I have made it safely to Guyana and have started training. Sorry I could not post sooner but being here means not always having access to internet. Even so, I hope to blog about my events and experiences on this Peace Corps journey. I am honored that you wish to share it with me.
For a brief overview so far…..
For our first 10 weeks here, we are going through training as Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) where we get to stay with a host family to integrate us into the culture and customs of Guyana. My family consists of my dad (Videsh) and mom (Ashley). During training we go through the basic safety and medical information just like a college orientation (I admit, it was long and very tedious but needed). Now we are onto the training of our actual fields and what we will be doing in the schools and communities.
Besides training, I have gotten to learn about the area with my family. We have gotten to explore the market, visit other towns with my host parent’s cousin’s family, and learn to cook traditional East Indian Guyanese foods such as roti, plantain chips, and several types of curry. My family likes to joke with me and say that when I go back to America I can open a Guyanese restaurant.
Monday was a Guyanese holiday so instead of training we had a Cultural Day where we dressed in traditional clothes, made food, and prepared presentations about the six different cultural groups in Guyana; Amerindians, African, East Indian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Europeans. Since my host family is East Indian, that is what I went as. It was a nice day of getting to explore the different cultures and hang out with the host families. Later that week we got to educate the community on one of our holidays, Independence Day.
I have also officially learned that I will be staying in Region 2 working in the primary school for the rest of my two years in Guyana. Besides this basic information, not much else has been given to us about our sites. I will move out there officially in August after swearing in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).
I don’t have much left to say for the moment, so I will leave you with a Guyanese Proverb.
“One, One Dutty Build Dam”
meaning.....
“Every Little Thing Adds Up”
