Today we started our amazing service project at Saint Peter and Paul College Preparatory Catholic School, a private institution in Jamaica that educates children from Pre-K to Kindergarten and leading up to the sixth grade. In understanding that the students from the first to fifth grade were awarded a revamped play area, we aspired to offer this same opportunity for those younger than them. So we took on the challenge of adding color and creativity to the Kindergarten playground.
Walking into the school we recognized the need for this development, as much of the concrete space was a blank canvas composed of leaves and dust for the children to play on. We decided to utilize the paint that one of our trip leaders purchased prior to today, and realized that this project wasn’t the easiest task. We were challenged with the intense amount of Jamaican heat on our backs and the sticky acrylic paint on our fingers.
Imagination has been the heart and soul of this entire project at Saint Peters and Paul. We were giving multiple blank canvases and were told to let the creativity roam freely. During this process, we came up with numerous activities to paint such as 4 squares, hopscotch, and a mural. The majority of children in Kindergarten need time to wind down during the school day and we figured kids their age know how to make their own games.
Doing this project has made me more appreciative of things I might have taken advantage of at home. The students were so excited about games painted on concrete. Until this week, I never thought to be excited about hot water or air conditioning. This has been an eye-opener to me and it makes me notice how the little things do not matter until their gone.
Today has also made me realize I am not taught to use creativity in school, and if I am it is done on a structural base. Today, while we were brainstorming and painting, I felt like I had the freedom to be totally me. The free for all felt like true creativity. Messy and collaborative. I don’t feel this way in school and wish we had more opportunities to be truly creative.
My most proud moment today was when the assistant principal Ms. Fisher was so excited about the multiple hopscotch games we made for the children. It was something so simple, but also meaningful for her. The trip so far has been amazing and I look forward to the rest of the time we have here in Jamaica.
Dakota B., SEED Public Charter School