LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 4: Independence and Determination

Wednesday, June 27 – Each day seems to be easier than the last, although barely anything has changed. Jamaica is still hot, humid, and swarming with bugs. However I think there was one aspect that underwent a drastic change – our attitudes. The first day, some of the members of the team, myself included, seemed irritable and unenthusiastic. However once we got acclimated to Jamaica and disconnected ourselves (literally and figuratively) from our privileged lives in the U.S., we began connecting with each other and making discoveries about the world to which we are so oblivious.

Yesterday evening, because the adults were outside, the students decided to gather together in the common room and start our daily evening meeting without them. In all honesty, we knew the adults would make us restart the meeting, but everyone acted as if it was the real meeting. We discussed what we liked about the day, what we could improve, and everything else that would normally be discussed in a meeting. I was very surprised that we were able to make it through the whole mock meeting with full cooperation and everyone’s undivided attention (except when a lizard ran across the wall. But that doesn’t count. It was a HUGE lizard!) The mock meeting we held, without guidance from the advisors, demonstrated to me our growing maturity as a team.

Before the end of the real meeting with the adults, we were asked to do a new activity. We had to state to everyone the personal strengths we each contribute to the group, and share a specific recent event exemplifying that strength. This activity was probably one of the most challenging because it required an increased level of self-awareness. When someone couldn’t identify their strength themselves, then the other team members assisted by stating talents and strengths they observed within that individual. That was particularly touching. With time, we got through the activity, discovering more about each other and ourselves.

With some deep consideration, I resolved some of my major strengths are independence and determination. Earlier that day, I woke up at 5AM – while most people were still asleep – to workout at the gym. (I told an adult first of course). But through this opportunity and the many more that I’ll receive throughout this trip, I made some self-discoveries that I can manipulate to my advantage later in life. (Thanks Florence. That was a great activity.)

Today our team was put to the test. It was our last day at Mona Heights Primary school and the objective was to paint the bricks in the garden. First, we allotted responsibilities and decided how we were going to paint the bricks. The original plan was to paint the bricks according to the colors of the rainbow with designs interspersed, but not everything turned out as planned. We only had paint in red, blue, yellow, white, and black. If we wanted other colors we had to mix them ourselves, but it was difficult to mix well and they didn’t come out as we had planned. Instead we decided to do the bricks in pastel rainbow colours. All of this took more time than expected so we decided not to paint the designs but leave the remaining bricks white. We completed the task and cleaned up in time (by the skin of our teeth). This task strengthened our sense of resourcefulness and ability to work together as a team. We had to instantly think of solutions to the problems that arose and communicate effectively to address them. Once we finished, we went through the school and said our goodbyes to the Mona students and teachers. I will never forget how the first grade class sang “Just the Way You Are” as a goodbye song. They are so talented and deserve the opportunity to share it.

I’m so grateful for experiences like these and I know that I will have many more in Jamaica.

P.S. Yes, mom and dad, I am eating well and drinking enough water. The advisors make sure of it. Also it’s just a terrible idea not to drink water during these labour-intensive days in hot, humid Jamaica. I absolutely did not have to learn that from personal experience…definitely not.

Sydney F., National Cathedral School