Be Safe Success!

Hooray! Today was the culminating event for the Be Safe! Program that Sara and I have been working diligently on for the past few months. The Guyana ed Cross Be Safe! Program is a personal safety program for children ages 5-9. It consists of 12 lessons and teaches children about body ownership, what is safe and unsafe touching, and how to say no to and tell someone they trust about unsafe touching. The lessons use interactive teaching methods such as puppetry and story telling and it is so wonderful that Sara and I wanted to bring it into our community in Linden. Here's what we have been up to:

We coordinated with the Guyana Red Cross (GRC) and our Regional Health Office to fund a two day training on January 20^th and 21^st. Two master trainers came into Linden to train 18 nurses and teachers. It was very fun and educational. In the past what the GRC does is train people up to this point and give them the materials to conduct the program but they do not have the resources to follow up with the newly trained persons, so that is where Sara and I stepped in.

Sara and I then monitored the facilitators by visiting all 9 of the classrooms and seeing the program in action. We coordinated 2 check-in meetings for the participants to discuss challenges and successes. Then we planned today's graduation ceremony!

We got a venue and snacks (the two most important things in any Guyanese function) donated by the Region. We arranged a program with an opening prayer (another necessity in any Guyanese event), guest speakers from the GRC, a skit by some of the participants, a song and poem performed by the students in one of the participating nursery schools (which was SO cute it stole the show!) and the presentation of certificates.

Almost all our facilitators were able to attend, we had special invitee from the Region and Peace Corps, the GRC coordinator (with whom we had only ever spoken to over the phone and via email in the past) was there. AND we managed to get NCN, the local television station, to come cover the event! I was so proud of all the hard work that went into this event.

Our facilitators did an amazing job presenting these difficult topics to the children and I know that they are making a difference in the community! The Region and the GRC pitched in so much support and made a huge contribute to make the whole project a super success! Check out the pictures of the training, work in the classrooms and the graduation ceremony from today:

Sara and Chelsea with our friend Trusty!


Me and the Guyana Red Cross Folks at the graduation


Getting certificates


Students perform a song about private parts


The GRC coordinator gives a thankful speech


Sara loves the kiddos


Nurse Paul and Wilson, the One Mile Health Centre nurses all decked out at graduation


The nurses deliver the session in the classroom


Sara and I set up the room for graduation and had a moment to chill before the event


Teachers delivering the sessions to students


The kids really love Trusty


Hugs for Trusty!!! YAY!

It's Feeling Real

All week I have been in the Georgetown area helping out with PST. I received a call last week Thursday about coming down, and even though I had few plans for this week at site, I was able to pass them off to my counterparts and spend this week with the newbs. It’s pretty exciting since they will be swearing in on my birthday (April 13th) and boy, are they ready. I am super stoked because by the time I get back to site we will have a week left before we board a plane to come for our vist.

It’s Feeling Real!!!

These last few weeks, Chels has been really excited about our trip home, but me, I’m more of a visceral, present-living person. It’s not that I am not excited too, but my idea of the future stretches about 7 days or so if not less. (I think this helps things go quicker) In other words, I am not a super-planner, I go with what is in front of me, and for the most part it works out. But this is why Chelsea is soooo good for me she helps me think ahead and balances me out, so my schedules don’t get crossed or I forget to mark something down on the calendar. And, of course, cause she is amazing. :)

But now this trip home is within my “reality zone” and I can’t wait to visit family and friends and spend almost a month resting, vacationing and soaking up Americanism (which I hope does not include diabetes … Just kidding, I just read an amazing book on running and nutrition, and the western diet…but this is beside the point) We have a week and counting. I am at HQ right now, doing some work that needs to be done before we depart then back to training tomorrow. Can’t wait to see you all! Maybe have a pint or two.

Bday, Beach Day, and a Kitty in a Basket

The Beautiful 63 Beach

On Friday, Tim and I loaded Rasta Kitty into a laundry basket and headed up to New Amsterdam to visit a fellow Volunteer. She and her fiance had agreed to take Rasta while we are in the States and it just so happened to be her birthday. The plan all along had been to use Tim, Rasta and my visit as a decoy while her nearest Peace Corps neighbor planned a surprise party.

After a 2 hour bus ride and another 2 hour car ride we arrived in New Amsterdam with one shaken up cat. Needless to say, Rasta did not like being transported in a laundry basket, but until we get a cat carrier, that will have to do. Rasta did get settled into her new home for the next month or so, even though she is having trouble playing nice with the cat who already lives there. I bet they will be best friends by the time we pick her up though.

The surprise birthday party was a hit! Our friend was amazed that so many people showed up to celebrate. Enchiladas and rum all around made for a wonderful Friday night.

On Saturday, we headed to 63 Beach, one of the only beaches in Guyana. To get there we had to 'small up' big time, fitting 20+ people in a 15 person van. Since Guyana is below sea level, the coast mostly consists of a sea wall, but in Berbice there is a beach and this California girl was SO happy to have a beach day. And, even though the Atlantic Ocean in this part of the world comes in a not-so-charming muddy brown color that stains white bathing suites brown, we had a wonderful time.

As Tim and I were floating in the ocean, staring back at beach lined with coconut trees and a gaggle of our wonderful friends, we thought that this weekend, especially the trip to one of the most unique beaches we have ever visited, will be one of those moments we will always remember about Peace Corps Guyana.

After a superb weekend, we have two more weeks of work and 11 days until we get to come home for a visit! What an exciting time!

The Bday Girl is SURPRISED!!! And we get to eat yummy food!

Yummy dessert a'la Jillian!

And 'smalling up' to get to the beach.

The party banab.

Two Californians enjoying the Atlantic ocean! Making memories.

The Seasons

So I have this recent attraction to the changing of the seasons. Living in Southern California most of my life the seasons were kind of a side-note. Sure, it got colder in the winter, maybe pretty hot in the summer and just right in autumn and spring, but there wasn't any snow or sleet, perhaps there was some rain, but that was it. However, compared to the some of the USA the seasons could've been non-existent.

But now, after living in Guyana for year, it seems the seasons were glaringly apparent in SoCal.

A few days ago was the Spring Solstice. I forgot all about the 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime because there are only two seasons here: rainy and dry (well so they say, but like Chels I am skeptical.) Now I think it is suppose to be the dry season, but it's been raining for days at a time. Maybe Linden is an exception to the rule? Either way, the typical changes aren't so apparent, even to this SoCaller's limited awareness.

It's been a good week hanging with the new Trainees, cooking, and gaffing up a storm. The holiday on Monday was fun, even if I wasn't covered in powder, and thus far this week I've done development sessions and worked with the High Schoolers on study skills (ReQuest and SQ4R for my teaching buds). I may even get to go to the River areas next week where I've been dying to go since I got here. But I'll keep you updated.

But now Bob Marley is blaring, rum and cokes are calling , and Guyenese Tacos are ready to be consumed. Til next time.

Rasta Kitty Shot, we're taking to her to a fellow PCVs this Friday to watch while we head to the States. We love her soo much and will definitely miss her.

Much love.

What a Sweet Day!

Okay, YUM! Today our wonderful neighbor called us first thing in the morning to offer to cook us dinner since Tim had helped fix her computer a few weeks back. But since we were hosting the future Linden PCTs for dinner, we suggested that she cook for us another day, but she said she had already cooked and would bring us food by later.

I had a wonderful day working on the TV show with the producer, Gasper, and a new cohost (who is awesome!). We went to one of the nursery schools that is conducting the Be Safe program and recorded their wonderful lesson. The kids were energetic and it was obvious that they have learned a lot about body ownership (“My body is MINE!”) and safe vs. unsafe touching.

Feeling energized from good days work, I got home, read for a bit (working on finishing the Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest) and was surprised when Sara and Tim brought food from our neighbor upstairs. I had quite honestly forgotten all about it! I was prepared to find curry or cook up or some other such Guyanese dish, but we were pleasantly surprised to find spaghetti, baked chicken and salad with ranch dressing! American food! We had lovely time enjoying the food with our new Linden Peace Corps buddies.

As an extra special treat, I zipped down to the gas station on my bike and bought a tub of cookies and cream ice cream that I had remembered seeing there the other day (usually it is really hard to find). What a delicious, sweet treat to end an otherwise awesome day. I have lots more to do in the next few week, but I am excited to get in done and fly home to the USA in 16 days! HOLLA!!!!

Tagged on a Saturday Morning

This morning, instead of waking up early to work out, we awoke to pouring rain, so we decided to snuggle back up to sleep. Around 8am the rain had slowed and we decided we should start our day. We headed off to the market to do some shopping and stopped at a bakery on the way to get coffee (Nescafe), tea (Lipton's) and pine tarts. I joked with Tim that if we closed our eyes we could almost pretend we were at Starbucks...almost.

At the market, we got ingredients for making enchiladas later today. Tim also needed some new shoes so we got him a pair of brown loafers and black dress shoes for work at Payless prices. I stopped to gaff with the man pushing the music cart (imagine a wheelbarrow/pushcart with two huge speakers and a CD player) and ended up buying two CDs with the most popular Soca and Dancehall tunes in Guyana right now. When we got home, Tim and I had a blast listening to the tunes. I think we will always remember Guyanese music (well, Jamaican really...) with humor and affection.

Today the two new trainees that have been assigned to Linden are coming to visit, so we are planning to make dinner and introduce them to our site! As we wait for them, we tidied up the house, mopped and cleaned the counters. Now I am checking my emails, touching base on FB and my favorite blogs and, when I came across Sara's blog, I noticed we got “tagged”.

Basically, Sara was asked by a friend to answer 4 questions so people can learn more about her on her blog and tagged other people, including me and Tim, to answer them too. So, I copied and pasted the questions. Check out our answers below:

1st ~ four places I go:

The market

To work

To Georgetown

Crazy

2nd ~ four favorite smells:

New books

Vanilla

Fresh brewed coffee

Hoppy beer

3rd ~ four favorite TV shows or movies:

Glee

America's Next Top Model

Survivor

Lost

4th ~ four recommendations:

Live in the present, but plan for the future

Everything in moderation

Acknowledge the small victories and pleasures in life

Check before you use peppers to see if they are sweet or spicy

On an unrelated side note: Tim finished his Author's Fair last week with a bang! He and his counterpart organized and hosted an award ceremony to give out prized to all the participants and winners of the writing competition. It was touching to see our local students acknowledged as writers and poets. Check out the pictures from this cool event!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!!!

Emily is one of my bestest friends! We met in college, even though we lived in Sana Cruz together and knew many of the same people, we never ran in the same circles before we met at Eleanor Roosevelt College at UCSD. For four years we fenced together on the fencing team, kicking ass and taking names! We threw great parties with costumes, bacon and hilarity abound! We have shared stressful times (F you Delta!) and wonderful times. Emily stood by me and Tim at our wedding and continues to stand by us, even though we are far away. She visited my mom on Valentine's day and the care packages, letters and email that she continues to send all the way to Guyana keep us motivated and refreshed. I love my Emily!

Em, I wish I could be there to give you a giant hug on your birthday! You are an amazing friend and I look forward to many, many more adventures with you. We have SO much to look forward to!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUCKIE!!!

March Madness (and not the Bball kind)

So as our previous blogs have mentioned, Tim and I have been spending a lot of time this month away from each other helping with training. It has been odd living alone, cooking for myself and being left alone with my thoughts. I am glad to have Tim back today for the rest of the month. But, now that we are pretty much done with training we are both finding hat we have a TON of work to do in the last few weeks before we head to the States for our month-long vacation (eeekkkk, so excited!!!!).

I am trying to coordinate wrapping up the Be Safe! Program and set up a graduation ceremony for everyone who finished facilitating the lessons. I also have to record not one, but two, episodes of Health Watch TV show to air in April and May, since I will be gone all April and won't be able to film then. This is keeping me busy, but it is the annoying sort of busy where my plans rely on other people, so I can't just power though and get things done myself. It feels like a lot of hurry up and wait.

Another annoyance that has been causing me some serious irritation recently is the obnoxious tom cat that is pestering Rasta Kitty and stealing her food. We leave the sliding door open while we are out (the grate stays locked for safety) so that Rasta can go outside to pee and explore. However, if we leave food in her bowl, the tom cat will come and eat it all! If we leave the door open at night for Rasta to go outside, he will come in and fight with her. So, we have started closing the door up at night. I didn't think Rasta had a problem with this until recently I started fining puddles of cat piss in corners! She peed on my art supplies, so I move them off the floor. Then, last night, I heard her scratching, and jumped up just as she was peeing on a duffel bag of medical supplies! I was so ticked off! I think we are going to have to start keeping a litter box in the house again, which I hate! I so much like the idea that Rasta was an outdoor cat, but this bully of a tom cat is making problems for us. Ahhh!

This last week has been very, very rainy. It rains almost steadily all day long. I have not been able to do my laundry since it won't ever get dry. It is getting a bit annoying. I am also left very confused about Guyana's “seasons” I was under the impression that now was supposed to be the dry season. Yeah, right. I have pretty much resigned myself to never understanding the weather and chalking all the wackiness to living in the tropics.

I have been spending a lot of time this past week thinking about my family. It is hard to be away from home when my family is going through difficult times. I won't go into details but all my love and support goes out to my brother, Stephan, my cousin, Dallas, and my Aunt Ondi. May you all find comfort and healing in the love of family. I am looking forward to seeing you all in just under a month.

Home From Training

I'm finally home. I've spent the last two weeks helping out with Peace Corps Training. It was really awesome getting to know all of the new trainees and feeling their positive energy. It's not that I'm feeling negative or anything but it was reinvigorating for me to see their sheer excitement at the prospect of projects. It was a tremendous motivator as we cross this mid-point threshold. I think they are going to be a great group of PCVs. Here are some photos I took at the trainings. 

The Urbs listen intently.

Learning how to Breastfeed...Cause you know he will need it

Visiting their schools

Playing some games

Taking names

And doing Maths.

Loving the Attention

The PCTs also organized learning games, this one is on adaptation

Being held in rapt suspense

Ready for round 2

And thus the first week ended with a spectacular sunset...

Only to rise again on the remote site.

A small group, but no less dedicated

 

 

 

 

Some practical Sessions

Some for fun

 

But time for sight seeing

And always time for dishes

and a Gaff or two

Perhaps a ridiculous photo shoot?

And lots of fun!

HI-YA! Thanks for the time.