Help Jamaica! e.V.

Message from the Education Center – Start of the new Year

// January 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // News

After a short holiday break for the Christmas season the HELP Jamaica! Education Center opened  its doors again on January 10th and we are glad to announce that we are experiencing an uplifting start in the new year.

Both kids and adults attending our facilities are full of energy while the staff shows great team spirit and approaches fresh ideas. Thanks to the support of Food for the Poor we got an upgrade on our computer system while we are also grateful for the various book donations that reached us within the past few weeks.

Due to our steadily increasing number of participiants we especially appreciated the donation given to us by the German Embassy in Jamaica. Its generousity enabled us to build a new class room attached to our existing Education Center. After only 6 days our first construction phase is now completed with the foundation, all walls and the roof. We are looking forward to the next steps our team will be taking  in order to increase our capacity.

 

The pen pal project in exchange with schoolchildren from Finland is one of our most popular programs. Therefore our kids were very excited to welcome Riina visiting from Helsinki in January 17. After a tour through the premises, she and our children were eager to find out about the differences between Finland and Jamaica sharing a lively discussion. A book donation including popular Scandinavian books such as Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren marked the end of this great intercultural exchange.

The 2012 HELP Jamaica! Charity Calendar

// October 26th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // News

The long waiting is finally over, the 2012 HELP Jamaica! Charity Calendar is now on sale!

This wonderful calendar is the perfect Christmas gift for your friends and family.

Make sure you save your copy of this limited edition high-quality DIN A3 calendar. This year, we printed 1000 copies – 14 pages, offset-printed. The calendars are carefully single welded to ensure secure shipment! We ship worldwide! If you have a business and want to place a bulk order please get in touch with us!

 

 

Get a great gift and support the good cause!

Be reminded on the beautiful island everyday by 13 exceptional photos displaying the many facets of Jamaica.

The calendar is now available at our charity web shop and at our affiliated partner shops who transfer the full proceeds towards HELP Jamaica! So it doesn’t matter if you buy the calendar here or if you prefer to purchase it at one of the supporting shops:  RIDDIM Shop, Jah Army Highwear (more to be added soon…)

100% of all revenues from selling this calendar will be used to finance the running costs and expenses, salaries, material and utility bills at our Education Center in Cassava Piece, Kingston.

Make sure you get a copy of this collectors item  – remember, if you wait too long, this limited edition might be sold out again. So come early, purchase the calendar, support HELP Jamaica!, have your X-Mas gifts ready and relax when all others run into the annual Christmas shopping chaos….

 

Volunteers Review: Eva’s first month at the Center

// October 15th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

I arrived here in Jamaica on September 9^th 2011 in the evening. Nadia, Mr Palmer, Tamar and Phiona picked me up from the airport. I was excited what would happen to me. I thougt about some crazy things, like, will I understand Patois, how are the people in my yard, will the kids in the centre like me and how is the work there?

Well, the question about the people in the yard was ‘anwered’ on the same evening. Terry, Kevin and Andre (and all the neighbours) are so friendly and lovely to me, like a real family – since the first time I met them.

The “Patois Problem” is not a real problem, just if people talk too fast I understand nothing, but it becomes better and better every day.

My first day in the Center was on the Tuesday after my arriving. My welcome was so incredible. I started to help the kids with their homework first, then I read books and learned the very famous Ring Games.  The first impressions were exiting, exhausting but wonderful.

 

Tamar´s Art course happens every Thursday, he teaches for example to draw disney figures like Bambi, Winnie Pooh and Snow White and also how to draw faces and other things. After the first time I was a part in the course I got about 10 pictures from the kids, to hang them up in my room.

The Drama Course on Wednesday is also a really big thing and a good opportunity to learn something about acting.

Click here for a short video of the drama course rehearsing one of their plays.

In my opinion nearly the most important thing in the afternoon is helping the kids and youth with their homework. A lot of the kids have serious problems with writing and reading.

The Reading part, however, is the main aspect everyday. I´ve never seen such an enormous interest in books before, like I see in the HELP Jamaica Education Centre. And it makes me happy to see that you can change so many things by reading books.

Saturday three weeks ago Mr Palmer, Caty; about eight kids and me went to a exhibtion at the University of the West Indies about ‘Modern Life in Germany’. They displayed a lot of typical german things like typical food, lifestyle and culture.

 

Yesterday we visited a Musical called “Father Ho Lung & Friends present Acts of the Apostels” at the National Stadium in Kingston. Tamar, Daren, three kids and me had the great opportunity to see this great show.

 

In my free time I do lots of trips, like a weekend in Portland, visiting places in Kingston, for example the Devon House or the nearby beaches. And of course I enjoy the really good dances, I just say Weddy Weddy Wednesdays , and the relaxing time in my yard in Cassava Piece.

At the end of my first month of volunteering, I just can say, I´m so happy and proud that I can be a part of HELP Jamaica! BIG RESPECT to Mr. Palmer, Daren, Tamar, Nicardo, Soyini and all the other Volunteers, you do a amazing job! Thanks for everything so far!!!! I am looking forward to the next 2 months at the HELP Jamaica! Education Center in Cassava Piece!

Construction Collage

// October 9th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

That is how it all started – construction stage 2010 @ the HELP Jamaica! Education Center, Cassava Piece.

 

An ambitious project started in 2010 and only with the untiring hard work and true dedication of all those who shared the vision of creating a place of hope and change in the community, the dream could become reality!

Big up to the whole team and each and everybody who is supporting this project!
Together we did make a change already!

Message from the Education Manager – Start of the new school year

// September 25th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // News

Welcome back!  To all our new/old children from the Cassava Piece Community now taking part in all the activities at the center. Our summer session was indeed fun and educational. We said good bye to Stephani and Sara from the States and Sara, Amy, Robin and Ed from Scotland/England and the youth volunteers.

The 2011 – 2012 school year is already proving to be a special year. We have put all plans in place for the new and old children. Additional volunteer locally and internationally have already fall in line to visit and assist in our breathtaking work here at the HELP Jamaica! Education Center. Our newest international volunteer from Germany Eva is already experience the unbelievable joy of what it is like to work with children from Cassava Piece, Kingston. Lori, Wendy and Anne from the British High Commission office are now doing one day a week and is loving each and every second they spend here with the children.
We are so proud of the different courses we offer here at the center. Our class sizes have only double in the second week of September 2011 as more adults and teens are now hearing about the different programme and courses that we offer.

We welcome all our new teaching volunteers for the course as they have contributed tremendous to this wonderful project over the past two weeks. Ms. Wanliss our English teacher and a gifted poet and story writer have proved herself to be committed to HELP Jamaica! and she spends hours here daily reading to children. Mr. Morrison and Ms. Miller joined our team and are two young gifted people from the community of Cassava Piece and are now trained educators. They want to contribute to their community development and what better way to do so but through the HELP Jamaica! Education Center.

 

Check the latest pictures from the HELP Jamaica! Education Center

Unfortunately we are short on funding in an attempt to utilise our space outside for an additional classroom to enhance our teaching, learning environment and also to accommodate more person to free education at HELP Jamaica! Education Center.

My focus for the rest of the year will be to familiarise myself with the shareholders, workers, community members, parents, volunteers, teachers, students and parents with a view to strengthening community relationship and problem solving abilities and teaching and learning in the HELP Jamaica! Education Center.  I will spend the first two months evaluating the classes, some individual/group assessment of children within the community to see where to start in ensuring that no child will be left behind. I also want do some field work in the Cassava Piece community talking, sharing, drinking on the corner, and playing a game of football with residents, visiting the different churches in the surrounding areas in an effort to capitalise on our strengths in Cassava Piece and way forward. I anticipate spending a lot of time in the community to observe firsthand will assist us on the needs/wants of the neighbourhood.

My new approach to my team members is to have and offer more in-house professional development/course available for the workers. I would also appreciate your feedback/suggestion/ideas via email, phone calls or even meetings if you have the time.

 

Volunteer’s review about their time at the Center

// August 14th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

We want to share an e-mail we just received from two volunteers from California (Stephanie & Sara) after they returned home from volunteering three months at the HELP Jamaica! Education Center in Cassava Piece.

 

“I also wanted to attempt to express our unending thanks for allowing us to come volunteer with HELP  Jamaica!. We only contacted you about a month before Sara and I were set to arrive in Kingston… and who knew how wonderfully it would work out!

After our first day at the Center, Sara and I came home and she immediately said “That was amazing! This is what I came for.” After that first day, everything fell into place. All the staff at the Center helped us get through any issues we had, personally checking with us to make sure that everything in our lives were going well. We formed close bonds with the staffers and regular volunteers like Maja and Susann, making each volunteer day a joy. Sara and I were talking about everything, reminiscing about the fun times at the Center, and we wondered why we only came four days a week? By the time Sunday rolled around we would be complaining about how we missed the kids anyways and not wanting to wait until Tuesday. Haha, I guess it allowed us to see the rest of Jamaica, and make the informed decision that 5 Cassava Piece Rd, Kgn 8  is the best place on the island!

Our best memories in Jamaica are when we would walk through the gate at 2:00pm and hear the students yelling our names in excitement for what the day held. Hugs were given as many times as wanted, because nothing beats them and we knew we would be missing them once we had to return home.  Hille, Brite, Jannika, and Nadia have been wonderful support as well. I have never worked with an organization that had such a dedicated Board of Directors, checking in with us at 10pm German time just to make that connection and thank us for our help. You all are truely devoted and have started a wonderful organization. It is sad to think that Sara and I left over two weeks ago, but each week that passes means we are closer to coming back. Mr. Palmer has been teasing us with little updates here and there, only renewing our excitement to return! We look forward to seeing all the students, staff, and volunteers again, plan more fun summer activities, and hopefully meet you all in person!

Big Up and much respect for all the hard work!”

Stephanie and Sara

Pictures from Stephanie & Sara

Reggae Jam Festival 2011 – record breaking fundraiser

// August 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

Once again, the Reggae Jam Festival in Bersenbrück left us speechless! The festival was such a joy and additionally a really great success for HELP Jamaica! Millions of thanks to Sheriff, the promoter, for a donation of another 5.000,- €!!!

You believed in us and our idea from the start and it makes us proud that with the support of people like you, we opened the Education Center in Cassava Piece this year February! Big up to the whole Reggae Jam family! It is a pleasure working with you, your hospitality and support knows no borders!

Big up Ganjaman and Mattia (Warrior Sound) for promoting us continually on the stage. Big up Ephraim Juda for collecting donations during the set! We wish to thank the Nippes Yard Productions and Reggaeville video teams and all photographers who helped and donated their time, all artists and sounds who showed interest and promised their support and took part in our video clip, the Reggae Jam security-crew who respected and supported our work backstage and of course all the people who supported HELP Jamaica! with their donations, their cups, by purchasing a Skank ’Gullyside College’ Shirt and with heir encouragement and compliments! Thank you all – it is good to know that so many wonderful people share our vision! Together we can really make it! Education for a Change!

Due to the cooperation with the Reggae Jam and all the great opportunities they offered us, we were able to additionally fundraise 5.100,- € by collecting the deposit (beer) cups, by cash donations and at our info-booth on the festival ground. The HELP Jamaica!-team says big up and thanks to Sheriff and the whole Reggae Jam Family for the ‘unbelievable’ amount of more than 10.000,- €!!

 

HELP Jamaica! @ Reggae Jam 2011 – Impressions

Message from the Education Manager – The Summer Program

// August 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

Summer Program 2011
Message from the Education Manager

 

There are some opportunities that come only once in a lifetime. For me, one of these was the opportunity to come to the HELP Jamaica! Education Center and to coordinate and participate in many activities especial Summer Program 2011. The program gave me a chance not only to see Cassava Piece with the eyes of a tourist but also to personally experience its culture and to learn about its history and economics.

 

One of my favorite activities at our Summer Program was the team days; it is just one of many that the students have participated in thus far. It is so much fun to see how excited the students get when they discover that they will be working together as a unit, playing games using their minds as well as their physical side. Thanks to Stephani and Sara (our volunteers from California, US) for coordinating this program and getting everyone involve. The team day took place over two days and during that time an increase of 100% was seeing. A total of 52 students participate in these two days of activities. The students were divided into two teams Green and Yellow taking the official colours of the center. At the end of the day green team was awarded the winner and was presented with their cake, snacks and certificate of Excellence. The yellow team was awarded snacks and certificate of participation.

On a daily basis, our students get themselves pumped up for a variety of competitions. We’ve hosted quiz, football, reading, creativity and three-legged tournaments for both boys and girls. We’ve seeing growth in the amount of young people coming out. The National Summer Employment Workers need to be commended for their contribution to the program. Yoga Classes was a next major fun activity at the center.

Meanwhile, here at the summer program we are still busy reading, tie-dying, playing, practicing our moves for the dance show that will take place on later down in the month. Many of the other volunteers that have visited last week encouraged the students and workers alike to enjoy every minute.

I think I can say with confidence that we are all doing just that!

New photos from the center – June/July 2011

// July 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // News

Photo update  from the HELP Jamaica! Education Center, Cassava Piece.

Thanks to the whole team on the ground in Kingston for doing such a great job.  We are more than pleased with what we have created alltogehter in such a short time and we all have to remember – this is just the start!

Big up all supporters, partners, members and all the volunteers without you this wouldn’t be possible.

Education For A Change!

SummerJam donates 2510,- EUR towards HELP Jamaica! e.V.

// July 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // News

For the 26th time the Summerjam festival was staged at Fühlinger See in Cologne on the first weekend of July – for the second time the event supported HELP Jamaica!.

Europe’s biggest reggae festival was busy raising funds, everybody on the guest list was requested to pay 5,-EUR for the good cause!

At the end of the 3-day event 2510,-EUR were collected by the promoter Contour Music and directly donated to HELP Jamaica! to support its education project in Kingston, Jamaica financially.

HELP Jamaica! is once more very happy about this successful collaboration and thankful for the generous donation.

Check the photo & video review of the Summerjam 2011 at Reggaeville.com