Description:
Volunteering in Jamaica is a unique way to experience the real Jamaica, a world away from the tourist hype. Projects are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, whether you are a volunteer on a gap year, a summer vacation, or a career break.
As a volunteer with Projects Abroad in Jamaica you will have the chance to make a real difference on various exciting projects including Teaching, Care, Sports, Music, Medicine & Healthcare, Building, Farming, and Community projects. You will live with a Jamaican host family who will provide you the very best Jamaican hospitality and you will find you rapidly integrate into the local community.
Projects Abroad Jamaica is based in the university town of Mandeville. We also have projects in St. Elizabeth (Accompong, Black River, and Santa Cruz). Removed from the main tourist trail, Mandeville is situated inland at a cooler altitude of about 2000ft, 100km west of Kingston. The town is the capital of the Parish of Manchester and retains an English village feel with its grassy town square and local parish church. However, there are areas in and around Mandeville which are home to poorer communities, where there is a real need for help.
St. Elizabeth is the neighboring parish to Manchester, approximately forty five minutes from Mandeville. The parish has a very natural, rustic, and pristine atmosphere. Projects are located in Black River, Accompong, and Santa Cruz where much help is needed in these poorer communities.
The Caribbean island of Jamaica is well known for its idyllic beaches, turquoise seas, and romantic sunsets. However, beyond the tourist brochure facade is a country of laid-back, welcoming people, smiling children, and a lush mountainous interior well worth exploring.
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and was described by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century as the fairest land my eyes have ever seen. Plenty of visitors today would still agree and tourism is a vital source of income for the island. However, many visitors who find time to venture off the cruise ships do not make it beyond one or two coastal towns and often miss out on one of Jamaica's biggest assets - its incredible mix of people.
Jamaica's rich history and cultural heritage is an intriguing mix of Arawak Indians, infamous pirates, Spanish settlers, British naval explorers, and slaves yearning for freedom. Today, people of African descent make up just over 75% of the 2.8 million population.
Highlights:
On the weekends, volunteers in Jamaica are spoiled for choice in terms of travel opportunities. The Blue Mountains, YS Falls, Dunn's River Falls, the Bob Marley Museum, Outameni Experience, and Treasure Beach are popular weekend or day trips from Mandeville.
There are many paradise beaches awaiting you in places like Ocho Rios, Negril, Montego Bay, and Port Antonio. Water sports and activities like diving, snorkeling, and river tubing and rafting are popular around the entire coast. Or you can choose to just "chill" in a hammock and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
No trip to Jamaica is complete without experiencing the vibrant music scene. Echoes of Jamaica's most famous citizen, Bob Marley, will undoubtedly follow you everywhere on the island and spectacular music festivals take place throughout the year.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
none
Language:
English
Cost in US$: Please go to our website for prices.
Cost Includes:
Emergency evacuation services,
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Medical insurance,
Medical services,
Pre-departure orientation/Training,
Written materials abroad
and Written materials pre-departure
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
childcare/children,
education,
English teaching,
medicine,
nursing,
sports,
street kids,
teaching
and tutor
Age Range: 16-80
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Home-stays
Participants Travel to Jamaica
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Or
in Groups of 2-5
Application Process Involves:
- Letters of Reference
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time Is 10 days
Post Services Include:
- Alumni Network
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
- Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.
Year Founded: 1992