Some Photos - Week Two

Some photos to give you a taste of week two of Camp Sylvester 2011.

Women's mentoring group show off their craft

Uncle Graham's work boys

Bonnie

Minute to Win It

Billy dealing with the unwanted guest in the kids' bathroom

Hockey night in Anse La Verdure

Morgan the Astronomer

The ever-popular "Drip drip drop"

More Rain

While we hear that Toronto continues to await some rain, we have more than enough.  It has been raining every night and for the past few days we have had more and more downpours.  On Monday night, while taking Sandra up after dinner, the van got stuck part way up our driveway.  The conditions were so slippery that it quickly became obvious that we would not be able to safely go up or down.

Scott, Graham and Morgan came to the rescue in the 4x4 jeep and we placed cement blocks behind each tire.  We had hoped to return the next morning to reassess the situation in daylight.  However, the rains continued during the night and off and on throughout the day.  Finally, we were able to arrange for the rental company to come down with another 4X4 to pull the van up the steepest part of the hill.  A tow truck would have charged $400.00 to pull us up the short hill.  We are so grateful to Solomon for coming down and helping us out.

Today we will head to Castries after camp to exchange the van for another 4x4 jeep.  As I write this all the children have had to stay under the roof in the courtyard all morning as we have struggled with the noise of the heavy rains and thunder that keeps passing through.  It appears that the decision to change vehicles is right for this time of year and that in future we will have to use only 4x4 vehicles despite the space restrictions.

This week at camp Auntie Chara and Auntie Michaela are leading us through a week on stars.  Using skits, books, crafts, games and lots of activities the children have been totally engaged in learning lots of facts about constellations, asteroids and our star, the sun.  They have arranged regular visits from Mr. Astronomer (Morgan) who reinforces the day’s facts and provides some strange ones of his own.

Today, while discussing the constellations, we had a visit from a lost traveler (Scott) who seemed to be channeling Johnny Depp.  Apparently, he was trying to reach Toronto but had lost him GPS overboard and had been relying on the stars to navigate.  The children helped him get his directions straight and wished him safe travels.

- Auntie Shel 

St Mary's College

I am currently sitting with Garvey on a bench outside the principle’s office at St. Mary’s Boys College.  This is the top school on the island.  We are meeting this morning to decide if Garvey will continue here, repeating Form 3 or if it is best to transfer him to another school for Form 4.

After long discussion amongst the team, with Garvey, and with his mother, we feel it will be best if he is allowed to remain at the college and repeat Form 3 in order to address the many gaps that have now appeared in virtually all the subject areas.

Last year Garvey was 3^rd in his class but this year he has really struggled.  It has become obvious that there are a number of factors, which need to be addressed.  These include more reliable transportation, better nutrition, and additional tutoring in several major subjects.  There will also need to be a major change in Garvey’s study habits and commitment to school work if he is to continue at this school.

Our appointment was set for 10:00 am.  At 10:50 the principle had still not arrived at the school.  It was 11:15 before a very nervous Garvey and I met with the principle.  This is just another one of the concerns island wide with education.  It is difficult to find good examples for the students to follow.

Once the principle finally arrived he focused on Garvey’s poor attendance record and failure to produce a letter from his mother, especially for missed tests and exams.  However, once I clarified that Garvey would need to write the letters himself and that he often came to school without food, the principle’s tone changed completely.  In the end, he agreed to allow Garvey to return to the school for Form 3, to allow us to establish a meal account in the cafeteria, provided the book list so that we can ensure that Garvey has all the materials necessary this year, and to assist with extra help if necessary.

Garvey was very relieved by the outcome but still doesn’t seem to fully understand that this may be his last chance.  During the meeting it became clear that Garvey’s results would make it difficult to secure him a spot in many of the local schools and that space might not be available for him at any school within a reasonable distance.  Throughout the next few weeks we will take every opportunity to impress upon Garvey how hard he must work this year if he wants to continue working towards his dreams for a higher education.

Back at camp, Blythe and Zoe are settling in well after arriving on Sunday.  The airport was chaotic as flight after flight arrived.  The immigration line spilled out of the arrivals areas and people had to wait in the hot sun.  For 2 hours I watched as hot, frustrated tourists arrived.  Finally Blythe and Zoe appeared dragging their luggage since all the porters had decided to take a break!

The late arriving West Jet flight is looking better with every airport pick up.  By the time the WJ flight arrives the airport is quiet again and all the passengers come through quickly and easily.

Herb and Chris left yesterday after a great week of sports and our 8^th annual Olympics.  The campers had a great time and we are finding that this year’s crop of junior leaders is doing a fantastic job.


- Auntie Shel 

Camp Sylvester Week 1 - Some Photos

Here's a few photos of our first week of camp - as taken by Scott and Mareika.

Pre-Camp Update & Beginning of Camp Sylvester 2011

We are having internet problems this week so I am sending this out
quickly while in Castries.
Teaching week ending with a fantastic celebration of the
accomplishments of the Grade 6 students who, once again, placed 1st
in the district along with the Grade 2 class at the Infant School.
The top student in the district was also from Canaries Primary School
which is an amazing accomplishment.
Herb and I really enjoyed working with this group of Grade 6 students
and it was obvious that they would be successful. Thanks to Auntie
Kate for letting us take a turn running this program. Hopefully, next
year, we will be able to continue with the new group of Grade 6
students and run another special program with the Grade 5s.

Val left on Saturday after reorganizing and cataloging the books in
the Infant School library that survived Hurricane Tomas. As I write
this however, we are still trying to track down our shipment. There
were obviously delays at sea but due to Carnival, there has been
nothing happening in the government offices for almost a week. I was
able to confirm that the container was "unstuffed" today and we are
trying to expedite the paperwork for customs clearance. Realistically
this might mean that we will be able to begin unpacking the goods by
Monday.

Scott, Morgan, Mareika and Graham all arrived safely on Sunday and our
4 Sports week has gone very well. Chris has added a fitness session
with the older campers after swimming using his coaching talents.
There were some stiff bodies this morning but everyone seemed eager to
continue.

Early yesterday morning we got word that 84 year old Marcella had died
suddenly. Marcella was diabetic and bed ridden for the past several
years. She was being cared for by a daughter who received one of our
monthly blessing bags to help her. Marcella is the grandmother and
great grandmother of several of our campers so we expect to attend her
funeral once the family has made arrangements.

Please pray for peace for her family and safe travel for those who
will come from abroad. Also pray for a co-perative spirit among the
children at camp. We have added several new children and we are
sensing some jealousy right now.

Blessings;

Auntie Shel

First Few Days

Everyone arrived safely on 2 different flights along with a very largepile of luggage.  Chara and Michaela have set a new record for baggage
weight, 92.5 lbs full of craft supplies.  Thanks to Tina and West Jet
for helping to expedite 5 bags that were close to the record.  Herb,
Chris, Val and I managed to bring down 9 bags that each hovered just
over 50 lbs via Air Canada.

By 8 pm Sunday night we had managed to unload all the luggage, have a
delicious light meal prepared by Sandra and Joanna and begin to
prepare resources  our week in the schools.

There have been a number of changes already due to government
workshops and problems with the computer lab but, as usual, the team
has pulled together and made the best of it.  Val has been doing an
inventory in the new library while she awaits the arrival of our
shipment, Chara and Michaela have been working with the Kindergarten
and Grade One students, and Chris has been trying to get the computer
lab functioning well enough to introduce both students and teachers to
some exciting Math resources.  He finally succeeded this morning and
an excited group of Grade 5 students began to see what was there to
help them.  Meanwhile, Herb and I are doing the graduation week
activities with the 24  Grade 6 students.

I have attached a few pictures to help you see what is happening.

Blessings to all

Auntie Shel