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.