Camp in Photos

On Friday we completed Bible Summer Camp (more like plain summer camp), where we had been working for two weeks. It was a great opportunity for us to get to know a lot of the kids that we will be working with all year, and I had a great time doing crafts and playing football (soccer) for over an hour every day. Here are some photos from the last day of camp.

 

Chantel and Me

Roshane, one of the boys that was great at football

 

Robert and David, two of the other footballers

 

Kalicia

 The girls braiding my hair

 Playing football

 

Alica, who was my buddy for the week

Brittney

Jamaican Jumble Sales - My New Target

Two weeks ago I met with Fr. Martin, the priest in Knockpatrick and Prattville, in order to learn more about both of those communities. He informed me that Knockpatrick would be having a "Jumble Sale" the coming week, which would be a great opportunity for me to meet both the parishioners and other members of the community, since according to him these Jumble Sales were popular events that drew the entire community.

I soon learned that a Jumble Sale is basically a church bazaar, and that Fr. Martin was not exaggerating that they were popular; the Knockpatrick Jumble Sale was worse than Black Friday at a Target in America. I showed up a little before 9 am the day of the sale, looking all nice and sweaty since I had taken the "Knockpatrick" route taxi only to learn that it won't take you further than the northern border of the town, leaving me to walk up the hill the rest of the way. (I was informed later in the day by a 12 year old that I should have taken the "Newport" taxi to get to Knockpatrick - Duh, how could I have not known that?!) Anyway, despite the fact that it had started over an hour before I arrived, the Jumble Sale was PACKED because they were selling clothes, THE hot item in Jamaican Jumble Sales. I was shocked to see how many people were there and how aggressive they were with their finds. I was soon put to work stuffing bags as the woman in charge tallied the purchases, and it wasn't until about 2 hours later that the sale slowed down and I was able to start getting to know people!

Apparently my experience in Knockpatrick was not scarring enough to keep me away from Jumble Sales, because on Saturday the cathedral in Mandeville, whose grounds abut those of the school grounds on which we live, had its own Jumble Sale, and Natalie and I spent our Saturday morning wading through piles of clothes to find some items to add to our Jamaica wardrobes. I spent a total of $900 (about US$10.70!) on SEVEN things, many of which were name brands. (I know that Nikki will be happy to hear that, as appalling as it may be that I bought used stuff!) It was even cheaper than Salvation Army or Savers in the US! These Jumble Sales may really become my Target - I work at them and love to shop at them on a budget :)

My Jumble Sale Purchases

The Jumble Sale was a success for several reasons. First, I hadn't brought enough warm clothes or dressy clothes, so I was able to buy a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt (which I'm sure Ben will claim I bought only because it has a certain city on it), a couple of pairs of pants, and a dress. Second, I was able to buy all of that within my meager volunteer stipend budget. Third, I got to meet a lot of people at both Jumble Sales. And finally, fourth, a lot of the Jamaican people that we talk to are impressed that we shopped there and that we aren't "above" wearing those clothes. I think that it goes a long way in showing them that we are going to "accompany" them and live somewhat similarly to them this year.

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Just a quick thanks to those that have donated to PVI in recent weeks. I really appreciate all of your support, and I hope that your Thank Yous have reached you, as I have sent them back to the US to be mailed with anyone that I run into heading that way! Keep in touch, as I love hearing from all of you!

Jamaica - Six Weeks In

My observations and wisdom after six weeks here...

1.      Cold showers are much more bearable if you go for a run first.

2.     However, it’s a very good idea to check to make sure there is actually water that day before going for the run.

3.     Moths, grasshoppers, and spiders the size of tennis balls are not rare.

4.     You beep your horn while driving more than you use your brakes, not because you know everyone, but because the roads are so narrow and curvy you have to warn people that you’re coming.

5.     There are about 2 roads that I have been on in which you can go more than 100 feet without seeing (hitting) a pothole.

6.     Just about every Jamaican knows someone in America.

7.     About half of those people expect you to know the person that they know in America.

8.     It is assumed that you know all other white people on the island.

Our Final Move

On Monday we made our final move of the orientation process. We had been staying at Bosco Boys' Home for the week, volunteering with the boys and giving the departing volunteers a chance to spend their last week together. At Bosco we were without internet, but now that we have moved into our apartment I will be able to get internet close by, so I will try to post more regularly.

Moving into the apartment means that most of the realities of the year have set in - cold showers, periodical water outages (including when I got in from my run yesterday morning), sleeping under a mosquito net, and eating on a tight budget. As much as it was nice to have those amenities at the other places that we stayed, I understand the importance of living under similar conditions as those that we serve.

To fill you in on my past week, volunteering at Bosco was one of my favorite parts of Jamaica so far.
We spent the days hanging out with the boys on the play field, reading with them in the library, and going to their soccer games. Steve, one of the volunteers from the past year, had been coaching their soccer team all year, and they have been participating in a tournament the past couple of weeks. Natalie, Kathryn, and I went to their last two games (which they won), and we will be going to another this afternoon.

 This was taken in the back of the pickup truck with the team on the way to their game. We fit all of the boys in the photo below, as well as us volunteers in the truck!

I'll try to post some photos of the apartment this week and to answer everyone's emails. It's been great to hear from everyone, and I miss you all!

A final note: Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! (This counts as your card :) )