Holiday

I will be spending Christmas in a nature resort called "Iwokrama" with my VSO friends. It is a nature reserve in a middle of a rainforest, where you can enjoy variety of activities, such as hiking, canopy walk, wild-life watching and visiting an Amerindian village. I am leaving Thursday evening and coming back on 28. I will have lots of photos and stories when I am back. After I return, I will go back to Montreal just over a week. I decided this couple of days ago, but managed to book a flight home. I hope I can "adjust" to the climate!! 　　

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Report/ レポート発表

Today, at last I have presented the final Needs Assessment report to the central officers of the union. Since I came back from Region 1, I have conducted a few more interviews with key people of the org, and have been working on the report. It ended up as long as 30 pages including the appendix. When I took over the work from my predecessor (Gilly), I didn’t think report will look much different from what she has done originally. However, as I carried out more consultation with teachers, I was able to go deeper in some areas and explore new issues that have not been touched before. There were times when I felt quite overwhelmed by the scope of problems. I find writing can be solitary and scary but at a same time enjoyable and creative process. At the end I was quite excited about the report.

We had a day and a half blackout at the union office, and this slowed down my work quite a bit. I am heavily dependant on the technology (computer, printer and photocopy machine), and the office was awfully hot without fans! I had to go back and forth between, VSO office, home and the union office to complete all the necessary things, and it was stressful.

Unfortunately, some central officers could not make it to the meeting today, so we had a small group. I went with VSO director and my Program Manager. My presentation was about 30 min long using a flip chart to point out key findings and recommendations. I must say that it went quite well.

The report was well appreciated by the officers, but the important question is what they are going to do with these recommendations and what they will let me do in next four months.

My bosses and I went to have nice lunch at a hotel to celebrate our success. I treated myself two slices of cake!!

今日、遂に今までやっていた必要性調査の結果のレポートを教師組合の幹部に発表しました。１の地方から帰ってきて以来、組合の中の重要人物にインタビューを行ったりしてレポートの仕上げに勤しんでいました。前任者のジリーからこの仕事を引き継いだ時は、彼女が書いたレポートからあまり変わり映えしないだろうと思いましたが、予想に反して、様々な地域の学校を訪ねて調査を行った結果、いくつかの問題をもう少し深く掘り下げることができ、前のレポートでは触れなかった新しいエリアも探究することができました。レポートを書く作業は時には孤独で、書いている中身が本当に意味を成すのか心配になることもありますが、
波に乗り出すと楽しく、最終的には満足した出来となりました。

ここ数日、組合のオフィスが停電していた為、なかなか仕事がはかどりませんでした。コンピュータやプリンターコピー機なしでは仕事にならないし、扇風機なしの事務所は暑すぎです！VSO、組合のオフィスと家を行ったり来たりして何とか作業を済ませることができましたが、ちょっとストレス溜まりました．．．。

残念ながら、何名かの幹部が間に合わなかったので、小さいグループで会議が進められました。私のプレゼンはフリップチャートを使って主な調査結果や今後への提案について説明し３０分ほどで終わりました。

この調査書はかなりのネガティブなことが指摘されているにも関わらず、NGO幹部は皆、良い反応を示してくれました。問題は、これらの提案について何をするのか、これからの４ヶ月間で私が何をできるのかです。来週月曜日に違うグループにまた発表するので頑張ります。

会議が終わってから上司２人にランチに連れて行ってもらい、会議の成功を祝いました。様々な国で活動しているVSOですが、教師組合をパートナーNGOとしてプロジェクトを進めるのは初めてらしく、画期的なイニシアティブということ。私は自分へのご褒美にデザートのケーキ２つ食べました（いつも言い訳を見つけては甘い物食べていますが．．．。）

Rainy Season/ 雨季の始まり

Yesterday, I woke up at 6 worrying about the heavy rain. And then when I finally got up at 6:30 and stepped on the floor, finding my both feet in the water! My house was flooded out! I was in shock!! Now is the time to use all the swearing words I ever know!!! I immediately called the attention of my roommate and walked around the house, only fining out that the whole floor was soaked. The water was about five centimeters high, and we even saw a tiny fish swimming in the dining room…. The security guard, our land lady and two VSO neighbor couples came to help us. We lifted everything from the floor from shoes to the fridge, unplugged all the sockets and blocked three doors by sand bags. Each VSO couple (they all live on the second floor) took one of us in, and I went to stay at Jim and Terry’s in the same compound. The rain was still not stopping, and I was pacing up and down to see the road from the front window and our house through the back door.

Georgetown is in fact very susceptible to flooding, as it is below sea level. In January this year, they had a severe flooding where some people had water as high as to their waist. The city was supposed to clean the water ditches and drainages and fix water pumps to pump out the water to the ocean. However, this was apparently not properly done.

The water subsided in the early afternoon, and our landlady called someone to come and clean our place. I didn’t go to work and stayed over at Jim& Terry’s. I didn’t do much all day except grocery shopping, but I was completely exhausted. I was thinking that what I experienced was probably less then 1% of what people have gone through during and after Katrina.

Jim and Terry took a very good care of me, and I had warm shower for the first time since I came to Guyana. They have this special camping shower bag.

I will most likely move back today, but I may move to a different house, since this is ONLY the beginning of the Rainy Season. Oh no~

昨日の朝は６時頃に大雨が心配で目が覚めました。6時半にさて準備をしようと思い起き上がり、床に立ち上がったところ、なんと床が水浸しになっていなのです！私のアパートメントは浸水していました。かなりのショック。すぐさまルームメイトを起こして家中を歩き回ったところ家中に雨水が入ってきているようでした。水位は5センチほどで、ダイニングルームには小さい魚まで泳いでいました。警備員、大家さんとVSOのお隣さんの2組のカップルが様子を見に来てくれました。靴から冷蔵庫までありとあらゆる物を床から持ち上げ、電気のプラグを抜いて、３つあるドアもすべて砂の入った袋でブロックしました。私とルームメイトのペニーナを一人ずつお隣さんが面倒見てくれるというので（皆2階に住んでいる）、私は向かいのジムとテリーの家に避難しました。雨はまだ降り続き、私は落ち着くことができずに道路に面した窓と私の家の見える窓側を行ったり来たり。

ジョージタウンは実は海面より低い都市なので、洪水が起こりやすいのです。（オランダと同様）今年の1月は近年稀に見る洪水に見舞われ、腰の辺りまで水位が上がった地域もあるぐらいです。ジョージタウン市は今年、排水溝を清掃し、海に排水する為のポンプを修理することになっていたのですが、明らかにそれが怠われていた様子。

午後には水位も下がり、大家さんが清掃員を派遣してくれました。この日は仕事は休み、ジムとテリー宅に一晩泊めて頂きました。一日中、食料品の買出し以外にはこれと言って何もしなかったけど、かなりの疲労。でもアメリカ南部で起こった　カトリーナの被害者に比べれば私の身に起こったことは1パーセント以下に過ぎないんだろうと思います。　

ジムとテリーにはとても親切にしてもらい、ガイアナに来て以来初めてのあっかいお湯のシャワーまでサービスしてもらいました。二人はキャンプ用の特別のシャワーバッグを持っているんです。

今回は大事にはなりませんでしたが、もしかすると家を移るかもしれません。雨季はまだ始まったばかりですから。写真は家の前の道路。

¿ hablo español?

Me llamo Michiyo. Soy de Japon. Jo trabajo para le Unión de profesors en Guyana. Me gusto mucho estudiar español.

Learning languages will be something I will probably never stop in my life. I started Spanish classes recently, and it’s been fun. I sort of put aside my ever-remaining-in-a-same-level French, and decided to tackle another language. Although Guyana is English speaking country, I am still in the Latin America. If I can somehow pull it off, Spanish will be quite handy in my career.

I felt leanring French was easier after knowing English. Similarly, leanring Spanish is easier after knowing French. At least I don’t have to question why these verbs conjuate in such an annoying way or why something is musculin and feminine!

There are many similarities between French and Spanish, and this makes something easier and others harder. For example, work in French is travailler and trabajar in Spanish. I can guess meanings of many words. Then again, many spellings are same or similar but pronounce differently, which is confusing to me. My tiny brain is worked to a full capacity to process all these languages plus ASL (American Sign Language.)

I like seeing similarities but also really enjoy finding out the uniquness of the language. In a way, it really opens a different worldview, which my ethnolinguist friend would agree. For instance, Spanish has to “be’s” (être in French), “ser” and “estar”. “Ser” is used for something permanent, and “estar” is used to indicate a location, emotion and a temporary status of something. This is so interesting!!

I am hoping to get to a basic level before I leave Guyana, and I SO want to impress my Spanish speaking friends back in Canada!


外国語を勉強することは多分一生止めないだろうなと思います。最近、スペイン語を習い始めました！　なかなか上達しない数年来勉強しているフランス語はさておいて、新しい言葉に取り組むことにしました。ガイアナは英語圏だけど、ラテンアメリカであることは確かだし、上手く習得できればこれからのキャリアにも役立つと思ったからです。

英語を勉強した後でフランス語の学習は比較的やりやすかったし、同様にフランス語を知った後でのスペイン語も理解しやすいと思います。少なくとも何で動詞がこんなにややこしく活用するのかとか、どうして名詞に性別があるのかとか一々悩まなくて済むだけでも違いますからね。フランス語とスペイン語は似ているところも多いので、分かりやすいところと余計に迷うことがあります。

例えば、働くという動詞は仏語で travailler 。スパニッシュでは trabajar。などと、知らなくても推測できる単語も多いです。でもかえって、単語の綴りが同じでも発音が違うので混乱することもあります。私の小さな脳が色々な言語とアメリカ手話を理解するためにフル稼働しています！

言語の類似性もおもしろいけど、もっと興味深いのがその言語の特有性です。私の文化言語学者の友人も同意すると思いますが、ある意味、新しい世界観が広がります。例えば、スペイン語では英語のBe動詞（フランス語ではêtre）に当たる動詞が２つあります。“ser” は普遍的な状態を表すのに用いられ、“estar”は場所や感情、変化するものを示すのに使われるそうです。（今週習ったばかり！）こういう違いはすごくおもしろいと思います。

ガイアナを去るまでには基本的なレベルまで達したらいいなあ。カナダのスペイン語を話す友人達をあっと言わせたいです！

Photo Diary- Weekend

I had a really nice weekend. I biked to the Botanical Garden and the Art Gallery. I walked around in the garden and enjoyed paitings. It was relaxing to have time to myself.

週末は植物園と美術館へ自転車で行ってきました。一人でのんびりと庭園を散歩し絵画を鑑賞することができ本当にリラックスできました。



椰子の木も色々な種類があることをガイアナに来るまで気が付きませんでした。


Autoportrait at the Botanical Garden.

ブーゲンビリアの花。


Afterwards, I went to one and only coffee shop in Georgetown to have a cup of coffee and a giant doughnut!
この後はジョージタウンにたった一つの喫茶店でコーヒーと巨大なドーナツを楽しみました！



On Sunday, I got up really early to join the march of Youth Trade Union Movement. Met really nice people!

日曜日は早起きしてYouth Trade Union Movement のマーチに参加しました。

Sport Event

I think my life is crazy sometimes. Monday night I was sick in bed, and then Tuesday night I was sharing a king size bed with a lady whom I just met….

The Union where I work was organizing this big national sports championship in other region, and I was originally committed to go with office staff and executives. Although I was not 100% myself on Tuesday, I decided still to go on this trip. The event was held in Region 6, and we stayed in a city called New Amsterdam. I got a ride with one central officer along with a few other administrative assistants. It was a comfortable two hour drive until we got to the ferry port. They were supposed to have this document of priority crossing, since this was an official event partly organized by the government. However, they did not coordinate the document well, so we had to wait in line over 3 hours to cross this not-so-big river. We left Georgetown at 3:30 and didn’t get in until 9:30. I stayed in a hotel with two office ladies and a female teacher (and I had to share a bed with her.)

The sport event itself was nice. There were several districts across the country, competing in track and field, cycling etc. Kids from primary and secondary schools were participating. It started with Opening Ceremony where there were Christian, Hindu and Muslim prayers (!) and a couple of speeches. I saw Prime Minister of Guyana! The children were running in a very hot sun, and girl athletes were passing out one after another after completing their run. Despite the weather and running bare footed, they were quite impressive. I think in Guyana where the education system is poorly managed and the quality is questionable, even when athletes have potential, they may not have opportunities to further develop their athletic ability. I thought of my father, who is a track and field coach in Japan, and he would love to watch things like this. I saw a VSO who works in the area at the event, so I spent almost the whole day with her and had a nice chat.

People were trying to convince me to stay until the end of the event, which was Friday. I was so tired and wanted to do some work, so I took a minibus on my own and came back.

時々、なんて私の生活はクレイジーなんだろうと思います。月曜の晩は食中毒で寝ていたと思えば、火曜日には初めてあった人とキングサイズのベッドで並んで寝ていました。

私の仕事先である組合が大規模な体育会を催すということで、私もそれに同行するになっていました。火曜日は体調がまだ今ひとつだったけど、思い切って行くことに。これは６の地方で行われており、私達はニューアムステルダムという町に滞在しました。私は事務員数名と一緒に組合委員の人の車に便乗。2時間のドライブは快適だったけど、それはフェリーの港に着くまでの話。このイベントは政府も関与している公のイベントなので、私達は優先的にフェリーで川を渡られるはずでした。でも書類の不備か何かで、結局3時間以上待たされ、3時半にジョージタウンを出発したのに9時半まで到着しなかった。事務員の女性２人と教師、私、合計女性4人で同じホテルの部屋が割り当てられ、私はこの先生と並んで寝たわけです。

陸上競技会自体はとても楽しめました。参加者はガイアナ全土の地域から選りすぐられた小学生から高校までの生徒達で、陸上競技、競輪などで競い合うます。開会式はキリスト教、ヒンズー教、イスラム教のお祈りから始まり、主賓のスピーチなどがありました。そこでガイアナの首相を初めてまじかで見ました！

子供たちは炎天下で競技していて、特に長距離の後は女の子がバタバタとゴール後に倒れていました。この暑さと皆裸足で走っていることも考慮に入れたら、選手のレベルは低くないんだろうと思いす。でも教育制度、教育の質の整っていないこの国では、良い選手の素質はあっても残念ながらそれを伸ばす機会はあまりないのでしょう。競技を見ながら、陸上のコーチをしている私の日本の父親は喜んで観戦するだろうなと考えたりもしました。たまたま周辺のエリアで働いているの女性も来ていたので、彼女と話したりして楽しく一日過ごしました。

金曜日まである大会の最後まで滞在するように皆勧めてくれたけど、体調もいまいちで終わらせたい仕事もあったので一人でミニバスに乗って木曜日に帰ってきました。

Rough Week

I have had a rough week, and this is why I couldn’t update this blog earlier.

After I came back from Mabaruma, I did not feel well. I thought I may be coming down with a cold, but it was probably due to the anti-Malaria pills that I was taking. Region 1 is considered to be the interior in Guyana, so it is one of Malaria infected area. Two days prior to my departure to Mabaruma, I started to take Malarone, which is the newest and most expensive anti-Malaria medication. A few days into my trip, I felt slight stomach pain. This got worse when I flew back, because I was quite nervous on the little plane. Somehow, I thought the engine sounded differently this time (I was probably just imagining) and the pilot seemed writing down something during the flight… Strangely, I was completely fine on the way there, but this may be because I was preoccupied by eating chocolate chip cookies.

Anyhow, I got better, and then there come some communication problems with my dear boyfriend back home. We really needed to speak to each other, but we were not able to. The story goes like this: I waited for two days desperately thinking he was not calling me. One morning, I couldn’t wait, so I decided to call him from home. I got through and tried to speak, and he told me that he has been calling but not getting through. But, we got cut off. Off course my $1000 calling card gives me just a few minutes. I quickly went online hoping he would come online, waited for 10 mins….. nothing… I text message his cellular phone, asking him to log on. ……no sign of him online… Then, I go to the website of Skype to purchase 10 Euros to enable me to call a land line through Internet. Luckily, I happen to have my credit card which is normally locked away in a safe in VSO office. I call… he answers… ..but he can’t hear me this time because of the slow dial-up connection on my end! He is telling me that his computer is down and still not getting through on the phone! I text message again telling him to wait. I get dressed, grab my bag and a bike and off to the VSO office. I was finally able to call and speak to him, but there is no privacy in the office to make a personal call.

This was kind of the day when one thing goes wrong, and all odds are against you. Phone and the Internet are the only thin thread by which I am attached to the people who matter to me on the other side of the world, but this is part of reality of living in a developing country.

Then, I had a good day and a half or so when my life was back to normal. On Sunday, I bought meat for the first time in Guyana to make meat sauce pasta. I am not a much of meat eater, and I usually don’t cook meat at home. But, this time I felt like nice tomato sauce pasta with cheese. My roommate and I enjoyed the dish very much. About 4 o’clock in the morning, I woke up having to run to the bathroom, followed by a few more visits. Yes, I got food poisoning! I felt very tired and feverish in the morning. I borrowed a thermometer from our neighbor Jim, who is multi-talented, very knowledable, well-prepared Canadian. I had close to 38 degree! I called sick, and stayed in bed all day, eating nothing but water and cracker.

I am OK now. This is kind of my story until Monday this week in a nutshell. I will write what I have been up to from Tuesday later.

最近、色々あったので更新する時間がありませんでした。

マバルマから帰ってきてから体調不良。風邪の引き始めかと思ったけど、どうやらマラリア予防の薬の副作用だったようです。１の地方は内陸地と見なされるので、マラリアの感染地帯です。マバルマへ出発する2日前からマラリア予防の薬であるマラロンを飲み始めました。これは出回っている中で一番最近のかつ一番高い予防薬です。旅行中数日後から胃がしくしくと痛くなり始めました。これが帰りの飛行機に乗って緊張していたために余計痛くなったように思われます。何となく飛行機のエンジンの音がいつも違うような気がしたのと、パイロットがなにかメモを取っていて挙動不審に感じたからです。でも恐らく私の心配し過ぎだと思いますが．．．。行きのフライトは全然大丈夫だったのに。でもそれはチョコチップクッキーを食べるので忙しかったから気をとられていただけかもしれません。帰宅してからのどが痛くなり、微熱も出てしまいました。

取り合えずこれは回復したのですが、その後、カナダにいる彼とのコミュニケーション問題が生じました。どうしても話さないといけない事情があったにも関わらず、話すことができませんでした。何があったかと言うとこんな感じです。

2日間、電話がないので絶望的に待っていました。ある朝、待ちつかれたのでこちらから電話することに。繋がり、話すこと数分．．．実は何度も電話したけどつながらなかったとのこと。もちろん1000ドルのテレホンカードは直ぐに切れてしまいました。折り返し電話すると言われたので待っていたのに、一向にかかってこない。向こうも繋いでくれるだろうと願いつつインターネット上で待っていました。彼の携帯へもサインインするようにテキストメッセージも送りました。10分経っても彼はログインしてきません。しびれを切らした私は、ネット電話のスカイプのサイトへ行き、普通の電話にネットからかけられるサービスを１０ユーロで購入。（その日はたまたま、通常事務所の金庫にしまっているクレジットカードが手元にありました。）それで早速、電話。ところが回線が込んでいるからか、彼の声は聞こえるけど、彼には私の声が届かないのです。彼は自宅のコンピューターが壊れていること、電話がまた掛からないことを一方的に訴えています。私はすぐさま、また携帯にメールを送信。急いで着替えて、かばんをつかんで自転車でVSOの事務所に向かいました。そこでやっとまともに話すことができたのですが、何しろ事務所の中なのでプライバシーはゼロです。

一つのことが上手くいかないと全部上手くいかない日とは正にこんな日だなあと痛感。インターネットと電話は大事な友人や家族と繋がっている唯一の糸なのに、それすらもままならない時があるのも途上国の現実です。

この後、まともな精神状態でかつ健康で過ごせたのはたったの一日半でした。日曜日に、ミートソースパスタを作るためガイアナで初めて肉を購入しました。私はあまり肉は食べないし、自宅で肉類を調理することもあまりしません。でもその日はチーズのたっぷりかかったトマトソースのパスタが食べたくなってしまったのです。ルームメイトと私は美味しくこのパスタを頂きました。その晩の朝4時頃トイレに駆け込む羽目に。そうです食中毒です！朝には体がだるくなり、熱も出てきたようでした。万能で物知りで何でも持ってきているカナダ人のお隣さんのジムに体温計を借りてはかると38度近く。その日は仕事は病欠し、一日中、水とクラッカーだけで寝ていました。

今はすっかり直ったのでご心配なく。火曜日から今日までの話は後日書きたいと思います。

Trip to Mabaruma/ マバルマへの調査旅行 Part 2

I normally finished work around three o’clock and went back to the Guesthouse to relax. Guyanese people as well as other foreigners were staying there. I had a nice chat with them, watched satellite CNN news, and read a book. There were three church-related American men, and subsequently another three Canadians came, who were also on a church business. It amazes me how much influence Christianity has in such a remote village. The guest house was small and simple yet very clean and cozy. The food was phenomenal, by the way. I honestly didn’t expect it to be this good. Just to list some of menus: curried beef with roti, roast pork, mashed potatoes, cabbage stew, eggs in the morning, choices of tea, Nescafe or hot chocolate with every meal. When I go traveling, I usually try not to eat a lot of one thing. I just do not to each a lot. Even if I like some things and they are tasty, I try to not in a way indulge myself in it. It is because you never know what exactly you are eating and the sanitary condition and stuff. The last thing you want is having a stomach problem when you don’t know when you can find a decent bathroom. If anything, harm can be limited by eating little of whatever it is. However, I caught myself “indulging” a couple of times. Their fried-fish, tuna dish and fried bake (is also called “float”, unsweetened fried donut type thing) were so good!

The last evening, the Chairman invited me to dinner. They had a power outage that day, and it was a total darkness in the village. He came to pick me up at the guest house with a torch. It was the birthday of one of the teachers, so most of them were gathering in this little pub/ restaurant place in the village. They bought me plantain chips and fried chicken with a few cans of beer. They cook in an outdoor make-shift kitchen, and it was delicious. And guess what?.......................... I saw one Japanese person there!! Technically, he is American (his mother is Japanese) and is Peace Corp volunteer from US. More surprisingly, he lived in Kyoto until he went to University in US!! What a coincidence!! Who imagines I would meet Japanese person in such a remote village after giving up finding one in Georgetown!! I was happy to speak Japanese with him, and I also talked with other teachers.

After staying there for merely five days, I felt sad to leave Mabaruma. I really would like to visit again. This experience made me feel that for my next I.D. job I would like to do rural development. I wonder how it would have been if I went to Cameroon.

I was talking to my manager back in VSO office yesterday, and he told me the following. “I tried to call you at the school but couldn’t reach. I tried the department of education in the village, and they told me ‘oh, Mr. Marcus (the chairman) went out with an Amerindian girl.’” And it was obviously me!!

毎日3時頃には仕事を終え、ゲストハウスに戻ってゆっくりしました。ガイアナ人や他の外国人の宿泊客と世間話をしたり衛星放送のCNNニュースを見たり、本を読んだりして退屈することもありませんでした。教会関係のアメリカ人男性が3人泊まっていて、その後また違う教会関係のカナダ人が来て、こんな小さい村でもキリスト教の影響力には驚かされます。ゲストハウスは小規模でシンプル、でも清潔で居心地は悪くなかったです。食事がすごくおいしかった！正直、食事には期待していませんでした。献立はというとビーフカレーとロティ、豚肉とマッシュポテト、キャベツのシチュー等等、朝食には目玉焼き、毎食紅茶、ネスカフェ、ココアのチョイス。私は旅行中（特に途上国の場合）食事はたくさん食べないように、特に一つのものをたくさん食べないようにしています。美味しいものや好物でもです。なぜなら、何が入っているのか分からないのと衛生の問題があるからです。次にいつまともなトイレが見つかるか分からない環境で、お腹をこわすほど嫌なことはないですからね。でも今回は何度か、あまりのおいしさに我を忘れてお腹一杯食べてしまいました。ツナの炒め物と魚のフライ、ベイクと呼ばれる揚げパンがすごーく美味しかった！

最後の晩はChairmanが食事に誘ってくれました。生憎その日は電気がカットされていたので村中真っ暗。その中を懐中電灯を持って迎えに来てくれました。先生の内の一人の誕生日だったこともあり、ほとんどの教師が村のパブというか飲み屋に集まっていました。そこでプランテーン（甘くないバナナみたいなもの）とチキンのフライ、ビールを3缶もご馳走になってしまいました。野外の囲炉裏で揚げていて美味しかったです。そこでなんと．．．．．．．日本人にあったのです！正確にはアメリカ人と日本人のハーフ、アメリカからのボランティアで来ている男の子です。しかもアメリカの大学に入るまで京都に住んでいたとか！何たる偶然。ガイアナで日本人に会うのはあきらめていたのに、こんな山奥の田舎に日本人がいるとは誰が想像するでしょうか？！ 久しぶりに日本語で話して大満足。他の先生方とも話ができてとても楽しかったです。

たった5日間滞在しただけなのにマバルマを去るのが名残惜しく、また是非行きたいと思いました。次の開発の仕事はできたらやっぱり農村開発がいいな。もしカメルーンに行っていたらどんな感じだったろうと考えてしまいました。

後日談ですが、マバルマから戻り、VSOの事務所で上司と話していると、彼がこんなことを言いました。「向こうに電話かけたんだけどなかなか繋がらないので、村役場にかけてマーカスさん（ Chairman）はいますか？と聞くと、ああ彼は先住民（アメリインディアン）の女の子と出掛けましたよと言われたよ」とのこと。もちろんそれはどう考えても私のことです。（笑）

Trip to Mabaruma/ マバルマへの調査旅行 Part 1

I am back from Mabaruma safe and sound.

Mabaruma is absolutely beautiful, and the people are just so nice and warm. I almost did not want to come back to Georgetown. The place is really out of nowhere. I flew over miles and miles of just forest (jungle) that looks like a whole bunch of broccolis are laid out. It is so far away from the main coastal area of the country, they can’t catch any waves of Guyanese radio or TV. The supply of electricity is limited, and many people do not have a telephone at home, letting alone the access to Internet. Apart from locally produced fruits and vegetables, goods come from Georgetown by boat, which takes as long as 24 hours. Despite all these inconveniences, it's got such a charm. I especially adore the landscape. It is very green and hilly with reddish brown soil and little houses with coconuts leaf roof. The city where I come from in Japan, Kyoto, is surrounded by mountains, and it makes me feel at home to see these hills and mountains. I could just sit for hours on the balcony of the guest house where I stayed to enjoy the scenery.

I would say the research was quite successful. In total, I have visited ten schools in six villages, some of which are a bit hard to access. Roads to some villages are not paved (yet?), so we went on a really bumpy road on a minibus. It was quite a drive, and I am not sure how these minibuses can survive, driving on such bad roads. The notorious potholes in Montreal are no comparison to this! There was no transportation to one village, so we walked about forty minutes in a forest, and I really enjoyed the walk. This village particular had no electricity and no phone. Many areas around Mabaruma can be reached only by boat. Even some school kids have to paddle back home in a small wooden canoe. When I was taking pictures of canoes, one person asked me if I want to “ride” it, but I wouldn’t dare! I know they are used to it, but I think they are so brave.

The current Chairman of the union branch and the newly elected Chairman took turns to accompany me to the schools. They were very kind, and I had a great time talking with them.


マバルマから無事帰ってきました。

マバルマはとてもきれいな村で、地元の人達は親切でフレンドリーで、ジョージタウンに戻りたくなくなるほどでした。まるでブロッコリーを敷き詰めたようなジャングルの上を一時間飛行して到着。本当に回りに何もない地域です。人口が集中するジョージタウン近辺の海岸エリアからかなり離れているのでガイアナのラジオもテレビの電波も届かないし、電力の供給も限られています。自宅に電話がない人も多く、インターネットどころではありません。地元で栽培される果物や野菜を除くほとんどの物資はジョージタウンから船で２４時間かけて運送されます。不便なことも多いこの村ですが、景色の良さは特別だと思います。写真の通り、一面緑に覆われていて山が見え、赤茶色の土と椰子の木の葉っぱの屋根の家。私の実家は3方を山で囲まれた京都なので、山が見える景色には本当に癒されます。宿泊先のゲストハウスのバルコニーで何時間でも座って眺められるほどです。

調査の仕事もまずます上手くいったと言えると思います。合計で6つの村の１０の学校を訪ねることができました。いくつかの学校は交通の便が悪く、ミニバスで、舗装されていないでこぼこ道を行きました。こんなひどい道をバスが良く走れるもんだなと感心。モントリオールの穴だらけの道なんて比較にもなりません！ある村は交通手段がないので、片道40分近く森の中を歩いて辿りつきました。この村は電気も電話も通っていません。マバルマ周辺の地域は船でしか行けない所も多く、木製のカヌーを漕いで家まで帰る子供達もいます。カヌーの写真を撮っていると地元の人が乗ってみる？と聞いてくれたけど、パスしました。皆慣れているのだろうけど勇気あるなあと感心です。

教師組合の現在のChairmanと新しく選出されたChairmanがかわりがわりで私を学校へ連れて行ってくれました。二人ともすごく良い人達で色々な話ができました。

To be continued....

Off I go again!/ いってきます！

I am off to Region 1 tomorrow. Region 1 is a remote area along the coastline of Atlantic Ocean, neighboring to Venezuela. The purpose of my visit is to consult teachers in the hinterland, in particular the Amerindian communities. Amerindians are indigenous people in Guyana, and now constitutes approximately 7% of the population. Since I am conducting the needs assessment for the U., it is important to ensure to include minority voices. They are minorities, because they live in a hard-to-reach area, and socio-economically speaking they are in the periphery. I do not have much knowledge about the Amerindians in Guyana, so I will be very excited to learn!

Oh.. I am flying again, which I am clearly not too happy about, but I am telling myself that I have more chance of getting killed on a road (the traffic is crazy here). I didn’t include this anecdote of my trip to Region 2. When I flew back from Anna Regiona, not only they weigh your luggage but also they weigh you with a small scale, just like the ones in everybody’s bathroom at home. Despite being granted the permission to go ahead with this plan, I couldn’t make any travel arrangements, because we couldn’t get in touch with a person in charge in Region 1. We finally got through on Thursday afternoon, and at that point the flight to and from Mabarouma was full. I spoke to him again Friday morning, and he goes “you must weigh around 100 pound, so they can let you on (!)”

I will take lots of pictures to share! I am not sure if I will have access to Internet there. Even if I do, it will be very slow, and I won’t be able to update this site until I come back. I am leaving on Monday and coming back on Friday.


月曜日にガイアナの１の地方に出発です。ここは大西洋沿いにあり、ベネズエラとの国境に近い地域です。この出張の目的は地方の教師（組合員）、特に先住民族の地域 を訪問することです。 ガイアナの先住民はAmerindianと呼ばれており、人口の約７パーセントを占めています。先住民は主要都市から離れた地方に居住していることもあり、社会経済的立場においても少数派です。現在私の行っている調査対象地域に加えることは大切なので、この地方を訪問することになりました。先住民についてはあまり知識がないので、これを機会に是非とも知りたいです。

また例の小型飛行機に乗る羽目になってしまいました。ああどうか無事に着きますように．．．。ガイアナでは交通事故に遭う確率のほうがよっぽど高いんだから、と自分に言い聞かせていますが。前に２の地方に行ったときのエピソードとして書き忘れていましたが、飛行機に乗る前に荷物の重さを量るの分かるんですけど、体重まで量られるんです！しかも家の洗面所にあるようなごく普通の体重計で。飛行機の大きさからしたら当たり前なのかもしれません。実はこの訪問は２週間も前から許可されていたにもかかわらず、現地の責任者と連絡が取れず木曜日の昼にやっとつながりました。その時点で飛行機の予約は一杯だったらしいけど、翌朝、彼が電話で「あなた体重軽いでしょう？１００パウンドぐらい？だったら大丈夫です。」と言うことで運良く予定通り出発できることになったのです。

現地ではネットが使えるか分かりません。あってもスピードが遅いと思うので更新は戻るまでできないと思います（どちらにしろ日本語は無理）。月曜の朝に出て、金曜日の昼ごろに帰ってくる予定です。

Diwali

今週の火曜日は、光の祭りDewaliと呼ばれるヒンズー教の祝日でした。ガイアナは国民のほぼ半数がインド系なので、盛大に祝われるようです。月曜日の晩はパレードがあり、仲間と連れ立って見物に行ってきました。光の祭りと言うだけに、トラックに発電機を２．３台括りつけて,　色とりどりに飾り付けされていてとてもきれいでした。ドラムの生演奏をしている神輿（？）もあれば、インドの民族衣装に身を包んだ人々が乗っているのもあり、なかなかの見応えでした。火曜日は信者の家々が蝋燭や電球で飾りつけされ、それを車でぐるっと回ってきました。


Tuesday was the festival of light, Diwali. It is a Hindu holiday, and it is a big celebration here in Guyana where close to half the population is East Indian descents. I went to see the parade with friends on Monday night. Caravans were beautifully decorated with many many light bulbs (with a few generators!). Some had live music, and others have a few really nicely dressed up people on them. It was really pretty. We drove around on Tuesday night to see decorated houses with lights and candles.

VSO Events

This week was full of VSO events. First of all, there was a welcoming reception for our new Country Director. It was an official party inviting VSO’s partner NGOs and government officials. It was held at a private club in Georgetown. The picture below is taken at the party. To my right and above me are Elske and Marco, Dutch couple who lives upstairs from my apartment. To my left is Steven, British Deaf volunteer.

I took a leave from my work at the Union on Friday, and I attended VSO conference. Everyone was excited to get away from Georgetown, and it felt more like a school excursion rather than a conference. Accidents can always happen in this kind of trip, and this was no exception. Within twenty minutes of driving, the bus got broken down, and we had to get off and wait on the road side. Luckily, we managed to find minibuses that can take us to the destination before we got completely dried up under the sun.

The main objective of this conference was to share VSO Guyana’s Program Area Plans. VSO Guyana focuses on the area of education and disability. It was interesting to see how each placement relates to the wider goals and long term planning of the organization as whole.

Since my work is relatively slow at this moment, I volunteered to give a presentation in the afternoon session. This was to occupy myself and for the experience (it’s been a while since I made a presentation on an academic subject.) Although this part aimed at sharing skills and knowledge of volunteers who have expertise in different fields, it was just me and other person who offered to do it…

My topic was “Gender and Development”. In my workshop, I started with a question of “What is Gender?” I also explained briefly how the approach has shifted from “Women in Development” as well as some other useful concepts, such as practical gender needs vs. strategic interest etc. Actually, it was my first time to use a flipchart (I usually use PowerPoint), and I felt a bit nervous. To be honest, I have avoided doing this sort of brainstorming exercise by writing what participants say on the chart, because of my stupid fear of misspelling words in front of a large group (this is where my ESL side comes in…) This time, I didn’t allow myself to get away with not doing it.

I was a little nervous and hardly looked at my notes. I kept talking and apparently it was too fast for the sign language interpretation. The second segment was a group discussion utilizing case studies. I had to cut down some parts because we were behind in the schedule (the bus!), and it was unfortunate that we didn’t have enough time to discuss. Nevertheless, it was a good experience for me, and hopefully more people give considerations to their work from the gender perspective. I was happy that some people gave me some feedback saying my workshop was very good and interesting.

We stayed over one night in the hotel. We swam in a tiny pool, played ping-pong and saw beautiful stars from the rooftop (I even saw a shooting star★.) It was indeed a very fun weekend.

VSO あれこれ

今週はイベントが盛りだくさんでした。まずは、木曜日の晩にVSOガイアナのディレクターの着任のレセプション。これはジョージタウン内のクラブを貸切、VSOのパートナーNGOや政府関係者などが招待される公式なパーティーでした。もちろんVSOのボランティアやインターンも招かれていたので、私も久しぶりにメークをして出かけました。１枚目の写真はその時のもの。一緒に写っているのはうちの２階に住んでいるオランダ人のカップル（私の右と上）、エルスクとマルコ。左側はイギリス人のろう唖者のスティーブンです。

金曜日は仕事にお休みを頂いて、VSOの会議に出席しました。ボランティアは原則として全員参加です。でも会議とは言ってもさながら遠足みたいなもので、和気あいあいとバスで目的地のホテルまで向かいました。こういうイベントにはハプニングは付き物。案の定、２０分も走らない内にバスがエンストを起こし、私達はバスを降りる羽目になってしまいました。幸いにも空いている乗り合いバスが通りかかったので炎天下の日干しは間逃れて、バスに分乗し無事目的地へ到着。

この会議の主な目的はVSOのこれからのプロジェクトの方針や進路についての説明やプロジェクトの評価方法などの討論でした。VSOガイアナは教育と身体障害者の援助に力を入れており、ボランティア一人一人の仕事内容がどう機関全体の目標と繋がっているのかを見るのはとても興味深く、また意義のあるものなのかを実感させられました。

私の仕事は今のところ停滞気味なので、午後のセッションにプレゼンテーションをするのを買って出ました（暇つぶしと経験の為）。これは色々な分野での経験が深いボランティア達、個々の知識や技能を共有しようという目的です。でも結局、申し出たのは私ともう一人の男の子だけ。

私のトピックは“ジェンダーと開発”（もちろん！）。最初にジェンダーとは何か？という問いかけから始め、“女性と開発”の方法論から推移した経緯や、他のコンセプトなど短くまとめて説明しました。実はフリップチャートを使ってのプレゼンは初めてで（いつもはパワーポイント）、かなりドキドキでした。特にフリップチャートに参加者の意見などを書くブレーンストーミングは、正直に言うと、大きいグループを前に単語の綴りを間違えたらどうしようなどとバカな心配をしてしまうので今まで避けていました。なので今回初めての挑戦。ちょっと緊張していたので手元のカンペもろくに見ず、しどろもどろながらもベラベラしゃべり、手話通訳者にもっとゆっくり話して下さいと怒られてしまいました．．．。言い忘れた内容も多々。後半は参加者にグループ毎にケーススタディを用いて話し合いをしてもらいました。バスの故障のせいで時間を短縮を余儀なくされたので、充分に一つ一つのトピックについて話し合えなかったのが残念。でも何人かの人に、とてもためになった、良かったよと言ってもらえたので嬉しいです。私としては良い経験になったし、少しでも多くの人にジェンダーの観点を仕事に取り入れて欲しいと思います。

会議の後、そのホテルに１泊して帰ってきました。噴水かと思えるほど小さいプールに入ったり、卓球で遊んだり、屋上から星を眺めたり（流れ星見たよ★キレーイ）して楽しんで帰ってきました。

Photos

I figured out how to re-size photos．　I will be updating past entries with some photos.

デジカメの写真のサイズの変え方がようやく分かったので、これからは過去のエントリーに写真を加えていくつもりです。お楽しみに！すっかり日に焼けた私です。自宅にて。

Only Japanese

Since I have posted the negative entry last week, I have received some very nice e-mails. Some friends really tried to cheer me up by saying so many sweet things about me, and it was so touching. My mother also read it and even said I could come home if it is too hard. I feel a little bit bad that I made these people worried, but at a same time it is thanks to them that I could embark on these could-be-hard challenges. Support from everyone that is. I hope I didn’t over-dramatize it, but I thought it would be nice to be honest and “real” and perhaps more personal. After all, it is only my close friends and family members who read this.

I figure, if the slow work is more or less the only complaint I have, that is not too bad. I am not good at the waiting, but I always try to somehow get out of the “waiting room” (please refer to the book “Oh the places you go”.) This can be done by focusing on other things, such as social life and my other learning objectives. I started to make a list of my personal as well as professional goals and objectives for this six-month placement. In conclusion, I am ok. I may still complain about some other things, but I hope you bear with me.

I finally got connected to Internet at home, and I am so excited about it. Now, I can type in Japanese, so I can write e-mails and blog entries in Japanese. It has been a while since I last spoke Japanese, and I need to be more in touch with my "Japanese self.” I found out that a representative of JICA has gone back home last month, and I am officially the only Japanese person in Guyana other than a few who came for a fishing business in 70’s (not too sure) got married to a local woman and stayed here ever since. Oh I feel very unique but ironic that I am always called “Chinee” anyways. I will try to make this site as bilingual as possible.

Only Japanese

先週、落ち込んだ様子をブログに書いた為、友達や家族に心配かけてしまったようです。いくつか温かい励ましのメールを頂きました。うちの母にかけては辛かったらいつでも帰ってきても良いよとまで言ってくれました。みんなの応援のおかげて頑張れるんだなあとしみじみと感じさせれました。おおげさに書いてしまったかもしれないですが、何でも悪いことでも正直に書いた方がおもしろいだろうと思ったからでもあります。

仕事があまり前進してないことだけが唯一の不満なら大したことではないんじゃないかと思い直しました。ただ待っているだけなのは嫌なので、生活の他の面（交友関係や他の勉強）を充実させることで解消することにしました。なので私は大丈夫です。気持ちの持ちようですからね。これからも浮き沈みがあるとは思いますが話半分で聞き流して下さい。

インターネットを自宅に繋いで晴れて日本語でメールやブログの更新ができるようになり本当に嬉しいです。長らく日本語で話していないので、日本語で気持ちを表現できるだけで違います。聞くところによるとJICAの調査員の男性が先月帰国されたらしく、現在、私がガイアナ唯一人の日本人らしいです。（本当か？！）詳しいことは知らないのですが７０年代に漁業関係でこちらに来て、現地人と結婚し永住した日本人男性は数人いらっしゃるらしいです。でも彼らは数に入っていません。唯一の日本人でも、皮肉にも毎日毎日、「中国人」と呼ばれていますが．．．。

このブログを２ヶ国語にするには、翻訳するのが難しいのと時間がかかるのに今気付きました。なので、かなり適当な意訳ですがご了承下さい。日本語→英語はもっと難しいです。

やった！

やっと家にインターネットを繋げました。これでめでたく日本語でもメール、ブログの更新ができます。うれしー！。これからはなるべく英語＆日本語のバイリンガルでお届けしたいと思います。

Class under Moonlight

Yesterday evening we had the longest blackout since I got here. The light went off around 5:30 and didn't come back until 8:00. Me and my roommate were hosting this week's Sign Language Club at our place. It went dark, when I was cooking my first attempt of curried Channa (chickpeas) for the potluck. The power outage is such a daily occurrence here, so it is no surprise to me. I just was not sure if anyone will turn up in the darkness. I was sitting outside waiting for people and saw a few fireflies. They were so pretty. This is something you don't get to see unless there is a blackout.

After all, about 12 people showed up with their various gourmet dinner. We ended up holding the class outside in the courtyard, as the house was too hot with no fan. We dragged all the chairs outside and pooled all of our flush lights and emergency lights (you need to see to sign!). The topics was basic verbs, such as want, take, give etc.

I miss…

I do not want this blog to just draw a rosy picture of how it is to work in the international development. Sure, it is a great experience that you get to travel to other countries, and it can be very gratifying. But, I don’t think anyone can say that they enjoy each and every second of it.

I feel a bit down today. It is probably because I spoke to my boyfriend in Canada last night. The fact that my work slowed down a little doesn’t help. And then, I start missing things I don’t have. I miss taking hot shower. I miss cool air. I miss being able to take a walk in the evening (you can’t walk after dark here). I miss walking in a street without being constantly called “Chinee girl.” I miss buying nice pastries like pain au chocolat on weekends. I miss being able to have autonomy and freedom to do what I want at work.

I am used to having freedom to initiate any new projects, which I think, help for the organization as long as they fit with the mandate. Now I have lots of independence at work, but it simply means there is no supervision. I tried to speak to the General Secretary about starting up a newsletter for U. members. He gave me a long speech about something, which sounded like it may lead to either “yes, let’s do ir” or “no, we can’t”. However, at the end I was not sure what the answer was, and I thought it probably meant no. I was tired and puzzled. It is hard to have any discussion in a situation where the fan is blowing loudly and person talks in a low voice with Guyanese accent.

I am still waiting to go visit other regions to conduct consultations with teachers, and I am very much looking forward to it. I could work on the report, but I need to complete the consultation first. I have to wait until arrangements are made. I don’t like to be at mercy of other people’s decision. (Then again, how naïve can I be? This is what people normally call work.) Nevertheless, I knew this. I knew it would be like this, so I should be ok.

Above everything, I miss my boyfriend and friends. Once a friend of mine said to me “you must be so used to being away from him by now.” (Because I am always working/ studying in other cities or countries.) People think I am “Miss Independent”, but it is not true unfortunately. At every good bye, I get all emotional and teary, all the girlie stuff, but I can’t help it. It does not get any easier.

Calling internationally is expensive. I buy a calling card of about $6 CAD, which allows me to talk about 20 minutes, using a public phone OUTSIDE. I can’t call late at night, and it gives me less than 10 mins if I use this card with a regular land line at home. It is not any cheaper when you call from Canada. There is no time difference between Guyana and Canada, but coordination a timing of calls can be tricky.

It’s fun to complain every once in a while, and “raise awareness” about reality of international work.

Happy Anniversary

This Saturday was my one-month anniversary in Guyana. Strangely, I feel like I have been here much longer than that, whether it is good or bad.

If you ask me how Georgetown is… I may have to say that it is not too nice. It is hot& humid. It is dirty and there are litters everywhere. The water canal system makes it even worse, because the stagnant water is so dirty and smelly.

You have to go refill a big bottle of water for drinking every four days. The tap water is brown. You need to boil and filter the water. There are so many hateful mosquitoes and cockroaches in the house.

Sure it is not the most comfortable lifestyle, but it is not as bad as it sounds (?). I am trying to think of it this way. It is a combination of camping, going to your grandma’s house in countryside during a summer vacation and Japan 20 years ago.

Twenty years ago in Japan, we didn’t have air-conditioning in every room. We often slept with your fan on. We used to have these smelly and nasty water ditches along the road, where tadpoles were swimming.

When you go camping, you may not get to take an adequate shower. At the end of the day you are so tired, so you sleep ok anyways even if you feel a bit dirty or not comfortable. You have to bring your own drinking water.

In countryside, there are many bugs, and your bed may smell a bit moldy. If I think this way, I can quite take it.

There are other things that remind me of “good old” Japan. Things like sodas come in glass bottles and children playing and running around in a street. This is before my time, but powder milk (skim milk) is commonly used.

There are two things that I REALLY do not enjoy; these are traffic and being called “Chinee girl”. I will take another opportunity to elaborate on the topics.

Guilt

Last week I singed up for a swimming pool and a gym in a fancy hotel. Many VSO’s joined as a group, so we had a discount. When I jumped in the pool, I finally felt clean.

I certainly do have shower at home, but the water has iron odor and yellowish-brownish color to it. You are not supposed to drink it, but it is not dirty water. It just does not feel clean.

It is such a nice place, and it almost made me forget that I was in Guyana. Then again, I felt guilty. I felt like I am such a hypocritical and arrogant expat, who is enjoying, to a local standard, an expensive and luxurious thing. You are here to assist the local people and live among them, and you are enjoying something that most local people wouldn’t afford. But, this has been one of the best treats (besides ordering pizza from Pizza Hat!) for me, and I think I can allow myself to have this pleasure..

I will try to maximize the membership, at least. I went to swim both Saturday and Sunday. It’s a kidney shape pool, but I can still so dome laps. My routine is that I swim a bit, sit to do some reading and swim some more. I am hoping that I will be in a good shape if I swim three times a week.


***Thank you very much for those who have donated to VSO on my behalf. I will be sending you postcards shortly as I promised. However, the mailing system is not as reliable here, so it may get lost on the way to you. I have not reached the amount ($500) yet, and am still accepting donations. If you would like to help, please visit http://www.vsocan.org and remember to put my name. (also drop me a line saying that you donated, so that I can send you a postcard) Sorry, my frineds in Japan who offered, but paying by a credit card is the only way.***

Teachers’ issues are women’s issues

This is my second week to actually work in the union office. My colleague has gone back to UK and now I am left to be on my own. It is quite interesting to say the least. I am in the small office with the General Secretary of the union. The Deputy General Secretary has a desk there, but I have not seen her come in. I am working in a hot office, with a noisy fan constantly blowing to my face. People are coming in and out, because the one and only fridge is here. Secretaries come to this room in the afternoon to watch TV, and I just witnessed them making alcoholic beverages (rum) with a small bottle kept in the GS’s drawer. You can see that the atmosphere is pretty relaxed.

I am lucky compared to some other VSO’s; I have at least my own desk and a computer with an occasional Internet connection (I have to use the phone line of GS, so I try not to use it when he is there.) Cold water and soft drinks are available. The toilet somewhat flushes, and I can wash my hands.

What I have been doing is reading some pertinent documents, typing up some stuff and socializing with office staff. I have gone to Region 4 last week for consultation with teachers. It seems like I will be still traveling to other areas to speak to more teachers in order to have a proper representation of all voices in different regions. This means I will be flying in the toy plane, again…

Today, I had an interesting meeting/ interview with the chairperson of Women’s Committee of the union as part of the needs assessment. I have always worked with women’s issues, and this is my personal as well as professional interest. When I was presented with this placement with the union, I was a bit disappointed because it seemed less relevant to my experience. However, they have identified that I have “expertise” in the grant proposal development, and this is why they wanted me. To be frank, I am not comfortable with the term “expertise”. I use it often, but when it is used on me, it is rather overwhelming. I guess it is OK, since I did write grant proposals for my previous work and other volunteer work (and got $$), and whatever I do not know now, I will learn, right? My kind roommate already offered to proofread my writing, as you can probably tell from reading this that I badly need it …

Anyhow, I realized teachers’ issues are women’s issues. I have not confirmed statistics yet, but I was told over 90% of teachers in government schools is women. This phenomenon of “feminization of teaching profession” has a negative effect of the salary and benefits. Many men either choose to leave the profession or not to enter it, because it really does not pay sufficiently. The misconception is that women can have “SPPLEMENTARY” salary in addition to their husband’s, while the reality is that those women are often the head of household trying to feed the whole family. The chairperson I have interviewed said, “If 90% of teachers are men and not the other way around, the working condition would be much better.” and I strongly agree with her view.

Food

I would like to write about food in Guyana in general and my diet today, since some of you have asked me about it. I can say that I have been eating fairly well in Guyana.

My day starts as early as 6:45, because it is too hot to sleep in and there is too much noise outside, such as dogs barking and neighbors cooking. I leave for work around 8:15, and this give me enough time to have a nice breakfast, which I rarely did during my working days in Canada. I have tea, fruit juice, some fruits (banana, orange or mango) and toasts with peanut butter. I never really cared for peanut butter when I was in Canada, but now I love it. It’s funny, but I think familiarity gives some comfort… I do not own a toaster, so what I use instead is a roti pan. This makes much better toasts than some of toasters I had in Canada!! I also experimented French toast on this pan, and it turned out not bad at all.

I usually eat out for lunch. You can find very good food for about G$ 300 (equivalent of $2 CAD.) Typical dishes would be rice cook-up with fried fish or chicken, roti with curried chickpeas, Chinese noodle with fried veggie and so forth. Most restaurants have wonderful freshly squeezed fruit juice of all kinds. The food is not as spicy as expected. You can just add spicy chilly sauce as you wish.

I cook dinner at home. Some items that are easily available at home are either too expensive or not accessible, so I have to improvise a lot. Additionally, compromises need to be made between my Japanese/ Canadian cooking and Kenyan one with Penina’s dislikes. For example, she is not used to eating sea-fish, and she is allergic to eggs.

There is a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables in a market; you just have to figure out what they are and how to cook them.
Here are some of the things I have made:
- Italian Caponata (I am not sure about spelling but tomato based vegetable stew)
- Cream of Pumpkin Soup
- Calaloo (similar to spinach), onion bread-pizza on a frying pan
- Pasta
- Home made roast peanuts (the first time I tried this!!)
- Home made lemonade with lime

Penina has cooked some Kenyan food, such as Chapattis (flat round bread), plantain, vegetable pilaf, boiled beans, etc.

I am feeling hungry now….

Join the Club!!

One of the unexpected things that I would be doing Guyana is learning American Sign Language. In our group of VSO’s (those who came August- September) there are two British deaf boys, who are working for the Community Based Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown.

My mother knows Japanese Sign Language, and so does my youngest sister to some extent. I remember my mother told me that each language has its own set of sign language, as signs are often very cultural. There is a difference even between British and American sign languages.

People other than me and my roommate are already advanced, since they all lived in a hotel together first week and a half. They started a sign language club, and we meet every Tuesday night to have a potluck and learn sign language. Penina and I have quite a bit of catching up to do. Now I know alphabets and some words in sickness and food departments. It is difficult but fun to learn. Cool to be able to spell my name in the sign language. I also have a sign name, which is “m” hand sign with the gesture of taking a photo (they asked me what my hobby is)

I asked one of more advanced-level people to give a sort of crush course, so that we can keep up with “conversations.” There is not much I can do with words about food and being sick… I can’t keep spelling everything, and besides I am not the best when it comes to spelling. I am happy to be sensitized to issues of deaf people, as well. A colleague from my previous work was visually impaired, and I found it so enriching to work with her. I came to Guyana intending to study Spanish, but never thought that I would learn sign language. I am still trying to sign up for Spanish, but hopefully I can have basic conversation in sign language by the end of my placement. And then, I can talk to my mother about differences, which will be very interesting.

Work

After Gilly and I cam back from the needs assessment trip, we locked ourselves in a meeting room of VSO (air-conditioned!! this is not much of a torture, is it?) to complete the interim report to be presented to the executive officers of the Union. Gilly already started to work on several sections, and according to what we heard and observed in our previous trip, we have added some more items on the list, such as training and services to members. I assisted her with the completion of the report, and I had some input to it. I felt thrown into the task initially, but going to the consultation with Gilly really gave me good insight of the situation.

We worked on the report for two days, and on Wednesday it had to be presented to the executive members. Although at that point I already worked nearly a week and half, this was the first time when I went to their office and got formally introduced to the staff and executive members. Since it was my first meeting, I did not have to do much. I gave a short introduction about myself, my role, background etc, and I assisted in a participatory exercise after the presentation. Gilly did a fantastic job in presenting the summary of needs assessment, and it was very well received by members.

People have decided to call me michi, which is quite fine with me. I actually enjoy variations of my name, how people pronounce it or place an accent differently. What I do not like it when people are not sure about my name (I know it is hard) and as a result kind of feel awkward to speak to me. There is one person who is totally convinced that my name is Michelle, and I have given up on correcting him…

I felt relieved to finally see the people whom I would work with and the office.

Talking about the weather

When I stepped out of the plane upon arrival in Guyana, I could feel all my pores opened up. It is very hot and humid. The temperature is always above 32 or so during daytime, and even at night it does not go below 28. I remember that my mother used to tell me not to go out on a very hot day, since it is too tiring. Unfortunately, I do not have a choice here.

The city where I come from in Japan, Kyoto has a horrible summer similar to the weather here. I can stand the heat and humidity, but what I cannot bear is the strong sunlight. When I go outside, I apply sunscreen cream, wear a hat and in addition hold a cheap umbrella to avoid direct sun. I know I look silly, but I don't care.

I used to complain that during Canadian winter, I have to wear so many layers. Before leaving the house, I need a hat, scarf, gloves, big winter boots and wear a hood of my jacket. I do not mind the winter but I just don't like these "heavy" equipments. In the hot weather, you would imagine I don't need anything, but it is not the case. I take shower, put baby powder, sunscreen and spray mosquito repellent. I no longer know if any of these work at all when mixed. After this tiresome procedure, probably all get washed off within 20 min because of sweating a lot. Is there any point at all to this? I wonder. I feel extremely sticky all day because of the mixture of chemical things and my sweat. I wish someone can invent three in one product. I bet Japanese people already have one, as they are always ahead of everyone else in this type of things.

*Today I got my first letter from Canada!! How nice! It just made my day. My parents back in Japan called me last night, and I realized this was the first time I utter any Japanese words since my arrival.

Sightseeing in Georgetown

Still trying to catch up, but this entry is still a week behind…..

On the weekend I was able to do some sightseeing. Other VSO’s and I went to something called Guy Expo on Friday night. It was a big exhibition show casing different industries in Guyana. They also had some performances on a stage. One of them was a skit of the history of Guyana’s beer company called Banks Beer. I have not tasted it yet, as I am not a beer drinker, but it is very popular here. There were also some drumming, dance and singing. On Saturday, it was the orientation for my roommate, so one long-term VSO has brought both of us to the Botanical Garden and the Zoo. It was a quick visit, but I will write more about the zoo (they have some interesting animals…)

Home Sweet Home

When I first moved in to my flat, I thought it was OK. To be honest, I was not too impressed with it. It is a pretty large apartment, but instead of feeling it was spacious, it felt bare and empty. During my trip, I started to think like "oh, I can't wait to get back home.", and the home meant the apt in Georgetown. I came back from the needs assessment trip on Friday, and I really felt good to be home. Just being away for four days completely changed my outlook on my apartment.

To make things better, my roommate has arrived. Her name is Penina from Kenya. I was worried how my roommate would be like, since not getting along with people whom you live with can make your life miserable. I really like her, and we became good friends quickly. She probably never imagined that she comes all the way from Kenya to Guyana and finds the roommate to be Japanese.... She is going to show me some Kenyan cooking!

We have three bedrooms, and the extra room is currently used as an ironing room. We have an exceptionally large bathroom (someone made a joke saying we were going to have a pool party at our place etc...) The furniture is not in the best shape to say the least, but it is all right. We have no TV, radio, music or card game, so we have to kind of entertain each other, which we have been doing quite well so far.

We started to buy some household and food items together, such as slippers and spices. The bare space is beginning to filled up with different stuff. I think hopefully I will be OK here for next six months.

Exciting End of Journey

The local union rep hired a taxi to take us around, and the driver was very nice and sweet. He brought us to a local market and also showed us one of rice mills in the area. The Region 2's main livelihood is producing rice, and you can see people drying rice on the road. I walked on rice for the first time. My grand parents in Japan use to grow rice, so it was nice to see it in Guyana as well.

One thing Gilly and I enjoyed a lot was that we were able to walk around in the evening. After our long day of work (and off course taking shower), we would take a short walk and then go eat at a restaurant. A local police officer introduced himself to us on a road side, which made us feel a little bit more secure.

I will write about the situation of teachers and the education in general in Guyana some other time (I am sure I will have a lot to say about it...)

One of a few pieces of advice my very supportive father gave me was not to take small air planes, because they crash every once in a while. On the way back to Georgetown, we flew on the very plane that I was not supposed to take. It could seat up to nine passengers, and it almost looked a like a toy. It was hilarious that the "airport" was in a large rice mill and not the other way around. They use a small scale, just like the one in everybody's bathroom to weigh your baggage. What is more is they weigh you, too! I was quite nervous, but I sat right behind the pilot and made sure that I knew what he was doing... The view was amazing, and I enjoyed this 20 min flight.

After all, we made back home OK.

Needs Assessment Trip 2

Continuous from the previous entry....

The hotel where we stayed for three nights is called "Arabian Atlantic Hotel". Yes, it is true that it has a sea view of the Atlantic ocean, but the hotel itself is not as fancy as the name may suggest. It was a very simple place with very nice sea breeze, which is not always the case in Georgetown.

Gilly and I have visited approximately four schools a day. At the every school we visited, they have given us a bottle of drink and a snack. The first pop was yellow, and then red, bubble gum green and something else. I figured if I have to drink all of these, my teeth will fall off by the end of trip. Luckily, in Guyana we have a practical and polite way to not to drink it right away, by saying "I will walk with it." I was traumatized when I saw a head of chicken on a lunch table in China, and since then I was afraid what people would kindly offer me. We ended up with many bottles of these colourful drinks and snacks, and we gave all away to the staff at the hotel before we left. People were so nice and hospitable to us.

At the consultation, most of the teachers were very enthusiastic and cooperative to the project. From the second day on, Gilly and I alternated to do a small talk about the background of the research and the participatory exercise that we were doing. I might have to do some more of this needs assessment on my own after Gilly leaves, so it gave me an opportunity to have a good grasp of the research. We got to look around in schools, sat in one of the class (math!) and took pictures of adorable children.


**Thank you so much for those who e-mailed me!! You don't understand how happy I was to read mails from you. Keep this coming!!**

Sorry..

I have not been able to update my blog. The internet was down past two days, and I can finally access it now. I guess this is part of daily life here, and I (and you) have to just get used to it!! We have to finish up the report for tomorrow's big meeting, so hopefully I will work on the rest of my trip story later on.

I am Back!

I am back from the need assessment trip. I am OK. I haven't gotten sick (touch wood....)


I tried to update this blog from the town where I was staying, but for some strange reason I had a hard time opening this site.

For this union work, I am working with a lady from England. I am so honored to work with her. She is not only a great& fun person to work with, but she is a member of Parliament back in UK!!


We arrived safely in our destination, Region 2 despite one hour delay of the taxi. We drove to a city called Purika, and then we took a speed boat. I was afraid that the water would be very choppy and I may get sea sick. However, it was a rather pleasant trip. Regional Vice President of the Union was there to meet us, and he brought us to greet the Regional Chairman and the head of the education department prior to visits of various primary and secondary schools.

The purpose of the research is basically to speak to teachers in different schools to find out what they think about the union and what the union can do to better represent them. Each school gave us about 15 minutes to speak to the teachers.


To be continued.....

**I can now read Japanese fonts! Please send me e-mails in Japanese. **

First Day at Work??

Well, this is my fifth day in Guyana, and so far it is quite OK. I moved in to the apartment on the second day. I live on a ground floor behind and below VSO couples, one from Canada and other from Holland. My compound has a security guard (who cannot hear very well...), and is in a relatively nice area.


After two days of short orientation, I did a sort of home stay with one of long term VSO's. She showed me around in the town and took me to shopping. I had a dinner at other VSO's place. On Sunday, they organized a potluck lunch party, so that I can meet other volunteers/ interns.

I had everything for the first time, the first walking alone, the first making a cup of tea, the first killing a cockroach, the first power outage etc. I have to admit that I feel a bit lost, but this is quite normal. I am around people who have been here longer than me, so it is hard for me keep up.


This morning, I had a meeting at VSO office to meet one volunteer who did some work for the org where I will be working. I found out that I am already off to other region to accompany her on the need assessment research trip. My work is still not totally clear to me, but I will take one thing at a time.

Already Eventful

Hi Everyone,

I am in Georgetown, Guyana. I arrived safe and sound yesterday morning.

For some reason, I felt something would go wrong on the way, and I was right. I had to use the VSO emergency number, which I didn't think I would be using this soon. When I tried to check-in at the Toronto airport for my flight to Guyana, they told me that they can't let me check in. With my Japanese passport, I am not allowed to enter the country with one-way ticket. Luckily, I had enough time to react, and I purchased return ticket on the spot.

I had quite a few problems with Canadian Immigration before, so I am used to things like this. I could stay calm to deal with this, so I am thankful to what I have gone through before....

I stayed in a guest house near the VSO office. Had some orientation yesterday and today. I am already moving in to my apartment this afternoon. How quick! I am coming to the country, so called "out of cycle", so I am not taking the usual week long orientation. Instead, I have many other volunteers who have been here at least for a month to help me out for my integration.

Hopefully, I will be able to upload some pictures, once I figure out the systems here.

Finally....

I am finally leaving for Guyana tomorrow.