Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Guyana! If you’re considering volunteering in Guyana, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Guyana and explore Guyana as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Guyana. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Guyana is right for you.
Volunteers in Guyana work with their communities on locally prioritized projects in Education, Health, and the Environment sectors (leave in June).
What is the History of Peace Corps Guyana?
The Peace Corps has been involved in Guyana during two periods: from 1966 to 1971 and from 1995 to the present day. Over these years, almost 1000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the country.
These volunteers worked in a wide range of programs, including agriculture, education, health, youth and community development, and environmental conservation. They have helped Guyana address various challenges and improve the well-being of its communities.
What about Guyana as a nation?
Guyana is a diverse nation in South America. It became independent from British rule in 1966. And it has beautiful landscapes, like rainforests and waterfalls. The people in Guyana come from many different backgrounds, including East Indian, African, and Amerindian.
The country’s economy depends on farming, mining, and recently, oil. They found a lot of oil off their coast, which could change their economy. But Guyana has problems like building roads and hospitals and making sure kids get a good education.
Because of where it is, Guyana has to deal with things like flooding and the land by the coast eroding away. They also have important rainforests, which are part of global efforts to protect the environment.
In a nutshell, Guyana is a place with a mix of cultures, a rich history, and some challenges to overcome as it grows and changes.
What languages do they speak in Guyana?
In Guyana, the main language people use is English. They use English for things like talking, running the government, teaching in schools, and doing business. But because Guyana has lots of different people from various backgrounds, they also speak other languages.
One important language spoken in Guyana is Guyanese Creole. It’s a mix of English, African languages, and Indian languages. People use it in everyday conversations and when they’re not being too formal.
While English is the main language everyone can understand, there are other languages spoken in Guyana. And these add to the country’s cultural diversity.
During their service in Peace Corps Guyana, volunteers learn to speak Creolese.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Guyana?
In general, 85% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Guyana. And 96% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 8% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignation and medical reasons. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Guyana Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Guyana are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Guyana because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Guyana are malaria, filariasis, tuberculosis, dengue fever, typhoid, Leishmanias, Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, rabies, diarrhea, skin infections, respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. As malaria is endemic in Guyana, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial pills.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Guyana can be found in the Guyana Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Guyana?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 100% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 89% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 96% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Guyana Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about PC Guyana volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Guyana. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Meredith (Health) – 2018-20
- Carly (Health) – 2017-19
- Chelsea (Education) – 2017-19
- Jocelyn – 2017-19
- Margaret (Health) – 2016-18
- Gabriella (Education) 2015-17
- Kaylee (Education) – 2015-17
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Guyana, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Guyana with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Guyana?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Guyana?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Guyana
- Projects in Guyana
- Stories from Guyana
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Guyana”, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Guyana. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Guyana is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Guyana, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Guyana.
Map by SurinameCentral and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Photos from the US Peace Corps Guyana Facebook page and PC Media Library
