We waited to see the youth finals & the first (and last) American team play before going to lunch sometime after 2. Pretty much everyone taking the 2nd lunch break with us was experiencing a little heat exhaustion/dehydration. I intended on going back to the field but as soon as we got back I saw that the bus had arrived from the airport! Michelle, JC, Fr. Ralph & 3 of the kids from the new team were here and I decided to stay back with them. After a little rest and catching up, we went back to Grace to get Cynthia and see the land for the new school. It's beautiful! Some of her family members were there and had spent the day cleaning the property and getting ready to start building. We still don't have the funds but we're praying and will continue praying for what He wants for the new school.
Cynthia has been far beyond grateful in seeing that she's loved, her students are loved and that we want to help her. Almost daily she's asking me if she can make me coconut drops, grizada or coconut cake. She wants so badly to give back and I've told her it isn't us, it's Him & to keep giving Him thanks. Today when she showed up at the tournament, she was for the first time since I've known her, not wearing the suit she wears to the school every day. She had on a summery outfit and I complimented her on her outfit and her necklace. When we went to drop her off after visiting the property, she asked us to wait so she could go get something. She came back and I saw that she had taken her necklace off to give me. She just put it on my neck and said "call you tomorrow." What a blessing.
For dinner I joined Michelle, JC & Ralph, Mikey & the few new team members for dinner at Evitas. I forgot how amazing the view is from up there. You can see all of Ocho Rios including the beach. Gorgeous! They almost killed Mikey by giving him bell peppers in his food even after the request to leave them out because he's allergic. Fortunately he ended up being okay and we got to meet Miss Evita herself! Although the restaurant was on complete and utter island time, it was deeeelicious and as always great to spend an evening with some of my favorite people I only see once a year!
Northland leaves in the morning and CHWC teams come in all afternoon followed by orientation in St Ann's Bay tomorrow night. Ready for another week! :-D
Hi Katie
ReplyDeleteWhat's up my Jamaican sista!! It's Maati writing from Kingston to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog and to thank you for your commitment to community development in Jamaica. The daily accounts of your experiences are so full of sensitivity and meaning that I always smile after reading one and remember your joyful spirit. You and the IsleGo volunteer teams are positively amazing! Keep up the great work!
How long will you be in St. Ann? I ask because I AM's Western Jamaica community camp begins the first week of July and I'd like to invite you to come on over. If you could get to Montego Bay airport for our volunteers' airport pick up on June 28 then I can guarantee transportation for you from there. If not, maybe we could arrange another pick up point or time.
The aim of this camp/ planning session is to get volunteers together to firstly, have focus sessions on different ways to volunteer and tap into support networks and secondly, to further develop on early childhood educational programs. There will be small groups of volunteer specialists who stay together at a hotel for 8 days while they develop & deliver their respective programs together at a local school, children's home and volunteer workshops. One of the sessions will discuss ideal study abroad and internship opportunities.
We're also hosting our I AM Elite Student-Athlete Sidi as she continues being mentored during summer break. She will join us for workshops as a motivator to other youth in her community. It would be fabulous for you to meet her since you could perhaps be a part-time Big Sister mentor to her when she's back in the U.S. and maybe help her to understand some cultural differences as a teenager. Part time I AM Big Sister mentors correspond with mentees once weekly via email.
I think this is a great opportunity to prepare for ARK Angel Network programs and a promotional campaign that supports what Brett and you are already doing for the 2011 new years holiday in Jamaica. And it's the perfect excuse for us to link up too and chill out for a bit!!!
I AM will partially sponsor accommodations for any volunteer in Jamaica that wishes to participate. There is a fee to cover basic expenses for the week totalling US$550 per person, all accomodations, transportation & meals included. Due to shared expenses a group of 3 pays $420 per person. If folks want to stay on in St. Elizabeth for another week beyond the camp there's also that option.
Depending on sponsorship, community activites may take place across 2 parishes; St. James and St. Elizabeth. I'll keep you posted if you're interested.
Let me know. Either way, camp or no camp it would be great to see you. So let's figure something out. My local cell number is 428-9662. If you can call or text me a way to reach you by phone (landline or cell phone, either's fine). Or respond to the email that I'll send you this evening concerning the western Jamaica camp package. I'll certainly call you when I expect you'll be able to speak (evening hours?)or respond to your email.
One love
Maati.