Back up to Speed... for Guys in their 70th Year

Veteran Dennis Arrived and Started Running [figuratively]

After some naptime (Dennis came by the redeye from Toronto), we headed down to St Ann's to look at the site for the basketball court Dennis and his friends planned to put up for the girls.   Many of the girls remember him; they were telling the "new" girls about the parachute though the new ones were wanting to jump out of a plane!   The yard has a good concrete base and with a little cleaning up will make great courts for basketball and volleyball.

Dennis is welcomed by all the girls - little and big- who remembered him.  Paulina at the Brazilian Churrascaria remembered his love of pink umbrellas.

Sticking with Basketball

We looked at several possibilities for putting up a backboard; these included stealing an old one from from the high school next door and getting a contractor-fabricator to install it on a pole embedded in the concrete so that it would be more permanent.  Sister Leonie had showed me the new one at St. Rosa's and it is a fortress..  and yes those are 12"Steel iBeams!  Not even in New York City!

Well, after  several weeks of me doing some ground work we had a contractor who knew all about building a basketball court - until I showed him a picture -- ugh.   However, he would get someone to call me back that afternoon ..... as you guessed, no call that afternoon, nor the next day, etc. .....  It is impossible to get anything done quickly in Guyana - or so I thought. 

  

On Tuesday afternoon, we went out looking for who had these basketball backboards and stuff... one sports store had a nice backboard and rim, but no attachment kit... not helpful, but they told us that any contractor could make one ..... probably the same one who never called us back.   We wanted something that was going to outlast the balls we had!  Permanence is more of a temporary concept in Guyana ..... We got our trusty taxi driver to take us to Gizmos and Gadgets where I had seen a portable one.  It was twice as expensive as just a backboard with no attachment kit and no fabricator to make one and not a chance that Dennis or I could weld one ..... The portable one looked great and was getting more sturdy-looking the more we considered our options.

A lovely sales person, Debra, came over and had heard our concerns about permanence and answered all our other questions.  We decided we would buy it.   Debra informed us that it would come in a box and unassembled ..... frightening nightmares of holiday-gift-assembling being done into the wee hours before the kids woke up... and now we would have 40 girls waiting for us to put it together.   

Dennis blinked first and asked if there was anyway they could assemble it ..... and yes, but there would be a charge.  He didn't even wait to find out how much... better option he said.     

Would they take Visa? Yes. Great. Debra returned with the bad news ..... They did not have any more, just the floor model.  Would they sell us the floor model?  (You know:  the already-assembled one. )  Debra checked with the manager and he said yes.   Now, could they deliver it?  Yes, but they would need to take it apart.  Debra saw the tears in Dennis' eyes ..... They wouldn't have to take it all apart! Joy again ..... And now the angel Debra says, "Maybe we can give you a reduction on the (already assembled and in perfect condition) floor model.. it was getting better ..... Yup, 10% off! 

"Delivery?"  "Yes, they would deliver it the next day ..... (Are you sure this is Guyana?) .....  and it is included in the price."   Now it was my turn to shed a tear, a helpless male before the beautiful youndg woman ..... "Do you think the delivery guys might be able to put it up?  Both of us went to school for too long and never learned anything practical."   (I offered to send testimonials from my children on my capacity to make two dozen trips to Canadian Tire for one leaky toilet repair ..... it might include a whole new toilet after it cracked for some unknown reason.)  Debra wasn't sure but she would ask the delivery man.  They held it for us and we returned the next day and paid and the unit got delivered the following day .....  

The two delivery guys met Dennis at St. Ann's (one of us had to teach, eh?), and they not only carried into the back of St Ann's where the playground is, but even filled the base with water to counterbalance the weight ..... especially in case Dennis was tempted to pull one of his from-the-foul-line Michael Jordan dunks.     He did help them by finding a funnel for the water and took some great pics .....  And they did all the extra, not because we were so persuasive but, as the  delivery man said, "This is for the girls at St. Ann's."

I sometimes pick on the "Just Now" time it takes to accomplish anything in Guyana; okay:  I do it all the time. So when I come on such an experience of great customer service and super-fast purchasing and delivery, I need to share these people with you...  So if you need something when you are in GT, go see Debra and tell her you are friends with Rev 1 and Rev 2.

Was it Worth it? You Tell Us...

Thank you, Dennis and his friends who funded this ..... You made the smiles happen.

And Even Better.. They Let the Boys Play

And please don't ask: modesty prevents me from disclosing who had the most baskets....

Way More Stories, But Enough

Lots of other stuff happened this week, so just look at the slide show...  and I'll mention a few really important ones next week ..... so stay tuned.   Amazingly, it will be my last one from Guyana this year ..... Dennis will do one after we get home.

So we went out to celebrate at the Everest Cricket Club,
where they remembered the Pink Umbrellas for Dennis.

There must be a Secret Guyanese Code

National March for Suicide Awareness

This was the scene at 6:40 this morning before the advertised 7:00 start of the March last Sunday.  I will give an all-around view  for the full effect…

 

Through some special communication only known to a few Piai men, the March was going to begin at 6am, not at the newspaper published 7am -- though it only left about 6:20 and did not follow the designated route.  A security guard from the Bank of Guyana had pity on the only person sitting on the stairs and said, "They already left."  "No, that is okay; I am waiting for the 7 AM National Suicide Prevention March."  "Yes, they left with the Minister of Health after he gave a speech."   I did find out that they were not going to end at the Umana Yana [probably because it burnt down last week], but would finish right here.  And about the time for the March to start, they were finishing.    I did get a few pictures with some people actually in them.

If this was supposed to be the National March… I would have hated to see a local one.   However, I did get a chance to chat with the Minister of Health... and a picture to prove it. 

Well, that freed up my morning, so I consoled myself on the walk back that I would stop at my favourite french fry place for a double order of breakfast fries; AND, it was not open.   Why would it have been when their sign says open at 7AM?

 And in the same Inscrutable Vein of Guyanese Logic..

I was wanting some newsprint paper for my class at St Ann's.  In one of the Nursing School's rooms there is an easel - a really nice, sturdy, wooden one, but with no paper.  I asked a few teachers and they did not remember seeing any, but there must be some around.  When the secretary arrived after lunch, I asked Kelta if there was any newsprint paper.
She said that they didn't have any.
But what about the easel?
Yes, that is what it is for, but there is no paper, as no one uses it.
Could it be that no one uses it because there is never any paper?
What if I wanted some newsprint?
I don't think so, as there is no budget for it.
Thanks.
Luckily, a secretary in Hospital Admin loves me and let me have a few sheets from a hidden stash.

And one more "head scratcher"

There is a new disease here in Guyana "Chikungunya".  It is related to Dengue and seems that every third person you meet has it or has had it.  So the health prevention crowd is out informing the public.  Here is the sign near our flat.

 Be sure to read the Prevention Section
before looking at the following pictures

And then not too far away is the area below our flat.





Another Special Mercy Staffer
Margaret Douglas

Margaret doesn't need to go to the gym; she tosses around heavy loads all day

Margaret is a 17 year veteran of the hottest part of Mercy - the Laundry Facility.  She has been in that facility for all those 17 years and now is the Head Laundress.  She does like to stay put.   In fact, she was born on Norton Street in Georgetown and now lives in the same house on Norton Street.   She was married but has been a widow for 16 years.  She raised her family there, and now there are 9 grandchildren for her and her daughters, Brandee and Deedee to spoil.

Margaret said that the best part of coming to work each day at Mercy was giving herself the challenge to try to  improve something.  After all those years, the machines are really her second set of children.  She can tell by the sounds and rhythms if the machines are not right.  And in 10 years from now?  You guessed it:  Margaret sees herself still in the laundry because she likes it there and she watches her diet and stays fit ..... and there are still some parts of the facility she can improve.
So her wisdom for the readers:  As you get older, you get more wise.  You get more knowledge about life; imagine if you could go back ten years in your life how much smarter you would have been.  If you get to be old, use your wisdom to help younger people.

Police Rodeo
Saturday was the Annual Police Services Rodeo right across the street on the Parade Grounds.   I knew it was on because the gentleman on the loudspeaker almost blew out the glass on the flat's windows.   There are always lots of people there and some food and beer, so I went over for a few hours.   Now:  you know of the famous Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride?  Well, the Guyana Police force topped it with the Guyanese Mounted Police Musical Chairs.

There was also the usual display of close order marching, police dog obedience and skill maneuvers, gymnastics, hand-to-hand combat and then at dusk there is the horse jumping show when the horses jump through a flaming hoop .....  And one can't forget the ubiquitous motorcycle races.   I did get to see some of my old students with their families out to enjoy the activities -- and I even remembered all their names.

Some PBL... or Rather "Field Trip" - Almost
Still following the old axiom that almost anything is better than teaching; I announced to the students we were going on a field trip...  They were exuberant and wanted to know where and did they have to wear their uniforms?  I said yes, but I would pay transportation .....  We were going to the Radiology Department!   (I was really glad that no one had a gun with them!)  We had talked about lots of Imaging techniques and we wanted them to see them in action as well as see some of the images.   They were shown MRI, CT Scan, Xrays and Ultrasound.   The Radiographer and Radiologist were patient and good teachers... and it took the whole hour.

Radiographer Tijo explains the CT.

Dr. Persaud discusses Ultrasound.

And Finally Christmas Early
Whenever a container arrives from the North, it is almost as intense as watching kids unwrap their presents at Christmas.   It is also "all hands on deck" as much needed items get distributed to the right area.    I think that this particular shipment came from "my"  Guyana Christian Charities Canada.

So much stuff in one container.

Doesn't Dr. Bridgemohan look like the CEO? And in the picture is Mr. Williams and  St Juanita's Daughter, Joannah Ramsammy.



Thanks for reading.

John -- now a proud official member
of the Mercy Student Nurses Association.

Settled In, Both of Us

Now I have been here two weeks and have almost forgotten the hassles of getting the flat and classroom ready .....  as well as settling in Bev, as it is her first trip to Guyana.   As I sit here writing, things such as no shower, no phone, no net, etc., don't seem such a big deal    I guess it is like a mini-childbirth; after it is over, you turn around and go forward ......   The flat is familiar and livable, though I don't think I'd ever call it home.

Driver Waja dropped Bev off here early last Saturday and we did a walking tour of Georgetown and some shopping -- then fine dining (well, a good dinner) at my friend Taju's Princess Kitchen and Bar.  (For long time readers:  the US granted him and his family a 10 year visa to visit.  Yes, I am still mad at Canada Immigration, who did not treat him so well.)  We finally ended up at St. Ann's girls' orphanage.  I just wanted to chat with the new "General", Sister Leonie, about how she wanted me to be useful.   We walked into the dining room where they were having a snack; these are still provided by the community every day. That day's was donated and served by a woman who was celebrating HER 50th birthday... and her whole family was with her.  (A Guyanese custom for the older set, as the young seem to have adopted the North American reverse in which the birthday person receives from others.)  

When the girls saw me, I literally was mobbed; I could hardly stay standing.   I was overwhelmed, as I hadn't been there for two years and then only about once a week. The love fest soon ended when they started to play their favorite game, "Father John, what is my name?" ..... and after 2 years it was no contest, but they persisted in tormenting me - even the girls I had never met before!  And they took my camera  .....  This year I am going to have a photography contest for the girls, with prizes... Anyone have prize ideas?

On Sunday we went to the church that Dr. Daniel had come over from India to begin and now his son-in-law, Dentist John Daniel, is the pastor.  I go because Tabitha Mallampati  who is the director of the nursing program at University Guyana and a long-time friend, is also one of the leaders there with her husband, Sekhar, and (Holy Mackerel!) their 12 year old son Isaac.   They always are welcoming and, as customary, invited us to stay for lunch.

For me, attending the church service is to step back into a different world of religious conservativism.   I attend there out of respect for my now deceased friend, Doc Daniel, and the other good people.  When Tabitha met Bev, she said that she knew me well and that I was her friend though we didn't agree on much!   It is also the church that Doc Tony Carr had taken under his musical wing, and where he assisted with the choir and keyboard playing.  Assante, the keyboard player, told me that Tony has been giving her lessons over Skype.

Isaac was to begin a new school year the next day... and (to show the obsession with exams and success) he would write his Common Entrance Exams in the Spring and was told that from now on there'd be no fun - just studying.  These are the national exams that determine to which High School you get selected, from the best to worst ..... and so you know whether you'll get to college and/or a good job ..... There are even similar exams after kindergarten -- and some preschools have entrance requirements!  No wonder my nursing students only study for exams .....   So, sadist that I am, we have an exam every day of Problem Based Learning ...... but no Final -- maybe I am not too tough.

On Monday, we had Ian and Marysia Donnelly, as distinguished guests.  They were volunteers in Guyana when we were here in 2011.  Marysia helped the entire time as a tutor and then Ian was the prime mover in getting a sizable donation from the Rotary Club of Dundas, Ontario to assist with the purchase of some of the tablets which had been gifted to the first year students.   And so, since they were here on a training programme for 6 month volunteering in Grenada, we had a little PR thank-you picture taken... and Ian requested a folk-worship song... but I don't think he is getting religious.    And that night we had dinner with the CUSO contingent at their Windjammer hotel  - and a few beers -- for me:  Bev is a lady!

I used to call my missives Ramblings and now I remember why .....

Speaking of birthdays, a little birdie told the students that it was Bev's birthday and so they baked a cake and sang traditional Happy Birthday songs...   Birthdays are big stuff here... And Bev  had nothing for them and felt guilty - ah, good old Catholic guilt!

And on Friday we took a walk to the Promenade Gardens.  It is one of my favorite places in the city.  I can only imagine what they could do with the resources and talents of the Ayr or Pubnico Garden Clubs!   And then because Bev was thirsty, we stopped at my favourite sidewalk cafe, Paul's.  He greeted me like a long lost friend... Well, he does sell beer.  

A Rose between two thorns -
or vice versa, eh?

Paul's Sidewalk Cafe with live entertainment

We also had dinner with Bhiro Harry at the Everest Cricket Club in order to plan for the visit of two doctors from Freeport Hospital in Kitchener, Peter Kuhnert and Sujay Patel.  (Peter also is a Lutheran Pastor.)  They will come down for a week in October to see about developing an ongoing psychiatry project that will help Bhiro at the clinical level.  (Stay tuned as this new project evolves.)   Oh and we had a few beers .....


Finally, while I don't like to brag too much, I must tell you about an unusual victory for me.  I always give myself two weeks to learn all the students' names.  I put their mug shots on my laptop and study them, and at the end of the second week, if I can't name them all, then I buy pizza for the class.  As usual, they did their best to confuse me (with Bev's help), by switching places, adding glasses, etc.  BUT I triumphed without  hesitation -- well, with just a bit for dramatic effect!  So I had to do a little triumph dance .....  Sweet victory AND the agony of defeat -- the upper classes had told them there was no chance that I'd remember, so they were already counting on the pizza -- what could I do?!

A moment of drama as I paused and they were sure they had won...
[And no, Dennis, I wan't teaching in shorts - it was my day off.]

Enough already ..... There was so much happening, but even if you aren't tired of reading,  I am tired of typing.  If there was something I missed that you'd like me to write about, drop me a line, and I'll try.

Thanks for getting this far.  

John