Stephen and Mary @ Guyana: Mabaruma Region One

Sunday 17 February 2008

Mabaruma Region One

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.

The Latest News

It's 7th September 2010 and we've been offered a one year placement in Rwanda starting in January 2011. It's not finalised yet so we're hoping for the best. It's a French speaking country which has just changed its language of instruction to English.

It's 29th July 2010 and we have just been told that we have been assessed and accepted for out next VSO placements.

It's 2nd June 2010 and we've applied for VSO again, hopefully for February or September 2011.

It's Saturday 6th June 2009 and I am about to write the final words of the "Stephen and Mary@Guyana" Blog

It's 8th May 2009 and we go to Harborne Hall, Birmingham for three days for the Return Volunteers Weekend.

It's 25th April 2009 and we visit Ann in Elesmere Port. (NCERD colleague and VSO)

It's 22nd April 2009 and we have journeyed "up North" to visit our NCERD colleague, Meg in Southport

It's 13th March 2009 and we drink a toast to those in Guyana as we did on 13th of every month, the date we arrived.

It's 7th March 2009 and Ann throws us a party with family and friends to welcome us home.

It's 3rd March 2009, it's my birthday and we go to El Nido's to celebrate our return.

It's 2nd March 2009 and we arrive home early in the morning to be greeted by Dan, Matt and Ann.

It's 1st March 2009 and we fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and the overnight by New Zealand Airways to London Gatwick.

It's 23rd February 2009 and we fly from Newark to Las Vegas

It's 22nd February 2009 and we have been in New York for nine days and will go to Las Vegas tomorrow. Just look at the main posts for a report.

It's 13th February 2009 and we left Guyana for the last time on our way to New York

It's 12th February 2009 and we spend our last night in Guyana with the "13th Club" (the day we arrived and meet every month) at Nicolette and Martin's house.

It's 11th February 2009 and we go to Odyssey for one last view at the Roof Top Garden

It's 10th February 2009 and we go to the New Thriving restaurant with Nicholas and Jenelle, Jane and Meg

It's 9th February 2009 and we go to the Brazilian restaurant for one last meat feast with Mira and michaela and her Mum who is visiting.

It's 8th February 2009 and we feature in the Guyana Chronicle PepperPot

It's 7th February 2009 and we are taken on a VIP trip to Mazaruni and we have our Cooling Down Party

It's 6th February 2009 and we spend our last day in NCERD

It's 2nd February 2009 and we will be home 4 weeks today.

It's 31st January 2009 and we travel to Bartica to visit Derek and Trudy

It's 30th January 2009 and Mary starts to feel normal again too.

Its' 29th January 2009 and Mary returns to work for an hour

It's 27th January 2009 and I'm starting to feel normal again

It's 26th January 2009 and Mary is out of hospital and on the mend. I return to work but not 100%

It's 23rd January 2009 and Mary is admitted to hospital for tests and treatment

It's 16th January 2009 and Mary and I are struck down with a debilitating virus which is to last over a week.

It's 9th January 2009 and Helen and her sister Catherine stay with us on their way to Mabaruma

It's 3rd January 2009 and we return to Guyana for the last five weeks of work before completing our placement.

Thanks to everyone who keeps in touch and don't forget to leave a comment when you visit the site.

It would be good to have a two way process and let me know who you are by making a comment. It's easy. Just click below the article and you can comment and I'll know where you are from.

Pages

Sunday 17 February 2008

Mabaruma Region One

St Stephen Harding 12th C

A Guyanese Classroom