1st Day of Training - My Fadah had a tree

Hello everyone!

We are currently enjoying a somewhat sporadic internet connection so we thought it's about time to update you on our doings from yesterday!

Jess and Gabrielle

Today was our first real day of training which was exciting and slightly daunting! Today and for the next few days we are training on the environment so lots of focus today was on global warming. We had a few more girls today about 16 or so coming and going, which was a lot more names to learn! Luckily they wrote them down so we could see what they were! The girls made some posters, and wrote a 'message on a bottle' to pass on the message to others to protect the planet! They also did some pretty amazing songs, poems and even a rap about protecting the environment. They were so good we wrote them up on big pieces of paper and found out all the words - some really well thought up rhymes included! Even some of the girls who looked like they weren't really into it and a bit 'cool for school' surprised us with their participation. We also have a young rogue named Gabrielle (4 years old) who is certainly making training more lively!
We got our first taste of Guyanese food as the lunch is always provided at HQ and today we had curried chicken and potatoes, in roti which was amazing - our first taste of meat on project as well. Bizarrely it was accompanied by a drink that was almost certainly Irn Bru, which pleased Laura and I immensely as a taste from home! Nikki also got to try Irn Bru for the first time... not sure if it was enjoyable or not!
They really enjoyed the songs and games we did today - 'Get Loose, Get Funky' is an especial favourite.
We had the chance to learn a few things too - some hip dancing (not so easy) and a game called 'My Fadah had a tree' which was really good to give them a chance to show us something and good for us to get something new to take back to our units!

Poster making

After training, which ended at 3pm, we headed to the supermarket, which was a nice visit as it is air conditioned in there, but involves going somewhat out of our way. We were all quite warm (and tired after a hard day's training!) by the time we reached the apartment, but we had some cold water ready in the fridge and a nice garden to sit out in so all was well. We're kind of getting used to the heat, although the mozzies are still bugging us - obviously British flesh is a new delicacy for them! This afternoon we have been busy washing and the garden is littered with drying clothes. There was a lot of splashing but that was quite appreciated in the heat! Laura and Nikki are cooking dinner tonight and then we will plan for tomorrow. We are going to sleep quite early, and waking up early, which is quite nice because it's cooler in the morning and less bugs although hopefully tonight we will have less mosquito bites!

That's all for now, we're all well and happy (at least I think so :) ), and send everyone at home our love,
Lots of GOLD love,


Team Guyana 2012

Heather explaining the next activity