Sept 19, 2012

Arabian Proverb:  He who has health has hope: and he who has hope has everything.

After observing classes at the secondary school for two days, I transferred to pre-school and infant care.  I enjoyed experiencing the secondary school and seeing the methods of the teachers, but I was contributing very little.  The teachers have a difficult job, especially at the lower levels.  Marigot Secondary School is the lowest level of the four high schools on the island.

The volunteers have been extremely generous providing books, games, and educational materials.  The items were sorted and bagged ready for the schools.  Conversations abounded making plans.
I really enjoyed my day with the 3-year-olds at the pre-school.   I read two books to them, taught them songs, and answered many questions about me, where I live and how I got here.  Only major problem was that we put the wrong shirts on some children.  I tied shoes, supervised hand washing, played ball with a grapefruit from the tree, and sweated buckets. 

Most of the volunteers plunged into the pool after work.  We thought it was probably the best photo op of the group!!!  We did gather later for our group picture since some of the volunteers will be leaving on the weekend. 

At the evening meeting each group gave their reports.  Again there was much emphasis on the Earth Boxes.  The group headed for a delicious dinner at Julietta’s. 
St Lucia is a beautiful country with beautiful people.  I’m glad I came.

Betty Wood

September 18, 2012

The day began with sunshine and breakfast with cereal, French toast and bananas.  It was a good start for a very busy day.  Lynn shared his thought of the day: “Even pigeons get hungry.”  Each team left for their assigned schools, clinics and departments with lots of excitement and energy.

Teams returned to home base at the end of their day with some beginning to plan the next day, others enjoying a cool swim, and some happy to get a quick nap before our evening meeting.  Everyone gathered for the meeting to report on the accomplishments and observations of day.

Pre-school:  There was a report on some of the activities the teacher did with the students that were very age appropriate. Also the Global Volunteer helped serve food.

Infant School: The team member reported that she repeated some of the same activities as the previous day  and introduced several pieces of equipment for student to use during play time.  Some of the students also practiced hand washing.

Primary School: The team taught in all the grade levels today.  Their lesson included map skills, a graphic organizer, and writing activities. Students were very eager to learn and participate.  The team felt it was a successful day.

Secondary School:  The team members reported that they went around working with several students.

Health Center:   They checked weight and gave immunizations to several children.

Earth Box Team: Today they finalized the Day Care Center Earth Boxes and mothers will come to that location on Friday to plant.

Construction: First the team went to Infant School to inspect their Earth Boxes and upcoming room partition project and the longer-term seawall proposal.  Then the team returned to the Primary School to continue working on the Earth Box tables.  Pencil sharpeners and 2 soap dispensers were installed also.

Nutrition: Reported that they quieted some children and took some children around town.  Some parents are breast feeding too long and cuddling them too long.  The team member shared several foods that the children experienced during the day.

Team Four Begins the Journey

September 16-17, 2012

Our team met for a group breakfast at JJ’s on Sunday morning. We then attended  a quite lengthy Catholic Church service in Anse La Raye. The service was very colorful, spiritful, and ceremonial as a large group of young adults were being confirmed.  Global Volunteers and its current and former servants were recognized and praised many times by the Archbishop  and other worship/community leaders.

Upon returning back to JJ’s for a brief lunch we had team meetings in preparation for the week. We discussed individual goals and found a significant commonality amongst our large group of diverse servants. We discussed keys to a successful volunteer experience and ways to accomplish our individual goals as well as those of the group as a whole unit.  I like the fact that Global Volunteers seems to be allowing the individuality of the group help define the project based upon need, not just let their organizational objectives define the project. As a team we determined that to be successful we would need to be cooperative, goal oriented,  flexible, respectful and unselfish.

Yesterday (Monday) we saw each of those goals challenge and survive. Flexibility seems to be the key as we set out for our first day working in the health center, schools and on community projects.  The clock of time definitely tics at a different pace than in the States and adaptability/flexibility seem to be keys to that success.

We finished Monday with a brief team meeting to discuss our group observations and possible modifications to our plan then met at Julietta’s for another amazing dinner. 

Bryan VanMeter, Physician Assistant/Global Volunteer

Thought for the day from Claire Kirchen:

During the confirmation of the youth of the Anse La Raye community the Archbishop of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church asked them whether they had assisted the poor and needy, helped others learn, and volunteered hours in service.  Then the Archbishop concluded:  “Do as the Global Volunteers who give not just hours but many days of service.  Learn from them!”

A Birthday Party In St Lucia

 

                         How Lucky Am I - A Party At Kidstep Preschool

 

Visit the link below to join in the fun!

 http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-05f1-3d48-fd7c?lm 

 Enjoy

A FOND FAREWELL

We concluded after breakfast this morning and leave for the airport in one hour…so to sum up….

                                 

                                                              ST LUCIA

S - is for the breathtaking SCENERY and SPECTACULAR SITES – I never tired looking out the van window

T - is for the TEAM, whose spirit and cooperation was TREMENDOUSLY enjoyable - I will miss everyone

L - is for the LASTING memories, especially the LUCIANS and their warm and loving welcome and farewell – they will remain in my heart forever

U - is for the UNIQUE and different work projects we attacked with vigor – from construction to teaching to earth boxes to health clinic to care giving – what an  UNPARALLELED job we accomplished

C - is for the CHILDREN, whose lives we touched, ever so briefly, yet we know we helped to make a difference

I - is for IDEAL good days, mostly sunny, both in nature and the people we experienced – what smiles and good cheer were shared with us

A - is for the AMAZING ADVENTURE, provided for all by Global Volunteers

Some Winding Down Thoughts

Anse La Raye - Fishing Village of about 6500

Our time is winding down too quickly and although I long for the comforts of home and family, it is indeed ‘bittersweet’ to have the end approaching.  I have some observations that aren’t really that important in the grand scheme of things, but none the less, to me, they bear mentioning.  So bear with me!

·         The children, so rambunctious and squirmy – yet when they have their hair braided, they sit like angels, never moving and being ever so cooperative. 

·         There are many contrasts here – yet whether rich or poor, needy or not wanting, young or old, white or Lucian – there is a spirit which comes out of every smile, good morning and how are you today.  Everyone is very gracious, good mannered fun! and happy.

·         The frogs – I always thought frogs were daytime creatures.  But here in the jungle, in which JJ’s Paradise is surrounded, they are up all night. They do not croak, they sort of ‘tweet’ – all together – hundreds of them.  I understand they are tree frogs.  They just every once and awhile, they all stop and you think, “Thank God, it’s over for the night”; and bingo, all in unison they begin once more – in unison.  They begin at about 5 PM and it keeps up all night.  I have actually have become accustomed to their shrill tweeting.  I wonder if I will be able to sleep in quiet Arizona, where I never even hear the coyotes.

·         Rainy/Hurricane Season – I guess this is the time, but except for two or three times during the middle of the night, the rain has been short lived, it has been merely five minute showers; then it clears and the sun comes out.  Once looks for the clouds to keep it cooler.

·         Finally – Everyone refers to everyone as ‘my’ – my girl, my boy, my baby.  After a few days, one begins to feel as if everything is mine.  That’s the way I feel l now – it is all mine now and it is almost time to leave.   This is where ‘bittersweet’ enters one’s emotions. 

Yes, it will be hard to say goodbye to St Lucia,

Auntie Pillis

Where Isn't There Coke?

                                                                       We Loved the Ever So Cold Piton Beer

Not Just Another Face in the Flowers - He Makes Steel Drums

       The New Addition to the Infant School                   Mike, Global Volunteer Construction Worker

Happy Birthday Alessia!

The second week began with less trepidation and more confidence for all us.  We know where we are going with our various projects and many are well underway to completion.  Our construction project (room additions to infant school) now has a floor and one wall, while teachers in the various primary and secondary schools have given and are planning more in service lectures for teachers.  The roving caregivers continue to walk and interact with the community in need, while volunteers assigned to the health clinic continue to assist the medical staff daily. This week some of us will undertake maintenance of the Earth Boxes that were planted by previous teams.  Some seem not to be doing so well and will be attended to. Wow, it sounds like we are busy and we are.  We meet each afternoon to give progress reports and it is interesting to hear the progress we are making. 

As for me, I continue to watch and assist with the day to day interaction at both preschools.  I watch the teachers reaffirm good behavior traits for the children, from two to five.  Each day good manners, respect for one another, the importance of sharing, prayer, singing and story time is experienced by the children in a structured environment.  Sometimes, it gets a little noisy and sometimes a tear is shed, however, all children appear healthy and happy.  Some are shy; some are boisterous; while, some are pensive thinking about what they will do when they get home.  They like to watch cartoons at home and don’t know what time they go to sleep.  What they do know is the routine at the school.  They all wash hands before meals and after washroom.  This is a good health habit instilled by prior Global Volunteer teams.  We are pleased to see it is still being practiced. 

 Alessia & Mom

A fitting finale to one day was a birthday party at the Kid Step Day Care.  Alessia is five years old and what a party she had.  Her father came with a boom box and computer for our music.  Her mother brought orange punch, cheeto puffs, tortilla chips, cake and ice cream.  There was singing, dancing and of course playing.  It was a grand party.  Happy Birthday Alessia!

Tomorrow will come soon,

Auntie Pillis

Of Course There Was Ice Cream & Some of the Gang