Guyana_Chronicle_PepperPot_03_07_2022

The scenic

Berri-Bessibali An ideal place to live off the land and river

(Delano Williams photo)

Sunday, July 03, 2022

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

‘Pure little souls that just need love’ - Animal lover dedicates her life to their care

THE disappointments in Genevieve Beepat’s life could’ve had a crippling effect on her had it not been for the love and kindness shown by her dear grandmother, who, earlier in life, refused to place her and her two sisters in an orphanage.

Beepat, well known as Judy, believes that she inherited her grandmother’s caring spirit as she has chosen to dedicate her life to looking after animals in need.

The 40-year-old animal lover of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, has turned her home into a shelter, providing housing and care to over 60 animals, mainly cats and dogs. “All are rescues, and I also take care of strays and neglected pets outside of my home; over three dozen,” she said in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

Judy has advocated for animals for nearly nine years, having always had pets while growing up. “After a lot of disappointing experiences in life, it kind of drew me to the

Genevieve ‘Judy’ Beepat with one of her dogs

animals and their suffering. I became very passionate about helping them,” she said, adding, “They have so much love to give; they’re pure little innocent souls that just need love like everyone else.”

Apart from the animals at her home, Judy also cares for those in the streets

Judy provides housing for over 60 animals

Judy did not get an opportunity to grow up with her parents. In fact, when she was very young, her family encountered problems that resulted in her and her two sisters having one of two ways out: going to an orphanage or being taken in by her grandmother.

‘Rukmin’ or ‘Flutie Lady’, Judy’s grandmother, would not allow her grandchildren to go to an orphanage, hence making all of the necessary sacrifices to care for them, including one of the girls who has a disability. The grandmother was a well-known vendor at the Lusignan Primary School and was reportedly the only one to sell ‘flutie’ (ice block) at the time, something the children loved.

“She was very gentle, kind and loving,” Judy reflected, adding, “She was left with three of us. It was either her or the orphanage, and she decided to keep us. I think I may have inherited her kindness, but, in return, I show it to the animals.

The animals give so much unconditional love, and they remain loyal to you.”

SEE PAGE XXIII Judy has witnessed the cru-

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

Backpack International making new library at Annai Village a reality

AN under-utilised community building in Annai Village, Region Nine, will soon be transformed into a library, thanks to the collaboration between Alabama-based Guyanese Oslyn Rodriguez and students from the Sand Creek Middle School in New York who collected over 12,000 books to support the library.

Rodriguez is the founder and executive director of Backpack International Inc. (BPI), a non-profit organisation she started in 2016 with a global mission to equip students in need with overall academic success.

She returned to Guyana after being away for 14 years and wanted to offer her assistance anyhow she could. “I was really moved and wanted to do something to give back to the children of Guyana,” she said in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

Being a certified English teacher with a passion for education, Rodriguez, who was born in Linden and grew up in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), wants to be able

to help children obtain the

essentials of being success-

The students of Sand Creek Middle School in New York donating the books in a display of love and kindness to the children of Annai Village

BPI also has a huge donation of medical uniforms for healthcare workers

Founder and executive director of Backpack International Inc. Oslyn Rodriguez

The students were able to rake in over 12,000 books for the library

ful at school. The goal, she shared, is to equip students with what they need for school, such as books, shoes, clothing, hygiene products, bicycles and more.

She visited Surama Village last December to donate 118 brand new bicycles and backpacks filled with items the children needed to care for themselves at home and school. During this visit, she became connected with the Annai Village Council.

“They currently have a community building that is not being used to its capacity, so our chairman suggested we can put a library there. We came back and started on a plan to renovate the building into a library,” she related.

BPI and the South Colonie Central School District

The building in Annai that will be repaired to house the library

subsequently hosted a book parade to celebrate the philanthropic efforts of the students at Sand Creek Middle School. The Student Council had launched a school-wide service project to collect 5,000 books to benefit the new library in Annai.

The students quickly surpassed this goal and collected more than double the target number. On June 22 last, they participated in a celebratory book parade to transport the books from inside the school and load them onto a shipping truck. Students from each class carried books from inside the school’s temporary popup library and walked the parade route with books in make-shift floats before they were loaded onto the truck parked outside the school.

Rodriguez and Angel Rodriguez, Chairman of BPI, visited the school to accept the donation of books and personally congratulate the students and community

for their outstanding acts of service. Students had created a beautiful ‘pop-up’ library to display the books during the collection process.

Rodriguez presented the Student Council with a plaque and the Global Impact Award to English Teacher Melissa Moskov, who co-ordinated the project with the students. The event concluded with remarks from BPI’s Chairman, who reminded the students of the impact of their efforts.

“Every book you collected shows every child in Annai that they are loved, respected, important and that they have friends in America,” he said.

The children in New York were happy to help, Oslyn Rodriguez shared.

“They were so excited. They wrote posters to the children of Annai, and we are overjoyed and grateful for what they have done for the children in Guyana despite never having met them.”

The next phase of the project is to be able to raise

enough money to send the books to Guyana. The books will be shipped in a container from Hudson, New York, to Guyana and the organisation is seeking the community’s support to raise US$20,000 to complete the project. A trip to Guyana is scheduled for December 26-31, 2022, to dedicate the library.

BPI is also looking to train a librarian and help the residents at Annai develop a catalogue system to assist the library users. Furthermore, some 200 chairs will also be donated to the library.

Since the organisation came into being, Rodriguez said they have been able to provide assistance to five of Guyana’s 10 regions. “My goal is to be able to help children in all 10 of the regions. We also have a huge donation of medical uniforms and lab coats that we would like to donate to healthcare workers; about 12,000 pieces,” she disclosed.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

Men recognising their role in society

JUST off the heels of Father’s Day celebrations, previous discourse surrounding the role of fathers in children’s lives have fed into the larger consideration of the critical role for that men play in society as a whole.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Adel Lily, Head of the Gender Affairs Bureau which is attached to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Lily provided insight regarding the work of the Ministry in training men and boys to impact their communities positively.

Lily explained that through the programmes, the Ministry, through its Gender Affairs Bureau, is ensuring that men’s issues are adequately addressed.

Manager of the Gender Affairs Bureau Adel Lily

“Men are significantly affected when it comes to the issue of addressing their feelings. Men don’t talk, men bottle up, men do experience

domestic violence, but they don’t report it, so what we are doing is making sure that men have a voice [and that] they talk. We do that by cre-

ating a safe space,” Lily told the Pepperpot Magazine.

As a result of this seeming inhibition, a safe space environment is being created for men to talk and share is-

for most men, the issue of masculinity is in their head. It should be noted, according to him, that we should never draw the conclusion that making money is what makes a man a man. According to Lily, what makes a man is “Integrity” and responsibility, being there for his family.

Lily was of the view that there needs a redefining of the definition of a man, and that the thought that a man is defined or secured in the amount of money he makes should not stand. “ A lot of ideas about masculinity are formed at the street corners, in our homes, schools or place of work.

I believe that we have to start the conversation again

gional Men’s Group” plays a critical role in retooling men who are willing to learn and to properly guide boys as to what is a man and displaying a real good example of what manhood really is to our young boys, who will, later on, grow up to be men.

“Some of the programmes of the Regional Men’s Group is provide training on anger management among men in their respective communities, how to properly resolve conflict and to resolve their anger.

The truth of the matter is that men are significantly the perpetrators of violence, because they don’t know

in our communities about what makes you a man. We have [teach] men about manhood,” the manager told the Pepperpot Magazine .

He is of the strong view that there is a great need for more mentorship and role models, to be done by men to our boys, it must be clearly seen.

Addressing the question of displaying manhood to a society of boys who themselves may have come from a position where they have not been brought up in a nurturing environment, Lily stated that this has posed a great challenge to those men.

However, he believes that to rise above the challenge, there is a need for more men to seek information regarding dealing with the issue of how to be a mentor /role model.

This is where the “Re-

how to model exemplary and responsible behaviour in society as a men to our boys and other males in society,” Lily added during his interview.

One of the fathers previously featured in this publication for Father’s Day, Dellon Kurtlan Johnson, was careful to note that the issue of responsibility is key when it comes to manhood “There are lots of men who do not want to stand up to their responsibility, and to my mind, that is wrong,” Johnson previously explained during his interview. Johnson had also grown up in a home without his father, but had stated that that absence instead served as motivation for him to be a good role model to his children to protect them from his own experience.

Dellon Johnson and his children

sues that affect them through the formation of a Regional Men’s Group which the Gender Affairs Bureau has established.

This initiative also allows men to have the necessary tools Lily stated that a man ‘s ego is one of the biggest aspects of any man, therefore, if the feelings of his ego are being bruised or battered, this becomes a major challenge. “[Emasculation] is more or less the loss of masculinity and power. When that occurs, the tendency is to be withdrawn or get rebellious . The truth of the matter is a woman gaining more money than a man [for example] should not in any way affect a man’s masculinity,” Lily noted during his interview.

He also contended that

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

Scenes from Essequibo River (Delano Williams photos)

The scenic Berri-Bessibali An ideal place to live off the land and river

THE Pepperpot Magazine journeyed over land and water to visit the riverine community of Beri-Bissabali, Essequibo River, Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) to highlight the way of life of the locals.

This far-flung village is located on the mainland between Aliki and Lanaballi and is seven miles from Saxacalli via boat, on the opposite side of the river.

Berri-Bessibali is on the west bank of the Essequibo River. The main income sources of the people are farming, poultry rearing and fishing.

The way of life of the residents is very simple. Almost everyone in the village

is self-employed, but there is no day off and their daily lives entail hard work from dusk to dawn.

The villagers are heavily hit by the high tide and heavy rainfall, causing their farms to be inundated by flood waters resulting in the loss of crops.

There is no electricity in Berri-Bessibali, but the people utilise solar power and generators. Their only form of communication is via cell phone, but, recently, a private internet company launched its service in the riverine community.

There is also no potable water, but the natives use rain water for consumption and water from the river for chores.

The village is home to ginger, ground provisions, coconuts, sweet fig banana, watermelon and citrus.

It is a quiet village that is beautifully set by the Essequibo River, and it is the ideal place to watch the sunrise and sunset and also to enjoy the calm of the place.

The only mode of transportation is by boat, and almost all the residents have their own boats to commute and transport their produce to Hubu Koker. At this central point, wholesale buyers visit to buy from farmers for resale.

The people of Berri-Bessibali are very friendly and accommodating, so you will not leave without something to eat or drink.

They are neighbourly and look out for each other and live in unity. It is also a safe place to live.

The boat ride from Hubu Koker to Berri-Bessibali is about 30 minutes one-way, and you will be exposed to

the elements if the boat is without a shed and if it rains and there is a high tide.

Lakeram Teeham When the team arrived, the first person the team spoke with was Lakeram Teeham, who accommodated the team at his residence.

He is a farmer who is originally from Bonasika Creek, but after marriage, he relocated to Beri-Bissabali in 2000 and began to cultivate the land.

The father of four told the Pepperpot Magazine that they face many challenges there due to the heavy rainfall. He lost all the chickens he was rearing and only the ducks survived to be eaten by wild animals.

Teeham stated that they are 28 farmers in the village and they have formed a group to look after their interests, but it is yet to be registered.

He reported that the nearest Nursery/Primary School is in the next village, La-

naballi and the secondary school is at Parika and on the West Coast Demerara.

Teeham explained that because of the commute by boat for secondary school students and the cost attached, many were forced to quit school.

The farmer stated that he is, however, pleased that his wife, Kavita Lallbachan is always on hand to assist him alongside his two grown sons.

He has two school-aged children and they try their utmost to stay afloat despite the challenges of living in a riverine community.

Mohamed Iftekar, the poultry farmer Meanwhile, Mohamed Iftekar, who is rearing 1,000 meat birds, told the Pepperpot Magazine that he used to cultivate two acres of watermelon and pumpkin, but due to the heavy rainfall, he lost his crops.

Iftekar added that 14 acres of coconuts, 12 acres of

Lakeram Teeham citrus and 27 acres of bananas survived, but he is unsure for how long due to the rains.

His produce is transported via boat to Parika and Bartica for sale.

Iftekar explained that the surging prices for chemicals, fertilisers and other farming supplies were worrying and the prices for mixed gas have also increased.

Fortunately, he resides a stone’s throw away from the Primary School, so his children would walk to school.

“We would go to Parika every two weeks to stock up on essentials and we eat what we grow, but at times we have to buy fruits and vegetables like everybody else. We cannot eat one thing all the time,” he said.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

A day in the life of the villagers of Berri-Bessibali

By Michel Outridge

ATTRACTED by the peaceful type of life, Murlin Deochan, after marriage, began farming and fishing with her husband. Fishing is their source of income as residents of Berri Bessibali, Essequibo River.

When they have widespread flooding on the farm as they do currently, she would engage in fishing to earn because it

Pamela Chung

Creek but she left her village six years ago in search of a better life.

Her spouse is a farmer, and at times, she would assist her neighbours in household chores to earn.

“Since I am living here, the people have been nothing but good to me and I appreciate that because with good neighbours like these, I cannot go hungry,” she said.

Murlin Deochan

was also not a good time to rear chickens like they normally would.

The 45-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that the fish they catch would be sold at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, to wholesalers.

“I would make use of the daylight hours to fish in my own fishing boat, and it is not easy as a woman fishing, but I have to do it to put food on the table,” she said.

Deochan related that she alone left home that day because her husband was in the farm trying to salvage some crops due to the flooding.

She resides about five minutes away by boat.

Farmer/fisherwoman Another resident, Pamela Chung, told the Pepperpot Magazine that since her husband died three years ago, it has been an uphill climb for her.

She relocated from Parika to Berri Bessibali Village and began the humble life as a farmer and later turned to fishing when farming was no longer viable for her, due to flooding.

Chung stated that fishing was a difficult task, and she could not do it alone, so she had to employ two workmen who would lend their expertise in fishing in the Essequibo River.

The mother of two would sell her catch at Hubu Koker.

The stay-at-home mom Fazia Benjamin is a mother of two, originally from Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) but relocated to Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River, in December last year.

The 22-year-old added that she used to reside in Bonasika

Farmer/fisherman, Ramlakan Budnie As a native of Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River, Ramlakan Budnie is accustomed to the tranquil life there even though nothing much happens there in terms of development.

The 49-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that when farming ceased due to flooding, he would fish and even that was difficult based

Jagdeo Sookram (Delano Williams photos)

on the scarcity of fishes.

He has in his employ one fisherman to assist on the fishing boat, which operates a ‘fly seine’ system to fish.

He disclosed that the drainage system needed to be upgraded to alleviate flooding in the farmlands.

Fazia Benjamin

Jagdeo Sookram, the farmer/fisherman Jagdeo Sookram related that as a resident of Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River, the only form of livelihood is either farming or fishing.

The father of two stated that he resides with his mother and a sibling.

He would assist on the farm during the day, and at night he would go out to fish via the boat.

“Sometimes I don’t catch anything, but that is part of the job and the fuel consumption goes up and it is difficult because of the rising cost for fuel. But I am trying with all that is happening, high cost of living has a significant impact on us all especially riverine people,” he said.

Ramlakan Sookram added that they Budnie don’t have much, but with the little that is at hand, they make much but what is needed most is a secondary school and qualified teachers.

He reported that there were a lot of high school drop-outs due to the commute, which is costly.

Sookram is the youngest farmer in the village. At age 26, he is doing his utmost to give his children a good life.

He added that he chose to remain in the riverine community because he knows about that kind of a quiet life and he has no desire to relocate.

As a result, he is willing to face the hardships that may arise from time to time especially flooding in the farmlands and the high cost of living.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

A serene life on the Essequibo River

By Michel Outridge

RAMROOP Rampersaud is a farmer and is from Lanaballi, Essequibo River, who journeyed via boat to meet the team during our visit to Essequibo River.

The 60-year-old reported that he resides in the nearby village and inherited farming as a way of life from his parents, all natives of the riverine community.

Growing up, he learned a lot and as he matured, he also went into farming after acquiring some farmland.

He has a cultivation of sweet figs, yams, limes, and oranges, Rampersaud describes his childhood as good because they had plenty to eat from the farm. Today, everything is expensive.

He related that one of their main concerns in the village is for a landing with steps because he has issues with his feet and cannot climb onto the landing to offload produce.

Rampersaud explained that normally they have to jump up to the landing with the engine for their boat, and it is difficult to do so when you are aged and have medical issues.

Rampersaud stated that small boats are moored, but the facility isn’t of the best and it needed upgrading.

He reported that farming was his living, but the recent rains had caused flooding on the farm and he was unsure what crops will survive.

The farmer is also calling for an upgrade in the drainage and irrigation system to minimise the effects of flooding.

“The best thing about living here is the land is fertile and one can earn from farming and live off the land as well as fish,” he said.

Rampersaud is originally from Bartica but grew up in Lanaballi, where he is residing to date.

He is of the view that

Ramroop Rampersaud (Delano Williams photos)

Leonora, Den Amstel and also did the renovations to Aliki Primary School.

Recently he completed renovations at the Fort Island Health Centre, in which a shed with a waiting area was constructed as a new feature to the existing flat concrete

Contractor, Harry Chowtie farmers would produce more if a subsidy is granted in terms of fertiliser, chemicals and other farming supplies that are necessary for a good crop.

Harry Contracting Services Meanwhile, Harry Chowtie of Harry Contracting Services is the man behind the renovation of Fort Island Health Centre, Essequibo River.

Apart from his small contracting service, he does a lot of behind-the-scenes charitable and volunteer work without wanting to be in the limelight.

As a simple man, Chowtie would assist those in need

without question because he comes from humble beginnings.

Chowtie is originally from Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River but relocated to Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara.

The contractor grew up among a long line of farmers and is also a farmer at Hogg Island, also in the Essequibo River.

“As a small-time contractor, I am hoping to get some contracts so I will be able to provide employment for more people and showcase my expertise,” he said.

He reported that in 2014 he constructed a lot of bridges in several villages including, Uitvlugt, Belle West,

building.

With the waiting area, it is more comfortable for patients.

The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that he had been in the contracting business since 2013, and despite bidding for contracts,

he is unsuccessful getting actual contracts, especially the big ones.

He is of the hope that his luck will change and he can get some contracts to keep his small business alive and be able to employ some more persons.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

The farmers of Berri-Bessibali, Essequibo River

By Michel Outridge AS a resident of a riverine community, Avinash Lalchan reminisced on the good life he had growing up when it was care-free, and he did not have to worry about anything.

Today, it is quite different. A lot of hardships, coupled with rising fuel prices and the high cost of living, have become too much for him.

The 36-year-old pointed out that he is a farmer and fisherman.

He added that he produced sweet fig bananas, ginger, yam and plantains and whenever he has a harvest he would go to Hubu Koker to sell his produce and his catch of fish.

Lalchan used to rear layer chickens, but he lost all due to sickness and he decided not to rear chickens anymore, having suffered a huge loss.

The father of three noted that he has 15 acres of farmlands in the back lands section of Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River, and such was only accessible by boat.

Lalchan added that, despite the challenges they face, it was a beautiful place to reside and they ate fresh, ‘farm to table’ concept, but they had to work hard to earn.

“I had to drop out of school at the primary level because of poverty and that is the plight of a lot of children in the village and other riverine communities,” he said.

He stated that life in Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River was boring but safe and it was a simple way of life.

Lalchan reported that they have three small shops in the village, but they would buy bulk items from Parika, a central hub of businesses.

He pointed out that, as a self-employed person, there was hardly a day off, but when he has some spare time, there is

Leonard Gopaul (Delano Williams photo)

nothing much to do in terms of activities and he would stay at home and watch movies to pass the time.

Deochand Ramchand Meanwhile, Deochand Ramchand is also a farmer and fisherman of Berri Bessibali Village, and he is leading a very simple life of farming to earn.

The 48-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was utilising some leased land to farm and his main crops were citrus and bananas.

The father of two explained that farming isn’t always profitable due to the flooding so he was forced to do another job which was fishing.

Ramchand reported that, during the day, he works at his farm. At night, he would venture out via his boat to fish in the Essequibo River, just to have a comfortable life for himself and his family.

As the owner of fishing boats, he explained that he doesn’t always have a good catch, but he would contend with what was there.

Leonard Gopaul Leonard Gopaul is a farmer and labourer. As a young father of one, he said his life would be significantly enhanced if he had a boat and engine.

The 21-year-old related that when his farm was not harvesting he would work with other farmers in the village to earn.

He has five acres of citrus and plantains and was affected by flooding.

Gopaul stated that he is a native of Bonasika Creek, a tributary of the Essequibo River and relocated to Berri Bessibali Village to reside with his sister, for a better life, 14 years ago.

Due to poverty, he told the Pepperpot Magazine that he only went one term to Nursery School and was unable to attend primary and secondary schools.

“Without education I am unable to do office jobs and those jobs that require book knowledge, so I had to resort to farming and I am trying with it because I want a better life for my child as a parent,” he said.

Gopaul explained that he did not want his child to have the same difficulties he had a as a child and he will work to ensure she attends school and become academically equipped.

Today, he is a married father of one who is doing his best to earn and he gets the support of his neighbours to do many things.

Gopaul stated that life in Berri Bessibali Village, Essequibo River is quiet and what is considered boring for others but it is a kind of life he is familiar with.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

IX

The newly renovated $1.5M Fort Island Health Centre

By Michel Outridge

Ready to serve the community with added amenities

IN an effort to provide a better service to riverine residents of the Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) the Fort Island Health Centre was recently renovated, a promise fulfilled by the current Nurse Pretty Debideen

administration.

The nurse-in-charge, Pretty Debideen, told the Pepperpot Magazine that a new waiting area outfitted with a shed and seating accommodation was added for patients’ comfort.

She stated that the renovation of the primary healthcare facility will significantly benefit the residents of Fort Island and its environs.

She serves six islands, Beezie, Dookalbo (big and small), Quarter Benabo, Walaputash and English Island.

Major repairs were also done to the building itself and the facelift was welcomed as a new coat of paint was also added to improve the general outlook of the edifice which was ‘weathered’.

Fort Island Health Centre is equipped with a triage area, a nurses’ room, a room for injection, washroom facilities, the pharmacy and the newly constructed waiting area with a shed at the rear of the building.

Debideen reported that as a tourism destination, Fort Is-

The new waiting area with a shed

land is fully equipped to deal with any cases of emergencies that may arise in terms of visitors falling ill while on the island on sightseeing tours.

She related that the facility is fully stocked with medications, and, by next year, she will get an assistant to help cover the catchment area.

“With an added pair of hands and expertise my work will lighten and it is an ease of burden because as is, it is just me alone covering all these islands, and it is a lot to deal with,” the nurse said.

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is being trained to assist Debideen in the New Year.

The Fort Island Health Centre provides primary The exterior of the newly renovated Fort Island Health Centre health care services, including general outpatient, dressings, to the nearest hospital to deliver the baby, but it is always chronic diseases clinic, home visits, post and prenatal care, advisable to get to a hospital for those who have complicafamily planning and counselling. tions,” she said.

Nurse Debideen has delivered many babies, some born at The renovated Fort Island Health Centre will bolster homes in the many riverine villages along the Essequibo River the services offered, making patients’ visits to the facility as far as Bethany, Karia Karia, Lower and Upper Bonasika, more comfortable without being exposed to the elements. among other areas.

Apart from being at the health outpost from Monday to Friday from 08:00hrs to 14:30hrs, she is reachable at her home at any time.

The nurse would also make home visits to shut-ins and the bedridden and use her own boat and engine to get to pregnant women who are in labour, to deliver their babies in some cases, if it is safe to do so.

“I would assist women who cannot make it in time

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

I AM TRULY BLESSED

THE last week in the first half of the year was phenomenal and purposeful. The Grade Six pupils from Parfait Harmony Primary School contributed to that in a significant way. I always anticipate an awesome time with our future leaders and happy it is possible again after over two years.

I admired those beautiful eyes looking at me; some were very focused and attentive to every word I uttered. It took me back to my school days at St John the Baptist Primary School.

At that age, I had a business selling plantain chips, sugar cakes, fudge etc. I had a different product to sell for the five days a week at school and made them myself. This was one of the ways to assist in buying my school uniforms and sometimes even for my siblings.

One of my most embarrassing moments was during our reading session under a huge mango tree.

We were always excited to go outdoor to read. One of the pupils requested to buy plantain chips, and I told her selling during school hours was against the school rules, but after consistent begging, I took a chance. The bowl with the chips fell, and it caught the attention of not only the other pupils but also my teacher. It was not only an embarrassment but also a valuable lesson of standing your ground when you know it is the right thing to do.

It is a curious age and there are more questions than answers and these children asked many at the end of my presentation. I shared some of my achievements but mainly about growing up in a single-parent household and many related to what I said. Discussing failure is a subject people avoid, but I am very comfortable with that because failing along our journey is inevitable. When I told them about the time I failed in school and how I felt, they felt comfortable sharing with me how they felt. I assured them that failing at something does not mean we are failures.

Many also shared that they are shy and lack confidence and I assured them that there is hope for them and I am a testimony because, at that age, I struggled with self-confidence. I shared how I overcame and told them the story of my presentation at Brown University. That is a moment in time I will never forget.

Standing tall on that stage as the first Caribbean designer to give a presentation on Ca-

ribbean Fashion at the prestigious Ivy league school. I saw flashes of that shy girl who sold plantain chips and, in later years, walked the streets of Bartica to sell cakes and pastries.

My journey intrigued them as they did not want to stop asking questions about doubting myself, what I did when I failed at something, how I felt when people did not believe in me, my inspiration, whether males can be fashion designers,

and many more.

One of the girls requested my autograph and everyone else wanted one and some for relatives. Many requested my number and a few hours later, I realised why. I read so many messages which reminded me SEE PAGE XXVI again about purpose before go-

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

XI

A --acourt for drug rehabilitation timely intervention against the Gorgon’s Head of addiction THE ‘one and afar’ addicts that entered our communities in the early 1970s were viewed as “weirdos”. We watched their antics with stoic amusement, but the closest interpretation was what we saw in the movies; Woodstock ‘hippie’ stuff. Not our thing; nor our problem, or so we thought.

The first deterioration I actually witnessed was a member of a West Ruimveldt family I knew well, whose son had ‘come

the severe crime-prone mentally affected population that drugs had created. Addiction had, like a horror movie, morphed a population of socially disabled and dangerous citizens, most of whom were in the prime of their youth. And, to crown it all, neither their parents nor their siblings had the financial or knowledge-based resources to contain their frightening habit.

It was a tremendous personal struggle that required support that would drain ones resources until the only thing left to do was to tear oneself apart and abandon the task. The result is visible: Long-term addiction may very well have done too much damage to be corrected.

An addict in the family can break a family apart. An abandoned addict will be used for criminal purposes, or subtly

back home’ from the ‘Big City’ around 1973-4. He wore those denim bell bottom pants and a full ‘Afro’. He would leave and head for town; and that was his business. Possibly to where the slick dude worked; nobody’s business. With time, it was difficult not to notice the change. Sometimes he was barefoot; the rest I need not mention, because it’s common knowledge now.

I’ve written about witnessing the rise of Rastafari, the Bag-tribe and the loss of sober consciousness that tripped so many, and the deaths that followed as a sub-culture evolved.

There were ‘the Big Dreads’ and ‘the Queens’ by the mid-80s.

Cocaine; ‘De Jumbie”, as it was called, was in transit from airfields in our interior. Inevitably, cocaine came to town, and soon, into the villages. The drug yards had taken shape, and Guyana was then under attack from within. Soon enough, the addicts followed, and, helplessly, most citizens looked the other way.

One of the first ambush killings involved a policeman who was the target. The authorities then set up special squads, as, with the cocaine came combat weapons, with scores to settle.

The State was clueless as to how to handle this, as their special police squads were swept away by the flames of ‘New Money’, and became the watchdogs of the cocaine ‘Big-Man’ dem.

Cocaine was rightfully called ‘the Jumbie’ or ‘the Demon’. It was not only the guilty (of deals gone bad) and their addicted victims who suffered, but innocent people: Parents, grandparents, relatives and neighbours who died at the hands of addicts mentally tortured and run berserk by cocaine. THC and ‘Frankenstein’, marijuana-like mind-altering drugs in Guyana have a significant death and trauma toll on its citizenry.

enslaved to provide cheap labour by every callous business hustle. The Drug Yards had become an ‘Industry’, short of being taxed by the GRA. I’m not going to include the obvious bribes to many by the Drug Yards for services rendered to the devil’s own. How else could they have remained functioning for over 30 years?

But, in October 2019, something inspiring happened: The ceremonial ribbons were cut to officially declare open ‘The Drug Treatment Court’.

I didn’t know what to make of it at first, but, in this column, I had penned some 25 articles on this subject over the years, outlining eyewitness and experienced accounts of this scourge. Thus, any action from the State was welcome.

As I had stated before, after assembling dozens of photographs of ‘the drug scourge’, drug addiction became a part of my home through one of my own. I had written then President Granger suggesting an out-of- town ‘rehab’ facility somewhere in the North-West

FOUR DECADES ON Over four decades had to pass before our authorities came to terms that something had to be seriously done to address

that would be half boot camp, half Youth Corps. Still, I would have my own experience with the Drug Court through my own in-house problem.

The structure of this facility was well constructed from the inception; its disciplines were driven to cultivate what I had learnt from the late Clarence Young of the Phoenix Recovery Project and others whom I knew have survived cocaine addiction. “Yuh got to want to stop de Jumbie brethren; yuh got to have the strength.” The Drug Court is the ‘Jiminy Cricket’ on the addict’s shoulder, and much more. I have the highest respect and admiration for its echelons. On visiting ‘Phoenix’ as a paying customer back in 2015, I was astonished to see a youngster not more than 12 years old; an addict. I was briefed on his story after enquiring about his presence there, so, with the current extension of ‘The Drug Court’ to include a ‘Juvenile Court’, I find this a natural and necessary development in this area of the national well-being.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

Dealing with regret I RECENTLY had a conversation with someone about regret and the serious issues it can bring forth.

We both shared our own regrets and the symptoms they came with, and as I learned how similar they were, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thought processes here as, again, regret is a universal experience.

Life is full of choices, decisions, paths taken and not taken, and we do have to move forward, many times choosing just one of many options. Sometimes it is clear if our choice was not the right one, and other times we will never know what could have been. Either way, we are often left with a void.

I believe that regret is more than just a feeling.

It’s a negative mental and physical reaction that we feel is uncontrollable. We may have done something that had an undesirable effect and cannot take it back; I can see how that would ruminate.

However, I also believe that we tend to have more rational thinking when we clearly understand why certain things occur and also why they elicit certain thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Regret is really counterfactual thinking, a psychology term which means that human beings tend to create potentially alternative endings to events which have already happened- literally meaning- to counter the facts of a situation. And no matter how hard we try, this is impossible as we truly would never know the actual outcome of any other decision we made.

The reason regret feels so awful is because we tend to believe that there is something else we could have done, some action to increase a positive outcome or one to have decreased a negative one, but again, that just isn’t logical thinking. We tend to make decisions on all the information we have at the time, and no matter how wrong something goes, there is still the possibility that it

could have had worse consequences if any other decision was made. So, the negative feelings also come from selfblame, remorse, sadness and feelings of helplessness.

There are two regret experiences, the action path and the inaction path. The action path refers to the regret of things we have done, and the inaction path refers to the regret of things we did not do. To agree with the famous quote by the legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky “we miss 100 percent of the shots we don’t take”. Research shows that regrets from the action path are easier to deal with and move on as people usually learn from mistakes made. However, inaction, the undone or opportunities lost are harder to deal with and overcome.

There are also four major types of regret that psychologists have identified, which I hope will aid in your understanding, self-compassion, forgiveness, and future decisions. These are Foundation, Boldness, Moral and Connection regrets.

Foundation regrets are those which represent a failure of personal responsibility; for example, losing a job due to lack of productivity or a self-inflicted health-related issue.

Boldness regrets are those which involve inaction in something you wanted to do but didn’t want to take the risk, such as opening the business or telling someone you love them while you had the chance.

Moral regrets are those where out of your options, the low or less ethical choice was made, which led to bad consequences and the inevitable “if only I had done the right thing” regret. Connection regrets are those involving relationships where your loved ones are neglected based on your other choices.

Psychologists say there is one major reason why we feel regret and that is known as the opportunity principle.

We have regret because we feel the decisions are in our

hands and the choices and the outcomes are completely within our control. The more opportunities we feel we may have of choices and mind changes, the more regret we feel. On the other hand, if we perceive that a choice is made for us, there is little room for regret. However, once again, that means we believe we have the choice of the outcome based on any decision and we do not.

In the simplest of ways, here are the most effective ways to deal with regret.

In regards to the four major regret types; for the foundational ones, avoid them by putting in the necessary and healthy work; for the boldness, avoid them by taking even the scariest and uncertain of risks; for the moral ones, avoid them by doing the right thing; for the connection ones, reach out to those who deserve it.

Practise self-compassion and forgiveness; we are just human and simply doing the best we can. Philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel once said, “Accept life, and you must accept regret”.

Apologise to others if there is a need to based on any decisions you might have made which caused them pain.

Focus on the positives of regret as it can be a source of valuable information that involves guidance, inspiration and opportunities for change and growth.

Instead of being mentally stuck in the past, take some time and create new goals and objectives to focus on.

There’s a research study that gives me great perspective when I think about regret. Researchers showed random study participants videos of Olympic athletes standing on the podium being awarded their medals. The participants didn’t see the actual competition, and they didn’t know who got gold, silver or bronze medal. They were just shown the athletes’ faces and were simply asked to decide who looked the SEE PAGE XV

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

HEALING THE CHILD WITHIN

HAVE you ever noticed that little voice inside of you?

The one that reminds you of your childhood self? We may think of ourselves as adults because we have reached a certain age. The truth is, we all carry wounded children within ourselves caused by simple or complex trauma, emotional neglect, or physical abuse. And often, we don’t notice the inner child and cover-up all our childhood traumas by being busy in our lives.

Caring for this inner child of ourselves holds the key to feeling safe and experiencing freedom and creativity in life.

What does healing your inner-child mean?

We all were children at one time, and those children within us don’t simply disappear. They become a part of our subconscious or sub-personality as we grow up. The inner child gets activated when all your memories of traumatic childhood experiences come flooding when you are faced with challenges in life. Unless you intentionally acknowledge and process those repressed emotions, your childhood self will take the lead in your life.

Healing your inner child is the journey of self-discovery going within ourselves to become aware, acknowledge and access those repressed childhood experiences and emotions so that you find and heal the root issues as an adult.

When you start working on your inner child, you go back in time emotionally and mentally to understand how your inner child feels from an adult’s perspective. By doing so, you untangle the coping mechanisms that your younger self came up with to protect yourself from trauma and the one that you are still holding onto as an adult, even though the trauma is in the past.

We as humans experience suffering, but we all get to grow through and out of the suffering. Getting in touch with your inner child and nurturing the child is a powerful way to do it.

How to heal your inner child?

As adults, still some of us try to find someone out there to comfort our inner child, that perfect partner, a friend, or a spiritual community. But all these are going to be only a temporary solution. When that person does something that’s not on your agenda, old wounds resurface, and you go back to suffering. Inner child work will allow you to consciously work with your trauma, reparent yourself, and give yourself the required loving attention to heal.

Inner child work is often done with the guidance of a professional psychologist or therapist. However, if your trauma is simple or not too heavy, you can do a lot of the work on your own. Remember, if you are dealing with complex trauma, it’s important to seek professional help. Here are some of the steps to start working with your inner child.

Awareness of the inner child: The first step in connecting with your inner child can be very practical. It involves increasing your awareness of your childhood. Try to gather as many details as you can about your childhood, what you did, where you spent your time, what you enjoyed, and how was it like for you. Talk to your family and childhood friends to understand your childhood experiences. The more you immerse yourself in your childhood experiences, the more you will become aware of the feelings and unmet needs from that period.

Connect with the inner child: Do you have harsh self-criticisms and self-talk such as “I’m unworthy”, “Something is wrong with me” or feeling inadequate? These are some examples of how our inner child

communicates with us regularly. Still, we often overlook these messages as we are caught up in our busy lives.

The best way to access and connect with your inner child can be through self-discovery practices such as meditating and journaling.

Let me guide you through one such visualisation practice here.

Sit in a comfortable, quiet space and close your eyes.

Let’s start with a deep breath in and a deep breath out to centre yourself. Now imagine or visualise your child self around the age of the trauma.

As you bring up the image of your child self, increase your awareness of the child and its surroundings. Notice everything about the child, the actions, the body language, expressions, the place, and the people around him/her.

More the details you tune into, the easier it is for you to empathise with your inner child.

As you can see your child self, you can ask some of these questions, * What is the child feeling at that moment? * What is the child thinking? *What do you think the child needs from you? * What is the child judging, blaming themselves for? * What do you think you could say or do to support the child?

Asking these questions, makes your inner child feel cared for and loved, which is required for healing.

Nurture your inner child: You can continue on your previous visualisation exercise to provide for the needs of your inner child. Nurturing is basically to give the inner child what it needs the most, and, as a child, our two basic emotional needs are safety and unconditional love.

As you ask questions and identify the needs of your inner child in the previous step, you can now meet those needs by giving a hug or any loving gestures in your visualisation exercise. You can also nurture your inner child through positive self-talk.

Talk to your inner child and

SEE PAGE XV

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THE BACK STREET GIRLS

MORNING in the countryside… veiled still in darkness but nudged awake by soft devotional songs on the radio; aroma of breakfast in the air; the creole fowl-cock crowing and the donkey’s bray somewhere down the street because the cane harvesters always had to leave early for the back dams.

So, it begins for the people in the sugar estate communities, and each day tells a story of sweat and toil, tears,

laughter and celebrations. A people who had come a long way from Indentureship to those days in the mid-’70s, with a long way more to go and the aged women in their small gardens, cookshops and market stalls, the real testimony of that era.

Young girls they had been, brown-skinned, bright-eyed, portraying an innocent ignorance of the world, in their romal headpiece, petticoat and bare-feet. The young, delicate bodies, pushed to the

extreme, they had worked the land, tired muscles searching for a dream, riding the waves of time through many thorny paths and from the sweat of their brows and the naked fatigue of their bodies, they had carved smooth paths for their children to walk.

The bodies have now grown old, the hands weak, the smile wrinkled, but there were still glints in the eyes and music in the laughter and each day from dawn to dusk was a day to live for

(Photo courtesy of Maureen Rampertab)

something. For Rosaline, her vegetable garden was her life and at the dawn of each day, she would whisper her prayers silently to the sun and drink a few dew drops from the hibiscus leaf for it was something pure from nature and thus begins her day.

The thyme, the celery and the tomatoes she sold at the town market. The sound of a conch shell from down the road was her old workmate, Sumintra, now a fish vendor, her livelihood.

“Eh, gyal Rose,” Sumintra called, “How yuh deh?”

“Lil older every day,” Rose responded with a little laugh.

“Yeah gyal, dat is life.”

Sumintra parked her fish cart as the neighbouring women came out to buy and she stayed longer to have a little chat with her friend, sitting on the bench under the cashew-pear tree. It’s a culture, they say, for the women who shared so many memories of the past, a door so easy to open. The news of the day, though, sometimes takes the spotlight and Irene, another friend, coming down the road on wobbly legs with a small basket was always in the news. A young boy riding past almost hit her and she unleashed a string of expletives as long as the street.

Rose and Sumintra helped her through the gate and she sat down with relief.

“Yuh start on de bottle early,” Rose said, noticing

her tipsiness.

“Yeah, meh sista,” she answered and then turned to Sumintra, “Wah happen gyal, Sumi?

Meh nah see yuh long.”

“Meh bin ah me daughta, in Corentyne, she get another baby.”

“Oh good, meh guh tek a drink fah dah.”

From a quarter bottle El Dorado rum in her basket, she took a drink and lighting a cigarette with shaky hands, she leaned back with a sigh.

A girl from the Catholic Church, she had been working toe to toe with her husband on his farm, then the rice field and in the end, a bar. She was luckless in marriage, for, after three husbands all departed, this was all she had left. The children have moved on with their lives, visiting not too often.

“Gyal, ayuh see Haroon?”

A loud voice called from the road.

It was McKenzie, the African lady from further down the back street.

“Wah happen, Kenz?” the ladies asked.

“Meh lukin fuh dis man because he owe me some money and he dodgin’ me.”

“Yuh better check de ‘Shaolin Temple’” Sumintra said “Is deh he does deh drinking wid he pals.”

“Yuh see when ah catch he, ah gon put dis hand pon he.”

McKenzie was a no-non-

sense, big-built woman, a single mother with eight children. She sold the tastiest black pudding in that neighbourhood and often bought thyme from Rose. She took a good drink from Irene’s rum and left as, Chilarie, from three houses away, came in fuming.

“If ah had size like Millie, ah woulda wuk some lash in he.”

“Who bada yuh gyal?”

“Da no good son-in-law wha me gat. He thief me nice Rhode-Island fowl and do bush cook wid he friends and then tellin’ me dah de fowl fly away.”

Now, that was a laugh and Irene choked on the drink, she had just taken.

Rose’s granddaughter, riding in with her bike, shook her head with a patient smile.

“These old ladies, you gotta love them.”

A while later, Irene got up to go but couldn’t make it.

Having gotten too intoxicated and being an old lady, there was only one way to take her home. They washed Sumintra’s fish cart, dried it and lining the inside with sheets of newspaper, they put Irene in and pushed her home.

The scene was so funny, everyone down the street laughed, and to this day, stories of the life and times of these women, the Back Street Girls are told and retold, for, like gold, its richness is invaluable.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

Ownership of development

IT is evident that there is a big push for infrastructural development across the country. With this, however, taking ownership of those works becomes all the more crucial for us ordinary citizens hoping to benefit from long-lasting development. I was heartened by the demand for such ownership from residents of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, recently.

In ‘South’, the residents did not hesitate to passionately raise their concerns and demand better from their local and national elected officials at s recent government outreach activity. Then, a point of major contention, understandably so, was the constant flooding they are forced to endure in the area whenever there is heavy rainfall.

As done before, drains and other internal waterways are cleaned and de-silted. This is a routine way of improving drainage and therefore, mitigating flood-

ing. Beyond that, a plan to convert all of the earthen drains in the city into modern, concrete drains is being considered.

If you understand the topography of South Georgetown, or if you just know that ‘South is flood steady’ (as the residents lamented), you can appreciate why these works are important. But it is equally- if not more- important for these works to be done well. People’s quality of life and livelihoods depend on it.

It was local artiste Saiku Andrews, a resident of this part of Georgetown, who called on fellow residents to take ownership of the developmental work being done.

Of course, the authorities are responsible for undertaking the much-needed works but Andrews reminded residents that they have that responsibility of keeping those drains free of garbage as long as possible.

I agree with him. That should always be a cen-

tral focus. But for me, accepting responsibility and taking ownership is much broader. And other residents had other ideas for taking ownership. They asked that the drainage and maintenance contracts be awarded to them, arguing that since they are most affected, they are more likely to ensure that the job is done right the first time.

Why is this important?

Well, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund highlights that the best strategy to guarantee that any developmental project succeeds and expands in the long term is to facilitate local ownership. Essentially, when people have that personal stake in projects that are ongoing, those projects are more likely to be done better and maintained more likely.

For the residents of South Georgetown, who have felt the brunt of flooding in the city for example, getting

Dealing with ...

FROM PAGE XII happiest.

Predictably, it turned out the ones with the biggest smiles were those who got gold. But the odd thing was, the winners of bronze medals were consistently voted as looking happier than those who got silver. The determined psychological reasoning was that the bronze winners were thinking, “At

least I got a medal” while the silver winners were thinking, “If only I’d trained harder or “Why didn’t I get the gold medal? Oh, the feeling of regret…However, there is still a bright side- while the “At least” thoughts make you feel better in the moment, it’s the “If only…” thoughts that push you to make yourself better in the future. Regret can be a powerful aid if healthily dealt with.

A few quotes for a little

more perspective: “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” – Mahatma Gandi “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” – Rita Mae Brown Thanks for reading and please continue to send suggested topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

child can sabotage your adulthood experiences, and by healing your inner child, you can resolve the issues in adult life. You can do that by providing loving attention and loving presence to your inner child that you wish you had received as a child.

Thank you for reading!

You can always reach out

to me(Anju Vivekanandaraj, MSN., MSc(Clinical Psy), Registered Clinical Psychologist) for any professional help in dealing with trauma or other psychological issues at (+592)6139255. Kindly send in your feedback and questions at innerpeacegy@gmail.com

HEALING THE CHILD ...

FROM PAGE XIII tell it what it needs to hear.

By doing so, you spark the feelings of safety and love that your inner child desperately needs.

Remember, your inner child is listening and what you practice grows stronger.

Final thoughts: Your wounded inner

them involved in the projects appears to be a sure way of ensuring that the work will be done well.

But it gets a little more complicated than simply saying residents should do all the work- literally and figuratively. Residents must be able to even bid for contracts to do these works; that means more ordinary citizens must have adequate access to capital and should be empowered to engage in these works.

Then, those residents must be given some sort of preferential treatment, lest their very meaningful intentions be overshadowed by bigger companies with a much larger prowess.

For too long, at too many outreach activities, I’ve heard residents in many communities complain about the shoddy work done by contractors. With the increased impetus for infrastructural works across the country, I

believe that the onus is on the government to find ways of guaranteeing that there is value for money- that is, that the work is done well and made to last for years to come. I believe that finding ways to include more ordinary citizens in this move will be key.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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Guyanese influencers and creators ought to be mindful of their content during times of national distress

IT has been an exhausting week for the majority of us, I am sure of it. It was and still is an emotional roller coaster.

Many of us, including myself, were not at the forefront at what happened along the East Coast over the past week for varying reasons. I, for one, am from the county of Berbice. With that said, even if we weren’t physically there to witness what was happening, I am sure you saw many live videos, commentaries, pictures or articles about the past week’s events. There was civil unrest. As I was scrolling through social media, I came across informative posts that were shared about the day’s events while simultaneously coming across misinformation or insensitivity being shared as well. What puzzled me the most is that much of the misinformation or insensitive comments were made by “influential people” in Guyana.

Whether that influence is good or bad, we still need to acknowledge the fact that there is a growing number of persons who amassed a solid online presence, and they can influence their audiences to an extent with their words, thoughts or over-

all content. These are people who accumulated thousands of followers on social media. Some of them are even household names within our country. Their audience reach is of all demographics, wide and far across Guyana. However, still a selected few chose to share misinformation or insensitive comments on social media. There were memes, reels and Tik Tok videos either making a mockery of the civil unrest or conveying false information about the entirety of the situation. It was quite sad to witness, but it’s even more upsetting to know that this was and probably always will be an issue amongst “influencers” on social media. I’m writing this to remind you all that not every influencer or content creator has their audience’s best interests at heart.

While they should be held accountable for their role in spreading misinformation or insensitivity, we should also hold ourselves in the same regard to know and do better. We should be able to follow and view content from responsible and accountable creators in our country for our own sake. The lot just wants to build their followings by any means necessary.

There are genuine influencers at bay. We just need to recognise them and encourage them to continue the good work that they do. The power of misinformation is evident in the events of last week. It’s sad to see how some people utilise their social media page, especially when they know the power of the said platform they hold. Nonetheless, we owe it to ourselves to do better. I don’t think we can ever stop people from saying what they want, when they want and where they want, but we can still ensure that the information we share on our pages, the articles we read or the pictures we interact with are sensitised and accurate.

Even on a regular day or season, we should be mindful of what we choose to share or view on social media. We should also be able to let people of influence know when they are in the wrong and what they can do to improve their content—even if it makes you the least liked person online. Freedom of speech is given to all of us as a human right, but freedom is not without responsibility and accountability.

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REFLECTIONS ON AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY TODAY’S Consumer Concerns was faced with the dilemma of focusing either on the Independence Day of the United States or on CARICOM Day, both of which are being celebrated tomorrow, July 4. Both anniversaries are important -to Guyana. CARICOM- with its support for Democracy in Guyana, its offer to Guyana to supply its lucrative food market and the close relationships which have grown up among the leaders- has engaged more attention from the media over the last several months than the United States. We will therefore focus on the United States.

At the end of the Seven Years War (1756 -1763) Britain

had won control of the whole of the North American continent after the French had ceded Quebec. The war had been very costly, and the British Exchequer tried to raise money by new forms of taxation and even extended their tax net to the English colonies in America. Two of these taxes particularly annoyed the colonists - The Stamp Act, whereby revenue stamps had to be appended to legal documents and a tax on tea. The colonists began to oppose these taxes with the cry “No taxation without representation”, and eventually, this led to clashes between the colonial militias and the British army.

The first such clash occurred at Bunker’s Hill in Boston and thereafter escalated until the battle of Yorktown in 1781, when the American army led by General George Washington defeated Lord Cornwallis, thus ending the war. In 1783, the British formally recognised American Independence.

We will not go into the details of the war but only point out that it was a civil war far less bitter than the American Civil War of the 1850s. In the Independence War, a large section of the American population wished to remain in the British Empire, and tens of thousands emigrated from the new Republic and settled in Canada, which had remained British.

In Britain, a large section of the population sympathised with the colonists, and it was difficult to enlist soldiers. Hence, the British Army had to use German mercenaries. In fact, the use of foreign troops was one of the reasons the Revolutionaries gave for their declaration of Independence.

The newly established Republic called its citizens “Americans” which was the term used by the British to describe all SEE PAGE XVIII

SEE PAGE XXIII

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REFLECTIONS ON AMERICAN ...

FROM PAGE XVII

white colonials, irrespective of the colony from which they came. The new Republic maintained all the colonial institutions: They jealously maintained the English language; they kept the English Common Law, and adopted the 18th century Constitution of England as Montesquieu, the French Philosophe, accurately described it. They kept the social and educational institutions they shared with the Mother Country. For example, Harvard University was modelled after Emmanuel College of Cambridge, from which John Harvard came. Most of the Revolutionaries were Freemasons, and General Washington and Lord Cornwallis were both Freemasons. Indeed Washington, as President, had his Masonic Lodge lay the foundations of the Capitol and the American dollar note has several Masonic symbols.

Pre-Independence America, as part of the British Empire, shared close relations with the Caribbean. Many of the American upper classes holidayed in the Caribbean, and Barbados was a favourite island. There was much trade, but during the War of Independence, trade was disrupted, and the West Indies suffered great hardships from a lack of food imports and other goods. There was also always movement of people between America and the West Indies; for example, Alexander Hamilton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the new Republic’s Finance Minister, was a West Indian from the small island of Bequia.

In the 19th century, relations became less close than they were in the 18th century, but in the 20th century, close relations between the USA and Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean were resuscitated. More trade came about and a steady stream of West Indians settled in America. In World War II, thousands of American servicemen were stationed in the Caribbean. In Guyana, for instance, they built their first International Airport at Atkinson, later Timheri/Cheddi Jagan. During this period, American culture became pervasive.

From the 1960s and especially in the 1970s and 1980s thousands of Guyanese fleeing dictatorial government, increasing crime and severe shortages of food and consumer goods found refuge in the USA, especially in the New York area and made their contributions to American life.

American developmental Aid was an important feature of Guyana-America relations.

Guyana-America relations have been immensely strengthened with the massive investment by Exxon in the Oil Industry, the revenues of which are laying the foundations of transforming Guyana into a First World-type country. Even more important, US foreign policy appears to be committed to establishing and maintaining the Americas as a zone of Democracy, just as the Munroe Doctrine did in the 19th century with respect to Colonialism. This was manifested in Guyana’s recent history, where the US took the lead in institutionalising Democracy and Democratic values and the Caribbean and the wider world applauded.

In this process, the American Ambassador, Madame Sarah Ann Lynch, played an extraordinary role and stood out as one of the most distinguished Ambassadors who had served in Guyana.

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in a sea of Latin speakers and shares numerous historical and cultural commonalities with the USA. The two countries should develop a Special Relationship analogous to Israel, which is in the heart of an Arab-speaking region. The world is rapidly changing into a multi-polar world with the rise of China and it is in Guyana’s interest to partner with the US and Britain in the emerging new World Order.

All of Guyana wish America a Happy Birthday and pray that this bastion of Democracy and Freedom continues to grow in strength and prosperity.

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‘Pure little souls ....

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elty that has been meted out to animals and feels sickened by it each time. “I am very disappointed in the way I see people treating animals and the cruelty; it’s heartbreaking. It affects you when you see these things.”

This has motivated her even more to dedicate her time and resources to caring for the animals.

A typical day would see Judy feeding the cats first thing in the morning. Then, she’d open the kennels and let out the dogs for a bit so that they could run and play while she has a cup of coffee. Next, she would get the pot going for that day. She cooks every day. “It’s a big pot of rice and I do the meat separately,” she explained. “When it’s finished, I would separate

Judy has dedicated her life to caring for the needs of animals

it into three or four other pots so that it can get cold.”

But why does Judy insist on cooking every day when she can do so for multiple days at a time? “I can’t cook for two days because of the amount of food I have to cook,” was her simple, logical answer. This undoubtedly takes lots of work and dedication, but Judy would have it no other way.

“They know their time (for food); you see them waiting,” Judy said. Apart from feeding Genevieve ‘Judy’ the animals in her home, every Beepat afternoon, she would circle her block and surrounding streets to feed the strays as well. Then she’d make one final go out on the public road around 19:00hrs to feed another set that would assemble there. “I know the number of dogs, so I know the amount of food to walk with. I put them in bowls and then make little heaps for whoever would come,” she shared.

Judy would even make her way into people’s yards to be able to feed their animals, but many times she feels scorned and looked down upon for the work she is doing. “Lots of times, people don’t see the value of it and are unappreciative.

At times people look at you with scorn because of what you do for the animals as if you are below them and whatever you are doing is low,” she related.

“It can damage you emotionally, but at the end of the day, I find a lot of joy and contentment in helping the animals.

Sometimes I rescue them from a very bad situation and bring them back to good health and seeing them happy, running and playing keeps me going.”

Another challenge that Judy faces is a lack of support in general. “In Guyana, animal welfare seems to be the least priority for many people. People hardly donate, even as prices are rising, and then we have groups that are registered whereas I am not, so people would prefer to donate to the registered organisation as compared to a layman like me.”

Nevertheless, Judy said she continues to do her best to care for the animals. She welcomes anyone who would like to offer assistance, even if it’s just to help with bathing the dogs. She can be contacted on 629-9081.

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MANAGING YOUR WASTE – COMPOSTING

A 2016 study by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council showed that more than half of the waste going to the Haags Bosch Landfill is organic waste – resources that can be good for the planet and your

pocket. This organic waste, mainly kitchen and yard waste, can be recycled by nature to create compost.

Composting is the natural decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an

earthy, dark, crumbly substance called compost. Composting provides a free, topnotch soil conditioner that improves plant, garden and lawn growth. Composting: * Converts waste into a valuable resource

* Helps break down heavy clay and sandy soils * Helps reduce erosion * Helps the soil retain moisture * Improves plant health and growth, increasing yields and the nutritional quality of homegrown foods * Raises the fibre in the soil, helping it bind together * Recycles nutrients back into the soil * Reduces reliance on

land-filling of waste * Reduces reliance on toxic chemicals & pesticides * Reduces water demand for trees and plants * Encourages a wider diversity of living organisms in your garden.

There are two main types of backyard composting: cold (also known as passive composting) and hot (also called active composting).

Cold composting slowly

breaks down organic matter, but it also takes the least effort and maintenance. Anything organic decomposes eventually; cold composting is just letting Mother Nature do her job with minimal intervention on your part.

You do not need to worry about the ratio of compost ingredients, aerate regularly, or monitor moisture levels.

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MANAGING YOUR WASTE...

FROM PAGE XXIV Cold composting is the best process if you have little organic waste to compost and not much time to tend to the process, and if you are not in a hurry for finished compost.

Hot composting is a faster but more managed compost process. This method requires attention to keep carbon and nitrogen in the optimum ratio to decompose organic waste. It also requires the right balance of air and water to attract

organisms that thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.

Under ideal conditions, you could have the final compost product in one to 12 months.

Make your own compost Compost is easy to make!

All you need are your materials – kitchen and garden/yard waste, and water, and nature will do the rest with air and micro-organisms. To take it to another level, you will need a container, something as simple as a large tub or

as fancy as a barrel bin or a block bin.

For efficiency, you will also need a container for collecting kitchen scraps, a pitchfork, a shovel or other turning device. Organic material should be added to the bin (should you decide to use one) as it is generated.

Enclosed bins keep out pests and hold heat and moisture.

Most compost comprises organic materials like leaves, garden plants, newspaper, straw, grass clippings, manure, and kitchen scraps.

Kitchen waste should include materials like vegetables and fruit peeling, eggshells, coffee grounds, etc. Meat, fat, and bone products should never be added to the compost pile, as they can introduce harmful parasites and attract animals. You should alternate layers of green and brown materials. Green items include grass clippings and kitchen scraps, adding nitrogen to the compost. Brown materials add carbon to compost containers and consist of leaves, newspaper, and small woody materials.

You should alternate layers of green and brown materials. Green items include grass clippings and kitchen

scraps, adding nitrogen to the compost. Brown materials add carbon to compost containers and consist of leaves, newspaper, and small woody materials. Moisture and adequate air circulation are vital for composting. Therefore, they should be kept wet but not soggy.

In addition, compost should be frequently turned with a garden fork to aid in aeration as well as speed up the decomposition process.

Depending on the materials used and size of the compost pile, decomposition can take anywhere from weeks or months to a year.

All organic materials contain a mixture of carbon

and nitrogen, this is known as the carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio. For best results your compost pile requires a balance of carbon and nitrogen.

Organic material can be divided into two categories: “Green” & “Brown”. “Green” or “nitrogen-rich” organic material is wet and often green, like grass clippings or fruit and vegetables.

“Brown” or “carbon rich” organic material is dry, woody material that is usually brown, such as fallen leaves, and tree-cuttings.

Next week, we’ll continue our article on composting by sharing tips for making great compost.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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I AM TRULY ....

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ing to bed. Sharing two with you: One young lady wrote, “When you came to speak to us at Parfait Harmony Primary School, you made me feel that I can be anything I want to do in life and I just want to say thank you for encouraging me to be stronger.”

Seyniya Another young lady wrote, “I still can’t believe I met you. You are the kindest soul I have ever met and I LOVE YOU!” When the teacher gave her remarks and thanked me at the end, I realised not only the kids were inspired but I had inspired her from a teenager.

I love interacting with our future leaders and these Grade Six kids are very smart, and, God’s willing, I will be at their graduation.

I encouraged them to write about the school they desire to attend after their exams and why.

And I believe many of those schools will be manifested. Thank you to Liana for initiating this visit

and all the amazing teachers who are moulding the minds of our future leaders.

One of the other highlights was Unique Selling Promotions. It was awesome and even the rain could not stop us. Thanks to Mortimer Stewart and Banks DIH for their usual support with the tent and Moscato. Thanks to Nelsion Andre Nurse for decorating the tent and Herbie Marshall for the amazing live Jazz music.

Big thank you to Natasha David, Meleesa Payne, Natasha Payne, Lizze Daniels, Debbie Argyle, Kenny Hercules, Melissa Paul, Cristol Wray and Abieke Hamilton for displaying their amazing products and services. The fashion segment featured fantastic African head wraps. I encourage you to support these small businesses. Visit the Women in Business Guyana page or contact 6280944 for more information.

I am truly blessed to honour all the people who are contributing to humanity as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY The surest way no t to fa determine to succee il is to RICHARD BRINS d.

LEY BUTLER SHERIDAN (1751-1816) In a letter to Mr. Linle y (1776)

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 03, 2022

July 03, 2022 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome dear friend.

Tweak your reading comprehension skills. Rise from the literal level where you just deal with what the author says. Go to interpreting material with liter-

al-plus-deeper meaning and spar with inferencing, drawing conclusions, reasoning, cause and effect, speculation on what you think happened between events, anticipation, personal reaction, and the like. Can you pass judgment and evaluate text after thinking critically? Can you use information from material?

If so, good success handling examination questions. Be wise.

Love you.

FIRST PASSAGE The Oceans: To the prejudiced eyes of land-bound humans the oceans seem like one continuous mass as homogeneous as outer space.

To some extent they are, and some marine creatures treat the whole maritime world as their oyster. Some of the great whales, for instance, lunge from the surface to the depths as a matter of course, and divide their feeding and breeding between the poles and the tropics.

Equally striking to the marine scientist, however, is the vicariousness of the oceans. Each sea embraces several or indeed many different environments, each of which occupies a discrete zone. Some of these zones also vary markedly with time ----- through the day; with the tides, and therefore with the phases of the moon; by seasons; sometimes in cycles of several years. And superimposed on all their variations in space and time are the more erratic influences of currents and of the influx of rivers. (Colin Tudge, “The Oceans”) 1. The writer’s MAIN purpose in the extract is to ----(A) show that the ocean is very diverse (B) convince the reader to visit the ocean (C) describe the beauty of the ocean to humans (D) discuss the different creatures that live in the ocean 2. The word “prejudiced” (line 1) is NEAREST in meaning to -----(A) racial (B) biased (C) negative (D) unpleasant 3. The writer says that prejudiced eyes see the oceans a being “as homogeneous as outer space.” This description suggests that the oceans seem to be ----(A) empty and far away (C) a rich and varied place (B) the cause of prejudice (D) one continuous stretch of water 4. The statement “some

marine creatures treat the whole marine world as their oyster” suggests that the creatures----(A) live in oysters (C) feed on oysters (B) stay in one part of the ocean (D) move freely throughout the oceans 5. Which of the following BEST describes the type of writing in the extract? (A) Critical (B) Narrative (C) Informative (D) Argumentative SECOND PASSAGE Read the following extract carefully and then answer ALL the questions that follow.

Retirement planning is also known as financial planning. It is a relatively young disciplined, considering that in the 1930s, programmes which prepare persons financially for retirement: pension, social security and national insurance, were unheard of in the region.

For many people, retirement means a time of luxury and opportunity to travel; for others it means the need to continue working to gain the income to meet ordinary needs. Most people though, see it as a vibrant and significant time of life which may be a period of thirty or more years, given that our populations are now living longer, thanks to medical science.

Most young persons make the fundamental error of shortening their accumulation period for retirement income. They postpone setting aside a fixed amount of money monthly, focusing only on other responsibilities like buying a house, a car, and paying for education.

(Adapted from Kammie Holder, “Planning for retirement”) (a) Why does the writer state that retirement planning is a young discipline? (b) Identify TWO programmes mentioned by the writer that are used to prepare for retirement. (c) What does the writer see as the error young people make in planning for retirement?

GRAMMAR Section 1. Each sentence in this section has ONE underlined word phrase. Choose from the four suggested answers, the word or phrase which is closest to OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word or phrase.

1. We found her very appreciative of the help that we had given her on this matter.

(A) unhappy about (C) displeased at (B) ungrateful for (D) intolerant of 2. Their actions showed that they were firm in their rejection of the new law. (A) ignorance (B) application (C) acceptable (D) understanding 3. Constructive criticism is neither appreciated nor encouraged by some of our peers. (A) Sound (B) Negative (C) Valuable (D) Unsatisfactory 4. They displayed a lackadaisical approach to their studies so no one was surprised at the results. (A) keen (B) calm (C) casual (D) careless 5. As a result of the available evidence, the accused was apprehended and no further action was taken.

(A) evicted (B) released (C) cautioned (D) summoned Section 2. Each sentence in this section has either one or two words missing. Choose from the four options the word or pair or words which BEST completes the meaning of the sentence.

1. Despite his short temper, his willingness to give of his wealth to help others to succeed led people to call him ______.

(A) hasty (B) foolish (C) benevolent (D) old fashioned 2. When parents display a _____ for one child, the others are likely to feel _____.

(A) fondness lonely (C) dislike indifferent (B) preference jealous (D) concern angry 3. An attack on someone when that person is most vulnerable may be _____ but is always _____.

(A) inappropriate thoughtful (C) destructive distressing (B) rewarding satisfying D) effective unkind 4. While the committee members _____ insults across the floor, the chairman tried in vain to _____ order.

(A) hurled restore (C) spoke impose (B) gave maintain (D) exchanged conserve 5. To captured spy quickly _____ a plausible excuse for his presence there. (A) fabricated (B) explained (C) divulged (D) disguised

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Trench mouth

OF all the diseases affecting the human race, gum disease happens to be the second most prevalent. However, this condition is not a single entity. Various kinds exist.

There is a particular type of gum disease, which is often seen mainly in persons between 15 and 35 years and unlike any other, it is painful and generally attacks its victims in groups.

This infection is called acute ulcerative necrotising gingivitis or trench mouth. The pattern of spreading of trench mouth on many occasions indicates that it is contagious, although some authorities do not accept this. In any case, its occurrence in groups of persons may be due to prevailing factors in the similar conditions under which they live.

The disease is characterised by the appearance of pain, redness and erosions of the papilas (the projections of gum between teeth). In fact, the gum line (where the gum meets the teeth) becomes necrotic and bleeds when touched.

Often, a greyish film covers the ulcer, which may eventually spread along the entire gum line. Finally, typically fetid bad breath appears that is usually obnoxious. The patient almost always complains of an inability to eat due to sensitivity or intense pain in the gums. The type of pain experienced is superficial ‘pressure’. Usually, the patient suffers from headache, malaise and low fever (37.2 to 39 degrees centigrade) Excessive secretion of saliva accompanied by a metallic taste is often noted. The lymph glands of the neck can also be detected. In advanced or severe cases, there may be generalised or systemic manifestations, including an elevated white blood cell count, gastrointestinal disturbances and an accelerated heartbeat. After healing, the papilas, which have

been destroyed, may leave a cavernous zone constituting an area that retains germs. This region can serve as an incubation site where the disease could erupt anytime in the future.

Most researchers believe that trench mouth is a primary disease caused by a fusiform bacillus (rod-shaped) and a spirochete (cork-screw shaped) called borrelia vincentii. Because these two micro-organisms frequently exist in many healthy mouths, it obviously suggests that some other predisposing factor is involved in the actual case of infection.

To confirm this, scientists have never been able to induce trench mouth artificially in persons. The most important factor, which predisposes someone to contract trench mouth, according to recent evidence, is a lower resistance to infection, especially as a consequence of vitamin C and B complex deficiency. One author who studied the epidemic, which attacked thousands of combatant soldiers during the Second World War, established that trench mouth appeared in the presence of chronic fatigue, deficient food and precarious oral hygiene.

Without a doubt, psychologically stressful circumstances also play an important role. The treatment of trench mouth is extremely variable depending on the individual experience of the dentist with the disease.

Some prefer to treat this condition conservatively, instituting only superficial cleaning of the mouth in

the initial stage, followed by scaling and polishing when the situation permits.

Others opt for oxidising agents or antibiotics in collaboration with local therapy. In many cases, there is a marked regression within two days of the treatment,

even without medication. It is reported that occasionally complications of this disease such as oral gangrene, septicemia, toxemia (blood poisoning) and even death itself.

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