My name is Liz Falcigno, and I recently graduated from Albertus Magnus College with my Bachelor’s in Business Management. While attending Albertus I was a part of the Business Club. In April I was invited to join Dr. Clara Munson on a mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica. Laurel Flanagan, Max Pelloth, Justin Tharau, Zach Monti, and I had the pleasure of representing the Business Club on this amazing trip. Our goal was to help educate the community on starting one’s own business. We teamed up with Sister Gene Poore, who knows many of the locals and has developed strong relationships with the community. Overall, we consisted of a group of talented individuals all wanting to make this world a better place. Each of us has our own unique story as to what inspired us to be part of this trip. We knew the children of Jamaica needed not only our supplies and advice, but the inspiration to achieve their dreams!
Our flight left Bradley at 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 15th. Once in Jamaica, we were met by our driver, Mark, who picked us up from the airport and was our unofficial tour guide throughout the week. We stayed at St. Bernadette Retreat Center, a former convent. We each had our own rooms, a full sized kitchen, living room, dining area, and multiple showers. Pauline prepared an incredible dinner for us each night and many local dishes. We were introduced to the famous Jamaican chicken and beef patties that far surpass any fast food establishment in the U.S.
This was my first time leaving the country. Not only was I able experience an entirely new culture, but I was fully immersed in some of the worst poverty in the world. My own personal goal on this trip was to take down as much information as possible so that upon my return home I could begin to start fundraisers and charity events for these children.
The first two days we saw some of the world’s worst poverty levels, but despite the terrible living conditions, the children continued to smile. The people of Kingston have a tremendous hope for a better future.The second you walk into a room you are surrounded by three or four precious faces reaching out their hands to grab yours.On Sunday evening we traveled to an orphanage called New Jerusalem where the majority of children were physically disabled and HIV positive. The second we walked through the gates we had children running up to us asking if they could braid our hair or draw a picture with them. We spent a short hour with these kids, but it was so heartwarming. And to believe that this experience was only the tip of the iceberg as to what else we were about to see.
We attended Sunday Mass at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church where we met one of the groups we would later teach our start up business seminar . Father Walter Dorsey blessed us at the end of communion and thanked us for coming to help. We took a quick ride to visit the Bob Marley Statue followed by a drive up Mountain View. A small, yet very wealthy community called Beverly Hills is tucked away in the mountains. This was a breathtaking view of the spectacular Blue Mountains.
The real eye opening experience was our visit to Riverton Meadows where we would be doing most of our work. That evening we had dinner with the Principal of Riverton Meadows Early Childhood Centre, Junior Rowe. He explained to us the many struggles the people of Riverton face, but even he admitted that he could not prepare us for what we were about to see…and he was correct. Monday morning at 8:30 we hopped in the van and headed for our destination. After passing through the semi-familiar city streets we entered a much more rural area. Junior Rowe had explained to us that this community was most literally a landfill.
The first thing we saw when we pulled into the community were abandoned garbage trucks, dilapidated shacks, remnants of old containers and boxes, scruffy looking dogs as well as cats and goats. Suddenly, our once vibrant van full of laughter became silent.When we arrived through the gates of Riverton Meadows, we were greeted by several young girls and boys. They guided us inside and showed us all around their school yard. Justin began a game of football with a couple of the boys while Max and Zach hoisted some kids on their shoulders. Laurel, Janice, and I had a girl holding onto each hand, as well as a couple others just holding on for a hug. For a few minutes we were completely surrounded by children just giggling and asking to be held or picked up. We spent some time on the playground with everyone but eventually had to give the younger children up to their teachers for class.
Dr. Munson and the rest of the business club set up a tiny classroom and began teaching a total of about 25 boys and girls ages 14 to about 18 who were interested in starting a business. We had two sessions on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during which time we covered topics such as creativity and innovation, marketing, time management, Gantt Charts, Excel Spreadsheets, and accounting basics.
On Tuesday and Thursday we worked with adults at St. Theresa’s where we taught the same concepts but discussed things a little more in depth. To our surprise there were many current business owners with questions of their own which we were able to answer. We taught adults some computer skills and other important business concepts that will help them improve their current situations.
We had the most fun with the kids of Riverton on our trip to the beach on Friday. We took two busses to a small beach outside of the city for the day. The water was crystal clear aside from a bit of seaweed floating around. We had an absolute blast launching kids off our shoulders into the water, teaching them how to float, and how to hold their breath underwater. We played a small game of tag football on the beach but spent most of the time in the water. Only Max got really burnt… although we all got some red color.
The hardest part of the entire trip was when we dropped the kids off back at Riverton. We stepped off the bus and instantly had two or three kids hugging us and asking us not to leave. If we could have stayed, we all would have! In the short span of a week, we had developed relationships with these children. 
They taught us the true meaning of happiness. Here is a community built with no luxuries yet these are some of the kindest and loving people. The beauty of Jamaica isn’t the warm sunshine and blue oceans, but rather the benevolent people who are constantly smiling.
I can’t help but think of two things: how blessed I am to have all that I have, most especially the opportunity to be well educated and how much I want to continue to help the people of Riverton. We all have our own unique story, and I believe that helping educate this community should be something more people invest their time in doing. We have a wealth of knowledge that we can share with communities like Riverton, they are very welcoming to those who can help.
When I was originally asked to participate on this trip, I hoped I would be able to help and change the lives of the Jamaican people. I never expected them to change mine. The people of Jamaica have stolen my heart, and I want nothing more than to continue to help this community. I am so thankful for all that that trip taught me and as we learned in Jamaica:
“Haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough
But I’ve got loving ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer, Cause my cup has overflowed.”
Author Bio: Elizabeth Falcigno graduated Albertus Magnus College in 2016 with a major in Management