Safety in Corriverton, Guyana What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
If you stay with Pastor Alim (Pastor Paul), the neighborhood around the house is pretty safe. Walk at least in pairs, as I was advised not to be running on my own. People are friendly, but cat calls are common and the best response is to ignore it. As a whole, the town is safe but our host suggested that we locked our valuables up at the church.
If you stay with Pastor Alim (Pastor Paul), the neighborhood around the house is pretty safe. Walk at least in pairs, as I was advised not to be running on my own. People are friendly, but cat calls are common and the best response is to ignore it. As a whole, the town is safe but our host suggested that we locked our valuables up at the church.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Corriverton, Guyana Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
As expedition, we were the first team to do ministry with this host. We would strongly recommend a World Race team to come here (4). We were able to share our testimonies on a national television show the church runs, we led worship and preached at both services and out stations, which are like house churches. We were also involved in deliverance services, intercession services, youth group, and helping lead services at other churches in the areas. Everyone preached or talked multiple times, and it was incredible to see how the ministry pushed people and revealed different gifts among our teams. The church is very evidently doing work for the kingdom here, and it was incredible to be a part of.
Lodging
Lodging in Corriverton, Guyana Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We actually stayed at Pastor Alim’s house on our own (he chooses to live at the church). The house is in a neighborhood about ten minutes from the church, and we took taxis to ministry every day. There are two toilets outside downstairs and one toilet inside upstairs. There is only shower in the house.There are multiple rooms with bunkbeds in each. However, we chose to sleep outside in hammocks and bug nets or in tents because of the heat (no a/c) and the mosquitoes.Cost was $5 per person per night for lodging and transportation together. Once transportation stopped (when ministry ended), it was $4 per night for lodging alone.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Corriverton, Guyana What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
You will cook for yourselves at this ministry site. You are able to come back to the house between ministry to cook each meal. Dinners will be very late, as we ate after out stations at night, usually around 8 or 9pm.We took taxis to get to the local market for food every couple days. We got all our vegetables, fruits, and ingredients at the market, and stopped by a special chicken shop on the way home for chicken and eggs.We bought 5 gallon water jugs that were refilled locally at the shop across the street.Keola is a woman who has a snack shop across the bridge by the house (it is the house you see looking out from the porch upstairs). She sells snacks and this is also where you refill your water each day. She can also get things dropped off from the market that you may need, like fly traps.Cost: $5 per person per day
Transportation
Transportation in Corriverton, Guyana What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
We came from Georgetown, where we were getting Brazilian visas. Vans were arranged to get from the airport to Georgetown (about an hour away). From Georgetown, we took a van to Corriverton that was arranged by our ministry host (about three hours).In Corriverton, you will use taxi drivers that Pastor Alim trusts. The town is decently small, so sometimes only one taxi driver is working at a time for you. That meant for the twelve of us the one taxi would make three trips to get us all to the church or wherever we were going. Make sure you start leaving an hour before your commitment to be somewhere (this is for 12 people as we had two teams here working together).The payment with the taxis should be prearranged with the host and is included with the cost of lodging, but after ministry ends the cost is $400 per taxi each way, regardless of one to four people.
Medical
Medical in Corriverton, Guyana Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
There are pharmacies in the local market that have a good selection of medication.Public health care is not good. Private health care is better and quicker, but you have to go to New Amsterdam for it (an hour away).We didn’t have any health issues or emergencies, so if this problem arises contact the ministry host.
Communication
Communication in Corriverton, Guyana Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
We got SIM cards at Digicel at the airport. SIM cards were $20 USD and we paid in US dollars. To recharge credit, you can use Keola’s shop across the street from the house (see food section).Country Code: 592. Cell reception was fine for international plans.Wifi is not found anywhere in the city except at the church. Only four people are allowed to be on the wifi at one time, as it is what the family and staff use for their personal wifi. 4G Internet does not exist (only 3G). For example, my videos took 3 to 5 hours each to upload.
Financial
Financial in Corriverton, Guyana Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
In order to have an ATM, you must find one in Georgetown or in New Amsterdam. ***There are NO ATMs in Corriverton or Linden.Republic Bank does not work for team cards, so you must go to Scotia (look for a red sign).To exchange money, we asked our taxi driver and he stopped on the side of the road to exchange money with a man. This was a better exchange rate than we would have gotten from the bank.It would have been better to ask our ministry host about financial matters before we came, as we were blindsided by no ATMs and had to exchange emergency cash in order to eat.
Translators
Translators in Corriverton, Guyana List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Everyone speaks English in Guyana. I will say that the local dialect can be very hard to understand sometimes. Spanish is my second language and it was much easier for me to understand Spanish than Guyanese English a lot of the time. People are kind and it is incredible to do ministry in your native language – take advantage of it!
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Corriverton, Guyana What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
There is pretty much nothing to do in Corriverton. The only thing we found is a sugar factory that you can tour. You must ask the supervisor in advance to do this, and we found out too late in the game to go. Seems like it is worth checking out if you have the time, so plan in advance. The market is also fun to go if you are not a part of getting groceries. Our host had us go on our first Saturday to experience Guyanese culture.Otherwise, rest up and create fun days with your team back in the house. ATL and talk to people in the community since you have the opportunity of no need of translators. Make ministry opportunities and make your own fun. We had a “pool party” on our off day at the house with a kiddie inflatable pool we got at the market.Also, the empty room at the front is epic for playing bodies, bodies, bodies. Just saying.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Corriverton, Guyana Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
Some of us met a wonderful family in the neighborhood in our house. Walking out from the front of the house, take the main street and then turn left at the first street. Walk down a ways until you get to a pink and teal house with a little shop at the front. Their names are Mary, Martha, Ambica (Mary’s daughters), Elsie and Danny (Mary’s parents). Mary is married to a Hindi man but she and her whole family are Christ followers. Danny has cancer and was in Corriverton because the chemo machine in Georgetown was broken. We went to this family’s house almost every day between ministry to talk, pray, worship, and anything else. They asked for the pamphlets of the book of John that we handed out, so they might love Christian literature. Incredible relationships and people so please follow up with them if you have the time.We also built a solid friendship with Keola, the shop owner across the street, and Fazal and Arnold, our taxi drivers.Pastor Alim arranged for other ministry opportunities in the town with churches he partners with. Pretty much everyone in the town knows who Pastor Alim is, so he has many contacts. No excuses for idleness here!
Tips
People’s Opinions
Get mosquito coils immediately and the bug spray “shoo” keeps the local mosquitoes away.Must cover shoulders, knees, and tattoos. No capris or shorts. If women wear dresses or skirts they must be past the knees and pants must be to the ankle.Christians do not drink at all here.
Additional Info
Additional Info in Corriverton, Guyana Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
People’s Opinions
There is very little hope in Guyana. Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the world, and kids don’t believe they have any job opportunities or reason to dream. While we there three people attempted suicide in Corriverton in fewer than ten days. Bring the hope of Jesus Christ here!There is a huge Hindu influence here and a solid Muslim presence, as well. Because the English brought Indian slaves with them when they colonized the country, Hinduism is the majority religion here. We encountered a lot of demonic activity both in people and animals. Be aware, be prayerful, and wage war against the enemy!If you’re squeamish don’t go to the chicken market. The chickens are slaughtered in front of you. Fresh food!!