Jamaica Sweet 16

 Inter-Tribal Youth and “Native like Water” Exchange visit to Jamaica
Tentative Scheudule
This Native Like Water (NLW) program is being offered exclusively to ITY Alum and Family. After you read below and are interested in attending, NLW will send an official invitation which may also assist you in fundraising for this educational exchange to share with our relatives in Jamaica.

Who should attend: Past InterTribal Youth/ Young Native Scholars Alumni, Teachers, Mentors and Extended Family. In other words, if you have been a part of ITY or YNS in any shape, form, you are invited. Youth 16 and older are also allowed to bring one adult guest. Suggested guests should have interest in youth programs, inter-generational teachings, community learning, cultural traditions, music, art, beaches, tropical climates, and outdoors.

There is no adult age limit to attend. Youth should be at least 16 years of age or older and have the option of being accompanied by adult (parent, relative). This program is not supported by ITY/NLW Fundraising and is dependent solely on the cost to the participant which is kept to a minimum.  Cost/registration may be considered a donation to an educational non-profit registered 501(c)3 is tax-deductable: ITY and NLW are programs of One World BRIDGE Non-Profit 501c3.

Those interested in attending will need to send an email to: intertribalyouth@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT: Please place “Jamaica 16: Your Name” (& Name of Guest if Applicable) in the header of the email requesting your registration (no FB Messenger please). If you need a support letter of invitation from ITY to assist in your fundraising please include that request in your email.

Program Cost: $845. Includes Lodging, Daily Meals, Private Transportation to all locations named, Personalized Tours and Admissions, individual pick-up/drop at airport, 2-3 nights camping, inter-tribal community teaching, program logistics.  $400 Non-refundable deposit due on or before Feb. 5, 2016. Second Payment due March 5.
Not included in cost: International Flight (average cost $500-$700 round-trip) to Kingston Jamaica, 2 Dinners, Surf lessons, any additional excursions not listed below.

Please note: the program is now full (2/6/15). If you have already contacted us about attending and have yet to confirm, please do ASAP so we are updated on your status. Group size will be no more than 15 people.
Please begin to obtain your passport, apply at Post Office with Certified Birth Certificate and two pictures.

Draft Itinerary:
Day One: April 11, Arrival Reception and Welcome. Dinner, social hour, protocol and introduction by Forward Step Foundation's Miguel “Steppa” Williams who was voted Commonwealth & Americas Youth Worker of the Year. Also, UNICEF Jamaica is tentatively scheduled to join. This will be a unification of the 4 directions.

Day Two: Bob Marley Museum (Hope Road & Trench Town, Kingston) A day visit and tour of the Museum then off to the Trench Town Culture Yard.  The iconic Bob Marley has influenced more indigenous people around the world then any other artist and his music is still very relevant today. Native Like Water will flow through Trench Town and witness the root of Bob Marley ‘s and Jamaica’s contribution to the world.  Revealing the historical and cultural context of Bob's Music, one will see that Bob Marley's Music is a "text" that speaks volumes and represents an oppressed and undeserved communities around the world. In addition to the Museum, NLW will tour the Trench Town Culture Yard, Community Art Centre and Craft shops.

Day 3: Jamnesia Surf, Skate and Music Camp (Bull Bay Beach, East Kingston): This unique outpost of Rasta Surfers is also a corner stone of vital reggae music. Leaders of the Jamaican National Surf Team and music lineage of the great Billly Wilmot of “Billy Mystic and the Revealers” host international travelers and provide the beacon of surfing in Jamaica. Jamnesia frequently hosts music on a small stage with big impact. Up and coming young prophets as well as legends share their talent. Youth of Jamnesia was featured in Vogue Magazine October 2015.

Day 4: University of the West Indies Campus, Forward Step Foundation, Beach Tour(St. Catherine Province): A general campus tour under the patronage of the Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Rastafari Research Unit led by Dr. Sonjah and Jahlani Niaah. Then we are off to the Forward Step Foundation (St. Catherine). A tour of Forward Step Foundations space & projects and wider community.. This provides a great chance to witness successful models in youth programs and meet Miguel “Steppa” Williams voted Commonwealth & Americas Youth Worker of the Year. We also flow local hills and along beaches of St. Catherine Province.

Options:
Caymanas Mineral Spa (St. Catherine): this nature mineral spa which is a local favorite.
Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary Boat and Snorkel Tour: The mission of the Sanctuary is to increase the bio-diversity within Oracabessa Bay in order to improve the livelihoods of all community members who rely upon the Bay.

Day 5: Road to Ocho Rios and Irie River Farm: We will begin on our journey with a visit to Irie FM Studios with Elise Kelly Queen of Radio (Ochi Rios). This will be a media opportunity to highlight the partnerships, works, and the cultures represented. A television interview will also be tentative.

Day 6, 7, Earthday (Earthstrong) Gathering, Irie River, Organic Farm and Learning center, Beaches & Mountains (Ocho Rios).  Long time friend, mentor and Uncle, Jah Mikey Lee hosts us on the large farm as we set up camp for the annual Earthday gathering in honor of music legend Garnet Silk.  The land is filled with fruit trees, medicinal foods, cultural significance, and a vibe, or as they say in Jamaica –“Livity”. This will be a time of deeper cultural sharing, song, dance, story and wisdom. In addition to the daily farm celebration, we will have time to chill by Irie River or take a short ride down to the gorgeous beaches of Ocho Rios.

This is truly a time to be grateful and to give thanks always.

Day 8: Departure April 18th: One loves return home.