Jamaica
This section will be dedicated to an ongoing discussion of work in Jamaica, particularly with the Barrett Hall Basic and Care Centre. Along with planning a service experience for summer, 2007, we invite reflections related to service in and partnerships with the Global South.
posted by adam at 4:34 PM
1 Comments:
While most of you have not had an opportunity to join one of the teams over the last couple of years in Jamaica, I wanted to share some of our ongoing discussion and invite you to take part in any way you can. Here is an excerpt from a recent email I sent to the team that went this summer regarding help for one of the teachers, Mrs. Kaye, whom we've worked with since 1999:
I’ve also been thinking ahead about a few things: short term help for Mrs. Kaye, plans for 2007, long-term help for Mrs. Kaye.
(1) Short term help for Mrs. Kaye. While in Jamaica, Justin (I think) suggested that maybe we could continue sending some of the books and supplies down to Mrs. Kaye from the book _Story Stretchers_ (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0876591195/qid=1152561652/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-6717203-8317553?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) that we were using. If each of us (or others) in pairs or singly, agreed to take a turn at sending these supplies down (through Fed-Ex), we could build her quite the curriculum library for stories and activities. We might also think to send some things down for the family—Alward and the children, as well? What do you think? Anybody want to coordinate this effort?
(2) Plans for 2007. Believe it or not, it’s not too soon to start thinking about 2007 and what our trip or trips could look like for next year. I’m investigating the possibility of doing some sort of spring course that would involve co-teaching with Jon and Milton through our interdisciplinary core—a 301 more than likely (maybe, a 400 could count here too). This course would take us to Jamaica during spring break. Another possibility, or in addition is to run a May short course and travel to Jamaica after the three or four week course. Still another option is to run it just like we did this past year as a volunteer global service experience. And, of course, even if we run any of these trips as formal courses, you (along with other alums of past trips) are more than welcome to go—this is now your trip/partnership, as well. What things would you do differently? What would benefit you from a second experience?
(3) Long term help with Mrs. Kaye. As you know, Mrs. Kaye also requires long term help, financially. There are three main areas in which this help is needed—and I’m attempting to put them in order of priority.
(A) Attaining her teaching credentials. Shortly, she should hear from Sam Sharpe Teachers College regarding her acceptance into their program. This program is four nights/week and will last for four years. While I’m awaiting the exact amount, I believe the tuition is $1350/year, which does not include 2 summer terms over the four years and books. My goal would be to try and pull together about $2500/year or about $200/month to help. One plan is to donate any stipend I might receive for teaching at Sam Sharpe next summer (as Gina and I plan to try and spend some extended time in Jamaica next year). At most, this would cover only one year of this cost, if that. What kind of plan could we develop to help with this?
(B) She is more than likely going to close her school for the upcoming year, based on pressure from the Ministry of Education. However, the ministry has offered to find her a teaching job until she is able to reopen her school on a new plot of land with a building that is up to code. This is good news in the short term, but she is, of course, very committed to her community and wants to continue working toward a school there. I’m still working channels with Mr. Bartlett, the MP for that area, but I want to have a Plan B in effect that helps Mrs. Kaye pull this together privately. The land purchase will more than likely be somewhere around $8300 with 30% (about $2500) due at close and a four or five year mortgage of around $125/month. To take on her education and land purchase would require bringing in some outside donors (of means) or would require us to begin investigating grants for this work. What do you think? Any suggestions for funding agencies, plans for larger donations?
(C) finally, if we buy land, we would need to build a school. This would probably run well into five figures—I’m thinking $50,000, even if much of the labor is donated. I have one grant source that I will try to tap first in Jamaica. If this is unsuccessful, we need to be ready with other possible granting agencies through which to request funds. Again, ideas? Help?
A lot to take in, I know. Take some time, think about what ideas you have to share and what you might be able to help with—not necessarily financially, but where you might be able to lend some efforts in terms of helping with any of the above.
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