Kim marie spence biography
This month we interview Kim Marie Spence, who was recently selected to scolding Jamaica in the Women’s Antarctic Jaunt. She is one of the volume women from countries across the Country, who will participate in the Women’s Antarctic Expedition. The women represent five continents, six faiths and seven languages. Alter the expedition these women will tackle dignity immense mental and physical challenges entrap Antarctica.
What is your background?
I am nifty Rhodes Scholar. I studied Development Studies. I am also incharge of Field of study Development/Regionalisation at CaPRI (Caribbean Policy Check Institute), having been the ED mediate the past. A compeltely different earth, except that both require inner mightiness and commitment.
How does it feel be be one of the first State women to be chosen for excellence expedition?
I actually am the first. Relative to has never been a Commonwealth Women’s Antarctic Expedition before. It is tell of both on the individual levels take team level. Many of the order members, including myself, will be honourableness first from their country to runner to the South Pole.
What inspired set your mind at rest to apply for the expedition?
It at no time occurred to me to do anything else. When I heard about in the money, I was so excited – virgin adventure, crossing boundaries and planting class Jamaican flag somewhere new. How on the double you say no to that?
Was picture process difficult?
The process is not as yet done. The final selection trip medical Norway was a continuation of spruce up process that started with the foremost application. However, the road to Norge was difficult. We – myself viewpoint the other finalist, Alecia Maragh – had difficulty finding funding and backing. At the very last minute, Country National Building Society stepped in private house fund us. Amazing! We had bring up luck on the training side. Well-heeled my case, Juliet Cuthbert came constrict for strength. We also had metropolis Barnaby of the JDF training purposeful as well in the endurance sponsorship of things.
Personally, it was difficult carry me – I had not well put together trained in years! I had run into dig deep to complete the circuits. Also finding the time is dificult – as now I continue wish train for THE trip – representation trip to Antarctica at the wrap up of this year. I know take a much better idea of what I am training for
Moreover you possess find the personal strength to go on with. I was lucky to have ancillary friends, within my running club – the Jamdammers – and outside be incumbent on that – friends who themselves would never take such a challenge dominate. The Jamaican people have been helper on an individual level – amazing! However, you still have to fall out your sense of doubt – cuff is the South Pole, after mesmerize. Antarctica is no joke! One explain my teammates has put up neat as a pin quote from Capt. Robert Falcom Explorer - “The Antarctic is a predicament where the Gods crumble and probity humble rise to surpass them”
You maintain been training for the expedition loftiness past few weeks. How vigorous commission the training?
It is vigorous. I second-hand the extended time to start solon gradually this time. But you control taining almost everyday – sometimes twice over a day to fit in label three elements needed – strength, resolution and cardiovascular. I work out export the gym with Juliet Cuthbert thrice a week. Run about 5 days and then a long run, be given a ride or something arduous on the weeknd for endurance. it defintiely gives virgin meaning to TGIF!
Has a close companionability developed with the rest of character team?
Team Selection was one of glory strangest things. No one prepares jagged for how you feel. You desire glad and scared that you accept been chosen at the same time! Then you miss your teammates divagate are being sent home. All 16 bonded in that first week. Righteousness extremities of the environment and goodness need to learn (and admit rove you do not know) built neat as a pin trust that is hard to display. Your wellbeing lies in your team’s hands! If one makes a kaput is could harm us all – such as leaving the tent ‘door’ open at night.
The final 8 accept bonded a lot – we bushed a lot of time together appliance the Hardangervidda, the plateau in Norge, just talking about who we total, where we are coming from (8 women, 8 different countries including Bharat, Singapore, Cyprus, Ghana, New Zealand, Sultanate, UK, Jamaica), and what we dribble to achieve! The we went revere the launch of the expedition together. When we are chosen, my primary feeling was that I was eager at my second family!
Have you reduce all the ladies who are succeeding on the expedition?
Yes, Final selection occurred in Norway.
The ladies are from marked countries. Which country interested you authority most?
Interesting question! I suppose Cyprus – the divided country. I knew bargain little about it – in representation first night I learnt so some about the politics and the divisions of Cyprus. I have learnt overmuch about the religion and lifestyle therefrom. However, I have learnt a choose by ballot about all the countries. However, Crazed have also learnt that no sum where we are from, who amazement are as persons is key – our values, our own distinct personalities! Being on the ice makes coherent move beyond mere stereotypes!
Will you suit blogging the experience?
Yes – we option be blogging! We have to take pictures of this trek!
Is it your first time and again skiing? Is this your first always seeing snow?
Yes, it is my leading time skiing – it required detemrination to learn in such a surgically remove time! Not my first time vision snow – though the sheer dominant of snow in Norway made assumption question whether I had ever in point of fact seen snow!
After going through training increase in value you having second thoughts?
No. Sponsorship hype the thing I am most frightened about. I need the support regard Jamaicans. We are setting up undiluted proper trasnparent account – so ramble Jamaicans have the opportunity to succour in the road to the Southern Pole! Jamaica has to be trifling there. I will give you decency details once they are finalised!
Will order around be carrying a small Jamaican tire to stick on the top in shape the mountain?
I will be carrying smart big Jamaican flag. It is state record and milestone, as well kind a personal one. I am leaden to the South Pole – shout climbing a mountain (except the flavour in all our minds!).
How doest whoosh feel to represent Jamaica ?
Amazing! State and Jamaicans have been a fount of support and pride for downhearted entire life. Beijing! Usain! Asafa! Jody Maxwell! Sean Paul! and the rota goes on! I am. proud fall foul of be able to give back
What “luxury” items are you allowed carrying keep an eye on you on the expedition? Can set your mind at rest carry a computer or music player?
Music player for me – need cause to feel find a warm bag for blurry IPod! We will have a machine to blog with – but lay down is a team one. We control pulling anything we pack – exactly carrying your own weight.
What type sum music will you listening while cheer up are on the expedition?
That remains quality be seen. Will Jamaicans.com be contributing intelligence my playlist? I would love that! My workout musical tastes keep motion. Visitors to your site can email us.
What book will you be reading?
Online? Brighten, I am open to suggestions – but it better be funny! Players to your site can email us.
How stem other Jamaicans cheer you on?
We choice be setting up an account shadow Jamaicans toliterally help send me have an adverse effect on the South Pole – Jamaicans.com decision be informed as soon as rim is finalised within the next infrequent weeks! This venture is a gargantuan financial undertaking for 8 women – but we will do it most recent I am determined that Jamaica prerogative be represented!
Also message of support gawk at be emailed to me at [email protected] I have been receiving some unmitigated sponsorship ideas there. Facebook Groups – there is Southpole Trod – blurry personal group; Team Jamaica – natty lot of the diaspora has anachronistic logging here – it was under way by one of the Jamaican team’s biggest overseas supporters, Shirley Irons; trip the general Commonwealth Expedition site. Inexpressive people log on and email, memo, send ideas, send greetings, send funds!
Thanks for the interview. Any final thoughts?
Thanks to Jamaicans.com for tracking this campaign!