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When:
Saturday July 3 – Sunday July 18, 2010.
Where:
flying in and out of Kingston, Jamaica
How much:
$2000 (approximate but should be very close –
depends on airfare and ground transportation)
What does the price include:
airfare, ground transportation, travel (medical)
insurance, accommodation, meals, an excursion, and
some of our project work. As well, $50 from each
participant goes directly to the Riverton Family
Foundation. This is a community fund that is
administered by members of the community.
What will we be doing:
As we've done in previous years we will work in an
orphanage with children with HIV/AIDS, a home for
teen Moms, a home for children with special needs, a
residence for seniors, and most of the group will be
working in Riverton - the town built on Kingston's
landfill site. There we work at the school, helping
the teachers with their regular school program; we
plan and run an afterschool program for the older
children in the community (6 – 15 year olds); we
tutor individuals and small groups; and we run a
senior’s day. Some participants may have the
opportunity to work with the nurse in the health
clinic in the community.
Additional Projects:
We will take seniors on a field trip and organize a
beach trip for community children. And who knows
what else we will do??? We will probably follow up
on winter projects, and help with repairing some
houses in the community to get them ready for
hurricane season.
How much money will we need in Jamaica:
You need money for munchies and gifts, and a minimal
amount for a trip to the mineral springs ($10 max).
Sometimes individuals like to give a bit of money to
the seniors at St.Monica’s or to a specific family
in Riverton.
What's the best way to bring money:
A bank card is the best – in fact it is the only
way to bring money. We stop at a bank machine almost
every day, so you will be able to access Jamaican
dollars for the grocery store and the craft market.
Do NOT bring travellers cheques as we will
NOT be going into the bank. American, Canadian
and Jamaican cash is accepted at the craft market,
but you get better deals with Jamaican dollars.
Jamaican dollars only are accepted at the
grocery store (no credit cards or bank cards are
accepted at the grocery stores).
How many people are going:
We are taking a group of 20 – 25.
Where are we staying:
In Kingston we are staying at a convent/guest house.
Accommodation is dormitory style (3-4 to a room) and
we share housekeeping and program prep duties. We
make our own breakfasts and lunches (the food is
supplied) and we have a wonderful cook who makes
dinner for us. The group leaders determine who your
roommates are - we mix you up so that you can meet
all kinds of new people! Laundry is done by hand
(your hands) – lots of clotheslines available for
you. We do use a washing machine occasionally.
What should we bring:
You will receive a list after we hear from our
Jamaican partners about their needs and wishes -
money is always best - for donations, to help out
with the afterschool program, to take children to
the beach, to take seniors on their field trip,
paint and supplies for repairs at other places we
work, etc.
How can we raise the funds to go:
I have a number of ideas for you (you probably do as
well). We'll talk about that in your interview.
Anything else we should know:
Remember, we are going to work with the poor. As a
symbol of solidarity with them, we do not drink,
smoke or partake of any illegal substances. Every
participant, regardless of age, is expected to sign
a behaviour contract that says they will respect and
abide by these rules and follow the rules as laid
out by the leaders of the group. Failure to do so
results in a return trip home at your expense.
What's next:
First time participants on the trip need to send a
short essay to introduce themselves (details below).
For those of you who are returning participants,
your essay will have a different slant (details
below). Please send all contact information – full
name, phone number(s), full address and birth date,
and OHIP number for travel insurance.
Once accepted, you will need to give me a
non-refundable deposit of $200 (to hold your
airplane ticket and to ensure you're coming).
Subsequent payment dates will be announced later.
We will have a number of meetings prior to going on
the trip. Your parents/family are invited to attend
one of the meetings (date TBA) as I'm sure that they
will have many questions, including ones about
security. Other meetings focus on getting to know
the rest of the team, planning program and learning
more about our role there.
Application
(please include the following info at the top of
your essay)
Returning Participant Essay
Format
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