Sit Rep No 9 - 29 October 2010

All safely in Georgetown after tough but very successful and enjoyable expedition.

Our power point presentation for VIPs hosted by General Joe Singh last night raised over $Guyanese 550,000.00 ( US $28,000) for Karanambu Trust ( Diane McTurk´s wild Life Conservation project).

Expediton members morale high. Most fly out today.

Now working on organising specialist examination of deaf Wai Wai children in Georgetown.

Sit Rep No 8 - 26 October 2010

All expedition is now at Masekenyari carrying out community aid tasks. The problem of improving supplies of clean drinking water for the hilltop village is being examined by engineer Julian Butter and Tim Harrison.

John Arathoon has installed a system of clean water filters at the clinic.

Agronomist, Simon House, is examining the Wai Wai's farming system with a view to suggesting ways of improving yield.

Dr Steve Kershaw and Army Dentist, Tanya Cerajewska, are helping in the clinic.

A team from the expedition will play football against a Wai Wai side today.

The traditional farewell Burns supper with Stahleys tinned Haggis is planned for the 26th October and the expedition will then prepare to fly back to Georgetown.

Sit Rep No 7 - 22 October 2010

Having completed the arduous 100 miles track survey from Kuruwini to Masekenyari, the team has achieved more than was expected. Julian Butter led the survey team assisted by cartographer, Tim Harrison, and Dave Smith.

Negotiating rapids, Duncan Sharp and Simon House brought vital supplies of petrol 250 miles by river form Kuruwini to Kassikaityu.

The final stage of the survey was through extremely challenging terrain. "The toughest section yet", commented Recce Officer, Chris Kershaw, who kept in touch with HQ Communications Officer, Sally Moger, by sat phone.

Although the Wai Wai gave invaluable support, the surveyors rations were limited to what they could carry and all have lost weight.

Heavy thunderstorms are now sweeping the area and bringing relief from the high temperatures and energy sapping humidity.

Now the expedition is studying the Wai Wai's drinking water problems and giving medical aid at Masekenyari.

Sit Rep No 6 - 21 October 2010

Having successfully completed the survey of the foot trail from Kuruwini Landing to Kassikaityu Landing, the Expedition, in collaboration with the Wai Wai guides, established that the route from Kassikaityu Landing to Gunns Strip is impassable. It was determined, with the agreement of the WaiWai, that it was a more feasible option to survey the possibility of a trail from Crab Falls on the Kassikaityu River to Gunn’s Strip. A party of seven including two WaiWai, is currently carrying out a survey to identify this trail.

JBS and remainder are at Masekenyari Village. They have lost some weight but are all in good health and spirits. The Agronomist who had the close encounter with the reptilian representative (the anaconda), is fine.

JBS is sending a party of three WaiWai from Masekenyari to link up with the Crab Fall/Gunn’s survey team and he expects that they will all be at Masekenyari within 2 days.

While based at Masekenyari, they will be providing medical support to the Community Health Worker and will assist in streamlining the water distribution (piping) system at Masekenyari.

They will be departing on 27 Oct from Gunn’s by aircraft as was scheduled.

Sit rep No 5 - 17 October 2010

On 15th October, after five days by canoe up remote jungle passages, U group reached Expedition Base camp and was met by JBS. They brought vital supplies of food and fuel. Simon House, who is doing a wildlife study has noted a wide variety of floras and fauna including caiman, capybara, giant otter, jaguar and anaconda.

X Group has started an extensive survey from Kuruwini to Kassikaityu through thick forest and swamp. The survey of these trails will continue tomorrow.

Sally Moger is having great difficulty in finding satellite connections but is still managing to maintain communications where possible.

Fish caught by the Wai Wai has supplemented the diet including an electric eel which was caught today!

Max temperature 92°F with some rain.

Sit Rep No 4 - 16th October 2010

The expedition members are all now at the Kassikaityu Base Camp. The survey of the foot trail between the Kuruwini River Landing and the Kassikaityu River Landing has been completed.

They will continue work on the design of bridges. They will also be checking on the trail between Crab Falls on the Kassikaityu River and Gunn's strip.

They will depart Kassikaityu Base Camp on October 18 and expect to be at Masekenyari Village late on October 19. 

All's well. One minor incident-one member of the expedition attempted to catch an Anaconda and received a bite - nothing serious according to John (A case of: "once bitten ... twice shy!").

Kassikaityu Base Camp is very well constructed by the Wai Wai and the expedition members and their Wai Wai colleagues are comfortable and in good spirits.

End of SITREP.

Sitrep No 3 - 12th October 2010

Expedition had two day bumpy journey by bus and old army truck from Georgetown to Aishalton, where teams X, U and Z divided.

Z flew to Masekenyari for warm welcome by Wai Wai. then went on by canoe to set up base on Kassikaityu River where foot trail from Paravara ends.

Canoes pulled up Crab Falls Rapids against strong currents.

X Group now moving south along trail from Paravara on to Kuruwini.

U Group with fuel and stores coming from Paravara to Kassikaityu by canoe.

Z Group is the recce team...

Sadly communication failed at this point but all seems well.

Sit Rep No 2 - 7th October 2010

JBS rang from the satellite phone last night and reported that the expedition was proceeding as planned and all was well. However, communications are extremely difficult and JBS was only able to talk for a short time. The temperature is around 32C.

JBS hopes to be able to leave a more detailed sitrep soon.

Sitrep No 1 - 5th October 2010

After so much packing and repacking for airlift all ready. All arrive safely!

Depart for 12 hour bus journey to Lethem then 6 hour drive in Ex-Army 4 Ton truck to Aishalton where teams deploy.

Much media interest in project into little visited area and Wai Wai ready to receive us .

Weather hot and humid.

Best Wishes,

John

About the Expedition

The Wai Wai, known as ‘Children of the Forest’ inhabit the tropical rain forest in the deep south of Guyana and their presence is essential if intrusions by illegal loggers and diamond miners from Brazil are to be prevented.

Some years ago Major General Joe Singh, then commanding the Guyana Defence Force, asked JBS if SES could assist the Wai Wai with a medical expedition. This resulted in a number of expeditions being sent in to assist the Wai Wai and thus ensure they remained in this little known region. One project involved the delivery of a grand piano for their Church, which was filmed for the BBC.

Following severe flooding, the Wai Wai moved their main village from the banks of the Essequibo River to a nearby hilltop where they now live. Thanks to the Guyana Government and Conservation International, the tribal area is now a protected region. Although there is a short airstrip that the Wai Wai can use near their village, this is an expensive way of bringing in essential supplies. Thus the Wai Wai asked JBS to locate and survey a 100kms trail from the nearest road head for a tractor and trailer.

The region is hilly, dense jungle and it will be an interesting challenge. At the same time the wildlife of the region (including jaguar, puma, caiman, deer, tapir, monkeys, bird life, reptiles and fish) will be catalogued.

For more information, please contact us via the Contact page.