Unforgettable Experiences Of Single Volunteers To Jamaica.

Just imagine getting on a flight and travelling thousands of miles to volunteer in a country you have never visited before. Some people are filled with excitement and can’t wait to arrive, and others are filled with fear and anxiety.







While everyone experience’s different emotions, they all have one thing in common, and that’s the desire to leave with a life changing experience.







I work with volunteers from all over the world who come to Jamaica to make a difference. Many pass through like a shadow in the night while others leave a little piece of their heart.











Let me share with you the experiences of three volunteers I’ll never forget











Meet Patience







A small and dynamic young lady all the way from Ghana who found Jamaica volunteer vacations online.











Hear about her experiences in her own words:











"I was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, but coming to Jamaica felt like a homecoming. I felt so much at home like no other place I had ever been to before. I remember being so nervous and excited about my first trip to Jamaica—I was alone, but I knew in my heart I wanted to do this.











I had the most amazing time ever on my trip here; it was a life-changing experience. I feel" spiritually, mentally, and emotionally renewed. I have definitely grown as a person.







Spiritually, my faith and trust in God has grown tremendously since this trip. I took a step of faith by coming to Jamaica alone and God never left me out of his sight, not once.











I feel as if God brought me here for a reason after all these years of searching for the perfect volunteer vacation."



















Meet Mary from the United Kingdom







Only 18 years old, she decided to travel to Jamaica to volunteer. She was excited and emailed often to get all the details of the trip. She wanted to know what to bring, what to wear and all the travel information she could get about Jamaica.











The night she arrived I’ll never forget.











As was my usual custom, I greeted each volunteer with a hug and a warm welcome. She was stiff as a board and that should have been a sign of what was to come.







Having flown for one day, she went to bed exhausted but got up early the next day ready to start the volunteer program. She went to a primary school and taught children ages 6- 12 years.







At the end of the day she was picked up and we waited anxiously to find out how her day went. As we asked about her day the tears started to flow. She cried and screamed uncontrollably saying ‘I want to go home,’‘I want to go home.’ We tried to do everything to calm her. We called her Mother and father. They all tried to tell her to stay and just get over the first few days.







After several hours of coaxing, she finally told us that she did not like volunteering alone and wanted to go home immediately. We managed to convince her to stay one more day and see some of the beautiful sights of, Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.











She did a tour of Kingston, but not even this cheered her up.











The next day she went online and booked her return flight. I will never forget this volunteer as I have never met anyone who travelled to Jamaica from the United Kingdom to volunteer for one day.







The lesson learnt was that some volunteers who are young and single are not suitable to travel overseas. And especially if they have never left home alone before.



















Meet Kristin







Here’s a young confident volunteer from Germany who wanted to explore the world. On her arrival in Jamaica, she had a suitcase full of toys and educational software she had collected for children in orphanages. I was impressed with her drive, determination and passion to make a difference.















Here’s what she said about her trip:







"This whole trip to Jamaica was a rewarding and exciting experience. Every single day of my trip was full of new discoveries. Every single day of my trip was full of plain joy.







Joy caused by ‘the set table’ every morning and every evening with Jamaican food at Smokey Manor Guest House







Joy caused by the children who happily welcomed me at their school and at the orphanage.







Joy caused by the fact that I was able to represent my country and teach the children something new, or help the other children at the orphanage with their homework.







Joy caused by the "drop offs" and "pick ups" rides to school, orphanage and the weekend trips through beautiful Jamaica by my host family. Joy caused by the new people I met and friends I made.







Joy caused by the tropical Jamaican climate. The memory of this volunteer vacation will stay with me forever"



















Volunteering single overseas can be an exciting time for anyone. It can also be lonesome at times but rewarding when you discover how to be on your own or just feel the joy of pleasing yourself without having to think of anyone else.





About The Author





To find out how you can experience a Volunteer Vacation in Jamaica and hear exciting volunteer stories go now to http://www.jamaicavolunteervacations.com/volunteerupdates



Maureen Wright-Evans is the Owner and Operator of Smokey Manor Guest House a company specializing in packages that combine volunteering and a vacation.