Full name: Lau Ka Yi Athena
University: The University of Hong Kong
Kingston YMCA Summer School 2024 (July 1 – 25, 2024)
Jamaica Partners for Purpose
A non-profit organization established by a group of dedicated Jamaicans whose mission is to advance education in Jamaica through volunteer initiatives and events aimed at underprivileged youths.
The Young Men’s Christian Association
Located at 21 Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica, this educational establishment welcomes at-risk youths into their Youth Development Program, offering them another chance at education. The summer program offers various activities such as crocheting and swimming.
Project Goal
- Teach Jamaican boys English and knowledge about Jamaica and the world.
- Introduce drama, business ideas, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese and Hong Kong culture, and summary of a debate.
- Other teachers at the YMCA teach Mathematics, Language Arts, Computer Skills, Drama, Business Ideas, Arts, crochet, and Knitting skills.
Objectives
- Help Jamaican boys who are falling behind in school adapt effectively to the normal school curriculum.
- Develop a routine for studying even during summertime.
- Expand students' horizons by learning about different cultures.
- Encourage students to broaden their imagination regarding their future careers and relationships.
Proposed schedule
Outcomes
Proposed schedules
In reality:
40% follow the schedule, while the blank slots are reserved for special activities. Due to the hurricane, there were fewer special activities, so I ended up teaching during most of the blank slots. I did not hold Movie Day or video presentations due to the lack of equipment. Instead, I focused on teaching Chinese and Hong Kong cultures. It was a better use of my time.
Week 1:
- No school due to Hurricane Beryl.
- No electricity for a week, so I read books every day.
Week 2:
- Due to the hurricane, there were fewer students attending school during the initial days of the second week. Electricity had not yet returned to some districts and areas in Jamaica.
- I started my teaching with paintings—asking students to paint themselves and their girlfriends ‘10 years later.’
- I initiated Drama sessions with ‘Peter Pan’ and engaged students in debates.
- For the debate, I introduced critical thinking, for example: Should students wear school uniforms to school?
Week 3:
- I introduced ‘Business Idea’ by tapping into students' familiarity with playing online games like Assassin’s Creed, GTA, and Minecraft. I tasked them with creating a game for a business idea to help them relate to the needs of customers, particularly other Jamaican teens.
- In the Drama session of ‘Peter Pan,’ students assumed various roles, which enhanced their confidence in speaking and reading English.
Week 4:
- Chinese culture and calligraphy: Introduced Chinese New Year customs such as giving red pockets and hanging red papers on walls. Taught students to write Chinese characters like 大吉大利 and 出入平安.
- Hong Kong culture: Discussed Hong Kong's low tax rates, such as no sales tax, and its status as the world's busiest air cargo hub, for example, as DHL's regional hub.