Westmoreland:
Two administrators and five students from Sexton High School, Michigan State University in the United States used their Spring Break holiday in Jamaica to do voluntary community work on the Roaring River Early Childhood Institution. They also taught computer science at the Paradise Preparatory School.
Johnnie Eiland, academic co-ordinator for Michigan State University told The Gleaner that her students are part of a special programme at the university known as Service Learning Project in a Developing Country. These students visit a country to do voluntary work as part of their educational training programme.
first-hand look
During their stay in Jamaica, the American volunteers were hosted by members of the Association of Clubs. The group also visited a number of schools in the parish to get a first-hand look and knowledge of our educational system. Schools visited include Galloway Early Childhood Institution, Petersfield Primary and Infant, Mannings High and Frome Technical.
"This was a wonderfully new experience that I will never forget for years to come. I enjoyed working and interacting with the native people while learning a different culture at the same time," said Aaron Tucker, an 18-year-old grade 12 student said.
J.G.
