Bonner Scholars Spend Spring Break in Jamaica

By: Allison Nichols    

The Ursinus College Bonner Scholars decided to pass up Cancun this spring break and spend it renovating and constructing houses in Jamaica.

            Their weeklong trip did not leave much time for sun bathing.  The Bonner’s spent their days under the sun working to improve the conditions for a few of the 14.8% Jamaicans who are living below the poverty line.

            The Bonners teamed up with a few other students from Moravian College and worked on five different sites. 

            Three of the sites consisted of rebuilding severely damaged houses, one of which was ruined by a hurricane.  “We ripped down two walls and replaced siding,” said Josh Picard, a Bonner Scholar.

            Another volunteer site was dedicated to building a cement garbage dumpster in an area that had no existing trash receptacle.  The Bonners at this site mixed cement and put up cinder blocks.   Before they created this dumpster, trash would just end up on the ground around the area.

            At the final site, the volunteers painted the outside of an unconventional orphanage, which was more of a home than an institution for the care of orphans.  Here the children all called the caretaker mom, and it was made sure that they had a reliable job or comfortable home before they left.

            Liam Marston, a sophomore Bonner Scholar recalled that one Jamaican woman said, “God has blessed us by you being here.”

            The Jamaicans were generally very grateful for the presence of the Bonners, and the Bonners were equally excited about interacting with them.  That is why, for Picard, “sports day” was his favorite activity while in Jamaica.

            Sports day is a day similar to field day in the United States.  Last year the Bonners happened to be volunteering while the elementary school students had their sports day and were able to participate.  The students had so much fun with the Bonners that they planned their sports day around the Bonners’ trip this year. 

            The welcoming spirit of the country was Marston’s favorite aspect of the trip.  Marston commented on the friendly atmosphere of the country compared to our relatively cold culture.  “Being around the people is so refreshing.  They instantly include everyone,” Marston said.

             The Bonner’s spent their spring break helping a population that maybe be poor, but is rich in kindness.  “They may be poor, but they have each other,” said Marston.

 Alternatives to the traditional spring break are fun and helpful to others.
(video couresty of Colgate University)