School was going great….

For the past three weeks I was teaching summer school at the All Age School and I loved it! But because of a long chain of events school has been canceled for the entire week : (

So every morning this week I would wake up at my usual 7:30, eat breakfast and walk down to the school. A few kids show up every morning expecting summer school. So for about an hour I sit on the steps of the school and we work on Language skills. I teach them proper English and they in turn teach me Patwa. After reading The Ugly American (highly recommended for people entering or thinking about Peace Corps) I approach my service in a different way. I am putting a lot more emphasis on integrating into my community and not with other Peace Corps volunteers.

Spoke to a lot of people back home, Lauren D. Dan K. my mom, my dad, my brother, Darren E, and tried to call a few others. It was great to hear from all of you. Miss you and come visit soon!

I am writing grants today. Working on starting a Farmers Co-op, and getting my hands on some teaching materials. Have to run!


ADDITION:
Grant-

I want travel to the surrounding schools to install “Self Closing Bubblers” - water fountains and discus germ transition. Currently, almost all the students in Jamaica use their germ ridden hands as cups. Even I do it occasionally. Plus, many schools have water shortage issues (quickly burn through their water storage tanks and go days without water). Water fountians would increase the schools health standards and conserve water. I have many grandiose ideas, but I think this simple improvement would bring the greatest impact from the smallest cost.

Pictures from Facebook

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"Big Up"...."Computer Down"

Wowzers, it’s been hard for me to find access to the internet.

I received a box of educational material in the mail from my mom and the material and the little experience I have picked up has vastly improved my teaching ability. I am really enjoying teaching my own class.

Community Crime update-

In terms of the national security code crime color thingamajig, I would call it code level Red. No recent shootings but more are likely.

Went Salsa dancing in Kingston with a few volunteers. Heaps of fun!

Highlights of the week-

Getting into a taxi and the driver pulling over at a mechanic shop to get something fixed then driving to his home to “change into fresh clothing”, 10 minutes later someone comes out and tells me that the driver will be out soon after he is finished with his bath.

Dear President Obama:

Just in case you are curious, I have personally tested every single mosquito in Jamaica and I am pleased to report Malaria is not present.

Gavin Finnegan

P.S. Please send anti-itch cream.

Insight-

“Peace Corps , the hardest job you will ever love.”

False, mowing my neighbor’s lawn for $10 was much worse.

Ha

On a serious note

Big up yourself!

Gavin

Bust!

Last night I found out that because previous Peace Corps Volunteers did not take advantage of the entire grant money allocated to their group, my group (80) is now allowed to apply for their grant money. This assistance is usually reserved only for veteran Peace Corps Volunteers so I was thrilled and got right to work. I wanted to write a grant to retrofit our school water system so that the school could conserve water while supplying water to the students on a consistent basis (hand washing, flushing toilets and drinkable water). The second grant I wanted to write, if approved, would have funded the completition of the delapitated bus stop; turning it not only into a functioning bus stop but also into a community notice board and a sign notifying drivers that they are entering Stonehenge. Sounds kinda lame but a notice board would actually be a handy way of notifying people of community events.

BUT!!!!!!! My computer broke today. The screen will not turn on and it gives me a nasty beeb and turns itself off. So now I have 30 minutes of computer access at the public library. After I get kicked out of here I will walk over to a computer shop and see if it’s only my power cable that is malfunctioning. My computer is under warranty but I am going to have to ship it back to America on my own dime and then have it shipped back to Jamaica. I better not get a customs tax on top of that : (

I have been granted money for a bicycle. And I believe there is a public library within ridding distance of my house so the lack of a computer might not be that difficult to get around. No worries.

Every day is a great adventure!
Thanks to everyone that supported me. Wouldn’t be here without you.

Check out rule 11. Don't worry, everyone's an expert

Going to Summer School

Week in brief-

Listening to the advice of my supervisor and community members who were egging me on, I hit on my first and only random girl in Mo-Bay- she was dressed conservatively, gorgeous and very not interested in me. ha

The school year ended; now I get to teach all the grades during summer school. I really am enjoying working at the school!

I went on a school field trip to the beach where the kids harassed a slow street child because they thought he thiefed a teacher’s phone; turns out the teacher had temporarily misplaced it. There's a lesson here for the kids.

I got an international calling plan, so I can call back to the states for cheap this month. Shoot me an email if you would like me to call.

Went to the yearly international exporters meeting.

Looked and still looking to get my hands on some educational materials for summer school. Would like to use things like Magic School Bus and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Shoot me any ideas you have on what would be a good lesson plan for the kids.

Talked with some NGO’s out of Mo-bay (RADA office).

Got called whitty about 5 times.

Hung out with Rasta Stud and his son- they have had their power cut and are feeling down in the dumps abut it. Makes you appreciate what you take for granted.