Monthly Archives: June 2011

Day 5 – el 29 de junio

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Every day we eat as a group at a place in Isla Pucu named Comedor San Roque which feeds the poor kids in the neighborhood. One of the three projects we are doing for the week is painting a mural of the world at the comedor. This is what my group is doing. We are making the mural so that kids understand their surroundings and where thigns are in the world, and it looks nice on the wall of the comedor.

We started by making a grid, and there were about 1500 little squares in the grid. First we draw the borders of the country for each square, and then we draw it on the map. While we work the little kids hang around and I play with them. It is really fun even though I get destroyed in soccer by 9-year-olds. Also, a kid named Ricardo came up and tried to give David a present that cost him 32000 guarani ($8). This made me wonder, Did he need this money for food? This is just one example of the kind of selfless people that we meet here in Paraguay. After he gave the gift he started crying out of mixed emotions, knowing that we would be leaving on Friday. David, Joe and I all gave him a big hug.

My host family is awesome because they are so hospitable. I am having such a great time and I don’t want to leave. But don’t worry, I got souvenirs for Mom, Dad, Maia, Yardena and Elan.

– Jeremy

LearnServe Jamaica Day 6: Life at the Castle

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Victory

The journey to Hagley Gap and Penlyne Castle to work with the Blue Mountain Project was one of the bumpiest rides of my life, but outside the bus was one of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen up close . At one point, the bus passed a giant gorge that seemed to be swallowing all of Jamaica.

As the scenery dissipated, I was welcomed by a nice little “Gap” and two very friendly faces in the square of Hagley Gap. Zadie and Poppi were the two kind people that welcomed us and guided us towards the clinic. At the clinic we met the sweet Cathy. A very rosy cheeked, kind, sweetheart. Cathy explained about the Blue Mountain Project and what its purpose was. After our introductions, we walked, a very hot walk, back to Hagley Gap where we were fed chicken and rice.

My first impression was that this was definitely not what I expected. I thought to myself, “I can’t believe I am doing this”. Slowly, I began to feel a tad bit of fear but as we reached the amazing river I was excited. We eventually were picked up from Hagley Gap in jeeps and taken to our host homes in the town of Penlyne Castle.

Now my host home was something else. It was a very pretty little home with a nice garden in the back and lots of animals around. At the door Maisha, Ralph and I were greeted by a very solemn looking Rastafarian. He pointed us in the right direction and we walked into a dark room with two beds and separate bedroom for Ralph. Maisha and I glanced at each other nervously and then unpacked. At this point I was exhausted, but I gathered my strength and proceeded up the hill across the street to the Penlyne Clinic where we would do most of our work. I played soccer with some kids and then prepared myself for dinner.

Victory with one of her admirers

For dinner I expected worms and roots, but instead it was a nice meal of rice and chicken. My first day was not as bad as I expected , but over the next two days I worked my butt off, so now as I sit typing with a knot in my back I’ve realized something about myself: no matter what, I enjoy helping people even if it means mixing concrete and digging trenches for clinics.

Enjoy your day. :)

~Victory

 

LearnServe Jamaica, Day 5: Meet the children

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Our blogger, Ralph

Greeting’s Everyone,

My name is Ralph. I attend high school in Washington, DC and I am a volunteer with Learn Serve International.

Today was a long day. Fortunately, after long and hard work, the overall experience was good. Once we arrived at St. Alban’s, I was ready to work. This was our last day there, so I had to give the kids my all.

The kids love to be in pictures. I think it makes them feel important and special. After each picture, they would run up to me and ask to see it. All I heard was, “Sir, Sir may I see it”. I didn’t mind though, because if that is what makes them happy, then it surely wouldn’t irritate me.

Sabine playing with the students at St. Alban's

I then went to sit with the kids playing the play dough. This girl by the name of Alicia, generously offered me half of her seat. She was very mature for her age and had a fun personality to work with. She even wanted me to help mer make an “I love you” sign, and she said it was for me. Before I knew it, she was up dancing and showing me that she could jerk! I wasn’t surprised, seeing as though all of the young kids in the U.S. are just as grown.

While working in the lab, I found myself working with little Carlton again. He kindly asked me to work with him. Carlton is a nice yet wild child at the same time. He reluctanly wants to do work at times because of his distraction with pinball. Fortunately, I was able to keep him under control just in enough time before he started complaining that the story I had him reading was too long. I even got past him sucking his thumb. I’m learning to have patience with kids, because I usually don’t.

Overall, today was a good day. As a group we ate beef patties and coco bread by the waterfront. Afterwards, we were able to tour the money museum and drive up the hills and get a tour of this obstacle course for army men. Later we ate dessert at a family owned restaurant called the Mountain Edge Cafe. It was nice being in the hills with its calming atmosphere, and the fruit punch, waffles, and carrot cake didn’t hurt either. Now, as the day winds down, I’m tired and ready to go to bed. For the next four days, we will be in the Blue Mountains without any internet so no one will be able to blog. So until next time folks, peace and love.

-Ralph

LearnServe Jamaica, Day 5: Patience

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Our blogger, Nicky

Hi! My name is Nicky. I am a recently graduated from a Maryland high school and I’m looking forward to starting my college career this fall. This summer I had the opportunity to revisit Jamaica but with a different agenda through LearnServe International.

Today, was our last day at St. Alban’s Primary and I had the chance to lead a group of young children in a reading activity. I read them a story titled “My Body,” which focuses on significant body parts. As I played teacher, I was able to build on some of my skills. The children showed me just how much patience is needed to teach a group of young people. I realized that I am not as patient as I would like to be and that I sometimes have unrealistic expectations. I expected the children to me as mature as me, forgetting that they were children. I feel like what I learned today about myself would help me be a better volunteer for the remainer of the trip.


LearnServe Jamaica, Day 4: “Remove yourself from ignorance”

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Our blogger, Gabrielle

Hello, my name is Gabrielle and I am a rising 11th grader at a DC public school. I was a part of the LearnServe fellows program 2010-2011 and now I am a part of the LearnServe aboard program. This was my first time traveling out of the country and being on a plane that I can remember. I was super excited not only to leave the country for the first time, but also to get a chance to do some great volunteer work.

Today is the 4th day of out our 18-day trip and it is also the 2nd day of actually volunteer work. The places we went to were Scott’s Hall Primary school, The National Art Gallery, and the Marcus Garvey Liberty Hall Museum. Scott’s Hall is a primary school from 1st through 6th grade that we will be working on next week, creating a mural and organizing the library.

The school itself was similar to a one room school house; the classrooms were only separated by black boards. As soon as you walk into one of the classrooms you hear all of the noise from each of the different classes. We were given a small tour of the school and we got to see the principal’s office, the library, and each of the different classrooms.

The kids there were super cute, but they were all sort of shy so they would hide behind doors and peek at us. None of the kids came up to us except for one little boy, who took a picture with Marwa, Shade’, and Victory. The kids were all polite – they either waved hello or nodded.

After lunch we went to the National Art Museum which was very interesting. We had a wonderful tour guide who made us laugh quite bit. Unfortunately we had to leave before the tour was over, to get to the Marcus Garvey Museum on time.

A painting of Garvey from the museum

The Marcus Garvey Museum is a museum about Garvey’s life, what inspired him, and what he accomplished. For those who are like me and have no idea who he was and what he did, Marcus Garvey is Jamaica’s first National hero. He created the UNIA (United Negro Improvement Association) and he was a leader of the Back-to-Africa movement. The museum also has an after-school tutoring program that has kids from all age groups.

When we got there we broke off into 3 groups: one for kids ages 7-9, the second group was ages 10-12, and the last group was ages 13 and up. I worked with Nicky, another volunteer who you’ll meet on our blog tomorrow, with the 7-9 age groups.

The kids didn’t have any work to do since the school year is ending this week, so we played games with them: hangman, a math game, and a gamed called Family Fiesta. The kids were very active – they kept on running and getting distracted – but they were sweet when they were calm.

Just as we were leaving the tutoring site the 7-9 year old students stood up and recited a passage that they memorized that sounded like a quote from Marcus Garvey. While I don’t remember all of what they said, there was one key line:

“You must remove yourself from ignorance.”

The words had came alive as the kids said them, I didn’t know if the kids had understood what the words meant but they were doing exactly what they were saying. They had come to an after school torturing place even though they were done with school.

 

Day 4 – el 28 de junio

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As I stepped up to the porch of my host family my heart was racing.  A young man opened the door and his expression was as if he was shocked that I was at his doorstep.  This made me even more nervous.  I stepped inside to find myself in a family room.  I sat down and met the family.  After an awkward dinner of spanglish, the man who greeted me said that my host, Jose, would be here in 2 hours.  He left and then I talked to my host sister and her daughter and baby son.  I was surprised that she was a mother because she seemed so young.  The family taught me Guarani with guttural noises while my host sister kept saying “repito” after every time my American accent made a poor impression.
The family that is hosting me is really close.  Even though my host brother is 19 and my host sister is 29, they are supportive of each other and of my host sister’s children.  It is very different than my family because my siblings live on their own with their own lives and and their own families.  My host family, however, even with the hardship of raising a family while being so young, going to university and working as a lawyer, was still extremely supportive of me.
This family is the most welcoming family that I have ever met.  They are fun, intelligent, and are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met.  All of them put each other’s needs ahead of their own.  For example, there is Jose who supports the family, works at the school as an English teacher and is going to the university to become a lawyer.  His sister is a mother of 2 and a lawyer.  There is also Claira who is 10, supports her baby brother, is at the top of her class and is a fantastic cook.  It amazes me at how much responsibility both Jose and his sister have at such young ages.  And even though it is freezing in the house, there is much warmth from my host family.
– Joe

Day 3- el 27 de junio

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All of us had to wake up early today, around 7:00 a.m. to travel to Isla Pucu. The call time was 7:30 a.m. but many students ended up waking up late. We road the bus for about an hour and a half to get to Isla Pucu, during which we took one break in front of a super market. By looking at the vast fields in the countryside with the occasional cows, chickens and horses meandering along, I realized once more why Paraguay is only a country of 5 million that feeds 30 million people around the world.

When we arrived in Isla Pucu, we received the warmest welcome. The high school, called colegio, consists of students from 7th to 12th grade. The school consists of long houses the surround a square grass field. It’s situated in the center of Isla Pucu. As soon as we stepped out of the van, students from the colegio were dressed in their traditional Paraguayan clothes to greet us, and of course, music was playing. They all gave us kisses on both cheeks. I’ve never given so many kisses at one time. By the end of the greeting, I did not know who I had kissed. This is when we first met Ashton, David and Paola. Ashton is a Peace Corp volunteer, who basically organized all of the LearnServe activities in Isla Pucu. She has only been in Paraguay for 4 months. Her job is inspiring many of us to become Peace Corps volunteers some day. David and Paola are students at the school, who helped Ashton with planning.

The students of Isla Pucu danced the traditional Paraguayan dance, and played beautiful music on the guitar and harp. We were all blown away by their hospitality. Jeremy became the Justin Bieber of the group in Isla Pucu and everyone was welcomed warmly.

We then had lunch at a comedor, which is Isla Pucu’s parallel of a soup kitchen for children. We had delicious pasta and learned how to eat oranges Paraguayan style for dessert. While we were waiting for the food, we enjoyed watching Yoni play soccer and get completely slayed by 3 little kids. At first, we all felt bad for eating at the comedor because we thought that we were eating the food meant for children who actually need it. But when Scott explained that we were providing them with funding for support, everyone felt relieved.

When we got back to the school, they had another concert for us. They are extremely hospitable. Then the LearnServe group split up into 6 teams to visit the classes. Aaron, Sache, and I visited the 7th grade natural science class. We did not talk much, mostly because we were all rough on our Spanish, but the teacher told us that they had no labs where students could carry out experiments. I also noticed that students had no textbooks. Only the teacher had a textbook, and students listened and copied what she read out loud from her book. This exposure as well as Ashton’s mention later on that Paraguayan kids did not yet know how to properly treat and read books pushed me to value my possible job tomorrow as a bookmaker. Other students visited art classes. When classes were over and LearnServe students shared their experiences, Nailah again shared the Paraguayan people’s fascination with her hair. She had to show them how to brain their hair like hers. People from Santa Ana had shown the same interest in Sache’s braids.

After, we took a walking tour of Isla Pucu, hitting all the schools and locations we will be working in tomorrow. Then we came back to the school to finally go to our host family homes. Everyone was anxious about meeting them, and especially for girls, concerned about the condition of the bathrooms. I arrived at Cati’s house with the help of Ashton and David. Cati is a 16 year old girl who is very sweet and energetic. Her mom greeted me and gave me tortillas for dinner. They were good. When Robin later joined me at the house, she was also impressed by the tortillas. We enjoyed the peaceful and quiet night of Isla Pucu while having our dinner, although we were both so cold. The layout of the house is different, so the kitchen is actually situated like a balcony. I enjoyed seeing the unique layout of Paraguayan homes and bright solid colors that decorate every wall.

Cati, Robin, and I talked for awhile. Although Cati spoke little to no English and Robin and I speak little Spanish, I was amazed to see how much we all understood each other. With lots of laughing, and understanding, and just going with the flow, we all grew close extremely quickly. We became close enough to call each other sisters, listen and dance to American music, Paraguayan music and pop, and even visit Cati’s aunt’s house right next door. Cati’s entire family basically lives all next to each other. Whereas my family is separated by thousands of miles of ocean and land between Korea and D.C. I envied her for having all her family so close.

We had a wonderful conversation at her aunt’s house. Her aunt actually spoke some English because she had lived in the U.S. for three years for work. When we came back to Cati’s house, we all watched “Yingo” together on T.V. It’s a popular Chilean show. Robin told me that it’s equivalent to an American game show, but people were arguing, crying, and jumping inside cold water.

As I am writing this journal, snuggled up under three layers of blanket, four layers of clothes, with gloves and a hat to protect me from the cold, listening to dogs bark and chickens crow around midnight, I can’t believe that I am in Paraguay. Although this is just my reflection on the day, I am certain that all LearnServe members are making priceless memories with people they will never forget. It has only been three days in Paraguay and one day with my host sister, but I feel as though I have lived here for months and I already can’t imagine ever leaving them.

Tomorrow is another full day in Isla Pucu. We will officially start working and also celebrate San Juan with traditional food and music. So “ahora me voy a acostar.”

- Rosaline

 

LearnServe Jamaica Day 3: School Daze – A day in stories (3 of 3)

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A story from Ms. Duncan

While Victory, Marwa, and Shade’ were teaching the grade 1, 2, and 3 students, I noticed a boy in the back of the room, holding a small jug of milk and trying to blend into the shelves. This boy was beautiful: dark brown skin, round bright eyes, and a big white smile with a fresh cut above his left eyebrow that had just begun to scab over. But as those eyes dodged mine, I knew he was up to something he shouldn’t have been.

I approached him and asked where he belonged and he responded, “Principal office, mom”. I nicely but firmly told him to return to his seat in the adjacent principal’s office, but no sooner had I returned to the class, then I heard a commotion through the doorway and saw the boy going at it with a girl that had been invading our class all morning. I went into the office to see what was going on and with a forced tear in his eye he said that the girl and her buddies were picking on him. So I squatted down and tried to get him to talk, but all the girls in the office answered my questions before he could even open his mouth…

“What’s your name?”

” ‘im name Ricardo”

“What happened? Why are you in the office?”

” ‘im too rude, miss. Erryday ‘im chucked from de class.”

After the peanut gallery’s responses, I pulled Ricardo outside to chat. I soon found out he was excused from class for foul language and that he truly did hold a season ticket to the principal’s office.

Now my first instict was as expected… “trouble, steer-clear,” but there was something about Ricardo and how very sad he looked that made me want to be nice to him, even if it meant appearing to reward bad behavior.

“Would you like to join our class?” I asked. Ricardo mumbled a “Yes, mom” in response, but his face showed that he was much more excited than his tone let on.

I brought Ricardo into the classroom and put him to work, cutting out pictures from the “School Days” worksheet. When he sat down, the girl to his right pulled away from him in disgust and sighed, “Oooh no, no ‘im!”, but judging by Ricardo’s response, he seemed to expect expect this and he certainly didn’t let it stop him from trying his best. He rushed to catch up with his peers and worked hard to ignore the sideways glances he received from his neighbors.

At lunchtime, Ricardo found me at the kitchen door. Later his arms were wrapped tightly around my waist as I talked with some of the other students. By the stairs, he ran over to report abuse he’d suffered at the hands of a 5th grade girl who promptly denied any wrong doing, with a sly smile and a sideways glance.

Every game he entered, he was forbidden from; every child he approached, pushed him away.

Ricardo seemed truly alone in a courtyard full of students, but I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. He displayed no obvious challenges or imperfections. In my eyes, Ricardo seemed 100% loveable, but not to his classmates. As we left the school for the day, Ricardo ran over to me and wrapped his tiny arms around me, tighter than ever. I planted a kiss on his forehead, ignoring the sweat that left it shiny, and I felt a pang in my heart for this child that no seemed to like, but me.

-Ms. Duncan

LearnServe Jamaica Day 3: School Daze – A day in stories (2 of 3)

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St. Alban's: the Cave

In the year of 2040, a group of students traveled and traveled, eventually stumbling across this long lost island of Jamaica. They were lost and surrounded by hundreds of trees with tropical fruits in them. While digging through the trees, trying to find their escape route, they came across this cave named St. Alban’s.

 

Suddenly Maquita (Maisha) remembered that she had read about this cave that had been lost for hundreds of years after a trecherous hurricane. There was an old tale that this cave was once invaded with wild hunter children who loved the smell of fresh foreign blood. It was also said that, the only way off the island, was through the cave.

Fearful for their lives, the group of students prayed together before entering the cave. Ralphamel (Ralph), the only male in the group, was chosen to go first. Upon entering the cave, everything seemed calm. Then suddenly, just as the students were relieved, hundreds of hunter children bombarded them with foreceful hugs and pulling of their hair and clothes.

The kids!

After ten minutes of fighting, the group decided to split in two. One group ran to the right, landing in a creepy and dark laboratory. The other group ran to the left, landing in a stony library. Each group decided the only way to calm the kids was to help them. While in the laboratory, it was discovered that the kids had mac-book 487′s. The students decided to help them learn English since they only spoke Patois 104.

Ralphamel in the laboratory

After long and hard work, Ralphamel found it easy to help the kids. He worked with a young girl named Tic-Toc who was bright and had a great personality. Suddenly she began to speak English. A few minutes later the others began to speak it too. Their job was done!

 

The students in the laboratory were set free by the kids and found their way back home. The students in the stony library were never seen again.

 

Note: This is a dramatic story about Ralph’s experience at St. Alban’s. Some names have been altered and dramatics added for the storyline.

Our storyteller, Ralph

LearnServe Jamaica Day 3: School Daze – A day in stories (1 of 3)

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Today's blogger, Marwa

Welcome to the Learn Serve Jamaica Summer 2011 blog. My name is Marwa and I’m a rising junior from Annandale, Virginia and I’m going to share with you my experience on day three of our Jamaican service trip.

Now as some of you may already know, while the past few days have been training and learning, today was the first real day of physical service where we ventured out into schools that are partnered with KBC Learning to assist students with their literacy issues.

We were forewarned to expect the worst when it came to the students. I personally expected to be walking into a trap with untamed children grabbing at my clothes and skin. For the most part the day with the St. Alban’s students was very productive and interesting. Each of us had a different experience that stood out in our memories, but for now I’ll just give you a quick glimpse into the events of my day.

And, on a side note I really enjoy writing poetry and short stories so I’ll be giving my account in a poetic form. Feedback is welcome!

The student's loved to play with Marwa's hair

The arrival.

Open arms and welcoming smiles,

Warm greetings and curious eyes.

We are foreigners, aliens yet they treated us

As a part of the community, once all their probing questions were answered of course.

Our mission was to help and through these little steps that we take each day we walk closer to the bigger picture. A world that is so much bigger than we can imagine, a world that we are only such a small part of.

Today was a day filled with new experiences and surprising reactions.

Was I extremely hot? Yes.

Was I frustrated? Yes.

Even confused at times? Yes.

But as I look back on the events of the day those pesky details fall between the cracks and all I can remember are a whirlwind of excited energies, raw passions to discover and learn, and a few sticky hands.

Stephanie,

Jaysean,

Alati,

and all my new little friends gave me a new definition for the word potential. I could see the tiny wheels turning, as they absorbed the new information that was given to them. Information that supplied these students with fundamental knowledge. Knowledge that is the key to their education, the key to their future.

Bright minds.

Capable hands.

Youthful energies.

Are all attributes that come to mind when trying to describe what I witnessed in the few short hours I spent with the St. Alban’s students. And still, these mere words on a screen do not do justice to paint an accurate picture of Jamaica’s students. In all honesty, the pure goodness of their minds and hearts will forever be imprinted upon my memory.

These students embraced us in their culture,

no prejudices,

no complaints.

The future lies in their hands; and although I and the rest of the Learn Serve volunteers make up only a small part of their overall journey towards a better education, I’m glad I had the opportunity to contribute that small part to the best of my ability. Not only for them, but also for me and my personal journey to became a better person and a better leader. Can’t wait to see all of their bright faces again on Wednesday!