only 4 more days!!... =/

So to catch everyone up a little bit for the past two days, On Saturday we went to Negril. It probably took us about 45 min -1 hr to get there and our first destination was to the Jimmy Buffet: Margaritaville. We were all excited at first to be going to the resort and getting that "taste of heaven" for a few hours but what most of us soon realized is how out of place we all actually felt! It was nice to see some "whities" but they seemed more like imposers than anything. Because we have experienced the "real" Jamaica and have gotten to know the beautiful people and have learned as much from their culture as we can, it almost felt wrong to be there. These tourists parade around like they own the place and they have no idea! I had very mixed emotions about it. I didn't know what to do with myself when I first got there. On the upside, the water is absolutely gorgeous. Crystal clear, blue water with the white sand that you dream about.

They also had 2 water trampolines that were pretty awesome! Haha so Alex tried to jump from 1 trampoline to the other and if you watch the show "wipeout" you can only imagine what it would've looked like. Let's just say that I replayed it in my head about 100 times! =)

After the beach we went to Rick's Cafe where we did the cliff jumping! Now imagine this: there's a beautiful view of the water and of the cliffs where the sun is settling just right. And then off in the distance you can hear and see screaming little figures jumping to there death from about 200 feet. LOl just kidding! But the 200 ft is right. A few of us ventured our way to the top through the crowds of people with pride. Jackie was brave and decided to go 1st. Then Melissa who made a splash haha, and then my turn came. I didn't realize how high and terrifying it was until I looked down! There was a guy standing there directing the jumpers and he was "1...2...3... jump!" I just went and let me tell you..it was the most amazing, biggest adrenaline rush I have ever felt in my life! If you've ever been to Kennywood park and rode the ride the "Pitfall", well it kind of feels like that, only multiplied.. but it was so amazing that I jumped twice! =)

Snce we were all starving after the jump, half of us went for jerk chicken and to KFC, and the other half of us paid a visit to the KING =) that little taste of burger and french fry heaven tickled me to death.
Overall, it was a pretty amazing day!


Yesterday (Sunday)
We went to an Assembly of God and it was warm as usually but we are in Jamaica so that's expected. The service was VERY long..longer than I'm used to.( Around 2 -2 1/2 hrs) The choir was very upbeat and at one point put on a cute dancing skit thing for us. It was enjoyable! There was a young male and female singer who both sang solos and they sand so beautifully, especially the young woman!

Children dressed in white also came out and signed to a dance which was also very moving..it was so beautiful I wanted to cry! The way the kids were able to get so into the feeling of the music and to "feel" something is just...breathtakingly beautiful.
We drove to the airport to pick up the high school aged group of quakers. The age group ranges from 15-17 and they're shy and quite but so were we when we first arrived. It's a new experience and a completely different world so time to adjust is perfectly normal. We drove to the AOC center where they had a welcoming dinner waiting for them as they did with us. We didn't really have a lot of time to talk to some of them. That's what the week is for. I think they felt welcomed for the most part..I hope so!

I wrote a lot so far and I hope it didn't bore you too too much! lol.

On a more serious note, being here is the best thing I could've done for myself. I feel myself changing for the better and I'm so moved and touched with what I've seen and learned. I hope that I am able to take home with me the gift of a new outlook on life that I have learned while being here. As happy as I am to be going home and seeing my family, I'm going to miss it here very much...I'm trying not to think about what I'm going to feel on friday when I say my goodbyes... =(

Michelle English

More than halfway

Today is our 12th day in Jamaica...this means we are more than halfway through the trip. Last night for dinner we went to Savannah-La-Mar for dinner. We first went to a pizza place and then to Burger King. It was nice to have a taste of home. After dinner we went to the pier to see the ocean. It takes my breath away every time I see the clear blue water stretch out in front of me. Many of us are longing for home in different ways (friends, family, food, hot water, air conditioning), but we are also are feeling a twinge of sadness at the thought of leaving Jamaica. We have build incredible relationships here that bridge any differences in culture there may be. The remarkable similarities are telling of the humanity in all of us. We all love our families, value our communities, and want what is best for those we love.

I have learned of a selflessness here I hope to bring home and share with others. I have seen people with very little share with us even when it would mean they would go without. I am learning what it means to have enough...to have only what I need. I'm used to living in the abundance of choices the United States offers to me and yet, I am learning to be grateful for my plate of rice and chicken every night for dinner. There is great happiness here. I have learned the value of "living simply, so that others can simply live". This is the lesson of Jamaica for me.

I am so proud of my students!!!

Last week, we attended the weekly meeting of the Association of Clubs, a collaboration of 8 community centers in the Westmoreland area and the organization which sponsors the summer camp in which we are volunteering. At this meeting we learned that the organization planned and budgeted for approximately 100 students but an additional 60 showed up. Because of the additional students and even after much rationing, camp organizers said they would run out of chickens and rice to feed the children for the last two weeks.
As a group, we traveled to Petersfield with the money that we raised, and were able to bring additional for spending money for the group. We assumed we would use the money for a nice dinner, an excursion, or some other activity. When my students heard that the camp was in need, THEY made the determination to use our "fun money" to help the camp continue. Today we presented the Association of Clubs with $400 American dollars to help support the summer camp for the remaining two weeks which will include rice, chickens and transportation for a field trip. I am proud that my students are learning compassion and sharing, and sacrificing for the sake of others...we have met many Jamaicans that have modeled these values.
Melissa

Dodgeball

Apparently Hurricane season is from June to November, but no body told us. Every morning starts out with sunny skies and by two o clock every day we get some vicious showers. All the kids come inside and sing songs and play games. Keeping busy is never really a problem. We are trying to plot out a trip to get some burger king without offending our host mothers. The food is delicious, but us Americans are craving something other than chicken and rice, chicken and rice, chicken and rice.....and.....of course.....chicken and rice. This morning before the rain came the kiddies had their faces painted after they finished their morning activities. The older students broke up into four groups and we read several books. One involved a fascinating tale of a secret agent in the 3rd grade, and the other of a young detective who solved a mysterious valentines day riddle. After we read the books, some frog stickers were handed out. Then the older students engaged in a fierce battle pitting Jamaican against American. What is this battle you ask? The name of the game is dodgeball. The deplorable conditions of the field only permitted us to use the netball court. In the intense rounds of dodgeball that ensued, hearts were broken and dreams were crushed while others were manifested. Soccer balls zipped and zoomed through the rays of caribbean sunshine, while beads of sweat dripped from the faces of competitors and onto the smoldering pavement. A wiseman once told me that pain is weakness leaving the body, and that is how champions are made. Today champions were chiseled out of Jamaican and American alike. And losers were made of Melissa's team.....because they were just plain awful.


-Alex Boser

Wa Gwaun? (Whats Going On)

Heyy All!! So its Friday night (game night) everyone is at the club playing different games such as scrabble, dominoes, and ping pong! They have music playing and its a good time! So on Wednesday we had a similar experience, we went to this place where they play dominoes and have music and a sort of dance floor. It was a good time and we all enjoyed ourselves!!!

Earlier today we went for a tour of a spice factory. It was really cool to see how they operate and how they make different spices! We also got a bunch of different spices to bring home and share! It was great! Then we went to the Roaring River, a local tourist attraction. There we jumped off of a bridge into the river! It was funn but very scary! Then we went and toured the caves at this same location! IT was B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!! We had a tour guide and he explained the different things that are in the cave like in the wall there is what looks like a lion and a gorilla kissing, and he explained that the caves were once used for a slave route. Veryy Cool!!!! We also went into the water in the cave and some went back into the dark covey hole! It was hard to get back into but once back there was a big space for people it was like a whirl pool!! Also in the cave we got a chance to go swimming in the big open water space. It is very deep and you couldn't touch the bottom if you tried, so it was a bit scary as well but still a very cool experience!!!!


Jamaica Is AMAZING!!! We can't wait to get home and share it all with you!!!
Laura and AnnaMarie

Sports Day With USA Staff --- Day 6

'Ah lo' -----
Today the campers read stories about Jamaican heroes in Jamaican history. Most of their heroes were politicians who have impacted Jamaican culture. The AOC Director questioned the campers after each presentation about the information given. We judged and cheered each presentation.

Today was also USA Sports Day where groups of campers formed teams to compete in kickball. Many of the campers have never played kickball before but they caught on very quickly. We also played frisbee, net ball, and soccer. Water balloon toss was also a fun activity for the smaller campers. Most of the campers have not participated in these games before. It was very rewarding to see and hear them play.

One of the local farmers brought a truck full of watermelons for anyone to purchase (very cheap price). It was very fresh and sweet. Since mangos, bananas, and coconuts grow everywhere on the island, we have these fresh fruits available almost every day with our host families or at camp.

We are most impressed with the children and the staff. Their warmth and generosity have been amazing. They have welcomed us with open arms!

Yah man,

Dottie Craig
Graduate Assistant

jamaica is WONDERFUL!

Hello everyone! its tuesday and we're having an amazing time. I'm in the community center's office on their computer, dr swauger asked me to update everyone about what we've been doing the last few days so here we go! we arrives on saturday at night so we didn't get our first real taste of jamaica until the morning when the sun was shining and goats were roaming the streets. in addition to goats, we also see a lot of chickens and cows tethered in peopl's front yards. they drive on the opposite side of the street so it took just a few days to get used to that. on sunday we went into the mountians, we drove up very windy roads and the drivers have to honk their horns as we turn a hard left or right to let oncoming traffic know we are coming. when we traveled farther up the mountain we stopped at a construction project where the community and our group worked together to help build a new house for a woman who lost her house in a fire a few months ago. we used an assembly line technique to move rocks and cement buckets so that was a team building activity and it was a good way to start our trip. after that, we went to the beach and got to have our first dip in the Caribbean. the water was very warm, salty, and green. we found a lot of starfish and took pictures together. we have been eating a lot of plantains and mangoes. fish and chicken are served with many meals and toast of crackers with butter is also usually served with meals at my house mother's home. living with a host family has been a good experience for me as i cannot see a way to better experience the culture of jamaica. yesterday was our first day in the camp and immediately i felt welcomed by everyone. a few of the girls even came up to m and pulled me away and invited me to come on a walk with them. we played net ball which is sort of like basketball. its actually lunch/break time right now so soon we'll probably play some net ball again. yesterday we also went into town and bought phones so we have two phones that we can call home on. it will be expensive to call us for you back home but we might send out an email with the numbers for emergencies. so don't worry if we don't contact you every day because we are very busy and most days are filled with a lot of activity or conversation as we're all trying to learn about each other. i think we might have some curry chicken for lunch, i can smell the spice and it smells so good! we've had a few speakers come to talk to us about the education system and we're learning a lot. their school system is different in some ways from ours back in the states but there are also many similarities. today we've heard two speakers, one from a principal and one from a police officer that used to attent the camp as a boy. we also heard a poem by a girl which was really good. we video taped a lot of the activities and we're going to put together a dvd when we get back. i think some of the girls are going to braid our hair soon so that will be cool, (literally) because its very hot here. i'm starting to get used to it though. luckily my roommate deborah and i have a fan in our room! we also had class yesterday on a platform with a roof and while we were having discussions it started to rain. it felt so good and was such a welcomed rain that a few of us just stayed under the downpour and appreciated the cooling affect of the water. That, and the time spent in the shower, are the only times we're really cool during our time here on the island. i feel like we've been here weeks and weeks but its only been a few days! I cant wait for the rest of the trip and all the fun things we will do, but i know that every day that passes marks the end of our great trip. so farits been such a great experience and i cant wait for more more more!

- on behalf of the whole group in jamaica
-jackie michaels

At the airport!!

So we're all at the airport and checked in!! It's a very exciting time!! Every one is getting along great and I look forward to getting to know everyone!! It's almost time to board!!!

almost there

hey everyone, I'm just making sure this works. So tomorrow we leave, and we'll finally be in Jamaica! I'm so excited and anyone who reads this blog is either excited also, nervous, or jealous haha. But thanks for reading it regardless of your reason. Next time we post on here we'll be there!! -jackie

8 Days to Departure

In just 8 days, I will be traveling, along with 9 Indiana University of PA students, to Petersfield Jamaica to volunteer at the Association of Clubs 9th Annual Youth Empowerment Camp, live with host families, and learn through classroom lectures, field trips, and guest lectures. We are all excited and nervous to participate in this 3 week endeavor! We also thank Amizade Global Service Learning and Volunteer programs for helping to facilitate this experience www.amizade.org. We would like to use this blog to keep our families and friends updated. Hopefully, but depending on our internet access, we will submit posts every few days. We hope that you will follow us and thank you all for supporting our project! Melissa