A Place To Call Our Own

The Limes Afterschool Program has struggled since its start a few years ago with where to hold class.  For some reason, many of the buildings and schools in the area have been unwilling to let us use a room for our program.  Past volunteer coordinators have asked the schools and the churches and the answer has always been a resounding NO.  Over a year ago (before I came to Grenada), Kelsey was able to get the Dynamite Disco (a local bar) to allow the Limes program to use the upstairs of their establishment.  This was helpful, but in time, new management stepped in, locks were changed, and we were forced yet again to find a new place to meet. 

At that point, the easiest answer seemed to be to meet on the public Limes field.  There are some benefits to the field, it's a large space, close to many of the kids homes, and the basketball court is just above the field.  However, whenever it rains (which is often) class was canceled.  We were caught many times in the middle of class in a sudden downpour and there were lots of distractions from local adults.

At the end of last term, Kelsey and I were approached by one of the parents of a child in our class.  She had spoken with the Limes pre-school adjacent to the field and they had agreed that if we raised the money, we could build on their property and then use if for our class.  We also had the pastor of the Limes Mennonite Church come to our rescue and agree to help us with drawing up building plans, getting estimates, and providing the labor free of charge.  With that, Kelsey and I set to work to come up with the money needed for our project.  Luckily, this was easier than we initally thought.  We had very large donations from two clubs at SGU and by this past January, we had raised the money necessary for the supplies. 

This past weekend, the men of the Limes Mennonite Church went to work building our pavillion.  I can't tell you how exciting it was to see this idea become a reality.  I was directly involved in orchestrating this project, but I know that there are lots of SO volunteer coordinators past and present who have been equally a party of this journey to our own Limes Afterschool Program spot.  We really can't thank the Mennonite Church and the Limes Pre-School enough for their generosity.

The highlight of all of this was having class yesterday for the first time in our new location.  I could tell that the kids were extra excited about having a place of their own.  We were shaded from the sun and it felt like we could keep the kids a little more under control because they are limited to the confines of the pre-school.

Completed Structure!

Working on worksheets in the shade.

Miss Allison helping with a worksheet.

Miss Yunah and the kids coloring.

Miss Julie and Chris doing puzzles.

Parachute time with Miss Jessie and Miss Laura.  Thanks Kristin for the parachute!

Miguel

Obstacle course with Miss Kat!

Miss Laura and Deanna

She is just too precious for words.

Of course with this new structure comes new challenges for us as volunteers.  We are now holding class on private property and have to be much more careful about the kids behaviour.  Since throwing rocks and writing on walls are some of the kids favorite rules to break, we as volunteers have to keep a much closer eye on them.  This is of course, easier said than done.  But I am hoping that with these better enforced rules and new structure, the kids will learn to better respect the rules of class and overall, it will only make the Limes program a much better experience for everyone.

I am so excited for the future of the Limes Program and am so happy that I got to be a part of something that will be so lasting for these kids and the SO volunteers in the future.

Limes My Little Loves

We kicked off the Limes Program for the term yesterday.  It was SO great to see all my little loves again.  I have missed them so much since the end of last term.  I don't know what I'm going to do in May when we leave Grenada for good.  I've been telling Josh that maybe he needs to do his clinicals here in Grenada.  So far, that's a big NO GO. 

We spent the first two days of class in total chaos.  But what am I saying?  EVERY day is total chaos with these kids.  But we've been having fun and I don't think we've scared away any of the new volunteers...YET. 

Oh and Kelsey, they've all been asking about you.  And it's been killing me having to tell them you aren't going to be back.  Don't worry, you are very missed and they haven't forgotten about you at all.

People Say We Monkey Around

Amber, one of Kelsey's good friends, and a former Grenada SO (her hubby's now in clinicals and yes, we are all jealous) has been visiting Grenada this past week.  The two of them have been doing just about everything that Grenada has to offer and they have been kind enough to include me in their many excursions. 

Last week, we went up to Annandale Falls.  This was my second time there.  You can read about my first trip HERE.  When we arrived, there was an exciting little friend there to greet us!

Jack the monkey!

A big thanks to Amber for many of these great pics!

What kind of monkey is he?  Heck, I don't know. A cute one!

Although some of us were more fond of him than others.

Kelsey was not his biggest fan. Haha!

I LOVED him.  I wanted to take him home right then and there.  Do you think Josh would mind?  Maybe I need to start searching the Grenadian jungle for a baby monkey.  Who needs a puppy when you can have a monkey!  After lots of oohing and ahhing and squealing in terror on Kelsey's part, we headed to the waterfall.

We swam in the water until we realized, thanks to a guide, that there are TONS of freshwater fish in there.  I suppose I knew there had to be some fish in that water.  But I really didn't need it pointed out to me as I was swimming in it!  We went up under the waterfall and overall just really enjoyed ourselves.

So who wants to go monkey hunting with me?!? 

Limes T-Shirts!

About a month ago, Kelsey and I decided that we wanted to do something special for the Limes kids.  So we did a little online research and ended up designing some Limes t-shirts for all the kids and volunteers!  We had them shipped to an SO named Amber who came to visit this week.  She packed all 80 shirts in her suitcase (and my new camera), what a trooper! And we are so thankful.  We handed out the shirts to the kids today and spent most of the afternoon taking pictures and playing games.  They were absolutely thrilled to get these new shirts.  I doubt that most of these kids ever get anything other than absolute necessities (and sometimes not even that).  It was nice to give them something that they don't necessarily need, but is more for fun.  I know that on random days, I'm going to see little kids walking around Grenada in their bright lime green shirts and it will put a huge smile on my face everytime.  It was a great afternoon.

Kelsey and I

Limes After School Program!

Lots is going on in the Limes Program.  Our newest undertaking is the possibility of building a structure that we could use daily at one of the preschools across the field.  We have to come up with the funds and stuff, but it would be amazing to have our own Limes building.  It would create much more structure for the kids and would keep out some of the distractions that come from many local adult males that always seem to want to harass us on a daily basis.  Keep the prayers coming that we can get this moving along.  I am nervous because Kelsey is leaving the island in December for good and I desperately want to be able to keep the program moving forward.  I want to continue to make as much of an impact on these children as I can for the remainder of our time on this little island.  And leaving a building for them to use would certainly be very lasting.

For now, I will be happy with the things we have already been able to do and accomplish with these kids and thankful for the opportunity I have had to be involved in their lives. 

Jump Around

This week has been JAM PACKED with things to do!  Which explains why my blog has fallen to the wayside.  Don't worry though, I plan to do lots of catching up over the weekend.

Yesterday, the SO's went to La Sagesse Beach.  This was my second trip there and after going again, I wondered why I haven't gone again sooner.  I love this beach!  La Sagesse is beautiful.  The day was perfect, the breeze felt great, and minus my husband, all of my other favorite people on the island were there.

 Kelsey and I walked the sand and found lots of cool beach finds. Including this teeny tiny conch shell. I love it!

And I really love that Kelsey girl too!  What can I say, she's growing on me. :)  Too bad she leaves in December.

Then things started to get a little silly.  Kelsey and I have this "high burst" shutter speed on our camera.  So we started to "jump around" a bit.

Yup, this girl has still got it.

It was pretty hilarious.  But maybe you had to be there. 

I finished off the day with a little palm tree swingin'.

The SO's had such a great time.  I think there were 27 SO's and 10 kids that came.  What a turnout!  I am going to promise myself I won't wait 3 months before I go back to La Sagesse again.

About 1/2 of the group.