Like Learning to Walk...

It’s Monday morning and the CUSO volunteers have loaded up into Mr. Mason’s cab to prepare for our first day at our volunteer placements.  

The lovely Ms. Onyka Barett, CUSO staff member has been assigned to introduce me to the staff at the Agency for Inner-City Renewal and sign off the “Tripartite Partnership Agreement”, a document that outlines responsibilities and roles. Quite formal if I say so myself.  We have been in training and escorted to places all week, and I have not been working for a good 2-3 weeks, so let’s just say I’m quite nervous and anxious at this point (and in vacation mode too :-D)!  I am not sure what I’m in for and I’m hoping that they will like me – feels like going to an interview for a job I really want - definitely haven’t been this nervous in a long time.  Within minutes of walking into the AIR complex, we are greeted with smiles and hugs.  I have a moment of relief and quickly realize that I’m at a good place.  I am shown to my desk, which is a small room with 5 computers and 7 people required to be in this room (I’ll let you do the math), 

and I realize that I’m encountering one of the many employment differences, working in a public versus non-profit setting.  See back home, I have a fairly large cubicle, with my own space and earmuffs to drown out the hallway conversations.  Very different than conversations in a shared space, but no earmuffs to help with concentration and so I must learn to tune the background noise out :s.  But the really impressive part is that I didn’t have to wait 2-3 weeks for a computer, as would be the case back home.  I get a verbal synopsis of what I am doing, I am provided with some documents to read, and my orientation begins.  I am quite overwhelmed and unsure I am cut out for this gig.  So what will I be doing?  I will be re-writing AIR’s strategic plan that will include an assessment of the organization and ways to secure financial resources.  With that, I will be able to meet with different community representatives in Trench Town, employers in the broader Kingston area and accompany some of my colleagues as they deliver on project activities and hold community committee meetings.  Basically, the coin has been flipped where I am now part of the recipient organization that must deliver on results – really cool!  

Now the other part of the experience is the transportation system.  Everyone must understand first that we were provided with specific training on the transportation system with respect to the dos and don’ts.  So the funny part is that in order for me to commute to/from work everyday, I must commit to all the don’ts.  In a week I have taken a bus to work, which is equivalent to a coach bus back home, not an issue but then I jump into a “white license plate” cab, which is an unregistered taxi and only moves once it’s full of passengers (opposed to a “red license plate” which is a registered route taxi and the recommended choice).  On the way back home, I take a Coaster, which is a mini-bus that drives at excessive speeds and the conductor aggressively entices passengers to jump on to get home.  No matter which mode of transportation you prefer, a ride costs $100 JA, and it’s all about picking up your groceries from the side markets and running errands, while trying to get home as soon as you can before it gets dark.  So you can imagine that everyday is an adventure to the point where I have adopted my very own motto – day-by-day, I am conquering the world! – perhaps this will be the tattoo I get to commemorate my time in Jamaica! J And so each day this week, I smile and nod and say my thank yous as I receive all sorts of comments, gestures and I go about my way… 

So what have I done… by Friday I have accompanied the project manager to Trench Town High School to discuss how to restore the greenhouse that was torn by Hurricane Sandy.  The greenhouse project is a USAid funded project that looks at food security by implementing social entreprise through micro-financing.  There are 3 in Trench Town at various development levels.   I have met with the founder of AIR to discuss my learning/workplan and the timelines to complete the strategic plan, in addition to attending a meeting with potential partners for exploring youth entrepreneurship opportunities, attended an expo that promotes local businesses, and most importantly I will have seen photos of my colleagues’ families and I feel like I am part of the AIR family – to the point that I have already had my first basketball banter with a very knowledgeable ball fan so I think I’ve earned some respect! For the ball fans, he thinks Chicago Bulls isn’t a contender, he almost tried to knock my Kobe and thinks Bosh is a star player – bah!).  I have also walked home from the grocery store past the recommended timeframe.  You must understand that this is an accomplishment in itself and probably one of the hardest obstacles for me, living in Jamaica!  

Oh Oh and I experienced my first rainfall, really cool! When it rains, it pours but my shoes are still wet from Thursday.

Now the weekend begins, and I will start this all over again with more personal stories and professional experiences to share with you.

Take care and have a great weekend

Dee 

Connected and Ready to Go!

Hello Everyone!  I apologize in advance, I didn't get internet until Friday and so I'll try to sum up my new life in the last week .  Jamaica is a very beautiful country, surrounded by mountains, fruit trees and some of the nicest people I've met in my life.  On the other hand, it has been difficult opening a bank account, buying groceries and basic essentials, setting up the internet and getting a cell phone. You must wait and be patient as you stand in some of the longest lines I've seen in my life!!!  And it's true what they say, it's very expensive here.  For example, a small (and I mean small) bag of almonds is easily $9.00 CDN.  Every day presents a new challenge and at the end of it, I feel as though I've conquered the world. :)  Here's a little taste of what I mean.  I live in a nice house with 2 other roommates, Sugi and Karen (both from Canada) but we live behind a gate that encloses the driveway and one that guards off our front door.  We are told to travel in groups and to not to be out late (i.e. past 6:00 PM) as it gets dangerous.  However, as the sun rises around 6:00 AM, the city is busy and chaotic again, with people running errands, exercising, heading to work or "higglering" (selling product in markets).  So for those who know me best, believe it or not, but I have become an early bird and am learning to love dog barking and frog croaking, while I sleep!!!!!

There are about 7 CUSO volunteers, who have come from Barbados, Guyana and Canada, and will be working with different partner groups in youth and children, human rights and justice issues. We have been in training for the whole week! We have all come to adore the CUSO driver, Mr. Mason for being so patient with us and taking us where we need to go.  Our volunteer coordinator, Nick has been phenomenal in teaching us about Jamaican culture, local norms/protocols and amazing eats.  We also learned some interesting self-defence moves and even went to a few neat volunteer placements.  Starting Monday, I will be volunteering at the Agency for Inner-City Renewal (AIR) in Trench Town. From my understanding, AIR has set up greenhouses in various areas within Trench Town to promote youth entrepreneurship.  My adventure will begin at 9:30 AM, where I'll be transferred by a CUSO staff to AIR and then I'll be on my own, trying to figure out route taxis, street and local etiquette and trying to balance it all!

This week has been quite the culture shock, from buying a 1/4 jerk chicken from a street vendor using his own bbq to being frustrated by trying to buy my first young coconut.... All I have to say at this time is that I am starting to understand the differences, and appreciate those that I am accustomed to. But I can't wait for Monday to keep learning and experiencing!!

Take care for now,
Dee