Getting to know about SCB…
Students Crossing Borders (SCB) is an amazing non-profit
organization that supports the different initiatives taken in the community
since 1991 with the partnership of Seneca College in Kingston, Jamaica. SCB was originally started by Fintan Kilbride, who was a high school teacher. In 2005, the leadership of SCB was transferred to Lynn Caruso; who was the first year coordinator of the Early Childhood Education at Seneca college. As she passed away, the leadership role of SCB was transferred to one of her colleagues Terry Kelly and former group of students by the names of Rima Dib, Caitlin Wood, and Farnoosh Droodgar. There
are three trips that they organize every year to Jamaica. The trips usually
take place in the month of February, May, and July by taking group of individuals
such as educators, students, and other professionals who are interested in
volunteering in different projects to support the community in Jamaica.
- “Educating privileged people about the reality of poverty and awakening in them a sense of responsibility towards change.”
- “Providing opportunities for those people to participate in change making on many levels both in Canada and Jamaica.”
- “Earning trust and respect from community partners through open-minded relationship building and communication.”
- “Fullfilling community-initiated projects sustainably and collaboratively.”
(Students
Crossing Borders, 2013)
Kelcey's view
Who works with SCB?
During the SCB trips, there are many different communities that we go to lend a hand ,but the most important thing to know is that we are at the communities to support and do what is needed for the different communities in Kingston , Jamaica .
One of the main contributors for SCB is the Dominican Sisters of Peace who are a Catholic Organization in Columbus ,Ohio who had an interest in what SCB was doing and their approach to the work that they did in Jamaica ,so they partnered with them in 2010 via Sister Gene Poore. They got a grant in the amount of $100 000 through the Catholic Health Initiatives which is mostly focused on youth leadership and empowerment. The Dominican Sisters of Peace is now taking on more of a leadership role funded by the LEAD program which stands for (Leadership Empowerment Action and Development).
One of the communities that are visited when SCB goes to Jamaica is Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Development Centre which is a school for younger children from ages 2 to 6 years old and the Riverton community as a whole.Another site that is visited is in the Mustard Seed Communities that is well known catholic organization in Jamaica and they have 12 centers across the island of Jamaica. The places that are a focal point when going to Jamaica are homes for orphaned and abandoned children living with HIV/AIDS. There are three homes, in the community which is in big compound called Jerusalem! The places where we go are Matthew 25, Martha’s House and Dare to Care which is in Spanish Town and it is 15 minutes west of Kingston, Jamaica.
(Students Crossing Borders, 2013)
Why we chose to advocate about SCB?
Kelcey's view
I thought that Students Crossing Borders
was an amazing organization that not only helped the different communities in Jamaica;
they supported the communities in whatever they needed. I had first-hand
experience with this organization going on the trip in February 2012, which was
an amazing experience. As soon as I
heard about SCB I wanted to go, I started making a plan on what I can do to
fundraise money so that I can go on the trip. I decided then to do a bake sale
during Christmas time selling Blue berry, Black and fruit cake which was a
great success as I made enough money to go to the trip to Jamaica. As I got there,
it was beyond any of my expectations, I wanted to go to help and support the
community in any way I can. When I went on the trip, we set-up after-school activities for the children in the community which was so great to because you saw how
much the children loved doing the different activities like painting
,beading etc and how doing these activities
made them happy and how they like spending time with us as we were in the
different communities. Students Crossing Borders was a wonderful experience and
I hope to go back soon as it was one of best experiences that I have had and
one thing about this organization is that they advocate for children in Jamaica
who might not have the same opportunities that we have and putting that into
perspective.
Madiha's view
I thought that working with children and supporting them in
any way I could was an important part of what I always wanted to do. The reason
to advocate for Students Crossing Borders is that it helps children and their
families in Kingston, Jamaica. As soon as I heard about the organization in my
5th semester of the Bachelor Child Development Degree program
at Seneca College, I found it fascinating because working
with children in Jamaica could be a brilliant and rewarding experience. I
thought that I would be able to meet amazing people, and learn new skills but
at the same time I could make a difference to their lives by providing them
with the vital education and care. I have already started to think about
the ways to fundraise money so that I could go on the trip with the SCB team. I hope that the day would come soon!
