Along with most Labor Days (Labour with a “U” is a British spelling, also used in Jamaica!), Jamaica's Labour Day is meant to honor workers. I would think it would therefore be a day for workers to rest, relax, enjoy their families and the sun and perhaps a giant glass of lemonade.
However, apparently many Jamaicans celebrate the day by volunteering—in other words, working hard on behalf of others, or the country as a whole—instead of by relaxing! People work on roads, clear land, repair or paint homes of elderly people, build or fix up houses, schools, community centers! Since 1989, the government has suggested themes to assist Jamaicans in finding projects worth doing.
This year's theme is “Lend a Hand...Build Our Land.” One of the big-scale projects for the day is fixing up a home for more than 80 mentally and physically challenged people.
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| St. Mary's Infirmary is the national fix-it project this year. |
Isn't that an amazing twist on Labor Day? So much more worthwhile than sitting around a TV set, guzzling soda and munching on chips!
Learn about Jamaica...
- Take a peek at the National Geographic Kids slide show.
- Or see Jamaica through “cool kids'” eyes.
- For more on Jamaica, check out this earlier post.
Plan Ahead...
Check out my Pinterest boards of June holidays, historical anniversaries in June, and June birthdays.
Also on this date:
