So things aren't looking good for the project we were originally supposed to be doing. Apparently the Ministry of Health was really excited when they were first told about our project, and had pretty much given the go-ahead, but when they went to get the signature everything had changed and now it keeps getting sent to higher and higher levels to seek approval. Right now I think it's with the Chronic Disease Department. We're still hoping that it will be approved in time for us to run at least one workshop, but if that does not happen, our responsibilities are going to have to change. For this week, we are working a bit on the script of the workshop to try to make it as culturally appropriate for this area as possible. Other than that we are helping out the Medex here with the project he is already working on. On Friday we are probably going with him to a nearby village to help treat mosquito nets with an insecticide. I'll keep you up to date with what I'm doing, but can't say much else now because I really don't know.
Now I'm going to try to explain where it is I am. We are at Bina Hill which is an Institute which seems to do many things and provide many services. I haven't quite figured it out, but we are working here in the office which has quite a few computers for people to use and then upstairs there is a meeting area as well as a community radio station which broadcasts in the evening (apparently the only one in Guyana!). There is a kitchen in it's own little building with a cook that provides us with all our meals and there is a school, which isn't actually in session right now because they are on summer vacation. There is also a little store where we have gotten some bottled water, some toilet paper, and some insecticide spray to try to keep our room as bug-free as possible. Most people here live in these little thatched-roofed huts, but I don't think there are any available right now so we were put in this sort of barn like building where half is just open and has a hammock in it and the other half is our room where we have beds and shelves and a kerosene lamp. They seemed worried that we wouldn't be happy with where they put us, but personally I think I like it better than I would like the huts because with brick walls and zinc roof I feel like there are less places for critters to hide on us. I haven't seen the inside of the huts though so who knows.
We are pretty much in a Savannah so it's flat and grassy with some small mountains visible in the distance. The 'airport' was actually more of a dirt landing strip which dropped us off in what is the only semblance of a hotel in the community (actually called an ecolodge). I gather that the eco-lodge is also the only place to get ice and also where you can send mail and stuff. But that doesn't matter too much because Annai is actually 3 miles away from me and we don't really have any means of travelling there. That's about all I saw there.
It's really quite hard to describe where I am because it's so different from anywhere I've been, but I hope that helps a little. Now, even though the internet is uber slow I'm going to try to post a picture. If this works I think I'll try to post one each day. I'm going to have choose wisely because I think I'll be lucky just to get one and should try my luck with more than one. I've even made the picture smaller to try to let it load. Here is today's
This is a baby monkey licking smushed banana off my fingers! I know feeding them isn't a very good idea, but they were SO cute I just couldn't resist! I even had some of them sitting on my head for a while. These little ones were the cutest I think, and they were so gentle! Although you had to be careful to hold on tight to the banana or they would just take the whole thing from you instead of just eat out of your hand. I learned that the hard way. Oh yeah, and this was when I was in Manuel Antonio and went on the mangrove tour.That's it for today. If this posts well, I might try adding more later or tomorrow.
Talk to you later!
Kaila
3 comments:
I found a web site for Bina Hill Institute. It says: The Bina Hill Institute, established in 2001, works with several partners under the umbrella of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), including Pronatura and Iwokrama, to develop training, research and other resources in the North Rupununi.
For example, fisheries surveys for Arapaima and aquarium fish used the Institute as a base. The NRDDB and Iwokrama have also organized the training of apprentices in carpentry at the Institute. The Institute has also started a radio station.
The Focus of Training in the North Rupununi
Over the next five years, Bina Hill Institute will expand its training efforts significantly. The major areas identified by local people are in natural resource management, traditional knowledge systems, and building capacity for both occupational and economic development:
Agricultural training including veterinary science, plan science, horticulture, and pest control
Understanding laws and resource mapping for the development of sustainable businesses involving timber, tourism, medicinal plants, aquarium fish and honey
Professional skills development such as in carpentry, masonry, boat and other vehicle operation and mechanics, cooking, sewing, microscopy and computer use, as well as training for guides, rangers, community environmental workers, teachers and nurses
Organisational skills development such as household and village financial management, governance and leadership
The Bina Hill Institute will also support adult and distance education and literacy programmes. The NRDDB will ensure that training opportunities are shared among villages. Finally, the Bina Hill Institute will make arrangements for accreditation for training courses through national and international institutes.
Radio Paiwomak
The first hinterland community-managed radio station, Radio Paiwomak (FM 97.1) began broadcasting in 2000. The station is located within the Bina Hill Institute and operates under the umbrella of the NRDDB. The station affirms the culture and traditions of the Makushi. Radio Paiwomak serves 9 of the area communities. Mum
Capuchin monkeys are evil! I got loads of pics of some and they looked so sweet, but apparently they're the only species of monkeys that eats the offspring of other species of monkeys lol!
Love reading your posts - keep 'em comin!!
Allison
Sounds like an experience like no other! I can't believe that is where you are spending the next 5 week, but I'm sure you'll have some fabulous stories out of it!
Your posts are thoroughly entertaining, reading them is a nice break from doing work in the computer lab. So thanks for that!
talk to you later!
HOLLY
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