“It is so different here from Germany” remarked Teaching Internship volunteer Swantje   Krebbs. She has been working at the Villa Road Primary school as a part of her internship requirements for university.  An education enthusiast, she loves children and is keen on their academic development. Having worked with both kindergarten and teenagers she finds it easy to relate to the diverse age groups of children with whom she comes in contact at her placement. 

Quite endearing, the 20 year old teacher in training loves to see results in the performance of the children. One of her most pleasant experiences and an indicator of her hard work was the high test score of a boy with whom she worked for weeks. She indicated that there were a few major cultural differences. The major ones being the large class sizes and the special education needs of the children based on age and grade level. She has been providing individual tutoring at her placement for children who are slow learners or who need special attention based on the assigned class work.

She enjoys the high spirits of the children and the care they sometimes show for each other. She has learnt to be more patient and understanding as a result of her experience with children in Jamaican classrooms and has a greater appreciation for the small class sizes and structure that exists in Germany. She is eager to complete her studies and realize her dream to be in the classroom fulltime. She is completing four months in Jamaica, two months on the Teaching Project and two months on the Care Project. She is just as excited to start the care project and looks forward to the diverse levels of interaction which she will have with the children at the orphanage. Thank you Swantje for tutoring the ...

Twenty One year old Sara Linder’s desire to learn about a completely different culture and way of living as well as encouragement from a friend who volunteered with Projects Abroad were the reasons that propelled her to volunteer with projects Abroad in Jamaica.

The young Swiss volunteered as a teaching volunteer at the McIntosh Memorial Primary school. Sara highlighted that it’s a good teaching placement for volunteers to gain experience and concretize their decision whether or not to enter the teaching career. She also mentioned that volunteers make so much difference at the placement because they get the chance to assist the teachers who are overburdened with large class size and limited resources.

Her tasks included group and individual tutoring, substituting for teachers in their absence, which she enjoyed, supervising students during devotional exercises, recess and bathroom breaks, creating learning aides such as charts and flash cards, assisting remedial students and teaching classes.

Her volunteering experience taught her to appreciate cultural differences, how to be creative and innovative with limited resources to get the lesson across.  As she noted the difference, Sara said that “although the class size in Jamaica goes up to 40 students they are more motivated to learn than students back in her home country.” She added that “although the classes are large, noisy and the classrooms are sometimes messy [because the students eat in the classrooms] and although the students talk a lot to each other, they still do their work.” She said she found that interesting because it shows her that no matter what your situation or limitations you can learn if you are determined to.

She advises prospective volunteers to be ...

Most people shy away from challenges, but 22 year old Patrick Warnke embraces challenges with pleasure. He decided he wanted to volunteer on the Care Project in Jamaica because he wanted to help children, and not just any children but those with special learning needs. At his placement with the Learning Centre he provides diligent individual tutoring in mathematics, spelling, reading and phonics. Outside of the classroom setting he teaches physical education and trains the children for Sports Day.

Patrick is most personable, a quality which helps him to effortlessly get the cooperation of the children and by extension command their respect. The children love him and equally too the placement staff and supervisor. “He is so great with the children. He gets results in children that we have never been able to get” remarked his placement supervisor.

The children enjoy having him around and daily they seek his approval and love. On any given day at work one can hear multiple children affectionately calling him “Uncle Patrick”, “Uncle Patrick.” He has observed that there are limited resources which makes his job even more challenging. He uses rhymes, singing and colours to get the children to learn and recall what he has taught them. He understands well the different learning styles of each of the children with whom he works and so he uses audio, visual and kinaesthetic methodologies to teach various lessons.

He loves sports and so was happy to independently develop a Physical Education programme for the children. He teaches them about their health and engages them in diverse outdoor fitness and fun activities. Patrick is multi-talented and wants to see the children progress in all aspects of their development. His appreciation for the ...

The September Born American chose to come to Jamaica because she wanted to help children and experience a culture that she has never experienced before.  “I really like trying new things” she says. She  loves art, loves to teach games and wanted to work with children.

Marianne is a born leader. She effectively guides and directs activities at her placement in Montego Bay, a quality which enabled her to be the 2012 Utah ambassador in the HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership) World Leadership Congress. The work she does is leadership skills based on serving communities and reaching out to people around the world.

She is a people lover. “I just like spending time with people, making them smile, and having conversations. I love relating to people from a different part of the world”. She loves working with young people because she can relate to them. She is happy to be a role model for really young children.

The placements are very happy for the many books, crayons, toys, games, pens, pencils, rules, sticker and other diverse teaching and learning tools that Marianne donated. Projects Abroad Jamaica is very happy and thankful for this wonderful donation from a kind, enthusiastic and caring volunteer.

Pablo and Verena were the first two volunteers to arrive in Jamaica in April 2013. Pablo, the dread sporting energetic volunteer had his orientation on April 02, 2013 and cannot wait to start his Patois classes. He is very much in love with the sub cultures of Jamaica and is keen on been fully immersed in the many dimensions of the little island.

Pablo will complete his language course in Patois before joining the Maroon Project in Accompong St. Elizabeth. He cannot believe that he is really in Jamaica. It has been his dream for a long time and now he is just soaking it all in. He feels very blessed and privileged to be in this position.

Verena will stay for 3 months and will do both the Sports and Care Projects. She has fitness training and experience and has chosen the sports project because it is dear to her heart. A warm and soft spoken volunteer, Verena is helpful and upbeat. She immediately offered her help on her orientation day at the Teaching project Easter camp where she will work for the next three days before joining the Bethabara Primary and Junior High School.

Verena is excited about tasting her first mango. She loves fruits and feels special to be in a country where fruits in general but mango in particular is in abundance. She loves babies and has identified a few who she said she would love to take back home with her. The big wide smile that comes across her face as she expresses her feelings is but a reminder that babies bring real joy to many. She looks forward to the adventure that awaits her in Jamaica and is excited to share her story with family and friends.

Let the Journey begin for this dynamic duo...