Among the many skilled resi dents in Karrau Village, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), are a few talented craftmakers, including Selena Lew is and her husband, Dwayne. Selena makes knitwear, while Dwayne makes earrings, bands, headdresses and necklaces from feathers, beads, bamboo and other local materials. In this photo are some of the neatly finished items the couple has made (Carl Corker photo)
Sunday, September 11, 2022
It’s all in the details! Karrau’s creative craft makers
After completing the building, there is now a wide staircase where all visitors, myself and The Mighty Chief, use to get to the upper floor. Over the decades, Neville Calistro, The Mighty Chief, has ascended many simple and esteemed staircases to the upper floor of, becoming a celebrity Guyanese entertainer and someone who all Guy anese can be proud of.
IT is September and Guyana is now observing Indigenous Heritage Month. So we feature Neville Calistro, aka ‘The Mighty Chief’, who is a native of the indigenous village of Kabakaburi on the upper Pomeroon River in Region Two. Calistro, who is a musical celebrity, is well-known as a Guyanese entertainer who is of the indigenous Arawak Nation. He is endearingly referred to as “The Cali Mari Man” by some who know him well. The Mighty Chief has a heritage which can be traced back to a people who are known as Spanish Arawaks. They fled from the Bolivarian war of 1898 in neighbouring Venezuela and sought refuge in the upper reaches of the Pomeroon river in British Guiana (Guyana).
strange and unique things occur that generally go unnoticed. Every govern ment ministry in Guyana is housed in a building which was previously used for another purpose - except the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. That building was constructed expressly to house that ministry and was never used for any other purpose.
As mentioned, I regularly visited that building as its con struction progressed, sometimes ascending from the ground floor to the upper floor by climbing a ladder.
When ‘The Mighty Chief’ turned actor
Neville Calistro is the first of his people to sing calypso professionally. His choice of the genre was in no way a misstep, as he is now considered among the best in the business. Further, Calistro composes his calypsos and has presented hits such as ‘Dulari’, ‘Sweet Ros ita’ and ‘Gie She Captain’, among other crowd favourites. With his performing abilities and drive, Calistro was included in the official Guyana Carifesta contingent to Cuba in 1979. His performances at the 5,500-capacity Karl Marks theatre in Havana were the opportunity for him to shine at his brightest; and shine he did, especially on one occasion when the Cuban leader, President Fidel Castro, was in attendance.
However, Neville Calistro has also proven himself to be a competent and talented actor. That was detected during his singing presentations. When they play ‘Journey to Freedom’ which was to be staged for Guyana’s Independence celebrations, Calistro was invited to audition for the role of an indigenous character. He impressed the director and was cast in the production of the play. His performances were very convincing, both were conducted at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Georgetown, where the play was first staged and later at the National Cultural Centre. Audiences, as well as critics, were equally impressed with his actingSometimesability.
As a journalist working in television and with interest in that area of Guyana’s history, I did regular news reports on the construction progress of that building. It commenced with the ceremony on the corner stone laying, with President Janet Jagan officiating. Neville Calistro and his Cari Mari Band comprised primarily with his sons, provided the musical entertain ment at that event. One of their renditions was “Gie Me A Suck Ah Yoh Julie Mango.” As I listened to the performance of that song by the Cari Mari Band, I reflected on a mango tree which used to be exactly on the spot where the group was performing. The spirit of that
II CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
mango tree was probably very happy.
Neville Calistro aka ‘The Mighty Chief’, playing the role of Michael Lamazon in the play “Journey to Freedom” (FQF photo)
“We have maintained over the years a Cerulean culture of sticking to a stan dard that values quality,” she
nominate women who they felt were deserving of the achievement.“So,weare saying to the people, do you have a wom an in your community who is leading and you want to nominate her, then do that” notedSheDanzie-Black.wentontopoint out that a total of 75 women to date have been awarded, despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed; resulting in the event being postponed in 2020. Additionally, she was instru
Lyndell Danzie-Black
With a knack for inter acting with people, setting goals and resolving conflict, and a dedicated drive toward finding resourceful ways to foster socio-economic impact across serviceAnyoneviability.businesstothatandopment,successfulformedDanzie-Blackcommunities,hastransCeruleanInc.intoabusinessdevelcorporatetrainingconsultancycompanycreatesopportunitiesadvanceteamsaswellasperformanceand“Badserviceirksme.whounderstandsknowsthatonce
development for com panies to gain com petitive advantage.
Despite navigating the countless challenges along life’s pathway, Danzie-Black views herself as an evolving woman leader who is con stantly learning and grow ing. Her dedication to the development of businesses, communities and people has been a guiding force in sup porting the creation of sev eral noteworthy initiatives.
‘Exemplary Business Leader‘
Lyndell Danzie-Black is the co-creator of the ’25 Influential Women Awards’
Lyndell Danzie-Black is a testament to the adage about gleaning life lessons on the route to success to turn ideas into reali ty. When she launched her company Cerulean Incorporated in 2012, Danzie-Black set out on a mission to pioneer a re markable pathway in local business that focused on enhancing professional training, skills develop ment and customer service in companies.
national, regional and in ternational companies from various sectors such as oil and gas, tourism and hos pitality, natural resource exploration, human resource management, mining and optometry, to name but a few.
said before noting that the team consists of Guyanese and foreign experts in sev eral specialised areas who help to advance its core principles of integrity, hon esty and sincerity, which are all tenets that are tenets of its ever-growing success.
well,” said Danzie-Black, who indicated that the gen esis of the company was centred on providing solu tions to fill gaps and support companies in aligning brand values to the effective and efficient delivery of over all services, regardless if a business is product-based or service-based.Morethan 10 years later, the company’s services have expanded to include corpo rate training in service qual ity and customer service, strategic planning, supervi sory skills training, conflict resolution, creative thinking and critical Motivatedthinking.bypurpose
rather than profits, she ex plained that the company also offers business facil itation services to foreign companies to assist them in conducting operations across various capacities in Guyana, particularly the oil and gas sector. The com pany also provides project management services for corporate social responsibil ity (CSR) projects for com panies that aim to engage customers and CeruleanDanzie-Blackcommunities.hasledtheInc.teamtoserve
The company is pre paring to attain its ISO 9001:2015 Qual ity Management Systems certification to advance this aim further. In addition, Danzie-Black boasts an exemplary portfolio as a well-rounded businesswom an, leader and mentor who is also a certified International Labour Organisation (ILO) trainer for the Start and Im prove Your Business (SIYB) initiative.Assuch, she helps to steer the company’s impact on local communities, par ticularly as the country’s economy grows with the onset of the oil and gas sector. She noted that from its inception, Cerulean Inc. has been impacting people before oil and gas. However, the sector has birthed new industries and growth oppor tunities for the company to utilise training to encourage companies and entrepre
Lyndell Danzie-Black during a training session
neurs to acquire the essential knowledge and skills they need to take advantage of the different industries in the Forsector.Danzie-Black, Ce rulean Inc. is a business trailblazer that she envisions will see increased market share and partnerships that will further catapult the tre mendous social impact of the company while being underpinned by her stead fast commitment to always ensure that good customer service is aligned to unfor gettable customer experi ence in companies.
you are offering a particu lar service it exposes other company-related issues as
With extensive back ground expertise in areas such as tourism and mari time transport, Danzie-Black has worked to spearhead several strategic partnerships to facilitate diverse train ing programmes that aim to continuously strengthen skills-based learning and
IIICHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022 SEE PAGE IV
During an exclusive in terview with the Guyana Chronicle, Danzie-Black ex pressed that one of these ini tiatives that she co-founded is the ‘25 Influential Women Leaders Award.’ Togeth er with Michelle A. Nich ols, they created a platform grounded on celebrating the invaluable work of women in local communities from different backgrounds. She revealed that the duo de cided to let communities
HERITAGE MONTH
Moreover, in 2019, Danzie-Black, along with Kerensa Gravesande-Bart, co-founded the Women’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which supports the empowerment and advancement of every woman and girl in the country.
He also noted that people are being trained to do a road map to document the work of the shamans along with infor mation on languages, crafts etc.
“To my understanding, there are many Indigenous lan guages spoken by the Indigenous peoples of this country… there is bilingual education being done in my region and of course the passing down of traditional knowledge from elders to youths, through traditional storybooks, seminars and so on,” he explained. “The bilingual education will see younger children being taught in schools…The local non-governmental organisations [conduct] teaching of traditional classes.”
He believes that some discrimination still exists towards Indigenous peoples as they aren’t a part of decision-making bodies. He also believes there is still a long way to go when it comes to women in education and policy decision and implementation bodies. “We want to be part of the solutions to the issues that affect us, and only if we can be able to have that and exchange, I be lieve we can make a step forward,” Hastings noted during his remarks. He explained that the loss of traditional knowledge is a key problem for communities, but to keep it as a talking point, massive support is needed from persons who love the idea of continuity and preservation.Headdedthat over the years, Indige nous peoples have made significant strides in their endeavours to address their issues through dialogues and the coming together of Amerindians at conferences, seminars, and so forth.
I would say, are cornerstones to Indigenous communities, what it means to them, their existence as a distinct people in Guyana,” Hastings told the Pepperpot Magazine during a side interview.
The Department of Public Informa tion, in a recent article dated August 10, 2022 quoted Minister of Amerindians Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, as saying that, “September month will bring a whole package of what the Amerindian traditional knowledge is about; what Indige nous culture is about and what our tradition and custom is like. We will be able to introduce to this country again our unique dances, our music, our food and of course the treasure of the way we work, the way we live as one.”
Fredericks said he believes that Amerindian culture is being kept alive, particularly in South Rupununi through the continuous use of traditional lands and the continuous practice of local
Amerindian culture and language brought into sharper focus
Business...‘Exemplary
PLANSknowledge.FORAMERINDIAN
“I wanted to celebrate women leaders in their own communities. I wanted to am plify the voices of women who were doing exceptional work,” she said. “We believe in our hearts leadership is not stagnant, it is a journey and it was important to create a programme where women can connect, share and grow in a sustainable way even after the tenure of the programme.”
Without a doubt, Danzie-Black is an immensely inspiring woman leader that con tinues to revolutionise the local business community.
FROM PAGE III
Meanwhile, a sharper focus is being placed on various issues faced by Amerindians nationwide. These are the sen timents expressed by Romario Hastings, representative of Kapon Akawio Village in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), who was at the time speaking at a recent event. “All of these,
Fredericks provided insight on the preservation of the culture, language and dialect of the Amerindian people and what his village is doing to ensure that the language and cul ture stay alive.
This year’s observance is being held under the theme: “Celebrating our traditional culture while building one Guy ana”.Fredericks noted during his interview that the Amerin dians in the South Rupununi would have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and to throw the spotlight on the making and selling of their locally made products, and more
importantly, to showcase their talent through the hosting of Amerindian heritage pageantry.
Lyndell Danzie-Black values supporting companies in enhancing customer service
The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Joshua Fredericks of the South Rupununi Conservation Society to get a clear per spective regarding the preservation of the culture and language of the Amerindians in Guyana.
GUYANA annually celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month in honour of the significant achievements and contributions that the Amerindian people have made over the years.
IV CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
mental in the launch of the ‘Women’s Leadership Programme’ that targets the awardees of the ‘25 Influential Women Leaders Award.’
“When she went out, she tried to laugh and she played, and you could just tell on her face that she has this smile, but she is doing great,“ Mann elatedly told the Pepperpot Magazine.Heremotional status after surgery
The cleft lip surgery will improve the quality of Aneeza’s life. Her speech, physical growth and development will also improve over time.
Life-changing development
One of the first things that she did was touch the part of her lip and show her Mom ‘gone’ to which her mom replied, yes.
VCHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
Food for the Poor, who is the major facilitator for Aneeza’s successful surgery has now introduced its Health Care Benevolence Programme that will cater to more cases like this for people in need.This programme aims to make persons in the interior more accessible to health care and its facilities across the country.
was born with a medical condition known as a “cleft lip” which is the opening or split in the upper lip of an unborn baby while in the womb. But thanks to the intervention of Food for the Poor, her family received aid to conduct reconstructive surgery on Aneeza’s face.
By Dillon Five-year-oldGoringAneeza
How a generous donation made a huge difference for one little girl
Before the surgery, Annie was always a joyful and playful child. She usually runs around the village, laughing, playing with her cousins and her brothers and sisters in her village and just a happy person, Mann explained.
Aneeza will go back in six months to have the second surgery done.
Little Annie is now on her way to recovery after the first phase of her surgery and according to Mann, this is great news for all parties involved in her care.
As a result, her socialisation with others will be height ened and more self-confidence regarding her physical ap pearance will be evident.
lip that was protruding, but she is very brilliant,“ Mann remarked during her interview.
Mann was also excited to share that after the surgery, which was done in early September, little Annie was jumping up and down in the restaurant where she was taken, dancing to music and was overjoyed.
Aneeza hails from the village of Sebai, a riverine com munity in the Matarkai, a sub-district of Region One.
The part that she was referring to was the part of her
What an exciting thing for this little five-year-old who is eager to embark on the career of teaching when she grows older.According to her caregiver, her hopes will come alive as she recovers from the first phase of her surgery.
Mann was confident that little Annie was well taken care of by competent physicians at the Balwant Singh Hospital since she herself was treated for an illness there some time ago.
“Usually the surgery is done before they are two years old, but with Annie’s situation, her parents just could not afford it. The situation happens with lots of families in the In terior. They are really overlooked, but when my husband and I heard of Annie’s condition [whose family] we had known for about 20 years, we contacted a donor in the US who provided the necessary finances to facilitate the surgery,” the young girl’s caregiver, Wendy Mann, told the Pepperpot Magazine during an interview.
“After I showed her Mom the before and after pictures of her improvement, it was wonderful to see her mom‘s face light up in joy for her daughter,” Mann told the Pepperpot MagazineMannwas jubilant to share with the Pepperpot Magazine that what touched her the most in this phenomenal experi ence was actually seeing the relief on her mom’s face know ing that her daughter is being taken care of in a great way.
farmlands which will be allo cated to young people at one to 10 acres per person.
Cornelius disclosed that the community benefitted from $7M COVID-19 grant
He added that soon they will embark on a chicken project where 1,000 meat birds will be acquired to boost the livelihood of the locals.So far, one chicken pen has been completed, and one more will be constructed in the village to house even moreCorneliuschickens.told the Pep perpot Magazine that last year they received a presi dential grant of $1.5M and it was used to do many proj ects.The Toshao disclosed that to promote farming in the village, they have identified
Cornelius stated that they have since received the ma terials and construction will take place later.
and it was used to buy an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and make repairs to the Village Council’s tractor, which is utilised to trans port logs.
The people, places and oth er things in Karrau Village (Carl Croker photos)
Karrau Village is an Am erindian Settlement under the Village Council headed by Toshao Shane Cornelius and seven other members who are tasked with com munity-based development to enhance the lives of the people that reside there.
A picturesque riverside village
Karrau Village has a pop ulation of 530 residents with mixed ethnicities, with the majority being Amerindians.
Karrautownship.ison
Living at Karrau is ex pensive since the only mode of transportation is via speed boats and most people would do their bulk shopping in Bartica.
forprovidecome-generatingzinetoldToshaoDEVELOPMENTVILLAGEShaneCorneliusthePepperpotMagathattheyneedmoreinprojectstosteadyemploymentthevillagers.
The Toshao Shane Cornelius
The road contract was awarded to JBS Investment
VI CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
Some locals who settled in the village came from Region One, Region Two, Essequibo Coast and Demer ara River while most of the people have lived there their wholeThelives.main economic ac tivities of the residents in clude logging, mining, poul try rearing, cash crops and ground provisions farming and small Karraubusinesses.Villageis a pic turesque place with lush rainforest, and it is the gate way to the interior, which
He added that min ing and logging are seasonal, so often, people are without jobs and the Village Council is trying to initiate projects where locals can be em ployed to earn.
He explained that since young people are not attract ed to farming, they will find ways to implement new tech niques for them to go into farming and they have part nered with the government for a shade house project.
the main land, and it is located on the Lower Mazaruni River, with its neighbours being Goshen which is in Region 10 and Batavia.Apart of Karrau Village falls under Region Two and
internet access provided by the government and there is no landline service, but there is reception from both cell phone service providers in the Therevillage.is also an ICT hub at the Community Resource Centre building, which is yet to be commissioned, but it has 20 brand new computers.
TOSHAO ON
The village also has a women’s club building, a toll gate and several shops at the roadside and scattered across the Residentscommunity.of Karrau Vil lage will soon benefit from a $70M road project by the current administration to im prove the lives of the locals, who never had an all-weather road in the community.
goes all the way to the bor der between Venezuela and Guyana.This village overlooks the Mazaruni River and it is quite a sight, the perfect place to watch the sunrise and the sunset while ab
The Village Council has
sorbing the ambience of tranquility.Karrau Village has a pri mary and nursery school housed in one building, a health outpost, and a play field with a pavilion located at the centre of the communi ty where the village council building is located.
The road in the village
LAST week the Pepper pot Magazine visited the riverside community of Karrau Village, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), in observance of Amerindi an Heritage Month to high light the way of life of the locals, who were preparing to host their heritage day on September 10.
Karrau Village is located five to eight minutes via boat from Bartica, which is the nearest
it is a village with fertile farmlands and the right soil composition for farming.
Inc. to construct 2,000 kilo metres of road in the com munity.The village has no elec tricity and the locals use solar energy and some have their own generators.
SEE PAGE VII
Karrau
He related that the Community Service Offi cers (CSOs) will oversee the project and they will receive the necessary train
The village has launched a sawmill and it provides permanent work for six res idents.The women’s club build ing will be extended and a kitchen will be added to ac commodate cooking classes to equip women with a life skill to start their own small businesses.
Moses stated that the people are very good and it is a village where you feel very safe and can sleep with unlocked doors and windows without having to worry about burglars.
He related that he will certainly miss the people most because they are the friendliest and they always greet you with smiles and the way they co-exist in relative peace and quiet.
village of Suddie, Essequibo Coast, Region Two and relocating to Karrau Village, Lower Mazaruni River was the best thing that has happened to Ian Moses, who enjoys a quiet life being self-employed and a member of the Village Council.
ing needed and farming tools have been gifted by the current administration.
The Toshao told the Pepperpot Magazine that the water well in the village was built in 2018 and the new building housing the Resource Centre will be the place for training for both children and adults where robotics will be introduced with other educational pro grammes.Cornelius noted that the village has solar-powered street lights and 20 more was gifted to the village from the government and it will be installed soon.
He also worked at the Village Council office for three years as the office clerk before he was elected as the treasurer and served for just over one year.
Beautiful Karrau is the best place to reside, say villagers
have made a proposal for a solar farm and are awaiting word but they would really like to benefit from electricity in the near Corneliusfuture.reported that to improve the lives of the locals, a 10-year development plan was put together by the Village Council and they will complete it in October to be presented.
In other words, there are no thieves in Karrau Village and it is a place where nothing out of the ordinary happens because the people go about their daily activities in a good way.
By Michel LEAVINGOutridgehishome
Moving from Karrau will not be easy for Durga, who likes the quiet life in that community where everyone is familiar with each other, a close-knit setting.
Moses is a logger and he has a transportation service that goes to the hinterland only and would often volunteer at the Village
Karrau...
TRAVIS SHAMEER DURGA
Recently he was selected to be the treasurer of the regional Amerindian pageant planning committee and it was good experience.Hisadvice to young people is not to hold back and take up leadership positions which can broaden their scope.
The team also met Travis Sameer Durga, a 27-year-old young man who served at the Village council for some time before he resigned. Durga told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is going abroad to further his studies and will choose a field soon.
students in total.
VIICHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
He was a teacher at Karrau primary School for four years before he resigned and it was bittersweet since he found being an educator to be fulfilling.
The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been residing in Karrau for the past 17 years, and it is a place he has grown to love.
Durga explained that that job grew on him but it became a bit too overwhelming for him since it was just the head teach er and himself doing everything at the school, including admin istrative work and managing 60
He pointed out that they
Cornelius reported that the Village Council controls the toll gate in the village and has staffers who are present at all times since vehicles pass through to different parts of the interior.
Durga added that they will certainly gain experience which will be of benefit to them in terms of choosing a suitable career.He is originally from Bartica but spent most of his life in Karrau Village and he is leaving the village and the country later this month.
“I think I was chosen by the people at the last elections of the Village Council because I am a people person and some how people trust me with money and I enjoyed that job a lot so leaving is very difficult for me,” he said.
“As time draws closer, I am having a lot of mixed feel ings, but it is for my own good to relocate overseas because I want to study, but I will use the time left here to reflect on life,” he said.
He pointed out that the Village Council has land scapers who take care of the environment by weed ing the unwanted grass and they have office employees at the office of the Village Council.
He added that an appli cation was made for low-in come housing and with their own sawmill materials can be provided for a reasonable cost.
Travis Shameer Durga (Carl Croker photos)
Durga’s mother is the only seamstress in the village and he lives about a 10-minute walk away from the Village Council’s office.
“LivingCouncil.here is care-free you can breathe fresh air, clean environment, catch fresh fish and grow your own food and be really satisfied here in Karrau,” he said.At the Village Council, he has the responsibility for the natural resource of logging, and it is a job he takesMosesseriously.stated that he is pleased to be involved in making a difference in the lives of the people of Karrau Village. He related that the village needs a school boat to transport the children and electricity, which will significantly boost the lives of the locals.
The Water Well in the village FROM PAGE VI
Crokerman,Councillor/BusinessIanMoses(Carlphotos)
Even though a lot of people pass through the village via the toll gate to get to Buck Hall, North West District and other places in the interior, they do not have problems there.
also a resident of Karrau Village and he weaves mucuru to
marriage and is the mother of three.Allicock is the spouse of the Toshao of the village ShaneTheCornelius.actinghead teach er stated that at the school, they have a meal programme
Dwayne Lewis with his handmade pieces
Before making craft that day, he had gone for firewood for his spouse, Jessica Thom as, who makes cassava bread as a small business and would retail it right in the village. She would make about 40 cassava bread by baking it on a pan to sell to earn.
out that after the children are off to school she would do her knitting and at nights it is not always pos sible to do any craft because she is committed to her duties
as aBothmother.husband and wife are enrolled as apprentices for the welding course held in Bartica with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), which takes place at 15:30 hours to 17:30 hours on weekdays.Lewis and her husband also plan to open their own small welding workshop to earn following the comple tion of the course.
The father of five told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is originally from the Deep South, Aishalton, and he learned the traditional craft from his father who relocated to Karrau for a better life.
NELSONsaid.
A band on display
“With five children, we have to make it work in terms of providing adequately for them and we are willing to do more than one job to earn,” Lewis
The Karrau Health Outpost
Lewishome.stated
This talented couple has five children, which was a major encouragement for them to become self-suffi cient through their creativity in craft.The 40-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she attended a knitting class in the village and after that she was self-taught via YouTube, and that’s when her small business kicked off right from her
Acting Head Teacher, Melrose Allicock for Karrau Nursery/Primary School (Carl Croker photos)
that she be gan knitting baby clothes like cartoon-themed hats, bags, outfits and other pieces of clothing. Her husband makes earrings, bands, headdresses and necklaces from feathers, beads, bamboo and other localShematerials.explained that ma caw feathers in the village became scarce. As such, they had to source feathers from Rupununi to make crafts for the upcoming heritage cel ebrations in the village and fulfil orders made for specific pieces.Lewis noted that she doesn’t like to disappoint customers, so depending on the orders, she would work long hours to finish whatever is required.Shepointed
was certainly transformed. Today, Nelson grows his own food and sells off the excess.
She stated that a fresh coat of paint was necessary to brighten the edifice, which was faded and the surround ings were cleaned for the re-opening of school for the newAllicockterm. disclosed that they have 83 learners on roll and it does not include new enrolment of children and pupils.She is originally from Port Kaituma but relocated to Karrau nine years ago after
Acting head teacher of Karrau Creek Nursery/Pri mary School, Melrose Al licock reported that she is pleased they finally have a fence around the building and the building received a much-needed facelift.
make matapee, sifters and warashee, an intricate tech nique used by Amerindians.
It was 22 years ago, his parents left Aishalton and he was with them and their lives
VIII CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022 SEE PAGE X
His produce is sold right in the village, the locals sup port his small business and he is very pleased about that.
THOMAS, THENelsonCRAFT-MAKERThomasis
THE KARRAU PRIMA RY/NURSERY SCHOOL
Selena and Dwayne Lew is displaying their craft
Craft maker/farmer, Thomas Nelson weaving a matapee
By Michel Outridge
The 58-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is working on an order for the heritage day in their village. A customer requested the warashee, the matapee and the Nelsonsifter. is also a ground provision farmer and his farmlands are located a mile away from his home, and he would walk there daily to tend to his crops.
It’s all in the details!
WHEN getting a job was nowhere on the horizon, Selena Lewis and her hus band, Dwayne decided to utilise their skills and began making craft to bring in an income to the home.
Karrau’s creative craftmakers
Raphael is originally from Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) and relocated to the city after he formally exited the school system in search of employment.
Michael De Santos (Carl Croker photos)
form his home.
It serves as a symbol of the talent of the people of the farming community and it is in the perfect spot for the learners to see and be remind ed of their potential.
Raphael told the Pepper pot Magazine that he is also rearing 50 black giant chick ens as a side business and he would prepare and sell snacks
process and I am getting to like doing things which in volves a team effort,” he said.
Michael De Santos at his painting in the school
De Santos is the super visor for 15 Community Service Officers (CSOs) in Karrau Village and he is also a Councillor attached to the Village Council.
Dindley Raphael, the teacher and leyvillageMeanwhile,entrepreneurinthesameisthehomeofDindRaphael,22,whopro
He related that extra les sons are held three days on weekdays and on Saturdays for one and half hours each session and depending on the content, it would go on for two hours.
“Being a CSO is a good thing because it allows you to interact with people in your age group and also you get to make decisions to develop the village. It is an important role and it can lead to many things. I would encourage more youths to get on board with their Village Council to
Raphael’s favour ite quote is from Nelson Mandela “Education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world” and it is his mantra in becoming all he can be.
self and the community.
has 39 learners enrolled for four subjects and he would also promote sports as an extracurricular activity.
The young man named his small business New Hori zon Education and today he
vides extra lessons to the learners of Karrau Village and hosts online tutoring classes.
He pitched his idea to the Karrau Village Council and they came on board and he began utilising the lower flat of the Village Counicl’s office to do extra lessons, his contribution to society.
“I was an introvert, not being comfortable to mix with many people and I would be away from the crowd and so on but after being a part of the Village Council it has changed my way of thinking, the thought
Expressing life skills to make a difference in the community
Young artist inspiring fellow villagers with his work
De Santos related that as a CSO and Councillor it is a new experience for him and
Magazine that he was given the opportunity to become a CSO when he joined the Vil lage Council, and he is very pleased about the happening even though he wasn’t sure at first.
IXCHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
serve and develop themselves into rounded people,” he reasoned.
People have different ways of expressing and channel ling their inherited skills, but for Michael De Santos of Karrau Village, Lower Mazaruni, Region Seven, creating art with paint and a brush is his way.
One of his most recent pieces is comfortably dis played at the Karrau Primary School, a lovely depiction of a large bowl of fresh fruits is sprawled in a kaleidoscope of colours on a wall in the lower flat of the edifice.
“I am participating in workshops, sessions and other educational training and it is indeed good and I am actually enjoying it, so with that said, I am encour aging young people to step out of their comfort zone and follow their true calling to heighten their scope,” De Santos said.
By Michel Outridge
Dindley Raphael
The resident of Karrau Village told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was the best graduating student for his dormitory for Region One in 2017 and that motivated him to remain focused.
After the start of his les sons programme, four months ago it was a success and more children started to enrol since his payment plan is flexible and reasonable.
He worked as a sales representative and did some part-time studies and four years ago, he moved to Kar rau Village to reside with his family of five.
Raphael added that being humble is his way of life and he aspires to become a biolo gist and will be attending the University of Guyana in the near future.
De Santos was a miner, so he was away in the interior a lot but it was based right in his village but he wasn’t a part of any crowd or group before.
“I am also an online tu tor that assists learners with their SBAs, assignments and whatever else school work related for a pocket-friendly fee. I came from a single-par ent background and I know what it is like not being able to afford an education,” he related.
He told the Pepperpot
Gone are the days when he used to be in the back ground and he is going to finish what he started as a resident, a Councillor, a CSO and an artist to develop him
Raphael reported that it is just $3,000 per month per child and his payment plan is very flexible and he has in his employ a business partner, Tameika Williams, a Community Service Officer (CSO) who assists in the teaching aspect.
he is embracing the possibil ities since he is socialising more than before.
Raphael added that in the village he began looking for work and an idea was birthed to assist children via an af ter-school lesson.
Village Council.
He started serving the community a few months ago, and he is mostly in volved in construction work within the village.
The 31-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he likes the idea of being en gaged in forthatdevelopmentalcommunity-basedworksanddecision-makingisnewhimasitrelatestothe
“It has its ups and down all in the...
Meanwhile, Communi ty Health Worker Omelia Sugrim told the Pepperpot
By Michel ANGELAOutridgePhillips
Phillips was once a pho nics teacher and worked with Hope Foundation in Bartica and she used to be a farmer.
Phillips explained that it is a variety of herbs found around the village that was used to make the herbal potion and it is a thing she learned from her elders, being her mother, who also learned from her mother.
Giving back through volunteerism is a way of life for one Karrau resident
She added that bush med icine making is a family tra dition among the women in the family and it was passed on toPhillipsher. told the Pepper pot Magazine that herbal medicine is not a big secret but one must know what they are doing before even attempting to become a bush doctor.She stated that helping people is a way of people in Karrau Village and she is always willing to boil up a potion to assist anyone in need, especially if that person is sick.
Some of the finished craft products made by Selena and her husband, Dwayne Lewis (Carl Croker photos)
in floral arrangement, craft, and sewing and when the rehabilitation is completed, they will have a kitchen to do cooking courses at the Women’s Club.
but all in all it was a good run. I enjoyed this type of work which chose me and I get to like it a lot,” she said.
“I like it here, as a local and as a healthcare profes sional, because I serve the people and it certainly feels good to provide a reliable service via the health out post,” she said.
She related that they have four sewing machines and they are in need of a trainer for the Women’s Club.
FROM PAGE VIII It’s
It was then that she decid ed to put her skills to work and infused herbal medicine which was distributed to villagers, who were ill with COVID-19.Ofthepeople infected with the virus, only one per son was admitted to the hos pital, and another was very low at their home and they all recovered after using the herbal medicine made by
Angela Phillips, the councillor, volun teer and the bush doctor (Carl Croker photos)
One of the most imme diate needs of the school is electricity and internet-ready computers.“Iwould say we had 70 per cent turnout which is good for Grade One to Grade Six and for Year One and Year Two for the nursery section housed in the lower flat of the building,” she said. had an old building which was renovated and a waiting area with a shed and seating accommodation added.
“A family member had an accident and his foot was broken and he was just lying in the hospital and my mom told us to bring him home and she began giving him the herbal medicine treatment and he recovered fully. He was able to walk normal again without any difficulties, so we believe in what we do in terms of herbal medicine,” she said.
“Living here is neither hard nor easy, but it is based on what you do to earn and how you choose to life[sic],” she Phillipssaid.
Phillips told the Pep perpot Magazine that at the Women’s Club space is limited and they used to host sewing classes at the pavilion at the community centre ground, but due to the rainy conditions, it is not suitable.
Phillips added that be ing a volunteer is her way of giving back and it feels good to be involved in com munity-based projects that ultimately benefit the people.
added that the cost of living is high and at times it is challenging to make ends meet in terms of finance, since she doesn’t have a permanent job.
The Karrau Primary/Nursery School
Phillips.Shewould also make cold medicine regularly for the people in the community.
She explained that she became an alternative med icine healer, utilising herbs with which she is familiar to make a concoction which she says helped many locals recover from COVID-19.
Then COVID-19 hap pened, and they had to dis continue sewing classes and they began utilising the ben ab, but then it became infest ed with bats and they had to abandon it.
She told the Pepperpot Magazine that Karrau is a very safe place to live and the people would come together in a flash to do projects and pull off any event.
THE KARRAU HEALTH OUTPOST The Karrau Health Post
is a 60-year-old member of the Village Council and the Chairperson of the Women’s Club of Karrau Village. She is passionate about communi ty-based and women’s devel opment, so she volunteers her time to many projects.
A doctor would visit ev ery two months but Commu nity Health Worker Annette Lorrimer has been there for the past 32 years and will soonSheretire.isassisted by another Community Health Worker, Omelia Sugrim and they provide primary healthcare, home visits and maternal and child health Lorrimercare.will retire in November this year and she will get to do the things she couldn’t before and think about what to do during her golden age.
Magazine that she has been at the Karrau Health Outpost for 10 years and it was a dream come true because she always wanted to be in the nursing profession.
where all learners benefit fromAllicocklunch. reported that she began teaching in 2014, and since they have lost some teachers, they are in need of a teacher.Asfor teaching materials and textbooks, they have ade quate and being a multi-grade school one teacher would take on two classes.
Bush Doctor
X CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
She spends a lot of time volunteering at the Women’s Club to equip women and young girls with life skills to become empowered to establish their own small businesses to earn.She re ported that they have classes
The mother of five is originally from Anna Re gina, Essequibo Coast, but her family moved to Karrau when she was just two years old.Her mother was living with her grandmother in Kar rau and they relocated be cause of the peacegul way of life in the village.
“Presently, we are mo bilising the people to host our Heritage Day celebra tion but the night before, we will have a Gospel Con cert to usher in the heritage observance, so we have a lot to do,” she said.
The small building has three rooms for examination, doctor’s office and the stor age of drugs plus washroom facilities and a triage area.
ANN-MARIE, a young native girl, stood at the bottom of the small waterfall, her arms out-stretched, her eyes closed as the spray from the cascading water showered her face. It was one of those natural places in the jun gle she loved so much that she could let herself loose in its amazing wonder, her mind flowing freely, like the cool water streamed past her bare feet. “Ann-Marie.” She opened her eyes, wiped the water from her face and turned towards the voice but there was no-one there. She looked around, a little puzzled because she was sure she had heard someone call her name. The silent shrubs, the birds and animals were the only ones there as always and, shrugging her shoulders, she sat down on a rock pulling back the thick tresses of long hair from her shoulders,
“It can’t be,” she said unbelievingly. “You can’t be alive.”
shaking loose the petals of wildflowers she usually wore in its braid.
Ann-Marie spun around and gasped in aston ishment at the young woman who stood before her.
Then she heard, a little closer, the voice calling her again. Ann-Marie spun around and caught a fleeting glimpse of someone in white disappearing through the thick shrubs, someone with long black hair like hers. She ran following the mysterious figure, her bare feet barely touching the jungle floor, the adventurous spirit in her always ready to spread its wings and fly. The jungle was more her home than her vil lage since she was a little girl so she always knew where she was, but the figure in white had vanished. Ann-Marie looked around, not afraid because the guardian spirits of the jungle always watched over her and she wondered why someone was playing a game. Her eyes and senses were sharp like a hawk and as she looked around she spotted a rock structure almost obscured by the creepers and shrubs, and making a small opening, she squeezed through. There was a small entrance, almost like a cave and Ann-Marie hesitated before entering, not sure what awaited within. The cave was dim and eerie. Night creatures hung from the top, slithering on the rock walls, which were cut narrow, jagged steps that led to what seemed
“Whatbottomless.isthis place?” she whispered to herself. “It’s where I’ve been all these years,” a voice said behind her.
XICHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022 SEE PAGE XVIII
“I’m not,” she said calmly, “I left this earthly life a long time ago but my spirit has been lingering, waiting for the right one and you’re here now.”
Ann-Marie knew she should be afraid, but she was too stunned, for the spirit figure was part of a legend – the
DIAMONDOFFIRE
Educational and Health facilities are being established in Interior areas where Amerindians live and where such did not exist. Properly equipped schools and health centres are being built, and Amerindian youth are encouraged to train as nurses and medexes and to take advantage of the National Scholarships offerings. Efforts are being made to ensure that Amerindian communities receive the various health and educational grants which have now become a feature of gov ernmental activity.
AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH: MAIN THEME COULD BE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERINDIAN LANGUAGES AND LINGUA FRANCA.
The transferring of lands occupied by Amerindian com munities to legal ownership has continued. Most important, the construction of roads and bridges connecting the Interior to the Coast has begun and this connectivity will diminish the social and economic disadvantages the Interior has suffered
In Amerindian Heritage Month, the Nation celebrates the fact that Guyana is the only country in the world where the indigenous population is an increasing percentage of the entire national population and where indigenous people are steadily brought into the mainstream of national life. Today, there are Amerindian Members of Parliament and Ministers of Government. This bringing of the Amerindian community into the mainstream and the acceptance of Amerindians into all aspects of Guyanese life and treating this as social normality is something new. Until the 1990s, the monolithic organisa tion of society was regarded as the desirable norm to which to aspire. Administration and Government were centralised and the Euro-Creole culture and norms predominated, and all groups and individuals had to conform to them or were sidelined socially and economically. This monolithic organ isation of society, in contrast to the plural affected the East Indian community, who were largely Hindus and Muslims and retained many of the vestiges of their ancestral culture as well as the Amerindian community. By the 1980s, the Plural organisation of the state and society progressively came to be accepted globally and in Guyana, at this juncture, democracy had been re-established in the 1990s and East Indian politi cians who were sympathetic to the Plural organisation of the state were influential. The Amerindian community and their economic and cultural interests now came to be accepted and promoted in contrast to the time of the Rupununi Rebellion when there was a clash between the Amerindian Plural in terests and the unitary and monolithic interests of the state.
XII CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
SEPTEMBER has been designated Amerindian Heritage Month. Over the years, the meaning of this occasion has been evolving. In its first years, it aspired to showcase Amerindian dances and music and indigenous dress and culi nary arts and crafts followed this. Today, economic and social concerns have become its main focus. In this process, the Government’s programme of development of the Amerindian community as part of the general national development strat egy has become integrated into Amerindian Heritage Month.
SEE PAGE XV
as against the Coastal regions.
It is now widely recognised that the Plural organisation of the state would not result in divisiveness but would lead
SEE PAGE XIV
XIIICHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
also trying to contact me. God works in mysterious ways, because we were on the phone in a few hours through a mutual colleague, Olivia. We had lengthy conversations, and Google helped me understand who this phenomenal woman is. We both agreed that our respective successes resulted from God at the centre of our lives. We shared var ious testimonies of when God showed up in mighty ways. I believe what is special about her story is that things turned around for her later in her journey. I decided to share a bit of her story, and I know it will inspire someone, because she is adding value to many lives.
I noticed many comments in the chat section, and wrote a general thank you, but was drawn to a particular comment from Indrani Govender. I did not know then that she was
A new month
SEPTEMBER has started on a high for me with many empowering and meaningful interactions. One of the highlights was presenting as the guest speaker at the vir tual Toastmasters Club Open House. The virtual world has become a norm in my life now, and I did not think I would have enjoyed it this much. It is certainly making the world seem smaller. Penny Pakathi, who co-authored Women Across Borders with me, invited me. The event was well executed and empowering. We must commend Penny, who is the president of that chapter. The feed back from my presentation was extremely positive and humbling, and I felt great and grateful that my story continues to touch lives. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the very inspiring presentations.
Indrani Govender is the founder and owner of Ricinz Construction, a business established in 2010 in South Africa that employs over 30 staff, and 700 on project basis. She decided to take a leap of faith after a terrible accident, two armed robberies, and a mountain of bills. “It was then that I wanted to change my poverty into success, and I went to a women’s empowerment meeting where I was inspired to start my own construction company,” she shared. A sin gle-mother of two boys, Indrani is an award-winning entre preneur recommended for her business and the number of
FROM PAGE XIII
It was evident that Indrani didn’t have enough insight into her business opera tions, and was losing money instead of making it. She is a very smart, determined and strong-headed woman with a teachable spirit, which is a plus for an entrepre neur. After the process, she implemented nearly 85 per cent of the action points that were recommended. Her most important lesson, growing through this, has been learning to let go so that her personnel can accept their responsibilities. It is a blessing when we realise we need help, and intentionally seek it.
XIV CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
jobs she has created in the community. Her passion is to uplift women and youth, and ensure a better life for those who have given up on life. She now strives to create wealth for all her employees. Govender’s background is in retail, and she was boarded for post-traumatic stress disorder after a horrific accident, and then being robbed at gunpoint. She started Ricinz Construction after finally having the guts to go into business on her own in 2010. After various training programmes, the new entrepreneur started a gardening business. She responded to dozens of tenders and finally won the 37th one. After that, things moved quickly. “I realised I could change people’s lives by creating jobs. And it became my passion.” She added a construction, electronics and telecommunications branch to her business, and the company continued to expand rapidly. But despite the growth, there were no profits, and she kept losing money. Then she heard about PUM (Programma Uitzending Managers) and decided to ask for help.
A new ...
AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH: MAIN THEME COULD BE THE DEVELOPMENT ...
FROM PAGE XII
There is an import ant facet of Amerindian
nomic development, such as securing legal ownership of ancestral lands and extend ing health and education al facilities in Amerindian communities.
Development which needs to be urgently addressed and which this column has constantly promoted, that is, the preservation and promotion of the Amer indian languages before these languages disappear in the face of the more ag gressive English and Span ish. Constrained by the limitations of space, we will briefly mention a num ber of steps that could be taken to achieve this goal: Specialists in cooperation
XVCHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
So far, as pointed out above, the early years of Amerindian Heritage Month were confined to show casing Amerindian dance and music, clothing, craft and even cuisine. Now, it focuses on social and eco
with the University of Guy ana should be engaged to produce dictionaries and grammars of the Amerin dian languages; a Lingua Franca has to be decided upon and this would be used in official documents and in the schools; the system of borrowing from English and other Euro pean languages should be outlined; translations of the best masterpieces from world literature should be made in due course; all
to stronger unity, as is seen in Canada with its Multi culturalism or in the USA, where the “salad bowl” has replaced “the melting pot”. Amerindian Heritage Month now rests on a strong philo sophical basis.
public servants working in Amerindian districts should have some knowl edge of an Amerindian lan guage; contact should be established with similar languages in neighbouring countries and proffer help in their language devel opment. Such a language programme would extend over several years and Am erindian Heritage Month 2022 would be historic if the language programme is launched this Month.
purchase.MORE
My early experience with the real estate business cul ture began with my selling advertising space for the Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle newspapers. I first met the late Dwight King through Davie Simmons, who was one of the first
almost half of the popu lation of Guyana seeking their livelihood and resid ing in its wards. Many were stuffed into what our na tional poet, Martin Carter called ‘The Nigger Yards’ that were constructs the size of a double lot housing some 50-60 souls.
first time I used a real estate agent to rent somewhere was with the Pereira (my spelling) Brothers, who were related to the late popular real estate personality, Tony Reid, of Tony and Joy Reid Realty fame. I began to recognise the peculiar culture of real estate in Guyana, and a num ber of questions boggled my mind. But full recognition and awareness would dawn with the relationship I devel oped with Pete Ramcoomar Persaud, aka Pete, of Pete’s Real Estate, as a small ad vertising service. However, it was not through real estate that our first engagements oc curred, but via the activities of Pete’s Caribbean Fusion Band and its engagements that required both design flyers and newspaper ‘ads’. Then there was Pete’s Video Club. But what had interested me the most was the ambi tious goal of Pete’s Caribbe an Fusion.Petehad established a neat group of artistes in the Chutney genre with an ex periment on cassette produc tions.
XVI CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
ting. The latter is a form of rental, usually illegiti mate, but commonplace
in our overcrowded town ships, predominantly from its early beginnings up to
The real estate culture in Guyana
That description was not invented by the late poet; it was so known long before he was born. Martin just brought its reality to the fore. Not withstanding this, these yards were by then multi-ethnic in nature. Thus, the concept of the ideal real estate was con sistently a torturous dream for most urban dwellers and coastal squatters. By 1972, dream-like changes did oc cur in the development of Housing Schemes. But, cur rently, it has gotten worse for Georgetown, with an urban imposition that strangles the very aesthetics of what was once known as “The Garden City”, void of any separation of business and residential real estate areas.
SEE PAGE XVII
the 1950s/60s. During that period, and even before, approximately a third of Georgetown always had
THAN BUYING ANDRealSELLINGestateis
time in a no-win scenario. Thus, he consolidated his previous talents as an award-winning representa tive of American Life Insur ance Company among his other insurance experiences with his early years as a teacher, thus enabling the understanding of exploration towards the development of a knowledge-based institution that will provide the adequate services required for an effec tive real estate service. With his wife, Ushia, effective staff and supporting colleagues, he has proven the right after 43 years in this competitive field to proclaim Pete’s Real Estate to be a leading estab lishment in the niche of real estate culture in Guyana. It can be troublesome without any knowledge of what transpires in the func tioning of the real estate
much more than selling and buying; it has its hiccups. Most im portantly, with potentially new investors in the field, learning through experi enced guidance is neces sary, especially pertaining to the systems involved that must be verified and clearly understood. To avoid legal setbacks that can be costly and frustrating, there must be expert guidance. This is where a seasoned institution like Pete’s Real Estate comes into play, with the verifying of proposals in some cases against documents presented that may seem to be okay but not quite. Under the scru tiny of an experienced eye, wasted time can be avoided. The world of real estate in Guyana, unfortunately, is not guided by specific laws but a legal framework that exists to serves the purpose. This column has been pushing for such information to be included even in office pro cedure studies in our schools over the years. In the interim, the answer lies with a prov en real estate institution, as mentioned, that can guide clients to what legal systems exist that are binding, and
THE world of real estate revolves around ownership, rental, lease, and sub-let
Still, like previous efforts in this area, that was under mined by a lack of copyright laws, and the future of further investment in Pete’s record ing studio was also eclipsed after functioning for some
promoters to bring Reggae musicians to Guyana in the new era, beginning in the mid-1980s and onwards. The
The real estate culture ...
FROM PAGE XVI
XVIICHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
will enable customer satisfaction both ways, for the seller and purchaser.
Pete’s Real Estate is working tediously towards stream lining a more effective service towards the best outcome for Real Estate transactions. The reality of services currently available that this company extends to the public range in the necessary and crucial real estate areas are: Valuations; advice on options in the case of bank foreclosures, and especially for what is known in the business as ‘secret investors’, simply persons with money who can find real estate investment very reward ing. Pete’s Real Estate was also the recipient of the prestigious “Century International Quality Award in the Gold Category for 2018 in Geneva Switzerland, in terms of Lead ership, Innovation and Excellence”.
How could anyone not known and why did she not come home? “You did not leave with the white man?” Ann-Marie asked. “No,” Annalisa said, “I took the stone that night because I believed the sweet words he spoke and the wonderful prom ises he made to me. I wanted so much to sail the seas, to see the world, to have all the beautiful things in life, but when the stone turned to fire in his hand, I knew then how untrue his words were and he did not want me without the stone.”
XVIII CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday, September 11, 2022
Anne Marie watched sadly as Annalisa’s spirit form left – the stone and the Toshao’s daughter’s body were re turned home and that legend with the right story lived on.
Legend of the Diamond of Fire.
“No,” she shook her head, “I betrayed my father’s trust. No one would have looked at me the same way again, I would have been an outcast. I saw the search party, but I hid in the cave for days and nights, I don’t know how long, growing weaker and weaker until my eyes closed and it all became dark. But even though I entered the spirit world, I couldn’t leave because the stone had to be returned. I waited and wait ed until I saw you, the one like me, only stronger and braver.”
She paused and bent her head, for even in her spirit form, the emotions were too much for her. “You could have come back home,” Ann-Marie said after a while, touched by the deep, sad look in Annalisa’s eyes.
“You think so?”
Long before Ann-Marie was born, the Toshao’s daughter, Annalisa, whose native beauty charmed many a strange heart made an unexpected choice. One dark night when the village was asleep, she took the mythical diamond stone from its sacred place on the altar and ran away with a white explorer. It had left her father devastated and a village stunned by her betrayal. The power of the stone was such that once touched by the wrong hands, it would become red and hot like fire. All the searches for her turned up empty, she was never heard of again and the stone was never found. As the years passed, the story related over and over was that she had sailed away with her companion on the high seas to an unknown place. It was all so strange and astonishing that she had been here in the jungle all the time.
FROM PAGE XI
OFDIAMOND...
“Your body can still be returned home, where it belongs so every girl can look at your resting place and learn from your story, to help them understand life, love and trust as they grow into young women.”
Annalisa disappeared to the bottom of the dark cave and Anne Marie climbed down cautiously. The damp smell and eerie silence were somewhat unnerving. It was hard to under stand how she could have stayed there so long with no one and nothing, just hiding away, not wanting to be found. In a little enclave, Anne Marie saw the skeletal remains of the Toshao’s daughter lying, her head rested on a pillow of dry leaves, the diamond of fire in her hand, a sad ending.
Ann Marie felt tears gather in her eyes for the beautiful native girl whose story and end were indeed sad. Annalisa smiled and said to Ann Marie, “Take back the stone and be everything of a woman I wasn’t so I can leave. My father is waiting for me. I have to tell him how sorry I am for the grief I caused“Whathim.”about you?” Anne Marie asked, “The stone will be returned and so should you so everyone can know what really“Howhappened.”doIdo that?”
“Then“Yes.” follow me.”
Annalisa took the stone and handed it to Anne Marie. “I knew you were special from the moment I saw you and I know you will do what’s right to cover my wrongs.
Both of these top performers, two young men, hail from the Anna Regina Multilateral School on the Essequibo Coast.The standard school’s timetable caters to just about half of those subjects. That means any student attempting about 12 subjects or more is required to put in extra work- whether self- studying and/or at tending extra lessons. And these two young boys, alongside several of their peers, had their work cut out for them.
If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
Is this competitive situation that seemingly feeds on children’s ability to juggle many subjects in their best interest? Perhaps. And that is a system that the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and countries’ Ministries of Education should consider- to provide more eq uitable opportunities to children everywhere.
EACH year, without fail, social media is abuzz with a debate on the number of subjects children should be writing at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations level. And each year, without fail, many of us fall prey to missing the real concerns: should we be policing how many subjects these children write, or should we be interrogating the higher education system and children’s access to equitable oppor tunities?
This period has always hit close to home, especially when this conversation on the number of subjects students should write takes centre stage. In 2016, I wrote 16 subjects to cop a schol arship from the Government of Guyana or CXC. I did not qualify for either because I scored 10 Grade One passes and six Grade Two passes, and that resulted in me juggling professional and academic pursuits simultaneously- I could not advance my studies unless I found the finances to do so. And it had been a difficult journey managing those two.
And they succeeded. For me, that itself is worth celebrating and being proud of. But that’s not all. I spent some extra time this week in Essequibo and the recurring ambition of many of these children is that they need to work hard- that hard- to get scholarships. If they want to further their studies, they need financial aid to assist them.Each
There are other issues and concerns that we should be considering, though.
year, this happens. Each year, we hear people air their opinions on why the nation’s children should not be writing these many subjects- For some, it is argued that you don’t need that many subjects to get a good job, or get into university (or some higher education insti tution). For some, they are concerned about the children’s health and well-being, rightly so because pursuing so many subjects is a taxing ordeal. Too often, the conversation descends to heaping criticisms on the children and their parents.
We should also consider why young people exercise this herculean effort to secure a scholarship to further their studies. What are the challenges to accessing good quality, high ly-demanded tertiary education? And what is the mental, social and physical toll of writing that many subjects?
Certainly, this conversation warrants a deeper examination of the higher education sector. But I don’t think that examination should be or can be done through a myopic lens. During my time in Essequibo, it was painfully obvious that there were serious socio-economic factors to consider.Let’snot forget, too, that it is perfectly okay for a child just to want to do that many sub jects- whether it is because of an interest in becoming immersed in the subject areas or just for the thrill of it all (or some other reason). That should also be perfectly fine.
While I agree that this highly competitive system is a concerning one, I also agree that these children have very valid reasons informing their pursuits. No part of me can fault a teenager for believing that this is the best way of achieving his/her dreams of studying further.
What opportunities are available? Are those opportunities equitably distributed? And are those opportunities enough to satisfy the demand?
More subjects or more opportunities?
XIXCHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 11, 2022
One of the two top performers pursued 27 subjects this year and copped 24 Grade One passes and three Grade Two passes. He tied with another top performer who pursued 25 subjects and scored 24 Grade One passes and one Grade Two pass.
Devina Persaud, 27, Secretary to Amerindian Affairs Minister. “I hail from Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and I am proud to utilise this opportunity to the best of my ability to impact youths across Guyana, but especially in my region.
Contributing to getting more youths into agriculture is
Junior Basant, 28, Bachelors of Social Sciences Degree (Dis tinction) and Master’s Degree in Social Work.
“To be appointed as a member of the PYAC is surreal. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Importantly, I will endeavour to ensure the youths of Berbice have their voices heard through strong represen tation. The areas I would like to see improvement in would be youths’ ac cess to education and educational services that can enhance their per sonal and especiallycapacity/development,professionalinregion6.I
of the President’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC) last week shared their plans and aspira tions regarding the role they will play in helping to shape government programmes and policies.
By Telesha THIRTEENRamnarinemembers
ricultural Science teacher beginning to read for a Bach elor’s of Education Degree specialised in Agriculture. “Hav ing been selected and appointed, I am enthusiastic about sharing my ideas, skills, experiences and learning new and innovative ways in upgrading my current skills and knowledge to improve the stan dard of living for my fellow Guyanese. I
Several members commented that the PYAC is a good indication of the government’s willingness to involve youth in the decision-making process, and lauded President Irfaan Ali’s vision in this regard. Here are the comments of the other members of the Council:
Thandi Mc Allister, 40, Attorney-at-Law, and Director of Legal Services at Maritime Administration Department, Ministry of Public Works. “The establishment of the PYAC signals a recognition of the importance of youth in poli cy-making at all levels. My appointment to the PYAC presents an excellent opportunity for my representation of the interests, ideas, and opinions of the young people of Region Three, that they may be stimulated and encouraged into even more meaningful action.”
another focus, and I intend for the youths to see the benefits and modern capabilities of Agriculture so that we can reach goals of self-sustainability and then exportability.”
Arianna Seeraj, 25, Environmental Awareness Coordi nator at Ministry of Natural Resources.
Tracy Shamsu deen, 28, Bachelors in Law (LLB) and Mas ters in International Oil and Gas Law (LLM) and Gaming Author ity of Guyana (CEO ag.). “Most important is for the government to continue to enhance its progress in ensuring that the basic needs of our people are met specifi cally in the areas of food and energy security… ensuring that there is an equitable distribution of resources in areas which are relevant to the devel opment of educational institutions, creation of affordable housing and countrywide distribution of employ ment opportunities for our young people.”
“ I believe that being a member of this Council will be an empowering experience and will play a vital role in the cre ation of plans and policies that will hopefully be key agents to induce social change, economic growth and technological innovation, especially in this era where Guyana is on the cusp of massive evolution. The areas that I would particularly love to see improvements in our health and agriculture. I was also selected to be in the Agriculture Sub-Committee of the PYAC, and so I believe that my father, Dharamkumar Seeraj, who is a stalwart veteran of the agriculture sector, would be crucial in providing well-informed guidance to me so that my team and I would be able to bring about purposeful changes within the agriculture sector.”
Dharshin ie Gokarran,Meenaketana28, Ag
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strongly believe that with engagement of youths in schools and at the community level, along with their parents and guardians, we will have a healthier and progressive Guyanese nation.”
The voices of the President’s Advisory Council (PYAC)
am also keen on addressing social issues affecting young people with an emphasis on teenage pregnancy, self-harm, and bullying in schools. Emphasis will be placed on introducing/ resuscitating non-traditional sports (boxing, lawn tennis, athletics, etc.) in region Six.”
Coming from various backgrounds and communities across Guyana, many have said they are looking forward to providing a voice for members of their respective regions and to creating the changes necessary to build ‘One Guyana.’
Josh Kanhai, general medical doctor. “I will be contribut ing my time, my best efforts, my professional and vocational skills and my heart to the development of the youth council and, by extension, my country. I am of the belief that we must look to the people on the ground, listen to them and understand them so that we can make informed decisions which, in turn, affect their livelihood. I intend to contribute my knowledge on various fronts, especially in nurturing the culture of research… Everything we do must be done with the use of credible data…
I am especially interested in Agricultural Development and Constitutional and Legislative reform. I believe my skills in community mobilisation and coordination at the grassroots level can significantly contribute to creating the changes I want to see.”
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their concerns at forums with His Excellency and other deci sion-making personnel. I am most hopeful that this appoint ment and the efforts of the entire Youth Council will assist in bringing us closer to achieving the aim of One Guyana.”
Paul Harris, 27, of Develdt, Berbice River, Crop Extension Officer at Ministry of Agriculture. “My greatest contribution would be in the area of agriculture. I would like to see the agri cultural sector of our country develop and the food import bill reduced. One of the main emphasis of the government is the reduction of the reduction of that bill by 25 percent by 2025. I believe that I can make a significant contribution to this area. Most of the persons engaged in agriculture are of a more senior or aged population, and I think it’s the opportune time that lots of young people become involved in agriculture.”
Shawn Duggin, 19, Driver/Clerk at Ministry of Agri culture. “It feels good to be a part of something so big. Due to my vast work experience and knowledge gathered over the years, I believe I can bring a lot to the table. I would like to see in my region better facilities in the industrial devel opment area and human resource management, along with improvements in the healthcare sector and mental health.”
Cassia Alphonso, 33, graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (majored in English) and Director at Adamantium Holdings. “I am highly honoured and humbled by this appointment. I applaud our President for yet another immense initiative. I will offer a different perspective to discussions which can foster new ideas to execute specific objectives. I would particularly like to see initiatives geared towards enhancing education and mental health. I believe through this dynamic, forward-thinking, mul tifaceted group created by His Excellency. We will collectively investigate and create novel approaches to combat existing plights which we face as a country.”
Anil Tulsie, doctor on the internal medicine team at West Demerara Regional Hospital. “Being a part of the President’s Youth Advisory council is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to use my skill set to advocate for and promote better health care for all of the citizens of my beautiful country.”
Praem Narine Rambharak, 39, currently pursuing a PhD in Management and recently earned a Master’s Degree in Small and Medium Enterprises Management from UWI. “I am ready to assist in executing the vision, mission and core values of the PYAC, and creating additional pathways; pass-on moral values so that young Guyanese can have their opinions heard and further implemented. I encourage our younger folks to consider “staycation” and support local manufacturing produce, use our resources (energy) consciously, save our water (which is perhaps the “new” oil), restrain from illicit drugs, drink responsibly, make use of the copious opportunities we now have, be cohesive and let us give a hand in assisting to build our One Guyana.”
Ryan Kirton, 37, BSc in International Relations and MSc in International Relations, currently employed at Newsroom Inc. “It was an honor to be asked to serve on this Council. I intend on working assiduously to make the work of the council impactful.”
President’s Youth (PYAC) – Part II
Keoma Griffith, 29, Attorney-at-law and Secretary of the Bar Association of Guyana. “The opportunity to serve Guyana’s youth at a national level is quite an honour. I’m most excited to interact with youths across Guyana and hear of their aspirations for a unified Guyana and how the Council can advocate on their behalf. I will therefore bring my legal training…to drive home
Believe it or not, my love for academia wasn’t solidified until I entered the tertiary level. I know love is a strong word to use, but it is my hope that many youngsters can love or even like academia from an early age. They must be taught the importance of education and why it’s important to learn. They must develop a passion for learning, a desire to understand how the world works, and a drive always to be knowledgeable. I fell
this question; “what motivates them to push themselves further, even on bad days?” My parents instilled in me that education is important. It’s an important thing to have and acquire in life. However, much emphasis wasn’t placed on the “why”. Why is education so important to begin with? When I found out my “why”—I found a reason to fall in love with academia.
I HAVE been a student for most of my life. I’m sure many other youngsters can relate to this. For many of us, school is all we know. The truth is, many of us also don’t fall in love immediately with academia. I remembered some days in primary school and secondary school; it felt like a drag.
It’s also not always about books and theories.The world of academia allowed me to also solidifY my perspectives and beliefs. It allowed me to explore new topics & broke down complexities into simplicities. I know we all have our own different paths to walk on, and not every child will be able to have the same yearning desire to learn. Nonetheless, I believe that our education systems ought to make it easier for children to love going to school every daY; they should all have a positive reason for wanting to attend school every day, and that starts with a safe and friendly environment. I do hope to continue writing on the love-hate relationship young people share with academia. It’s only fitting to con tinue this series in future column sections, with the hope of allowing you to dive deep and understand what your bar riers are that prevent you from enjoying, liking or loving the amazing world of academia.
First steps to fall in love with academia
No, this isn’t a romance piece, but it is a piece dedicated to enlightening you all on how I fell in love with academia with the hope of inspiring you to feel the same way as well. Initial ly, I realised my personal barriers made it difficult to enjoy the world of academia, as well as the external factors at play such as: bad experiences with teachers or poor educational system management. So no, it isn’t always your fault. Sometimes, it is difficult to love or like something that is mismanaged, non-inclusive and lacklustre. The minute I found teachers who genuinely cared about my ability to learn—that’s the minute my attitude changed towards academia. That is when I started to understand that the love of academia shouldn’t be a two-way street. The administrations and teachers should love their job & education and then emulate or project said love to you as well.
in love with academia after understanding where it can take me in life. My passion for always learning new things is actually what birthed this column section, to begin with. I have a love for always reading and researching new topics and areas of study. I also eventually understood that education would be my way of breaking generational cycles. I am the second person in my family to graduate with a degree. With education and ultimately a love for academia—comes great opportunities for jobs, studying and exposure.
It felt so routined and much like a task to complete. Some days, it was so hard to concentrate. I remembered asking myself, “how do people fall in love with school?”, “how do the straight-A students even love coming to school every day?” Eventually, that allowed me to further ask myself
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radiation. In the layer around the Earth’s surface (the tro posphere), ground level or harmful ozone pollutes the air causing smog. In the up per layer (the stratosphere), good ozone protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the ultraviolet (UV) rays given out by the sun.
“THE Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment show us that by acting to gether, anything is possi ble. So let us act now to slow climate change, feed the world’s hungry and protect the planet that we all depend on.” António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General
Onnow.September 16, 2022, Guyana, a party to the Mon
use by technicians and tech nical institutes in Regions 2, 4, 6 and 10.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or where in the world you live. When it comes to protecting the environment, you can all make a differ ence; every action counts! The future of the planet is in your hands.
MONTREAL PROTOCOL AT 35
In the 1970s, scientists began finding clues that the ozone layer was being de pleted over the region of Antarctica. Since then, they have proved that every year in spring, when the ozone de pletion process is at its high est, at least 50 percent of the ozone layer is destroyed over Antarctica: this is called the ‘ozone hole’. Unfortunately, since then, evidence has been made that the ozone layer was also being severely de pleted over the northern pole of the globe, which means we have to talk about the ‘ozone holes’
treal Protocol, will join coun tries around the world in celebrating the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer or Ozone Day, under the theme “Mon treal Protocol @35: Global Cooperation Protecting Life On Earth”. Guyana’s imple mentation of the Protocol and its amendments is facilitated with the cooperation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the Multilateral Fund (MLF). Guyana’s implementation of the Protocol also adds to its efforts in promoting sustain able development and thus is in tandem with the goals of the Low Carbon Devel
We don’t often or at all think about the things we can’t see that are essential to life on Earth - microor ganisms that break down our waste, and the layer of gases in our atmosphere trapping and reflecting the sun’s en ergy, as well as the layer that keeps out harmful ultraviolet
opment Strategy (LCDS), in reducing the use of the HCFCs and other Ozone De pleting Substances (ODS) of high global warming poten tial (GWP), while replacing these with energy efficient alternatives.Guyana has phased out the use of CFCs and other ODSs, and is now preparing to reduce the consumption of HCFC 22 (used in air conditioners and ice-making machines) to phase out these ODS by 2030. The training of scores of customs officers in the monitoring and con trolling of the imports of ODSs, and trained hundreds of refrigeration and air con dition technicians in good practices and alternative re frigerants, provided tools for
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You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, En vironmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, So phia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: YouTubegramusana@gmail.com.eit.epaguyFollowonFacebookandInstaandsubscribetoourchannel.
Pet Peeves
Thank you for reading and please continue to send column topics to caitlinvieira@ gmail.com
By definition, a pet peeve is a personal annoyance to someone that is particularly exag gerated and has a more negative effect than anything else. The word peeve literally translates to ‘annoyance’, and they are done by those around us, often those closest to us. A key aspect of a pet peeve is that it may well seem acceptable or insignificant to others but very irritating to you personally. If you want to know what your biggest pet peeve is, ask yourself what minor thing do you complain about the most that don’t seem to have such a negative effect on anyone else? They can be visual, audio or tactile.
Address them when possible. If someone is doing someone that aggravates you, you should say something in the kindest, calmest and most informal manner. Here you have to know how to choose your battles, but if you do this, it almost 100 percent avoids the possibility of you snapping.Ifit’s not something you are able to address, there is only one thing left to do, accept it. Understand and empathise with the fact that the majority of the time, people do not set out to aggravate us and persons and situations around us can’t always bend to accommodate our needs. It’s hard to empathise sometimes, believe me, I know, but the same people who annoy us are just like us- flawed human beings who probably get just as annoyed with us when we had no intentionality to do so.
So, what are your pet peeves and if you are already aware of them, can you now be better equipped to handle even the most unforeseen of them?
1. Unpleasant: The annoying stimulus can’t be something we like.
I know it can have a negative effect on us but having pet peeves is very normal; it does not mean you are impatient or angry unless your reactions to them are over the top. If it affects your quality of life, then it’s time to do something about it. If not, learning to adjust and not overreact is the best solution.
I read something that was interesting and also humbled me the other day. I was wondering what people had to say about why other people talking on the phone around us is so annoying when we ourselves do it all the time. One author, Flora Lichtman, had an interesting theorythat human beings love closure and we are naturally inquisitive (fast) and hearing only one side of a story would automatically annoy us. She called it a ‘halfalogue’ and while it does fit into all of the 3 Us (unpleasant, unpredictable and uncertain duration), she still basically said it annoys us because we don’t know the full story. So, I guess minding our own business will ensure that we are less irritated.
This posited a few theories. A key one is that memory association of bad feelings or situations create a long-term effect of irritation. Humans associate unpleasant things with negative or uncomfortable thoughts. For example, certain people may dislike certain words because past visions or illusions of disgusting things may have been associated with them and therefore deter individuals from using them. Once the word is connected with something of disgust, most individuals will always think of that unpleasantness when the word is brought up, thus creating a mental pet peeve. Once this happens and there is a bad connection, and there is often exposure, chances are the pet peeves are there to stay.
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2. Unpredictable: There’s no way to determine when the annoying stimulus will happen.
But, like everything else, there are things that we can do to aid in our pet peeve frustrations. The most important thing is to be aware and admit what your pet peeves are so you can avoid as much surprise as possible. It would also be beneficial to rate how aggravated they make you on a point scale. On a 10-point scale, everyday irritations such as a printer paper jam and traffic jam should be 0 to 3 minor upsets. Dealing with difficult people may raise it up to a 4-7 point scale, but no pet peeve should take you higher. If you try to deny that they annoy you, your reaction will probably be worse and, of course, if you can’t handle the 0-3 point peeves properly, the higher ones will ruin your entire day.
Other common examples which are also my biggest pet peeves include others being late, talking loudly on the phone next to me, people not acknowledging or apologising when they are wrong, slow wifi, people chewing loudly next to me, and people who look at their phone when I’m answering questions they asked me, when people walk slowly in front of me, when people stand up in a plane as soon as it lands, people who are passive aggressive or rude for no reason. Yes, all those things aggravate me daily and because they are so common, I’ve had to learn how to not let them affect my mood throughout the day.
LAST week I wrote about basic social etiquette and received so many emails in relation. I mentioned that my biggest pet peeve was someone calling me more than once if I did not answer the first time. I received an email asking about pet peeves and why we ex perience them. I’m happy to oblige.
3. Uncertain Duration: It is repetitive and will continue for an indefinite amount of time.
Pet peeves annoy us so much because they are generally unpleasant, they tend to be un foreseen and we have no idea or control over how long they will last. Many studies examine what happens in the brain that causes pet peeves in the first place.
The Wellcome Institute and Newcastle University tested pet peeves on individual brains by subjecting them to very common pet peeves such as nails scraping on a chalkboard or people chewing loudly. They saw that the amygdala, the part of the brain involved with processing emotions based on memory and fear, was the most affected.
Honestly, I’m the queen of pet peeves; I have so many that I’m sure I couldn’t count them if I tried, but what can I say? We can’t really help how something makes us feel, only how we choose to react to them.
The study also collected some specialised data. The two most common pet peeves in the world are people who talk incessantly and people who often interrupt others. The most annoying pet peeves for women were also different to men. Women hated being interrupted the most, while men hated slow drivers more.
In their collective book ‘Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us’, Joe Palca and Florence Lichtman explore the history of research behind pet peeves. They came up with the three U’s as a way to better understand why they have these effects on us. These are
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other[Note:wood.Care must also be taken in stating clearly the ‘who did what, or who will do what’. Also pinpointing the pronoun reference in the sen tence. These factors and more still have to be dealt with in our concluding segments on explicitness in sentences. Remain with
Your successful study comes through habitually discussing what you understand and what you struggle with. Ha bitual discussion even carries you beyond present school ing. Make use of partners, friends, and knowledgeable persons in interactive ses sions to improve specific knowledge and understand ing. Your interpersonal skills, which include communication
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Try these sentences to see how well you understand the guidance above concerning the proper uses of the ‘which’ clause and the ‘that’ clause.
CarefullyIMPROVINGEdmondson.READINGreadthepassage and then answer all questions. From the mountains called Kenya (which has giv en the name to all the land) to the mountain called Ngong, and beyond it, is Kikuyu land. It is a land of immense folds and rolling parks; of water and forest and game; of impenetrable thickets and hinged valleys so vast you could lose the world’s sins in them.The wind is hot and dry when it enters the continent at Mombasa; but it cools when it reaches the highlands, and they say it is like summer in Kent. There are buffalos and lions and rhinos and leopards and antelopes in the forests; great herds of eland and ze bra, of wildebeest and giraffe roam the open parks.
In March, or sometimes in April, the long rains come, impregnating the earth with frightening fecundity, and the ancient wounds spread their lips again and new shoots spring from them.
HOWEVER entrancing it is to wander unchecked through a garden of brightimages, are we not enticing your mindfrom another subject of almost equalimportance?
STUDY SUCCESS
2. Harry Smith found a folded handkerchief in the food cupboard that was fifteen years old.
Somethingus.]to Do
1. Mr. Samuel’s mother found a ring that her son had lost under a table.
It is a rich land: rich in hu mus and equally rich in hate, for all men crave it. Know, therefore, it is a land of feud: for the white challenger wants to conquer it, and the black man to keep it.
But none of the white men and few of the black understand it, or cope with it. Nor do any of the noble beasts, the lion or the rhino or the bull buffalo. Only the leopard understands it, for he avoids the strong and eats the wounded and the weak.
way – the way you intended. Let us go on with clauses not placed correctly in the sentence.First: ‘Which’ clauses
There is nothing wrong with using ‘which’ clauses provided they are explicit in meaning. A ‘which’ clause is not essential to a sentence, and therefore is always set off by commas. When you use it to refer to an entire thought or when incorrectly placed, ‘which’ clauses can confuse both the oral and written messages.Weneglected to activate the alarm buzzer, which really annoyed our mother.
(V.S. Reid’s “The Leop ard”)
ERNEST BRAMAH (1868-1942)
3. We looked at the sheep farms travelling by the 8:00 train.4. Father Michael fin ished preparing his speech on church attendance while on the train to
‘That’ clauses are essen tial to the sentence because they are needed for identifi cation. They are never set off by commas.Thewood that had been stored in a metal container burned brightly in the new stove.Using ‘that’ instead of ‘which’ means that only the wood that had been stored in a metal container burned – no
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and teamwork get improved. Problem-solving and func tional skills also get sharp ened. Whatever habits you gainfully employ now will improve employment chances and give access to higher edu cation later. Be circumspect.
Kai Lung’s Golden Hours, Story of Hien
Love IMPROVINGyou. WRITING Tightening your sentence skills with explicitness (con tinued)Reminder: Explicitness is the ability to put down on paper a message that the read er can interpret in only one
The meaning here is not entirely clear. Read it again and see. Was it the buzzer itself that annoyed our moth er, or was it the fact that we had neglected to activate the alarm buzzer? See that in this case the ‘which’ clause refers to the entire idea of We ne glected to activate the alarm buzzer, one of the following revisions should have been used to make the meaning explicit.Our mother was really annoyed by our failure to ac tivate the alarm buzzer.
We neglected to activate the alarm buzzer that our motherOnlyhated.the untrained or the careless writer is guilty of the ‘which-clause’ error. Continue to try avoiding the conveyance of grotesque meanings when you use a ‘which’ clause in your sen tence,Thestudents.woodhas been stored in a metal container, which burned brightly in the new stove.A metal container, which burned brightly in the stove sounds very silly, as you can see. The following revision makes clear that the wood burned brightly and that it had been stored in a metal container.Thewood, which had been stored in a metal con tainer, burned brightly in the newThestove.‘which’ clause simply provides an extra bit of infor mation about where the wood had been Second:kept.‘That’ clauses
Dear WelcomeStudent,dear friend.
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Recognition of emotional displays on the lower face appears to be processed by the brain’s left hemisphere as part of the social- or learned-emotional system. In contrast, emotional displays on the upper face appear to be processed in the brain’s right hemisphere as part of the primary or inborn emotional system. These findings help us to gain a better understanding of the neurological basis for effective communication, which will increase a physician’s ability to assess how diseases, such as stroke and dementia, alter thesePeoplefunctions.may naturally focus on the lower face to aid in speech comprehension during a conversation, especially in noisy environments. Social conventions may also play a role as many cultures consider it unacceptable to look someone directly in the eyes-the “evil eye” belief. This may be in terpreted as aggressive or threatening behaviour, similar to those observed in some animal species.
Perhaps the adage ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’ may be correct because humans learn in early childhood to manipulate facial emotions to make them appropriate to a given social situation which, in time, allows them to engage in deceitful behaviour. For example, a person who is angry with his/her superior may display a social smile rather than an angry scowl when asking for a raise.
There is a natural curve starting in early childhood for acquiring the skills to read facial displays of emotion. We certainly can train ourselves to pay more attention to upper facial displays, which help us read a person’s true emotional state. For example, judges can learn to tell if a person may be guilty of a crime by reading the facial expression of that person when the accuser first confronts him or her in court. However, this ability can have a downside because of social conventions.
Signs in the face
WHEN listening to or looking at each other, most peo ple focus on the lower part of the face. However, if the person’s true feelings are “leaked” to the observer, they are more likely to appear on the upper face and could easily be missed. Studies have also shown that the lower portion of the face (nose, lips and cheeks) is more active than the upper face (eyes, brows, and forehead) when individuals engage in deceitful intentions.
visual field and most often identified the lower face emotion, regardless of the visual field. When subjects were instructed to focus on the upper face, they did so best when pictures were shown to their left visual field (processed by the right side of the brain). However, most continued to identify the lower facial emotion when showing viewing in their right visual field (processed by the brain’s left side).
To better understand the brain’s recognition and pro cessing of facial manifestations of emotion, the researchers briefly showed 30 people line drawings of a human face displaying different emotions on the upper versus the lower face, including happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and neutral. Participants viewed the drawings in either or left
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