I am leaving in about two weeks’ time, yet it doesn’t feel
like it. I am busy as always, finishing
things up, making the most of my time.
Sleep is starting to become optional.
I’d rather spend as much time with people as I can. I walk the streets here comfortable, like I’ve
been here for a while; I have been here a good while but only a blip in the
terms of my life. I watch people, the
woman at the shop tending to customers, children making fun of each other on
their bikes; it will all go on when I am gone.
People will continue to do the same things they have always done. The only difference is that I will no longer
be here. At this moment, I can’t imagine
what it will be like to not be coming back here, it hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m
not sure when it will. Actually, I’m a
little frightened of that moment to be honest.
I’m at a point where I know it is coming, I know it is going to hurt, there
is nothing that makes me want to leave, but still my next adventure is calling
me so it is time to go.
I think your eyes are open widest when you are seeing a
place for the first time and then for the last time. When I first got here I was making observations,
trying to figure out what it all meant, what people were doing, learning what
sights and sounds should be familiar.
Now it makes sense. I have to
keep myself from laughing sometimes because I recognize certain things as “so
Guyanese,” things that only really happen when you live here. Yet I’m
still meeting new people and every time I do new doors open to things I haven’t
seen before. And I thought two years was
a long time. We had our Close of
Service Conference at the end of January, which was supposed to be a
reflective, emotional time to say good bye to each other and hang out.
Unfortunately, a crazy stomach bug struck, reminding us that even after two
years, life in Guyana is still unpredictable and it still can be tough to get
by sometimes. I think that is another
reason why leaving doesn’t quite seem real.
Our COS didn’t really seem like a COS.
I also have been working like normal.
I’m finishing up my courses at school, and will probably work until the
last week I’m here. I am not one to sit
around and take a long time to pack. If
I sit alone for too long you might as well buy me boxes of tissues because all
I will do is cry for a good portion of the time. I really don’t like doing that so I try to
remain busy and if I don’t acknowledge things too much, it isn’t really
happening. IGNOREance is bliss right?
I was away from site for a bit with a whole set of doctors
and dentist appoints you have to go through with COS stuff. Goodness!
I was pretty ready to get back after my medical appointments and
follow-ups kept me out of my site for 6 days.
I ended up getting 8 moles removed, which I would have thought to be a
minor procedure, but I was admitted to the hospital for the day. I went to the OR (Operation Theatre here),
got stiches for the first time, and everything.
It did make me very excited that I will be doing nursing in the fall, so
I will actually know what things are and proper procedures for things. It definitely was an interesting experience
and I have realized that I will never make a good patient. It was really hard to let a nurse walk me to
a place or listen to her when I should have been lying down in bed. Normally, I like to take care of people, so
it was really weird to have someone assisting me.
Despite trying to wind things down, I feel like they are
winding up in a way. I attended a mini-BRO (Brothers Reaching Others) a boy’s
leadership camp in Linden. I was very
excited to be a part of this because it symbolizes the start of a next venture
for the Gender and Development Taskforce.
We have put on girl’s camps and a large boy’s camp is our next
step. It is just really cool to see
something you have thought about and planned for become a reality. It shows me that we have made some amazing
strides in this area. I also got the GLOW girls from my area
together for a little party. We made
pizzas, cookies, and watched movies. It
was just a fun day to hang out, relax, and reminisce a bit about camp. It also helps to keep our network of girl
strong and encourages them to support one another, plus I love hanging out with
them and seeing what they are up to.
One of my most recent moments that really just astounded me
(in a good way) was the training I led for the Cancer Society. We all recognized that the members wanted training
so that they too could give health talks about cancer and improve their own knowledge;
we just never found a good time to do it.
Since I am leaving so soon, we finally arranged a date. I asked the President to call the members and
tell them I would bring a snack as a somewhat motivator for them to come
out. Normally, we get a handful of
members at our meetings and I really expected the same amount. When I arrive at the meeting, there were over
15 members there ready for the training.
I couldn’t believe it! I am not
sure if it was because I am leaving, because they were threatened (a joke), or
what, but I was impressed. Even more
encouraging, all members listened and interacted for over two hours! I made macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and
cookies as a dinner / reward for the hard work they put into the session. They were all so excited about the
information and I think about having the tools now to go help others. These women are simply community members that
care about raising awareness about cancer and their willingness to learn simply
humbled me in an inexplicable way. I had
to hide the tears that came to my eyes when we were closing our meeting because
I was so proud and touched by each and every member. One older woman came up and gave me a hug, a kiss
on the cheek and dashed away in smiles.
I never intended to make great waves being here, to build
anything great, or to be rewarded and praised for doing a whole set of
things. I only brought some knowledge
that I learned through my studies and was willing to put the time and energy into
working with who ever wanted to learn. I
always remember a slide in one of my lectures that says “health promotion is
not done to, on or at people, but
rather by working with people.” This might have been one of my top moments here,
working with these women so that they
can do something big.
Two weeks and I will no longer be a PCV, I will embark on a
next journey that will surely include finding ways to keep these moments I’ve
had in Guyana alive.
I think I will have one last post before I head out. Spring better don come out der up North cuz
me not able wit all dem snow storms up der budday… :-)
-KB