Guyana_Chronicle_Pepperpot_24_04_2022

Celebrating Guyanese girls in ICT

Sixteen-year-old Ariel Taylor, a Saint Stanislaus College student preparing for the CSEC exams inMay, started in the ‘tech’ field with the Guyanese Girls Code programme and then went on to sign up with STEMGuyana. As part of the STEMGuyana Scratch programme in the summer camp, she became intrigued by robotics and thus decided to sign up for the weekly club at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. She is currently a part of Team Guyana Robotics that would take part in the International First Global Competition every year (Photo courtesy of Ariel Taylor)

Sunday, April 24, 2022

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Seasoned henna artist started with gel ink pen design in school

Lisa created this miniature stick house with a mini pond, yard space and trees as a gift for her mother-in-law

LISA Narine has always loved anything to do with art and craft and would often draw random stuff when she was in school. She can still recall the day she saw henna patterns in a newspaper and decided to take up an on-the-spot challenge to draw it on a friend’s hand.

“I asked one of my friends if I can draw on her hand with a gel ink pen, and she said yes. Seeing the henna pattern was the first time I knew it existed,” Lisa reflected in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine a few days ago.

She hurried home to tell her parents, who were also into art and craft, of the experience she had in school and that very week, her dad (now deceased), travelled to Georgetown from their Adventure, Essequibo home, in search of a particular tube that

A henna design can go on any part of the body but is more popular on the hands and feet

would help her do a better job with the henna.

Henna is a temporary dye

that Lisa designs on someSEE PAGE XI

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Outstanding Guyanese young women aiming to become STEM coaches

By Telesha Ramnarine ANGEL De Mendonca and Ariel Taylor are just two of the girls in the local Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector who are well aware of the vast possibilities that careers in this sector can provide them. To this end, they both have been making waves in the field, sparing no effort to encourage other youths, especially girls, to get involved with technology.

International Girls in ICT Day, which is observed on the fourth Thursday in April (April 28 this year), takes on special meaning for Angel and Ariel as both has an interest in helping younger children to pursue the ‘tech’ field, and even to become STEM coaches themselves!

Perhaps their passion for propelling the field of ICT comes from the practical benefits that they’ve clearly seen resulted ever since they joined STEMGuyana, a non-profit entity that provides world-class technology education to Guyanese youths.

The ongoing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Guyana programme has been working wonders for Angel and Ariel; teaching them how to design, build and programme robots. But apart from imparting such knowledge, it has also contributed a great deal towards sharpening their soft skills.

“Paying attention to de-

tails, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, creativity, self-confidence, team work are just some of the skills that the programme has taught me,” 14-year-old Angel, who is a pupil of Brickdam Secondary, told Pepperpot Magazine.

Five years ago, Angel hadn’t any real interest in ICT, but it was her mom, Amanda Mohamed, who recognized the value of the STEM programme and signed her up for it. Looking back, Angel couldn’t be happier that her mom did! In fact, she now says: “I would like to become a coach to assist young people like myself to gain a better understanding of the technological world.”

Angel’s mother believes that the future of Guyana and the rest of the world are highly dependent on the ICT sector and hence her decision to relentlessly pursue the STEM programme for Angel.

“We’re in a technological age, so this is a means of developing the children,” Mohamed shared, adding, “It has remarkably developed her self-confidence. Persons should definitely sign their children up.” At one point, Angel said she felt her mom was more excited about the STEM programme than she was, no doubt because of the tremendous benefits she knew it could bring.

Just last year, Angel assisted her team, Team Legendary, to build and programme a ‘helping’ robot in an international competi-

tion for which they won the Bronze medals. She explains: “We build robots that can clean or pick up items, help the elderly, or the environment; we can programme it

of Team Guyana Robotics, that would take part in the International First Global Competition every year.

“What I do is a way for me to express my love and pas-

Ariel Taylor

to do exactly what we want.

Last year, my team and I built a helping robot to assist the elderly to get their medication, to shine the light in the dark for them, etc.”

In fact, STEMGuyana participates in global competitions where club members compete against other countries. Angel, for example, represented Guyana at two robotics competitions in 2020 and 2021. She is also a part of the Robin the Robot Show that airs on the Learning Channel. The show is said to be a very good prerequisite for young children desirous of joining STEMGuyana.

sion for robotics,” she said in an interview. She, too, would like to become a coach at STEMGuyana to empower others, especially girls, about ICT and robotics.

Asked why she wants to be able to empower “espe-

Angel De Mendonca

Empowering Girls Sixteen-year-old Ariel Taylor, a Saint Stanislaus College student preparing for the CSEC exams in May, started in the ‘tech’ field with the Guyanese Girls Code programme and then went on to sign up with STEMGuyana. As part of the STEMGuyana Scratch programme in the summer camp, she became intrigued by robotics and STEMGuyana is doing much to empower youths in ICT thus decided to sign up for competitions, I have seen was empowered, ICT can do the weekly club at the Cliff cially girls,” she respondmore males than females Ariel was recently a part of Stanford University’s Anderson Sports Hall. ed: “From my observation SEE PAGE IV participating. But just as I Treeshack Hackathon She is currently a part and being a part of certain

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Insurance and its value to many parts of life Local expert weighs in

OVER the years, the global insurance industry has faced some turbulent times with the continuing low interest rates environment, a challenging equity market, and tightening regulatory changes, such as the US Department of Labor (DOL) rule and new US tax guidelines. Meanwhile, consumers’ shift to hybrid online and offline research and purchasing has largely concluded in developed markets and is accelerating in developing markets with the spread of mobile phones.

These changes, along with the impact of price-comparison websites and other technological developments, plus the race to implement digital processes, are tectonic shifts forcing insurers to adjust their business models.

This is according to a social media post on Insurance Companies and Industry worldwide, but particularly in the United States of America Recently, the Pepperpot Magazine sat down with Bernadette Giddings, who celebrated 31 years in the insurance industry

working at the Demerara Mutual Life Insurance Company.

“I had applied at many organisations over 31 years ago and two insurances companies called me for interviews. One of my dreams as a young person was to work at a Bank, however, insurance companies are financial institutions,” Giddings told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Like every industry, people face challenges, and Giddings explained how she overcomes hers.

“When faced with challenges, firstly I remain positive. Secondly, I look at the challenges from all angles and thirdly, I set goals,” Giddings noted during her interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

According to a social media post, life insurance is important, as it protects your family and lets you leave them a non-taxable amount at the time of death.

The post further reiterated the point that life insurance also used to cover your mortgage and your personal loans, such as your car loan. Your individual life insurance follows you when you re-

Bernadette Giddings has over 31 years of experience in the insurance sector

tire, and you are no longer insured by your employer.

This perspective was further confirmed by Giddings regarding the relevance of insurance companies and the need for an insurance policy

in an individual’s life.

“Yes, insurance is very relevant in today’s society because insurance is beneficial to anyone looking to protect their family, property and themselves from finan-

cial losses.

Some of the benefits that insurance provides it help you with a medical emergency, and managing cash flow uncertainty. Staying with the company offers me security because it has been around for over a century,” Giddings contended during her interview.

Giddings had a few words of encouragement for people who want to give up on insurance.

“I would encourage persons to remain with insurance companies because it is more stable than other fields, no matter what is happening in the economy, people always need protection from risks,” Giddings assured during her interview.

In the event of your death, a life insurance policy can: Safely transfer your wealth to your loved ones.

Provide income to your family members to carry on their comfortable lifestyle. Pay off your mortgage to have a debt-free house.

Provide for your children’s education.

One social media post posited, as it relates to In-

surance Agencies and companies in Guyana The Guyana Chronicle reported on February 14, 2022 that the 2022 National Budget “has placed affordable medical and life insurance within the reach of more Guyanese by making premiums deductible from their chargeable incomes.”

According to the newspaper, several young people have seen the importance of protecting their families with policies that are applicable in this regard. One beneficiary of a policy from a local insurance company (Assuria) noted during her interview with the Chronicle.

“With the high costs at the private hospitals, having financial coverage in the event of a serious illness or accident, health insurance is very important.

With the life insurance, I also see it as something important because my family gets an amount of money if I die, and that can help them with any expenses, especially my kids’ future education expenses,” Priya Persaud expressed in an interview.

Outstanding Guyanese young ...

FROM PAGE III the same for other girls out there.”

Ariel believes that STEM is what the world is revolving around currently and is proud of her accomplishments thus far in the field.

“I graduated from the ICT programme in 2018, placed second in a regional Scratch programme in competition, was on two international robotics teams and in 2021, we won the judges award. I was also recently a part of Stanford University’s Treeshack Hackathon; this competition forced me out of my comfort zone since it was my first international hackathon.”

She spoke further about some of the benefits that she is able to enjoy as a result of being in tech. “It gives you that confidence and skill set needed for any future en-

deavours.

I was able to strengthen my soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and, most importantly, collaborating with people.

It also boosted my self-confidence.”

Both Ariel and Angel are grateful Kar- Angel’s mom, Amanda Mohamed, is en Abrams, glad she took the decision to sign up E x e c u t i v e her daughter for STEMGuyana.

Director of They are also thankful to STEMGuyana, and the rest of the Guyana Telephone TeleSTEM coaches, whom they graph Company (GTT), said are very supportive in Tullow Oil, and other agenguiding young people into cies for supporting and the future of technology. sponsoring STEM.

Team Guyana Robotics would take part in the International First Global Competition every year

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Overcoming a major obstacle through surgery

By Dillon Goring GROWING as young boy in Industry on the East Coast Demerara, Teekah Singh was bullied because of his body image as a young boy.

Today, Singh recently underwent Bariatric surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to deal with his weight.

Singh received his education at the Cummings Lodge Secondary School and told the the Pepperpot Magazine that he was had extra weight as a child.

“Since as a little child growing up, I am growing with the size, so the weight keeps growing higher and higher. It was almost 402lbs. We did a lot of tests and so and at the time of the surgery my total body mass index was 402lbs,” he said.

“When I did the surgery the next morning I was up and walking.

I spent almost six to seven days in the hospital for them to do the checking up to make sure everything was The okay and then I came home.”

Singh disclosed that before undergoing the surgery, he had great confidence in the medical team that was conducting the surgery for a condition called Laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

“Dr Ramcharran and his team were really good. They built my motivation with the

team who performed the surgery

interest they showed for the first six months before the surgery. While they put me on the diet, they called and find out how I am doing, and how the diet was going that they put me on, and I was called every two weeks and did checkups to determine how the test and diet performed its function,” he

explained. “So, on the day of the surgery, I was asked if I am afraid and I said no, because I had already built confidence in myself and the medical teams ‘ability to perform the surgery.”

Just recently, the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper dated March 31, 2022, it was reported that Bariatric surgery

could be done laparoscopically or open. Laparoscopic means making five small incisions, putting the camera in, putting the instruments in and then the surgery is carried out through the small incisions.

While the surgery was done openly before, this is the first laparoscopic surgery to be done at GPHC and in

Guyana.

“With bariatric surgery, the patient is expected to lose half of their body weight at six months and three-quarters of their body weight in one year and they are usually able to keep this weight off once they follow the guidelines and the diet,” Dr Ramcharran told

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the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview.

Meanwhile, Kishore Ramdass, one of the Doctors who performed the surgery on Teekah Singh explained to Pepperpot Magazine, the intricate details of the surgery and its procedures.

“Bariatric surgery, the first of this kind of surgery done in Guyana at Georgetown Hospital too, it basically is a minimal access surgery so minimal incisions, so you can rest the stomach so that the patient can reduce the number of calories the person can intake and usually this type of surgery is for persons who would have exhausted other methods of losing weight. The usual Body Mass Index of a person is 20 -25.

Beyond that is considered as obesity,”Dr Ramdass told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Ramdass urged the general public to utilise the services of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

“There are may good things in all the departments at the GPHC, time and time again and the people who work here , they would know , but sometimes we are so busy that we barely have time for publicity, but not everything that happens here is negative,” Ramdass noted during his interview .

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Showcasing the best of Linden Linden Town Day founder proud of how the event has evolved

Scenes of sections of McKenzie and Watooka Guest House and the riverside in Linden (Delano Williams photos)

NORVELL Fredericks is the man behind the signature Linden Town Day event, which eventually turned into the Linden Town Week. This year, the event has now been extended to 13 says of fully packed activities which will see people journeying from all parts of the country to the mining town.

He is a Councillor and a businessman who is also a community-based activist, always willing to assist the community in many ways.

Fredericks is a native of Retrieve Village in McKenzie, Linden and had spent 11 years in Trinidad and Tobago and in St. Lucia before returning to Guyana.

In 1996 he petitioned

the council meeting for a hearing where he asked that a day be set aside for Linden Town day to showcase and highlight the culture and way of life of the people.

His idea was accepted by the then committee and it became the Linden SEE PAGE XXVI

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Linden Town Week Social Planning Committee ‘pulling out all the stops’ for a great event

By Michel Outridge AS the list of activities for the Linden Town Week is being unveiled for the Linden Town Week Social Planning Committee, Chairman Lawrence Simon and its partners are pulling out all the stops to ensure all activities on the cards, are on stream and will commence as planned.

Simon told the Pepperpot Magazine that, unlike last year instead of a week of activities, this year, there will be 13 days of some activities which have been added to attract more people.

He explained that the committee comes under the stewardship of the municipality, and they are tasked with the planning of all social events for Linden Town

Week, which started yesterday (April 23).

Simon added that they will ensure the activities are balanced to include education, sports, edutainment as well as giving back to society through various events planned.

He disclosed that at the same time, it is also the time to generate some revenue on behalf of the Mayor and Town Council of Linden and a meeting was held to find out where organisers and other key players are in terms of getting the various events off smoothly.

Simon pointed out that 60 events have been planned so far, and they are both fete and non-fete events which cater for all in different categories and for the first time they will host a hamper distribution for

Lawrence Simon (Delano Williams photo)

the elderly.

He stated that April 29, 2022 is set aside for the town’s 52nd birth anniversary, and it is Wismar Day where all activities will be held across the river this year and Old England, better known as Siberia, will be the place for the Village Day. Simon noted that a day has been marked for Regional Democratic Council

(RDC) Constituency Day and the Community Development Councils (CDCs) within the region have been tasked with organising, and that is billed for April 30, 2022.

He stated that they will be having a Bird whistling competition for the first time ever. Overall, 30 activities have been added to previous events slated for the Linden Town Week calendar of activities this year.

Among the new events added include: Fitness and Soca, an aerobics kind of thing, the teen pageant, which is back after two years and the Banks Guinness in the Streets as well as the Car and Bike Sound Off, Simon said.

On a tourism aspect, he reported that Linden as a tourism package is indeed a scenic place with more than 40 places to visit, including historical sites since Linden starts from Bamia to Rockstone, Ituni and Kwakwani.

“At Bamia Checkpoint, we have been told that almost every weekend there has been an increase in vehicular travels with a lot of people passing through, visiting Linden and absorbing what it has to offer,” he said.

Simon stated that there are a lot of activities that can take place in Linden, such as fishing, bird watching, among others and apart from the sites, it is quite picturesque.

It has vast tourism potential, which can be harnessed into a package to promote tourism and increase economic activities in the mining town, he said.

Simon pointed out that there are many attributes as to why one should visit Linden, and it is not only because Linden is noted for its generation of sportspeople in almost every aspect of sports.

He added that in order to accommodate the influx of people in Linden for the 13 days of activities, they have been partnering with 13 hotels, the business community and locals to make their homes a place suitable for visitors even for a night.

In addition, parking lots and other wide-open spaces have been identified where people can park and they also have designated drivers on hand.

Simon disclosed that the day tours include a flyover of Linden for only $8000, and they are trying to link that to a Kaieteur trip as a single package.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Mayor of Linden promises full enjoyment for Linden Town Week

By Michel Outridge

A L M O S T everyone in Linden is looking forward to the much anticipated Linden Town Week which kicked of yesterday (April 23), and one of the most excited persons is their very own Mayor, Waneka Arrindell.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that the Linden Town Week has grown over the years and now that the restrictions of COVID-19 have been lifted, the people of Linden can enjoy some form of normalcy with the return of the event.

Arrindell stated that being an industrial town, they have a lot to offer in terms of culture and everything else and this year, the religious organisations are involved in promoting peace and harmony under the Linden Evangelistic Fellowship.

She added that the church concert and service is a new addition to the list of activities for the Linden Town Week, and that takes place on April 30 at the McKenzie Bus Park, a good Christian hangout for all.

Arrindell pointed out that the concert will be held

ta Praise Tabernacle at Watooka on April 25 and on April 24, the opening ceremony for the March Past will be held featuring all local artistes from Linden and a special gathering of officials and dignitaries will be in attendance.

The Mayor added that the event will be live and a lot of sports and other social activities will be happening so there is something for all during the Linden Town Week calendar of events.

“It is a big thing for us because we will be celebrating our 52nd birth anniversary as a town and we look forward to more such observances to mark our achievements,” she said.

Arrindell told the Pepperpot Magazine that the Mayor’s Brunch will be held this year and all proceeds will go towards the Linden Women’s Home to install security cameras, construct a fence around the building and affix lights around the property.

Last year, she related that the Mayor’s Ball was held but they decided to host a charitable event this year for a worthy cause.

The Mayor stated that

this year’s theme for the Linden Town Week is most fitting, “Together we Build” because during the pandemic, the people came together to assist each other and they would like to continue in that stride of togetherness, oneness as a people.

Arrindell disclosed that this year, they managed to get the Chinese community involved in the Linden Town Week activities and they are geared towards promoting the town’s local products and services.

“I am very pleased with the way things are going because we managed as a community to get things together in a very short space of time, things are flowing naturally and we are all about supporting local products and produce,” she said.

Arrindell revealed that the “I Love Linden” sign will be unveiled on April 24 at 15:00hrs at the Cenotaph area and it will be a grand event, as well.

“Come enjoy, what Linden has to offer, all the activities caters for full enjoyment and Linden is a very safe place to relax,’ she said.

Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell (Delano Williams photo)

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

First-ever Inter-Schools Kayaking Competition to be hosted during Linden Town Week AS the Linden Town Week kicks with a calendar of events from April 23 to May 5, 2022, for the first time ever, there will be the “Inter-schools kayaking competition” hosted by Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours to attract both locals and visitors who will gather in the mining town in celebration of its birth anniversary.

On Monday, May 2 the Linden River Front will come alive with an action-packed race on the water top as the best schools vie for the grand prize of “kayaking champion.”

It is touted to be fun-filled with stamina, endurance, rivalry and talent as all secondary schools in the region square off with “kayaking power and speed.”

Collis Gifth, one of the organisers, told the Pepperpot Magazine that it will be exciting and urged all to visit to experience the excitement as you root for your favourite school, whether it’s McKenzie High, Christianburg Wismar, New Silvercity, Linden Foundation, Wisburg, Harmony, Kwakwani, School of Excellence or two guest schools from Georgetown.

He added that among the competitors, only one will emerge as the clear winner for the Kayaking champion for 2022.

Gifth is from Pinicle Promotion, and he is collaborating with Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours to present “Soak & Fete with Granny pun de beach” the official Linden Town Week Wash-

down and Beach Festival.

He stated that the event will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Kara Kara Blue Lake, Linden and it is slated to be a family-oriented event.

Gifth explained that that day, there will also be beach football, boxing and volleyball competitions.

At Kara Kara Blue Lake, Linden there will be jet-skiing and kayaking.

Entertainment will be provided by Granny Ivelaw and the Mix Doctor, Hatta Vibes family and the Boom DJs. The event is expected to start at 10:00hrs.

Gifth told the Pepperpot Magazine that trained lifeguards will be present and security is also in place

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Collis Gifth (Delano Williams photo)

so there is really nothing to worry about expect to have fun and relax a bit.

He reported that they are catering for a maximum of 800 persons and Kara Kara Blue Lake is the ideal location for the event which will also be featuring games for children and “curry-que” for adults.

Gifth added that a lot is being placed into organising the event and he has no doubt things will come out as expected and he encourages all

to visit and be a part of it.

“After being restricted for more than two years, it is good to be outside again and we realised that it was stressful for us all and we want to assist people to relax, unwind and have a good time here in Linden. We have a lot to offer and we will be going all out to ensure everything goes as planned so there are no disappointments,” he said.

Linden sports enthusiast and volunteer making waves in hometown

By Michel Outridge LAWRENCE Simon wears many hats. He is a father, a career-driven individual, a sportsman and a councillor, who volunteers his time for the community.

He is originally from Coomaka Mines but resides in Amelia’s Ward, Linden and has been a Geotechnical Engineer attached to Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for the past 18 years.

Simon is a self-driven individual who is set on achieving his goals in life and is all about community development.

He attended McKenzie Primary School and gained a place at Bishop’s High School in the city but back then, transportation was a challenge for him and he was placed at McKenzie High School.

At a young age, he developed a strong liking to sports and he became one of the undefeated 400-metre sprint champions from Linden and he represented his region in long jump.

Simon recalled having one of the largest trophies as an overachiever in sports in school and that further motivated him in the discipline, which eventually moulded him into a well-rounded person.

It was much later in life, that he had reached a point where he had to choose between a career or sports and he made a decision to attend University of Guyana (UG) to qualify himself.

“I remember going to get registered for a course in medicine because it was what my parents wanted me to pursue, but I happened to pass by a class and I was so mesmerised by the teachings I stood there for half an hour listening. It was then I knew I wanted to become a geologist and I challenged myself in that regard,” he said.

Simon told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is an outdoor person, and to date, he still does whatever he can to promote sports in the region.

Other titles he holds are President of Linden Amateur

Basketball Association and Vice Chairman of the Federation and member of the Linden Maters Organisation, a unit of ex-footballers, an 80plus club of both local and overseas based and they utilise football as a tool to participate in charitable events.

He disclosed that they meet and play football on Wednesdays and Sundays at Wisburg Ground and they are involved in the Maters Football tournament.

“I do not see myself as a political appointee but as a servant of the people because I have this deep love for sports and community-based work. I prefer to volunteer my services,” he said.

Simon is Amelia’s Ward Constituency Councillor and growing up, his family had one of the largest farms in Coomaka Mines and it was always in the best interest of being qualified in agriculture but things did not happen that way.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Linden Mayor & Town Council partners with church to host children of the Hauraruni Girls Home for Easter celebrations

By Michel Outridge THE Mayor and Town Council of Linden, under the guidance of the Mayor, Waneka Arrindell, over the Easter weekend, hosted the children of the Hauraruni Girls Home of the Full Gospel Fellowship of Church at the Women’s Home in Linden.

The members of the Fruits of the Valley Assembly of God Church in Linden made it possible along with the Mohamed’s, who came on board for the first time this year and others, who contributed towards the food and drinks for the children.

Arrindell told the Pepperpot Magazine that the YMCA of Linden also chipped in and was present to ensure that the needs of the children were catered for and they wanted for nothing during their stay there.

The Mayor reported that on Easter Monday, the children had a fun-filled day of kite-flying, games, picnic and they hunted for Easter baskets.

On Easter Monday, they were treated to ice cream and an outing in the community

during the evening.

Arrindell stated that this year, they all stayed in one location, that is, the Linden Women’s Home in Richmond Hill, McKenzie, Linden.

She related that the children numbered 15 in total and from ages five to 16 and visited under the stewardship of a House Mother.

Previously, Arrindell reported that the children were housed and catered for by members of the church at their homes in small batches and it is a good thing they are all together this time since it is an annual event.

The children are housed at the location for two weeks, in time to celebrate the Easter weekend.

Arrindell reported that this gesture was possible through the help of many, including the army, who assisted with the transportation aspect and many others, who contributed generously to ensure the children were well–fed and entertained.

The Linden Women’s Home caters for 20 single women and three with families at any given time, and it was a gift project by the Americans who constructed the building.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Seasoned henna artist... school but I love interacting with people, reaching new people and going new places, so this job helps me with that a lot. My business is about making people happy and the craftwork helps a lot with that because I help people to make the ideas that they have in their head a reality. I make whatever they’re thinking, and at an affordable price, which makes them happier,” she expressed.

Lisa would love to open a little store in future but she

FROM PAGE II

one’s hands, feet, or practically any part of their body. You’d mostly find brides getting henna done before their wedding and pregnant women getting designs done on their belly for a photoshoot.

With the materials in hand, Lisa started to practice on herself, friends and family and was eventually asked to do a design on a relative for her wedding. Doing it as a small business was undoubtedly rough in the beginning and Lisa was still in school, but the break she was waiting for all along did eventually come.

“I started with one of my cousins and my relatives saw my work and liked it, so they booked me for another wedding and A bridal foot design by Lisa someone else saw path that she would choose me, and it went on like that until a lot of peo- to pursue. “My parents alple got to know me,” she ways used to say that you should watch what your reflected.

Creating a Facebook child loves or takes the most business page (Lisa’s Hen- interest in and support them na Design and Craft) also all the way. And that is exhelped to spread the word actly what they did with me; as the 26-year-old contin- anything concerning art and ued to passionately pursue craft they would try and get her newfound love. “It took for me.”

Lisa is also thankful years to get good at it; my first set of henna was never for the support from her identical on both hands, but husband who would often stay up late at nights with gradually I improved.”

She is extremely thank- her as she gets work done. ful for the support her par- Supportive friends have ents gave to her. It was as if also helped to publicise her they were just standing by business.

She has been a henna ready to support her on the

A hand design by Lisa

artist for the past 10 years and has been into the craft for about eight. “You could say I am multi-talented because I can make almost anything; you just pitch your idea and I find a way to make it.”

Lisa started her side business because she realised that it was what she loved doing; she wasn’t prepared to let her talent just go to waste, although she has a regular job as a lab technician at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

“It just brought me joy; that was my peace. It was tough at first as I was still in

acknowledged that everything takes time. At the moment, people would book her service and she would go to their location.

She is encouraging people never to give up on the talents they know they have. “Never give up on what you love doing. Like they say, do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Don’t give up on your dreams and on your unique skills.”

Apart from her artistic

side, Lisa had nurtured a dream of becoming a scientist, so she entered the Science stream in school.

From there, she went to nursing school to study as a lab technician and worked at Suddie Hospital for five years before moving to the West Coast.

Photos LN 1:

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

WHAT- TheARE CULTURE AND IDENTITY? answer lies in what your senses are awakened to…

THE new world, in our case, the Americas and the Caribbean, did not evolve through peaceful migrations and collaborative engagements but by colonisation, slavery, genocide, and rebellion. Human chemistry struggled with mythical complexes, began to evolve from the very 16th century. Concessions and collaborations commenced, belief systems were enforced to extinguish what was before while quietly adopting aspects of the very condemned Cultural beliefs that were endemic with the colonised and enslaved. By the 18th century, much of what everyone was eating was from the enslaved and the colonised.

Barbados, Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat were first settled by indentured and banished Royalists that Oliver Cromwell forced upon the island. The Africans that out populated the European Royalists, that included the European indentured and kidnapped-enslaved population, began in the 1630s when the island economy shifted to sugar plantations and African slavery began. This outlines the reason why, most likely, many Barbadians migrated to Demerara during the later-1700s and after, because the European Bajans had grabbed the core of opportunities available. See- “THE JUMBIES PLAYING GROUND” by Robert Wyndham Nichols.

Unlike Guyana, when the Dutch Jews arrived with Africans in 1616-20s – the foundation of (one “Gromweagle” Kijk over al) we are unsure whether those first Africans were enslaved. However, by the time the plantations were established on Bartica, there were clear records of an African and Amerindian Slave population. Guyanese history leading to the 1840 to post-1900s is still not common knowledge to the population, and gaps are needed to be as best to be clarified towards more of an Anthropological understanding rather than just a historical almanac dating of events; however, it is this process of human interactions that would lead to the creation of the Colonist-Colonised and counter- colonising culture, that defines the ‘Creole.’

What is fundamental is that ‘Creole’ took from its past to shape its present and retained a distinct interpretation of the new self, defining self through its evolution with little looking over the shoulder for authority from its past centres and spheres for permission, they crafted using historical memory innate spirituality and coupled with their joint Amerindian, African and European influences and the Christendom that had colonised the European, and in turn, the European had recolonised as an interpretation of his new self.

This had come into being, by emancipation; with indentureship, and a similar process of conflicts, rejections, adaptations occurred, most merged with the common plural culture, while a portion resisted. Yet, when the dice is thrown, the example of the advantages of liberation shifted prejudiced rules aside as with the temerity of the French planters of San Domingo who sided with Toussaint towards casting off the restrictions of trade placed upon them by France. They started trading with the new America, perceiving themselves as part of a new dispensation, at least in that area.

Examples can be drawn from across the Americas (Caribbean), even where racism is still an object in existence, but the fading context of once racist mythologies is less a substantial argument because the racial conflicts of the Americas revolved around the mythological Christian justi-

fication for slavery, genocide and pillage. It must be understood that within the Creole consciousness lie opposing human factors, namely ‘The self-loathing colonial and the Yard fowl Brigga Bobby.’ The guilt of WW2 has watered-down the race supremacy concept, at least in the ‘West’ though not eliminating racism in veiled practices. The principle reason can be traced to the archaeology, phenotypical disposition within the geographical locations of the Biblical story, it is rooted in Africa, thus, be it a fabrication or not, as is sometimes argued, it is still an adaptation to ‘post Moorish’ European ‘Coherence.’ And like the Hebrew text, traced to Pharaonic Khemet. Thus, the ‘Big Bang’ of the evolution of the volatile formula that delivered ‘The Creole.’

The concept of identity is rooted in the difficult reality of awakening, for many, to recognise ‘all of what’ contributed

to what exists, an ample example can be found in the reference I had used before, from the book ’THE STORY OF GEORGETOWN’ By James Rodway-In 1811 a Panorama of Stabroek was opened on the site of the present Water Works, Mr Bryant, portrait and scene painter, was the parent of the work, “Alone he did it,” the only instance of the kind ever known where an individual has undertaken a task of such a nature without any assistance, except the mere automation help of a slave.”

The fact is Joshua Bryant did not say this; again, nothing that Bryant painted did not require out of any assistant the application of expert talent. It is for we who are descended from that sordid history to, with clear recognition, join with enlightened minds to correct the fictions of the past, whether told by a bigoted scribe, or read into accepting, the fictitious text of a ridiculous philosophy, by a perceived respected seer.

The onus rests with the individual, his/her courage to challenge the differences of a perceived identity. If it has worked for those whom this identity envelopes, you cannot change it, or deceive it. For example, I don’t eat pork, shrimp, nor unscaled fish, I will not partake in the attempt to deceive because I can’t, it will upset my stomach and cause immediate convulsions, and I will be revealed. What we are today is a plural culture that will resist impositions that are singularly divisive in construct because this has been the nature of Creole culture from its inception.

In closing, what constitutes the ‘Creole Identity’ is that it has contrived its own folk, National and popular music, its own ethos, reaching into the pool of vast experiences. Identity is and was, a process of evolution, of pain, struggle and laughter at the ridiculous, with a language that is a combination of many, but it is understood in its poetry and literature. It has produced men and women of excellence, and its own challenges of ‘Colonial Jumbies’ within and without, it is the story of the New World, the struggle of its underdogs, varied on its diverse platforms, but unique in its common nature and identity.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

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An Extraordinary Earth Engine Shaping and Reshaping Guyana’s Coast IMAGINE yourself relaxing somewhere along the 280 miles of Guyana’s seawalls. Many of us choose to face inwards, away from the muddy water that, at first glance, seems dirty. But this water holds a fascinating secret, one that has shaped our past and may now hold the key to a prosperous future on this coast.

This water carries millions of tons of sediment, a vast natural resource of liquid land birthed by the Amazon and transported over thousands of miles to our coastal doorstep. In our previous article, “Through Time and Space: The remarkable forces that shape Guyana’s Rupununi Wetlands,” we traced some of this sediment back to the Rupununi. But this mud speaks of a much bigger story, of colliding continents and giant rivers. A story that begins in the snow-covered peaks of the Andes. The Andes run along western South America and are the world’s most extended mountain range. Formed when two sections of the Earth’s crust collided around 50 million years ago, these mountains are also among

the highest in the world (second only to Mount Everest and the Himalayas). Extreme winds, temperatures and fast-moving water often combine to rapidly erode the Andes, breaking down rocks into fine sediments that are then swept up into small creeks and rivers at the headwaters of the Amazon River.

Almost all of the mud we see on the seawall began its journey like this, high in the Andes. Starting in these creeks, this sediment is transported some 4,000 miles across the continent to the mouth of the Amazon River. In fact, the Amazon River delivers over 1.1 billion tons of suspended sediment and 270 million tons of dissolved organic matter into the Atlantic Ocean every year.

This enormous plume of mud, which can be seen from space, kickstarts a giant “earth-engine” that has powered the creation of Guyana’s coast for millions of years.

Known as the “world’s muddiest coast,” the 1,500 kilometre stretch of shoreline between the mouths of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers hides an underwater landscape unlike anything on Earth. As the Amazon plunges into the Atlantic, fresh water and saltwater collide with ocean currents, pushing back against the enormous mud discharge. In this complex mix of tidal forces, the Amazonian sediment is transported back towards the coasts of the Guianas, eventually forming massive mud banks.

These mud banks can grow up to 30 km wide and 60 km long, almost twice the distance between the Kingston

seawall and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

What’s even more remarkable is that the mud banks then become mobile and begin a slow “walk” from the mouth of the Amazon River towards Guyana. All along the way, as the mud bank passes in front of the shoreline, it slows the high waves coming from the Atlantic Ocean. When slowed, these waves are forced to drop their gifts of sediment and nutrients, leading to the creation of mudflats and sand bars that are exposed at low tide. Mangroves and other salt-loving vegetation then begin to grow out onto these exposed mudflats, expanding farther into the ocean. This is how Guyana’s Low

Coastal Plain was formed and why Guyana’s most fertile soils are found here.

As the giant mud bank out in the ocean continues along its journey west, its buffering effects slowly disappear, and the newly expanded shoreline once again gets exposed to strong, direct waves. This triggers a period of erosion, also called the “inter-bank” phase. Along the coasts of French Guiana and Suriname, this cycle of buildup and erosion continues to result in the gaining of land, where the coasts of both countries have grown over the last few decades.

SEE PAGE XXII In Guyana, however, our

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Priceless and invaluable moments I AM so blessed sometimes I feel guilty. I have experienced many priceless and invaluable moments on my journey. I am aware that the things that are priceless or invaluable to me may not mean a thing to others. Not that my journey is free of challenges, but I choose to focus on the things that add value to my life. I will share a few of those that recently happened that reminded me of why I feel great and grateful almost every day, and every day, I give God the glory because he deserves it. Ashley Furniture hosted An Easter Creative Hat Challenge for kids five to 10 years and selected me to coordinate the event.

It was certainly a fun and meaningful event. One of the children arrived 45 minutes before start time and wanted to know if he could start on his hat, and I took the oppor-

tunity to engage him in conversation about teamwork and the importance of doing things with others. We constantly have to continue to make the deposit into the lives of the future leaders because the withdrawals much contribute positively to the world we desire to see our children and generations to come live in. Before they started working on the hats, I told them how important it is for them to assist and support each other. The kids did not know each other but connected instantly. It was difficult for them to leave for their respective homes. I believe the last few years did not have much interaction. They were certainly reclaiming lost time. The mothers gave feedback of the stories when they arrived home and were super excited to meet at the Ashley Store in Giftland two days later to show of the hats they created.

SEE PAGE XV They were sharing all the things

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Priceless and ...

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that transpired with family members. The parents said they wanted to dress from the morning for a 2pm event, because of how much they were looking forward to seeing their new friends and showing off their creations. It was a confidence booster for kids, and that is an important item for any toolkit to navigate this journey. Ulex Smith,Unicomer’s Digital Marketing Officer, said that Ashley has plans to host more events to will impact children in a positive way and build their confidence.

I invited my grandson Jaidyn who is a very confident

young man, and I wanted to know why he was not part of this event as a participant. He was giving tips on how to be brave and conquer your fears. I am always in awe of this ten-year-old who is a blessing to my life. Next year I will share some things that he initiated that assured that the work of the Sonia Noel Foundation is in safe hands.

They are so many things I would like my foundation to do and I believe the manifestation is in the near future.

The Bread Basket continues to contribute to many underprivileged family and homeless people

We distributed Cross Buns with cheese and coffee to the homeless on Good Friday They were very grateful and showed much appreciation. “This hot coffee is just what I need this morning,” one of the men said with a bright smile. These are priceless moments!

As I was going home, I saw many other homeless people and I felt sad that I had nothing to give them but there was one, in particular, that was on my mind.

I decided to get the Cross Buns I bought for myself with some cheese and coffee and go back on the street, starting with the one on my mind.

As I approached him, he was mumbling something that was not clear. He recognised me the same time I recognised him because I often chatted with him whenever we share

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meals in that area. He told me that Regent Street has more prospects for meals and when I turned up, he was asking God to send someone with something to eat because he was so hungry. No one should go hungry no matter what! He was thanking God and thanking me, and at that moment, I realised why he was on my mind. I am happy that I was obedient even without understanding why. I try to activate my internal GPS (God Placement System), let go and let God more.

I visited my hometown from Easter Saturday to Tuesday and it was difficult to leave. Every day I give thanks, because there are many things to give thanks for as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

A CITY MANAGER FOR GEORGETOWN WOULD ADMINISTER EFFICIENTLY AND ERASE CORRUPTION THIS is a heady time in Guyana, when a new spirit of creativity and drive is beginning to suffuse all Guyanese life and society. All must move forward with it or one would be left behind on the margins while the fast-flowing current of development moves on. The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has so far escaped that spirit and sits out in accustomed moribundity.

The Le Repentir Cemetery continues to deteriorate into chaos, the drainage system of the city has become a flooding system, the piles of garbage everywhere have given the name “garbage city” to Georgetown, and the roads continue to break up into potholes. The complaints of the citizens leave City Hall deaf and unmoved.

Citizens complain of those things which directly affect them, but not as many cry out against the corruption, which is less apparent than a garbage heap, but which is inextricably linked with it. In this article, we shall remind citizens of how illegalities and corruption are just as distressing and disastrous: Recently, the courts rejected the M&TC “compliance certificate” scam. The Registrar of Deeds had prescribed that in the passing of transports, the filing papers should contain a certificate issued by City Hall ascertaining that tax payments on the property to be conveyed were up to date since filing the original receipt was inadmissible. The “compliance certificate” was no more than a copy of the receipt of payment and was a mere clerical activity. Instead, the M&CC quite illegally decided to convert this clerical certificate into a tax by charging .5 percent of the value of the property as the cost of the certificate. Georgetown

properties are now valued at tens of millions of dollars and this means that the clerical certificate would now cost thousands of dollars! The Bar Association brought a successful action in the Courts who decided that the M&CC must drop its illegality.

Another corrupt practice the M&CC was attempting was to take over the Bel Air Park playground and give it to some of the members of the Council as house lots. The residents tried to reason with the M&CC that the playground was for recreational use and belonged to the community.

But City Hall went ahead with surveys and even started to build. Some residents were constrained to bring an action to the courts which decided that the City Hall should desist from its illegality. The playground was saved.

SEE PAGE XVII

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A CITY MANAGER FOR GEORGETOWN...

A similar type of scam was attempted with the Lamaha Gardens playground, where a housing developer, in collusion with officers from M&CC, was claiming prescriptive rights of the playground. Fortunately, legal action was filed just in time, and the Lamaha Gardens playground was saved.

Recently, a company named Astrolabe Technology claimed that the M&CC on “1st October 2007, had entered into a contract permitting them to provide paid parking in a large part of the East Street reserve.” They were further authorised “to operate parking facilities in the Old Georgetown jurisdiction which boundaries are the seawall to the North, Independence Boulevard to the South, Irving Street to the East and Demerara River to the West”. This half-literate contract seemed to have been the work of some rogue elements in the M&CC. On 14th November 2020, the Ministry of Public Works, acting in the interest of the citizens and of Law, removed the fence and gate of the illegal parking lot, and Astrolabe sued before the Courts and humiliatingly lost (Details of this scam are reported in the Guyana Chronicle of 2/02/2022).

FROM PAGE XVI

M&CC has even tried their illegalities on the State itself! Some years ago, it tried to sell a piece of state land belonging to NICIL contiguous to the old Sprostons shipyard. The attempted illegal sale reached the Courts, and M&CC was ordered to desist from trying to sell land belonging to NICIL. There are over one billion dollars of uncollected taxes outstanding, but the M&CC has been making no attempt to collect it or to effectuate execution sales to begin recovering this money. Some years ago, however, a well-appointed property in Brickdam belonging to an expatriate Guyanese fell into three years of tax arrears, and one of the senior members of the City Council was able to arrange an execution sale of the property and bought it for a tiny fraction of its value and when the owner returned shortly afterwards to settle his taxes. He found he had lost his property. The M&CC is making no effort to collect this billion dollars of outstanding taxes but is trying to increase the taxes of those who pay.

No one in the M&CC has been effectively disciplined or charged by the police for any of the corruption in that corporation, and it remains in stolid inactivity in executing its remit despite the untiring complaints of the citizens. It is only the central government that may be able to break this impasse. The Guyana Consumers Association has for years been advocating either the suspension of the M&CC for a number of years or its abolition and its replacement by a City Manager System, which had been successfully used in several American cities. The City Manager System is results-oriented and in a few years Georgetown would experience a renaissance and a Garden City befitting the capital of

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

How to turn an enemy into a friend I RECEIVED an email that asked me, “how do you turn an enemy into a neighbour”? I could take it literally and laugh because it could seem as if someone has an enemy that they want to turn into a neighbour to make their life miserable. However, I’m going to take it figurately, where someone meant to ask how to turn an enemy into a friend. Since I do not believe in the energy of hatred, this is a relaxing one for me to write.

There are lots of reasons why you may feel someone is your enemy- you could have done something to hurt each other in the past; there could be some betrayal, competitiveness or sometimes no interaction at all- just a look that you or they may have interrupted as rude or strange. Either way, it does not have to remain that way. Whether or not you pride yourself as a volatile person who cannot be messed with, having an enemy is unpleasant and exhausting, so let’s explore some options of turning them into friends.

First of all, it must be said that you can avoid becoming enemies in the first place. If you feel as though you are heading in that direction, never forget that you have a choice not to participate in hostility and the power to decline a fight; it does take two after all. Francois de La Rochefoucauld said, “A wise man thinks it more advantageous not to join the battle than to win.”

Many would not want to do this, but if you are choosing this route, the only starting option is you reaching out to them. Opening the lines of communication does not make you weak. It makes you a better person. If you do not feel 100 percent comfortable doing this, there is also the option of a mutual friend to act as a mediator to initiate contact.

This does not involve dragging others into your drama. This should only be done if the plan is a resolution and the third party does not mind being involved; don’t force anyone.

Set boundaries before you even reach out to them. Are you looking for a close friendship or just a truce? How do SEE PAGE XIX

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How to turn an enemy...

FROM PAGE XVIII

you want to have this conversation? On what sort of platform? How long would you like it to last? Do you want it to end in a face-to-face meeting? Do you want to start spending time with them or just engage in a casual social media relationship? These are essential things to know before you reach out.

If there were actions on either end to cause the rivalry, they need to be discussed. However, you want to phrase it, talk to them about how their past actions have made you feel. This is not a blame game, but rather, it is you expressing how you are feeling and any effects their actions may have caused. Phrase it in a way that they know forgiveness is on the table if they take the proper action at that moment.

Most of the time, it takes equal participation, so there would also be the perfect time to apologize for anything you may have done in return. Accountability is always respected because not many people can do it.

Clear any doubt they may have as some people may feel it is a trick or fake. Be as genuine as possible while thinking of the doubt you may have had if they were the one reaching out to you. Be clear about it with simple statements such as, “I know we have had our issues, but I don’t like that. I’d much rather us be friends.”

Now, when it is their time to talk, listen to what they are saying. Too many people listen only to respond rather than to understand and empathise with the information given.

If you want to meet up, plan things that both of you would like and appreciate, not just you. If you do not know what this could be, ask them.

When you are meeting, it is always advised to go to a neutral location where neither party feels more comfortable than the other. This could be public parks or restaurants etc.

Do not gossip about other people with them. This is important and a very serious way how I judge whether I can trust someone or not. If they talk negatively about many people, they are very capable of adding me to that list when talking to someone else.

There is actually a specific strategy coined the “Ben Franklin Way.” One of the most famous scientists had claimed that he discovered the best way to turn an enemy into a friend. In the 18th century, there was a man Franklin had as an enemy and with whom he had to work every day.

Franklin got creative and did some research. The man had a large library he was very proud of. One day, Franklin complimented the man on his library and asked to borrow a book from it. The man agreed and Franklin returned it on time, along with a thoughtful thank-you note. That sole exchange turned Franklin’s biggest enemy into a friend overnight. The 3-stage technique that came from that?

1. Ask for help in an area where your enemy may be strong in and proud of 2. Make a simple request that would acknowledge their strength 3. Express gratitude Now, not everyone can do this as it takes swallowing pride and humility, but what’s the alternative? Keeping an

enemy- you will have to decide what is more important.

If all the above worked and you would like to keep and build this friendship, there are also things to be done. Maintain regular communication that you are both comfortable with. Begin to get more personal with each interaction. You do not have to tell them your deepest secrets, but true friendship takes vulnerability and intimacy. It could be something as small as a goal you’d like to achieve or personal feelings you have towards a certain situation.

It takes an exceptional person to do any of the above, but I believe anyone can be, so why not try? The only thing you have to lose is an enemy.

Thank you for reading. Please continue to send topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

Hold on tight, the ‘Rodeo’ is back!

THE Easter weekend in Guyana usually features numerous activities and events that make the long weekend most enjoyable. This year, I visited the Rupununi Rodeo, one of the staple events of the Easter weekend, and got a glimpse into why people love this event so much.

Because this was my first rodeo, I’ll be the first to admit that I made several rookie mistakes- which, if you plan on attending the rodeo in the future- you should pay keen attention to.

I arrived in Lethem mid-morning on Saturday. The first real indication, for me, that it was rodeo weekend wasn’t the abundance of vaquero hats- seemingly worn by every man, woman or child. The real indication, again for me, was that food places and, by extension, accommodation spaces were filled to capacity. This is important because that meant that I didn’t necessarily have somewhere to stay.

I did not plan on staying for the entire rodeo weekend.

I was only there to cover the opening and the first day for the News Room. And though I knew I wanted to go to the rodeo since it was announced at the beginning of March, I delayed making hotel/ guesthouse reservations until the week before. By that time, it was certainly too late to get

any traditional accommodation. Lesson #1: Don’t dilly dally until the last minute when seeking to reserve accommodation for the rodeo weekend.

Now, I secured accommodation (of some sort) two days before I departed via plane; a teacher in the region was kind enough to let me stay in a room for the night for a small cost. The plan was that I’d arrive by flight sometime mid-morning on Saturday, I’d work throughout the day, and in the night, when I’m ready to shower and hit the sack, I’d go by the teacher. Sounds like a solid plan, right? Maybe.

When I got there, I was instantly caught up in the whirlwind of rodeo activities. Folks young and old, as I mentioned, were dressed in their vaquero outfits, and you can be sure that at every street corner and storefront there was some vendor ready and willing to sell you a cowboy hat to help you blend in with the rest of the community. At the rodeo ground, hours before the three o’clock start of events, the stands were already half-full and the surrounding area was abuzz with activity as the SEE PAGE XXI

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Hold on tight, the...

FROM PAGE XX

stalls were already set up and ready to market locally made products easily swayed travellers like me.

It wasn’t long before I got myself an ‘I love Rupununi’ shirt, replete with the green, blue and yellow Rupununi flag. And it wasn’t long before I started getting overwhelmed with the rush of activities- be it watching the vaqueros trying to tame a bull or the bareback bronc riders trying their best to hold on tight while the crowd counted down the seconds before they were thrown off the horse.

In between being simply amazed at how these vaqueros (men and women!) were able to interact with the animals, I was shuffling between capturing everything and writing stories (because the rest of the nation needs to know what’s happening down in Lethem!). Turns out, that you should take time to fully immerse yourself in the rodeo activities instead of rushing from one thing to the next or else the

Rupununi air will find a way to ‘simmer’ you. In my case, the loose, red earth and my shoes without good grip conspired against me, causing me to slip, bruise my hand and very visibly soil my khaki pants (which, by the way, was a poor wardrobe decision) as I was rushing to get something done. I learnt Lesson #2 the hard way.

And the fun didn’t stop there for calamity Jones (aka, me). Now, the rodeo is held in the beautiful hinterland area- Region Nine. Because Guyana still has ways to go in moving some of the disparities that exist, like with internet connectivity, I was struggling to get good data signal to communicate with just about anyone- including the teacher who I planned on staying by, to get the details on how I can get to her. And honestly, because I was so caught up in the rodeo fun, I forgot to check in with her until it was late in the evening and I started yearning for a bath and a bed.

It was just my luck that I couldn’t reach her and I started to panic. Lesson #3: Always secure the details before you travel to the region. Though, I was assured by some of my nice, fellow travellers that if I needed to camp out on the rodeo ground, I hoped that my teacher friend would come through for me, especially since camping out with some strangers without a clear idea of where I’d take a much-needed bath was not necessarily the most appealing thing. Thankfully, she did.

And after a long and exciting day, I managed to get to her house and wash the excitement off. Before long, it was day two of the rodeo and I, begrudgingly, left to come back to town. Lesson #4: Always stay for the entire weekend because one day is simply not enough.

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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The Mud That ...

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unique colonial history resulted in the large-scale construction of sea walls and dams directly along the coast, forever changing the behaviour of coastal currents and interrupting this natural earth engine. Hard coastal structures such as concrete seawalls cause wave energy to be reflected, creating more turbulence and much higher wave heights along these human-engineered shores, and ultimately making it difficult for mudflats to form and remain.

With climate change bringing more severe storm surges and higher-than-normal spring tides, Guyana’s

coast has never been more vulnerable. Home to 90% of the Guyanese population and 75 percent of the country’s agricultural lands, the health and vitality of our entire country depends on the management of our coast and the mud that made it. This is even more true for our capital Georgetown which, according to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is at risk of being largely underwater by 2030.

The good news, however, is that we can restart the powerful earth engine that made our coast in the first place, putting nature to work as we build a resilient future.

By combining traditional “grey” sea defences (concrete

walls, sea dams, jetties, etc.) with “green” nature-based approaches (mud, mangroves, saltmarshes, etc.), Guyana can once again gain the advantage in its battle with the sea. We can go beyond simply defending our lands and families from the ocean and begin to expand land into the sea.

We find ourselves at a moment in time when we must build and design with nature in mind. Taken together, nature-based approaches are among the most affordable, durable and commonsense solutions to development. As small island states and coastal peoples across the globe fight desperately to stay above the waves, Guyana is in the very enviable position of being able to harness nature to secure our continued prosperity on this coast. Together, we can mount a joint and integrated response, one that matches the sweeping forces and time scales involved; an approach that brings together state agencies, communities, business interests, scientists and government; an approach that we will explore in “Generation Restoration: How developing with Nature can shape a better future for Guyanese,” the third and final article in this series.

So next time you visit the seawall, take some time to look at the mud, for in it lies the stories of our past and the key to our lasting prosperity on this remarkable coast.

For more information on Conservation International, please visit: https://conservation.org.gy/

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, April 24, 2022

THE ENEMY I LOVED

SHE stood on the wharf, a cold night in June, looking out at the dark river, sounds of the crashing waves, like the tempo of drum beats. A beautiful woman she was, but the deep sadness in her brown eyes and the tears portrayed someone who had lost something precious in her life. Her heart was crying like rivers flowing, the pain like the prick of sharp thorns as she stood there

one was there. A cry from deep within escaped her lips, the intense pain sending a shiver through her body but she pulled on her inner strength to stay in control of her emotions for the child in her arms.

Fifteen years ago, she had left her father’s home as a young, radiant bride, happiness in her heart, cool and fresh as the rain. A new life in the city with her handsome groom filled with ex-

about, watching him as he met with families who needed the assistance but kept out of sight until one day, he came to visit her humble home at her father’s invite.

He had impressed her young mind with his pleasant personality and modern good looks, but face to face, now with him in her home, she was at a loss for words.

Sanjay had smiled at her and the admiring look in his eyes had sent a strange

by the riverside, cold and lonely, hugging her little girl close to her body.

“Would I ever see you again, my sons?” she cried quietly.

From a bar along the stelling road, Bob Marley’s soulful lyrics drifted with the wind.

“No woman, no cry.”

The boat captain shouted to all passengers, “We are ready to go now!”

And she stepped onto the boat, beginning her journey to one of the islands, then further to another South American country where an old friend awaited her. She looked back at the wharf as the boat pulled away, hoping to see her sons, that this was all a mistake, that she wasn’t leaving but no

cited hope. Fifteen years of marriage now lost and meaningless, for today, she was running away, in the dark of the night, a sleeping child in her arms – a sad and broken woman.

A farmer’s daughter Priya had been, from a small island in the Essequibo, a country girl, simple and innocent. The river was her playground and it was there he had seen her from his small yacht as she rose from the water, like an illusion, her long black hair cascading down her back.

A few days later, she was surprised to see him with a few businessmen and a junior minister visiting the island, wanting to know how they could help the farmers.

She saw him on his walks

sensation to her heart. But she was like a wildflower, a hidden beauty and on this island, fairytale love stories did not happen but all that changed when just six months after they met, he asked for her hand in marriage. Her family was elated, the people of the village jubilant and the tears of joy in her father’s eyes touched her deeply when she said ‘Yes’ to the proposal.

She had given her love to the rich young businessman and his promises to love and care for her she had kept tied to her heart. He was true to his words and happiness for her was in everything, the bliss, the togetherness and welcoming their first baby. But a few years after her second son was born, a

change began, something unexpected.

It began with a haughty tone and a sudden burst of anger that he was quick to apologize for. At first, she attributed his changing behaviour to problems with his business, given one of his storage bonds had burnt down recently, so

she let it go. But Sanjay’s behaviour got worse and when he stopped apologising she knew something had gone wrong. She couldn’t understand how or why it happened, his possessive attitude, restrictions to her social life, his anger and aggression that pushed her in his shadow. She tried to

talk to him, to understand the disturbing change, wanting to know if she had done anything wrong but dialogue was rejected, and as Sanjay’s business and wealth grew, so did his dominance and arrogance.

She spoke to his family SEE PAGE XXIX

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Showcasing the best ...

FROM PAGE VI

Town Day which eventually morphed into a week of activities.

This year, the 13-day event will feature a variety of attractions for patrons.

Fredericks is of the view that Linden is the heartland of Guyana and should gain such prominence. With its rich history coupled with the culture and talent of the people, it is a place of all nationalities that compliment the scenic landscape.

Giving a little insight into the history of McKenzie, Linden, he told the Pepperpot Magazine that McKenzie comprises of Fair’s Rust, Nottinghamshire, Noitgedacht, Watooka, Richmond Hill, Old England (Siberia), Bamia, Amelia’s Ward, Kara Kara, Rainbow City, Retrieve, Speightland, Central McKenzie, Constabulary Compound and Industrial Area.

“Linden needs to be promoted to go national … anything is easier to start here than in the city and people will pull things off in Linden faster,” he said.

Fredericks added that the Linden Town Week was his brainchild and he is happy to see it has evolved and he is also the creator of Creole Fest, which started in 2004 to unite the people of all races.

He related that as a people, we have more similarities than others further afield because of our unique heritage and it is our suspicion of each other that

Norville Fredericks

creates a difference and causes issues.

Fredericks is a small business owner who has a restaurant opposite Courts, in McKenzie, which started out as Wings and Wedges and came out of a photo studio.

This Lindener is a photographer and with the advent of advanced technology, and the use of smart phones a lot of people stopped having being photographed profession-

ally. As such, that business died silently.

Fredericks stated that he had to earn and started a small food business in 2013 and now he is going into making pizza, roasted barbeque and gyros.

He is looking at setting up a food van by the roadside for customers’ convenience and provides employment for two people presently.

Fredericks is also the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Linden.

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It’s about time Guyanese parents recognise their children as young adults after their 18th birthday At the age of 18, an individual is considered to be an adult in the eyes of the law. Below the age of 18, you are considered to be a child or minor. As such, legal authority is entrusted with your guardian/parent, but children are still “property” of the state at the end of the day. This means that parents and guardians can lose their legal authority over the care of a child, and the state gets to decide what happens next.

The idea that the state “owns” the child is from a legal standpoint. In my opinion and from various readings, this is merely done to protect the child from any harm their entrusted guardians can pose to them. Many persons are unaware of the fact that they are essentially being given a “loan” to care for their child. I do agree that the state has every right to intervene when necessary, but many parents are of the opinion that they “own” or “possess” their children. This ideology is adapted years after a child becomes an adult, and that poses a threat for many young adults.

Note the word threat in the previous sentence? Recently, there was an ongoing incident of a young woman reporting to the media and police of abuse from her father, a popular businessman. I’m sure you’ve seen the media reports and interviews plastered over Facebook. The nature of the story entails that the young woman refuses to live the life her father wants for her and as such, she was physically and emotionally abused for years because of it. Even though, from a legal perspective, her father no longer has legal authority over her, from a cultural and social perspective, Guyanese parents have differing views on what happens with the nature of the relationship between them and their children well after their child has grown into an adult. I can understand that many parents will argue that they only want the best for their child, and parenting can continue after they reach the age of 18. In the same breath, young adults ought to be respected and heard. You can’t want what is “best” for your child and abuse, manipulate and coerce them simultaneously.

A common mistake made amongst parents entails teaching one’s child/children to be dependent upon entering adulthood.

The goal is not to ensure they become a model adult when they’re already grown, adults. Instead, parents should seek to teach and guide their children toward becoming responsible, independent adults. Some households will disown, neglect and even abuse the young adults in the family simply because they want to follow a path they see fit for their careers, education or family planning. Some parents use the conditioned dependency of their children as a weapon of control. Some young adults may be financially or physically dependent upon their families.

Instead of empowering said young adults, those families will wield that dependency in the power-imbalanced relationship to show their children that they “own” them.

SEE PAGE I’ve spoken to many young people like myXXVIII

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Mourning when our sweet doggie Max recently died

By Francis Quamina Farrier

WE are in mourning for our dear late doggie, Max, who passed away late March. We are devastated at his passing after 15 beautiful years together and are only slowly trying to overcome our loss. Max, whose full name is “Maxwell,” came into the family when he was just about three weeks old. He was so cute and full of life. He was loved instantly, and he also seemed to have loved everyone in the family from day one and over fifteen years until his recent passing.

Max was a great little doggie. Of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, he was pretty small in size, but there have been many occasions when he would attack other dogs about 10 times his size. Max was a fearless little dog. In his earlier years, he would sometimes do his ‘business’ on the floor for which I would show it to him and give him a flick on each ear. Max soon learnt that there was an approved place to do his business and just not any and every place he chose.

“Potty trained” is what that discipline is referred to in doggie society.

Max was, to a great degree, a “house dog” and was never

Auntie Pat and Uncle Francis with Mr. Max in the Park during our happy days together

allowed to run all over the place. Outdoor activities were supervised, and he was then on a leash. He was sometimes taken to the park and would have a great time in the open spaces. As mentioned previously, Max would want to interact with other dogs; especially much larger ones. He would bark at them and try to play with the other dogs; even dogs many times his size. On the latter occasions he would have to be constrained in order to save him from any accidental harm.

Max was also a disciplined and hospitable member of the family. Every visitor was greeted with barks of welcome.

Each visitor, whether regular or irregular, received an appropriate welcome. We are certain that Max knew who were “blood relatives” who were visiting. There was that extra physical contact which he gave them; even licking them.

There was a certain Sunday routine by family members, and Max would, without being called, dash to the car and jump inside as soon as the door was opened for him. He knew when it was Sunday, and that he was privileged to come along for the ride. There were the occasions when he was taken long distances away from home and he had to overnight in a strange environment. He always seemed relaxed as long as we were around.

Over the years we would take Max on long journeys by car. Yes, we would have ‘pit’ stops so that we can stretch our two legs and Max could stretch his four. Such trips were all very obvious most pleasurable for us as it was for him. While Max was generally a ‘house dog’ he displayed much excitement while being outdoors, and especially on trips far away from home. He loved adventures. No doubt his adventure to doggie heaven is also giving him much pleasure.

It’s about time Guyanese ...

FROM PAGE XXVII

self over the years, and it’s sad to see how many of them are faced with the dependency dilemma.

I hope in years to come, we try and shift the narrative of this unhealthy parenting ideology; that parents “own” their children, even as adults. It can be quite traumatic for children to grow up in unhealthy environments that project this pattern. As long as the young adults don’t harm themselves or others with the decisions they choose to make—let them be their own legal guardians, as the law states. Young Guyanese, especially young women, constantly have to prove or fight for their independence as an adult. It’s ridiculous. “I bring them in this world, so I can take them out”, “is me mek you” or “nobody can’t tell me how to raise my child” are all dangerous idioms and phrases that we’ve heard for many generations. It needs to stop. It’s about time we start giving our children valuable tools as they grow and trust that they can make the right choices for themselves, as the law provides. Stop thinking that physically/emotionally forcing them to do as you say is the same as advising your young-adult child towards making a better life decision.

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THE ENEMY I...

FROM PAGE XXIII

and close friends but no one seemed willing to tell her anything until one friend pitied her suffering and explained to her that the change she was seeing was the person he had been before he met her. He had always been an angry, arrogant young man, who abused his girlfriends until his father who was fedup of bailing him out of trouble, gave him an ultimatum to change or he would disinherit him.

A shocking revelation!

How could she have not known?

His father signing over a bit share of wealth and properties to him had brought his old personality back to the fore. Regrets by the old man were too late and Priya had felt trapped and helpless. She now had to live to survive, for her children were her life and she wouldn’t be able to live apart from them.

Like shattered glass, her dream broke and nightmare cloaked in black took the reigns of her life.

One day it would be insults and beatings, then next day flowers. He gifted her with diamonds and designer clothes for the world to see but the diamonds didn’t feel like her best friend and the clothes didn’t make her feel special.

The years went by and she continued to be the good wife to her husband, a wonderful mother to her three children, her love for them all the reason she stayed, so she forgave the insults, excused the beatings and accepted the flowers.

She lived with the hope that one day she will find a way out, but not without her children. One morning, as she laid the table for breakfast her elder son, came down, a troubled look on his face. She knew he had heard his father abusing her last night. It was not the first time, but he was now thirteen and he could speak on the issue of her tormented life.

“Mom, I think you should go,” he said softly “What?” she looked up from what she was doing.

He looked at her, the bruises on her neck and arms, the cut on her lip.

“How long would you live your life like this?”

She didn’t answer, her lips quivering and she tried not to cry.

“I know you have stayed and tolerated it because of us,” her son said, “But Arvind and I are now big boys we can take care of ourselves, take Ashani and go away somewhere far.”

“I can’t, how can I live without my sons?”

He didn’t answer for a while, choking back the tears.

“We’ll always be here for you, mom but if you stay, he can kill you one day. I don’t want to lose you. Please don’t stay here, Arvind and I will stay so he won’t have three reasons to hunt you down. We will find you one day, to be in your life again rather than we have to take flowers to your grave.”

She hadn’t heeded her son’s plea, not knowing how to leave them, where to go but one night three months after that morning, her husband almost killed her in one of his rages and seeing the terrified look in her son’s eyes, she knew how right he was. They would always be there for her and one day they would come for their mother.

As the boat sped through the rough waters, in her mind she put her hand to her heart and untied the knot, letting loose the false promises into the wind. She closed her eyes, not sure of the new life that awaited her, destiny forging a new path for her, love having lost its way.

Would it ever find her again?

A question only fate would be able to answer.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The unexamined li fe is not worth living.

SOCRATES (469-3 99 B Plato, Apology, 38 .C.) a

April 24, 2022 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome dear friend.

We are still on improving your reading prowess.

Sometimes an unknown word part prefix or suffix (affix), a base word, or a root word, can trip your full understanding of the text message. Again, the dictionary and other reference aids, such as the inter-

net, are good for word usage and such. Use them. Also, what strength in understand implied and stated information through comparing the information contained in the text, do you possess?

Practise. Be wise.

Love you.

THE PASSAGE Read the following extract carefully and then answer all the questions set on it.

Dr. Levy called me into his office early in the morning. He had lately moved his administrative throne. You walked up the stairs and entered a tremendous anteroom guarded by a trio of glum typists and the doctor’s secretary. Three small desks with battered manual typewriters were moored in an ocean of pastel tile, and the tang of barely cured concrete and freshly applied whitewash immediately tickled your nose.

The typists usually had little to type, and the secretary, with no phone to answer, usually read magazines. Her ill-fitting dentures that stretched her lips into an ugly overbite, created the grimace of a seasoned battle-axe, sour and bad-tempered; but in truth, she was a soft-spoken and sweet-natured woman whose only quirk was a Christian aversion to blasphemy and bad words.

I had scarcely settled in the straight-backed chair before his desk when the doctor, looking officious and abnormally solemn, broke the news.

The girls would not be able to sit for the A level examination.

(From Anthony Winkler, “Going Home to Teach”) ( a ) Wr i t e w h a t i s meant by each of the following words and phrases: administrative throne, anteroom, battered manual typewriters, seasoned battle-axe, looking officious and abnormally solemn (b) What opinion does the author want you to have of Dr. Levy with the use of “throne” in the

second sentence? (c) How many members of staff did Dr. Levy have in his office? (d) Identify TWO words used metaphorically in sentence 4. (e) How would you summarise the author’s feelings about Dr. Levy’s office? (f) Why did the personality of the secretary appear to be the opposite of what it really was? (g) What is the occupation of Dr. Levy?

THE LETTER A compulsory question is one that you cannot omit answering. This letter question and the comprehension question above, are two of the compulsory questions found in your English Language examination Paper 2.

Study the unfinished letter below and pretend you are the writer. You are told to be on travelling vacation and send back greetings and news of your whereabouts.

Are you on the right track so far? Check for relevant points. What pictures of interest have you enclosed so far to relate text to document? List them in chronological sequence.

Show it to a study partner.

Dear Thomas, Here we are just back from the Deep South, and I can’t wait to tell you all about our marvelous trip.

But what about you? How did you like Colorado?

Did you get our card from St. Martinsville? It was sweet of you to take us to the airport, Thomas.

Anyway, we had a good flight to New Orleans and spent the evening walking in the town, and even doing some shopping as some of the shops were still opened.

The next morning, we visited some beautiful old houses in the French Quarter, some of those with the beautiful wrought iron balconies... we even had coffee outside. We met some very nice people from Kansas, and they took us for a drive in the afternoon. We even visited one of the cemeteries: a very old one, and it’s so damp there that the graves are built up on top of each other instead of under the ground. We had a delicious meal at Antoine’s

in the evening (I would have liked to go for brunch, but we were too busy fort that) and ended up at a jazz concert...

I enclosed some of the pictures we took. You can keep them as I am having others printed.

I hope you’re all very well. I’ll write again soon but I hope to hear from you and your holiday before that.

Lots of love, Patsy THE POEM Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow.

The Son I found the letter in a cardboard box, Unfamous history. I read the words The ink was faint and brown, the paper dry After so many ears of being kept, The letter was a soldier’s, from the front – Conveyed his love and disappointed hope Of getting leave. “It’s cancelled now,” he wrote.

“My luck is at the bottom of the sea.”

Outside the sun was hot; the world looked bright; I heard a radio, and someone laughed.

I did not sing, or laugh, or love the sun.

Within the quiet room I thought of him, My father killed, and all the other men, Whose luck was at the bottom of the sea.

(Clifford Dyment) (a) What is the poet suggesting by the use of the word “unfamous” in line 2? (b) Why was the ink “faint and brown” line 3? (c) What is meant by the phrase “from the front” line 5? (d) What does “my luck is at the bottom of the sea” (line 8) mean? (e) Identify TWO lines which contrast with the general mood of the poem? (f) What is the mood of the son in line 11? (g) The poem ends with the repetition of the words “(Whose) luck was at the bottom of the sea” (line 14). What do the words mean in this second case?

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Jaw joint problems THERE is a fairly common but abnormal condition that lies within the scope of dentistry which frequently goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and untreated. If you experience headaches, discommoding clicking and popping in the jaw, or pain in the face or neck or shoulders, the problem may literally be all in your head. You may suffer from a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that allows your mouth to open, close and move from side to side.

Other symptoms which indicate that you may be suffering from TMJ disorder include wearing down of the teeth; tenderness of the jaw muscles; difficulty in opening the mouth; when the jaw gets “stuck open”; earaches without ear infection, pain and chewing, yawning or opening the mouth widely; pain in and around the ear; ears feeling stuffy or itchy; ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ears and dizziness.

Five pairs of muscles and TMJ that connect the upper and lower jaws allow you to open and close your mouth and control forward and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, bones and joints from working together may result in pain and other problems known as TMJ syndrome.

The jaw joint can become out of alignment for many reasons. These include teeth that do not fit together properly when the jaws are clenched. This condition could come about from genetics (protruding jaw), teeth-grinding, habits like cradling the phone between the ear and the shoulder, extractions or injuries like whiplash or a blow to the jaw or even new dentures or fillings that are not done correctly. Stress plays a major role, too, and people often experience their first TMJ discomfort during stressful times.

You should quit harmful habits such as teeth grinding, cradling the phone between your head and shoulder, etc. Do not hesitate to consult your dentist if you experience discomfort anywhere in your head, neck or shoulders.

It is not unusual for your jaw to be out of alignment, and yet you experience no discomfort. Sometimes TMJ syndrome patients can alleviate pain and discomfort with conservative home care only.

Heat is a muscle relaxant. Use a hot pad to ease aching jaw, neck and shoulder muscles. Be careful to keep the heat down so as not to cause burns. If the pain considered to be severe, then ice packs can be used instead.

Stress can create a cycle of muscle tension and pain that needs to be broken. I would recommend relaxation techniques, such as progressive relaxation, in which you consciously relax muscles starting with your head and working down your body to the feet.

You might also try visualization exercises to let go of stress. Find a quiet comfortable where you would not be disturbed. Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Now imagine yourself in one of your favourite places. Let yourself feel the sights and hear the sounds. Feel yourself relaxing in this special place.

There is nothing you have to do; nowhere you have to go. After several minutes of enjoying the visualisation, take a couple of deep breaths and slowly open your eyes. You may find you feel amazingly relaxed and refreshed from this “mental Vacation”. If you have tried this and it has not worked, contact your dentist or physician.

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