Rupununi Learners Foundation

Volunteer Stories - Sienna

Yupukari's Health Post
Yupukari has a small Health Post staffed with one Community Health Worker and one Microscopist who does the malaria diagnosis. Since I am studying biochemistry and microbiology at university, I was instantly intrigued with the malaria work.

They are very interested at the health post in improving their techniques. Their current diagnostic method is a thick blood smear, from a finger stick, fixed with "Fields Stain". The microscope that they have uses the natural sunlight reflecting off a mirror, which limits examining time and resolution. They feel that new techniques would be extremely valuable not only to Yupukari, but to many other villages in this region. I found an excellent paper on the Internet that discusses the use of magnetic deposition microscopy as an improved technique for malaria diagnosis. I emailed the author of the paper to see if Yupukari might be a possible location for a pilot project to test the improved method.

Health and drug information wall
I did some research and gathered information from the Internet to make a health and drug information wall. This included information sheets for the villagers on all the drugs that they have available in the clinic (they only have 10), as well as human body systems, and condom use.

I also worked with the Microscopist to learn how to diagnose the different strains of malaria. I assisted in gathering and condensing records from past years, from which I developed an Excel spreadsheet for record keeping, graphs and data manipulation. I am also involved in helping Alice develop a pilot health information library here in Yupukari that would eventually be expandable to other villages in the Rupununi.

Teaching, research and youth activities
I have spent a great deal of time with various different youth in the community. The activities range from teaching them computer skills and helping prepare for high school science exams to stimulating an interest in art. There are endless skills that are valuable here in the Rupununi. For the work I did, an interest in community development, especially in the health care field, and microscopy skills are essential. Computer skills, including Internet research and Excel, and the ability to teach those skills to local villagers are also invaluable.

The biggest problem I faced was a lack of information and resources in the community. Alice Layton Taylor is a great contact to answer any questions you may have (info@rupununilearners.org) and this website also has a wealth of information. While in the field, I would talk to Alice, other volunteers, or the Health Post workers; however, for most of my questions the Internet was the best resource. I took advantage of the Internet access to try to find adaptable models that could be used here in Yupukari to improve techniques.

What I learned
Working in a developing country provides you with so many new experiences that are hard to express in words. I think one of the most valuable things I gained was an appreciation for available resources and information; I also learned how lucky we are in North America. In the Rupununi nothing ever happens on time or in the way you planned it; therefore, I have learned to become more flexible and adaptable. I have also acquired a better understanding of international development, and how underdeveloped the health care system is other parts of the world. I have become aware of how valuable one’s time is. People here spend most of their time in a day merely to survive. It makes you think about how much time we waste in North America stressing out or worrying about what we "don’t have!"

This is a volunteer placement working for a charitable organization. I would suggest trying to do some fundraising before you come to help supplement your air fare. The Rupununi Learners Foundation usually covers food and accommodation while you are volunteering for them.

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