Dennis is in the Air - Literally and Figuratively

This week has flown by with so much to do and to leave undone...  I can't remember a busier time here at Mercy.   Anyhow, I can only do what I do... so  let me share some of the things that I remember and are fit for print... Well first a little racy skinshot... and it is still not NSFW.

The water droplets are running down my
slightly modified six pack gut before 6:00 AM

Dennis LeBlanc is on his way down as I write this ..... And believe it or not first wanted to visit Canada when I was not there, so routed himself through Toronto and then T&T and then Georgetown .....   At his age, he is going to be very tired.  He was here last year teaching with me and volunteering at John Bosco Home for Boys in Plaisance - and it looks like he will be doing more of the same this year

This Week's Star at Mercy

Arya "Doc Devi" Karyampudi

Doc with office colleagues
Roshanie and Dainty

Doc again with Tracy

Doc has something to say to everyone.
Here she telling  Georgina something important. 

Doc Devi was one of the first people to greet me when I arrived in 2002 and she was already a veteran staffer then... of almost 20 years. She comes from Southern India, Andhra Pradesh State. A brother and sister still live there, so she keeps up with the news including the latest cyclone. She said she has stayed because Guyana is a beautiful land.

"What do you like best?"
"I love the weather here." I thought I may need to get her a psychiatrist, but she went on to explain, "This is the weather from my home - just sun and moon.  And I like the people here."
"So what is the best part of working at Mercy?"
"I like St. Joseph Mercy Hospital very much; I am happy.  I like to see patients, helping them go through what they must - diabetes, hypertension, HIV; I am a family doctor.  I am from the old school."
"What do you mean by that?"
"My ethics;my principles."
"What are some of your principles?"
"To be truthful,to be kind, to be compassionate.  Now everything is business, but I cope with it."
"Doc, what and where will you be in 10 years?"
"If God permits, I will be here."
"And which God is that?"   (I had assumed she was Hindu as she is a total vegetarian.)
"Any God... I am open to every religion.  My father was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and we grew up with his principles... and I am still a follower of Gandhi. My father taught us how to spin on the wheel.  And he planted every thing that we ate. I never saw meat when I was growing up, so I do not eat it now."

(Blogger's Note: It was such a pleasure and honor to meet someone with whom your soul shared a life's journey, but only met a decade ago.)

An Old Nursing Student Returns - Sort of...

Let me tell you a story.  Even I feel I am making this up, but no:  Gospel or Seven Principles Truth!

Latoya was a first year student nurse at Mercy in 2010…  She was already a single mom and working hard in the true Caribbean kind of family where her mom was a single mom and they lived together ...…  Well, a few months into the semester she developed TB.  We had sent her to Emergency as she was coughing in class all the time.  Yes, diagnosis TB…  so the whole class had to get tested and she had to withdraw from the school.   Dr., Carr (who was teaching with me) and I went out to her home to see how she was doing as she was the brightest student in the class.     She survived!

Well, several days ago, I was sitting on a wall outside the Georgetown Public Hospital when a voice says, “Hello Rev.”   I look up and it is Latoya in a student nurses uniform from the Public Hospital ..…  She had been refused at Mercy when she reapplied – politics.   But she was so determined she got accepted at the Public Nursing School and is in second year.  At the end of first year, she received four or five awards for best student, etc …..

I asked her for her email as my taxi had just showed up and she didn't have email any longer as she had no money for a computer – let alone an internet connection.  She gave me a call and wanted to chat longer and come over to see me at Mercy.   As we arranged the time for today, I asked how she did her research and papers, etc for school… She borrows other  batchmates' computers and uses the one computer in the library…

So I told her that I had a tablet for her and her studies.  (I usually bring a few extra tablets on spec that someone will need one.)   I gave her the tablet at lunch on Tuesday and when I got home after class ..... notice of a donation for a tablet appeared in my email.  

I know what Anne would say, “It is surely a sign.”  And it would be hard to argue with her this time. 

I am not making this up … No Bullsh** here.

More Logic in Guyana

The students have been having trouble accessing the internet for their studies.  They cannot log on because there is limited bandwidth, or so I was told.  I have been complaining since I got here 7 weeks ago.   But before October, I had offered to pay for doubling the bandwidth for October and November; this had been recommended to me by the IT Department staff.   This was not altruistic ..... The students couldn't (and still can't) do their research.    I had then offered it to the "powers that be" to follow-up...  I'll tell you if I get a final decision before I leave...

Sylvia has been using modern inspiring people to get the students to think about their own dreams and aspirations.  One of her heroes was Anne Frank.  The students had never heard of her,  So as I wasn't teaching I went down to the library to see if they had a copy of The Diary of a Young Girl.   Sister Catherine did not think that they had it, so I thanked her and left.   In Guyana, people want to be helpful.   Sister came by the classroom and had a book for me,  a biography of Marie Curie.   She wanted to k now if that would do.  Now Sister Catherine knew that it was not what I was looking for and that they were entirely different people, but she wanted to be helpful.  Bless you Sister Catherine.

3rd Bedroom is Usable

Well, it seems I just don't have enough faith.  The room got built and almost done by today - with one day to go .....  Sylvia suggested that I should sleep in this new room.   Her logic -- similar to Guyanese logic -- was that I am up early (5 or 5:30 am) and would disturb Dennis in the mornings ..... And since I can sleep through almost anything, when I went to bed early, I would not be disturbed.   As well, she promised me points in the great beyond!   How could I refuse, eh?   And though she didn't even mention my snoring ..... I am a little suspicious.   I think she has worn out her ear plugs.   After all, Sylvia took the bedroom with two sided ventilation and now I am giving up my cooler upstairs one for this.   All I have to say is that I hope there is an afterlife and these points count.

Paulina and Ashley happily waiting to eat.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Sylvia getting the stuffing

I don’t usually celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving here, as Canadians are scarce like turkey’s teeth...  However, this year there is an abundance of Canadians, thanks to the Scarboro Fathers.  I got invited as a Canadian (as well as adding an ecumenical flavour) and brought some wine.  The others slaved to prepare a wonderful Canadian meal.   No turkeys in Georgetown, so Sylvia prepared two large chickens and the kitchen at Mercy cooked them in their ovens.  Ovens, Sylvia tells me, that are without any thermostats!  She did excellently.   So there were the old timers like Sylvia, Bev and Donna along with the two young ones Paulina and Ashley, Deacon Luis and Father Mike who came in from New Amsterdam. 

As a small aside:  Father Mike knows John Ahearn, who is with Maryknoll in Hong Kong.  I was in John's class at Maryknoll, as well we both started seminary high school together at Cathedral in Brooklyn, which is celebrating its 100^th birthday soon.  I guess that is less than 6 degrees of separation.

All of us at our small Thanksgiving meal were especially grateful for all those of our families and friends who support us throughout the year.  

Father Mike celebrated Mass before Dinner!

The three "older" women - Bev, Sylvia and Donna

Annual "Massive Prayer" Service 

The day before the Seniors write their final RN exams, the whole school gathers in prayers for their success.  I hope God's prayer line is faster than this internet connection!

I am having lots of internet problems today, so I hope I can post... I doubt that I will be able to load the Slide Show, but I'll try...  Thanks for reading

I Was Trying Not to Talk About This

Well... I lasted to the 4th Week

You may not believe this, but I try for some variety in my blog.   I try and think of something new to write about every week.  However, this last week has been really, really, frickin' HOT!   I think for all of the previous decade, I have started my blog with the word HOT somewhere in the first sentence ..... but this is a new level!   It seems so hot that the air warms your breath and makes you chest boil. [Okay, this is a small exaggeration.]    And if there is a breeze, it just seems to increase your perspiration..  I need a deodorant I can paint on - in several coats like painting a wall.

This year we are living in Doc Daniel's old flat which is spacious but the living quarters are a floor lower -- and in the back of the Bank House, where half the breezes come from the opposite side of the ocean -- and behind the home on the East side from where the other half of the breezes come.   We got moved so that the boxes from Materials Management can enjoy the old flat with the Ocean and East facing windows...   I know there was probably a strategic decision for this; however, it does give you a sense of your worth ..... I guess it is like that for volunteers no matter where, eh?
 

And because the Bank House now contains something valuable, the hospital has added huge outdoor security lights to keep away any thieves at night.  I know this because when I sit in my chair in the living room I stare directly at it...   I have now started a Novena that the neighbour right next door will be so annoyed with how bright it is he will tear down his house and move... and we will get some breeze!

Celebrations of Commitment  

Sister Julie Matthews, RSM

Sister Julie is really the poster "girl" for the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana.  She is Guyanese and has over her career been involved with, and mainly led, almost every activity that the Sisters of Mercy are involved with:  John Bosco Boys Home, Mercy Wings, Board of  Mercy Hospital, and she is now the head of the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana.   In addition, she is an accomplished fund raiser and has taught in University Guyana.

Last Saturday her Sister colleagues, the larger Catholic Community, boys from Bosco (present and former), and people who have been touched by her ministry and energy, all gathered for a Special Mass (it was very special because the congregation actually sang) to honour her 25 years of Consecration as as a Sister of Mercy.    Believe me, with so much sadness and tiredness in Guyana, it was an event of joy and hope for the future.

Sister Julie offering the Blessing

Scarboro Volunteers [r-l Sylvia, Ashley, Bev,
Paulina, Donna]  blocking the Mercy Volunteers
Jess and Matthew

I was fourth in line

Long(Suffering) Service Awards on Mercy Day

Also, this week the hospital took time out - and cancelled my class too - to honour the employees who have given service for the past 5 to 30 years.  I do think that this group should have received Purple Hearts for surviving the struggles in the hospital - 2010 fire, layoffs, deficits, etc.   It was a small, low key celebration but the congratulations to the awardees and supporters were enthusiastic.  It is a small community, so everyone knows everyone else .....  The CEO Bridgemohan and COO Browman presented the pins and awards to each of the employees.    And Nutrition Services served piwari and cassava.   Dr Bridgemohan gave an optimistic talk about many positive developments for the future and the atmosphere was noticeably hopeful.  And my colleague and co-leader of the Problem Based Learning Course, Elsie Asabere, received a five year pin for her time at Mercy.
 

Elsie and I: the photographer thought I looked better
with my bald head cropped and in my Elsie shirt.

    

The Mercy Star of the Week ..... Drumroll please!

Patricia Benjamin “Benji”

Benji was born in Georgetown -- lived on Regent Street and now lives in East Penitence, still in Georgetown.   In between she had 6 "amazing” children – Denise, Sherman, Colleen, Onika, Rushell and Wendy – who have blessed her with 20 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. 

Benji has been working at Mercy for over 20 years.  She started as a maid and then went to the laundry for many years.   She liked the laundry (I did have to question her sanity, as the heat from the dryers actually makes it hotter than it is already) because you had to stay on your toes with everything throughout the day requiring precise timing to keep the loads moving along.

Then she was promoted to “Office Assistant”.  Benji is on her bicycle twice a day - morning and afternoon, delivering and picking up mail and packages for the hospital.   One can see her all over Georgetown; Benji said she has limits but it really is almost all of GT.   I have trouble walking on the busy streets of the city where everyone drives like it is a Friday and they're going home for the weekend, but she has had only one accident that left her with scraped and bruised knees.

Benji said she loves this job because she gets exposed so many interesting people and places that she would never otherwise go to or see, such as the Embassies and the Ministry Buildings.

Her wisdom for my hordes of readers: “Try to be obedient and honest and truthful all the time…..  or you will end up drifting; no one can recommend you and no one can count on you.”    Well, with that advice, I had to truthfully confess that my “hordes” may not mean the same thing to her.

And in 10 years?   "I don’t really know, you know?  I hope the Good Lord leaves me around to enjoy life for many more good years."
 

STOP THE PRESSES!
 

A few days after this interview, Benji received an outstanding service award from the hospital on Mercy Day.   

St Ann's, Jerries All-Nite Bar and Traditional Blindfold Walk.

I continue "leading" the senior girls' course "Bodies, Boys, Boundaries, Beliefs" at St. Ann's; I love their enthusiasm to learn ..... Motivation is pretty easy in a sex course for teenagers!
 

I have two cameras this year which I hoped would cut down on the constant pestering for whose turn is it for the camera.  It has just made it worse, I think. Again the pictures are in the Slide Show above. Just Double Click.
 

Jerry and his wife Paula have been great supporters of the girls at St. Ann's and he has had them for meals often at his restaurant. (They actually own four or five restaurants in Georgetown area.) Well, it was their 22nd year anniversary of starting.  Jerry actually started with a push cart on the streets - a Guyanese self-made man.  Sylvia and I went to the celebration to support their commitment to the girls and while we were there we had a few beers.
 

Sylvia and Father Chris
w/o Beer Bottles

Bev and Sylvia with their Beer Bottles

As usual, the students had an experience with Disability.  They paired up and one of the students was blindfolded.  I gave them a slip of paper that had a staff member's name written on it and it said they were blind and had an appointment with that person to collect a package. The "sighted" person was there just to keep them safe from steps and cars... They had to ask strangers what the note said as well as see if any one knew where the staff member was. Some of my choices were a little sadistic, like the security guard at the front gate whose first day it was.  Well, the staff person had a package with cookies for them, but first could ask them a nursing question that they had to get right ..... and say the magic words - Please and Thank You.   This exercise always causes lots of chatter among the whole hospital.

That's it.. I will try and do less this week so I won't have to type so much... Thanks for reading.  And please keep me and my family in your prayers this week.  John

St. Ann's Orphanage: A refuge for vulnerable children

I just came across this newspaper article from The Guyana Chronicle  via Beverly Trach.   I wanted to share it with you because the Sisters and Matrons do such a great job at St. Ann's.   However, they did not mention their great photographs with my camera that I post in my blog. St Ann’s Orphanage : A refuge for vulnerable children

Saturday, 26 February 2011 10:37   The Guyana Chronicle

THE ST ANN’S Orphanage at 247 Thomas Street has been a home and refuge for many unfortunate girls for many a years. The institution was begun way back in July of 1851, when a Roman Catholic Bishop took two girls from the Alms House to the Ursuline Convent and asked the nuns, who had just arrived in the country, to give them a home. These girls were soon joined by many others, and thus St Ann’s came into being. At present, there are 37 girls at the Orphanage, but the normal number is usually about fifty. St Ann’s has accommodated as many as 102 children at one time or the other. The Orphanage caters for girls between the ages of four and 6. But sometimes, as in the case of two newly-admitted siblings who had a three-year-old sister, an exception can be made to avoid separating the family. After secondary school, and at about the age of 16, the girls move on. In the early years, the Orphanage catered primarily to orphans. Many come today because they have been abandoned, neglected, or abused. The girls remain until they have completed secondary education. Jobs are secured, and they move on, once they can support themselves. If they wish to continue on to higher education, they are given assistance. The St. Bernadette’s Hostel was opened primarily as a ‘half-way’ home for girls leaving St. Ann’s. There is good collaboration between the Orphanage and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Minimal financial assistance is received, and social workers are attached to the Home. Children coming to St Ann’s are screened by officers of the Ministry, and must be recommended by them. The Ministry offers training courses, which are attended by staff of the Home. St Ann’s has no definite income. Some generous people continue to give donations each year. The Home depends on ordinary donations of food, clothing and money. Each day, without fail, people arrive with cooked meals, bags of rice, sugar, flour and all sorts of other things. Guyanese returning home from overseas go out of their way to bring very nice things for the girls. But most of the people who bring things to the Home are ordinary folks from places like Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Agricola, Sophia and Charlestown. They make the sacrifice to help. Each year, the Good Friday collection in all Catholic Churches is divided between St. John Bosco Boys Home and St. Ann’s. In times of illness, the St Joseph Mercy Hospital gives free service and medication when they have it. The girls are treated very well there, with no distinction made from any other children. Any child with a chronic disease is taken to see the doctor as regularly as necessary.   Whenever medical outreach teams visit Guyana, they often come to the Home and check all the girls. They then make the necessary diagnosis and prescriptions. A local pharmacist has offered to assist the Home. She has examined all the medicine chests to ensure everything is in order. She assists in purchasing whatever is necessary. Many children arrive at the Home with academic problems. Some have missed school for two to three years or more. There are even those who have never attended school. In one case, a child of thirteen had never gone to school. She did not even know the alphabet. If these girls are sent to government schools, they are placed according to age chronologically. Because they have missed school for some years, they cannot follow what is being taught in class. This leads to much frustration and plenty of disciplinary problems. Many of the girls at St Ann’s attend the Marian Academy. Each child going there has to have a sponsor to pay the fees. Many people have given generously to this cause. There is a firm in Georgetown that currently sponsors five girls. Many times the people who help are those who have lived at St. Ann’s as small girls. They are usually married, and have done well for themselves. They write to the Home and offer to help a child. Help comes from places as far away as Australia, Canada, the USA, Venezuela and at home here in Guyana. All the girls learn responsibility by doing chores. Each child has a department to look after. They sweep, dust, mop and wash dishes. Duties are rotated regularly, so everyone gets a turn to do most things. Even the little ones learn to help, by picking up paper. They are taught that cleaning their surroundings is a part of life and a daily duty. The girls at the Home are more fortunate than many others. They eat very healthy meals each day, they have plenty of clothing, they get all their school books, shoes, uniforms; and their education is assured. The staff is comprised of very devoted and capable women who play a major role in taking care of the girls. These are ordinary women and mothers who dedicate themselves to serving the children and being positive role models. St. Ann’s continues to keep its doors open through the kindness and generosity of caring Guyanese. Each day, a miracle unfolds with a simple knock on the door, and a small donation of some kind. You can offer your help with something as simple as taking a few children for a walk at the weekend, or spending an hour playing with them at home.