Sunday, November 11, LIFESTYLES | Out of Guyana WV woman has experience of her life working in South America ; : NEWS phoio Mike Wakefield THE GUYANA girl, better known as West Vancouverite Lindsay Robertson, displays a piece of wood carving she brought back from her three-month stay in the South American country. Robertson was in Guyana as part of a Youth Challenge Interna- tiona! volunteer team working with the poor. THE SOUTH American country of Guyana is not high on most people’s resort destination lists. By Surj Rattan News Reporter But if West Vancouver resident Lindsay Robertson were asked where she would like to go if given the chance to travel any- where in the world, Guyana would probably be at the top of her list. Robertson recently returned from Guyana after having spent three months in that country. She wasn't there as a tourist, and she didn’t stay in any five-star hotels. Robertson was part of a team of volunteers from the Toronto- based Youth Challenge Interna- tional organization. She and the other volunteers spent their time working in a cataract surgery and eye-glass program in the Guyanese jungles. Robertson helped conduct pre- operative screening and gave gen- eral sight tests to the Guyanese people. She also distributed eye glasses donated from Canada. “It was a really amazing time,”’ said the 20-year-old, who now plans to study education at the University of Victoria, ‘‘We worked really hard, but it was such a good time. We were totally integrated with the Guyanese peo- ple...they opened their homes to us and fed us.”” Robertson said she became emotionally attached to the native Guyanese after spending time liv- ing with, and caring for, the sick. She admits to having been frightened during her trips threugh the country’s jungles, but said the volunteers had to persevere regardless. oe eee ee or over a decade Reynolds has created classic kitchens for thousands of satisfied customers. Consider the depth of professionalism you get by doing business with Reynolds Cabinet Shop. * Exclusive dealers of *Carezza, the affardable, solid surface counter-top. %*& & Above all we offer affordable quality * For a free in-home estimate Please call 985-9527 1300 Lloyd Ave., North Vancouver 1990 - North Shore News - 35 woo geet ea 44 When you were there, and if you felt scared, you had to go on. Screw it if you were scared, you had to go on. 99 “When you were there, you felt scared, you had to go on. Screw it if you were scared, you had to go on."* said Robertson. “One time, our truck broke down while going through the rain- forest. Four of us, including me, hiked 40 kilometres out to get help and all the time we could hear sounds from nearby jaguars in the jungle.”’ The three months Robertson spent in Guyana, and the condi- tions she experienced there, taught her the value of many things she had taken for granted in Canada. [n an Aug. 8 letter home to her and if — Lindsay Robertson parents, she wrote: ‘Just to start. Fd like to say that I have the best life and the best people in my life and Vm an extremely lucky and happy person thanks to my loved ones, my wonderful family and awesome friends.”’ Robertson said she doesn’t know if she will ever go back to Guyana, but adds that the memo- ries during the three months she spent in the country will always be with her. “‘They’re (Guyanese people) my best friends for life. You really understand what sort of pressures they have.”’ verticals « ° pleated: o venetians ‘Sale ends Nov. 30/902... Order by Nov. 26 for Christmas delivery A SHADE BETTER Serving the North Shore for over 6 years 1877 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 38913 Progress Way, Squamish 892-5857 984-4178 (Fax) (cat) 984-4101