Living A Dream in 2016
Patrick & Jonathan (Joint) - Jamaica 2016
Part 1 - Patrick - IB Student at IST
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At the height of GCSE season, a whole school assembly was arranged to be after one of my exams. I remember sitting down in the new auditorium for the first time and listening, in disbelief, to an opportunity of a lifetime. The Live Your Dream Foundation was offering IST students funding to “live their dream”. A glance to my left and a synchronised nod with my friend, Jonathan, and we knew we couldn’t afford to let this great opportunity slip away from us.
For the past four years, and I think everyone in the school can vouch for this, I have had the pleasure to stand alongside my best friend, Jonathan Beecham, through thick and thin. Our love of music, our principles and our humour became our glue and he has stood beside me. From shaky moments of confidence in Triple Science classes to irritating (for the teacher) cynicism in English, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by my side. Cliché as it sounds, he balances me and together we are better.
“Music, it has to be music related”
“Well of course”
Or, at least, that’s how I remember the conversation going. After a lot of internet research we finally came across the Jamaica Volunteer Program – to volunteer in Jamaica giving to their community and change our own lives, experiencing the rich, Jamaican culture. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Blagnac to Kingston. Stopovers (maybe even eleven hours’ worth!) in Heathrow and Miami are required. School’s out this year on 30th June and then two sleeps and we jet off on the Saturday.
Whilst there Jonathan and I will take part in educating children about our music in primary schools and orphanages. We will also provide support, help children with their homework and maybe even give a hand to some building maintenance. The point is, we are there to give underprivileged children some light relief. It’s here that I think I will struggle the most. I have had no experience in less developed countries and working in orphanages will be both physically, but more importantly, emotionally draining. On the weekends the program offers us the chance to take part in cultural immersion trips learning about the Jamaican culture and music.
This is a dream trip for me because it incorporates the idea of helping others, experiencing another “world”, which will give me a deeper appreciation of my own incredibly fortunate life, and learning about one of the most loved and globally recognisable music genres ever. I am incredibly grateful for the help of all the teachers involved and the generosity of the Rao family.
For the past four years, and I think everyone in the school can vouch for this, I have had the pleasure to stand alongside my best friend, Jonathan Beecham, through thick and thin. Our love of music, our principles and our humour became our glue and he has stood beside me. From shaky moments of confidence in Triple Science classes to irritating (for the teacher) cynicism in English, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by my side. Cliché as it sounds, he balances me and together we are better.
“Music, it has to be music related”
“Well of course”
Or, at least, that’s how I remember the conversation going. After a lot of internet research we finally came across the Jamaica Volunteer Program – to volunteer in Jamaica giving to their community and change our own lives, experiencing the rich, Jamaican culture. Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Blagnac to Kingston. Stopovers (maybe even eleven hours’ worth!) in Heathrow and Miami are required. School’s out this year on 30th June and then two sleeps and we jet off on the Saturday.
Whilst there Jonathan and I will take part in educating children about our music in primary schools and orphanages. We will also provide support, help children with their homework and maybe even give a hand to some building maintenance. The point is, we are there to give underprivileged children some light relief. It’s here that I think I will struggle the most. I have had no experience in less developed countries and working in orphanages will be both physically, but more importantly, emotionally draining. On the weekends the program offers us the chance to take part in cultural immersion trips learning about the Jamaican culture and music.
This is a dream trip for me because it incorporates the idea of helping others, experiencing another “world”, which will give me a deeper appreciation of my own incredibly fortunate life, and learning about one of the most loved and globally recognisable music genres ever. I am incredibly grateful for the help of all the teachers involved and the generosity of the Rao family.
Jamaica Part 2 - Jonathan - IB Student at IST
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Through the “Live Your Dream Foundation”, I will be volunteering in the Caribbean island of Jamaica with my good friend Patrick Ferris. We have known each other for over five years at IST and we have a very strong bond of friendship although we are quite different in personality. To travel to Jamaica we will be taking a number of flights, from Toulouse to London-Heathrow and then Heathrow to Kingston, Jamaica. On our return trip we will travel via Miami. Our adventure will be from the 2nd of July to the 24th of July 2016.
Patrick and I talked through our dreams together and we decided that we both want to help others, giving something to those less fortunate whilst also experiencing a new culture together. We will be volunteering in orphanages, schools and maybe even contribute to some construction work. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is experiencing and understanding the amazing culture of Jamaica. Personally I feel that I may face a fair few physical challenges such as adapting to a tropical climate, different food, jet-lag…etc. But I feel that this trip will also really test my emotional strength. The one that will hit the hardest is probably realising how privileged I am to live a healthy and advantageous lifestyle here in Europe. It may make me rethink how I choose to live my life, to appreciate it a lot more and help me in my decisions as I leave IST.
Patrick and I love music. Music is an important aspect of Jamaica and is deeply rooted in its culture and way of life. I also believe we are both generous in spirit in our activities in and out of school. The volunteer program that we will be part of is the perfect combination for us as we can give something to Jamaica whilst also gaining experiences, skills and knowledge in return. Being able to travel to another part of the world through a school scheme is a very fortunate position to be in.
I would like to thank once again the “James Rao – Live Your Dream Foundation” for giving Patrick and I the opportunity to embark on such a trip. It truly will be an amazing journey where I will get to know myself better whilst making a difference to others. It will give me memories of a lifetime.
Thank You.
Patrick and I talked through our dreams together and we decided that we both want to help others, giving something to those less fortunate whilst also experiencing a new culture together. We will be volunteering in orphanages, schools and maybe even contribute to some construction work. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is experiencing and understanding the amazing culture of Jamaica. Personally I feel that I may face a fair few physical challenges such as adapting to a tropical climate, different food, jet-lag…etc. But I feel that this trip will also really test my emotional strength. The one that will hit the hardest is probably realising how privileged I am to live a healthy and advantageous lifestyle here in Europe. It may make me rethink how I choose to live my life, to appreciate it a lot more and help me in my decisions as I leave IST.
Patrick and I love music. Music is an important aspect of Jamaica and is deeply rooted in its culture and way of life. I also believe we are both generous in spirit in our activities in and out of school. The volunteer program that we will be part of is the perfect combination for us as we can give something to Jamaica whilst also gaining experiences, skills and knowledge in return. Being able to travel to another part of the world through a school scheme is a very fortunate position to be in.
I would like to thank once again the “James Rao – Live Your Dream Foundation” for giving Patrick and I the opportunity to embark on such a trip. It truly will be an amazing journey where I will get to know myself better whilst making a difference to others. It will give me memories of a lifetime.
Thank You.
