HALLOWEEN IN JAMAICA + GREAT SHAPE INC.


October 21 & 22 was the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference in Kingston put on by VAC. VAC stands for Volunteer Advisory Council. I was nominated and elected as one of 2 PCVs from my Group 81. Group 82, the newest group on island, also elected 2 volunteers. The 4 of us are like the board of directors for VAC, and are responsible to be the voice of the volunteers to the PC Jamaica staff. This conference was a step towards promoting better rapport between the 2 Peace Corps groups and with the PCJ staff. Various volunteers led small focus groups on a variety of topics such as organic farming, understanding the Jamaica school system, health and nutrition promotion and one titled “ What to do when you are bored in Jamaica”. I got a great recommended book list and recipes from some other volunteers. The conference went very well, and now the 4 of us are compiling the survey results and writing a report and recommendations for next year’s conference.

I had the chance to visit Ann and PCV G82 who lives in St. Mary parish- more rural than my site. We enjoyed the local beaches and I saw her school garden and the baby goats. I love visiting other PCVs and seeing their communities!

Halloween is not celebrated here in Jamaica but most of the students knew about it a little from cable TV and books. I made 2 Jack o’ Lanterns- one from a green pumpkin (that’s the normal colour of pumpkins here), and one from a calabash gourd. I brought them to the school library, and even lit a candle after closing the windows for Grade 2! The students loved seeing, touching and smelling them. I did not hand out treats to all 240 students at school! It was fun!

November 7-18 Breadnut Hill Primary was fortunate to have volunteers from Great Shape Inc, a NGO out of Oregon which is dedicated to assisting Jamaica in three areas. It runs free dental clinics, eye clinics, literacy programs and supplies computers all around Jamaica. The Sandals Foundation and Resorts host the volunteers. I was invited (Peace Corps approved) and was allowed to stay at the Beaches Boscobal Resort for the first week. Quite a luxury to stay at an all inclusive resort- with elaborate buffet meals, drinks of all varieties at no charge, two pools, a beach and a fitness centre. I’m sure I gained some weight!
The literacy volunteers went to 4 area primary schools near Ocho Rios. They had met with the Ministry of Education and were asked to concentrate on writing skills. On both the Grade 4 and Grade 6 exams there is a writing section which many students score poorly on. I was so impressed with these teachers and their volunteer assistants. They came prepared with a variety of activities to encourage writing skills. Teachers were asked to stay in the room with their class because helping the teachers learn new methods is an important part of Great Shape’s mission. This was not always successful, but it was encouraging to see some teachers excited about a new method and eager to learn more on how to implement it. Back at the resort I was able to share some Peace Corps stories as well as explaining some Jamaican culture and norms to the volunteers. We talked a lot about how to initiate change, and what Great Shape can do to be more effective and more sustainable. That is very much like Peace Corps discussions and concerns. I was able to arrange 2 groups to go visit Mel and see baby Hawksbill turtles hatch and make their way to the sea. That still awes me every time I see them! I met many good new friends at Great Shape and hope and intend to visit some of them when I return to the states and go on the road with my RV! (next dream to fulfil!)
Thank you Great Shape for your dedication to Jamaica and your kindness to me- I really enjoyed my Sandals vacation and getting to know some of you! Blessings!

BUSY DAYS IN SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2011

BUSY DAYS- SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2011
September 17th was the International Coastal Clean-up Day worldwide. I joined about 180 local participants including 2 other PCV’s and 2 of my summer camp boys at the White River. The organizers had buses ready to take volunteers to various beaches that needed cleaning. Our group of 5 ended up at Priory Beach near St. Ann’s Bay. We pulled a lot of black scandal bags out of the beach area along with shoes, clothes, cans and plastic. Everything was tallied up to be submitted for analysis. After we were bussed back, hot and hungry we had lots of donated food for lunch including my first taste of Lionfish soup! Quite tasty. Was so encouraging to see the local support and the number of school students who came out to help.

How appropriate- one Saturday in October a bunch of PC volunteers (16 in all) gathered to go tubing down the White River. We drove up into the bush where the river ran clear, cool and beautiful. No houses no trash. We divided into 2 groups and walked up the river with our tubes and floated down to meet our friends. The tubes were the same type you get at a water park- with the 2 handles. The river had a few ripples, some small rapids and one tricky spot that flipped out about half of the group!
I have been attending weekly formative meetings for the soon to be chartered Rotary Club of Ocho Rios East. In October we were visited by the District Governor Guy from Haiti. He has approved out charter and now we are planning our charter ceremony event! Then we can finally get to do some of the community projects we have discussed! Peace Corps volunteers are encouraged to get involved in community organizations, but they suggest we be just guest members since our monthly allowance is not enough to pay dues. I really want to be a “real” member so I have reached out to the Wallingford CT Rotary Club and past Rotarian Al Reynolds for financial support and they have graciously and generously helped me out! I am excited and proud to be a charter member of the Ocho Rios East Rotary Club! A “big up” to my supporters! (A Jamaican phrase to indicate a big thank you or accomplishment. )