Gordon's Early Childhood Development School

Tuesday, March 26

Today was an incredibly rich and productive day in Negril. We continued constructing an addition to Gordon’s Early Childhood Development School, finishing the sheet metal roof, wooden walls, and walkway ramp. It was a scorching hot day, with temperatures and humidity hovering around 90 degrees. 

The first thing we did once back at the school was to move a massive mountain of merle from the side of the school to the front in order to create a ramp. The merle was extremely hard so we used pick axes, shovels, and buckets to move the material. It was backbreaking labor, yet our whole team was in high spirits and fantastic conversations swirled around the pile of rock and dirt. We talked about how urban education is such a massive problem in America, using the example of San Francisco Schools. Eventually, with the help of many people we moved the final bucket of Merle.

While the merle was being moved, other members of the group were continuing to construct the walls of the school addition.  Our Jamaican contractors  (Paul, Richard, and Javi) were both extremely patient and skilled. Our team hammered countless nails into the thick wooden boards in order create a sturdy wall.

One of the teachers at the school asked us to create a model town out of card board boxes. After much deliberation we built a shop, police station, and church. The only materials we used were cardboard, tape, and a few markers. When it was all finished, three accurate and downright beautiful cardboard buildings rose from nothing.

Throughout the day, every member of our team interacted with the children at the school. We played with them, talked with them, and helped them with their school work. Sadly today was the last day we would be working at the school. It is bittersweet because we are proud of what we have accomplished but would have liked to finish the total job.

Once back at the Whistling Bird we relaxed on the beach and enjoyed the beauty of Jamaica. Yet even during this relaxing time we constantly interacted and befriended local Jamaicans on the Beach.