Chavez Edwards and following his dream of becoming a Medex

 By MARISSA V. FOSTER

CHAVEZ Edwards was born in a small Indigenous community called Kaburi, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, (Region Seven), located 72 miles from Bartica. The son of two humble parents from the Akawaio and Patamona tribes, at the time of Chavez’s birth he was the eighth child in the family. Due to his father’s work, his family moved from Kaburi to Kamarang within the same region—he was about the age of four at this time. Growing up in the highland regions of our beautiful country was quite fun and exciting. You manage to live a simple, healthy and satisfying life as expressed by Chavez. Farming, fishing and hunting were all parts of their everyday life and all these activities were under the full supervision of his conscientious parents.

His parents played an important role in ensuring that each of their children had a well-rounded educational background. During his time in secondary school, Chavez realized that he developed a passion to care for those in need. He could not bear having to see his friends or classmates not feeling well. As such, he would offer to accompany them along with the house parent to seek medical care at the health post. This, of course, was allowed because of his many leadership posts held during that time. His many visits to the health facility invoked an interest in the study of why diseases happen the way they do and how that affects the functions of the human body. Being there for someone in need can make a difference in peoples’ lives, by helping to alleviate pain and suffering. It makes Chavez feel quite grateful, he said.

There are not many job opportunities in his community. After completing his secondary education in 2004, with passes in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) he volunteered his services as a teacher at the secondary school for a few months—awaiting response from the Teaching Service Commission which came shortly after. During his two years as a teacher, he worked between Kamarang Primary School and Waramadong Secondary School. Yet still, during his time teaching, he yearned to be in the medical field. Chavez filled two application forms; one for the Registered Nurse programme and one for the Medex Training programme in mid-2006. Deservingly, his application was successful for the Medex programme. In September 2006, Chavez resigned as a teacher to pursue his dream in the medical field. This programme was first of its kind and was called “the new pathway” which catered for students out of secondary school with passes in five subjects and had no medical background. For the next four years, Chavez underwent rigorous training at the Medex Training School in Georgetown. This pilot programme saw 26 students completing the programme and graduated in 2010.

After graduation, he was sent back home to serve. He worked at the Bartica Hospital and the Bartica Health Centre for one year, then for the next four years at the Waramadong Health Post in Waramadong. After completing his contractual agreement, he decided to venture out further, this time in the private sector from 2016-2018. During that period, his job made him travel out of his beloved community of Kamarang. Chavez was still determined and wanted to expand his horizons, accepting a new working environment and challenges, he left the private sector in August 2018 to take up the post as Medex at the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus, Tain. This post is where he still serves presently. Working as a Medex for him included challenges of travelling, gaining insight into the different culture and practices of the Guyanese population and learning to accept how diverse we are as a people.

The English language is not his ‘mother-tongue’ and he is still learning to speak and write properly and by practice, he will eventually overcome that challenge, he said. Chavez is still holding on to his dream of one day becoming a medical doctor. He realised that his journey to where he what he wants to accomplish is not done. The hurdles of his journey thus far have been a lot and quite tough but at the same time, they made him resolute. If by chance there is a scholarship available, by the government or not, he will gladly accept so he can move to the next step in his career and further his self-development.

This young man with a passion for medical care will always encourage people like himself, who came from humble beginnings to always take their education seriously! Chavez explained that you should also, “listen to your parents and elders who offer guidance and encouragement; be persistent in completing task undertaken; be humble and never forget where you have come from. I will forever be proud to be an Indigenous [person], it means that we too like other persons in the land have a voice, a voice that speaks of conservation, a language that identifies who we are; a history that needs to be shared with the rest of the world, we are a people who are strong will and determined. Staying humble has helped me a long way.” He hopes his story and journey can inspire and be a motivation for all other Indigenous children living on the outskirts of the coast of Guyana. Nothing is impossible, not even for an Indigenous!