So- was it all worthwhile? 2

For a number of understandable reasons Guyana continues to lose its citizens each year as people emigrate chiefly to the USA, Canada and the UK. An estimated 90% of graduates from the University of Guyana leave the country within 5 years of graduating.

However, within teaching, many stay, and as in the UK, become loyal to their school and the community they serve.

Miss Debra- has served at Sophia Special School for the last 17 years, as teacher and now head teacher

Miss Renate- acting head teacher at Diamond Special School- not applying for permanent post as wants to stay in the classroom. Seen here sharing a game of dominoes with 12 young pupils.

Miss Shellon runs the Low Vision unit at Wismar, Linden, and spends 2 days a week at Wismar Hill High supporting older pupils.

Specialist staff for hearing and visual impairment remain in short supply. The SEN unit does its best to encourage and develop training resources, working alongside charitable organisations such as Deaf in Guyana, the Guyana Deaf Mission and the Guyana Association for the Blind.

Support for Sign Language training- Parveen and Monty.

Roy supports the Braille teaching programme-  the Jaws software enables computer use.

The National Special Needs Coordinator, herself a registered disabled person, has an untiring commitment to the advancement of SEN provision in Guyana.

Miss Karen- taking time out in a fruit garden, while on  an educational tour of the Rupununi.