Day 10- January 23, 2008, 9:11 am
By Craig & Lizeth
Wow, the environmental sustainability trip to Nassau and Andros has been the model of an immersion experience steep in learning opportunities. We have been saturated with the inland culture and Bahamamin rituals. Out environmental work introduced the students to a rigorous physical experience along with exposure to the emotional connection country natives have for their unique land scape.
A true immersion experience allows for deep and complementing experiences day in and day out over time with the ability to see, reflect and making meaning of the daily activities that position the participants to identify the difference being made through their efforts. This happened as we saw the trail system to each of the blue holes become more clear, distinct and usable. Our work will allow for the Bohemians to take full advantage of the environmental wonder called Blue Holes.
We have been stretched to think more complexly as a result of being in dialog with leaders many social service agencies, political leaders, government representatives, high school and college students along with many citizens passionate about their neighborhoods, towns and country as a whole.
As a result of our experience Maryland student have shared stories of deeper understanding of the issues facing the environment in Nassau, Andros and the country. They have challenged one another to talk more critically about why they believe and what is it that they believe about environmental issues. This trip has positioned our students to touch points of passion with in themselves about their world and the interconnection they have to a greater society. So many times we have heard comments about individual actions having a ripple effect to and for the great community.
Now the true test of our experience will be how our behavior and action becomes more in line with the evolving environmental values shared by the students and staff that lived and experienced together over the past 11 days.
Day 7 -January 20, 2009 9:46 pm
By Kat and Michelle
The day started off without a bump in the road, figuratively speaking. There are a ton of bumps on the road to the service site. We worked on the trails again around Captain Bill’s (Tingum) blue hole which entailed clearing an already made path and leveling. We ended around 11:30am for lunch so that we could make our way down to the Andros High School. Unfortunately, we missed most of Obama’s inauguration speech but when we arrived at the school they had the end playing on the T.V. with speakers outside so a good amount of the students could watch. It was amazing to see how deeply involved the students were in Obama’s words…he gives hope to more than just the U.S. citizens. Then we had the chance to speak to the entire senior Chemistry lab class of seventeen students. It was interesting to see a high school class, especially a foreign one, being so far removed from high school. There was a sharp contrast to what we see in college; students quietly taking notes versus rowdy behavior. Nonetheless, they did listen and participate in our presentation. It was sad to see that they did not have much interest in the environment and their natural surroundings. Their main concerns and interests revolved around crabbing and the Andros crab feast, not about what they could do to prevent an overload of environmental issues later in life (which is completely normal at their ages and since it is not yet a deep concern in the Androsian community). We also noticed the sharp difference in the gender ratio. There were many more girls than there were boy students. One girl mentioned that her brother dropped out of school so that he could get into the bone fishing industry to help with the family income, a job that does not require a high school diploma. Another girl, however, talked with much enthusiasm about her future and her dream to be a teacher. It gave us a great perspective about the Bahamian lifestyle and the differences between the U.S. and the Bahamian islands. There are not that many job opportunities here in Andros just like in the U.S. but it is by far more severe.
During reflection a few interesting points were brought up. The U.S. is not at the forefront when it comes to environment. Although the U.S. is not as bad as China, it is near the top despite its reputation for being modern. Efforts are being made to help the environment such as, bike lanes on college campuses, We Bike (?) programs in cities, and increased awareness. More initiatives can be taken. Anna mentioned that gas prices should be raised to decrease the amount of driving and increase the use of other modes of transportation. Another suggestion was to extend the recycling competition to more universities.
In all it was inspiring and fun day topped off with cherries and ice cream. SLASH TABOO!
Day 6- January 19, 2009 10:52 pm
By Philemon and Kristina
Today we cleared pathways around a blue hole to allow for both natives and tourists to make a round trip around it so as to better appreciate the beauty of the blue hole in its entirety. Knowing that we fellow AWB members took a part in this process gives much satisfaction as our work not only invites tourists to this region but also awareness of the marvels of nature. This was the reason we are here, and it was just a great experience to see our purpose actually happening. In talking to one of the kids walking around the trail, they were so excited to be at the blue hole enjoying the environment and what the island of Andros has to offer. A few days back Raakhee and Kristina led a group reflection in which we discussed the difference between what was considered service and what was not, which brought about much debate. There were those that defined service as any that did not have tangible rewards and those who defined service as any that was expected and obligated by society. In all, despite our differences of opinion, all came to the consensus to agree to disagree and recognize that our work in the Bahamas is to bring awareness to the Bahamian population of their environmental issues.
Last night before our camp fire there was the discussion of the political structure of the Bahamas and the processes by which policies were enacted. As it turns out, the Bahamas has its fair share of political trouble being that it is such a young country. Since its independence, it has been through only three prime ministers. Proposed policies in general take quite some time before they become the accepted policies of the land – not all are in the best interest of the country’s prosperity. From what some of us got from the discussion, it seems as thought the local governments see to the actual governing making for the voting public to be heavily involved in the political process – 80 percent.
Tomorrow we are planning on visiting the local high school students and talking to them about the environment and what roles they’ve been playing in the whole process of ecological sustainability. It will be interesting to see what plans they have in place and what they have been doing up to this part. It’s easy to come into other’s country and take over their systems, but it is really crucial to understand what is at stake for the future and how the culture interacts with each together. We’ve definitely gotten to see the culture and how it operates, it’ll be fun to see the emerging plans of the country and what they plan to do with their youth—since they will be the ones to keep up these parks and site
Day 5- January 18, 2009 11.45pm
By Stephen Rogers
Today was a rather easy day compared to yesterday. My roommates and I all got a few extra minutes of sleep before eating breakfast, making lunch, and boarding the van—all in one hurried moment. Craig, Kristina, Hema, and I all felt like Hee-men as we lifted and moved ginormous (I know- it’s not in the dictionary) rocks and arranged them in a way so that no one would crack an ankle. Craig was the visionary who figured the best way to lay out the rocks and create a defined boundary for the trail. Kristina hacked her first tree on our last day at the Hub Cap Blue Hole. She beamed with pride as she and Hema held the tree for the victory pose and I snapped away. To our terror, Hema accidentally touched some poisonwood without gloves and had to climb down the rocks to wash her hands in the blue hole, only holding on to an old tree branch, barely falling in—a sigh of relief…
There area few highlights for the day. The first was when we visited the conservancy and finally got to reconnect to the outside world and email our folks back at home. Many of us haven’t talked to our friends and family since we left for this great adventure. Our lodging accommodations haven’t allowed us to at least call, text, or email anyone. Internet at last, I said to myself. I couldn’t have been happier to see the “mail.umd” page! The second highlight was jumping off the platform Raveen built, plunging into Captain Bill’s Blue Hole—13 feet down! I wanted adventure when I signed up for this trip so I got over my fear quickly and jumped in screaming, “I love Andros!!”. LOL. What a blast…
After eating a great meal and watching the Ravens game (we lost), we rapped it up at the bon-fire, eating smores, and asking Raveen lots of questions about the government of Andros and the Bahamas in general. He happily answered all of our questions until 11pm. Then we were guided by the night stars back to our rooms to get a nights rest. Another laborious, but eventful day awaits us tomorrow morning…
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