First Photographs!

Last week was a big week for our photography project! In Jersey City, NJ, Hamilton Park Montessori students compared images taken in Jamaica, and in the NYC area. We looked at light, color and composition, and discussed the similarities and differences between the images. Our students are now busily at work taking pictures, and we can't wait to see what they come up with.

Meanwhile, in Jamaica, the students of Bigwoods Primary had their first lesson in composition, which they immediately put to excellent use in taking portraits of their classmates. Here are a few examples of their work, which are a testament to their hard work and focus, and Donald's teaching. We're excited to see what's next!

HPMS/Bigwoods photography project

Today we're happy to introduce Donald De La Haye, a talented and inspiring photojournalist based in Kingston, Jamaica, who is volunteering to share his expertise with the students at Bigwoods Primary School. In Donald's own words: 

“I’m a young photojournalist from Jamaica, I’ve been drawn more to cultural photography but the funny thing is there is culture in everything and I’m learning that more each day. Enjoy my Culture through my eye and through my experiences.”

Over the next couple of months, Donald will be conducting camera phone workshops with the students at Bigwoods Primary, encouraging them to share their life, friends and culture through the lens of a camera. In this case, the cameras will be camera phones, generously donated by the employees of the Hearst Corporation. We chose to work with phones for several reasons, one being that there is an immediacy to phone photography that enables the students to take a picture, critique, improve, and retake on the spot, which is a great tool for quick learning. It is also central to the ethos of the project that we reuse and repurpose as much as possible, so taking those phones that were languishing in the back of a closet and turning them into a powerful tool for learning is right up our alley! At the same time, our friends in the United States at Hamilton Park Montessori will be conducting their own forays into photography, and we are excited for the students to share their results with each other, and with all of you!

Please follow along for a couple of photography filled months, as we'll be documenting the students' progress as well as highlighting some of the work of our favorite photographers, and discussing documentary photography in general.

Graduation!

Congratulations to today's 6th grade graduates: Odette Blair, Monecia Graham, Nadalia Simms, Jason Graham, Anthony James, Zendae Lewis, and Richard Logan!

Graduation ceremony

Attending a Jamaican graduation is a lot like attending a southern baptist church service with everybody in their Sunday best! I don't make this comparison in jest, rather that it feels familiar. (Remember, I am from the south.) Truth be told, graduation from the 6th grade in Jamaica is on par in importance with 12th grade graduation in the U.S.! 

It is not a short ceremony (a little more than 5 hours long) nor is it intended to be taken lightly. Reflections in praise, faith, uplifting messages, and cautionary tales of inevitable pitfalls, are all in the name of Christ. 

The running theme today among each speaker and representative (I believe divinity intervened) was cultivation of seeds (students) so that they may 'blossom/grow (thrive) in the soil they are planted in'.  

There is a concern within some Jamaican communities that the local (high) schools are not always worthy - and while it's true that many struggle financially to keep up with the larger cities - there is a major push for technology (tablets), funded programs, and clean water to reach even the most remote of communities! 

Truth be told, as many struggles as the Bigwoods Primary School students and teachers endure - they have still managed to exceed the national averages in every subject!! These incredible teachers are the true embodiment of what it means to be an educator! 

The accolades and awards portion of the ceremony followed and was lengthy in recognitions. Awards varied from attendance to grade performance and sports achievements. I was very surprised in the midst of the award presentations to be called up and acknowledged for my time with the children and it was with heartfelt thanks that I accepted their gratitude. 

We began our ceremonies around 10am and just after 3pm the graduates took their final march back up the aisle to celebrate and embrace with their families and friends. 

Worn out from the ceremony, a younger sibling takes a nap!

While my time at Bigwoods Primary School has been short my impressions are well rounded. The teachers and children in this community play hard, learn intensely, and love fiercely. I leave here a better person for having met each and every one of them. 

I don't know what their futures hold, but I know God holds this community in high regard and His blessings are sure to continue. Many of you contributed to make my journey possible and I'm forever grateful for it. I hope I have been able to paint a clear image of my experiences and maybe in some small way encourage you (in your own way) to find a way to help. 

Every child needs love, support, good nutrition, and education, it is up to us as citizens to do our part. 

Thank you for joining me, supporting me, and loving me so that I could be strong for these amazing Bigwoods Primary students! 

Tomorrow I drive back to Kingston to catch a 4am flight back Saturday, July 4th. I'll wish you all now, a happy 4th of July!

Reading "Where the Sidewalk Ends", one of Kim's gifts to the students.

Bigwoods, Week 2, Day 8

The water was an exceptional shade of turquoise as I wound my way back from Bigwoods this afternoon. It may appear inviting but on this side of the island, it's rather dangerous to swim.

Kim with the students

Today was the final day of testing for the fourth graders and we broke at noon. Ms. Wiggins and Ms. Berlin headed out even earlier in preparation for tomorrow: Graduation Day!

Outside of the fourth graders, only 16 out of the remaining 52 students attended the lasting two days.

We made good progress in our book, making it all the way to chapter 15 before I finally needed a rest from reading.

It looks like I may need to find a hard copy of the book and send it down in the hopes that one of the other ladies will reveal the mystery: is it a boy or a girl!?

Island life!

Bigwoods, week 2

It's Monday, June 29 and attendance is suffering this week, in part due to it being the last week before summer break and in part because of the breakfast & lunch situation. Ms. Wiggins is out today, leaving Ms. Berlin with the fourth graders and me with everyone else.

After morning scripture and devotions, I worked with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd levels and the few curious 5th and 6th on a fox drawing.

Drawing a fox!

More fox drawing...

Before lunch, we tried settling back into our book for a read aloud. I'm still plucking away at attempting to finish "Sliver of Sun" - it requires me to put on a heavy southern accent which amuses them. We've made it to chapter 7 - we'll see if we make it through all 19 before Wednesday.
Considering they'll probably leave around 1:30 the next two days as well, it's hard to determine. But they're interested!!

Tomorrow the 4th graders begin their exams. Send them great luck and some good juju for good measure.

Bigwoods: Days 4 & 5

It's been a week now that I've been with the students of Bigwoods Primary and each day I grow more and more attached. Truth be told, I didn't want to fall in love. Falling in love creates attachment and I wasn't sure I was prepared for the magnitude of what that might actually mean in my heart.

Kim with the students

Every day I'm struck by how much these students accomplish with so little. How they can cheerfully play with a ball with a hole in it. How they can share a deck of weathered cards and still have a successful game - even if it involves "licks" (smacks on arm if you lose)! They cross barbed-wire fencing to retrieve their soccer balls.

*Speaking of - today I showed the boys (and myself) I still have some skills by scoring the only goal during our game!! And the ball... Well, its being so loved that it's already fraying a bit at the seams.

The card game

Not much is being done in the way of academics, except communications practice (letter writing) for the 4th graders in preparation for the GSAT exam next Tuesday & Wednesday.

Yesterday morning I worked with the 1st & 2nd graders on their Me Cards and in the afternoon taught a landscape art lesson to everyone which went over exceptionally well!

Today while I worked with the 5th & 6th graders on their cards, the remaining students (except 4th) colored in their unfinished projects. I think there was some real shock and awe in what they themselves were able to accomplish!

Coloring Project

At 1pm we dismissed and I drove some of the children home.

It's amazing what they overcome simply to be present. Yesterday was the last day the school would provide lunch ($100 JD) which may have added to the lack of attendance today.

Looking forward to some relaxation and good food this weekend as I gear up for my final week with these incredible children! They're already asking when I'm coming back!! ❤️

Bigwoods: Day 3

It's only been three days and yet I'm not sure where to begin, so much has transpired in such a small amount of time.  My time with the children has been intoxicating - they're so full of love, eagerness, and enthusiasm!  

Yesterday, June 23rd, I worked with two boys, one-on-one, who are struggling with letter and sound recognition.  I imagine it nearly impossible to receive such individualized teacher attention and they certainly were eager to work hard to show their appreciation, and even surprised themselves, I think.  I realize my time here is short, but hopefully it will have an impact.  

After lunch, the children were excited to test out my gift to them: a shiny red football (soccer) directly from last years World Cup!  We spent much of the afternoon playing dodgeball (not soccer) as a school, in the afternoon heat.  Now, being the Jersey transplant that I am, having been born and raised in the Florida sun, it's been a hot minute since I've run around in this heat with the exuberance of a child!  Well worth every sweaty, sweaty moment!

Ben the pet bull!

This morning (Wednesday, June 24th) I woke up and fed Ben - our pet bull - at the Rock Star B & B where I'm staying with Arthur and D'vonny.  He comes when you call his name and his favorite treat are mango skins!  After which I carefully made my drive (the potholes will devour your vehicle) to Bigwoods where I was greeted with passing waves from strangers on the road and the smiling faces of the children as I cashed in on the promise of another day.

It was only Ms. Wiggans and I today as Ms. Berlin was out.  I had enough good sense to come in with a plan* much to Ms. Wiggans & Mr. Mitchell's (principal) surprise!  *Anyone who knows me though, knows I operate best with a plan.

Yesterday I shared the Me-Cards from the Hamilton Park Montessori School students (Bigwoods’ sister school in New Jersey), as well as the idea of meeting in small groups, in a small circle, sitting on the floor.  This was new for them, and while a few were hesitant to sit on the ground, today when we met - they all were ready for what was to come!

Circle Time

So, this morning I took the 3rd & 4th graders and we met in the other room, and I laid out the ground rules... We would work respectfully (to me and each other), there would be NO hitting, kicking, or yelling (normal communication it seems), and if they could not accept that they would be asked to work with the other class.  I have to say, I was a little unsure, but they controlled themselves like I imagine they never have before!  They worked intensely and focused, all morning creating their own Me-Cards for the elementary students at HPMS.  I did not even have a chance to do the other art activity I had planned as they worked so industriously until lunch.  I did however, get to read them some poems from the classic, Shel Silverstein's “Where The Sidewalk Ends”.  This went over very well!

Working on "Me Cards" to send back to New Jersey

After lunch I joined the girls for a rousing game of Netball.  It was my first time, and so much fun, but again with the heat!  We cooled down by having our first (of several) read-aloud story sessions - "A Sliver of Sun" - it took some getting used to (the being quiet and settled part) but by the end of chapter 3, they were yearning for more!  

Looking ahead, we have two more days this week, then Mon-Wed next week.  That following Thursday the 6th graders graduate at 10am (looking forward to attending that) and the following Friday is a half day before summer (and my long drive back to Kingston).   

I hope you enjoy the photos.

Dodgeball on the school field.

Welcoming Kim Heiter!

We're excited to announce that we'll be kicking off our blog with guest blogger Kim Heiter. Kim is an Elementary school teacher based in Jersey CIty, NJ, who will be travelling to Jamaica next month to work for two weeks with the students of Bigwoods Primary School. After working hard all year, Kim is giving up the first two weeks of her summer vacation to work, unpaid, at Bigwoods, and we are so grateful to her. Kim is also raising money to cover the cost of her accomodation and a very necessary car rental. If you can help her out, please check out her page at GoFundMe; http://www.gofundme.com/kim_jamaicaproject

Bigwoods Primary currently has three teachers, including the principal, to teach six grades of school. When asked if he could use another teacher for June, Mr. Mitchell, the principal, described himself as 'elated' at the idea of receiving some much-needed help.

As well as teaching, tutoring and conducting extra-curricular activities, Kim will be blogging her adventures both in and out of school, right here at The Jamaica Project. We can't wait to see how she gets on!