Whim Farmers on a mission to meet local market demands
Nicky Brijbasi (pictured here) and his wife Rajpattie Sahadeo are among the many farmers who live in Whim Village, East Berbice -Corentyne (Region Six). In this photo, Brijbasi proudly showcases his bolounger plant which forms part of their two large gardens in the community (Delano Williams photo)
Sunday, November 6, 2022
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Guyanese health professional and advocate in Canada committed to creating better opportunities for youth
TWENTY-SIX-YEAROLD Kareem South is a man on a mission. Despite his unsuccessful attempt to emerge victorious as a Trustee in Ward 17 for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to advocate for the needs of students and residents in Scarborough Centre, an ecstatic South still feels it’s a win for the young people of Scarborough. As is customary for most contestants in the Ontario Municipal elections, South was in a celebratory mood as he mingled with relatives, friends, members of his campaign team and special invitees awaiting the results on election night at the popular Starlite Family Restaurant, Scarborough, owned by Guyanese Albert Ramcharran. Echoing that “this is a win for us, a win for Scar-
borough and a win for young people who have been marginalised across the world”, South, whose mother is Guyanese and father Jamaican, declared, “This will not stop here, you will see me again.” Reflecting on what he described as a journey, South said, “I am grateful to have connected with so many people who share the same passion for empowering our youth and reimagining the future of education. I am
individual potential and no longer fall through the cracks of our education system.” South disclosed that he plans to stay connected with the school board while “utilising my platform to advocate and speak on the challenges and opportunities that can lead to the growth and betterment of our community.” The ebullient South said his advice to young people is “to take time to reflect and ask
Kareem (second from left) with, from right, father Brian, mother Dilorice and sister Imani
Kareem with Guyanese Albert Ramcharran, proprietor of Starlite Family Restaurant
especially thankful for my support system --- my family, friends, and colleagues who generously devoted their time and resources to see our vision come to fruition. This moment has inspired me more than ever to be the voice and advocate that our community needs. I am committed to continuing building on the foundation that we’ve laid to make sure that our young people can reach their full
questions. We all have a purpose and value to bring in our communities, schools, and the world around us. There are mentors and leaders that can help guide you when you are willing to ask questions and strive to make a difference. Whatever it is you do, continue to let your light shine and stay the course --good things will come!” During a rigorous campaign, which culminated with
the Municipal elections on October 24, South vowed that his goal was to represent the community’s values and to ensure that no student falls through the cracks of the public education system. According to South’s slate, once elected as TDSB trustee, he was committed to: * Amplifying student voices and putting their needs at the heart of decision-making at the school board * Integrating mental health and wellbeing into every aspect of each student’s school experience * Meaningfully engaging with students, parents, and the larger school community to ensure our students have the adequate resources and support to succeed * Identifying the structural issues that could negatively impact student achievement and wellbeing * Fostering safe learning and working spaces for all * Increasing sports and extracurricular programs that centre inclusion and belonging. Among those who endorsed South was MPP of Scarborough Centre, David Smith, who said: “Kareem South will be a great advocate for the students of Scarborough Centre. Kareem is an active and contributing member of the community who is determined to get the job done SEE PAGE V
SEE PAGE IV
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Youths win prizes for painting on suicide prevention, mental health in Massy art competition WITH youths the best impact. as their target “One life lost is audience, the one too many,” he Massy Group offered. in Guyana reJamal Durant cently provided and Suriya Walcash prizes to cott have won the four winners senior and junior in an art comcategories, repetition they spectively, in the launched to first-ever Massy promote suiart competition cide prevention in support of suiand mental cide prevention health awareand mental health ness. awareness. DuThe close rant won $60,000, to 40 particiwhile Walcott won pants were re$30,000. quired to create Tia Adolphus, a painting based another competon this subject itor in the senior using acrylic c a t e g o r y, a n d paint on a 24 x Jermain Garnett, 30 centimetres who entered the canvas and in a junior category, two-minute vidboth placed seceo, had to show ond and were and explain awarded $40,000 Tia Adolphus earned second place in the and $20,000, retheir painting. senior category It’s now five spectively. Massy years that the Guyana also prepartnering with various Painting by Jamal Durant copped first place in company has been rolling stakeholders to host the sented all the winners with senior category out projects focused on men- events and, according to plaques to honour them for tal health and suicide and Bobb-Semple, will continue participating. the competition last August gory. Since Guyana is within Director within the Massy to do so to be able to make Massy Group launched 8 in collaboration with the the top three countries with Group and Head of the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Steering Committee Christpen Bobb-Semple said it is due to the high suicide rate among youths in the country. “We saw it as another platform to involve our youths in something that was innovative and creative. Suicide is affecting a lot of our young people in Guyana, so we wanted to have activities to target that audience so that they can channel their energies in positive ways,” he shared at the ceremony recently to announce the winners. Suriya Walcott was judged to be the best in the junior category The company has been
(L-R) Senior category 1st and 2nd place winners respectively Jamal Durant and Tia Adolphus; Jemain Garnett (2nd) and Suriya Walcott (1st), who participated in the junior category.
E.R. Burrowes School of Art under the theme, “Creating Hope Through Action.” Durant, one of the winners, remarked: “Prior to this, I had never participated in an art competition even though I paint, so I am very happy to have won the senior category.” Additionally, he shared that he entered the competition because he saw how useful his talent could be in highlighting various facets of what affects society, including mental health and suicide, with emphasis on the male population in Guyana. As for Walcott, he offered: “I am honoured to be the winner of the junior cate-
though mentally unstable persons often get neglected.” She added, “Our mental health is just as important as any other condition, and I want those who are feeling alone and helpless to know they are not alone and they should never give up on themselves.” During his remarks, Garnett said he was honoured and happy to have placed second. “Thanks to Massy for this competition and to my family, who told me I was capable and should stop limiting my talent to modelling clay and play dough, I now have a different view, having won something with my first painting.” He explained that he also entered this particular competition to help remove the stigma from mental health issues and contribute to suicide prevention because “many people do not realise that mental health is one of the leading contributors to suicide. Mental health problems are real, and I want people to know that not only adults experience issues but children and teens do too.”
Jemain Garnett’s painting copped second place in the junior category.
a high suicide rate, I was inspired to do the painting because I felt I could help prevent this from continuing in some way, and I can do it through art.” Adolphus shared that she is proud of her painting. “I feel so honoured to be part of the competition and to be chosen second place. Art is a form of expressing one’s emotions and I wanted the piece to reach those who are also suffering with their mental illness and bring more awareness to suicide prevention because I feel as
Meanwhile, since 2018, the Massy Group in Guyana has been advocating for suicide prevention and mental health awareness through partnerships with government agencies and non-governmental organisations. The Massy Group is encouraging everyone to educate themselves on the telltale signs of suicide. If you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, seek help by calling the lifelines: 223-0001, 223-0009, 6007896, or 623-4444.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Local entrepreneurs launch ‘Habibi’ A blend of Indian textiles with modern styles
FA S H I O N e n t h u s i a s t s Hashim Alli and his wife Melicia Partab-Alli were delighted to be a part of First Lady Arya Ali’s second edition of ‘Chari-Tea’ – a tea party and fashion show at State House that was held to raise funds in the fight against period
chle Design and had only recently launched their new line at POSH called “Habibi” meaning “My Love” using their signature Indian designs mixed with western flairs with pieces carefully crafted to styles and needs. POSH was one of the events to mark the start
Hashim Alli and his wife Melicia Partab-Alli
Government has provided $50 million, and so we continue to host fundraisers to compensate for the shortfall and to expand coverage to women in vulnerable communities,” the First Lady disclosed. “So far, distribution of sanitary pads has commenced in secondary schools in Regions One, Five, Six and 10, while women from indigenous communities in region one are also benefitting from this project. It is my hope that in a few years, we will be able to provide full coverage to all women and girls in Guyana, making us the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to achieve this.”
Melicia Partab-Alli at POSH
poverty. The couple owns Na-
of Cricket Carnival 2022 last month and “was quite
Model Stacy Persaud
The couple with their models at the tea party
a fashionista’s dream,” according to Melicia, as numerous designers got the opportunity to showcase their pieces at the event with the theme of “highend resort wear.” Following their launch at POSH, the couple was happy to be selected to participate in the First Lady’s tea party, which Melicia described as an extremely well-put-together event, with attention to all details. “Chari-tea was an elegant and fashionable event that aided in fighting against period poverty. It was a great opportunity as the fashion was a new addition to this event; it enabled the creatives to be on the forefront, and it was warmly welcomed and enjoyed by attendees,” Melicia shared. According to a Facebook post by the First Lady, more than $60M is required to provide one year’s supply of sanitary pads to all schoolaged girls in Guyana. “The
Model Lisa Narine with Hashim and Melicia’s signature piece
Relating what it was like to participate in the event, Melicia expressed: “For one, I love fashion and a good tea party, especially when it’s for a good cause. It was astonishing to see the amount of thought and energy that went into making the event a beautiful success.” She continued: ““It really opens up avenues for new audiences and it pushed you to evolve your fashion taste, especially with having a theme. It’s amazing for creatives to be able to have platforms like these that allow them to showcase their best work.” Melicia and her husband challenged themselves to come up with something different from traditional Indian wear to that of modern, trendy wear. “And then we birthed ‘Habibi’ a blend of Indian textiles with modern styles. It was definitely well received.” Meanwhile, the couple both had an interest in the entertainment industry for as long as they can remember. Even as youngsters, they’d always have an inclination to one aspect of entertainment or another. Side by side, they are building a name for themselves in the industry. Hashim, 35, started off when he was just about 10 years old as a dancer. Following this, he took up acting and eventually became a television personality. As for Melicia, 34, she recalls a love for the industry. “I really love the glitz and glams. Growing up, I always admired this industry; entertainment, pageantry and the whole works,” she shared. She and her husband knew each other for approximately 10 years before they married. When they eventually joined forces, they already knew how to maintain both their professional and personal lives. Hashim and Melicia, now parents of a five-yearold son, still engage the arts through their weekly television programme, Bollywood Hits, which is broadcast on the National Communications Network (NCN). Their radio show, Bollywood Masala, is also thriving.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Is “Femvertising” really a good marketing strategy for businesses?
WHILE it may sound like a made-up, random word—“Femvertising” actually holds a lot of meaning and significance behind it. It is a term that was coined by SheKnows Media and it is basically an essential part of an advertising strategy that is used by businesses to promote goods and services using pro-women messages. It claims to empower women and girls by encouraging gender equality while disregarding traditional stereotypes of women. While women empowerment is nothing new, it has gained quite the popularity in recent years, especially on the scenes of social media. Femvertising is no stranger to certain businesses as the sales of their products rely on this strategy. Femvertising to some may be the idea of “selling empowerment” to women and girls, through capitalism. Some brands may be genuine in their claims to empower while selling their goods but others might want to hijack a
meaningful movement just to gain coins. Giant corporations might want to use femvertising as a means to appeal to their women and girls who are consumers of their products. They may want to use
women’s empowerment to gain more access to these women’s pockets. To them, they’d say it’s a win-win. They uplift and empower us while we purchase or help their products to sell in return. It’s social “empowerment” through business in a sense. In a world where social media and networking have such a great influence over perspective and direction—one can only be left to wonder what can happen if femvertising is used in the right aspects and avenues of
women’s empowerment. Imagine if the intentions behind the campaigns and movements were focused less on money and more on empowerment. Imagine if these multimillion-dollar corporations go a step forward to actively help women in need by offering support and help when needed. The problem doesn’t lie with femvertising itself or the idea of it— it is the fact that so many businesses often wrongly execute their ideas of it. Women have been fighting to be understood and valued for a very long time. It is a shame that now an idea of what they deserve is bottled up into a supplement, or is the face of a sanitary product line and sold to us because it’s what we “deserve”. The world of business advertising has objectified women, their bodies, their rights, and their livelihood to sell products to their
Guyanese health professional and ... FROM PAGE II and enrich the lives of those around him. A principled man with a strong work ethic and commitment to public education, there is no candidate more qualified than Kareem South to take on the trustee position in Ward 17.” A long-time resident and active community member of Scarborough, South pursued his Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of California-Berkeley and has dedicated his efforts to work with individuals and organisations that prioritise building community engagement and creating better opportunities for youth. By virtue of his experience, personal attributes and values, he exemplifies the compassion and leadership required to champion the community’s concerns and
solve the education system’s pressing issues. As a mental health professional and advocate, having contributed to the development of Canada’s first nationwide virtual mental health portal — Wellness Together Canada. He also serves as a community organiser and has worked with organisations like Toronto Community Housing and TAIBU to provide mentoring and wellness support to youth in Scarborough. Kareem believes there is no greater privilege than to give back to the community that has given him so much opportunity. Since returning from studying abroad. He has dedicated his efforts to enriching young people’s lives and is committed to addressing the gaps in student wellbeing and achievement
at the TDSB. A proud mother, Dilorice South, who hails from Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway but migrated to Canada in 1978, spoke highly of her son, pointing out that his hard work and dedication were bearing fruition. According to Dilorice, who is also the author of “7 Missteps Made by Entrepreneurs,” she recently completed a Talk Show on the National Communications Network (NCN) in Guyana. The 7 Missteps Made by Entrepreneurs covers practical knowledge and advice for individuals looking to succeed in business. The author helps by providing personal testimonies and valuable insights on business improvement, including step-by-step directions.
main consumer group -men. Nowadays, those very insecurities and devaluations of our rights are being addressed through the very
sector that made us feel insecure and devalued in the first place. I wonder what would happen if women’s empowerment didn’t garner
the support and attention it now has. Would businesses still use femvertising as a lead strategy in marketing? One can only wonder.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
A Trip to Whim Village — The epitome of peaceful ‘countryside life’
Welcome to Whim Village (Photos by Delano Williams)
The Whim Health Centre
THE East Berbice Corentyne (Region Six) landscape features over fifty picturesque villages. Many of these villages are adorned with acres of lush vegetation and cultivated farmlands, historical buildings with architectural aesthetics from days of old and a blend of people from diverse cultures that cement the region as the ideal place to truly experience the joys of living in the countryside. Situated along the heart of the Corentyne is Whim, a small quaint village teeming with calm, easy-going people and an abundance of arable lands and agricultural produce. The Guyana Chronicle’s Pepperpot Magazine set out excitedly last week to journey along the coast for 1 hour and 45 minutes from the country’s capital city, Georgetown to the Berbice River Bridge at Palmyra Village (East Berbice Corentyne) and then traverse for an additional
30 minutes to visit Whim Village. This was in an effort to engage with residents to have glimpses of their daily
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) branch office in Whim
ty, one of the most rewarding things about Whim is the feeling of simplicity and homeliness accentuated by
St. James Lutheran Church at Whim Village
lives and to learn about the socio-economic activities that are helping to boost community development. Apart from the welcoming fresh cool breeze and relaxing ambiance that soothingly envelopes the soul in a sense of peace and tranquili-
A farmer taking his goats to graze in Whim Village
the slow-paced rhythm of village life that compellingly forces a person to stay awhile longer than they intended. Whim is bordered by villages Auchlyne and Lancaster, respectively. Along the main access road that runs from the seawall to ‘Wire dam,’ the people of Whim go about their day peacefully, some stopping to enjoy a ‘good morning gaff’ and hearty laughter in the streets amidst a maze of buildings, houses and farms. The origins of the village remain unclear even though
The Whim Roadside Rama Khrisna Mandir
several residents claimed that during the ‘early days’ the area had swamps and grasslands and it was owned by Presbytery, a part of the Presbyterian Church, which still stands a short distance away in Auchlyne (East Berbice Corentyne). These lands were eventually turned into ‘squatting areas’ before being transformed into a liveable community. Whim Village has a population of approximately 400 to 500 residents. According to the Chairman of the Bloomfield/Whim Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Shewdat Veerana, the village is an agricultural community where farming produce such as vegetables, fruits and ground provisions, fishing and livestock rearing are the primary economic activities. Veerana also commended the part-time jobs initiative the Government of Guyana implemented that has provided additional earning opportunities for residents in the village. Meanwhile, he said that Whim is currently undergoing major infrastructural development with the con-
struction of asphaltic concrete all-weather roads that will improve transportation access to and fro the village. There are also ongoing upgrades to the drainage and irrigation systems in the village that will help to ease the challenges of flooding during the rainy season. On the other hand, he pointed out that there is a need for a functional sports facility that can provide youths in the community with ample recreation space as well as street lights that will further illuminate the village and enhance security. “We are doing great in Whim. We depend on each other for support,” expressed 59-year-old Veerana who is also dedicated to prioritising the needs of the people and working to ensure that his team at the NDC improves the quality of life of Whim residents so they can benefit from the local sectors such as agriculture, security, health and education, to name but a few. Additionally, the village has several basic amenities spanning electricity, potable water supply, internet and telecommunications connections and a drainage and irrigation system. Presently, the essential community
facilities include a nursery school, health centre, community centre, post office, police station, Magistrate’s Court, Probation and Social Services Department under the Child Care and Protection Agency - the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, a Guyana Telephone and Telegraph outpost, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) branch office and a sub-office of the Region Six – Regional Democratic Council (RDC). There are also several churches belonging to different Christian denominations and Hindu temples. In addition to this, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) branch office is responsible for reinforcing robust rules and regulations to safeguard the environment against any harm. There are no primary or secondary schools in the village. The nearest primary school is located at the neighbouring village, Auchlyne or in other close-range communities such as Manchester Primary. Whim Village is no doubt a great place in diverse ways that holistically embody the essence of the Corentyne in showcasing ‘true countryside life.’
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Whim Farmers on a mission to meet local market demands
By Shari Simon
AGRICULTURE is a pillar of economic growth and development. In Guyana, one of the largest agricultural hubs in the country is the East Berbice-Corentyne region. This territory is known for its extensive farmlands that play an essential role in driving national food production and food security, particularly
The couple told this publication that, to date, they have established two large gardens in the community where they get to harvest crops such as boulangers, bora, squash, carailla also called bitter gourd, callaloo, ochro, pak-choi cabbage, tomatoes, sweet peppers and wiri wiri peppers. Brijbasi detailed that he prepares daily to visit the gardens between 05:00 hours
Nicky Brijbasi and Rajpattie Sahadeo in front of the grocery shop they operate (Photos by Delano Williams)
farming,” said Sahadeo. She hopes they can purchase a plot of land to carry out large-scale farming and crop production in the future. Apart from being the family’s main source of income, farming is viewed by Brijbasi as a form of relaxation that he has enjoyed doing over the years. He further disclosed that, due to financial constraints, he was forced to leave school
Maurice Paradass
Nicky Brijbasi watering his boulanger plants
by supplying a variety of fresh and organic crops and livestock to local markets. With farming as the main economic activity in Whim, many farmers native to the village take pride in planting and reaping crops and rearing livestock. By doing this, they can constantly meet ever-growing market demands and sustain households in Guyana, the Caribbean and the international community. “We plant lots of things, and I would take it to sell at Port Mourant market,” said 44-year-old Rajpattie Sahadeo, who has been farming alongside her husband, Nicky Brijbasi, since 2020.
and 05:30 hours to begin maintaining the plants. His agricultural practices for nurturing and reaping healthy crops involve watering the plants and seedlings, constructing new plant beds, sowing seeds in pots with nutrient-rich garden soil, and transplanting seedlings to different plant beds. Depending on the percentage of crops they reap, Sahadeo either travels to sell the crops at the Port Mourant market or she opts to sell it at the family’s small-scale retail shop that they operate at their home in the village, which complements the sale of groceries and other items. “We make a living from
at 14 years old and seek jobs to do fishing, carpentry and masonry, and, eventually, he started working on a farm in Crabwood Creek where he was employed for ten years. Upon his return to Whim in 2020, Brijbasi, together with Sahadeo, began cultivating their thriving gardens. Meanwhile, Sahadeo stated that she initially decided to venture into farming while assisting her late father. At the time, she lived in Georgetown before she later returned to Whim Village after 24 years. Although she had a wealth of knowledge about farming, she went on to do odd jobs as a single parent to care for her six children.
Sahadeo expressed that it “feels really good” to be a self-sustaining family and to contribute to the local agriculture sector. This feeling serves as an inspiration to continue farming. Similar to Brijbasi and Sahadeo, 51-year-old Mau-
rice Paradass is also a native of Whim Village who has been farming for over 18 years. Paradass explained that planting became his passion after he built a small kitchen garden years ago in order to earn an income. Today, he has successful-
ly set up four gardens of considerable sizes around Whim Village, where he harvests crops weekly to sell at the Port Mourant market. Some of the crops that Paradass plants are bora, tomatoes and sweet peppers. Furthermore, Paradass vehemently believes that there is a need for continuous agricultural assistance because he feels his ‘complaints about the high costs of plant chemicals and greenhouse materials are not being heard’. Despite the challenges, he explained that his strongwilled trait and determined spirit to be independent have motivated him to work hard at maintaining his gardens and cultivating crops for local markets. “You got to work for everything you want in this life,” noted Paradass, who related that as a young boy, he saw his father, who sadly died young, often venture out to earn a living as a worker at a hydraulics facility in the community while his mother sold ice, ginger-beer, mauby and other delicious local drink at the Port Mourant market. Paradass is “simply happy” that he can provide healthy and affordable agricultural crops to people across the country.
A section of Paradass’ farm at Whim Village
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
‘Prioritising the needs and rights of children is important’ By Shari Simon
FOR Uyelene Lancaster, the opportunity to transform children’s lives means delivering quality education at the nursery level to shape meaningful teaching
ularly centred on the renewed curriculum implemented by the Ministry of Education – Guyana in collaboration with the National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). “The Government and
violence, Phillina Singh, Senior Officer (a.g) and Probation and Social Services Officer at the Whim Child Care Office under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, is determined to work in the interest of pro-
other health facilities and community groups such as the St Francis Community Developers. We lean on religious leaders to assist us in working with children,” she said. Singh went on to share that the social services team
the Region Six district. The Whim office is open weekly on Mondays to Thursdays at 8:00 AM to 4:30 AM and on Fridays at 8:00 AM to 3:30 AM. Persons can contact the Whim Child Care office on telephone number: +592 337-
in Whim, it is top-priority to provide healthcare access daily to the community. In addition, Hintzen highlighted that the services offered at the Whim Health Centre include a monthly Chronic Illness clinic on the first and third Tuesdays as
The Whim Nursery School
Uyelene Lancaster (Photos by Delano Williams)
and learning experiences that can positively impact how children grow and develop. In her view, a nursery environment is critical to nurturing a child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, and for this reason, she continues to earnestly invest in building the educational pathways of young children at the Whim Nursery School. “As an educator, it is really fulfilling to hear the responses of children and their parents about the lessons you teach and what they have learned,” said Lancaster, the Graduate Senior Mistress who has been teaching at the nursery school for over six years. She revealed thatPhillina buildingSingh a professional teaching career had not been a plan she intentionally pursued; however, she is proud to have amassed over twenty years in the profession thus far. Lancaster is also a graduate of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and she holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Guyana (UG). Moreover, she pointed out that the primary aim of teachers at the nursery school is to contribute toward early childhood education and development by engaging daily with the children enrolled in a wide range of learning lessons and activities, partic-
NCERD would have come up with this educational initiative to bring play back into the nursery system,” she mentioned before, noting that Whim Nursery is one of the pilot schools in Region Six for the curriculum that involves additional child-oriented class sessions and activities. “As teachers, the first thing we do is try to understand what a child’s mindset is like for the day. We sit with them, we ask them how they’re doing and even, what they ate for breakfast,” she said. In many instances, these interactions help to establish a healthy bond between teachers and children in the six classes at the school that is also crucial to the teaching and learning dynamics in a child’s educational journey. Additionally, Lancaster indicated that the curriculum also provides the capacity for teachers to become innovative and creative in the delivery of the lessons and this allows the children to be expressive in their ideas while doing activities such as drawing diagrams or singing nursery rhymes. “Learning is supposed to be fun and we try to ensure that happens here,” she said. Strengthening Child Care Services in the Whim Community With an aim to keep children safe and protected from different forms of abuse and
moting the rights of children. “We work with vulnera-
at Whim also liaisons with agencies such as ChildLink to provide counselling services to children, as well as women and men who suffer
2667 or 337-2364 and the Corriverton Child Care office at +592 335-3051. There is also a 24-hour Region Six hotline: +592 623-1788. Healthcare Access in Whim Village Roxanne Hintzen is driven by a passion for caring for people while ‘working with
well as on Fridays; Antenatal Care clinic on Tuesdays; Family Planning services on Wednesdays and Thursdays and preschool checkups on Fridays. The health centre also provides vaccinations for children and adults, and it is also open weekly to walkin patients with different
Roxanne Hintzen
The Whim Child Care office
ble children. We want to give children a voice and we want to represent them and ensure that they are safe,” expressed Singh, who told this publication that it is important to collaborate with the wider community in strengthening child care and protection services for safeguarding children. As a result, she revealed that the agency ‘does not work in isolation’ but rather it networks with several governmental as well as non-governmental agencies and faith-based organisations and leaders in communities to keep children safe. “We work with the police and thankfully, the police station is across the road from our office. We collaborate with agencies such as the hospitals and
from abuse and violence. “We liaison also with the private business community for immediate assistance and support,” she noted. Even though she revealed that there is a need for additional resources in the field, this does not impede the team from advocating for the rights of children and striving to ensure that every child gets access to a safe and secure environment. She added that another component of child rights advocacy is stressing the need for responsible media reporting on issues relating to children to avoid narrating stories that can re-traumatise children in the future. At the moment, Singh supervises the Corriverton Child Care offices located in
her hands’ and this has acted as a catalyst for her growth as a Registered Nurse/Midwife at the Whim Health Centre after venturing into the nursing career over twenty years ago. She highlighted that as the primary health facility
illnesses. Presently, the health centre comprises rooms for vaccinations, examinations, antenatal and postnatal care, counselling and family planning, a doctor’s room, restrooms and a waiting area for patients.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Whim Village is home!
By Shari Simon
GOING along the main access road in Whim Village (East Berbice-Corentyne) reveals quite a breathtaking sight early in the morning of residents peacefully going about their day.
“I cut and plant rice, I fetch wood, and I catch fish. I do all those things just to help my mother. We would fish and my mother would go to the market to sell the fish,” said Takoordeen, before adding: “We reach a very very tough time. I do not like to
Deodat Takoordeen
During a recent visit to the village, 72-year-old Rewatee Takoordeen, also called ‘Babsie’ told the Pepperpot Magazine that she cannot envision herself living in another place simply because she is a native of the village. Takoordeen recalled that she had a difficult childhood during the 1950s because her ten siblings and she had to support their family after encountering many challenges that she attributed to her father’s ‘steady drinking.’
Leila Jagmohan
remember some of those times.” Eventually, she had to leave school. For this reason, she was firm and insisted that her children go to school to gain an education. One of the ways she supported her family after her husband was injured in an accident was by becoming a seamstress. “I sewed for 32 years and I helped to bring my children up while my husband cared for the children. He took them to school and so on,” she said. She shared that
she often sewed a variety of clothes such as school and work uniforms, dresses and religious attire. Today, Takoordeen beams with pride at raising her five children who are well-versed in academic and non-academic activities. It makes her happy to see the successes they have achieved in life despite the obstacles. “Sewing is really what bring me up and I have my husband and family,” she stated, before expressing: “We are still making life here in Whim as a family.” Meanwhile, Takoordeen’s 41-year-old son, Deodat, revealed that his love for Whim Village stems from its quietness and the caring and supportive residents. “Life here in Whim is countryside living. It’s quiet, everyone is nice and we have each other
A smiling Rewatee Takoordeen aka Babsie and her husband
Whim Nursery School. Born and raised in the village,
Kamalawattie Venkiah and her daughter
to depend on,” he expressed. Deodat remarked that as a young boy attending the Auchlyne Nursery and Primary Schools, respectively and then the Winifred Gaskin Secondary School, his school days were fun because he got the opportunity to meet different people and in essence, build the foundation for his educational pathway. “I grew up here from small days. I feel at home here,” he said. A short distance away from the Takoordeen’s residence, the publication caught up with 58-year-old Kamalawattie Venkiah at the
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Venkiah stated that she has seen major transformations occur throughout the community and she is happy to still be residing there. As a young girl, she often helped her mother to sell homemade snacks such as barra, channa, sugar-cake and other delicious goodies at a school nearby to pro-
vide financial support for their family. On the other hand, while she did eventually follow in her mother’s footsteps as an adult, due to unforeseen challenges, she had to quit. Currently, Venkiah is one of the part-time workers attached to the nursery school under the part-time jobs initiative implemented by the Government of Guyana. She began working in August 2022 and assists the teachers daily in organising learning and teaching resources at the school. Furthermore, Venkiah also acknowledged that she is grateful to get an opportunity to earn an income in her home community. “I like Whim because it has everything I need,” she said. Before bringing an end to a wonderful countryside visit to Whim Village, the publication spoke with 67-year-old Leila Jagmohan, who spends
most of her days relaxing in her hammock while enjoying the cool river freeze. Jagmohan shared that she originally grew up in Lancaster Village (East Berbice-Corentyne) but relocated to Whim after she got married. “Whim is a beautiful place and the people are nice. I’m living here now for over 30 years,” she noted. In addition to this, she related that a part of building a life of her own in Whim involved setting up a stall in front of her home. This allowed her to sell different foods, fruits and other items and financially provide for her daughter. Unfortunately, she had to stop selling. Jagmohan disclosed that she is assisted by family and close neighbours due to her ailments in recent times. As such, she gets to immerse herself in the beauty of country life in the village. “Whim is my home,” she said.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
Earning a living in a small countryside community
By Shari Simon
OPENING a business is one way of earning an income that can sustain a household and provide a wide variety of perishable and non-perishable items to customers at their convenience. Apart from farming and fishing as the primary economic activities in Whim Village, residents in the community also operate grocery shops and snackettes as a source of income. 35-year-old Annie Phipps made the bold move to become the owner of a snackette approximately two
Annie Phipps in her snackette at Whim Village
Latchman Appadoo organising a section of his grocery shop in Whim Village
months ago. She related to the Pepperpot Magazine that after the birth of her child,
she had to quit her job as a salesgirl. Determined to assist her husband, Madray
Ramsammy, in offsetting the family’s financial expenses, Phipps decided to establish a snackette. This business venture has also provided her with the opportunity to take care of her baby at the same time. “I decided I had to do something after I had my baby and that’s why I really opened my own business here,” said Phipps, who is also a mother of five children. She added: “I send all kinds of food like barra, channa, cassava ball, cassava egg ball and different flavours of local drink. Furthermore, Phipps pointed out that she would often awake early in the morning to prepare the foods and her husband would transport her to the snackette, which sits opposite the community’s Post Office, with the items since he plies his trade as a taxi driver on the Corentyne public road. For this reason, she expressed satisfaction with the major infrastructural developments, particularly the roads throughout the village that allow for ease of transportation. “Living in Whim is quiet. The people are cooperative, and I get to do my lil business,” expressed Phipps. Located several streets away is a small grocery
shop operated by 56-yearold Latchman Appadoo and his wife, 50-year-old Wellai Punsamy. Appadoo reminisced that as a young boy growing up in Whim Village, there were no grocery shops and this often proved to be a burden on many families. He shared that the idea to start the grocery shop was birthed after realising that over the years, the people residing in Whim Village continued to travel long distances to purchase certain items that they needed due to a lack of shops in the community. At the time, Appadoo worked as a carpenter to support his family of seven. However, carpentry jobs were seasonal and the family needed another source of income in addition to the odd jobs that he undertook doing farming and fishing. As a result, the family turned to opening a grocery shop three years ago. When the Pepperpot Magazine visited the family’s home where the shop is located, there were a number of items on
display for sale, including cakes such as salara or ‘red bread’, and coconut buns, a variety of packaged snacks, ice cream products, tons of essential household items, aerated beverages or soft drinks and bottled water, to name but a few. Even though the grocery shop can be negatively impacted by fluctuating sales that depend on customers’ purchasing habits during different seasons, Appadoo revealed that he is quite content with knowing that there are different business days and the family holds no expectations that every day will be the same. “Me comfortable here,” Appadoo noted while sitting beside a smiling Wellai. A short distance from Appadoo and Punsamy’s grocery shop at the beginning of the main access road in Whim Village, the Pepperpot Magazine talked with 26-year-old Ryan Isaac who has lived his entire life in the village. Isaac described himself as a hard worker who either works seasonal construction jobs or fishing to make money to provide for his wife and two young children. He indicated that he remains motivated to ensure that he can always finally support his family and he shared that he has plenty to do in the village. “I does work hard and I love the village. Me get everything here in the village,” said Isaac.
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FROM SOMEWHERE, A SONG OF LOVE
A NEW day dawned — a special day with love and a little song in his mind. Jarred looked at himself in the mirror and smiled at his reflection. Today he was sixteen! A day worthy of love, gifts, and best wishes, and thanks to the Lord and his family. From a baby, they had given him everything a child could ever want but deep down inside, as he grew, there was a little emptiness, a feeling knotted inside his heart that he couldn’t understand, and broken verses of a song played continuously in his head. On his fifteenth birthday, his mother presented him with a book that chronicled a young woman’s life, success, and failures. It was a revelation for him as he read and understood then the empty feeling inside of him was for his birth mother, who had never been a part of his life, not from babyhood to now. The young woman in the story had been a college student, studying hard as she had followed her dreams to become a lawyer but a mishap occurred when she became pregnant for her boyfriend. He had promised her to stay but two months before the baby was born, he had walked away. The heartache and stress almost drove her over the edge, saved only by the pills she had become addicted to and her world had spun out of control. She couldn’t care for him, her baby boy, so she wrapped him in a blanket, a precious little bundle, and left him at a church’s door. His cries she couldn’t hear as he had laid in the cold for her mind was numb, a broken young woman lost and confused. He had put down the book at the end of her story, wiping the tears from his
eyes. The book was unfinished because the story had a continuation, the story of the baby, now grown into a handsome and smart young man, who had begun searching for his missing mother that day. For months he searched, a prayer in his mind, “Please, God, give her some help to find her way.” The alleys and shelters he had searched, the abandoned buildings and old churches, but he could not find her. Christmas was in the air but not for the destitute and homeless who lived on the crumbs of the street. Darkness and cardboard boxes, their city, their world, no neon lights, and velvet carpets. At dusk one day, twelve days before Christmas, when his feet were tired and his body worn, he heard a soft humming. It was divine music to his ears, the same tune he grew up with playing in his mind. He followed the sound and saw a small church, partially hidden by overgrown bougainvillaea. He walked quietly to the stairs where she was lying, her head resting on a little blanket. He looked at her in that pitiful state, bed-ragged and lost and his heart grieved for the woman who had brought him into this world, close to Christmas. She had raised her head and looked at him for a long time, knowing in her heart, it was her son. She spoke in a weak, trembling voice, “Wh-wh-what are you doing here?” “I’m looking for a beautiful woman who has been missing from my life.” She looked around and shook her head “No one’s here. Move on.” “I know what happened to you and I want to help
you.” She lowered her head, and for a long moment, she did not speak then she looked at him, trying to mask the pain in her eyes, and asked in a hoarse voice, “Are you having a good life?” “Yes,” he answered “Is there love and comfort?” “Yes.” “Then you should not be looking for me.” “No love and comfort can fill the emptiness inside of me. Only you can. Let me help you.” She shook her head. A pained cry escaped her parched lips. “It’s too late, too late.” “No, it’s not,” he had pleaded with her She turned to walk away when he said, “Don’t you want to see your own son? You still remember the baby you left here, don’t you?” She had stopped but didn’t turn back and said, “Go back home, I’m no one and I can’t you give you anything.” She had walked out of the churchyard, leaving him on the steps once again. He had sat on the steps for a long while, not wanting to lose her and not knowing what to do, when the church’s door opened and the old Pastor beckoned him in. “We need to pray,” he told the boy, “Pray for an angel to touch her life, to bring her back from that dark road into the light.” One year had passed since that day and Jarred had returned home, to his family, the life he knew. His mother seemed to have vanished, he never saw her again but he prayed each day, morning and night, heeding the pastor’s words. On the eve of his sixteenth birthday, he had received a note from his moth-
er that she wanted to see him on his birthday at the church. That’s why he was so happy. That’s why the day felt so special. That evening he got there elated and excited but she wasn’t there. No one was there. The church was closed. Jarred’s heart sunk and fear clouded his mind. Why wasn’t she there? Did something bad happen to her?
He stood there, helpless and scared, when he heard the humming of that sweet, divine tune. He turned around and she was standing at the church’s doors, the baby’s blanket in her hands, a new woman, radiant and beautiful, light dancing in her eyes. It was truly a miracle. His prayers were answered for her life had been touched by an angel. Jarred laughed, the joy
he felt in his heart, bringing forth tears in his eyes. “Thank you, dear Lord,” he whispered. She hugged him on the steps where she had left him, as a baby sixteen years ago and hand in hand, mother and son walked into the brightly lit church to celebrate a special birthday. The choir sang and from above, the angels smiled. A blessed reunion it was.
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Greater access, not just overcoming adversity A FEW weeks ago, when we were all celebrating the top performers after the announcement of this year’s Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)’s results, I started thinking about the tertiary education sector a bit more. Since then, I believe that we have been focused on celebrating students’ efforts at overcoming adversity, instead of agreeing that there should be greater access to opportunities for those students. When the results were announced, a Facebook friend opined that those stories of overcoming adversity aren’t as heartwarming as we perceive them to be. For her, those stories spotlight many systemic failures. One failure is that children burden themselves by pursuing too many subjects (coupled with the extra lessons and extra workload) just for the chance at a scholarship, as opposed to knowing that regardless of how many subjects they write, they will be able to pursue a sound tertiary education. The more I think about this comment, the more I agree with her. Sure, when those results are announced, and at times when social media is inundated with posts about people graduating from their universities, there is a sense of collective pride. And I love it. There is something incredibly SEE PAGE XIII
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Greater access, not just... FROM PAGE XII heartwarming about people celebrating themselves and their accomplishments, and seeing others celebrate them too. Even so, I realise that overcoming adversity to achieve what should be commonplace is not necessarily the goal. The goal should be easy, equitable access for all. This year, I’ve been more reflective than usual, reflecting on my friend’s comments, and my own experiences. This column is deeply personal. Recently, I graduated from the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine. Strangely, I haven’t felt celebratory or euphoric in any way. What I do feel is a sense of relief that it is all over, because it has been an incredibly arduous and taxing journey. More importantly, I realise now that I am not gracious enough to say that whatever struggles I encountered along the way made the journey more fruitful. Frankly, if I had the opportunity to study without balancing it alongside a full-time job that funded my pursuits, I believe I would have been able to immerse myself much more in the tertiary education journey. Perhaps, I could have found the time to pursue other interests like sports or anything. But that wasn’t the case. Like many others, a scholarship was my best chance at a guaranteed tertiary academic journey. Without that scholarship, I needed to work and save to fund any tertiary studies I wanted to pursue. This isn’t me using this space to bemoan my challenges or lament that I could not secure a scholarship in Guyana. I am trying to underscore the need to understand that some of the challenges in our education system are systemic. I am a loud champion of students writing as many subjects as they want to at the CXC level if that’s what they want to do. I am, however, a product of a system that compelled me to pursue a high number of subjects as part of the competitive process of copping a scholarship. If tertiary education was free, or if there were many more opportunities to transition to tertiary education, there would be no NEED to write many subjects, and, for some of us, we could focus on our academic pursuits just a little longer, or with some greater degree of ease (unless we wanted to balance studies and the world of work). These aren’t unfathomable or unachievable things, especially now that we are hyper-focused on developing the country’s human capital to respond to the needs of a developing economy. As I have written before, to Guyana’s credit, there have been efforts at equalising education delivery, and making resources more available. Textbooks and educational content were created for learners at the lower academic levels. Where Internet facilities could not be immediately established or improved, other means of broadcasting information (television stations and radio channels) were strengthened. The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), a massive Online scholarship scheme, is another good initiative that provides many with access to higher education. Recently, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali spoke of these efforts at a United Nations summit on education, and he highlighted the government’s ambitious plans to improve education in Guyana, including increasing national spending on education to 20 per cent of the country’s national budget. Importantly, concerning this column, he reiterated his party’s Manifesto promise of free tertiary education by 2025. These efforts signal that policymakers are well aware of the challenges that exist. What’s left is for them to make good on their promises, and continuously assess the needs of the education sector, and a population that is increasingly demanding higher educational opportunities so that additional plans can be developed and executed. Again, these are not unfathomable or unachievable things. If you would like to connect with me to discuss the column or any of my previous work, please feel free to email me at: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
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A busy week with great people
THIS was the first time I met Mr. Ross, and I must thank him for not hesitating to let us use his beautiful establishment for our most recent book event. It was great to see people like Nadira Budram, Dr. Rose October, Romance Kallicharan, Allyson Sheapersaud, Cindy Brown, Ken Rampersaud, Archie Graham, March Wisely and so many others. I must thank Gypsy Persaud for chair-
ing the programme, and Maria for capturing these precious moments on camera. The authors shared their inspiring journeys, and from all feedback, their stories motivated those in attendance. Dr. Bowen and Allyson decided it was not going to end there, so we proceeded to a very ‘hip’ restaurant that had delicious food and chatted about things in life that got us to this point. It
is always an honour to be in the company of progressive minds with hearts to serve humanity. We walked a few blocks to our car, laughing at something funny Bowen would have said, and the chill of the night felt great. I love to smile and laugh, and heard somewhere it will make me look young! Talking about looking young! The next day I met a lady at our book event at the Secaucus Public
Library in New Jersey; the one and only Shirley Hendricks, a fashionista with a winning personality. The book event in New Jersey was of a different nature, and more intimate. Patrons joined the authors in the storytelling, and it was powerful. Ms. Shirley shared how her fashion began years ago at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), and how she navigated as a black woman in a predominantly white world of fashion. At 82, she is full of life, and I see so much of me in her. She will be launching a podcast to motivate seniors to live a full life instead of waiting to die. I believe this is needed, and will be a powerful podcast that will help many to live instead of just existing. My sister and her 10-yearold daughter were there, and the stories certainly opened up her mind. Zi, who is one of my mentees in Guyana, was fortunate to join us. Our books are now in the library, and we are grateful for their partnership. After our session, Sara, Nadira and I sat outside Dunkin Donuts and had bagels, chai and coffee while chatting about the challenges of the last few years. Sara was excited that she drove herself from NY to Jersey for the first time, and conquered her fear of going
through tunnels. The person who was going to drive us could no longer do so, and she had no other option but to do it herself. Sometimes we hate it when we are put in a situation
to grow, but appreciate it later. The fitting climax to this empowering weekend was attending Liberty Bible Church with Nadira and Bibi, and celebrating Senior Pastor Michael’s 82nd birthday with him. He is a role model to further look bright for a church he started in his living room decades ago. His son and my friend’s pastor continue the legacy he started. From what I experienced on Sunday, Pastor Joe need not worry, because his three sons are following in his footsteps, especially Jonatan, who is now ministering overseas. That is a blessing. I always enjoy the worship at Liberty when I travel. I always enjoy lunch or dinner at Stardust when I am in NY, and my friend Nadira made it on the agenda. Nadira took the day off to take me to Stardust. I fell in love, and she also wanted us to attend a Broadway show, but time did not permit. Now is just the beginning of a powering mission to Africa that God has made possible. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing some captivating stories as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022
RENEWABLE ENERGY
FOSSIL fuels, in the form of petroleum, coal, or natural gas, have undoubtedly been the most used energy source in modern history. They have been used to produce the commodities in today’s world that most would consider basic needs. Energy from fossil fuels provides us with electricity in our homes, fuel for transportation, and power in our production industries. Energy from fossil fuels is undoubtedly a demand but just how much of this resource, hidden deep under the Earth’s surface, do we have left? The fact is – not a lot. Fossil fuels are becoming harder and harder to find and are considered a non-renewable resource. More so, this energy source has been associated with having a negative impact on the health of the environment and, more specifically, has significantly contributed to human-induced climate change. It is no wonder that great effort is made to utilise other sources of energy which, when compared to fossil fuels, have a minimal environmental impact. Such alternative energy sources are being obtained from the natural elements in the environment, such as the sun (solar), wind,
cost savings and a healthier environment and can be utilised both at the domestic and commercial levels. In keeping with the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, Guyana is making significant strides to wean itself from the substantial use of fossil fuels by imple-
Falls Hydro-electric Project and the Kato - Installation of 150 kW Micro Hydropower Plant. Meanwhile, we can all make a conscious effort to conserve energy in our daily activities by better managing our electricity consumption in our homes and workplac-
menting renewable energy projects across the country in both the private and public sectors. The installation of solar panels on homes especially in the interior re-
es.
water (hydropower), steam (geothermal), and even tidal action (wave). The alternatives to fossil fuels all have one very important feature: they are all renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is far more beneficial for the environment than fossil fuels. Using renewable sources such as solar panels and wind turbines will lead to
gions such as Mahdia - Installation of 0.65 MW Solar Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System, Leguan - Installation of 0.6 MW Solar Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System, Bartica - Construction/Installation of a Solar Photovoltaic Grid-Connected System Dogg Point are examples of government-funded projects. Hydropower projects include investment in the Amalia
Here are some tips for energy conservation that we can easily adopt: Switch to using energy-saving bulbs; Purchase appliances with the Energy Star logo; Turn off and unplug appliances that are not being used; Collect rainwater for use; Open windows and make use of natural light. These simple actions can certainly help you to contribute to protecting the environment while reducing energy expenses. 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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Fear and mental health
CONSIDERING that Halloween just passed, I thought I’d write about a topic that I spoke about with many over the weekend. We spoke about fear in many aspects. I spoke to some foreigners telling me about their ‘trick
or treating’ days as children. This is an activity where you walk around neighbourhoods, knock on doors and receive candy, something not commonly practised in Guyana. I had conversations about the fear that comes with Hal-
loween movies and some phobias triggered by certain costumes. It made me think a little deeper about fear and mental health. I’ve always liked and disliked Halloween; I like to scare people but don’t like to be scared. I like the candy
but my body doesn’t like the candy. I like seeing the costumes but I don’t like getting dressed up. I love horror movies but can’t sleep for days after watching them. It’s always been a toss-up. However, as I got older and more interested and edu-
cated in the field of Mental Health, I started looking at almost everything, including Halloween, differently. I think about those suffering from mental health issues that see insulting costumes. I think about how individuals with anx-
iety and panic disorders must feel. I think about how some individuals see others having fun and can’t understand why they can’t feel the same. I guess it could take the fun out of SEE PAGE XVII
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Fear and mental... it, but these acknowledgements can also allow us to be more sensitive, supportive, and well-rounded individuals. Now, let’s talk about fear for a second. Fear is a completely normal human emotion. It is usually triggered by threats and is what allows for basic human survival instincts. This essentially means that healthy levels of fear keep us safe. However, constantly living in fear- which, sadly, many Guyanese doresults in major harm to our overall well-being. We live in a society with
a high crime (robberies, sexual assault, homicides, etc.) rate. This can cause people to develop high anxiety and phobias of experiencing these events. For example, I’ve been fortunate enough to have never been robbed, but still, I’m always very aware of my surroundings and most of the time, uncomfortable when walking alone at night. This is not rare or unhealthy, as I’m sure many people who have never been robbed feel this way. However, constant worry and fear and their effects are numerous. It can cause
SEE PAGE XXII
physical issues such as impaired memory, cardiovascular damage, breathing problems, stomach issues such as ulcers and just generally weakens our immune system. It can cause mental health issues such as high anxiety and stress, fatigue, disturbances in both eating and sleeping patterns, depression, and even thoughts of hopelessness and suicide. The worst part? These harms come whether the threat is real or simply just perceived by the individual. My occasional disapproval of Halloween also exists as it’s an opportunity
to exploit other people’s fear. There are only a few things that I dislike more than this. I’ve always feared insects or amphibians such as cockroaches or frogs. Many times, both during my childhood and quite recently, people would purposely push me into a corner with these creatures for their enjoyment. It’s not funny but rather cruel to exploit others’ genuine fear for a laugh! Halloween is basically this on a larger scale. While some really enjoy it, others really fear it. Now, what can we do to
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manage our fear? In most cases, fear diminishes with age, for example, fear of the dark or ghosts/monsters. I remember being terribly afraid of both until the late age of about 15. Thankfully, I’ve grown out of that! For those that haven’t grown out of their childhood fears- that’s completely okay but there are ways to overcome them. Fear may come from many different things such as stigma, experience, fear of judgement, or feelings of lack of control, etc. The realisation that there is so much we can’t control is every
person’s nightmare. However, what we can definitely control is how we react. We can ask ourselves basic questions that may provide clarity and rationality. Ask yourself what exactly is it that you’re afraid of and is it realistic? It helps to face your fear. To be honest, this is advice I give but rarely take myself. This doesn’t mean that if you’re afraid of robberies, you should put yourself in a dangerous position to prove it’s SEE PAGE XXII
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Addiction: The scent of Dante’s Inferno
NO normal home is culturally trained to heal or understand the turmoiled parallel dimensions of an addict’s mind. I have had, and still have that challenge for the past seven years. Families are constructed on discussions, punishment and rewards towards the redemption into the normalcy of members, with consistent and threatening practices that border as an open adversary, especially at a vulnerable time. Then tough love must be applied towards the survival of the collective entity we call the ‘Family’. Thus, the casting out and down of some family members is a reality that is necessary to save others. Of all the non-local neg-
ative practices sucked into ‘Things Guyanese’, addictive drugs, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine etc., marijuana and cocaine are the worse, followed by cigarettes and alcohol. The abuse of alcohol, especially during pregnancy, can result in Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. It’s a terrible addiction that is called the Jekyll and Hyde of the drug world. The alcoholic heart can be enlarged by ethanol-induced blood pressure. The brain can be affected too. Don’t blame ‘jumbie business’ when you see a child born with abnormalities; excessive alcohol in the mother’s bloodstream can be toxic to the developing fetus, thus resulting
in deformities. The word, ‘hallucinogen’, was outside of my school vocabulary until an incident in West Ruimveldt forced me to explore further, inquiring how did marijuana usage result in mystic visions (I have written in detail about this in a previous article Sun Nov.17, 2019). The result: Becoming aware of marijuana as a useful herb with a terrible disabling compound, ‘Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC’. It is the mind-altering ingredient that can induce psychotic alterations. Too long a list compiles in our Guyana; the death of elder relatives at the hands of the irritant addicted especially to cocaine.
Now there is the worse with ‘Frankenstein Marijuana’. A lab-created offshoot of synthetic marijuana has penetrated the market. Yes,
I mentioned before that generations of managing family systems had developed norms that are not consistent with drug addiction.
demon possession or not, drug addiction comes a close second in terms of deception and hostile torment of families. So many parents
drugs are a market commodity! Most of this plague had emerged and was in full force by 1985, coupled with the first collapse of mass employment in 1978-9 of waterfront jobs. Many had turned to trade because of the oil crisis. Suitcase traders became the first new wealth, followed by the development of the local Rastafarian movement and the advent of marijuana. Soon enough, cocaine was competing, and the addicts followed. Between1980 and 2020, there seems to be no real answer for the scourge of drug addiction.
The habits of the addict have to be monitored towards forced accepted hygiene practices; then the effects of drugs seem to alter taste and preference towards what is normal food. Further, with the drug’s effect on the nervous system, they will inveigle sympathetic friends to buy restaurant food, and even slip sleep-aid pills with it. Sleep-aid pills, unless prescribed, are as dangerous as cocaine, and many pharmacies defy the law, and, with some familiarity, do sell what should not be sold over the counter. Get to know all friends who visit; it is not unlikely that the very drug dealer may be masquerading as a school friend you have never met. Parents can be worn out and stressed enough by bills and ordinary living, but with the in-house addict, everything has to be hidden that can disappear when the ‘cravings’, as the urge for drugs is called, begin. Whether you believe in
and guardians follow the Biblical course with Yahweh, the Father, and Lucifer, the addicted son, and cast their loved ones out. This act, however, is far from an easy solution; the victim seldom finds peace in the mind-altering pits that the Drug Yards are. How do families reconcile with this act? It had better be all involved, with a resolve towards a show of redemption if the addict can summon the inner strength to rise above the ‘jumbie’, as cocaine is called in the culture. Then long-drawn-out rules must be implemented, seek what the medical and legal system can offer in support. Remember, there’s a drug court with professionals who can help. In closing, as a parent and one who is vulnerable to the human world with my vexations and expectations, drug addiction is the one thing that I would not wish on my worst enemy or his close kin in retaliation.
THE TROUBLED TIMES This was the fuel that fired ‘the troubled times’, and though some efforts are in place today, the State has no rehabilitation facility. Addicts more or less remain the responsibility of the home or inadequate ‘rehab’ facilities.
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Venezuela/Guyana border dispute THE Venezuelan dispute has again surfaced in the media after President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s address to the United Nations, wherein he made reference to the dispute, and emphasised that Guyana had always been committed to settling the dispute peacefully, within the ambit of International Law. Guyana’s position was endorsed by the United Nations and all the world’s countries. On the other hand, Venezuela, an infinitely more powerful country than Guyana, both militarily and economically, is demanding that Guyana and Venezuela be placed in a ring, where Ve n e z u e l a would not be constrained by International Law and morality, and could then terrorise Guyana by strident sabre rattling and threat of invasion. Venezuela hopes to get its way by such means. We will give a brief background of the Dispute: In the last quarter of the 19th Century, the USA was gripped by an ultra-nationalist commitment to the Monroe Doctrine, whereby the USA would oppose any European power that attempted to establish new colonies in the Americas. Venezuela, who had claimed part of the British colony of British Guiana, felt it could exploit this American nationalism, and was able to enlist the USA as patron for its claim. The USA thus took up Venezuela’s claim with Britain. In the 1890s, relations between the US and Britain became very tense, to the point where there was even talk of war. Tempers cooled, and Venezuela, the USA and Britain agreed, by way of
the Treaty of Washington, in 1897, to have the dispute settled by arbitration. Venezuela established an Arbitral Tribunal, while the USA and Britain chose the most eminent lawyers of the time to serve on it. They all solemnly agreed that the award of the Tribunal would be “a full, perfect and final settlement of the Dispute”. The Arbitral Tribunal went about its work, under the chairmanship of the very eminent Russian lawyer, Frederick Frommbold de Martens. The archives of Spain, Holland and Britain were thoroughly searched and explored, and the Tri-
The Venezuelans were jubilant that they had won a great victory, and this was reflected in the media of the time, and postage stamps were issued to celebrate the occasion. A joint Venezuelan/British team was appointed to demarcate the boundary in accordance with the Tribunal’s award, and this they completed in 1905, with the official map being issued on May 7, 1905. The boundaries were accepted by Venezuela, Britain, the United States and internationally. By 1960, it became clear to the world that Britain intended to withdraw from the colony and grant British
bunal was able to make its award in 1899. British Guiana lost the Orinoco Delta and most of the present-day Venezuelan Province of Guayana. It should be remembered that Sir Walter Raleigh, in his search for El Dorado, was the first European who visited this area in the 16th Century. The Award confined British Guiana to its present boundaries. The Tribunal’s deliberations and findings were published in several large volumes, copies of which are in the National Archives.
Guiana its Independence. Ve n e z u e l a ’s n e i g h b o u r would now no longer be Britain, but a weak, fledgling country, and as such, Venezuela abandoned International Law, and claimed two-thirds of British Guiana’s territory. The basis of Venezuela’s claim rested on the flimsy grounds of a posthumous letter from Severo Mallet-Prevost, one of the junior lawyers in the Tribunal, wherein he claimed the award was dishonestly made, impugning the integrity of the most eminent lawyers of the time. In the norm, a letter like Mal-
JUBILATION
--Towards a solution by the ICJ
let-Prevost’s would have been regarded as a discredited curiosity, but Venezuela was seeking a casus belli. With this Venezuelan claim, Britain found itself not being able to grant Independence unless they had
accepted that there was a dispute. Accordingly, Britain, Venezuela and British Guiana recognised a dispute that should be settled peacefully in due course. British Guiana was then able to be granted its Independence in
May 1966. It did not take long before Venezuela began making threats and other harassment on Guyana, and even seized Ankoko Island, part SEE PAGE XXV
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Fear and mental... FROM PAGE XVII not that bad, no! It means that avoidance usually strengthens fear and gives it more power than it deserves. For example, I used to be terrified of public speaking but exposing myself to it more and more has caused me not to be. This is called exposure therapy. Breathing also always helps! Inhale through the
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, November 06, 2022 nose for 4 seconds, hold the breath in for 4 seconds and then exhale through the mouth for 4 seconds. I call it the 4-4-4 rule and it is
very beneficial to reduce physiological symptoms of stress- such as increased heart and respiration rate, trembling and many others that usually accompany fear. Repeat this as many times as you need. It may sound trivial to use something we do naturally as a technique, but you would be surprised by the difference the simplest things can make once we concentrate on them. I do urge you all to be more sensitive to those around you. I did see many costumes which basically made fun of mental health
illnesses. In the future, if you want to go as someone who is depressed, anxious, or even suicidal, here’s a tip- Just wear regular clothes as millions of ‘regular’ people suffer from these. In Guyana, we average that over 200,000 people have a mental health illness. Considering our population of just roughly 800,000, that’s a tremendous amount. Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com
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Venezuela/Guyana... FROM PAGE XIX of Guyana’s territory. GOOD OFFICES PROCESS The parties were persuaded to have dialogue under United Nations auspices, and facilitators, Good Offices persons were appointed. But, after 30 years, no progress had been made. Venezuela then discontinued the Good Offices help, and Guyana went back to the UN Secretary-General, a procedure Venezuela had agreed to when the original agreement was entered into. The Secretary-General decided that the matter should be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a solution. Venezuela claimed the Secretary-General had no such authority, and that the ICJ did not have such jurisdiction, but she was found to be incorrect on both issues. Guyana took the matter to the ICJ on March 29, 2018, and Venezuela claimed the Court had no jurisdiction. The Court
made a judgement on December 18, 2020, rejecting Venezuela’s claim, and asserting its jurisdiction. The ICJ will now decide, with final, binding effect on both parties, Guyana and Venezuela, whether the 1899 Arbitral Award establishing the international boundary between the two states was lawfully issued, and remains legally valid and permanently binding as a matter of International Law. Recently, Mr. Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the US State Department, affirmed the US’ support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute. The Commonwealth and the other States in the world support Mr. Nichols and the US’ position. Venezuela, however, still maintains that the ICJ has no jurisdiction, and that the dispute must be settled bilaterally, though for the last 30 years, it has failed to be settled, and Venezuela kept up its aggression with threats of violence, and publishing notices in the international press deterring investors from investing in Guyana. Venezuela still adheres
to the 18th and 19th Century ethic, which permitted territorial acquisition by war and violence. This is completely rejected in the 20th and 21st Centuries, and International Law does not permit such aggression and acquisition. It is believed that President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela was trying to bring his country into the ethos of the modern world, but died before he could. Venezuelan politicians continue to be prisoners of the futility of this Border Dispute, have no elbow room, cannot get out of their entrapment in the world of the 19th Century, and cannot move into the modern world. Part of the solution for emerging from this backwardness is the re-education of the schools and the population who were conditioned to believe that two-thirds of Guyana’s territory was Venezuela’s. The judgement of the ICJ, in whatever way it goes, could also help to bring Venezuelans into the modern world.
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THOUGHT FOR TODAY We are not interest possibilities of defe ed in the at; they do not exist. QUEEN VICTOR IA 1901) To A.J. Bal (1819four ‘Black Week’, Dec , in . 1899
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November 6, 2022 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome dear friend. Collaborative activities in study are another valuable way forward. Shelve your preference at times to pursue solo study instead of consultation with other students. Intentionally try to collaborate effectively. Find a good reason. Choose the complex tasks that are challenging, engaging, stimulating, and
multilayered. Such tasks demand positive interdependence and should discourage that teammate from being lazy. Focus on the task goal; complete it successfully; and note what shared knowledge can do. Be wise. Love you. IMPROVING WRITING Getting the summary right Note: Knowing to write a good summary is an advantage in the examination. You get to be tested in that which you need to use in daily life. Reminder: Summary skills test comprehension and composition and paying attention to your understanding of what you read. It also tests your expression of that understanding using your own words as far as possible. We continue: Prune and polish your first draft. Check number of words. Check for all the essentials from the original passage. Is the draft connected and readable? Are there punctuation, spelling and grammar errors? Have you put a suitable title? Have you stated accurately the number of words? Now you are ready to write the final version to be tested on. Regular practice pays dividend: If regular summary practice is done it should bring about an improved performance in every other branch of your English Language work. Read the passage of 250 words below and look at the textbook authority’s response using 65 words. Stanley Spencer never looked on his writing as something private; he intended to publish what he wrote. His autobiography was to be a fulfilment and rounding-off of his painting. But as a writer he lacked the discipline which made composition the outstanding feature of his painting. He wrote with wonderful freshness, but could not cut or select or prune; everything was of equal importance. When Maurice Collins received the two trunks and the large wooden box on castors, containing the papers he was appalled. To read every word, let alone sort and arrange in chronological order this mountain of papers, taken
out of their trunks, filled the entire room, seemed at first an impossible task. With the help of his daughter, a writer herself and used to research, he set to work. Often he worked seven days a week and sometimes late at night, not because he was being pressed by his publishers, but because he found the material engrossing. The occasional reports he sent at this time were all the more interesting because we knew that he was not a man of gushing or even ready enthusiasm. A selection of these bulletins reads: ‘Stanley Spencer is a wonderful original, a far more remarkable man than I supposed before I read the papers.’ ‘The drama increases the more one reads.’ ‘New and extraordinary material goes on appearing.’ ‘The whole Stanley Spencer’s life is revealed in his pictures if one has the key.’ [Irene Stirling: “The Spencer Papers” (in the Bookseller)] The final précis: Pay keen attention to the suggested final précis version with all the important information well put together. You might not have been able to come up with such a neat set of words at short notice in given time, but ‘practice makes perfect’ as the saying goes. Maurice Collins, the biographer of Stanley Spencer, was horrified by the bulk of material when the huge collection of Spencer’s papers reached him. Even just to read them all, let alone edit them, seemed impossible. With the help of his daughter, herself an experienced writer and researcher, he worked hard and long, sustained in his immense labours by his absorption in his subject. (65 words) IMPROVING WRITING - The report Reminder: Good report writing should reference three requirements: attractive tone, simplicity, clarity. Last week’s sample report was very business-like because it related to the place of business. The tone
was brisk and the layout easy to follow so that time was not wasted in reading. In all reports, think about your audience, the people to whom you are writing. And all reports must be businesslike; we seldom write reports for pleasure. i) The jargon you use on a specialist, knowledgeable audience will be treated differently for members of the general public or even parents. ii) Remember about people who probably have to try to retain it. iii) Individual topics should be worked out in advance to define your message. iv) Examples to specific matters must be used to avoid sounding vague. v) Number topics if necessary for specific audiences. vi) Some reports deserve a visual aid such as a table, a chart, a graph, or trend line, that would display the data most effectively. vii) See whether each report you write would satisfy your expectations. Something to Do Survey your class or a group of about 20 students to determine what kinds of jobs in what kinds of workplaces they hope to have by the time they are thirty years old. Prepare a visual aid – a table, a chart, a graph, or trend line – that would display your data most effectively. Discuss the visual aid briefly. IMPROVING WRITING - Letters of condolence Letters of condolence are among the most difficult letters to write. Such letters should be brief and dignified. Do not let yours sound near to recalling too vividly the grief recently suffered. Whoever writes such letters should sign them. Following is an example of a letter of condolence: Dear Venus, Please accept my sincere sympathy in the passing of your older sister last week. I understand the difficult time you are going through since I, too, lost my older sister last June. My thoughts are with you and your family in this hour of grief. Sincerely,
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Social disruption and oral care
AS I watched the news of the war currently in Ukraine, I could not help but remember the tragic flood in 2005, which occurred and severely affected about sixty thousand Guyanese in many respects. Disruption in their act of daily oral care will certainly take its toll on those affected by this natural disaster. This author believes that basic knowledge of oral disease and its development may help, especially in this situation. Therefore, the effective control of plaque (bacteria and food particles sticking to the surface of unclean teeth) represents the basis of oral health. The method used to remove plaque is not of primary importance, provided that the required objective is achieved. So even if your toothbrush was lost in the flood water, you can still take good care of your mouth. However, try to get a toothbrush as it’s the ideal tool for oral care. A means for proximal plaque removal is necessary for complete preventative care. The use of dental floss or tape should always precede brushing. (Three strands of thread together will suffice in this crisis.) Hold a 12-inch length of floss with the thumb and index finger of each hand. Grasp firmly with half an inch of floss between the fingertips. The ends of the floss may be tucked into the palm and held by the ring and little finger, or the floss may be wrapped around the middle finger. For the upper teeth, the floss should be directed up by holding it over two thumbs or a thumb and an index finger. Rest a side of a finger on the teeth of the opposite side of the upper arch to provide balance and a fulcrum. When flossing the lower or mandibular teeth, direct the floss down by holding the index fingers on the top of the strand. One index finger controls the floss on the lingual and on the outer (facial). Hold the floss in a diagonal or oblique position and ease it past each contact area with a gentle sawing motion, curving the floss around each tooth, working from below the gum line, making up and down motions and shoe shine strokes. Dental plaque sometimes becomes mineralized (hardened), forming calculus or tartar. These appear as brown or greenish crusts on the enamel around the neck areas or on the inside (lingual) surface of the lower incisors (front teeth). As the calculus develops, it penetrates below the gum line infecting the gum, and connecting fibres and bone. This condition is called periodontitis and is just as common as caries. When periodontitis becomes chronic, the signs include easy haemorrhage (patient spits blood when brushing) receding gums (tooth appears to be growing longer), and absorption of the alveolar bone with deep pockets between the gum and tooth (tooth becomes loose or shaking). Scaling, rot planning, and polishing constitute the treatment for periodontitis since by removing the irritation caused by the subgingival calculus; the destructive process would be interrupted and reversed to a certain degree. Because periodontal disease is usually painless the onset is
insidious and the debilitating effects are generally not recognized until it is too late. Utilizing oral antiseptics is effective only as a preventative
measure rather than a cure for existing diseases. Oral care remains an important aspect of your life even in dire social disruptions.
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