Hey all,
so, havn't been able to make a post for the last 3 weeks or so as I have been down in St Cuthbert's which has no internet access and doesn't even have a phone line and mobile signal is very erratic at best!! Anyway we arrived in St Cuthbert's 3 weeks ago and our first impressions were how are we going to clean up this house but also how amazing a place it was. We had the weekend to settle in before we began teaching on the 1st September. The school is really small, there is 130 kids and only 4 teachers; me, the other 2 volunteers and a teacher called Sir Percy, who is a very qualified maths teacher, but has the slight problem that he is an alcoholic. The HM for the school is also the HM for the Primary School in the Mission, and he is only there 3 days a week, coming in on monday afternoons and leaving on friday mornings. Although it has been tough work with just the 3 of us for the most part teaching it has been really rewarding, and I have already begun to see improvement in some of the students abilities.
I am teaching Science at the school and although this can sometimes be quite challenging, trying to keep the students attention (which is difficult enough as it is!) can prove to be quite difficult. The difference in ability as well within a class is very evident. Our Grade 7 (year 7) class is of 55 kids where more than half of them are unable to read or write. Although it can be very tedious and stressful at times, it has also been really rewarding when you know that students have begun to understand something that they didn't before and thats only the first 3 weeks!! I have also got to do something called SBA's with Grade 10/11 or School Based Assessments, which are similar to GCSE coursework, but is basically just an experiment write up i.e method, diagram, results, evaluation etc. The only problem is I have to do 24 of them this year!!!! It is going to be a lot of work, but hopefully I can get them out of the way ASAP to prevent a rush at the end of the year!
St Cuthbert's itself is a really nice village, and has some incredible creeks!! They really are beautiful. We are also not the only white people in the Mission anymore! On Tuesday an American and his Amerindian wife returned to St Cuthbert's to live after being in Florida for the previous 8 years and he was very suprised to see white people almost as much as we were!
The weather has been so hot but we keep getting told that its getting cooler but it just doesn't seem like that to me! It has rained a few times, although it is nice whilst it is raining, afterwards the humidity soars and you can't do very much without getting soaked in sweat for a few hours.
We have begun to make some really good friends in the Mission, one of the local shop owners has become like our adopted mother and has been looking out for us and helping us out which has been very much appreciated. We have also made really good friends with her 2 daughters, Morona and Verona, who have had to come up to Georgetown to go to college. We will be meeting up with them later today though as we are up in GT for the weekend. The trip here was an interesting one however! We woke up this morning at 2am, to get onto a truck for 3am to take us up the trail to Soesdyke, on the road up towards GT. It was very bumpy, and we had 9 people squeezed into the back of a toyota pick up!! The trail is about 13 miles to the main road, although it takes at least an hour to travel the distance because it is extreme off-roading! We arrived in Soesdyke this morning at about 5am and then got a bus up to GT. The buses here are completely different to buses back home, they are like little minibuses, with drivers who are crazy!! they also try and squeeze as many people in as possible, and so at one point on our journey we had 20 people in a 12 person minibus!! They are all brightly coloured as well and normally have someone sitting by the side door shouting out the window at you to see if you want to get in. Something else we have noticed as well is that the amount of horn beeping is incredible!! People beep their horn to get your attention, to tell you to go away, to get you to stop from pulling out or to try and get you to go faster if the driver thinks your going too slow!
I have been playing a lot of cricket since I have been here which is something of a religion here, like rugby is to the Welsh or Kiwis which has been really good and I am actually going to be playing for the Mission in a national competition on sunday which should be really good!! I started introducing rugby to some of the kids yesterday, but they seemed very reluctant!! They said that it was far too rough for them!!
It's Amerindian Heritage month here in Guyana at the moment, and it is the Heritage day at St Cuthbert's next saturday, which we are all really looking forward to. It will be an opportunity to see Amerindian Culture first-hand and get involved in the community and have a good party!! We have been told we have to try the bamboli drink, which is made from cassava. They also have another drink called fly, which is made by fermenting potatoes. The only problem with that is that it absolutely stinks of vomit!! It doesn't taste a lot better either and it is strong!! The Amerindian people are really friendly and have welcomed us with open arms and started to make us feel really at home which has been really nice, and I am really looking forward to seeing the dances, and the speakings and just the celebrations in their entirity. Will be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Anyway, it has been a really filled 3 weeks so far, and I'm sure that it isn't going to get any less interesting over the next few weeks but have got to go and have lunch now so will speak to you all soon.
Much Love xxxx
Friday, 18 September 2009
Friday, 28 August 2009
Hey all
Had a rather interesting day yesterday to say the least, got up expecting to be going back to Britain (the embassy) in the morning and so had prepared for that, until we had a phonecall approx. 5/10 mins before we were due to leave saying that we were going to be going to St Cuthbert's today at 3pm. We therefore stayed behind at Kala's house to pack all our clothes and then get to Georgetown to be ready to be picked up. After packing all our clothes we then made our way to Georgetown by getting one of the notorious minibuses and then walking through the Starbroek Market to Main Street where the British High Commission is.
We came back to Kala's for Lunch and then left to go to meet the Captain of the village back in Georgetown, although the bus journey has to be one of the most interesting and Guyanese experiances so far! The bus had very little fuel left in the tank and it was fine until we got to Georgetown, but as we approached the outskirts, the engine began to cut out at regular intervals as we tried to make our way to the petrol station in 100 yard hops! We eventually arrived and managed to fill up with fuel only to be told that the guy who had come to pick us up had been involved in an accident, more than likely to be the one that we had passed on our way into Georgetown, and that he was unsure when he would be able to leave the Police Station but that he would try and arrange something as soon as possible.
We ended up coming back to Kala's and played cricket and a game called tor with the locals on the beach, which although sounds nice but the beach is made up of a clay that gets absolutely everywhere!!! It was a good laugh and we then all went back to the Beer Garden to have a few beers and play dominoes!! They are very big on their dominoes here with the people taking it really quite seriously, using all sorts of tactics and trying to teach us how to play.
8 volunteers have left this morning and we will not see them again now until xmas, which we are likely to be spending in Tobago, so if anyone has any spare cash and fancies coming to the carribean for xmas you are more than welcome! Anyway gotta head down to the poost office now, will speak to you all later
Much Love xxxx
Had a rather interesting day yesterday to say the least, got up expecting to be going back to Britain (the embassy) in the morning and so had prepared for that, until we had a phonecall approx. 5/10 mins before we were due to leave saying that we were going to be going to St Cuthbert's today at 3pm. We therefore stayed behind at Kala's house to pack all our clothes and then get to Georgetown to be ready to be picked up. After packing all our clothes we then made our way to Georgetown by getting one of the notorious minibuses and then walking through the Starbroek Market to Main Street where the British High Commission is.
We came back to Kala's for Lunch and then left to go to meet the Captain of the village back in Georgetown, although the bus journey has to be one of the most interesting and Guyanese experiances so far! The bus had very little fuel left in the tank and it was fine until we got to Georgetown, but as we approached the outskirts, the engine began to cut out at regular intervals as we tried to make our way to the petrol station in 100 yard hops! We eventually arrived and managed to fill up with fuel only to be told that the guy who had come to pick us up had been involved in an accident, more than likely to be the one that we had passed on our way into Georgetown, and that he was unsure when he would be able to leave the Police Station but that he would try and arrange something as soon as possible.
We ended up coming back to Kala's and played cricket and a game called tor with the locals on the beach, which although sounds nice but the beach is made up of a clay that gets absolutely everywhere!!! It was a good laugh and we then all went back to the Beer Garden to have a few beers and play dominoes!! They are very big on their dominoes here with the people taking it really quite seriously, using all sorts of tactics and trying to teach us how to play.
8 volunteers have left this morning and we will not see them again now until xmas, which we are likely to be spending in Tobago, so if anyone has any spare cash and fancies coming to the carribean for xmas you are more than welcome! Anyway gotta head down to the poost office now, will speak to you all later
Much Love xxxx
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Hey all
Has been a busy lat few days, havn't had a lot of time to myself. Yesterday we spent the whole day shopping for clothes and other things we needed i.e. suncream, sunglasses etc. etc. and then we all went down to the local beer garden place, well i say beer garden, its like a small patio on the side of the main road, although the woman who ran it did put on some reggae for us which was quite cool. We also all recieved our hammocks and mozzie nets yesterday, which was like recieving early xmas presents, everyone was excited to get them, and I can't wait to sleep in my hammock for the first time, anything ha to be better than falling asleep drenched in your own sweat as it is still very hot and humid even at night!
Had an early start this morning, was up at 6am to get the bus into Georgetown for 7.30am to got to the Ministry of Education where they all seemed to think that we were already teachers. It was ridiculously boring and very nearly fell asleep a number of times during the lectures. We were told however that to discipline the kids that we may be expected to give them a couple of lashes, although I am not going to take part in that. We then went to Rishon's flat which is in Georgetown to find out where the flat is that we can stay in when we are there, which for me will be quite frequently, seeing as I am only a 2 - 2 1/2 hour bus journey away. Some people also got their hair cut whilst we were there and the look on someones face as half his hair came off was a priceless moment!!! We also had to go shopping today for a months supply of food, which cost us G$10,000 each or about 25 quid each which isn't bad!!
After we went shopping we went out for a nice meal at a brazillian all you can eat restaurant, and by all you can eat, I mean all you can eat. The amount of meat that was brought out to us was ridiculous!!! I ate so much I felt as though I was going to be sick!!!! It is also a couple of people's birthday's today, so we also had a birthday cake for them which was quite nice although I was unable to eat any just simply because I couldn't stomach any more food!! An interesting sight I did see though whilst at the restaurant was the sight of a bloke pushing a handheld cart fitted with speakers blasting out music trying to sell CD's!
Anyway must go to bed, it's nearly 1am here now, have got another early start in the morning, am travelling back to Britain tomorrow, although not for very long. Have to go to the embassy to sort out something.
Speak to you soon
Much Love xxxx
Has been a busy lat few days, havn't had a lot of time to myself. Yesterday we spent the whole day shopping for clothes and other things we needed i.e. suncream, sunglasses etc. etc. and then we all went down to the local beer garden place, well i say beer garden, its like a small patio on the side of the main road, although the woman who ran it did put on some reggae for us which was quite cool. We also all recieved our hammocks and mozzie nets yesterday, which was like recieving early xmas presents, everyone was excited to get them, and I can't wait to sleep in my hammock for the first time, anything ha to be better than falling asleep drenched in your own sweat as it is still very hot and humid even at night!
Had an early start this morning, was up at 6am to get the bus into Georgetown for 7.30am to got to the Ministry of Education where they all seemed to think that we were already teachers. It was ridiculously boring and very nearly fell asleep a number of times during the lectures. We were told however that to discipline the kids that we may be expected to give them a couple of lashes, although I am not going to take part in that. We then went to Rishon's flat which is in Georgetown to find out where the flat is that we can stay in when we are there, which for me will be quite frequently, seeing as I am only a 2 - 2 1/2 hour bus journey away. Some people also got their hair cut whilst we were there and the look on someones face as half his hair came off was a priceless moment!!! We also had to go shopping today for a months supply of food, which cost us G$10,000 each or about 25 quid each which isn't bad!!
After we went shopping we went out for a nice meal at a brazillian all you can eat restaurant, and by all you can eat, I mean all you can eat. The amount of meat that was brought out to us was ridiculous!!! I ate so much I felt as though I was going to be sick!!!! It is also a couple of people's birthday's today, so we also had a birthday cake for them which was quite nice although I was unable to eat any just simply because I couldn't stomach any more food!! An interesting sight I did see though whilst at the restaurant was the sight of a bloke pushing a handheld cart fitted with speakers blasting out music trying to sell CD's!
Anyway must go to bed, it's nearly 1am here now, have got another early start in the morning, am travelling back to Britain tomorrow, although not for very long. Have to go to the embassy to sort out something.
Speak to you soon
Much Love xxxx
Monday, 24 August 2009
hey all
its the end of our 3rd day here and I have already been burnt, bitten to bits by mozzies but also made some really good friends within the time. We have spent all of today sorting things out for our work permits and also just a Q&A session with any worries that we have. This afternoon we spent in a Amerindian Museum who are the native inhabitants of Guyana and are very similar to the American Indians which was very interesting seeing their history. We also saw the Prime-Minister and Presidents house today with the guards armed with AK-47s which was a bit weird, although they said hello when we walked past.
Anyway, i;m off now down to the beer garden just to have a beer or 2 before I go to bed. Speak to you all soon
Much Love xxxx
its the end of our 3rd day here and I have already been burnt, bitten to bits by mozzies but also made some really good friends within the time. We have spent all of today sorting things out for our work permits and also just a Q&A session with any worries that we have. This afternoon we spent in a Amerindian Museum who are the native inhabitants of Guyana and are very similar to the American Indians which was very interesting seeing their history. We also saw the Prime-Minister and Presidents house today with the guards armed with AK-47s which was a bit weird, although they said hello when we walked past.
Anyway, i;m off now down to the beer garden just to have a beer or 2 before I go to bed. Speak to you all soon
Much Love xxxx
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Hey
I have just woken up to my first full day in Guyana, to the sound of dogs barking away at 6am. It is now just after 8am and is already almost unbearably hot. I have also woken up to find myself having been bitten last night by mosquitoes despite sleeping under a net thats meant to stop them!
It is still rather surreal that we are actually here, although it is quite nice that we are all staying together for the first week in a rather sheltered environment. We are having our food cooked for us and things like that which is just giving us the opportunity to get used to the environment and to the heat before we disappear to our different projects on thursday or friday.
Me and a few of the other volunteers went out for a walk yesterday afternoon and bumbed into a really nice bloke who was just out painting his house. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw 4 white people walking down the road, as he had never seen any in Guyana before! He started chatting to us and ended up buying us all a beer which was really nice of him, although we all felt that it should be us buying him one. The reception from the locals has been quite nice, just walking along the road, people are beeping their horns at us just to say hello and a large majority of people are really happy to come and talk to us about Guyana.
Today were off to a creek nearby to go swimming for the day, which will be nice as an opportunity to cool down more than anything! It is so hot during the day you just don't stop sweating! Anyway, must disappear now, need to get ready for the creek.
Take care everyone, much love
xxxx
I have just woken up to my first full day in Guyana, to the sound of dogs barking away at 6am. It is now just after 8am and is already almost unbearably hot. I have also woken up to find myself having been bitten last night by mosquitoes despite sleeping under a net thats meant to stop them!
It is still rather surreal that we are actually here, although it is quite nice that we are all staying together for the first week in a rather sheltered environment. We are having our food cooked for us and things like that which is just giving us the opportunity to get used to the environment and to the heat before we disappear to our different projects on thursday or friday.
Me and a few of the other volunteers went out for a walk yesterday afternoon and bumbed into a really nice bloke who was just out painting his house. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw 4 white people walking down the road, as he had never seen any in Guyana before! He started chatting to us and ended up buying us all a beer which was really nice of him, although we all felt that it should be us buying him one. The reception from the locals has been quite nice, just walking along the road, people are beeping their horns at us just to say hello and a large majority of people are really happy to come and talk to us about Guyana.
Today were off to a creek nearby to go swimming for the day, which will be nice as an opportunity to cool down more than anything! It is so hot during the day you just don't stop sweating! Anyway, must disappear now, need to get ready for the creek.
Take care everyone, much love
xxxx
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Hey all
Well have arrived in sunny Guyana, where it is unbearably hot at the moment. It's in the hottest part of the day right now, at 1pm and you are unable to sit out in the sun. The flight over here was ridiculously long and rather boring although I did manage to get a few hours sleep which I am feeling much better for now. Anyway, I am going to be spending the next few days in and around Georgetown, just sorting out my work permit with the ministry and just getting used to the heat difference before moving down to St Cuthbert's by the end of next week to begin teaching the following monday! It's nice to be here although it is still a little surreal that I am actually here, but I'm sure that it will sink in over the next few days.
Since I have been here have already seen lots of weird and wonderful things including a guy at the airport with a boombox playing reggae! Also seen a few lizards and birds and a crocodile as well. No snakes or anything like that just yet!
The humidity is really difficult to adapt to at the moment, I had a shower a bit earlier today and after I had dried myself, I didn't even have time to get fully dressed again before I was covered with sweat, but it will have to be one of the things to get used to. It is a daunting prospect having to spend a year out here although I'm sure that I will adapt very quickly to the heat and will come back next year shivering!
Anyway, need to go, have got to let other people use the computer.
Much Love xxxx
Well have arrived in sunny Guyana, where it is unbearably hot at the moment. It's in the hottest part of the day right now, at 1pm and you are unable to sit out in the sun. The flight over here was ridiculously long and rather boring although I did manage to get a few hours sleep which I am feeling much better for now. Anyway, I am going to be spending the next few days in and around Georgetown, just sorting out my work permit with the ministry and just getting used to the heat difference before moving down to St Cuthbert's by the end of next week to begin teaching the following monday! It's nice to be here although it is still a little surreal that I am actually here, but I'm sure that it will sink in over the next few days.
Since I have been here have already seen lots of weird and wonderful things including a guy at the airport with a boombox playing reggae! Also seen a few lizards and birds and a crocodile as well. No snakes or anything like that just yet!
The humidity is really difficult to adapt to at the moment, I had a shower a bit earlier today and after I had dried myself, I didn't even have time to get fully dressed again before I was covered with sweat, but it will have to be one of the things to get used to. It is a daunting prospect having to spend a year out here although I'm sure that I will adapt very quickly to the heat and will come back next year shivering!
Anyway, need to go, have got to let other people use the computer.
Much Love xxxx
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Hey,
Ok so just an update on everything that has happened in the last month, everything was going fine until almost 2 weeks ago now when I was told that I was to be delayed because I hadn't raised enough money to go away and that I was now going to be going in January although not knowing where. I accepted this and was beginning to make arrangements for me to be staying in the country when I get a phone call saying that there is no longer a problem with my fundraising, and has since become clear that someone has helped me out a lot!
Anyway, I am now going next friday again (it really is coming very quickly!) and I am going to be living in a place called St Cuthbert's, which is approximately 2 and a 1/2 hours away from Georgetown and about an hour away from a town called Linden. All I have got to do now is finish getting all my paperwork done and also start my anti-malarials tomorrow! And beginnning to get very excited about it all!
Anyway thats enough for now, I'm sure there will be another one before I leave.
Much Love xxxx
Ok so just an update on everything that has happened in the last month, everything was going fine until almost 2 weeks ago now when I was told that I was to be delayed because I hadn't raised enough money to go away and that I was now going to be going in January although not knowing where. I accepted this and was beginning to make arrangements for me to be staying in the country when I get a phone call saying that there is no longer a problem with my fundraising, and has since become clear that someone has helped me out a lot!
Anyway, I am now going next friday again (it really is coming very quickly!) and I am going to be living in a place called St Cuthbert's, which is approximately 2 and a 1/2 hours away from Georgetown and about an hour away from a town called Linden. All I have got to do now is finish getting all my paperwork done and also start my anti-malarials tomorrow! And beginnning to get very excited about it all!
Anyway thats enough for now, I'm sure there will be another one before I leave.
Much Love xxxx
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