Stephen and Mary @ Guyana

Possible placement in Rwanda

2010-09-07T16:49:00.000+01:00

Since we were accepted again for VSO we have been waiting patiently for a placement. They told us it could be really difficult to place couples and we have been hoping for the best.

About two weeks ago we were offered a placement in Rwanda, Central Africa in a place called Rwamagana in the east of the country. It's far from finalised yet and we are hoping that we will be accepted. It's French speaking but they have just changed their language of instruction to English and hopefully we will be able to cope. Mary has been offered the post of "Basic Methodology Trainer" and will be replacing an existing volunteer and I have been offered the placement of "Education Management Advisor" and it is a new post. Everyone we have spoken to has been very positive about the placement and Rwanda itself. It is far from signed and sealed. We have completed all the paperwork and we need to wait for a response from the employer which could be anything up to a month. So, a tense time while we wait to see whether our lives will be turned upside down again. We are very excited, as you might expect!

We're planning to go again!

2010-07-29T16:20:00.001+01:00

In the beginning of June we applied again to do a one year VSO placement starting some time next year. It's always difficult to place couples so we are hoping for the best. We've been assessed and accepted now and we are ready to start the whole process again, including all the forms, the medicals, the fundraising, the injections, the training and finally the offer of a placement which could be anywhere in the world.

We're really looking forward to our new adventure but it might be a while yet before we find out where we might be going. Fairly soon, this blog at this address will change to our new blog keeping you updated about our progress.

Onwards and upwards!

2009-06-06T14:53:00.014+01:00

Well, Folks. This really is the last post of

Stephen and Mary @Guyana

and I hope that you have enjoyed reading our adventures. If we have our way, it won't be the last one and there will be many more adventures to come but this particular one has ended and we must "get on".

For anyone out there who is thinking of doing a VSO placement, I can only encourage you and hope that you have a time as rewarding as the two of us.

And so I leave you with the following........

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~ St. Augustine

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." ~ Mark Twain

"A journey of a thousand miles starts in front of your feet." ~ Lao-tzu

"Two roads diverged in a woods, and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost

And finally my favourite .........

"Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel's immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way." ~Ralph Crawshaw

From "Guess who?

Return Volunteers Weekend

2009-06-06T14:31:00.006+01:00

Harborne Hall VSO Training Centre Birmingham

There has to be something that rounds it all off and this was it. We were invited in early May to return to Birmingham to Harborne Hall where we had trained as VSOs for a weekend of meeting up, debrief and looking at the future.

It was an excellent weekend and we met many people with whom we had trained and caught up with their adventures in different parts of the world.

A walk in the Harborne Hall Gardens - bluebells and a wonderful time to return home

We had an opportunity to meet up with the new VSO Chief Executive, Marg Mayne who was very keen to hear feedback from all the volunteers. I volunteered to be on the VLG, Volunteer Liaison Group who help with these wekends on a two year stint. I was selected and I'm sure that will give me an opportunity to reamain "in touch". I'm also on the focus group for The Global Schools' Prize and have put myself forward to be a VSO selector. So the VSO experience has not ended for me.

Quite a few people were re-volunteering but it's not the right time for us at the moment but I'm very keen that it is something we will tackle again in the future.

One volunteer summed up the way he felt and it also applies to me.....

"When I'm there, I want to be here and when I'm here I want to be there!"

There must be something in that.

Catching up with new friends

2009-06-06T14:12:00.006+01:00

Meeting Ann again in Ellesmere Port

There are many advantages in doing VSO, but one of them is the people and making new friends who, without a doubt, will be friends for life, because you have shared so much with them.

Meg and Stephen

Within less than a week of our return, Meg (VSO NCERD colleague from Southport) stayed with us on her way back to New York to see her new grandchild again - Emily. She stayed on the way back and a few weeks later, when we had finally got wheels again (not bicycles this time) we were on our way "Up North" to Southport to see her.

We even went on the "Duck" trip around Liverpool

Round and about Liverpool

We had a great few days and the Guyana experience really flooded back. We were tourists around the area and in Liverpool and then went on to Ellesmere Port to see Ann who had also worked in NCERD but had left a year earlier. What a great time we had together! There were no silent moments and Guyana really came black to life whilst we were visiting Chester and New Brighton (last time there in 1960!).

After "Church"

They both gave us the greatest welcome and I know that when we go to visit Sanny (CPCE lecturer) in Ireland in two weeks time it will be just as good.

In fact, we now have friends all over the world and look forward to extensive travels and, of course, if you are one of them, you are equally welcome here.

Arriving Home

2009-06-06T13:58:00.002+01:00

It's over two years since we left England to go on our Guyanese adventure and so much has happened in that time and it has changed our lives FOREVER!

It was a good and uneventful flight and we arrived at Gatwick Airport in the early hours of of the morning on 2nd March 2009 to be met by Dan, Matt and Ann. It was weird. Walking in the house (without lodgers) and all for us was a strange experience. I couldn't resist looking into rooms I hadn't seen and opening drawers and cupboards just to see what was there. Matt and Lucy (and the lodgers) had looked after the place really well but there was a lot to do, mainly unpacking boxes which were all piled up in one of the rooms. The garden was neat but the trees and shrubs had had a whale of a time whilst we were away and bits had disappeared altogether.

So we set about the task of reorganising our lives, not back to the way they were, but the way they were going to be from now on as a retired couple with sooooo much to do that we wouldn't have found the time to work. We decided to call our retirement "sabbatical" because it was clearly a short time "time off" with a lot more to come when we got around to it and when we wanted to do it (whatever "IT" was) at our own pace. But there were one or two things to do before I can really end this blog.

Read on..........

Viva Las Vegas

2009-06-06T12:56:00.011+01:00

Venice and the canals inside the Venetian Hotel

Well, we have come from the sublime to the ridiculous or the ridiculous to the sublime. I'm not sure which it is. Guyana to Las Vegas. So different, but I think Guyana definitely wins but Las Vegas has its good points. We have been before and thought we would probably never return but, last time, we didn't go to see the Grand Canyon and that was our motivation this time. Not only that, it's warmer than New York (about 22C) and after 10 days of minus 6C and 35C before that in Guyana we needed a bit more of moderate climate!

The front entrance of the Venetian

Apart from the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas has some amazing deals on at the moment. We are staying in the Venetian which is at the north end of the main part of the Strip. It has over 250 shops and around 50 restaurants in the hotel alone and we have an amazing suite with 3 TVs, sunken living area and out of this world bathroom for the price of a B & B in England. So luxury is the order of the day and we have it for 6 nights.

We enjoy a drink in the Paris Hotel

Mary couldn't resist taking a picture of the loos in the Paris

Half way through the week we went to the Canyon, via the Hoover Dam, by coach -5 hours each way but it was well worth it for what you see on the way. We went to the South Rim, which is more untouched and probably has some of the best views. We didn't get the Skywalk (walking on glass over the Canyon) but the IMAX I think was amazing and better! This has been a real treat and lives up to its name of the most visited natural tourist destination on the planet. Having visited some of the others I can see why.

The Hoover Dam

But, here's the crunch - Kaieteur (Falls) in Guayana is the largest single drop waterfall in the world and although it cannot compete with the GC for size, it is equally impressive for its wild, untouched, raw state and simple lack of people and tourists - a rare site on Earth.

However, we cannot say there were no tourists in LV because, even though it was February, it was packed. The hotels were splendid, the entertainment really enjoyable and the phasing back into a reasonable temperature was really pleasant. We have had a great 6 days.

South Rim

And now we are on our way back to England from Las Vegas to Los Angeles using New Zealand Airways after two exciting, fulfilling and really enjoyable two years in our second home - Guyana.

New York, New York

2009-02-22T14:34:00.008Z

We finally arrived at our hotel in Soho at midnight, tired and weary after a full days travelling. It had been an uneventful and good journey with everything going to time.

Taking a stroll in Central Park

After a leisurely introduction to New York on the Saturday, we met up with Meg on Sunday to visit her son Simon and Sara and new baby Emily in their west of Central Park apartment. Her daughters Ruth and Jenny had come from England especially too. Lovely baby! See Skype pictures in a previous post.

Simon, Sara and Emily

At the time of writing we've been in New York for nine days and we're off to Las Vegas tomorrow. We've been all over and revisited some of the places we saw last time. We are staying just where China Town hits Little Italy. It's a great stop, 3 minutes from a subway that goes everywhere and restaurants galore until late at night. We did the usual trips to Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rockefeller Centre to see the skyline, St Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Avenue shopping, Central Park, the Met Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. We went to see the Lion King in Times Square and a magic show in a Bleeker Street Theatre. Tonight we will go up the Empire State Building to see the skyline at night. It's been a great treat but we still talk about Guyana all the time. I think it's in the blood and will be with us always!

Tomorrow we will go to Las Vegas for 6 nights so the next post might be from there if we have Internet or even from home if we don't.

We finally leave Guyana

2009-02-22T14:17:00.004Z

The last week went fairly quickly - oraganising, dismantling, saying goodbyes and packing. Just like when we left England we ate out a lot in the last week - one final trip to the Brazilian Restaurant with Mira, Michaela and her Mum who was visiting. On Tuesday we went to the Good Thriving Chinese with Nicholas and Jenelle and then on Wednesday, having cleaned out the fridge and freezer, Mary and I went for one last trip to Odyssey Roof Top Garden and saw the biggest moon ever. Our final night was spent at Nicolette and Martin's with the 13th Club (celebrating our arrival in Guyana on 13th of every month). We had a wonderful Guyanese meal cooked by Cecelia with Pepperpot, dumplings, fish balls and metagee - an excellent end to Guyanese cuisine.

We had a leisurely departure on the Friday. Jente was just arriving in Guyana for a two week holiday and she came to see us and we had breakfast together at home. A great treat because we hadn't seen her since she left nearly 18 months before. So the time came and our favourite taxi driver, Rahim, took us to the airport with Meg in a separate car and before you knew it, we were on the plane and flying over the rain forest and Guyana was history. We were on our way to New York and then to Las Vegas for a holiday before returning home on 2nd March 2009.

The Definitive Pine Tart

2009-02-10T05:48:00.008Z

It's appropriate that this is the last post in Guyana for Stephen & Mary @ Guyana because those who know me know that I have sweet tooth and it will probably be my downfall but "what the heck!"

To my delight when I came here, I discovered the Pine Tart and I set myself the challenge of finding the definitive pine tart - the best one. To discover this, it meant that I had to eat around 200 of them whilst I was here (at least 2 a week) and test them for the following:

Quality of pineapple jam filling
Quality of pastry - somewhere between puff and short crust

The colour of the egg wash - not too yellow

The taste

The size

The ability to stay fresh overnight

I had to make a decision and time was getting close when I would never eat another pine tart again unless I made it myself. And then, lo and behold, at the party Nichola and Richard turned up with a box full made by their neighbour baker in Corriverton Region 6. I had to try several during the course of the evening and then have another for breakfast to judge point 6 above.

Nichola and Richard arrived the next day with bated breath whilst I gave my report. I could see Nichola was nervous but it was really important to be impartial about this.

Any way, all in all and taking everything into consideration, I declared the Corriverton Pine Tart the official definitive one of all time.

A fitting end to an enormous and onerous task for me over the last two years.

Of course, Nichola and Richard and Cheryl were there to witness this momentous occasion.

Now it's important to say one last thing before I close. When we arrived in Guyana we were taken to Corriverton for our Home Stay with Cheryl. She gave us a wonderful weekend. It was only fitting therefore that Cheryl stayed with us on our last weekend.

Stephen and his "sweet woman" Cheryl

So that's it for Guyana and loooking forward to seeing you, speaking to you or emailing you from Britain on 2nd March

The Icing on the Cake

2009-02-10T05:32:00.007Z

As if it couldn't get better!

4 weeks ago we did an interview for the Guyana Chronicle and we discovered this week that it had been printed in the Sunday edition. Not only that but it had pride of place on the front page of the magazine - PepperPot - with an article on the inside. So I have reproduced the text here.....

VSO trio head home Saturday

taking with them bittersweet memories

By Vanessa Narine

“We just booked our tickets, but we will be taking Guyana home in our hearts.”

These were the words of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteers Ms Meg Caton, Mr. Stephen Harding, and his wife Ms. Mary Harding; three individuals who, after meeting for the first time two years ago, have found fulfillment, fun and friends for life, as they served as volunteers based at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).The three, who supported the Education Sector here with their various talents, are bound for the United Kingdom (UK) and will be leaving next Saturday as they set off to reunite with family, and experience new things.“I am going home to two grandchildren expected over the next few weeks,” Meg Caton said, bitter-sweet emotions emanating from her words.She described her experience here as everything from exciting, rewarding and amazing to challenging and new.
Working with Mary Harding in Curriculum Development, Meg conveyed the feeling of satisfaction that came from visiting schools all across Guyana and seeing children being happy to read.

“Seeing them use the materials we helped develop, and the joy they got from reading was extremely rewarding,” she said.However, besides the rewards of her professional stint in Guyana, Meg said she was delighted at being a part of the Guyanese culture, and the many major events that occurred during her stay here.

Mary Harding echoed Meg’s sentiments, and singled out World Cup Cricket, the Caribbean Festival of the Creative Arts (CARIFESTA), plays at the Theatre Guild Playhouse and the National Cultural Centre; the celebration of Mashramani, Diwali, Phagwah and Christmas as being among the most enjoyable moments she’d had over the years.“The togetherness of the Guyanese people during these events, and the integration of everyone, regardless of religion, into the other’s celebrations exemplifies the country’s motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’,”

Mary declared, excitement at the memory evident in her voice. She went on to say that not only did this spirit exist during playtime, but also during the course of work as working at NCERD involved teamwork as well as team spirit.“Working with curriculum development at NCERD was working as part of a team that was focused on improving literacy, and improving individual skills in Guyana in a mass literacy countrywide programme, the Fast Track Initiative (FTI), which targeted head teachers, practicing teachers and educators,” Mary said.

Mary also said that apart from the oneness one felt, life here was very different from that of life in London, particularly the lifestyles of persons in the outlying areas of Guyana.

Mary’s husband, Stephen, who worked in Education Management, echoed her sentiments, but added that while they had come with no idea of what to expect, they were, nevertheless, stunned.“The differences are countless, but one thing I appreciate very much is that Sundays in Guyana remains a day of rest. The traffic lights blink amber throughout the day; Guyanese take time to go to their religious bodies; and Sundays are distinctly different,” Stephen said, seemingly lost contemplating the differences.His colleague, Meg, also recalled her many Sundays in Guyana, saying that in London, Sundays were just normal days.“Persons should try not to change Sundays, since it is a special time that some take for granted,” Meg said.

Stephen continued his reminiscence as he pointed to one moment in several “special times” he experienced and said in all his years of work, never did he have a view of the ocean as he did while working with NCERD.“I had the perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean, and we could always tell before anyone when the rains were coming,” he recalled laughingly.Another special moment for him was the completion of a programme he wrote to assist in the training of School Managers, the Education Management Certificate Course, a programme that has seen over 350 graduates countrywide since its initiation.“There is a genuine thirst for knowledge in Guyana; people want to learn, especially now that the programme has activities to stimulate persons during the lectures,” Stephen said.

He said that since the fourth batch of school managers completed the 18-month course, over 600 individuals have expressed their interest in the programme, which it is hoped will continue as part of NCERD’s commitment to training.“The programme, which was developed in 1990 for schools in Africa, was now completely fitted to Guyana and its environment,” Stephen said proudly. “We have achieved far more than we had expected, and it is very satisfying.”

The three agreed that while the two years they spent here simply “flew by,” the satisfaction they gained was well beyond their expectations, not just work-wise, but in other respects as well, particularly the Guyanese cuisine and of course Guyana’s tourist attractions.“The best trips we had were our visits to the Kaieteur Falls and Shell Beach,” Mary said.

Smiling, her husband, Stephen, recalled the occasion.

“Everything that could have gone wrong on the trip to Shell Beach went wrong, but we were laughing the entire time,” he said.Smiling too, Mary’s memories traced back to the trip, as she reminded her husband of the boat breaking down in the middle of nowhere but added that the experience was worth so much.“

As much as we gave in our years as volunteers, we got back two-fold in so many other ways,” Meg said.So, leaving with the many experiences and fond memories gained while selflessly giving of themselves to serve other humans, in a strange land whose culture was alien to them, Meg, Mary and Stephen have exemplified the view that serving others brings its own rewards.

Director of NCERD, Mr Mohandatt Goolsarran, gave the VSO volunteers another reward, in that he expressed his gratitude for their selfless support over the years.“They were very adaptable and produced quality work, while they became integrated within the system, providing professional skills and motivating teachers to strive for greater heights,” he said.

Cooling Down Party

2009-02-10T04:56:00.006Z

In good VSO tradition we decided to hold a Pot Luck Supper at our house to celebrate two happy years in Guyana for Mary, Meg and I. With Pot Luck, you get what you get and everyone brings something.

However, the important thing about parties is that you are there. But as you may have just read, we were taken out for the day and didn't get back until 4 minutes before the party was due to start. Anyway, I have been teaching leadership for the past two years and the importance of delegation, so a few phone calls and the whole thing was sorted thanks to our good friends Cheryl and Martin who set everything up and we arrived in style with everything done.

The party was great with superb food and everyone had a great time especially the three of us, even if we were a little tired after our exciting day.

Judge for yourself!

VIP Trip to the Mazaruni

2009-02-10T04:22:00.011Z

At relatively short notice, Mary, Meg and I were given a VIP trip along the Mazaruni River last Saturday. In fact we had no idea what to expect other than our line manager at NCERD Miss Ali had offered the trip to us. So at 7-15am we set off to her house at Leonora Region 3 and little did we expect what we got.

We were whisked off in 4 X 4s to a private boat yard were a Jet Boat met us to take us down the Essequibo, passed Eddie Grant's private island to the Mazaruni near Itabali. We were to visit a granite quarry. Now, that doesn't sound too exciting but the way we did it, it surely was. The boat went twice as fast as a normal speedboat so that was a treat in itself. there were 7 of us and we were treated like VIPs the whole day.

On arrival at the quarry, a brand new bus, a real rarity in Guyana, took us 200 yards to an open air breakfast where we broke our fast Guyanese style with three different types of salt fish and bake and every different type of bun / cake imaginable, washed down with coffee and fruit juice. We were the guests of the owners, Brian and Gloria who had been working this quarry for three years and in that short time provided the granite for practically all the roads in Guyana and the extensive sea defenses.

Then we set off for the tour and the bus followed us all the way in case any of us got tired. We ended up in the Board room where we were forced to drink wine for two hours or so whilst we watched the whole operation from huge picture windows. The bus then took us into the rain forest where, lo and behold, was laid out a table with white cloth and crystal ready for lunch. This consisted, after drinks and appetizers, of Duck Curry, Mutton Curry, Mountain Fish and the biggest prawns you ever did see. All are Guyanese delicacies and were delicious. The bus then took us along the trail to Bartica where we were met by the boat which took us to Parika where the cars met us again and took us all the way home, where we arrived for our party at 7-26pm for a 7-30pm start.

What a day, what a treat and what an end to our time in Guyana!!

Waiting for the boat back to Parika after a superb day

Last Day in NCERD

2009-02-09T12:08:00.006Z

Last 5 minutes in the office

You wait for it for so long, with so much work to complete, especially after being ill, and eventually the last day arrives. It comes and it goes. But it was an excellent final day in NCERD. However, we were working until 15 minutes before the "get together" arranged to say farewell to us.

Cleaners Faye and Joy
Mary receives plaque from Andrew Kartick

They did us proud and all of the departments met up in the auditorium and speeches were made and such nice things were said about our work here.

Murray presents Meg with her ear rings

Florence

In the end they gave us a plaque each in appreciation and gold ear rings for the ladies and a gold Guyana tie pin for me.

We will certainly miss NCERD after two years there!

Stephen showing off the plaque of appreciation

Emily Quinn Caton makes an appearance in New York

2009-02-09T11:43:00.010Z

Simon and Emily - photo taken on Skype on the net from New York

About two weeks ago, Meg (our VSO friend) was delighted to announce the birth of her first grandchild, born in New York to her son Simon and her daughter-in-law Sara who are working in the States and who, now that Emily has been born, will be working even harder.

Meg has only seen her on Skype so far but, as expected, she's gorgeous!! In just about four days she will be winging her way to New York to hold little Emily in her arms for the first time along with her daughters Ruth and Jenny who will also be meeting up there. We also hope to get a little sneak viewing of the big event.

Congratulations to Sara and Simon and welcome to the world to little Emily.

Emily was born at 8lbs 1oz on the evening of 23rd January 2009

Miss P invites us to dinner

2009-02-09T11:28:00.005Z

Stephen and Mary with Miss Eileen (left) and Miss P (right)

Just over a week ago, our landlady Miss P invited us to dinner in her home with Michaela (Peace Corps who lives in our yard) and her mother who was visiting.

Michaela and visiting Mum Patti

It was a Guyanese gastonomical delight. All taditional Guyanese food was home cooked by Miss P with more than a little help from Miss Eileen, the lady that does. It was superb - 7 0r 8 dishes, each better than the next and finishing with Black Cake (traditional for celebrations) and a baked custard. What a treat! And we only had 10 yards to go home!

Miss P and her "live-wire" sister in law!

Nathan grows up

2009-02-08T04:50:00.000Z

You may remember a post around six months ago announcing the birth of Nathan who is the new son of Nicholas who worked in our office and Jenelle who reads the 6 0'Clock news on the main TV channel NCN.

Well, they came to viist us and that little baby is now a beautiful little boy. Just judge for yourselves.

Weekend in Bartica and bits and pieces

2009-02-02T17:34:00.008Z

Speedboats waiting in Parika

With just two weeks to go we decided that we needed to have one last trip on a speedboat and, of course, to visit our good VSO friends Derek and Trudy who live in Bartica. The river is the mighty Essequibo which makes the Thames look like a countryside stream. Lo and behold, the boat we went out on after waiting over an hour (they have to fill up before they will go) was a covered one. Never experienced it before. Apparently, so we are told, all boats will have to be covered by a certain date. Now that's practical and more comfortable but leeeeesssss exciting. You would pay a lot of money in Britain to get a boat ride like the one from Parika to Bartica. One hour of beautiful scenery and sheer excitement!

We had a great weekend with our friends, lovely food and great chat. The way back was on an open boat so we got what we came for and it stayed dry. Great experience!

It's Monday 2nd February 2009 and we have just entered our last week of work at NCERD. Mary and Meg have just completed their last workshop and I am still waiting for a technical advisor to look over my last module. They've had it for three months. Things move very slowly in Guyana but, as they say, "That's Guyana!" Will probably be working until the last minute on Friday. After that we have a week to sort out the house, have a "Cooling Down" Party next Saturday, say goodbye to friends and colleagues and board the plane for New York. We heard about the snow in London. There's no chance of it coming to Guyana but New York may get a covering. Well we can do it - from 35C to -5C in 8 hours. No problem!

Mary checks out the medical facilities

2009-01-25T14:49:00.008Z

With only 3 weeks to go, we were both struck down with a nasty virus just over a week ago. I won't describe the symptoms but they were horrible and typically tropical. I started to get better after 4 days but Mary lingered on and two days ago was admitted into Woodland's Hospital for tests and treatment. She's doing well and will be out on Monday, hopefully a new woman. The treatment and friendliness of the staff were a very high standard. Nothing to worry about. just one of those things. She has responded well and hopefully we will both be back to work sometime next week.

That leaves only 2 weeks to go before we finish and it gives us some very tight deadlines to finish our work. But we are determined and are confident all will be done when we finish in NCERD on 6th February 2009 after 2 years in Guyana.

We will be flying out on 13th February for 10 days in New York followed by 6 nights in Las Vegas so that we can see the Grand Canyon which we missed last time we were there. We will be back in England on 2nd March 2009 ready to start the next stage of our lives!!

Celebrating 2009 at Nicolette and Martin's

2009-01-25T14:36:00.005Z

Just after our return from Tobago, Nicolette and Martin invited all VSOs to their home for a New Year celebration of a Chinese takeaway. The photos speak for themselves.

Girls checking out their feet

Starting 2009 in Tobago

2009-01-25T13:46:00.005Z

Tropical paradise

Continuing the tradition of going away for New Year, Mary and I flew to Tobago on 27th December for one week staying in the Hummingbird in Crown Point run by a Welsh man and his Trinidadian wife.

Mary relaxes in the shade

At the beginning of the holiday we went to Plymouth for a kite competion. Never been to one before and really interesting, especialy the one which took 20 men to pull up into the air.

The biggest kite

We met up with Richard and Nicola, relatively new VSOs from Edinburgh and Nicolette and Martin from Canada. We should have met up with Mira and her visiting family but, although she went to Tobago, she was ill and we never managed to meet.

Old Year's night together

We had a great time but the £ / $ made it very expensive - about 50% more so than when we were last in Trinidad in May. We had an excellent Old Year's Night - all inclusive package and well worth it! New Year was brought in in style.

We hired a car and toured the island which is one beautiful bay after another. The weather was relatively kind. We returned on 3rd January ready for the start of our last 5 weeks work in Guyana.

Steel Pans at the Sunday School

To see all of the picture, click on the link below......

See the photos as a slide show?

December news 2008

2008-12-31T17:14:00.000Z

It's 31st December 2008 and we spend Old Year's Night with Nicola, Richard, Nicolette and Martin.

It's 27th December 2009 and we escape to Tobago for a week in the sun and very little rain.

It's 25th December 2008 and we go to the Pegasus Hotel with friends for christmas lunch. Yard is flooded and it's pouring rain for the second year on the run.

It's 24th December 2008 and we are invited to a small party at NCERD with Miss Ali, Mary's Line Manager. Tonight we will go to Midnight Mass at the Ursuline Convent

It's 22nd December 2008 and we go to the Ministry of Education Christmas party at Georgetown Cricket Club

It's 20th December 2008 and due to the lack of any VSO Party and the British High Commissioner didn't invite VSOs to his bash last week, we decided to hold our own here. See separate report for pictures.

It's 19th December 2008 and we finish work for Christmas having met our deadlines for Christamas. We worked right to the last minute and there has been hardly anyone working for the last month. Wind down for Christmas is phenomenal in Guyana

It's 13th December 2008 and we go to Odysssey Roof Top Garden to celebrate 22 months - getting close to the end now

It's 4th December 2008 and we go to the Pegasus Hotel for their Pizza Night

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T14:20:00.000Z

Happy Christmas morning

What can be said about this surreal Christmas in the sun with icicles and snowmen and 35C? This was our 2nd Christmas in Guyana. It started with a lovely Christmas gathering in NCERD where we sang carols and Miss Ali provided lunch for the department.

On Christmas Day it was seriously raining and the yard was flooded which necessitated going to the Pegasus Hotel by taxi in our long boots. Not the ideal entrance to a posh hotel but needs must.

Mary goes to Pegasus in wellies

We had lunch with Jane, Jud, Lucia and her Mexican friend. It was a very quiet affair and over in a couple of hours. But we did get the turkey and ham but no mince pies, Christmas pud or cake. But the company was good.

Ministry of Education Christmas Party

2008-12-24T12:16:00.006Z

Mr Goolsarran (Director) and Sunita (secretary) join us and Jane and Jud

On 22nd December we were invited to the Ministry of education Christmas Party at Georgetown Cricket Club (Bourda) just five minutes from home. Good food and an open bar were very welcome and we spent an enjoyable few hours.

Happy Christmas to all our friends and family

2008-12-22T09:18:00.009Z

Let me set the scene. It's 5-30am and there's torrential rain, the cockerel is crowing, the frogs are croaking, it's 27C and the man downstairs is playing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" Dream on fella!

It's weird and surreal but it's Christmas and tonight we are off to the Ministry of Education Christmas party at Bourda Cricket Club just 5 minutes walk from home. It's our last Christmas in Guyana and by Christmas Day there'll only be 50 days left here. We're missing you all but will soon be home.

So..................

Stephen and Mary

wish all our family, friends and colleagues

a Happy, Holy and Joyous and Peaceful Christmas

Sent with all our love

And wishing you all you want in the New Year

Health and Happiness

for 2009

Making our own Christamas Fun

2008-12-22T09:09:00.003Z

There were days when others provided the fun but, in the absence of a a VSO Christmas Party and the fact that the British High Commissioner decided to have his party this year without inviting VSOs like last year (probably the Queen cutting back), we decided to make our own Christmas cheer.

We invited all of the VSOs and a few others who were left in Georgetown to join us for a little festive cheer. It turned out to be a great party and set us all up well for the start of Christmas.

Rain Rain Rain

2008-12-22T08:57:00.004Z

They say that we've had three times the monthly rainfall in half the month and believe me that's a lot of rain. People are a bit edgy about it because in 2005 they had very serious floods around this tinme of year. But we carry on working - well we do, a lot of others don't. So this post will just give you a flavour. Actually there's been much worse than you can see here but didn't have my camear with me otr too wet to take photos.

VSO Jane in her stylish long boots

Our garden

Off to get the gas

National Park

What the heck - more rain

National Park

Rotary Christmas Affair

2008-12-22T08:19:00.008Z

Trying to get in the mood for Christmas we were invited to the Rotary Club Christmas Affair at Marian Academy. It was a slick performance and we saw the other half of Georgetown - the one you don't see every day - the wealthy or at least that's how it appeared. A beautifully decked stage heralded a host of talent through singers to steel pans and the famous Arturo Tappin - a brilliant Saxophonist with rasta hair going to below his knees. They call him Leon in Brazil. Well he looks like a lion with a tail. Everyone was good and pleasant to listen to but he had exceptional talent. What a performance.

It was all for charity and the artistes gave their skills for free. A good evening!

Miriam and Stephen - redressing the balance of the last post

Ron Robinson - local celebrity and broadcaster

Mary visits Lethem

2008-12-21T14:13:00.010Z

The Savannah Inn

Soon after we came back from out visit to England, Mary set off to Lethem in the south west of the country to do the last of her Fast Track Initiative workshops for educators. She went by 12 seater plane and stayed in the Savannah guest house which turned out to be surprisingly comfortable and with a good chef who was able to get meat from Brazil and who was very creative -an unusual trait here.

It's not all work for Mary and Odetta

Although she had only 2 and a half days to deliver she had to go for 8 days because of availability of flights and a national holiday - Eid. The workshop went well and now she can say she has completed that side of her work.

Crossing the Takatu

It had an upside because she was able to go over the newly constructed Takatu Bridge (which is already sinking into the ground but being repaired) into Brazil for a few hours. She noticed the change immediately, street lights and pavements and well stocked shops. She was also able to visit St Ignatius - an Amerindian village whose main industry is peanuts. They have become mechanised because they have a machine that shells one peanut at a time! They have a hand to mouth existence and survive; well, I don't know how but they do!

Peanut Produce in St Ignatius

Manufacturing peanut products

And, for the first time in 30 years, Mary went on the back of a motorbike. She spent a couple of lovely evenings with two VSOs from Australia - Teddy and Vanessa and got a lift home on on their motorbike (courtesy of VSO).

Drive safely Teddy, that's my wife

So Mary is back now and, due to the joys of email, is still able to work with Meg who is in Southport 5,000 mile away beavering away at stories for their third and last educators' manual.

See a slideshow?

Click to see all of the pictures

Mary in Lethem Novemeber 2008

Celebrating another month

2008-12-14T16:04:00.011Z

Mary and Miriam

Ever since we arrived in Guyana 22 months ago on 13th February 2007 we have celebrated our achievements by going out for a meal on the 13th of each month to different places. In the early days of course Allende was with us but now she's been gone for over a year. Yesterday was no exception and for the last year or so others have joined us as they arrived 6 months later on 13th.

Mary and Mira

So yesterday we went to the Roof Top Garden Cafe in Kitty. It's a little known secret, even the taxis don't seem to know where it is. On top of a building with a view of the city we had a a lovely meal with Nicolette and Martin, Mira and Miriam (honourary VSO for this purpose from Canada who is 6 months ahead of us and doing 3 years - what a star!).

Nicolette and Martin celebrated their anniversary

We toasted Meg and Bill who are in England at the moment (Meg came with us) at 7-30pm as promised. It was a great evening but we realised that the next one which will be on 13th January 2009 will be the last!

Unbelievable!!!

It was one of those days. They did take pictures of me but everybody I was with had their eyes closed so I cut them out. So I cropped myself out of the others and here I am. The red face could be the sun or the alcohol. I'm not sure.

September to November News 2008

2008-11-30T15:54:00.001Z

It's 30th November 2008 and we hold our first coffee morning for many months

It's 25th November 2008 and we return to Guyana from England

It's 20th Novemeber 2008 and we miss the VSO Forum in Lake Mainstay

It's 19th Novemebre 2008 and we miss our own Leavers' Forum because we are in England.

It's 15th November 2008 and we return to England for 9 days on the spur of the moment. A great trip.

It's 13th November 2008 and we go to the Windjammer Restaurant to celebrate 21 months in Guyana

It's 8th Novemeber 2008 and we go to the Theatre Gulid for a second week to see a performance of Moon on a Rainbow Shawl

It's 2nd Novemeber 2008 and we go to see a superb production of Joseph (same cast as last time) at the newly renovated theatre Guild.

It's 28th October 2008 and went to a Master Trainer friend for a superb celebration lunch.

It's 27th October 2008 and went to the Sea Wall to see the Diwali Motorcade for the Festival of Light

It's 26th October and went to National Cultural Centre to see the Guyana Police Force perform their cultural extrvaganza to celebrate 169 years of existence (as a police band)

It's 25th October 2008 and it's 110 days to go. Yes, we are now counting down. Mary seems to have fully recovered so all is well. Went to JR Burgers with Mira last night to celebrate Mary's return to health. She's been fancying a burger for a while but couldn't eat one.

It's 23rd October 2008 and great news - Director informs me that our Canadian backers GBET have agreed to supply materials so that my 11 modules of the Education Management Programme can be put into every school in the country as resource and training materials. Result!!!!! I just have to finish them now. Done 5 plus Handbook and Assessment guide and half way through 6 - 7, 8 and 9 to be done in three months. Very possible!

It's 22nd October 2008 and Mary returns to work after a week of unpleasant sickness. She is very tired and returns home after half a day and takes the rest of the week off.

It's 16th October 2008 and agreed with my Director that I will do no more training in Guyana but concentrate on writing the Management Modules. The Minister's decision was a blow but better to clear the decks and complete the work.

It's 15th October 2008 and Mira returns to Guyana after 3 months at home and some medical treatment. She is in great form and looking good. She spends the evening with us. Mira is proud to be our oldest volunteer and has been volunteering in different countries for 12 years. She has more energy than the rest of us put together.

Mary returned from Mahdia today another 8 hours of bumpy unmade road. Unfortunately, she has come down with something nasty! But her workshops were successful and worthwhile.

The first of my series of workshops "Leading from the Front" for Georgetown Senior Teams was due to start today but the Minister, in his wisdom. decided to use it for a press conference on the Strategic Plan just agreed by cabinet. So the workshops are cancelled! My biggest disappointment in Guyana so far but will recover.

It's 12th October 2008 and Mary and Meg travel again to Mahdia in Region 8 - the remotest region in the mountains. They go by minibus - 8 hours.

That same evening we are invited to our first Thanksgiving (Canadian) but, of course, Mary can't go. Imagine, turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings as well as an excellent Pumpkin Pie created by Nicolette and Martin. A great evening. Miriam was the host. Not a VSO but a volunteer with the RC Church who we met in St Lucia last Christmas.

It's 11th October 2008 and Mary and I go to Windjammer Restaurant to celebrate our 20 months in Guyana. Ist time we have done it alone. Lovely meal.

It's 9th October 2008 and we attend the graduation of Region Five on the West Bank Berbice. Another great occasion and the guest speaker again. They say such lovely things about me that it is embarrassing. I was introduced as "our beloved Stephen" so I must be doing something good. See www.ncerdleaders.com for reports and pictures on both.

It's 6th October 2008 and Mary and I attend the Graduation for Region 4 with some graduates from Region 8. I was the guest speaker. A lovely occasion.

It's 4th October 2008 and Elizabeth (our Canadian intern neighbour living in our yard) has her leaving party. She will be leaving on Wednesday.

It's 3rd October 2008 and our good friend Cheryl has come to stay for a couple of nights from Corriverton. She will be going home for three months and then returning for an extension of 6 months on her placement. Celebrated by going to new thriving Chinese restaurant followed by karaoke at the Roopa Bar in Station St. No I didn't sing but Cheryl and Lucia did (like angels) the best in the bar.

3rd October 2008 - Programme Area Review at VSO for which I am NCERD representative - planning for future of the Education Programme

It's 2nd October 2008 and Celia from Mabaruma Region One comes to stay for a week for the Programme area Review and some work in a Georgetown Special School

It's 25th September 2008 and you may think we are counting down but today we worked out that there are only 20 weeks to go left in Guyana. Now, that's significant because, although it may seem like a long time. it means that we are 80% complete but we've still got about 50% of the work to do. Mary is in Bartica at the moment (I'm a bachelor for two days) doing workshops with her literacy educators. It's been a bit of a challenging day for her but she got through it. Speedboats there and back (Peter and Angela you know all about that). I'm plodding through the module on Financial Management. Not exactly exciting but one of my strengths so hopefully it'll tuirn out alright in the end.

Mary's off to Region One Mabaruma next week. She'll have to go by twin prop 10 seater plane. So on my own for another week. Will miss her but will get lots of work done.

It's 20th September 2008 and we're spending a quiet weekend at home with the usual shopping and cooking for the week. Mary has just prepared bottled garlic pork. Have to leave it a few days before we can eat it.

Just realised that time here is getting shorter. On Thursday we will have 20 weeks remaining. Sounds long but it's really short when you consider what we have to achieve in that time. I am turning away work at the moment. Can't keep up. Big task next month is to train all the Senior leadership Teams of all the 110 schools in Georgetown. Later I will be doing the same in Region 6 and with graduations to attend (that's a great pleasure) and still 5 modules to write and a lot of enjoying ourselves, there won't be much time!

Its 16th September 2008 and yesterday I was proud to be the guest of honour at the Region Two Graduation for the Education Management Programme. Speeches and certificates. it was an excellent affair and very enjoyable to be present.

It's 14th September 2008 and Mary goes to Santa Mission Amerindian Village and shakes hands with the PM who came up on her from behind.

It's 13th September 2008 and like every month on the 13th we celebrated our 19 months in Guyana. There were others who were celebrating 1 month and 13 months. we seem to be the old stagers now! We went th Windjammer restaurant.

It's 12th September 2008 and I delivered a workshop in Bartica Secondary to all the staff on teacher self-evaluation. It's great going to and from work by speedboat.

Flying visit to England

2008-11-29T15:51:00.008Z

On Thursday night we decided to go home for a few days, on Friday morning we booked a flight, on Saturday at 2-30am we got up, left at 3-30am and were on the plane at six to Barbados. What a turnaround! We have less than three months to go but felt a trip home would do us good and we would be able to see everyone. So that's what we did.

Waiting in Barbados Airport for 10 hours

We spent 10 hours in Barbados - no delays just a scheduled wait - then got the evening plane to Gatwick by Virgin Atlantic, arriving Sunday morning when Matt picked us up. Stayed the night at Ann's and then a few nights with Dad and then John and back to Dad's and then home just over a week later.

Waiting for Virgin to open

It was great to see everyone and catch up and now we are back with only three weeks to our Christmas break and 5 weeks in the new year. We've decided not to do a lot of extensive travelling on the way back because of the state of the £ / $ which makes it really bad value for money but we will just do a bit, probably Brazil, Suriname and French Guyana and then on the New York for a week or so and fly back from there. Should be back home by early March.

Mary writes her diary whilst we wait

We have a lot to do before then. I have completed 7 modules and have 2 to go then all the formatting and putting on the website. Mary has another workshop in Lethem (by small plane) for 5 day's next week and another to train some new master trainers to take over from her and Meg when we leave. All seems to be going well and we should just about be able to do it!

Gatwick on the way home

We just couldn't resist that one last Wetherspoon's fry up on the way back

And if you look carefully below, you will see that they put on a flight especially for us to Bridgetown Barbados - VSO 29. How appropriate!

I know pictures of airports are boring, but that's all we took. So much of a rush at other times, forgot to take the camera out!

Should I be offended or pleased?

2008-10-30T01:08:00.001Z

At lunchtime today I went to pay my telephone and internet bill. I went to GT&T, was searched on entry and saw two queues - one with around 20 people and another with 3. I joined the one with three. Then I looked up and saw "Senior citizen's only". So resigned to a long wait I went over and joined the long queue.

Lo and behold, the guard came up to me and said "This is your queue". Well, I know my hair may be a little speckled with grey but I don't see myself as a senior citizen. But I didn't argue. You never argue with a man with a gun! Well, that's my excuse for joining the pensioners' line and being out in two minutes.

But in Guyana, I would be a senior citizen at 55 so "what the heck? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Diwali Celebrations

2008-10-28T23:08:00.007Z

Today was a national holiday for Deepavali - Hindu Festival of Light. We were invited along to the home of a sister of one of the master trainers that I work with. We were provided with the most wonderful spread. It is amazing how some people can make meatless food so tasty. There were so many traditional dishes both savoury and sweet - never seen so many deserts. We had our fill and they must have cooked enough for 50 and it was packed into boxes and given to neighbours. What a lovely idea and celebration.

These are the things we will miss when we leave Guyana.

Deepavali 2008

2008-10-28T22:53:00.006Z

When you are here for more than a year, things come round for a second time and you fall into a pattern. Well, it's Diwali time -Indian festival of light at the darkest time of the year.There's a motorcade in Georgetown and several others all over the country. So like last year we went along to see it with all of the crowds.

It was bigger than last year and more people with more floats all lit up in their multicoloured lights, large Lilly leaves with young girls sitting in them and tributes to the Gods. All in all it was a very colourful affair and was great to watch and be a part of. Except for one thing. Some silly people threw firecrackers and one went right by us, jumped up and hit our VSO friend who took the brunt of it, burning her bag, her jeans and, worst of all, her skin. Had to go to hospital but is recovering with a nasty burn which will heal but put a sour taste to the evening. She's fine though, very brave and up and moving again.

The floats leave the Shri Krishna Mandir in New Campbellville and go along the East Coast to La Bonne Intention (I love that name - it's what I am full of). It was only an hour late getting to us so that is good timing by Guyana's standards.

Cultural Extravaganza - Guyana Police Force

2008-10-28T22:34:00.003Z

You know there are some times when you need a lift because life is a little bit samey. Well this weekend was it. Not so much the weekend but from Sunday night onwards. Weekend was the same as always - shopping etc etc. But on Sunday evening we splashed out the $500 each (that's £1.50 since the recession) and went to the National Cultural Centre. For those who know Croydon, it's like a smaller version of Fairfield Halls and very nice.

Despite its title it was a mixture of talent from the Guyana Police Force and friends. It was police and military bands, singers, indian dance, gymnastics and Creole comedy (we're starting to understand some of it now). It's not just about the words but the culture. It was great and really uplifting. There was such talent it was surprising they ever find time to do their shooting practice with the automatic weapons they carry around with them. As usual, I digress. One even played a rifle like a trumpet. We really enjoyed it.

Thankyou Guyana Police Force!

Canadian Thanksgiving

2008-10-26T22:19:00.007Z

I've never been to a Thanksgiving before, American or Canadian and so it was a great treat when we were invited by Miriam, our Canadian volunteer friend (honoroury VSO - she is with the church volunteering for three years), invited us for the Canadian Thanksgiving on 13th October. It fully lived up to expectations!

Not easy to get a turkey in Guyana but she did it and our VSO friends Nicolette and Martin regalled us with a magnificant Pumkin Pie (never had that before either) which was really delicious. Actually the food was superb and the company even better. Pity Mary and Meg had to miss it, being on their way to Mahdia. Turkey, all the trimmings. What a treat.

Thanks Miriam! I wasn't the only non Canadian because Peace Corps American Chase was there. They certainly do it in style even in Guyana.

Nicolette and Martin's Pumpkin Pie

Latest news for October

2008-10-25T12:47:00.004+01:00

Just to let you know that the latest news for the month of October has been updated. So just look at the sidebar on the right.

Link to www.ncerdleaders.com

2008-09-20T21:56:00.006+01:00

Did you know that you can now access this blog through:

http://www.stephenharding.co.uk/

It's easier to remember.

But also, the http://www.ncerdleaders.com/ website (in the form of a blog) is now fully operational. I have spent many hours working on it. All of the modules that I have written are on it as well as a description of the Graduation I attended and the workshop at Bartica High School and much more. So if you are interested in the work we do, just check it out.

Graduation Report -Click here!

Bartica High School Report - Click here!

Mary's visit to Santa Mission Amerindian Village

2008-09-20T21:04:00.008+01:00

"Inspiring our nation to move forward in unity"

On 13th September 2008, last Sunday, Mary went to Santa Mission to celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month and it was a really good day out. There were all the usual long winded speeches but she said it was lovely to see the children singing and dancing and reciting poems.

The Prime Minister was the guest of honour and after the ceremonies, including the opening of the new school, he went 'walkabout'. She was sitting on the grass with the group of people she was with and did not know he was behind her until he shook her hand, asked her if she was VSO and told her she was very welcome in Guyana. Somehow I don't think you are meant to be sitting down when you shake hands with the Prime Minister!

The day included the official opening of a school and the village office, the unveiling of a monument, a kayaking competition, various cultural events and the President (well, the acting President in the form of the Prime Minister).

You can see all of the photographs in a slide show here.

Or click on the picture below and it will take you to the actual photos.

News for July and August 2008

2008-09-01T11:57:00.000+01:00

It's 31st August 2008 and having a lazy day after Carifesta. Martin and Nicolette return today from Canada and will have dinner with us tonight.

It's 26th August 2008 and Celia (volunteer from Mabaruma Region One) has returned from England on her way back to her placement. More problems with planes and so she didn't get to until 3am. We went to city Hall to see a St Lucia Dance. Brilliant!!!

It's 24th August 2008 and Cheryl has come for the night (volunteer from Corriverton). We went to JR Burgers for a bit of western style food as it was Meg's last day before she goes to New York to see her son and England for a month. We always go to JR's when someone leaves.

It's 22nd August 2008 and Derek and Trudy (volunteers from Bartica) came for the weekend. It is also the starte of Carifesta. See main article on the right.

It's 22nd August 2008 and did the second part of my presentation. Again, it seemed to go alright but I'm not sure that they really wanted to hear what I had to say but were polite and told me I had given them food for thought. This type of training is my least favourite part of my placement and I have to confess it causes me a lot of stress. But it's over now.

It's 21st August 2008 and Peter and Angela are already on their way home after a superb week of adventure, chat and the occasional Rum and Juice. Today I had a big workshop presentation with all of the Regional Education Directors and all of the Offoicers of the Ministry of Education. It was a real challenge for me as i was asked to describe education as it exists in Guyana from my point of view and then give strategies on how to develop it. It went OK but was far from easy.

It's 13th August 2008 and Peter and Angela didn't arrive last night but were directed to Trinidad where they stayed in a hotel for 3 hours and then got the 4am flight to Georgetown. Some violent lightening storms put out the lights on the runway in Georgetown and so they couldn't leave until it was light. We met them and the adventure started. See main article on left.

It's 12th August 2008 and our friends peter and Angela are arriving today at around 10pm.

It's 8th August 2008 and the workshop is over. It was a great success, a triumph because i got a standing ovation at the end so they must have liked it. Lots of hard work but makes you feel good about what you do.

It's 4th August 2008 and today I started my biggest workshop of the year - Master Trainers from all over the country - 32 of them. They are the people who train the Headteachers and I train them. What a responsibility.

It's 27th July 2008 and I am on my own. Mary is in Mahdia in Region 8 with Meg delivering her fast Track Initiative Literacy Workshop. I'm pleased to report that we are both well and thriving in Guyana.

It's 9th July 2008 and it's Matt's birthday. Happy Birthday, Matt. I always seem to be saying how busy we are and it's certainly true. We had a three day weekend because of Caricom Day. It's like the EU for the Caribbean. We were saying how much we enjoyed the extra day but we are also really looking forward to the 7 day weekends we hope to enjoy when we get home. Yes, we are starting to think of home as it gets closer because there is so much to do in just 7 months.

Mary continues to do her Phonics Fast Track workshops and will be doing some serious travelling with Meg in the next few weeks. 3 -5 day workshops in Bartica Region 7, followed by Mahdia Region 8 in the mountains and the next week Mabaruma Region 1. All require a long boat or plane ride. I will be a lonely batchelor but I have enough work to do to keep me occupied.

My deadlines are now that I have to have 5 modules print ready (about 80 pages each) by 18th July. A tall order but it will be done. So, my computer in the office is red hot and I am churning it out at an alarming rate. Thank God for the internet and, in particular, the Standards Site which helps me enormously.

Whilst writing this our landlady has just rung the bell and given me a basket of bananas from the garden. This morning a teacher gave us a bag of mangos so I know what the juice will be next week.

I notice that the longest day in England has passed. Every day in Guyana is the longest day as they are all the same length - 12 hours day and 12 hours night. There's no sense, therefore, of the passage of time except for the rainy season which is now over but the weather doesn't seem to have noticed yet because we have torrential rain almost every day. I battle through the rain on my bike but Mary sometimes gets a taxi as she is performing and can't arrive all wet.

Carifesta X Guyana

2008-08-31T15:46:00.005+01:00

About every two years, a huge festival is held in the Caribbean. It started 36 years ago in Guyana and it has returned here this year for Carifesta X (ten).

The whole week has been full of activities - cultural, religious, culinary, literary etc. It has been a great success and Guyana has done itself proud. They are to be congratulated. From an outsider's point of view it has been all it should have been. It seems, however, that a few Guyanese boycotted it for political reasons. That's sad because anything that brings peoples together cannot be a bad thing.

We enjoyed it and went to a literary evening with readings from Guyanaese writers, a children's play performed by the children Mary works with, the Amerindian village, Sophia exhibition centre - arts and crafts and an excellent performance by a St Lucia Dance Troupe who performed the Village dance with such energy that we wre exhausted just watching it.

The opening was marred by rain at first but when it cleared it was excellent. We saw it on TV as tickets were hard to get for the National Stadium. But the rest of the week has had little rain and has been in the 90s feeling well over 100 with the humidity. But that's the way it is here.

The Bahamas will have a lot to live up to in two years time. The closing ceromony is tonight. Well done Guyana!

To see the official website of Carifest, click here

Slideshow of Carifesta X

Peter and Angela's visit

2008-08-31T15:20:00.006+01:00

We want to thank Peter and Angela for making the 14,000km return trip to visit us here in Georgetown, Guyana - no mean feat when you consider the journey, the heat, the humidity, the mosquitoes and of course, the expense. They arrived after a slight hiccup with flights and runway lights (nothing serious) on 13th August 2008 after a week's stay on Palm Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

We had an excellent week. We visited Bartica by speedboat and walked to the monastery (nothing like you would expect in England). On our return we stayed one night in the Toucan Inn in Meten Meer Zorg and then back to Georgetown.

Peter and Angela went to Kaieteur on the Sunday. We spent time in Georgetown loooking at the tourist trail (if there is one!) - museums, zoo etc. We had lots of lovely meals and imbibed a fair portion of Rum punch with excellent conversation.

We finished up at Cara Lodge for a meal on Wednesday night. It's an old colonial style restaurant with excellent food.

The visit was too short but life is like that and they had to return for work, examination results and all the mundane things in life. A wonderful time was had by all.

To see some more of the pictures, see the slideshow below:-

To see the full size pictures, click on the picture below:-

Peter and Angela's visit

Master Trainers' Workshop

2008-08-31T14:42:00.005+01:00

Stephen addressing Master Trainers with

Minister of Education Hon. Shaik Baksh and Mr Goolsarran (Director of NCERD)

The main part of my job is to train the Master Trainers who train the aspiring Heads and Headteachers in post on the Education Management Certificate Programme. I am also responsible for rewriting all of the materials for this programme. I am half way there. One of the reasons why I have not done many postings on this blog is because I have been preoccupied with a lot of training anf the prepartaion in the last couple of months. In addition I have been working on the NCERD website which is now in the form of a blog.

http://www.ncerdleaders.com/

Anyway, back to the workshop. There were 32 Headteachers / Regional Directors / District Education Officers who all carry out this task. We met for a full week's training in NCERD. A full report on this workshop can be found on the above website or click the link below to go directly to it:-

Official Report

Master Trainers' Workshop

Report with Pictures

Picture report of workshop

Thanks to Mary for so ably assisting me throughout the week!!!!

News for May and June 2008

2008-08-31T14:10:00.000+01:00

It's 29th June 2008 and this must be the longest time I haven't kept the blog up to date. but we were away for three weeks so I'm sure you will forgive me. It's just after nine on Sunday morning and it's hot again. We are in the middle of the rainy season and we certainly have had a lot of rain especially in the last few days. Yesterday, going to the market as you do on a Saturday, I was as wet as if I had stood under a shower for ten minutes. But so was everyone else, so it didn't matter.

Life is certainly very busy for us and will be until the end of our placement in February. Mary has been working with Meg on the National Literacy fast Track Initiative. They have been training people (some teachers, some students, some members of the general public) to teach reading in after school clubs. It is an enormous workshop and they have to train the whole country in three day workshops so their work is cut out for months and then they will have to monitor and do follow ups so there will be no let up.

On the other hand, I'm not training at the moment. All that will start again when the course starts in September. Then I'll be off to the deepest parts of the country. Currently, I am a bit office bound because I continue to write the programme. Now on to Module 4 of 9 which I must finish by Christmas. Tall order considering all the other things I have to do. This one is about the curriculum and is probably the hardest because it will need a complete rewrite. It mainly deals with secondary education and needs to be slanted towards nursery and primary as well. What do I know about nursery schools? I know that the children hang onto your ankles an awful lot but that's all. So I will have to be a fast learner.

Social life as always has been good but I have opted out of one or two things but Mary is up there with the best. She went to the FIFA world cup match played at the new Providence cricket ground (I though the pitches were different shapes!!!) and saw Guyana beaten 2 - 1 by Suriname, the Dutch speaking neighbours but she said the second half was really great especially when the crowd turned up. I think they expected it would be like most Guyanese things starting 2 hours late but it seems to have started on time because it was World Cup and so lots would have missed the start.

We went to the Brazilian Embassy June Festival yesterday evening. it was packed and a great atmosphere. we followed the theme by going to the Brazilian restaurant afterwards - wonderful barbecue meat!!!! We met with Meg's friends, Maureen and Brian who are over for a week or so.

And that's all our news for the moment and I'll try not to leave it for a month next time.

It's 31st May and another month has almost come to an end and we've been in England for almost a week. Stayed with Dad and then came to Swindon to visit Peter and Angela. Made us unbelievably welcome as always. Going back to London today and the tour continues!

It's 24th May and we're flying off to England via Trinidad in just 4 hours! Yippee. Hope to see some of you there.

It's 17th May and we are seriously into the rainy season. So far not as bad as last year but little and often. Never mind, that's the way Guyana is.

Since we came back from Barbados we have not stopped, especially Mary. Working alongside her VSO partner in NCERD Meg, they have delivered a five day workshop on the new National Literacy Project to Educators (teachers) from the north of the country, given a presentation to Jamaicans on the Literacy Hour (including one hour video they produced), given a two day Fresh Start Literacy workshop and on Monday, they will be off to the East of the country to do another 3 days on the National Literacy Project.

On the other hand I have been plodding away at the rewrite of my Headteachers' course. Writer's block has definately gone and now making good progress. Hope to complete another module before we go home next Saturday for a well deserved break, although I don't think it will be a rest. I have completed the preparation of the next set of HT exams and presented it to the exam board as well as all sorts of things such as working on the Education Strategic Plan.

Looking forward to seeing any of you who may be around at the time. See over to the left for some photos of the last few weeks.

It's 6th May and Barbados is already history. We had a wonderful time - aquamarine seas, white sand, perfect weather, wonderful food and and and..........

Back to work today and a lot of frustrations for Mary and Meg, but that's another story. My Education Management Certificate results were the best ever - 99% success. So I must be doing something right.

News for August

2008-08-31T11:57:00.000+01:00

It's 31st August 2008 and having a lazy day after Carifesta. Martin and Nicolette return today from Canada and will have dinner with us tonight.

It's 22nd August 2008 and Derek and Trudy (volunteers from Bartica) came for the weekend. It is also the starte of Carifesta. See main article on the right.

It's 12th August 2008 and our friends peter and Angela are arriving today at around 10pm.

Whilst writing this our landlady has just rung the bell and given me a basket of bananas from the garden. This morning a teacher gave us a bag of mangos so I know what the juice will be next week.

Latest news from Guyana

2008-07-27T22:37:00.004+01:00

It's hard to believe but it is already a month and a half since we came back from England and for those of you who have been looking, there has been a surprisingly small number of blog posts. There is no excuse really, just a lack of inclination and a lot of work. But today I feel inclined. Actually it's a special day today because, according to the little widget on the side bar on the right, we have only 200 days left in Guyana. That sounds about right because it's 6 months to go on 13th August and that's not far away.

Miss Ali (Head of Unit), Director of NCERD Mr Goolsarran, Minister Fox on the far right

Meg and Mary waiting for the start of their first of many FTI workshops klistening to the opening speech by the Minister

Mary and Meg went to Region 8 on Saturday, which is the most remote region in the mountains. They went to a place called Mahdia to deliver their fast Track Initiative Literacy Workshop. Not sure how many they have done so far but probably around fifteen or so all over the place. They were really looking forward to it, although it took them about 8 and a half hours in a minibus, on an unmade road. When they looked up the town it said it was a mining town, (gold and diamonds), it has a population of between 100 -500, a dry store, a garage, a hotel and a brothel. It left them wondering where they would be sleeping! Anyway, she has just called to say that because of storms, the teachers who were coming to the workshop can’t come because their plane is grounded (no roads) so Mary and Meg have to come back all that way tomorrow not having done anything. That’s frustrating Guyana for you! However, they are enjoying delivering the Literacy programme and they had a lovely surprise at work on Thursday. They were both given a Guyanese gold bracelet and picture of Kaieteur Falls as a thank you for their work. It was totally unexpected but very much appreciated.

Educators participating in the FTI workshop

I have been working very hard on my course and it is now half way completed and printed for distribution throughout the country. I have finished Modules 1 - 4 and and a Programme Handbook. Each is between 50 and 100 pages. I have now started planning for my major workshop for Master Trainers in August. They are Headteachers, Regional and District Education Officers from all over the country. It was a great success last year and everyone who came is very keen to come back again this year. All the feedback shows that the training has been very successful and the exam results for the trainees (Headteacher and aspiring Headteachers) were the best ever.

If you want to find out more go to the website http://www.ncerdleaders.blogspot.com/

The following week I will deliver a session at a workshop for all Regional Education Officers throughout the country at the request of the Minister of Education on "Raising Standards in Schools and Regions - Proactive Leadership." This will be short but a big one for me.

We have heard that there is a programme on Wednesday 30th July about Guyana and its wildlife. It is at 8 o’ clock on BBC 1 and it is called "Lost land of the Jaguar". It's a series and promises to be good so watch it if you can.

The weather has been pretty awful for this time of year. it should be dry and hot and sunny. No, not in Guyana. We have the tail end of the hurricanes in Mexico and Texas (better than the hurricane itself, I must say). So we have had serious thunder storms, very heavy rain at no notice, frequent blackouts and it's still hot and the mosquitoes are still around and there should be less of them. But when it's dry, it's very very dry and it's hot all of the time - touching on 34C (95ishF in old money) but extremely humid and feels like 110F at times. But, to be honest we hardly notice it any more and cope very well.

It was sad this week because we had to say goodbye to a colleague we have worked with for a year - One year placement for Special needs - Hans Neienhuijsen. He left on Friday to meet his wife in Trinidad after a little reception on Thursday with speeches from the HOD and Director of NCERD and a presentation for all his efforts. We will miss his joviality, friendliness and wit. Good luck in your new life back in the Netherlands, Mr Hans!

Things are quiet VSO- wise at the moment. Some are returning home for good, some have gone mountain climbing and some gone back to England. Schools are closed and the roads are quiet but work continues for us at its busiest pace. But with anly 200 days to go (that means 515 have been completed) retirement in Wallington is beginning to seem very attractive!

Two or three new volunteers will arrive in August, one of whom will be working in NCERD. She has experience with children's TV in the BBC and her first task will be to assist me in making some programmes about Education Management. She is the third person who has been due to do this but I am convinced that she will come, even though the others weren't able to.

Well, it's Sunday evening and I think my inclination has run out or a Banks Beer calls (the sun is definately over the yardarm) 6 o'clock. So, I'll wish all of my readers a fond fairwell and hope you found this little update interesting.

Banks beer makes Guyana a much better place to live in!

Trinidad June 2008

2008-06-28T14:02:00.007+01:00

On our way home from England, we stayed in Trinidad for three nights and had a whistle stop tour of the north of the country. We stayed in Arima which is just an ordinary Trinidad town not really on the tourist trail, just south of the northern range of mountains. But what was wonderful was that the owner of the guest house drove us around the island and gave us 2 1/2 full day tours by minibus and car.

We managed to fit in a night trip to sea the turtles on the beach laying eggs. And that after a 15 hour journey, so we didn't sleep for 22 hours. But we soon recovered the next day to go to a Botanical Gardens in the rainforest and a boat trip to a bird sanctury where we saw flocks of red ibis.

The following day we had a personal guide and toured the north of the island by boat and in particular stopped at some caves where we went deep into the ground to swim in a private natural pool 30ft - 140ft deep. we were the only ones there and it was a chance of a lifetime. This was followed by a tour of port of Spain (capital).

The whole trip was one we will not forget for a long time.

To see more in a slideshow, see below:-

If you prefer to look at the full size pictures, click on the picture link below:-

Trinidad June 2008

Visit to England 2008

2008-06-28T12:58:00.007+01:00

Oh, this is long overdue but, as they say, better late than never. In late May we took our second trip to England for three weeks. This time we went via Trinidad - short wait there and then the 10 hours by BA through Barbados. It was an uneventful flight and arrived early Sunday morning to be met by Daniel and Matt.

We had a wonderful three weeks starting off staying with Dad when he got back from Poland and then off to Peter and Angela who cracked the Champagne and made us so welcome as always. We followed up with two nights with Debbie and Mike and a wonderful welcome from James, Kate and Will - barbecue and all.

Alice and Kobi invited us and another great welcome and superb meals and then off to Oxford to meet the GOG friends with Mary G where we stayed the night. We left for Malmesbury early next morning to stay in a superb guest house with Irene and Alasdair. We had visits to NT and a whole NT village. Really brought the differences between the English and Guyanese cultures into sharp focus. Then it was back home, meal with our good friends Jane and Trevor after visiting the Tutankamun Exhibition at the O2 Dome. We stayed the last 4 nights with Dad and we didn't watch any more than one hour TV the whole time. We only cooked one meal and slept in 9 different beds.

The final days we had a barbecue with Matt, Lucy and Dan at Matt and Lucy's place and a great Nepalese meal with John, Ed, Alex and Ella. Then we needed to come back to Guyana for a rest.

During our time home we visited Tim and Cath and made flying trip to Bernadette'e School.We had a wonderful time. Thanks to everyone for your great hospitality.

If you want to see some of the photographs you will find them in the slidshow below-

Or you can go directly to the album by clicking on the photo link below:-

England Visit June 2008

Having a great time

2008-05-31T07:37:00.002+01:00

Just a quick one to say we are having a great time on our holiday to England. All is well. Visiting friends and family as you might expect and making us really welcome.

Perhaps the photo will explain all!

Homeward Bound

2008-05-24T11:30:00.002+01:00

For all those who are interested we will be in England on a well deserved break from Sunday 25th May until Thursday 12th June when we will fly off to Trinidad for a few days and then back to work in Guyana. Hope to see some of you soon.

Stephen and Mary

From Barbados to England

2008-05-17T16:57:00.009+01:00

As you will read on the left, the last few weeks have been amongst the busiest we have had in Guyana. And they have included some of the greatest frustrations but we will gloss over them. We always knew there would be frustrations but they're not nice when they all come at once. But we survived and are looking forward to three weeks home, coming via Trinidad and staying there for a couple of nights on the way back.

Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to.

Firstly, the workshops.......

Mary at the national Literacy Workshop in NCERD

Meg working at the other side of the Auditorium

Making phonic sounds to repeat!
Meg's the teacher

and then Barbados......

March and April 2008

2008-05-01T07:53:00.000+01:00

We are still in full bloom. Here is some of the older news from March and April 2008

It's 30th April and yet another month has gone. So what's my excuse this time for taking so long to write.

1. Too Much work

2. Very sick computer

3. Too much enjoying ourselves

Well, it's true, all three

I'll say more in the post on the left

It's 16th April and it's less than 2 days this time. Is the writer's block easing? Sometimes I think all of this stuff must be pretty boring for the average reader. But please remember, that we are doing this for ourselves as well and we will want something to look back on.

Mary keeps an excellent diary using the old fashioned method which she prefers (pen and paper). She keeps it up to date and writes an entry for every day. Since we past the year mark, she reads the entry for that day last year. It's unbelievable how fast this is all going and things that happened last year are coming round again. It makes really interesting reading.

It has been great in the last few days to hear the enthusiasm of the new volunteers. It reminds us of our first arrival. Not that any of our enthusiasm for what we are doing has lessened but, like the first flushes of any relationship, it has settled into a pattern. Trouble is, a lot of this is seriously out of the comfort zone!

Have finally managed to book our trip home. Should arrive on Sunday 25th May 2008 and return on Thursday 13th June, travelling via Trinidad for three days on the way back. So as we will be homeless, anyone who would like to put up a couple of weary travellers, it would be much appreciated?

It's such a thrill doing all this Caribbean island hopping. The downside is that it is seriously draining our resources but who cares? Hopefully, the Prudential and the Teachers' Pensions will look after us when we get back. We worked hard enough for it.

Just had a 20% increase in stipend. That's due to VAT at 16% being added in one go in Januaty 2007 and an amazing rise in some food prices. But I believe that is world wide.

We are both well. Until the next time.

It's 14th April and another 11 days have passed since I last wrote. The Library work went well and it's a big improvement. The staff are continuing to make it better.

On Sunday, we all went to Hans' house to meet the new volunteers for a Pot Luck Lunch - as always a great group and a lovely lunch - thankyou Hans!

Hans also took Steve and I for a drink as his birthday present to us and the same day we did some training on Living and Working in Guyana for the new volunteers. Some of them came to NCERD on the next day. But Friday was the big drama - a fire at NCERD. The electrics are old and we are frequently told to unplug everything. On that day there was obviously one plug too many and sparks started flying, people ran around with extinguisters and the fire brigade, complete with police chief and braid, attended the scene. It was over in no time but it was a little excitement. People then seem to have drifted home but nobody told us (as usual) but eventually we got away about an hour early. That was a treat!

More good food on Saturday when 12 of us went to the Windjammer Restaurant for a few individual celebrations including our 14 months. We have celebrated every month so far and it seems to be going so fast!

So, it's back to work today and whatever that will hold. Mary is really busy with the Mass Literacy Fast Track Initiative. Lots of planning seems to be taking place with workshops to come.

The highlight of the day though will be when we book our holiday to England. We hope to return for 3 weeks in late May followed by 3 days in Trinidad on the way back. Might as well take advantage of the Caribbean whilst we are here because we may never return. 3rd April and April Fools' Day (yes, they have it in Guyana) passed uneventfully and now it is already 2 days later. I have been involved in a lot of physical work in the last 2 days. Dulce (a newish VSO now working in our office) has been working on the NCERD library. Should we just say, without being too unkind, it needed a little makeover. 8 of us have spent the last two days doing just that. It now looks much brighter and organised. I won't be doing any more because I have too many other things to do, so I am sure Dulce will complete the job.

Another group of VSOs have arrived in Georgetown and we will meet them on Sunday and will be part of their in-country orientation next week. This is the third group since we arrived as well as all those who have been and gone in dribs and drabs. We're beginning to feel like real old stagers. But, it's always great to have some new blood as they say.

Have now booked our trip to Barbados for 1st May for 5 days to celebrate 35 years of marriage. Hope to be coming home at the end of May, early June. It's been really difficult sorting out the days around the work.

Wow, it's Friday again tomorrow - what happened to yet another week?

It's 31st March 2008 and we have just spent a lovely day celebrating Mary's birthday by going to the Brazillian restaurant - a meat fix and that will be it for some time. We must start being sensible. It's back to cook-up rice and chicken wings for a while.

It's 30th March and I have been really bad at writing blogs but hopefully I will have come out of the "blog doldrums" and start to write! Yes, it really is over 3 weeks since I last tapped this keyboard and a lot has happened in that time (as it always does). So what I'll do it to give you a brief outline of our comings and goings and put a few pictures over the other side.

So here's my excuse for not writing. Just after the last entry, Mary and I went to the North West of the country (by speedboats and minibus) to the Pomeroon Region in the North of Region 2. Not too many Ministry officials go there, so we really wanted to keep our commitment. Mary did a workshop for Nursery teachers on SEN and the next day I did a training session with wannabe heads in Charity. They were so enthusiastic, it was a joy to be with them.

The following week, I went to Bartica and did a similar session at the Resource Centre. All this travelling by speedboat must be good for the lungs and the nerves!

On the Friday of that week, we had the traditional St Patrick's Day Party at Michelle's place (new volunteer from Ireland) As last year it was a magnificent affair with lots of Irish dancing and impromptu singing. It is good that no-one was living below because the sound on the wooden floors really carries.

The following week, our friend Meg had her family to stay and she hired our own personal plane to take them and us to Kaieteur followed by Orinduik Falls. It was a perfect day as the weather had started to improve by then. See over on the left for more information and pictures (when I get round to doing it). This day was Youman Nabi - a national holiday and the Birthday of the Prophet (Islam).

Good Friday was spent as Good Friday should - a quiet day at home. Didn't go to church as I don't like that sort of thing anymore. Meg's family came round in the evening. Easter and Phagwah (Hindu Spring Feast) was spent in Corriverton near to Suriname with our friend Cheryl who has lots of friends working at the new sugar factory in Skeldon - so a great time was had by all, including the river beach on Easter Sunday with the traditional Easter kite flying.

In fact, when we returned on Easter Monday, after I had been bitten by a Scorpion (extremely painful but I'm still alive), we saw lots of kite flying all along the East Coast. Interesting that in the countryside, they were nearly all home made with special Brazillian tissue and the nearer you got to Georgetown, they were plastic. Clearing up the next day after the Guyanese had partied was a major event.

When we had our birthday party (with other volunteers) at the beginning of the month, we had a present of a "Meal Out in the place of our choice. We decided that Afternoon Tea at the Pegasus Hotel was a good way of celebrating. So 10 of us went there and had a little luxury. The buffet looked as though there had been a plague of locusts when we had finished. But everyone enjoyed it.

And finally, yesterday, Mary went to the Easter Hat Parade - went to it last year - very oldy worldy, 1950s with yet another afternoon tea.

It all sounds as though we are living it up to much. But you have to get a balance with the work. It is extremely challenging at the moment but we are surviving. I still have a bit of writer's block but after this long missive, I think I may be cured.

It's 6th March and I've just realised that it is almost two weeks since I have made an entry. Well, we are now into our second year and, with almost a month of that gone I am beginning to panic a little. I have a whole course to re-write (9 modules with around 7-10 units in each). That's a VSO placement in itself, so I will have to start working differently. Less training and working in schools and more writing. I won't say I have writer's block at the moment but it is not flowing and I thought it would but never mind.

The day after the last entry was Mashramani - big celebration and parade for Republic Day. We were advised by the British High Commission to stay away as a precaution because of the troubles. We did stay away as we had seen it before but we certainly heard it. Different noise coming through every window. It all went well with no trouble but it was a lot less energetic than last year.

We had visitors last week - Helen from Mabaruma and her mother (Christine) stayed with us and "did GT" as well as going to Kaiteur. We went out with them to the New Thriving restaurant with a group of 10 volunteers. They left on Friday to go to Mabaruma and Christine returned for the night on Monday and we went out to the Brazillian restaurant for my birthday - All that eating and all that meat! The weight is beginning to return. Bad news!

Had a great birthday because we had a joint birthday party for 4 volunteers on Saturday, Roti Hut on Monday and we went out with Mira on Tuesday and to Michelle's (new volunteer) yesterday. All very good!

I came off my bike on my birthday as someone tried to squeeze through a narrow gap and forced me into the side. Only a few minor bruises but not a bad record for over 30 years of cycling - first time to hit the deck!

Tomorrow, Mary and I will go to Pomeroon, setting off at 5-30am, using 2 minibuses and two speedboats to do a workshop for Nursery Teachers in a river school. On Saturday, we will do a workshop for management trainees and we will stay the two nights with two of the Master Trainers. Pomeroon is a far out river in Region 2 so we decided to go because they don't have too many visitors. It should be a great experience.

The following week I will go to Bartica where some of the troubles were recently.

It's just started to rain and it's not the rainy season! We get serious rain here and I have definately decided that the weather in England is better! Must get going as it's 6-28am and got to get to work.

Thanks to all my readers for being so patient. Pictures to follow.

It's 22nd February and we've just had the last day of our annual leave so we pretending that Friday was a Saturday and did all of the Saturday things that you do on Friday, so that Saturday will feel like Sunday and we'll have a free day and it'll still be Sunday the next day and there'll be another day 'til Monday!!! Well, there is some logic there somewhere if you can find it!!

The last week we have had awfuuuuuuuulll weather. This time last year when we arrived it was bright, sunny and a lovely temperature (hadn't quite hit 30), but this year la nina has kicked in and left us with the tail end which has meant rain for the last 5 days - almost continuous and a temperature of 24C at night (bed socks weather). But today, there was a break and hopefully it will be clear for Mash tomorrow (it means celebration after hard work). It's a big parade right across the country and especially big in Georgetown. We saw it last year and oh my! What noise! but it was very colourful and interesting. There's a cloud over it this year because of what has been going on in the country but perhaps it is what they need.

It's 17th February and all of the volunteers are coming to our house for a Pot Luck Lunch - see below, so have to get cooking.

It's 16th February Saturday was a little different because Nicolette and I were asked to take the new volunteers to see the shops. Three hours later we arrived at Roti Hut, tired and hungry, but it was a good experience for all (I hope). We're watching on DVD November's Celebrity Come Dancing - one a week.

It's 15th February and four new volunteers arrived safe and sound in the early hours of this morning - Lucia, Derek, Trudy and Michelle. Already they have been thrown into In Country Training and Meg did a session on Security this afternoon. Tomorrow I will give them a tour of the places to shop with another volunteer (not Mary's cup of tea - shopping) and on Sunday all of the volunters will come to our house for a 'Pot Luck' lunch. On Tuesday we will be doing a session with them on living and working in Guyana.

It's Friday and the weekend has come. Mary has been out in schools this week looking at the practice of the literacy hour and I've been preparing management exams and model answers.

It's 14th February and the new volunteers should be arriving early in the morning in about 4 hours. The first day of our second year passed like most normal days except for the fact that about 2-30pm, whilst I was preparing an exam, in walked Dr Ken Hunte - we had worked together for 5 years as DHs in St Michael's, Bermondsey in the mid 80s. He returned to his native land in 1993 and has had quite a number of high profile jobs here in Guyana working in education - the most notable of which is the SSRP (Secondary Schools Reform Project of which he was Director for a number of years seeing the project through.

It was great to meet him and to see an old picture of us in St M's in 1985 along with 600 or so students.

It's 13th February 2008 and this time last year we were waiting in Barbados Airport, sitting next to Allende who we didn't yet know, waiting for the plane to Guyana. One year later, we're ready to start the second year. How time flies!

It's 12th February and all of you who have been logging on in the last 10 days have been seeing nothing new - that's because we've been travelling. over a week ago I went by speedboat to Bartica in the middle of Guyana with Peter and Bharat - the two Diaspora Volunteers from Canada. We visited schools and the Education Office on the Monday, delivered a workshop to Headteachers on the Tuesday and visited more schools on the Wednesday. At 5am on Thursday morning I got the speedboat, in the dark, to Parika and then a minibus to Georgetown to return home for work.

Unfortunately, I left my bag on the minibus and didn't realise until I was nearly home. Got it back though, even though there are about 17 million minibuses in Georgetown, thanks to an enterprising taxi driver who was prepared to get very wet for the sake of it. He was, of course, rewarded handsomely.

The next day Mary and I were off to Mabaruma across the rainforest by 12 seater plane to visit our friends Celia and Helen. They are working there and it is one of the remotest places any volunteers go to. We worked on the Friday after arriving at 9am - visited the Education Office and schools and had a wonderful and peaceful weekend with them, flying back on Monday morning.

Tonight we will be going out to celebrate our one year in Guyana along with Meg and some others who are celebrating 6 months.

More details about all of this later.

Catching up

2008-04-30T10:33:00.007+01:00

So Janelle and Nicholas's baby is almost two weeks old now and very beautiful. And growing. Mary has been involved in serious work in supplying teaching materials and training courses for the MOE Fast Track Initiative in Literacy. Everything has to be done the day before yesterday - a bad concept which means that quality is seriously compromised (except for Mary and Meg's work).

I am just plodding on with the review of my course. Good news is that exam results for this year (management course) are the best ever. Must be doing something right. But I have so much to do and the time is ticking away. Never thought I would say it.

The computer died!!!! Probably a virus despite very expensive anti-virus software and my being totally neurotic about keeping it clean. I now hate computers with a deep loathing!! Sort of got it mended. Windows died completely and had to load another copy in a different directory. That means I can see my files and use them but have no connections to any of my programs so had to load some essential ones again. Got the internet going and it will stumble on until we return home when I hope to deal with it properly.

And for the enjoying ourselves. Well, 35 years of marriage is certainly worth celebrating. Mary was too busy on the actual day so we just went into town to watch the launch of Carifesta - a big cultural event in August. Very good, but too many people and there were a few demonstrations, allegedly about food shortages but by the size of the woman who started it, I don't think she had ever experienced a shortage and was probably causing one all on her own. We went off to a newish restaurant - Sizzling Platter and had a really good Indian meal with lovely fresh ingredients.

We have always been known for spreading out the celebrations. On Saturday we went to the Pegasus Hotel for lunch and a swim followed by a night, evening meal and breakfast in Cara Lodge, only 1/4 mile from where we live but a beautiful old colonial place with excellent service and a great atmosphere. A once in 35 years experience.

And then the "piece de resistance" to come. Tomorrow we're off to Barbados for 4 nights. Thursday is Labour day and Monday is Indian Arrival Day, both national holidays, so we only had to take one day off to make a long weekend. I'll say little about it now but will report back when we get home.

Congratulations

2008-04-16T22:54:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Nicholas and Jenelle

on the birth of their beuatiful son

born in Woodland Hospital yesterday.

Nicholas works with us as a PE Specialist and Jenelle reads the 6 O'clock news on NCN - the national TV station.

National Song of Guyana

2008-04-12T15:06:00.004+01:00

Since the difficult time saround the country, the national radio Station Voice of guyana has been playing 2 or 3 national songs a day to try to unite the country. Some are pretty awful but others are good. I have never known a country that has so many national songs.

This is one of my favourites - it's up beat and to the point and talks about unity which is one of the biggest issues here. It's got a rousing tune and sounds in the same vein as Oklahoma but not the same tune!

‘LET US CO-OPERATE’

W. R. A. Pilgrim

Let us co-operate for Guyana

Let us co-operate for our land,

Let us resolve to fight together

See we do it right together

Can we do it? Yes we can.

Each man must do his bit with his comrades,

Each man must do his bit for his land,

Each must resolve to help another,

Learn to call his neighbour ‘brother’

Can we do it? Yes we can.

Each group must do its best for the region,

Each group must do its best for the land,

Each group must sacrifice a little

Learn to do without a little

Can we do it? Yes we can.

The regions must unite for the country,

The regions must unite for the land,

Each region has its chosen mission

But they all have one ambition

Can we do it? Yes we can.

Let us co-operate for Guyana

Let us co-operate for our land

Let us resolve to fight together

See we do it right together

Can we do it? Yes we can.

___________________________________________

Here's the link to the others

Guyana National Songs

Link to Kaieteur - Times Online

2008-04-04T03:42:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Daniel for this link. Look out for the programme on BBC in the Spring.

Click Here: Times Online

2008-04-04T03:23:00.004+01:00

This has been in the sidebar for some time now, so I thought I would put it on the main page in case any of you have not seen it.

Posted by Yvonne at 10:50 AM (I hope you don't mind me using this Yvonne. It's brilliant.)

The phrase “just now” in Guyana doesn’t imply the immediate past as it does in the States, but refers to an indeterminate amount of time in the future. It can mean anything from one minute, one hour, a week, a few months or never.

It’s an ambiguous phrase which oftentimes leaves the receiver waiting and waiting until request is fulfilled. Here’s an illustration of its versatility:

When it means in a minute… or maybe five….

Student #1: Miss, when you sharin’ out test papers?

Me: Just now. Go sit down.

Student #2: Miss, ya sharin’ out test papers?

Student #1: Miss said, “Just now go sit down.”

Student #3: MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSS, you sharin’ out test papers? How many marks I get?

Student #1: You don’t hear good? Miss said, “Sit down.”

When it means an hour or two….

Me: Sir, we have a staff meeting this afternoon (during school hours). What do you want to do with the children?

Headmaster: Just now I gonna decide Miss.

When it means in a few weeks…

Student: Miss, you leaving (the country) just now?

Me: Yup. July coming.

Student: Alright Miss. I gonna come by you just now and you gonna share your sweetie and chico with me.

When it means never…

Me: My mom sent me a package on May 5th. It’s July already, when can I expect it?

Postal Worker: Just now. Probably got sent to Africa you know.

Catching up in March 2008!

2008-03-30T17:00:00.012+01:00

Look on the right hand side and you will see the latest news. These pictures go with our adventures of the last three weeks or so. Hope you enjoy them.

Mary works with Nursery Teachers on SEN on the Pomeroon River.

Getting to the workshop by private speedboat on the Pomeroon

Staying overnight on the River Pomeroon with the Master Trainer Yvonne Castello

Yvonne's Nursery School on the river - three staff including herself and 24 children. There was no school, so they built one a few years ago from scratch. Her nephew is one of the teachers.

Yvonne, proud of her school and her trainees are proud of her.

Headteacher Trainee workshop given by Stephen on Saturday morning in Charity Region 2 - North West of the country. Delivered in Charity Primary. Some had to come from as far as 37 miles up river to get there in the pouring rain.

Staying the night with another Master Trainer Maydha Persaud and his wife on the Essequibo coast near to Supernaam in a village called Abram Zuil

Guess who? Delivering a workshop the following Tuesday in Bartica where one of the massacres took place.

A week later we visited Kaieteur, the biggest single drop waterfall in the world. We had a private plane with Meg's family. The plane went on to Orinduic Falls. The two are totally different. They are in the mountain region of Guyana in Region 8 just this side of Brazil.

Just to prove we were there!

Orinduic is smaller and much wider. It is like a cascade of waterfalls and is very impressive.

Climb aboard my plane if you are ready to go back home.

If you want to see thes photos and many more, just click on the link below

Photographs of Kaieteur and Orinduic

Mary tries her skill at horse shoes on the beach in Region 6 over Easter. Suriname (Dutch Guiana) in the background. Shadow of me taking a photo in the foreground. That's about as much as you ever see of me.

But I think she preferred the food - Sardine Pizza!

Mary shows off her hat at the hat show - no sorry, that's not Mary. She's eating the afternoon tea with the other voilunteers. This won second prize in the over 80s competition.

And finally, there's lots of building and renovation taking place in Georgetown. We pass this house on our way to work. Wooden built with a filled in concrete section downstairs. I'll keep you posted of its progress.

Wow, the walls have been filled in already.

If you enjoyed reading this, please leave a comment (no-one ever does as you can see.) You could be one of the first.

Older news moved from sidebar

2008-03-30T11:41:00.004+01:00

For those of you who read the blog regularly, you will have already read this as it is the "Older News" moved from the sidebar on the right. It couldn't stay there for technical reasons as it was getting too big. For those of you who are new to the blog, it's worth a read.

It's 2nd February and we've a lot of catching up to do - shopping etc etc etc yawn yawn!!!

It's 1st February and "Oh my God, it's February already". We've been off work from Thursday as we have some holiday to catch up on. We went to Castellani House - the National Art Gallery. We were the first visitors for 3 days and it took half an hour to buy a postcard - the security for the cards was unbelievable! But, the collection was really interesting - local art and wooden sculpture. We then went to the zoo and the Botanical Gardens. Only 10 minutes walk from our house but we've only been once before - it's generally too hot when we are free. The zoo has computerised. Unfortunately we couldn't enter when we wanted to because of a power cut!!! What's wrong with tickets on a roll?
Then we headed for the Pegasus Hotel for Afternoon Tea. This was to be a real treat. never done it before, but "Oh No!" it was closed. So off we went to Windies - Western style sports bar to have a drink and then home.
The next day we had our friends Meg and Hans around for a meal to meet the two Diaspora Volunteers from Toronto, Canada, (Bharat and Peter) who I will be going to Bartica with on Monday to Thursday to do a workshop on Teacher Motivation. We had that famous Guyanese Dish - Pasta Amatriciana with Garlic Bread - Home made of course.

It's 28th January and I'm home alone - Mary in Bartica. Probably a good time for an early night. Thanks for all the replies to the email we sent to all and sundry. It's great to know that you are all still out there. It was a really pleasant 26C this morning, the sky was blue and all was well with the world, except for Lusignan where the police were stopping a peaceful demonstration with tear gas. We know people who live 100 yards from the scene of the tragedy and it was a terrifying weekend for them.
The reading conference was interesting. At least people are starting to talk to each other. My main concern is that the lack of reading ability in the schools is not just about literacy strategies but a much deeper problem of teacher education, motivation and accountability. I said it to lots of nods of agreement and a round of applause but saying it is one thing and doing it is another. It will probably be televised so I'll watch the 6pm news in 10 minutes.

It's 27th January and I have completed my tax form (5 hours) and they owe me a lot of money so it's Trinidad and Tobago for our 35th Wedding Anniversary in April. Yippee. Mary's off to a Hindu wedding today so we may have some photos soon.
It's 26th January again and we hear on the news of the death of 11 people killed by guns in a village 10 miles east of Georgetown. There were children amongst them. How can people be so evil? We are fine but are following the usual foreign office advice of keeping a low profile. There is no need for concern.

It's 26th January and it's a Saturday, yesssss! but oh no!, I have to fill in my tax form on the internet for 2006. I've been putting it off now for 10 months even though they owe me money. Back to reality! Mary is off to Bartica Region 7 by speedboat) with Meg for 3 days on Monday doing an Educare "after school club" workshop. I'll be going to a mass literacy conference and assisting with the HOD's presentation (the technical bits, but I wrote it!). Sorry about the lack of emails from us lately but keep looking at the blog and all will be revealed slowly slowly or as the say in Guyana "Just now". If you want to know the implications of "Just now", scroll down on the right hand side for an excellent descriptiion by Yvonne, a World teach Volunteer from the US.
Keep in touch.

It's 23rd January 2008 and it's a countdown now to our year in Guyana on 13th February - just 3 weeks to go today. Did you ever have a day when you put on your socks and then your shoes and you are about to go out and you notice that they're odd socks and, to boot, one of them is inside out? Today was such a day and I did nothing about it. However, the rest of the day was not quite such an inside out and odd day - quite good really. Maybe I'll do it everyday.

It's 22nd January and yesterday (Monday) was just a bad day. Politics, arguments, frustrations and all in the office. Let's hope it's better today!

It's 19th January and we've just got back from the Forum. The Toucan Inn is always a pleasure to visit. It's so relaxing and interesting. We worked quite hard and relaxed well into the evening. In addition, the small swimming pool is certainly a treat. Thanks to Nicolette and Hannah for arranging it.

It's 16th January and tomorrow we will go to Region 3 to spend 2 and a half days at the VSO Forum in the Toucan Inn and Heritage Hotel. The last Forum was there and we went there for a weekend in November with our friends Meg, Bill and Mira.
We will meet up with all the other VSOs from the various regions in Guyana and catch up with their adventures. If nothing else, it will be an opportunity to have someone else cook for us. It's got a small pool and lots of atmosphere. We'll let you know how we got on on Saturday when we get back.

It's 13th January and we are celebrating 11 months in Guyana with a peaceful Sunday at home. We've just had the after church coffee and we are summing up strength for tomorrow. I will be giving a workshop with Nursery School Headteachers (one day's notice) and Mary will be giving demonstration lessons in a Special School. It's all in a day's work!

It's 10th January and we've decided to take a day off tomorrow. We have 7 days holiday left before the year is up. We'll take some days here and there around the commitments we have - workshops, Minister's meetings, visits to Region 7. We are in region 7 for 7 days continuously but not at the same time - Mary for 3 days and I go for 4 days on different projects. Two different organisations! What kind of planning is that?
The Ministers' conference on teacher training yesterday went very well. People were talking to each other - that was good. there will be a lot of changes.
Our Peace Corps neighbour, Pam from the US is leaving tomorrow and so we've been invited for a drink. So, must dash!!!!!

It's 8th January 2008 and my, doesn't time fly? We've been back in Guyana for five days already and back at work for three. It was a wonderful holiday in St Lucia. I'll not say too much about it here, but just have a look at the main page and you'll read all about it and you can follow the links to some photos.
By the way, everyone here is complaining how cold it is here! Brrrrr!!!!! I had to switch the fan off last night as well as covering up with a sheet, and most of the Guyanese are shivering. It hit a low of 25C today and no less than 22C overnight. Wow! It's fur coat weather!!!
By the way, work is fine. At a workshop with the Ministers tomorrow. Mary and Meg have done a workshop with a special school. It went well and was challenging but they'll make a big difference to the non-readers at age 16 (or are some of them 22?)

It's 26th December, the Feast of Saint Stephen and Christmas is already over! We had a great time yesterday with our friends Meg and Bill. It was torrential rain for almost all of the day so we had our BBQ food indoors. It was delicious - snook and sprout kebabs, fillet steak, various salads and trifle, of course.Today we will have the leftovers along with chicken kebabs, Pepper pot and Black Cake (the traditional dishes for Christmas in Guyana).Hope you all had a great time and enjoy the rest of the holiday.Off to St Lucia tomorrow at 4am. Yippee!
It's 22nd December and it's the final preparations for Christmas in Guyana. Everyone here scrubs, cleans, changes curtains and generally has a big Spring clean (they don't have Spring, you see!). We might do a little light brushing after church but nothing too much to over do it. Then wrap a few presents or, more accurately, re-wrap presents after the customs got hold of them. Probably watch another Santa film to get us in the mood tonight (beggars can't be choosers!).

It's 17th December and today, because Mary has gone to bed - physical exhaustion, I think, I've decided to write a proper blog. So see to the left.Best wishes to you all
Wow! It's 15th December and only 10 days to Christmas. We did have a really good week with the Office Party on Tuesday, Hans' Christmas party on Wednesday, The Christmas Carol Festival (3 hours) and a Chinese meal on Thursday, resting on Friday our friend Cheryl on Saturday.On Monday, Mary and I are the facilitators for the Leaving Forum for 4 volunteers who are leaving. The strange thing is that none of them is going home yet - two tavelling and two having new lives here! Anyway we'll make it a good day.It's 11th December and the rainy season really started with a vengeance today - all day and night with violent thunder storms in the evening. But it's cleared up now.Should be a good week this week coming up to Christmas. Things are getting slower in the office, the decorations have gone up and we have the office party tomorrow and drinks on Wednesday followed by carols in the Catholic cathedral on Thursday.It's 8th December and it's been a great two days. Firstly, yesterday was Friday and in the evening we were invited to the British High Commissioner's Residence for Drinks - drank wine (lots), chatted with the Prime Minister (Hon. Samuel Hinds) and was invited to cook bread on the only Guyanese cooking show by its celebrity cook - Kayleigh Burgess. She took my number, so watch this space.Today we went to a concert by people with disabilities for the UN International Day of Disabled Persons.It's 5th December and we've taken the morning off after our trip to Linden and especially the next day to Kwakwani visiting 3 schools along the way that haven't had anyone coming to them in a very long time, including a mining school and a river school. A great experience and lots to tell. - 250 Km round trip on unmade roads. Which side of the road do you drive on? - The one with the least potholes, of course! Coming up soon.3rd December 2007 Mary and I will be going to Linden for three days to evaluate the use of some Literacy materials. This is where we should have gone for our original placements. Although we have been there before we should get to see it better over a longer period.

It's 2nd December 2007 and it's pouring with rain and we've just been on a March for Disability Awareness Week. We walked from the National Commission for Disability to Ptolemy Reid Special School. Two Ministers were present. More about it to come.It's 1st December 2007 and it's the hottest December day we've experienced in our lives - about 35 degrees. Christmas is already in Guyana - snowmen, icicles, Santa and Rheindeer. Feels strange but it's true!

It's 29th November 2007 and we've just been to a meeting at VSO. At exactly 3pm, the room started to shake and things rattled. We all felt dizzy as though we were a little drunk an lo and behold we were in the middle of an earth tremor from Martinique. More to follow.

Make Passion Fruit Juice - wikiHow

2008-03-16T19:19:00.002Z

I'm getting carried away. Just made some of our favourite juice. Put it on the net for all to share. Enjoy. Let me know if you made it.

Just click on the link below.

Make Passion Fruit Juice - wikiHow

Make Bread by the Intuitive Method - wikiHow

2008-03-14T22:42:00.001Z

I have entered the Wiki world. Well, I've had a go at sharing bread making skills. Look at the internet article if you are interested.

Make Bread by the Intuitive Method - wikiHow

Mabaruma Region One

2008-02-17T10:29:00.007Z

Immediately after I came back from Bartica, in fact the next day, we set off for Mabaruma which is in the farthest North West of the country near to Venezuela to visit our VSO friends Helen and Celia who are working as a Literacy Specialist and an SEN Specialist respectively.

The region is accesible by boat or plane but there are no roads. We went there once before when we went by boat to Shell Beach - See April. This time we went the easy way by 12 seater plane - just 55 minutes.

They live in a beautiful part of the country and it is very different from Georgetown. The people are mainly of Amerindian descent and are for the most part very gentle and polite.

We visited the main schools in the area and also the Regional Education Officer who is one of the Master Trainers I train.

There is a lot less available in Mabaruma and the market was very sparse compared to Georgetown. (only one pineapple on sale at three times the price). So there are advantages and disadvantages of living anywhere.

They treated us to lovely home cooking and tried quite a few different Guyanese dishes. The bats in the loft, the cow at the door and the general lack of loud music, dogs and quiet frogs made it a very pleasant weekend experience.

I've put together a collection of pictures. Look at the children. They are beautiful. What happens to them?

Just click on the Arrow below.

Trip to Bartica with Diaspora Volunteers

2008-02-17T09:39:00.006Z

On 3rd February 2008 I got up at the ungodly hour of 4-30am (well, it's not so ungodly when in Guyana) to set off to Bartica (Region 7) with two Diaspora Vlunteers from Canada. The Diaspora are people who left the country some time ago and return from time to time.

The purpose of the trip was to visit schools and deliver a workshop on "Motivating Teachers". I was their guide and advisor. I had been for a fact finding mission and needs assessment in November. The two volunteers were Peter Jaillal (Story Teller and Poet) and Bharat Mathoo (Management Specialist). Both were from the Toronto Region in Canada and had left the country in the middle 60s.

The first day was spent in orientation in three or four schools and meeting the staff of the education office.

The workshop the next day went well and Heads worked on ways of motivating their staff and including it in their School Improvement Plans.

The following day we met the Regional Executive Officer (the big chief of Region 7), had a follow up with the Education Office Staff and I appraised them of the new regulations relating to monitoring and evaluation in schools and Senior Leadership Teams (my work related to the proposed Education Act. Another school visit followed and a workshop with staff (on my own this time, followed by Banga Mary and plantain chips at the local chippy (nothing like an English chippy!).

My work was done and Bharat and Peter were to stay for a few more days to do follow ups in schools and I set off at 5am on the speedboat back to Parika and then Georgetown for a days work.

To see all of the pictures in a slideshow, click on the picture below.

Coming Soon

2008-02-15T00:43:00.004Z

Watch this space for my report on the three day trip to Bartica, Region 7 with the Diaspora Volunteers followed by the four day trip to the North West of the country in Mabaruma, Region One. The former is only accesible by boat and the latter by plane and boat but no roads.

Arriving in Bartica

Bartica Village Square

Arriving by speedboat in Bartica

Children of the North West Secondary School Mabaruma

Wow! One year completed!

2008-02-13T10:02:00.005Z

Now with pitures of our meal at the

New Thriving

It's incredible but today we celebrate one year in Guyana. That's quite an achievement. Last night we went out with our good friends Meg (who came with us a year ago), Celia and Mira (who were celebrating their 6 months in the country). We went to the New Thriving Restaurant in Kitty. It's a Chinese and is much more "up market" than the rest. In fact it's much better than the average Chinese in England - good food, service and you can see the food being cooked. That's really interesting. It's clean, skillful and exciting - lots of flame!

Celebrating One Year and 6 Months respectively

at the New Thriving Restaurant

Stephen, Mary and Meg one year later

They tell us that the second year goes really fast. Not too fast please as there is a lot to do and we're enjoying ourselves.

We're back to work today.

Here's to the next year!

Georgetown Guyana

2008-02-03T04:37:00.000Z

Just to keep you updated about what this place we have been living in looks like. I took a few photos this morning of the Bourda Market. (Cricket fans will recognise the name). It's cheaper than the Farmers' Market that I've shown you before.

Well, it's basic and some people try to scratch a living out of selling a few herbs at GY$40 -that's 10p and you can't grow them for that. They all sell the same things and you hear the same cry from everyone.......

"You shoppin', uncle"

It's sad but they must make something or they wouldn't do it. Personally, I buy from those who display the prices and call me "Babes" rather than "Uncle"!!!!!

Tomatoes - GY$220 - 55p a lb

Potatoes - GY$80 - 20p a lb

Cucumber - 3 for GY100 - 8p each

Lettuce - from GY$100 to GY$500 (in the rainy season) 25p to £1.25 each

Pineapple - GY$260 - 60p

These are the staples, but how can they afford it when they might only earn GY$40,000 a month and pensioners get only GY$6,000 a month?

Well. rice is just being sold for GY$360 a gallon to help out. It keeps you alive.

They seem to survive but at what cost?

Go into the supermarket and the exported goods are available but who can afford them? They are more expensive than England and the salary for a teacher is only 1/20th of an English teacher's salary.

You can look at a few more photos of the market by clicking on the following link:

Bourda Market Photos

A secret garden in the heart of Georgetown

2008-02-03T04:26:00.000Z

You know how I like my garden and we have a beautiful one here. It's very rare and maybe only one in 500 in Georgetown has a garden like ours. We're very lucky but I have no control over it, so I have made my own garden at the front and back of the house on the verandahs - have a look and enjoy!

Hindu Wedding

2008-02-03T04:12:00.000Z

Station St in Kitty is where most of the volunteers live and also where a Hindu wedding was to take place last week. The traditions are the same as they might have been at home except for the fact that they are in Guyana and not in India and that it is an urban environment and not a village affair.

I was going to go but I decided to bow out of it because I knew that it would be very noisy and I don't find that easy to cope with these days. Mary went along with some of the others volunteers and, thanks to Meg for her photos, we are able to give you a full pictorial account. The bride and groom started off in different houses in traditional dress and eventially, after the Hindu ceremony, had a traditional ceremony much the same as anywhere in the world with white dress (complete with pom poms and a white suit).

May they have a happy life together!

Incidentally, the celebrations went on for five days and the drumming was heard in my bedroom 2 miles away. But you only get married once!

Mary and Meg and Educare Number 8 in Bartica

2008-02-03T03:56:00.000Z

One of the great meeting of minds was when Mary and Meg met up with Ed Denham (ex VSO) and in charge of Educare - an NGO responsible for after school clubs, feeding programmes and all sorts of other good stuff that helps the children of Guyana - a child centred organisation which has the needs of the child at its heart.

Before we came home in August, Mary had prepared a template for a whole load of workshops for after school clubs to be run in the different regions. Basically, they were to help children to read whilst at the same time ensuring that their physical needs were met, thus encouraging them to attend. This is where our friend Meg took over after a three month stint in England for personal reasons. She took over and did the first half dozen or so workshops on her own. Wow!, what a challenge!

When we returned, Mary joined her and now another wave has come into being and they've been in Bartica with the same programme. It's sterling work and they're to be congratulated for their perseverance.

Meg and Mary are really a great team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New School in Diamond

2008-02-03T03:29:00.000Z

There are not often new schools in Guyana and, when there are, they are generally much the same as the old ones, but the new school in Diamond on the East Bank of the Demerara was different. In fact, when it opened, many families took their children out of the private schools, kitted them up with school uniforms and sent them in on the first day. The new school was built to accomodate the children from the primary tops in the area - 5 or 6 schools which were much like the elementary system in England in the 1950s, except that the children didn't quite make it in the grade six exams and couldn't get a place in the general secondary schools.

What struck me about the children when I went along with a team to assist in management issues was how bright eyed and intelligent and willing to learn they were. Any English teacher would think they had died and gone to heaven to teach these children. Guyana may have its problems but the children are certainly not one of them; they are delightful, without exception in every region!!!!! They are the future and the new generation and the adults need to realise how important they are and in some cases stop giving them "short change".

Best wishes for the future to Diamond secondary school.

May They Rest in Peace

2008-01-29T23:02:00.000Z

There's a lot of pain in Guyana at the moment. No-one can understand why innocent children can be gunned down, let alone their adult relatives. The pain of the families of the 11 people who lost their lives in Lusignan is being felt across the country.

There are messages of condolences all evening on the TV and radio and rumours are flying about as to what will happen next. Church leaders are mobilising to bring peace and stability to a place shocked by needless violence and to avoid civil unrest.

As with the rest of the nation we send out our heartfelt support in thoughts and prayers to those who remain to deal with this tragedy.

Any idea what they're doing?

2008-01-28T21:51:00.000Z

If you can't guess and you want to know, go down to the very bottom of the right hand side bar.

Just Kids!!!

2008-01-23T22:04:00.000Z

De Gurls

and

De Boys

Photographs taken in Kwakwani Primary School, Region 10, Guyana, 12 hours return from Linden by 4 X4 on a mud road!

Now I know what it feels like!

2008-01-22T07:13:00.000Z

As a headteacher, there are certain things which fill up your day. They are the following:-

Staff Issues 10%

Curriculum 5%

Teaching 7%

Picking Litter 18%

Fastening Ties 21%

Personal 3%

and

Getting boys to tuck in their shirts 36%

It goes like this........

"John, for the hundredth time, tuck in your shirt"

"Yes, Sir" (Mumble, mumble, mumble)

"Are you not proud of your school?"

"Yes, Sir" (Huge sigh)

John goes round corner properly dressed and pulls his shirt out.

We got tickets for Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the National Cultural Centre and, excited, we entered the theatre. Mary and Meg went ahead as I handed in the tickets. The conversation with the usherette went like this.

Large crowds trying to get in theatre.

"Sir, your shirt!"

"Pardon?" says I

"Sir, your shirt!, Your shirt!"

Everyone looks to see the tail unfold.

"Sir, your shirt has a fishtail. Please go to the washroom and tuck it in"

"Pardon?"

"Please go to the washroom over there and tuck in your shirt"

Stephen incensed, embarrassed, this can't be happening to me.

"Yes, yes, alright, alright" (Mumble, Mumble Mumble), 'Did you have to do it in front of all these people?'

Tucks in shirt (without going to washroom) and sees at least 4 others with similar shirts (untucked).

Stephen goes round corner, pulls out shirt and enjoys the show.

You see, they have a dress code but it doesn't say anything about shirts.

Well, now I know what it feels like after all these years.

Around the world

2008-01-13T17:44:00.000Z

Suddenly, Stephen and Mary@ Guyana has gone truly worldwide. Up until now we had regular readers form Britain, USA and Canada but, all of a sudden, people have been logging in from all over the world - Mexico, Uraguay, Sweden, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Kuwait. Could it be that the last blog was flagged as St Lucia and everyone wants to go there? Anyway, if you are from another country, please leave a message in the comments and let us know what you are up to?

St Lucia 2008

2008-01-09T02:22:00.000Z

As you leave Guyana Airport ..........

Well, looking back at it, the last post seemed to be a little depressing - all that stoning to death and all that, but that's supposed to be what happened to him - poor Stephen!

However, since then we have had a fabulous seven days in the Island of St Lucia and 5 days back in Georgetown and back to work which has been a smooth return. Far better than in some previous years. From my perspective, the last year has probably been the best this century. We feel we are making a difference and enjoying it in the process. Unlike teaching, although we work very hard and there are lots of deadlines, we can choose the way we work and aren't pressured by 30 sets of eyes, ears and mouths all the time. Mind you, 60 - 100 Guyanese teachers , Headteachers or trainee Headteachers can be pretty daunting when you first start but after a while it becomes second nature! We take the opportunity to teach whenever we can and really enjoy it because the kids are great, polite and very patient. I'll be really happy to go back to supply teaching in primary schools when I get home to earn enough money to take us on our holidays as long as we can.

View from our patio in Castries St Lucia

But, I am seriously digressing. Basically St Lucia was..............

lusciously warm but not too hot

beautiful

surrounded by blue sea

full of great people

reasonably inexpensive

only 3 hours away from Guyana

tropical

clean

quiet

surrounded by white sand

full of superb restaurants

a great place to spend Old Year's Night and New Year's day

a lovely place to spend with friends

and........... and............. and..........!!!!!!!!

I'll say no more, but if you follow this link you will see some of the pictures and they speak for themselves.

Click Here for Photos of St Lucia

Totally relaxed or what.....?

Feast of Saint Stephen

2007-12-26T13:25:00.000Z

Wishing everyone a very Happy Feast of St Stephen

The First Martyr

He was stoned to death

Three totally different images of Saint Stephen, The First Martyr for Christ

A Happy and Peaceful Christmas and Everything you want in the New Year to all our Readers

2007-12-23T09:50:00.000Z

Christmas @ 32 degrees. Well it's different. This year, for the first time ever, we don't finish until Christmas Eve and we're not sure at what time even then. But, as we appear to have been the only ones working in the last week, I doubt if Monday will be a very productive day. Perhaps the odd policy or two, maybe a proposal or three but I don't think we will change the world. I jest!

Christmas shopping @ 32 degrees is also strange. It was baking yesterday and the fact that there were at least 5 times as many people in town all buying the same things from the makeshift stalls that the sellers had bought from the same Chinese wholesaler made it feel even hotter. Anyway, hands on wallet and purse, we plunged in. Went to buy the booze first - taxi to DSL where they kindly sell VSO stuff tax free (Oh joy, wine for Christmas!) and then on to Regent Street (the name is where the similarity ends, believe me!). Oh my, was it busy! But what an atmosphere!

Joy to the World, truly!

By 3pm, we were almost done and off home by taxi. It took 4 attempts before we could find one that would take us for the correct fare. Our complexion makes us look like tourists. I don't know why they try because there are no tourists here and any foreigners know the fare - $300 and not $600.

We will have a quiet Christmas at home with our friends Meg and Bill. The idea of a BBQ has been abandoned due to rainy season getting a little too enthusiastic, bless it! So BBQ will be indoors on the grill. No turkey? You say. You can get them but we though a break with tradition was in order. Boxing Day will be at home too and we will eat the traditional Christmas dish - Pepper Pot (without the cow's stomach and offal - just the meat) and then it's a countdown to St Lucia on Wednesday when all may go quiet for a while.

So, here's wishing you all a really great Christmas and I'll be back online in the New Year!

Leavers' Forum leading up to Christmas

2007-12-17T23:01:00.000Z

Liming in the Park (To lime is to laze around)

Communication with home has gone pretty quiet. I would guess that everyone is getting into the manic lead up to Christmas. I hated it for years and I feel now that this might be the first Christmas I will enjoy since I was a little boy. The Day is great but everything that leads up to it is a problem for me. Here in Guyana, It's manic too but in a different way.

Mary and I were the facilitators today at a Leavers' Forum for four VSOs who have been here at least two years and one for four. Afterwards we went Christmas shopping in Regent Street. Obviously two or three boats have arrived from China and hundreds of make-shift street sellers are selling everything under the sun. It's great because, at very cheap prices, hopefully lots of Guyanese children will have a good Christmas.

It's the first day for ages that they've been able to do it because the rains have been pretty awful. If you think the cold is bad, try the Guyanese rainy season!!!!!

Some people have said that we must be having an easy time because I have time to write the blog. Actually we've never been so busy and we'll be in action until Christmas Eve. It's just that it's my hobby, I've just got broadband and it's become easy and a lot of it is written in the middle of the night when the frogs keep me awake. Mary's gone to bed; it's 6-40pm and we can't face another episode of the thrilling weekly documentary "National insurance and you!!!"

Amber, Ian, Petra and Christine after the Leavers' Forum

Good Luck and best Wishes to them all in their new lives!

¡Feliz cumpleaños!

2007-12-15T19:37:00.000Z

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Allende!

We've created a blog especially for you.

Just go to www.allendeezcaray.blogspot.com

When you get to the end of the page, click on "older posts" and you will see more.

More News in the Side Bar

2007-12-11T10:55:00.000Z

Just to let you know, I have added a lot more content to the side bar. It's often difficult to keep up with the blog, so I've created a "Latest News" Section at the top. Just a few lines! All of that news goes to the bottom of the bar after a few days, so you can look back over the old bits.

There's a Christmas poll for you to do and why not get a few facts about Guyana. Go to the link "Guyana, Guyana, Guyana" and find out what time it is here now.

When the walls shook

2007-12-11T02:29:00.001Z

Guyana is just about on this map - bottom right and move south east. On 29th November we were invited to the VSO office to meet Matt - the regional director. He is based in London and is responsible for all the VSO countries which don't fit into a neat category like Africa, Asia. So Guyana is one of them. We were discussing VSO's future involvement in Guyana.

At exactly 3pm, the floor rumbled and the walls shook. We all thought there was something wrong with us until we realised that it was an earth tremor. We left the building calmly and gathered outside where we saw telegraph poles shaking. It lasted about 30 seconds only and it was quite an exciting experience. I don't think anyone was frightened because it was so short but it will be a day I won't forget. All of Parliament left the National Assembly and the tremor was felt all over Guyana, Venezuela, parts of Brazil and all of the Islands.

It started in Martinique and was 7.4 on the Richter Scale. Quite strong but hardly did any damage but unfortunately there was one death.

We're going to St Lucia for New Year, right next to Martinique, so let's hope it's all over. A tremor here happens about every 20 years but there are no known earthquakes in Guyana. Not so for Martinique when 30,000 were killed in 1906 with a volcano.

Navarathri

2007-12-09T10:50:00.000Z

It's about two months ago now and before Diwali, but I've only just got hold of the photographs.

Our colleague in the office, Chitra, is Hindu and she lives on the East Coast. She kindly invited us to go to her Mandir for the festival of NAVARATHI. It's one of the greatest Hindu Festivals. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and takes place at the beginning of October about Harvest time. During this period Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati are worshipped as 3 different manifestations of Shakti, or cosmic energy. Navarathri means 9 nights and something takes place on each night. We were there at the start of it.

We were present for all of the service as you can see from the photographs. Afterwards Chitra took us to her home. It's very different from Georgetown - quiet and peaceful. What a treat.

Those pesky donkeys get everywhere!

Sending Mail

2007-12-05T14:36:00.000Z

Just noticed that I forgot to say anything about getting mail out of Guyana. The first time you arrive with your parcel all neatly packaged so that it will make the journey across the Atlantic. But oh no!, they have to look at the contents. So you rip it all apart, it's checked, a price is agreed and you seal it back up as best you can. Then they ask for ID because every parcel is registered against its owner. Has to be proof of address and passport. Luckily, they accepted my VSO card which has the passport number and is signed by a Minister and I had just been paying my phone bill so I had a utilities bill. Just as you think you are done, she sends you to the next window - customs! Open up! Noooooooooooooooooo! Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After another inspection, recording of the contents and your ID and a thorough look at your face, you are sent to copy your ID on a public photocopier where, of course, there is a charge and a queue! Then back to the second window and another queue where your parcel is approved. (I believe they don't approve it if it has heroine or cocaine but I've never tried that to test it). She points back to the original window where you queue to have the stamps put on it and your parcel taken away, with you wondering if it will ever get to the address it was sent to.

You know, I don't even mind the bureaucracy or the inefficiency, but do they have to be so rude about it? Even Guyanese get upset. How can you do all this in your lunch hour because they're closed before you go to work and when you come home?

Anyway, that's my Grumpy Old Man bit for today!

PS It's not much better in Wallington Post Office!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sending and Receiving Post

2007-12-02T15:55:00.000Z

The Central Post Offioce in Georgetown, Guyana

When you're seven thousand miles away from home, receiving post is a big thing. Most of the time it takes about 3- 4 weeks for a letter or a card to arrive with the record being 11 days and anything from 2 months to 5 1/2 months for a parcel (at least that's our record!).

But that's not the end of it. Small things come direct to the VSO office, albeit sometimes via Ghana, or a slip will be left for a parcel. It's not just a matter of going across the road to the nearest Post Office but to the general Post Office in the centre of town.

When you find the right window to go to, you wait some time and then a bored young lady will snatch your slip from you without saying a word and slam the shutters in your face. Soon after she will demand your passport and will wander around for a while slitting parcels and leaving them open for the customs officers and after a while will go round the back for your one. Eventually she will slit it open in its own little wooden tray. What excitement! After 10 minutes or so, a customs officer will casually sidle up to your parcel, flick the contents around with plastic gloved fingers and loll back into her office where she will chat, do a crossword or maybe even some paperwork before coming back out with the slip with the "amount to pay" written on it.

Some time will elapse before the same slitter lady will get some tape and parcel it up again (without the same loving care) and eventually will pass it to her left on a table. If you are in the know, you will go to the next window. If you are not, you just stay there waiting. I am now in the know. It was my second time giving up a whole dinner hour for this process. To the next window went I. Waited and waited until the cashier held out her hand for the revenue without even looking at me. I handed over a thousand and got the change to the nearest hundred but didn't complain because most of the stuffing had already been knocked out of me by then.

With a wave of the hand I was sent to the next window labelled delivery. At least this one told me. I was already 30 minutes late to get back to work. There was no-one at this window, so I waited and waited and waited. Eventually, the first girl came over and "yes?". I've come to collect my parcel". She knew exactly who I was and which parcel it was because I have a paler complexion than others around. "Slip?" I handed it over, whereupon it was stamped several times and went to collect the parcel, having the window slammed behind me.

Instinct made me go on to the next window even though I had the parcel in my hand. I stood there as the woman answered the phone (a personal call) and texted with her other hand. I looked up and saw SUPERINTENDENT OF PARCELS. "Yes, yes!" I thought. I will tell her what it feels like. After a very polite but assertive diatribe from me, she lifted her head, looked me in the eye and said "Yes, it is like that, isn't it?" and she closed the window behind her as she walked off. I don't complain anymore, I do it like the Guyanese, accustomed and resigned to such treatment from a public service. It's a pity, because the same people are so nice when you speak to them socially. It must be so miserable for them being miserable all day long!!!

What happened to education?

2007-12-01T23:06:00.000Z

The other day I went to a furniture factory with our landlady. We had a problem with some chairs and she kindly agreed to buy us a three piece suite directly from where they made them in the south of Georgetown.

We bought the suite and the owner asked me what I was doing in Guyana? A question we answer at least two or three times a day when we travel around. I said I worked for the Ministry of Education and he raised his eyebrows, said "just wait" and off he went to his office. I could see him writing but didn't know what until he returned with a slip of paper.

"I guarantee that no child and probably few teachers can write like that", he boasted. He showed me the slip which had lettering exactly the way I was taught even though mine looks a little different now. "They taught me that 50 years ago and I can still do it and read and write which most of them can't do today!"

The problem is, I think he may be right. Perhaps that's why he has one of the few manufacturing businesses in Georgetown. Good luck to him!

Broadband and the guard

2007-12-01T22:18:00.000Z

Yes, we now have broadband and it's great. It costs much more than in England and it's not as good but it's altready transforming our lives from faster emails to BBC news and video to Palace commentary on line.

When the day came to collect my modem, I went alomg to the GT&T office in upper Brickdam, was searched and directed to another office just down the street. Boldly I passed the guard and "Psst, Psst" "You want me?" said I. I was subjected to a real up and down, round and about, no holds barred search by a miserable looking bored lady who had nothing better to do. Note, this is the equivalent of going intp a BT shop. "Second door on the right" she barked and off I went. It was clear this place - window marked 'broadband'. - "How helpful" thinks I. But she just carried on writing, looked up after 2o seconds or so and carried on writing again, chatted to her friend, looked up and yes, I was still there.

"Yes?" she said as though I was the biggest inconvenience she had had all day. I trotted out my well prepared request. "Wait." and it all started over again. Eventually. a charming young man provided me with my modem, I paid and gave me a slip and told me to report to the guard on the way out. "Here we go!".

"Arms out, legs out". "Give me the slip". "I only came for a modem" I said.

She looked me up and down suspiciously and then smiled (which transformed her face.) "You buy me a drink?" she whispered in her best Sunday voice. "Pardon?" I choked "You buy me a drink?" "Can you afford to buy me a drink?" "No, sorry" I spluttered and ran, hopped on my bike and sped home. Narrow escape!