Rotary Supplies Lift An Amerindian Community At Dadanawa Ranch In Guyana

Living on one of the most isolated ranches in the world, the Wapisiana workers have long crafted leather needs for their 150 horses and 3700 cattle using only their knives and home-made tools.  You can imagine their excitement when leather tools arrived from the Rotary Club of Truro to work with the leather tanned on the ranch.  Vaqueros (cowboys) patiently combined traditional skills with the new tools to create belts, key chains, bookmarks, knife holders and wallets.  

CESO volunteer  Allan Sorflaten prepared a business plan for the 5000 square kilometer Dadanawa Ranch located in Guyana,South America, Rotarian Lydia conducted a one week workshop in safe food handling for the Wapisiana kitchen and serving staff and followed up with a two week workshop in leather crafting. The participants then presented 'Miss Lydia' with a crafted belt of their own creation.When approaching the Rotary Club of Truro for funds with which to purchase leather working tools for the Dadanawa Ranch, Lydia really had no idea how appropriate the request was.  We knew that on site there was a Tannery so there must be leather?

At the Tannery, Traditional Methods of Tanning are Used.

Lydia worked with Ranch Business Development Manager Yolanda Vasconcellos in advance/on line to assess needs and also with Tandy Leather in Dartmouth to draft an order that would be appropriate.  Basic tools were selected:  a wooden mallet, a swivel knife,basic stamping edging tools,appropriate stamps including a cowboy, horse rider, cattle skull and dragon fly as well as two sets of letters plus rivets, key rings and belt buckles.  An awl, leather punch, leather cutter and edger were included.  The Leather Workshop was set and to our surprise, 17 interested people showed up! Their biggest question was:  'Are you taking the tools back to Canada with you?' 

Cyril Is Dadanawa's Tanner.  He made his hat from leather he tanned!

Leather crafting has been an art passed from Father to Son on the Ranch for years.  Practical needs have been met in past for all aspects of ranching:  belts, knife sheaths, bull whips, horse saddles and ridingchapsbut interest in the new tools was high because the basic tools they have worked with have been mainly their knives,and rasps.

Prior to the first workshop, they selected hides, some thicker for belts (cow), some soft and thinner (calf and deer).  Oswald, Ranch Foreman, was willing to cut belt lengths for our workshop.  First he briefly soaked the end of the leather hide he was going to cut in water.  Where he lives there is no running water so fetching water was his first task.  I found his approach so interesting.  He works on a self-made table in his yard so has no hesitation about securing the heavy leather hide by driving a nail into the wood!  Next he measured the belt buckle he had chosen from what we brought (their favorites have been from Louis’ Second Hand store in Truro), set his divider to the right width, marked the belt width on the leather; then, taking his knife from his leather holder on his belt he sharpened the already sharp knife with the rasp, also on his belt in a leather holder!  He skillfully proceeded to cut the belt perfectly straight full length of the hide.  Precut belt lengths are very expensive through Tandy Leather, as are the good size buckles.  Next Oswald took his hand carved wooden tool to put an edge on the belt.

Oswald, wearing the belt and cutlass holder he made, preparing to cut leather belt strips.

Oswald shapes the and grooves the edge using a tool he carved from tropical wood.

Before leaving home, we downloaded two ‘how to’ videos from Tandy Leather, where the tools were purchased.  As an introduction, they watched the videos intently and were keen to proceed. We brought leather items we have collected over the years to give ideas:  several styles of key chains, a bookmark, coasters, a hair clip and a little pouch.  Elder Conrad said they had never had ideas like these to work with.  They immediately went to work to cut these things out of their leather.  The video had shown them how to stamp so creations began to emerge. 

The basic leather making kit from Tandy Leather included several leather patterns.  All patterns are to remain intact and patterns were traced and cut from recycled file folders we brought with us for that purpose. 

One of the vaqueros bravely attempted wallet making.  He carefully traced and cut out the four pattern pieces first from paper, then from calf’s skin.  All pieces has to be hole-punched.  You wouldn’t believe this aggressive vaquero would have such patience.  All edges had to be laced together after stamping a delicate pattern.  Then he made a second one!

It was great to see the enthusiasm which extended every possible day for the next two weeks. 

Days will be designated for leather work.  The plan is to develop prototypes that can be sold at local fairs and in a 'Crafts Store' at the Ranch.

Vaqueros At Work.  

Key Chain made by Vaquero Thadius

This design was done using the alphabet stamps.

Belt Design:  Note the finished edge.

Guyana: Dadanawa Ranch

Exciting Changes Happening At the Dadanawa Ranch

Rupununi Development Company (RDC) has owned and operated the Dadanawa Ranch for almost 100 years.  As I understand it, the Dadanawa Ranch was in real trouble financially in 2011 when Hand In Hand, a group of insurance companies, bought sufficient shares to have controlling interest in the Ranch.  Big changes are obvious since the Hand In Hand take over that made our three week stay much more comfortable. 

Solar Panel Installed At The Store

Solar Panels:                                                                                                                                                           A new solar panel installed at the ‘Staff House’ where we stayed allowed us to charge our computers and have electric lights if we chose.  The solar panel is connected to two batteries, one powers the lights, the other plugs in the three roomed building.  The battery converters were turned off each night after supper to preserve stored energy.  Early morning, one of Grandpa Conrad’s jobs is to turn the panel to greet the rising sun.  Mid-day, he made the panel horizontal to catch the mid-day sun and later afternoon, he again repositioned the panel to catch the lowering rays of the sun.  We used the solar generated battery power for a TV monitor for seminar work.  The energy saving coil lights were not needed until supper time.  We had lots of power for our needs, even on cloudy days but don’t know how this will work in rainy season.  At the Ranch, most buildings do not as yet have solar power.  Everyone wears headlamps after dark.  We actually chose headlamps to read under our mosquito nets (better lighting and less attractive for insects).   We didn’t find mosquitos a problem because the weather has been so dry for so long and the savannah winds help.

We noticed small solar panels installed in many small Amerindian villages, just large enough to power one to two lights.  This is a recent initiative on the part of government.  We understand the villages have to pay the government back monthly to cover the loan.   Imagine the difference this makes in people’s lives. 

Water:  The Wind Mill

Before Hand In Hand became involved, we understand that the wind mill that had not been operating for some 20 years.  Since Hand in Hand became involved, the windmill has been repaired. The source of water before the repair?  The river!   Grandpa Conrad alters the windmill to optimize the wind for drawing water.  Water is pumped by the windmill to three large black tanks.  Each morning, Grandpa Conrad starts a gas engine pump to move the water to several black tanks located for the main kitchen, staff house, guest houses and store.  One day when we were doing leather work there was a big creek, then a smashing of a board. The wind was blowing.  Everyone froze.  Joy ran to see if the windmill was OK.  Yes, but a small board had broken.  The men assured everyone that the supports for the tanks were heavy supports but winds are very strong and large amounts of water are heavy!  We had excellent water pressure.  Showers tended to be warmer as the day progressed.   We were told that the well was dug deeper when we were there as water was getting very low in the windmill well.  Rainfall over the last three years in the area where the Ranch is located has been critically low.   

The Windmill Repaired

Implementation of Changes

As soon as Allan was chosen for the CESO assignment, we began correspondence with Yolanda Vasconcellos.   The RDC is governed by a Board of Directors.  Yolanda is the liaison between the Board and the Ranch.   Her background is Agriculture and Business Management. It fast became apparent that if Yolanda didn’t know the answer, she would find out.  We now see how she makes things happen.    For example, when flying to Lethem from Georgetown, Yolanda booked a cargo seat for electrical supplies for the ranch.  Every detail must be considered because the Ranch is so remote.  If you don’t have it, it’s a 3 hour trip to Lethem where you might be able to buy it! 

A New Truck and a New Tractor and Heavy Duty Trailer for the Farm



Toyota Heavy Duty Truck

This heavy duty Toyota truck is built for ruggedness and the John Deer Tractor and trailer?  Someone knew what they were buying!

Vehicles Are Thoroughly Checked Each Trip Out!

Allan Looking At the John Deer Tractor and Heavy Duty Trailer

Main Kitchen:  Our meals are prepared in a separate building which has running water and a new gas range. Workers are looking forward to a new kitchen.  Mary and her helpers do such a great job with limited resources.    There is a freezer at a different location.  Ice is sometimes available to keep things cold.  So, all food is prepared fresh daily and served right away.  Bottled water is used for us.  Meat is kept in the freezer and brought over frozen the morning it is going to be used.  This time of year (dry season) serving fresh fruits and vegetables is a challenge.  We had mango, grapefruit and papaya grown locally.  Beef is traded for ferine grown in other villages.  They buy tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and carrot for daily salad.  Supper is most often soup with fresh rolls or crotons.

New Gas Range in the Kitchen

Meet Mary, the cook who began preparing meals for the vaqueros with her mother when she was 14.  She learned well!  Fresh bread, five loaves at a time.  Traditional dishes are made fresh daily, the main meal of the day is served at lunch time.  Here Mary proudly stands by a noon meal. 

Mary Has Reason To Be Proud Of Her Meal!

Food Safety, Dining Room Service and Meal Planning:

Four afternoon seminars were conducted using materials relevant to the setting.  Days 1 and 2 followed the Foodsafe Canadian program looking at the 10 most common causes of Food Poisoning, Safety Hazards, Optimum temperatures for bacterial growth (danger zone!) which clearly pointed to the need in this situation to be so careful to prepare the food fresh and serve it immediately.  We looked at proper hand washing and dishwashing (hot water 60* with detergent, rinse, third pan with a drop of bleach in the water).  People here are used to washing dishes in cold water!  Flies are a problem!  They use fly stickers.   Hot climate is a problem.  Lack of refrigeration is a big problem.  They do so well to prepare such good meals for us: fresh, great variety, traditional, well balanced and safe!    

 





Some of the Participants in the Food Safety Program

Dadanawa Ranch Church

Church time is a special time on the Ranch.  Each Sunday, everyone gathers on the balcony of the Staff House.  Usually Conrad leads the service with different people from the village assisting. It is a great opportunity for everyone including people from outstations to connect with one another physically and spiritually and for all ages to participate.   It is Darwin’s job to ring the bell.

The service is a mixture of English and their native Wapishana.  Their hymn book has a section in Wapishana.  On regular Sundays they play scripture taped in their native language.  Many of the elders speak Wapishana but do not read it. 

On Feb 22, the Priest who serves the region came for overnight and led the service.  It was very special.  Bougainvillea from the flowering bush was carried in the processional.  Children carried the alter candle holders.  Priest Edwin is from India and is serving the region for the second time.  I was especially pleased to hear him address alcohol abuse as there has been two accidents, one death and a case of alcohol poisoning here in the three weeks since our arrival.

Following the service, they called the people who had worked with leather together for a presentation!  Joy had made a belt for Lydia!   How special!  The Priest joined us for and informal picture.

Join us for a short worship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737Pr7KY7jw

To contact the Dadanawa Ranch, email:                                                                                              

       rupununi@hihgy.com