Since we have been in Grenada Walter & I have been involved in volunteering for the Mt. Aires Young Readers Program. It has been by far the most meaningful activity for us while here in Grenada.
The Mt. Airy Young Reader's Program was established in 2006 by Mrs. Jeanne Pascal and recently celebrated its seventh anniversary. This program is intended to assist young Grenadian students who need extra attention in improving their reading skills. Each Saturday morning, these children—typically 25 or more—gather up at Mr. & Mrs. Pascal's beautiful mountain top home where their garage has been converted into a large well-equipped classroom. This program is entirely reliant on volunteers and donations from the Grenada community. However, in August 2008, the cruising community learned of the program and has been very proactive in volunteering their time each Saturday in order to provide the children with the one-on-one attention they need.
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| One of the assistants hands out the books used |
Each week starts with Margy on S/V Inspiration announcing volunteer opportunities on the VHF CH 66 radio net. She organizes and coordinates 14 volunteers to be picked up each Saturday morning. A local mini-bus driver, Keith, volunteers his time and we all pay a small fee to help with gas. As we arrive Jeanne is always there at the gate to greet us with a big smile and a hug. She is such an inspiration to watch as she runs the program with just enough strictness to keep the children respectful and paying attention, always a challenge with younger kids. The children all come voluntarily and are delightful and full of enthusiasm.
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| There are lots of educational games for the children following their reading time.
We start off the morning in a big circle holding hands and say the Lord's Prayer and sing a few songs. As we clap and sing "Go Read A Book." the children learn how simple it is to open their world by learning to read. Mrs. Pascal then divides the kids into reading groups. Sometimes you are one-on-one with a student, which is ideal, and sometimes you have up to three children -- usually of similar reading ability. Next you head off to find a comfortable and cool (with the mountain breezes blowing through) spot to read together.
My favorite age is the 5- and 6-year-old girls. They are so sweet and love to wrap themselves around your arms as they read. They are also fascinated with the lighter colored hair of most of the cruiser women, and like to run their fingers through it while you read. But it can be difficult to keep them on task
Some are excellent young readers while others struggle with each new word. Each week it is wonderful to see the effort and progress they are making. Mrs. Pascal is always trying to open up new horizons for the children by reading a book about Black American hero's like Jackie Joyner Kersee, Arthur Ashe, and Maya Angelou.
At first we felt ill-equipped to be teachers but soon realized it was more about the overall experience and bonding with the children. Each week we got better at keeping them on task and relaxed and enjoyed our time with the children.
Following the reading and play time we again sit in a big circle and the children practice their spelling words and time tables. They stand up say the word, spell it, and then make a sentence using the word. The times tables are recited - one three is three; two threes are six, etc. up to 12. A story may be read and a few announcements made before it is time for a little punch and a snack. Jeanne makes sure there is enough for all the children and volunteers too.
It is amazing what a difference a group of volunteers can make in a community. We are so thankful we have had the opportunity to be a part of the Mt. Aires Reading Program and are going to miss the children when we leave Grenada. Hopefully someday we may return to see them again.
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