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I am 23yrs old and am currently living in New Orleans. I want to do volunteer work in JA. The problem is, I do not have very much money. Does anyone know of any volunteer organizations that provide a free place to live and food in exchange for volunteer labor?
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
What skills do u offer ? -
Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
I dont have a degree. Got half way through an english degree, but couldnt afford to finish. I have worked in landscaping most of my life. I am a very hard worker and a quick learner. Money and materials mean nothing to me as long as I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I want to spend my time here on earth doing something meaningful; something that will make other people's journey here a little better. But as far as special training or expertise...I have none.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Iyah_Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dont have a degree. Got half way through an english degree, but couldnt afford to finish. I have worked in landscaping most of my life. I am a very hard worker and a quick learner. Money and materials mean nothing to me as long as I have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. I want to spend my time here on earth doing something meaningful; something that will make other people's journey here a little better. But as far as special training or expertise...I have none. </div></div>
the Delta area in the USA would appreciate ur volunteerism....charity begins at home is a truism...matter of fact, dont NO need work done wid di rebuilding???? Brad Pitt building homes along wid peeps like Oprah..sure dem could use ur talent...dont u think????Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
One of your problems will be, the fact that Jamaica also has some very hard working people there who would not mind the opportunity to work for room and food.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
Yeah theres volunteer work to be done here. I helped my parents rebuild there home, but rent and cost of livng is so high and i cant seem to find more than minimum wage work. Theres just no time to volunteer. I want to get away from all this concrete and help people at the same time. I know the Peace Corps places people in volunteers groups and provides housing and living cost, but you need a degree to get in. I was just hoping someone knew of any other organizations that might offer the same.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Iyah_Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah theres volunteer work to be done here. I helped my parents rebuild there home, but rent and cost of livng is so high and i cant seem to find more than minimum wage work. Theres just no time to volunteer. I want to get away from all this concrete and help people at the same time. I know the Peace Corps places people in volunteers groups and provides housing and living cost, but you need a degree to get in. I was just hoping someone knew of any other organizations that might offer the same. </div></div>
the cost of living in Jamaica is sky high...u might do better looking closer to home...the grass is not always greener on the other side...then u have the issue of transport...Jamaica is not for the faint of heart...it is a noble idea but the reality is not as agreeable as u might think...while this is not Jamaica, u might reach out to that actor, Sean Penn who is doing admirable work in Haiti...he might need ur expertise in landscaping ...Jamaica most assuredly needs help...volunteering is an avenue but with so many unemployed, ur landscaping might not be the entree to volunteering there....but where there is a will there might be a way...good luck...Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
You could try approaching one of the international churches, or Red Cross, etc.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
One of my co-worker's son did some volunteer work in Haiti, he just returned home to Canada actually. He went with a group of doctors and was assisting in creating medical records for all of the patients that were being treated.
It was not cheap! Charitable organizations only paid for a portion of his expenses. My co-worker had to help him come up with a lot of money in order for him to go but she was happy to pay because she thought it would be a good experience for her son.
I think some local service clubs in this area, such as the Lion's Club, also chipped in to help pay his way.
I would agree with what others have stated however, it may be a better idea to volunteer in your own back yard rather than looking to a place such as Jamaica.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
I thought that this began in a familiar fashion.. Some one else from New Orleans started a similar thread and ende up calling me a rascist..
So listen to Evan.. IMHO u bring nothing to the table of value...Had u been a doctor an accountant, I would have set out to help.. But to me u are similar in skill set to thousands of young Jamaicans..
As I told the other young man..Work hard Save ur money, take a holiday in Jamaica and spend liberally.. go to dances, eat at Jerk stands, use taxis.. then u would add value to our GDP...A kind of synergistic relationship of mutual benifir will develop......Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
I spent 2weeks in JA last year. Mostly Sav-la-Mar and Negril. Best 2weeks of my life. I only had a couple hundred dollars to spend, so i lived more like a local than a tourist. The motel i stayed in lost electricity during the day, i only ate at local groceries and restraunts, i rode on local buses; not taxis. As hard as it may be for some people to believe, just because im american doesnt mean im a spoiled brat. I know what its like to struggle. Hell, its all i know. Been homeless several times. So local living conditions in JA dont scare me. I met poor people in JA that were living better than I am in New Orleans. Its true the cost of living was higher than i expected, but still didnt compare to the cost of living here in new orleans. I appreciate all the advice on volunteering at home and i realize that money is the most important thing in this sad world(to most people anyway). Im just tryin to figure out a way for a poor american with nothing going for him at home to spend an extended time in Jamaica, and i would prefer it if i could help other poor people in the process.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
What is your primary goal ...
Volunteering?
or
Spending time in JA?Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
Both. I want to spend time in Jamaica volunteering.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
If that's the case - you should, perhaps, slightly alter your goal.
Let's just be real - unless you have money to pay your way (see here and toggle to the Jamaica section http://www.projects-abroad.org/about...at-we-provide/) JA isn't set up to accommodate long/medium term volunteers from the US, unless you're a part of the Peace Corps.
Contact the Red Cross - re link above - and see what they tell you but I really think volunteering isn't something that would work for you in JA.
If you want to spend time in JA, find yourself, chill out, vacation, etc, then unless you have a work permit or marry a Jamaican, it's not possible for you to set up down there for any length of time other than what you get on your tourist entry.Comment
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Re: Volunteering in Jamaica
I would suggest you find a church group that does missions to Jamaica and join the church.
In the meantime volunteer locally and maybe learn a special skill to help build & teach or bring computers to the island or something soIf you don't fight for what you deserve, you deserve what you get.
We are > Fossil Fuels --- Bill McKibben 350.orgComment
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