Karanambu Trust on the move!

For years, Diane's vision for the Karanambu Trust has been…

To ensure the sustainable use of Karanambu land through wildlife and habitat conservation, research, training, and technology transfer in partnership with local communities. 

Early in January, Karanambu Trustees, Dr. Godfrey Bourne, a Professor of Evolutionary and Tropical Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St, Louis and Dr. Lucy Spelman, a biologist and wildlife veterinarian who is also a professor at RISD, Rhode Island arrived at Karanambu with 6 American biology students.

 Being dropped off by a small plane in the middle of nowhere did not seem to deter them.

Diane welcoming the students to the Karanambu Compound as Andrea hugs Dr. Lucy

Godfrey soon paired the American students with their local Guyanese counterparts. Each pair chose a specific research project and their fieldwork schedules were organized. 

Susan George (in the red shirt) from Katoka Village was the only Guyanese female participant...all the American students were female.  It took her 2 hours to arrive from Katoka by motorbike. She was nervous that she would not be able to keep up with the university students.  Makushi is her first language and she has not attended university.  She brought all of her school books, including her dictionary. We reassured  her that this was her home and she knew more about it than they did. They might have computer skills, but they were coming to study biodiversity.  The Guyanese students knew more about it than they did, which made them equal partners as they began their research projects.

 Whether it was learning about the termites 

and their mounds

 Or learning about their predator, the Giant Anteater 

and observing Martien's amazing ability to interact with them. The students nicknamed him, 

"The Anteater Whisperer"

 

Three veterinary students got hands on experience working with Marvin the Senior Vaquero.

 Anum and Oswin studied the Water Lilies

And it's pollination

Another project was the study of

Acushi(LEAF CUTTER)Ants

 and figuring out their favorite diet

The students also visited Kwaimatta school

Auntie Doris and Benita and "Baby Jane"

showed them how to make Cassava Bread

Sleeping in a hammock was a new experience for the American students

But eating under a cashew tree

and showering outside was not difficult

Before we knew it, the 10 days were over and it was time to say "good-bye", until the next time!

 Even after all the logistical nightmares 

(the TRUCK of supplies arrived 5 days after the students! So the toilets weren't finished...and we are still trying to figure how we managed to feed everyone!) 

It was wonderful to see Diane's vision for the Karanambu Trust realized.

It had all been a great success and everyone is looking forward to the next one!