Blue Mountain Project opened its first clinic in Hagley Gap in February of 2006, which provides basic health care by a local Nurse, supplemented by visiting medical teams from Northwestern University and the University of Michigan each quarter. A second clinic was opened in August of 2008 in the neighboring village of Penlyne Castle. Here, villagers can obtain basic First Aid and over-the-counter medications.
In addition to health care, Blue Mountain Project offers several educational programs:
- Back 2 School Extravaganza is an annual school-readiness event that began in 2005. Every August the Blue Mountain Project hosts this family fun day which includes music, games, food and more. All school-aged children receive a backpack full of free school supplies.
- Fun Camp is a summer camp for children ages 3-12 that began in 2005. The curriculum is based on a relevant community theme and uses the fine arts to teach the children about sensitive topics. A hot nutritious lunch is also provided to supplement the children’s diets.
- After-School Jam is an after-school program for all-aged learners, including adults. The first hour focuses on silent reading and homework assistance, while the second hour allows for board games, dramatic play and computer lessons.
- Adult Institute is a series of monthly workshops geared towards teaching basic life skills. Workshop topics have included Stress Management, Energy Conservation and Safe Sex.
- Ripon Scholars is a competition that began in 2007 after a group of Ripon College students participated in the Service Learning Program and felt the need to do something more sustainable than volunteer for two weeks in Hagley Gap. After a meeting between Ripon College and Blue Mountain Project, it was decided that two Jamaicans would have the opportunity to attend Ripon College on a full-ride scholarship and in return work for the Blue Mountain Project for four years upon their graduation.
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Although most of our programs and services focus on health and education, we believe in a holistic community development approach and support environmental, engineering and economic development projects too. Some of these projects include:
- Plastic recycling in collaboration with Protect the Environment Trust in Kingston, Jamaica.
- Building a bridge over the Yallahs River in collaboration with BLUELab at the University of MI.
- Providing clean drinking water in collaboration with Engineers Without Boarders in Seattle, WA.
- Supporting the establishment of a Farmers Co-op in collaboration Emerging Markets at the University of MI.
- Facilitating fair trade craft businesses for our Women’s Group in collaboration with Students In Free Enterprise at Ripon College, WI.
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Blue Mountain Project also serves as the area Disaster Relief organization. Our team of staff and volunteers are trained to respond in times of crisis.
