Today was day 2 at Church Hill Primary school here in Hanover, Jamaica. It was definitely a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, but the children are so sweet and filled with joy!

We started the day out in grade 1. The students were so excited to see us back again and we got to watch as they finished their morning devotions. We read the book “One Love” to the students and many started to sing the words as we read the book. They got to write and draw about their families and how they experience one love and it was so amazing to see their responses.

From there we went to grade 2. We taught the students some cheers to celebrate their successes and they absolutely loved it! They kept asking for the same one over and over and it became such a big motivator for them.

Our last stop for whole group lessons was grade 3. We read the Caribbean story “Rata-Pata-Scata-Fata” and the students were so engrossed! They were chanting the magic words right alongside the main character, Junjun. The lesson went so well and it was so rewarding to see their sweet faces so engrossed in the story and in learning.

The highlight of the day was spending time with all of the kids at recess. It’s not like America where there is a set time to eat and a set time to play. The students have an hour for lunch and recess so most of them scarf down their food quickly, and head outside as fast as possible. At one point, I had a large group of children around me as I led them through songs and dances. My voice kept giving out from yelling the song so loudly, but the children were so incredibly filled with joy that I couldn’t bring myself to stop. The children taught me the words to their version of “Ring Around the Rosie” and I had the time of my life getting to know them and getting to have fun with them. Their joy is infectious.

I feel so thankful to have had all of these experiences so far and I am greatly looking forward to all the ones to come. We’re only two days in, but already these kids have left such a big impression on my heart and I know that I’ll remember them forever.