A what? An Elocution Competition.

It's a really great way to get students to practice speaking clearly in front of a crowd. In this case RAM organized a contest at the St Ignatius Secondary using Caribbean Poetry - and received an overwhelming response.

The winners of the event, pictured here, were Deshona Mentis who performed her poem with immaculate fluency and Rodrigues Thompson who took home the prized trophy for the boys with a nice piece of oration.

This was only one of the events organized by the School in collaboration with the RAM Team as apart of their week long activities for Youth Week, the 21st through the 25th of May.

Mrs. Archer the schools' Head Mistress expressed her gratitude for RAM's efforts in assisting to boost the importance of education to the students.

The participants were: Mary Parker, Juda Kenyon, Rosalie Yarde, Rodrigues Thompson, Deshona Mentis and Kenroy Robinson. Six Students competed with a breakdown of three males and three females.

The judges were: RAM's PR and Communications Officer Jessica Xavier, Ms. Torres of St. Ignatius, and Mr. Noel Prudencio of the Red Cross Association. The MC for the event was Mr. Philbert Malcolm who had the crowd rolling and was also responsible for a targeted talk on HIV and sexual health in between the competitive events.

All contestants who participated did a fantastic job and got a chance to develop their confidence and public speaking skills at the same time. RAM Guyana is committed to promoting opportunities for the youth to develop into leaders of tomorrow. Thank you for supporting these initiatives.

Set for Life?

Pictured here is a young girl from Potarinau Village upon returning from treatment for an arm fracture in Georgetown. The healed arm shows a dramatic bend between the wrist and elbow.

There must be a good reason that her arm could not be set properly after an expensive emergency flight to the top public institution in the country.

Her name and details have since been recorded for entry into the SPAN database which helps track and serve patients in remote villages suffering from medical anomalies. She was dropped home to her village's home-made airstrip on the way south for another patient.

Reminder: Volunteer Orientation Meeting Today in Lethem.

Any folks interested in finding out more about RAM Guyana and are considering volunteering can come in to the RAM office at five pm today.

Opportunities exist in a number of areas to join the team and make your contribution to build a healthier community. Perhaps your idea can become the next initiative to make a difference? A great way to give back, gain experience, travel, build your CV and meet new friends. Quote of the day:

"I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody."

Where the Women are Strong.

These two female ambulance attendants did not hesitate to show their brawn at Ogle Aerodrome the other day responding to an emergency flight.

Without hesitation the ladies repositioned a full sized male patient with multiple leg fractures onto the stretcher and into the waiting Ambulance. Impressive stuff.

It is understood that one of the top international athletes for Guyana is a female power lifter - London anyone?.

Exam Papers delivered. Mother's Day Labaria.

If your final test papers do not make it to your school on time, it's simple - you go home and wait for another year. Along with a load of hospital supplies, the 2012 exam papers were flown in to Aishalton secondary school to ensure that all those months of teaching and studying did not go to waste.

Every secondary student in the entire Caribbean (that includes the jungle of Guyana) takes their standardized 'CXC' exams on the same day. Since the content is identical throughout the Region, the schedules and security are tight. RAM is proud to partner with the Ministry of Education to deliver the exams and give these isolated students their best chance at a brighter future.

Pictured above is the smiling Ministry of Education Representative, Ms Boston, who along with a police escort, uplifted the test papers for safe keeping. 

Earlier Sunday morning a Labaria snake bit victim had to be evacuated from the mountain village of Yurong Paru along with a pregnant lady experiencing complications. Incidentally the crew got back to base just in time to witness the end of one of the most stunning games of football in the history of the English game.
And more importantly, special Mother's Day greetings to all our readers. On a visit to the Lethem hospital today, the mother who was recently evacuated from Sawariwau via the Bullock Cart was seen walking, smiling and ready to go home! A happy Mother's Day indeed.

Lethem Waters Persist. Multiple Fractures from a Cow - Motor Bike encounter.

There is no report on the condition of the animal, but an emergency flight had to airlift a man who's motorcycle was unable to avoid an cow in Aishalton. Ironically enough, the RAM aircraft was required to chase numerous cows an horses off the center of the airstrip to avoid a similar fate this afternoon.

This is actually a real and deadly serious issue of flight safety and that airstrip has been labeled highly dangerous for just this reason. In addition, the runway is sloped to an extent that on departure, the pilot is unable to see the portion of the strip where the craft becomes airborne.

Another fracture case in Rupunau village had to be evacuated to the soggy town of Lethem as well. The picture above shows the Tabatinga creek late this afternoon looking downstream toward the flooded Takutu channel and bridge to Brazil. There are still a number of streets, properties, garbage pits, and latrines flooded and the static water will, now if not sooner, become a concern for health officials.

Congrats Surama on the New Airstrip.

Pictured here is the brand new airstrip at the hot cultural eco-tourism destination. It's actually been open for a few weeks although we got to take these pictures on an emergency flight yesterday afternoon.

A transverse presentation (pregnancy complications) out of Crashwater made it out to Annai in time of a quick trip to the capitol city by sunset. An emergency c-section was the only option with the babies hand already showing.

The Bullock Cart Ambulance.

This turned out to be the best way to transport an emergency case from the far side of Sawariwau village to the airstrip this morning for evacuation.

Nurse Midwife Lorna Ambrose had to climb aboard the old wooden cart to separate the healthy baby boy from the semi- conscious mother with a retained placenta. A few injections, an infusion, and some oxygen later, the patient was loaded into the air-ambulance by the villagers and dashed to Lethem.

Passing over submerged roads, swollen creeks, and rivers the aircraft contributes some of it's best work during the rainy season. Thanks to all those who make it possible with their contributions.

Road to South Rupununi Cut Off.

The road serving dozens of Villages, settlements and ranches throughout the South Rupununi Savannas has been cut off due to flooding. The creeks feeding the Takutu river have backed up causing the obstruction

As mentioned previously it is typical to see an early moderate spike in water levels prior to a major flood but the amplitude of this surge or 'warning shot' is reportedly unprecedented in comparison to recent years.

Two emergency calls came in this morning from that district with a retained placenta at Sawariwau and a case of multiple fractures in Aishalton. The aircraft is responding at this time. Thank you for supporting the work of Remote Area Medical.

Lethem Flood waters stabilize - recede some.

Attached here is a recent aerial picture of the Lethem area.

More Rain for the Rupununi.

This satellite image from this morning shows some significant weather in the area of Region 9. Both the Takutu and Ireng water shed areas will be experiencing additional inputs that threaten to exacerbate the flood situation.

It does appear, by viewing the animation trend (thanks NASA) that the storms are dissipating during the course of this morning.

Lethem Officially flooded. Water rises again overnight.

There are numerous residences flooded, water touching the airstrip, and covering many of the main streets. Heavy thunderstorms hit the area overnight and rain continues to fall.

Steps have already been taken to set up the RAM truck for evacuations and potable water distribution as the community volunteers are mobilized. Close collaboration with the Regional Authorities and CDC is important to coordinate the most efficient response.

The RAM aircraft is scheduled to fly into the area this morning to help assist with the efforts. Thanks to Matthew Abraham for this photo showing the flooded road in front of the Lethem Market.

The levels are still far below the peak of last years flood but it is clearly past the point of watching and hoping.

A Community Volunteers meeting scheduled at the RAM office in Lethem for 1pm today. Drivers with vehicles available for evacuating families encouraged to also be there.

Takutu River rises. Residents on Alert.

The community of Lethem is on alert as water levels of the Takutu have risen early this year. RAM representatives have been invited to attend another planning and strategy meeting this afternoon together with local leaders to prepare potential flooding.

In June of 2011 this community experience record high flood waters that dispaced hundreds of families forcing them into makeshift shelters. It is not uncommon to have initial high water levels reduce in the early rainy season and them rise again with more serious flooding as occurred last year.

Floods routinely affect numerous outlying indigenous villages as well and many more by cut-off access roads and flooded farmlands. RAM Guyana works with the Civil Defence Commission, Local Authorities, other agencies, and vollunteers to prepare and respond to hazardous and disaster situations.

Pictured here is a boat loading passengers near the Lethem Public Market today. Stay tuned for updates.

Sunrise Departure.

A 35 year old male has allegedly been shot by an arrow to the back in the village of Aishalton. The RAM air-ambulance received a call (through facebook) at 2am last night and is airborne currently to respond. The Rupununi River is reported to be high and impassable by vehicle at present.

Pictured here is some of the scenery just after sunrise.