Transcript | Annotation | Source: 89-4286-C-1(69-72)(PDF) | January 1978 Index
For breakfast we had sweet roll as well as rice and coffee. We get extra a food for Sunday morning, as only two meals are served on Sunday.
Work on Sunday morning is performed on the same schedule as other days until noon, except for high school students who are on their work projects.
Our group off the boat had an orientation meeting at 9:00. Lee Ingram and Judy Ijames spoke and told us the rules. We are not to go in the bush alone or without permission. The hours of work are from 6.00 to 6.00. Lee finally explained that the field workers are wakened at 6.00, have a lunch break and the whistle blows at 6.30. Any couple which wishes to have a relationship must go before the relationship committee. If approved, they may be with each other for three months and have no sex. If they wish after that, they may have sexual relations. Judy explained the workings of the Medical Office: she advised come in for all cuts, etc. because of the danger of infection.
I met with Tom Grubbs who heads the school for my teaching assignment. Elementary students have classes in the morning and in afternoon from 12.00 to 3.00. Teachers have a preparation period from 5.00 to 6.00. The subjects taught are language arts, math, biology, science and languages plus the socialism class all must take. The level of student ability is low. A project on science in relation to Guyanese development is planned. Instructional materials and office space are limited. Bea Orsot keeps school records. Perhaps my secretarial skills could be used in the morning. I warned Tom that my age would limit the amount of work which I can do. He suggested I audit the language arts classes for a couple of days. Language arts classes in the high school are taught by: himself, Dick Tropp, Jann Gurvich, Shirley Williams, and Barbara Walker.
There was a heavy downpour in which I was caught. I had a long talk with Jann Gurvich who told me her problems. She has had no teaching experience nor methods courses and doesn’t know what material to give to her students.
I attempted to get my washing done but couldn’t hang it out because of the rain.
No lunch is served on Sunday. Dinner started at 3.00. People had been promised pork today and two hogs were slaughtered; however, there was not enough meat to give in a helping more than tiny pieces mixed in a large amount of rice with vegetables. Many were disappointed. Jim on the loudspeaker responded to complaints, explaining the cost factor and that they got more protein than they find. Jim called for the Jonestown police under the leadership of Ronnie James. Willie Malone is one of his workers, I think they were to make sure that the children, in particular cleaned up their plates.
I paid a visit to Christine Bates. She lives in an area near the nurses’ office where many of the seniors who have health problems are. Bates told me she has had some illnesses. She is in charge of crews who keep watch over the generators and over the banana shack. The bananas which hang in plain view are a temptation. She told me Gene Chaikin had given a great deal of trouble, apparently while still in the States and had tried to take his children out. I suppose at this time he was assigned to the plant nursery.
Coincidentally, I saw Gene on the way home. He was putting earth around plants. He was not very cordial to me, didn’t remember giving me any message on the radio. I inquired who was doing legal work for the Temple here now that he was in the nursery. He said that Harriet Tropp did what law work was necessary and that the Temple had lawyers in Georgetown.
I saw Penny [Ellen Dupont] Kerns. She is in charge of the Learning Crew, to which people are assigned for misbehaviors. She also seems to share some responsibility with Karen Layton, who compiles evaluations on work. Penny inquired of me about Andy Silver, in whom I did not know she was interested.
Today parents can be with their children. Diane and the others in our cottage had their children in our cottage this evening. I spent my time sorting articles in my luggage.
I have been constantly constipated since arriving in Guyana. Now, I have diarrhea.
Read Radicalism In America.
Went to bed about 10.00.