Hello - or as they say in Guyana "L O",
This has been an interesting week since I have last written, however, I feel as if every week is still very interesting and new.
Last weekend I went out with Sarah and a friend on Friday night. We just wanted to have a very relaxed night so we went to a place that you can sit and people sing karaoke. We basically just sat around and talked for a few hours and then went home. It was actually a lot of fun doing nothing. On Saturday we decided to take a big shopping adventure. Sarah and Audrey both needed new shoes. I knew the area of town where they had a lot of shops better than the two of them because a teacher once took me there after school so I lead us to a few different shoe shops. Sarah found shoes right away - but it took a few hours for Audrey to be able to find shoes - and she actually found them at a store right before the market once we had almost given up and decided just to go to the market. I always enjoy going to the market. There are many interesting things at the market. I really hate the smell sometimes - but that's really only if you go into the inside and you can smell all of the fish. There is one stand in which a younger man stops us every weeks. We did start to buy stuff from him and every time we've bought something from him he tells us how many days before we should eat it - or if we should eat it today - etc and its always very good! We went to a different stand the next week bought the same things for same price but they all went bad on us! So every week since this man has sold us a lot of good Papayas and mangos without them going bad! One lady tried to sell Sarah and I crab oil for our skin - I wasn't too keen on trying to crab oil.
On Sunday we went back up to the Orphanage - hung out with the boys - and then went out to the Sea wall again. I always enjoy sitting out on the sea wall - it may be one of my favorite things here.
During the week we didn't do anything extraordinary. Just getting into the swing of things is always enough. I had to take a few random buses for my job at the hospital this week and I am finally starting to feel really confident in knowing where I am. I've always been one who needs to know where I am in relation to some land marker at all times and I am finally starting to feel confident in knowing where I am. I also have learned a few new bus routes which is really helpful because it makes me feel more independent.
This week there was accusation of a young girl being hit by her boyfriend. I was not surprised by this as there is violence everywhere but rather I was very surprised to the reaction of others to the situation. I had found that there were other young girls that were convinced that it was okay for a boy to hit a girl. And others were saying how if a young man hits a girl it can be something to brag about. There are very little resources for young women who find themselves in abusive relationships which is a very difficult struggle I have come across. Many young women all over the world find themselves in a difficult position because they are convinced that love comes along with violence. I found it ironic that some of my friends in the states were selling shirts at this time that say: "Spread love like violence". I feel like shirts like that should be worn all over. I also feel like people should be interested in trying to improve the lives of others around them. I hate the phrase "Well as long as it makes them happy". I've been thinking about that a lot since I have been here. Some of the young people that I work with each day think violence can be linked with happiness. I am never one to think that we should impose our ideas on others - unless their basic rights as humans are being violated. Many times rather than helping someone we find ourselves as bystanders who hopes that someone else will do something. And let me tell you something - the person behind you is thinking the same things - and the same person behind them is thinking the same thing. The only persons actions you can control and be in charge of is yourself. And you are the only one whose actions you will be accountable for in the end. I had someone once said: When God calls do you answer? Because eventually you can't run away from the question "where were you?".
Anyway. Off my soap box now.
I've also found a love for living in a big city. I never thought I would say that but there is so much joy found in my life by looking out the window of the mini bus and "people watching". I love all of the activity. My whole life I've lived in the quiet serenity of life - and i'm seeing the good on the other end of the spectrum.
One of my friends sent me a letter and a line from his letter really summarizes how I feel here - so without his permission (sorry) I am going to share it with you:
"I have been given the opportunity to love deeply and that love is life to me. I think we may be united in that reality."
He was so right - It doesn't matter that we are on different continents - but what really matters is that each day we wake up with the goal of loving deeply. Often we fail, but we always have the opportunity to try again tomorrow.
I am going to close with a new favorite quote that I have known for a while but that another friend recently sent to me:
"Nothing is more practical thank finding God, i.e., than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way... Fall in love, Stay in love, and it will decide everything." (Fr. Pedro Arrupe S.J.)
Love and prayers,
Ashley Ann
Whatsoever you do to the least of My people, that you do unto Me.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
It's 91 degrees and I'm wearing Jeans
Hello friends and family!!
I hope your week has been good. As my title says its 91 degrees and I find myself wearing jeans.Today we had school sports for the second day in a row which means I can wear whatever kind of clothing I want and so I thought I would try and be like the Guyanese and wear jeans. I guess that I have become very acclimatized because its actually not too hot.
Okay So let me start from the beginning of the week.
Saturday wasn't too exciting. I basically spent the whole day running around. In the morning Sarah and I went to the Market which is always exciting. After we got home I was sitting there and Audrey woke up from her nap and asked if we could go shopping for all of the stuff we needed for our house. We have been needing a few things for a LONG time and finally on Saturday we went and got them.
Sunday was our Parish festival! This was a lot of fun. They set up a bunch of large tents behind the church and had a cook out. They served jerk chicken and cook-up. I really love jerk chicken and I never thought I would say that but it is very good. They played loud and popular music - that is one thing that all three of us were laughing at because we could never see the parishiners at our parish jamming out to Sean Paul. :) After the Parish festival I went with two of the sisters to Mahecia. (I don't know if I spelt that right) This is where there used to be a leper colony and where a few of them still life. By now they have all had the treatment many years ago and are cured of the disease but still have physical ailments because of what the disaese had done to them. I spent some of my time holding a blind mans hand and he talked with me. I really enjoyed my visit there. Leaving there made me feel really grateful for all I have - because the place that they are living in is in serious disrepair and I don't think they get the best medical care in the world. However - they were all very kind and sweet. They enjoyed having us come and speak with them. It was one of the most rewarding things I have done since I have been here. One woman even sang a song for me :)!
On Monday "Nurse Sarah" came to Mercy wings to speak to my girls about health. It was really funny to watch her reaction to the students. It was really rewarding for her to come - but at the same time I wish my students wouldn't have been so shy. When I am up in front of the class room they can ask about 100 questions an hour and when Sarah came they all kind of clammed up. However - that is typical. She wants to come back in a couple of months again maybe - so perhaps they will relax by then. Sarah did get to hold one of my girls 6 month old baby. She has her baby in the day care and often after school while the students are cleaning up I will go collect the baby for her so she can do her duties. It has become one of the best parts of my day because I get to hold a baby! And also the baby loves me. I went into the day care earlier in the day to talk with a teacher and I walked by the baby without stopping to play with her and she screamed - however the other teachers say she doesn't do that for anyone else! Mr. Lambert warned me that I better stop holding her and playing with her or I am going to try and escape to the US with her. :) I wouldn't do that - her mother is a really great mother - and a really good student.
On Tuesday I went into work at the hospital and was there for about 4 hours when they told me that none of the doctors were in today so basically I was free to go. Since I had free time I went up to the orphanage because I knew the nursery boys were out of school already. I really enjoy every minute I get to spend with those boys. They are all so sweet. It was also good to go when only 7 of them were out of school so I got to make a point to spend time with all of them equally rather than when we go on the weekends and its kind of a free for all! One of the boys I picked up wouldn't let me put him down - he kept saying "Miss please don't put me down". I promised him that I would come back soon. This is a promise that is easy for me to keep - because even though I get tired from working at school all day - being with the boys always brings me more energy and joy.
I also had a really interesting conversation with some Guyanese women about how the internet is slowing starting to ruin people here because they become addicted to things like facebook and e-mail. Hmm... sound familiar?
Wednesday was nothing spectacular. I went to work at the hospital after working at the school as we had a special adherence program. By the time I got home I was exhausted ate and went to bed. The one really good thing on Wednesday was that Mr. Lambert gave me a ride home. I think one of my favorite things is I will be randomly walking somewhere and I will see a silver van pull up next to me and yell get it. Lambert will show up in the most random of places and always offers a ride. It doesn't happen often - but the few times it did happen it was hot out so the ride was relieving.
Thursday I went to school and only five students showed up. So I hung out with the cook for the first hour and then I "taught" the students some computer. Basically I got permission to let them play because the rest of the school was having fun at sports. I went to sports for the second half of the day. That was fun because I got to talk to a lot of the students. A lot of the boys have started to talk with me more and I really enjoy speaking with them. They always have something funny to say. They also told me the best place to buy shoes.
That is what I did today I went to sports for the first half - and then I went and bought shoes. I saved up last month and this month stipend and bought a pair because I forgot a pair to wear with jeans. I bought converse on really huge sale - I almost felt like I was stealing them. But well at least then I had more money than I saved!! :)
Well - this is long and wordy - It is hard for me to think of new things to write about so I have a request - I would like you to e-mail me any questions you would like answered in my next weeks blog. (harris.ashleyann@gmail.com)!
Oh ya - we went to adoration/benediction at the Cathedral last night which was a HUGE blessing because they only have adoration once a month for the WHOLE country. Crazy - and normally it is during my work time - but this was special occasion during the novena to the Holy Spirit.
Okay well anyway - I'm off -
Ashley
I hope your week has been good. As my title says its 91 degrees and I find myself wearing jeans.Today we had school sports for the second day in a row which means I can wear whatever kind of clothing I want and so I thought I would try and be like the Guyanese and wear jeans. I guess that I have become very acclimatized because its actually not too hot.
Okay So let me start from the beginning of the week.
Saturday wasn't too exciting. I basically spent the whole day running around. In the morning Sarah and I went to the Market which is always exciting. After we got home I was sitting there and Audrey woke up from her nap and asked if we could go shopping for all of the stuff we needed for our house. We have been needing a few things for a LONG time and finally on Saturday we went and got them.
Sunday was our Parish festival! This was a lot of fun. They set up a bunch of large tents behind the church and had a cook out. They served jerk chicken and cook-up. I really love jerk chicken and I never thought I would say that but it is very good. They played loud and popular music - that is one thing that all three of us were laughing at because we could never see the parishiners at our parish jamming out to Sean Paul. :) After the Parish festival I went with two of the sisters to Mahecia. (I don't know if I spelt that right) This is where there used to be a leper colony and where a few of them still life. By now they have all had the treatment many years ago and are cured of the disease but still have physical ailments because of what the disaese had done to them. I spent some of my time holding a blind mans hand and he talked with me. I really enjoyed my visit there. Leaving there made me feel really grateful for all I have - because the place that they are living in is in serious disrepair and I don't think they get the best medical care in the world. However - they were all very kind and sweet. They enjoyed having us come and speak with them. It was one of the most rewarding things I have done since I have been here. One woman even sang a song for me :)!
On Monday "Nurse Sarah" came to Mercy wings to speak to my girls about health. It was really funny to watch her reaction to the students. It was really rewarding for her to come - but at the same time I wish my students wouldn't have been so shy. When I am up in front of the class room they can ask about 100 questions an hour and when Sarah came they all kind of clammed up. However - that is typical. She wants to come back in a couple of months again maybe - so perhaps they will relax by then. Sarah did get to hold one of my girls 6 month old baby. She has her baby in the day care and often after school while the students are cleaning up I will go collect the baby for her so she can do her duties. It has become one of the best parts of my day because I get to hold a baby! And also the baby loves me. I went into the day care earlier in the day to talk with a teacher and I walked by the baby without stopping to play with her and she screamed - however the other teachers say she doesn't do that for anyone else! Mr. Lambert warned me that I better stop holding her and playing with her or I am going to try and escape to the US with her. :) I wouldn't do that - her mother is a really great mother - and a really good student.
On Tuesday I went into work at the hospital and was there for about 4 hours when they told me that none of the doctors were in today so basically I was free to go. Since I had free time I went up to the orphanage because I knew the nursery boys were out of school already. I really enjoy every minute I get to spend with those boys. They are all so sweet. It was also good to go when only 7 of them were out of school so I got to make a point to spend time with all of them equally rather than when we go on the weekends and its kind of a free for all! One of the boys I picked up wouldn't let me put him down - he kept saying "Miss please don't put me down". I promised him that I would come back soon. This is a promise that is easy for me to keep - because even though I get tired from working at school all day - being with the boys always brings me more energy and joy.
I also had a really interesting conversation with some Guyanese women about how the internet is slowing starting to ruin people here because they become addicted to things like facebook and e-mail. Hmm... sound familiar?
Wednesday was nothing spectacular. I went to work at the hospital after working at the school as we had a special adherence program. By the time I got home I was exhausted ate and went to bed. The one really good thing on Wednesday was that Mr. Lambert gave me a ride home. I think one of my favorite things is I will be randomly walking somewhere and I will see a silver van pull up next to me and yell get it. Lambert will show up in the most random of places and always offers a ride. It doesn't happen often - but the few times it did happen it was hot out so the ride was relieving.
Thursday I went to school and only five students showed up. So I hung out with the cook for the first hour and then I "taught" the students some computer. Basically I got permission to let them play because the rest of the school was having fun at sports. I went to sports for the second half of the day. That was fun because I got to talk to a lot of the students. A lot of the boys have started to talk with me more and I really enjoy speaking with them. They always have something funny to say. They also told me the best place to buy shoes.
That is what I did today I went to sports for the first half - and then I went and bought shoes. I saved up last month and this month stipend and bought a pair because I forgot a pair to wear with jeans. I bought converse on really huge sale - I almost felt like I was stealing them. But well at least then I had more money than I saved!! :)
Well - this is long and wordy - It is hard for me to think of new things to write about so I have a request - I would like you to e-mail me any questions you would like answered in my next weeks blog. (harris.ashleyann@gmail.com)!
Oh ya - we went to adoration/benediction at the Cathedral last night which was a HUGE blessing because they only have adoration once a month for the WHOLE country. Crazy - and normally it is during my work time - but this was special occasion during the novena to the Holy Spirit.
Okay well anyway - I'm off -
Ashley
Friday, October 8, 2010
Happy Birthday Grandpa! :)
Today is my Grandpa's Birthday - Happy Birthday from down South. :)
I am on a little early today because I had to take my girls to "The Palms" today. This is the government run nursing home. Now - when a Guyanese tells you that they have shock going there - you can only imagine the shock that I had experienced. We simply took a tour around and it is hard to describe in words the experience. The Guyanese teacher that I was with decided that she had to leave early because she was so sorrowfully moved by what we saw. Now I could focus on the negative but in this moment I actually had a lot to be joyful about. My girls after we were done asked if they could go and work with the patients and "platt" their hair. (Put it in cornrolls) This was a really huge blessing because its so hott many of them want their hair done they just don't have anyone to do it for them. All of my girls are very sweet and I really enjoy getting up for work in the morning to be with them. Don't get me wrong - there are many struggles every day - but my girls are what keeps me going.
This week since I last wrote has been good. We've started to have a few more vistors - come over, watch tv and just hang out. I've decided that I need to start writing down small instances each day because otherwise I forget by the time that I get to writing my blog. One of my favorite moments this week is I am helping a boy read and another girl came and sat with us who reads at an even lower level than him. He pushed the book over to her and she started to read - rather than him getting frustrated at her slowness he started to tutor her with the words and then when they got to a word that they both didn't know they would look at me. I really enjoy working with them both on my lunch break.
Mr. Lambert took us out on wednesday night to two different "bars". Now they are nothing like a bar. There are just a place where there is tabels and chairs and you can go find a person and buy a beer. Now at the first place I had no idea who we would have asked if Lambert wasn't with us. But it was good because we just sat around and talked. He is really good at showing us around Georgetown.
Today I was walking down the road and walking towards the bus stop when I see a bus conductor call out to me "Kitty/Cambaville" - this is the right bus. So I get on and the bus driver asks the conductor where I am going and he says Pere Street. I started to laugh to myself because no where in here had I told the conductor where I was going. They really have started to remember me and where I am going. I actually was thinking about how the mini bus may be one of my favorite parts about Georgetown. There is always a random smattering of people. Now don't get me wrong there are crabby conductors - but for the most part i've had a really good experience. Especially because we use the same buses over and over that they wouldn't want to make you mad because each bus is its own independent company.
I don't think I will ever get used to walking down the road and seeing random animals. And now - i'm not talking about roads on the edge of town, but everywhere. There was a goat outside of house the other night just wandering. One time I was "down by town" - busy area where the major market is - and I saw a random donkey - not tied up no one looking after it, just wandering around.
I did have some sad news this week when I found out the Sister of Mercy that I ate dinner with in Detroit passed away. She was a very sweet and beautiful soul and I was glad that I had met her. She was a very driven and motivated person.
Well anyway, I just came on here for a few minutes today to check something - so until next time wishing you the best.
Love,
Ashley
I am on a little early today because I had to take my girls to "The Palms" today. This is the government run nursing home. Now - when a Guyanese tells you that they have shock going there - you can only imagine the shock that I had experienced. We simply took a tour around and it is hard to describe in words the experience. The Guyanese teacher that I was with decided that she had to leave early because she was so sorrowfully moved by what we saw. Now I could focus on the negative but in this moment I actually had a lot to be joyful about. My girls after we were done asked if they could go and work with the patients and "platt" their hair. (Put it in cornrolls) This was a really huge blessing because its so hott many of them want their hair done they just don't have anyone to do it for them. All of my girls are very sweet and I really enjoy getting up for work in the morning to be with them. Don't get me wrong - there are many struggles every day - but my girls are what keeps me going.
This week since I last wrote has been good. We've started to have a few more vistors - come over, watch tv and just hang out. I've decided that I need to start writing down small instances each day because otherwise I forget by the time that I get to writing my blog. One of my favorite moments this week is I am helping a boy read and another girl came and sat with us who reads at an even lower level than him. He pushed the book over to her and she started to read - rather than him getting frustrated at her slowness he started to tutor her with the words and then when they got to a word that they both didn't know they would look at me. I really enjoy working with them both on my lunch break.
Mr. Lambert took us out on wednesday night to two different "bars". Now they are nothing like a bar. There are just a place where there is tabels and chairs and you can go find a person and buy a beer. Now at the first place I had no idea who we would have asked if Lambert wasn't with us. But it was good because we just sat around and talked. He is really good at showing us around Georgetown.
Today I was walking down the road and walking towards the bus stop when I see a bus conductor call out to me "Kitty/Cambaville" - this is the right bus. So I get on and the bus driver asks the conductor where I am going and he says Pere Street. I started to laugh to myself because no where in here had I told the conductor where I was going. They really have started to remember me and where I am going. I actually was thinking about how the mini bus may be one of my favorite parts about Georgetown. There is always a random smattering of people. Now don't get me wrong there are crabby conductors - but for the most part i've had a really good experience. Especially because we use the same buses over and over that they wouldn't want to make you mad because each bus is its own independent company.
I don't think I will ever get used to walking down the road and seeing random animals. And now - i'm not talking about roads on the edge of town, but everywhere. There was a goat outside of house the other night just wandering. One time I was "down by town" - busy area where the major market is - and I saw a random donkey - not tied up no one looking after it, just wandering around.
I did have some sad news this week when I found out the Sister of Mercy that I ate dinner with in Detroit passed away. She was a very sweet and beautiful soul and I was glad that I had met her. She was a very driven and motivated person.
Well anyway, I just came on here for a few minutes today to check something - so until next time wishing you the best.
Love,
Ashley
Sunday, October 3, 2010
New York Yankees and Sunburn
Hello All!!
I can't believe I've already been here a month!! On September 1st it was officially one month in Guyana. This means that we have exactly 22 months to go. Our commitment is 24 months but we already completed a month of training in the states before we left - therefore we are technically in Guyana exactly 23 months. (coming back July 2012) Anyway. This week has been crazy but good.
I may have mentioned here already that people here always were sports gear from the States. I never go anywhere without seeing someone wearing a NYY hat. I have made an outlandish claim that the Yankee's probably make all of their money by exploiting developing nations by selling their gear to them. The thing is everyone here really loves cricket - but I never see any sort of cricket team gear. Oh well. Anyway.
This week work went well. On tuesday at the hospital I had to give out surveys to all of the individuals who would come in for a variety of reasons to our program. This was good and made the day go by fast. The survey was put together by the government and all programs have to have all of their patients fill it out. I got to talk one on one with a lot of people after as they were waiting for their appointment and I really enjoyed hearing peoples stories.
At mercy wings things are still going well - but I also do feel some stress. I feel as if part of that is because of me still having a hard time with understanding everything everyone says. I have a very type A personality so I like things to be organized but I need to learn to relax and realize that everything will get done as it needs to get done. Not everyone needs to do everything in advance :)
I guess all three of us are starting to encounter our different crosses. We've had some really interesting talks about things that have gone on and at least we have each other to process things with.
I've also noticed that all of my girls always have headaches and feel sick. At least one of them comes to school with a fever almost every day and they never seem well. Even my girls who wouldn't try and pull something over me have gotten sick at least once. I guess that is really frustrating for a number of reasons - one because they only eat high sugar foods. Now this is no different than the students in America! Very few of them eat breakfast - and then instead of eating breakfast they drink pop and eat pastries at "snack" time. Then at lunch time they drink another pop. I think this is a problem all over the world and wish that there was an increase in desire for proper nutrition. At first its easy to judge and wonder why they don't eat healthier - but at the same time... its everywhere! I asked all of the students at sports what they had ate for breakfast that morning and only one of them said oatmeal. All of the other foods were either - a glucose packet - nothing - or the one random kid who told me he had a pop and a hot dog - (For those of you who know me - I think hot dogs are the grossest thing ever - personal preferance)!!! So once someone figures out how to get American students to eat a proper breakfast let me know so I can get everyone here to do it as well!! :)
Anyway. On Thursday we went to the Guyanese education fair. That was good - one of my girls has a 6 month old so I held the baby for her while she was walking around and it fell asleep. It was super cute. All of my students were amazing that when the music started to play I knew all of the words to songs like - "Airplane" and "You belong with me" by taylor swift. I think I showed a little bit of how young I am to them. But oh well :) After the fair one of my students lives near where I did so I asked if I could walk with him to the bus park to catch a 40. One of the other teachers was with us and she suggested we walk the long way so that I could see a particular street. Eventually we split off as the teacher had to go a different way and I was walking with two of my boys and it was kind of funny because they started to say "Miss - are you afraid"? "you don't need to be afraid because you're with us - and well I know people". I laughed I wasn't actually afraid I guess I just really don't like walking in a crowd of people. When we were walking we were talking and one boy goes to me "Miss - You're guyanese now - because God made us all and you are now in Guyana so that means you are one of us". He is very sweet and it made me laugh a little bit. I would say that if you came to a day of school you would think the students are "brown nosers" but I've really learned that they are always like that with teachers and hold a lot of respect for the teachers even when they misbehave. This was interesting because it really showed me that the culture is a lot about respecting others.
Anyway. On thursday night some of the boys from the boys home (those who have left the orphanage and are between 16-26ish) came and took us to Guy-expo which was like the equivalent to a carnival with craft booths and food. We ate dinner with them and it was kind of like having three brothers. They are all very sweet and nice. I would say that they are actually also very aware of our needs. And very over-protective. One guy came up and was standing next to me and one of the boys goes "did he talk to you? Did he touch you? Are you okay?" I had to laugh because he was just standing next to me. But at least they were over protective. It was good to go out and do something. They also speak with us in more "American" English - and then will throw in guyanese words and explain it to us. I think they know more what we understand and what we don't because many of them hung out with the past volunteer Katie and know some of the even more previous volunteers. We also tried a little bit of the rum because they had huge rums booths. Everyone knows how I hate the taste of hard alcohol but from the small taste it kind of tasted like candy. I feel like if I drank more I would enjoy drinking this type of rum. It is made right here in Guyana and is "the best rum in the world" or at least that is what they claim. I would have to argue for someone who doesn't normally drink much the small taste was slightly convincing.
Anyway Saturday night we went to a fundraiser for the hospital which was fun. I sat at Sister Katherine's table which the Bishop was also sitting at. It was interesting to have a conversation with him and he explained to us a little bit more of the Catholic Situation in Guyana. He was a very gentle and humble man and I look forward to being able to see him again. I also found out that there is only one place in the country where they have adoration once a month for a few hours and also there is no where that has a set confession time in the whole country. That was kind of crazy to think about. Sometimes at the Cathedral before sunday night Mass the old Bishop will hear confessions if his health is good. But anyway. It was a good fundraiser with good food and dancing. So at least that was fun.
Well I should get going - as always there is so much more to tell but never enough time. Oh ya - I got my very first sunburn this week! Not bad one month and one sunburn!! :)
Wishing everyone the best,
Ashley
I can't believe I've already been here a month!! On September 1st it was officially one month in Guyana. This means that we have exactly 22 months to go. Our commitment is 24 months but we already completed a month of training in the states before we left - therefore we are technically in Guyana exactly 23 months. (coming back July 2012) Anyway. This week has been crazy but good.
I may have mentioned here already that people here always were sports gear from the States. I never go anywhere without seeing someone wearing a NYY hat. I have made an outlandish claim that the Yankee's probably make all of their money by exploiting developing nations by selling their gear to them. The thing is everyone here really loves cricket - but I never see any sort of cricket team gear. Oh well. Anyway.
This week work went well. On tuesday at the hospital I had to give out surveys to all of the individuals who would come in for a variety of reasons to our program. This was good and made the day go by fast. The survey was put together by the government and all programs have to have all of their patients fill it out. I got to talk one on one with a lot of people after as they were waiting for their appointment and I really enjoyed hearing peoples stories.
At mercy wings things are still going well - but I also do feel some stress. I feel as if part of that is because of me still having a hard time with understanding everything everyone says. I have a very type A personality so I like things to be organized but I need to learn to relax and realize that everything will get done as it needs to get done. Not everyone needs to do everything in advance :)
I guess all three of us are starting to encounter our different crosses. We've had some really interesting talks about things that have gone on and at least we have each other to process things with.
I've also noticed that all of my girls always have headaches and feel sick. At least one of them comes to school with a fever almost every day and they never seem well. Even my girls who wouldn't try and pull something over me have gotten sick at least once. I guess that is really frustrating for a number of reasons - one because they only eat high sugar foods. Now this is no different than the students in America! Very few of them eat breakfast - and then instead of eating breakfast they drink pop and eat pastries at "snack" time. Then at lunch time they drink another pop. I think this is a problem all over the world and wish that there was an increase in desire for proper nutrition. At first its easy to judge and wonder why they don't eat healthier - but at the same time... its everywhere! I asked all of the students at sports what they had ate for breakfast that morning and only one of them said oatmeal. All of the other foods were either - a glucose packet - nothing - or the one random kid who told me he had a pop and a hot dog - (For those of you who know me - I think hot dogs are the grossest thing ever - personal preferance)!!! So once someone figures out how to get American students to eat a proper breakfast let me know so I can get everyone here to do it as well!! :)
Anyway. On Thursday we went to the Guyanese education fair. That was good - one of my girls has a 6 month old so I held the baby for her while she was walking around and it fell asleep. It was super cute. All of my students were amazing that when the music started to play I knew all of the words to songs like - "Airplane" and "You belong with me" by taylor swift. I think I showed a little bit of how young I am to them. But oh well :) After the fair one of my students lives near where I did so I asked if I could walk with him to the bus park to catch a 40. One of the other teachers was with us and she suggested we walk the long way so that I could see a particular street. Eventually we split off as the teacher had to go a different way and I was walking with two of my boys and it was kind of funny because they started to say "Miss - are you afraid"? "you don't need to be afraid because you're with us - and well I know people". I laughed I wasn't actually afraid I guess I just really don't like walking in a crowd of people. When we were walking we were talking and one boy goes to me "Miss - You're guyanese now - because God made us all and you are now in Guyana so that means you are one of us". He is very sweet and it made me laugh a little bit. I would say that if you came to a day of school you would think the students are "brown nosers" but I've really learned that they are always like that with teachers and hold a lot of respect for the teachers even when they misbehave. This was interesting because it really showed me that the culture is a lot about respecting others.
Anyway. On thursday night some of the boys from the boys home (those who have left the orphanage and are between 16-26ish) came and took us to Guy-expo which was like the equivalent to a carnival with craft booths and food. We ate dinner with them and it was kind of like having three brothers. They are all very sweet and nice. I would say that they are actually also very aware of our needs. And very over-protective. One guy came up and was standing next to me and one of the boys goes "did he talk to you? Did he touch you? Are you okay?" I had to laugh because he was just standing next to me. But at least they were over protective. It was good to go out and do something. They also speak with us in more "American" English - and then will throw in guyanese words and explain it to us. I think they know more what we understand and what we don't because many of them hung out with the past volunteer Katie and know some of the even more previous volunteers. We also tried a little bit of the rum because they had huge rums booths. Everyone knows how I hate the taste of hard alcohol but from the small taste it kind of tasted like candy. I feel like if I drank more I would enjoy drinking this type of rum. It is made right here in Guyana and is "the best rum in the world" or at least that is what they claim. I would have to argue for someone who doesn't normally drink much the small taste was slightly convincing.
Anyway Saturday night we went to a fundraiser for the hospital which was fun. I sat at Sister Katherine's table which the Bishop was also sitting at. It was interesting to have a conversation with him and he explained to us a little bit more of the Catholic Situation in Guyana. He was a very gentle and humble man and I look forward to being able to see him again. I also found out that there is only one place in the country where they have adoration once a month for a few hours and also there is no where that has a set confession time in the whole country. That was kind of crazy to think about. Sometimes at the Cathedral before sunday night Mass the old Bishop will hear confessions if his health is good. But anyway. It was a good fundraiser with good food and dancing. So at least that was fun.
Well I should get going - as always there is so much more to tell but never enough time. Oh ya - I got my very first sunburn this week! Not bad one month and one sunburn!! :)
Wishing everyone the best,
Ashley
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Learning the Language
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
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
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
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