This day was pretty interesting. We woke up pretty tired and exhausted from the hike up Blue Mountain. Nearly the whole group was sore from the hike. There was a slight change from our original plan to stay at a hostel/dormitory. However, we were fortunate enough to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Bennett for the remainder of the trip. In the morning we were greeted with big smiles and a delicious breakfast; Mrs. Bennett saw to it that we felt right at home. We bonded with Mrs. Bennett during breakfast, as she told us interesting stories about herself and the beautiful country island of Jamaica. She told us how Jamaicans have very direct descriptions of others, and that they are very happy and natural people.
After breakfast, we headed out to Mount James All Age School, for an informational session explaining our daily schedule for the school days ahead. We were able to learn what the different grades were learning and how subjects are taught to the students. This informational session was very helpful because it helped us better prepare for the next day when we would actually teach the students. The group went around and asked the students and teachers certain questions they had about their assigned grade and we put the information down in our trip journals. Soon after the information session we left the school to go to the supermarket, pharmacy store, and a place for lunch. Our group finally got a hold of the extra things they needed. The other boys and I got enough snacks to last us a week. Mrs. Bennett and Jason took us to a fast food restaurant called Island Grill and everyone for the most part ordered the Jerk Chicken. Jadian and I however, chose to get a chicken burger and a turkey burger instead of the Jerk Chicken.
When we finished lunch we went on a city tour of Kingston. We rode around Kingston while Ms. Bennett explained specific sites. One of two sites in particular that was very interesting to me in a shocking way was the Kingston waste yard/city dump. The waste yard was in the middle of a community, and people just lived around and were used to it. The optimistic part of this though is that the people scavenge through it for things that can be sold. They also helped people unload their trash for money. Another site that really was interesting was the Trench Town Culture Yard. This was where Bob Marley lived before his music career took off. This was just an amazing experience to me because he is one of my greatest role models. We were able to view his old bus, guitar, and the very room where he slept. We even got to speak with an elder Rasta woman, whose singing and love of Rasta children was fun.
Later that day we received another delicious meal at Mrs. Bennett house, and the whole group just bonded and talked about the day. After dinner we met in the group common area of the house, and we reflected on a leader we’ve met so far on this trip. I chose the wonderful Mrs. Bennett herself, because she’s helped us a lot with this whole trip and the great experience we’re having. Also, she’s really been great in helping everyone adapt to the many changes that have arisen, always ready with the quick changes in plans that has taken place. Not only Mrs. Bennett but Ms. Grant and Ms. Briggs as well. They all have managed to make this a fun and interesting experience.
After reflection we did lesson plans, and for about an hour and thirty minutes everyone worked really hard on it. When we were done, we met as a group to discuss them and found out that we were switching our plans with someone else. This was the most frustrating moment I’ve witnessed throughout the whole trip so far. But even in anger, the group did what they had to do to make sure things would run smoothly for the next day when we would teaching. After about thirty minutes of frustration and hard work the group was told that it was just a test, to exemplify how easily the kids we were going to teach could get frustrated with something they don’t want to do. A huge feeling of relief and happiness came over the whole group, and we got to keep our lesson plans. It was an interesting test, but everyone went to bed happy and ready to teach the next day.
Emmanuel M., 16, The SEED School