And it was Morning and Evening of the First Day

 Always a sad goodbye

I could have had a smoother start…

Flight was uneventful except for the Chinese [I guess this is no longer acceptable; can someone offer a new adjective, maybe Trumpian?] Fire Drill in Trinidad ..... We had to get off the plane, walk a while, go right by the new departure gate, down the stairs and go through immigration, re-ticketing, all the screening security -- though we never left the secure area!  I guess it provides jobs and it did shorten the sitting and waiting time.

No trouble with Immigration or Customs in Guyana ... Got through at 7:25 having landed at 7:10am. [Their new spiffy terminal was there, but the first arrival test was later that day.  My friend, Bhiro was in Canada as his dad is not well, so he arranged for the Public Hospital van to pick me up.  No problem except there was no hospital van there... and at 8:05 still no van ..... As you emerge from inside you are greeted by the licensed drivers.   Now there are way more drivers than people needing one and there is no system of ..... who is next.   They just rush to greet you and then shadow you like a puppy until your ride comes or you give up waiting.  I took my shadow’s taxi.  All was good.  I even got to meet his family on the way in to Georgetown ..… and wait while he picked up some money from a relative to buy tickets for the professional cricket match on this weekend.

I can’t complain as I had him stop to pick up the Guyana Lutheran Church phone at Davy Ram’s Republic Bank. There is only one problem: it is a small smart phone.  I have never had a phone smarter than I am!  It rings – many different sounds.  I don't know what to do as it came with no instructions.  This will be a good test for me as I have resisted going cellular.  So far, I have managed just to have it turn off every night at 9 and not turn on till 6 ..… satisfying!  I did buy a protective cover, so when I drop it or throw it, it might still work.  

It is tiny, though you can't see that.

I would have looked on the internet for a manual, but for some reason IT thought that I was arriving on Saturday and not Friday, so there was no internet in the flat. [Guyanese note: there is no one working on Saturdays to configure the connection, so I would still not have it.]  I was assured it would be working on Monday ..... and it was running on Wednesday -- not bad, and now I am happy!     

I try to get here on a Friday as I can connect with everyone and get set to teach on Monday.   And I adapt, though usually grumbling.   I can get WiFi signals in the flat, but they are password-protected and I guess I don’t have the appropriate clearance.  

So I go down to the school or the cafeteria patio where I can connect and meet evening mosquitos and old friends and students -- whose first question is:

 “Do you remember my name?”   [They know I have this disability and still they torment me.]   Then they ask, “What are you doing out here?”     “Just getting some breeze.”

If this was the only inconvenience, it wouldn’t be worth mentioning.   But my printer can only work through an internet connection.   [Yes Tim Carr, maybe you could get it working without the Net, but I can’t.]  So it will be a race to see if IT will connect the printer before my 11:00 am class.  Ah, the suspense.   If you have read attentively, you know it wasn’t.  However, as so many times in my life, a wonderful secretary has bailed me out.  Yolanda, the school’s Do-Everything, printed all the sheets I needed.  Thanks.

I was assured the flat was ready.

I have a roommate this year, Obel, a Cuban Pediatrician.   Obel is a fine person; I’ll write about him in a later blog.   We will do well together.  

There were a few small problems; all the windows were stuck shut, and they still are.  Maybe tomorrow?  Wilton, a Bosco graduate and now working with maintenance, got them fixed   I did get an extra fan…  They took the one that we gave Michelle (the Director of Housekeeping) last year, and gave it back ….. after the weekend as she was not there those days.

And the best; see if you can tell what is missing from my bedroom.    

Now, Peter K, this really would be Spartan.

There was no mattress on the bed till 4 on Friday afternoon.  It is a long, long Guyanese story with which I won’t bother you.  But Terry got it done, along with many other requests from me.

And the last in this litany of woe:   My ATM card for the local bank had expired. Who knew?   So I called my personal and important banker, Davy Ram;  he said to just call him in the afternoon before I left for the branch and he would arrange it.  I forgot that Guyanese bankers really do have banker’s hours.  So when I called at 2:30 that I was ready to go, they had stopped working at 2:00.    Luckily I had enough money to get essentials – coffee and … you thought I was going to say beer!  But when my friend, Taju Olaleye, delivered all the tablets [to which many of you had contributed and which are now all working and fully charged] for the new first year nursing students, he also brought a case of beer which I had asked him to pick up !   And he put it on my tab J 

On Tuesday afternoon, I did go to get my ATM Card.  Davy had warned them I was coming  ..… It is good to know people in high places, especially in Guyana.  I was done in less than an hour!  I did have to sign papers for everything, though ..… And once, the young man told me that his supervisor said it wasn’t my signature because it wasn’t identical to my passport.  Now I resisted asking for the supervisor’s credential in graphology and just tried to copy my passport signature, and now she agreed.   And the card worked and I have money.

Later on Monday evening, I was forced to go to the Everest Cricket Club for something to eat, and a few beers, and their internet to send a loving email to my wife.  

 Actually, I got lots done despite the small difficulties ..... I did get a chance to chat with both the Board Chair, Carlton Joao who said he would buy lunch –- bonus!  Also met the new CEO, Enoch Wain Gaskin.  I like him and think he is a good fit for Mercy now.   He didn’t offer to buy lunch, but one can’t have everything, eh?

The end of the first day with many hiccups and frustrations and laughs; I am well and there is a cool [by Guyana standards] breeze blowing through the flat

Looking ahead

Anne has convinced me that I can’t keep coming back to Guyana for ever because I am getting old.   I am not sure she is right, though next year I do not plan to be back in September or October.   I just said, “Yes, Dear.” as I have missed her birthday for 17 years… and she has let me live, without too much grumbling. Anne will be 80 in October 2019 and we will be going on a trip through Scandinavia ..... Neither of us has ever been there, so I am looking forward to that.  

It also means I will plan a big 80^th celebration, though she says the trip is more than enough. Maybe everyone will have to bring a book she hasn’t read; and that will be a big challenge. 

There was no Coup…

I thought it was a great opportunity to have last year’s co-leader to take over the reins of leadership.   So I am not Lead Faculty for the Problem Based Learning Course -- I will be Nurse Candy Mohan’s assistant.   I know she will do well; I am not so sure about myself.  Candy has already made changes to the way I [and Tony Carr] had done stuff and we haven’t even had the first class.    

I usually ask you to pray for the students; this year I, too, may need all the prayers I can get.  I am sure that I will write more as the time goes along.   Thank you for joining me.

Closing out 2017 with a Few Thoughts

[Sorry, no pictures as the latest Microsoft Update wiped them out. 

So far their solution tells you that you shouldn't have done it in the first place.]

My First and Last Thought - Gratitude

I guess "Gratitude" is a feeling more than a thought or even an attitude.    I just know that is what I feel as I remember my Guyana time this year.    I wish I had a more complicated or sophisticated remembrance... I really do have many others:

Frustration - that I can never seem to accomplish as much as I want or thought that I could do in September;

Amazement - with the energy, drive, persistence, creativity [including all their unique excuses]  of "my" beginning nursing students;

Double Admiration -  for my colleagues on the nursing faculty.   I get lots of  thanks for coming so far... I do like the recognition... AND I am humbled in the presence of my "teammates"  who are really in the starting lineup everyday - Elsie, Candy, Roberta, Tracy and Yolanda.   [There are part-timers whom I admire and would name if I thought I could name them all.]

Pride -  At first, I was congratulating myself for  being "Mercy's Executive Volunteer" now for over 16 years... And then the truth hit me!  By myself, I'd never have lasted.  I have never gone alone though I have stayed there alone.

My wife, Anne, has traveled with me ever time - though she has mostly found ways to avoid the mosquitos, the heat and the humidity.   Her traveling is done on another continent by enduring my neurotic needs for adventure and meaning and an almost total denial of my aging,  when it would be her choice for me to be beside her.   And she does it with love.

My larger family with our children and their children and well, not yet any children's children.   They miss me when they aren't doing their own lives - that is how it should be.   They do support my adventures, especially distracting Anne with their activities and achievements.     And they do it with love.

My friends and supporters,  who offer me encouragement with their words and donations [of course].  It is not the cash... it is what it means and I see that meaning every day I am in Guyana. I see:

• tiled floors in the classrooms
• classrooms that were raised a foot to stop the flooding rains from stopping classes,  
• movable desks and chairs for both classrooms to accommodate small learning groups, not mentioning more comfortable on their butts.
• retracting, solid room divider to have a partition between the classes,
• and every student with a tablet to do their homework, research and yes, social media.

These and many others sights are  the meaning of your support.  As well, there is so much unseen.  Some of you give me money directly.  I call it my "beer fund".   However, there are so many more pressing needs - helping to pay someone's rent, transportation,  meals, debts - I don't even have enough left over for good night's drinking.  And they do it with love.

My fellow North American volunteers, those who have come down to work with me on PBL, I have undying admiration.  I started adding an interesting comment to every name; however, I realized that they are still alive! So: Tony Carr, Dennis LeBlanc, Sylvia Wilvert, Emily Flynn, Charlie Malcolmson and Cathery Lee, Andrew Alan, Beverly Clark, Marysia Donnelly and like the blanket statement in confession, "for these and all my other sins volunteers I have forgotten...  And they do it with love.

My Guyanese volunteers like, Derry Harry, Sandra LaRose, Ricky Chan who were faithful small group tutors.  This year we had more need for volunteers and some old students, now professional RN's signed up, and came in on their days off, for facilitating small groups all term - Vikram Suklal, Ginelle Williams, Tiffany Scott, Jon Daly, Mowava Rodwell, Lovey Lamont and even Ariel Williams.   There were others for previous years who we conscripted... who know who you are better than this old man's memory.   And they do it with love.

My Guyanese friends who support me in so many ways and are more like family.   My brother of a different mother, Bhiro Harry, who from the time he picked me up at the airport to the time he left me off there... he offers me physical - well, he likes beer , emotional and spiritual kindnesses.   My son-like friend, Taju Olaleye and his family Allison, Tommy and Althea - now a nursing student.  He is my importer - tablets, books, printers... all arrive quickly and safe.   He was also the Maitre'd for many of my visitors and friends at The Princess.     And then there is my personal banker, Michael Ram. I can give him a cheque, and instead of waiting for the 30-60 day wait to clear a foreign check,
 it is in my ATM account right away.   This is an enormous gift as anyone who knows my financial skills will attest.   As well, he lets me borrow an Lutheran Church in Guyana cell phone.  And they do it with love.

[Wow, this is getting longer than my planned introduction.]

My 2017 class of nursing students.   They are the reason that I come down every year.   I love to see how they struggle with new ideas and learn what they mean for their living.    They are certainly not saints, yet they are inspiring for me and I want to offer them my best because they are truly "grateful" for what I do, even if I am a little sarcastic or their exam marks are less than they expected...   And they do it with love.

Finally,  I am thankful to Everyone!  Yes, a little over the top and still true.   Almost all the staff at Mercy go out of their way to answer all my requests; this especially includes Maintenance, Dietary, Laundry, Information Technology and Administration, especially Debbie Ramsey and Helen Browman.    My "old" students greet me warmly coming and going to work, in the hallways, on the street...  I do feel that I belong there by each kindness. And they do it with love.

Basta! Enough!  I have left out great and important stuff, especially in the area of Psychiatry and mental health.   Okay so I lied again.  I want to write about my involvement with psychiatry there with Tony Carr, Peter Kuhnert and Shrenik Parekh.  I guess if I write it in January 20128, then this post will be my last for 2017!

Grateful?

Before I left, I asked several overlooked departments if they could tell me one thing that I could give to them that would improve their working lives at Mercy.     Of course, I was hoping that your would assist me in doing this.  So if you can, consider providing these and you can share my feeling of gratitude.

Housekeeping  - They needed a big fan for their office  in order to keep their new computer from overheating.   To show that I try and walk the talk... Anne and I brought them the fan.

Laundry - Must be the year of the fan as Laundry wanted a fan too, but more powerful.    Believe me it is the hottest place in the whole hospital.   I know that the fan costs @ $100. Cdn

Dietary -  They must be the most Guyanese as I am still waiting for their request.

Maintenance -    "Keith, I said one!"      He must think you are really going to be grateful.    He wrote, "Please see list below of tools needed for the Maintenance Department."

1.Power analyzer ( Department would able to do our own power analysis in house )

2.Heavy Duty  trolley ( moving heavy items around hospital .

3. Ampere Multi-Tester 

4. Combination driver set 1/2" and 3/8"

5.Temperature Gun ( ascertain the correct temperature of Air Conditioning units)

6. Carpentry chisel set 

7. precision screw driver set 

8. Solid joint , box joint and special pliers set

9. Random orbit sanders Screw driver bit set 

10. Combination Hex key set

11. Bolt Cutter

12. Rigid drain gun-kit ( Clearing of block sinks and drain )

13. Torx screw driver set 

14. Dewalt pistol grip drill 120 v  60 Hz 

15.18 volt cordless impact driver with driver set 

16. Dewalt  screw bits sets 

17. Electrical insulated screw driver set 

18. Manifold testing device for refrigeration 

19. Heavy duty sander 

I and they will appreciate what you can give.   Every little thing makes a big difference there.

Till next year.  Thanks for reading with me this year.  John