These past few weeks have been interesting. We have to balance a heavy training schedule with integration into our community and host family. In training we have started visiting health centers and schools to become familiar with the system and actual practical work that we might be doing when we reach our permanent site. In the schools, there is definitely room for improvement. There are some wonderful teachers who really care about their job and their students, but there are many teachers who don’t have incentives to even come to work or just don’t care. Both times that I have visited schools teachers have been absent and the students are left to their own devices because there isn’t a reliable network of substitutes in Guyana. Interestingly enough, I am working in a very professional school and I have heard that other schools have it worse. I am looking forward to using what I have learned at HSHMC to encourage teachers to incorporate creativity in curriculum, new literary strategies, build student self esteem and empowerment, and bring new classroom management techniques to the classroom.
Chelsea has had her own experiences in the health centers and is learning that the focus on preventative health care in Guyana depends heavily on access to resources. When a regional hospital is nearby the smaller, local health centers are stocked with sufficient supplies and staff. However, most of the remote villages lack even basic medical supplies like gloves and immunizations. The doctors and medex are knowledgeable in the most common issues among their patients, like diabetes, hypertension, and common respiratory and GI issues, but Chelsea was surprised to find one doctor who couldn’t recommend any treatment for a man with a kidney stone. The Doc had sent the man to the regional hospital to have an ultrasound and when he returned with a confirmed stone, she prescribed him pain meds and told him that since it was small they couldn’t do anything about it. Due to her unfortunate previous experience, Chelsea was able to recommend to him that he drink lots and lots of water and cranberry juice and give him her sympathy as he waited for it to pass. We both have a lot of work to do here in Guyana, mainly in terms of education, both in health centers and schools and are happy that we are here.
Jobs aside we’re learning so, so much about Guyanese culture. This last week and tomorrow we joined this heavily spiritual culture celebrate not only their “Republic Day” but also an Islamic holiday (The Prophets birthday) and a Hindu Holiday called Phagwah which is the beginning of the Hindu season of spring. All three days are recognized by the government as bank holidays, if you will (businesses shut down). Apparently there are 13 recognized holidays in Guyana where there is no school and business can close if they want. Notably, two holidays are Islamic, two are Hindu, and two are Christian. Then, of course, there are days like Independence Day and Mash (Republic Day) and others which we haven’t experienced yet. It’s a great hodgepodge if colors, celebrations, and spirituality.
We had a great time on Republic Day looking at floats created within the coastal communities (one of which, Chelsea would like to note, was a giant black penis wrapped in saran wrap to promote AIDS awareness), dancing, and spending time with our families and other PCTs. We even had a talent show this Friday last where many of the Trainees showcased their talents, and let me say we are a talented bunch! It was real good fun.
But I grow long winded, we still are working on the picture situation, but will definitely post some pictures when we get a chance. But until next week when we both tell of our HVV adventures, we hope everyone will be well and keep hope alive!
T & C
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