Walking with the People of Jamaica - Day #2
Today would be filled with lots of traveling and time accompanying the Jamaican people. I was anxious to see how the day would play out…would I recognize any people from the Balaclava nursing home we visited last year? Would the same Bosco boys I read endless books to still be a part of the program in Manchester?
We arrived at the Balaclava nursing home and much to my surprise, I immediately started recognizing a few men and women who were being taken care there just one year ago. It filled my heart that many were still thriving in spirit, though they are frail and unable to do a lot by themselves. As a group, we took the time to sit down and converse with these beautiful people. Their eyes were filled with such light and wisdom, in which many instilled within us through their storytelling. We then went on to shave the men’s faces, paint the women’s nails, and do whatever we could do help them be as comfortable as possible.
There was one man I had met the year before that was still at this nursing home. His name was Horrace…the sweetest, most kind-hearted elderly man I came across in Jamaica.
After our visit at Balaclava, we traveled to St. John Bosco Boy’s Home. This is a residential home for 160 boys, ranging from the ages of 6 to 18 years old. Unfortunately, the reasons in which most of the boys that come to this program are that they have been neglected and abandoned by their families, abused, or are extremely impoverished financially. At Bosco, these boys are, above all, taught to be disciplined young men with the structure they will need for their futures.
- Sarah Sherry, Elementary Education/History - 2014
After a long day of traveling we began our first full day in Jamaica at Mary Help of Christian Home in Balaclava. Here we met the residents of the home, similar to a nursing home, and began our work of painting nails, shaving, and performing nail care. These simple, everyday tasks might seem mundane but from the smiles on all their faces it was evident that it meant a lot to them. As I painted on coats of pink polish I heard the stories of the women and told them about where I came from. It was here that I learned that sitting down and listening to one’s story can make a difference, especially to the gentleman who gladly shared with me his story of living in New York and later Florida before he came back to Jamaica. At the home were also children who were there to have Christian classes. They eagerly welcomed us with songs and hugs. I was lucky enough to not only have one, but three little girls all braid my hair at once. With my new “do” I was then ready to join them in playing tag .
The next stop we made that day was at the St. John Bosco Boys Home. This home in Dunsinane is a school for boys who are either orphans or who have gotten into trouble where they go to live and eventually learn a trade. When we got there the boys were outside playing and we joined them in “futbol”, basketball and other games. When their recess was over one resident of the home, Andrew, gave us a tour of their facilities, including the pig farm in the back that is a main source of their butcher department.
- Delina DeVillier, Nursing - 2015
