(Cover)
\n\u201c\u2026 a feeling of freedom\u2026\u201d
\n\u2013 a collection of photographs & comments about the community of Jonestown<\/p>\n
(Inside front cover)
\n(photo caption)
\n\u201c\u2026 Jonestown grows dearer to me each day. There is so much beauty, so much joy in the faces of our children and seniors\u2026\u201d \u2013 Mary Lou Clancey<\/p>\n
(Page 1)
\n\u201c\u2026 a feeling of freedom\u2026\u201d
\n\u2013 a collection of photographs & comments about the community of Jonestown by residents and visitors at the Peoples Temple Agricultural\/Medical Project in Guyana, South America.<\/p>\n
(Page 2)
\n(photo caption)
\n\u201c\u2026 Everything grows well in Jonestown \u2013 especially the children\u2026\u201d \u2013 Pat Grunnet (teacher)<\/p>\n
(Page 3)
\n\u201c\u2026You know, people are so free here and they look so different. People\u2019s faces glow with freedom in their eyes. No more drugs, no more racism, no more rapes, no more prisons or jails\u2026\u201d \u2013Rosie Ruggiero <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026This is a dream come true. This is a whole new world \u2013 clean, fresh, pure\u2026\u201d \u2013Mary Wotherspoon <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026There is a place for everyone here and something for them to do. No one has special privileges and everyone feels worthwhile and a part. I am so happy, and that terrible feeling of insecurity is gone\u2026\u201d \u2013Penny Kerns <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Jonestown is pure democracy in action\u2026\u201d \u2013Johnny Brown <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026When we first arrived on October 3rd, it was about 6:00 p.m. and everyone was eating dinner. Then they all came running towards the vehicle to greet three people\u2013 all of them came up to embrace us, saying, \u2018Welcome to your new home, Jonestown!\u2019 It made me want to cry\u2026\u201d \u2013Connie Fitch <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I was afraid of facing retirement in that one\u2013room apartment, but now I have my own cottage. I have all the free time I want and still plenty to do if I want. I am so happy to be here\u2026\u201d \u2013Lucious Bryant <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026You know, we had good jobs and a nice home but we wanted to retire in a place of beauty. Well, we came to the right place!\u201d \u2013Mr. & Mrs. E. Jones <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I\u2019m teaching a class in the Continuing Education Sessions and I\u2019ve never felt so useful in all my 76 years\u2026\u201d \u2013Henry Mercer <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Jonestown is truly a milestone. Nestled in the most exquisite forest surroundings, we have every convenience plus more: the best in social services any community anywhere can offer!\u201d \u2013Dorothy Worley <\/p>\n
(Page 4)
\n(photos)<\/p>\n
(Page 5)
\n\u201c\u2026 Yesterday I took the children on a field trip. They watched the anteater big threats. They were in a big circle, quiet and awestruck\u2026\u201d \u2013Diane Lundquist
\n\u201c\u2026 I’m going to school and I actually like it. I’m studying to be a paramedic. My teachers are Sharon Swaney [R.N., P.N.P.], Joyce Parks [R.N., F.N.P.], Phyllis Chaikin (L.V.N.], and Dr. Schacht (M.D.]. I’m now on the subject of breast cancer. I’ve covered the heart, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, stomach and many more\u2026\u201d \u2013Marvin Sellers
\n\u201c\u2026 We had \u2018Open House\u2019 at the school yesterday and it is really something to see how quickly the children are learning. Wall\u2013the teacher tells me\u2013has to be asked to put his math book away and go out and play. He is at the Junior High level at algebra and is only in 5th grade. He used to have such a frustrating time with math and all his other studies. He talks all the time now, and answers any question you asked him\u2026\u201d \u2013Carol Dennis<\/p>\n
(Pages 6 & 7)
\n\u201c\u2026a feeling of freedom\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n
\u2013Statements of Rev. and Mrs. John Moore, who had just returned from a week\u2019s visit at the Project, and Atty. Charles Garry, during a press conference held at Peoples Temple, May 28, 1978. <\/i><\/p>\n
REV. MOORE: <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m John Moore. We have two daughters who are members of the Temple. One, the older girl, is a teacher, and the younger one is a nurse\u2026 The two words that come to my mind immediately, as I was there and as I tried to reflect upon my experiences were; \u2018impressive\u2019 and \u2018amazing\u2019. It almost boggles my mind to see that great clearing and to understand how so much could have been done in the relatively short period of time. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe wore ourselves out, walking around the facility. I think about 800 to a thousand acres have been cleared, and it\u2019s in the midst of a jungle, and that\u2019s part of what\u2019s impressive; and all except a part of the land that \u2018s not finally been cleared, has been planted with various crops. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe went to the piggery, the chickery, to the dairy, to the mill where the refining of flour from the tubers of the cassava [is done}. We were first impressed \u2013 certainly I was\u2013with seeing the older people at the time we arrived \u2026about noon, engaged in calisthenics with an instructor, keeping their limbs and joints and muscles limber. And then we went to the nursery, the child care center. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have probably 35 preschoolers. I don\u2019t know how many they have in school. They have newborn babies; several babies have been born there. They have a day care nursery for parents who work, and there are those who are caring for them; and then they have the older people. That\u2019s really a part of the beauty of it, we felt. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked about what they were doing, and what they were interested in, and all of them were engaged in some activity or work that was particularly important for them, they were about business which they regarded as important. <\/p>\n
\u201cI had a feeling of freedom\u2026The food is provided for everyone. there\u2019s medical care for everyone, educational opportunities for everyone; there are work needs and opportunities for the members of the community. I think obviously people with certain skills and experience move into those fields. If it\u2019s a tool and die maker in a machine shop, or a man in agronomy, they work in those particular fields. On the other hand, some people have not had the experience in specific fields. One of the great things, I think, is the opportunity for some of the younger people, particularly, to be learning skills when that opportunity is not present here.\u201d <\/p>\n
In regard to the relationship of the project to the citizens and government of Guyana, Rev. Moore said, \u201cThe school is accredited by the government of Guyana\u2026 They\u2019ve had people from the Department of Agriculture and their agricultural stations there working with the people at the project. The health services are provided for the Amerindians or people who live in the community as well as for members of the project itself.\u201d <\/p>\n
BARBARA MOORE:<\/p>\n
\u201cMy impressions are, having just experienced our visit there, that this is a beautiful, heroic, creative project! It is absolutely miraculous. There are excellent medical services excellent educational services, and \u2026 it\u2019s a community of caring and sharing with an added dimension, and this dimension I would say, is Love \u2013 if you want to use that term. In a sense it reminds me of \u2026 a New Testament community, in the purest sense of the word, in the love and concern for all, that we observed. And with complete freedom for creativity! Those who want to farm, are fanning; those who wish to teach, teach; those who like to cook, cook. They have an excellent nutritionist who is working scientifically all the time to discover new uses for the indigenous plants and growths there, and is in contact with the Guyanese experts to discover new and useful uses for these various crops\u2026 That was very impressive to me. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was most impressive to see the elderly people, the older folks, who had their neat little yards, their Little\u2026. (cont \u2018d. on page 12) <\/i><\/p>\n
(Pages 8 & 9)<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 Man, the Fillmore has seen the last of me!\u201d \u2013Charles Wesley<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 Everything here is green, still a new trip for a ghetto kid used to seeing housing projects for the major part of my life\u2026\u201d \u2013Cordell Neal<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 All around Jonestown, tall green trees around us. Just imagine never hearing the sound of a siren. It\u2019s so peaceful and quiet here. At night a person will feel comfortable knowing that they don’t have to worry about being murdered or robbed in their sleep\u2026\u201d \u2013Scott Thomas<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 I tell you, there is so much to appreciate here\u2026 to wake up in the morning and never have to worry about someone mugging you. We sleep with our windows and doors open. It so peaceful; everyone looks so much better and feels better crime not having to worry about where their next meal is coming from\u2026\u201d \u2013Tanya Cox<\/p>\n
(Pages 10 & 11)<\/p>\n
Jonestown Guest Book<\/p>\n
\u201cIMPRESSIVE WORK\u201d
\nOfficer in charge of Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, U. S. State Department <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI AM IMPRESSED\u201d
\nCharge d\u2019Affairs to U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cIMPRESSIVE\u201d
\nChief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cPEACE AND LOVE IN ACTION\u201d
\nMinister of Foreign Affairs, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cVERY IMPRESSIVE\u201d
\nMinister of Education, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cVERY PROGRESSIVE \u201c
\nRegional Development Officer, North West Region, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cVERY IMPRESSIVE, KEEP IT UP\u201d
\nRepresentative, Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cA VERY PLEASANT DAY IN A VERY PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE \u201c
\nChief Official in the Ministry of Education, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cA MOST IMPRESSIVE START AND I WISH YOU ALL SUCCESS\u201d
\nBritish High Commissioner in Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cIMPRESSIVE\u201c
\nChancellor of the University of Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cA WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, A MODEL VILLAGE COMMUNITY TO BE EMULATED\u201c
\nPermanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transportation <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cEXCELLENT\u201d
\nAssistant Director\u2013General of National Service, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cIT\u2019S VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND BEST WISHES \u201c
\nDelegates from one of the world\u2019s largest news agencies. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cKEEP UP THE GOOD WORK\u201d
\nRegional Minister, North West Region, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cFANTASTIC, BEYOND ONE\u2019S IMAGINATION, MIRACULOUS, BEAUTIFUL, A TRUE EXAMPLE OF SOCIALIST LIVING\u201d
\nThirty\u2013five teachers from the MacKenzie District, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cTHE HEALTH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY IS FANTASTIC. JONESTOWN IS A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN.\u201d After examining the teeth of 67 children he found only two cavities. \u201cTHIS,\u201d he said, \u201cIS UNHEARD OF.\u201d
\nA dentist from India and founder of a dental school in Georgetown, Guyana <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cIT\u2019S MIND\u2013BOGGLING TO SEE HOW YOU HAVE CARVED OUT OF THE JUNGLE A COMMUNITY THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE A TOWN IN THE UNITED STATES\u2013AND WITH ALL THE PUBLIC UTILITIES.\u201d In a letter following his visit, he wrote: \u201cThe training program of the youths and young adults at the Project is highly successful. I have met many and they have told me that they are so happy to be there, as it has made a great change in their life, and given them a chance to prove themselves.\u201d
\nHead of nearly a thousand physicians of a Medical Network of Amateur Radio Operators <\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI also wish to give praise and credit to you and the other members of the Peoples Temple Church for the magnificent and humanitarian efforts that you are making. I feel certain that if there were more such organizations with devoted and sincere people such as Larry Schacht and yourself and the members of your church throughout the world that this planet would indeed be a better place upon which to spend one\u2019s life.\u201d
\n\u201cDr. Schacht is, in my opinion, a modern\u2013day Dr. Schweitzer. I was truly impressed with \u2026 his activities in Mission Village regarding the comprehensive medical pro\u00b7 gram that he is running there.\u201d
\nexcerpts of letters from Dr. Albert Greenfield <\/i><\/p>\n
(Page 12)<\/p>\n
(Cont\u2019d from page 7) <\/i>
\nwhite picket\u2013type fences, and their opportunity to take classes if they wished to, or to garden, or to just sit. They also have a lovely library of over eight thousand volumes, from poetry to \u2018how\u2013to\u2013do\u2013it\u2019 and this was most impressive, that one could sit and read\u2026 <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a complete city, and one thing they do encourage is the nuclear family. There are families there with children. You can have your own home, or if you\u2019re a single person, you may live in a dormitory, whichever you prefer. They have a lovely nursery for infants; they have a nursery for toddlers, and of course a fine educational set\u2013up.\u201d <\/p>\n
One of the reporters in attendance at the conference stated that he thought she sounded impressed. He asked, \u201cwould you think it\u2019s rather Utopian there?\u201d Her reply was, \u201cOh yes, a lovely Utopia.\u201d <\/p>\n
CHARLES GARRY:
\n\u201cI was impressed by the medical center particularly. All of the older citizens live right around the medical compound. The medical compound is something that you have never seen and you probably won\u2019t see unless you go there. It\u2019s almost a miracle. This young doctor, who was trained by the Temple. graduated with high honors from the University of California at Irvine, has performed miracles\u2026 Every morning at eight o\u2019clock, someone knocks on the cottage door, and says. \u2018did anybody have any difficulties last night?\u2019 Can you imagine the feeling of security that these folks have, to feel that somebody cares for them, is interested in them, and will do things for them?\u201d <\/p>\n
A FIRST\u2013CLASS EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
\n\u201cIt was a very rewarding experience,\u201d he said. \u201cI have never before seen so many people of varying races working happily side\u2013by\u2013side without a single spark of friction. With its own school, sawmill, electricity, roads. Houses, and so on, all being scrupulously clean, I could not help but be impressed.\u201d Dr. Ng\u2013a\u2013Fook, Dental Surgeon [from a news article which appeared in the Guyana Chronicle following his visit to Jonestown] <\/i><\/p>\n
(Page 13)
\n(photo caption)
\n\u201c\u2026 Every morning at 8:00 someone knocks at the cottage door and says, \u2018Did anybody have any difficulties last night?\u2019 \u2013Imagine the feeling of security these folks must have!\u201d \u2013 Atty. Charles Garry<\/p>\n
(Page 14)
\n(photo caption)
\n\u201c\u2026 It’s really beautiful here, and everyone has the spirit of cooperation\u2026\u201d \u2013Tom Kutulas<\/p>\n
(Page 15 & 16)<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Right now I\u2019m sitting in our Pavilion. I can hear our saws going in the background, people are writing letters, playing in Spanish class, or in our Agriculture meeting. work with Tom out in the housing area\u2026 I build closets in the cottages, and do some of the finish work on them. Then Charlie gives me various jobs, too, like building cabinets for the Nurse\u2019s Offices, and Radio Room. I feel like I\u2019m really doing something worthwhile, especially when I walk around the houses and see the things I did on them, or go to the nurse and she reaches for my file in the cabinets I built\u2026\u201d \u2013Kim Brewster<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I have changed my last name. I am now Tobi Mtendaji. My middle name is Chekevu. Put together these two names mean Happy Worker in Swahili\u2026 I am now on the construction crew building these beautiful cottages the family lives in. I guess I am just now bringing out my talents here\u2026 \u201c \u2013Tobi Mtendaji <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Greg and I live in our own cottage. We fixed it up really nice. I\u2019ve planted eggplant along the sides. On the left side of the porch is a bread and butter tree, Flowers, and some beans growing up the house. On the right side of the porch are cucumbers. I\u2019m thinking of planting a papaya tree in the back of the house..;\u201d \u2013Erin Watkins <\/p>\n
\u2026..This place is growing by leaps and bounds. New and wider side walks are going up all the time; more cottages to accommodate more arrivals; electric wiring, fencing, planting, painting, gardening, everything you can think of. There is plenty to do and everyone enjoys working\u2026\u201d \u2013Loretta Coomer <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026We make all our own clothes now, and we get just the style, color. and material of something that you want and you don\u2019t have to shop for it!\u201d \u2013Rheaviana Beam <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026There are experimentations going on in many phases, such as making our own clay bricks, our own smokehouse, experimental herbs, and all different kinds of woods to build some innovative carpentry items with also \u2026\u201d \u2013Ron Sines <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Talk about delicious food\u2026 you can\u2019t beat the menu at Jonestown\u2026\u201d \u2013Maria McCann <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Your eyes will pop out of their sockets when you take a look at the beautiful piece of land called Jonestown. Words can\u2019t describe the beauty of this place\u2026\u201d \u2013Gary Tyler <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026The tropical rain showers are just like you read about. It is sunny and bright one minute, then all of a sudden the rain comes up quick \u2013 a gentle, steady rain. Just as suddenly, in 15 or 20 minutes, it clears up and the sun is shining again! It is absolutely refreshing\u2026\u201d \u2013Magnolia Harris <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026You should see our horses, especially the stallion \u2013 he is fine! I would never have been able to own a horse, but now I do\u2026\u201d \u2013Ronnie James<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026Maybe you\u2019ve heard of the Ice Cream Tree \u2013 well, we really have it! It\u2019s called a sour\u2013sop tree and it produces a fruit which weighs up to 4 kilograms. It is green outside with soft spines and a slightly fibrous green pulp inside. When ripe\u2013split open and eat it with a spoon. It\u2019s like eating sherbet ice cream!\u201d \u2013Mike Rozynko<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026There is a beautiful little waterfall located 1 \u00bd miles south of Jonestown past some of our crops. It is a breathtaking hike down a jungle path. and when you get there it is a long, smooth, sloping series of rocks and two pools of water (after a rain you can swim) and even a vine to swing over the water (or in if you fall). A large felled tree lays over the water so you can sit on it in the comfortable shade. It is one of my favorite places here\u2026 \u201c \u2013Barbara Walker <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026It is a beautiful tropical night. There is a cool breeze blowing. I can look out the window at the full moon, hearing people laughing. and I can see Jonestown lit up in the moonlight. All else is quiet \u2013 it is just a perfect experience.\u201d \u2013Laura Johnston <\/p>\n
(inside back cover)
\n(photo caption)
\n\u201c\u2026 Tell everybody they just don’t know what they’re missing\u2026\u201d \u2013Lena Benton<\/p>\n
(Back cover)
\nIf further information is desired, please write to:
\nPeoples Temple Agricultural\/Medical Project
\nP. O. Box 893
\nGeorgetown, Guyana (South America)<\/p>\n
or<\/i><\/p>\n
Peoples Temple
\nP. O. Box 15023
\nSan Francisco, California (U. S. A.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Cover) \u201c\u2026 a feeling of freedom\u2026\u201d \u2013 a collection of photographs & comments about the community of Jonestown (Inside front cover) (photo caption) \u201c\u2026 Jonestown grows dearer to me each day. There is so much beauty, so much joy in the faces of our children and seniors\u2026\u201d \u2013 Mary Lou Clancey (Page 1) \u201c\u2026 a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13144,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-18401","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18401"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108017,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18401\/revisions\/108017"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}