Ignacio Volunteers: Jamaica

Purpose of Ignacio Volunteers:

• TO LEARN:  To provide an international volunteer service opportunity for students of Loyola University New Orleans. The program is designed to give participants an exposure to the Jamaican culture and the political, sociological, economic and spiritual issues of the Caribbean and developing world.  

• TO HELP:  To provide support and assistance to the people of Kingston, Jamaica. Participants will work with those of the greatest need, which include the impoverished & challenged, and the disadvantaged young and the elderly. 

The Program

Between ten and twelve Loyola students will be invited to participate in this rewarding volunteer opportunity. There will also be two team leaders  (alumni and/or current students) selected from previous Ignacio Volunteer trips will join the group to assist in leadership. Jesuit Center Fellow Scott Porot will lead this program. Participants will work at several sites working with the elderly  or the young in Kingston, Jamaica.

The volunteer work sites may vary, but most likely will be:

• A home for the elderly and homeless run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity

• St. Margaret's, a community center with a school for at-risk children, health clinic, meals for elderly and sewing shop for young girls

• Riverton City Catholic Early Education Center, a school for young (age 2-6) children, located at a shanty town settlement built on the old Kingston garbage dump.                 

• Bustamante Children's Hospital, where volunteers tutor children.

The type of work will vary at each site. Tasks may include the following: help serving meals, washing/shaving, entertaining, writing letters, tutoring, sports/games and painting/cleaning/fixing up. Participants will have the opportunity to work the entire week at one site or move to various sites.

Program Calendar

This 10-day program runs from Monday, May 10 to Wednesday, May 20, 2010.

Following a required overnight orientation at the beginning of the spring semester, participants will meet weekly on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.   Meetings will range from discussions of history, culture, and economics of Jamaica to community building activities, and fundraising strategy sessions.   Students will also be required to participate as a group in the annual day of service that is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Week for Peace in January.

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.

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 estimated at $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.