Our final night

I don't think I'm alone when I say that I can't believe it's our last night in Guyana, and that by this time tomorrow, most of us will be "home". I hope what I'm about to write will justly describe my two week stay in this beautiful country, and how it's changed me in ways that I doubt I can put into words.
For now, though, I'll let you know about our last afternoon/night. After a busy morning, we split this afternoon into two groups. Half of us went to St. John Bosco Orphanage and the other half went to St. Ann's Orphanage- I went to the latter. I think I speak for everyone when I say that some pretty tight bonds were formed with the girls. I grew very attached to a spunky four year old named Leanna, and especially to an 11 year old named Lisa. I helped her with her Spanish homework (good thing I'm a French major...), and then we went outside and played tag with some of the other girls until it was time to go. Leaving this home, just like the other sites before it, for the last time was particularly difficult. We knew it was our final visit, and the girls knew it too. The sincerity in their voices when they said "Miss, I'll miss you", and the image of Lisa standing at the gate and waving to us until the car rounded the corner, out of sight, is something I will never forget.
I know most of us were feeling a bit down after returning from our final site, so Anthony set up a surprise for us. We all went to the sea wall at dusk. We dug each other into the soft sand and dipped our toes in the water. Some of the boys raced (Devon, one of our Guyanese friends, had a minor, shall we say, mishap) and wrestled. Jess, our designated group photographer (thank you!) got some great photos. All in all, we enjoyed each other's company, especially on the crowed bus ride back to the Creole Kitchen.
We enjoyed a great meal and some of the girls got their toes and hair done by some local Guyanese women. After dinner, Anthony and Andrea presented each of us with a bag of Guyana goodies and the professors with beautiful silver chains. We even heard some heartfelt speeches by Rasleigh and the ever-quiet Althea about our group. I know that part of what I will miss most of my time here is the bonds I've formed with the Guaynese Ive come to know and love- Devon, Abby, Althea, Reon, Rasleigh, and of course Andrea and Anthony. As I sit and type this, some of us are packing, others finishing up hair or pedicures, or catnapping.
Now that I've had some time to reflect on my last few visits, to the Palms, Mahaica, and the children's homes, a phrase that Professor Kirby told us about a week ago seems to sum up how I'm feeling. After a particularly difficult visit to the Palms, she said "There, but for the grace of God, go I". This means that, even though we may feel so different, so distant, from the individuals at the Palms or the kids in the homes, or anyone who finds themselves  in a difficult situation for that matter, it is only for the grace of God (some call it luck, chance, or fate) that we are here, and they are there.  This really captures how I feel about Lisa. She is so much like I was at that age- tomboyish  and sporty, with a natural affinity for basketball and volleyball, she was quiet at first but outgoing with encouragement. She could be a basketball player like I was. But I was born in America. My mother bought me basketball shoes each season, and drove me to practice every single day. It was pure chance that I had what she does not. With this in mind, I am more grateful for my family, for what I was fortunate enough to be born with, than ever before.
Knowing how fortunate I am, and I think others in the group feel the same, is precisely what compels me to return. Guyana and the people I've met here will always hold a place in my heart even if I can't return. That being said, I don't think that letters, or Facebook friendships will ever suffice in comparison to the connections I've made. I was told in the Interior that if an outsider drinks "The Black Water" of the Mahaicony River, they will undoubtedly return to the country. I know I drank some, so it's not goodbye, Guyana, it's see you soon.
Can't wait to see all of you soon as well,
Danika

Farewell...for now

     Theres a bittersweet feeling in the air here in Guyana today. With less than 12 hours left in the country and with our Guyanese friends, it almost feels surreal for it to be ending, but hey, we still got 12 hours of wonder left.
     We had a jam packed morning today. The with an 8am wake up call and another amazing assortment of Anthony's pastries and local fruits (God I'm gonna miss that pineapple). After breakfast we rushed out for our final visit to the convalescent home. There we read to the children and even got to play outside for the first time! However when it was time to leave the grim realization that this was more than likely the last time we would ever see these kids was ever present. Many of the group memebers, myself included, had difficulty saying goodbye and leaving our preschool friends in the care of the workers at the home, but time moves on. After our goodbyes we headed over to the ministry of child services dressed in our Sunday best to have a meeting with the deputy director of child protective services of Guyana. In an air conditioned room, we were able to ask a multitude of questions about the children's homes we have been visiting and the system as a whole. The answers she provided shed some light on the process by which children are put into the homes, how the staff is selected, and what is being done to improve the system. She provided much food for thought. After our meeting we traveled to Stabroek market, the largest market in Georgetown, where we got a chance to shop for souviners of our journey. Amidst the commotion of the shops we explored the varied, tiny stands and picked out many a gift for loved ones back home. At the end of our excursion we met a man working out of a cardboard box who carved up the most incredible images on gorges, only 600 Guyanese a pop, what a bargin.
     One of my favorite lines from one of my favorite movies 'The Motorcycle Diaries' says "Each moment of travel is split in two; sadness for what is left behind, and excitement what what lay ahead." As our time here comes winds down this is how I find myself feeling. I am infinitely greateful for the sights I've seen, the relationships I've enjoyed, the moments I've experienced and the love that I have felt. This group consists of some of the most genuine and heartfelt people I have ever met and I am one of the luckiest people alive to have had the pleasure of spending two weeks with them in such an amazing place. Anthony, Andrea, Rashley, Reon, and Devon: I couldn't have asked for better hosts. I've felt like family from start to finish. And thank you professor Kirby and professor Popovich for bringing us together for such a wonders adventure, one which will be with us for the rest of our lives.

And so Guyana, it saddens me to leave, but makes me glad to hope that someday I will return.
lots of love from Georgetown,
Dylan
   

Note to self, we need to come back

Right now we are all spending time together because it is our second to last night in Guyana with Anthony and his amazing family and friends. Time has gone by so fast and yet I feel like a part of me has found a piece of home here, I think we all feel that way.

This afternoon we split into two groups. We all seemed a little rundown after leaving Palms for the last time today, and saying goodbye to our friends, whose hurt and joy was felt in out brief conversations with such warm hearted men and women. Our hearts are a little broken. But the late afternoon promised another memorable experience among some very wonderful boys and girls. A few of the students went to the smaller orphange Rumsvelt orphanage and brought bags of books to so many happy children, it made me wish we could bring some books to the larger public orphange (but we brought some cherished stuffed animals). At the public orphanage a few of us were talking to two girls Nadia and Akesha,they are 13 and 15. They explained to us that there were no books in the building and that their school did not have a library or one nearby. It is in moments like this where we are constantly reminded of the beautiful gifts and opportunities that are available to us in our lives back home, but are missing in the everyday lives of these kids. 

The children at the orphanages chase us, fall asleep in arms, sit in our laps as we read them stories, they sing to us, and they laugh with us as they braid our hair, they hang onto our legs, holding our hands, and telling us some secrets; they are brave, beautiful and kind and all we want for them is to feel loved and happy. Its painful to leave them because we never want them to feel another wave of hurt in their young life, things we cannot begin to imagine. their smiles and hugs and willingness to talk to us is so incredibly special. Anthony explained to us that like him, the children learn that while bad things happen there are always good moments that make them feel loved and better and those good moments can help overcome the bad moments. It is just as important in feeling the hurt while feeling the joy. Everyone  I have met and gotten to know here has made me think about what it means to care for others and to be there for them in so many different ways. All the people here have inspired me to look past myself and get to know the other: in the quiet of listening to others, in the laughter of playing games with children, and in the grace of leaving and continuing what we learned when we leave one home and go back to another.

peace love and Guyana!

Carley

The Firsts of Our Lasts

Wow. Only a day and a half left, how did that happen? With our trip coming to an end we have to begin to say goodbye to Guyana, both the places and the people. The places won't be too difficult to let go, we have plenty of pictures and it's always possible to return to a particular spot. The people on the other hand are not as easy to leave behind. It's crazy how invested you can get in someone after only meeting them a few times. I think I can speak for everyone when I say the goodbyes are proving to be more difficult than the introductions.

Yesterday after we got back from Moraikobai, we went out to Mahica for the last time to say our farewells to both our friends at the hospital and the girls' orphanage. We went through our usual routine of getting beat at dominos by Chris and chatting it up with Shelia until it was time to say goodbye. With promises to write and send pictures, we departed with heavy hearts.

Today, we had similar experiences at The Palms. Whether it's Angie and Alexis cracking jokes with Edris, or John listening to music with Mr. Sampson, we've all found people we connect with particularly well, which made it more painful to say goodbye on our last visit. I certainly hope to stay in touch with many of the people I've met on this trip and am traveling home with a few new names in my address book.

Much love from Guyana! See you all soon,

Sam

photos

we are back

the jaguars got us all....just kidding we are back safe. more to come!

Andrew 

Moraikobai

Well we are back from our weekend escape to the interior and it was AMAZING. We started our trip by going down the beautiful Mahaicony river in two speed boats watching the jungle fly by. 2 hours later we were in the village greated by friendly faces and food. Over the next two days we got to swim in the river, walk through the village, and interact with the amazing Amerindian people. We learned how to properly cannonball off the rivers edge and some even dared to jump from the trees. We found out how to cook cassava properly which is a local root vegetable that is used for a variety of delicious purposes. I even got the honor to carry the cassava by a basket strapped to my head. Needless to say my neck was a bit sore. We also got to buy and marvel at the amazing baskets and goods made by some of the Amerindian women. That same day we took a nature walk with Andrea's father Kenrick through the village and surrounding fields. Soft spoken and fascinating, Kenrick was a man in his element. He enjoyed sharing his stories and wisdom with the group all the time rocking a black fedora. At night we enjoyed the cool breeze and amazing view of the night sky. After a night of bug nets we woke up to a chorus of roosters for a morning swim. The kids mistook me for a tree and decided all six would try to climb me in the water at once. The kids were great and were very at home in the forest and river. It was really cool to see the differences between life in the interior vs. Georgetown. Time almost ceases to exist out there which was fine by us. The simplicity and beauty of the village was amazing with palm trees and greenery as far as the eye could see. After an outdoor dinner feast, we had a bonfire on the cricket field with the kids, sitting around enjoying good company and the great weather. As usual, this morning was full of hard goodbyes and fond memories had by all. While it was a short trip it made a big impact. It showed another perspective of Guyana that we hadn't yet experienced and was just one more place I hope to visit again. There is a legend that anyone who drinks water from the creek always returns to Moraikobi. Thankfully, I didn't need to drink the water to realize I want to return one day. On the boat ride back we all reminisced about our trip enjoying the views once more. I also lost my hat (RIP stinky ass vineyard vines hat, you will be missed). I like to think that if there is any place I would like to leave part of me behind it would be on that beautiful river. 

-Andrew

To the Interior

Hi all! After another exciting and exhausting visit to the Convalescent Home, we shuffled our bodies back into the the bus and headed home for lunch. We gathered around for our daily lunch and nap time. We decided today to stay in for the afternoon as we are all mentally and physically exhausted from our visits over the past week. It was definitely much needed and appreciated!

Tomorrow we are headed into the interior which we are super excited about. Right now we're all packing for our three days in the interior. But since no one has told us exactly what we're doing in the interior we have to pack off their recommendations. All we really know is that we will take about an hour ride to the port and then a 2 and 1/2 hour boat ride! We won't be posting for a couple days until we get back from our adventure. Some people will post when we get back on Monday to tell everyone about the awesome things we did. I do believe we are getting up at 430 am so I am excited to say I'll get to see my first sunrise and I couldn't be happier to be with this group of people when I do! The house is quiet and people are trickling off to bed so I'm going to follow suit. Goodnight!

Love,

Casey :)

Convalescent Home Round 2

This morning we went to visit our friends at the convalescent home.  When we arrived we split into two groups: half of the group spent time with the preschool aged children, while myself and the others went upstairs to spend time with the babies and children with special needs. Since it was our second time visiting we had a better idea of what to expect from the children and caretakers. Even with this experience though, it was still difficult at times to imagine that this is the childrens' everyday life. Today I had the opportunity to hold a one month old baby girl. She was so little and sweet it's hard to imagine that the only guidance she will have in her life will not come from her parents, but from a rotating staff of workers who are probably busy with children and a life of their own. My favorite part of the day was spending time with an eight year old boy named David. During our last visit, Amanda and I had a dance party with him. I was worried that he would not remember us, but when we walked into his room his face lit up. It was a great morning! 

love, 

Ibby 

Off to see the babies. More later. Everything's great! 

Love from everyone! :)

Casey

Palms and Upscale

     As I sit down to write there is a steady rain outside, reggae and crackly voices blare from the stereo, and the promise of another one of Anthony's delicious pastries sits next to me. Just another morning in paradise.
     Yesterday began with another trip to the palms (the public geriatric facility). It was our third visit, and like the previous two we were greeted outside by George W. Once inside we distributed some soaps and toothbrushes to the residents. It being our third visit, I found myself falling into a routine. There are about five spots in the home that I make sure to visit each time we go. Most of the residents  can be found sitting in the same locations every day; the second story walkway next to ward two, the bottom of the stairs underthe overhang, the bed in the corner of the room on the first foot of ward two. A certain realization sets in for me; that these spots, these chairs, theses scenes they stare out at day in and day out are their only reality and will continue to be their only reality until the day they die. The same thing every day. Except for the days that we visit. Upon visiting my spots I see faces light up. Even residents who were seemingly unresponsive the first couple times around, residents whom I may have only shaken hands with while passing by lift their heads, smile a toothless smile, and raise their hand to me even before I could reach them. I could tell that in that brief moment their spirits were lifted and that makes the visits worth it for us, and for them.
     In the afternoon the group split up for the first time. The girls went to St. Anne's girls orphanage and the boys went to Bosco boys orphanage. At Bosco the boys ran up and high fived us even before the bus came to a stop, you could tell they were excited to see their friends again. We played soccer in the mud, tag on the playscape, and we even got to listen to the kids play the steel drums in their group. All in all a fun, all be it short afternoon.

     The reason I'm just getting around to posting this now instead of last night is because last night we went out to dinner for the first time. Once we were reunited everyone washed up, put on their best dress (which varied greatly) and hopped in taxis headed for downtown. We went to a place called 'upscale'. The decore was brightly colored, there were pool tables at the far end of the room, and a group of locals slamming down dominoes at a table. I ended up getting a ginger beef dish which wasn't half bad (I still think Anthony's cooking is better) and we were even able to catch some of the NBA finals at the bar!

    The rain seems to be dying down now and this pastry sitting next to me is smelling really good so I have to sign off. looking forward to heading into the rainforest on Saturday!

lots of love from Georgetown,

Dylan

Day 7

Hello Everyone!

        We had a great time today. This morning we visited the parliament but more importantly we visited the parliaments air conditioned library. I still have not figured out why all library's have to be air conditioned. Regardless, the 15 minutes we spent there were heavenly. 

        10 gallons of sweat later we had just finished our first after lunch class session and were preparing to head to Mahaica to visit our friends at the leprosy hospital. Our bug bites, which seem to have accumulated on every part of our body since our arrival, are nothing compared to the struggle faced daily by our friends at the hospital. Athough, that did not stop John and Chris from destroying us in dominoes. We also met another patient today named Mr. Fullington who had been previously recieving more serious care in another hospital. It is a relief that he is okay because Professor Kirby and him have known each other a long time. He shared some very interesting stories from his time in the interior today; informing us that raw iguana eggs do in fact taste like olives. I am still probably not going to try one.

        Despite the relentless heat and the fact that Anthony's bugbites may be featured in the next National Geographic things are going well in Guyana. We are alive and I look forward to another day of Chubby's unforgiving driving.  

Love,

John

Parliament and Things that Bring Us Pain

Good afternoon from Georgetown! I write this blog post with a belly full of Anthony's wonderful food.

Our activities this morning were a little different than usual. Instead of our typical gym shorts and t-shirts, we all got dressed up- women in long skirts or capris and men in long pants and sneakers. (The men aren't used to dressing conservatively though, so the heat was a little new for them.) everybody looked fantastic, nonetheless. Rather than heading to a service site, we were off to parliament! 

Our tour of the building was quite nice, and I think I speak for the entire group when I say the air conditioned areas were especially pleasant. We got to see the library, and we just happened to meet in passing the runner up for Miss Guyana (who surprisingly lives in Virginia!). It was great to see another historical aspect of Guyana and to learn more about Guyanese politics. 

This trip has certainly been an adventure so far. I think most of us are being exposed to things we've never had to experience before. Professor Kirby shared with us during a class session the other night something that one of her professors told her, and I haven't been able to stop thinking of it since. As I understand it, there is a difference between being hurt and being pained. While some of the things we're seeing may be difficult for us, they don't hurt us. Things that hurt us are things which cause us harm. Many of the people we have had the privilege of meeting in this beautiful country have been hurt before in their lives. Our difficult experiences here only bring us pain. They have the potential to make us better in the end, and I'm sure that they will.  

Now we're heading out to visit some of the new friends we've made here. I've been taking lots of pictures, so check back later when I have a second to add them to this post. To my family, I miss you and I can't wait to share with you this wonderful, crazy adventure. 

My love from Guyana,

Jessica

Photos from Jess