Jamaican Self-Help

The JSH Awareness Trip Programme is a well-established global education activity offering a unique educational experience for Canadian youth.

OBJECTIVES

For the Participants

To meet the people of a Caribbean country with whom Jamaican Self-Help has projects for development
To work alongside other staff and volunteers for a few days at projects
To make connections with people from both North and South working for social justice
To increase one's understanding of the nature, causes and effects of inequalities
To experience some of the culture of Jamaica
To meet the individual's goals and objectives

For Jamaican Self-Help

To offer realistic and relevant global education to Canadians
To foster the growth of a group of Canadians committed to Jamaica and JSH in the future
To increase Canadians' understanding of, hope for, and commitment to, international solidarity

For the Jamaican Partners & Hosts

To meet Canadians who are in solidarity with their vision and work
To share Jamaican culture and work with interested visitors
To be involved in cross-cultural learning

For The Canadian community

To increase the level of public engagement in issues of global justice

DATES
Currently, JSH organizes one to two trips per year, one in March and one in the summer (alternate years). Each trip is usually 2 weeks in length. The March trip is generally scheduled to coincide with the March Break school holiday, and the summer trip is usually in the first two weeks of July.

PROGRAMME
Each Awareness Trip programme is somewhat unique, developed based on the participating group and current context in Jamaica and Canada. However, there are several key components incorporated into each trip:

a. Mandatory Briefing and Debriefing Sessions: The pre-trip orientation and briefing session is held over a weekend in the Peterborough area one to two months before departure. Participants learn more about Jamaica, about the specifics of their trip programme, and have a chance to meet one another and their leaders. Post-trip, a session is held to help participants integrate their experience back in Canada.

b. Activities in Jamaica: Weekdays are spent in volunteer placements, usually with primary schools, senior's homes or children's homes, with guest speakers or outings in the late afternoons and evenings. Weekend excursions are organized and often include trips to the north coast, or to the Blue Mountains.

c. Individual and Group reflection: Initiated at the pre-trip session, reflection through group discussions or workshops, journal writing, and informal gatherings is an essential part of the programme, to help participants gain a deeper understanding of their experience and some of the structural causes for inequity in Jamaica and globally.

PARTICIPANTS
Trip participants are selected based upon a written application and personal interview. Approximately 15-18 people make up a group, with 2-4 leaders (including teachers if schools are formally involved.) Although there is no specific age restriction, trips are generally organized for youth between the ages of 16 and 19.

LEADERSHIP
The Trip Co-ordinators are experienced volunteers from Jamaican Self-Help. For school trips, one or more staff or faculty members of the participating school or university accompany the group.

COST
The cost of the two-week trip is approximately $2500.00 (subject to change). It covers airfare, daily meals, ground transportation in Jamaica, accommodation, administration and guest speaker fees. Youth are encouraged to get sponsorships from friends, family, service clubs, church groups, Student Council, etc. A payment schedule will accompany offers of a place on the team.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Jamaican Self-Help for an application package or to answer any further questions. Application deadlines are usually in the fall or 3-4 months prior to the trip. If you are interested in this programme or other youth-oriented activities at Jamaican Self-Help, you can email jshyouth@nexicom.net .

Back