Two Good Meetings

Tuesday, July 6, 2010: Day 150

We woke up prepared for a council meeting that we weren't even sure would happen only to find out there is a council meeting AND a school staff meeting.  We headed over to the school first for the staff meeting.  There is quite a shortage of teachers, which was addressed but not solved, because there isn't really an easy answer.  Paul got a chance to talk again about his desire to work on agriculture, nutrition, and basic health.  I asked about some teacher training topics I could start working on during the summer.

Next was the village council meeting.  We were very thankful to be able to talk with them before heading to Georgetown for our 3 Month Reconnect  Our goal was achieved.  We went through our entire needs assessment from beginning to end.  Six councilors and the captain showed up, and while that may be only half the roster, it was enough.  We started with an icebreaker to get to know the council members and what they love about our village.  We gave them some more information about the Peace Corps - where we're from, how we're different from other volunteer organizations, and the three goals of Peace Corps (1. To help the community use the strengths and manpower they have to meet their needs, 2. Share the U.S. culture with the Guyanese, and 3. Share the Guyanese culture with the U.S. - which is what I'm doing right now).

We made posters for all of these to help reiterate the idea of sustainable development.  We showed them some of the observations we've made so far, the list of needs we were told our village had when we chose to come to it, and got their list of strengths and needs while also giving our own ideas.  We then presented our list of ways we think we can be used, focusing on those strengths and needs.  Paul's list and my own were accepted and encouraged by the council.

To see our list, see here: http://quinlivanadventures.blogspot.com/2010/07/next-steps.html

We reminded them that we really do need the support of the village and council for these things to be both successful and sustainable.  I'm sure that the list will shrink and grow as time goes on, but it is our plan for now.  Wish us luck, success, patience, and support. :)

view from our garden

The blue roofed builing is part of the health center.

More of the village.