Ignacio Volunteers: Christmas Camp in Jamaica

Purpose of Ignacio Volunteers

• TO LEARN: Participants in the Christmas Camp in Jamaica program experience Jamaican culture and learn of the political, sociological, economic and spiritual issues of the Caribbean and the developing world.

• TO SERVE: Volunteers provide support and educational assistance to disadvantaged children of Kingston, Jamaica.

The Program

Between ten and twelve Loyola University students will be invited to serve as teachers/coaches at the annual Christmas Camp for primary school children in Kingston, Jamaica. There will be two informational sessions, both will take place in the Magis Lounge in the basement of the Danna Center. One will be on Tuesday, September 8 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the other on Thursday, September 10 from 5-6 p.m.  Applications must be completed online through this site no later than Friday, September 18, 2009 at 3pm CST.  Interviews of candidates will be held between Sunday, Sept 20 through Friday, Sept 25.  In addition, participants will be required to participate as a group in the annual Wolves on the Prowl day of service in New Orleans.

The twelve-day trip includes facilitating a five-day camp for approximately 100 children at the Mona Commons Basic School located adjacent to a shanty town area of Kingston. Classes are held each morning from 8:30 to 11:30 am, and after a lunch break, students participate in sports/games from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Teaching subject areas include arts and crafts, reading, writing and math. This volunteer opportunity offers a lot of interactive activities. Afternoon sports include volleyball, football (soccer) and children's games for the youngest kids.

Loyola volunteers will pair off with a few local Jamaican university students so that each classroom has two 'co-teachers.' Two staff persons will travel with group including Associate Chaplain, Josh Daly and Jesuit Center Fellow, Scott Porot.

The Program Calendar

The twelve-day program runs annually in December over the Christmas break. This year, it will run from Sunday, December 27, 2009 to Thursday, Jan 7, 2010. In addition to the program dates, participants must plan to attend a mandatory overnight orientation held Saturday, October 3 to Sunday, October 4, 2009.  There will also be weekly meetings on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8pm leading up to the trip.  Discussion topics include the history, culture and economics of Jamaica, community-building activities and fundraising strategy sessions. Each meeting also includes a reflection component.

There will be several days of service with elderly at local service agencies, including Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity; and there will be a day of recreation at Lime Caye, a local island.

The Location

The city of Kingston is the capital and largest city in Jamaica. It is a crowded urban area of 650,000 where thousands are living in the deepest levels of poverty. During the Jamaica Experience, our volunteers will assist in the most disadvantaged areas and schools.

Jamaica is an island nation of great contrast -- lavish tourist resorts on the north coast and intense poverty and violence in urban areas on the south coast. Located in the Greater Antilles region, Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean; and the most populous English-speaking island in that region.

Housing

The Loyola volunteers live together at Ursuline's convent, located in Kingston. Participants in all service trips work and travel as one community.

Cost

The cost of the trip is $1,200 which covers air transportation (New Orleans /Kingston) local transportation, housing and meals for the entire trip.    Volunteers fundraise as a group and individually.  There are 'Magis' Grants available for those who may fall somewhat short in fundraising.  

• $100 nonrefundable deposit is required soon upon acceptance.

• Participants will need a Hepatitis A vaccine immunization (if you do not have one.)

• U.S. Passport required and the appropriate visa if the participant is not a U.S. citiizen.