9 December 2008
SEAR GU SIAR – I’M NOT A CELEBRITY – GET ME OUT THERE! PART THREE - GUATEMALA
The next in the Sear gu Siar series on BBC ALBA will follow the fortunes of Diane Morrison, 21 from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis and Michelle Morrison, 20 also from Stornoway, as they embark on adventure treks and community aid projects in Guatemala.
Working in the poorest areas of Guatemala to rebuild homes and to supply health and education to some of the most disadvantaged families, Diane and Michelle take part in a project that will change people’s lives forever.
Working as part of a group of six volunteers, the pair aim to build a house for a needy Guatemalan family in just six days. The group dismantles a shack and build a 12-foot-by-19-foot breeze-block home, complete with a cement floor, corrugated metal roof with skylight, metal door and a glass window. No bigger than the size of a garage, this house will be home for up to seven person family. The build is physical and the environment a challenge in the increasing heat and humidity but the girls see in a relatively short time, the huge positive impact this work has on the families and communities they work alongside.
It's not all work and no play though, and time spent touring Guatemalan sites such as Mayan ruins in Quiriga and Tikal, and visiting Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango offer a fascinating insight into their history and culture. A highlight for both young volunteers involve a strenuous climb up an active volcano, Pacaya, where they get frighteningly close to hot flowing lava and witness smoke coming out of the top of the volcano that could explode at any time.
Video clips and pictures covering Diane and Michelle’s trip plus their travel itinerary and diaries are available to view on the show’s website www.seargusiar.com along with further information on the series.
Sear gu Siar, Guatemala will be broadcast on BBC ALBA Wednesday 10th Dec at 21:00 and is available on Sky channel 168 & Freesat channel 110. The programme will be repeated on BBC ALBA on Thursday 11th December at 22.30.
For further information please contact Lorna Inglis at Media House on 0141 220 6040 / lorna@mediahouse.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Sear gu Siar is produced for BBC ALBA by MNE Media, one of Scotland’s leading independent production companies. (For further information see www.mnemedia.tv)
BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110. (For further information see www.bbcalba.co.uk)
BBC ALBA is expected to become available on cable in due course. Subject to review by the BBC Trust, BBC ALBA will become available on Freeview after digital switchover in 2010.
For more information on accessing BBC ALBA visit our website: www.mglba.com.
MG ALBA and the BBC have established a partnership to deliver digital television, radio and online services in Gaelic. The BBC ALBA service broadcasts under a BBC licence. To find out more about how the partnership works visit www.mgalba.com.
MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service), which is funded by the Scottish Government and regulated by Ofcom. MG ALBA stands for Meadhanan Gàidhlig Alba, or Gaelic Media Scotland.