Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

[Rasta Stan]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

This is too special to me.
I've been waiting for this part of your trip report.
I know the scars these kids feel first hand and you will never be forgotten by them for this visit.
They are a a critical age to deal with the temptations that lurk outside the gates of this place.
Your visit shows someone cares enough to stop and pass along some positive energy to them.
Making a child feel special or just telling them they are pretty, is somehing that they carry for years. We sometimes forget how powerful a kind word or a hug can mean to a stressed out or neglected child.
Now get on with this report..please ...please.

[Grandmother]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Just spoke with Angie she's having computer problems but she will return as soon as she gets this settled.

[Vi]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Angie I can see your eyes shine as you are greeted and meet these precious little ladies. I am so sorry I couldn't go with you. This is the second time I missed the opportunity to go the the Windsor School. If the chance comes up again during my visit, I will definitely be there. You bought so much to these flowers, your generousity, your heart and your smile...as Rasta Stan said, they will never forget you.

The pictures are beautiful. I can't wait to read the rest.

[hannahcommunications]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Angie - this is a beautiful report. Your sensitivity and sincere interest in the well being of these girls and young women will no doubt make an impression on them...one that I hope and believe will serve to overpower the scars and sadness in their lives. Thanks to you and Ochigal for your generosity and "action".

I have to comment on the hair...in my early 30's I had a thing for big afro styled hair...and this was in the early 1990's! My friends and kids chuckled about Mom and her 70's "fro" (it really wasn't like the 70's natural 'fro, was really just a light and fluffy curl)

I looked at that picture of you and thought "Yes...I have been vindicated". You look terrific!

[Marilyn]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Angie
I know what trouble you went through for this whole project. From gathering things at your job to delivery. I also know you and know now that you have met your "daughters" you will not stop now.

This is just another example of the pride I feel in the women I associate with, Girlfriends with a purpose, who never go to Jamaica empty handed. Between the seven of the ones who went this trip, I know the impact in just a "drop in the bucket", but it was a drop.

FOr all that all of you did for individuals, schools, and insitutions in Jamaica on this past visit, know that God was watching and he knows the place your hearts were in. YOu done good ladies, and I am proud to be associated with you.

Angie continue on, you are doing a wonderful job. Sorry you are having computer problems, because if anyone knows about that it is me.

[sammy]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

I've been waiting for this part of your report...and with tears in my eyes my heart is truly singing

way to go angie...you are truly a remarkable woman....God has chosen You and what a worthy vessel you are...as He knew you would be

where exactly is Windsor located...how far from ochie?

[Laurel]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Originally posted by sammy:
[qb] I've been waiting for this part of your report...and with tears in my eyes my heart is truly singing

way to go angie...you are truly a remarkable woman....God has chosen You and what a worthy vessel you are...as He knew you would be

where exactly is Windsor located...how far from ochie? [/qb]

Sammy - Isn't that just the truth!! I was on reading as she was posting last night ... I had the TV on at the same time. The Holiday PAMPERS commercial came on showing all sorts of Most Precious Infants sleeping with this amazing voice singing Silent Night .... and I SOBBED!!!

My Sweet Matthew thought something was wrong ... I told him 'No ... something is so very right'

ANGIE .... RIGHT ON!!

[Marilyn]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Angie
I am getting a disturbing feeling about what you are going to reveal about the men hanging around the entrance to this place.

[Ochigal]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Originally posted by sammy:
[qb] where exactly is Windsor located...how far from ochie? [/qb]

Sammy, The girls home is in St. Anns Bay...right off the main road. Its about 10-15 minutes drive from Ochi.

Angie....what can I say. I am so glad that the efforts of Jamaicans.com members has continued to help the girls home.

[rudemonk]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

AMITABHA.

2 kleenex boxes later...The Hair rocks. I think it needs to be capitalized.

This is the exact kind of burden I want the temple to shoulder...the only real heaven is the kingdom within, and the fruit it bears forth is unending when it is cultivated. If you think about it, self worth is one of the most important attributes, and one which is constantly worn down in this world, no matter where you are. How do you think they would feel about learning to work coffee?

I am reminded of that story, with all the starfish washed up on the beach...

[Ochigal]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Originally posted by Marilyn:
[qb] Angie
I am getting a disturbing feeling about what you are going to reveal about the men hanging around the entrance to this place. [/qb]

Your gut feeling is correct. The report from my visit during bashment elaborates on the topic some. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70361-embarassed.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[AngieB]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Thanks for being so kind with your words everyone. Trust me when I say that the pleasure was all mine. I received far more from these daughters than they received.

Vi, next come you must come and experience this. Your big heart will burst for sure.

StAnnMuse, you are so right. I thank God for Ochigal finding this place all the time. She did really good with this one.

Marilyn, I dont have the heart to tell that awful story again. As Ochigal said, its in her peice on the home. My God, what type of man could do this knowing what these daughters already have sufferend. Self serving in the purest form.

Sammy, St Anns Bay is very alive! AJ and I enjoyed hanging around there on our return trip so much. So much to see and places to hunt for bargains. We went into every little store we could find and even tried to buy old furniture off the back of some gentlemans lot. Now where would we put this furniture after we cleaned it up and aged it is anyones guest. We just love hunting down bargains.

Laurel, I sobbed so much that night myself. I guess thats why I called my daughters and told them how much I love them and missed them before turning in that night. They both kept asking what was wrong because I usually never call but once while in Jamaica.

Ochgal, thank you again for leading me to this place. We must go back together one day next year if the Lord allows.

Monk, my dear friend. You always know whats near to my heart somehow. You are so right that the real kingdom in within. If you ever get that temple started, let me know...me full of ideas and a big heart to love up some daughters...its my calling now [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[AngieB]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

Oops, please forgive me Mr. Creative Director himself, Rasta Stan. I passed right by your post. This was a really good day Stan...you gotta come with me next time.

[AngieB]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report


House Mom In Dorm

AJ and I walked back inside with Ms. Black to talk a bit more about the most desperate needs of the school. We told her about our Child Protective Services in the US and how most of the children in the system probably suffered from the same abuse. We talked about how surprised we were that this would also be the number one reason for the children to be placed in homes today. Ms. Black told us about the other facilities across Jamaica that housed infants and children, and then her home for older kids and once they turned 17, they desperately tried to find homes, jobs or somewhere safe the children can be placed. To my shock and pain, I learned that Shelly Ann has just turned 17 and they are desperately trying to find suitable placement for her. My mind drifted off into ways I could manage another child if she could come to Atlanta and I realized that I would not be able to care for her the way she needed it. With my demanding job and the long commute, I knew that she would be left alone for many hours a day in this strange country. Why, why can I not do something for this daughter… Why can the Butch Stewarts and Chris Blackwells build million dollar facilities and I cannot help just one daughter. Where is the justice in this…where is the fairness….

I tried hard to recover from this news but my heart was broken and I could not see anything good coming from releasing Shelly Ann into this world still broken and confused. Although she put up a mighty front, the wounds from my being betrayed by a lover and friend is still very much a part of my landscape and clouds my visions at times when it comes to love. Surely her wounds cut deeper than mine, and a healthy relationship would be out of the question. All I could do is pray that somehow, God sends an angel to take care of her. I could tell that she must be a handful because my tenderness for her was not met by what I expected..”Oh, she is a sweet child, everyone loves her”. You know what, Shelly Ann did not seem a day over 15 when I think about it. Oh My God, what if she isn’t there when I return. Would they tell me where she is….


Shelly Ann and Marie Jone


Roxanne,Christina,and Temecca

[AngieB]

Re: Ocho Rios - Windsor Girls Home/Loose Ends Villa Trip Report

As AJ and I left Windsor, I felt that on this particular day, I walked in my purpose and it was fulfilled. I had to rest in the knowing that I had done well albeit not enough in my estimate. As we drove away, I kept thinking that perhaps one day when I moved to Jamaica, she could come to live with me and be my assistant. I decided to daydream my trip back away so as not to be pained by what all was needed still and not done. I dreamed of my large home on a hill overlooking the ocean and Shelly Ann and Nicole greeting all my Jamaicans.com family to the house when you all come to visit. I dreamed of Shelly Ann being on the Deans List and The West Indies University and giving her class speech. I dreamed of Nicole championing Women’s Rights rally across Jamaica and speaking for the abused children. I dreamed of me waving good by to the at MBJ Airport as they leave for yet another visit to Washington on behelf of their country. It was a good dream and I was proud of my daughters.

I could not wait to return to the villa to tell my friends of the day. Earlier that week when asked how I found out about Windsor, I told them about Ochigal and her discovery. I could see the look of appreciation in their eyes and it felt really good. I thought to myself, if I could, I would take both Shelly Ann and Nicole home with me and show them the world. I wanted to protect them from the harm that they have experience even before they experienced the joys of love. I wanted to give them the education that they will need to pull themselves up out of this cycle that they might be destined to repeat. I wanted to teach them so much and save them even more. But I cannot save them I know. What I can do is show them that the world is large and our hearts even larger. Women just like them do care even though we do not know them by name. I must show them that when they walk away from this home one-day into a better world, they must always return with something in hand to give back. “To whom much is given, much is expected”.

I have a cause other than myself in Jamaica now, where I can help my daughters. I plan to work hard to do more for Windsor Girls Home in the coming years. Who knows, perhaps one day I will even have the blessing of being able to sponsor a Shelly Ann or Nicole who most definitely could be the next Margaret Thatcher


Beauty School (In need of Wigs Desperately)


Daughters In Class


Computer Room (Only One Works)