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)

Sunday Afternoon in the Gap

Sitting on the porch of my host family’s home one Sunday afternoon during my recent trip to Hagley Gap, I glanced up from my computer. I was distracted from my work by a group of boys playing with their toy cars. They were in the midst of repairing a car that had lost a wheel and discussing the quality of the repair underway.  Read more... (307 words)

Destination: St. Lucia

In March 2001 I stopped briefly in St. Lucia to spend a few days relaxing after Carnival in Trinidad. My short visit did not provide enough time to even scratch its surface, yet I found myself captivated by the qualities of this 238-square-mile Windward Island. The sun, the sea, the island’s natural beauty, as well as the warmth of its people, all left me wanting to return to St. Lucia.  Read more... (1509 words + 4 images)

M. Cook’s volunteer expedition into the Blue Mountains

Two Weeks in the Jamaica countryside: My Xperience

April 7, 1998

As I descend from the plane to the tarmac below, the sweltering heat stifles my every move. I pass through customs, exchange my money and wait for a while for the bags to arrive. Venturing out into the sunlight, I wind my way through a gauntlet of eager taxi drivers. I ignore the curious stares focused on me and continue down the sidewalk where I meet our two group leaders. Once everyone has arrived I hop into the back seat of the rented soft-top Suzuki jeep and we begin our journey to Hagley Gap.  Read more... (1052 words + 1 image)

On the Streets of Bahia, Brazil: Olodum

This afro-Brazilian drum-dominated group is officially known as Grupo Cultural Olodum. As with some other groups that have been around the Bahia scene for a long time, they are a collective that uses the money they make to help promote community programs and social movements. What they do best though is get up and pound out resonating rhythms that mix African, Samba, Latin, and Reggae styles.  Read more... (413 words + 2 images)