Everyone knows the saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side". Yet, if you look beyond the surface and delve deeper into the roots and reality of it...you are almost always surprised.
In 2011 I left the comfort of the US border for the first time, and it has changed me indefinitely. I am a person of many words and little emotions, so this blog is quite challenging for me. Bare with me world!
Day 1- Excitement
Upon arrival my heart is full, my mind is open, and my feet are ready to go the distance.
Vendors on the beach are kind souls, who will trade souvenirs and shells for food.
This is something my sheltered childhood has not seen before.
The land is beautiful. The people are beautiful. The poverty is overwhelming.
Realization; Beauty does not mean perfection.
Day 2- Tourism
Doctor's Cave Beach will heal your mind, body, and soul.
Shopping for souvenirs is a touristy thing to do. Embrace it for one hour max.
Vendors are selling treasures at the resort, what they can craft with their own two hands is stunning.
Shopping for souvenirs is a touristy thing to do. Embrace it for one hour max.
Vendors are selling treasures at the resort, what they can craft with their own two hands is stunning.
Day 3- Claustrophobia
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Catherine Hall Primary School in Montego Bay.
1st Grade classroom = 53 students
Walls do not exist, bars separate the students and classes.
My heart exploded during lunch break, when the students and I played and bonded.
Met with the Principal of Sam Sharpe's Teacher College.
Discussed personal experiences, personal opportunities, and compared them to those of locals.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Catherine Hall Primary School in Montego Bay.
1st Grade classroom = 53 students
Walls do not exist, bars separate the students and classes.
My heart exploded during lunch break, when the students and I played and bonded.
Met with the Principal of Sam Sharpe's Teacher College.
Discussed personal experiences, personal opportunities, and compared them to those of locals.
Day 4- Outlook
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Montego Bay High School.
Humor can help you learn and get through the rough times.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Herbert Morrison Technical High School.
In need of me time.
When you consistently put your heart into every experience you have,
you need time to refuel and replenish.
I went kayaking over the coral reef with a glass bottom kayak.
This is bittersweet because today, only 6 years later, 93% of the coral reef is damaged.
This worlds needs more altruism.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Montego Bay High School.
Humor can help you learn and get through the rough times.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Herbert Morrison Technical High School.
In need of me time.
When you consistently put your heart into every experience you have,
you need time to refuel and replenish.
I went kayaking over the coral reef with a glass bottom kayak.
This is bittersweet because today, only 6 years later, 93% of the coral reef is damaged.
This worlds needs more altruism.
Day 5- Light
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit John Rollins Success Primary School.
This school is particularly known for there dance program.
Which was mind-blowing when the students performed for us.
Truly, talent knows no limits or age.
Visited the first (and oldest) church in Jamaica,
which still holds mass every Sunday!
Spectacular.
The Outameni Experience.
Not a place you visit, but a place you experience the full history of Jamaica.
You live this place.
You are greeted by Peacocks and the beautify of the culture.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit John Rollins Success Primary School.
This school is particularly known for there dance program.
Which was mind-blowing when the students performed for us.
Truly, talent knows no limits or age.
Visited the first (and oldest) church in Jamaica,
which still holds mass every Sunday!
Spectacular.
The Outameni Experience.
Not a place you visit, but a place you experience the full history of Jamaica.
You live this place.
You are greeted by Peacocks and the beautify of the culture.
Day 6- Resourcefulness
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Granville All Age School.
The day was spent in two 1st Grade classrooms and three 4th Grade classrooms.
The skills these students have are beyond there years.
The resources these teachers utilize are bottle caps for counting and songs for memorization.
Perfect example of "life is what you make it".
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Granville All Age School.
The day was spent in two 1st Grade classrooms and three 4th Grade classrooms.
The skills these students have are beyond there years.
The resources these teachers utilize are bottle caps for counting and songs for memorization.
Perfect example of "life is what you make it".
Day 7- Gated
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Bayside Shift School.
A "shift school" is where there is a new group of students every few hours.
We arrived between shifts so I spent my time at the gate, talking with the next shift kids.
This is where I learned of the true, unmasked poverty.
Of students getting burned by there parents for misbehaving.
Of having nothing and wanted education because it is a way out.
Yet, through it all....they have endless hope.
Upon return I spent the afternoon jet skiing and snorkeling with the locals.
I spent a lot of my time with the locals, come to think of it.
Volunteer, Observe, and Visit Bayside Shift School.
A "shift school" is where there is a new group of students every few hours.
We arrived between shifts so I spent my time at the gate, talking with the next shift kids.
This is where I learned of the true, unmasked poverty.
Of students getting burned by there parents for misbehaving.
Of having nothing and wanted education because it is a way out.
Yet, through it all....they have endless hope.
Upon return I spent the afternoon jet skiing and snorkeling with the locals.
I spent a lot of my time with the locals, come to think of it.
Day 8- Patois
Today we traveled to Ochos Rios for Dunn's River Falls,
a 967 foot waterfall that we would hike, swim, and slide through.
Our guide was Big Toe, and him and I lead the group as he taught me Patois and cultural songs.
Next we traveled to Dolphin's Cove,
where we were immersed in the animal life of Jamaica.
I held lizards, birds, and creatures in there natural habitat.
I swam with sharks, dolphins, and manta rays.
Today we traveled to Ochos Rios for Dunn's River Falls,
a 967 foot waterfall that we would hike, swim, and slide through.
Our guide was Big Toe, and him and I lead the group as he taught me Patois and cultural songs.
Next we traveled to Dolphin's Cove,
where we were immersed in the animal life of Jamaica.
I held lizards, birds, and creatures in there natural habitat.
I swam with sharks, dolphins, and manta rays.
Day 9- Irie
I don't want to leave.
I want to teach here.
I want to make a difference.
I want the kindness I have experienced here to be universal.
I want this plane to turn around.
I don't want to leave.
I want to teach here.
I want to make a difference.
I want the kindness I have experienced here to be universal.
I want this plane to turn around.
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