2005 Project

Central Suriname Nature Reserve Visitor Center Project
November 2005

It's almost noon on this Saturday afternoon and I'm perched here at the Power House overlooking our building site, CI's magnificent new timber framed building and the Coppername River beyond. Sounds of the forest, cicadas, parrots, cooking pots and river noises mingle with the thrum of Pink Floyd playing from someone's laptop. Kids are playing and laughing. I'm preparing to leave this wonderful place by Cessna this afternoon. The crew and all of our equipment will follow tomorrow in a pair of large Russian airplanes that we've charted for the purpose. As I prepare to leave, I'd like to take a moment to share a couple of thoughts with you. I'm sorry that I haven't had more time to do so throughout the project but, as you can imagine, we have been rather busy.

Firstly, we owe our collective thanks to those good people who cut the frame, and in particular: Bob Smith, Donna Williams, Adrienne Walker and Jarrell Herns. Without their efforts, this would not be possible. It's a lovely frame. Nicely done, folks!

Secondly, I'd like to tell you what an absolute honor it has been to represent such a fine group of people as this. Wow! It's really humbling to work alongside such talented, strong, and passionate people as James Chitty, Gene Wixson, Jack Witherington, John Miller, Rick Collins, Adrienne Walker, Steve Lawrence, Lisa Helmer, Andrew Preston, Neville Bodsworth, Derwyn Hanney, Oscar Emanual, Jim DeSantis, Steve Morisson and our own very web mistress, SueEllen Lawton. These are the people who made it possible to raise this building safely, professionally, and with such good cheer under these incredibly challenging circumstances. It is entirely their success, and I take my hat off to each and every one of them. I hope that they each feel a personal sense of pride and accomplishment in this Herculean task. No project manager has ever had finer!

Just like every ambitious undertaking, there are always many many people who play a role and make it possible to do the things that we do. Here at Fungoe Island we found ourselves made welcome by the good people of STINASU and CI. While I won't pretend to know all of their full names, I'd like to thank Roshano, Dr. Five, Gordon, Petrus, Mano, Brian, Milton, Lesley, Sudano, Bigga, Sony, Simon, Settman, Soldier, Shake, Tony, Rannie, Micky, Mani, Michael, Rani and our most excellent cooks, Erna, Bonita and Henk.

Lastly, my thanks to our host Chuck Hutchinson, Anne Hutchinson (also our nurse), and Chuck's wonderful kids, Esse, Bryan and Omar, just for being their delightful selves and including us in their family!

Must go. Bonita has come to give me a hard time because I'm late for lunch!

My cup is full!

Thank you all so very much.