Peace Corps Jamaica Welcome Book - September 2010

THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO
Jamaica
A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS
September 2010
Jamaica Map
A WELCOME LETTER
Dear Future Peace Corps Volunteer:
On behalf of the currently serving Volunteers, trainers, and staff of Peace Corps/Jamaica, I congratulate you on
your decision to participate in the upcoming pre-service training and to serve as a Volunteer in this beautiful
but challenging Caribbean island. Your presence in the training class signifies the beginning of your Peace
Corps experience in Jamaica and we look forward to meeting you upon your arrival in Kingston.
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer myself, I understand why you are excited about your country of
assignment that will be your new home for the next two years. Jamaica is an advanced developing country with
a fascinating history and a place where many cultures blend. But, while you may be committed to this
important new endeavor, I also understand why you may be somewhat apprehensive about living overseas. We
all have similar feelings about the unknown. This is normal. You may have questions and we, the staff and
Volunteers, will do our best to answer as many as we can when we meet. With time, as you begin to integrate
into Jamaican culture, you will be able to answer many on your own. The staff and I are here to support you
and help you achieve a successful and rewarding two years of Volunteer service.
Shortly after your arrival, you will have the opportunity to meet your associate Peace Corps director (APCD),
who will be the manager of your sector project, your mentor, and your immediate contact for many cross-
cultural and work-related technical issues. You will also meet the programming and training officer, training
director, training coordinators, community facilitators, Volunteer leaders, Volunteers, and support staff who
will help you get to know Jamaica, your assignment, and your host community.
During pre-service training and beyond, you will face many challenges and your patience may be tried to its
limits. However, if you come here with an open mind, a warm heart, and a good sense of humor, I am
confident you will adapt to Jamaica and do very well. In that regard, I’d like to share this thought, written by
former Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan, titled “At Home in the World: The Peace Corps Story”:
“While the responsibilities are diverse, every Peace Corps Volunteer’s job has one common trait: it is hard
work that requires self-motivation, determination, patience, and sacrifice. There are moments of great
frustration, as well as achievement and the joy of making friendships that last a lifetime. The ability of Peace
Corps Volunteers to overcome these personal and professional challenges is what makes them such special
people and able to be successful overseas.”
Indeed, I cannot emphasize strongly enough how the quality of your Peace Corps experiences here in Jamaica
will depend mostly on you: the initiative you take; your commitment to tough work; your resilience, patience,
and flexibility in facing unexpected situations; your ability to adapt to a culture different from your own; and
your choices in managing risk to assure your personal safety and security.
This Welcome Book is intended to help you understand the commitment you are about to make. It was prepared
by Volunteers and staff to help you get off to a good start in becoming a member of the Peace Corps/Jamaica
family and to begin to understand and function within the Jamaican culture.
PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

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If you feel you have sufficient commitment, self-motivation, resourcefulness, and flexibility to carry out the
duties and responsibilities of a Peace Corps Volunteer, then we look forward to you joining the Volunteers
who are currently serving in Jamaica.
Country Director
Carla Ellis

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CONTENTS
A WELCOME LETTER ................................................................................................................................ 1

CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................... 3
CORE EXPECTATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 6
FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS ......................................................................................................... 6
PEACE CORPS/JAMAICA HISTORY AND PROGRAMS .................................................................... 7
History of the Peace Corps in Jamaica ............................................................................................ 7
History and Future of Peace Corps Programming in Jamaica ....................................................... 7
COUNTRY OVERVIEW: JAMAICA AT A GLANCE ............................................................................ 8
History ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Government....................................................................................................................................... 8
Economy ........................................................................................................................................... 8
People and Culture............................................................................................................................ 9
Environment ...................................................................................................................................... 9
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................... 10
General Information About Jamaica ............................................................................................. 10
Online Articles/Current News Sites About Jamaica .................................................................... 11
International Development Sites About Jamaica.......................................................................... 11
Recommended Books ..................................................................................................................... 11
LIVING CONDITIONS AND VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE ................................................................... 13
Communications ............................................................................................................................. 13
Housing and Site Location ............................................................................................................. 14
Living Allowance and Money Management................................................................................. 14
Food and Diet.................................................................................................................................. 14
Transportation ................................................................................................................................. 15
Geography and Climate .................................................................................................................. 15
Social Activities .............................................................................................................................. 15
Professionalism, Dress, and Behavior ........................................................................................... 15
Personal Safety ............................................................................................................................... 16
Rewards and Frustrations ............................................................................................................... 16
PEACE CORPS TRAINING ....................................................................................................................... 18
Overview of Pre-Service Training ................................................................................................. 18
Technical Training .......................................................................................................................... 18
Language Training .......................................................................................................................... 19
Cross-Cultural Training.................................................................................................................. 19
Medical Training ............................................................................................................................ 19
Safety Training ............................................................................................................................... 19
Additional Trainings During Volunteer Service........................................................................... 19
YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SAFETY IN JAMAICA ......................................................................... 22
Helping You Stay Healthy ............................................................................................................. 22
Maintaining Your Health ............................................................................................................... 22
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit ...................................................................................................... 23
Medical Kit Contents...................................................................................................................... 23
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist ...................................................................................... 24
Safety and Security—Our Partnership .......................................................................................... 25

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Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk .................................................................................... 25
Staying Safe: Don’t Be a Target for Crime................................................................................... 26
Volunteer Safety Support in Jamaica ............................................................................................ 28
DIVERSITY AND CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES .................................................................................. 29
Overview of Diversity in Jamaica ................................................................................................. 29
What Might a Volunteer Face? ...................................................................................................... 29
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ..................................................................................................... 31
WELCOME LETTERS FROM JAMAICA VOLUNTEERS ................................................................... 34
PACKING LIST ........................................................................................................................................... 38
PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST .............................................................................................................. 41
Family .............................................................................................................................................. 41
Passport/Travel ............................................................................................................................... 41
Medical/Health................................................................................................................................ 41
Insurance ......................................................................................................................................... 41
Personal Papers ............................................................................................................................... 41
Voting .............................................................................................................................................. 41
Personal Effects .............................................................................................................................. 42
Financial Management ................................................................................................................... 42
CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS ............................................................................. 43

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CORE EXPECTATIONS
FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS
In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps Mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee
and Volunteer, you are expected to:
1. Prepare your personal and professional life to make a commitment to serve abroad for a full term of 27
months
2. Commit to improving the quality of life of the people with whom you live and work; and, in doing so, share
your skills, adapt them, and learn new skills as needed
3. Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and with the
flexibility needed for effective service
4. Recognize that your successful and sustainable development work is based on the local trust and confidence
you build by living in, and respectfully integrating yourself into, your host community and culture
5. Recognize that you are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your personal conduct and
professional performance
6. Engage with host country partners in a spirit of cooperation, mutual learning, and respect
7. Work within the rules and regulations of the Peace Corps and the local and national laws of the country
where you serve
8. Exercise judgment and personal responsibility to protect your health, safety, and well-being and that of
others
9. Recognize that you will be perceived, in your host country and community, as a representative of the people,
cultures, values, and traditions of the United States of America
10. Represent responsively the people, cultures, values, and traditions of your host country and community to
people in the United States both during and following your service

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PEACE CORPS/ J AMAICA
HISTORY AND PROGRAMS
Hist ory of t h e Pe ace Corps in J amaica

On February 22, 1962, Norman Washington Manley signed an agreement with the United States government
inviting Peace Corps to have a program in Jamaica. On June 12 of that year, a few weeks before Jamaica’s
independence from England, the first group of Volunteers arrived in Jamaica. There were 37 men and women
and they worked in many, fields including agricultural and vocational education, library development projects,
construction, electricity, and plumbing.
With new groups arriving annually, by 1963 there were about 100 Volunteers serving in Jamaica. Most of
their work was focused on grassroot development projects. Trainees lived with Jamaican host families,
learning the Jamaican culture and cross-cultural differences while adapting to the local language and foods.
Then the agricultural program included fisheries development and hillside farming, while Volunteers were
working in health-related programs as well.
Current assignments are part of a uniform plan that has a significant community development core. While each
project plan has specific tasks and skill requirements, Peace Corps/Jamaica assignments generally involve
facilitating the growth and development of communities and their members in a way that empowers them to
make and carry out better decisions about their own lives. Not all Volunteers are placed in small rural
communities. Sites also exist in small towns, peri-urban centers, and in and around tourist cities such as Ocho
Rios and Negril. Currently no Volunteers are assigned in Kingston, Montego Bay, or Spanish Town.
An age-old dilemma in development work involves charity and dependency versus facilitation and
empowerment. It has been—and still is—easier to give and to “do things yourself” than to help others grow
and learn on their own. But such charity-based practices have proven to be short-lived and unsustainable in
many developing countries, including Jamaica. In Jamaica, you will learn how to build capacity and empower
people to improve their own living conditions, thus making development more fulfilling and sustainable. A
successful development specialist gives ownership of a development or project to the entire community. When
everyone strives to reach a common goal, the effort is conceived, implemented, and achieved with a much
greater sense of ownership, accomplishment, and satisfaction. This sense of ownership by all is the key to
success and sustainability when working in community development.
Hist ory an d Fu t u re of Pe ace Corps Programmin g in J amaica

More than 3,700 Volunteers have served in this hospitable country of loving and dynamic people. Jamaica’s
population faces the same struggles as people in many other island nations. There are many areas where people
still practice subsistence agriculture. Many youth are without jobs or lack the skills to contribute to the
development of their communities. Many children cannot read. In addition, a wealth of biodiversity exists in
the country, and protecting its valuable natural resources, while benefiting from tourism, is essential to
Jamaica’s economy.
At present, more than 90 Peace Corps Volunteers work in the Youth as Promise and the Green Initiative
sectors. Youth as Promise Volunteers work in the areas of literacy development and life skills training. The
Green Initiative focuses on environmental education, agriculture, and environmental health infrastructure.

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COUNTRY OVERVIEW:
J AMAICA AT A GLANCE
Hist ory
Taino Indians inhabited Jamaica prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. The island was then
colonized by the Spanish until they were displaced by the British in 1655. After a long period of direct British
colonial rule, Jamaica gained a degree of local political control in the late 1930s. The island held its first
election under full universal adult suffrage in 1944. Jamaica joined nine other British territories in the West
Indies Federation in 1958, but withdrew in 1961 after Jamaican voters rejected membership. Jamaica gained its
independence from Britain in 1962 and remains a member of the Commonwealth of British affiliates and
former colonies.
Historically, emigration from Jamaica has been heavy. Since the United Kingdom restricted immigration in
1967, the major flow has been to the United States and Canada. In 2005, 17,500 Jamaicans emigrated to the
United States and 56,000 obtained non-immigrant visas.
Gove rn men t
Jamaica’s official head of state is the queen of England, who appoints and is represented in the country by the
governor general. The head of government is the prime minister, who is also the leader of the political party
that wins the electoral majority in the House of Representatives. Members of the Senate are appointed from the
two major parties, the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP). The JLP won the
general election in 2007 after an 18-year rule by the PNP. Members of the House of Representatives serve
five-year terms while members of the Senate are appointed by the governor general with recommendations
from the prime minister. The prime minister is appointed by the governor general.
Econ omy
Jamaica is striving to strengthen its economy and escape from its burden of debt. The government is struggling
to provide the services and education that Jamaicans need to improve their standard of living and to promote
productive enterprise in the country. In 2008, 14.8 percent of Jamaicans were living below the poverty line.
Providing opportunities for marginalized youth is a main concern.
The government’s economic policies encourage foreign investment in areas that will earn foreign exchange,
such as tourism, bauxite, and export crops like coffee, spices, and sugar cane. These areas can curtail or reduce
unemployment, which averages 10.1 percent. Many Jamaicans, however, are significantly underemployed.
Employment can be generated by investments that use the country’s raw materials. The sugar industry is
suffering from a reduction in the European Union quota and chronic low productivity. The government
provides a wide range of incentives to investors, including remittance facilities to assist them in repatriating
funds to their country; tax holidays, which defer taxes for a period of years; and duty-free access for machinery
and raw materials imported for approved enterprises. Free-trade zones have stimulated investment in garment
assembly, light manufacturing, and data entry by foreign firms. However, over the past few years, the garment
industry has suffered from reduced export earnings, factory closures, and rising unemployment. These factors
can be attributed to intense competition, the absence of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
parity, and the high cost of operations, including security costs. The government hopes to further encourage
economic activity through a combination of privatization, financial sector restructuring, and reduced interest
rates.

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Pe ople an d Cu lt u re
Jamaica is a small island nation of 2.8 million people, the majority of whom are of African origin. Other ethnic
groups include East Indians, Chinese, Lebanese, and Europeans. The country’s ethnic diversity is reflected in
the national motto, “Out of Many, One People.” Religion is an important part of the culture, and school days
begin with a devotional exercise, while most meetings open with a prayer. Christianity is the predominant
religion. Members of the Rastafarian sect are a small but visible group, constituting approximately 12 percent
to 15 percent of the population.
As a former British colony, Jamaica is an English-speaking country; however, most Jamaicans speak Patois, a
Jamaican dialect derived from several languages, including English. Music is a significant aspect of the
culture, and the rhythms of reggae, calypso, and soca commonly emanate from dance halls and the streets.
En viron men t
Jamaica is the third largest Caribbean island, located approximately 90 miles south of Cuba. It is 146 miles
long and 45 miles wide at its widest, and boasts 635 miles of coastline. The waters of its north coast are home
to striking coral reefs, white sand beaches, and more than 700 species of fish. The terrain is quite diverse, with
swamps and wetlands in the south, rough terrain in the interior, and the Blue Mountains, whose highest peak
exceeds 7,000 feet and is a watershed for record-breaking rainfall in the country and region.
Residents enjoy a tropical climate, with temperatures generally between 80 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit
throughout the year. During hurricane season, June to November, the island receives rain and sometimes
experiences windy storms; however, most hurricanes pass by without hitting Jamaica directly. Heavy rains do
affect the island even outside of hurricane season, starting as early as April in some areas. Gilbert in 1988 was
one major hurricane to directly hit Jamaica, and Peace Corps Volunteers played an important role in relief and
mitigation efforts in its aftermath. In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan, with wind gusts of more than 140 mph
and torrential rain, hit Jamaica, damaging homes and infrastructure and causing disruptions in water,
telephone, and electrical services. Fortunately, the eye of Hurricane Ivan veered slightly south, and Jamaica
was spared from total devastation. Similarly, Jamaica was again spared the ravages of two hurricanes (Dennis
and Emily) that occurred within a week of each other in July 2005; and luck continued to hold through 2006.
In the 2007 hurricane season, the country responded to Hurricane Dean and then Tropical Storm Gustav in
2008.

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RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Following is a list of websites for additional information about the Peace Corps and Jamaica and to connect
you to returned Volunteers and other invitees. Please keep in mind that although we try to make sure all these
links are active and current, we cannot guarantee it. If you do not have access to the Internet, visit your local
library. Libraries offer free Internet usage and often let you print information to take home.
A note of caution: As you surf the Internet, be aware that you may find bulletin boards and chat rooms in
which people are free to express opinions about the Peace Corps based on their own experience, including
comments by those who were unhappy with their choice to serve in the Peace Corps. These opinions are not
those of the Peace Corps or the U.S. government, and we hope you will keep in mind that no two people
experience their service in the same way.
Ge n e ral In format ion Abou t J amaica
www.countrywatch.com/
On this site, you can learn anything from what time it is in the capital of Jamaica to how to convert from the
dollar to the Jamaica currency. Just click on Jamaica and go from there.
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Visit this site for general travel advice about almost any country in the world.
www.state.gov
The State Department’s website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world. Find
Jamaica and learn more about its social and political history. You can also go to the site’s international travel
section to check on conditions that may affect your safety.
www.psr.keele.ac.uk/official.htm
This includes links to all the official sites for governments worldwide.
www.geography.about.com/library/maps/blindex.htm
This online world atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to
other sites, such as the Library of Congress, that contain comprehensive historical, social, and political
background.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp
This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical information for member states of the U.N.
www.worldinformation.com
This site provides an additional source of current and historical information about countries around the world.
Conn e ct Wit h Re t u rn e d Volu n t e e rs

an d Ot h e r In vit e e s
www.rpcv.org
This is the site of the National Peace Corps Association, made up of returned Volunteers. On this site you can
find links to all the Web pages of the “Friends of” groups for most countries of service, comprised of former
Volunteers who served in those countries. There are also regional groups that frequently get together for social
events and local volunteer activities. Or go straight to the Friends of Jamaica site at http://servejamaica.org/

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http://www.rpcvwebring.org
This site is known as the returned Peace Corps Volunteer Web ring. Browse the Web ring and see what former
Volunteers are saying about their service.
www.peacecorpswriters.org
This site is hosted by a group of returned Volunteer writers. It is a monthly online publication of essays and
Volunteer accounts of their Peace Corps service.
On lin e Art icle s/ Cu rren t Ne ws Sit e s Abou t J amaica
www.jamaica-gleaner.com
Site of the Jamaica Gleaner, a local newspaper.
www.jamaicaobserver.com
Site of the Jamaica Observer, a local newspaper.
http://kingston.usembassy.gov/u.s.peace_corps.html
U.S. Embassy in Jamaica.
www.televisionjamaica.com
Sites of Jamaica’s two local television stations.
www.jis.gov.jm
The information service of the government of Jamaica.
www.nlj.org.jm
Site of the National Library of Jamaica.
In t e rn at ional De ve lopme n t Sit e s Abou t J amaica
www.paho.org
Pan American Health Organization
www.undp.org/fojam
United Nations Development Programme
www.unicef.org
United Nations Children’s Educational Fund
Re comme n de d Books
1. Clarke, Edith. My Mother Who Fathered Me: A Study of the Families in Three Selected Communities
of Jamaica. The Press University of the West Indies, third revised edition, 2002.
2. Monteith, Kathleen ed. Jamaica in Slavery and Freedom: History, Heritage and Culture. University
of the West Indies Press, 2002.
3. Read, Michael. Lonely Planet Jamaica. Lonely Planet Publications, 2006.

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4. Sherlock, Philip, and Hazel Bennett. The Story of the Jamaican People. Princeton, N.J.: Markus
Wiener Publishers, 1998.
5. Stone, Rosemarie. No Stone Unturned. Ian Randle Publishers, 2007.
6. Winkler, Anthony C. Going Home To Teach. LMH Publishing, 1995.
Books About the History of the Peace Corps

1. Hoffman, Elizabeth Cobbs. All You Need is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s.
Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2000.
2. Rice, Gerald T. The Bold Experiment: JFK’s Peace Corps. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre
Dame Press, 1985.
3. Stossel, Scott. Sarge: The Life and Times of Sargent Shriver. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian
Institution Press, 2004.
Books on the Volunteer Experience

1. Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place. Santa Barbara, Calif.: McSeas
Books, 2004.
2. Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, Wash.:
Red Apple Publishing, 2000.
3. Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village. New York,
N.Y.: Picador, 2003.
4. Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New York, N.Y.: Perennial, 2001.
5. Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica,
Calif.: Clover Park Press, 1991.
6. Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Seattle, Wash.: University of Washington
Press, 1997 (reprint).

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LIVING CONDITIONS AND
VOLUNTEER LIFESTYLE
Commun icat ion s
Mail
Mail from the United States usually takes one to three weeks to arrive, but occasionally it has been known to
take several months or not arrive at all. Despite the delays, we encourage you to write to your family regularly
by this or other available means. Family members often become worried when they do not hear from you, so it
is a good idea to advise them that mail service is sporadic and that they should not worry if they do not receive
your letters regularly. Fortunately, there are alternatives, including email and cellular phones to which you will
have cost-effective access. If a serious problem were to occur, Peace Corps/Jamaica would notify the Office of
Special Services at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., which would then contact your family.
Also, you should advise your family that in the case of an emergency, they can contact the Office of Special
Services in Washington at 800.424.8580, extension 1470 (24 hours).
During pre-service training, your mail should be sent to the following address:
“Your Name,” PCT

c/o Country Director
Peace Corps
8 Worthington Avenue
Kingston, 5, Jamaica, West Indies
Once you become a Volunteer and are at your site, you may choose to have your letters sent directly to your
new address, but it is recommended that larger packages be sent by the U.S. Postal Service to the Peace Corps
office at the above address. Large packages sent to any other address, or sent through services like UPS, DHL,
and Federal Express, may attract customs duty and would, therefore, be held at the airport until you make the
trip to claim them and pay duty. Small packages can be sent by USPS to your local address, generally without
attracting duty fees.
Packages can take from two weeks to six weeks to arrive. They must be lighter than 22 pounds and are cheaper
to mail if they are less than 11 pounds. Note that books and documents that weigh a minimum of 11 pounds
can be sent to you in an “M-Bag” through the U.S. Postal Service at a relatively economical rate. Further
information is available at U.S. Post Offices and at
www.usps.com.
Telephones
Peace Corps/Jamaica will supply you with a free cellphone upon arrival. You will automatically be enrolled in
the Peace Corps Closed User Group (CUG), which will enable you to make free unlimited calls to other
Volunteers and to staff with Peace Corps/Jamaica-issued cellphones. Calls outside of the CUG (whether
domestic or international) are on your dime. You can also make phone calls to the PC office landlines free of
cost by calling our WIMAX lines 618-0587 or 618-0588. Note that most toll free 1-800 numbers are not free
or accessible from Jamaica. Check with PCVs already on the island for the best deals on local calling cards
that can be used to make international calls.

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Computer, Internet, and Email Access
If you bring a laptop, make certain it is insured and bring a power surge protector. (You might also consider
bringing a portable printer.) Peace Corps/Jamaica signed an agreement with Digicel, our local cellphone
provider, to provide Volunteers with modems and unlimited access to Internet for a monthly fee of J$900.
This is a voluntary program that about 75 percent of Volunteers are using in Jamaica. The speed of this
service depends entirely on the degree of cellphone connectivity in the given area as data are transmitted
through cellphones. Coverage is pretty good across the island, and most Volunteers report that their
connections are faster than dial-up but slower than broadband. We require those who join to make a
quarterly commitment, and the monthly fee is simply subtracted from their living allowance. Entry/exit
dates are announced well in advance.
Hou sin g an d Sit e Locat ion

Your living conditions in Jamaica may not be as rugged as those in many Peace Corps posts. Most Volunteers
have indoor plumbing and running water. However, the water is usually not heated, so be prepared for the
adjustment to cold showers as you gradually become immersed in the Jamaican way of life and work.
Although washing machines are widely available, laundry is often washed by hand in a sink or a washtub or
even in a river. Electricity exists islandwide, except in very remote areas. Very few Volunteers go without a
refrigerator or other electrical appliances, and many Volunteers even have amenities such as cable television.
Living conditions will vary depending upon whether your site is rural, peri-urban, or urban. Areas with tourism
will have a higher standard of living.
The most common living situations are a room in a home with a Jamaican family with access to a bathroom
and kitchen that you will share or a small, self-contained apartment attached to the host family's residence or in
their "yard." Your host family during training will assist you with orientation to your community, Jamaican
home life, and cross-cultural adjustment.
Livin g Allowan ce an d Mon e y Man age me n t

The local currency is the Jamaican dollar, and the exchange rate changes constantly. The Peace Corps will
open a savings account for you in local currency at a branch of the National Commercial Bank, which will
issue you an ATM card. Your living allowance and leave allowances will be deposited monthly into that
account.
Volunteers are not paid salaries, but are provided allowances to cover living expenses that allow them to live at
a modest level, similar to that of the Jamaicans with whom they work. The allowances Volunteers receive are
not confidential and are known to sponsoring agencies so that they better understand the conditions under
which Volunteers serve.
Food an d Die t
Your diet may not need to change drastically while you are in Jamaica. The main source of meat is chicken.
Beef, goat, and fish are also readily available. You are likely to become a culinary expert in preparing chicken
different ways.
Vegetarians need not be concerned. Although there may be a smaller variety of foods than you are used to,
fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dried beans and rice, are plentiful. Note that Jamaicans love hot and

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spicy foods. For those who crave a taste of home, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Wendy’s, T.G.I. Friday’s,
Domino’s, and Pizza Hut can be found in many urban areas. Also available in urban areas are imported food
items. These tend to be expensive; however, once you move to your site, you will learn to make do with what
is available locally—a little creativity does go a long way.
Tran sport at ion

Buses are crowded and often do not operate on regular schedules. The government is making progress in
improving the urban transportation system, introducing more buses, especially during peak hours, and getting
them to operate in a timely manner. Rural travel options range from large buses, minibuses, and route taxis to
pickup trucks, bicycles, and lots of walking. It may be necessary for you to walk or bike some distances in hot,
mildly humid, or rainy weather. Improved stamina, weight reduction, and overall improvement in general well-
being are beneficial side effects reported by our Volunteers. The Peace Corps provides Volunteers with a
bicycle on a case-by-case basis for work-related purposes. Volunteers are required to wear a helmet while
riding bicycles. These helmets are issued by Peace Corps/Jamaica.
Ge ography an d Climat e
Jamaica has a tropical climate. Temperatures vary between 80 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and are
about 10 degrees lower at higher elevations. Both days and nights generally are hot and a bit more humid
during the summer, while evenings are noticeably cooler during the winter. At higher elevations, especially
between November and March, evenings can be quite chilly, and a light wrap, long-sleeved shirt, or sweatshirt
may be necessary. Rain can occur any time throughout the year, though most likely from May through June
and from September through October.
Social Act ivit ie s

Activities available for entertainment will depend on where you are assigned and how creative you are. Among
the possibilities are reading, walking, writing letters, riding a bicycle, swimming, socializing with friends,
taking classes, doing arts and crafts, going to movies or plays, watching videos or television, watching or
participating in sports such as netball, swimming, football and cricket, listening to music or a shortwave radio,
dancing at clubs or DJ parties, snorkeling, scuba diving, playing games (e.g., cards or dominoes, the national
pastime), and playing musical instruments.
Profe ssion alism, Dre ss, an d Be h avior

You will be working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in cooperation with a government ministry or Jamaican
organization and will be expected to dress and behave as a professional. Most professional Jamaicans dress
well and follow a conservative dress code. If this dress code is not maintained, it is seen as disrespectful. While
tourists may wear short-shorts and transparent clothing, such attire is not appropriate for Volunteers.
Volunteers should dress appropriately, both on and off the job, and should respect Jamaican attitudes toward
personal appearance. The safest rule is to carefully observe what co-workers and Jamaican professionals wear
and dress accordingly.
• WOMEN: Volunteers agree that wearing shorts much shorter than Bermuda shorts or walking shorts in
public is inappropriate and can lead to harassment and embarrassment. Tank tops and skimpy attire should not
be worn in public.

15
• MEN: In Jamaica, one can have a beard, but it should be kept neat and trimmed. Growing hair too long can
prevent one from being accepted as a professional by those with whom Volunteers work. Jamaican men in
professions comparable to those of Volunteers do not often wear earrings; therefore, male Volunteers and
trainees should observe carefully their co-workers and colleagues.
Flip-flops should not be worn during pre-service training or during work hours. Any body piercings aside from
the ear lobe are inappropriate; please remove these adornments from other exposed areas before you arrive in-
country. Tattoos are also inappropriate and should be kept covered to the extent possible.
The Peace Corps office maintains a strict dress code during official working hours to which Volunteers are
expected to adhere. Therefore, no Volunteers will be allowed in the office if they are considered
inappropriately attired.
Pe rson al Safe t y
More detailed information about the Peace Corps’ approach to safety is contained in the “Health Care and
Safety” chapter, but it is an important issue and cannot be overemphasized. As stated in the Volunteer
Handbook, becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer entails certain safety risks. Living and traveling in an
unfamiliar environment (oftentimes alone), having a limited understanding of local language and culture, and
being perceived as well-off are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Many Volunteers
experience varying degrees of unwanted attention and harassment. Petty thefts and burglaries are not
uncommon, and incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although most Jamaica Volunteers complete
their two years of service without incident. The Peace Corps has established procedures and policies designed
to help you reduce your risks and enhance your safety and security. These procedures and policies, in addition
to safety training, will be provided once you arrive in Jamaica. Using these tools, you are expected to take
responsibility for your safety and well-being.
Each staff member at the Peace Corps is committed to providing Volunteers with the support they need to
successfully meet the challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive service. We encourage
Volunteers and families to look at our safety and security information on the Peace Corps website at
www.peacecorps.gov/safety.
Information on these pages gives messages on Volunteer health and Volunteer safety. There is a section titled
“Safety and Security in Depth.” Among topics addressed are the risks of serving as a Volunteer, posts’ safety
support systems, and emergency planning and communications.
Re wards an d Fru st rat ion s

The real sacrifices you will make in the Peace Corps are in the form of the tremendous daily, even hourly,
efforts you will make to operate and be effective in another culture and the constant struggle to be self-aware
and sensitive. A former Volunteer explains:
“Most of us agree that although we knew the Peace Corps was going to be hard, it is often hard in a different
way than we expected. We all worried about adjusting to the bugs and the heat, but that’s the easy part. It’s
more of a challenge to get used to dealing with perplexing bureaucracy, the lack of motivation in some host
country counterparts, the lack of technology and education, and cultural barriers.”
As with most developing countries, there will be challenges, such as irregular transportation, disruptions in
electrical and water supplies, and inordinate delays in getting things done. Your maturity, openness to change,
and commitment to the Peace Corps will greatly enhance your ability to adapt to living and working in

16
Jamaica. Judging by the experience of former Volunteers, the rewards are well worth the difficulties, and most
Volunteers leave Jamaica feeling they have gained much more than they gave during their service.

17
PEACE CORPS TRAINING
Ove rvie w of Pre -Se rvice Train in g

Pre-service training is the first event within a competency-based training program that continues throughout
your 27 months of service in Jamaica. Pre-service training ensures that Volunteers are equipped with the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively perform their jobs for the first few months as Volunteers in-
country.
The Peace Corps has the overall responsibility for directing training with the operational aspect being executed
by a training team comprising Peace Corps staff, technical trainers, language and cross-culture facilitators
assisted by currently serving Volunteers, and resource persons from the industry. The length of pre-service
training varies, usually ranging from nine to 12 weeks, depending on the competencies required for the
assignment. Jamaica measures achievement of learning and determines if trainees have successfully achieved
competencies, including language standards, for swearing in as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Throughout service, Volunteers strive to achieve performance competencies. Initially, pre-service training
affords the opportunity for trainees to develop and test their own resources. As a trainee, you will play an
active role in self-education. You will be asked to decide how best to set and meet objectives and to find
alternative solutions. You will be asked to prepare for an experience in which you will often have to take the
initiative and accept responsibility for decisions. The success of your learning will be enhanced by your own
effort to take responsibility for your learning and through sharing experiences with others.
Peace Corps training is founded on adult learning methods with a strong emphasis on experiential “hands-on”
applications such as conducting a participatory community needs assessment and facilitating groups.
Successful training results in competence in various technical, linguistic, cross-cultural, health, and safety and
security areas. Integrating into the community is usually one of the core competencies Volunteers strive to
achieve both in pre-service training and during the first several months of service. Successful sustainable
development work is based on the local trust and confidence Volunteers build by living in, and respectfully
integrating into, the Jamaica community and culture. Trainees are prepared for this through a homestay
experience, which often requires trainees to live with host families during pre-service training. Integration into
the community not only facilitates good working relationships, but it fosters language learning and cross-
cultural acceptance and trust, which help ensure your health, safety, and security.
Woven into the competencies, the ability to communicate in the host country language is critical to being an
effective Peace Corps Volunteer. So basic is this precept that it is spelled out in the Peace Corps Act: No
person shall be assigned to duty as a Volunteer under this act in any foreign country or area unless at the time
of such assignment he (or she) possesses such reasonable proficiency as his (or her) assignment requires in
speaking the language of the country or area to which he (or she) is assigned.
Te ch n ical Train in g
Technical training will prepare you to work in Jamaica by building on the skills you already have and helping
you develop new skills in a manner appropriate to the needs of the country. The Peace Corps staff and
Jamaican experts assisted by current Volunteers will conduct the technical training. Training places great
emphasis on learning how to transfer the skills you have to the community in which you will serve as a
Volunteer.
You will be supported and evaluated throughout the training to build the confidence and skills you need to
undertake your project activities and be a productive member of your community.

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Lan gu age Train in g
As a Peace Corps Volunteer, you will find that Patois language skills are key to personal and professional
satisfaction during your service. These skills are critical to your job performance, they help you integrate into
your community, and they can ease your personal adaptation to the new surroundings. Therefore, language
training is at the heart of the training program. You must successfully meet minimum language requirements to
complete training and become a Volunteer.
Your language training will incorporate a community-based approach. In addition to classroom time, you will
be given assignments to work on outside of the classroom and with your host family. The goal is to get you to
a point of basic social communication skills so you can practice and develop language skills further once you
are at your site. Prior to being sworn in as a Volunteer, you will work on strategies to continue language
studies during your service.
Cross-Cu lt u ral Train in g

As part of your pre-service training, you will live with a Jamaica host family. This experience is designed to
ease your transition to life at your site. Families go through an orientation conducted by Peace Corps staff to
explain the purpose of pre-service training and to assist them in helping you adapt to living in Jamaica. Many
Volunteers form strong and lasting friendships with their host families.
Cross-cultural and community development training will help you improve your communication skills and
understand your role as a facilitator of development. You will be exposed to topics such as community
mobilization, conflict resolution, gender and development, nonformal and adult education strategies, and
political structures.
Me dical Train in g
During pre-service training, you will be given basic medical training and information. You will be expected to
practice preventive health care and to take responsibility for your own health by adhering to all medical
policies. Trainees are required to attend all medical sessions. The topics include preventive health measures
and minor and major medical issues that you might encounter while in Jamaica. Nutrition, mental health,
setting up a safe living compound, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) are also covered.
Safe t y Train in g
During the safety training sessions, you will learn how to adopt a lifestyle that reduces your risks at home, at
work, and during your travels. You will also learn appropriate, effective strategies for coping with unwanted
attention and about your individual responsibility for promoting safety throughout your service.
Addit ion al Train in gs Du rin g Volun t e e r Se rvice

In its commitment to institutionalize quality training, the Peace Corps has implemented a training system that
provides Volunteers with continual opportunities to examine their commitment to Peace Corps service while
increasing their technical and cross-cultural skills. During service, there are usually three major training events.
The titles and objectives for those trainings are as follows:
• Early service conference: Provides an opportunity for Volunteers to upgrade their technical, language,
and project development skills while sharing their experiences and reaffirming their commitment after
having served for three to six months.

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• Mid-service conference/in-service training: (done in conjunction with technical sector in-service):
Assists Volunteers in reviewing their first year, reassessing their personal and project objectives, and
planning for their second year of service.
• Close-of-service conference: Prepares Volunteers for the future after Peace Corps service and reviews
their respective projects and personal experiences.
The length and design of these trainings are adapted to country-specific needs and conditions. The key to the
training system is that training events are integrated and interrelated, from the pre-departure orientation
through the end of your service, and are planned, implemented, and evaluated cooperatively by the training
staff, Peace Corps staff, and Volunteers.
Other training interventions that Volunteers will participate in are regional workshops, technical training
seminars relating to specific sectors and other Peace Corps-related areas.
Qualifying for Service

The pre-service training experience provides an opportunity not only for the Peace Corps to assess a trainee’s
competence, but for trainees to re-evaluate their commitment to serve for 27 months to improve the quality of
life of the people with whom Volunteers live and work and, in doing so, develop new knowledge, skills, and
attitudes while adapting existing ones.
Peace Corps/Jamaica’s competencies are designed to be accomplished throughout the Volunteer’s 27 months
of learning. A trainee may not be able to complete all learning objectives for a competency during pre-service
training; however, he or she must show adequate progress toward achieving the competencies in order to
become a Volunteer 1.
Jamaica’s competencies include the following:
1. Maintain personal safety, security and well-being

2. Commit to Peace Corps and professional service
3. Adapt to the cross-cultural context
4. Speak and understand Jamaican Patois
5. Facilitate participatory community development
Evaluation of your performance throughout service is a continual process, as Volunteers are responsible 24
hours a day, seven days a week for personal conduct and professional performance. Successful completion of
pre-service training is characterized by achievement of a set of learning objectives to determine competence.
Failure to meet any of the selection standards by the completion of training may be grounds for a withdrawal
of selection and disqualification from Peace Corps service.
Progress in one’s own learning is a dialogue between you and the training staff. All of the training staff—
including the training director, and the language, technical, medical, safety and security, and cross-cultural
trainers—will work with you toward the highest possible competencies by providing you with feedback on
learning objective performance throughout training. After reviewing and observing your performance, the
1
Peace Corps manual section 201.305.4.

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country director is responsible for making the final decision on whether you have qualified to serve as a
Volunteer in the host country.
Upon successful completion of training, trainees who qualify for Peace Corps service are required by law to
swear or affirm an oath of loyalty to the United States; it cannot be waived under any circumstances. The text
of the oath is provided below. If you have any questions about the wording or meaning of the oath, consult a
staff member during training.
I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United
States of America against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation freely, and without any
mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace
Corps (so help me God).

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YOUR HEALTH CARE AND
SAFETY IN J AMAICA
The Peace Corps’ highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps
medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in
Jamaica maintains a clinic with a full-time medical officer, who takes care of Volunteers’ primary health care
needs. Additional medical services, such as testing and basic treatment, are also available in Jamaica at local
hospitals. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported either to an American-standard medical facility
in the region or to the United States.
He lpin g You St ay He alt h y

The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay
healthy. Upon your arrival in Jamaica, you will receive a medical handbook. At the end of training, you will
receive a medical kit with supplies to take care of mild illnesses and first aid needs. The contents of the kit are
listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer.
However, you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical
supplies you require, as the Peace Corps will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month
supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months
for shipments to arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem
during your service, the medical officer in Jamaica will consult with the Office of Medical Services in
Washington, D.C. If it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Jamaica, you may be sent out of
the country for further evaluation and care.
Main t ain in g You r He alth

As a Volunteer, you must accept considerable responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will
significantly reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The adage “An ounce of prevention …” becomes
extremely important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United
States. The most important of your responsibilities in Jamaica is to take preventive measures.
Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions
are taken. These illnesses include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worms,
tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food
preparation in Jamaica during pre-service training.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted
diseases. You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you
have sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this
person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more information from the medical officer about
this important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
Your medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs.
Contraceptive methods are available without charge from the medical officer.

22
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for
scheduled immunizations, and that you let the medical officer know immediately of significant illnesses and
injuries.
Women’s Health Information

Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but
also have programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the
availability of appropriate medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the circumstances under
which Volunteers live and work in Peace Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps’ medical and
programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy can be met.
If feminine hygiene products are not available for you to purchase on the local market, the Peace Corps
medical officer in Jamaica will provide them. If you require a specific product, please bring a three-month
supply with you.
You r Pe ace Corps Me dical Kit

The Peace Corps medical officer will provide you with a kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and
treat illnesses that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked at the medical office.
Me dical Kit Con t e n t s

Ace bandages
Adhesive tape
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Band-Aids
Butterfly closures
Calamine lotion
Cepacol lozenges
Condoms
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutter’s)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Scissors
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)

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Tweezers
Be fore You Le ave : A Me dical Ch e cklist

If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or dental—since you submitted your
examination reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure
to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your
eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old,
contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or
Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must
complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of
Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, contact your physician’s office to obtain a copy of your
immunization record and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to
Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the
immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after
you arrive in Jamaica. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you use on a regular basis,
including birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, it
will order refills during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be
dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed
medications, such as St. John’s wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a
requirement, but they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply
of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you—a pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will
replace them, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during
your examination. The Peace Corps discourages you from using contact lenses during your service to reduce
your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have
appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not
supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless an ophthalmologist has recommended their use
for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps’ Office of Medical Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your
future participation in health care plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage
needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary health care from the time you leave
for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the
post-service health care benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider
keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age or pre-existing conditions might
prevent you from re-enrolling in your current plan when you return home.

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Safe t y an d Se cu rit y—Ou r Part n e rsh ip
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar
environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy
American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property theft and burglaries are not
uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their
two years of service without serious personal safety problems.
Beyond knowing that Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you, it might be helpful
to see how this partnership works. Peace Corps has policies, procedures, and training in place to promote your
safety. We depend on you to follow those policies and to put into practice what you have learned. An example
of how this works in practice—in this case to help manage the risk of burglary—is:
• Peace Corps assesses the security environment where you will live and work
• Peace Corps inspects the house where you will live according to established security criteria
• Peace Corp provides you with resources to take measures such as installing new locks
• Peace Corps ensures you are welcomed by host country authorities in your new community
• Peace Corps responds to security concerns that you raise
• You lock your doors and windows
• You adopt a lifestyle appropriate to the community where you live
• You get to know neighbors
• You decide if purchasing personal articles insurance is appropriate for you
• You don’t change residences before being authorized by Peace Corps
• You communicate concerns that you have to Peace Corps staff
This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training;
and Your Health Care and Safety that all include important safety and security information to help you
understand this partnership. The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to
function in the safest way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our
highest priority. Not only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we
teach you to identify, reduce, and manage the risks you may encounter.
Fact ors t h at Con t ribu t e t o Volun t e e r Risk

There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer’s risk, many of which are within the Volunteer’s
control. By far the most common crime that Volunteers experience is theft. Thefts often occur when
Volunteers are away from their sites, in crowded locations (such as markets or on public transportation), and
when leaving items unattended.
Before you depart for Jamaica there are several measures you can take to reduce your risk:
o Leave valuable objects in U.S.
o Leave copies of important documents and account numbers with someone you trust in the U.S.
• Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a decoy

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o Purchase personal articles insurance
After you arrive in Jamaica, you will receive more detailed information about common crimes, factors that
contribute to Volunteer risk, and local strategies to reduce that risk. For example, Volunteers in Jamaica learn
to:
• Choose safe routes and times for travel, and travel with someone trusted by the community whenever
possible
• Make sure one’s personal appearance is respectful of local customs
• Avoid high-crime areas
• Know the local language to get help in an emergency
• Make friends with local people who are respected in the community
• Limit alcohol consumption
As you can see from this list, you must be willing to work hard and adapt your lifestyle to minimize the
potential for being a target for crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Jamaica. You can
reduce your risk by avoiding situations that place you at risk and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or
town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know each other and generally are less likely to steal
from their neighbors. Tourist attractions in large towns are favorite worksites for pickpockets.
The following are other security concerns in Jamaica of which you should be aware:
Volunteers tend to attract a lot of attention both in large cities and at their sites, but they are more likely to
receive negative attention in highly populated centers, and away from their support network—friends and
colleagues—who look out for them. While whistles and exclamations may be fairly common on the street, this
behavior can be reduced if you dress conservatively, abide by local cultural norms, and respond according to
the training you will receive.
St ayin g Safe : Don ’t Be a Targe t for Crime

You must be prepared to take on a large degree of responsibility for your own safety. You can make yourself
less of a target, ensure that your home is secure, and develop relationships in your community that will make
you an unlikely victim of crime. While the factors that contribute to your risk in Jamaica may be different, in
many ways you can do what you would do if you moved to a new city anywhere: Be cautious, check things
out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common
sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning
the local language, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely and
effectively in Jamaica will require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.
Support from Staff

If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All
Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers.
The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure the Volunteer is safe and receiving
medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff response may
include reassessing the Volunteer’s worksite and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as
needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff
will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the

26
crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer
Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that
they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of
the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
Crime Data for Jamaica

The country-specific data chart below shows the average annual rates of the major types of crimes reported by
Peace Corps Volunteers/trainees in Jamaica compared to all other Region programs as a whole. It can be
understood as an approximation of the number of reported incidents per 100 Volunteers in a year.
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee
population. It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which
is a measure of 12 full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data
across countries.
PCV Reported Incidents 2010
2 1 1 6 1 1
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Robbery Aggravated Assault Other Physical Assault
Theft Burglary no assault Vandalism
Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of serious crimes and crimes that do occur overseas are investigated
and prosecuted by local authorities through the local courts system. If you are the victim of a crime, you will
decide if you wish to pursue prosecution. If you decide to prosecute, Peace Corps will be there to assist you.
One of our tasks is to ensure you are fully informed of your options and understand how the local legal process
works. Peace Corps will help you ensure your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws
of the country.
If you are the victim of a serious crime, you will learn how to get to a safe location as quickly as possible and
contact your Peace Corps office. It’s important that you notify Peace Corps as soon as you can so Peace Corps
can provide you with the help you need.

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Volu n t e e r Safe t y Su pport in J amaica
The Peace Corps’ approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your service and
includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency
action plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Jamaica’s in-country safety program is
outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Jamaica office will keep you informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety
through information sharing. Regular updates will be provided via cell phone calls and text messaging as
well as emails from the country director and/or safety and security coordinator. In the event of a critical
situation or emergency, you will be contacted through the emergency communication network. An important
component of the capacity of Peace Corps to keep you informed is your buy-in to the partnership concept with
the Peace Corps staff. It is expected that you will do your part in ensuring that Peace Corps staff members are
kept apprised of your movements in-country so they are able to inform you.
Volunteer training will include sessions on specific safety and security issues in Jamaica. This training will
prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces
risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout service and is integrated
into the language, cross-cultural aspects, health, and other components of training. You will be expected to
successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas, including safety and security, as a
condition of service.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. The Peace
Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for a
Volunteer’s arrival and to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site
is inspected before the Volunteer’s arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and
worksites. Site selection is based, in part, on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and
other essential services; availability of communications, transportation, and markets; different housing options
and living arrangements; and other Volunteer support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Jamaica’s detailed emergency action plan, which is implemented in
the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and
submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a
security threat, you will gather with other Volunteers in Jamaica at predetermined locations until the situation
is resolved or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that
Volunteers immediately report any security incident to the Peace Corps office. The Peace Corps has
established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it
collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future
Volunteers.

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DIVERSITY AND
CROSS-CULTURAL ISSUES
In fulfilling its mandate to share the face of America with host countries, the Peace Corps is making special
efforts to assure that all of America’s richness is reflected in the Volunteer corps. More Americans of color are
serving in today’s Peace Corps than at any time in recent history. Differences in race, ethnic background, age,
religion, and sexual orientation are expected and welcomed among our Volunteers. Part of the Peace Corps’
mission is to help dispel any notion that Americans are all of one origin or race and to establish that each of us
is as thoroughly American as the other despite our many differences.
Our diversity helps us accomplish that goal. In other ways, however, it poses challenges. In Jamaica, as in
other Peace Corps host countries, Volunteers’ behavior, lifestyle, background, and beliefs are judged in a
cultural context very different from their own. Certain personal perspectives or characteristics commonly
accepted in the United States may be quite uncommon, unacceptable, or even repressed in Jamaica.
Outside of Jamaica’s capital and tourist areas, residents of rural communities have had relatively little direct
exposure to other cultures, races, religions, and lifestyles. What people view as typical American behavior or
norms may be a misconception, such as the belief that all Americans are rich and have blond hair and blue
eyes. The people of Jamaica are justly known for their generous hospitality to foreigners; however, members
of the community in which you will live may display a range of reactions to cultural differences that you
present.
To ease the transition and adapt to life in Jamaica, you may need to make some temporary, yet fundamental
compromises in how you present yourself as an American and as an individual. For example, female trainees
and Volunteers may not be able to exercise the independence available to them in the United States; political
discussions need to be handled with great care; and some of your personal beliefs may best remain
undisclosed. You will need to develop techniques and personal strategies for coping with these and other
limitations. The Peace Corps staff will lead diversity and sensitivity discussions during pre-service training and
will be on call to provide support, but the challenge ultimately will be your own.
Ove rvie w of Dive rsit y in J amaica

The Peace Corps staff in Jamaica recognizes the adjustment issues that come with diversity and will endeavor
to provide support and guidance. During pre-service training, several sessions will be held to discuss diversity
and coping mechanisms. We look forward to having male and female Volunteers from a variety of races,
ethnic groups, ages, religions, and sexual orientations, and hope that you will become part of a diverse group
of Americans who take pride in supporting one another and demonstrating the richness of American culture.
Wh at Migh t a Volun t e e r Face ?
Possible Issues for Female Volunteers

Female Volunteers find that women’s equality and independence are defined differently in Jamaica than in the
United States, with different expectations for women’s roles. In Jamaica, female Volunteers may be expected
to have a husband, children, a boyfriend, or some combination of the three. They may be expected to “stay at
home.” They may be proposed to on a daily basis or subjected to sexual advances or touching. Verbal
harassment can be extremely crude. Female Volunteers may also find that in a technical discussion with
Jamaican colleagues, the opinions of a female, especially a young female, may be ignored while a male saying
the exact same thing may be listened to.

29
Possible Issues for Volunteers of Color/Asian
A person of color may be the only minority trainee or Volunteer within a particular project, and may work and
live with individuals with no experience or understanding of his or her culture. They may not receive necessary
personal support from white Volunteers or may be questioned about socializing exclusively with other
minority Volunteers. Assumed to be Jamaicans, non-white Volunteers may be accepted more readily into the
culture than other Volunteers and treated according to local social norms. They may also be categorized
according to local stereotypes concerning skin pigmentation and hair texture, such as the view that those with
lighter skin are smarter or more dependable. Another stereotype is that because you are a non-white foreigner
your ideas or suggestions may often not be accepted readily. It requires you to prove yourself as a competent
individiual.
Possible Issues for Senior Volunteers

Seniors may find themselves treated with more respect than younger Volunteers and may have different
interactions with Jamaicans as a result. They may find that younger Volunteers look to them for advice and
support; some seniors find this a very enjoyable part of their Volunteer experience, while others choose not to
fill this role.
Possible Issues for Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Volunteers

Although homosexual Volunteers have served in Jamaica successfully, Jamaica is a homophobic society. Local
law prohibits homosexuality and arrests of homosexuals have occurred. Revealing one’s homosexuality has
also resulted in life-threatening physical assaults and destruction of homes and property. Homosexuals are
advised to exercise extreme caution in publicizing their homosexuality in Jamaica, as this is despised and not
tolerated by the Jamaican society. Several murders, allegedly identified as hate crimes, have occurred in recent
times against individuals deemed to be homosexuals. At a workshop with Jamaican project partners, many
project partners expressed strongly their opposition to diversity in sexual orientation. Trainees and
Volunteers who cannot remain closeted during their tenure in Jamaica should reconsider serving in
Jamaica and should talk with Peace Corps placement officers about possible alternative assignments.
Possible Religious Issues for Volunteers

Volunteers in Jamaica, a predominantly Christian nation, can expect many meetings to begin with a prayer.
They should also be prepared to be criticized a little for not attending church.
Possible Issues for Volunteers With Disabilities

As part of the medical clearance process, the Peace Corps Office of Medical Services determined that you
were physically and emotionally capable, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform a full tour of
Volunteer service in Jamaica without unreasonable risk of harm to yourself or interruption of service. The
Peace Corps/Jamaica staff will work with disabled Volunteers to make reasonable accommodations for them in
training, housing, jobsites, or other areas to enable them to serve safely and effectively.
Possible Issues for Married Volunteers

Being a married couple in the Peace Corps has its advantages and challenges. It helps to have someone by your
side to share your experience with, but there are also cultural expectations that can cause stress in a marriage.
The most important thing to remember is that you are in a foreign country with new rules. As long as you
remain open-minded you will have a successful service. However, there are issues that you will face and
challenges you will encounter in your community. Sometimes only one spouse is enthusiastic about joining
Peace Corps, is more able to adapt to the new physical and/or cultural environment, or is less or more
homesick than the other. A married woman may find herself in a less independent role than that to which she is
accustomed, experience a more limited social life in the community than single Volunteers (since it may be
assumed that she will be busy taking care of her husband), or is expected to perform “traditional” domestic

30
chores such as cooking or cleaning. Competition may cause difficulties; one spouse may learn faster than the
other. There may be differences in job satisfaction and/or different needs. Younger Volunteers may look to
couples for advice and support. Married couples are likely to be treated with more respect because the
community sees marriage as a responsibility; and you may be asked why you do not have children.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Jamaica and is based on their experience. Use it as an
informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect
list! You obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you
personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep
in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything
you need in Jamaica.
How much luggage am I allowed to bring to Jamaica?

Most airlines have baggage size and weight limits and assess charges for transport of baggage that exceeds
those limits. The Peace Corps has its own size and weight limits and will not pay the cost of transport for
baggage that exceeds these limits. The Peace Corps’ allowance is two checked pieces of luggage with
combined dimensions of both pieces not to exceed 107 inches (length + width + height) and a carry-on bag
with dimensions of no more than 45 inches. Checked baggage should not exceed 80 pounds [or 100 for
countries with cold weather] total with a maximum weight of 50 pounds for any one bag.
Peace Corps Volunteers are not allowed to take pets, weapons, explosives, radio transmitters (shortwave radios
are permitted), automobiles, or motorcycles to their overseas assignments. Do not pack flammable materials or
liquids such as lighter fluid, cleaning solvents, hair spray, or aerosol containers. This is an important safety
precaution.
What is the electric current in Jamaica?

The electrical system in the U.S. is 60 hertz. Jamaica is 50 hertz. While most electronics will work on both
systems, digital clocks will run slow in Jamaica unless they are specifically designed for 50 hertz. Also, some
electronics seem to generate more heat operating on 50 hertz.
How much money should I bring?

Volunteers are expected to live at the same level as the people in their community. You will be given a
settling-in allowance and a monthly living allowance, which should cover your expenses. Volunteers often
wish to bring additional money for vacation travel to other countries. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are
preferable to cash. If you choose to bring extra money, bring the amount that will suit your own travel plans
and needs.
When can I take vacation and have people visit me?

Each Volunteer accrues two vacation days per month of service (excluding training). Leave may not be taken
during training, the first three months of service, or the last three months of service, except in conjunction with
an authorized emergency leave. Family and friends are welcome to visit you after pre-service training and the
first three months of service as long as their stay does not interfere with your work. Extended stays at your site
are not encouraged and may require permission from your country director. The Peace Corps is not able to
provide your visitors with visa, medical, or travel assistance.

31
Will my belongings be covered by insurance?
The Peace Corps does not provide insurance coverage for personal effects; Volunteers are ultimately
responsible for the safekeeping of their personal belongings. However, you can purchase personal property
insurance before you leave. If you wish, you may contact your own insurance company; additionally,
insurance application forms will be provided, and we encourage you to consider them carefully. Volunteers
should not ship or take valuable items overseas. Jewelry, watches, radios, cameras, and expensive appliances
are subject to loss, theft, and breakage, and in many places, satisfactory maintenance and repair services are
not available.
Do I need an international driver’s license?

Volunteers in Jamaica do not need an international driver’s license because they are prohibited from operating
privately owned motorized vehicles. Most urban travel is by bus or taxi. Rural travel ranges from buses and
minibuses to trucks, bicycles, and lots of walking. On very rare occasions, a Volunteer may be asked to drive a
sponsor’s vehicle, but this can occur only with prior written permission from the country director. Should this
occur, the Volunteer may obtain a local driver’s license. A U.S. driver’s license will facilitate the process, so
bring it with you just in case.
What should I bring as gifts for Jamaican

friends and my host family?
This is not a requirement. A token of friendship is sufficient. Some gift suggestions include knickknacks for
the house; pictures, books, or calendars of American scenes; souvenirs from your area; hard candies that will
not melt or spoil; or photos to give away.
Where will my site assignment be when I finish training and how isolated will I be?
Peace Corps trainees are not assigned to individual sites until after they have completed pre-service training.
This gives Peace Corps staff the opportunity to assess each trainee’s technical and language skills prior to
assigning sites, in addition to finalizing site selections with their ministry counterparts. If feasible, you may
have the opportunity to provide input on your site preferences, including geographical location, distance from
other Volunteers, and living conditions. However, keep in mind that many factors influence the site selection
process and that the Peace Corps cannot guarantee placement where you would ideally like to be. Most
Volunteers live in small towns or in rural villages and are usually within one hour from another Volunteer.
Some sites require a 10- to 12-hour drive from the capital. There is at least one Volunteer based in each of the
regional capitals and about five to eight Volunteers in the capital city.
How can my family contact me in an emergency?

The Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services provides assistance in handling emergencies affecting trainees
and Volunteers or their families. Before leaving the United States, instruct your family to notify the Office of
Special Services immediately if an emergency arises, such as a serious illness or death of a family member.
During normal business hours, the number for the Office of Special Services is 800.424.8580; select option 2,
then extension 1470. After normal business hours and on weekends and holidays, the Special Services duty
officer can be reached at the above number. For non-emergency questions, your family can get information
from your country desk staff at the Peace Corps by calling 800.424.8580.
Should I bring a cellular phone with me?

Peace Corps/Jamaica will supply you with a free cellphone upon arrival. You will automatically be enrolled in
the Peace Corps Closed User Group (CUG), which will enable you to make free unlimited calls to other
Volunteers s and to staff with PC/J-issued cellphones. Calls outside of the CUG (whether domestic or
international) are on your dime. You can also make phone calls to the PC office landlines free of cost by

32
calling our WIMAX lines at 618-0587 or 618-0588. Note that most toll free 1-800 numbers are not free or
accessible from Jamaica.
Can I call home from Jamaica?

Yes you can! You will be able to use the Peace Corps/Jamaica-issued cellphone to call your friends and family
back home. Check with Volunteers already on island for the best deals on phone cards that can be used to
make international calls. You will find that it is cheaper for you to make the call home.
Will there be email and Internet access?

Should I bring my computer?
If you bring a laptop, make certain it is insured and bring a power surge protector. (You might also consider
bringing a portable printer.) Peace Corps/Jamaica signed an agreement with Digicel, our local cellphone
provider, to provide Volunteers with modems and unlimited access to Internet for a monthly fee of J$900
(US$11). This is a voluntary program that about 75 percent of Volunteers are using on island. The speed of
this service depends entirely on the degree of cellphone connectivity in the given area as data are transmitted
through cellphones. Coverage is pretty good across the island, and most Volunteers report that their
connections are faster than dial-up but slower than broadband. We require those who join to make a quarterly
commitment, and the monthly fee is simply subtracted from their living allowance. Entry/exit dates are
announced well in advance.

33
WELCOME LETTERS FROM
J AMAICA VOLUNTEERS
Yo, wagwaan yuut!
Congrats for making it through the tumultuous and foggy waiting line of Peace Corps. You have made it into a
very unique position … all the waiting and uncertainty has not been in vain. In fact it has prepared you,
whether you are aware of it or not. Patience is the greatest lesson you can harvest from where you are standing
at this moment; it will be one of the greatest tools you can bring with you to your service.
Jamaica is an amazing place. It’s a land full of beauty, wonder and intensity. You are certainly going to
encounter adventure, confusion, frustration, joy, and all the emotions that come to those seeking life in a
foreign land. It will be a challenge, but with the right attitude you can make it an unforgettable journey. The
best advice I can give you is to learn how to swing with the ups and downs of life, strive for flexibility and
open-mindedness, and keep a smile on your face.
I came to Jamaica as a health Volunteer, with no idea of what was expected from me, much less what awaited
me. I left my job as an architect to serve as a community health/sanitation advisor and found out I would be
working in three primary schools and a health clinic. Not having any experience with kids, I held my breath,
jumped in full force ,and hoped for the best. I worked for about seven months in this routine of having 4-5
jobsites, until I ended up full time at one of the primary schools.
I have been in Jamaica just over a year now, up in the rural bushes of Westmoreland, and I love what I do. The
kids make up the best part of my job and it’s what keeps me going day in and day out. I have been fortunate to
be in such a welcoming work environment where my ideas and input are valued. It has made for easy exchange
and helped with many of my projects and proposals. But, equally it took a lot of work to get to that point. I had
to prove myself, work hard, and go through some ups and some downs. I love my community and its
surroundings. I have an amazing host family (which took some time to find), great friends and neighbors, and I
never seem to find myself without something to do or someone to talk to. Granted, it took a lot of effort on my
part, I moved around a bit and dealt with different situations, but through it all I learned a lot about others and
myself.
I urge you to open up to others and really put yourself on the table, fully. It will be most rewarding to you in
the end. Try to enjoy every second of every day; time flies rather unapologetically. Live for the simple joys
and pleasures and try to take comfort in the small things. Learn patwa as fast as you can and never look back!
Enjoy your time. Don’t stress the unknown; embrace it. Just find comfort in knowing you will be fine, you will
survive, and in the end you will be stronger and more resilient.
I wish you the best in your journey. Walk good and don’t forget to smile!
Annelise Kouns, Group 80
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome to your Peace Corps service. If you're anything like me, and you tore into and devoured this
invitation packet before telling another soul, then let me be the first to say it: congratulations. Getting this far
in the nomination process is a huge accomplishment. Though you may not have realized it, you've already
demonstrated the exact patience and dedication that will serve you well as a Volunteer. Now is the time to get
excited.

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Jamaica is a fascinating country. You will find it both beautiful and bizarre; it is rewarding and frustrating.
You will experience a lifetime of emotions during your two years of service, but I can promise you that your
efforts will be well-spent. Though Jamaica might conjure images of sun, rum, and sand, there is a definite need
for rural development. Your projects and, more importantly, your kindness, can transform the lives of your
community. You will learn that this job requires a 24/7 commitment. When you are not working on specific
projects, you will be out conversing and hanging out. This is just as important. Every taxi-cab conversation is
an occasion to unite cultures and build human capital. And you will not lack for those conversations. The
Jamaican people are among the warmest and most vibrant in the entire world. You will master the art of
befriending complete strangers, and you will learn to jump at the opportunity to meet a new and interesting
person.
If I can offer any advice, it's this: be mindful of your expectations. There's just no way to anticipate the reality
of your Peace Corps service. I expected the typical “Peace Corps village experience.”I Instead, I teach aerobics
and breastfeeding education in the capital town of Mandeville. I'm not far from a movie theater, high-speed
Internet, and even Domino's Pizza (though it's a little out of my price range). So don't worry about the nitty-
gritty of your service, or obsess over the minutiae of your packing list. You can figure most of that out when
you get here. Just take the time to hang out with the people you love and enjoy your own culture as much as
possible. Keep an open mind, stay patient and you'll get exactly what you want from your service. See you
soon!
Curt Lindley, Group 80
________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Invitee,
First, congratulations on being chosen to serve in Jamaica! I know that the application process is long and
waiting to hear that you’ve been accepted and where you’ll be serving is fraught with anxiety. I applaud your
willingness to devote the next two-plus years to public service; you have just joined an elite group of citizens
who believe in the value of volunteerism and are willing to make personal sacrifices to live their beliefs. For
that, you deserve every bit of the respect and admiration your friends and family feel toward you.
As you share the news of your posting you may sometimes get the same reaction I did: “Jamaica? Are you
kidding? How did you get such a dream assignment?” Do not be apologetic. It’s true that you won’t be living
in a mud-walled hut in a small African village; it’s true that your meal choices will not revolve around yak
milk or maize. But you will find that the Jamaica you’ll be experiencing is a far different place than the one
experienced by the clientele of cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts.
Your time here will challenge you. Heat, humidity, abundant insects, sporadic water and power outages,
isolation, security concerns, struggling with cultural differences and language—there is no shortage of
obstacles and irritants. On the other hand, there are very real rewards to be gained: lifelong friendships with
locals and other Volunteers; the wonderful smiles of children; and the personal satisfaction of setting and
accomplishing goals.
You are about to embark upon an experience that will change your life, whether you are fresh out college,
taking a break in the middle of your career, or enjoying retirement. I don’t doubt that you will make a
difference in many of the lives you touch here in Jamaica; I am equally certain that the most changed life will
be your own.

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Again, congratulations. Welcome to Jamaica and I hope your time here will be as memorable as mine has
been.
Bob Lockett, Group 80
______________________________________________________________________________
Dear Intrepid Volunteer-to-Be,
Hey, congratulations on being invited to the Land of Wood and Water—Jamaica! I promise that if you accept
this assignment, your life will never be the same: your step will be a little slower, your smile vastly broader,
and your sweat glands will get a full-body workout! Reggae, Soca, and dancehall music will boom through
your host-family’s windows and into your soul. Your concept of family will grow exponentially. And the
colors black, green, and gold will be yours forever.
But the real changes will occur within. I now see the world in a new way. Some days I love what I’m doing;
some days I’m challenged to my core. I’m pulled and stretched just as all the Peace Corps literature says I
would be. Honestly, some days can be hard. I remind myself, though, that if it were an easy life here, Peace
Corps wouldn’t be in Jamaica and that when my service is done and I can return to my privileged life, whereas
the people I have come to know here will likely always struggle. I might hope that my projects could make a
difference—and I know at some level they will—but I now truly appreciate that it’s the relationships that will
endure and that’s what makes this all worthwhile.
Jamaicans are a lovely people. Jamaica is a beautiful country. The sea is as stunning as you’ve imagined. I
hope you’re moved to join me and the other 80-plus Volunteers on the island for a most rewarding Peace
Corps experience.
Adrienne Wolf-Lockett, Group 80
Dear Peace Corps Trainees,
Welcome to Jamaica. Finally, after all the paperwork and waiting, you are here. Put aside your expectations.
Be ready to begin a journey of service, integrating into a new culture, learning new skills, self-discovery, joy,
and maybe shedding a few tears and a whole range of emotions. Go with it.
Serving as a married couple in Peace Corps/Jamaica has its pros and cons, but primarily pros. You have a
built-in support system, you are less likely to be lonely, and you have someone with whom to share your
successes and your doubts.
But don’t ignore the cons. You may be living with your spouse in a 15-by-12 foot bedroom in someone else’s

36
house. You may be with your spouse many more hours a day than you were in the US. Personal and emotional
space may have to be renegotiated.
The key to that renegotiation is communication. We can’t stress enough the importance of communication.
Sharing your thoughts, ideas, and needs will enrich and strengthen you as a person and as a couple. Your work
as a Volunteer will also be enriched. Add to that a sense of humor and flexibility, then success can be yours.
Walk Good,
Kirk Starr and Deb Snyder, Group 81
Congratulations on your acceptance to Peace Corps/Jamaica! It takes a special person to devote more than two
years of his/her life to the cause of improving the lives of others. Jamaica is a wonderful country that will
surprise you in many pleasant ways. Some things will make you laugh and they may tug at your heartstrings.
Some things may make you lick your lips and ask for seconds. Occasionally you'll experience one of those
singularly wonderful things that makes you step back and realize, "Wow, this will be the only time in my life
that I will have the opportunity to experience a thing like this."
On the other hand, there will probably be things that will frustrate you, some that will leave you perplexed, and
some things will try your patience and make you want to pull out your hair. Many things will make you scratch
your head in bewilderment, and many, many bugs will make you scratch just about everywhere else. All these
things will challenge you in ways that you've never been challenged before.
Remember to be patient with others and also be patient with yourself. Situations may not unfold according to
plan. It's important to realize that things happen in Jamaica at a more relaxed pace than in the States. Take your
time and enjoy a mango. Or two. Or all of them. Jamaica has more than 60 kinds to enjoy; you will need time
to enjoy them all!
In short, there is much to experience here. We all hope that you don't have any bad experiences, but don't get
discouraged if you do encounter a few bumps along the way. You'll encounter many opportunities to make
both Jamaican friends and new Peace Corps friends who will help you along the way. Don't be afraid to ask for
help! You will be surprised how willing people are to go out of their way and give you a hand. Keep yourself
open to new experiences, and much of Jamaica will reveal itself to you. Stay positive and keep up the
adventurous spirit that got you here in the first place. Good luck and we all look forward to meeting you!
Thinh Ngo, Group 80

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PACKING LIST
This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Jamaica and is based on their experience. Use it as an
informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that each experience is individual. There is no perfect
list! You obviously cannot bring everything on the list, so consider those items that make the most sense to you
personally and professionally. You can always have things sent to you later. As you decide what to bring, keep
in mind that you have an 80-pound weight limit on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything
you need in Jamaica.
General Clothing
Men
The workplace (bring enough to last two weeks without washing):
• Slacks (not jeans)
• Shirts with collars (short-sleeved, lightweight button-down, wash-and-wear are best; polo shirts are
acceptable)
• Shoes: lace-up leather (brown or black)
Field work and recreation wear:
• Jeans (dark pants are preferable, as light colors show soil quicker)
• Long shorts
• Short-sleeved, nonbutton-down shirts and T-shirts
Special Occasions (e.g., swearing-in ceremony, church, weddings, and funerals):
• Lightweight suit or sport coat
• Tie
• Dress shoes
Women
The workplace (at least 10 to 12 coordinated outfits, including shoes and jewelry):
• Lightweight tailored dresses
• Lightweight blazers or jackets
• Mix-and-match skirts (no miniskirts)
• Button-up blouses with collars (no spaghetti straps or low necks)
• Professional pantsuits (optional)
• Slacks (dark colored or khaki)
• Shoes: black or brown closed-toed with or without heel
Field work and recreational wear:
• Lightweight pants or jeans
• Capri pants
• Short-sleeved shirts

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• T-shirts or polo shirts
• Jogging/running clothes (not too fitted)
Special Occasions (e.g., swearing-in ceremony, church, weddings, and funerals):
• Cocktail dress
• At least one formal or casually elegant outfit (appropriate for church)
• Party outfits (optional)
• One or two pairs of closed-toe dress shoes and dressy high-heeled sandals
Other items to bring:
• Extra underwear
• Sun hat/cap
• Belts (of any material except suede)
• Bandanas or handkerchiefs (widely available and cheap in Jamaica)
• Small collapsible umbrella (raincoat optional)
• Iron!
Shoes
Bring three or four pairs of comfortable and sturdy walking or tennis shoes. It is advisable to have more than
one pair to allow for a day of “drying time.” Due to the high humidity, clothing and shoes do have a tendency
to attract mildew. Also bring one or two pair of closed-toe dress shoes and dressy high-heeled sandals.
Although Birkenstock/Tevas/Chacos-type sandals are nice to have for their comfort, they are not suitable for
most professional situations.
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

• Travel-size toiletries for weekend trips
• Brush, comb, hand mirror, nail clippers, tweezers, nail file, razor and blades
• Contact lens solution, if you wear contacts (available but expensive in-country)
• Three-month supply of any prescription drugs you take
• Feminine hygiene products—tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty shields (available but expensive in-
country),
• Hair dryer
• Hairpins, barrettes, etc.
• Two to four inexpensive, lightweight bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
• One beach towel or backpacking quick-dry towels
• Insect repellent (provided by Peace Corps, but bring it if you have a preference)
• Sunscreen (provided by Peace Corps, but bring it if you have a preference)
• Any specialty toiletries (may be available, but will probably be expensive in-country)
Kitchen
• Basic cookbook or recipes for your favorite dishes

39
• Plastic containers (available but expensive in-country)
• Plastic storage bags in assorted sizes (available but expensive in-country)
• Artificial sweetener (if you use it); available locally, but expensive
• Specialty kitchen utensils (available but expensive in-country)
Miscellaneous
• Two pairs of prescription eyeglasses (if you wear them; photochromic lenses are recommended)
• Sunglasses (preferably with UV protection)
• Watch (inexpensive, durable, water-resistant) with extra batteries
• Shoulder bag, backpack, and/or lightweight overnight bag (Volunteers often go on short, two- to four-
day trips, so bring something you can comfortably carry on a crowded bus). (Backpacks are
recommended for hiking only; bring a shoulder bag for everyday use)
• Therm-a-Rest or other portable sleeping pad (for use when visiting other Volunteers)
• Duct tape
• Plastic water bottle (e.g., Nalgene) or canteen
• Earplugs for sleeping through loud music, roosters' crowing, and barking dogs
• Digital camera (available locally but expensive)
• World band radio (Portable AM/FM radios are available in Jamaica)
• CD/DVD player, iPod, or other music player with cord and batteries (especially important if you are
not into listening to reggae and dancehall music all the time)
• Games (e.g., cards, scrabble, backgammon, chess)
• Musical instruments
• Snorkel, mask, fins, and swimming goggles (if you are so inclined)
• Hobby and craft supplies (available but expensive in-country)
• Resource materials (e.g., textbooks, dictionary, thesaurus) and office supplies (e.g., small stapler,
rubber bands, paper clips, scissors, tape, pens, markers); some host agencies will provide these,
but others will not. You may want to prepare a box to be sent to you later if you find you need
them
• Leatherman tool (for simple repairs)
• Laptop (optional; if you have one, you may want to bring it. Jamaica has regular electricity supply and
wireless Internet "hot spots" are becoming more available)
• Jump drive/flash drive/thumb drive

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PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST
The following list consists of suggestions for you to consider as you prepare to live outside the United States
for two years. Not all items will be relevant to everyone, and the list does not include everything you should
make arrangements for.
Family
• Notify family that they can call the Peace Corps’ Office of Special Services at any time if there is a critical
illness or death of a family member (24-hour telephone number: 800.424.8580, extension 1470).
• Give the Peace Corps’ On the Home Front handbook to family and friends.
Passport / Trave l
• Forward to the Peace Corps travel office all paperwork for the Peace Corps passport and visas.
• Verify that your luggage meets the size and weight limits for international travel.
• Obtain a personal passport if you plan to travel after your service ends. (Your Peace Corps passport will
expire three months after you finish your service, so if you plan to travel longer, you will need a regular
passport.)
Me dical/ He alt h
• Complete any needed dental and medical work.
• If you wear glasses, bring two pairs.
• Arrange to bring a three-month supply of all medications (including birth control pills) you are currently
taking.
In su ran ce
• Make arrangements to maintain life insurance coverage.
• Arrange to maintain supplemental health coverage while you are away. (Even though the Peace Corps is
responsible for your health care during Peace Corps service overseas, it is advisable for people who have
pre-existing conditions to arrange for the continuation of their supplemental health coverage. If there is a
lapse in coverage, it is often difficult and expensive to be reinstated.)
• Arrange to continue Medicare coverage if applicable.
Pe rson al Pape rs
• Bring a copy of your certificate of marriage or divorce.
Vot in g
• Register to vote in the state of your home of record. (Many state universities consider voting and payment
of state taxes as evidence of residence in that state.)

41
• Obtain a voter registration card and take it with you overseas.
• Arrange to have an absentee ballot forwarded to you overseas.
Pe rson al Effe ct s
• Purchase personal property insurance to extend from the time you leave your home for service overseas
until the time you complete your service and return to the United States.
Fin an cial Man age me n t

• Keep a bank account in your name in the U.S.
• Obtain student loan deferment forms from the lender or loan service.
• Execute a Power of Attorney for the management of your property and business.
• Arrange for deductions from your readjustment allowance to pay alimony, child support, and other debts
through the Office of Volunteer Financial Operations at 800.424.8580, extension 1770.
• Place all important papers—mortgages, deeds, stocks, and bonds—in a safe deposit box or with an
attorney or other caretaker.

42
CONTACTING PEACE CORPS HEADQUARTERS
This list of numbers will help connect you with the appropriate office at Peace Corps headquarters to answer various
questions. You can use the toll-free number and extension or dial directly using the local numbers provided. Be sure
to leave the toll-free number and extensions with your family so they can contact
you in the event of an emergency.
Peace Corps Headquarters Toll-free Number: 800.424.8580, Press 2, Press 1, then Ext. # (see below)
Peace Corps’ Mailing Address: Peace Corps

Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Headquarters
1111 20th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20526
For Questions About: Staff: Toll-Free Ext: Direct/Local Number:
Responding to an Invitation:
Office of Placement x1840 202.692.1840
Country Information Dawn Hodge x2517 202.692.2517
Desk Officer / dhodge@peacecorps.gov
Abby Kardel x2509 202.692.2509
Desk Assistant / akardel@peacecorps.gov
Jenny Mayo x2512 202.692.2512
Desk Assistant / jmayo@peacecorps.gov
Plane Tickets, Passports, Visas, or other travel matters:
SATO Travel x1170 202.692.1170
Legal Clearance Office of Placement x1840 202.692.1840
Medical Clearance and Forms Processing (includes dental):
Screening Nurse x1500 202.692.1500
Medical Reimbursements (handled by a subcontractor) 800.818.8772
Loan Deferments, Taxes, Financial Operations x1770 202.692.1770
Readjustment Allowance Withdrawals, Power of Attorney, Staging (Pre-Departure Orientation), and Reporting
Instructions:
Office of Staging x1865 202.692.1865

43
Note: You will receive comprehensive information (hotel and flight arrangements three to five weeks prior to
departure. This information is not available sooner.
Family Emergencies (to get information to a Volunteer overseas) 24 hours:
Office of Special x1470 202.692.1470

44

Peace Corps Jamaica Welcome Book - September 2010

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Peace Corps Jamaica Welcome Book - September 2010

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THE PEACE CORPS WELCOMES YOU TO

A PEACE CORPS PUBLICATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS

Dear Future Peace Corps Volunteer:

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

A WELCOME LETTER ................................................................................................................................ 1

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Hist ory of t h e Pe ace Corps in J amaica

Hist ory an d Fu t u re of Pe ace Corps Programmin g in J amaica

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Ge n e ral In format ion Abou t J amaica

Conn e ct Wit h Re t u rn e d Volu n t e e rs

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

On lin e Art icle s/ Cu rren t Ne ws Sit e s Abou t J amaica

In t e rn at ional De ve lopme n t Sit e s Abou t J amaica

3. Read, Michael. Lonely Planet Jamaica. Lonely Planet Publications, 2006.

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

5. Stone, Rosemarie. No Stone Unturned. Ian Randle Publishers, 2007.

6. Winkler, Anthony C. Going Home To Teach. LMH Publishing, 1995.

Books About the History of the Peace Corps

Books on the Volunteer Experience

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Commun icat ion s

“Your Name,” PCT

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Hou sin g an d Sit e Locat ion

Livin g Allowan ce an d Mon e y Man age me n t

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Tran sport at ion

Social Act ivit ie s

Profe ssion alism, Dre ss, an d Be h avior

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Re wards an d Fru st rat ion s

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Ove rvie w of Pre -Se rvice Train in g

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Cross-Cu lt u ral Train in g

Addit ion al Train in gs Du rin g Volun t e e r Se rvice

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Qualifying for Service

Jamaica’s competencies include the following:

1. Maintain personal safety, security and well-being

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

He lpin g You St ay He alt h y

Main t ain in g You r He alth

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Women’s Health Information

You r Pe ace Corps Me dical Kit

Me dical Kit Con t e n t s

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Be fore You Le ave : A Me dical Ch e cklist

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

Fact ors t h at Con t ribu t e t o Volun t e e r Risk

o Leave valuable objects in U.S.

• Purchase a hidden money pouch or "dummy" wallet as a decoy

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK

St ayin g Safe : Don ’t Be a Targe t for Crime

Support from Staff

PEACE CORPS | JAMAICA WELCOME BOOK