Weekend Refreshment - Earned and Appreciated!

After meeting Ian & Denver at the dock – we all donned stylish, fluorescent orange life jackets and set off across Marigot Bay in Sashame for a boat ride down the coast.  The cool breeze, sea mist, and breath-taking views of the coastline delighted our senses. Arriving at the dock in Soufriere, Ian escorted us to a taxi and off we went for a tour of the Botanical Gardens.  Our guide, "Alexander the Great" was truly a walking encyclopedia of the gorgeous flora that filled the garden pathways.  From Helleconia, to Pink Torch Ginger Lilies, Avocado and Papaya trees, we were awestruck !  Our next stop was the Sulphur Springs.  Carita agreed to guard our belongings and be the photographer while the rest of us lathered up with fresh volcanic pumice – to rejuvenate our skin.  Although the mineral water was too hot for a dip, we managed to shower off and as we emerged at the top of the spring, Ian didn’t recognize any of us as we all looked a decade younger (not!).  

After lunch in the village, and a stop at a local ice cream shop, we boarded our "yacht" and headed down the coast towards Sugar Beach.  Coming around a corner – we stole our first glimpses of the Pitons. Absolutely breathtaking!  Majestic peaks springing out of the Caribbean Sea – towering over a palm tree-dotted white sand beach.  Some of us took a refreshing swim, while others found solace on a lounge chair under a tree.  I took my towel down the beach for some tranquility and found myself fixated on the majesty of the Gros Piton.  The view surrounding me of the coconut and palm trees, lush green mountains plunging into the sea was magnificent!

All too soon, and to our dismay, it was time to board Sashame and head back to Marigot Bay.  Listening to some Caribbean Reggae and taking in the coastline – we all agreed it was a spectacular day, which refreshed our spirits and helped us prepare for the work week ahead.

Monday morning~ After breakfast and morning meeting – we departed for our assignments.  Margaret & I were off to a meeting at Marigot Secondary School with Principal Dujon, Vernett James, the youth officer from the Dept. of Ministry, and Ms Fitz & Ms James – teachers from the Home Economics & Agriculture program. We gathered to begin discussions about expanding the school farm, Earth Box program and creating a school feeding program to provide nutritious lunches to the students.  Currently, there is no government subsidy for such a program for Secondary schools in St Lucia.  We shared many great ideas and I am encouraged by the excitement from all who attended at working together to meet the nutritional needs of the students. 

For the remainder of the afternoon, I finalized a schedule to replant Earth Boxes with mothers in the Roving Caregiver Program later in the week.  Additionally, we visited the shipping and brokerage firm in Castries in an attempt to complete the next step at getting the Earthbox supply shipment out of customs.  Sometimes, despite our best plans and intentions, circumstances arise which are beyond our control, as we learned we are still unable to have the shipment released.   Although, I find this setback discouraging, I decide to implement plan B as we drive back to Marigot. Tomorrow I will work to schedule nutrition and hand-washing lessons at the pre-schools for later in the week, if we are unable to replant Earth Boxes.

Monday proved to be somewhat challenging for other team members as well, and as we gathered for our meeting this evening,  "Father" Warren gently reminded us, that although we may be discouraged that our plans did not go as we had hoped today, our challenges pale significantly to those of our friends in Anse La Raye.  

Today reminded me of a message from Og Mandino, in book: The Greatest Salesman in the World: “Failure will never overtake you if your determination to succeed is strong enough”. 

A tasty dinner of fresh caught Mahi-Mahi, vegetables, and plaintains – along with laughter and a few songs around the table at Julietta’s, rejuvenated our spirits.  Tomorrow we begin anew. 

- Dawn

Spectacular Weekend

5/12: Recap from Sunday ~  After meeting Ian & Denver at the dock – we all donned stylish, fluorescent orange life jackets and set off across Marigot Bay in Sashame for a boat ride down the coast.  The cool breeze, sea mist, and breath-taking views of the coastline delighted our senses. Arriving at the dock in Soufriere, Ian escorted us to a taxi and off we went for a tour of the Botanical Gardens.  Our guide, Alexander the great was truly a walking encyclopedia of the gorgeous flora that filled the garden pathways.  From Helleconia, to Pink Torch Ginger Lilies, Avocado and Papaya trees, we were awestruck !  Our next stop was the Sulphur Springs.  Carita agreed to guard our belongings and be the photographer while the rest of us lathered up with fresh volcanic pumice – to rejuvenate our skin.  Although the mineral water was too hot for a dip, we managed to shower off and as we emerged at the top of the spring, Ian didn’t recognize any of us as we all looked a decade younger.

After lunch in the village, and a stop at a local ice cream shop, we boarded our yacht and headed down the coast towards Sugar Beach.  Coming around a corner – we stole our first glimpses of the Pitons. Absolutely breathtaking!  Majestic peaks springing out of the Caribbean Sea – towering over a palm tree dotted white sand beach.  Some of us took a refreshing swim, while others found solace on a lounge chair under a tree.  I took my towel down the beach for some tranquility and found myself fixated on the majesty of the Gros Piton.  The view surrounding me of the coconut and palm trees, lush green mountains plunging into the sea was magnificent!

All too soon and to our dismay, it was time to board Sashame and head back to Marigot bay.  Listening to some Caribbean Reggae and taking in the coastline – we all agreed it was a spectacular day, which refreshed our spirits and helped us prepare for the work week ahead.

Five Days of Volunteering

We began our 5th day of Volunteering in Anse le Raye, with the always good and plentiful options for breakfast at Ben's Hideaway. The warm and humid weather produced our first over night showers; many of us with tin roofs overhead, heard them ~ some of us just noticed a wet walk on the way to breakfast... nothing like good snooze after a long day of volunteering, and a couple of Pitons. We completed the meal with our daily journal reading, inspirational quote and announcements before bidding fair well to our new friends, David and Jason, from KSTP ~ channel 5 News.

 

Michele left straight away for a meeting, while W3, our committed leader and bus driver took us to our posts in Anse le Raye before driving with Dawn to Castries for important government networking meetings.

 

Katie and I were dropped off first. Today was a workshop day with Lucy, and the Rovers. We spent the morning reviewing their work with the families and discussed successes and challenges encountered over the last two weeks. In the afternoon, miss Lucy instructed us on conflict resolution, and the differences between punishment and discipline. She is supportive yet stern in her approach. The Rovers understand their job is very difficult, and are commended on their efforts; their role is key to the future success of the children in the community.

 

Flo and Emily had a great day at the primary school. The principal undstood their limitations with larger groups, and today they worked with 1-2 kids at a time. They also took a stroll during the lunch break and enjoyed visiting Carita at the preschool.

 

Carita had a nice day, and didnt mind telling the tour guide to not visit again. Margeret helped out with the kids today. It was "casual" Friday. They had a birthday to celebrate, and made Mother's Day cards...the kids gave both of them cards too!

 

Warren and Dawn had a productive day in Castries. Their meetings went well, stats are available, and government support for the StLucia Project gained momentum with the new networking opportunities. They were informed the earth boxes have arrived on the island; a bit more work is needed to get them to Anse le Raye, we are praying the team can get down to the dirt work early in the week.

 

We all shared our favorite experience from the week....generally, all the human experiences of hugs and appreciation.

 

A fabulous dinner by Andy...another surf and turf, this time shrimp and steak, and the oh so yummy twice baked and cheesy christofine filled our bellies before Tracy, flo, Carita, Margeret, Katie and Emily took in an evening at the fish fry. Showers before and after... we perfectly timed our stay in town. Ian dropped us off at the town square. We listened to music, and saw many of the faces we have met and worked with over the past week. Emily's fan club kept us busy, and Flo's Ethan did a fine Jo b of being our tour guide around town. Many friendly faces, and a good time had by all, that ended with just a bit of dancing by the pier.

Another Good Day

Morning dawned bright and beautiful again at Anse La Raye.  We had a delicious omelettes for breakfast after which we made plans for the weekend.  Friday night fish fry in the village, Saturday all opted out but Tracy and Margaret are going to the Jazz Festival the rest of us left to our own devices.  Sunday all plan for the great trip to Souffriere.

 Daily schedule Flo and Emily were up to the Primary School for their day of fame with the TV crew.  They had a lot of different levels in the morning that were difficult but the afternoon saved the day! 

Katie and Tracy had a little different day doing some walk arounds, they stopped at Kids Step with a child who doesn’t get out much in society.

Carita spent the day at Kids Step with things as active and noisy as always, but fun!

The day ended with a beautiful sunset and delicious dinner at Jullietta’s!

Another good day!

Telling the St. Lucia Project Story

Dawn guides cameraman Dave as Francois Henry selects seedlings at the nursery.

It's been very interesting watching reporter Jason Davis and photographer Dave Peterson work - interviewing volunteers and capturing the various aspects of each work project. They started out on Monday at Kids' Step interviewing Carita and recording the students tending the Earth Boxes.  Then, they went with Dawn to pick up seedlings from Francois Henry for replanting four RCP gardens. 

Dawn is an excellent Earth Box instructor/spokesperson - even though this is only her second service program in St. Lucia!  She demonstrated for Jason and Dave how the gardens are maintained, and enabled the students to water them for the camera.

They learned about early childhood education from Kids' Step director Wilcina Gabriel and filmed interaction between the four classes of preschoolers, the teachers and Carita.  It was a learning experience for all involved!

Today, Michele drove Jason and Dave to Gros Islet to meet and interview Fr. Athanse, the "Father of the St. Lucia Project."  He was responsible for the Global Volunteers' official invitation to work in Anse la Raye.  In the afternoon, they accompanied Michele to a meeting with Education Minister Robert Lewis in Castries.  They reported that both interviews went very well, and have provided significant background for their story.

Jason and Dave have been joining us for meals - becoming regular members of "the team."  It's been a joy to get to know them and hearing about their work together around the world for three decades.  We're fortunate they're pursuing this very important program here in St. Lucia!

All Working Hard

Today we all met for breakfast at Ben’s Hideaway, and gathered some more resources from the resource room before we were on our way.

Margaret and Dawn went back to the health clinic to look over birth records and were pleased to find they went all the way back to 1979!  They then made their way over to Kid Step and went over hand washing and helped make a special lunch using spinach grown from the Earth Boxes!

Carita was back at Kid Step for another busy day.  She continued teaching the children their numbers, colours and shapes!

Katie and Tracy had a better day with the rovers.  Some of the concerns they had the previous days, they received good feedback and are feeling a lot better!  They got to play with the children and taught them all about the stethoscope.  They walked over to the primary school and joined Emily and Flo for lunch.

Emily and Flo continued working on literacy skills.  They are seeing some progress, and are figuring out how to best keep the kids engaged!  There is still a lot to be done at the school and they are looking forward to the next few days!

We finished off the day at JD’s for a lovely dinner.  We were joined by Gabby, the Peace Core representative in Anse La Raye.  We were just in time to watch the sunset!

Enjoying the Flow - Getting in the Groove

 

Katie (left) and Traci "roving" with caregiver Abna.

After another wonderful breakfast together, we went our separate ways to different project sites.

Emily and Flo introduced a new system of learning at the primary school, grouping children by identifying similar strengths and needs. Working with groups had their challenges but with some tweaking this new format of teaching seems to build positively on the one-on-one format.

Don and Margaret continued to work on ironing out the details of the next earth box shipment and also on more long-term planning such as partnerships and cost-cutting strategies. They also worked with the Health Center on records and documents in hopes of developing some stats on island nutrition.

Carita had her hands full at the preschool (Kids' Step), making materials to help her teach and get through to the kids. After some discussion, her recommendations seem to make a difference!

Katie and Tracey continued with the Roving Caregiver Program (RCP), following a different outreach caregiver than the day before. Today going into homes proved challenging, seeing some uncomfortable differences in various aspects of life. The caregiving staff themselves are very inspiring; opening up and sharing stories and ambitions.

We returned to JJ’s Paradise for my first taste of octopus! Quite delicious, with great company and of course a Piton or two. Looking forward to tomorrow!

- Katie