Off to Camp We Go!

This past week I was lucky enough to help out at my new Jamaican church’s’ Vacation Bible School!  And if any of you know me I love summer camp, like a hipster loves their glasses, like an athlete loves winning, like a gamer loves all the latest video games and technology (shout out to my little bro), you guys get the point.  I LOVE CAMP!  This week was especially exciting because I got to see just how similar a Jamaican camp is to an American one.  Both types are packed full of music and arts and crafts!  My host mother, Kay, was one of the leaders of the camp so it was really neat to get to see her in her element. 

The theme for the week was “I am special, Lord fill me with music!”  And boy did we get filled with music.  This past week I learned more about music than I have in my entire life and even had the chance to learn how to play drums.  Each morning we went over various music notes and terminology to help all of the campers including me learn how to read music.  We then split into various stations where the campers could all learn how to play different instruments.  My host brother led the drums, Kay the keyboard, and somehow I ended up having to lead the recorder group.  Thankfully my knowledge from the fifth grade at Davidson Elementary came back to me and I was able to teach/ successfully remember how to play hot cross buns and Mary Had A Little Lamb! After music we then moved onto arts and crafts.  We made various paper flowers each day as well as created jewelry beads out of magazines for necklaces and bracelets. 

With a close of the camp the church had bonfire night at the beach Friday.  This felt much like a continuation of my camp days in the past with singing various church songs around the fire.  This was such a great time to get to know all the members of my church and just hang out and relax.  So basically moral of this story is this whole week I got to go to camp and it was fantastic!  The best part is that next week I am helping out at another Vacation Bible School near Ocho Rios so the fun will continue on! 

One of the types of flowers we made in arts and crafts

Keyboard Time

Recorder
 

Kay and I at the beach bonfire

Evening Swim

Dinner time at the bonfire



Definitely Not Too Cool For School

These past couple weeks have been quite a whirlwind.  It involved getting used to my school, teaching, my community, and what to do with my free time.  Which sounds like it would be simple but in a new country even simple tasks such as these have more aspects involved in them.  At my school my main task these past few weeks was helping several grade 4 students get prepared for their Grade 4 literacy test.  In Jamaica the testing system is very intense and the tests in Grade 4 and Grade 6 determine what high school they will be allowed to attend so it’s important the students do as well as they can.  In addition to this, I would have a read aloud every morning and at lunch to help the students get familiar with me and help out the other teachers as much as possible.  Sometimes even get a football game going with the students at lunch.  In the evenings, I typically hang out at the local football field aka the “dust bowl” with the members of my community getting to know them or watching Americas Got Talent with my host family!  But just as I was getting into the swing of things we had graduation for Grade 6 and school ended.  The graduation ceremony was incredible! The entire community attends and every person puts their best dress forward.  I loved getting to see all the fashion at the event.  My school had 18 students graduate and I could not have been prouder of these students and will certainly miss them next year.  Although all the ones going to the high school down the road I have made them promise to come visit next year! 



The PCV crew in Negril



 

The weekend following graduation was 4^th of July weekend, and one of the Peace Corps Volunteers birthdays so of course we had to celebrate!   We made the trip up to Negril which was about 2 hours of “smalling up” in taxis and buses (basically fitting as many people as possible into the car/bus).  It was so nice to see familiar faces and get to relax for the weekend.  Once the weekend was over it was back to my community in St. Elizabeth!  So now with it being summer it is time for lesson planning, learning to crochet and cook with my host family, and lots of Taylor Swift jam sessions in my house! 



 

 

 



My classroom/ library

Inside of my room

 

Another view of my room

 

School snack vendors

We got new books!

 

Spent hours organizing all the books

Geneva Primary was invited to attend a field day by EduSports along with 7 other schools!

Learning boxing

Basketball

 

Football

 

My host brother, Dadrian, and I at graduation!

 

My host mother Kay!

Ricks Cafe

 

Cliff jumping at Ricks

 

 

Nothing beats a Jamaican sunset!