"Service in Jamaica allowed me to share so much with diverse people. It also allowed me to be more confident to meet even more Jamaicans, and I felt as though it legitimized my stay there. I wasn't a tourist-I was there to work and to learn. And now, I am still learning and living my experiences. I cannot wait to go back."
- Amy, Xavier University
You will volunteer 15-20 hours per week in a local agency or program. As you work with local people and care for those in need, you will find your experience and understanding of the culture enriched and deepened, and your leadership skills developed.
As a developing nation, Jamaica has a wide range of developmental concerns requiring social intervention. As a result, the volunteer service needs in Kingston are many and varied. They often include programs of tutoring, from pre-school through community college, helping children and young adults with basic literacy and coping skills; health care clinics, health education, and drug abuse programs that address medical issues; micro-business and women’s projects that contribute to community and economic development.
In Jamaica, you might:
Following are examples of agencies where IPSL students have served in the past or may be able to serve. Other service placements may be available. Your placement will be determined by community and agency needs, as well as your interests, goals, and skills.
This clinic is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to serving lower income groups and the very poor. It offers medical, dental and optical care to needy Jamaicans and operates a pharmacy as well.
Population Served: Lower-income groups and the very poor
Areas of Service:
Healthcare
This is an organization which targets adolescents in the post-primary school system. It provides mentorship programmes aimed at building self-confidence and self-esteem, counseling and training. It supports schools in their goal of developing student leaders, and advocates for the rights of children and adolescents.
Population Served: Adolescents
Areas of Service:
Teaching/tutoring
/
Children & Youth
The main aim of this foundation is to provide programmes for adolescent mothers. It deals with problems associated with teenage pregnancy, interrupted education and low employment potential amongst young women.
Population Served: Adolescent mothers
Areas of Service:
Children & Youth
/
Women's issues
This center provides temporary shelter, health services, hot lunches, remedial education and basic vocational skills for “street” children. It is the only government-owned institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. It currently operates under the aegis of the Human Resource and Training/ National Training Agency (HEART/NTA) Trust.
Population Served: "Street" children
Areas of Service:
Healthcare
/
Homelessness
/
Education
/
Teaching/tutoring
/
Children & Youth
This is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-violent, volunteer citizens’ rights action group. It advocates for fundamental change in all spheres of Jamaican life – judicial, economic, educational, social and political – in order to improve lives of Jamaican citizens.
Population Served: Jamaican citizens
Areas of Service:
Legal issues/aid
The Kingston YMCA aims to assist individuals in developing their capabilities and optimal citizens through the various programmes it offers. Programmes include a Youth Development Programme for school drop-outs and “street boys”, skills programmes, aquatic programmes for adults and school children, and leisure activities.
Population Served: Youth and adults in Kingston
Areas of Service:
Children & Youth
/
Recreation
