Friends & RPCVs of Guyana

Issue 3 September 2011

The Seawall

FROG Projects 3
Were supporting commu- nity development in Guyana in a number of areas!

The Board

FROG will be holding a film screening and fundraiser th on Thursday, October 27 , 2011 at 5:00pm at the Goethe-Institut in Washington DC.

Take a look at who serves on the FROG Board of Directors!

Supporting Community Development in Guyana

Tropical rainforests, bright green rice fields, black water riv- ers, and stunning mountain ranges are all part of the beautiful land of Guyana. The people of Guyana have diverse back- grounds and rich cultural traditions. But political troubles, ethnic tension, and economic mismanagement have left Guy- ana with an economy that ranks as one of South Americas poorest. Depressed wages and salaries, a declining economy, and the flight of skilled workers to more lucrative labor mar- kets have led to a fall in an already low living standard. Guy- ana also faces environmental threats to the coastal strip and rainforest, underdeveloped health care, labor constraints, low literacy rates, poverty, and crime fuelled by the drugs trade. The Peace Corps first received a formal invitation from The Government of Guyana in 1966. Since then more than 380 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) have served in Guyana. Volun- teers serve at sites ranging from the capital city of George- town, with a population of 300,000, to small, remote villages with populations fewer than 300. Volunteers address educa- tional, health, and technical concerns by providing community health education and training in literacy, life skills, academics, and information technology, all in collaboration with Guy- anese ministries and NGOs. PCVs assist existing efforts to fa- cilitate community involvement, train service providers, and introduce new training and teaching methodologies. In 2007, several Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) who served in Guyana joined forces to start Friends and Returned Volunteers of Guyana (FROG). FROG is an officially registered non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. and an affili- ate of the National Peace Corps Association. FROG is an orga- nization for those who love the culture, people and land of Guyana and believe in supporting the countrys development. FROGs Mission: Friends & RPCVs of Guyana is a non-profit, service based organization dedicated to supporting education, health, social, economic, cultural and environmental programs in and about Guyana through a network of RPCVs, Guyanese nationals, Guyanese-Americans, and all those interested in the Guyanese Community. FROG provides assistance in the form of small grants and re- sources to support community driven projects that volunteers are involved in. In addition to this, we coordinate Guyanese cultural events and awareness activities in the U.S., both as a part of the Third Goal of Peace Corps and as a means to strengthen support for the people of Guyana. Learn more, get involved and help give back to Guyana the country that gave us so much!

Issue 3 September 2011

Celebrate Guyana with FROG @ the Goethe-Institut on 10/27/2011 at 5:00pm

FROG will hold a film screening and fundraiser on Thursday, October 27, 2011, starting at 5:00 pm at the Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 Seventh Street, NW, Washington D.C. This event will feature a film screening of the narrative short, The Seawall, by Guyanese filmmaker, Mason Richards and special guest speaker, Ambassador Bayney Karran, Guyana Ambassador to the United States. A raffle will also be held with all proceeds going to FROGs grant program. About The Seawall The Seawall, shot entirely on location in Georgetown, Guy- ana, centers around Marjorie, an older Guyanese woman, as she prepares for her 10-year old grandsons move to America to be with his mother. The cast and crew consisted of local Guyanese non-actors, non-professionals, and stu- dents working alongside a crew from Los Angeles, Califor- nia. In addition to being his thesis project at California Insti- tute of the Arts, the film allowed Richards to return to his home country to share what he has learned and make a film in the community - with the community. The director was inspired to make this film after returning to Guyana and wanting to share a glimpse of the lives of a Guyanese family, rarely ever seen, to a larger audience. The Seawall was selected to be part of the 64th Festival de Cannes. Held in May 2011 in Cannes, France, the festival, one of the worlds oldest and most prestigious, highlights the best and brightest new works created over the last year. The Seawall was shown as part of the Short Film Cor- ner, which provides an opportunity for new and emerg- ing artists to share their work and explore ideas and trends within the genre of short films. A $15 donation is being requested at the door. All pro- ceeds from the film screening and fundraising event will go directly to the FROG grants program, which adminis- ters small grants through organizations such as Peace Corps, other volunteer agencies, and Guyanese non- profits.

Mike Geurink, Mason Richards, Scott Stadum

Issue 3 September 2011

FROG Funded Projects in 2011 011202011

Since the start of FROGs grants program in March 2009, FROG has funded thirteen projects in Guyana, with ten completed and three in progress. The total amount of funding given to date is $ 5,677.55. The projects were led by current and past Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Re- gions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9. Below is a summary of the projects that FROG has funded in 2010 and 2011 through our donors generous contribu- tions. B. Ryan Dunn K. Komeh, Mahdia (Region 8), Aerobics Class & Nutrition Class with Women on the Move Rachelle Hall, White Water Sports Club (Region 1), Lets Play Sports! Mica Gaard, Yakusari, Black Bush (Region 6), Guyana A.R.T.S. (Act, Reach, Think, and Shine) Nick Smith, Kwatamang (Region 9), Path and Land Bridge Improvement Rachelle Hall, White Creek (Region 1), Sewing in White Creek Womens Group Stephen Newberg, Abram Zuil Secondary School/New Opportunity Corps (Region 2), School Furniture Refur- bishment and Youth Rehabilitation Project Linda Erskin, Villages of Adventure, Odnerdeeming, Suddie, and Maria's Lodge on the Essequibo Coast (Re- gion 2), Suddie Primary Student Lending Library John OConnor, Georgetown (Region 4), Laptop

B. Ryan Dunn K. Komeh - Aerobics Class & Nutrition Class with Women on the Move Ryan Komeh, Guy 21, started an aerobics and nutrition class with women living in Mahdia, Region 8. The idea for this project started after women with young children who participated in health and nutrition classes for their chil- dren expressed an interest in addressing their own health. With no gym or health facilities in Mahdia, Ryan applied for a FROG grant to help fund a project for these women. Over the course of three months, twelve women met every Fri- day from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for floor aerobics with an experi- enced teacher. Each woman was given a mat and a water bottle upon payment of the registration fee of $500 Guy- anese. Nutrition and diet session were also held at the be- ginning or end of the aerobics sessions. Ryan wrote, In the beginning, class attendance was slow but, by the end of the course women had to be turned away due to space constraints. The majority of the exer- cises performed were designed so that the women could perform them on their own. In fact, women were encour- aged weekly to do this. By the end of the sessions all women noted an increase in energy levels and all women expressed interest in continuing exercise after official class ceased. Overall, the class went extremely well, persons were sad to see it end and had learned a great deal. Rachelle Hall - White Water Sports Club: Lets Play Sports! While working in White Water, Region 1, Rachelle Hall (Guy 21), saw an opportunity to help the youth sports group of White Water. The youth play cricket and football, but ad- ditional activities are often integrated. The youths ages range from 7-17 years old and can be seen practicing their

Keep Reading for descriptions of these projects!


favorite sports during rain or shine, every day after school. With her FROG grant, Rachelle helped the team get uni- forms and worked with them on health education topics. Instead of having group classes, the participants chose to meet with Rachelle on an individual basis to allow them to receive health information confidentially, on topics they chose. These topics included adolescent development, family planning, STI prevention, and maintenance of body injury. Rachelle wrote, I saw a lot of the participants open up and ask questions related to their chosen topic. They were eager to learn without the embarrassment that would have inevitably taken place if the subjects were discussed in front of the group. Rachelle Hall - Sewing in White Creek Womens Group With her FROG grant, Rachelle also worked with a local womens group, called Rise and Shine Womens Group, in White Creek, Region 1. The 22 women in the group wanted assistance in repairing their sewing machines, as they were missing parts and the group lacked materials and resources to start their projects. FROG grant funds were used to purchase these needed materials. The women plan to use the purchased materials to sew prod- ucts such as accessories and clothing that they can sell at community functions and use the money to further their groups finances. At their group meetings during the time period of this project, Rachelle helped facilitate health talks on topics they chose, including HIV/AIDS, breastfeeding, and ma- ternal health. Rachelle wrote that it meant a lot to the group that they were included in the funding from the FROG grant. They were surprised that the money would be available to aide them in their sewing projects as most grants in the village revolve around manual labor from men. The group leader stated she was inspired by the op- portunity and knew that the women had many talents and that now they would have no excuse but to put these talents into practice.

Mica Gaard Yakusarii Guyana A.R.T.S. (Act, Reach, Think, and Shine) Mica Gaard, Guy 21, used a FROG grant to help support Guyana A.R.T.S., a youth development program that en- courages teens (ages 13 to 16) to Act, Reach, Think, and Shine through the arts. This project focused on children in Black Bush, Corentyne, Region 6, who have very limited self-improvement opportunities and often do not attend school regularly. The goal was to give the teens in Black Bush the opportunity to grow in a fun and nurturing envi- ronment during the summer holiday. Along with the arts, the program also included activities that would allow for leadership among the older students and participation in community service activities for all.

Issue 3 September 2011

At the end of the third week, 13 of the students went on a field trip to a nearby orphanage, where the students led art projects they had learned to make during their lessons. Mica wrote that At the end of the program, all the stu- dents agreed that this was their favorite part of the sum- mer program, and they could not wait to go back again. Additionally, Mica wrote that in four weeks, students were able to learn new artistic skills, make new friends, participate in a community service project, and have fun doing something they had never really been able to experience before. Projects In progress: Stephen Newberg - School Furniture Refurbishment and Youth Rehabilitation Project Stephen Newberg recently received a FROG grant to work with the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), a youth detention facility, to repair deteriorating furniture currently in use at the numerous schools on the Essequibo Coast beginning with Abrams Zuil Secondary school. The desks and chairs used by the students in this communitys schools are over 20 years old, and many have missing or broken Boards or supports and can no longer be used safely. Others, with exposed nails and screws, are being used at great risk to the students. The funds are being used to purchase the neces- sary hand tools and material to perform the repair work. In addition to helping with the needed repairs, Stephens project will engage youth who reside at NOC to perform the work in their joinery. Due to budgetary constraints the NOC is currently limited in the amount of material they are able


to procure for their students learning woodworking skills at the joinery. This is an opportunity to provide them with materials to enhance those skills. Linda Erskin - Suddie Primary Student Lending Library Linda Erskin is currently using her FROG grant to establish a student run lending library at Suddie Primary School on the Essequibo Coast, where students do not have access to reading material other than school books. The project will establish a collection of story books for 1st 4th grad- ers whose parents are trained in reading to their children. Linda will also work with a group of students to teach them how to run a small lending library by developing a book catalogue system, organizing the library, loaning books to their peers, repairing books, and insuring that loaned books are returned. FROG funds are being used to purchase fiction books from the Guyana Book Foundation and other sources, as well as initiate a program for donated used books from the USA, Canada, and Guyana. This project also aims to improve utilization of the school library by making minor repairs to existing bookshelves. John OConnor - Laptop for Student Nurses at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital John OConnor, FROGs first non-PCV or RPCV grantee, is one of two retired faculty from McMaster University have volunteered to teach at the School of Nursing at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown. In 2010, they initiated a

Issue 3 September 2011

Problem Based Learning course that integrated neurology, ethics, psychology, and sociology courses. The course was extremely well-received with the students being active learners. One of the major weaknesses was the lack of ac- cess to computer terminals and internet access. John ap- plied for a FROG grant to purchase a laptop to be used by nursing students in the hospital's Computer Cafe. The pro- ject has also secured funding from other sources to pur- chase three additional computers. The laptops will be used to access evidenced-based litera- ture, such as Scholarly Journals provided free by WHO's HINARI Project, Wikipedia Scholar, Google Scholar, etc. Students will be trained to become internet researchers during their three months and they will be able to apply their net research skills to subsequent courses in their di- ploma program. The Computer Cafe at the hospital has six internet connected stations and before the hospital fire of May 2010, there were working computers at each station. However, all but one of these computers was moved to replace computers in other areas of the hospital that were destroyed by fire. To read more about Johns work in Guyana and how he has raised money for this and other projects, please visit his blog at www.revjoc.blogspot.com

Nick Smith, Guy 20, worked with village leaders in Kwatamang, a small village in Region
9 between Annai and the Rupununi River, to raise a section of ground linking the East and West sides of the village. The village is divided by a low area that is always muddy and near impassable during rainy season when this area floods. The FROG grant funds were used to enhance the efforts of the community in this effort.

Nick Smith, Kwatamang (Region 9), Path and Land Bridge Improvement

Nick wrote, The Successes easily outweighed the challenges. Simply put there is now a path that will make crossing a giant mud puddle a lot easier. The local mini-buses now can drive to Small Kwatamang and pick people up or drop supplies off. The local Bull-ox carts can cross. The Children can come to school on rainy days. The project was de- signed by the villagers, budgeted by the villagers and completed by the villagers; they have a lot of ownership in the project. Ownership in projects leads towards mainte- nance of projects, maintenance of projects leads towards sustainable projects. I feel this project is sustainable and successful.

FROG congratulates all of the grant receipts for 2011 on jobs well done. We look forward to continuing to support the efforts of those who are making a difference in the communities that they serve. If you have a project idea to help support community development in Guyana, check out FROGs website for more information on how to apply for a grant.

Issue 3 September 2011

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

Aaron Golembiewski Aimie Mims Andrew Swindel Annie Langenfeld Anonymous Antonia Dheming Ashley Barash Aubrey Parsons Babysharks.net Brady Swenson Brendan Sullivan-Sariana Briana Flattum Geurink brokekid.net Celeste Hamilton Dennis Dave Coleman David Holzman David Sarley Emmanuel Vaughn Erika Larsen Gary Steele
Gates Foundation Irene Botchway Jake Brewer James Moore Janet Mims Jean Whalton Jennifer Miller Jill Fahnhorst Joan Eichner Joey Ross John Brendan Guinan Jonathan Bradsher Joseph McCord Joseph Shapiro JSI Julie Geurink Kathy Haines Katie Wineski Konnie Miheret Kristen Patton Bauer Kristin Stadum Laurenellen McCann Lesley Petekeywich Megan Brooks Melinda McKay Michael Geurink Michael Geurink Michael Sabrio Michele Pahl Molly Fitzgerald Molly Mattessich Niki Herron Rodney Stadum Ryan Mims Scott Stadum Scott Wells Shelley Vavoom Suzanne L'Amoureux Tracy VanDagna Westwood Professional Services

The Board would especially like to recognize and thank Brendan Sullivan-Sariana for his recent donation of $1,000.00. Because of you, Brendan, FROG was able to fund two more projects in Guyana during 2010. We are delighted by your kindness! All contributions go directly to funding small grants projects in Guyana. If you would like to contribute, check out how on our website at www.guyfrog.org. FROG t-shirts are still available on our website and look for our 2011 International Peace Corps Volunteer calendars coming soon!

Stay up to date with FROG and check out our website at www.guyfrog.org for more on fundraising events, FROG funded project updates, volunteer news, and much more! Find FROG On: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Friends-RPCVs-of-Guyana/78470947887?ref=ts Change.org: http://www.change.org/frog Peace Corps Connect: http://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/group/friendsrpcvsofguyana Or email us at: board@guyfrog.org 6

 The results are in! The FROG Board is pleased to announce the results of our elections, which were held in October 2011. Our current Board members are:
Scott Stadum President Louise Stenberg Vice President Aimie (Langenfeld) Mims Secretary Jody Knueppel Treasurer Kati Ringer Eric Terpstra Mike Geurink The FROG Board is especially pleased to welcome our two newest Board Members, Shane Loorz (Guy 14) and Mica Gaard (Guy 21).

Issue 3 September 2011

Shane Loorz served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guyana from 2004-2006. He went on to teach English in Japan from 2007 2009. He holds a strong belief that education is the basis of both development and cultural understanding. Shane is completing his MA at the University of Maryland in International Development and Non-Profit Management. Addition- ally, he is interning in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. Shane joins the FROG Board as Chief Fundraiser, responsible for developing and monitoring fundraising activities.

Mica Gaard graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in Music Education in 2008 and left shortly after for the Peace Corps in Guyana. There, in addition to chairing VAC (where she helped to re-establish the Peer Support Network), she worked in a small farming community as a Community Educa- tion Promoter. Teaching at a K-9 school, she worked with teachers to build a new library and establish an arts program in two schools. Mica now lives in California, continuing to teachnow childrens choir and handful of piano students. Although the future is uncertain for her, she knows it will continue to include Peace Corps, boulanger choka, and hammocks in some capacity.

FROG Board members take a leadership role in an organization designed to enhance the lives of Guyanese nationals through micro-grants to organizations throughout the country. Opportunities also exist to spread awareness of Guyana and its people throughout the U.S. with fundraising and networking events, newsletters, and a number of online tools. Serving on the Board of Directors for the Friends and RPCVs of Guyana can be a richly rewarding experi- ence. The small, yet focused nature of our organization allows us to move quickly and flexibly in order to accomplish our mission. Please keep us in mind next year and share in our success by becoming a nomi- nee, or nominating someone who would be a good fit in our October 2012 elections.

A Letter from FROGs 2010-2011 President, Kati Ringer

Issue 3 September 2011

Many people ask me why I donate my time to Friends & Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Guyana. Although it is a lot of work, I have found the time I have spent with FROG to be incredibly rewarding. Volunteering with FROG creates an opportunity for me to work with an amazingly dedicated and creative group of people and it always me to give back to a country that pro- vided me with many life changing opportunities. Not only did my two years in Guyana provide me with some pivotal learning experiences, it also introduced me to some of the greatest people I will ever be fortu- nate enough to meet. It has truly been an honor for me to serve as FROG President for the last year. I am so proud of the work we have done and it has been amazing to watch our small organization grow. We have come so far since being founded in 2007 and we are not slowing down! FROG has big plans for the future and we need your help. Although we all have busy schedules, if you have a few hours a month or year that you are willing to dedi- cate to FROG, please let us know. We have many interesting projects in the works and we cannot do it without friends and members like you! Thank you, Kati FROG sincerely thanks Kati for her hard work, dedica- tion, and leadership. Kati has been essential in grow- ing and sustaining our membership and outreach, fos- tering our creativity, and helping us define FROGs goals and strategic plan for the future. We all look forward to continuing to work with Kati, albeit in a less demanding and well deserved way. Introducing the New FROG Board President, Scott Stadum The FROG Board would like to welcome Scott Stadum as our new President. Scott has been a Board mem- ber of FROG since its inception in 2007, playing various roles within the organization. Scott was Peace Corps Guyana IT volunteer, working with the World Wildlife Fund from 2003 to 2005. He currently lives and works in Washington, DC as a technology analyst for the Sunlight Foundation.
PO Box 15268 Washington, DC 20003 board@guyfrog.org

Have any ideas on how we can work together? Well then, weve got some information for you! First,
check out our website: www.guyfrog.org Then, email Louise Stenberg at lstenberg@guyfrog.org and say youre interested. Thanks for all your support! And remember, the more we raise, the more we can do. So please check out our website and donate to a good cause!

If you haven't heard of us yet, FROG is a grassroots level non-profit working with organizations in Guyana to further development. Check us out on the web at www.guyfrog.org