I am pleased today to get most of the assignments handed back, so I have getting a sense of completion which is great. Next I am doing support for the half module option in visual impairment which is only being done by a few teachers, so it is more manageable.
Recently at work we have been running around to get the final accounts done for our training. We got Unicef funding so we had to do the accounting ourselves. My local counterpart was in charge, which left me to stand at the photocopier for ages getting copies of travel claims and receipts.
We have written a report on the training which I finished today including challenges and recommendations. I came up with three challenges. We were told to run a distance learning course, but some of the teachers who work in special schools do not have the academic ability to learn by this method. So I am recommending that additional training should be done with them to teach them the content. The second challenge is that the motivation to study is low. We are recommending that teachers get salary points for successful completion of the course. The third challenge is that there is no replacement for me when I leave, and I have been doing this full time for the last four months or so. So who will write the modules, produce them, go round the schools to support the teachers, organise the training days?
We had quite a quiet weekend. Yesterday we went to a concert run by a visual impairment cultural association - there were one or two good items, but otherwise it was rather an endurance test, including starting 50 minutes late - but that is not a surprise in Guyana. Last night I cooked a meal for a group of us including our VSO Australian friend who we visited in Mabaruma. She cooked us such a lovely meal in a pretty appalling kitchen, so I wanted to make a special meal for her. I did pancakes with lots of bits and pieces. But I think the pineapple and cinnamon cake was the best bit. Pineapples are dead cheap at the moment, you can get a small one for 30 pence. The main problem is that they make your teeth jump unless they are really ripe.
Tomorrow is police check day, it takes about four hours of standing in queues I understand...
Monday 28 June 2010
Friday 25 June 2010
Two good things
One of the challenges of working here is that reluctance of some Guyanese to share skills. Even though a local person is running training they are unlikely to want a trainee to get really good at things in case their position is usurped. They are even more reluctant to allow an outsider like me to come anywhere near in case that becomes uncomfortable for them. But things this week have resolved a bit in that it seems there is a need for training in JAWS (speech software) and there are people (including some users who are blind) who could do the training. So even though I'll no longer be here, one of my achievements could be to get this moving.
Another good thing is that the Disability Act has finally finally been ratified by the President. So there may be a bit more action now. On our blackboard at work I have written my motto (I can't remember where it came from) : To be truly radical we need to make hope possible and not despair convincing.
Another good thing is that the Disability Act has finally finally been ratified by the President. So there may be a bit more action now. On our blackboard at work I have written my motto (I can't remember where it came from) : To be truly radical we need to make hope possible and not despair convincing.
Monday 21 June 2010
Good bits
As we get nearer to leaving we're making sure we appreciate some of the good bits of Guyana - so Saturday morning we had an early walk round the Botanical Gardens. Even after all our visits we can still find a completely new bird we haven't seen before, plus lots of old favourites. Whether you know the names or not they are so flamboyant as to be memorable.
We've done a bit of star spotting - the Southern Cross is familiar now low in the sky, and we see Orion high overhead (instead of on the horizon as in the UK).
The sea wall is always good for stretching the eyes and the mind on days when it is not too hot. At the end is a jetty where you can get a view down the Demarara River and spot the massive ships in the docks.
Last night we went to an amateur theatre show in honour of fathers. It had good variety acts, singing dancing and skits, as well as eulogies to five local fathers, read by daughters or wives. Then they were serenaded and had a smoochy dance on stage - very sentimental and Guyanese.
At work I have clear tasks to get done, marking assignments and chasing the missing ones. Then I have three weekd to support teachers doing the visual impairment option. I have a few more than expected so it'll keep me busy. On Friday I got interviewed for the TV, so now I have done all types of media.
We've done a bit of star spotting - the Southern Cross is familiar now low in the sky, and we see Orion high overhead (instead of on the horizon as in the UK).
The sea wall is always good for stretching the eyes and the mind on days when it is not too hot. At the end is a jetty where you can get a view down the Demarara River and spot the massive ships in the docks.
Last night we went to an amateur theatre show in honour of fathers. It had good variety acts, singing dancing and skits, as well as eulogies to five local fathers, read by daughters or wives. Then they were serenaded and had a smoochy dance on stage - very sentimental and Guyanese.
At work I have clear tasks to get done, marking assignments and chasing the missing ones. Then I have three weekd to support teachers doing the visual impairment option. I have a few more than expected so it'll keep me busy. On Friday I got interviewed for the TV, so now I have done all types of media.
Friday 18 June 2010
Training Week
Having a busy week doing training days - today is the last one, so that will be quite a relief. We have had very good attendance this week so that is encouraging. We had sessions on teaching reading, teaching children of low ability, positive ways to manage behaviour. We had a massive discussion on Wednesday about corporal punishment in schools, which is still allowed here.
I've been supporting the teachers to get even better marks on their assignment this time round. So sitting through break and lunch pointing out where they could get a few extras. They are very proud and want to do well.
I've been supporting the teachers to get even better marks on their assignment this time round. So sitting through break and lunch pointing out where they could get a few extras. They are very proud and want to do well.
Tuesday 15 June 2010
Marshall Falls Trip
We had a big trip out on Sunday. It was the group to do the quiz night, so it could be seen as a celebration of our noble victory. We took minibus and speedboat to Bartica, then we had an organised tour, again by speedboat. We had a guided tour of a few places of interest, dropping off at an island with the remains of a fort, and viewing the prison from the safety of the boat. We saw a granite quarry that produces the massive blocks of stone that are currently being used to improve the sea wall in Georgetown. I think it must be a bit like moving Stonehenge blocks to get them up to here.
We had an exciting wizz up the rapids on a broad stretch of water then the even more exciting bouncing wizz down again. Then up a small tributary to stop off near the falls. The heavens opened when we got there, but we sheltered under tarpaulins for half an hour so we didn't get too soaked. Then we had a half hour walk along a good trail through the jungle, admiring blue morph butterflies, and some of the massive red flowers that are commonly used for flower decorations at posh places here.
The falls are about ten feet wide and ten feet high which does not sound that exciting, but there's a large quantity of water coming over, and we climbed up the rocks to get through the curtain of water to sit behind. It was quite a challenge to get up the rocks, our tour guide was showing us the way and hauling us over. One of the women fell and knocked her teeth as well as falling on her back on a rock, so we were looking after her and trying to make her comfortable. Not much fun for her to have to face getting back down again! We were able to swim a bit in the pool below the falls, but it was quite blocked with tree trunks. So it was a great adventure, but maybe not quite enough of a risk assessment done... I think we should have had a roped rigged up so that we could use it if we needed.
Anyway our friend has seen the dentist now and had some work done on her front teeth. She thinks they are going to be ok.
This week is our major training week, first day yesterday. I was mainly doing introductions and linking the activities, as well supporting people individually with getting assignments improved. The range of ability of the teachers doing the assignments is huge, some have a degree and some have never done training before, indeed some have special needs themselves, and somehow I have to make the course accessible to all. The day went better than our June days, so that was good. I particularly liked a session done by a VSO colleague about positive approaches to behaviour management. In Guyana corporal punishment is still acceptable and widespread so we try our best to present other options.
I've also got the visual impairment module handed out, with an assignment to be done by the end of term, so that I can get it marked before I leave. So that is a weight off my mind.
We had an exciting wizz up the rapids on a broad stretch of water then the even more exciting bouncing wizz down again. Then up a small tributary to stop off near the falls. The heavens opened when we got there, but we sheltered under tarpaulins for half an hour so we didn't get too soaked. Then we had a half hour walk along a good trail through the jungle, admiring blue morph butterflies, and some of the massive red flowers that are commonly used for flower decorations at posh places here.
The falls are about ten feet wide and ten feet high which does not sound that exciting, but there's a large quantity of water coming over, and we climbed up the rocks to get through the curtain of water to sit behind. It was quite a challenge to get up the rocks, our tour guide was showing us the way and hauling us over. One of the women fell and knocked her teeth as well as falling on her back on a rock, so we were looking after her and trying to make her comfortable. Not much fun for her to have to face getting back down again! We were able to swim a bit in the pool below the falls, but it was quite blocked with tree trunks. So it was a great adventure, but maybe not quite enough of a risk assessment done... I think we should have had a roped rigged up so that we could use it if we needed.
Anyway our friend has seen the dentist now and had some work done on her front teeth. She thinks they are going to be ok.
This week is our major training week, first day yesterday. I was mainly doing introductions and linking the activities, as well supporting people individually with getting assignments improved. The range of ability of the teachers doing the assignments is huge, some have a degree and some have never done training before, indeed some have special needs themselves, and somehow I have to make the course accessible to all. The day went better than our June days, so that was good. I particularly liked a session done by a VSO colleague about positive approaches to behaviour management. In Guyana corporal punishment is still acceptable and widespread so we try our best to present other options.
I've also got the visual impairment module handed out, with an assignment to be done by the end of term, so that I can get it marked before I leave. So that is a weight off my mind.
Friday 11 June 2010
Successful week at work
I am really chuffed this week to have finished the visual impairment half module of the training course for special school teachers. It has been work in progress for so long that it was hanging over me a bit. I will be able to give it out next week during our training days. It is an optional module, so I expect only ten teachers will do it. I will have time to support them while I am in country until mid July. So that works out well.
Our training days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week. A third of the teachers from each of the schools attend on each day. I am mainly organising the logistics of the days as well as giving support to the teachers to get their assignment two completed. We have three presentations on the days, all being done by VSOs. One on teaching reading, one on teaching children with low ability, one on classroom and behaviour management.
Last night I slept over at a new volunteer's house as she is very nervous about security at night. We had a good chat and this morning she said that she slept well in her own flat for the first time, so that is good. She is a lovely person, so I am enjoying making friends with her.
This weekend we have a bridge evening at a friend who works at the American Embassy (posh place) and on Sunday we have a long day trip to Marshall Falls - so watch this space for the story about that!
Our training days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week. A third of the teachers from each of the schools attend on each day. I am mainly organising the logistics of the days as well as giving support to the teachers to get their assignment two completed. We have three presentations on the days, all being done by VSOs. One on teaching reading, one on teaching children with low ability, one on classroom and behaviour management.
Last night I slept over at a new volunteer's house as she is very nervous about security at night. We had a good chat and this morning she said that she slept well in her own flat for the first time, so that is good. She is a lovely person, so I am enjoying making friends with her.
This weekend we have a bridge evening at a friend who works at the American Embassy (posh place) and on Sunday we have a long day trip to Marshall Falls - so watch this space for the story about that!
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Mabaruma trip
Had a great trip to Mabaruma, or should I say adventure? Adventures are where you don't really know how it will turn out, and that is how it was. We went up to Charity on Thursday by minibus and boat, which was fine, and stayed over with a VSO volunteer there who is a great friend. He had fixed up the boat ride for us, but at the last minute the boatman phoned to say that he would not be going. The regular boats run part way, but after that it is a question of finding anyone who is going and negotiating. So we went on the regular boat and stopped over a night at Morruca on the way, then we had a promise of a boat leaving Saturday morning.
The area around Morruca is beautiful, it is a wetland area where rivers join up in the rainy season. There are meant to be 99 bends - it is very narrow, full of flowering lilies and weed. If it is the dry season you have to get out and push at times, but we were OK - apart from the torrential rain at times, when you hide under a tarpaulin. We stayed at an Amerindian hostel which was cheaper than the guest house. It was fine, shared kitchen to use, and a friendly lady in charge. The next boatman phoned to say they'd be late, so we waited for ages until eventually the boatman's brother arrived and took us on. That was along tiny rivers then bigger and bigger until we turned near the sea to go upstream along another river.
Mabruma was great, real countryside and very friendly Amerindian people. You have to greet everyone you meet. We stayed with a volunteer and had other vols to visit and go around with, so that gives the inside story to the place. We walked up the hill to the church early on Sunday, then visited more vols and raided their mango tree. We walked down to a swimming place in a little stream where I swam among all the local kids. In the afternoon we went on a long walk through jungle trails, this young vol had explored all these trails on his own while going running. We flew back on Monday morning, which was a great experience, tiny little concrete hut next to a tiny airstrip. But the flight was fine and exciting to see all the rivers below winding through the jungle, and wondering which ones we had been along. Good views of Georgetown when we got back as well.
The area around Morruca is beautiful, it is a wetland area where rivers join up in the rainy season. There are meant to be 99 bends - it is very narrow, full of flowering lilies and weed. If it is the dry season you have to get out and push at times, but we were OK - apart from the torrential rain at times, when you hide under a tarpaulin. We stayed at an Amerindian hostel which was cheaper than the guest house. It was fine, shared kitchen to use, and a friendly lady in charge. The next boatman phoned to say they'd be late, so we waited for ages until eventually the boatman's brother arrived and took us on. That was along tiny rivers then bigger and bigger until we turned near the sea to go upstream along another river.
Mabruma was great, real countryside and very friendly Amerindian people. You have to greet everyone you meet. We stayed with a volunteer and had other vols to visit and go around with, so that gives the inside story to the place. We walked up the hill to the church early on Sunday, then visited more vols and raided their mango tree. We walked down to a swimming place in a little stream where I swam among all the local kids. In the afternoon we went on a long walk through jungle trails, this young vol had explored all these trails on his own while going running. We flew back on Monday morning, which was a great experience, tiny little concrete hut next to a tiny airstrip. But the flight was fine and exciting to see all the rivers below winding through the jungle, and wondering which ones we had been along. Good views of Georgetown when we got back as well.
Thursday 3 June 2010
Trip,quiz win, supporting teachers
All set for my trip to Mabaruma leaving this afternoon. I'm really looking forward to having a break away from Georgetown.
Last night we went to the quiz night at the bar, and for the first time we were the winners, so that was a bit of excitement. Our Guyanese friend who does the quiz with us is arranging a day trip to a beach on an island later in June so that is something else to look forward to.
Otherwise I am getting lots of things sorted for going home.
At work I am going round to the special schools giving teachers support for doing the second assignment on the course. It is about doing a child study, then deciding what the child should learn, and how they should learn it. Then they are asked to discuss it all with a colleague, then try out their idea and see if it works. So it is a very practical exercise. This is unusual for courses here, which are very theoretical, so teachers find it a bit strange and need lots of support to know how to answer open ended questions. Anyway from my point of view I really enjoy going round the schools and having that contact with the teachers. My big vision is that the teachers are empowered to work together, to share ideas and develop good practice.
Last night we went to the quiz night at the bar, and for the first time we were the winners, so that was a bit of excitement. Our Guyanese friend who does the quiz with us is arranging a day trip to a beach on an island later in June so that is something else to look forward to.
Otherwise I am getting lots of things sorted for going home.
At work I am going round to the special schools giving teachers support for doing the second assignment on the course. It is about doing a child study, then deciding what the child should learn, and how they should learn it. Then they are asked to discuss it all with a colleague, then try out their idea and see if it works. So it is a very practical exercise. This is unusual for courses here, which are very theoretical, so teachers find it a bit strange and need lots of support to know how to answer open ended questions. Anyway from my point of view I really enjoy going round the schools and having that contact with the teachers. My big vision is that the teachers are empowered to work together, to share ideas and develop good practice.
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