Trekker Tours Guyana

Our Traveling Tiger finally ventured out from under the bed where he has been hiding from the bushmaster snake almost since we stepped off the plane in Guyana. He hissed and scratched when we first suggested a "mystery trip" into the bush, and only reluctantly agreed when we told him Elder Angus would be driving and Sister Angus would navigate.

For two days, we met with branch presidents and members to discuss chicks and garden supplies (an upcoming Humanitarian Service project), PEF and the need for an employment specialist in every branch. Then we visited the New Amsterdam Special Needs School, where the Angus’ are spearheading a project involving two dozen new school desks, a filing cabinet for the school office . . . and believe it or not, plumbing to supply water to the kitchen and bathrooms in a school caring for more than 70 physically and mentally disabled children. While the children appeared happy, the facility was absolutely filthy and run down as administrators and a dozen teachers waited their turn for funding from the Guyanese Ministry of Education.

Our last project on Tuesday was to take a beautiful 12-year-old recent convert shopping for a school uniform. She absolutely beamed when she talked about the church and the chance to go back to school after a year (she has not been attending because her family could not afford to buy her the required uniform).

Trekker loved meeting all the children and purred with pleasure at the home of President Samaroo when he invited us to enjoy a VERY HOT curry and rice dinner which had some kind of unidentifiable meat our Traveling Tiger thought was quite tasty but Grandma was hesitant to eat. When we arrived home, Trekker admitted he was a little less nervous about living in Guyana and had enjoyed the trip and the people . . . but was appalled at their living conditions. He also admits he’s a pretty spoiled kitty living in the “lap of luxury” in the US and promises never to complain again about his place in the world.

PS: The little boy with the scars on his face and head lives in an orphanage and attends the special needs school because his parents had abused him so badly he is now mentally disabled.