Enjoy a Jamaica Volunteer Vacation!

10 June 2010 by Karin in Jamaica Vacations [ 8 comments ]

Are you planning a Jamaica vacation? Would you also like to volunteer for a day or two while you’re on vacation in Jamaica?

In 2001 Maureen Wright-Evans wanted to find a way to combine her passion for Jamaica and her love of travel and adventure.  The answer was Jamaica Adventure Secrets / Jamaica Volunteer Vacations, a tour company that combines customized tours of Jamaica with a volunteer component. Jamaica Volunteer Vacations is now Jamaica’s leading “volunteer vacation” company.

“Volunteer vacations” is an emerging trend where persons combine their vacation with a few days of  volunteering.

Jamaica Volunteer Vacations offers a range of packages which combine a vacation with volunteering. Possible volunteer activities include,

Teaching- You can teach any subject of your choice or you can just sit and talk to children.

Building Maintenance - this could involve carpentry, painting, plumbing, or other general construction work. Many schools and other buildings located in some of the poorest neighbourhoods have leaking roofs and bathrooms, or they may need desks or chairs repaired.

Volunteering with Disabled Children -Schools and homes which provide services for the blind, the deaf, and those with physical challenges need help;  the kids enjoy you just playing with them, doing drama or craft-making, or just engaging them.

Health Care Volunteer - Opportunities are available in hospitals, hospices, and centers for HIV/AIDS. Many sick or terminally ill persons need help with feeding or just someone to talk to. Just reading to them or holding their hands and showing them that you care is sometimes all that is needed.

Career Guidance Volunteer – If you have professional skills, there are many opportunities available to attend a school and help kids in making career choices, especially for non-traditional careers.

Coaching - Children who live in children’s homes or poor communities are rich in talent but sometimes lack the coaching to develop their skills.

Volunteer and Give Children a “Treat” - Many poor children and those living in children’s homes have never been to the theatre or had a formal dinner in a restaurant. Take a group to the theatre to see a local play or go to a nice restaurant.

Collect and Distribute Gifts - Collect gifts of clothes, books, and school supplies in your community and bring them to schools or children’s homes in Jamaica.

Holding Workshops - If you are a professional or have a skill, do a workshops and pass on your knowledge to others. Many teachers in secondary education and trade training schools can benefit from your knowledge.

Help Develop a Computer Department - Many schools need help to set up a Computer / Internet department or need computer support. If you have expertise in this area there are numerous areas to serve.

(Jamaica Adventure Secrets also offers tour packages without a “volunteer” component  but we’re sure you’re going to want to volunteer somewhere while you’re here!)

Special customized tour packages are available to suit your needs.  Packages include:

• Volunteering at the location of your choice, including transportation to volunteer project daily

• Visits to the beach,  Dunns River Falls and many other local attractions

• Shopping trips

Check out some of the available packages here plus the special Jamaica Cultural Explosion: Independence and Emancipation Celebration package.

Guests will stay at Smokey Manor Guest House, a guest house located in the hills overlooking Kingston. This location is ideal for travelers looking to volunteer at a local school or other location and to experience the island. Smokey Manor is ideal for families, couples, small groups or the independent traveler.

Here’s a Jamaica Travel Deal:

As a special offer to YardEdge readers, Jamaica Volunteer Vacations is offering a 10% discount off their published prices if you book through YardEdge (just indicate that you were referred by YardEdge)!

If you’re interested in learning more, email us at yardedge@gmail.com so we can put you directly in touch with Maureen – and you will be sure to receive your discount!

Jamaica Volunteer Vacations visitors report having “a life changing experience” where they were able to experience and have fun in Jamaica but also to make a difference in people’s lives (see testimonial videos).

Check out YardEdge’s interview with Maureen Wright-Evans about Voluntourism in Jamaica