Neville, the Hearse Driver

Neville ended up driving me home after the party.  He lives in Kingston and Stony Hill is on his way home.  We had an interesting conversation but one that did not surprise me – it was about death.  He said that he hardly buries older men like Punishment.  He is used to burying young boys, between the ages of 15-20.  He said that young boys are influenced by bad guys at an early age and given illegal guns – guns that are primarily smuggled in from the U.S.  There is a real mob-mentality in Kingston and lots of shooting.  He talked of this man who is currently wanted by the U.S. government for drug and arms trafficking.  This man controls a large part of Jamaica.  Neville said that he remains well protected.  Neville described a 200+armed entourage that accompanies him when he goes out in public.  Anyways, he also serves for the party in power right now, the Jamacian Labor Party(JLP) and they do not want to sign the papers to give him up.  The JLP’s power will be challenged by the opposition party if they lose him.  Neville says the U.S. will not get him anytime soon. 

But Neville then went on to say that Kingston is not Jamaica.  He says the international community has this negative views of Jamaica because of Kingston.  He said, the real Jamaica is the people I talk to and spend my time with in King Weston; the interior of the island.  That is the heart of Jamaica. 

Celebrating Punishment!

Last Saturday was spent in celebration of the life of Punishment.  Punishment was a symbol of strength, kindness, generosity and friendship in King Weston.  He was in his mid-80’s when he suffered from a stroke.  His birth name is Alfred Wright but his yard name was Punishment.  Jamaicans have birth names and yard names – yard names are used informally.  Children use their birth names at school and yard names at home.  I’m not sure why Alfred was given Punishment as his yard name, but there is a reason. 

So, I attended the funeral up in King Weston.  The tiny church was packed!!  People were looking in from the windows on the sides of the church.  I was surprised by how uplifting atmosphere of the funeral.  Hardly anyone was in tears; they were all happy and thankful for the life of Punishment.  Directly after the funeral was the burial.  Almost everyone attempted the steep and intimidating ascend up the mountain.  As I was waiting for a taxi to take me back down after the funeral, a lady stopped and insisted that I come up for the party.  She told me I must try the goat soup, which is made from the goat’s intestines.  She told me I must also eat the curried goat, fried chicken and rice and peas.  So, I walked up with her and she had me take a seat.  She brought out the soup.  It was delicious!  Then she brought out a huge dinner serving, a water and a cola.  It was all so tasty! I then had some great conversation with the locals -- I am so happy I went!!

 

Jamaican Sunsets

These speak for themselves :)

YS Falls

I was looking through my pictures of Jamaica and realized I haven't shared my experience at YS Falls.  Remember the CanJam Camp I mentioned in an earlier post?  Well, we took the children from the camp to YS Falls for one day.  It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive with two bus loads of children -- but we made it and everyone had a blast!  This was the first time many of the children had an opportunity to go swimming; you can imagine the number of children who did not know how.  YS Falls is located deep in rural Jamaica and is all fresh water.  We swam in a fresh water natural pool -- it was so cool and refreshing!  A few of us decided to be brave and swing from a rope into the waterfalls.  I never experienced anything like it!!  It was a great trip!!  The children loved it and were able to experience a new part of their country for the first time :)

Peace and Love

Proposal

So, I was at the Constant Spring market yesterday.  I wanted papayas to make some fresh juice :)  I approached two younger ladies at their stand and asked for papayas.  One of the ladies assisted me and as I started walking away she called for me to return.  She motioned for me to come close.  She leaned forward and asked if I was a priest.  I laughed and said no.  I told her that I want to marry and have children, to have my own family.  She then proceeded to ask if I was married.  Not yet, I said.  She then asked if I had any children.  No.  The next words that came out her mouth were, "Will you marry me?".  My immediate reaction was to laugh but I soon realized she wasn't laughing along.  She was serious.  I told her that my girlfriend at home would not appreciate that.  She gave a smile as if she was happy that I have found someone :)  She then told me that I better marry my girlfriend when I return home and invite her to the wedding.

I laughed in agreement and said I will.

   

So, I promised pictures from the basic and primary schools in King Weston.  All of the children who come to school each day either need to walk or take a taxi or public bus.  There are no school buses in Jamaica.  Some children walk quite a long distance to get to school – a walk that would probably take me a half hour.  Even the teachers and principal take public transport. I asked one first grade girl how she gets to school in the morning.  I already knew that she lived quite a distance away but was curious as to if she walked or took a taxi.  She said that some days she walks and some days she takes a taxi, just depends on if her mom gives them money for a taxi.  It's no wonder Jamaicans dominate track! 

I have been spending time in the basic school with the 3-5 year olds.  There are moments when I find it extremely hard to stay, as the teacher constantly yells at the children and uses corporal punishment.  The other day she walked over to a little girl and pinched her arm because she was not doing her work.  One time she slapped one of the girls in the face.  So, I just walk away or leave the school when she treats the children that way.  It is sad because I look at their faces and they are not happy to be in school.  Children should love school at that age.  The only time I really saw them happy and smiling and laughing was when I let them chase me outside.  They loved it!!  And then one child handed me a leaf and I pretended to eat it…they laughed so hard!  They continued to hand me leaves and I kept pretending to eat them.  Then I handed leaves to them and they started to pretend.  One girl actually took a bite and soon realized it did not taste too appetizing…haha.  They all love to race, so we lined up and all raced back and forth and back and forth.    

School!!!

School started last week!  In King Weston there is a basic school and primary school.  The basic school has about ten 3-5 year old children enrolled.  There is one teacher who was hired the weekend before school started.  This is her first experience teaching younger children so I was asked to provide assistance.  The primary school has grades 1-6 with about 90 students.  Yes, they are both very small schools. 

I will spend about a ½ day each week in the basic school and 1½ day in the primary school.  The other days of the week will be spent doing home visits and running errands.  I’m really excited to begin spending time in the schools.  I was told that there is a big need for help in reading and writing.  It’s a good thing I packed The Lorax, my favorite Dr. Seuss book J

The children are also required to wear uniforms to school.  They are so cute!  I will take some pictures – look for them.

I am also thinking of my nieces, nephews, sister and brother-in-law and all others as they begin the school year back at home.  I will miss them all this year.

Peace and Love,

Matthew