Sunday, September 03, 2023
Julian ‘Mighty Pakuri’ Kattow is a resident of St Cuthbert’s Mission and a self-taught musician. He is the writer and singer of many songs linke‘The Matapee’, ‘Shifoda’ and ‘10 regions’ which speak to the way of life and culture of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples (Samuel Maughn photo)
HER products look and smell so good that you can almost eat them. But they are not edible; they are expertly designed, dessert-scented candles made from scratch, and they are a local product made by Rayann Darrell, the small business owner of Shea Blossom.
Darrell is a full-time schoolteacher who embarked on a journey to start her own small business after she was encouraged to do so by her sister who lives overseas.
The 42-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that her sib-
ling sent her a photograph of a candle, and told her she is confident that she can make it, but did not take it seriously at first.
However, two weeks later, her sister reminded her about
the photo she had sent, and it was then that Darrell started her research. Two years ago, she launched her small business of
making scented dessert candles.
The small business owner reported that she was assisting her husband, who had just established his own small business at the time.
“I felt bad because I did not want to disappoint my sister, knowing she put effort in getting that picture of that candle to me, and I wanted to make her proud of me and what I can achieve,” she said.
Darrell related that she researched where and how to source her products before she even started making scented candles.
She uses natural cotton hemp wick, soy wax, and fragrance oils from abroad, and says shipping, handling, taxes and duties have been dreadful as a small-time entrepreneur.
Darrell stated that after she was fully familiar with the products she needed to make candles, she began. But after many fails, late nights and burnt hands, she finally managed to make one perfect candle.
That motivated her to continue, and it has been rewarding so far, because she has the support of her spouse and sister.
Darrell isn’t new to arts and crafts, since she has a diploma, and the Permanent Secretary’s Award from the Burrowes School of Arts to prove it, and gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with credit from the University of Guyana.
She first started out making bonnets with wrap-around sash and fabric necklaces, but after other people began making them, the market was flooded, and she needed a new venture to challenge her.
“As a child, I never grew tired of drawing on the walls
SEE PAGE III
“HAPPY wildlife, happy life” is the motto of Qswin Davids and his organisation. The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) project was launched in Guyana in 2018 and is a champion for environmental conservation and a beacon for a brighter future for the wildlife of the Rupununi.
The programme is a collaborative effort amongst various organisations, aiming to reach the furthest and most environmentally rich corners of the world. The SWM in Guyana works primarily in the Rupununi region and with its people.
Apart from Oswin as the coordinator, the SWM currently has approximately 250 persons on board, most of whom are part-time. Oswin and his group, however, are a part of 20 persons who are on board and fully committed to the SWM.
Founded on transparency and trust.
The SWM today has done more and has had more success than the team ever thought possible. But to launch a programme like this, in a place like the Rupununi was no simple task. And it required a lot of consulting, planning and partnerships. In November of 2018, it was launched in Manari Ranch in Region 9.
Although he was not a part of the organisation from its inception, Oswin explained how SWM was formed, saying, “We meet with all the local partners that we will be working with. There, we had to present what the SWM will look like in five years.” And after their proposal was accepted, the SWM embarked on what is arguably one of the most important aspects of their work: building relationships.
Working with the communities and people of the Rupununi presents various challenges. Oswin explained the programme’s first task of visiting the Rupununi villages, saying, “The first thing the project deals with is visiting communities to present what the programme is all about, and to have agreements with community leaders.”
The SWM has fought to develop a relationship unlike any other within the communities they work with. They have managed to do this by holding true to their founding principles: respect and transparency. As Oswin stated, “Once you visit the communities, we have to get their permission before we do any activities as it relates to wildlife conservation. So, we started visiting communities in the region and Region 9 is made up of 57 communities. The idea is to visit all 57 to present the idea.”
The terrain, weather and human resources are just a few of
the factors that affect the SWM’s ability to reach the areas they have in mind. And although they have not had the opportunity
Oswin had a simple upbringing where he fell in love with animals.
As he said, “I grew up very simple, very humble. I recall when I was very young my grandmother used to take me to ranches, where she worked at a ranch. I grew up loving animals.” He remembers seeing animals in the savannah like jaguars and deer and such experience he believes helped his love for wildlife bloom.
Language could be the first barrier or the initial bridge formed in a relationship. In Oswin and the SWM’s case, their aim is to have it be the first step in having a good relationship. “ I speak my local language, which is Wapishiana. That is a must if you are willing to work with conservation bodies or agencies together with the American communities. You have to be a bilingual person; you have to speak their language.” Oswin stated.
He then emphasised the importance of Culture and tradition in the people aspect of Wildlife conservation, saying, “Culture is very critical as well; you need to speak their language. Because when you do a presentation, nobody wants to hear it in English. I hate English as well. I prefer to speak in my local language. And of course, we live very close to Brazil so you have to speak Portuguese.”
to reach all 57 villages in their first phase, they have managed to reach a staggering 55 Rupununi riverine areas. Moving into their plan’s second phase, the SWM has done more than anyone would have thought imaginable, from saving animals to replanting trees. The SWM is slated to have continued success and a strong relationship with the people of the Rupununi. Having been born and raised in the Rupununi himself, the work the SWM is doing holds a special place in his heart. Oswin was born in one of the Rupununi 5 sub-districts called the deep south Rupununi, located at the furthest edge of Guyana. He grew up in Marurama village in an area he described as where the savannah ends and the rainforest begins.
Despite its major accomplishments, the SWM has had its fair share of challenges, issues and temporary roadblocks. “The terrain and weather patterns as well. But the location between places is so distant. And most often it is the funding as well,” he explained. The SWM has turned this into another way to develop themselves and others. And has begun teaching other organisations how to obtain funding from international bodies.
The team’s biggest successes to date by far simply has to be the amount of people it has managed to reach and the number of relationships it managed to form. In the few short years it has existed, the SWM team has made strides that have not only helped but also encouraged many others to join the environmental fight. From teaching children the importance of trees, to planting hundreds themselves, the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme will continue to represent Guyana’s Rupununi.
FROM PAGE II
of our house with pens, pencils and crayons, no matter what, and I always had it in me to do things,” she reasoned.
Darrell told the Pepperpot Magazine that since she established her own small business, the response has been good, and it feels nice knowing people want to have your product at their events to give as tokens,” she said.
Shea Blossom will be participating in a Pop-Up Show at the Courtyard Mall, on Robb Street, Georgetown in September, and in the Trendy Things Show at the same location, but on September 16, 2023.
Darrell’s small business has also been a part of several mini-exhibitions, and she hopes to participate in many more such events to promote her small business, and introduce people to her scented dessert candles.
Between being a full-time teacher at the American School, being a wife, mother and a partner to her spouse in his own small business, it is quite time-consuming, but she is up for the challenge, and has come to realise that nothing comes without hard work and dedication.
Darrell has been a teacher in the public school system for
14 years, and has been employed as a teacher at the American School for nine years.
She has a line of therapeutic fragranced candles that come in peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and chamomile, and will be launching her Christmas special of Gingerbread Man soon.
Darrell said that all the candles are her own creations from scratch. Since candle-making is a process, she would make 100 per batch, but it is rather time-consuming.
But it’s well worth the effort, because she gets to invent newer ideas, such as using strawberries, chocolate bars, chocolate drops, gummy bears and macarons all made from soy wax.
Mostly, Darrell would make dessert-scented candles based on orders, but her products are on the shelves at Feme, in Kitty, and Hercules Mall at Rosignol, Berbice.
She also caters for events such as weddings, baby showers, birthdays and brunches, where her candles are given out as tokens.
Darrell disclosed that her most sought-after dessert-scented candle are the ones made from marshmallow, peppermint, and bubblegum fragrance oils.
As a mother, she reported that she is pleased with how her business is taking off, and the support she is getting from our people.
“It feels unreal for me that I could create something like this; and people love it. Their responses are special when they
meet me and see my products, and I often get a lot of compliments and encouragement, which instantly boosts my courage to stay in business,” she said.
Darrell showcases her products via social media, and likes to keep it fresh with her new and inventive ideas in candle form.
She explained that with MMG, there is no need for faceto-face transactions, and pick-up of orders are done at Feme in Kitty, and it works out well for her.
“My biggest cheerleader is my husband and sister, and I am grateful for their support and constant encouragement,” she said.
WHEN Amanda Brown was heavily pregnant and ordered bed-rest, she could no longer work as a seamstress and was left with nothing to do to earn.
Then, one day she was scrolling through Pinterest and saw some crotchet pieces that caught her attention and asked herself if she could do it.
It piqued her interest, and it caused her to do some YouTube searching on crotchet and she was amazed by the things yarn could make, all hand-made, skillfully crafted and before you know it, she was hooked.
It happened last April. Brown, 26, had a child, was pregnant with her second
start of a new small business venture for Brown, who was very eager to learn and expand her skills from sewing to crotchet.
Brown told the Pepperpot Magazine that she acquired a mannequin and began her crotchet journey, and her very first piece was a skirt, as a sample and it turned out well.
It motivated her to keep on trying to master the art of crotchet and she became better with time and began taking orders online.
“After the birth of my baby, it was challenging for me with time management because having two children was a job by itself, but I would do my orders at night so not to take away time from my home and children,” she reasoned.
private sector and she put everything she had into crotchet and became successful in her growing small business.
Brown disclosed that crotchet is an acquired skill that takes time to master, and it takes two to three hours to make a bralette by hand.
“If you love what you do for a living, it is not about time but the product you put out there,” she said.
The small business owner stated that customers used to visit her place of abode, but she was not comfortable and needed her privacy, so she created an online system where measurements are taken and sent to her and also a downpayment is transferred via MMG.
Brown noted that with
child, and wanted to earn.
She was determined to become self-taught, while on bed rest she had the time to watch some videos via You Tube and she began practicing after buying some yarn.
“It was a difficult pregnancy for me. I could no longer sew to earn and I was placed on bed-rest so I wanted to do something with my time until the delivery of my baby and became self-taught at crotchet,” she said.
Unknowingly, it was the
Brown reported that her firstborn is seven years old and her other child is just over one year old and she has come a long way in terms of time-management, maintaining a good product, and being consistent and reliable.
She told the Pepperpot Magazine that her crotchet small business was officially established in September last year and all started from her home.
As a city girl, Brown did not like the idea of being employed in both the public or
her pick-up location at a coop location in Kitty, her small business is growing and this is the peak season (summer) when there are activities such as Jamzone. The swimwear is a hit among the young people and also the middle-aged folk.
Brown explained that her pick-up location is temporary since she has to pay for the space, which is basically a shelf that needs constant re-stocking. So a permanent location (store) to display and sell all her products is neces-
sary and convenient.
She specialises in swimwear, hats, clothing, bags and water bottle holders and can hand-make any piece of clothing based on orders.
“Crotchet has given me time to work from home is a blessing because it gives me more time to spend with my children and take care of my home,” she said.
Brown added that she has a handle of things and she would take orders she can finish during the peak season like now, August is a busy
at the Pegasus Business Centre on August 27.
Brown added that she would like to make a name for herself in the crotchet industry and as a crotchet designer.
Giving a reflection, she reported that from when she first started to now, she cannot believe how things have evolved for her and crotchet has helped her mentally because she has a great feeling of empowerment and she can fully express herself via her work.
Brown said she has a lot of support and she hopes her visions can become realities and she remains focused on putting out a good product.
“Reliability, excellent product are features for good customer experience and ser-
time and she has had requests from some male customers but mostly women order crotchet pieces.
She told the Pepperpot Magazine that crotchet has given her a chance to be creative and to express herself through her work since she has a lot of ideas and would one day like to have her own store and host a crotchet fashion show.
Brown stated that she also wants to participate in expos. This year, she had a booth at the “Manifesting Relationships You Want” Conference
vice and I maintain my customer base with ease since I deliver on time, every time,” she said.
Brown explained that her brand, Polishstitch is the name she gave her small business because it signifies neatness and cleanliness and that is what her work is about: a good product, which clearly speaks for itself.
She added that in the near future she would like to offer crotchet classes, an excellent life skill to earn from your own small business.
WHEN one thinks of music and a musical family, the Sobers family certainly rings a bell.
Pepperpot Magazine sat down with the Sobers to talk about their lives as musicians and their deep desire to see
Jeremy recalled, him being intrigued by the musicians and the way they played their instruments.“How do these guys do this?” was the magical question and would be for any childJeremy’s age.
Growing up as brothers, and sharing a brotherly chemistry, if you see your brother do something, you want to follow the same line.
“We are literally like two peass in a pod, so when he started playing guitar, from being inspired by the American Idol show, I just followed right after and we did a couple of courses, and we just learned the song and you know what, let us try to make this something,“ Jeremy shared.
The pair had different career paths that they wanted to take prior to becoming musicians. Christian was going to be a doctor, while Jeremy was going to become a lawyer.
“I was at one point at the University of Guyana, I just kept leaving class to go and do musicand because of my consistency, I have explored a number of avenues, just because I stuck to my goal,” Jeremy said.
Christian related how he found his niche in music when he was in the sixth form at Queen’s College, where he was fondly known as the “guitar guy”.
launched his teaching career in music and began teaching the piano and other musical instruments at a small fee.
Christian recalled telling his parents that he was more interested in teaching music than anything else and pursued
music and musicians in Guyana accelerate to another level.
“I am a second-generation musician,” Christian Sobers explained. “My dad has been a singer/musician and worked with bands, worship leaders, and groups. I found later on in life was in the Guyana Star competition with Charmaine Blackman back in the day and Sean Bhola, so, both my brother and I were born into this. My most vivid memory of shows was when Ron Kenoly came to Guyana. I remembered him being backstage and shaking my dad’s hand.”
Christian related that he must have been about 10 years old when both he and his brother and their dad were part of the musical accompaniment for one of America’s legendary gospel singers and songwriters, Ron Kenoly, who was part of a group called Integrity Music, one of the leading Worship groups at that time in the USA.
Some may have made it traditional, playing gospel music in the morning. The older of the Sobers brothers said that he remembered waking up in the mornings and hearing gospel music in the house while his mother was cleaning.
“The cool thing is yes, there will be gospel music playing, but we heard our dad singing it, and that will be a rehearsal. I recall him ironing and singing a worship song or one of his original songs,” Christian said.
Christian can recall when his dad (Pastor, Sean Sobers) wrotethe song “Healing our Land “, sitting on the bed, and he is ironing in front of him, singing the melody.
However Christian did not gravitate to music until he became a teenager.
After looking at the popular show “American Idol “, he became inspired to pick up a musical instrument at 14, saying to himself, “I can do this.”
The younger of the Sobers brothers, Jeremy, got his inspiration from watching a Michael Jackson video that his dad brought home from the United States of America, having travelled there.
He also recalled that he started teaching music when he left Queens College while at the same time pursuing his academic career and finishing his tenure by completing his CAPE examination.
After being certified by the National School of Music, he
it with great passion and excitement and soon rose to play for several bands in the country.
Christian noted that because of what he had to endure, musical chemistry and language have developed between them.
“ Whenever we play in the band room, sometimes we don’t have to say anything, folks would be like ‘oh these Sobers’, “ Christian said.
‘PAKURI’ has been spelt several ways and translated in many forms over the years. But the word’s meaning has never changed, nor was its significance ever lost to the people of St. Cuthbert’s Mission. The word Pakuri, sometimes Pacuri or Pacourie, is the name of a tree; and its fruit was once vital to the survival of
in its ability to be authentic in preserving its culture while seeing advancements and developments just like any other community in Guyana.
One of the striking characteristics of St. Cuthbert’s Mission is the beauty and diversity of the community. The village is the only Amerindian settlement located in the Mahaica River and is
es. But before the concrete houses and being as well as it was today, St Cuthbert’s Mission was home to just a few families.
Today, the village’s population has grown from a few Arawak families, but many of their cultural practices remain the same. Most of the culture preserved and still practised are those of
ways and traditions, there are some things today in the village that she has never seen before. Charlotte explained that homes, population and very people have changed over the years. “There were only a few houses. But then you started to see different houses and different people.”
St Cuthbert’s Mission is a village made up of
where the village’s benab is housed. Charlotte explained how there were just a few benabs, like the one that remains today. But over time, more people came into the village, many of whom stayed.
Charlotte, even today, still practises the craft work of many of those first people, as she stated, “If you watch around, you would see the Ite tree. That is the palm tree that grows tall and it is from that we get the straw. They cut if for me and we take out the white straw. And when that’s finished, we boil it and wash it and put it in the sun to dry,” she explained.
The tibisiri is dyed and meticulously hand woven to make the captivating craft pieces. As she spoke of her past experience of craft works, it seems as though Charlotte is creatively inclined as she learnt how to spin cotton and straw and has tried her hand at many other areas of craft.
history and craft was learnt by watching and listening to adults when she could. “In those times parents didn’t tell you some things. We didn’t know different things. But now children know a lot more,” she said.
On the topic of preservation of culture, Charlotte firmly believes that her people’s culture needs greater effort for preservation. As an elder in the community, Charlotte thinks it is the younger people’s responsibility to keep their heritage alive.
But the opinion varies greatly from person to person, especially those of the younger generation. Some of them believe that their sense of culture is strong, while others believe that more could be done to get closer to their cultural roots.
many indigenous people. It was so important, in fact, that there are villages and people named after it. St. Cuthbert’s mission itself is referred to as Pakuri by most of its villagers.
The village of St Cuthbert’s Mission is a wellknown community. Its popularity is perhaps owed to the welcoming nature of its people, its immense cultural presence or the fact that as a village, they have managed to retain their heritage. St. Cuthbert’s mission is unique
considered by many to be the cultural capital of Region 4. The village has and proudly holds the title of one of Guyana’s most popular villages.
Today, St Cuthbert’s is home to around 2,000 people spread out among the village’s different areas. St Cuthbert’s is divided into the North, South East, West and the community’s waterfront area. The community has a wide variety of homes, health centres, and several small business-
a creative nature. One such thing that is still practised is the weaving of the tibisiri straw.
The Ite palm leaves are harvested, stripped, and woven all by hand. Charlotte Oselma is one of the few people who still practise making things like the tibisiri mats and placements. She is 87 years old and has lived at her St Cuthbert’s home all her life.
She believes that as much as St Cuthbert’s has tried to maintain its old feel,
many different areas that all branch off and return to the community’s centre,
Charlotte explained that perhaps one of the reasons why a lot of history is lost is due to the relationship between adults and children. The little that Charlotte knows about her village’s
Charlotte’s childhood took place in an entirely different time. As she remembers it, there were very few houses, very few people and plenty of moving from place to place. She explains that although they had very little of most things, they had plenty of culture.
ANYONE entering the village of St Cuthbert’s Mission for the next few weeks will experience the hustle, bustle and hard work of preparing for this year’s heritage month. The village of St Cuthbert’s has long been known for its heritage celebrations. But like the people, the village is now working to make the best heritage celebration even better.
Heritage Month in St Cuthbert’s Mission really is an entire month’s worth of celebration and observance. But the main event, as per tradition, takes place on the last Saturday in September. Although the residents will have many of the same shows, dances and music, they plan to give everything a twist.
The Heritage Month celebration goes far beyond the usual run-of-the-mill events. St Cuthbert’s Mission as a village has culture embedded in its very people. This year is shaping up to be
village’s own Julin Kattow, also known as the Mighty Pakuri, to dances by the village’s young people. The Mission’s heritage this year is bound to be an explosive one.
Sunita Mohabir-Causway is a teacher in St Cuthbert’s Mission. She was born there and grew up on the East Coast. She returned over 18 years ago to live in her village and has been actively helping her community ever since.
When asked what is different about this year, she stated that they are hoping to have this year be unforgettable, as she said, “This year we have a heritage committee and we have pledged to make this year’s heritage bigger and better. And make it one that will remain with persons for the rest of their lives. We are working towards achieving that at the moment.”
Sunita then went on to say, “We are having the regular stuff that we usually have, but we’re trying to upscale what we are giving
more than a show and a few songs, but a cultural display by a proud group of talented people.
With events from the end of August to the last week in September, the calendar of activities is packed and exciting. The people are not only planning but performing, with songs by the
to the people. We will have a nice heritage programme, which will be a formal programme; and we are also catering for the persons who couldn’t make it during the day. So, if you can’t make it during the day, we have another programme at 7 in the night.”
Sunita said that even this year’s long-awaited and
anticipated ‘wash down’ will have lifeguards and extra safety precautions for the beachgoers on Sunday. This comes as the annual population of people at the Mission’s Heritage Month increases every single year. And with a bigger crowd, the village seeks to create a brighter, more enjoyable, enigmatic atmosphere.
Penelope Dundas is on St Cuthbert’s Mission planning committee this year. She emphasised that, apart from the show and celebrations, the village has much more planned and more to offer.
Idris Defritas is a proud member of the planning committee. She explained just how difficult panning for a celebration of that magnitude had been.
Ameera Hussain has lived in the village she calls beautiful for more than 20 years. Ameera is the secretary in the village’s council and head of the tourism committee, councillor with responsibility for the health sector, and chairperson behind this year’s heritage month.
Perhaps the reason why people feel a sense of uniqueness when in
St Cuthbert’s Mission is because it is. As Ameera explained, St Cuthbert’s Mission stands out. “St Cuthbert’s Mission is the only Amerindian village that can be found in Region 4 that has a title,” she said.
Ameera then went on to explain what will make this year different is the effort put into it. She stated that the activities will be more organised and the celebration would be memorable.
For an occasion as significant as the Heritage Month, the committee is working hard to make the occasion memorable. They ensure that there will be dancing, singing and fun, everything you expect and more. As Ameera stated, “We have a packed programme of activities from the first to the last. But in order for you to experience and to be a part of our celebration you have to be here.”
SONGS like ‘The Matapee’ and ‘Welcome Amerindians’ have become synonymous with Amerindian Heritage Month in Guyana and with indigenous people everywhere. These songs and music in general have always played a significant role in the culture and tradition of indigenous people.
The sounds created by a people are almost as important as the language they use. And people like Julian Kattow, the writer and singer of ‘The Matapee’, are working to ensure the culture of his people lives on through his music.
The significance of music in the Mission.
Julian, or ‘Mighty Pakuri’ as he is called by the villagers of St Cuthbert’s Mission, is a self-taught musician. Today, Julian plays the ukulele and keyboard, but the guitar, he says, was his first love at only 10 years old. As Julina stated, ‘The first time I had the guitar was to get a feel of it and from then on, there was no turning back. I started playing the guitar as though I went to guitar class, but it was just talent, natural raw talent.”
And talent it was indeed, as Julian went on to play many other songs in Guyana and around the world. His talent and unique love for music go far deeper than one would have thought. As Julian explained, all throughout his childhood, music, particularly cultural music, was a part of his people. “I was inspired by the string band players we had. They were very versatile in playing the violin, ukulele, banjo and the maraca.”
Even today as a musician, Julian still tunes and learns music purely by sound. This, Julian says, he learnt from the old musicians of St Cuthbert’s Mission. Although many are no longer around to entertain, their talent and way of music live on in people like Julian. As he stated, “The violinist was a self-taught musician. And we would just tell him the name of the songs and he would be ready to play.”
One of the things that makes St Cuthbert’s Mission as unique is in its ability to hold on to its cultural roots. As a child growing up in St Cuthbert’s Mission, life was easy, happy and simpler. As he stated, even simpler than today, “Growing up in St
Cuthbert’s Mission was a fun time in our village. We used to go to the creek at 5:30 in the morning for our first bath. And walk home with water vapour coming from our skin.”
As our country’s indigenous people, many Amerindians could still speak the language of their foreparents. Speaking of their mother tongue, however, seems to be a dying practice, primarily among the youth of St Cuthbert’s Mission. This is one of the reasons Julian incorporates as much of his native language as possible into his music.
As Julian stated, “Only a few of us are still around and still preserving these languages. Most of my music has been sung in my language, and the messages, we send messages out into our music.” The language that Julian is referring to is that of the Arawak people. And this, perhaps what has made Julian’s music so popular, is words and the meaning they have.
The popular ‘Matapee’ song talks about the importance of cassava. The
song calls for the protection and preservation of this staple food of the Amerindian people. Whereas songs like ‘Shifoda’, talks of Amerindians returning to their roots and true cultural practices. And songs like ‘10 regions’, which tells the world of the many Amerindian tribes found in Guyana.
Julian continues to fight for the importance of the indigenous language to be recognised and emphasised. As he stated, “I have been advocating to get music into schools, especially the languages. I still feel like at some time we could start doing it. Presently, our Amerindian culture has been
dying away. ‘’ Julian went on to share how just a few of the people in St Cuthbert’s Mission today are working to keep the richness of their heritage alive through song.
The Mission’s celebration
This year, as always, the people of St Cuthbert’s Mission have new plans for the upcoming heritage month. As Julian explained, the town celebrated the occasion long before it was known as Heritage Month.
“There were a few of us that started this celebration around 1985. We started this celebration and this was among one of the first Amer-
indian villages who saw that preserving the culture was important.” Julian said. This sentiment is heard throughout the village. Many of the people of St Cuthbert’s Mission seek to grasp their original indigenous culture. Whether it is played by a group of enthusiastic villagers or its sound is heard through the pulse of speakers, music will remain as apart of the Mission. Julian says he believes that music is a part of the people, as he stated, “Without music I don’t know what I would have done. And I love my instruments and my music.”
SECRET words and hidden messages passed among the tribe members. A code shared between people to ensure their safety from outsiders. This is what Leeland Clenkian calls language. The words spoken create and craft a unique sense of self and oneness among people.
Leeland is a former Toshao, a historian with a passion for linguistics and a man who loves his village. Leeland grew up as the oldest grandson in his family. He believes it was because of this that he was able to experience and learn an integral part of his heritage that he is
hold on to certain cultural aspects in the face of adversities.
The tribes faced intervention from a wide variety of people, particularly Europeans. As Leeland explained, “We had a lot of teachers from the coast teaching us English. At the time, one or two teachers would have been guilty of saying you speak too much Arawak and you can’t learn this English properly.”
This idea was reinforced by many of the other people who came in contact with the Amerindians. Although, later in life, Leeland sought to teach himself the language his ancestors were deprived of. After years of learning
to a certain degree you have a better understanding of Arawak. The reason being, there is the sense and the words there to make sentences out of it.” Leeland is a firm believer in the notion that although culture needs to be preserved, being knowledgeable about things outside of your culture, does not in any way ruin what you were taught inside of it.
Two bows on the string.
Leeland explained that the language of his people is in no way difficult to learn. Not because he has known it his entire life but because they are fewer words. And many of them are understood purely by the context of the conversation.
and subsistence farming, the language became a bit stagnant. There were no words being fashioned or creating new sentences.”
This fact, coupled with the knowledge he gained about other tribes in the world, inspired Leeland. “I began to read a lot of historical things. When I became a soldier, I read about world things in world war ll. The Navajos how they were used as signallers to help encode certain things.”
The sense of strength in secrecy finally pushed Leeland to begin actively learning the language he admittedly took for granted growing up. As Leeland expressed, “That kind of inspired me to get my own language. When you have another language up your sleeve, you have two bows on the string.”
Although they complement each other, the two languages are drastically different as Leeland explained. “One of the main differences is that our verb is understood. There is no word that we can
call ‘is’ or ‘are’ or ‘were’. That part is strictly understood.” He goes on to say that in Arawak, there are words that mean almost the same as its English translation.
According to Leeland, words like ‘Moroco’ and ‘Bakalmando’ translate directly to ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’ respectively. But the Arawak term for good day in English translates literally to “We have the sun’. The Arawak language is heavily based on context but, once understood alongside English, could be taught and learnt as simply as any other subject in schools.
Because of where and how he was brought up, Leeland always had the urge and passion to preserve certain
pieces of information. Leeland and his father before him have chronicled the history of St Cuthbert’s Mission. Leeland today has a hand written outline of the major events and people that have crafted the village.
The mission started out as a small settlement of a few people, and then a couple families and it eventually bloomed into the place it is known as today. The names of various families have lived on, like the Shuman, the Clenkians, the Dundas and many others. With time and its intervention everything, many things in the mission have changed, everything except the people.
now trying to teach others.
English and Arawak
One of the unique traits of our country’s Amerindian people is the amount of time they have graced the land of Guyana; that is what makes them indigenous. But it has also made it a hard task to
English as a teacher and Arawak as an Amerindian,Leeland believes that the two can go side by side and hand in hand.
As Leeland stated, “The more you know, the better you’ll know your language. If you learn English well or
On the matter of the development of the Arawak tongue, Leeland stated that perhaps the language was left as simple as it was because it suited the way of life back then. As he stated, “Because of our simple life of gathering, fishing, hunting
THE efforts to work and plan, to sacrifice and contrive under the yoke of slavery, witnessing death through the parallel experiences of physical occurrences and the mental fatigue of hopelessness , could not have been a simple burden to fetch. But, with the dawn of Emancipation, it must have been concluded that the Gods have not forsaken their prayers, many had died in resistance, and some still dwelt in the sur-
ticeship’ a continued four years of servitude, to end in 1838. To resist the planter’s resentment of paying wages, this was symbolically protested against by the former slave Damon of La Belle Alliance, who raised a symbolic flag for true abolition, for this he was hung publically to the front of the Public Buildings. It was the idea of John Gladstone, owner of plantations and member of the British Parliament. To replenish the
G. Rose – Themes of African Guyanese History.
The villages were subject to paying taxes to the administrative authorities, who were the Plantocracy; towards drainage works etc. This taxation was not subject to the Plantocracy, who were exempted from taxes. However, taxes, were directed mainly to undermine the independence of the villages. Rather than address the crucial drainage demands of the villages, the Plantocracy who
was prepared with an objective on the state of Indian indentureship, however, the writer reflected holistically, into the late 19th century. By Mukesh Kumar of the Indian History Congress.
On the tainted legacy, of the Plantocracy.
“On the whole, in the 1920’s, despite their many shortcomings, the estates did infinitely more to protect the health of their Indian labourers than the colonial authorities did for the villagers. The miserly, often inadequate contribution of the former looks good against the ‘puny efforts ‘ of the government, ‘a standing reproach to any
community. The villagers had to pay a fee at Government hospitals; the sick had to travel long distances over impassible roads. In addition, as the Surgeon General reported in 1922 and 23, sanitation in the villages were ‘backward’ the residents reduced to an aquatic existence during the heavy rains, because of a lack of drainage.
The conflict to curtail the rise of the African subjects of the colonies and of Africa itself are significant, beyond being mere Colonial bourgeoisie succeeded to some levels, the colonial system was unapologetically racist. A propaganda
campaign of narratives, visuals and social creeds beginning with product artwork of advertisements, to children books and religious illustrated books, with a rewritten pseudo-academic history of human existence began to grow stems in the minds, creating a subliminal layer of inferiority complexes. That would create self- blame in the face of external oppression, but this did not work with the totality expected, over the past century-plus. The process of self-redemption is a tremendous task, but many have paved the way to make it easier and concise.
rounding forest lands. Thus, they had kept hope alive and planned. Resisting the pains of the culture that enveloped them, fighting back in diverse ways, subtle and at times facing the fatal results of uprisings and skillful sabotage. Then, upon the passing of Emancipation, as they revealed their secret savings and collectively bought failed plantation after plantation, they could not have immediately conceptualized that they were now at ‘Total-War’ with the Plantocracy who more or less controlled the colonial administration.
With the passing of abolition 1834 an illegal subvention of labour was imposed on the shoulders of the former enslaved, that of ‘Appren-
plantation workforce through Indentured –workers, to this he turned to India, another British colony. The colonial administration, which the planters controlled, agreed. “ Between 1842 and 1848, the mechanics of a less restrictive scheme were worked out and some 24,848 (Indentured) immigrants were introduced between 1846 and 1848 alone. It is important to note that, by this time, public funds amounting to £ 232,100 had been spent on (Indentureship) immigration , for the years 1846-1848 alone, and all of this was raised by taxation, and the manner in which the revenue was being spent, produced fertile growing discord between the African and planter communities. James
held the political authority represented their overseas interest, in collusion with successive governors, undermined the villages by using their tax payments to finance Indentureship. Thus, required drainage works were ignored, resulting in the flooding of the villages, the loss of livestock, farms, malaria and dysentery took a toll on infant mortality, thus, as intended, beginning the process of political disempowerment of the villages. The villages were subject to impositions of Taxes while been deprived of the means to earn. Many proceeded to Georgetown and the mining areas to survive. This process resulted in the massive 1905 riots in Georgetown.
This following excerpt
FOR the last few weeks, this column was focused on the importance of personal development, superior customer service and Etiquette for Tomorrow’s Leaders. I have engaged in many conversations on chief executive officers (CEOs) and entrepreneurs who are hiring. One thing that stands out in many cases is that Emotional Intelligence is playing a major role and more so in recent years. I was reading a very interesting article in Forbes online by Dr Tracy Brower, on how vital are interpersonal skills .. I decided to share it because I believe many can benefit from the content.
“The good news is that companies are hiring, but there is still significant competition for the best jobs. Of course, there is plenty of advice about what can set you apart and help you get the most in-demand roles—but at the top of the list are interpersonal skills. They are what employers want, and what can propel you ahead of other applicants.
What are interpersonal skills? They are essentially your ability and competence in building relationships with the people around you—relationships which are effective, constructive and rewarding.
And you won’t want to take interpersonal skills for granted. You need to be intentional about building them, but also in in highlighting those which are most important to employers and making the case for your strong interpersonal abilities..
Start with Self Awareness
Interpersonal skills always start with self-awareness. You need to understand yourself in order to relate well with others—what’s important to you, what you
may struggle with, your hot buttons, how you react to situations and how you respond to others.
In one poll 77% of managers said EQ (Emotional Quotient , otherwise known as Emotional Intelligence), was very important and they’ve used it increasingly in the last two years. In addition, 81% said their leadership is paying attention
analysis by Adzuna. It makes sense since communication is the lifeblood of strong relationships.
Think of these as communication skills as both sending and receiving information. Sending information includes expressing your point of view and sharing information clearly. Receiving information includes skills in paying attention to others, asking questions, listening and being open.
according to the Capterra poll.
Talk with hiring leaders about your ability to work with the team, perceive what the team needs to move forward, add your unique capabilities, follow through and help ensure all team members are valued and brought in effectively to achieve results.
All of these will get employers’ attention and appreciation for your interpersonal skills.
5. Lead and Influence Others
Employers are also looking for your ability to lead and influence others effectively—and these are part of interpersonal skills as you create relationships where you can engage, motivate
express irritating levels of enthusiasm, but companies want to hire people who are committed and dynamic.
to EQ and evaluating it in performance reviews. This is according to a poll by Capterra. The bottom line: It’s wise to develop your EQ for getting the job, and also maintaining it through great performance.
When you’re being considered for a new job, give examples of how your self-awareness has guided you in relationships. Perhaps you were aware of your strong opinions on a topic, but you noticed someone else was sensitive about it and you intentionally asked more questions and avoided coming on too strong with your perspectives. Or maybe you were aware of your own limitations on a work problem, and you were able to ask for help from team members and rely on their support in a key area.
Another hallmark of interpersonal skills is the ability to communicate effectively. Employers seek communication skills in 28% of jobs, according to data
Communication skills also encompass both verbal and nonverbal channels of communication—and the feedback processes which help you continually adjust how you’re behaving so you can build the best relationships. Tell stories about how you effectively shared key information or expertise to contribute to a deliverable—or how you listened to a colleague so you could tap into their novel ideas as part of an innovative process. And of course, demonstrate your openness and ability to articulate your ideas during interviews.
3. Collaborate Constructively
It’s no surprise that interpersonal skills also encompass collaborating and working effectively within a team. Few elements of work don’t include a collaborative component somewhere along the way—so employers want to know you have the ability to manage relationships effectively in a collegial environment.
Skills in teamwork are required in 8% of jobs and they, along with skills in collaborating and coaching, are in the top 20 competencies sought by hiring managers, according to the Adzuna data. In addition, 74% of leaders say cooperation is one of the top two power skills necessary for success,
Closely related to teamwork is the ability to manage conflict and solve problems. Challenges and disagreements are a natural part of working with others, so the ability to deal with difficult situations is what employers are looking for. In fact, 74% of managers say conflict resolution is one of the most important power skills to develop, according to the Capterra data.
Working through challenges also requires flexibility—something required for a whopping 35% of jobs, according to Adzuna data.
When you’re speaking with potential employers, give examples of how you’ve worked through challenges or difficult conversations; and be specific about how you’ve demonstrated flexibility to solve problems, innovate and work effectively with team members, especially in cases where you may have had conflicting approaches.
Tell the story of how you and a colleague came from opposite viewpoints, but were able to work through differences and achieve a breakthrough on a project. Or talk about the time you had an opposing value from a coworker, but were able to put aside your differences to achieve positive results for the customer. Give examples about how you were able to adjust your approach in the face of new information or shifting market conditions.
and persuade others.
Skills in management are the most in-demand of all skills, with 36% of jobs requiring them—and 12% of jobs specifying leadership skills, according to Adzuna. In fact, management skills were the top priority for the areas of accounting and finance, energy, engineering, HR, IT, legal, PR and scientific industries, based on Adzuna data.
Be sure to give potential employers examples of your interpersonal prowess in leading and influencing others. Talk about the time you stepped forward to help your team get un-stuck when they faced a customer complaint or the time you were promoted based on your positive influence on the team and your ability to inspire colleagues through a challenge.
6. Express Your Energy Organizations also hire for attitude and energy. You don’t have to be positive all the time, nor do you have to
In fact, 13% of jobs specified they wanted people who were friendly, 11% wanted people who were confident, 7% wanted enthusiasm and 5% wanted motivation—and all of these were in the top 20 of traits hiring managers want, according to Adzuna. Life is tough and work can be stressful—so bringing a great approach and attitude will set you apart. You can give examples of times you were recognized for your enthusiasm, and you can be sure to show your positive approach in interviews as well.
7.Create Your Future
The time is now to find a great role, and skills in creating, building and sustaining great relationships—interpersonal skills—will make you invaluable to hiring managers. Focus on the interpersonal skills which include self-awareness, communication, collaboration, conflict management, leadership and attitude.
In addition, use the dual approach of giving examples of where you’ve excelled with the skills while also demonstrating them through the selection process.
Interestingly, the people who hire you have the most investment in your success—and the relationships you build in the recruiting process are the start of connections that will reward you (and others) for years to come.”
Let’s identify some things that can improve of interpersonal skills as we continue to celebrate this journey called LIFE BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
FROM the time of Emancipation in the 19th century, August was always considered a month of celebration and commemoration of the African past and a time to review present African conditions and chart the way forward. The month begins with celebrating the freeing of the slaves, Emancipation Day, which legally occurred on August 1, 1834, but factually, only on August 1,1838 with the ending of the Apprenticeship System.
The celebration began with sunrise church services and families having a heavy lunch of various African dishes, including metemgee with konkey and cassava and pumpkin pones as dessert. Drink was usually lime swank, ginger beer, sorrel and jamoon wine. In Georgetown and New Amsterdam, fairs were usually held with the ladies wearing colourful African robes, African dancing and drumming, sale and display of various African arts and craft and sale of various foods. Children were particularly prominent at these fairs.
There was also an intellectual element to these celebrations with newspaper articles and television discussions on the African and Afro-Guyanese past and present. The theme of reparations from the colonial powers for their part in slavery now features prominently in all these commemorations.
In 2023, attention was focused on the 200th anniversary of the Demerara Slave Rebellion, which occurred on August 18, 1823 and there were two notable programmes to commemorate this event. Firstly, a Bicentennial cultural festival organised at the newly constructed Lamaha Promenade on the Railway Embankment and secondly, a commemorative event based in the Congregational Church in which the Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and a number of prominent persons participated. The Bicentennial cultural event took place on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, August 19 and was very well attended. The Guyana Defence Force Band, the Kunjaz steel ensemble, the National Dance Company, the National Drama Company, the Yoruba Singers, the Kaieteur Folk Singers, Jackie Jaxx and the Heatwave Band and other well-known performers entertained the audience. Afro-Guyanese Art, craft, and cuisine were on sale and exhibition and Jennie Ealy of the African Heritage Museum had on display a number of books on subjects such as African empowerment. This event is expected to be part of the repertoire of future August commemorations.
The Congregational Church at Beterverwagting, supported by the Guyana Congregational Union, the Guyana Reparations Committee and the Council for World Mission of Zambia, held a large commemorative service. Rev. Dr Roderick Hewitt of Jamaica delivered the sermon and Prime Minister Mark Phillips was the main speaker. He pointed out the importance of the role of the Congregational Church, both before and after Emancipation. After Emancipation, it helped to organise the Village Movement and equipped the freed Africans with the necessary tools and values to build village economies. It built churches in the new villages and provided schools for the education of children. Prime Minister Phillips ended his address with this important injunction: “. . .let us recognise the responsibility we carry to continue this legacy of education, empowerment and community-building.”
Though we expect to carry a full article on the Congregational Church, one could not speak of the 1823 Slave Rebellion without mentioning the involvement of this church. The leaders of the rebellion were all members of this church or were associated with it. Thus, with varying degrees of certainty, the planter community blamed the Congregationalist missionary devoted to missioning the slaves for either helping in organising the rebellion, or at least having foreknowledge of it. The fairly newly arrived Missionary, Rev John Smith, was accused of being complicit in the rebellion and was arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to death. While in prison awaiting a decision on his application to the English Courts for reprieve, he died. His death came as a terrible shock to everyone and he was thereafter known as the Demerara Martyr. His death caused people in the colony and England to seriously weigh the pros and cons of slavery in their minds. In any event, slavery was legally ended in the British Empire within 10 years in 1833.
AUGUST WAS AFRICAN COMMEMORATIVE MONTH NOT ONLY TO REMEMBER THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF THE PAST, BUT TO ALSO CHART THE PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE
HE was her world and his happiness and well-being were the most important things in her life. That evening she took him to the mall for ice cream and met her cousin with her two kids.
“Hey Rachel,” Jennifer greeted her delighted, “I haven’t seen you in a long while.”
“Oh hey, it’s so nice to see you,” Rachel expressed, giving her a hug.
“So where have you been? What have you been doing?” Jennifer asked.
“Work and more work.”
“Girl, you got to take a break sometimes.”
They sat down and chatted casually about home and family after the kids had finished their ice cream and were in the play area. The inevitable question, of course, was how Rachel was coping with life being a single mother.
“I’m doing just fine,” she replied with a little smile, but Jennifer did not miss that flash of pain in her eyes. She squeezed her hand comfortingly.
“You’re strong,” the family knows that, given what you’ve been through and something better may come your way.”
“Thank you.”
They continued chatting a little longer of different things as the kids were still playing and Jennifer suddenly asked, “Did you hear about the basketball star from the US? He was
at your school, right?”
Rachel answered coolly, not giving away that she knew anything about him, “Yeah his visit caused a lot of excitement among the students.”
“I heard he’s really handsome with a stunning, well built body, and girls are going crazy over him.”
be disturbed by his image and she could settle down with her work schedule.
But Nathan kept looking out for him.
“Is he coming back to see us, mommy?”
“Not sure, baby, he’s quite a busy person.”
“Oh,” he went back to his toys but she saw the disappointment on his face and she thought of Bryan.
“He walked into our lives so unexpectedly and has apparently won my son’s heart.”
She couldn’t let him feel down so she asked him, “Would you like to go to the movies? Transformers is showing.”
His face brightened up with a joyous smile then he said, “But what if Bryan comes to see us?”
“He’ll probably come back another day.”
He didn’t seem to like that but he settled for the movie.
thrilled to be riding in Bryan’s luxury ride said, “Cool car.”
Bryan looked at Rachel and asked, “Do you think so too?”
“No,” she answered abruptly, still not pleased with him.
“You know, I’ve never seen you vex about anything, you always had this beautiful smile that brightened my day.”
And there again, was that sincere tone in his voice and the look in his eyes.
It awakened something in her that she had suppressed over the years because of pain.
From the moment they entered the mall, to getting
tickets and snacks, young people were calling out to him, wanting to shake his hand and take out pictures. Rachel and Nathan had to go ahead in the theatre and he joined them just before the movie started.
“Same thing I said,” Rachel voiced as he sat down.
“That’s my life, endless attention, hardly any privacy, but I have to live my life.”
Nathan was a happy little boy with a basketball star next to him, his popcorn and drink and the Transformers movie.
He touched his mother’s hand and said with an affectionate smile, “Thank you.”
“What for?”
He inclined his head
slowly towards Bryan and she smiled, happy that he was happy. Back home, after the movies and after putting Nathan to bed, she said to Bryan, a little apologetically, “I didn’t want you with us but it was fine.”
“I take it he was quite happy tonight.”
“Yeah,” she said, not looking directly at him, afraid he might see something in her eyes she didn’t want him to see.
He knew though, what she was battling with and after a short while, he sighed and got up.
“I guess I have to go.”
SEE PAGE XXIII
“That happens when you’re a star,” Rachel said with a smile.
“But the strange thing is,” Jennifer stated, “He hasn’t been showing real interest in anyone.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s what I’ve been hearing.”
“Oh,” Rachel exclaimed quietly, her thoughts going back to what he told her that day.
“I have come back to see you.”
“Is this for real?” she questioned silently.
Jennifer was talking to her and she snapped back to the present.
“Have you seen him yet?”
“Who? No. Yes—I.”
Jennifer laughed a little, looking at her puzzled, “You seem distracted.”
“Yeah, just a little…”
The kids came running back, much to her relief.
That night, in bed, she tried not to think of anything Jennifer said but her mind still wondered. She didn’t see or hear from Bryan for two days and she was thankful so her mind won’t
They were about to leave home, the taxi already waiting outside when Bryan stopped by. Nathan’s face lit up and he expressed with joy, “You’re back!”
“Missed me?”
“Yes, I did.”
He looked at Rachel and asked, “Did you?”
She smiled wryly, not answering.
“So, where are you guys going?”
“To the movies,” Nathan answered excitedly and taking hold of her arm, he asked, “Mommy, can Bryan come with us?”
“No, baby,” she answered immediately.
“Why not?”
“Well, there will be too many people wanting to meet him, talk to him and…”
Nathan looked at her not quite understanding and she looked at Bryan, a little crossed, “You’re not helping me here.”
He shrugged, smiling, “I have no objection to going to the movies.”
“Damn,” she muttered under her breath and said a bit exasperated, “Okay, he can come.”
On the way, Nathan
SEVERAL events unfolded last Tuesday related to Guyana’s forests and the environment that were interesting but, perhaps more importantly, spotlighted the local emphasis being placed on conservation.
Early Tuesday morning a new rainforest research centre, the Sophia Point Research Centre, was inaugurated at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus. United Kingdom (UK) Parliamentarian David Lammy, who has Guyanese roots, co-founded the centre with his wife, Nicola Green.
According to its website, the research centre is touted as a space that will immerse students and researchers in the heart
of some of the planet’s most intact and biodiverse rainforests. And Mr. Lammy highlighted that the centre will be a space where local research can help develop Guyana instead of being extracted overseas. He hopes the accessible centre would also help to inspire the next generation so that they, too, can value forest-conservation efforts.
Afterwards, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, moderated a conversation on Guyana and the environment featuring Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. They talked about low-carbon development, balancing develop-
mental needs (and financing those needs) with environmental protection, and the need for Guyanese to work together to herald the country’s anticipated level of development.
What was particularly noteworthy was Mr. Blair’s support for Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). He also opined that Guyana has a distinct level of credibility to provide global leadership on sustainable forest management, given the environmental stewardship the country has demonstrated for years.
It wasn’t noteworthy for me because I think we need any validation from a former leader of the nation that once governed my country. It was noteworthy because here is a leader from the developed world clearly accepting the need for sustainable development and incentives to encourage developed countries such as Guyana to continue environmental-protection efforts. Here is someone who once led a country that managed to develop itself on the basis of the exploitation of people brought to Guyana and other countries in the region and the exploitation of natural resources found in this corner of the world. It is an interesting take, to say the least, but the sentiments are important regardless.
Both Mr. Blair and President Ali talked about the need for countries with big ambitions such as Guyana, to be supported in cash and kind. President Ali called for a more responsive carbon-credits system so Guyana can rake in more money than it already has.
For context, Guyana has lobbied for a global system that pays the country for keeping the forest intact for over a decade. Once deforestation rates remain intact, Norway was the first to buy in, signing a deal for USS$250 million.
Last year, a US$750 million (minimum payment) end-user agreement for carbon credits was signed with the oil company Hess Corporation. The Hess deal, Guyana’s first carbon-credit deal so far, was brokered after the country issued special carbon credits last December. Those credits are like a tradeable permit or certificate that represents removing a certain amount of carbon dioxide from the environment by trees.
President Ali noted that Guyana is keen on marketing more of its credits, so the country can get paid to keep its forests intact.
After the conversation, I hopped across to the ongoing National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre where Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo was slated to talk about the LCDS and its connection to indigenous communities. History lessons aside, he did what he always does -- champion the strategy like no one else does. And he, too, spoke about the carbon-credits venture but in this case, more specifically on the government’s decision to directly allocate 15 per cent of whatever carbon-credit payments are earned to the Indigenous peoples, since they are the custodians of the forest.
What made the day even more interesting was that several toshaos spoke about what they’re using the carbon credit funds for in their communities, be it new machinery, farms or other projects. I even saw the Toshao of Bethany, Sonia Latchman, present on her village’s use of the funds.
I was happy I managed to hear from some of the leaders because there have been concerns about mismanagement of the funds in some communities and questions about whether the government should intervene. Some think any government intervention would mean removing Indigenous people’s agency. It’s interesting to see how this plays out. Interesting day, for sure.
I think these were all good developments, even if any of the events called for a closer look at improving resource management. I hope Guyana maintains its environmental stewardship and this seemingly revitalised focus on environmental leadership.
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
THE access to water and proper sanitation should be simultaneously talked about, while simultaneously being provided in the developing world. Approximately 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion are without improved sanitation. It is estimated that 5,000 children die daily from diseases related to the lack of safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation or poor hygiene. Diarrhoea is one of the world’s leading killers of children. Poor sanitation is also linked to the spread of intestinal worms, pneumonia and cholera. As much as we’ve made economic progress, it’s still important to remember that Guyana is still a developing country. We’d do ourselves an injustice to believe otherwise. There’s still evidence of poverty, lack of safe drinking water and proper sanitation in this very country—we don’t have to look too far for real-life examples.
It is said that inadequate or proper sanitation is a leading cause of poverty. If we want to directly reduce poverty and improve the quality of lives people live—we have to actively work towards changing simple things such as how they access water, how they manage their waste, how they go to the toilet and what systems are in place to manage human waste. Guyana does not have a modernised sewage treatment plant or system to manage human waste. In communities where flush toilets are scarce, how do we ensure these people manage their waste properly to prevent contamination and spreading deadly diseases? Most of our drainage systems are open and easily accessible. What does that waste end up in our waterways, where children can access these areas easily?
There are efforts to ensure that each community in Guyana has access to water by the year 2025. Yet, there are FAQ websites with information about our water being unsafe, warning tourists not to drink it—only to drink certain bottled waters. Don’t believe me? A quick google check will show you all that you need to know. Now, even if we somehow manage to get water to all of our communities; how do we ensure that water is safe to drink and use? We also have to make mention of sanitation at all times, as we speak on the access to water. The access to clean and safe water also allows for the improvement of sanitation. Why? Well, the water needed for one flush is equivalent to what an average person uses each day in some of the poorest countries in the world. It’s unbelievable to even think about but that’s the sad reality.
People who don’t have access to flush toilets use pits or latrines. Sometimes the waste of these is dumped into waterways and people eventually have to drink that very water. To think, in this era where we have computers fitting into our pockets with technological advances like no other—there are still people without such a basic human necessity for survival. I’ve written this column piece not to overshadow the hard work that others have made to ensure that innovative solutions are implemented to help solve this crisis. I’ve written this piece to ensure you don’t forget about the facts and realities many adults and children in developing countries face. We have to continue this conversation and make sure that we do everything in our power to get this resolved. There’s a reason why, “water is life” is a popular quote—it’s because it very much is.
A VERY enthusiastic hello is required here.
I used to write a weekly column on mental health here in the Pepperpot Magazine. Ironically, I had to take a break as there was too much on my plate and it was all starting to affect my own mental health. Now, I have more balance and have taken all the kind words of everyone who told me over the last eight months how much my column was missed.
Although I missed it as well, I do believe everything happens as it should. Now, maybe more people will follow along with my now-monthly column.
I do believe it is important to start from the very beginning with fresh eyes through any new venture. This means that today, I will be reminding you all -- as well as myself -why a column such as this one is incredibly important.
We should talk about mental health because it involves out psychological, emotional and social well-being. It almost completely dictates how we think, feel and act.
It also affects other areas in our lives that we may not readily think of, such as our physical health, stress levels, relationships, employment status, productivity levels, and motivation; it affects our ability to realize and achieve our full potential.
This means that mental health illnesses or disorders are unhealthy disruptions into our thinking, feeling and actions. They can be short-term or long-lasting and most are only treatable and maintainable, not curable. They can occur at any stage of life, as matters which can cause mental health issues can arise at any time.
Unfortunately, there is still this discriminatory belief that if one suffers from mental health issues, they may be weak or may be judged. This is a shocking belief as the World Health Organization determined that one in four individuals suffer from mental health illnesses. More locally, a 2015 study conducted by the Georgetown Public Hos-
pital found that over 200,000 Guyanese struggle with these issues.
There is only one explanation for discrimination when there are such high numbers, which is a lack of awareness/ exposure, which occurs when too many people suffer in silence. My major reason for re-writing this column is for people to feel confident enough to share their stories and seek help.
So, if you are struggling, by learning more, you also learn you are not alone. If you are not, you will learn how susceptible you are and who around you may need some help but are afraid to reach out for help.
Important information to avoid self- blame is how one develops a mental health disorder; sadly, most reasons are not foreign to any human being. They can arise from genetics/family history of mental illnesses, negative life experiences such as trauma, abuse, divorce, bereavement, unemployment, long-term physical illnesses, and overall lifestyle, such as diet, physical activity, and alcohol substance use. Most often, it’s a dysfunctional daily life with stress from many avenues.
Educating yourself on signs/symptoms/, preventative and treatment options for mental health issues breaks the stigma and discrimination, which brings self-acceptance, patience and love and allows room for the same for others in your life as well.
People have different priorities and make changes based on them. If relationships are valued among everything else, people will make a change when they start to see their relationships being affected-- as untreated mental health issues can be detrimental to healthy relationships, due to a want/need to isolate or a change in mood or temperament.
Others value their careers more than other areas. The American Journal of Psychiatry identified that individuals with untreated mental health issues earn 40% less money
than those with good mental health. This is due to factors such as low motivation, unproductivity, and sick days.
Others value physical health which is almost impossible to have without good mental health based on the motivation and energy levels required to have a balanced diet and exercise routine. Further, added and undealt-with stress can negatively affect our immune systems, resulting in more illness than the average person.
Finally, mental health awareness and treatment drastically lower suicide rates. Research conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Health determined that 46% of individuals who end their lives had a mental health issue and therefore, awareness, early identification and treatment resulted in fewer suicides.
Over the years, I have also met many people who truly believe that the topic doesn’t concern them if they aren’t struggling with mental health issues. Well, this is your reminder that a society with high mental health illness rates is also one riddled with societal issues such as crime, unemployment, substance abuse, road-traffic accidents, school drop-outs, unemployment, homelessness and so many others; believe me, it affects you in one way or another, so maybe it’s time we all take the initiative to learn and make a difference.
At this point, the most important step is determining whether you are struggling with mental health issues. It’s not as obvious to everyone as when it comes to thoughts, feelings and behaviours; sometimes, it is hard to determine the normal versus abnormal.
One should start thinking of ways to better their mental health if there is a change in their eating or sleeping habits, withdrawal from family, friends and activities once enjoyed, an inability to perform daily tasks with the same energy, motivation and productivity levels; unusual mood swings and negative
FROM PAGE XV
She nodded with a gentle smile but at the door he turned back and said, “I forgot something.”
“What?”
He came back close to her and kissed her on the cheek, a slight, lingering kiss, “Good night.”
That was so unexpected, it left her stunned and she caught her breath only until after he was gone.
“Oh wow.”
The next day, her mother came to visit whilst she was rearranging her kitchen, adding a few new decors.
“Hi, mom,” she greeted her, “How are you doing?”
“I am doing fine, by the Grace of God,” her mother replied, “But I have been wondering about you because I have not been hearing from you recently.”
“Sorry about that, but you know how busy I am with
work, Nathan and home.”
“That’s why I told you, you should get—”
“Don’t go there,” Rachel interrupted her, “It’s why we can’t talk regularly.”
“Okay,” her mother accepted, “was just trying to help.”
“Thank you,” she gave her a hug.
The day was spent nicely with her mother, something they hadn’t done in a long while and as she was getting ready to leave, Bryan stopped by.
“Well, hello,” her mother reacted with interest, “Who is this handsome, young man?”
“A friend.”
“Interesting!” she remarked, “It’s about time she has a friend.”
Rachel gave her a warning look that Bryan did not miss, so after she left, he asked, “What was that?”
Rachel sighed, “Since my divorce, she had been push-
ing me, out of care, to have someone in my life.”
“And you don’t want to?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Rachel looked at him, a little impatient.
“Do we have to have this conversation?”
“Not if you don’t want to, I’d just like to know.”
She sighed again, then after a long moment, she said, “I don’t want to be hurt again.”
He did not respond for a long moment, then said in that tone, “If you can allow yourself to believe in true love and listen to what your heart is saying, you would know he is close by, not to hurt you but to love you.”
He got up and kissed her again on the cheek, a little more lingering and saying softly, “Very close.”
To be continued…
FROM PAGE XXII
behaviours; unexplained psychical aches and pains; feelings of hopelessness or helplessness; increased use of alcohol and other substances and thoughts pertaining to harming yourself or others.
Now, it’s no secret that we all can feel like any of the above from time to time, so there are two key factors to pay attention to to determine whether its normal or abnormal. One is how severe the symptoms are and the second is how long they last.
For example, you have a pet that passed away, a sad situation for anyone. You will feel sad and may not function the same for a few days or weeks; absolutely normal. However, if you are crying uncontrollably and your daily life is still affected after many months, that may be a sign that you are struggling with mental health issues. If you are still skeptical about reaching out for help, I want to remind you of the commonality of what you are dealing with and that not every lesson needs to be learnt the hard way. The many benefits will include mood improvement; better coping with life’s stresses; increased self-esteem; improved relationships and the ability to make meaningful contributions to the community, realizing and achieving your full potential and a better overall quality of life.
Always remember that it is the strongest of people who admit a problem and seeks help. The oblivious stays in denial. The rest of us can learn and spread awareness to create a more kind and tolerant society -- one person at a time is still improvement and one more every day.
WATER is indisputably the Earth’s most precious resource, serving as a fundamental requirement for all forms of life. Extensive research has underscored the pivotal role of clean water in enhancing overall quality of life. Our daily routines involve utilizing water for a multitude of purposes — from hydration and personal hygiene to culinary endeavors, plant nurturing, recreation, and various concealed yet indispensable functions. Moreover, water proves indispensable in agriculture, powering irrigation systems, fostering aquaculture, and even enabling transportation. While humans can endure up to three weeks without sustenance, the absence of water for merely three to five days can spell fatality.
However, the contamination of water sources debilitates each facet of its utilization. Pollution infiltrates waterways through domestic, agricultural, and industrial channels, often originating from our failure to adequately manage waste disposal. This hazardous negligence culminates in the deterioration of water bodies, rendering them not only unsightly but also unfit for practical use. The olfactory repugnance associated with polluted water imparts discomfort, while compromised drainage systems elevate the specter of inundation. Such a compromised ecosystem becomes a breeding ground for disease-bearing vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and rats, resulting in a surge of waterborne afflictions such as cholera and malaria.
Agricultural activities introduce pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste into our watercourses, progressively undermining their integrity. Industrial wastewater further compounds the issue, surreptitiously infiltrating waterways and contaminating them. The severity of this predicament dictates that if the influx of pollutants remains unchecked, our water supply would plummet to perilous levels, rendering it unsuitable for consumption. This dire reality would engender the proliferation of harrowing waterborne diseases, precipitating a cascade of human suffering and casualties. Moreover, leisure activities like swimming and boating would be sacrificed, casualties of the burgeoning threat of water pollution.
The implications are stark: without access to water, or access marred by subpar quality, the availability of sustenance dwindles, unsanitary living conditions thrive, and leisure pursuits diminish. Hence, it becomes patently clear that safeguarding water resources, ensuring their purity and vitality, is an imperative mandate for a dignified existence.
The significance of water cannot be overstated — it is an irreplaceable foundation of life. The profound impact of clean water on the quality of life is undeniable, spanning from personal health and sanitation to communal well-being and recreation. To ensure a prosperous and sustainable future, we must embrace our role as stewards of water resources, striving for their preservation, purity, and accessibility. Only by doing so can we secure a future where clean water continues to underpin the fabric of our lives.
Dear Student, Welcome dear friend. Mastery in reading includes recognising the various devices used to create texts cohesiveness and more particularly, those employing reference and link-words.
Reference covers all devices that permit word relationship within a text. Can you reference an element previously mentioned, or one to be mentioned? Can you surely spot the use of synonyms, comparison, etc., and recognise the web of related ideas that are stated, introduced and taken up again throughout the passage? Be wise.
Love you.
GRAMMAR
Predicate agreement with compound subjects
Correct any errors in the following sentences by paying attention to predicates that agree with compound subjects. Write O.K. if a sentence has no error.
1. Needless to say, both Harry and myself will do our best to complete the science project as scheduled. 2. Neither Chopra nor the other applicants was given complete instructions for taking the intelligence test.
3. As we already mentioned, us canteen managers are willing to work overtime during the busy season. 4. Mrs. Hennessey is one of the quality control supervisors who want to change our entire system.
5. Is this manual one of the six references that was recommended by Mrs. Gerber King?
6. As of July 4, the John’s expenses were already 30 percent higher than last year’s expenses during the same period. 7. To handle this heavy workload, we are hiring four more videography personnel next December.
8. Do you know whom on the personnel staff will be assigned to handle medical benefits for immediate family members? 9. Fortunately, consumption of oil and oil-based products has not raised as steadily in the last five years.
10. We try our best to ensure that salary increases and promotions are given to those employees who most deserves them. 11. As you know, there’s not enough forms for all of us, so we will photocopy a few more. 12. A distribution representative must be sure to establish a feeling of confidence with their district distribution centres.
13. Next fortnight we will interview five more applicants; of course, we will then hire the candidate whom we think has the greatest potential. 14. Rachael done all she could possibly do to convince Dean’s Bakery to buy our products.
THE PASSAGE
Inferring the meaning of unfamiliar words
Read the following paragraph and try to guess the meaning of the word ’zip’.
‘Zip’ was stopped during the
war and only after the war did it become popular. What a difference it has made to our lives. It keeps people at home much more. It has made the remote parts of the world more real to us. Photographs show a country, but only ‘zip’ makes us feel that a foreign country is real. Also we can see scenes in the street, big occasions are ‘zipped’ such as the Coronation in 1953 and the Opening of Parliament. Perhaps the sufferers from ‘zip’ are the notable people, who, as they step out of an aeroplane, have to face a battery of ‘zip’ cameras and know that every movement, every gesture will be seen by millions of people. Politicians not only have to speak well, they now have to have what is called a ‘zip personality’. Perhaps we can sympathise when Members of Parliament say that they do not want debates to be ‘zipped’.
(“Britain in the Modern World” by E. N. Nash) Can you deduce what ‘zip’ means?
● theatre ● photography ● television ● telephone
Read the following two passages and in each of them underline the sentence which does not belong. This exercise helps students to consider the topic of the passage and to find out (a) whether all sentences relate to this topic, and (b) whether the sentences follow each other naturally and logically.
In 1816, when she was 19, Mary Wollestonecraft was staying in Switzerland with her future husband - Shelley – and Lord Byron. They had read German stories and decided to write their own. The result was a tale written by Mary called ‘Frankenstein’. It is the story of a scientist who creates a monster which will eventually destroy its creator. It was probably one of the first works of science-fiction. Mary’s mother, Mary Goodwin, had been one of the first feminists.
Mandrakes are plants that grow in Southern Europe. People used to associate them with magic and witchcraft. Mandrake juice was used by witches in lotions supposed to cause hallucinations. The flowers of the mandrake are white and the berries bright yellow. According to popular belief mandrake roots induce fertility in women and also grew under the gallows after a man had been hanged.
GRAMMAR
Keys to exercises from last week
֎ Compound subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’. The correct verbs are bracketed for your convenience.
1. The leader and her assistants (have) the authority to sign cheques over $15,000. 2. For each audit, the auditor or the company treasurer (receives) the original copy of the report, and (his or her) immediate supervisor always gets a copy. 3. At least once a month Harrison or Samuel (purchases) supplies for the senior staff kitchen. 4. Neither Mrs. Gregory nor we (want) to take this case to court. 5. William Williams or his sister (is) responsible for buying stationery. 6. Either a lawyer or an accountant (is) to be asked for (his or her) opinion.
֎ Predicates agreeing with their compound subjects. The correct verbs are bracketed for your convenience.
1. Joycelyn, Rosalin, and Wellington have (their) tickets already, haven’t they? 2. Helena said, “Neither Mr. Bamsfield nor the athletes representative in this town has received his or her August issues.” 3. My van and my minibus (are) available to the group if you need it. 4. Elsie or Tomica (has) generally allowed me to use (her or his) equipment whenever mine is being serviced. 5. L. Ainsworth or his partners usually (do) attend the public hearings. 6. Either wood or plastic (has) been used in similar cases.
They flee from me, that sometime did me seek With naked foot, stalking in my chamber.
SIR THOMAS WYATT Remembrance(1503?-1542)
THERE can be no doubt that haemorrhage ( bleeding ) is frequently associated with dentistry. Also, no one can deny that bleeding after an extraction is a perennial worry of many patients. No other profession has been so involved in this process save the time when medicine was preoccupied with employing “leaches to bloodlet” as a form of treatment.
Bleeding can be classified as primary, intermediate, or secondary, based on the occurrence. Primary bleeding occurs during surgery and is attributable to cutting of the blood vessels. Under normal conditions, applying pressure along with the retraction and contraction of blood vessels is sufficient to promote arrests. Frequently, when infiltration anaesthesia is used, the vasoconstricting (contracting blood vessels ) agent also helps promote the arrest of bleeding. It is apparent that many extrinsic and intrinsic factors can prevail to promote coagulation.
of therapy available to control bleeding.
Applying direct pressure to the wound is certainly the most effective way to stop bleeding. Compressing the margins of the wound to relieve tension allows the vessels to retract and contract. The patient should bite on the cotton or gauze for an hour in order to aid in collapsing blood vessels and encourage clotting. Suturing, filling the wound with gauze soaked in benzoin, applying ice packs, and injecting local anaesthetic around the site are all ways to arrest bleeding. Premarin and Vitamin K administered systematically can also be used.
Intermediate haemorrhage refers to bleeding which occurs within 24 hours of surgery ( extraction ). The likelihood of this happening is due to many factors, eg. removal of pressure, dissipation of vasoconstricting agents, and relaxation of blood vessels.
Secondary haemorrhage occurs 24 hours after surgery and is frequently attributable to many factors, e.g., intrinsic trauma (loose chip bones ), infection, etc.
The post-extraction wound basically, and for the sake of discussion, consists of two types of tissues: hard and soft. The hard- tissue component, bone, constitutes the greatest part of the wound, whereas the soft tissue makes up the smallest part of the wound. Haemorrhage can occur from either of the components.
Bleeding from bone can be difficult to control because, unlike a soft-tissue wound, the walls cannot be collapsed and approximated to provide the relaxation required to promote retraction and contraction of the vessels. Perhaps the most common cause of bleeding is due to the pressure of infection, periodontal ( gum ) and periapical ( root tip ),. Whenever there is an infection, there is frequently inflammatory proliferation (granular tissue ) and inflammatory hyperemia ( increased blood flow ). Therefore, there is an increase in the number of blood vessels along with hyperemia. The treatment for bleeding can be arbitrarily grouped as follows: prevention, pressure, cold, haemostatic agents, and vasoconstriction ( local anaesthetic ).
Methods of minimising, if not preventing, haemorrhage should resorted to. Atraumatic surgery, elimination of chronic bleeding granulation tissue, removal of fracture splinters of bone, and excision of old necrotic clots (if such is the cause ) are suggested measures well worth taking. Preventive therapy is undoubtedly one of the most important forms
