Serve Beyond Cincinnati (SBC) Jamaica!!!
This past spring break, I went with Serve Beyond Cincinnati (SBC) on a weeklong service trip to Kingston, Jamaica along with eight other students. SBC partnered with Jamaica Volunteer Programs, which is a family owned organization that provides a place to stay, volunteer sites, and excursions to individuals or groups that want to come to Jamaica and volunteer. In Jamaica, I was able to volunteer in elementary schools, as well as an orphanage. In the two schools that we visited, we assisted the teachers in whatever they needed and helped the students complete their class work. After school ended for the day, we went to an the orphanage and played games with the kids there. We spent a lot of time either playing soccer, crafting, or talking to the kids. When we were not in school or the orphanage, we spent time exploring Jamaica or getting to know the other people that had also come from other countries to volunteer. I enjoyed my time in Jamaica and plan on going back again someday.
This experience exceeded my expectations. It was my first time on a plane, out of the country (excluding Canada), and on a service trip. Jamaica was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the people I met there, as well as the places I was able to see. Some of the places we were able to see were Strawberry Hills, Maroon Village, Dunn’s River Falls, and Blue Mountain. We stayed with the family that owned the program in their extended home.
During my trip, I was able to meet all three of the community engagement learning outcomes that I included in my proposal. I possessed an awareness of the purpose of service through my experience with the children in the schools and the orphanage. When I was in the schools helping the children with their class work, I could tell that we being there had an impact on them. One of the classes I was in was a first grade classroom. The classroom structure was not as structured as American classrooms. The teacher would give the students an assignment and they would have to complete it on their own. It would take the children almost all day to work on one assignment. As I helped the children, I noticed that they appreciated the one-on-one attention. It also helped them focus and complete their work in a shorter amount of time. It was nice knowing that I was able to help children that were in need.
Additionally, I related, communicated, and worked effectively with others toward sustainable social change. My trip members and I were on one accord when it came to our purpose of being there. We were all enthusiastic being there and communicated effectively concerning what we would do in the schools and the orphanage. We all made sure to listen and consider to each other’s suggestions. Also, I participated in community and understood my role as a citizen of a community. My experience in the school helped me realize that every person’s “role” in society is important. Although many people do not want what many may consider a “small role,” it does not make that role less important. I learned the importance of children having a positive role model in their lives. One thing that I keep thinking about is being the change I want to see. If I want to see my community better, then I must take responsibility and go out and start doing things that will better the community.
My trip helped me realize that there is nothing that I cannot do. Originally, when I heard about SBC and their trips, I did not think I would ever be able to go on one. I was mostly worried about how I would pay for it. I thank God that I was able to fund my trip from donations and a grant from the honors program.
One of my personal goals on this trip was to help the people of Jamaica. I wanted God to use me to reach His people. I realized I accomplished this goal when I saw the reactions of the children that I helped. Although I went to Jamaica to have a positive impact on the children, they had a greater impact on me. They reminded me of the importance of love and to be thankful for all of my blessings.
My view of my role in the community and as a citizen has not changed as a result of this experience. Although I have always known the importance of giving back to the community, after returning from the trip I have been reminded of the continual importance. It is important that I continue to be involved in giving back to my community while in college, as well as after college. If I want to see change in this world, I know that I will have to be the change I want to see, which includes community service, servant leadership, and voting. Through community service and servant leadership, I will be making an impact on the community directly. By voting in elections, I will be making an indirect impact by helping make decisions that would be best for the community.
This experience reminded me not to limit myself. I was also reminded of the importance of serving others. If I have the opportunity to go on another SBC trip, I would spend more time encouraging the children and letting them know that they do not have to be a product of their environment. I would tell them not to limit themselves and to follow their dreams and aspirations. My advice for students who will are considering going on a SBC trip in the future is not to be afraid to branch out. I would tell them not to worry too much about getting it funded for, but to think about what they would want to do and to evaluate their intentions of going. For people that are preparing to go on an SBC trip, I would advise them to concentrate on what they will be doing at the service site. I would tell them to mentally prepare themselves whether they will be working with children, adults, or with their other trip members.
This trip has encouraged me to take advantage of all the opportunities I have while in college. After returning from this trip, I was given the opportunity to apply to a service trip to the Dominican Republic with the nursing program. Recently, I found out that I was accepted to go on the trip. Next January, I will be participating in an international clinical to the Dominican Republic with a nursing instructor and nine other students. I will be taking care of patients there and learn about the health disparities in the Dominican. I am very excited for this opportunity because I have always wanted to go there ever since I was younger.
I have shared my pictures from my trip by creating a flyer on smore.com, sharing my pictures on Facebook, and sending out customized postcards to people who donated to my trip. I shared my experiences with my family and friends. I was given the opportunity to share my experience, along with a couple others, at a SBC residence hall program with people who were interested on going on an SBC trip. They learned about the process of applying to go on a trip and the steps to take following being accepted to go. I made sure to stress the importance of getting the trip funded for through fundraising (GoFundMe) and from scholarships. Through sharing my experiences with others, I learned that everything that I went through prior to and during my trip, was not just for me, but it was also to share with others that if I was able to go on a trip, they could to.
This experience exceeded my expectations. It was my first time on a plane, out of the country (excluding Canada), and on a service trip. Jamaica was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the people I met there, as well as the places I was able to see. Some of the places we were able to see were Strawberry Hills, Maroon Village, Dunn’s River Falls, and Blue Mountain. We stayed with the family that owned the program in their extended home.
During my trip, I was able to meet all three of the community engagement learning outcomes that I included in my proposal. I possessed an awareness of the purpose of service through my experience with the children in the schools and the orphanage. When I was in the schools helping the children with their class work, I could tell that we being there had an impact on them. One of the classes I was in was a first grade classroom. The classroom structure was not as structured as American classrooms. The teacher would give the students an assignment and they would have to complete it on their own. It would take the children almost all day to work on one assignment. As I helped the children, I noticed that they appreciated the one-on-one attention. It also helped them focus and complete their work in a shorter amount of time. It was nice knowing that I was able to help children that were in need.
Additionally, I related, communicated, and worked effectively with others toward sustainable social change. My trip members and I were on one accord when it came to our purpose of being there. We were all enthusiastic being there and communicated effectively concerning what we would do in the schools and the orphanage. We all made sure to listen and consider to each other’s suggestions. Also, I participated in community and understood my role as a citizen of a community. My experience in the school helped me realize that every person’s “role” in society is important. Although many people do not want what many may consider a “small role,” it does not make that role less important. I learned the importance of children having a positive role model in their lives. One thing that I keep thinking about is being the change I want to see. If I want to see my community better, then I must take responsibility and go out and start doing things that will better the community.
My trip helped me realize that there is nothing that I cannot do. Originally, when I heard about SBC and their trips, I did not think I would ever be able to go on one. I was mostly worried about how I would pay for it. I thank God that I was able to fund my trip from donations and a grant from the honors program.
One of my personal goals on this trip was to help the people of Jamaica. I wanted God to use me to reach His people. I realized I accomplished this goal when I saw the reactions of the children that I helped. Although I went to Jamaica to have a positive impact on the children, they had a greater impact on me. They reminded me of the importance of love and to be thankful for all of my blessings.
My view of my role in the community and as a citizen has not changed as a result of this experience. Although I have always known the importance of giving back to the community, after returning from the trip I have been reminded of the continual importance. It is important that I continue to be involved in giving back to my community while in college, as well as after college. If I want to see change in this world, I know that I will have to be the change I want to see, which includes community service, servant leadership, and voting. Through community service and servant leadership, I will be making an impact on the community directly. By voting in elections, I will be making an indirect impact by helping make decisions that would be best for the community.
This experience reminded me not to limit myself. I was also reminded of the importance of serving others. If I have the opportunity to go on another SBC trip, I would spend more time encouraging the children and letting them know that they do not have to be a product of their environment. I would tell them not to limit themselves and to follow their dreams and aspirations. My advice for students who will are considering going on a SBC trip in the future is not to be afraid to branch out. I would tell them not to worry too much about getting it funded for, but to think about what they would want to do and to evaluate their intentions of going. For people that are preparing to go on an SBC trip, I would advise them to concentrate on what they will be doing at the service site. I would tell them to mentally prepare themselves whether they will be working with children, adults, or with their other trip members.
This trip has encouraged me to take advantage of all the opportunities I have while in college. After returning from this trip, I was given the opportunity to apply to a service trip to the Dominican Republic with the nursing program. Recently, I found out that I was accepted to go on the trip. Next January, I will be participating in an international clinical to the Dominican Republic with a nursing instructor and nine other students. I will be taking care of patients there and learn about the health disparities in the Dominican. I am very excited for this opportunity because I have always wanted to go there ever since I was younger.
I have shared my pictures from my trip by creating a flyer on smore.com, sharing my pictures on Facebook, and sending out customized postcards to people who donated to my trip. I shared my experiences with my family and friends. I was given the opportunity to share my experience, along with a couple others, at a SBC residence hall program with people who were interested on going on an SBC trip. They learned about the process of applying to go on a trip and the steps to take following being accepted to go. I made sure to stress the importance of getting the trip funded for through fundraising (GoFundMe) and from scholarships. Through sharing my experiences with others, I learned that everything that I went through prior to and during my trip, was not just for me, but it was also to share with others that if I was able to go on a trip, they could to.