the projects don't receive any money at all which seems such a shame considering the price I paid for my project. It would have made such a different for some of that money to go towards my project.

In January this year, I was blessed to be able to spend two short weeks of my time in Mandeville, Jamaica. This opportunity was very rewarding and if I could I would of stayed longer! I spent my time volunteering in a local orphanage and seeing the smiles on the children's faces every morning made me realize how truly fortunate I am here in Canada. Projects Abroad was very helpful throughout my whole trip and they were always a call or text away! I would do it all again in a heartbeat and hopefully I will have the opportunity again some day!

My name is Emma. I recently spent time in Jamaica volunteering through projects abroad, doing their care project. I was placed in a vey loving host family, where i had 3 other volunteers staying with me. They were all very supportive and caring. I then was placed in my placement, an orphanage. There i got to meet and help amazing children who accepted me with open arms. I got to make a difference not only in their lives but in my own. I made lifelong friendships with other volunteers as well as being so deeply submerged into the wildly different culture. It made me grow so much as a person and i would greatly recommend doing it to anyone who has a passion to help others.

This volunteer experience was unique because it was my first international experience. Projects Abroad made my travels and stay to/in Jamaica flawlessly smooth. I was impressed and grateful for the Projects Abroad staff that helped welcome and guide me through my stay in Mandeville. My volunteer term was from December 10-30th, so I had the privilege to experience the Jamaican Christmas holiday season.

I volunteered at the Mandeville Comprehensive Health Centre where I rotated between the curative, maternal and child health, and family planning units. I helped record heights, weights, blood pressures, blood sugars, patient interviews, and six week postpartum check ups including vaccinations. Because it was the Christmas holiday season, we had a Christmas week special where each day of the week, we went into the community and passed out gifts or spent time with the community members through other events. We went to the infirmary one day for a skin and hair care day where we gave manicures and pedicures and passed out health products like deodorant, combs, body wash, ect. Another day we passed out food baskets in a poverty suburb outside Mandeville to the elderly members who did not have much of their own. Another day we hosted a Christmas party at a local church and played games with the kids and did a gift grab. It was nice to help impact the community and spread cheer during this season.

This was my first international trip so Jamaica really prepared me for future travels as well as introducing me to a new culture. Jamaica was a good choice for first international travel because it was mostly Americanized while it still had its own cultural differences. I felt safe and comfortable in the city as I walked through the whole town each day to my work placement and the project office. Being proactive is definitely a good quality to have if you are interested in pursuing a project through this organization. I would highly recommend Projects Abroad for a seasoned or new international traveller!