2 Weeks as Full Volunteer

Two weeks since I took the big oath to, "uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America." Since then absolutely has nothing has changed. It's like I spent the last two months training and waiting to be this really awesome volunteer and start changing people's lives and none of that happened. I keep having this feeling that I should be doing something more than what I'm doing but I don't know what that is.

All that aside, Guyana is still pretty cool. I'm attached to the physical therapy unit at the Suddie hospital. The hospital itself is 3 stories and a lot of smaller buildings scattered around, an ICU, health center, family health center, and my department.

The hospital is a pale peeling yellow, originally built during the occupation of Guyana by the British. That means it's pre-1964. There's not a computer in the place, everything is handwritten and stapled together and filed away and from there you have a fifty fifty shot at finding it again.

My clinic is a brand new building as of two weeks ago. It's a pristine concrete building also a dull yellow that doesn't draw the eye. There's a staff of three that works there, Donna, Mr. Thomas and Ena. And they average about 8 patients a day. So, yeah.

As far as work I'm doing real, actual work for about 15-20 hours a week. The rest of it I'm sitting in the clinic thinking of all the things I'll do in the future. It's hard to sit around and do nothing when I've been working at least 20 hours a week and going to school for the last 5 years. This has been a real challenge trying to stay motivated and I am struggling right now.

But there are a few bright spots in my future. I may get to teach some classes at the New Opportunities Corps. It's a facility for juvenile offenders that trains them in trades so they may one day re enter society. That sounds right up my alley. And school will start again in September so  I can start doing something in a school. Apparently all you have to do is go in and say what you want to do and they'll let you.

So I've got a lot going for me and a lot to look forward to, plus, I'm in South America which is pretty cool. I still have to wash all my clothes by hand and struggle with understanding the taxi driver as he speeds by my house even though I said stop up here. But I'm doing well, all things considered. I'm not ready to leave yet so I'll continue doing what the US government has told me is good and useful work, for now.

To everyone back home, I do miss you a lot and I think about all of you every day. feel free to email me, timdaniel25@gmail.com. I also have a real address here that I can't remember right now but I'll put it up next time. Here's some photos from my last site, Timehri that didn't get put up. Never mind, the internet isn't good enough to finish it inside 6 hours so take it easy everyone and I'll post again real soon.

Moving Day

Hi All,

Well, a lot has happened since I posted last. Yesterday, I swore in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer, so that was exciting. I saw my new site, it looks like Vietnam in Rambo and Apocalypse Now right before the bombs drop. It's called Suddie and it's on the west coast of Guyana. I can almost see the ocean from my house.

My new family is cool. They're a bunch of truck drivers and they drive back and forth from Georgetown carrying loads of gravel and sand. The mom takes care of me though. I have my own little house at the back of the property, I'll take some photos soon. The internet here is not great so it's hard to upload photos.

But more importantly today is a bit of a melancholy day. As I sit here in my hotel room I've got Jerrell, Andrew, and Ryan conversing all around me, even more people are filtering in and out. We're all trying to hold on to the last vestiges of our group as we're all scheduled to depart today. Our family is splitting up and its a sad day for everyone.

We say we'll keep in contact, I sincerely hope that happens because I've truly come to love each of them. I came to Guyana, not knowing anyone and I really shouldn't have been scared. I met 33 of my closest friends out here. These people are amazing and I know I can rely on any one of them for anything. It's incredible that we all became so close in such a short amount of time.

I know this is short but I have to get going. I have a lot of packing left to do and not much time to do it. I hope everyone's doing okay. I'm getting a permanent address here real soon and I'll let everyone know what it is so I can receive all your care packages. I miss you all.

P.S. Rob, if you're reading this I miss you and feel free to give me a call or an email some time.