By Cherricha Jacobs, Desk Officer & Social Manager - Jamaica

Rain! Wind! Fog! …were the only words which could be used to describe the day when the Mobile Clinic from the Manchester Health Department in collaboration with the Red Cross of Jamaica and Projects Abroad Jamaica, rolled in the community of Alligator Pond. The quiet fishing community, approximately 40 minutes drive from Mandeville, was the main target on Friday, November 13, 2009.

This community; like so many others have individuals who suffer from varied chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, illnesses seen mainly among the elderly. However the issue of under-vaccination for infants and lack of proper maternal care are also of concern.

The health team, including medical volunteers, was well-equipped to provide health checks and information. These included blood pressure testing, diabetic checks, vaccines for children, HIV Rapid Test, HIV/STDs information and how to use condoms (male and females).

On entering the mobile clinic, a woman in her mid 40s said “Mi sick, so mi cum fi get some help - a two week now mi a cough”. In the meantime, a little girl sat quietly waiting for her vaccination. After registering the woman, the nurse referred the “patient” to the “doctor” for further examination. This “doctor” was Elisa Combe, final year medicine student, who was volunteering with Projects Abroad Jamaica for one month at the Mandeville Regional Hospital. She displayed professionalism and was eager to help when she was asked by the nurse to assist the woman who complained of chest pain and coughing. “Doctor” Elisa took a brief medical history from the patient, listened to her lungs and heart and eventually recommended further tests and happily called her next “patient”. This young boy aged about 9 complained of wrist pain which seemed “sprained. “Doctor” was kept busy as right after an elderly woman came. After checking her blood pressure, she was immediately sent for a talk with “Doctor”. The soft-spoken old woman said “A di pink an white tablets mi tek, but mi na hab none now”. A look of despair overshadowed the doctor’s face, as she realized how unconcerned the elder woman appeared - she was oblivious of the danger which can be caused by this high blood pressure reading. “Doctor” Elisa explained to her the critical nature of her condition and told her to see the doctor who will visit on Tuesday.

Volunteers: Marike Wisman, (pre-med) Kristina Bader (pre-med)and Gianin Wuethrich
(Nurse) were also present and very prepared to give talks on H1N1 influenza, maternal care and hygiene and nutrition for toddlers and mothers to be. However the presentations were not realized as the turn out due to weather was a bit low, nevertheless they tried to assist the community nurses and RedCross team where possible.

Though only a few community members came out to access the “free” services, the health team was satisfied that they provided quality services to the needy who braved the rainy weather. It was obvious that the rain had affected the turn out and the mobile team will definitely visit the community of Alligator Pond again soon! As the team rolled out, rain, wind, fog disappeared and there were now smiles…sunshine…warmth!

Projects Abroad donated medical supplies which included; speculums, bed rolls, cotton, gauze, hot packs, gloves, lubricant, bandages, alcohol, tongue depressors and syringes.The nurse on duty exclaimed that she was extremely glad for any assistance that Projects Abroad was able to extend and she is looking forward to an even stronger partnership.

By Rhoseen Davis, Project Supervisor (Teaching and Medicine) - Jamaica

On October 8th 2009 the Porus Health Fair was held. This was organized by the Manchester Health Department and the Southern Regional Health Authority who are partners of Projects Abroad Jamaica. These partners act as placement for medical volunteers. Projects Abroad Jamaica was a key sponsor of this event and worked arduously to assist both in the preparation and the execution of the day’s activities. The theme of the day was “Aging is not a restriction to healthy living”. It was fitting as the Health Fair focused on the health of the elderly.

The day began with devotion and registration of the patients followed by the welcome done by Dr. Beverley Wright; Medical Officer of Health for the parish of Manchester. Thereafter select presentations were conducted by Mr Stanhope Scott, the Chief Executive Officer of the Manchester Health Department and Nurse Isaacs and Turner, Chief Public Health Nurses; on the importance of diet and illnesses affecting the elderly. The final presentation was on dental hygiene and stress. The seniors were also encouraged to consistently seek the advice of their doctors and to take advantage of the day and all that it would have to offer.

Not be forgotten as well were the cultural moments of song and dance that were performed by the senior citizens of Porus district. They demonstrated clearly that though they had aged somewhat they were still gifted and able to deliver quality entertainment.

Despite the heat of the day persons turned out in their numbers to receive treatment from doctors and nurses from all the departments in the clinic. These departments included: wellness, curative, dental health psychiatric and family health. The volunteers of Projects Abroad Jamaica were able to assist in the registry and treatment of some three hundred patients. The participating volunteers were Carmen Geisler (Medical), Anna-Kathrin Gaessler, (Medical) Bea List (Sports), Simone Stumpf (Care) and Jasmine Ober (Care). These volunteers were instrumental throughout the day as they worked along with the health staff to assist in the registration of seniors for government health cards, sexual health demonstrations guided by the Jamaica Red Cross and participating in diet and exercise classes for the elderly.

The latter part of the day saw the volunteers serving the elders a noon day lunch, prepared specifically with the age group in mind. In return the volunteers received the gratitude of many who were very appreciative of their care and attention for the day. The day was indeed a success for all involved and we are grateful for the invitation for the Porus Health Clinic and are glad that our volunteers through their service did demonstrate our motto “Help… Learn … Explore.”

The Projects Abroad Jamaica group on Facebook, www.facebook.com is attracting more and more past, present and future volunteers.

Bridgette, our legendary Projects Abroad Jamaica director and her team of hard working staff have added numerous video clips to the site in the past few weeks. These include footage of nutrition work shops, the Children Advocacy Project, the ever popular reggae dance classes and in-depth interviews with volunteers. The interview with Sports volunteer David Spitz is worth a listen. David has been volunteering in Jamaica for the past 6 months and has become the resident Jamaican Patois expert.

David on his sports placement

Click HERE or search Projects Abroad Jamaica to join the Jamaica Facebook group. The videos and the hundreds of photos give a great taste of what Jamaica has to offer and the excellent projects that volunteers are involved in.

Reggae Class

Nutrition Workshop

By Andrew Richards (Project Officer - Care) and Cherricha Jacobs (Desk Officer & Social Manager) in Jamaica

Did you know that in your lifetime, you will eat about 70,000 meals and 60 tons of food? Can you imagine if these are unhealthy foods and what effect it can on our bodies? Well, those were enough thoughts to convince parents, volunteers and caregivers to turn up at our Nutrition Workshop on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville. The theme was “Nutrition: Your key to good health”. There were twenty-four participants; two males and twenty-two females. This included placements, parents on the Parenting Project, volunteers and partners.

The main objectives of the workshop were:
1.To sensitize placements about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle
2.The importance of nutrition for the growth and development of children
3.Preparing cost-effective meals for children and adults

The main presenter, Marsha Woolery, Nutritionist/Lecturer from Northern Caribbean University (NCU) gave a sterling presentation entitled “Nutrition for the Child at All Ages”. She captured the participants’ interest by giving them real scenarios and asking them questions. Her presentation highlighted the need for food; its importance, causes and effects of bad versus good nutrition; nutrition of the infants as it relates to development of their cognitive skills, motor skills, digestive system; nutritional needs of the young child, pre-adolescent, adolescent and elderly. Ms. Woolery emphasized the need to have balanced meals from the six food groups and the functions of the different nutrients.

After Ms. Woolery’s presentation, participants appeared to be “fully-loaded” with information evident by many questions which were bounced at her from everyone. Parents wanted to know at which stage babies should be weaned and the importance of breastfeeding. Caregivers asked how they can make food more attractive for the children and how to provide a balanced meal on a “meagre” budget.

Participants having “consumed” all that information they were now placed into three groups: 2-6 years, 6-12 years and 12-18 years to plan a menu for one day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Easy task – yeah right! Each menu should consist of foods from the different food groups. Participants were eager to get started as they got busy putting their ideas on paper. The laughter and chatter that echoed in the room were an indication that participants were coming up with creative meals. After twenty minutes, these “future nutritionist” having “digested” the information from the presentation were still bubbling with ideas and so the allotted time had to be extended by ten more minutes.

Time up!! Time up - Signaled the end of the group discussion. It was now time for the group presentations. The first group up was the 2 - 6 age group. For breakfast, they were going to prepare scrambled eggs with sausage, wheat bread, ripe banana, orange juice, water and oats porridge. For lunch they decided to “dish out” crushed potatoes, sardine, sliced tomatoes, fruit punch, slice of melon. It was decided for dinner they would have that vegetable rice, chicken strips, tossed salad and fruit salad.

–The second group was the 6-12 age group. For breakfast, they would prepare oats porridge sweetened with sugar and cows milk (low fat); eggs with sausage; bread, ripe banana and orange juice. Lunchtime it was baked chicken with rice & peas, mix vegetable (carrot, string bean, green pea), lettuce, water and sliced melon. After that heavy lunch, they decided that for supper it would be cream of pumpkin soup; corned bread and cheese with water.

- Now it was time for the 12-18 years old group. They would have for breakfast cornmeal porridge with low fat milk, boiled egg, egg sandwich made from brown bread with lettuce and tomato, ripe banana, a cup of cherry juice. For lunch, Rice & Peas, steam fish and butter, steam mixed vegetable (cabbage, carrot, cucumber, string bean, corn); orange juice. For supper, they would have soup made with chicken, pumpkin, carrot, cho-cho, irish potatoes, yam), melon and water.

Groups were commended for their efforts but were reminded that they need to ensure that the colours of their menus should be balanced – avoid too much of the same colour! Main points which participants took away from the workshop were:

1. Breakfast was the most important meal!
2. Eat Breakfast like a king; Lunch like a queen and Supper like a pauper!
3. Healthy eating helps children to grow, learn and develop!
4, Healthy eating reduces the risk of chronic diseases and conditions!

At the end of the workshop, participants commented that the workshop “was excellent, need more like this”; “presentation was informative and good”; “we need more of these workshops especially in the early childhood schools”. Overall, participants rated the workshop as an “A” – very good workshop!!

Special thanks to Anouschka van den Ban who was the first volunteer to donate funds towards the new Nutrition Programme in Jamaica. Anouchka spent one month in Jamaica volunteering at the Our Lady of Hope Child Care Facility in August 2009. The Nutrition Programme aims to build the capacity of placements and volunteers on healthy lifestyle practices, assisting in making placements more sustainable by encouraging gardens and working with different partner agencies to promote healthy living in communities. If you would like to contribute to this programme you may contact the Projects Abroad Jamaica Office. To all our volunteers who participated and those whom provided feedback geared towards this workshop, thanks! Thanks to everyone for making this workshop a success - parents, placements, Northern Caribbean University and Projects Abroad Jamaica!

Lauren and Tameka in Jamaica

By Cherricha Jacobs, Desk Officer & Social Manager - Jamaica

The patience, willingness and tolerance of volunteers and participants on the Community Literacy Project must be highlighted! It was very obvious from the voices coming from an old building that teaching was in session. Tameka Crooks, one of the ten participants on this project, was in her “class” with Lauren McClelland. As I entered the “class” to interview Tameka, she was eager to tell her story. “Teacher Lauren” was also excited about her volunteering experience on the Community Literacy Project and did not hesitate when asked if she was willing to do a little interview on spot! She remarked “Sure, no problem!” Lauren spoke highly about the project and said “ I really enjoyed it and has been very rewarding working with all 8-9 adults”. Her class on September 8th was interrupted for me to interview Tameka, as Lauren was teaching Tameka letter writing, spelling, mathematics and phonics.

Tameka told me how she felt overjoyed when she heard about the Community Literacy Project. She was at home not doing anything and saw this opportunity to improve on her literacy. Having left school many years ago, she said it was good to learn phonics, letter writing, reading, syllables, sounds and mathematics. Tameka has been on the project since the beginning (May 2009) and has worked with Helene Tuimann, Nicola Preston, Kristyn Gintz, David Ruescher and now Lauren McClelland. She has already recommended this project to three other members of the community who are currently on the project. Tameka thanked all the volunteers who took the time to work with her.

A few minutes walk away from Tameka’s house, we met Andrea Lewis, better known as “Nordia”. Even though, she was busy with house chores, she welcomed me into her home and we began the interview right way. She told me that the Community Literacy Project is a very good idea for her. Nordia learnt a lot – verbs, nouns, prefix, mathematics, English and spelling. It was her view that persons who were not on the project were “missing out” as it was never too old to learn. The above volunteers have also worked with Nordia and she thanked them.

Andrea Lewis, better known as “Nordia”

The Community Literacy Programme was launched through partnership with the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning (J.F.L.L). Currently, there are ten persons on the Community Literacy Project and they are in the process of completing level one of the literacy and numeracy components. Then they will move on to level two of the four part programme.

Special “big up” to our volunteers who are truly making the Community Literacy Project worthwhile by creating changes and impacting the lives of these people. Thank you so much! Check out the Projects Abroad - Jamaica Facebook page for all the interviews: Lauren, Tameka and Nordia!!

Learn more about the Community Literary Project by clicking here

By Cherricha Jacobs, Desk Officer - Jamaica

The success of volunteerism is achieved when there is a satisfaction, difference, sense of achievement and accomplishment! All these words were used to describe the work of our volunteers on August 28th at the May Day High School. This school is one of our placements and we wanted to make a difference for the new school term which begins September 7th. Our sports volunteer, David Spitz, who currently works at the school, was delighted that May Day High School was chosen as our Dirty Day Project.

Volunteers got busy putting on their working gear – masks, gloves, “working clothes” to make a difference to the male and female bathrooms, as well as, planting trees around the football field.

Despite the heat, volunteers were all cranked up and ready to take on the day’s tasks. Volunteers chose to plant trees (“Planting Team”), cleaning markings from the walls (“Cleaning Team”) or painting (“Painting Team”). All set with specific tools in hand, shovel, gloves, masks, cleaning solution, paint brushes and/or rollers, paint pans, machetes, pick-axe, it was obvious that volunteers were here to “volunteer” and eager to make the difference!.

With plants in hands, shovels, gardening gloves, machetes and pick-axe in hand, the “Planting Team” was off to the football field. Volunteers dug holes around the field while the others assisted with placing the trees into the holes. Soon volunteers were immersed into the task at hand, ignoring the heat. Yes, it was hardwork digging those holes, in addition, to the nice warm heat coming from the mid-morning sun! One aim – “we got to finish planting all these thirty-three trees”. So without “easing up”, they worked and before noon, all trees were planted.

On entering the bathrooms, the “Cleaning Team” was greeted with what would be a hard task to get the markings off the walls – wow! And they were many graffiti! With little hesitation, volunteers got busy with cloths and cleaning solution, put on their gloves and masks and started cleaning off the wall s. Volunteers were divided into “Female Cleaning Team” or “Male Cleaning Team”.

Painting Team

The “Painting Team” seems excited as it first appeared that they had chosen the easiest task! As they had to just pour out paint and using their rollers and brushes to bring a facelift to the bathrooms – WRONG! There were markings everywhere, so they had to re-apply paint over and over to get those markings faded. “Painting Team” soon realized it wasn’t so easy. Volunteers had yellow and pink paints all over them – in their hairs, on their face s, on their clothes, on their feet, on the hands – all over!! Volunteers didn’t mind getting dirty as they smiled, climbed on desks and ladders to apply and re-apply paint where needed.

After the bathrooms walls were looking bright and freshly painted, the next task was….you guessed it….to tidy up the floor which was nicely decorated with either yellow or pink drippings from the brushes and rollers. Volunteers quickly worked together to get the job done by noon. Everyone was happy as they saw the big difference!

Special thanks to all our volunteers! The differences in the appearances to the bathrooms will undoubtedly put a “big grin” on the faces of the students on Monday morning as they will be pleasantly surprised to see no markings on the walls!! The trees planted will bring more comfort to students when they are fully grown, as they will now be able to sit in the cool to watch their football games, eat snacks and socialize.

Hopefully this will help acclimatize all of the volunteers heading to Jamaica on our programs.

Enjoy!

By Cherricha Jacobs, Desk Officer & Social Manager - Jamaica

It has been just four months since the Parenting Project started in the community of Heathfield and parents are giving the project thumbs up for a great job! The Parenting Project is designed to allow volunteers to work with poor families and children 0-3 years in the community. Our volunteers demonstrate and teach stimulation activities and child rearing practices. The children are stimulated through various activities and puppets, manipulative cushions, building blocks and sometimes simple things like a key are used during the sessions. Other aspects of this project involves, improving the infants’ motor, perceptual, social, emotional and cognitive skills.

The project started in March 2009 with four children and their families. Myriam, our first volunteer on the Parenting Project, was a bit skeptical and nervous at first, but after few weeks, she began to enjoy it. The warm smiles and cheerful spirits of the little ones motivated her each day. She assessed each child’s developmental level and designed specific programme for each child. Myraim stayed one month on the Parenting Project. Her comments “I really liked my time as a volunteer in Heathfield, because I worked very closely with the people and their daily life in the country. The project exceeded all my expectations and I learned a lot about Jamaica”

Myriam (volunteeer) and Rikadia Robinson (child) in March 2009

Rikadia Robinson (child) and Kadiene Wint (parent) have been on the project since its inception. In an interview with Kadiene on July 17, 2009, she spoke about the benefits of the Parenting Project. Kadiene displayed enthusiasm about the project and was eager to share her story. She recalled that Rikadia at 1 year 4 months (at the time) was not interacting with her peers, did not know her A-B-C, could not count and her motor skills were underdeveloped.

After hearing about the project from Bridgette Barrett (Country Director), Stacy Barrett (Office and Project Assistant - Care) and Bevin Barrett (Community member), she did not hesitate to get on board.

Rikadia began showing a little improvement which was enough encouragement when the other new volunteers arrived. They were Annika Schons, Natalie White and Susanna Corke.

Susie and Annika (volunteers) with Rikadia Robinson (child) in May 2009

There were now ten families on the Parenting Project. Annika and Susie continued to work with little Rikadia and Kadiene. These volunteers visited the community twice per week to do activities with the children and parents. Kadiene spoke highly about the project as it has created positive impact on Rikadia, as she is now counting, identifying colours, saying her A-B-C and there has been remarkable improvement in her sensory and motor developments.

Kadiene stated that she would recommend this project to more persons in the community so more parents can benefit from the work of Projects Abroad. She commended the volunteers for their efforts and time spent in their homes.

Kadiene Wint (mother) and Rikadia Robinson (daughter) in July 2009

Currently, there is one new volunteer working with nine children. Her name is Sarah Hallinan and this is her second time volunteering with Projects Abroad Jamaica

Check out the website to learn more about the Parenting Project in Jamaica and go to Facebook to see the full interview with Kadiene Wint

Projects Abroad dance lessons in Mandeville, Jamaica

Projects Abroad Jamaica - Poem
My first Month in Jamaica
By Daphne Wake, Teaching Volunteer, United Kingdom

Jamaica is lovely – sun, sea and sand,
Mountains and forest, a fertile land,
Pineapple and yam, jerk pork and chicken, goat meat with curry, yes man!!

Bright colours abound here yellow, greens and blues,
In the market there are fruits of all different hughes,
Mixed voices calling “buy me, mangoes, oranges and shoes”

‘Taxi’, ‘St. Elizabeth’, ‘Knockpatrick’, ‘Waltham’ and ‘Green End’
Horns hocking, drivers waving, calling to friends
Watch out for the POT HOLES around the bend!

Smiling, friendly people want you to talk,
Like to hear about your life over there,
Music of all kinds is heard everywhere,
In the streets, shops, taxis – it abounds in the air!

From gospel to Reggae, the beat goes on,
At the end of the day it still lingers on,
Movement and dancing are part of the scene,
But the Reggae dancing is a sight to be seen!!

These little mosquitoes, invisible foes are always here to nibble your toes,
They seem to like elbows, ankles and legs
They make me itch all over especially in bed!!

Click here for more information about our programs in Jamaica

Partnership Workshop in Mandeville, Jamaica

The work of Projects Abroad in Jamaica has been explained in an article published on the Jamaican Information Services Governmental website, link here

Project Abroad Jamaica will be undertaking a number of programmes in Jamaica for the 2009/10 period, as the organisation continues its voluntary work in the island.

“Projects Abroad Country Manager, Bridgette Barrett, speaking at a partnership workshop in Mandeville Manchester yesterday (June 4), said that these include undertakings in the areas of culture, medicine and health care, conservation and the environment particularly in disaster management and agriculture. Residents of the parishes of St. Elizabeth, St. Ann and Manchester are expected to benefit from these initiatives.

The workshop, held at the Golf View Hotel, was attended by more than 40 representatives from various fields and disciplines such as sports, academia, community development, health, child care, parenting associations, local government, among other areas.

Participants in the workshop were introduced to and updated on the work of the local arm of the organisation over the last year. They also made suggestions about ways in which projects in Jamaica, undertaken by the group, can be strengthened.

Ms. Barrett said that the aim of her team is to make the organisation “the best” and added that the participants have made some very valuable suggestions.”