Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 4)

[JA Tam 7]

I am sure the school fees vary by thousands in regards to what school you attend and where it is located. I found this little bit of info from a website.

Education is expensive in Jamaica. For instance, to have their child attend a Jamaican high school, the family must pay tuition (“school fees”); plus, the family must bear the full cost of transportation, books, uniforms, and school supplies. Depending upon which high school a student attends (determined by the results of the GSAT—Sixth Grade Achievement Test), the cost for one year of high school (including school lunches) ranges from about $1,250 to $2,750 (U.S.).

Link

Wow...that's kinda expensive. Thanks for all your responses.

My "adopted" daughter in JA wants to finish high school. She's 17 with an one year-old daughter. I was wondering if we could help her financially. I spoke with her briefly last night and she said it will cost around $900 (US) and one math book cost $5800 We got disconnected so I'll more info this weekend. Thanks again.

The cost for one year of high school is no where near $1250(US) THe average school fee cost about $10000(JA) Parents don't give kids more than $500 per day and that is if you travel from, lets say ST Thomas to Kingston for schol. They should be home by 4pm anyways. some schools have a book rental system because books change with the grade. However CXC syudents will have to buy their books, but each book cost less than $2500(JA) $5800 for a math book is ridiculous. That can buy 3 CXC books 1 Math, 1 physics and 1 social Studies. If one Year of High School really cost $80something (JA) ( school fee, books lunch and bus fare) what would happen to the parent who works minimum wage and has two kids in high school???? That's totally unbelievable.

I agree. It is not that expensive to go to school in JA, especially depending on where you live.

I went to one of the prominent high schools in JA and as a part of the Old Students Association, I know the school fees are no way close to USD 1250. I also went to college in Ja and none of my text books were J$5800 - I would spend that on a few that I used throughout the semester. Probably only the books for medical students would be that much and that would be because it will be a reference book throughout their career.

[rhondapayter 0]

I am so stressed out I still haven't found a house yet I leave for Jamaica in 13 days, and a few days after we come home, we close on my house. Then we're homeless!! I have made 2 offers already on 2 different houses, but they would not come down enough to get within my budget. All the cheaper houses are yucky. I guess we'll just pitch a tent in my parents backyard and live in that! I had NO idea that this process was sooooo stressful. When I bought my current house, it was easy since I still lived at home and didn't have to sell a house in order to buy a house.

[DonnaJay 0]

I have been organizing my documents for the interview next Tuesday. Will I need two original letters from my employer and two from my bank? Am I going to be OK with the one of each that I now have?

[SupportOAFJF 0]

Hey guys thanks for all the wll wishes....hubby is coming home tonight..he will be on a 3pm flight into JFK

Yeah hubby went to Tinson pen to pick his up....don't know if u can get the money back he paid $480JA

and YES that was very quick...

Sarah, I know it is tough and u have to do what U have to do, just let some things roll off ur shoulders. I know it's have I was there and I finished college, and have a baby, so you can do it..just find something to put ur emotions in so u don't burst into tears every minute..cause I know that too...just be strong girl..

kimmy

[SupportOAFJF 0]

I have been organizing my documents for the interview next Tuesday. Will I need two original letters from my employer and two from my bank? Am I going to be OK with the one of each that I now have?

Jay, I think as long as u have copies u should be fine....but go with ur guts on everything..they didn't ask my husband for not one piece of paper from his binder..not one. So, I guess they all interview differently

Kimmy

[SupportOAFJF 0]

I am so stressed out I still haven't found a house yet I leave for Jamaica in 13 days, and a few days after we come home, we close on my house. Then we're homeless!! I have made 2 offers already on 2 different houses, but they would not come down enough to get within my budget. All the cheaper houses are yucky. I guess we'll just pitch a tent in my parents backyard and live in that! I had NO idea that this process was sooooo stressful. When I bought my current house, it was easy since I still lived at home and didn't have to sell a house in order to buy a house.

Hang in there girl..u know nothing comes easy..just take a step back a relax..cause u can't change some of the things that r going to happen so why bother stressing over it..plus ur pregnant u don't need it.. Murphy's Law ..Anything that can go wrong, will go wong. You just have to pick up the pieces and say ok, "maybe this will work"..just gotta keep at it..slow and steady wins the race

Kimmy

[*JG* 2]

I am not crazy!

I just work alot and most of the time when I am free I can't call Marlon because he is sleeping! We both know how expensive it is to call each other so we keep it to a minimum. Since I got my home phone I have been calling him more, about 3 times a week due to the interview approaching. When I went to Jamaica I stayed with him both times and he paid for my food and expenses while I was there. I will remove my siggy as obviously I am getting some flack for it.

Chill, Sarah. Just teasing you. Nothing was said in a mean tone. We love you, girl.

[SupportOAFJF 0]

I am sure the school fees vary by thousands in regards to what school you attend and where it is located. I found this little bit of info from a website.

Education is expensive in Jamaica. For instance, to have their child attend a Jamaican high school, the family must pay tuition (“school fees”); plus, the family must bear the full cost of transportation, books, uniforms, and school supplies. Depending upon which high school a student attends (determined by the results of the GSAT—Sixth Grade Achievement Test), the cost for one year of high school (including school lunches) ranges from about $1,250 to $2,750 (U.S.).

Link

Wow...that's kinda expensive. Thanks for all your responses.

My "adopted" daughter in JA wants to finish high school. She's 17 with an one year-old daughter. I was wondering if we could help her financially. I spoke with her briefly last night and she said it will cost around $900 (US) and one math book cost $5800 We got disconnected so I'll more info this weekend. Thanks again.

The cost for one year of high school is no where near $1250(US) THe average school fee cost about $10000(JA) Parents don't give kids more than $500 per day and that is if you travel from, lets say ST Thomas to Kingston for schol. They should be home by 4pm anyways. some schools have a book rental system because books change with the grade. However CXC syudents will have to buy their books, but each book cost less than $2500(JA) $5800 for a math book is ridiculous. That can buy 3 CXC books 1 Math, 1 physics and 1 social Studies. If one Year of High School really cost $80something (JA) ( school fee, books lunch and bus fare) what would happen to the parent who works minimum wage and has two kids in high school???? That's totally unbelievable.

Sharon, $500JA/day for lunch and travel...hmmm don't know if thats quite accurate...bus fare is about $60/each bus..what if u have to take more than one bus to ad from thats 4 buses. My cousin lives in portmore and goes to Alpha and she gets 500 plus transportation. Sometimes u can't cause u just don't have it..but u can't really buy lunch. I sgree with the school fee and the books, don't think it would so much either...

[12/11/2006 0]

I am so stressed out I still haven't found a house yet I leave for Jamaica in 13 days, and a few days after we come home, we close on my house. Then we're homeless!! I have made 2 offers already on 2 different houses, but they would not come down enough to get within my budget. All the cheaper houses are yucky. I guess we'll just pitch a tent in my parents backyard and live in that! I had NO idea that this process was sooooo stressful. When I bought my current house, it was easy since I still lived at home and didn't have to sell a house in order to buy a house.

Don't stress yourself out. Things will work itself out. Remember that GOD always has a plan for you and it may be somthing that you aren't even thinking about or had no idea that it could happen that way Keep your composure. Things will come together.

[^KK^ 3]

Wow...ladies... I'm empowered by the positive comments this morning. I feel like I can run a marathon. Thanks VJ....the Yardie thread is the best.....

[Yaads 0]

Morning

Sarah - Nothing I said was in mean spirit...more awe than anything else. I don't know how you do it but I think its great that you have a system that works for you.

Rhonda - I hope you find a house soon. I can imagine the stress but let your trip to JA be stress free!

As for the school fees...I can see how it would add up to that much. That price was all school things combined...uniforms, food, books, transportation etc.

I don't know if JA has 180 day school year like here but it seems like they did.

$1,250US = approx $84,000JA

84,000JA divided by 180 days = $465JA per day

Doesn't seem that far off when you are adding uniform costs, shoes, lunches, snacks, books, bus fare, tuition and all the other little things that add up when sending a kid to school.

It all depends really...can they walk to school or do they have to take 2 buses each way? Are they in their growing years and will go through a few uniforms that year?

One of the teenagers I lived with in JA when to a prestigious high school and paid $150JA each way just to get to school...$300JA a day for transportation alone. So I think the actual cost will change drastically depending on a ton of different variables. Just my $0.02.

Did everyone have a great weekend?

[Minfay 0]

Sarah -- I don't think anyone meant anything mean by that. After my bank account was completely drained, Roy and I would only talk 2 - 3 times a week. Other than our "regular" calls, if we needed each other we would just call. Anyways, after a while I was paying for us to just breathe in each others ears People thought I was crazy too for not talking to him 10 times a day......we are just not "phone talkers" -- now that he is here I can't shut him up

Kimmy -- Woo-Hoo!! That was really speedy. Congratulations :dance:

[Empress 0]

wow kim I can't believe he;s coming today! wow get the candles lingerie etc. ready girl!

are you gonna prepare dinner for him?

I'm just so happy for you he just had the interview last week.

[Empress 0]

So I call the VSC this morning just to make sure the information I received from the embassy in the email was consistent. She tells me the interview is September 4th at 12:30 pm

It's two days earlier and at a far better time but now I don't know which one to believe. The email said they were mailing out the letter that same day so i'm pretty sure it's going to day sept 7 at 7am. I sent another email double checking with them. Hopefully they will respond today. The problem is my husband is so stubborn if he doesn't see it in writing he's not going to believe me. He hardly believes that he really does have an interview date and is waiting on the letter in the mail.

And knowing how backwards the embassy is, I doubt they will send out another letter with the date change if in fact that date is accurate. for those of you who have had your dates changed did you get an update letter?

thanks

Actually, ours was the same day for Sept 6,. I believe yours was 7am and mines was 8am. Then, they called my fiance and told him that his interview date has been rescheduled for 9/4 at 12:30pm and that they would send a second pkg in the mail so to disregard the first one. I am in the same boat as you because I don't no which one to believe. At first I didn't believe my fiance and he was like I"M TELLING THE TRUTH. So I took his word for it and now that you say the same thing I am believing it. It better be the 4th because I requested days off for the 4th and I am getting ready to buy my ticket. I don't know I will have to email them. Good luck with that! I need some

UPDATE ON THIS!

Both my husband and I got two letters from the embassy: one with the first date and another with the changed date. So we're on are way

also I want to add that one of the letters was post marked from jamaica on the 30th and I received it on the 4th, that's not so bad for the mail system.

[SupportOAFJF 0]

wow kim I can't believe he;s coming today! wow get the candles lingerie etc. ready girl!

are you gonna prepare dinner for him?

I'm just so happy for you he just had the interview last week.

Girl..u know it..and guess who wanna be at the airport....HIS MOTHER !!!

I WILL have updates on this he should be getting in at 7:50

noooo he's gonna be making dinner..I"M TIRED !!!