Culture & Community - Volunteer Maroon Project in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

  Jamaica

Mandeville

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year round

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, it is 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.

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 the following types of work:

* Teaching computer lessons
* Joining cultural preservation projects
* Maintaining the herb garden
* Assisting with greenhouse farming
* Teaching at the Basic, Primary and Junior High School
* Working in the library
* Providing basic health care, the clinic is only open every other month on a Tuesday
* Establishing a play area for the children
* Assisting with community tours
* Developing a trail through the cockpit country
* Working on a community literacy program (teaching adults to read and write).

The Accompong Community has all the usual basic amenities and is home to 168 households and an estimated population of 576 people. As many of 50% of the households are home to three generations. The community has a Primary and Junior High School, one Basic School and a Training Center.

Community Volunteering with Maroons in Jamaica

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.

The history of Accompong dates back over 200 years. There are oral historians and documents that tell the old intriguing story of Accompong Town. Jamaican's see Maroons as special people and they are viewed with respect because of their gallant fight for freedom. This gives them a unique place in the heart of many Jamaicans, particularly those with an academic knowledge of the historic events leading up to the freedom from the British. They are remembered each year on January 6th when there is a huge community celebration which gets national promotion and considerable media focus.

Volunteers live in Accompong with a local host family, who will ensure that you soon feel at home and integrate into community life.

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 or lie back in a hammock and sample a classic Jamaican rum cocktail.
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.

Cost in US$: USD 3,145 and up

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Jamaica Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program 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