Volunteer Stories - Marcus
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Arrival
When I boarded a small plane in Georgetown en route to Karanambo, home of the nearest airstrip to Yupukari, I sat next to a woman who told me that she has been all over the world but has never seen a place as beautiful as the Rupununi. Not to disappoint, the plane ride provided me with dazzling views of the sprawling savanna, dotted with bush islands and divided by Guyana's many rivers. Upon landing, I was picked up by motorbike and driven for a half an hour down narrow, eroded, and frequently flooded paths. Surely, this was a place not often seen by foreign eyes.
On my initial drive into Yupukari, I was amazed at the small, one room huts people call home and by the people gathered around practicing their archery. I was even more surprised when I pulled up to Caiman House to find it has all the amenities of a modern home but with a very Caribbean feel to it, including the four room guest house worthy of a luxury resort. I was greeted by smiling faces of the people who had gathered at Caiman House and a hot plate of chicken curry.
Treehouse Program
I had corresponded with Alice Layton-Taylor for months in advance of my departure to determine how I would use my time here and what supplies I could bring from Canada. We decided that my focus would be on designing and teaching classes for the afterschool Treehouse program that had been set up by Jenn, Kate, Maia, Suzanne, and the local librarians the previous summer. The program runs after school, upstairs of the public library and is intended to promote literacy using books, computers, movies, and person-to-person interactions.
Having come from a science background, we decided that I could teach science and English simultaneously by giving the students new vocabulary in science based themes. I started small, with the topic of cells and the microscope. Trying to explain something that you can't see is always difficult, especially when dealing with young children and a language barrier. Luckily, I was able to show them on-line videos and movies like "Osmosis Jones" and "The Magic School Bus" to help them understand the concepts. I was also able to borrow a newly donated electric microscope from the health post and encouraged them to collect their own specimens to view under the microscope.
We then moved onto health and the human body, which fit in well with sports days that have been in progress for the last few weeks and with the many endemic illnesses cause by parasites. The kids used rolls of paper and colouring pencils to create their own human bodies, complete with internal organs. We also took pictures of various body parts and activities and, using laptops and the available software, combined these pictures with sentences using their new vocabulary to make books they could take home with them. The kids really enjoyed being able to take pictures of themselves and use the computers to do their work as it was a nice change of pace from their everyday school activities.
The librarians suggested that we use Wednesdays as games day and I gladly went along, being a big fan of playground games myself. I had a great time teaching them games like "Stella Ella" and "Sharks and Barracudas" and learning a few new games myself. My favorite was one where everyone puts their hands together and grabs the first hand they feel. Then, you try to coordinate yourselves to untangle the mess and form a circle. And of course, there was always football.
Health Awareness and the Health Post
Being part of the Treehouse program provided me with an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about important health issues. I worked with the malaria diagnosis specialist, Jones, to come up with a presentation about the prevention and treatment of malaria and accompanying information sheets. To be sure we got the message across to everyone, I presented in English and he followed up by reiterating the important points in Makushi. Similarly, I spoke with the local health worker and librarians to find out what the biggest health problems facing the village were and then taught classes on teen pregnancy, smoking, and drinking.
In addition to raising awareness, I did my best to help improve the health post itself. Just knowing how to use a computer made me an asset to the health worker because I was able to look up information on illnesses with which he was unfamiliar. Working at a university research lab in Canada, I had access to many lab supplies that were needed here, especially equipment for the microscope. I was also able to use my knowledge to help familiarize Jones with his new electric microscope, an upgrade from the previous one that worked by reflecting sunlight. There are endless opportunities for anyone willing to help out in the health post. Even providing some company can help break the boredom of times when there is no one needing to be tested for malaria.
The Experience of a Lifetime
These past six weeks I've spent in Yupukari have been some of the most enlightening and rewarding of my life. Anyone who wants to help out will surely be able contribute to the development of the village, using skills you may not have realized you actually have. The people here are unparalleled in their endearing nature and are eager to teach you about their culture. Regular parties are a great way to meet them, get to know how they live, and sample the local drinks like parakari and rice wine. Anyone who enjoys fishing would also have the time of their lives here. There is always someone going out in their canoe who is willing to take you along. You can beyond the traditional hook and line strategy too, and try diving with a mask and harpoon gun or using a flashlight and bow and arrow to shoot fish at night. I highly recommend coming to Yupukari to anyone who's considering volunteering in a developing country. Come for the people, for the nature, and for the opportunity to improve the lives of those in need.