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8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
1/8
Issue2September20
1
Fen&RCoGun
TheSeawall 2
FROGwillbeholdingafilm
screeningandfundraiser
onFriday,September17th
,
2010at7:00pmatthe
Goethe-Institutin
WashingtonDC.
FROGProjects3
Weresupporting
communitydevelopment
inGuyanainanumberof
areas!
TheBoard 7
Takealookatwhoserves
ontheFROGBoardof
Directors!
SupportingCommunityDevelopmentin
GuyanaTropicalrainforests,brightgreenricefields,
andstunning mountain rangesareall part
of the beautiful land of Guyana. The
people ofGuyanahave diversenationality
backgrounds and rich cultural
traditions. But political troubles, ethnic
tension, and economic mismanagement
have left Guyana with an economy that
ranks as one of South Americas poorest.
Depressedwages and salaries, a declining
economy,andthe flightof skilledworkerstomorelucrativelabormarketshaveledto
a fall in an already low living standard.
Guyanaalsofacesenvironmentalthreatsto
thecoastalstripandrainforest,healthcare
labor constraints, low literacy rates,
poverty, and crime fuelled by the drugs
trade.
The Peace Corps first received a formal
invitationfromTheGovernmentofGuyana
in 1966. Since then more than 380
VolunteershaveservedinGuyanawiththe
United States Peace Corps. Volunteers
serveatsitesrangingfromthecapitalcity
of Georgetown, with a population of
300,000, to small, remote villages with
populations fewer than 300. Volunteers
addresseducational, health,and technical
concerns by providing community health
education,literacy,lifeskillsandacademic
training, and information technology incollaborationwithGuyaneseministriesand
NGOs. PCVs assist existing efforts to
facilitate community involvement, train
service providers, and introduce new
training and teaching
methodologies.Today,therearenearly50
PeaceCorpsVolunteersservinginGuyana
innineofthecountrystenregions.
In2007,ReturnedPeaceCorpsVolunteers
(RPCV)fromGuyanajoinedforcestostart
Friends and Returned Volunteers of
Guyana (FROG).FROG isan organization
for those who love the culture, people
and land of Guyana and believe in
supportingthecountrysdevelopment.
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
2/8
Issue2September20
2
FROGwillbeholding
afilmscreeningand
fundraiseronFriday,
September17th,2010at7:00pmat
theGoethe-Institut
inWashingtonDC.
Thiseventwill
featureafilm
screeningofthe
narrativeshort,The
Seawall,by
Guyanesefilmmaker,
MasonRichardsand
specialguest
speaker,AmbassadorBayney
Karran.
FROGhadthepleasuretoworkwithCalArtsSchoolofFilmand
DesignstudentMasonRichardsonhisfilm,TheSeawall,which
wasshotentirelyonlocationinGeorgetown,Guyana.The
SeawallcentersonMarjorie,anolderGuyanesewomanwho
struggleswithloneliness,abandonment,andsacrificeasshe
preparesforhergrandsonsmovetoAmericatobewithhis
mother.ThecastandcrewconsistoflocalGuyanesenon-
actors,non-professionals,andstudentswhoworkedalongsidea
crewfromLosAngeles.Amajorpartofcreatingthisfilmwasfo
thefilmmakertoreturntohishomecountrytosharewhathehaslearnedandmakeafilminthecommunity,withthe
community.
Thisfilmwasmadepossiblebyfundraisinganddonations
totaling$20,000.00throughanon-profitfiscalsponsoraffiliate
withFROG.Allproceedsfromthefilmscreeningandfundraisin
eventwillgodirectlytotheFROGgrantsprogram,which
administerssmallgrantsthroughorganizationssuchasPeace
Corps,othervolunteeragencies,andGuyanesenon-profits.
TheGoethe-InstitutWashingtonislocatedat812SeventhStree
NW,WashingtonDC.A$10donationperpersonisrequesteda
thedoor.Formoreinformation,call(202)[email protected]!
CelebrateGuyanawithFROG@theGoethe-Instituton9/17/10at7:00pm
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
3/8
Issue2September20
Since thestart of FROGs grantsprogram inMarch 2009,
FROG has funded seven projects in Guyana, with five
completed and two in progress. The total amount of
fundinggiventodateis$2,630.00.Theprojectswereled
by current and past Peace Corps Volunteers serving in
Regions1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9. Below is a summaryof the
projects that FROG has funded in 2010 through your
generouscontributions.
Projects
St. Monica-Karawab Clean Water Project, Part II,US$395-PhillipChan,GUY15
AfterschoolHomeworkHelpatTwoBrothersPrimaryAcceleratedLearningCenter,US$500-EdithYoo,GUY
20
Promoting and Complimenting Local Pepper SauceandFoodSpicesProduction,US$485-JuanRodrigues,
GUY20
In School Youth (ISY) Program, US$100 - AdiaMcPherson,PeaceCorpsResponseVolunteer2010
Kwatamang Village Ground Raising Project , US$500-NickSmith,GUY20
Guyana A.R.T.S. (Act, Reach, Think, and Shine),US$250-MicaGaard,GUY21
St.Monica-KarawabCleanWaterProject
InMarch2009,FROGfundeditsfirstprojectwhenPhillip
Chan(Guy15),proposedtoreturntohisPCSite,St.Monica
inthePomeroonRiver(Region2),duringhisspringbrea
from medical school at Jefferson Medical College i
Philadelphia. He and a classmate worked with th
communitytoconstructawatertankstandandinstallfou
tanks to collect 1,800 gallons of rainwater in order timprove access to clean water for community members
Philipwroteofhisexperience,Onapersonalnote,itwas
really awesome to be back in St. Monica. There wer
moments of nostalgia, bizarre feelings of dj vu, and
little bit of sadness. However, for the most part I wa
actually heartened by all the positive steps the villag
seemed to be taking, from the woodworking shop an
functioning village telephone, to the head teacher
enthusiasmandcontinuinguseofthecomputers.
FROGFundedProjectsin2010
St.Monicasvolunteerconstructionteam
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
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Issue2September20
4
Becauseofthesuccessofhisfirstproject,Phillipreturnedto
Guyana,withfiveofhisfellowmedicalstudents.Thegroup
installedadditionalrainwatercatchmenttanksinthevillage
ofKarawab,PomeroonRiver (Region2) and educated the
community about proper water treatment and hygiene.
With the completion of the project, the water catchment
system in Karawab is capable of collecting 900 gallons of
rainwaterandimprovingaccesstocleanwaterforabroad
rangeof community members. Thegroup alsoconducted
educational activities at Karawab and St. Monica schools,
teachingthestudentsabouttheimportanceof cleanwater
treatment and healthy hygiene
practices, with the hope of ensuring
theproperuseandmaintenanceofthe
water collection systems for years to
come.
Phillip said, Awesome trip this year!Atfirst,Iwasabitmoreanxioushaving
a larger group with us, and trying to
get everyone out to the village all in
one piece. But, once we got to
Guyana, the week was an incredible success and in
retrospectitseemstohavegonebysoamazinglyfast. The
dayswerejam-packedwithteaching,playingwithkids,local
trips, purchasing construction materials, and paddling
aroundontheriver.
Priya Sharma,a JeffersonMedicalCollege (MS1),whowas
alsoonthetripsaid,SpendingaweekinGuyanawasoneofthemostgratifyingexperiencesI haveeverhad! Sincethis
wasmyfirsttimetravelingtoaforeigncountryforaservice
project, I wasextremelyapprehensive about theobstacles
that I wouldface. However, I was completely amazedby
howeasyitwastoadapttotheGuyaneselife.Assoonas
we arrived at the village, Iwas overwhelmed by
thegratitude and hospitality of St. Monica,and we were
able tointeract with thevillagers as ifwewere from St.
Monica itself. Every day was a new learning experience,
whether it was learning how to sleep in a hammock
comfortably, or learning how to balancea flashlight whileactingoutYodainour"Celebrity"game.
Afterschool Homework Help at Two Brothers Primary
AcceleratedLearningCenter
InMarch2010, Edith Yoo (Guy 20) used a FROG grant to
purchasetextbooksforthesecondarystudentsafterschool
homework program at Two Brothers Primary Accelerated
LearningCenterinCanal#1,Region3.Thelearningcenteris
openMondaythroughFriday,from4to5pmforstudents
gethomeworkhelpfromcommunityvolunteersandtoha
accesstothetextbookswhichtheirfamiliesmaynotbeab
toafford. The programtypically sees 10-12 childrenon
dailybasis.ThestudentscomefromallalongtheWestBa
tobeabletohaveaccesstofreetextbooks.Inaddition,small portion of the FROG grant was used to purcha
storybooks for the library and chapter books for t
secondaryschool.Thebooksarebeingusedtoencourag
reading,andtohavestudentspracticereading.
EdithwroteWordisspreadingabou
the learning center homework he
program, and secondary scho
students will now bring their old
brothers or sisters to help study f
theCXCaswellasmanystudentsa
bringing their friends froneighboring villages. Students wh
would never be able to comple
assignments because they did n
havetextbooksarenowabletohav
access to books, not only when they need to comple
assignments but also to just come and review what th
learnedthatday.
Parentsareeternallygratefulthatwearegivingthiskind
supporttotheirchildren.Aparentcameuptomeandsai
Havingthesebooksisgoingtosaveme,therewasnow
that I could afford these books, and my daughter rea
needsthem.Thethankyousfromparentsandstudentsa
endless.AstudentinForm1toldme,Miss,youarerea
savingmeIwouldnthavebeenabletodomyassignment
didnthavethisbook.
Littlegirlreadingtoherclassmates
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
5/8
Issue2September20
PromotingandComplimentingLocalPepper
SauceandFoodSpicesProduction
Duringthesummerof2010,JuanRodriguez(GUY20)workedwiththeVilvoordenWomen'sGroupon
theEssequiboCoast,Region2toimplementaprojectwhichaimstocreateawayformembersofthewomens group to earn income from producing and selling
pepper sauce and ground spices in their local communities.
FundsfromtheFROGgrantwereusedtopurchaseequipment
and supplies to startproductionand packaging of the pepper
sauceand dried spices. All fundsgenerated from the sale of
theirproductswillbeusedtosustainproduction.
Juan said Through this project I managed to learn some
interesting agricultural tipsconcerningpepper sauce andfood
spices,butmoreimportantlyitprovidedmeanopportunityto
moreintimatelyworkwiththeladiesfromtheWomensgroup.
InSchoolYouth(ISY)Program
Adia McPherson, a Peace Corps Response Volunteer,
worked with Artistes in Direct Support (AIDS) in
Georgetown. She used her FROGgrant to strengthen
staff and volunteer capacity in implementing their In-
School Youth HIV prevention program. During the
project, she planned and implemented five training
sessions on the following topics: HIV and AIDS Basic
Review; Care for PLWHA and Fighting Stigma and
Discrimination; Counseling and Working with Youth;
Effective Implementation of Community Outreach
Programs; and Leadership and Governance. She also
had a guest speaker from the local organization Help
andShelterconducta training session for thestaff on
How to Handle Reports of Abuse. Adia also
researched and compiled information to create
additional resource materials, including activities
booklets to supplement the In School Youth (ISY)
AbstinenceProgramsessions;aguidebookforcreating
brochures and other publications; a websitemaintenance manual; and a guide book for creating
skits. Thepublicationswereprintedanddistributedto
A.I.D.S.staffmembers,whowerealsogivensoftcopies
touse.
Thestaffcapacitybuildingsessionswerebeneficialto
the work wedoatA.I.D.S. The topics coveredwere
deliveredinsuchacomprehensivemannerthatpersons
ofallageswereabletolearnfromthehandouts.After
eachsessionthestaffwasleftwitharenewedsenseo
responsibility not just for ourselves but we were also
compelledtocreatenewactivitiestoattractthegenera
public to increase HIV/AIDS awareness as we fight
stigmaanddiscrimination. Asanorganization weare
always interested in gaining knowledge to elevate ou
staff and group members and found this capacity
buildingconductedbyAdiaMcPhersontobeinnovative
rejuvenatingandnecessary. Itbroughtourstaffclose
and this isimportant for teambuilding. Wecertainly
learntalotandusedtheexperiencetobetterourlives
andstrengthenourHIV/AIDSeducationworkinallour
projects reported Maria Mitchell, Staff Administrative
AssistantandVolunteerPeerEducator,A.I.D.S.
KwatamangVillageGroundRaisingProject
Nick Smith, GUY 20, is currently working with village
leaders in Kwatamang, a small village in Region 9
between Annai and the Rupununi River, to raise a
sectionofgroundlinkingtheEastandWestsidesofthe
village.Thevillageisdividedbyalowareathatfloods
during rainy season. The FROGgrant funds are being
used to enhance the efforts of the community in this
effort.
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
6/8
Issue2September20
NewBoardMembersNominationsNowOpen!
ItistimetoelectnewFROGboardmembers,andwearenowacceptingnomination
forcandidates.ElectionswillbeheldinOctoberof2010.
FROGboardmemberstakea leadership role inan organization designed toenhanc
thelivesofGuyanesenationalsthroughmicro-grantstoorganizationsthroughoutthe
country. Opportunities also exist to spread awareness of Guyana and its peopl
throughouttheU.S.withfundraisingevents,T-shirtsales,newsletters,andanumbero
onlinetools.
TheBoardconsistsoffourmainpositions(theExecutiveCommittee)aswellasauxiliar
positions created by the Board to help supplement and sustain our efforts. Th
ExecutiveCommitteewillbeelectedoncethenewBoardMembershaveacceptedthe
nominationsandhavebeenvotedontotheBoard.
TheFROGboardmeetseveryfewweekstoplanandexecutetheactivities,policy,anddirection of FROG. The meetings are held using Skype in a teleconference settin
approximatelyonceeverysixweeks,orasnecessary.
ServingontheBoardofDirectorsfortheFriendsandRPCVsofGuyanacanbea richl
rewardingexperience.Thesmall,yetfocusednatureofourorganizationallowsus t
move quickly and flexibly in order to accomplish our mission. Please share in ou
successbybecominganominee,ornominatingsomeonewhowouldbeagoodfit.
Nominations can be sent to [email protected], or nominees may fil l out th
applicationformonourwebsiteatwww.guyfrog.org.
ABIGTHANKYOUTO
OURDONORS!
RebeccaBailey
DavidBoone
DaveColman
SeanDonato
MichaelFiur
MichaelGeurink
CelesteHamilton
HannahKane
KumarLakhavani
KaylaNicolay
JessePhoenixMcGhee
RobertPoole
MichaelSabrio
KristinStadum
BrendanSullivan-Sariana
ScottWells
CherylWitt
The Board would like to especially
recognize and thank Brendan
Sullivan-Sariana for his recent
donationof $1,000.00. Becauseof
you, Brendan, FROG was able to
fund two more projects in Guyana
during2010.
Wearedelightedbyyourkindness!
All contributions go directly to
funding small grants projects in
Guyana. If you would like to
contribute, check out how on our
websiteatwww.guyfrog.org.FROG
t-shirts are still available on our
website and look for our 2011
InternationalPeaceCorpsVolunteer
calendarscomingsoon!
GuyanaA.R.T.S.(Act,Reach,Think,andShine )
MicaGaard,GUY21,isutilizingaFROGgrantto
help support Guyana A.R.T.S., a youth
development program that encourages teens
(ages13to16)toAct,Reach,Think,andShine
through the arts. This project is focusing on
childreninBlackBush,Corentyne,Region6,whohave very limited self-improvement
opportunities and often do not attend school
regularly. Mica wrote in her proposal,
Community members and I created Guyana
A.R.T.S. to give the teens in Black Bush the
opportunitytogrowinafunandnurturingenvironmentduringthesummer
holiday. Throughvisual arts, drama, music, andstorytelling, students will
learn about the arts, but also learn critical development skills such as
teamwork,creativity,lifeskills,andleadership.
FROGcongratulatesallofthegrantreceiptsfor2010onjobswelldone.We
lookforwardtocontinuingtosupporttheeffortsofRPCVswhoaremakinga
differenceinthecommunitiesthattheyserve.
Ifyouhaveaprojectideatohelpsupportcommunitydevelopmentin
Guyana,checkoutFROGswebsiteformoreinformationonhowtoapplyfor
agrantwww.guyfrog.org
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
7/8
Issue2September20
UpdatesfromtheFROGBoard
MikeGeurink,President&ChiefFundraiser,(GUY12): MikeisstillwithJSIbutwiththeDELIVERProject
asFinanceandAdminManagerfortheirEthiopiafieldoffice.Hetravelsabitforworkandisoftenout
ofWashingtonforpersonalreasonsaswell.OtherwiseMikeisinWashington,DCmostofthetime
enjoyingthecity,especiallyEasternMarket,playinggolfandsoccer,hangingoutwithhisfriendsand
enjoyinglife.Kati Ringer, Vice President & Membership Coordinator, (GUY 14): Kati works at an internationa
developmentconsultinginBurlington,Vermont.WhennotworkingorhelpingwithFROG,shelikesto
makeart and spendtimeoutside. Currently, she has a show ofphotographs attheDailyPlanet in
BurlingtonandwillbeshowingpaintingsandphotographsattheSouthEndArtHopduringthemonth
ofSeptember.
LouiseStenberg,Secretary&ProjectsManager,(GUY12): Lifehasbeenfullofchangesduringthepastcoupleyears
AfterlivinginWashingtonDCforayear,LouisedecidedtoreturnhometothegreatstateofMinnesotaandcurrently
livesinSt.Paul.ShenowworksfortheMinnesotaDepartmentofHealthintheOfficeofPublicHealthPractice,focusing
onqualityimprovementandperformancemanagementwithin thestateandlocalpublichealthsysteminMinnesota
SheshappytobeclosertofamilyandfriendsandenjoysbecomingafanaticalTwinsfolloweronceagain.
EricTerpstra,Treasurer&MembershipCoordinator,(GUY14):Thissummer,Erichasbeencrankingout
software,tamingbackyardflora,andwipingsweatfromhisbrowinMemphis,TN.HistimeasFROG
treasurerhasgivenhimmuch respectfor theaccountantsand bookkeepersof theworld. He look
forwardtowelcomingnewFROGboardmembersthisfallandwatchingFROGblossomintoamature
organization.
Scott Stadum, Technology Chair & Program Manager, (GUY 12): Scott recently moved back to
Washington, DC after spending two years working for a nonprofit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He
recentlyjoinedtheSunlightFoundationasanewmediaspecialistandgetstospendmuchofhistime
stayingintunewiththepoliticsofWashington.
Jody Knueppel, Assistant Treasurer & Accounting, (GUY 16): Jody has put over 1000 km on he
snowboardthisseasonandrecentlymovedtoMozambique.
AimieLangenfeld-Mims,CommunityOutreachCoordinator,(GUY14):GreetingsfromAimie!Itsbeen
agreatyear!AimiesworkasaSitingandLandRightsSpecialistwithanEnergyDevelopmentCompany
inherhomestateofMinnesotahaskeptherbusytravelingaroundtheMidwest,learningnewthings,
andmeetingnewpeople.ShegotmarriedthispastJulytoagreatguy,RyanMims,andhadanamazing
daywiththeirfamilyandfriends.SheisnowAimieMims!Shethinksitsbeenawesometobeapartof
the FROG Board; supporting the creativity and passion that PCVs have for their work and their communities is so
rewarding.WeallthankyouforyourcontinuedsupportofFROG;wecouldn'tdoitwithoutyou!
The FROG Board sends a heartfelt shout-out to our Intern, Alan Ince. Alan was instrumental in the planning and
promotionofourfilmscreeningandfundraiseronFriday,September17th
.Wesincerelyappreciateallyourefforts,
Alan-thanksforajobwelldone!
8/8/2019 Friends & RPCVs of Guyana Newsletter #2 from 2010
8/8
Issue2September20
8
SigningOff,Mr.President
AsIlooktowrap-upmytermasPresident,Iwantedtoreflectonhowournon-profitbeganandhowourtadpolehasgrowninto
FROG.Itwasallverysimple-well,maybenotthatsimple.WheneveryouputanumberofRPCVstogetherwhowanttocarryonthe
3rd
goalofthePeaceCorps,itisboundtobeanexciting,challenging,anddynamicprocess.Hereishowourgroupcametobeand
howwevegrownsince2006.
AftermyCOSinMarchof2006,IwasafreshRPCVreadytostartaprofessionallifeandmovedtoWashington,DC.MyfriendandfellowRPCV,ScottStadumandIspent
alotoftimeinDCtalkingabouthowwecouldmakeanimpactontheworld.Scott
andTimDelaneyfromGUY12alsohadsimilartalks,andwethought;alotofother
countrieshaveRPCVgroups,sowhynotPeaceCorpsGuyana?Fromtherewejoined
forceswithPeterTheis(GUY11),KatiRinger(GUY14),CabulMehta(GUY13),and
EricTerpstra(GUY14)andtogethertookstepstoformthefirst501c3non-profitto
establishFriends&RPCVsofGuyana,FROG.
Togetstarted,weknewwehadalottodecide;whowouldtakewhatrole?Dowebecome501c3certified?Howdoweevendo
that?TimDelaneywasourfirstPresident,andinthatfirstyear,Timwasourperfectleader.Hehadavisionforthisgroupand
helpeduskeepwiththatvision.However,withTimlivinginEthiopiaand7hoursaheadofEasternTime,hewasunabletoworka
secondtermasPresident.Oneyearlater,Iwaselected
President,whichIveheldupuntilnow.
Lookingback,itisamazingtomethatwearenowfunding
projectsinGuyana.Itseemedlikeittookusagestofinallyget
thatfirstproposal.ItisgratifyingknowingthatFROGstartedwith
justafewpeoplewithagoal,andnowithasthepotentialtobe
somuchmore.IamamazedandsoproudthatFROGhas
successfullysustaineditselfforthelastfouryears.
TheFROGboardmembers,theExecutivecommittee,ourinterns
andourvolunteersarethereasonforoursuccess.Iamamazed
attheamountofselflesscooperation,theingenuity,andthe
dedicationthatourgrouppossesses.Ithastrulybeenapleasure
toworkwithyouall.ThankyoutoallourcurrentandpastFROG
ExecutiveandBoardMembers.AndthankyoutotoallthePeace
CorpsVolunteersthatarestillinthecountryanddoinggreat
work.WewillcontinuetoimproveFROGsowecanbeanother
formofsupportforallthegreatideasthatneedjustalittlebitof
funding.EnjoyyourtimeinGuyanabecauseitisatimeIstill
cherishandwillfortherestofmylife.
Sincerely,
MichaelGeurink
FROGPresident
Ifyouhaven'theardofusyet,FROGisagrassrootslevelnon-profitworkingwithorganizationsin
Guyanatofurtherdevelopment.
Checkusoutonthewebatwww.guyfrog.org72312thSt.SE#3Washington,DC20003
Wellthen,wevegotsomeinformationforyou!First,
checkoutourwebsite:www.guyfrog.org
Then,emailLouiseStenbergat [email protected]
andsayyoureinterested.
Thanksforallyoursupport!
Andremember,themoreweraise,themorewecan
do.Sopleasecheckoutourwebsiteanddonatetoa
goodcause!
Haveanyideasonhowwe
canworktogether?
Yup,thatsMike
Geurink,our
illustriouspresident
backwhenhewas
justaplainold
PeaceCorps
Volunteer.
