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In all my years of traveling to Negril I have never done this. I have always given supplies directly to family and friends.
Today a non-boardie facebook friend asked me for a recommendation of a school to visit. I directed her to this forum for advice.
So my team of experts:D could you please share your suggestions and experiences in case she stops by.
Thanks and blessings!
Ed
I can't recommend a school, but "Joe Cool Taxi and Tours" will take you to one for free. http://www.joecooltaxiandtoursjamaica.com/
We're using them for our transfers, and to do the school visit (bringing a large bag loaded with school supplies and stuff).
I'm told that its quite important not to just drop in unannounced - causes chaos in the school.
Hope this helps!
This past January, we had the honour and priviledge of visiting Mount Airy All Age School! We had met the prinicpal one evening and she invited us to visit! It was totally awesome! If your friend is interested, i highly recommend it. Maybe not in the coming week or so, as the grade 6's are into their GSAT's (?) now, but by all mean, I recommend it over the rum and the beach as a great experience! We had a super time! What an eye opener. PM for contact info for the principal if your friend decides to go!
PS St Anthony's Soup Kitchen has a breakfast programme for kids - I am sure they would welcome the help to get the food ready and give it out to the kids. THAT is an awesome experience, too! You need to be a morning person, though ... you need to be there by 6:30-7 (the gas station nearby has 24 hr coffee ;).
I can take you myself . I have visited numerous schools just email me the datesQuote:
Originally Posted by Ras Walleye
Negriltreehouse@gmail.com
Just returned from Negril last week and had a wonderful time at Broughton Primary School. The teachers and kids are so appreciative of everything we brought and the time spent there.
I suggest not only school supplies but other things like balls, jump ropes, and things for recreation are needed as well. Pack everything in a backpack and leave the pack as well. We lit up a childs life as he was without a pack for carry his school stuff home and was thrilled to get his own.
GWonSTRIPE how did you set this up? We will talk to others who replied above.
How much stuff did u take? My wife is worried we wont take enough or someone will be left out. Have to figure that part out!
We're bringing a big duffel bag full of stuff donated by our group:
backpacks full of supplies, as well as loose items, pens, papers, flash cards, games, stickers, jump ropes, soccer balls (uninflated - but with pumps), crayons and some stationary for the teachers.
We set it up through our hotel White Sands as they have a sister school they support. We hired a driver as it was a good 45 minutes away and did a few other things to make a day of it. There are other schools closer which I'm sure would be glad to see you with the supplies you have. Sounds like you have a good supply of things. Candy is also a nice treat to hand out to all the kids as well. gailnegril sounds like she may be able to help you.
This may be helpful to some: http://www.familytravelnetwork.com/a...od_jamaica.asp
My wife and i have a piece of luggage filled with lots and lots of school supplies to take. Unfortunately we will be there when schools may be on Easter Break! We are in Negril 23-29th. Can anyone help?? We can leave them but prefer to take them ourselves. Anyone know the Easter school schedule? I am going to try and call the schools and some drivers.
Tried Gail. She mentioned Mt Airy was likely off for break. Didnt mention any others.
I would suggest you take what you can; you may be amazed. We sent a soccer ball (with a pump) and the school was thrilled that they now had a soccer ball! Deflate it, get a pump and pins at a buck store and you have made the days of a bunch of kids!). Big skipping ropes will keep the kids hopping too, weigh little take little room. (Walmart here has some you can get for a $1 for the short ones and $2 for the long ones right now ....) For supplies, be basic (a box of crayola crayons costs an incredible amount of money there - I heard more than USD 10.00 - so anything like that you take, give it to the principal or a trusted teacher and they will find a discreet home for it. Pencils, erasers, crayons, rulers; calculators (solar powered - batteries are very dear on the island). Teaching aids too - as simple as chalk! There is an organization that is linked to several hotels and I can't remember for the life of me the name of it. White Sands is part of it and several others. They each have a different school, and post a list of current needs. Somebody on this board knows the name of that organization - maybe White Sands can help you. Any of the involved hotels will take your donations, even if you aren't staying there. A Smile for a Child? No, that isn't it. But something like that. As well, again, St. Anthony's outfits aver 35 kids for school - shoes, sox, underwear, back packs, paper, pencils - nothing is too small. They would be happy to distribute your stuff. I know you will find somewhere.
And bless your heart for doing this! It makes me so happy to see us tourists giving back to the island that has given us so much joy!
Father Jim from the St Anthony Kitchen is a regular poster here and I will let him know about this - he may be able to help you out while you are here!
And as M&G has already stated - thank you so much!
Thanks for all the good info. Nice to give back when you can. The smiles you receive in return are priceless. I have also heard Sharon at Sunset at the Palms can help. I will let everyone know what I find out.
I appreciate your help Rob! I will make a note of Father Jim at St Anthony.
Regarding school visits...any school will welcome supplies of any kind. Through St. Anthony's Kitchen we sponsor 38 children; most going to two elementary schools and several to various high schools. My suggestion would be to contact Ken Cooney, President of the local Rotary Club. They are involved with a variety of schools in the area and Ken is knowledgable about the school and their needs. His email is ken.cooney@yahoo.com.
I also noticed a thread about serving breakfast at St. Anthony's Kitchen. We serve breakfast to 40 children each morning between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Too early, come help serve lunch to adults from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Breakfast and lunch are served Monday through Friday. --Fr. Jim