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
Whatsoever you do to the least of My people, that you do unto Me.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Arrival in Georgetown
Hello Friends and Family,
I arrived safe and sound in Georgetown this morning at about 7:30 am. After going through customs, waiting in many long times, and driving here we didn't get to the convent til around 9:30 am. Driving here was an experience itself - I think it will take me a little bit to get used to driving on the left side of the road. After we arrived at the convent - I ate a little bit and then it was straight t0 bed as I had been up for over 24 hours straight and couldn't even think clearly. I woke up in the late afternoon and then we all ate dinner together. Its hard to even convey how it feels to be here as it almost seems surreal. Everyone here is so welcoming and hospitible. The only thing more welcoming are the misquitos who seem to like us very much! Tomorrow we are going to tour the Hospital, School, and Orphanage early in the day. Hence the reason I am just about to head right to sleep!
I will update later - wishing you all the best.
Love,
Ashley
I arrived safe and sound in Georgetown this morning at about 7:30 am. After going through customs, waiting in many long times, and driving here we didn't get to the convent til around 9:30 am. Driving here was an experience itself - I think it will take me a little bit to get used to driving on the left side of the road. After we arrived at the convent - I ate a little bit and then it was straight t0 bed as I had been up for over 24 hours straight and couldn't even think clearly. I woke up in the late afternoon and then we all ate dinner together. Its hard to even convey how it feels to be here as it almost seems surreal. Everyone here is so welcoming and hospitible. The only thing more welcoming are the misquitos who seem to like us very much! Tomorrow we are going to tour the Hospital, School, and Orphanage early in the day. Hence the reason I am just about to head right to sleep!
I will update later - wishing you all the best.
Love,
Ashley
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Training in NY
Hello Everyone!!
I just wanted to let everyone know that training in New York is going very well. I have been here for a little less than a week now. I have meet the two girls I will be living with for the next two years and we get along really great. I'm not even saying that to be nice - I sincerely feel really blessed and know that it was divinely inspired.
We have gone over stuff such as the world AIDs pandemic - Culture Shock - Adjusting to a new society - Male/Female roles and many other things. Its only been a few days. Tomorrow we have a day of prayer which will be a nice change I suppose. We are going to also be able to do reflecting out in the Rockefeller woods in NY.
I have meet so many different people here going to so many different places. Please keep them in your prayers as we are all leaving for mission within a month or two.
I hope things are well with you all. You have my thoughts and prayers,
Ashley
I just wanted to let everyone know that training in New York is going very well. I have been here for a little less than a week now. I have meet the two girls I will be living with for the next two years and we get along really great. I'm not even saying that to be nice - I sincerely feel really blessed and know that it was divinely inspired.
We have gone over stuff such as the world AIDs pandemic - Culture Shock - Adjusting to a new society - Male/Female roles and many other things. Its only been a few days. Tomorrow we have a day of prayer which will be a nice change I suppose. We are going to also be able to do reflecting out in the Rockefeller woods in NY.
I have meet so many different people here going to so many different places. Please keep them in your prayers as we are all leaving for mission within a month or two.
I hope things are well with you all. You have my thoughts and prayers,
Ashley
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saying Goodbye
Hello Everyone,
I was sitting with two friends who are very dear to me today and thinking about how blessed I have been in my beginning of saying goodbye or as I would like to think of it "see you later".
While we were talking I was able to realize how blessed I have been in the past year with all of the relationships that have come and gone. Both of my friends are seminarians for the diocese of duluth and today as the three of us were on the lake walk I was able to have a sense of peace that relationships never really end just because you leave someone - rather they just change in appearance. I know there will be many individuals who will support me throughout my two years both emotionally and psychologically and I am grateful for this already.
I leave for training on the morning of July 8th. I will keep you updated with my process!
God Bless~
Ashley
I was sitting with two friends who are very dear to me today and thinking about how blessed I have been in my beginning of saying goodbye or as I would like to think of it "see you later".
While we were talking I was able to realize how blessed I have been in the past year with all of the relationships that have come and gone. Both of my friends are seminarians for the diocese of duluth and today as the three of us were on the lake walk I was able to have a sense of peace that relationships never really end just because you leave someone - rather they just change in appearance. I know there will be many individuals who will support me throughout my two years both emotionally and psychologically and I am grateful for this already.
I leave for training on the morning of July 8th. I will keep you updated with my process!
God Bless~
Ashley
Saturday, June 12, 2010
This is my donation request letter if any of you would like to see it:
Feel free to share with those you may think would be interested!
Dear Friends and Family,
I write to you as a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Morris. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Morris I am ready for my newest adventure in life.
I have been accepted by Mercy Volunteer Corps to work in Guyana, South America. Mercy Volunteer Corps is a lay mission program that works in partnership with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Lay men and women enter into relationship with people who are economically poor and marginalized. In a spirit of mutuality, volunteers cultivate mercy and justice in the world by embracing compassionate service, social justice, spirituality and a simple lifestyle in community.
I will be working in Georgetown, Guyana. Georgetown is Guyana’s capital city. It is located in northern South America, east of Venezuela and west of Suriname. Georgetown sits below sea level and lies just seven degrees north of the Equator. Formerly British Guiana, Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and relates a great deal politically and economically with English-speaking Caribbean nations.
In Georgetown there are three different sites that volunteers will be working at Mercy Wings Vocational Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage. Mercy Wings Vocational Center is a vocational-technical training program for adolescents, ages 15-19 that have not completed traditional school. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital is a non-profit health care facility offering 24-hour care. They offer traditional in patient services as well as outreach programs, such as HIV/AIDS education and testing. St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage holds more than 40 boys age 4-16. Many of them are home-schooled at the Orphanage and are in need of additional tutoring.
Like so many charitable organizations, Mercy Volunteer Corps relies on the financial support of the community to reach out in service to the most vulnerable members of our world. As a Mercy Volunteer, I am an ambassador for the mission of Mercy and ask that you join me in reaching out to be of service to those around us. I’m hoping to raise at least $3000 that will enable me to make a difference not only in the gift of my time and talent at my site of service, but in financial support of the mission of Mercy Volunteer Corps as well. Even a small donation of a few dollars will make a difference and help me to reach (or exceed!) my goal.
There are two different ways to help me reach my goal. The first is by mailing a donation to:
Ashley Harris
811 E Boundary St.
Ely, MN 55731
Please make all checks out to: Mercy Volunteer Corps
And also please note MVC is a non-profit organization and donations can be tax-deductable!!!
The second way is through an online donation. MVC has a communications program called "Extending the Circle", a way to help educate others of the mission of MVC and extend their circle of friends throughout the community, across the nation and around the world. To view my personal "Extending the Circle" page please visit:
mvc.kintera.org/extendingthecircle2010/ashleyharris
Thank you for any and all donations.
If you are interested in keeping updated with what I will be doing Guyana I will also be updating at blog throughout my time. My personal blog will be:
http://lovefromgeorgetown.blogspot.com/
For those of you would who like to be on my e-mail list please e-mail harris.ashleyann@gmail.com . I will be trying to send out updates throughout the 2 year!
This year ahead holds many grace-filled moments for me. Please keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine.
I write to you as a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota Morris. I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Morris I am ready for my newest adventure in life.
I have been accepted by Mercy Volunteer Corps to work in Guyana, South America. Mercy Volunteer Corps is a lay mission program that works in partnership with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Lay men and women enter into relationship with people who are economically poor and marginalized. In a spirit of mutuality, volunteers cultivate mercy and justice in the world by embracing compassionate service, social justice, spirituality and a simple lifestyle in community.
I will be working in Georgetown, Guyana. Georgetown is Guyana’s capital city. It is located in northern South America, east of Venezuela and west of Suriname. Georgetown sits below sea level and lies just seven degrees north of the Equator. Formerly British Guiana, Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and relates a great deal politically and economically with English-speaking Caribbean nations.
In Georgetown there are three different sites that volunteers will be working at Mercy Wings Vocational Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage. Mercy Wings Vocational Center is a vocational-technical training program for adolescents, ages 15-19 that have not completed traditional school. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital is a non-profit health care facility offering 24-hour care. They offer traditional in patient services as well as outreach programs, such as HIV/AIDS education and testing. St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage holds more than 40 boys age 4-16. Many of them are home-schooled at the Orphanage and are in need of additional tutoring.
Like so many charitable organizations, Mercy Volunteer Corps relies on the financial support of the community to reach out in service to the most vulnerable members of our world. As a Mercy Volunteer, I am an ambassador for the mission of Mercy and ask that you join me in reaching out to be of service to those around us. I’m hoping to raise at least $3000 that will enable me to make a difference not only in the gift of my time and talent at my site of service, but in financial support of the mission of Mercy Volunteer Corps as well. Even a small donation of a few dollars will make a difference and help me to reach (or exceed!) my goal.
There are two different ways to help me reach my goal. The first is by mailing a donation to:
Ashley Harris
811 E Boundary St.
Ely, MN 55731
Please make all checks out to: Mercy Volunteer Corps
And also please note MVC is a non-profit organization and donations can be tax-deductable!!!
The second way is through an online donation. MVC has a communications program called "Extending the Circle", a way to help educate others of the mission of MVC and extend their circle of friends throughout the community, across the nation and around the world. To view my personal "Extending the Circle" page please visit:
mvc.kintera.org/extendingthecircle2010/ashleyharris
Thank you for any and all donations.
If you are interested in keeping updated with what I will be doing Guyana I will also be updating at blog throughout my time. My personal blog will be:
http://lovefromgeorgetown.blogspot.com/
For those of you would who like to be on my e-mail list please e-mail harris.ashleyann@gmail.com . I will be trying to send out updates throughout the 2 year!
This year ahead holds many grace-filled moments for me. Please keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Fundraising is on its way!!
Hello!
I decided I should probably post with some fundraising updates. I have officially finished my letters (addressing, sealing, writing notes on them... etc) and they shall be on their way to friends and family monday morning! I am excited. I have already received $330! That means I am 10% done.
Goal: $3,000
Donations: $330
Needed: $2, 670
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation either via mail or online. I am truly amazed at how I just started my fundraising brainstorming a little over two weeks ago and I already have some money!
Currently I am procrastinating from cleaning out my room. I am attempting to get rid of all the "stuff" that I don't need before I leave. I am also going to paint my room so it can be used as more of a guest room since I won't need it for two years. It is always fun, but tiring, to go through all of your stuff. I have thrown away quite a bit of stuff so far and have a lot of stuff to give away. It kind of makes me realize how blessed I am to live so well. I not only have the bare necessities that I would normally need, I have a thousand times more. As I throw stuff away or get ready to get rid of it I realize how much life will change when I leave. I am getting more excited for living a simple life - and I believe this process is helping me prepare for that.
Other than that Vaccines are done, other logistics are getting close to done, passport in hand.
One of my most recent favorite quotes it: What will be, will be.
I believe this is my motto this summer as I prepare for South America. I cannot change anything but myself and my heart. I have to take everything else with trust and faith.
I decided I should probably post with some fundraising updates. I have officially finished my letters (addressing, sealing, writing notes on them... etc) and they shall be on their way to friends and family monday morning! I am excited. I have already received $330! That means I am 10% done.
Goal: $3,000
Donations: $330
Needed: $2, 670
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation either via mail or online. I am truly amazed at how I just started my fundraising brainstorming a little over two weeks ago and I already have some money!
Currently I am procrastinating from cleaning out my room. I am attempting to get rid of all the "stuff" that I don't need before I leave. I am also going to paint my room so it can be used as more of a guest room since I won't need it for two years. It is always fun, but tiring, to go through all of your stuff. I have thrown away quite a bit of stuff so far and have a lot of stuff to give away. It kind of makes me realize how blessed I am to live so well. I not only have the bare necessities that I would normally need, I have a thousand times more. As I throw stuff away or get ready to get rid of it I realize how much life will change when I leave. I am getting more excited for living a simple life - and I believe this process is helping me prepare for that.
Other than that Vaccines are done, other logistics are getting close to done, passport in hand.
One of my most recent favorite quotes it: What will be, will be.
I believe this is my motto this summer as I prepare for South America. I cannot change anything but myself and my heart. I have to take everything else with trust and faith.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Welcome and Thank you!!
I will be updating this blog through my adventure in Georgetown!! Thank you for any support you have already shown and any support in the future.
I am beginning my adventure to get ready to depart for two years!!
So far I have :
1. Gotten my vaccinations
2. Started this blog
3. Paperwork!! :(
4. Began fundraising
Fundraising Goal : $3000
Donations to Date: $10
Needed: $2,990
God Bless!
Ashley
I am beginning my adventure to get ready to depart for two years!!
So far I have :
1. Gotten my vaccinations
2. Started this blog
3. Paperwork!! :(
4. Began fundraising
Fundraising Goal : $3000
Donations to Date: $10
Needed: $2,990
God Bless!
Ashley
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