Secondary schools in Linden

My cousin Jewel works as a marketing consultant for UNICEF, and one of her projects is aimed at removing corporal punishment from the public school system. On Wednesday, we traveled to Linden, Guyana, about an hour drive south of Georgetown. We visited two schools, each with a classroom of students and teachers that participate in this pilot project. Upon arrival in Linden, we met Trudy, one of the research assistants on the project. Trudy was born and raised in Linden and also works as a counselor at a health clinic providing STI testing, HIV/AIDS education, safe sex and suicide counseling. She has a special connection with the youth of these communities and served as our tour guide for the day. She also introduced Jewel to the headmaster and teachers at each school to facilitate Jewel's interviews for the day.

(Above) School building on the left, open air auditorium on the left. This is the view from the head master's office

(Below) More of the school building. The area between where I'm standing and the school building is the play field.

The school is huge! Made up of a few two story building, virtually every class is filled with students. There is no air conditioning in the classroom, no fans, and no glass windows. The windows are made up of a beautiful lattice styled concrete, which allows air to flow though the classroom while keeping the classroom as cool as possible.

The kids were so precious! Each sat at their assigned seats, and when asked a question, their response was just too cute! Ex: Teacher: "Jonathan, what is the main export for Guyana?" "Miss, the main export for Guyana is sugar, Miss!" Every answer begins and ends with "Miss"! I love it!!

More pics of the school

The science lab:

The library and students studying at the library:

We also visited a second school in Linden called the Wisberg Secondary School Annex.

Here's the view from the entrance

View from the headmaster's office:

Jewel interviewing a group of students:

Behind the school is an elementary (nursery school). I found these little girls playing on the swings. Those pretty little yellow dresses they're wearing are their school uniforms. I want this school uniform!!

These kids are absolutely adorable, I just had to get a closeup!