Blogger's Note: I will not be able to access the internet next week, so there won't be any posts until the weekend after Easter Sunday.
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Thursday 3/22
I was supposed to give my Form 2B class their end of term exam in the afternoon. I was waiting for the students to be dismissed for lunch, but instead they were dismissed from school. After inquiring about the abrupt alteration in the schedule, I found out that the school’s septic tank was broken and the children were playing in the dirty water. This being a health hazard, the school was to close by order of the Ministry until the tanks were fixed.
Thanks for letting me know so I could plan accordingly. Ummm…and did I hug any students today?
Friday 3/23
I walked into school not expecting the septic tanks to have been fixed, but hoping for the best. They weren’t fixed. I asked if school was to be dismissed, and the Headmaster hadn’t given any direction, so things remained stagnant and a bit chaotic. I took this opportunity and quickly grabbed my Form 2B students, even though I wasn’t timetabled to teach them, and administered the exam in the middle of the confusion. The Headmaster decides to call another half day since the tanks were still broken.
Exposing the students for only half a day to the contaminated water is deemed safe, but not a full day. Got it.
Monday 3/26
It’s the last week of school before Easter break. The tanks were still broken and it had rained heavily all night and morning and spread the dirty water through parts of the compound. The flies that usually swarm around the classrooms have now tripled. At 10am, the teachers were fed up with the situation and asked the Headmaster to call off school again. He doesn’t. At 11am they mobilize, and at 11:30 most of the teachers walk out. Seeing that the teachers had left, I approached the Headmaster to ask him if I should dismiss the students.
Me: Sir, all the teachers are gone. Would you like me to dismiss Form 2?
HM: No Miss, today is not a half day. You can’t dismiss the children.
Me: But Sir, they don’t have any teachers to teach them. What do you want them to do?
HM: I cannot give you a decision as yet. Tell them to come back after lunch and we’ll see what happens.
Me: But Sir, they’re just going to sit here with nothing to do.
HM: Miss. Please give me a minute to make a decision.
Another teacher then goes into the back and tells all the children to leave. The rest of us follow suit.
Decision makers may not be the ones making the decisions.
Tuesday 3/27
It’s announced in the morning that today will be the last day of school since Guyana is hosting the Cricket World Cup. Three days of education is lost and may or may not be compensated for in July. The Headmaster has decided not to come to school. The second in charge is not here either. I approach the third down the line to ask him if the tanks will be fixed and if it’s safe to keep the kids in school. He doesn’t know the answer and phones the Ministry to inquire. The Ministry informs him that the Headmaster was supposed to evacuate the students until the problem was fixed, but the message never got to the children. The students slowly filter out around 10am, and after they have all left, the teachers leave at 11:30.
Welcome to Soesdyke Community High. Please keep your shoes on as you enter the compound.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Not Over Cricket
According to what people have been telling me, The Cricket World Cup is the third most watched sport around the world after the Olympics and Soccer World Cup. The West Indies are hosting the games this year, and Guyana has built a beautiful stadium and hotel solely for this purpose. The World Cup has contributed to many changes in Guyana, so I’ve made a list of the top ten things that Cricket has changed for me:
10. I realized that Cricket is not the same game as Croquet.
9. Now whenever I walk down the street with other volunteers, locals keep shouting, “Hey tourist! You like Cricket?”
8. All the local establishments we frequent are now filled with more white people than ever. It feels so weird.
7. I now have three extra days of vacation since the country has shut down its schools nation-wide, just for the games occurring near the capital.
6. I finally have a place to throw my trash now that the government has installed trash cans on most street corners so tourists don’t contribute to the excessive littering.
5. Shop owners have become a bit more customer service oriented because they think we’re tourists.
4. My mini-bus rides now take 10 minutes longer due to the traffic and construction around the cricket stadium. The roads were still being paved the day before the game started.
3. Paying for the cheapest tickets on the field has left myself and other white volunteers with painful red sunburns. My Asian glow has now extended to when I’m not drinking as well.
2. After watching the England vs. Ireland game, I realized that England’s flag is not the same as Great Britain’s flag. (Seriously? They let people like me teach?)
1. I’ve finally found a game that lasts longer than baseball: 50 overs each team can last a lifetime.
10. I realized that Cricket is not the same game as Croquet.
9. Now whenever I walk down the street with other volunteers, locals keep shouting, “Hey tourist! You like Cricket?”
8. All the local establishments we frequent are now filled with more white people than ever. It feels so weird.
7. I now have three extra days of vacation since the country has shut down its schools nation-wide, just for the games occurring near the capital.
6. I finally have a place to throw my trash now that the government has installed trash cans on most street corners so tourists don’t contribute to the excessive littering.
5. Shop owners have become a bit more customer service oriented because they think we’re tourists.
4. My mini-bus rides now take 10 minutes longer due to the traffic and construction around the cricket stadium. The roads were still being paved the day before the game started.
3. Paying for the cheapest tickets on the field has left myself and other white volunteers with painful red sunburns. My Asian glow has now extended to when I’m not drinking as well.
2. After watching the England vs. Ireland game, I realized that England’s flag is not the same as Great Britain’s flag. (Seriously? They let people like me teach?)
1. I’ve finally found a game that lasts longer than baseball: 50 overs each team can last a lifetime.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Almost a New Term-inology
It’s nearing the end of the term, which means it’s time for tests again. If these tests were scored based on creative or amusing definitions and answers, my students would definitely have gotten higher marks. Here are a few answers that make grading my humongous stack of 200 tests, 200 notebooks, and 50 reports a more enjoyable task.
Question: What does the term “mores” mean?
Student’s Answer: When you have more than one
Student’s Answer: You are working somewhere you don’t have enogh money you ask for more
Student’s Answer: A moran is good behaviour
Question: Give an example of a norm.
Student’s Answer: do not speak if you are spooking to
Student’s Answer: I put Mashramani for folkway
Student’s Answer: porfect condock
Question: What is one way trade unions can protest for change?
Student’s Answer: Buy running away
Student’s Answer: Trade union can protest by writing on a cardboard and go on the road march
Student’s Answer: When you is in Guyana and Guyana water is not pure and Englion water is pure you go to Englion
Question: Why do workers join trade unions?
Student’s Answer: because they want food and clowdin (clothing)
Student’s Answer: because the work very hard for libbet (little bit) money
Student’s Answer: Workers join trade unions is to get money to that they can eat.
Student’s Answer: becouse they not Eduction
Student’s Answer: workers join trade unions because the want the goods to trade for something else or because when the did not have something the could trade it for a nother.
Question: When writing an essay, what is the purpose of paragraphs?
Student’s Answer: a purpose of a essay is dat when you dowet (do it) you get marks
Student’s Answer: The purpose of paragraphs is make sure you don’t get mix up with the other won and it help you keep a distance
Student’s Answer: Paragraph is a relgus holiday
Question: Name three household pests. (Taken from the Home Economics test)
Student’s Answer: flies, roaches and children
Question: What does the term “mores” mean?
Student’s Answer: When you have more than one
Student’s Answer: You are working somewhere you don’t have enogh money you ask for more
Student’s Answer: A moran is good behaviour
Question: Give an example of a norm.
Student’s Answer: do not speak if you are spooking to
Student’s Answer: I put Mashramani for folkway
Student’s Answer: porfect condock
Question: What is one way trade unions can protest for change?
Student’s Answer: Buy running away
Student’s Answer: Trade union can protest by writing on a cardboard and go on the road march
Student’s Answer: When you is in Guyana and Guyana water is not pure and Englion water is pure you go to Englion
Question: Why do workers join trade unions?
Student’s Answer: because they want food and clowdin (clothing)
Student’s Answer: because the work very hard for libbet (little bit) money
Student’s Answer: Workers join trade unions is to get money to that they can eat.
Student’s Answer: becouse they not Eduction
Student’s Answer: workers join trade unions because the want the goods to trade for something else or because when the did not have something the could trade it for a nother.
Question: When writing an essay, what is the purpose of paragraphs?
Student’s Answer: a purpose of a essay is dat when you dowet (do it) you get marks
Student’s Answer: The purpose of paragraphs is make sure you don’t get mix up with the other won and it help you keep a distance
Student’s Answer: Paragraph is a relgus holiday
Question: Name three household pests. (Taken from the Home Economics test)
Student’s Answer: flies, roaches and children
The Anatomy of a Mini-bus
I remember trying to explain the concept of a mini-bus to one of my friends, and realized that if someone had never ridden one before then they wouldn’t be able to understand what I was saying. This post is inspired from that conversation. I’ve complied tips on optimizing mini-bus experiences should anyone ever need to ride one.
Music Matters
Depending on what kind of music the mini-bus plays, it will dictate the type of ride passengers experience.
- Hard Core Reggae Music: If this type of music is blasting when it picks up people on the road, it will be guaranteed that a few men will be doing the Passa-Passa dance move in their seats. The drivers are usually more aggressive and tend to speed, swerve, and tailgate.
- Top 3 Hits: This is similar to the Top 40 Hits in the US, but people here play the same 3 songs over and over. (Currently one of them is Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”) Everyone in this bus will think they are trying out for Guyana Idol and belt out tunes at the top of their lungs. Drivers are mildly aggressive.
- Jesus Music: If a bus plays gospel music, it will strictly adhere to all traffic laws. It will not pass any cars on the road, not even the heavy sluggish tractors or horse-drawn carts. This bus is not recommended to those who are in a hurry or late for an appointment. The best thing to do is wait for a Hard Core bus that may pass by 10 minutes later. It will still arrive before the Jesus busses.
Seating Situations
Where a person is seated on the bus is also crucial in the traveling experience. There are no isles or walk-ways on these busses in order to cram as many people as possible. Those getting short drops are not recommended to sit in the back corners of the bus or else everyone is forced to exit, although this shuffling is extremely common and not seen as a hassle.
Music Matters
Depending on what kind of music the mini-bus plays, it will dictate the type of ride passengers experience.
- Hard Core Reggae Music: If this type of music is blasting when it picks up people on the road, it will be guaranteed that a few men will be doing the Passa-Passa dance move in their seats. The drivers are usually more aggressive and tend to speed, swerve, and tailgate.
- Top 3 Hits: This is similar to the Top 40 Hits in the US, but people here play the same 3 songs over and over. (Currently one of them is Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”) Everyone in this bus will think they are trying out for Guyana Idol and belt out tunes at the top of their lungs. Drivers are mildly aggressive.
- Jesus Music: If a bus plays gospel music, it will strictly adhere to all traffic laws. It will not pass any cars on the road, not even the heavy sluggish tractors or horse-drawn carts. This bus is not recommended to those who are in a hurry or late for an appointment. The best thing to do is wait for a Hard Core bus that may pass by 10 minutes later. It will still arrive before the Jesus busses.
Seating Situations
Where a person is seated on the bus is also crucial in the traveling experience. There are no isles or walk-ways on these busses in order to cram as many people as possible. Those getting short drops are not recommended to sit in the back corners of the bus or else everyone is forced to exit, although this shuffling is extremely common and not seen as a hassle.
Bus Etiquette
There is a certain sense of camaraderie when riding the busses. Most people are willing to sacrifice the comfort of a regular seat and be awkwardly crammed in order to accommodate a handful of extra (illegal) passengers so everyone may get a ride. The bus drivers will also make multiple stops, per the passengers’ request, and the conductor will dash across the road to run the passenger’s errands. However, this kindness disappears when there is a crowd waiting for a bus. “Love thy neighbor” becomes “shove thy neighbor.” All bets are off and the pushing and stampeding commences in order to secure a seat.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Flying High
Blogger’s Note: Nobody celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in Guyana except for silly Americans volunteers with no Irish heritage, but are just looking for an excuse to have fun. I’m one those people. Point being my time at the internet today is very limited so there will only be one post. Sorry!
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There are lots of moments when I say to myself, “Only in Guyana could this happen.” Most of the time it’s something like seeing a family of four ride a bicycle or having someone at the shop sit around and not assist you even when you ask. This past Sunday I had a completely impromptu experience that wouldn’t have happened if I was still back in the States.
I was planning on a fun day of doing laundry and cleaning the house. In the middle of my chores, I was interrupted by a phone call spontaneously inviting me to fly to a tiny resort off of the Essequibo River. I immediately jumped at the opportunity and scrambled as quickly as possible for the last-minute affair. Two other volunteers and I met the pilot and a friend at the tiny airport near town. The five of us boarded a 5 seater plane and flew 20 minutes across part of the country.
Our altitude was low enough so that I could see the colorful rooftops, endless green forests, and speedboats floating along the coast. When we arrived, I felt like I was in a completely different world. The plane landed on a 100 foot-long runway and parked on a tiny concrete square black. We were basically in the middle of the bush. A car was waiting for us and drove about 5 minutes through a tiny dirt road, and we ended up at Lake Mainstay Resort.
The sand was white, the water was red (as are all the creeks in Guyana), and the food and drinks kept coming. As we waded in the warm lake, I looked up at the sky cherishing the moment and relishing in the fact I wasn’t scrubbing my toilet.
On the way back from an amazing afternoon, I was granted the co-pilot seat and sat in cockpit staring down at complicated buttons, levers, and meters. I began asking the pilot a few questions about flying and he ran through a short list of basics. Then, to my surprise, he let go of the controls and told me to fly us home. I tightly gripped the wheel, used the coastline as a guide, and flew a small plane across Guyana. It was one of the most amazing things I had ever done. And for the remainder of the day, I was on cloud nine and a complete high. (pun intended.)
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There are lots of moments when I say to myself, “Only in Guyana could this happen.” Most of the time it’s something like seeing a family of four ride a bicycle or having someone at the shop sit around and not assist you even when you ask. This past Sunday I had a completely impromptu experience that wouldn’t have happened if I was still back in the States.
I was planning on a fun day of doing laundry and cleaning the house. In the middle of my chores, I was interrupted by a phone call spontaneously inviting me to fly to a tiny resort off of the Essequibo River. I immediately jumped at the opportunity and scrambled as quickly as possible for the last-minute affair. Two other volunteers and I met the pilot and a friend at the tiny airport near town. The five of us boarded a 5 seater plane and flew 20 minutes across part of the country.
Our altitude was low enough so that I could see the colorful rooftops, endless green forests, and speedboats floating along the coast. When we arrived, I felt like I was in a completely different world. The plane landed on a 100 foot-long runway and parked on a tiny concrete square black. We were basically in the middle of the bush. A car was waiting for us and drove about 5 minutes through a tiny dirt road, and we ended up at Lake Mainstay Resort.
The sand was white, the water was red (as are all the creeks in Guyana), and the food and drinks kept coming. As we waded in the warm lake, I looked up at the sky cherishing the moment and relishing in the fact I wasn’t scrubbing my toilet.
On the way back from an amazing afternoon, I was granted the co-pilot seat and sat in cockpit staring down at complicated buttons, levers, and meters. I began asking the pilot a few questions about flying and he ran through a short list of basics. Then, to my surprise, he let go of the controls and told me to fly us home. I tightly gripped the wheel, used the coastline as a guide, and flew a small plane across Guyana. It was one of the most amazing things I had ever done. And for the remainder of the day, I was on cloud nine and a complete high. (pun intended.)
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Playing Phagwah
Last Sunday was Phagwah, a Hindu holiday that is observed after the full moon in March. When I asked students and teachers what the significance of the holiday was, everyone replied with the exact same uncertainty, “Me don’t know, but we get a day off from school. Don’t come on Monday, right?”
On Friday afternoon, all classes were put to a halt and students gathered for an assembly to officially announce that school was closed on Monday.
To celebrate Phagwah, people splash water all over you, sprinkle powder over your head, and rub paint on your face and body. Before the assembly even started, my kids came up from behind with a handful of glitter and smeared it all over my face. Subsequently, a glitter fight ensued. I asked them if glitter was part of the celebrations, to which they replied, “No Miss, but this was all the shop in the backroad had.” Then for the next half hour, students lined up to inform me that I had glitter on my face.
After school was over, the child in everyone was unleashed. Teachers and students alike took water bottles and showered it on anyone within a 5 feet radius. White and colored powder coated the air, and people stampeded out the doors shrieking in protest to remain clean. One teacher struggled to open a bag of paint powder and as she distributed the ammunition announced, “This plastic is too hard to open and people are getting away. Hurry run after them.” It was quite a playful and festive celebration, and for one afternoon everyone felt like a kid again.
On Friday afternoon, all classes were put to a halt and students gathered for an assembly to officially announce that school was closed on Monday.
To celebrate Phagwah, people splash water all over you, sprinkle powder over your head, and rub paint on your face and body. Before the assembly even started, my kids came up from behind with a handful of glitter and smeared it all over my face. Subsequently, a glitter fight ensued. I asked them if glitter was part of the celebrations, to which they replied, “No Miss, but this was all the shop in the backroad had.” Then for the next half hour, students lined up to inform me that I had glitter on my face.
After school was over, the child in everyone was unleashed. Teachers and students alike took water bottles and showered it on anyone within a 5 feet radius. White and colored powder coated the air, and people stampeded out the doors shrieking in protest to remain clean. One teacher struggled to open a bag of paint powder and as she distributed the ammunition announced, “This plastic is too hard to open and people are getting away. Hurry run after them.” It was quite a playful and festive celebration, and for one afternoon everyone felt like a kid again.
Writing a Wrong
After teaching the same students for 7 months, I thought I would be accustomed to many of the misspellings and grammatical errors that they make. Of course they somehow always manage to find a way to surprise or amuse me. Here a few excerpts taken from essays I recently asked them to write.
Inviting someone to an event: There is a lot more to enjoy This is not all Just come and you will enjoy it It will be all breezy and free.
Enticing someone to try Guyanese cuisine: Come tace the delishess food.
The title line of a student’s essay: My S.A.
Inviting someone to an event: There is a lot more to enjoy This is not all Just come and you will enjoy it It will be all breezy and free.
Enticing someone to try Guyanese cuisine: Come tace the delishess food.
The title line of a student’s essay: My S.A.
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