Jamaica 2020
Day 1
Day 2
Sunday, January 19, 2020
We had a great 1st full day in Jamaica! After getting in at 1:30 am we were quite exhausted from the trip. The group was up by 7:30am on Sunday and attended a 1. Hour and 40 minute Mass. The guys would like to see church services in Louisville extended! The day was spent learning to relax Jamaican style. It was 82 Degrees and Sunny! We heard it snowed in Louisville! We ended the day wit a very nice prayer service.
Day 3
Monday, January 20, 2020
Today we woke up with a rain shower, which is a blessing here in Manchester since there is no flowing water. After we showered off our morning stench, we gathered on the bus and made our way to the Saint Olivet Primary School. At the school we split up into groups of 3, and helped tutor the children. The school’s class levels ranged from 1st to 6th grade. In addition to tutoring the children, we also refurbished the outside of the school with fresh paint. Throughout the day, we had many different cultural exchanges and new experiences. We met new friends and started our week off with a great group of people. We even learned about the uprising of the athletic programs in Jamaica from our new friend Kimani Ffriend (former NBA player). After we left the primary school, we traveled to a super market and purchased some authentic Jamaican snacks and drinks. Finally we returned back to the Tan Y Bryn House and enjoyed some outdoor activities. Peace hope and love from Mandeville Jamaica —The Tropical Tigers Written by Campbell Kremmer
Outdoor activities
Day 4
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Today the St. X group split up and worked at Mount Olivet Boys home and the elementary school. It was a full 8 hour day with 85 degree weather and sunny skies. By noon we were looking for shade! Baseball definitely is a very foreign sport to these children. Often times they would try to throw the ball back to you with the ball still in the glove! The t-ball stand we brought with us was a godsend. The kids are naturally athletic and both boys and girls could hit the ball fairly well. We continued to tutor in the classrooms and paint the elementary school. The guys at the boys home had a very challenging task of painting the outside of the building. The children living there were at school so they did not get the interaction we did at the elementary school. It’s late and we are all quite tired. It was a very satisfying day. We just finished night prayer and processing the day. Good night and God bless.
Day 5
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
The boys woke up this morning in routine fashion—which is actually 30 minutes after they were scheduled. After showering and eating, everyone hopped on the bus and went to Mount Olivet Primary School. Some of the boys helped with sports, others painted, and the rest tutored. As mentioned, a good amount of the day was devoted to sports. Mr. Kresse and the boys helped teach the kids baseball and volleyball. Even though it was a difficult task, it was rewarding to see the kids smile after catching, hitting, or serving a ball. The service aspect of the day ended with the boys painting a full side of the Mount Olivet Boys home. Finally everyone finished up the night with traditional Jamaican jerk pork and jerk chicken from an open air restaurant. It was a fantastic day for everyone, however, they are all in disbelief the trip is more than half way over. Written by Charles Willett
—The Tropical Tigers
Teaching the game of baseball
Day 6
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Today was our final day working at Mount Olivet Elementary. So many relationships were formed over these past 4 days that saying goodbye was not an easy task for our delegation. Through our work on the building, in the classroom and through sports we saw so much transformation all around us but perhaps most deeply, within our selves. There are two things that define this group. The first is their selflessness. Throughout the week we often had to pull students from their most favorite job and every time they willingly switched without any complaints. They always knew that the overall project was what was most important. Secondly, was their self directed nature. Within the first day the guys had an understanding of all the different areas of work. Each day they leaned into it with very little instructions. It has made for a great sense of teamwork. Tomorrow is a day of rest and play. We will go to YS Falls to swim and zip line. God bless all of you at home.
The Tropical Tigers
Day 7
To read about last year's trip, visit the Jamaica Blog 2019