GOALS of the IGNACIO VOLUNTEERS:  

•          TO LEARN:  To provide an international volunteer service opportunity for students of Loyola University New Orleans.    The program is designed to give participants an exposure to the Jamaican culture and the political, sociological, economic and spiritual issues of the Caribbean and developing world.   

•          TO HELP:  To provide support and assistance to the children of Kingston, Jamaica.    Participants will work with young people of the greatest need.

The trip to Jamaica is from Sun, Dec 28, 2008 to Wed, Jan 7, 2009 (Twelve days)

Eight to ten Loyola University NO students will be invited to serve as Ignacio Volunteers who will teach/ coach at a six-day camp in Kingston, Jamaica over the Christmas holiday break in 2008-2009.    The Volunteers will co-teach alongside Jamaican university students and will teach / coach primary school students (age 6-12 years old) in a disadvantaged ghetto area of Kingston.    There will also be a couple of days of volunteer service at other sites in Kingston during the twelve-day stay in Kingston, and there will be a day of recreation (on New Year's Day)

Selection will begin with a recruitment meeting early in September.   Volunteers selected are required to meet weekly during the fall semester, following a required overnight retreat. 

The CAMP:

The five-day camp will be for approximately 100 children at the Mona Commons Basic School in the area of Kingston called the 'Mona Commons.'    It will be held from Mon, Dec 29, 2008 to Sat, Jan 3, 2009.     Students will range from Infant [kindergarden (age 5-6) to fifth grade (age 11-12 )].    

Classes will be held each morning from 9:00am to 12:00noon, then after a lunch break, sports/games will be held each afternoon from 1:00 to 2:30pm.   Subject areas to be taught include Arts & Crafts, Reading & Writing, and Math.    There will be much hands-on interactive activity.     Afternoon activity include football (soccer), kickball, and children's games for the youngest.  

Eight to ten local Jamaican university students (from Univ of west indies) will pair off with the LoyNO Ignacio Volunteers, so that each classroom will have a pair of two teachers -- one Jamaican and one American.  

The LoyNO volunteers live together at St Theresa's convent, located in Kingston.    During the twelve days, there will be several days of service with elderly at local service agencies, including Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, and there will be a day of recreation at Lime Caye, a local island.

Kingston and the Country of Jamaica   

Contrary to its advertising to lure tourists, Jamaica is an island nation of great contrast -- lavish tourist resorts on the north coast and intense poverty and violence in urban areas on the south coast.  The city of Kingston is a crowded urban area of 660,000  and where thousands are living in the deepest levels of poverty.   It is a city of great need and our volunteers will assist in the most disadvantaged areas and schools.    In August 2007, there was widespread wind and water damage due to Hurricane Dean, which further hurt the infrastructure and stretched the resources of the country.

PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM:

DATES of TRIP:   Sunday, Dec 28, 2008  to  Wednesday, Jan 6, 2009.   Volunteers will travel together -- departing and returning from New Orleans to Kingston and back.

• A recruitment meeting will be held early in the Fall 2008 semester.   Open only to undergraduate students at Loyola University New Orleans.    Applicants will be invited to write an essay and will be invited for group interviews.    All volunteers MUST be present at a required overnight retreat early in the fall semester (dates will be announced before the application process begins.)

• Participants will meet weekly, at a convenient time for all, usually in the evenings.   Meetings will range from discussions of history/culture of Jamaica to planning camp lessons to community building activities and fundraising strategy sessions.   There will be a reflection at each meeting.   There will also be a required service day in the NO area.

• Participants are required to fundraise as a group and as individuals to cover the cost of the program.   Goal is $1,200 per person, which includes airfare.   There are limited "Magis" grants available to assist those who fall a little short .

• Participants will need to get a Hepatitis A vaccine immunization.    A U.S. Passport is required or the appropriate visa if the participant is not a U.S. citizen.

• For further information, contact Fr. Ted at jesuit@loyno.edu or stop by the Jesuit Center (Bobet 110).

Updated  June 7, 2008