One of these weekends, I was traveling to Georgetown for medical reasons (I was having my ankle looked at...lots of walking here and it was giving me problems). In true Guyanese fashion, the x-ray machines were not working so I had to come back the next week, so, instead of spending the money to go home, I visited Kat in Hague with Liz and Caitlin (which was a cheaper option) where we relaxed, attended a community yoga class (led by Kat and Liz) and cooked a wonderful meal to share with new friends. While it was only one day, it was nice to get away and see how another volunteer lives. Sadly, about a month later, Kat went home. I miss her dearly but have recently talked with her and she is doing great!!! Suddie Crew Forever!
Yoga Time!
The girls!
Beautiful Sunset
Before leaving for GUY 28 getaway weekend, a group of us had dinner at Night Cap (a really nice restaurant) to celebrate Lauren's (GUY 26) birthday.
Liz and I
LD and I
Kat and I
The last two weeks of the term were spent without LD and filled with the anticipation of CSEC scores and graduations. Before LD left though, we accomplished a few more projects. Lindsey introduced an anti-littering poster contest. The top three posters were then combined into one. LD blew them up, and then the girls who created the poster pasted around town at various stores and organizations. They were even interviewed for tv!
We had a fitness day where LD and I led a workout session (more LD than me) and a member of Guyana's national cricket team came by to work with the kids on their cricket skills. This was all organized by Ms. Deetra and was deemed a success!
Towards the end of April, we had a playground building day at St. Therese's. We are the biggest primary school in Berbice and the second biggest in the country and we DO NOT have a playground!
We were able to receive donations from the community as well as help from local organizations and parents. Members of Comforting Hearts NGO were gracious enough to donate their time on this rainy Saturday morning as were some students and parents. While it rained most of the day, we were still able to put into place a few playground items. More still needs to be done and we will be continuing this as the term begins.
Digging holes!
The ladies taking care of the welcome booth
LD and Ari with the wood
Girl Power!
On LD's last day of school, there was a big celebration in her honor. The kids sang, danced, and recited poetry and were very successful in making Miss. Lindsey cry! It was an emotional day and one that will always be remembered. WE MISS YOU!
The last exciting event of the term happened when Kristian Paradis visited to look at and help organize our thoughts for a steel pan band. Steel pans have a rich history here in Guyana, but the equipment and talent has dwindled through the years. The Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Recreation has implemented Steel Pan bands in are secondary schools, but that still leaves the primary schools without music. Hopefully, we can start a program here and build up the participation of those who would benefit most from music!
Messing around
Ms. Royanda learning to play
Members of Berbice High School Steel Pan group with Kristian
I look like a natural! Maybe....
Guy 26 has successfully COS'd (close of service) and they are on to bigger and better things. Some are in Rio volunteering for the Olympics while others hiked through South America before returning home. There are also a few that are touring Europe and some that just went home. Out of this group, there are about 2-3 who have extended their tour for another year to finish what they have started and one who has received a job teaching at a school that provides an American education to those in Guyana.
Before all of this, we had a nice weekend get together to celebrate their final weekend as PCV's and to live it up one last time in Georgetown. We began with dinner on the roof at 704 Sports Bar, then we made our way to a Chinese Karaoke bar before ending the night at Seeta's. It was a great time and my first time to really go out in town. By Sunday, they were ready to go and departed ways to begin
their next adventure while I travelled back to New Amsterdam to continue my service.
LD, Mikey, and Me
This was at least the 7th picture we took and the only one that turned out well
Liz singing and dancing
Good times
Get it Kelly!
Last shot of the group before heading out.
Lindsey is one of those who is now gone (but also working in Georgetown) and I miss her dearly. She has been a great friend and has helped me beyond anything I could have asked for these past few months. She is one of those people who can brighten the gloomiest of days with her smile and child-like personality, is a giving human being who always puts others first and is always the first to help in any situation. She will not only be missed by the students and faculty of St. Therese's, but by me. She was my roommate/neighbor/sister and coworker for a mere 3 months, but as I have begun to realize, that is a huge amount of time here where you are away from your family, friends and the familiar. She is truly one-of-a-kind and will forever have a place in my life whether she likes it or not!
Below are a few pictures from the party. I guess I don't have a lot from reconnect but I can tell you, it was not as bad as training! Maybe it was because we were all seeing each other again or maybe because it wasn't as long. The first day, we played a BINGO game that I made (thank you Lindsey) so we could have a little entertainment for the week. I highly recommend meeting BINGO!
Molly and I
Kelly and Flavio with his American flag inspired shirt
About a month earlier, Zach had sent a message out to a few of us about visiting his site after reconnect. So...there I was, going to Karawab in Region 2 on the Pomeroon River. It is a hinterland site that you can only get to by an hour boat ride. Connor and Molly also came with and because the boat did not come out of the village that day, we had to stay the night at Molly's on the Essiquibo Coast. We got there in the early afternoon so we rallied and had Suddie Crew (minus 2 +1) beach day before buying groceries to cook dinner for the night. I was also able to visit with my host family from training. I was supposed to see them a few days later, but since we were staying over, I decided to surprise them! It was so nice getting to see them even though it was for a short time.
Connor, Molly, and Me
Zach and I with an awesome photobomb from Molly
After dinner, we were about to settle in for our showers and a movie when Molly noticed a gigantic tarantula hanging out in the sitting room. Connor battled it with grace while Molly and I stood on the bed and screamed (naturally) and I filmed the entire process. Zach, who was in the shower, gave support from the safety of the water.
TARANTULA ATTACK!
Our boat ride to Karawab
Teacher's quarters where Zach lives
Primary school
Jungle
River Lyfe...washing clothes edition
Zach the protector
When your headlamp breaks, put your phone under the strap
Beautiful sunset
River Lyfe...washing dishes episone
River Lyfe...Shop boat edition - how to buy supplies when you can't get to the coast
I am now back in New Amsterdam and couldn't have had a better time with friends and going on adventures. I am hoping to have many more as the year moves forward.
To end this post, here is a cute little baby lizard climbing on my refrigerator.
