Volunteer with us in Hagley Gap, Jamaica

I am in Hagley Gap for another visit to our Blue Mountain Project programs. Besides the fact that it is nice to see a little warm sun in the midst of winter, it is also nice to have a welcome respite from the seemingly eternal US election campaigns. I realize that Jamaica is a tiny country when compared to the USA but they managed to elect a new leader and parliament and select a new cabinet in less than thirty days. We take two years to do the same thing.  Read more... (229 words)

Merry Christmas from Blue Mountain Project

12 December 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2011 is drawing to a close and we are busy planning our 2012 activities. As always we have lots of dreams, lots of ideas, lots of hopes.

In 2011, we worked on a number of construction activities. We improved the health clinics, we painted kindergartens, and we helped improve local family housing.  Read more... (163 words)

Please Help Us Help Hagley Gap

15 Aug. 2011

The Blue Mountain Project has achieved so much over the past year. Our water program started from nothing but the desire and demand from the Hagley Gap community for clean safe, fresh water. Now we know what we need in terms of clean water and how to get it. We just lack the money. Our health clinics are working 4 days a week instead of 2. We are restarting the After School Program in Hagley Gap. The After School Program in Penlyne Castle is going gangbusters. Our clinic in Penlyne Castle now has a working bathroom and a covered outside waiting room. The Women’s Group has a much better idea of their market. Fun Camp is occurring as I write helping a 100 or so kids prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we added math sessions and have a Hagley Gap teacher, Tessa, as our Fun Camp Leader.  Read more... (267 words)

Slow and Steady in the Gap

25 July 2011

There are a few changes that you have to make during a visit to Hagley Gap. Most circle around the slower pace of life. This impacts  everything from the early rising (yes, the local roosters do not seem to know when the sun rises as they start crowing at 3 am and one goes off at 4 pm in the afternoon) to the way you move up the hills.  Read more... (328 words)

Service Learning and Maintenance Upgrades in Hagley Gap, Jamaica

I am visiting Hagley Gap in June and July. We have two large Service Learning Volunteer groups (LearnServe and St. Andrew’s Church) at that time and I will help with their trips. Among other things, we plan to paint some kindergarten classrooms, build a kitchen for an elderly woman, and work on the roof of the clinic.  Read more... (255 words)

International Women’s Day in the Blue Mountains

Last month, on March 8, was International Women’s Day, a day of celebration that I am particularly fond of. Women in the US have made great strides since the days that we were considered chattel belong to our father or husband. We have more freedoms, more economic opportunity, more social opportunities, and more equality. But in many parts of the world, women do not enjoy these same advantages.  Read more... (188 words)

Reflections on Tunisia

Mohamed Bouazizi of Tunisia

I personally was thinking that Mr. Bouazizi should receive the Nobel Peace Prize (he will not though – the Nobel Prize committee cannot award prizes posthumously). His action of protest, while self-destructive, forcefully yet peacefully called the world’s attention to the plight of his fellow citizens. His death inspired fellow Tunisians to take to the streets and push their corrupt ruler out of power.  Read more... (277 words + 1 image)

2011 – Exciting Times for the Blue Mountain Project

Blue Mountain Project helps the Hagley Gap District of Jamaica, including its children.

I just spent a delightful two weeks in Hagley Gap working with Zadie, our new Program Manager, and gaining new energies to meet the challenges of the new year: finding funding to build the water system that Gwion, our Water Ambassador, has been designing; working with all the new Service Learning groups that Haley has brought on board; choosing and mentoring new LIGHTs; planning for 2011 Fun Camp… The list, as always with a growing organization like Blue Mountain Project, is never-ending but always exciting as new doors open up for us.  Read more... (249 words + 1 image)