Photos: Ms VanderWeele and gentlemen at school "Ladies and Gentleman's Day"
Connie and Pam on morning walk Ocho Rios Beach
Potter at Wassi Art Pottery Studio near Ochi
February 2011 in Jamaica
Happy Valentines’ Day- Jamaican style! There were some Valentine commercials on TV, no parties at school though. My sister Connie brought me 2 bags of those ultra traditional Valentine candy- those little conversation hearts. I put them in baggies for each classroom and explained to the students that US kids would have these at Valentine’s Day parties. Kids refer to most all candy as “sweeties” and many have come looking for more of those sweeties.
In February my sister Connie came to Montego Bay to help out with Mission Jamaica – an NGO who sends volunteers to help out at a home for disabled Jamaican children. She and friend Sandy did a lot of wonderful decorative painting. I joined them for a night at their all inclusive hotel- my first experience at one of those. I really felt like I was on vacation! (Which I was!) I loved the on-tap Pina’ Coladas and the 3 pools plus a beach- we did a little snorkeling plus a little kayaking and a lot of eating! Then Connie and I headed to my place. Connie came to school 2 days and helped out in a variety of ways- there is always something that needs doing! She also mastered the route taxi system into Ocho Rios and enjoyed the beach and the sun. We visited Coyaba Gardens and Wassi Art Pottery Studio. The Pottery Studio tour was wonderful- put it on your agenda if you come to Ochi. We saw how they treated the raw river clay from St. Mary parish into workable pottery grade clay, and then watched a potter at work. There are 13 artists employed there, each with his or her own style. We saw the firing kilns and the glazing process. So interesting! We saw wonderful colorful hand painted vases, cups, bowls and other items.

We enjoyed home cooked jerk chicken at a birthday party for everyone living in Steve’s “yard” – Steve is my super landlord who is always making sure I am safe, and taken care of. There are 5 tenants who rent from Steve in our yard. We listened to “vintage” reggae- the Bob Marley era which I really enjoy.
I have become a “regular” guest at the Ocho Rios Rotary Club. I am hoping to become a “real “member at some point. I have met John, a dentist trained in Cuba, and Chris, a structural engineer who studied in Trinidad and is the only one of 6 Jamaicans in his engineering class who returned to Jamaica to work. Brain drain is truly a problem here.
Right now I am busy finishing up writing a grant for a boys summer camp I am hoping to run this summer. (It is due on Feb. 25th.) Peace Corps has some US Aide money for Small Project Assistance grants for amounts up to $3000 US. I am hopeful that I will be approved for some of that money! (Thanks Wallingford YMCA for all that grant writing experience!)
Thinking of you all!