THE EDITOR, Sir:
I'VE LIVED in Rema all my life and I had never been given a chance to see how beautiful my country is until a couple weeks ago when Mr. Butch Stewart invited us to spend a day at one of his hotels on the North Coast.
I had no idea how hospitable my fellow Jamaicans are, because all I've been exposed to is poverty, crime and violence, teenage pregnancy, abuse, illiteracy and sexual immorality.
I have never known that there was another side to this beautiful country, until the chance of a lifetime came. Sandals Hotel has partnered with the Restoration Christian School where our principal Mrs. Lorna Stanley came up with the idea to select students from schools located in violent communities and expose them to a different side of Jamaica. I was selected to help chaperone those students we took to Beaches Boscobel a couple weeks ago.
I was in awe when I reached my destination. I felt as if I was dreaming or that I was on an enchanted island in one of the many fairy tales I read when I was a child. "Is this really Jamaica?" I whispered to myself. I only saw these beautiful places on T.V.; I couldn't believe my eyes.
Ms. Denise Treasure, the Public Relations Officer for Beaches Boscobel, met us on our arrival. She was gracious. She introduced us to our tour guide, Keifer, who was polite and articulate, as he showed us around. You could hear the 'oohs' and the 'ahhs' from the students as they stared in wonder at the beautiful scenery.
I was amazed at how well everyone treated us as if we were tourists. They were all genuinely warm and sincere and were not condescending. As for the food! I've never seen so much food in all my life, and to top it off you could order anything your heart desired. I took full advantage of that. I was touched to see some of the students taking home 'doggie bags' for their relatives at home who had never tasted such delicacy. The waitress was so gracious in serving them seconds.
I couldn't help shedding a few tears of joy when I saw the wonderful time these students were having. I cried because I know where my students are coming from and for them to get such an opportunity my heart was simply overwhelmed. Regretfully, our fun was over all too soon. We left the hotel feeling happy and in high spirits.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Stewart and the team from Beaches Boscobel, for making this experience possible. It's one I will never forget. Now when all the negatives of my community face me, I'll just remember the hospitability of the workers and the beauty of Beaches Boscobel.
I am, etc.,
DEBORAH FOLKES
Teacher
