It was strange having everyone else wave goodbye to me today as I headed down to the airport. I am the only member of Team 4 that is flying Air Canada. I just spoke to TiTi and Sylvanus, our van driver, had managed to fit everyone in with all the luggage. They should arrive here in about 1 hour with lots of time to make their flight. I may even see them briefly before I have to board my flight.
Yesterday we completed the mysterious process of making Camp Sylvester disappear. Thanks to Auntie Chara and help from Meridith and Bethany, we now have a very accurate craft inventory. We are going to focus next year's crafts on using coffee filters, beads and skewers. These items could be combined for some very unique projects! Chara expects that next year's craft budget could be kept to zero with careful planning. She certainly knows how to make me smile.
Yesterday everyone except Michaela travelled to the rainforest and the hot baths at New Jerusalem. What a lovely way to relax and deal with the stiff muscles caused by all the packing. There was also a brief chance for the Team 4 members to do a "speed shop" in Soufriere.
Last night we went up to the village for our final "dinner up top", prepared by Leona. As always the food was delicious and more than we could possibly eat. Before dinner, we met with our campers to hand out their Blessing Bags which included rice, flour, sugar, lentils, beans, tuna, milk and sardines. While we realize that the food provided is not much, it does allow the parents to re-direct their limited resources to purchasing the books, uniforms etc needed for their children.
While in the village we got word that Marie had done very well in her CXC exams and should receive her acceptance letter to A level college shortly. This is so exciting! She has worked very hard and continues to stay very focused on continuing her education. She hopes to enter the medical profession in the future and we believe she can do it.
Not all the news this week was good. For several years we have struggled to accomodate 2 young men at camp. CJ has been with us from the beginning. As the years progressed CJ's developmental delays became more apparent and it became more difficult to facilitate his participation in our programs. Last year we tried including him in the older boys carpentry program but found it was very stressful for
the volunteers in charge. This year, with TiTi's support, we tried placing him in the kitchen to help out. Unfortunately, this also proved to be too challenging for both CJ and the kitchen staff. Reluctantly, we have decided that we will not be able to include him in camp next year.
The other boy, Iman, has been with us for several years. We have found it challenging to accommodate his Rastafarian ways and dietary restrictions. His attendance has always been a problem as well has his attitude. We felt we could not move him into junior leadership nor would he be able to participate in the carpentry program. Both require regular attendance, good co-operation, and strong listening
skills. On Friday however, the decision was made for us. Iman was discovered smoking marijuana on the property next door. This was an unexpected first. Iman was asked to leave camp immediately and I made it clear that this would be his last year. It is always difficult to admit that we are not able to help every camper and that some situations must be accepted but not condoned. I reminded Iman that he is a smart boy, but that he was making choices that we couldn't accept. I wished
him well and watched him walk up the driveway for the last time. I can only hope that he will be able to make his way in life.
As I drove back and forth to Castries each afternoon for the past week, I noticed how many young men are simply sitting by the side of the road, watching as life passes them by. Far too many still do not have even a basic education. Without this, they are forced to compete with hundreds of experienced labourers who are also struggling to find work.
There is certainly lots of work that needs to be done to repair the infrastructure of the island that was so badly damaged by Thomas. However, the government has very little tax base to use to fund all the projects that are incomplete or have yet to be started. As I drove to the airport today, I had to stop as rocks and dirt from the most recent landslide was being loaded into heavy trucks and hauled away. The roads crews never seem to be able to get ahead of the situation.
Please pray for the continued safety and health of the people of St. Lucia. In particular, remember the students, teachers, campers, women and seniors who join with us each year. May God bless and protect them.
Blessings to all;
Auntie Shel
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