Dear friends and family,
Hello!! I hope your past week has been well. Mine has been good and busy. I started out the week by getting a whole new set of Trainee's. But at least now finally I have all of the students that I will have total. It was an interesting adjustment for me to get new students - but with the planning i've done by this coming wednesday they should all be on the same page - and I can just worry about one lesson plan.
I really enjoy being at school and almost missed being with the kids on saturday - but not quite. I shouldn't call them kids they are between 15-20 and so some of them are almost my age. The girls here find holding hands completely acceptable - and now they always try and hold my hand. Its cute - Some of the boys this week started to ask me advice on girls. I thought it was kind of weird - but whatever. One of the boys was telling me how he wants to become a pastor. He told me that the reason he came to Mercy Wings was so he could learn how to read better. He told me he tries to read his bible - but at the same time its hard because he only has a King James version. I told him if I found a bible or an old bible I would try and send it his way - but I made no promises. Then I was looking through an old book store and there really was no bibles - it was weird. But at least there were some other books.
Anyway. One of the teachers is named Ms. Yvonne and she has become my Guyanese mother. She always takes very good care of me. My classroom is right next to hers so I go and visit her during break sometimes - or eat lunch with her. I really enjoy all my teachers though. Ms. Yvonne and I are on the same "team"/"house" for sports which happen next friday. We will be like their captains. Don't worry - there are other teachers with us. Thank God.
On friday night Mr. Lambert took us out - with one of my co-teachers Sir Niles and his wife. They took us to a restaurant/bar called Jerry's. It was a lot of fun we went on a Caribbean "cruise" as Lambert called it. We had Banks beer from Guyana - A Trinidadian beer and a beer from Suriname. I really liked the Banks beer and the others were okay. We sang karaoke - and we really sucked - but it was still fun. One of my students - well a male student - works at the bar. He is a cook. He is one that I talk to quite a bit and I got a chance to talk to him that night! He sent me out some free chicken! He is very sweet. It was Jerk Chicken which is really good. It may be my new favorite here.
Yesterday we just hung around and went to the market. Today though we went up to the boys orphanage to play with the boys. Its hard to keep them off you. They all want to sit on your lap and play with you. They really enjoyed playing with my watch. It was a good thing that all three of us came so we kept them pretty entertained. Some of them had just come from the other home so they are really young and really enjoy being held. All three of us really liked it and I am sure we will go back again soon.
I stole this from my roommates Audrey's e-mail:
FUN PHRASES: The Guyanese English is difficult to explain, but they tend to swallow their words, drop their h's, and emphasize the last syllable.
three = "tree"
home = "ome"
crispy = "cripsy"
Can I have a pencil = "Please for a pencil"
Did you bring your camera? = "You walk with your camera?"
the game "chutes and ladders" is called "snakes and ladders" and has snakes instead of slides
flashlight = "torchlight"
I have also encountered:
Gauphing = Talking/Gabbing
Liming = Hanging out
Vexed = Angry (we use this too - but they always use it!)
Anyway. I think I have definatley gotten used to the heat. I no longer enjoy cold showers. When I get in the shower at night and its cold I really really hate it. Also the other night there was a really strong breeze and I had to go into the house and put on pants because I was "cold". Being cold is relative here. But I am also not always dying from the heat. Our porch has a really good breeze so we can almost always cool down. I hear that it will get hotter but its pretty "cool" now.
I guess I am also going to boast that we cook a lot of Guyanese food already. We make doll every week - and a lot of rice with random things. At school I eat only Guyanese food and I really am enjoying that. However - ask me in a few weeks how I feel about rice everyday. We had a house debate about potatoes vs. rice and its 2-1 potatoes.
Sarah and Audrey has some pretty blond moments I just can't help but share. There is TV at our house - and we get like 4-6 channels depending on the time of day. And Audrey was always confused at why "Play" kept showing up on our TV followed by a Guyanese commercial. And she also couldn't figure out why American companies were advertising down here. We had to explain to her that the TV was American stole/or/bought TV and they were just overlapping the Guyanese commercials. Sarah's moment came when she freaked out cause she thought that the mini-bus was going 130 mph. I had to explain to her that the mini-buses were in Km and that she was probably going around 70ish. It was a good day for the three of us.
Well anyway as always I am sure I have more to write but enough for now.
Sending my love and prayers,
Ashley
Whatsoever you do to the least of My people, that you do unto Me.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Yellow Misquito Net
Dear Friends and Family,
Good Afternoon! Everything here in Guyana soooo proper its intense. Its always Good morning - Good afternoon - Good night. Miss, Mister, Sir, Auntie and Uncle. - However the people don't actually have to be your aunt or uncle to call them Aunt or Uncle - Its kind of weird but I enjoy it because its less formal than Ms or Mr and shows more affection.
I titled this blog Yellow Mosquito Net because I really have had to learn to enjoy the small things in life. Mr. Lambert the man who bought our nets bought us colored nets!! I got a yellow one which made me really joyful. I also have an orange fan! This week has really taught me to enjoy the simple things. I spend a lot of our evenings reading and talking with my two housemates. One of my housemates is a nurse - and the other works with the boys at the Orphanage - So there is always plenty of stories to share. We have also taken turns cooking every night. We have been cooking mostly Guyanese food other than one night - when it was my turn to cook - I made spaghetti. :)
I started a new job at the Hospital this week. I teach MWTh&F so on Tuesdays I will be working at the hospital in the HIV program. I will be doing pre test and post test counseling. So basically talking with the patients and referring them to the social workers & informing them on the disease itself. I am looking forward to it. I love the girls at my work - but it will be good to do something different one day a week.
This week I had a free hour at work so I helped Miss Abigail in the computer class. Some of the boys were getting really frustrated because they didn't know how to do anything. It was a huge culture shock when I was working really intensely with one boy in particular because he didn't know how to use a mouse - and the paint program was a little too intense for him. We went over paint and Microsoft word. And Basically we went over opening - typing a sentence- and closing/saving. I know 6 year olds in the US far superior in their computer skills. One of the boys was getting really excited because he was finally getting it - but I had to go help another boy - so as I was helping he kept saying "Miss, Miss, Miss" and I kept saying "Just now" (Which means hold on a minute - if you say hold on a minute - they don't understand) and eventually he just poked my side because he wanted my attention sooo bad. I couldn't be mad but I had to pretend to be. He genuinely was really just wanting to learn more. It was very cute. One boy in particular is very nice - and yesterday he wore a Chicago White Sox hat (They don't know the teams they just wear them for the looks). I said good morning to him and then explained to him how much I didn't like his hat - and that I don't know if I could teach him while he has that hat. (in a joking way). But its good because I feel like I am getting to know more of the students - and one of them tried to explain cricket to me today - but I still don't really understand.
One of my girls - I think I talked about her in an earlier blog - she is the one who is coming to school because she wants to get a job to help her parents - yesterday I found her in the library during their free time. She was reading a very easy Dr. Seuss book and she explained to me that she is reading during her free time because the more she reads the smarter she will become. It broke my heart because this girl tries so hard to learn - and yet she is so low - but she doesn't give up. Its very inspiring to watch her. The english teacher said that she gave out spelling words to my whole class - and that she was the only one that actually studied them and got 100%. But don't get me wrong they all have really great stories - and if I had time - I would write them all - I guess this is just the one that is on my mind today.
Well I am sure I have many more things that I could share - but as always I only have so much time. But for now I wish you all the best. You have my prayers and love.
Ashley-Ann
Good Afternoon! Everything here in Guyana soooo proper its intense. Its always Good morning - Good afternoon - Good night. Miss, Mister, Sir, Auntie and Uncle. - However the people don't actually have to be your aunt or uncle to call them Aunt or Uncle - Its kind of weird but I enjoy it because its less formal than Ms or Mr and shows more affection.
I titled this blog Yellow Mosquito Net because I really have had to learn to enjoy the small things in life. Mr. Lambert the man who bought our nets bought us colored nets!! I got a yellow one which made me really joyful. I also have an orange fan! This week has really taught me to enjoy the simple things. I spend a lot of our evenings reading and talking with my two housemates. One of my housemates is a nurse - and the other works with the boys at the Orphanage - So there is always plenty of stories to share. We have also taken turns cooking every night. We have been cooking mostly Guyanese food other than one night - when it was my turn to cook - I made spaghetti. :)
I started a new job at the Hospital this week. I teach MWTh&F so on Tuesdays I will be working at the hospital in the HIV program. I will be doing pre test and post test counseling. So basically talking with the patients and referring them to the social workers & informing them on the disease itself. I am looking forward to it. I love the girls at my work - but it will be good to do something different one day a week.
This week I had a free hour at work so I helped Miss Abigail in the computer class. Some of the boys were getting really frustrated because they didn't know how to do anything. It was a huge culture shock when I was working really intensely with one boy in particular because he didn't know how to use a mouse - and the paint program was a little too intense for him. We went over paint and Microsoft word. And Basically we went over opening - typing a sentence- and closing/saving. I know 6 year olds in the US far superior in their computer skills. One of the boys was getting really excited because he was finally getting it - but I had to go help another boy - so as I was helping he kept saying "Miss, Miss, Miss" and I kept saying "Just now" (Which means hold on a minute - if you say hold on a minute - they don't understand) and eventually he just poked my side because he wanted my attention sooo bad. I couldn't be mad but I had to pretend to be. He genuinely was really just wanting to learn more. It was very cute. One boy in particular is very nice - and yesterday he wore a Chicago White Sox hat (They don't know the teams they just wear them for the looks). I said good morning to him and then explained to him how much I didn't like his hat - and that I don't know if I could teach him while he has that hat. (in a joking way). But its good because I feel like I am getting to know more of the students - and one of them tried to explain cricket to me today - but I still don't really understand.
One of my girls - I think I talked about her in an earlier blog - she is the one who is coming to school because she wants to get a job to help her parents - yesterday I found her in the library during their free time. She was reading a very easy Dr. Seuss book and she explained to me that she is reading during her free time because the more she reads the smarter she will become. It broke my heart because this girl tries so hard to learn - and yet she is so low - but she doesn't give up. Its very inspiring to watch her. The english teacher said that she gave out spelling words to my whole class - and that she was the only one that actually studied them and got 100%. But don't get me wrong they all have really great stories - and if I had time - I would write them all - I guess this is just the one that is on my mind today.
Well I am sure I have many more things that I could share - but as always I only have so much time. But for now I wish you all the best. You have my prayers and love.
Ashley-Ann
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week One of WORK! :)
Dear Friends and Family,
Hello!! I finished my first week of work Praise God. I am teaching at Mercy Wings Vocational school in Sophia, Georgetown. (Sophia - Pronounced So fye a - not as we pronounce it). Anyway. I will be teaching MWThF Care for the Elderly - which is part of the Child Care program. The girls will get liscened for both Child Care and the Elderly imporving their ability to get a job. I enjoy teaching but at the same time its so different than an American school it is really hard to describe.
God has given me the grace of having some really well behaved girls this week - we will see how long they last. I know they are enthralled by the foreignness that I bring to class. They are all very sweet - some of them come from really rough homes. One of my girls told me that she came to the vocational school so that she could get a job - to help her parents pay for her sibilings "real" education. (We just teach trade). It was sooo heart breaking - if they go to public school they learn nothing. Most of my girls age 16-20 read at about a 3rd grade level. With one of them reading at a 1st grade. And my most successful girl at about a 6th. My heart is broken each day - when they try SO hard - but just really don't understand. Also there is quite a language barrier - they speak more creole than english. This makes it hard - but I am getting it. I feel like I have been picking things up pretty quickly. Also - sayings are different - If you are going somewhere with someone - they are carrying you. Its funny.
Anyway - Other than that the week has been good. The teachers have been very nice - and one of them took me to a few stores after work one day and bought me a popsicle. I did end up going to the hospital earlier this week as an outpatient because I had a fever from Friday to Monday - but don't worry - I just had the flu -and feel almost 100% now. Just a little bit of a runny nose still. The hospital was an adventure. Its not what I am used to. Mr. Lambert took me - and that was funny because there is no such thing as patient confidentiality here - which was hard for me to deal with - but oh well.
Other than that we have taken a few adventures - We went to Border market today which is one of the larger markets. It was nice. We spent about 13 american dollars and got 2 types of bannana's - A pineapple - Papaya (PaPa) - Spices - Carrots - Spinach (type stuff) - Pumpkin - Borra Borra - Celery - and a few other things which I can't quite recall. It was awesome. But for ever american dollar its 200 guyanese dollars. So we always carry around 1000 dollar bills which is about 5 dollars. It feels kind of weird.
Mini Buses are kind of Crazy. I always feel like I have another bruise from hitting something getting in and out. But they are fun - and always get us where we need to go. The drivers are already starting to remember us and we've only been here a week!!
I have met a few really awesome people just walking on the street. That has been fun - while walking home I met a really nice girl who talked with me about all sorts of things. She was very sweet.
I suppose I should have more to write - but I am having a hard time thinking - and will try and write more later.
Mail has been coming through - so please send a letter!!
50 Pere Street, Kitty
Georgetown, Guyana
South America
Love Sent!
Ashley
Hello!! I finished my first week of work Praise God. I am teaching at Mercy Wings Vocational school in Sophia, Georgetown. (Sophia - Pronounced So fye a - not as we pronounce it). Anyway. I will be teaching MWThF Care for the Elderly - which is part of the Child Care program. The girls will get liscened for both Child Care and the Elderly imporving their ability to get a job. I enjoy teaching but at the same time its so different than an American school it is really hard to describe.
God has given me the grace of having some really well behaved girls this week - we will see how long they last. I know they are enthralled by the foreignness that I bring to class. They are all very sweet - some of them come from really rough homes. One of my girls told me that she came to the vocational school so that she could get a job - to help her parents pay for her sibilings "real" education. (We just teach trade). It was sooo heart breaking - if they go to public school they learn nothing. Most of my girls age 16-20 read at about a 3rd grade level. With one of them reading at a 1st grade. And my most successful girl at about a 6th. My heart is broken each day - when they try SO hard - but just really don't understand. Also there is quite a language barrier - they speak more creole than english. This makes it hard - but I am getting it. I feel like I have been picking things up pretty quickly. Also - sayings are different - If you are going somewhere with someone - they are carrying you. Its funny.
Anyway - Other than that the week has been good. The teachers have been very nice - and one of them took me to a few stores after work one day and bought me a popsicle. I did end up going to the hospital earlier this week as an outpatient because I had a fever from Friday to Monday - but don't worry - I just had the flu -and feel almost 100% now. Just a little bit of a runny nose still. The hospital was an adventure. Its not what I am used to. Mr. Lambert took me - and that was funny because there is no such thing as patient confidentiality here - which was hard for me to deal with - but oh well.
Other than that we have taken a few adventures - We went to Border market today which is one of the larger markets. It was nice. We spent about 13 american dollars and got 2 types of bannana's - A pineapple - Papaya (PaPa) - Spices - Carrots - Spinach (type stuff) - Pumpkin - Borra Borra - Celery - and a few other things which I can't quite recall. It was awesome. But for ever american dollar its 200 guyanese dollars. So we always carry around 1000 dollar bills which is about 5 dollars. It feels kind of weird.
Mini Buses are kind of Crazy. I always feel like I have another bruise from hitting something getting in and out. But they are fun - and always get us where we need to go. The drivers are already starting to remember us and we've only been here a week!!
I have met a few really awesome people just walking on the street. That has been fun - while walking home I met a really nice girl who talked with me about all sorts of things. She was very sweet.
I suppose I should have more to write - but I am having a hard time thinking - and will try and write more later.
Mail has been coming through - so please send a letter!!
50 Pere Street, Kitty
Georgetown, Guyana
South America
Love Sent!
Ashley
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week One
Dear Friends and Family,
Goodnight! (This is a greeting in Guyana rather than a way to say goodbye - how confusing!)
I can't believe it has almost been a week since I have been here in Georgetown - time seems to run away. I feel as if I just flew in this morning.
The first morning we arrived here at the convent around 9:30 am. The sisters were all very excitied to meet us and it was soo hard to try and memorize names. At this point I had been awake for almost 24 hours. I spent most of the day sleeping - when I got up we ate, hung out, and then went back to bed.
We spent little time resting as early the next morning we went to the hospital for a tour. It is hard to describe the hospital because it is So different from a US hospital. Also, part of the hospital had recently burnt down so many things had been rearannged from how they normally are. The sanitation is ovbiously not the greatest - but the people there try to do the best they can with what they have.
After that we went to Mercy Wings the vocational school where I will be working. They had us sit in on a lecture about classroom management. This was interesting because discipline here is similar to the States but also different. It was hard to understand everything because everyone has such a strong accent. You would think they were speaking a different language rather than english.
After that we went to the Orphanage where I think I feel in love with the cute little boys. They are all very adorable and have TONS of energy. I can't wait to begin working with them more often.
Mr. Lambert the convent driver has been taking us around Georgetown. He is a very funny man - although he drives a little crazy. Everyone here drives a little crazy. The other day we were driving by a cemetary and all of their graves are about ground - he said to me "It is better to die in Guyana" I asked why? and he stated "Because then when Jesus comes you are already above ground". I thought that was very funny.
Sister Denise has taken us shopping and to our new house. I am excitied to move into our own place but do also enjoy living with the sisters here. One of the young sisters here Jouanna has been showing us how to cook Guyanese food. It has been fun - although she likes to cook late at night and by then I am already so tired it is hard to stay awake.
We have been able to go to Daily Mass - the priest is from Ireland and I really enjoy his accent. He is quite funny.
I begin work on Monday morning and have already been into work several times. It has been good to jump right into something - it gives me a pretty predictable routine.
This misquitos here are not quite as bad as I thought that they would be. They are more bad in the sense of all of the diseases they carry. Don't get me wrong - I have plenty of bites to show the fact that there are misquitos but they have not yet driven me out of the country. The heat finally got to me today because there was no breeze compared to the other days when there had been a breeze.
There are so many things that have gone on since I have been here and these few things hardly shead a light onto what I have experience - however I guess it is a small start to help you to understand. I am not yet homesick - however I believe that is because I have not yet had time to think about home. I spend most of my time trying to translate what people are saying into english - or finding the nearest fan to escape the heat. I have enjoyed every moment here and Thank God for the little blessings. I know I will grow in patience as you it is a requirement for entering into a new culture.
I will try and write again soon enough -
Love and prayers,
Ashley
Goodnight! (This is a greeting in Guyana rather than a way to say goodbye - how confusing!)
I can't believe it has almost been a week since I have been here in Georgetown - time seems to run away. I feel as if I just flew in this morning.
The first morning we arrived here at the convent around 9:30 am. The sisters were all very excitied to meet us and it was soo hard to try and memorize names. At this point I had been awake for almost 24 hours. I spent most of the day sleeping - when I got up we ate, hung out, and then went back to bed.
We spent little time resting as early the next morning we went to the hospital for a tour. It is hard to describe the hospital because it is So different from a US hospital. Also, part of the hospital had recently burnt down so many things had been rearannged from how they normally are. The sanitation is ovbiously not the greatest - but the people there try to do the best they can with what they have.
After that we went to Mercy Wings the vocational school where I will be working. They had us sit in on a lecture about classroom management. This was interesting because discipline here is similar to the States but also different. It was hard to understand everything because everyone has such a strong accent. You would think they were speaking a different language rather than english.
After that we went to the Orphanage where I think I feel in love with the cute little boys. They are all very adorable and have TONS of energy. I can't wait to begin working with them more often.
Mr. Lambert the convent driver has been taking us around Georgetown. He is a very funny man - although he drives a little crazy. Everyone here drives a little crazy. The other day we were driving by a cemetary and all of their graves are about ground - he said to me "It is better to die in Guyana" I asked why? and he stated "Because then when Jesus comes you are already above ground". I thought that was very funny.
Sister Denise has taken us shopping and to our new house. I am excitied to move into our own place but do also enjoy living with the sisters here. One of the young sisters here Jouanna has been showing us how to cook Guyanese food. It has been fun - although she likes to cook late at night and by then I am already so tired it is hard to stay awake.
We have been able to go to Daily Mass - the priest is from Ireland and I really enjoy his accent. He is quite funny.
I begin work on Monday morning and have already been into work several times. It has been good to jump right into something - it gives me a pretty predictable routine.
This misquitos here are not quite as bad as I thought that they would be. They are more bad in the sense of all of the diseases they carry. Don't get me wrong - I have plenty of bites to show the fact that there are misquitos but they have not yet driven me out of the country. The heat finally got to me today because there was no breeze compared to the other days when there had been a breeze.
There are so many things that have gone on since I have been here and these few things hardly shead a light onto what I have experience - however I guess it is a small start to help you to understand. I am not yet homesick - however I believe that is because I have not yet had time to think about home. I spend most of my time trying to translate what people are saying into english - or finding the nearest fan to escape the heat. I have enjoyed every moment here and Thank God for the little blessings. I know I will grow in patience as you it is a requirement for entering into a new culture.
I will try and write again soon enough -
Love and prayers,
Ashley
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