First day of work NEWLO

Today I started with NEWLO- New Life Organization. It is in Palmiste in the west of the country and I am going to be petitioning google earth to get street view for Grenada because a road map does not in any way represent what the drive up to Palmiste is like. Hair pin turns on narrow roads that drop steeply into the ocean below. On the way to work you drive the ocean side of the road, so the drive home is less hair raising.

The drive passes through a number of villages and towns all perched precariously on the edge of the mountains or cliffs heading down to the sea. Practically everywhere you can find a paint store and the houses are painted with bright colours. Many have no glass in the windows and use shutters on the outside of the home to keep the elements out. The coast line is dotted with beaches, however given the narrow roads I can’t figure out how you would ever be able to stop, park and get down to them!

It is about a 45 minute drive and I am thinking of leaving earlier than need be to try to avoid the traffic coming into the city of St. George. It is not that it is heavy it is more so that it is fast and there is little margin for error on these windy roads.

The school itself is similar to Beacon in that you have a primary building facing the road and a then a series of buildings behind that are very close together to take advantage of the land they are on. It is absolutely remarkable, and a testament to the instructors, board and students how many programs are run on their campus. I may miss one or two but there is- sewing, health & child care, plumbing, carpentry, construction, electrical, computer systems, refrigeration, cosmetology, hospitality and  tourism. I may have missed one, but that is a lot of programs!

Mondays start with an assembly in the main courtyard for all the students. They are led in the singing of their national anthem while the flag is raised followed by the pledge of allegiance. The assembly continues with singing spirituals and bible reading. It was so lovely to hear these young people singing to start the day. Next Sister Margret introduced me and I said a few words about being happy to be there and encouraging the young people to be leaders.

Sister Margret then did announcements. There are beautiful mango trees behind the school which are ripe, but don’t belong to the school. She cautioned students not to trespass to get the mangos. Looking at the fruit hanging off the tree I can see why it is such a temptation.

Then she took me around to each department so I could see where each department was and what they were doing. Many of the buildings had been damaged by hurricane Ivan, and had not been repaired. The school is so focused on getting the youth educated that there is not enough time or resources for maintenance. NEWLO is one of, or maybe the only school that boards students. There is a boys and girls dormitory. Those boarding have chores and are responsible for the garden, making their meals and maintaining the property.  One of the teachers lives at the school to be the “Den mother”. The boys are about 6 boys to a room and have showers and a common room to hang out in when chores are done. I did not see the girl’s dorms as I assumed they were similar but smaller in number.

Sister Margret is the first nun I have ever met and she is the most lovely, hardworking woman I have encountered in a long time. She reminds me of my co-worker Joyce but in a habit! Same energy, same positive attitude- even same stature! We spent an hour or so going over what they wanted me to work on and I felt guilty because there is so much for Sister Margret to do at that school she needs every moment she has and then some.

I am working in an office with Mrs. Douglas who does marketing and fundraising for the school. A massive undertaking, as they are constantly seeking funding and grants. Like all working women in Grenada was impeccably dressed in a suit and even a scarf to tie the outfit together. I am quite certain if I wore a scarf around my neck I would pass out! She is just the right mix of tenacity and tact. NEWLO is celebrating 30 years this year and the former Governor General Sir Daniel and Lady Williams are hosting the event at their residence. Mrs. Douglas is actively getting people to purchase their tickets. I think it is a great way to meet past graduates and for the boys to see probably one of the nicest properties in Grenada. 

Today Mrs Douglas and Sister Margret had a meeting in St. George after lunch and Mrs. Douglas suggested that they simply drop me back home instead of Brent driving out to pick me up. Such a generous gesture and greatly appreciated. Everyone at NEWLO is warm and welcoming and it is hard not to want to try and find solutions for all of the items they need help with. I am really hoping to show my mom the school because she will want to mobilize a small army to help this school reach it’s potential. I think Cuso has made a wise investment by supporting NEWLO.

When I arrived home I found a small SUV in the driveway but not ours! It turns out that the certified cheques from the Royal Bank in Canada have not “cleared” the Royal Bank here. So they would not let Brent withdraw the funds… maybe next week. So we have rented a car and tomorrow we will put me on as a second driver so I can learn how to drive on these scary roads along the wrong side of the road on the wrong side of the car! Brent was doing it today and said it take a lot of concentration- now a right hand turn is across two lanes of traffic and a left only requires looking one way- although looking every possible direction but up is probably a good idea!

I did learn that my dress is too short! Below the knee is what is acceptable for the girls in the school so that should go for the staff as well. It was next to impossible to find dresses with sleeves in Canada below the knee is almost unheard of. But I do have a couple that are below the knee so they will be NEWLO dresses. Women do wear pant suits to work but I would melt, so tea length dresses are in, anything else is out!