Children Advocacy Project - Volunteer Care Work in Jamaica with Projects Abroad

  Jamaica

• Other Cities in Jamaica: 
Mandeville

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: The Children Advocacy Project is offered through the Community Counseling and Restorative Justice Center and the Morris Entrepreneurship Center - MEC of the Northern Caribbean University (NCU). These programs are built on a partnership established with the Ministries of Justice and National Security, HEART Trust/NTA (NVQ) and other local entities with a view to empower individuals, families, and communities towards the reduction of crime and violence.

The project incorporates components such as psycho-social and psycho-educational assessment and treatment for at least 200 children, twelve self empowerment workshops, two parental education workshops/seminars, training for sixty peer-counselors and sixty paraprofessional counselors, the establishment of adolescent and parent support groups, and the strengthening of the networking structures for sustainability of a safe environment for children.

Where applicable, the team of professionals will make appropriate referrals for additional services to improve the quality of life and the environment of children in challenging circumstances and/or in need of care and protection. Referrals include skills training and capacity building for the sustainable economic development of individuals, families and communities.

Volunteers who would like to do their internship in social work, psychology, sociology, family life education, guidance and counseling can sign up for these projects. All other volunteers who have an interest in these areas can also sign up. The department has clinical, social and counseling psychologists, sociologists and trained social workers on faculty who will be assisting in this project.

Volunteers work at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, the Community Counseling and Restorative Justice Center or the Department of Behavioral Sciences. Volunteers help with needs assessments, preparing documents for workshops and seminars, designing brochures and assisting in psycho-educational assessments. Volunteers can also work with children in play therapy, scoring and evaluating their progress under the supervision of a faculty member. There is also homework and a variety of after school activities that volunteers can get involved in.

Highlights: The Caribbean island of Jamaica is well known for its idyllic beaches, turquoise seas and romantic sunsets, however beyond the tourist brochure facade is a country of laid-back welcoming people, smiling children and a lush mountainous interior well worth exploring.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and was described by Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century as the 'fairest land my eyes have ever seen'. Plenty of visitors today would still agree and tourism is a vital source of income for the island. However, many visitors who find time to venture off the cruise ships do not make it beyond one or two coastal towns and often miss out on one of Jamaica's biggest assets - its incredible mix of people.

Jamaica's rich history and cultural heritage is an intriguing mix of Arawak Indians, infamous pirates, Spanish settlers, British naval explorers and slaves yearning for freedom. Today, people of African descent make up just over 75% of the 2.6 million population.

Volunteers in Jamaica are spoiled for choice in terms of travel opportunities, both at the weekends and after volunteering. The Blue Mountains, YS Falls, Dunn's River Falls and Treasure Beach are popular weekend or day trips from Mandeville.

There are literally hundreds of paradise beaches awaiting you in places like Ocho Rios, home to the aptly named Eden Falls, where you can tube or raft down the river. Water sports like diving and snorkeling are popular around the entire coast or lie back in a hammock and sample a classic Jamaican rum cocktail.

Finally, no experience of Jamaica is complete without experiencing the vibrant music scene. Strains of Jamaica's most famous citizen, Bob Marley will undoubtedly follow you everywhere on the island and spectacular music festivals take place throughout the year.

Cost in US$: USD 2,345 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded, eager to explore, help, and learn.

Age Range: 16-70

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Jamaica Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992