little bit more news from Gemma!

One of the other teachers on the compound has a TV so we go round to his and watch films when we're not too busy. The collection is fairly limited though haha, we bought a few more to watch whilst in Georgetown so we're ok for now!
We are currently eating from the dormitory kitchen because although we have facilities to cook we haven't been paid yet! The food from the kitchen is fairly good anyway, a bit of a carb attack and lots of repetition but other than that it's ok. It's also introducing us to Guyanese food like bakes, roti and farine.

Just as we were settled into our house and had it all clean and tidy and it was really feeling like home we have had to move. We were told on Sunday night we had to move. We moved Monday so we spent our first night in our new place last night. It's going to be hard having to resettle, put our pictures up again and everything but theres nothing we can do about it. Two new male teachers arrived so me and Rach moved into a two bedroomed place and the teacher from there has moved into our place with the new staff! The only advantage we have is the new place has hammock hooks so I slept in a hammock for the first time and it went surprisingly well!

update

Well yesterday was my 2 month mark and i've finally got round to writing a blog that my mum can post!
I do have internet access here but due to availability issues can only get on Facebook which makes blogging difficult.
I've been having an amazing time here so far and me and Rach are really starting to settle in and explore the local surroundings.
Our first week in Georgetown was pretty hectic, we had various meetings to attend and shopping to do as well as seriously downsizing our bags when we discovered we were flying down rather than getting the bus.
We had a training day at the Ministry of Education where we were told various rules and regulations but also had a great time going to a creek for a swim- all in the clothes we had travelled in as only one rucksack arrived in Georgetown with us. Luckily we all had our bags a few days later just in time to go to the British High Commissioners house where we ate ice-cream and used his pool, really great guy hahaha.
We flew down to Lethem on Sept 30th and got a bus straight to Annai where we were met by a campfire as the electricity wasn't working so we moved in in the dark!
The next morning was a PTFA meeting so we were up bright and early for a meeting that started 2 hours late-Guyanese time is a pain sometimes! We introduced ourselves and met some of  our fellow teachers and parents of the students.
The first week of school consisted of no teaching as the school was cleaned and 1st timetable made(we have had 9 different timetables now!)this basically set a trend for our time so far as we are yet to do a full week of teaching!
I am really settling in to teaching now and it's become more and more enjoyable though the lack of basic knowledge especially in the Grade 11's is a source of constant frustration. I am currently teaching Grades 10 and 11 maths and a Grade 9 Science class, which is great although the class sizes are like 50 plus haha. I am also a class teacher (like a form teacher or tutor) for a Grade 7 class they're all really eager to learn and stuff which is really cute.
I have also now memorised the register after saying it twice a day which they all find hilarious. Me and Rach seem to be a constant source of hilarity among the pupils especially when we do anything sporty!
We had our Interhouse sports competition a few weeks ago and although we were judges and supposed to be impartial we joined in the teachers race and cheered our houses on discreetly and mine won for the first time in 7 years! the students were all ecstatic and ran or walked all the way round the track shouting and cheering. Some of them are still training to go on to the Interbranch which will be followed by Region then National- a few stand a good chance i think.
Back to the more pressing stuff you probably want to know, me and Rach have our own apartment with an outside loo and a tap for a shower- when the water is working otherwise its a bucket and cup!
The electricity should be on for 2-3 hours every night but due to lack of fuel we get it very infrequently and for varying amounts of time which makes planning work difficult.

Well folks thats all so far!!
I will keep adding to the blog as i receive it from Gemma

Contact

Just a quick post to let you know contact details for when I'm over there :)

Address:
Gemma Eastham
Project Trust Volunteer
Bina Hill Compound
Annai
Region 9
Guyana
South America
(It will be cheaper to use airmail paper and envelopes because its lighter)

It will be easier if you could:
Put a return address on your letter
Date your letter and number them eg put a 1 on your first letter this means Ill know if I'm missing any letters :)
Email:
gemmaeastham94@hotmail.co.uk
(this is not the best option as my internet will be highly unreliable if I have it at all)

See you when I get back!! :D

Results

So there are 8 days left before I go and yesterday I received my A level results, I achieved A*s in Chemistry and Maths, and As in Further Maths, Biology and General Studies. This means I have achieved the grades I require to attend Cambridge University to study Natural Sciences when I return from Guyana :)

Knowing my future for the 3-4 years following Guyana has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders as I will no longer have to worry about applying for university whilst there. I'm looking forward to attending University but I am still positive that the decision to take a gap year was the right one for me. It will allow me to have time off from education and explore myself in a totally new situation and environment.

This will probably be my last post before I leave so I would just like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me in my fundraising - I couldnt have done it without you all.

My name is Gemma Eastham, I am 18 years old and on the 25^th August I will travel to Guyana in South America and will spend a year there teaching Maths and Science.

The Charity I am going with is called Project Trust and they specialise in sending 17-19 year old school leavers overseas for long term volunteering placements of 8 or 12 months. This is to allow volunteers to experience all aspects of the culture they are immersed in and reaps maximum benefit for both the community and volunteer.

I have just returned from my Training course on the Isle of Coll, where I met my partner!! Her name is Rachael and she lives in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. We seem to have a similar sense of humour which should help us through the year! I am so excited to be able to spend the year immersing myself in a totally new culture with such a lovely partner.

On training with my fellow Guyana volunteers and DO

On the training course I was also told that I will be going to a secondary school in a village called Annai. The village is located on the main (and only) road from Georgetown to Southern Guyana, and is a few hours drive from Lethem. My partner and I will live and work in the Bina Hill compound where the school is located but will be able to travel the mile or so to Annai frequently (this may involve buying some bikes!).

Whilst there, I will also have the opportunity to set up after school clubs and help the boarders with homework. At the moment Rachael and I are considering setting up a dance/drama club but we will consider our options once we have settled in.