A trip with Ms. Winnie

A trip with Ms. Winnie

It was around 1:30 on Thursday afternoon, and by that point I was completely immersed in my work—myself and John were sizing and cutting the wood for the swings we planned to make for the kids, and were entirely “in the zone”. That is, until Kaye and Thea came over to me and asked something of me: due to the fact that we were building the swings from scratch, we had to source chain to use, and there was one hardware store around 45 minutes away that had the kind we needed. Ms. Winnie, the owner of the hotel we were staying at and a close friend of Kaye’s, had asked if someone could accompany her to the store; and since I was involved in the designing of the swings, Thea and Kaye thought it would be a good idea for me to go for the ride. And although I initially thought to myself that I didn’t want to leave the work site so I could continue to build the swings, I figured it would be a good idea to go so not only was I there to keep Ms. Winnie company, but I could ensure that we bought the correct chain.  I agreed to go, and as I went to get in the car Thea pulled me over and said “This will be really good for you, be sure to ask her a lot of questions!” I nodded in agreement as I sat down in the car and shut the door, and as I waved goodbye to everyone at the school, I had an undeniable feeling that this wasn’t going to be your typical car ride.

Our trip began with the usual "awkward silence" as we both looked to the road ahead, trying not to make any noise to disrupt one another. However, being a person who loves to pick people's brains (along with the fact that Thea had hinted to me to ask her things), I couldn't help but break the ice and asked the simple question of how long she has had Taino Cove for.  I figured that she would either answer the question politely and return to keeping to herself, or the query would turn into a full-length conversation with no apparent direction (which we all know is the best type of conversation). She was quick to respond (as if she was waiting for me to say something) and told me that it'll be her 10th year with the Cove this December, and even gave me some insight on how she used Hurricane Ivan as a means to figure out what how she needed to reinforce the building's foundation and outer perimeter. After she finished her brief story I felt the air beginning to get stagnant again, and replied with a follow-up question, asking how long she has known Kaye for (Kaye was our guide and Service Expert for the week). Boy oh boy am I glad I asked her another question instead of allowing the car ride return to unbearable silence, because the next hour of conversation that ensued was some of most inspiring I've ever had.

She began explaining to me that she's known Kaye for just about the same amount of time that she's had the Cove, and that they first met while Kaye was on one of her countless service trips. It seemed almost as if she used that to segway into a different topic, as she delved into how she left Jamaica at the age of 18 in search of an education and overall better quality of life. It wasn’t until the early 2000’s that she returned to her home country, and along with her came a single purpose—to improve conditions in the place she formerly called home. After being away for so long and truly realizing the situation that Jamaica was in, she gained an undisputable yearning to do all she possibly can to help. She decided that she wanted her first site to be St. Mary’s Primary School, as it was a school she herself attended as a child and had caught word that Hurricane Ivan had done a number on it. However, being that she had just returned to the country, she essentially had no resources in order to implement her plan of action; that is, until she remembered Kaye’s work. She immediately emailed Kaye inquiring about an opportunity to do a build at St. Mary’s…and ladies and gentlemen it’s all history from there. Since then, she’s organized service trips to over 10 schools in her area, completing projects ranging from paint jobs to full playgrounds. She’s become an inspiration to an insurmountable number of people; whether they’re locals or members of one of her service trips—and I can happily say I too have become motivated by the works of this incredible woman. As if this trip hasn’t already encouraged me to become a global citizen enough, the selfless acts of Ms. Winnie simply made the fire inside of me burn that much brighter.

We wound up filling the rest of the car ride talking about our personal lives, from how cancer has affected our loved ones to our future aspirations, and everything in between. We shared the “Watershed moments” we’ve experienced while participating in service events, and connected on a level that can only be reached/understood by two people who have truly been touched by events like the ones I’ve had on this trip. Words can’t express how glad I was to be able to spend some time with Ms. Winnie, and hope to be given the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with her again to see our dreams come to fruition.

-Andrew

Departed with Departing Thoughts

I thought I would be more excited to see the New York skyline and the familiar views of Hoboken, but I thought wrong.

This trip was an assortment of different things. Of course, it was educational in many regards. I learned about Jamaican culture and history, I physically sat in a fourth grade classroom and learned like a student attending a Jamaican school, and I learned from Thea, Kaye, and my fellow GSI members. My time in Jamaica also gave me some time to reflect on myself as an individual. We learned about the steps towards being a "global citizen." Prior to Jamaica, I found myself to oscillate between "volunteer" and "conscientious citizen." Now that I've traveled, served, and made it back to the grand ole USA, I think I have achieved the level of global citizen. I've become more curious, more concerned about the root causes of things. I think I've grown over this past week, and I want to continue to nurture this maturation throughout my time here at Stevens and in my adult life.

I wasn't concerned that I didn't know any of the students on this trip when I signed up... however, I didn't imagine that we'd become such a close bunch! We shared our watershed moments and our privileges, we laughed well into the night playing charades and Cards Against Humanity, we became an unbeatable team that could accomplish anything within a day's work. In just one week, I have made 10 more friends that I would only have the pleasure of serving with again and again. I thank Megan, John, Andrew (Matt), Kevin (James), Evan, Julia, Morgan, Alli, Jane, Elise, Thea, and Kaye for being such open, inspiring, fun, and energetic people. You made this experience much more than I anticipated, and I am so thankful.

It's strange to realize that I will go back to my research on Monday, thousands of miles away from James and Miss G at the Whistling Bird, Miss Winnie and Dr. Hilton at Taino Cove, Merit, and the beautiful children at both Gordon's primary school and Pedro Plains Primary School. Life continues on as it always does, but my trip to Jamaica with Stevens GSI will continue to resonate in my memory and impact my decisions as I proceed. 

I'll end my post with a quotation that Kaye shared with us on our last night at Taino Cove. It perfectly encapsulates the trip, and I hope it inspires future Stevens students to not help, not fix, but serve:

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these grounds. Broad wholesome charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired be vegetating in one little corner of the earth over one's lifetime."--Mark Twain

--Olivia

Traveling home

Our #StevensGSI crew has safely traveled home after a transformational experience serving in Jamaica #travel #globalservice #jamaica 

My Reaction to "Life and Debt"

One evening we watched part of a documentary called "Life and Debt". It can be found on Netflix and I encourage you to go and watch it! Take the time to educate yourself about global relations because I found my view of global politics and economics to be inaccurate after watching just a portion of this documentary. I am certainly planning to watch the whole thing when I get back home. It explained why Jamaica's economy has suffered since the 1900s and the reasons really surprised me. Growing up in an individualistic and capitalistic society, I had an underlying assumption that poverty was caused by poor people not working hard enough to achieve success. I guess there are certainly cases of that in the world as well, but I had never imagined that poverty can be the indirect result of other people's actions. For example, the documentary explained how the IMF and World Trade Organization would lend a Jamaican business money to increase their exports, decrease their imports, and improve their economy. This sounds great in theory, except for the fact that they also wrote many restrictions into the contract. This resulted in the larger and more powerful economies who control the IMF and WTO to benefit while Jamaican businesses could not compete. The sad part is they couldn't even manage to sell their products in their own communities because the larger economies were then allowed to import their products into Jamaica and sell them for cheaper than the Jamaican business could. The business that was supposed to thrive ends up bankrupt and abandoned while the larger economies continue to take advantage of now being able to sell their goods in Jamaica. The fact that the three largest and most powerful economies in the world, including the U.S. by the way, control the IMF and WTO while any smaller and weaker economy cannot. This is where the true problem lies. Dr. Hilton, one of the owners of the Taino Cove where we are staying, also talked about this topic with us. Hearing a first hand account of what this country has been through from a local Jamaican really impacted me. He emphasized how this documentary discusses a world problem, but just the case in Jamaica. It happens to many other countries as well. The system is broken and if developing countries were given the chance to actually develop without being taken advantage of, maybe there could be less poverty in this world. These are real issues in the world and being in Jamaica to see the poverty first hand is an experience unlike watching a sad commercial on TV. You all know what commercial I am talking about. Seeing it first hand and learning the causes behind it is compelling me to act and become a global citizen. I want to research into more of the causes of poverty and what I can change within my own lifestyle to make a difference, no matter how small. To make big change happen, small change must come first. Leading by example is one way to raise awareness of how the way people live and the choices we make can really affect global issues. This trip and the discussions within our group have educated me enough to understand that I was not educated about global issues initially. I encourage you to educate yourself because you might be surprised by the information you find and the feelings you have from it. Remember, nobody can ever take knowledge away from you.  

-Julia

To Be Is To Be Perceived

After staying at Whistling Bird and getting to experience the great area of Nigrel, we traveled south to a much more rural and remote setting around the Treasure Beach area. One of the first things I noticed about the area was that there were a lot more space around each property. The place we are staying at is different from anything I've stayed at before. Each room is spacious and looks out over the outdoor pool and the beautiful ocean. Here we are able to leave our windows and doors open because the resort is located at the end of dirt road that is basically deserted. It really feels like  am in my own little world and I never want to leave.

When I arrived at the next school their were many things that surprised me about the differences from the first school we worked at. This school was much bigger and looked much more kept after. It had two separate buildings, one was a basic school that had young kids about the same age as the first school we visited. The other building housed grades ages one through six. The school overall was very clean and like before had great kids that were very excited to have visitors. I was with the group that worked on painting the barriers of the fence around the school with oil paint. It sounds like a simple job but actually it was rather difficult and took a lot of time. One of the things that I was told was to prevent getting paint on any of the children's clothes because corporal punishment is still used here and it really surprised me to think that this still happens. I grew up living in certain conditions and sometimes things don't click for me until I experience them directly. While painting one of the neighbors of the school stopped by to say hello and thank us for the work being done. I don't know why but it always surprises me when people from the area come by and talk with us but the genuine interest they take in the community makes me realize how stuck in our own little world we are back in the states. When we broke for lunch, we were provided food from the school this time. It was delicious! I then got to spend some time with some of the kids and play a game of freeze tag and red rover. It was really cool to see that these elementary school games that I played growing up are universal at every school. 

When we got back from working at the school we had are nightly discussion focused on privilege. We stood in a line and took steps forward or backwards based on whether we had been discriminated against or if we had some form of privilege given to us while growing up. I thought it was a very cool activity that showed to never judge someone by what is seen on the surface because we don't know what they have experienced throughout life. No matter how much privilege we are born into or come to have in life it is important to be aware of where you stand and possibly use that privilege in some way that can give you more of a worldy view. When I am spending time with theses kids I know I am more privileged then them but it never really crosses my mind because I am just communicating with them on a basic human level that consists of kindness and understanding. When I reflect back on it at the end of the day it's very humbling to realize. It reminds me of a quote from the movie Cloud Atlas that says "To be is to perceived. And so to know thyself is only possible through the eyes of the other." I think that is very applicable to my situation at the moment. By meeting these different people through this trip I have learned more about myself by becoming aware and having more of an understanding of the world around me.

Morgan

Are You Smarter than a Third Grader?

After the few transformative days that we spent in Negril and Savanna-la-Mar, I didn't anticipate the southern coast of Jamaica to have anything that was too vastly different from everything that we had already seen. Of course, I was very wrong. As we moved further from the western coast of the island toward our next destination, the landscape became decidedly more rural, sparsely populated, and forested. Getting a chance to go through the hills and see so many farms, vegetation, and even a waterfall was incredible; we got a peek at some of the defining qualities of a large quantity of the Jamaican parishes that somehow never make it into the tourism ad campaigns, despite their beauty and the significant role that they play in the culture of the people. Arriving at the second school this morning was also very surprising. As we came upon a large, well-maintained, and colorful building on the bus ride, I figured that it must be another large home or business that we would simply pass. I was very confused as we pulled into the driveway. 

This second work site has a Basic School for children aged 3-5, and a Primary School for children in grades 1-6. The school building is massive in comparison to Gordon's Basic School, and it's evident that the school receives much more funding. The children, however, were just as thrilled to see us coming to work in their schoolyard and to play and talk with them. With the greater age range and student population, there were many more games and activities played outside in the yard, and a huge diversity of subjects and projects in the classroom.

After a couple of hours of painting the fence that encloses the school, I took lunch and played with a group of third graders during their break period. I had expected to go back to work when their break was over, but the group swindled me into the classroom where I proceeded to sit with them and engage in a conversation about the environment, pollution, and conservation efforts (for those of you who don't know me, this is stuff that I find downright enthralling). 

I would never have expected to learn so much in a room full of 8-year-olds, but the teacher went through explanations of how different Jamaican sewage, filtration, and garbage disposal systems operate, and offered up ways that the children can be more environmentally friendly. The teacher shocked me by asking me to talk to the class about how the US handles things like pollution and conservation, as he was a native Jamaican and had never left the country. Soon enough, my Reader's Digest version of American pollution sources and regulations, recycling plants, and waste-water treatment facilities turned into a Q & A session. The students were so curious about things that I simply take for granted in my everyday life and truly opened my eyes to aspects of the daily life of Jamaicans that I would never have even thought about. They asked me what my favorite fruit was, and what fruits we have in America, were enraptured by something so simple as me discussing how and where blueberries and strawberries grow, and responded by saying that bananas are a rare treat for most of the students, but are generally too expensive for families to afford; they asked me if it ever gets cold in America, if I had ever seen snow, what snow feels like, if you can actually make things out of it or hit people with it; they asked what Stevens, my family members, and my house are like, and continued to describe their own siblings and home life. The discussion eventually involved myself, every student, and the teacher, and I think that it's safe to say that everyone in the room learned so many new and incredible things about one another as individuals and about the cultural differences and similarities between areas of Jamaica and areas of the United States. When the dismissal bell rang, we were all sad to have to abandon our conversation, but as everyone (teacher included) gave me a hug good-bye for the day, we all made it very clear to one another that the side-track was more valuable than any class experience that we'd had in the past. Needless to say, I can't wait to go back tomorrow to continue the working and learning experiences that this school is sharing with us.

Alli

Kicking back and relaxing at our second location at Taino Cove

Reflection

As someone who has previously had work experience on construction sites I have had my fair share of experiences in how women are treated in the work force. Over the past few days I have been able to experience a different side of the spectrum. While on the worksite at the beginning of this week I was able to work closely with the day laborers, and I was shocked at the patience and passion that they had with working with me and teaching me different skills. The laborers were very good with showing us how different procedures were performed but also letting us try them ourselves. I must have spent a good two hours attempting to chisel an area out of cement blocks and lets face it I'm not very strong nor do I have a good technique... so after giving everyone a good laugh they were ready to come show me ways to make it easier and respected the fact that I was willing to do actual work. It was refreshing to know that my efforts were appreciated and to actually feel like part of the team here; at home typically most opinions or work would be overlooked solely for the fact that I am a young female working in a "man's job."

This is something that has been a major difference that I have noticed in my time here; Jamaica is very much so a community, and while there are many different people everyone is a family. In many ways they have a system that is superior to the way our country works in the manner of being supportive of each other and wanting to see everyone succeed. It is sad to think about the potential that lies in this country and the fact that they cannot go anywhere with that.

Tonight we watched a documentary called "Life and Debt" which discussed the financial problems that Jamaica has been facing. It is something like this that demonstrates how corrupt the world really is. It is because of people in superior roles and corporate companies who have the ability to take a stand and make a difference, but choose to worry about bettering themselves. When watching this documentary, a decent amount of what I was watching were facts I had already been aware of. It is sickening to think that people here are working full work days, 6 days a week and making less in that week than people make in a few hours in America. Better yet, the fact that people are slaving away in factories for large companies who are clearly making an immense amount of profit, and yet they do not reap any benefits of the work that they put in to make that product. 

When reflecting back on the past week it is hard to sum up everything that I have experienced and learned, everything seems so important. However something that is commonly referenced here is being "one." If I take nothing out of this I learned what it is like to be a part of one unit, and how they have made themselves one here, even in the worst of circumstances this community has come together in these tough times. This is something that I hope will one day transfer back home, and hopefully one day the Jamaicans will be able to experience the full joy of having a comfortable lifestyle with that same mentality. 

 - Megan

Going coast to coast

It's hump day, everyone! Usually I'm glad to say that when school is in session; however, I am quite sad that our time here in Jamaica is quickly passing. Today, we said goodbye to Miss G and James at Whistling Bird, and I can say with certainty that our experience there was truly a pleasure. We departed early in the morning, all equipped with coffee beans, homemade banana bread and carrot cake, and peanuts (courtesy of James).

After we said our goodbyes, we traveled a short distance to a store where we had the opportunity to pick up some gifts, either for ourselves or family/friends back home. Kay knows the owner very well, and he was nice enough to give us discounts (tax-free too!). I weaved through the aisles, overwhelmed by all off the red, green, black, and yellow colored keychains, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and     shot glasses (don't worry Mom, I didn't even think about it). All of us left the store, happy with our purchases, and we were ready to embark on our next adventure: a trip to the YS Falls!

The bus ride was around 2 hours long, but it was well worth the travels. The bus dropped us off at the main building, and we were driven up by a van to the falls (usually, visitors are brought up on a gitnee, a cart pulled by a huge tractor). The YS Falls, which opened in 1992, is absolutely beautiful. The main spectacle? Waterfalls surrounded by natural flora  attract many from all over the world, and we were lucky to get a day at the site. We all agreed that ziplining was a must. We all suited up in our harnesses, helmets and gloves, and we were off! Personally, I am not a fan of heights, but I just had to do this. The view from several hundred feet in the air was breathtaking! There were five different lines that we traveled on; the third was the best, stretching directly over the falls for over 1000 feet! Parents, if you're freaking out, please don't worry. All members of the Stevens GSI made it back safely!

In addition to the zipline, we also had the opportunity to jump into the falls by swinging on rope, hang around two different pools, and explore the environment surrounding the falls. It was a nice break from all the hard work we had done the past two days. After we had our fun, we got back onto the bus and took another hour-long drive to our next destination: Taino Cove in Treasure Beach!

Whistling Bird and the western coast had charm, but Taino Cove is unlike any other place I've been. It is quietly situated on the southern coast of Jamaica, and the views of the ocean are marvelous. Miss Winnie owns the place, and she immediately welcomed us to her place. I was lazily lounging on one of the sleeping chairs near the pool, but I watched as she sat down with other members of the group, both as a hospitable businesswoman but a warm friend. It seems as if everywhere we go, we are only greeted with kindess. It is upsetting that I don't feel this sense of hospitality in my own country, but I will take this opporunity to appreciate the kindness that we've been shown in our short time here.

After dinner (which was delicious, of course), the group gathered in the lobby to watch a documentary called "Life and Debt." This video is a documentary that really shows the stark difference between the tourist life and the native life of Jamaica. We were educated about how Jamaica has been in economic turmoil since the end of World War II, and how despite the numerous appeals to the IMF and World Bank, it is still stuck in a vicious cycle of deficit and exploitation. It was an eye-opening film for me; it's upsetting to know that Jamaica (as well as many other countries) are continually exploited by the "bigger guns" in the global economy, and the future seems dim. Miss Winnie's husband joined us and gave us his perspective as a native Jamaican, a perspective that we all needed to here. I find it hard to fathom that countries such as Jamaica are continually oppressed in this way, and I don't know how the problem can be fixed. In order for big change to occur, a revolution of some sort needs to occur (as per Evan's discussion point). But how we do we start this, when America is one of the players to blame?

"Life and Debt" was a great conversation starter, and many of our group members spoke passionately about the issues at hand and the need for change. For me, it's overwhelming to think of where to even begin. We can talk all we want, but will that bring back the banana market to Jamaica? Will that truly level the playing field for all countries participating in the global economy? I'm not sure. That's another blog post.

So, where do I end? Kay asked us some questions to answer in our journals before we all dispersed from the library, and perhaps I'll end with my answer to this one: If money were no object, how would you spend your money and why? I think that is a difficult question to answer. I would love to spend my days, baking and traveling and spending time with the ones I love. However, there is a lot of work to be done in the world. Social justice is at the top of my personal list. This trip has shown me the importance of understanding culture and asking the why's. So, I guess I'd spend my time asking "why" all the time. Like Socrates, I'd bug the hell out of people until I got my answer. And then I'd do something about it, because for me, that's the right thing to do.

--Olivia

Watershed Moments/First-half Reflection

Going into this trip I knew that this week  was going to be a life-changing experience, one that would expose our group to situations we have never encountered before and truly allow us to transition from being simply conscientious individuals to full-blown active global citizens. With a drastic change like that not only comes a massive alteration of how we think and view the world, but also an accompanied responsibility to preach the importance of global citizenship. And by accepting the offer to go on this trip, we all accepted the fact that we may return home as completely different people. Now that we have just finished our time in Negril, I can say that my expectations were a complete underestimation. 

Many people like to think that there are certain events in one's life that act as defining moments, occurrences that illuminate the path that they want to follow for the rest of their life. These "Watershed moments" rarely occur more than once for any given individual; however in my time here I have been blessed to have had two of these experiences.

The first occurred at the Pentecostal church, during the service we had attended on Sunday. I had been told that Jamaican Pentecostal services were comparable to one you would find at a Southern Baptist church, both which were completely different from the Roman Catholic traditions I was raised on. Unlike the rigidity of a typical Catholic ceremony, the Jamaican Pentecostal one served more as an open forum for individuals to express their praise and faith in God and his works. As more and more people stood up and gave their testimonials, it occurred to me that their faith was at a higher level than anything I've ever seen before--they didn't just believe in God, but they knew that he would guide them through their troubled times and lead them into righteousness. About halfway into our stay there it began to downpour torrentially, to the point where the ceiling began to leak in a few places from the sheer volume of water that was accumulating. The striking thing to me wasn't the fact that it was raining so much, but that I couldn't hear a single drop hit the tin roof. I saw the rain falling, and even smelled it, but why couldn't I hear it? I soon came to the realization that the hard pitter-patter of the rain was being completely drowned out simply by the volume of the hymns and prayers being projected from the church patrons, and almost immediately was taken over by a feeling that I truly cannot explain in words. It occurred to me that I could feel the faith in these people, feel their emotions as they came together and manifested into a perfect storm of their own. From that moment on I was overcome with feelings of strength and support, almost as if the Jamaican's spirits were reaching into my soul and lifting my spirits higher than they've ever been. That, my friends, is the true power of faith.

My second moment occurred the next day, at the school where we were re-building a wall for their kitchen. During the bulk of the day, I spent my time with the three Jamaican day laborers, as we demolished whatever was left of the existing wall and erected a completely new one from cinder blocks and cement. As I got caught up in the hustle and bustle of the physical labor throughout the course of the day, it was easy to lose sight of exactly why we were there building that wall in the first place. Towards the end of the day when we were getting ready to leave, I was informed that one of the handles of a see-saw was broken and needed to be fixed. I figured it would be a quick fix, so I immediately began working on it and had it put back together in just a few minutes. And as I was hammering in the final nail, the kids came running outside from the school to play before they too had to leave. They instantly noticed that the see-saw was now fixed, and a crowd of eight students ran over and jumped right on. I took a step back to let them enjoy their ride, and as I was standing there watching them play Thea came to my side, pointed to the children laughing and having fun, and said "You did that." I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little emotional after that-- the fact that just a few minutes of my work on such a simple task could make a group of kids that happy rendered me speechless. I became overwhelmed with emotions, and all I could do was smile as more and more ecstatic children ran up to get a turn. 

I am forever grateful to Stevens and Thea for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip. I've always been driven to volunteer my time to help anyone in need, but this experience has lit a completely different fire in me. It is a fire that yearns to spread to other torches, and is fueled by the sparks created by the sight of a smiling child or the hymns of a Jamaican Pentecostal service. I am certain that there are torches in all of you just waiting to be lit, just as mine has been; and with the help of a few sparks your fire will burn brightly, eager to pass to the next torch. And so I ask you again, what are you waiting for?

-Andrew 

 

Moving on!

Our group is off to another part of the island today to explore some natural falls and experience another part of Jamaica. Tonight we check into Taino Cove in Treasure  Beach and will then gear up for our next school improvement project. Internet is scare where we will be so stay tuned for more updates! 

My Service Experience

      Over the past two days, we have been serving at Gordon's Early Childhood Institution. And to be honest, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. From the moment that we pulled our van into the property, the children's faces lit up and they were all getting excited and cheering, which was amazing! However, once we got there, we immediately had to set up and go to work.

      The result of our work was a new wall being put up. And as simple or difficult as this may sound, to whoever is reading this, it was much more challenging than I had expected. Yet through this challenge, all of us came together as a team and were able to complete this task in TWO days. As we left, I found it profoundly rewarding how this wall will be able last for years and hopefully decades, and that I was able to be a part of that. This is why service is so amazing. It's because what may seem like a menial task or just a small, modest project could give so much to others in ways unexpected.

      But honestly, what is service? Is it just helping someone when they want your help? Or is it just naturally having the drive to help someone knowing that it is going to benefit both them and yourself positively? Personally, I believe it is the second option. I went into this experience thinking to talk to the children that I would be helping by putting up this wall. And I did this because I think that it is important to make a connection with those who you are serving, and because it makes all of the work more meaningful, knowing that it is going to help someone you know/care about. 

      So initially, when I went into the school to meet the children, I put up my hand for high-fives just to be welcoming and friendly. But the response I got from them was incredible! The amount of excitement that they got would have made someone think I'd given them a million dollars. And the fact that I was able to make them happy, even for just those few seconds, made my experience all the more meaningful. Overall, so far, my service experience has been amazing and I am glad and grateful that I have been able to participate with something so great.

Why service?

"Why service?" appears to be a simple question but everyone's answers are different.  Many want to improve the community, whether it be their own or another human being's.  Others simply have to fulfill service requirements.  Or the volunteer is directly or indirectly involved in the project they work on. For some, service makes them and what they work on better.  It is a win-win situation in the end.  It might be a mixture for some people.  I like to think for myself that it is a mixture.

We have worked at Gordon's Early Childhood School the past few days, and it has been a wonderful experience that everyone has enjoyed immensely.  Honestly, as someone who hasn't been involved in service much before this point, this was probably the first project that really impacted me because the way it has been set up.  We see every step of the process, we see where the materials are sourced, we see the community we are helping, and we also see the actual results.  We also experience the surrounding community.  We pulled up to the hardware store and observed how it was different from what we expected.  We renovated a kitchen at the school in two days.  We were able to play with children from ages 3-6 who may otherwise not get as much attention, and you could really see that they enjoyed our company.  When I had a free moment to spare as there were not many jobs I could do, I would visit the children at aftercare.  I can't tell you how many children I gave piggy back rides, let play with my hair, or pushed on the swing.  They were all begging for my attention and I felt like I was going every which way.  But this is what gets you through the day, seeing how you are really directly impacting the community as this kitchen is incredibly important to them, and our time is valued at the end of the day also. 

Volunteering has impacted me more in the past two days, simply because when we pulled up in our van the first day, I saw this whole class of children smiling and waving from outside the building, looking extremely excited that we were there.  For this project, for me, the answer to "Why service?" is simply, "the children."

First Day of Work - Megan

When I woke up this morning, I knew I would be enjoying my day and was more than excited to work on the school and getting to meet the kids; however I didn't imagine feeling the immense amount of love and care for these children that I experienced today. 

It all began when we pulled into the school driveway and all the kids were outside cheering, waving, and jumping with excitement at our arrival. I couldn't even fathom how they could have so much excitement to see people they have never met, did they really understand what we were coming there to do? I couldn't wait to have the opportunity to spend time with them during their recess, but until then it was time to learn about the process of how things were done here in Jamaica. Having had some previous experience on the work site before I was amazed at how "home-made" the process is here. Using your resources and reusing what you already have in order not to waste anything was a large part of our process today,whether it be removing nails from the old pieces of wood or shoveling dirt and sand to make concrete mixes, you really saw how every material held such value. 

Most of the morning was filled with demo work, making concrete, and learning how to do mason work; while being able to work with the day laborers while learning about the processes was amazing, the best part of my day occurred when I was asked to help one of the other students on our trip get a piece of plywood. We began walking to the front of the school and before we could even enter to get the plywood, I had a group of school children surrounding me, they were intrigued with my hair, the texture, and the fact that it was blonde. While I tried to continue to make my way and be helpful, I couldn't resist the excitement in their requests to braid my hair and play with them. I sat down and at that exact moment the ability to play with my hair and make me "look pretty" was like watching kids on Christmas morning, running to the tree to rip open all the presents, fighting over who gets to open what, except in this situation it was who got to braid what portion of my hair. While there was a slight fear that I might be leaving the worksite that day with half a head of hair from them fighting over the different sides, all of that worry disappeared when one girl sat down on my lap. She was genuinely interested in who I was, learning all about me, and making sure that none of her schoolmates hurt me. For some reason I felt an instant connection with her, and when it was time for them to go back inside, she didn't want to be let go of, and the feeling was mutual. All the kids proceeded to give me hugs and you could see their genuine happiness in the fact that we were there and doing something as simple as playing with them for 40 minutes, however that one little girl made a point to say goodbye twice, and kissed me goodbye saying that she hoped she would see me again. 

While this may seem to be irrelevant to what the point of going to the school was for, for me it opened my eyes to how innocent and trusting children can be. They see life in another way than most adults do, they realize there are struggles and hardships however they seek out the best in every situation. These children here have grown up with so little, and are going to a school that recently got electricity just a few months which provides very little light, they are dealing with a partially functioning bathroom, and many parts of the building that are falling apart; however this does not stop them from showing up and getting excited about counting or playing outside. 

When we went to the school today, we were able to see the difference in cultures in a very clear manner, and for me it is disappointing that at home people get so easily caught up in what is thought to be necessary or fashionable, and everyone is willing to complain about the smallest things. Yet here, in a place that has so many more hardships than we do, has such faith and good spirits. 

I not only learned today about the culture here and the work and how difficult it is, but it also opened my eyes to what is really important in life, appreciating what you do have in every situation. I don't remember the last time I have ever felt such pure happiness and self - wholeness than today when I was working on the school and playing with the kids. Personally, I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings when we return. 

Community

In the United States, small business owners are often considered the backbone of their respective communities, and as I learned today, the same holds true within the Jamaican community structure.  Today I had the privilege of spending my time with the owner of our hotel, James, who, while not of Jamaican decent, is from a family with deep roots in the city of Negril.  For three generations, his family has owned the Whistling Bird Hotel and Dining Club, and from the moment we began speaking, it was very evident that more than his land is permanently on the shores of the Caribbean.  I spent my morning differently than the rest of our team, as they went directly to the site, whereas I helped deliver some locally sourced materials to the site for our teams usage.  Locally sourced in our case meant sourced via a local, as James was gracious enough to both offer a better rate on cinder blocks, and delivery by his hand with his truck, and that was my first inclination as to how the community here worked.  Instead of gouging the prices to travelers passing through his hotel, he offered a helping hand to a cause that was close by him.  Originally, it seemed to make sense, he was clearing out inventory that wasn't immediately useful to him, but I soon realized it was more than that.  During our car ride over, in between sweating out any remaining ounce of water in my body, we got to talking about the experiences we both had regarding the Jamaican tourist industry, and perceived means by which it could expand.  I saw if from the perspective of a government that wasn't quite able to monetize and develop all of the available sources of revenue in its country, but the response I got from James was similar, but incredibly different in perspective.  He spoke of the same untapped potential, but in terms of what it had to offer citizens in terms of business opportunities.  After thinking a bit, he and I got further into a talk about local citizens, and offering them more means by which they could find  opportunity.  It was at that point I realized the two trips in "Betsy", his Toyota pickup, delivering brick to our worksite, weren't much different than picking up a few friends in the States on a Saturday and putting in a new set of brick stairs on your house.   All in all, they probably had a bigger impact than 500 dollars in property value in U.S.  He had that same sense of community that I've gotten used to from local chambers of commerce in the U.S., and it made me realize that in the U.S. we truly are just beneficiaries of the systems of economic development that have been in place for years and years.

You can understand the day to day examples of fortune within the U.S. very easily.  Quite simply put, the safety and relative ease of living most experience growing up in the States in middle class is not very hard to detect, especially in comparison to day to day life in Jamaica.  Today I learned that I there are subtleties that we couldn't even begin to appreciate as much as we should.  Things like small business loans and government subsidized industries in the U.S. are ubiquitous enough that they're able to give hard working citizens the opportunity to lift themselves into being their own boss and making a living.  In Jamaica, the people here care just as much about their neighbor as we do in the states, and it seems as though we simply are beneficiaries of circumstance, as they could just as easily find similar, if not more success if they had the opportunities that our programs give us.  I wouldn't venture to say that I made the rash assumption that they had no sense of community whatsoever, but quite simply I assumed their circumstances dictated they would be more self-concerned.

Experiences like today, at least for me, are sources of hope for individual communities of the world, and more importantly help me continue to realize that the "global community" is simply in need of better resource distribution.  I don't know if it is arrogance, at least not intentionally, that leads some people in the U.S. to subconsciously not realize the incredible capabilities of the belief in each other in other nations, but it does seem to be an issue we need to address in order to develop the world.  The sense of community here, from the highly successful resort owners, to the day laborers who worked for a lower wage for the school we constructed, is at a minimum, parallel to anything I've ever seen.  After working side by side with the laborers, and watching them hold the hands of students they had no connection to as they stumbled through work they had no idea how to do, I saw their sense of the greater good.  The elementary school children we built the school for today were always the end goal.  when concrete filler leaked through poorly mortared layers of block, there were no snide comments, only guidance.  When blocks were set unevenly, there wasn't a snicker, or a grabbing of tools, only a continuing pursuit of the goal, a better school for the kids.

In the end, I guess the first few days have given me more faith, but it was faith I should have had already.  Down in Jamaica, the people are just as prepared, if not anxious and more prepared, to make their communities better, they simply are at the whim of circumstance.  In returning to the States, I'd like to hep promote the same attitude in my community, and to also help enable people in environments like Negril find systems like the ones the United States has that enable further success.

-John

Ready for our first day of work!

Journey into Jamaican Culture

When Jamaica comes to mind, visions of smooth, sandy beaches and crystal clear water comes to pops up. But what has been pushed to the back of our minds is the major differences of the culture and lifestyle compared to America. Yesterday, our group arrived around 6:00PM and one of the only interactions we got with the culture was from an air-conditioned bus traveling an hour and a half to our destination on a winding road passing small houses/huts and then massive vacation resorts. This was a culture shock in and of itself how almost poverty level could be juxtaposed next to expensive hotel living. People are making money off of this vacation hot spot while the actual natives are struggling to make a living. This service trip is an opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of Jamaican culture and interact with the locals and be of service to them.

Today was our first full day in Jamaica and for the morning we were told breakfast would be at 10:00AM, so we could do whatever we would like before then. Everyone seemed to be an early bird today because we were all up and about at around 8-8:30AM either going for a jog along the beach, reading a good book on the beach, or swimming in the beautiful waters. I could tell that this group would rather seize the day and do something, even at this relaxing vacation spot. But of course, we did not come here just to soak up the sun in Jamaica, but to experience Jamaica culture and make whatever difference we can during our time here.

At 11:45AM we embarked for a Pentecostal Church just past downtown Negril. Thea told us in advanced that it was similar to a Baptist church where the preacher and the fellow parishioners would just chant and shout praises to The Lord. We all filed into the church and sat in the back two rows, which were generously cleared for us because they knew we would be coming to participate. It was pretty much like what I expected, standing, dancing, singing, praising, except for one thing. They all had soul. Every single person there was shouting praises from their whole body to God, thanking him for everything and putting their entire faith into Him. Parishioners would stand up and share their experiences and everyone would yell, "Amen!" One lady talked about her misfortunes and instead of wallowing in self-pity, she fully embraced it and knew she could be saved by God, no matter what obstacles come her way. Now that is faith. I know I come from a very Catholic family and we go to church every Sunday, but there is such a difference between the cultures and faiths. The Catholic mass is so much more structured and there is not much parishioner interaction with the priest or bursts of songs randomly throughout the service. But in the service we participated in today, every person had the opportunity to stand up and speak at the service and others fully supported whatever they had to say, whether it be by clapping, yelling Hallelujah, or even singing along . I talked to Milton, who is our bus driver, and he said services can start around 10:00AM and last anywhere until 3:00 or 5:00PM. It was really neat to see this religious part of the Jamaican culture because they take almost a whole day to give thanks to God and show how much trust and faith they put in His hands. 

After the moving experience at church, we had authentic Jamaican food at the Sweet Spice Restaurant. I decided to be adventurous and try the curried goat dish, which on the menu it said it was a "good Jamaican dish". I am in Jamaica and when would be the next opportunity I could try curried goat? And it was delicious. The only downfall was that I had to work to take out all the small bones to get the edible meat, but it just made me think how sometimes you have to do a little bit extra and in the end it will be well worth it. 

And if going to a Pentecostal Church or eating local Jamaican food wasn't enough to gain a first impression of the Jamaican culture, we also got the opportunity to ride a glass bottom boat and take a tour around some of the coast of the island. We were fully aware of the impending thunderstorms that were going to be happening throughout the week, especially since it is the rainy season and soon to be the hurricane season. About halfway during the leisure cruise, we found ourselves in the middle of a rainstorm and found shelter at a cave that had some local history itself. It used to be a bar called the Pirate Cave Bar because people would drive their boats towards the cave and jump off and swim to the bar. But unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan has washed it away, but some of the remnants still remain. We found shelter in this cave and got to jump off the boat and swim around and climb onto the bar area. And like I said earlier, our group likes to seize the day. We did not let the rain "rain on our parade." We all still had a blast experiencing all we could of Jamaica and making memories.

What I actually really loved today was our first group meeting and reflection on our experiences of Jamaica thus far. We were first given a survey/test of general first expectations of perceptions of Jamaica. We were then given a short prompt to read called "IN THE SERVICE OF LIFE" by Rachel Naomi Remen about the difference between helping and serving. One quote in particular that I found interesting was, "When I help I have a feeling of satisfaction. When I serve I have a feeling of gratitude." When we are satisfied, we are occupied about our own feelings but when we feel gratitude, we feel for the feelings of others. In that situation, we fully understand they are human just like us and have God's grace and dignity and should not be treated any less. We want to serve because we see our likeness in them and want them to have the same opportunities we have. It was really great to have a group discussion because we gained the perspectives of others and see how they are motivated to go on this service trip. It really opens up my eyes to see and hear that there are really amazing people in this world who not only say they want to make a difference, but actually go out and do something. And not just for their own benefit, but because we see the potential for equality in everyone and want to do the best we can to bring it at that level. This group is actually really great and I am so happy I am getting the chance to partake in this journey with them. I am really excited for the week ahead of us.

Remember: Don't wait for change. Make change. 

Sincerely,

Jane 

Culture and First Impressions

Today was our first full day in Jamaica. Naturally, I've been absorbing as much as I possibly can of my surroundings and the people I interact with here. We had some free time in the morning to rejuvenate from our full day of traveling yesterday so I went for a jog on the beach. There were some small shops where locals had goods for sale, restaurant/bars, and resorts along the way. The locals here did not seem to be shy about shouting out to get my attention or trying to sell goods to me. I jumped into the crystal clear and warm ocean water when I got back to the place we are staying and was able to interact with a starfish! I let it shift across my palm in awe!

Around noon we went to a local Pentecostal church to sit in on their service for about an hour. This was the first time I could truly get a personal glimpse on the culture by participating in it - and what an experience it was! The musical instruments being played and the person singing and chanting through the microphone were very loud. This encouraged the people in the church to fully express themselves through prayer. When a song was playing, the people in the church would dance and clap and sing along. When there was a break in the music, one person would remain standing to express their thoughts, experiences, and emotions to the entire church. This was very new to me in a church setting because I grew up attending mass at a Catholic Church where our prayers are structured and sometimes silent. The energy throughout this Pentecostal church radiated through me and compelled me to dance and clap along. One aspect of this type of prayer that stood out to me was the reactions of the people in the church as these people would individually express themselves. They would automatically show their support by their physical and vocal reactions. As a person sitting in on this service, they came across as a group of people who are not ashamed to express themselves, ask for support, and receive support in return. They portrayed a true sense of community.

"Too blessed to be stressed." I heard this said and extremely supported today during the church service. To me, it plainly represents an aspect of the Jamaican culture that I have noticed so far. They may have many important things to stress about; like shelter, food, caring for their children, and giving their children an education. Many of us take these things for granted back home in the U.S. and we tend to stress about other things in life that may actually be quite trivial. These people in church today were able to recognize everything they have to be thankful for. They know how they must keep in mind that everything will work out one way or another and as long as they have each other and life, they will be okay. This is a part of the culture here that I admire. I remind myself of this from time to time in order to keep my thoughts from racing out of control and stress from taking over, but to live by it is a completely different thing. This is one cultural difference I have noticed so far.

Reflecting with the group today about what we are here to do also helped put things into perspective for me. We discussed how service can be a different thing from simply helping somebody. The concept of helping somebody can create inequality between the parties involved whereas service is done through equality. It is a different way of thinking about the work we are here to do and what both parties involved will take away from the experience. It is a give and take relationship that is established and it is carried out while keeping in mind that we are all humans and equal. Throughout this trip, I am consciously going to put myself in others shoes to try my best to understand their point of view and their life experiences. I am hoping this will allow me to serve and not just help. I also think any work we do here is important because it creates experiences that people carry and pass on. Humanity is put as a priority during service and that is something that should definitely be carried and passed on by anybody who experiences it.

Let's do this!!
-Julia

Day 2: I'm Here

Today was our first full day of our trip. Yesterday we landed and today we got our footing I would say. With a late breakfast at ten, I woke up at a seemingly late eight in the morning (usually I wake up closer to nine or later back at home depending on whether or not I have class on that given day). With the sun shining, I took my first splash into the ocean with my fellow students. As others took care of their morning runs I definitely took a more relaxed approach to the late start in the day. 

We ventured through the city of Negril to join The New Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church for a portion of their Sunday services (their services typically last up to eight hours). Dressed in our Sunday best, we joined them in prayer for about two hours. The building itself was worth taking note of as there was the main hall surrounded by unfinished construction of an expansion. A lot of construction around here moves in fits and starts depending on availability of funds I later learned. We were welcomed into their service with open arms to join them in a celebration of life and faith. You could really feel the power of a community in that room as they chanted and sang. The dissonance of everyone praying at their own pace and volume created a song in it of itself on top of the band (which the minister played bass in). 

At one point a minister from Africa via Canada (she didn't specify which country in Africa to my knowledge) spoke in the room, as every one did at one point or another to express their gratitude to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. She spoke something along the lines that she loved how everyone in the church prayed and that she could feel the faith of the individuals in the room. Before she began speaking, it started to rain. It started as a drizzle and you could hear the rain drops amplified by the tin roof. As she began to speak, the rain came down harder and harder but you couldn't hear a thing as the chants and prayers of the church drowned out the storm. As someone who does not really shape my identity around faith, it was truly a humbling experience to be a part of. 

From there we departed to get some lunch at Sweet Spice, a local eatery owned by one of the members of the church. I was delighted to discover that they served Ting, a grapefruit flavored Jamaican soda. I ordered the Conch steak. Conch, for those who do not know, is a mollusk that lives in a pretty/spiraly shell and is a traditional dish served in the Caribbean. It was delicious! Served in a yummy fry batter with some rice, pasta salad and even an appetizer of chicken soup it was definitely a nice introduction to the local cuisine. 

Our day concluded with a glass bottom boat tour. We were taken along the coast to a cave. Not just any cave, a cave that used to be a bar known as Pirate's Cave. As we were taken along the coast, I started to notice the buildings along the coast, some either abandoned or incomplete, every structure had some man made rock path to the ocean cemented on top of the existing rock formations. It looked as if the buildings could fall into the sea. As we arrived at the cave via boat, it started rain again. Taking shelter in the cave, we all went for a swim in what felt like the climatic scene straight out of The Goonies. It was one of those "never in America" moments as you see the remnants of a bar and a staircase that tightly spiraled up to the surface. 

After some dinner and group discussion to prepare us for our service work this week, we lit lanterns on the beach in pairs. I don't recall the name of the lantern so I'll just describe it and if you know what I am referring to then just skip this paragraph. They were tissue paper lanterns with kindling at the bottom that fill up like mini hot air balloons that you let float off into the sky. 

Today was definitely the start of something great and I am so happy I am here to be a part of it. 

Best, 

Evan Forman 

Finding some Faith in Negril

Today, I found Jesus. Well, maybe not really, but I definitely was convinced that I had. 

We traveled to a Pentecostal church in Negril, just several minutes away from the Whistling Bird (our first destination). We arrived, and at first I thought we had stopped at the wrong place. Half of the structure was still under construction; I couldn't imagine that this place was safe enough for people to be in, let alone pray in! However, a completed room that served as the church stood atop of the concrete, and it was a full house that morning! After waiting several minutes, our group walked in and Khay led us to the two back pews. 

It was a service unlike any other. I come from a Jewish family, and at a typical Shabbat service, seldom would I hear shouting and clapping. The moment I walked into the church, I could feel the power resonating from the pastor's strong sermon. I could feel the men and women's devotion to God pouring out of their lips as they cried "Hallelujah" and "Praise God!" repeatedly throughout the sermon. It was an experience that was new, but not uncomfortable. I found it so comforting to know that these people trusted each other with their prayers; one woman openly spoke about her son and how even though he was ill, he knew God was going to help him heal. It's these moments that help give me insight into a new culture. Church here (which we were told lasts all day) is filled with song, praise, and joy, which sparked my interest and kept me clapping the entire time we were there. 

One of the women welcomed "all visitors" who had come to church that day, and requested that we give a loud "Hallelujah." I did, humbled that we had been given such a gracious welcoming.

Being Jewish, I don't typically "Praise Jesus" at a Sunday mass. But today I did. And it was wonderful. 

--Olivia

Traveling and Expectations- Andrew

As someone who has went through their fair share of experiences with Customs and the TSA, I can safely say that the process of getting on the plane and progressing through the Montego Bay Airport was startlingly fluid. The flight itself was very smooth, and the bus ride from the airport to the Whistling Bird (which is the name of the resort we're staying at until Wednesday) gave us a good opportunity to see both the beautiful views, as well as the various towns and areas along the coastline.

In terms of expectations, I think that it's important if not necessary to address "the elephant in the room" so to speak and truly face the situations that are evident in not only Jamaica, but the entire world as a whole. I think it's safe to say that a vast majority of individuals are aware of the the poor living conditions in countless spots around the globe, whether it's by general knowledge or those commercials that everyone sees on TV and instinctually flip to the next channel in leiu of watching. The fact of the matter is that these are real issues that virtually millions of people are facing each day, and people either ignore the problem altogether or get excited to stand up and make a difference, only for that fire to slowly wither away as their own life complications take precedence. If I were to say I haven't simply changed the channel to save myself from watching those omnipresent commercials I would be a liar; but when you think about it it's unfortunate that it should even come to the point where commercials need to be made and broadcasted on television in order for people to pay attention to society's pressing issues(and even that's not working). I can say from the hour and a half that I spent on the bus ride from the airport to our resort, I couldn't help but think about why there is such a clear segregation between luxury resorts and tattered villages, and how mankind allowed it to progress to this level. I can admit that I've had my fair share of moments where I just thought "Oh I'm sure someone must be doing something to help out" and went along on my merry way; however after giving myself the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts/opinions I realized that everyone else could be using the same exact excuse, and that I was "ready to be the change I want to be". Sure, some may think that the work myself and the 10 other students will be doing this week will be minutely helpful to the cause ; but after investing some serious time into "Notice Notes", a reflection journal written by Jessica Pettitt, I was given the reassurance that our work does matter, and that we're on the right path to accepting all of the wrongs and actually doing something to combat them. Will our work make drastic impacts that will cure poverty all over the globe? Maybe not. Will our action fuel millions of people to pitch in to improve these conditions? Probably not. But hey, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. had to start somewhere right? Their stories of great change has enshrined them in a way that makes us view them as being visionary martyrs and leaders; but at the end of the day they too are flawed mortals and had to start from somewhere. So now I ask the question, what's stopping you? Don't just wait around and hope that things work themselves out, be the change you want to be.

We have arrvived!

Traveling and Expectations

I first fell in love with traveling when I went on an international trip with my Latin class in high school.  The food, the culture, and the history all really hit me, along with the fact that I could not believe I was thousands of miles away from home.  

Traveling not only helps you learn about other people, but also about yourself and your relationship with the world.  It can either make you think the world is huge, or it can make it seem smaller almost, as there is always something that you can relate to across cultures.  

I've been to around 17 different countries, so I consider myself a somewhat seasoned traveler.  It used to terrify me, but even when you do not speak the national language of a country you are visiting, smiling and charades can get you almost anywhere.

Already everyone at the Whistling Bird (the place we're staying) has been really friendly!  I think it's a safe assumption that most people we meet will be friendly too.  I'm excited to go to church tomorrow for a short while, apparently in Jamaica they hold service for most of the day so we are dropping in for an hour or two!

Elise

Preparing For Jamaica

When preparing for the trip to jamaica, there were several things that were required. To keep in touch a Facebook group was created for the trip. This was used to learn about the members of the group and share any information that would be helpful, for example a packing list. Fundraising ideas are available if the trip seems too expensive, so don't let the pressure of paying prevent you from going!

Once you're confirmed for the trip the first important thing I was required to fill out was the Stevens study abroad portal with information such as; passport data, international medical insurance (which was provided by the school), release/terms and conditions, and a Stevens summer health form. This portal is used for convenience, if any records are needed while I’m abroad on the trip I can find it there.

Before the group leaves for the trip there is a required departure meeting that goes over the final details of the trip which include; flight information, itinerary of the trip, packing requirements, and trip expectations. This meeting was a good place to have all my questions answered. All flights are booked by the program through a travel agent and this information is given via email. If required, transportation was provided by the school to bring me to the airport.

A general packing list is provided by the program and questions/concerns about it can be answered in the meetings. I packed the basic toiletries and anything else that I felt was relevant to where I was going, for example, medicine that may not be available to me. Since the trip was in Jamaica, beach items were a must! T-Shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and work gloves were very important items for the work days. I brought some cash with me for expenses even if a credit/debit card could be used. Bringing gifts for the kids is encouraged, so I bought basic schools supplies like pencils and markers. A water bottle, drawstring bag, and t-shirt were given to us by the program. Lastly, our phone plans don’t work in Jamaica, so bringing any other electronic devices besides a phone or camera for pictures was not necessary.

Overall, the preparation for this trip was very easy. With the use of the packing list, I found it easy to pack all the items I needed. Just keep in mind luggage restrictions by the airline. If you kept on top of submitting the information on the portal website and were punctual with responses to the trip leader/representative nothing felt too overwhelming. Now here I am the night before leaving and I can’t believe it's actually happening!

Let the trip commence!

Morgan

Aside from preparing for this trip, the excitement of being in Jamaica in less than 24 hours is overwhelming. I was the last person to sign up, and over the past 4-6 weeks I have been funding and preparing for this upcoming adventure. But in this crazy, hectic 4-6 weeks, I didn’t have the time to stop and think that this is actually happening. When I started my funding, it seemed so far away (not just geographically). Through the love and support of my friends and family, I have been granted the opportunity to go to Jamaica to help others who are in need. Overall, I am very grateful both to those who who have allowed me to join this group and to those that have helped me along the way of my funding. I’m excited for what’s in store tomorrow and for my amazing experiences in the week to come.

Kevin

It's so hard to believe that the trip we've been anticipating for months is less than 24 hours away! The meetings and emails, fundraising campaign, the excitement of renewing a passport, and the conversations with ecstatic friends and family have prepared me immensely for this, but nothing has made it feel as real as my last-minute packing scramble (which I told myself I definitely would NOT do... Oops). My imagination has been wandering towards all of the work and play that are bound to come in Jamaica, but I'm so thrilled to be leaving for all of these adventures tomorrow that I'll probably be unable to sleep tonight - that's what plane rides are for, anyway. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported myself and the other students in this endeavor - I can't wait to get there and update everyone throughout the experience!!

Alli

Meet Our Participants!

Andrew Falcone

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Theta Xi Fraternity, Interfraternal Council, United Greek Committee, 

club baseball, BMES, SHPC

Evan Forman

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Chi Phi Fraternity, WCPR, Entertainment Committee, SUMAC, 

Boken Planning Committee

Elise Paulsen

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Theta Phi Alpha, Solar Decathlon

Olivia Schreiber

Major: Chemical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Honor Board, Phi Beta Lambda, The Stute

Julia Stika

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Stevens Equestrian Team

Morgan Urie

Major: Electrical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Stevens Archery Team

Jane Danielle Cruz

Major: Chemical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, 

Women's Varsity Fencing Team

Allison Waters

Major: Naval Engineering

Campus Involvement: Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Theta Phi Alpha, Rotaract, FeelGood, Club Crew, SWE

John Howarth

Major: Civil Engineering

Campus Involvement: Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Club Baseball

Kevin Baccaro

Major: Civil Engineering

Campus Involvement: Sigma Phi Epsilon

Megan Kohr

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Club Crew Team President, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, United Greek Committee