Description

Whether you are volunteering on a gap year, summer placement or career break, if you want to get truly immersed in the traditional culture of Jamaica, our Culture & Community Project working within the Maroon community could be the perfect volunteer placement for you.

Volunteers on the Maroon Community Project join the Accompong Community located in the hills of St Elizabeth Parish, one of the remaining traditional Maroon communities in Jamaica. The Jamaican Maroons were runaway slaves who fought the British during the 18th century, and the term is now used for their descendants. The Maroons in Jamaica remain to a large extent autonomous and separate from the rest of Jamaican culture and these vibrant communities are usually inaccessible other than by visiting on a day's tour. Some of the Maroon community are also Rastafarians.

The main source of livelihood for Accompong is farming which is done by 90% of men. Women mainly stay at home while 10% are shopkeepers and 10% farmers. The main issues affecting the community are unemployment (16% of the community is unemployed), lack of trained teachers, poor parenting, illiteracy, insufficient cultural preservation, lack of a play area for the children, lack of access to adequate health care, lack of safety signs, poor road conditions and lack of water in some areas. The perception is that the Maroon communities are excluded from the external state support as they do not benefit from social and infrastructure programs.

Volunteers joining the Maroon community in Accompong will get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Volunteers in the community can assist with a wide variety of projects including teaching basic computer skills and English, working on cultural preservation projects, cultivate local farms and greenhouses, and providing basic health care.

Highlights

The Caribbean island of Jamaica is well known for its idyllic beaches, turquoise seas and romantic sunsets, however beyond the tourist brochure facade is a country of laid-back welcoming people, smiling children and a lush mountainous interior well worth exploring.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and was described by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century as the 'fairest land my eyes have ever seen'. Plenty of visitors today would still agree and tourism is a vital source of income for the island. However, many visitors who find time to venture off the cruise ships do not make it beyond one or two coastal towns and often miss out on one of Jamaica's biggest assets - its incredible mix of people.

Jamaica's rich history and cultural heritage is an intriguing mix of Arawak Indians, infamous pirates, Spanish settlers, British naval explorers and slaves yearning for freedom. Today, people of African descent make up just over 75% of the 2.6 million population.

Volunteers in Jamaica are spoiled for choice in terms of travel opportunities, both at the weekends and after volunteering. The Blue Mountains, YS Falls, Dunn's River Falls and Treasure Beach are popular weekend or day trips from Mandeville.

There are literally hundreds of paradise beaches awaiting you in places like Ocho Rios, home to the aptly named Eden Falls, where you can tube or raft down the river. Water sports like diving and snorkeling are popular around the entire coast.

Finally, no experience of Jamaica is complete without experiencing the vibrant music scene. Strains of Jamaica's most famous citizen, Bob Marley will undoubtedly follow you everywhere on the island and spectacular music festivals take place throughout the year.

Intern Types

• Counseling
• Interdisciplinary
• Social Work
• Tourism
• Urban & Regional Planning

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded, eager to explore, learn, and help.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992