Guyana Chronicle E-Paper PepperPot 10-13-2019

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Learning about vision care

The Lions Club of Bel Air hosted its annual free eyescreening exercise at the Sophia Primary School in Observance of World Sight Day 2019 which is observed on October 10 (Carl Croker photo)

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Bahá’ís in Guyana celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb

By Svetlana Marshall

MORE than 800 Bahá’is are spread across the 10 administrative regions of Guyana and they are joining the rest of the world in celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of the Báb – the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

Born two centuries ago, in October 1819, the Báb announced that he was the bearer of a message destined to transform the life of humanity, which stood at the threshold of a new era. “He called for a spiritual and moral reformation, to improve the position of women and the lot of the poor. He founded a distinct and independent religion, inspiring His followers to transform their lives and carry out great acts of heroism. The Báb’s mission was to prepare the way for Bahá’u’lláh,” Treasurer of the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly, Jennifer Dewar said as she sat down for an interview with the Sunday Pepperpot.

Dewar, who has been a Baha’i for the past 40 years, said the teachings of the founders – Báb and Bahá’u’lláh – of the world’s reliTreasurer of the Bahá’í National gions have inspired remarkable achievements Spiritual Assembly, Jennifer Dewar in literature, architecture, art, and music while The Bahá’i explained that the faith acfostering the promotion of reason, science cepts other religions, and therefore view and education.

Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus

Christ, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh as divine manifestations of God. “So in essence, we believe in, what we would call, progressive revelation, that there is only one God, his religion is one, and we can say that he reveals it in chapters,” Dewar told the Pepperpot Magazine. She said their moral principles have been translated into universal codes of law, regulating and elevating human relationships.

According to her, the Báb and the Baha’u’llah have brought with them universal education and placed tremendous emphasis on equality among the sexes. “Another principle that Baha’u’llah has brought is equality of the sexes. There are other religions that would let you, yes we believe in that too, but ask them to show you in the secret scriptures where it says…this is very clear in the Baha’i

al Conference Centre in Georgetown, said though the faith is fairly young – with just 176 years in existence, and that Bahá’ís are spread right across Guyana.

In celebration of the Báb, the Bahá’ís are hosting a series of awareness sessions.

“Usually our celebrations would comprise of devotions; we read from our sacred writings, and pray…and then we would have fellowship and refreshments,” Dewar explained.

Outside of the bicentenary celebration, the Bahai National Spiritual Assembly regularly meets at the Bahai National Conference Centre in Georgetown. It also carries out a number of programmes including a youth empowerment programme.

“Now we believe that the junior youth age is critical because as you go through adolescence and puberty, things are not only hap-

The Bahá’í National Conference Centre faith,” Dewar explained. She noted too that the divine leaders also believed that religion and science should go hand in hand. “If you have religion that has no scientific base then basically what you have is superstition or if you have science without ethical base then you can have a Frankenstein monster.”

Dewar, while sitting in the Bahai Nation-

pening in your body but it is also happening in your intellect and that’s when the intellect becomes fixed and it becomes difficult after 15, 16 to try and influence young people,” Dewar explained.

The National Spiritual Assembly, consisting of nine members, is chaired by Alexi LaRose Fedee.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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‘It’s not all about the taste!’

Chef Mitchell Humphrey talks about passion for the job

By Telesha Ramnarine

WHAT is ‘diabetic’ bread?

Mitchell Humphrey knows.

He makes it. Being a chef for practically all of his life, he loves to experiment with various types of ingredients to come up with a product that is not just tasty, but healthy for his customers.

It was with this kind of approach that he came up with the idea to produce bread made with grains like pumpkin, chia and flax seeds that especially appeals to those with diabetes (a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in the blood).

“Making quality, good tasting products is not a walk in the park,” Mitchell told the Pepperpot Magazine just recently at his business called ‘WholeSum Foods’ at Lot 350 East and New Market Streets, in the City.

It takes effort to research what ingredients can replace the unhealthy ones and quite a bit of his finances too. “But I bake with my head and then with my heart, and the products always come out fantastic,” he said, meaning that he always opts to put the health interests of his customers first. “And these new and improved breads have made a big impact because a lot of persons have reported that it not spiking their sugar.”

To Mitchell, baking is not

Mitchell works with some of the latest equipment that makes his work more efficient

‘WholeSum Foods’ is located at the corner of East and New Market Streets simply about mixing flour and water; it’s a science plus an art that he has managed to master so well that he can now make cheesecake, banana bread, cookies, to name just a few, without the use of wheat flour. He can even give you butter-less sponge cake!

“While it is not a health shop, I try to ensure that everything I do is healthy. So we do mostly grilling; hardly any fried foods here. Even our doughnuts are baked instead of fried. We have pastries but we always keep a tab on the fat content so that we don’t go overboard. In fact, I don’t do much of our local pastries because the fat content is very heavy.”

Ironically, while Mitch-

ell has always been around the kitchen, whether he wanted to become a professional chef or not was not exactly clear in his mind.

In fact, he took up several other jobs before realizing that this is the field that he will settle in.

TASTING THE POT Mitchell could not complete his secondary education for circumstances beyond his control, so he took up various jobs to support himself as a teenager. Back then, things were hard, but he managed.

He landed a job as a stores clerk at the Calypso Restaurant formerly located on Robb Street and was in charge of stocking the pantry

In the process of preparing his dough.

and keeping records of what went into the kitchen. But the cooks would always ask him to taste the pot, and he did a great job with the reviews he gave them! Of course, he ended up in the people’s kitchen helping to cook.

But his experience in cooking didn’t start here. His stepmom Desiree Hendricks was an expert in preparing all kinds of foods, and he couldn’t refuse to help out in the kitchen. When he would catch fish in the nearby trenches, his stepmom would ensure that he was taught how to clean and fry it. “I learned a lot from her.

We had an issue when flour was banned and we had to struggle in lines to get bread so she started to experiment with rice flour, and I’ve never had a rice flour cake like hers ever again.”

After his stint at Calypso, he spent two weeks at a bakery that used to be on King Street. Two weeks, he recalls, was all he needed to learn what they were doing.

ALWAYS COMING BACK Mitchell decided to take up a job in the interior as a sailor on a pontoon. “It was cold and horrible; my hands were never tough, so you can imagine the bleeds and burns I got from the sand and stone,” he recalls.

After working with the dredge for about six weeks,

the kitchen cook was offered a job to help manage the dredge and the owners were now looking for someone with baking experience. “I put up my hand when they asked.”

Even though he was just working with the experience he gained at that bakery in two weeks, the bread came out exceptionally well. He would soon leave this job to work on another dredge.

But Mitchell still wasn’t sure that a baker is what he wanted to become, so he next took up diving. “I told myself

its best I be a diver because I ain’t cut out for this sailor thing. I went overboard and enjoyed it thoroughly.” But here again, the kitchen cook was made the manager of the dredge, and knowing of his experience with baking, they asked him to work in the kitchen.

Wouldn’t you know, Mitchell left the job and returned to Georgetown to work in a diplomatic shop, before moving on to work at Cara Lodge, Ocean View Turn to page VI►►►

Mitchell prepares a number of new and improved breads

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Art, Beauty and Acceptance

Natural Reflections Out of the dust from the ground He formed us Out of the dust from the ground trees grow It was good, He said, when He made us Everything He made was good Nothing can compare to our beauty Even we can’t comprehend our rare commodity Clouded by society’s misguided perception We reject the sight of our natural reflection

For a lifetime, charged with a self-hate crime We choose to reflect Twisted mind Conforming to society’s standards We allow them to influence our perception And struggle to embrace our natural reflection

Where is our strength?

Where is our pride?

When will we be brave enough to say; We are fearfully and wonderfully made?

We are precious in God’s eyes

Simply embrace your roots Love your afro, picking, twisting, locking, kinks Don’t conceal your blessing Don’t hide your crown Break free of the oppression You must no longer fall in love with the deception Only love you and your natural reflection

By Aiesha Scottland.

CURL Fete which is being held today at the Promenade Gardens, has become an important event on the Guyanese calendar.

More than hair, more than beauty, more than a festival, Curl Fete is a movement! This movement started in 2016 to destroy the negative stereotypes that tend to be associated with kinky, curly and coily hair textures. In society, we face many different stereotypes and art is a contributing factor. The modern world is dominated by unrealistic images of the human body. This era has adapted countless apps that allow us to change our features on electronic devices with a simple touch. What I appreciate about Curl Fete is that it represents a small but significant shift in culture, one in which we love ourselves just the way God made us.

Our obsession with an unrealistic representation of the human body goes back to between 28,000-25,000 BCE. The Venus of Willendorf is said to be the very first figurine and was discovered in 1908. This piece is the first clue as to why the modern world is so dominated by unrealistic images of the human body. Her

breasts, thighs, stomach grotesquely big, even her pubic region are extremely pronounced. The sculpture was a mere reflection of the thinking of the Nomads. Those features were highly desirable at that time. As the environment changed, the Nomads also had to adjust. We saw the development of the Egyptian style of representing the human body.

Rather than exaggerating features, Egyptians choose to show different parts of the human body in precise angles. Their culture had caused a shift in thinking. In a different part of the globe, there were the Greeks who believed that gods took the form of man and spent countless years studying every part of the human figure hoping to create the perfect replica.

After many years this was finally achieved. However, Grecians did not like it. Imagine they didn’t like their physical appearance being replicated. It was displeasing to them.

Centuries later, nothing much has changed. The fact is, humans generally don’t like their physical appearance. The obsession with the human body is most evident among our Guyanese artists.

Painting by Lori Ann Jacobs entitled Britani

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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Some medications also affect the teeth UP to eight grams (one-third of an ounce) of sugar is added to every two teaspoons of liquid forms of medication to preserve the product and conceal an unpleasant taste.

If taken at least three times a day, the last intake often at bedtime and perhaps kept in the mouth for a minute or two before being swallowed, the effect on the teeth will rapidly be catastrophic in the form of dental decay.

Everyone is affected by the stress of modern life and in the quest for respite, ironically, uncontrolled self-meditation in all forms is practised which sometimes leads to serious situations. Occasionally, dental personnel prescribe medications for their patients unnecessarily, an act which constitutes drug abuse.

While all drugs produce undesirable side effects cognizance must also be given to the various conditions derived from the use of certain drugs.

Up to 8 grams (one-third of an ounce) of sugar is added to every 2 teaspoons of some liquid forms of medication to preserve the product and conceal an unpleasant taste. If

taken several times a day, the last intake often at bedtime and perhaps kept in the mouth for a minute or two before being swallowed, the effect on the teeth will rapidly be catastrophic in the form of decay. Therefore, without quite realizing it cough syrup, etc. can cause dental caries in persons who do not adhere to the rules of oral health.

Aspirin is probably the most frequently used drug. Indeed, it is widely to be capable of preventing chronic heart disease if taken consistently and promoted as the best medicine for arthritis. However, a daily intake of two to three aspirins results in five millilitres (one teaspoon) of blood being lost in the faeces every 24 hours due to the erosion effect on the protective mucosal barrier of the stomach.

If this continues for some time without dietary supplementation of iron, the person may eventually develop iron deficiency anaemia, the symptoms of which can include a smooth tongue surface, tenderness in the oral cavity, pain when swallowing, tiredness and short-

ness of breath. Hookworm infestation may present identical symptoms. Because the oral symptoms predominate, it is likely that the dentist will be the first to diagnose the problem, especially in postmenopausal women.

Every patient currently on systemic corticosteroid medication should be covered with an extra dose of steroid on the day he visits the dentist. If this is not done, the stressful experience could trigger an adrenal insufficiency syndrome with a sudden fall in blood pressure, leading to severe shock and even death.

It is estimated that the risk of an allergic reaction in asthmatic patients is 5 to 10 times higher than in normal patients. They are especially prone to react allergically if treated with penicillin or aspirin. Aplastic anaemia is a serious and sometimes fatal complication of the use of drugs that can depress the bone marrow, resulting in an arrest of the production of red and white blood cells and platelets. One of the first symptoms in this condition is spontaneous bleeding of the gums

with oral sores in a very pale patient.

Among the drugs known to induce bone marrow depression are chloramphenicol and phenylbutazone commonly known used to treat typhoid and arthritis respectively. Patients suffering from grand mal epilepsy (the type with convulsions) usually take hydantoin sodium. This drug causes the gums to swell which may ultimately cover most of the crowns of the teeth.

It is advisable that before dental treatment these persons should have pre-medication with sedatives such as diazepam or oxazepam.

Chlorhexidine is a widely used, very effective disinfectant in the mouth. The recommended concentration routine use is 0.2 percent.

It is well known that Chlorhexidine can cause discolouration of the teeth and tongue while inducing taste disturbances.

Consequently; as an important participant in the treatment process, the danger of potential drugs must never be underestimated.

use their time to formulate their words and choose not to waste their time on conversations they deem as useful. Introverts are also very observant people.

As it relates to misconceptions of introverts and the battlefield of Introverts VS. Extroverts, Introverts are outnumbered by a ratio of 3:1 when compared to extroverts.

Misconceptions usually happen because of the lack of understanding on the side of extroverts. Extroverts may never understand why someone values solitude over spending time with others and as such, there’s the misconception of introverts being ‘rude’, ‘anti-social’ and even ‘wallflowers.’ Introverts are usually taught to think that there is something wrong with them. NO! It is quite normal to enjoy your peace and quiet.

The trait of introversion and extroversion may also define your path/journey in career choices, educational studies and even the type of friends circle we’re apart of. Public relations, officers, life coaches and even doctors are all examples of extrovert-type

of jobs. Accounting managers, chefs and editors are introvert-type of jobs. Now, I’m not saying only certain jobs are restricted to extroverts only, I’m trying to say that introverts will most likely thrive more in a less social interactional and less hectic a job.

I want everyone to know that introverts deserve a right to their alone time. Introversion is not an illness of the mind or a personality deficiency. Some people tend to have a bit of both traits--- introvert and extrovert. Instead of judging an introvert, calling them names such as “stuck-up,” “anti-social” and even a “wallflower”, we should at least try to understand them and their needs. If by chance an introvert opens up to you and speaks, do not use it at their disadvantage.

Rather, acknowledge the fact that they trust you and you probably mean something special to them. So, with all of that said, the next time you see a post or meme about introverts—know that is more than a trend or fancy adjective.

Being an introvert is more than a social media trend INTROVERT: you probably heard people toss this word around loosely in conversations. Or, maybe you saw the memes on Facebook or the Extrovert VS. Introverts post and debates. If this is the first time you’ve heard this word, then in hindsight it describes someone who internalises their emotions without an external display of it. First things first, Introversion is more than just a social media trend! That’s right— I said it. It is a personality trait of many of our friends and colleagues. It is more than just being ‘shy’ or ‘anti-social.’

You might be surprised at the kinds of people around who are introverts. They come in many shapes, sizes, colours and to go more in-depth—they have different kinds of personalities, behaviours and mindsets. Even the person who is the

‘life of the party’ might be an introvert because it’s not like introverts are entirely anti-social. Let’s think of an introvert as a smartphone. The more you ‘use’ or interact with it, the less battery life it will have. Likewise, introverts lose energy the more they interact with others. In contrast to extroverts, who gain more energy from social interactions, in times of solitude, an introvert ‘recharges’ his/her batteries. For your information, introverts enjoy having friends! They may have a small group of friends and they appreciate their presence.

However, meeting new people and interacting with strangers might be a bit of a task for them. Introverts thrive in quiet settings and if a situation becomes overwhelmingly hectic, they tend to get distracted. Instead of thinking they are ‘shy’, they usually

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

‘It’s not all about ...

►►► From page III

Hotel, Grand Coastal Inn. and NAMILCO (National Milling Company of Guyana).

He especially enjoyed his stint at NAMILCO because the company allowed him to experiment

with various ideas, and supplied him with everything needed for this.

“They tried to bake according to the American standards and they found that I was the only one who came close to what

they were doing. They even sent me to Puerto Rico, the farthest they had sent anyone at the time,” he said.

It was at this point in his life that Mitchell realised that he wanted to stick With his help, Ryan Alexander with baking. “My career finally took root, I knew what I wanted, I could see a clear vision.”

Although continuing to maintain a good relationship with NAMILCO, Mitchell moved on to work with the Brazilian Embassy, as a personal chef of the then ambassador. After the ambassador retired, Mitchell took his work to Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and Dominica, before landing a job with the then American ambassador.

As he got older, though, Mitchell realised that he needed to be a bit more stable, so one day while driving by on East Street, he noticed the available

space where his business is now located. “It was really expensive, but I decided to take it.” Now in his fourth year, Mitchell couldn’t be happier that he was brave enough to accept the challenge even though not knowing how the business would turn out.

Over the years, he has used every ‘penny’ that he got to build the business, and today he works with some of the latest models of equipment that make his work easier and more efficient.

Mitchell said he would be happy if a ‘WholeSum’ can be established in all of Guyana’s towns.

Mitchell’s breads are not only delicious, but healthy too

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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A night of Guyanese folk songs A FEW months ago, local rock musician Gavin Mendonca stumbled upon a book of 100 Guyanese folk songs, a treasure trove in its own right.

Back then, he could not have realised it as yet, but this discovery would set into motion his endeavours to rekindle, rejuvenate or even recreate these essential bits of the authentic Guyanese culture.

Gavin’s journey to ‘Folk it Up’ began with performances in open spaces in Guyana before making its way to online streaming platforms, gaining traction in its own right. This led him to the United States of America (USA) and even on the other side of the globe, in China, where they strummed those sweet, authentic Guyanese melodies. At the end of his most recent tour, Gavin made a stop in Trinidad and Tobago.

During his stop in the twin-island republic, the musician decided to pay a visit to the contingent of Guyanese studying at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and entertain us in a session of ‘Folk it Up.’ It is just my luck that I happened to be in the right place at the right time; so, Tuesday last, on the lawns of UWI’s Student Activity

Centre under the starry evening sky and surrounded by our famous ‘fairy lights,’ it was ‘vibes’ with Gavin. Let me affirm, the ability to sit with my fellow Guyanese (and friends from other Caribbean countries), from various walks of life and sing about a brazen ‘lili gyal’ is a beautiful experience that cannot be replicated.

‘Folk it up’ did more than just provide a space for us Guyanese to show off a bit of our culture, though. What it also did was function to stimulate a conversation on our (my generation’s) connection to those elements of our culture that have long shaped our identity.

At the beginning of the semester, during the first week of September when the ‘Guild Fest’ week of orientation activities was held, there was the parade of nations which allowed each of the country associations to parade in their traditional wear. As part of this parade, each of the groups sought to liven up their sections by ‘vibing’ to songs that were unique to their country. Trinidad obviously brought out their soca; Jamaica, the reggae and dancehall and so forth. The Guyanese contingent, however, decided to sing a few folk songs. It was all good and well until midway parading

through the massive UWI campus, we realised that we lacked sufficient knowledge about our folk songs.

The fact that I don’t know more than four folk songs (and I don’t even know them in their entirety) is something I would not like to easily admit, but it is a hard truth that I have come to accept. And the only way I believe that we begin thinking about supporting Gavin’s efforts to replenish our knowledge on these is by first acknowledging that he is right when he posits that we have lost our connection to our roots.

I take pride in the fact that my Guyana has always been a cultural melting pot, with its diverse ethnic backgrounds mixed into an authentic Guyanese product. This isn’t to diminish the individual uniqueness of each ethnicity, but rather to show that there is an entirely new product created out of the co-existence and amalgamation of these.

Our connection --or lack thereof-- to our culture is not limited to our knowledge of our folk songs. It has also manifested in the ways we dress, some of the foods we eat and some of the music we listen to. We attribute the changes we have gone through to the prevailing ethnocentrism (eurocentrism, to

be precise) of the days gone by. Nowadays, perhaps, these changes are attributed to our own actions which have been influenced by the ever-expanding pool of information to which we now have easier access.

Gavin continues to emphasise that he is on a mission to rekindle that interest Guyanese had in their folk songs; he indicated that he was particularly pleased that he was able to connect with a group of young adults like ourselves, and hopefully instill in each of us a desire to get to know our songs a bit more.

What he has been able to present is a unique model of integrating more modern elements (rock) with those simple devices that hold part and parcel of our culture and heritage within them. He might be strumming ‘Small Days’ or ‘Lili Gyal’ on his guitar, but the creole language that has always been used is still omnipotent.

Change is not bad, it is constant and it is inevitable. In the face of an ever-changing environment, the only alternative we do have is to be more diligent in ensuring that our culture is not erased and forgotten. Our culture defines who we are as a people, and it is and will always be ‘we own.’

80 years of blacks in movies in the USA

By Francis Quamina Farrier IT was a great day over the past weekend for movie production in the United States of America.

The African-American and very talented multi-millionaire movie producer, Tyler Perry, opened a movie studio complex which he owns. The location is in Atlanta, Georgia. So what has that got to do with Guyana? Very much, you will be happy to know.

First of all, thousands of Guyanese now reside in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA and it is most likely that some of those Guyanese will be among the hundreds who will gain employment at this Tyler Perry movie enterprise. It was a long and rugged road to that achievement by a Black person in the movie industry in the USA. The movie production complex owned by Tyler Perry, we are told, is larger than all the established white-owned movie production studios in Hollywood, combined.

That is quite an achievement by any standard.

So it is alarming that there are so many United States-based Guyanese who seem to see none of these achievements by African-Americans and carry on and on about blacks being at the bottom of the social and economic ladder in the USA. They tend to imply that there is no positive future for Blacks in that, “The Land of the Free.”

Tyler Perry shot to fame and fortune playing a female character, Madea, in a series of very successful “Madea” films which continue to make millions of dollars at the Box Office. Tyler Perry films tend to focus on Black Family Life in the USA. They include “Too

Perry’s movies earn him tens of millions of dollars at the Box Office. He remains one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world. Additionally, Perry has also teamed up with the African-American billionaire Oprah Winfrey in other successful financial projects.

Now let us turn the clock back exactly 80 years to one of the biggest years of the movie-making industry in America, when an African American movie actress shone as never before on the big screen. It was the year 1939 with the production of the epic movie “Gone with the wind,” which is set in Atlanta, Georgia. The movie was also filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Such an epic that movie was, that there was an intermission when it was screened. The last statement by the principal female character Scarlet O’Hara, before that intermission was, “I will never be poor again.” That is a statement which Guyana is about to make as well.

The black slave character of “MamHattie McDaniel about to make her acceptance speech at the 1939 Academy my,” played by Hattie McDaniel -- 1893Awards (Hollywood Reporter image) 1952 -- caught the attention of most Close to Home,” “The Single Moms Club,” characters on stage, entertaining audiences Guyanese of African heritage. Here was a “Family Funeral” and “Big Happy Family” with clean comedy. In a way, it could be black actress playing the role of a slave but among others. These movies primarily ex- said that Guyanese Sam Chase was about 60 in no way being submissive, rather, very plore the complex and funny side of family years ahead of American Tyler Perry, and was self-confident and dynamic in her white life. They are a far cry from the violence and equally loved by his many fans. So too, was environment. McDaniel’s performance so vulgarity seen in plays more recently staged Andre Subryan in Guyana. impressed her peers that it resulted in her at Guyana’s National Cultural Centre. The There is a big difference, however, be- winning Best Supporting Actress at the character of Madea, a larger-than- life matri- tween the two Guyanese performers and the Academy Awards that year, 1939. It was arch, is played by Tyler Perry -- a man. For American. There is quite a large disparity in an achievement by Hattie McDaniel which Guyanese of a certain age, that would bring the incomes from their creative works. Sam made history in Hollywood, as she was back memories of the brilliant Guyanese co- Chase and Andre Subryan lived in a country the very first Black person to have won an medians Sam Chase and Andre Subryan, who of less than a million people. Tyler Perry Turn to page XII►►► donned female costumes and played women lives in a country of nearly 300 million. Tyler

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

THE AFRICAN HOLOCAUST OBSERVATIONS 2019

NOT AN IDLE OR TRIVIAL MATTER – EVER

MOSES was told in the Hebrew scriptures, “You will live a long life before you sleep with your Fathers,” according to the book of Deuteronomy.

To honour our ancestors is a mental and spiritual duty we cannot abdicate; their time, strengths, contributions and errors constitute the baton of knowledge that will guide us to understand and time-travel to erase the notion that what we face today has now begun. To honour our ancestors leads us to explore the steps they took, to enhance the good and repair the errors, to be inspired and guide the evolution of our consciousness to face the myriad world of our day.

We must, however, understand what our mental and spiritual obligations are to that ancestral duty, as we proceed to the rise of the fateful tide. We pay respect on this occasion to a duel event: first, to the lives physically lost in the terrible voyage into slavery, and second, to the mental and spiritual death that visited those who survived from generation to generation, enduring the psychic torture of slavery--both its physical torment and the mental onslaught to create the slave as a spiritual invocation of our nature. Thus, we must understand and place value on the yoke of labour extracted from enslaved Africans to drive the sea back and make the agricultural lands of the coasts of colonial Guyana functional for plantations and habitable for townships and villages and subsequent estates; transfer our minds into the memories that exist in our genetic inheritance, and inhale the sweat and blood that dug every canal to make life as we have inherited it today.

We must do this because our ancestors came here with unique skills, they were tribesmen and women, not outcasts, and because of the planters’ greed, he allowed them their right to farms; when his anxieties over-

flowed into savagery they rebelled, for those weak among them who betrayed them, they followed an ancient innate rule: “He who stands before me in battle, that comes from within me, must be the first to die.” From post-emancipation to now, their protests and courage shaped the social achievements we take for granted today, through outward and inner struggles. Go

Therefore, we must understand where our ancestors walked as best we could, how did those they fed along the way, repay them, what different ungrateful rites and gods they met that perceived them with scorn and hatred without reason and cause, because of their different beliefs. On the eve in South Africa of the twilight of apartheid, a white South African leader

dence demanded a course of justified reckoning. Because I’ve used this reference, readers from the anti-US confederacy will point to Rwanda.

The Tutsi or Watutsi as we are more familiar with, came into Rwanda during the 14th century colonising the area that was already occupied by the Hutsi. The Watutsi were all over six feet tall, the Hutsi four-five feet in statue, then

sought to dominate others by deception, because we have not inherited any religious doctrine that defines in mythological, religious or pseudo-scientific doctrine to establish a belief system of racial dominance from tribal Africa. we have no determinations driven by past millennial ethnic privations and persecutions to transfer our persecution neuroses to an-

visit 1856, 1900,1905,1917 and witness from 1961 to 1964, then from 1993 to 2010; once we are under culturally alien rule, our lives and way of life are in danger. The history speaks for itself, and we understand that culture is not always to be viewed ethnically, no, not at all, culture is first spiritual, mental, principled and manifest in practice; but above all else ‘Human’ there are different cultures, some opposing with fury, beyond logic all that you may hold sacred in practice.

spoke encouragingly to white South Africans that they need not fear physical retribution from black South Africans, because he assured them that the innate morality of the African will not approve of such in the face of apartheid’s demise, and the release of Mandela.

South Africa was viewed by a world that held its breath, knowing what Africans had endured under apartheid, South Africa has emerged as the standard-bearer of the 20th century of an uncommon maturity when all evi-

came the Germans and the Dutch-Belgium colonisers in the 19th century with their racist pseudoscience and created a superior as against inferior tribal perspective between the Tutsi and Hutsi recognising that it was better to embrace the warlike Tutsi as allies (the same was done with the colonisation of India using the Raj). This colonial indoctrination fuelled further resentment that resulted in the explosive massacres in Rwanda.

African descendants of all family groups have never

other as a callous, self-purging placebo, with innate compulsions to trample all principles to fulfil the ego of status and economic acquirement as the end of all means at all costs. I am not saying that we are better than anyone else except that there’s no collective philosophy that would allow the absence of moral directives and empathy that would compel us to justify usurping, mimicking and stealing another man’s creative blessings, value and worth, and seek to justify that process with collective

applause, while we severely condemn our own ‘Shut Button grabbing’ cliques.

Slavery did not damage us in this way, but we must be resolute for others have done this to us, and still others are striving to do this as you read these words, because it is believed that we are vulnerable because we do not teach our children to hate , and we must never do that, so we believe that all men share a common loyalty to the word, and its intent, while they think that we are simple because we do not perceive and contain a vocabulary of deceptions and double meanings, considered to be their actions of the wise.

Hatred is poisonous and must never be a taught lesson, but to survive and endure we must not be blinded by the ‘them and we’ exclusively, be aware of the foe both within and without, though we must acknowledge how others think of us, our inheritance teaches us also “That there’s a time for everything under the sun, a time to forgive and a time to demand the atonement of the sins contrived and carried out against us in veiled word and deed.

The personal visit of reflection through the symbolic act on the seawall is a pageant of reminding the subconscious self that the burden of awareness, is all that will protect us as we proceed to reconstruct what the holocaust has taken, and how we must determine the arc of survival and the protection of our initiatives in this age, we must purge ourselves, our organizations, judge from works and not chit-chat, the age of the coloniser has never left, his physical looks will change, but we must perceive the intent, which means, we must have our ‘Individual content’ to negotiate and realise that words and deeds must be weighed, so in the end we can surmount and separate the weed from the fruit.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Focus Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

XI

on the Village

Golden Grove A community of interesting folk

By Michel Outridge GOLDEN Grove, East Bank Demerara, is a place which is home to many interesting folk, most of whom have stories to tell.

This village, a sprawling housing scheme, located about 11 miles from Georgetown, boasts an occupancy of over 40,000 residents and is regarded as one of the Ministry of Communities’ largest emerging urban areas.

This area also accommodates two housing schemes, that is, Kaneville and Samatta Point, making it a large catchment area with added value to properties.

With so much happening, the entire physical landscape of the area has been transformed and has heightened the importance of the East Bank corridor in the scheme of development.

A resident, Teneika Hunte, told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living at Golden Grove for the past 20 years.

“I find life here to be ideal for me, because it is a busy place yet quiet and once you have a job you can make it,” she said.

The 26-year-old is the Nurse-in-Charge of the Golden Grove Health Centre and mother of one, who is very dedicated to her job; so much so, she goes in on weekends to upkeep the records along with a colleague, Midwife

Golden Grove Post Office (Carl Croker photos)

Teneika Hunte Hazel Europe.

“This community has adopted township status because we have a lot of businesses and other facilities here and we don’t have to travel to the city for some services and goods, which are sourced within this area,” she said.

The Golden Grove Police Station

Hunte told the Pepperpot Magazine that Golden Grove has many stores such as Lucky Dollar, vision care outlets, Time Square a mall, many churches, temple, masjid, shops, bars, taxi services, wash bays, schools--both public and private--a police station, a health centre, meat centres, hardware depots and a lot of roadside shops and stalls vending from greens, to fresh fruits.

She related that the village is one of doctors, fishermen, farmers, members of the Joint Services, nurses, teachers, self-employed folk and many who work in offices in the city.

“I don’t go to church every Sunday, but every other Sunday, due to work, we come in on Saturdays to upkeep our records at the health centre,” she said.

Hunte stated that Golden Grove is the preferred place for her and family; she is the firstborn of seven siblings and serves as a role model to her peers.

The Pepperpot Magazine also met Desmond Balram, a re-migrant, who has been back in Guyana for the past seven months.

He is a roadside hot dog/ burger vendor, who rents a push cart for $48,000 per month, which he finds difficult to pay. Balram said he is a Guyanese who left this country many years ago for Venezuela, where he had a similar business. Owing to the economic crisis there however, he was forced to return with his family.

Balram added that he did many jobs over the past seven months; these included

an assistant cook at a Chinese restaurant, but he had to quit because of poor wages and the unsanitary condition of the place.

The 50-year-old suffers from diabetes, but is trying to make ends meet by having a steady job, in order to provide for his wife and children.

“I doing this business for three weeks now but not making a profit, but I got to try because three children and a wife cannot feed themselves plus bills and rent,” he said.

Balram added that though things are financially hard for him, he will keep working because he is accustomed to hard work since the age of 14, when his parents died; he was then forced to enter the world of work to sustain himself.

“I will continue to work no matter what, because I don’t take what doesn’t belong to me and I am honest too,” he said.

Meanwhile, the men over at Platinum Taxi Service were eager to have a chat with the Pepperpot Magazine and said they provide a reliable, safe and confidential service to the people of Golden Grove and its environs.

Taxi driver Jermaine Liverpool, one of 17 drivers at this base, related that they work in unison and have a ‘wait-your-turn’ system.

He noted that the business has been in existence for the past 10 years and their service is very affordable; while they are awaiting passengers, they engage in constructive discussion and play friendl card games.

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Golden Grove NDC making strides to continuously enhance environment

By Michel Outridge

BEING the first female to head the Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Indrani Ramnarine is optimistic they will see further development in the community.

She disclosed that the Golden Grove NDC has embarked on several projects within the community such as garbage collection once weekly in all nine constituencies and the cleaning and maintenance of the four foot drains and main canals.

Ramnarine added that they offer private accumulated refuse collection service at a minimal cost and provide breakfast once monthly for senior citizens at the Grove Post Office.

In giving an outline of the work of the NDC, she stated that they also provide awards and incentives for their top performers at various exams from the nine schools within the NDC at various exams.

She pointed out that the NDC is seeking assistance from respective ministries to enhance and build infrastructures such as roads, bridges, walkways etc., within the community.

NDC Chair Indrani Ramnarine Ramnarine noted that in addition, the NDC has an ‘Open Day’ when residents can visit and air their concerns for redress.

The NDC Chair reported that they also monitor construction of buildings and related structures to ensure regulations are in order.

“Our catchment begins from

Great Diamond and ends at Grove including, the Diamond New Scheme and Grove New Scheme, Old Grove Squatting Area, Kaneville and Samatta Point,” she said.

Ramnarine disclosed that the NDC has some challenges such as improper and reckless disposal of garbage and household items by residents.

“They throw items in our trenches, back drains and on parapets,” she said.

Illegal vending along the main access roads and in various streets is also a problem and when NDC officials intervene, the defaulters are very abusive and would make threats, she reported.

“Many residents still have not been paying their taxes and many internal streets within the schemes especially have to be built or rebuilt.

The NDC does not build roads and streets, we maintain them,” Ramnarine said.

Ramnarine added that although her position with the NDC isn’t a paid one, she does it anyway because she is community-oriented.

On the other hand, Ramnarine is an Education Officer in Training and she tries to balance both portfolios.

Golden Grove NDC office (Carl Croker photos)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

80 years of blacks ... ◄◄◄ From page VII

Oscar in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

That success was the beginning of a long and rugged road to glory for African-Americans in the American movie industry. From the Oscar win by an African American in 1939, it was not until 1964 before another African American made that achievement; Sydney Poitier won Best Actor in 1964 with his inspiring performance in “Lilies of the Field.” Just a year ago there was the blockbuster and highly successful movie “Black Panther,” which also won a number of Oscars. Two Guyanese actresses, Letitia Wright and Shaunette Wilson, played prominent roles in that historic black -produced movie; it made history at the Box Office, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Many years earlier, Guyana also made a direct contribution along that journey. This was when the movie “To Sir With Love,” from the best-selling novel by Guyanese E.R. Braithwaite was produced to rave reviews. The rave reviews were not only for the production itself, but also for the great storytelling of E.R. Braithwaite and the brilliant performance

by Academy Award-win- Multi-millionaire Amerning actor Sydney Poitier ican writer, actor and in the leading role. Oth- movie producer Tyler Perry (Variety image) er African-American film performers who have won Oscars include Denzel Washington with two wins and an impressive six nominations; Whoopi Goldberg, Morgan Freeman, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Lupita Nyong’o and others.

So there has been that quantum (slow motion) leap over the past 80 years with movie productions in Atlanta, Georgia, where thousands of Guyanese now reside. Many of those Guyanese had migrated from New York to Atlanta over the past 20 years. More Guyanese government officials visit Atlanta more often than ever before. From the epic movie, “Gone with the wind” set in Atlanta back in 1939, in which Hattie McDaniel’s performance earned her the first Oscar by a Black person in the USA, to the opening of the magnificent Movie Production Studio Complex, also in Atlanta, Georgia in October 2019, much has been achieved.

There are some connections between Guyana and Atlanta; a visit of then Chief Citizen of Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young to Georgetown being one of them. The opening of that Tyler Perry Production Complex in Atlanta, Georgia, was an event attended by Black billionaire Oprah Winfrey and a host of other Black High Achievers in Hollywood, including Will Smith, made last weekend’s event one of the highest profiles in the USA. And as Sydney Poitier who once paid a brief visit to Guyana stated in his Oscar acceptance speech back in 1964, “It was a long journey.”

That statement by Sydney Poitier was made 55 years ago. Eighty years ago, Hattie McDaniel in her Oscar acceptance speech, mentioned how proud she was of her achievement for her race.

No doubt she is looking down with pride and admiration on the most recent achievement of her people in Atlanta, where so many Guyanese now reside.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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The calling of a midwife 42 years in the humble profession

EVEN though she retired 12 years ago, Hazel Europe’s love for the job runs very deep within her, so much so, she cannot help but keep going.

Today, after serving for 42 years in the profession at almost all the health centres on the East Bank corridor, she is one of the many friendly faces at Golden Grove Health Centre.

Qualified midwife Nurse Hazel Europe told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is more than pleased to be serving her community and if she has to do it all over again, she will.

Europe recalls her teaching days when she was wasn’t truly happy with her job; she would often get hoarse from having to shout out loud to get the attention of undisciplined children and realised that wasn’t her true calling.

“To tell you the truth, I liked teaching of which I spent seven years, but then I wanted to do something else and tried my hand at nursing; and I knew that was the job for me, because I enjoyed it at once and that motivated me to get qualified,” she said.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY The nurse added that in 1981 she started doing home visits, delivering babies from house to house and found maternal and child health to be an interesting profes-

sion she adored.

She disclosed that she worked at almost all the health centres along the East Bank wing from Herstelling to Mocha-Arcadia, Long Creek, Dora, Soesdyke, Kuru Kuru and Moblissa, just to name a few.

She, however, pointed out that she started her nursing career at the

since some work in the city and would have to get to work on time or in good time.

The midwife stated that on October 5, 1976, the same year as the Cubana Air Disaster, she began her nursing career.

Nursing -- a good career path to follow Nurse Europe added that being a midwife is

including emergency tactics, because I served at the Emergency Unit for seven years, so I know how to handle certain cases of birth,” Europe said.

Europe is also a trained Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) counsellor/tester and would often provide those services to patients whenever the need arises;

Midwife Hazel Europe (Carl Croker photos) the baby for the first nine days and still go to work at the health centre to which she was attached.

“Nursing is very nice and I don’t think I can do anything else because I like serving people and in the years gone by, nurses and midwives were respected people; they used to call on you to certify the dead, being the district

Golden Grove Health Centre Golden Grove Health Centre, where she gravitated more towards the noble profession when it was just a one-flat building which housed the resident midwife, back then.

Europe reported that the Golden Grove Health Centre serves the entire Diamond and other villages, so they are often swamped; but they work quickly to minimise the waiting time for patients,

a 24-hour job, because when people have her number and they need her they would call and she has to respond.

“In this job you are never off, because if I am home and somebody comes to me, once they come up the steps and the baby head is coming out you cannot send them away, you have to help to deliver that child. I was taught many things

especially if a doctor is not around.

She related that back in the days as a nurse, they were taught many things, since phones were not so established they could handle situations without the presence of a doctor.

The midwife recalled that back then, when she did home deliveries of babies, she would have to go to that house and bathe

midwife,” she said.

The midwife pointed out that she likes the job so much that after she retired 12 years ago, she kept renewing her contract annually, telling herself it will be her last year but would continue because nursing has left an indelible mark in her life.

“Sometimes I does be in clinic busy, then just so somebody push out a baby

in the yard and I got to ask for an excuse and go assist the woman and child then return to tend to patients, ‘ she said.

At 67 years old, Europe is not tired in any way and although none of her five children followed in her footsteps of becoming a nurse, they patterned after her husband, who is a teacher and she is not disappointed in any way.

The nurse is originally from Kitty, but relocated after she purchased a plot of land at Samatta Point, East Bank Demerara, a community where she said she is safe.

“Samatta Point is a nice place to live, sometimes we forget to lock the doors and would leave the house and return to find nothing missing, and it is a place with claybrick roads which is still standing up to the elements, Europe said.

She added that the village benefitted from a playground recently and that is very commendable, because before that time the children used to play games in the cul-de-sac, which is in front of her house.

“I never migrated because I thought of my children….I stayed home and qualified myself when my peers went abroad to work in the field of nursing and I am satisfied that I choose to serve the community.

Every year I saying I will retire, but after this year I will, because I can still fully go into retirement mode,” she said.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

The shocks never stopped her from following her dream

–Tanicia Alana Belnman WHILE growing up, Tanicia Alana Belnman would get shocked while experimenting on an electrical appliance, but that never stopped her from pursuing her dream of becoming an electrician.

Today Belnman is the lone female electrician at Farm Supplies Ltd but she is not afraid to step into the spotlight and get her work done.

Her journey to where she is today started as any simple one. She was small and found an interest in something, but that interest started as a little spark and grew into a flame or a spark, but an electrical one.

“Growing up I would titivate with electrical stuff, I got shocked but it never stopped me…what really motivated me to go into electrical was my father and from there on I realised it was a great field,” said Belnman.

Belnman works as an electrician within the power generation section at Farm Supplies Limited and although she is on the path to success, the electrician faces her fair share of challenges each day.

One of the main challenges she faces is that people would often underestimate her because she is a girl.

“People would think that because you are a female you do not know much or they underestimate you,” said Belnman, adding that, in the inverse, some persons would be surprised

Tanicia Alana Belnman

to actually see a female working within the industry.

She said there are many challenges, but being an electrician is a fruitful occupation, especially to her.

Through her job at Farm Supplies Inc, Belnman had an opportunity to work with large companies like Guyana Shore Base Inc, ExxonMobil, Guyana Times and many more.

Most of her work is done in central Georgetown because she said the company would not send females to certain places because of safety reasons.

“I would always take up the task, but I understand… despite that I am not afraid to do what I do,” said Belnman, adding that one of the favourite tasks was working at the Kwakwani Power Station.

The electrician said it was a great experience because she had the opportunity to travel and explore a part of Guyana which she had not gone to before.

“Well I am proud of myself and the greater part about my field is that when you go in certain organisations to work on a generator and guys would see you and they would be surprised and that is a great achievement,” she said.

The electrician said the other good thing is that once she goes on a job and completes the task, she feels a great sense of accomplishment.

As her journey continues, Belnman hopes that five years down the line she will gain more qualifications and be able to take on a bigger leadership role within the organisation.

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Quitting

cigarettes

I WAS doing a seminar the other day when someone asked me the best way to quit smoking cigarettes. As I answered, it made me think about habits in general.

A habit is a reoccurring behaviour which happens both consciously or unconsciously.

We all have these, whether they are currently coming to mind or not.

Smoking is a habit for many people and fun fact, quitting is actually one of the most common New Year Resolutions around the world. Well, since we have some time before then, maybe I’ll give some of you a head start.

Despite its publicly known consequences, smokers usually start in their teens and continue throughout adulthood. While it does happen, it is rare for an individual to start smoking in adulthood.

The age-old question is, since we all know the harms associated with smoking, why do some of us continue to do it? Nicotine (the drug found in cigarettes) is one of the most powerful and reinforcing drugs, meaning it is highly addictive and it works fast. It goes directly into the bloodstream, and flows in the pleasure centre of the brain, releasing chemicals that quickly allows us to feel good.

Before one can even think about quitting, the reason for smoking in the first place must be identified. There are many reasons why individuals pick up cigarettes. The first I believe is peer pressure due to the young age when it typically begins. When your peers or family members smoke and therefore encourage it, one is much more likely to do the same- whether they truly want to or not. Parental influence is also a factor. Similar to alcohol use, children of smokers are twice more likely to smoke cigarettes than children of non-smokers. There is also the controversial topic of rebellion- that adolescents/teens like to do something simply because it is frowned upon.

The second reason is self-medicating to reduce stress or anxiety. This is the most common reason among adults. It doesn’t matter what issue one is dealing with- work, family or financial stress, smokers believe that cigarettes create instant relief and relaxation.

Media influences are also a cause of smoking. Smoking and drinking are still portrayed as ‘cool’ or acceptable on too many programmes.

Finally, some individuals smoke because of

a lack of information available to them. There are still some who are not aware of the devastating effects of smoking cigarettes. I hope this provides all that you need to make a healthier choice to quit.

When you identify your specific reasons for smoking, then quitting or introducing substitutes will become much easier.

Now, why quit? The World Health Organization found that more than five million individuals die annually from tobacco-related illnesses. Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body which reduces the overall health of smokers in general. It is currently the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. In general, smokers are more likely to develop lung cancer, heart disease and suffer strokes than non-smokers. It makes its victims more likely to develop bronchitis and suffer from asthma attacks. Being a smoker makes you more at risk for broken bones, tooth loss, cataracts, diabetes and arthritis. Smoking also makes procreation more difficult- for both men and women. Additionally, smoking while pregnant can cause early delivery, low birth weight and the possibility of death for the infant.

Smoking can also interfere with your personal and professional life. I cannot count the number of individuals I have met that say they would never be in a relationship with a smoker. I have also met with many employers that claim they would never hire a smoker due to loss of productivity from smoke breaks or the potential sick days that would be lower in a non-smoker.

The sad truth is, this whole column could have been filled with risks of smoking cigarettes and it wouldn’t make a difference to some people. The only thing you really need to quit is the will to quit. Everything else is secondary.

I’m not going to say that quitting cigarettes is easy as it’s really not. Coming off of nicotine is comparable to coming off of heroin or cocaine- as it is just as addictive. To those who would like to quit but have never tried, you need to be prepared for the withdrawal stage.

Withdrawal is your body’s natural detox from a substance and is the major cause of relapse (using again). If you are weaning off of cigarettes, expect a few physical and mental side effects.

The withdrawal symptoms include headache, nausea, increased appetite, trouble concentrat-

ing, irritability, anxiety and trouble sleeping.

These symptoms can last up to a few weeks- but you are strong enough to push through it.

SO, HOW TO QUIT SMOKING? While some people do it, I do not recommend to try and quit cold turkey (which means completely) as your first attempt.

If you feel you can or have even succeeded this way- good for you. However, most of my past clients who try to do this fail before their first week. I suggest that you cut down over time, reduce the amount you take every day until it becomes zero. One thing you can do is buy less. Many people buy multiple packs at a time. Buy only one- when you are coming close to the end, start purchasing loose, single cigarettes.

Make a pros and cons list. Write everything you like about smoking on one side of the paper and everything you dislike on the other side. The dislikes will always be greater in number- use that visual representation as a daily reminder to keep at it. Examples of cons- physical health issues, costs a lot, make you anti-social, you smell, people don’t like to kiss you etc.

Use alternatives. These include nicotine replacement gum or patches (which you can get at pharmacies). This means that your body is still getting a small dose of the nicotine it’s used to, without the harms of smoking it. Although it is important to note that these are not permanent substitutes and should only be used for a short amount of time to abstain from cigarettes. I wouldn’t recommend anyone using these products for more than 2-3 months.

Increase your exercise. This gives you natural endorphins that automatically help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Carry around healthy snacks with you. Quitting increases appetite anyway so carry around some nuts or sunflower seeds to snack on when the cravings hit.

Increase activities that make it difficult to smoke- for example, go to movies.

Increase your intake of coffee or Coca-Cola etc. Caffeine is known to produce the same effects on the pleasure centres of the brain as Nicotine does. Note: this only works for some individuals. Some find this a trigger and

increases cravings for cigarettes while others find it a good substitute. You have to try it to know which one you are. Also, this is not an option for anyone who is currently suffering from diabetes.

If you drink alcohol, decrease this for the quitting period as alcohol automatically signals nicotine cravings. Drink water and brush your teeth often. Both of these minimise cravings.

For those motivated by money, keep a jar with the money you would have used to buy cigarettes every week- watch it pile up. At the end of every month, buy something for yourself – not cigarettes!!

If you are trying but failing to quit at the moment, do not lose hope. It is extremely hard to quit cigarettes but it can be done. The average individual takes about 5 attempts to quit.

If the withdrawal is severe, please go to your nearest health centre or pharmacy so they can make this easier for you!

Are there any other habits that anyone would like help quitting? Let me know!

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 2230001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Golden Grove Health Centre providing family medicine at one location

By Michel Outridge GOLDEN Grove, East Bank Demerara, is home to one of the biggest health care facilities along the East Bank wing which provides comprehensive family medicine with an in-house specialist.

Tamica Daniels-Williamson is the doctorin-charge of the Golden Grove Health Centre and has a hands-on approach when it comes to managing and seeing patients, just as any other employee under her watch.

It was evident when the Pepperpot Magazine visited that she has ‘an open-door policy’ and would take the time out to see just about anyone who needs medical attention.

thing is in place and that medical professionals are ‘doing their jobs.’

“I manage the facility and see patients, as well. The management of patients entails long hours of work and in addition, I overlook the training exercise of the University of Guyana (UG) medical students, right here at Golden Grove Health Centre,” she said.

Dr Daniels-Williamson told the Pepperpot Magazine that presently, four UG medical students are undergoing Family Medicine orientation and since she is the in-house specialist, she manages their tutorials.

The doctor related that they deal with everything from pregnancy to chronic diseases at Golden Grove Health Centre.

Tamica Daniels-Williamson, doctor-in-charge of Golden Grove Health Centre

A nurse in the triage area tending to a patient Being the Family Medicine Specialist, Dr Daniels-Williamson is one of the friendliest and most straightforward individuals you will meet, and from the look of things, she is a very patient person.

According to Dr Daniels-Williamson, managing a health facility isn’t ‘a walk in the park.’ It takes a lot to oversee the day-to-day running of the facility to ensure that every-

They also have family planning, dental and mental health services, as well.

The Golden Grove Health Centre severs patients from the catchment areas of Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Samatta Point, Kaneville and other neighbouring villages.

Dr Daniels-Williamson reported that the facility is equipped with the necessary

equipment to offer reliable services, but there is room for improvement since nothing is perfect.

She manages 19 staffers from 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs from Mondays to Friday at the large health care centre, which is located at Station Street, Golden Grove, and a stone’s throw away from the Grove Police Station, the Golden Grove Nursery School and just next door to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office.

Dr Daniels-Williamson disclosed that the centre is a busy place where they see more than 90 patients per day, depending on specified clinic days.

She admitted that Wednesdays have the largest patient flow, because it is chronic diseases clinic day when patients with diabetes and hypertension visit for their medication and routine check-up.

Since they don’t offer in-patient services they mostly see patients with rashes, the common cold, asthma, joint pains and other minor illnesses.

“Cases that we cannot handle, that is, the

more serious ones, we refer to the nearest hospital which is Diamond Hospital, which is located a short distance away and it is up to them to make a further referral to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), if the case is beyond their reach,” she said.

Dr Daniels-Williamson told the Pepperpot Magazine that Mondays are maternal and child health clinic; on Tuesdays, ante-natal clinic, where they see the mature women in the morning period and the adolescents in the afternoon; on Wednesdays, chronic diseases clinic is held and on Thursdays are ‘Over One-Year-Old’ children clinic and on Fridays, they admit newborn babies to the clinic.

She said, “We basically have our work cut-out here since we have a steady flow of patients for the specific clinics, as well as, our out-patient visitors to tend to.”

Dr Daniels-Williamson related that the Family Medicine programme seeks to provide comprehensive care and services to patients at one location, that is, the Golden Grove Health Centre.

Golden Grove Sea Dam A place for both locals and foreigners

By Michel Outridge

LOCALS of Golden Grove Sea Dam, East Bank Demerara, say they are eking out a living aback the village and also sharing it with an influx of Venezuelan migrants, who fled their country in search of a better life here in Guyana.

One of the locals, Viadishwar Krishna, told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been residing at the location for the past three years with his wife and three children.

He however, disclosed that a lot of foreigners are now also living on the sea dam among the locals.

Krishna said because of the language barrier they cannot communicate as they should, but they use a form of sign language to talk to them.

He added that they are humans too, so

they try to co-exist with the foreigners who, he said, are also on the hunt for work.

Krishna told the Pepperpot Magazine that Market Street, Golden Grove Sea Dam, is like a whole village by itself and he is new to fishing, a job he was forced into to provide for his family.

As a new fisherman, he stated that he managed to have a fishing boat and would go out to the Atlantic Ocean at least four days per week.

Krishna related that depending on the catch at tide, he would go up to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) and return to Golden Grove, because he doesn’t want to venture out too far alone.

When the Pepperpot Magazine caught up with him, he was in his yard mending some torn seine, preparing for another fishing expedition.

After his catch, be it small or large, he would walk around the village and sell it and whatever money is garnered he would make the necessary purchases of groceries.

“I glad if I can get a piece of land to erect a proper house, as you can see how I living here – I used to live in Grove by my step-parents and just moved away because I wanted to be myself with my family,” Krishna said.

He disclosed that among the locals at Golden Grove Sea Dam more than 10 families are residing at the location and most are self-employed.

Since it is an unregularised squatting area, they have no electricity nor potable water and some use generators, while others use lamps.

The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to veteran koker operator, Suraj Sato, a resident of Market Street, Golden Grove.

He revealed that he has been manning the koker for the past 21 years, a job he takes seriously to ensure the koker is functional.

Sato, however, reported that there is constant erosion taking place at the sea dam, the koker is sinking and remedial works are necessary to rectify the issue.

Although he has been the koker operator since the days of Guysuco, he now reports to the Region Four administration and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Sato explained that the tide changes every six hours and he has to make sure there is no overtopping and the koker is operational.

At age 64, he added that it is a 24-hour job but does it anyway, because he lives within walking distance of the Golden Grove koker that is located on the sea dam.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

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The Ancient County lures visitors

WELCOME to the Ancient County. The 36,234 km2 East Berbice-Corentyne (EB/C) region is located in the eastern part of the country, sharing external borders with Suriname, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean.

There are two main rivers in the region, namely the Berbice River and the Corentyne River. East Berbice -Corentyne boasts three of the nine towns in the country: New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corriverton and two riverain communities of Orealla/Siparuta and Bara Cara villages. There are also 18 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils under the Regional Democratic Council that manage the affairs of the region.

The region is known for its rice, sugar, cattle, poultry and cash crops produced and cultivated in places such as Mara, Black Bush Polder and Crabwood Creek, etc. The residents are very welcoming and always hospitable to visitors.

GETTING THERE There are two main entry points to East Berbice-Corentyne.

The first is by road from the Berbice car park in the capital city with a route 50 minibus to Rosignol Village, West Coast Berbice and

The Canje Creek / Bara Cara After crossing the Berbice River Bridge, turning south, you will proceed to Sheet Anchor village where you will see the fixed Canje River Bridge, which was constructed in 1978.

It is 1,250 feet long, 33 feet wide and 45 feet high. Tours of the Canje Creek and to Bara Cara will start at the wharf under the Canje Bridge. Proceeding down the Canje Creek, one sees a variety of birds, including the national bird, the Canje Pheasant. Waiting to watch you pass safely by, and sounding his loud horn is the Howler monkey. Those are usually perched amidst the beautiful green scenery along the banks of the Canje Creek. One major feature is the village of New Forest, which is the home of the Canje Pheasant. Upon arrival at Bara Cara, there is potential for farm visits, fishing, swimming and camping.

NEW AMSTERDAM Upon entering the East Berbice-Corentyne region via the Berbice River Bridge, proceed south over the Canje River bridge for a scenic view of historic New Amsterdam, which can be seen from the top of the 45-foot high fixed concrete bridge.

The town of New Amsterdam, which cele-

A Hilltop view of Orealla Village market, where they have available fresh fruits, vegetables, meat etc. and cold coconut water or snow cone.

THE NO 63 BEACH Upon crossing the Berbice River Bridge, one can view the newly built Indian Arrival Monument site.

Turning north onto the Corentyne road, you will traverse the No 19 highway, which is reputed to be the longest straight road in the Caribbean (seven miles). Proceeding east, approximately one hour’s drive, you will arrive at No 63 village where the entrance to the beach is located.

There are 10 miles of prime sand and

for overnight guests. At Siparuta, which is a half-hour’s boat ride away from Orealla, you can enjoy a trip to the pine farm, sand hills, swimming at the beach and sport fishing for the famous perai and basha.

Special Events Planned for 2020 DATE ACTIVITY February 2020 100m Sprint, Cross Country cycle Race March 2020 Mashramani Celebrations April 2020 ( Easter Monday) New Amsterdam Easter Jamboree May 2020

visitors enjoying a tour of the canje creek then proceeding on to a route 56 minibus over the Berbice River Bridge. This leg can also be done using a hire car which can be accessed at the Berbice car park, Republic Avenue, Georgetown. From Suriname, the region can be accessed by boat arriving at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, which is an official port of entry.

MAIN TOURISM HOTSPOTS Much that is of interest and value to tourists about the East Berbice - Corentyne is either little known or not marketed. Here are some of the hotspots of note.

brates its 128th anniversary in 2019, is divided into three mini towns; namely Queenstown, Smythstown and Stanleytown. A drive along Main Street is an exciting history lesson as you view its ancient Christian architectural heritage such as All Saints Presbyterian Church; the Church of the Nazarene; Ebenezer Lutheran Church; All Saints Anglican Church; the Church of the Ascension and the Mission Chapel Congregational Church.

All modern facilities are available such as hotels, nightclubs, shopping complexes, supermarkets and play parks. You cannot leave without visiting the New Amsterdam

Siparuta Beach

The famous #63 beach sea for recreational purposes. One can enjoy relaxation, swimming, games, kite flying, and the cool Corentyne breeze.

OREALLA/SIPARUTA Orealla/Siparuta can be accessed from the two entry points in East Berbice-Corentyne previously mentioned.

After crossing the Berbice River Bridge, turning north and proceeding along the No 19 highway, approximately one and a half hour’s drive along the Corentyne coast to the Guyana/ Suriname ferry terminal, located at Moleson Creek. One can also arrive at the Guyana/ Suriname ferry terminal at Moleson Creek from Suriname. You can now use the boating services of Rendy River Tours to be transported to Orealla/Siparuta. En route to Orealla/ Siparuta along the Corentyne River, one can see a number of islands including Mud Island, Snake Island, Three Sisters Island, McLennon Island, Bishop and Clerk Island, etc and Long Island, which is the longest in the Corentyne River. On arrival at Orealla, a different kind of excitement starts as you tour the village. Colourful birds chirp past you along scenic routes, or you can relax at the beach or the local market; accommodation is available

100m Sprint, Cross Country cycle Race 31st July - 9th August 2020 Berbice Reunion 2020 September 2020 Rose Hall Town Week of Activities September 2020 Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations in Orealla/Siparuta October 2020 New Amsterdam Town Week of Activities October 2020 Berbice Expo and Trade Fair 20th - 24th December 2020 Christmas Village Rose Hall Town REGIONAL TOURISM COMMITTEE The Regional Tourism Committee is in its early stage of operation; the work is presently being done by Mr Travis Isaacs and Miss Keisha Hamid of the EB/C Regional Democratic Council (Co-Chairs), Mr Wain Wright Mc Intosh, Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam and Mrs Sheantta Lambert of the NA municipality; Miss Natasha Griffith, Mr Quacy Cort of the Rose Hall Town municipality and Mr Winston Roberts, Mayor of Corriverton.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Avenues of Education

THE Government of Guyana is working assiduously to ensure that education and training opportunities are offered to the citizens in order to realise President David Granger’s vision of Guyana becoming an ‘education nation’.

Guyanese who are armed

of Education Month in September, explores three additional avenues of learning offered by the Government of Guyana.

SCHOLARSHIPS The cost of tertiary education is a heavy burden to bear for recent high school

Ms. Alissia James, former Bertram Collins College of the Public Service Cadet, now Clerk III at the Department of Citizenship with knowledge, innovative ideas and increased access to modern technologies particularly during the coming Decade of Development, will help to put this nation on a path of sustainable economic and social development.

This edition of Government in Action, which follows closely on the heels of the national observance

vice, Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley explains: “The scholarship programme is sort of vast because it deals with the scholarships to the University of Guyana. We [also] look at scholarships overseas as well. We also have bilateral agreements with certain

Colonel Lawrence Paul, Senior Executive Director of the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service

graduates, and even for those working part and full time.

The Scholarship Department, housed within the Department of Public Service is working hard to ensure Guyanese have a chance to study locally, regionally and internationally, and at all degree levels at the State’s expense.

Minister of Public Ser-

countries. So, we may have scholarships to Romania, for example… scholarships to China, [and] we all know scholarships to Cuba. Then there is the training, which is inter-ministry training.”

The Minister added that all the scholarship information can be found on the Department’s website, https:// scholarships.dps.gov.gy/ .

“Depending on what it is

that you are hoping to apply for, the requirements would vary…. The Department of Public Service has a scholarship website so persons can get information from the website pertaining to their interest and area of study to see whether or not the Scholarships Department would [be

istry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, [Mrs. Valerie Garrido-Lowe].

[Minister Garrido-Lowe] knows that there are certain applications that will be needed and she’s going to be doing … in the hinterland to ensure persons are aware of these

Mr. Floyd Scott Director of the Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) able] assist them,” she said.

The Government of Guyana is eager to match access to education in the hinterland with that on the coastlands.

The Department of Public Service does this by partnering with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

“We try… to make the scholarships available to all… I’ve actually spoken with Minister within the Min-

Unfortunately, technical and vocational training opportunities are often overlooked and negatively stigmatised in comparison to its counterpart, traditional academia.

The Government of Guyana does not share this view, rather it recognises that tech-

Minister of the Public Service, Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

things that are on stream. Once… they have done the application, she will… send them to me so that we’re able to strike a balance between those who are in town and those who are in the hinterland that also will need those scholarships,” she said.

TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

nical and vocational training will produce exactly the kind of hands-on skills needed to transform this nation. Director of the Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Mr. Floyd Scott explains.

“My primary responsibility as the Director is to ensure that we provide policies and direction for the Minister of Education, [Dr. Nicolette Henry,] who is our subject

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Minister and ensuring that we fulfill the mandate for [the] national development of our country, and ensuring we conform to standards and requirements [that] ensure… our industries can be globally competitive; as well as ensuring that our standards that are required for skill certification through the Caribbean regional machinery is adhered to in order to… provide for the issuance of the… Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ),” the Director said.

Mr. Scott explained that while the Council itself does not offer programmes, it serves as the bridge between industry professionals and prospective trainees to properly facilitate creation and implementation of industry -programmes that keep trainees relevant and ready to contribute to the workforce.

“CTVET does not offer programmes. Programmes are provided and are directed as a result of industry needs and it is executed by either the technical industry institutions or by training organisations who will, through CTVET, register to offer programmes that will meet industry standards… TVET brings national and social development to our country.

Because of the model that is in place that is competency-based, it [allows] us to ensure that we reach the standard that one might be able to compete globally so that our skilled individuals, and whatever jobs they’re exposed to, would not be limited to only what is within our domain in Guyana, but allows us to meet the standards that are internationally acceptable,” he said.

Mr. Scott highlighted the importance of TVET training saying that it is the fuel of national development. “[The] industry must recognise that they have full stake in where TVET is going, whether its oil and gas, whether it’s the construction sector, whether its tourism…

we have a direct stake in it.

Everyone in Guyana must be a TVET practitioner and must be involved in TVET. That’s what I would like to see in the future of Guyana… We can only develop socially and develop as a progressive and a dynamic country through TVET’s full involvement and through TVET being considered as a tool for national development,” he said.

THE BERTRAM COLLINS COLLEGE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE President Granger envisions a public service that is staffed by persons with integrity.

In pursuit of that vision, the Government of Guyana, through the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service (BCCPS), has been educating and training young people between the ages of 17 and 21 and placing them throughout the Public Service as shining examples of good public servants. After completing the year-long course, the cadets earn themselves an entry level position in the Public Service. Senior Executive Director of the BCCPS, Colonel Lawrence Paul explains.

“The College is an institution of excellence which will transform the Public Service to provide the highest quality of service to the citizens of Guyana. That is our vision. Our mission is to provide appropriate learning experiences for all members of the Public Service to equip them with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to perform their duties professionally,” the Senior Executive Director said.

The year-long programme comprises six months of classroom work, four months of practical attachment within the Public Service, and one month of study tours. During attachments, the cadets gain first-

hand experience of employment within the public sector and learn to put the fundamental concepts learned in the classroom into practice on the job.

“Every student comes with [their] own… values, which might not necessarily be the values that are required or needed in the Public Service. So, what we try to do, in the first place, is to get rid of the bad values that are not what the Public Service will accept and to train them in the way that they would be very proficient and become professional public servants when they are employed in the Public Service… I would really want them to uphold the kind of professionalism and standard of training that we have given them at this College… We see these new public servants as the agents of change and they’re the ones who we feel will transform the Public Service into the 21st century,” he said.

Ms. Alissia James, former BCCPS Cadet, now Clerk III at the Department of Citizenship shares her experience. The knowledge gained as a cadet, she says, has stayed with her as she begins her professional ca-

reer.

“I was a part of the second graduating class. It was a good experience. I had the opportunity to go on tours. I was on work attachment at the Department of Citizenship. I started at the General Register Office… and then I came over to… the main office… From the teachings that we got from the lecturers and even from the same study coordinators… for me it just registered… in my brain that when I [graduate] I’m not supposed to do [certain things] because if I do [those things] it’d be wrong. For me, it would be something personal… and I wanted to do what was right,” Ms. James said.

While the Decade of Development may be funded by oil and gas revenues, it will be steered by the contributions of educated and skilled Guyanese. Guyana, the ‘education nation’ is not a long way off.

T he ‘ education na tion ’ is now . G uyanese should be encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities for training offered by the

G overnment

to better

oneself and to better

Guyana.

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FILES E S A C COURT

By George Barclay

O

Convicted cop appeals and loses

Shoots man to death - gets 3 years for manslaughter

N the night of August 1, 1976, Policeman Guy Simmons walked into a gas station and claimed that if he was not sold two cold beers he would blow out the brains of the barman with his .38 revolver.

Bystander Jerome Calder who questioned the cop’ s ability to commit any such offence with a toy gun, was shown the live bullets of the revolver and like doubting Thomas of biblical fame, was still doubting when his head was blasted from a revolver bullet.

Following police investigations, P.C. Simmons was charged with murder but a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes found him guilty of manslaughter and he was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the trial judge.

Dissatisfied with the sentence, Simmons appealed the conviction and sentence, but the Court of Criminal Appeal, constituted by Chancellor Victor Crane and Justices of Appeal R. H. Luckhoo and Dhan Jhappan, dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction and sentence.

The accused was charged with the murder of the man but he was convicted of manslaughter, the jury having rejected his defence of accident, viz, that he took out his revolver to get some money to pay for the beers and as he was putting it back, the gun accidentally went off.

At the trial, the jury were correctly directed on the degree of negligence which the prosecution had to discharge to bring home a conviction of manslaughter but were not told that when dealing with the issue of the accident that the onus was on the prosecution to negative the defence accident.

The Court of Appeal held (I) that notwithstanding there was a lapse on the judge’s part, the circumstances recounted by the prosecution witnesses were compatible and reconcilable with the evidence of a ballistic expert as to the pressure needed to cock and discharge the gun, and also with the pathologist evidence as to the position of the bullet wound on the deceased. (ii) that the proviso will be applied because the post mortem evidence negative the defence of the accident and was so overwhelming as inevitably to lead a reasonable jury properly directed, to the

same conclusion of guilt.

The Appeal was dismissed and the conviction and sentence affirmed.

Representing the appellant at the appeal was Attorney-at-law, Mr. J. A. Patterson.

Mr.. Loris Ganpatsingh, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Acting, represented the State.

Delivering the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Justice of Appeal R. H. Luckhoo said that on the appellant’s be-

vary the style and arrangement of the summing-up in those cases in order effectively to assist the jury in appreciating the issues set before them.

What was the State’s case against the appellant? It rested on the evidence of persons present at the scene of the discharge of a .38 police service revolver.

On the evidence of Eustace Kendall an expert in the use and functioning of firearms, including the type of revolver in question, and on the evidence of

half a number of grounds were argued, but the only one which qualified for, and merited consideration was ground 3 (a) of his amended grounds of appeal in which he complained that the learned trial judge “failed to tell the jury that the onus of disproving the defence of accident rests on the prosecution”. That the trial judge did not in any part of his summing-up use the words, ”The onus of disproving the defence of accident rests on the prosecution “ cannot be disputed. Let us therefore examine, examine the setting of the facts of the case and relate, as we must, the directions given to that setting. Only in this way can we determine whether or not this ground is to succeed. In doing so we gave recognition to the fact that no two judges have the same style, manner and arrangement of a summing-up before a jury. Indeed very often the same judge must, by virtue of the way in which particular cases are presented,

Edward Simon, a senior Government Bacteriologist and Pathologist. Undisputed were the following facts, that the discharge at the gas station, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, at a bar, where beer and other drinks were sold, and to which the public had access, that at the bar and within close proximity were several persons including the deceased Calder and the appellant. There was also no dispute that the appellant had the revolver in his possession at the time of its discharge and that Calder died from a bullet wound through the right temple inflicted by a bullet discharged from the same revolver.

Winston Oudkirk’s version of how the incident took place was in substance this: he said that the accused came up to the bar and in a normal tone of voice said to the barman: “Bring two beers or I blow your f….. brains out. “ With that, he took out a small gun from his pocket.

Calder said to him that it was a toy gun, whereupon the accused took out a bullet

from the magazine of the gun and said to Calder that, “ This is a real f… bullet. “ The accused then replaced the bullet into the magazine and back into the gun.

Calder insisted it was a toy gun. The witness then heard a loud explosion. Calder slumped forward, spun around and fell on his back. Before the explosion, Calder was bending forward at the back of two men and he was facing the accused. He did not see Calder leaning against or touching the accused. Calder, he said, was a tall man, and was bending slightly forward. He could not say whether Calder was looking into the barrel of the gun.

There was no hostility in the conversation between the deceased and the accused.

The deceased was tipsy and was swaying as he stood up having his beer. After the explosion, the accused put the gun back into his pocket, and in a normal tone of voice said to the witness, “You must leave, you ‘ent see anything.”

Lennox Nestor’s version was that the accused came up to the bar and requested two cold beers, and on the barman saying there were no cold beers, he said, “Well, if I can’t get a cold beer I’ll shoot one of you.” Calder asked, “What you gon shoot with, your mouth?” The accused then took a revolver from his pocket and showed it around and said “With this,” as he held it up. He placed the revolver back into his pocket Calder then said “It is a toy pistol,” whereupon the accused took out the revolver again, opened it, took out a bullet held it up in the air and said, “Is this still a toy pistol”. The accused then put the bullet back into the revolver and replaced it into his pocket. Calder insisted it was a toy pistol. The witness then saw the revolver in the hand of the accused for a third time and this was followed by an explosion. He did not see Calder bending down before the explosion. After the explosion, he saw Calder lying on the ground.

The accused asked the witness Nestor what he was doing at the gas station and on being told that he was waiting for change, accused told him, “Collect lt fast and split the joint”.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction and sentence.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

W E R D N A G N I R E B M E M RE A S A E I G E CARN A N A Y U G F O R O T C A F BENE

THE Carnegie School of Home Economics which is located at High and D’Urban streets, Georgetown celebrated its 86th Anniversary earlier this year in April.

At the celebration, most of what was said was about the programmes the school offers but little or nothing was said of Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie was one of the most important benefactors to Guyana’s Education and it is only befitting that in 2019 the centennial anniversary of his death that we memorialize him.

Andrew Carnegie emigrated as a child with his parents from Scotland to the United States in the early 19th century. The Carnegies were poor peasants and Andrew began life by working in odd jobs from an early age.

But he was a financial genius and in a short time, he was able to improve his financial status. By astute investments and venturing into the industry- especially the steel industry- he became the richest American of his day and remains one of the richest Americans in history. But the world remembers him not for his important place in American Economic History or his enormous wealth, the world remembers Carnegie because of philanthropy.

Carnegie’s philanthropy was not confined to America but extended to the British Empire and the funds he gave during his lifetime and from his Foundation after his death positively affected the lives of millions of people worldwide. His grants and donations gave special emphasis to local libraries, world peace education and scientific research as well as to the creation of many important institutions such as the famous Carnegie Hall in New York. The Carnegie Hall accommodated the best artistes in the world, especially musicians, and made their performances which once used to be confined to the drawing rooms of the nobility and the rich, available to ordinary folk.

One of the important legacies of Carnegie was to show by example that the rich could give back to society much of the wealth they accumulated without in any way diminishing their status or wealth. This pattern Carnegie set in the early 20th century has now been fully accepted and even the moderately wealthy establish foundations to assist particular social needs. In Guyana, this culture of giving back accumulated wealth to society has begun to take root and there have been several foundations established. In the last 18 years of his life, Carnegie gave away today’s equivalent of US $65 billion and his Foundation has continued to help society.

Guyana benefited from Carnegie’s philanthropy by the gift of two important institutions - the Carnegie Public Library, now renamed the National Library and the Carnegie School of Home Economics.

Until the establishment of the Carnegie Library in 1909, Guyana had no public library facility. Books were scarce and were

not imported in any great number because only the better off citizens could purchase them. This lack of the availability of books greatly retarded the intellectual and educational life of society, and especially the poor.

With the establishment of the Carnegie Public Library, a new world of learning was opened to Guyanese and people at the time recognized this. Among the notable things which occurred at the opening was the representation of a delegation of Freemasons since Carnegie was a practising Freemason and it is believed that `the high moral precepts of that institution greatly influenced him. The Masonic delegation marched in procession from Freemasons Hall a few blocks away in Church Street wearing their regalia since the Grand Lodge of England had given them a special dispensation to wear their regalia in public for the occasion.

The Library building was designed by one of the finest architects of the day and long remained one of the most important and beautiful buildings in Georgetown. The floors were polished parquet and the furniture and shelving were the most modern at the time and the staff recruited were cultured young women from the important families and were trained in librarianship and library procedures. The book stocks were large and comprehensive and offered whatever one wanted. To enter the portals of the Library was to enter into a dreamland of learning and culture and this remained so until the 19 60’s when Guyanese society was overwhelmed with violent political convulsions. Arthur Seymour, in his book “I live in Georgetown” mentions the impact the Library had on citizens.

Before the Carnegie School of Home Economics was established in the 1930s, the only alternative young women had of learning the arts of home-making was by seeking the help of older women and such help was often inadequate. The opening of the school opened new opportunities for young women to learn cooking, tailoring and dressmaking and homemaking in general and introduced and propagated the culture of modern home-making. Further, with the School’s certification, young women could get better-paying jobs in hotels, restaurants and as care-givers and as workers in childcare institutions. This Carnegie gift greatly enriched the social life of Guyana.

When the school recently celebrated its 86th anniversary, the principal Ms Myrna Lee pointed out that the School had 1500 students and that the physical infrastructure needed to be improved. Over the years, the curriculum had to be constantly updated to respond to the needs of society and the demands of industries and communities.

The School at present offers more than 18 programmes including the basic ones of home-making, cooking, dressmaking, childcare and care of the elderly but with

the growth of Tourism, the focus has been to meet the needs of the Hospitality industry.

Interested persons will also be prepared and certified to meet the new demands which the Oil and Gas industry brings.

The Carnegie School of Home Economics

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has become an important and indispensable part of the country’s Education System.

In this centennial year of Andrew Carnegie’s death, it may be an inspiring exercise for the School and its students to reflect on his life and works.

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NAREI’s Open Day ON October 18, 2019 all roads will lead to the country’s premier research institute for one of Agriculture Month’s main activities: NAREI’s Open Day. Yearly, NAREI welcomes hundreds of individuals including students, teachers, and farmers to view exhibits of works done

throughout the year.

Patrons visiting this year are in for a treat.

To share more of NAREI, the Institute will be having displays throughout the compound.

Several areas that will be utilised are: the ground floor of the main building, the Fruit, Vegetables and Other Crops building, the

Plant Nursery, tunnel house, hydroponics shade house and the shaded kitchen garden.

Visitors will be provided with a map to guide their tour.

According to Dr. Oudho Homenauth, CEO of NAREI, NAREI’s Open Day is an important activity owing to the enriching experience it offers visitors. “It allows the public to become more familiar with what we do and the services they can acquire; staff have direct contact with our beneficiaries; we get the opportunity to showcase our achievements and in general promote agriculture,” he said.

Over the years, many students from various secondary schools and institutions such as the University of Guyana and Guyana School of Agriculture would have attended the activity. Nonetheless, the majority of the visitors are from secondary schools.

Dr. Homenauth believes that students are the ideal target segment for this activity.

“It provides them with a scientific view of Agriculture, contributes to creative ideas for SBAs and projects as well as enlighten them of careers in agriculture,” the CEO stated.

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English

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STUDY SUCCESS

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Dear Student, Sources that can yield questions concerning the topics you are studying are these: old examination papers, suggestions or guidelines given by your teachers, talking to experienced persons, talking to study partners and sharing ideas, matters you personally want to know about, and the course you have to study during the year. Always think about the What? When? Why? How? Where?

Who? of topics. Be wise.

Love you.

IMPROVING WRITING Writing about historical things The short story is so vital an opportunity to score high marks at your upcoming examination, mastery of its writing cannot be overemphasised.

Here is a writing about historical things for you to read and then analyse, and probably take pattern. Read the story about three times before you begin to check its features against the pointers following: Setting: Let time and place be readily understood by the reader.

Characters: The protagonist is a

character with strength and at least one weakness, and faces a conflict caused by the antagonist. Dialogue makes characters seem real.

Plot: An event near the beginning gets the story going; foreshadowing is used to create suspense.

Events place the protagonist in deep trouble.

The climax is the turning point and most exciting part of the story.

During the falling action, all remaining questions are answered.

Style: The beginning of the story is interesting to the reader.

Description of characters and setting makes the story seem true to life; only important details are described.

Be careful about the language you use; it must suit the story.

Use a sizeable percentage of Standard English structures to show mastery in that skill.

Look at this story written about historical things or happenings.

Once upon a time an innocent prisoner was condemned – for his religious beliefs. – to die by the cruelest tortures of the Spanish Inquisition. After the strain of the long trial, the prisoner fainted. Black-robed figures carried him unconscious – down – down – down far below the surface of the earth,

into a dungeon where the mind of man had excelled itself in devising fiendish implements of torture. When he regained ONCE to every man and nation consciousness, he examined comes the moment to decide,In the his surroundings. On the walls were grotesque carvings – figstrife of Truth and Falsehood, for ures of imps and demons – and the good or evil side. on the ceiling was the figure of JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL Father Time, pictured, as usual, (1819-1891) The Present Crisis with a scythe.

Suddenly he observed something startling about the figure. go home to write it down, and either Father Time’s scythe was a pendulum! The sharp blade was de- overdramatize it or underplay it, exscending inch by inch - and he lay, aggerate the wrong parts or ignore the bound securely, directly in its path. important ones. St any rate, you never Now the full meaning his sentence was write it quite the way you want it.

I’ve just got to put down what clear. He was to die by the cruelest of all tortures, mental torture; for his was happened to me this afternoon. I can’t the anguish of watching death approach tell mother, no yet, anyway. She was in my room when I came home, fussing by slow degrees.

Down – down – steadily – steadily with clothes, and she didn’t even sense down. Hours passed - perhaps days tat something had happened. She just – he had no way of knowing; and still kept scolding and chattering on and the pendulum descended. Nearer and on. So, I couldn’t stop and tell her. nearer and nearer, until he could feel No matter how it comes out, I have to the rush of the swift blade as it swept write it down.

What does this passage reveal past.

Now the blade, as it passed, about the writer’s reasons for keepcut the folds of his garment. One ing a journal? more stroke and it would reach his GRAMMAR heart….

Use good/ well and bad/ badly correctly.

ABOUT THE PASSAGE Good and bad are adjectives. They This is an example when treating stories where the setting is far away precede nouns and follow linking and of long ago, and the vocabulary verbs.

Use well as an adjective to mean “in is beyond some students.

A teacher decided to use this ap- good health.” Otherwise well and badproach to provide a thumbnail back- ly are adverbs and modify action verbs.

Beginners might look ……. In ground on the Inquisition and its extreme cruelty to heretics. She told the the ratings ……… Swap them for a first part of the story - with dramatic ……. set.

Complete each sentence below by flourish.

Was she successful with you? You adding good, well, bad, or badly.

1. We have recently been told that maybe need to find a dictionary, an encyclopedia, a website or the relevant history margarine may be as ……. as cholesbook or stories based upon the inquisition to terol-laden butter.

2. Eating a bucket of unbuttered help you, but let’s not get deep into history.

What is being reinforced here is that popcorn is not ……. for you either.

3. foods saturated with fat or brima story can be written based upon facts.

Discussion with your study partners ming with salt can make you feel …….

4. Nutrition experts debate whether should help you further. people should take vitamin supplements or simple eat ……..

What to Do 5. The few federal standards tat do Why not try to add an ending to the teacher’s story by either writing exist for nutrition supplements are enabout how, or whether you think the forced ……..

6. Price differences for vitamins are fiendish tortures can be stopped , or how the prisoner can be saved? Take great, so shop carefully for a ……. buy.

7. Studies show that in moderate your time to get things right. A bit of research may be necessary to tickle doses, nutrition supplements ae ……. for you. mind images.

8. Many questions remain, however, and more research is …….. needed.

KEEPING A JOURNAL 9. How …….. do vitamins or minWriting about personal Things Some things are hard to write about. eral products fare in the treatment After something happens to you, you of disease?

Chronicle Pepperpot October 13, 2019

Cheese Pie To make Pastry: Mix flour and salt together in a bowl.

Using a fork or pastry cutter, cut butter and shortening into flour until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.

Add 3 tbsp of water and mix until well combined.

Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 mins before using.

Preheat oven to 350.

In a bowl, mix flour with egg, mix until well combined and smooth.

Whisk in milk, then add all other ingredients, except cayenne pepper and stir.

Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry to 1/8 inch thickness, in other words, pretty thin.

Line muffin pan with pastry, lightly press.

If the pastry becomes too soft, making it difficult to roll, place it back in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill.

Bake crust for 5 mins, then remove from oven and spoon filling into the crust.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 15-20 mins.

The tops should puff up when they are done.

Remove from oven and allow to cool before eating

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup butter, cold 1/4 cup shortening 3 tbsp ice cold water Filling 1 cup evaporated milk 1 egg 2 tbsp flour 1 1/4- 1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese 1 scallion, green parts only finely chopped 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt cayenne pepper to sprinkle of top (optional) jehancancook.com

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