BY LUKE GALLION Jamaica holds a special place in my heart. This year’s trip marked my fourth trip to Jamaica in the past three years, and I consider it my second home. In addition to going on the Intercollegiate YMCA spring break trip for three years now, I also spent six weeks this past summer staying at Moorlands Camp and doing various service projects. With all of that being said, I was very excited to go on this year’s spring break trip. I was ecstatic to get to see some of my Jamaican friends and to serve the people of a country that means so much to me. What I learned, though, was that the trip would benefit me just as much as it benefited the people of Jamaica.
One of my favorite components of the trip is forming new friendships and strengthening existing friendships. Throughout the week, our group of students became closer than any other group with which I had served in the past. I can personally say that I had positive interaction with every member of our group and formed a number of new friendships with people who I had previously never met. I also grew closer with people who I knew before going on the trip. These friendships formed in numerous ways - inside jokes were formed while working on projects together, laughter was shared on our crazy bus rides, and people shared feelings and personal stories during late night conversations and star watching. These friendships, which were formed on a common ground of a passion for service, are friendships that will last a lifetime and that I will never forget.
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BY RACHEL KOEHLER
Coming to Jamaica, I had no idea what to expect. After hearing about how this trip was so life changing for those that went on it in the past, I instantly knew that I wanted to participate. So far this trip has been the perfect escape and a great eye opener. I have been able to leave all of the college stress behind and really focus on being of service for those here in Jamaica as well as bonding with other Butler students. In addition, this trip has allowed me to realize that I lead a very blessed life. At the end of the week, I am going to be able to call my parents, and they are going to be anxiously waiting to hear about my week. Many of the kids at Hanbury Home do not have this privilege, and it breaks my heart. Also, since I have been at the home and walked around their living quarters, I have noticed that the kids do not own much. When comparing my belongings to some of theirs, I think that I may have brought more in my suitcase. Every time they are given a new little gift, they covet it like it is the most precious thing that they have ever received. I take so many of my many blessings for granted, and after this week, I hope to take notice of these more often. One boy, who I have had the pleasure of meeting this past week, name is Damarius, I believe. He mutters it every time I ask and has a very shy personality. I didn’t meet him until the second day, but I was able to draw him out of his shell using the power of chalk. We spent awhile drawing various pictures, and every time I asked him to draw a picture he would say, “Yes miss” and proceed to draw a very accurate picture of whatever I asked him to do. Then, when I decided to try to draw something, he erased my drawing and fixed it to be much better. Once it started raining we moved inside, and Damarius was content for a good hour molding play dough into different shapes while all of the other kids were running around. He was so adorable and taught me that one can find happiness in the smallest of things. The following day after we had spent several hours painting the boys’ dorm, all of the boys ran in, and I caught the eye of Damarius. He broke out in the biggest smile and made my heart melt. I never thought that I would grow so attached so quickly, but I do not want to leave him and all of the kids that I have met. They all deserve so much more, and I want to adopt them all. BY EMILIE TURNER
The first day at Hanbury Home, I met a little boy named Paulton. If you have ever met a child in an orphanage, the first thing they often do is ask you for some material good. Paulton was different; he asked me for a hug. This little boy clung to me not because I was giving him candy but because I was giving him love and attention. I held him for two hours the first day and sang songs to him. I slowly began to realize that all the love I receive, I take for granted such as my mom’s constant text messages of how she loves me, friend’s hugs, or a simple pat on the back. I receive so much love on a daily basis and I don’t even realize it anymore; it is now just a part of my life. Then you meet a kid like Paulton and his face lights up when I grab his hand, or stroke his cheek or pick him up. These are the simple things that mean so much to an orphan because it shows you care and finally, just maybe, it means that someone loves them. I think the most eye opening moment came on the second day I hung out with Paulton. He was sitting on my lap when he looked up at me. He got this strange cross-eyed look on his face and the next thing I know he is popping my “squito bite” on my forehead. Let me tell you, this wasn’t a mosquito bite but he popped it and so much joy filled his face when he showed me the skin on his finger. As embarrassing as this was, Paulton let go and became so much closer to me. This was a simple thing. So you are probably wondering along with me, what is going to happen on my last day tomorrow when I have to say my goodbyes? I’m 19, so my hopes of adopting him aren’t realistic at this point. There are a few things I am going to do to make sure that the love this little boy has given me in the past three days doesn’t go to waste though. I am going to appreciate the love I am given even if it is a simple compliment. I am going to spread as much love as I can and make sure that no matter what, people understand that they are loved. Finally I am going to begin to appreciate the simple things in my life, all in the name of Paulton.
BY JYLIAN VIGAR
As a newbie to this whole working all day in the hot Jamaica sun thing, I was excited and a little nervous about how my first day was going to go. Spoiler alert: it was awesome. So the first half of the day was devoted to shoveling wet sand and carrying bags of it. For those of you who know me, this isn’t really up my alley. But! I powered through and had a really great time. It was a good way to get to know the people in my group and by the end of it I think it’s safe to say we were all feeling really accomplished. The second half of the day was also amazing. We spent our time at Hanbury Home (an orphanage) playing with the kids. I spent about an hour at Babyland (Yes, that’s what it’s called. And yes, it’s as wonderful as it sounds). A little bit about me, I have always loved kids. I worked at a daycare for a few years and babysitting is one of my favorite thing. So, as you can imagine this was great for me. It was amazing to see these little kids – probably three years old and younger – who have so little but are filled with so much joy. The room was full of laughter and excitement. One little boy played with three blocks and had the best time just knocking them down and building them again. There’s something about the simplicity of a kid’s smile that makes my heart so full. Later on at Hanbury Home, I played with some of the younger girls. A little girl named Elizabeth kind of latched on to me. She was so sweet. She had the best time playing with sidewalk chalk. P.S. she was a way better artist than I am. On top of that, she was so smart! She would draw a picture and then write the word underneath. She then proceeded to spell the two biggest words she knows: claustrophobia and encyclopedia. Color me impressed. For the rest of the afternoon I stuck with her and had the best time. I learned a little bit about her and by the end she told me I was her best friend. I’m so excited to go back and see her again. A few other favorite things about my trip so far are: the nightly reflections, journaling, trying new food (even though I’m about 2:4 on things I like, everything here is so spicy!) and getting to know this group. It is shaping up to be an absolutely phenomenal week and I’m so excited for the rest of my experience! BY MYLAYA PEARSON
Today is my first time traveling internationally. It was so much hassle and bustle getting into the airport, on and off the airplane, getting past customs and finally making it to the bus to get to the camp. In. the mist of the chaos, I captured the photo you see. We were on the bus (driving really fast), and it was raining. At that moment, I realized that even in the mist of the chaos and the unknown, God still brings peace and serenity. He will calm the rain.. and that He did. BY TYLER SCHENCK
Today was the first day of our trip. Driving along the road toward our campsite was an eye-opening experience. I have been in this country for less than 12 hours and already the differences in culture have been apparent. I'm getting adjusted to the laid-back mindset of the region which greatly contrasts my usual sentiment of being in a rush. I came on this trip while not knowing anyone and I already feel welcome and part of the group! I am looking for more to come! My only hope is that I get an opportunity to see more of this beautiful country along the way. Taylor Jade here!
The 25 are eating, sleeping and sending some final emails before we board our second flight, into Montego Bay. Jorge Perez (15-year Jamiaica trip vet) gave us our reflection theme for the week: reset. During this trip there will be so many things for which we need a reset. We will gain new perspectives and look and think about ideas differently. Check out our first group selfie of the week. With trip leader Ashleigh Coster's handy selfie-stick, there will be many more to come. See you on the other side! |
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Butler University Intercollegiate YMCA | TRIP BLOG |