Saturday 5 May 2012

Chenapou

Dear All

   So I got a letter from Project Trust the yesterday with more information. I had been waiting impatiently for it for about a month as you could imagine. I now know I am going to teach in Chenapou Primary School. I had been expecting to go to a High School, but I am equally excited, if not more to be going to a Primary School. I feel that teaching the children at such a young age gives me a better chance on having a positive and big impact on their lives!
 
   The timing of the letter actually could not have been at a more appropriate time. I received it just after I had returned from my last EVER day of school (scary stuff :S). I feel it is fitting that as soon as one period of my life is finished I should find out more about the next period of my life (albeit a slightly shorter one). It actually has been a very big weekend for me in terms of my whole life, not only have I finished school and my next year confirmed in writing, but as of an hour ago my University choices have been made (Loughborough is my firm choice and Queens' Belfast my insurance to do Chemical Engineering, in case anyone is wondering). This weekend will probably stick out in my memory for long time as it will have such an important affect on my life.

   So more about my Project. There is very limited information on it so sorry if your curiosity is not fulfilled, trust me, mine isn't. All I'm about to tell you was either in my letter from 'Project Trust' (1 side of an A4 about it), a website (http://www.kaieteurpark.gov.gy/old/community.html) or vague references found on the internet.
   As the name suggest, Chenapou Primary School (I have no idea how to pronounce it, so make it up for yourself) is based in the village of Chenapou. It is one of the remotest schools in Guyana as very few qualified Guyanese teachers are prepared to live in such a remote area. It is a small primary school of 170 pupils, very similar to the primary school I was in, Ballycarrickmaddy and the School is in one building close to the heart of the village.
   Chenapou is deep in Guyana's interior, in a region of Guyana called Potaro-Siparuni, or Region 8. I read somewhere that Chenapou had 500 people in the village, and the region has 10,000 people. I feel, however, I need to put this in perspective, the regions total area is 20,051(km^2) compared to Northern Ireland's 13,843 (km^2) area and a population of roughly 1,800,000 people. Thats around 180 times the population in 70% of the area, and Northern Ireland isn't even considered densely populated by western standards. I also read that Chenapou is a 2 day trek from the nearest village, Paramakotoi (where there are some other Project Trust volunteers are based, and I also have no idea how to pronounce it, use your imagination). 
   The village, Chenapou, is based on the Potaro river, and is an hour and half by speed boat up river from magnificent Kaieteur Falls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaieteur_Falls). Kaieteur Falls is one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the world, and is apparently named after a great chief who sacrificed himself by canoeing over the waterfall to appease the Gods. 
  I will be living in a semi-detached house on stilts with 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen/living area. The house has electricity via solar panels, and a "flushing toilet". Apparently need I also to bring all my food in for a whole term at the start from Georgetown. 


A photo of the Primary School
This house is like, or is my house for next year

Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls
Possibly the Village (not 100% sure, as soon as I am sure I'll change this)




Thank you for reading 


Mark Fair


ps Don't expect another post till mid July. See you then