One of the hardest things to adjust to while being in Jamaica is being on "Jamaica Time." We all come from a place where things are expected to be done at a fast pace and efficiently. That is not how things in Jamaica always work. It has definitely been a challenge for me to let go of my need for a well defined schedule and project plan to be on Jamaica Time.
Today while working at Mary's Child, I found myself frustrated by the amount of time that I felt was being wasted. There seemed to be more people than work and often times a group of us was just standing around. We all had been so eager to start working today, so standing idle was not something we had planned on.
While at first frustrating, I've come to realize that not being able to all work at once gave us other opportunities. Karen and Carla got to spend time with the mothers at Mary's Child and play with the babies. Smaller projects let Christina and Nisha work closely with Roy James and get to know him. And while we are all waiting around, Kasey and Jamaica Kevin treated us all to a walkoff. (Sorry, Kasey, but Jamaica Kevin definitely won.)
I'm learning to appreciate the moments that all of the waiting allows for. In the morning when we are ready and waiting to leave, we get to spend more time with the kids at Sophie's Place. Today, while waiting for there to be materials to complete projects, we got to spend time with the babies and mothers at Mary's Child. When we return home, it most likely will not be building a walkway that we remember. It will be the moments that we spent getting to know the people of Mustard Seed, the conversations with mothers at Mary's Child and the smiles from the kids that stay with us long after we leave Jamaica.
~Meaghan (1st year)
Today while working at Mary's Child, I found myself frustrated by the amount of time that I felt was being wasted. There seemed to be more people than work and often times a group of us was just standing around. We all had been so eager to start working today, so standing idle was not something we had planned on.
While at first frustrating, I've come to realize that not being able to all work at once gave us other opportunities. Karen and Carla got to spend time with the mothers at Mary's Child and play with the babies. Smaller projects let Christina and Nisha work closely with Roy James and get to know him. And while we are all waiting around, Kasey and Jamaica Kevin treated us all to a walkoff. (Sorry, Kasey, but Jamaica Kevin definitely won.)
I'm learning to appreciate the moments that all of the waiting allows for. In the morning when we are ready and waiting to leave, we get to spend more time with the kids at Sophie's Place. Today, while waiting for there to be materials to complete projects, we got to spend time with the babies and mothers at Mary's Child. When we return home, it most likely will not be building a walkway that we remember. It will be the moments that we spent getting to know the people of Mustard Seed, the conversations with mothers at Mary's Child and the smiles from the kids that stay with us long after we leave Jamaica.
~Meaghan (1st year)
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