Day 4: Vaughansfield Primary School and the Caves at Camp Milbrooks

While preparing for the iLEAD Jamaica expedition back in Canada, we were told that we would have the opportunity to visit a local elementary school. This excited us as none of us had ever experienced the conditions of schools, much less a rural school, in a developing country first-hand. Once we arrived at Vaughansfield Infant and Primary School, we noticed conditions such as small school size, large class sizes, lack of school supplies, and the distance students have to walk to and from the institution. Us Canadians are lucky to have school buses, that's for sure. The contrast between this Jamaican school and the Canadian schools  we had been exposed to surprised most of us.

Kindergarten class

Unfortunately, we missed visiting the school on Jamaica Day by one day, when they would have worn the Jamaican national colours - yellow, black, and green. Fortunately, some students gifted us with the performance of a traditional dance called The Dinky Mini. I personally could not stop smiling at how enthusiastic the students were to share a piece of their culture with us.

Students perform the Dinky Mini

Dakota watches the dancing with kids from grades 1 and 2

After visiting the school, we headed to Camp Milbrooks for a second time, where we ventured into the "bush". We walked along the path the Maroons would have used in order to hide from plantation owners and British soldiers in the local caves. There are several caves located on Camp Milbrooks' property. Although, we only had the chance to visit the closest cave, it was an experience I will never forget.

Climbing the trail leading to the first cave

View from the cave

 The cave was used by the Maroons as a home while hiding from slave owners.

Exploring the cave

While at the camp, Richard (the owner) explained to us exactly how he envisions his property to be in the future, showing us where the museum, gift shop/visitors centre, amphitheatre, and wellness centre will be located. He mentioned how important it was for him to move business from the city centres to the rural areas of Jamaica. That's exactly what he wants to do with the development of Camp Milbrooks, as well as with educational programs for local farmers and students. Richard wants locals to understand what resources they have around them, what properties these resources contain, and how to be sustainable with the use of those resources. He stated, "Most importantly, I want it to be a place where educators and students can come and learn about what they see there". Richard is more focused on the community development and educational portion of his business than the profit side.

- Written by Dakota O'Hara