Once upon a time, 19 grown ups boarded a magical reggae bus and rode up the windy road to Queen Elizabeth’s Home for Orphans.
When they arrived, they found a few new friends and an afternoon of fun and games.
But the fun didn’t stop there. … It continues almost every day of the week.
- Monday: Queen Elizabeth Home for Children Orphanage. Meet at school and take a bus up there.
- Tuesday: Limes After School Program. Meet at the Texaco roundabout and walk back there.
- Wednesday: Limes After School Program. Meet at the Texaco roundabout and walk back there.
- Thursday: Limes After School Program. Meet at the Texaco roundabout and walk back there.
- Friday: Nothing … yet
- Saturday: Grand Anse beach day with orphans from either Queen Elizabeth Home or Bel Aire Home
- Sunday: Church
Volunteer opportunities in Grenada are as numerous as the little faces you see wandering the streets. About 40 crooked grins and shining personalities fill two children’s orphanages on the southern half of the island. Most were taken from their homes because of abuse too evil to mention here. Others are special needs. Still others came from homes that just couldn’t feed them. None of them are over 12 years old. After 12, children are sent their separate ways to boys and girls homes around the island.
However, the orphans know that they are going to be fed three square meals a day. Many more children here don’t have that luxury.
That is where the Limes program steps in. You can read more about it in a previous blog post here. After school, up to 40 kids from the poorer neighborhoods flood the soccer fields looking for something to keep them out of trouble. St. George’s University wives, husbands and everyone in between step up to the task.
Some are in middle school, while others are elementary school kids caring for their pre-school aged siblings.
On Saturdays, the Orphan Student Organization takes to the beach and with lifejackets attached, the children splash in the waves. I stayed dry and in the shade with the little babies and a few SGU friends.
Just look how much fun we have!
If you are interested in volunteering in Grenada, you can contact our wonderful volunteer coordinators Kelsey Coghill and Stephanie Scurlock.
