City Description
Guyana is located on the northern coast of South America, between Venezuela and Suriname, and is known as the land of many waters. The climate is tropical as it sits below sea level and lies just 7º N of the Equator. Known for its cultural and biodiversity, Guyana is a Caribbean nation and the only English-speaking country in South America. Due to recent decades of economic decline and high emigration rates, Guyana is now among the most impoverished nations in the Western Hemisphere. The volunteers live together in a house in Georgetown, the capital city. The home is furnished with essentials and is simple yet comfortable. It is located near local mini bus routes, open air markets, and the sea wall.
Housing: house
Transportation: public
Number of Volunteers: 4
Service Site Descriptions
Mercy Wings Vocational Center
Mercy Wings is an innovative vocational-technical training program for adolescents, ages 14-19 who have not benefited from a traditional school setting. Vocational tracks are offered in construction, child care, catering, and cosmetology. The Adolescent Development Program, which aims to build self-esteem and relationship skills, is a critical part of the center’s programming. Volunteers are needed as teachers in the Adolescent Development Program and in remedial subjects (math, reading, computer literacy). Educational and/or social work background, along with experience working with adolescents is helpful but not required.
Site Details
Website: Mercy Wings Vocational and Day Care Centre (Facebook)
Skills: Education, Social Work, Counseling, Computer Skills
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital is a non-profit health care facility offering 24-hour care. They offer traditional in-patient services as well as outreach programs including a free mobile clinic and free HIV testing and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. They also have a full-time nursing school program. Volunteers are needed as nurses (prior work experience desired), social workers, physical and occupational therapists.
Website: www.mercyhospital.gy
Skills: Healthcare, Nursing, Social Work
St. John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage and Bosco Academy
Mercy Resident Care
Mercy Resident Care is a state of the art long-term care facility that caters to the needs of the elderly. It provides 24-hour nursing care, personal care, and rehabilitation services while striving to be a home away from home for its residents. Two volunteers are needed at this site. One volunteer is needed to serve as an activities coordinator, working with staff to design and implement social activities based on the interests of the residents. The other is needed as a registered nurse.
Website: www.boscoboysgy.com
Skills: Education, Special Education, After School Sports and Activities
Website: www.mercyhospital.gy/services/resident-care
Skills: Healthcare, Social Services, Nursing, Activity Planning
REFLECTIONS FROM VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVED IN GUYANA
Loving the Person in Front of You: A Message from Guyana
Dear Prospective Volunteers, Over the past few months, I have felt incapable…
Greetings from Guyana
It has been quite the process and journey of adjustment and triumph.…
Stepping Out of the Lime Green House: My Comfort Zone
Part of me wishes that I could narrate my first several weeks…
Fifty boys between the ages of 4 and 16 reside at this orphanage sponsored and operated by the Sisters of Mercy. The term “orphanage” is used loosely as any boy in need of a safe place to live is welcome. Boys in kindergarten-grade 6 are educated on site at Bosco Academy and older boys attend school in the local village. Later they go on to vocational training or higher education. Volunteers are needed to serve as teachers and tutors at Bosco Academy, as well as to lead sports, artistic, and wellness activities.