Guyana_Chronicle_Pepperpot_24_07_2022

Junior Vancoot with his handmade items at the expo

IDPADA-G hosts pre-Emancipation exhibition and sale for African-Guyanese entrepreneurs

Sunday, July 24, 2022

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

IDPADA-G hosts pre-Emancipation exhibition and sale for African-Guyanese entrepreneurs

THE International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) hosted a two-day “Ujamaa 2.0” pre-Emancipation exhibition and sale for African-Guyanese entrepreneurs with many of them highly appreciative of the efforts by the organisation to put on the show.

Commencing last Thursday, the expo was held in the Main Street Avenue between Church and Middle Streets and Chief Executive Officer of IDPADA-G, Olive Cannings-Sampson told Pepperpot Magazine on the scene that they were enjoying a good start with the weather holding up well.

Speaking in the company of Programme Manager Lyris Primo, Cannings-Sampson offered that this is the second exhibition

by IDPADA-G where vendors, agro processors, artisans and producers of all kinds were invited to come out, showcase and

Chief Executive Officer of IDPADA-G Olive Cannings-Sampson (right) and Programme Manager Lyris Primo at the expo on Thursday

sell their items. There were producers of body care items, hair care items, clothing designers, food, agro-processing items, floral arrangements, soft home furnishing, education materials, and the organisation’s credit union for persons to learn more about.

“We have a nice age range; youths as well as senior persons who are out here with their entrepreneurial experience. We also have a really good showing of women, both young and old,” Cannings-Sampson pointed out.

Over 90 businesses were expected to show up for the expo, from 09:00 hours to 18:00 hours which was held under the theme, “Ujamaa,” a Swahili word meaning ‘Co-operative Economics.’ It is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa and calls on people of African descent to support each other’s businesses.

The folks who participated in the expo were grateful for the opportunity and space that were created for them through IDPA-

Obadiah Jones and the junior drummers of the Hebrew Family of Guyana Drummers

Marva April from The Olive Garden showcasing her plants

DA-G. Here are the comments of some of them: Junior Vancoot “The whole event is a good initiative because it is cultural and pertains to freedom, so it is a good remembrance.

Once you’re not white, you’re African. You can feel free that you’re liberated. The event is very nice, like a memorial. It brings people together, and that is what I like about the whole occurrence of Emancipation.”

Rebekah Waddell, 21 “I like that the expo has different categories of stuff like arts and craft, hair stuff and difSEE PAGE IV ferent things. Persons get to see 21-year-old Rebekah Waddell doing her crochet on site

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Entrepreneurs making effective use of small business to assist villagers in Annai

BERNIE Robertson and his brother Joel Ali are happy to be able to make a difference in the lives of the people of Annai Village and surrounding communities in the North Rupununi with the services they offer through their small business called Two Brothers Technology Centre.

Launched four years ago,

tocopying services. Now, it has now grown into a much-needed training research and information technology centre for both teachers and students.

The brothers, who also do lessons for kids who are struggling to read or have difficulty in other subject areas, decided to register their small business after completing a

Bernie Robertson (right) and his brother Joel Ali

Bernie and Orlan with students who graduated last year

The two brothers place a special focus on helping students in ICT

the business at first only provided printing and pho-

one-year entrepreneurial and life skills programme from

Royal Hollay University of London, which had worked

Inside the Two Brothers Technology Center in Annai

with Indigenous communities in Guyana in collaboration

with North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB).

Because of the need for technology training, the centre now offers training in Information Communication and Technology (ICT), as well as in leadership, gender and equality. Then, in 2019, the brothers launched an education programme with 15 students enrolled, inclusive of teachers and village councillors between the age ranges of 12 and 40.

With the first batch of their students graduating in July 2020, the two brothers said they were privileged to take internships at the Bina Hill Institute (BHI) Youth Learning Centre. They have also been able to provide educational tours for primary schools across the North Rupununi.

Having grown their business, the young men are now able to offer such additional services as women empowerment, video and photogra-

phy, culture documentation, public speaking skills, good governance, field activities and community engagement.

The duo also reaches out to special needs children and hosts youth camps.

“With these trainings, the centre was able to see a lot of changes in different ways, especially in women and girls developing self-esteem and representing the value of strengths and weaknesses of other women in today’s society,” Bernie told Pepperpot Magazine in an interview from Annai.

The centre is closely collaborating with the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Education, the Regional Democratic Council of Region Nine, CTVET, NRDDB, BHI, business owners, and non-governmental organisations to develop the programme. So far, the village councils and Toshaos are very supportive of this initiative and lend their support in many different ways.

According to Bernie, the centre has so far trained 60 persons and has only recently completed the fifth batch, who will be graduating in September.

Apart from being the owners, Bernie, 34, and Orlan, 28, are the tutors at the centre. They are trained in video making and photography, communications, and ICT, both being members of the wildlife clubs of North Rupununi.

Bernie was trained by several organisations through the NRDDB, with some outstanding training being through a project called Community Owned SEE PAGE V

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Honouring our grandparents and the elderly

TODAY, the fourth Sunday of July, in many countries around the globe, “World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly” is being observed. If you are unaware of this annual event, please do not feel in any way embarrassed, since it is just the second year of this special celebration in which we are encouraged to focus a little more on the elders in our families, our communities and in the wider society.

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was established by Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, who is himself an elderly person, being in his 80s. He was born on December 17, 1936, in Argentina, South America, where the life expectancy of citizens in that Spanish-speaking country is 73 years for males and 80 years for females. As such, Pope Francis is already beyond the life expectancy of Argentinean men.

Here in Guyana, the life expectancy for males is the established three score and 10-70 years-while females are expected to survive until they are a little over 80 years of age. That, of course, are those who die of natural causes. I mention that because quite a number of Guyanese are dying due to unnatural causes such as traffic crashes and murder. In recent years, there have been public outcries against reckless driving on our public streets and roadways, as well as against domestic violence in which women so often are murdered. It is already a known fact that there is also a growing incidence of murder by friends on friends who become engaged in arguments, which in some cases escalate into deadly fights in which weapons such as knives are used, and those who could have lived to a ripe old age, are cut down in their youth and gone too soon.

Grandparents and other elders who have gained the respect of their relatives and the extended community in which they live also gain special places in society: some are invited to sit on boards of schools and other public and private institutions.

One unfortunate aspect of the Guyanese culture in relation to the elderly is the fact that their complaints and suggestions for improvements are not always readily accepted.

During a survey, it was discovered that elders are considered as being “baderation.” Many of their ideas are classified as “old time” and “out of date.”

However, on the other side of the equation, elders need to recognise that time keeps moving on, and things do change. There comes the time in many cases when it is prudent to either step down, step aside, walk away or write a book. In the latter case, an autobiography can prove to be another valuable chapter in the history of the country. A book can record important aspects of Guyana’s development Mario and Dessa Ramotar with their granddaughter Lianna (Photo by over the decades.

Francis Quamina Farrier) For those who have now The radio programme series, “Salute to Senior Citizens” is graduated to being granda prime example of the way society lifts up our elders. There parents and even great-grandparents, a grateful nation was also the radio programme series, “ The Eighty Plus Club,” must be anxious to give them their well-earned rewards in which elders from all 10 Regions of the country, as well as and say to them, “Well done, good and faithful citizens.” some abroad, were interviewed and spoke of their experiences In so doing, the elders of tomorrow, who are youngsters in life and the contributions which they had made to society today, will work with patriotic dedication in all their fields when they were younger. of endeavour.

IDPADA-G hosts pre-Emancipation...

FROM PAGE II

what it is that I do. As you go down, you’ll see it’s not just one person who does crochet; one of the things I realised is that everybody does something different in the crochet to show the variety of the art itself. You get to interact with customers. Being at these expos makes me feel good because we should know the struggles weren’t easy; it was a fight. I can be here today because of them (ancestors); they did the hard part, and I get to be a bit freer now. I see a lot of young people out here, and that’s a good thing.”

Obadiah Jones “I am part of the Hebrew Family of Guyana Drummers as one of the senior drummers that is in charge of drumming here. We brought the youths out to be part of the event, seen as school is out. They can actually get the experience. They are in training right now. This is the junior drummers. The age range is from five to 14. My older generation taught me.

One of the things I like about this…even though I am young, I am futuristic so it’s good to Clothing designs by artist Fiona Alert who usually sells along the avenue

have the youths involved especially that the event is based on their heritage. They need to understand no matter where you’re located….you need to know your roots.”

Junior Vancoot with his handmade items at the expo

Marva April, ‘The Olive Garden’ “For all your indoor and outdoor flowering plants… plants to do your landscaping, for your office, I have them. Last year we were at Cuffy but the turnout wasn’t like today [July 21] because of the location. We have a lot of people coming and going. I am living in Mocha and every month, we have our farmers’ market day….I take out my plants. It’s a good economic venture. At this time of the year, it’s good that African people can showcase their talents. I feel proud to see that we as a people can better our lives and use our talents to improve the quality of our lives.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

The Sophia Night School

By Dillon Goring FOR people who have had to face many challenges in life regarding developing

A second chance at academia

school education, now that they would have become adults,” Adolphus noted as the main impact that the school is making on the com-

that the beneficiaries of this programme offered by the school are now able to serve their community in a better way because they are now

responses regarding the students who are the primary beneficiaries, adding that they have seized the opportunities of having a second

Pepperpot Magazine .

But like every other commitment in life, it requires commitment and consistency to achieve the required

Students in session at the Sophia CESC Night Programme

themselves in the world of education, there is always great news for persons who would want a second chance.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with the Coordinator of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination for the Sophia Night School, Le’Roi Adolphus, who outlined the importance of the benefits of such a programme.

“We would have given an opportunity to persons who wouldn’t have had a chance to write CXC because they would have dropped out of school in fourth form because of economic reasons.

They now have a chance to complete their secondary

Coordinator of the Sophia CSEC Programme, Le’Roi Adolphus

munity.

Adolphus explained

more qualified and empowered. In many cases, he noted that they are also beneficiaries of promotions in their jobs, and as a result, they become more marketable.

Some, he noted, have gone on to higher institutions of learning, such as the University of Guyana, E.R. Burrowes School of Arts and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).

Adolphus assured that the teachers who teach at the Night School aren’t just there for the remuneration that they are given at the end of the month, but they love what they do.

The coordinator noted that there have been great

chance at obtaining qualifications to make themselves marketable for opportunities ahead in the corporate world. “ We have an open-door policy, so if you have a Grade Four and you write back with us, you can obtain a Grade Three, Two or One. If they can’t write CXC in a year, then we put them in a pre-CXC Maths and English class. Because of finances, we are ensuring that we are doing enough advertising to ensure that those who have dropped out of school can have a chance to write the examination after they would have gone through the pre-CXC class,” the night school coordinator told the

Entrepreneurs making ...

Best Practice and Adaptive Management in the Guyana Shields (COBRA) and Integrating Traditional Knowledge into National Policy in Guyana (ITKI) project funded through Royal Holloway University in London.

SAFETY NET

Bernie and Orlan are hoping to introduce new topics and training in cosmetology, garment construction and other subject areas so as to be able to expand the reach of the centre. “The centre has changed a lot in my community. No one here has access to any kind of services and training,” he pointed out, noting that it has helped to change how teachers do their work and how students research and complete their SBAs.

“It has changed academic performance in school.

Even village leaders come to learn the computer and type out their work,” Bernie shared.

“We see ourselves as a safety net for those persons who did not get to complete school. They now have an opportunity to learn a skill and be able to go out in society and do something with their lives,” he said. At the end of their six-month training, they can go out into their villages and pass on their knowledge to others.

Orlan shared that he enjoys working with the kids who come to the centre. He is hopeful that the government and other agencies will provide support to the centre so that the work it does can be boosted.

goal. Those same students may have had difficulties maintaining commitment: for example, some may have become pregnant and have to discontinue. Adolphus assured that he urges the students to keep their eyes on the prize and see themselves on the campus of the University of Guyana stage graduating, because they would have put in the required work and should see themselves at the top of the education ladder.

Education as an advancement Adolphus explained that despite the stigma attached to the Sophia community, the Night School has managed to attain an 85 percent pass rate for Grades One and Two.

He called for continued support from donors and funding, whether it be from Government or the private sector.

At the same time, he called for the support of mentors, social workers, and motivational speakers to play their part in teaching and training the students to be the kind of great people that society expects them to be and to become despite their environment.

Just last year, it was reported according to the Guyana Chronicle that telephone company Digicel paid for some of the students to write the CXC or what is now known as the CSEC examination.

The coordinator touted some of the achievements of the school since 2016.

“Some 2,000 students have passed through the system, but some close [to] 500 students have written the examination; nevertheless, we remain open to external donors,” he told the Pepperpot Magazine.

The Sophia Night School is currently offering classes in English Language, Mathematics, Electronic Document Preparation Management, Social Studies, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology, according to the Coordinator of the Sophia Night School.

FROM PAGE III

A recent graduation in progress

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Welcome to Waramuri Village, Moruca, Region One

WARAMURI Village in Moruca, Region One (Barima/Waini), is an indigenous community of about 1,800 people, with approximately 200 more in three satellite

Santa Rosa Village, where everything happens. While it’s more costly to travel to surrounding villages by boat, the challenge with the link roads is that some parts

Waramuri Village, Moruca, Region One (Barima/ Waini)

Eunice Harris is possibly Waramuri’s oldest resident (Photos by Telesha Ramnarine)

communities governed by the same village council.

It features an attractive landscape with kind, hardworking people who hardly complain about issues affecting the community. The residents try their best to make do with whatever is available there in terms of work and other opportunities.

Although the village is accessible through the Moruca River, it also has link roads to other communities, the main one being the Kumaka/

are flooded due to climate change. This leaves residents with two options: swim across the flooded road or take a canoe over. The canoe operator charges $100, or sometimes $200, to get across.

“Transportation is a major problem. We had the water levels rising lately. Para and Skyland are communities we cannot get to because the roads are flooded. People have to cross with canoes; otherwise, they’d have to

swim. That’s the reality. We cannot fix it manually; we need machines.”

According to information supplied by retired head teacher Festus Williams, who is also Secretary on the Village Council, Waramuri was founded around 1845 when the Spaniards came into these parts and founded

Retired head teacher, Festus Williams

A flooded road linking Waramuri community to others

the mission. It was about the same time when they founded Santa Rosa mission. They came and met the Arawaks, Warrows and the Caribs.

Wa r a m u r i , e q u i p p e d with a health centre, primary school and secondary department, is named after a species of ant which is native to the village. It is believed that it was the natives who gave the village its name.

Senior councillors on the Waramuri Village Council, led by Toshao Vivian Edwards, overlook the three satellite communities, namely Skyland, Heimaracabra and Seven Miles. While the senior councillors each receive a stipend, the other villagers who are part of the 16-member Council do voluntary work.

“Ordinary ones like me do voluntary work. If the

community can afford it, then we’d get something, but we don’t have funding in the community. People look to you because they elected you to serve them. The fact that I accepted their nomination means that I have to carry out the duties,” Williams modestly explained.

He is happy to be able to assist with whatever work is needed in the community. He feels, though, that the culture is dying. “It is sad now to know that at my age [62] I am not fluent in my dialect.

We were never exposed to it.

The teachers who came from the coastland back in the day insisted we learn English.

We lost our language in that sense,” he shared, adding, “But my mother spoke Warrow and my father, Arawak.

Even though it has died, they’re now trying to revive

it. We have a few resource persons in the community whom we’re trying to use to document it before it’s too late.”

As a part-time worker with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) for the Distance Education programme, Williams noted that a major challenge affecting the community is poor online connectivity.

However, there’s hope for the community as the government has committed to building a computer hub with a package that includes 20 computers, 24/7 electricity, and solar panels. This project is expected to be completed

by September, or latest, by the end of this year.

Farming Apart from the government jobs in the schools and health centres, the villagers in Waramuri basically rely on farming for a living. They do a little logging, not for commercial purposes, but for community use.

Eunice Harris, a 92-yearold who was born and raised in Waramuri, is perhaps the oldest resident and farmer in the village. The mother of 10 planted cassava, banana, plantain, eddoes, yams, corn, and the like, for a living.

She’d have to walk from Waramuri to Para, crossing a swamp, before getting to SEE PAGE VII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Headteacher of Waramuri Primary School appeals for help to propel sports at Waramuri HEADTEACHER of Waramuri Primary School, Colin De LaCruz, has a dream.

Before his retirement next eight years or so, he wants to make the school a “shining example” in Region One, especially in sports.

Perhaps it is because he knows the school’s potential, having looked at its past performance. “I see Waramuri Sports Ground as being one of the best we have in the Moruca sub-region if it is upgraded to standards; in terms of size and accommodation,” he shared with Pepperpot Magazine recently.

“We do a lot of sports at Waramuri. I think that the government or the ministry really needs to focus

purchase their own gear.

“We offer the Physical Education programme at the moment and Waramuri has been producing good performers in sports. A former student, Ricky Williams, went far and wide.

He was a national athlete who represented the country at different events. He was rooted in this school and went very far in sports.

There are others doing well in cricket. We produce other athletes who really outshine others at the national athletics championship. We produce girls at nationals, and so we have been doing well at sports in general,” De LaCruz pointed out.

The school is badly in

Headteacher of Waramuri Primary, Colin De LaCruz (Telesha Ramnarine photos)

on sports at Waramuri,” he shared. At the moment, there is little to propel sports in the region. In fact, learners and others in sports have to

need of cricket gear. Last year, Banks DIH donated some and the school was very thankful. A tennis table and other small equipment

were also received from the Ministry of Education. This, though, is not enough. Protective gears, helmets, batting pads, and gloves, among other items, are also needed.

The school has also been doing well in football. “In 2018, that was the last time we had the regional under-16 football competition, and we were crowned the regional champion.”

The playground at the moment needs significant attention. “I don’t think the community can handle it on its own,” remarked De LaCruz.

Connectivity Having been in the teaching profession since 1996, De LaCruz has been the headteacher at Waramuri Primary for the past eight years; the school has 175 pupils at the primary level and 240 at secondary. Prior to this, he was headteacher at St. Nicholas Primary in Manawarin Village.

“We have been performing fairly well both at the National Grade Six Assessment and CSEC. We are coming very close to marks that are in the top ten and students are able to do nine to 10 subjects at CSEC,” he related.

However, the challenges of textbook shortage and internet connectivity continue to plague students. “During the pandemic, it was hard.

There was the worksheet distribution in place but no connectivity to reach out to the children. In my own opinion, I don’t think the worksheet was successful due

De LaCruz in front of trophies won by the Waramuri Primary School

to the distance factor.”

The issue of connectivity is also a challenge for teachers because there are those involved in online training who are finding it very difficult. There are also students at UG and other places. “The internet service is definitely a big challenge here not only at Waramuri but across the hinterland.” Students in the secondary department who need to do research and others on the GOAL programme

also have a difficulty.

Misunderstanding De LaCruz shared that from the inception, it was not his dream to become a teacher. He had really wanted to be in the medical field. “I started there and then accidentally got into teaching. I just tried it to see how it went,” he reflected.

He was working with the Vector Control Service at the

Welcome to Waramuri ...

FROM PAGE VI

her farm.

Money was hard to come by in those days, so her husband would go out for three months at a time for work. Whenever he was at home, though, he’d make sure that he helped out. “I continued farming by myself after he died. I like it here, and that’s why I am living here up to today,” Harris shared.

Another elderly resident, 83-year-old Sylvester Abrams, did farming for many years of his life. “I used to teach the children here, years ago, how to make baskets and other handicrafts.

Life was really hard; had to

Sylvester Abrams

labour for three months off of the village and then come in back. I had a lot of coffees by the acres, but they all dried up now,” he said.

The father of eight lived at Arawaki, an island that comes under Waramuri, but

later moved to the main village. He made corials (small boats) and did any other type of work that would help him bring in an income. His sight, though, became severely affected.

“I was cutting down a tree, and one of the branches spring up and hit my eye, so I lost my right eye. From since then, I cannot bend down to farm or build anything. I had to quit everything because I could no longer see anything.”

Abrams is nevertheless happy and content that he made his children a priority and ensured that he sent them to school irrespective of how hard the times were.

The Waramuri Primary School has a secondary department (Photos by Telesha Ramnarine)

Kumaka District Hospital and had a supervisor with whom he just could not get along.

“We quarrelled each day and I decided to leave and get into teaching.”

Though hoping to be on the medic training programme in 1997, he moved across into the teaching profession. “I didn’t regret it because I came to like it.

Something good came out of something negative.”

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Taking a free eye clinic to Moruca --Subraj Foundation serves over 700 residents

“YOU need to come back,” is a statement that took on special meaning when the George Subraj Foundation out of New York visited the Kumaka/Santa Rose communities in Moruca, Region One recently with its free eye clinic.

Residents came out from all corners of the sub-region in Region One (Barima/ Waini) to access the services which they’d otherwise have to spend thousands of dollars for. For a simple eye test, for example, residents would have to spend money beyond their means on just transportation alone.

Having the service come to their own community, therefore, was a welcomed relief, and the number of

persons who turned up was so great that many felt the work couldn’t be completed in just one day.

“There are typically 5060 persons waiting when you turn up. When we started the registration, the number steadily grew. I told them to leave it at 300, but when I went back at 9:06 am to inquire, they said there were 418 persons recorded,” Project Coordinator Richard B. Mahase told Pepperpot Magazine about his experience in Kumaka.

At this point, the team had to stop handing out numbers, but it would by no means back down from trying to assist everyone who waited around for help. “We thought we would only deal with 100-

The team which accompanied the George Subraj Foundation to Waramuri and Kumaka/Santa Rosa recently

Project Coordinator Richard B. Mahase and Secretary of the Village Council Festus Williams engaging residents of Waramuri Project Coordinator Richard B. Mahase at the outreach in Waramuri, Moruca (Telesha Ramnarine photos)

150. The discipline of each person, and their patience throughout the process was exemplary,” Mahase noted.

Waramuri, where over 300 residents were served, was reportedly promised this kind of outreach and services

A number of senior citizens out of Moruca needed help

many times before. “So they were often neglected. We realised how important the services were,” Mahase noted, adding, “It went well for the community. Even if they did not get glasses, getting an eye test tells them what

the status of their vision is at the moment. Santa Rosa, I can genuinely say we want to come back to.”

Mahase, even before his team, went to the Santa Rosa Primary School to find apSEE PAGE XI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

One farmer’s sacrifice to ensure his children get an education WHILE it may have been the norm for the male members of the family to leave the village to seek employment to support their families, 59-year-old Ronald Williams is happy he could’ve remained in Waramuri to provide for his family.

The father of nine - four boys and five girls – did his best to remain in the village, because he had an opportunity to ensure that they went to school.

“I grew without schooling. My parents died early in life, so I didn’t get to go to school, but I call on God to give me health and strength so I can support my kids, and get them their education. So far, all of them are doing good,” Williams related in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

As a young man, he recalled starting to work with several farmers in the Pomeroon to

You can leave your outboard at the landing without worry

IX

The family enjoys being in Waramuri because of its tranquility

Even though making a living in Waramuri is hard, the Williams family wouldn’t trade it for anything

weed grass. To date, life remains hard for him and his family. “We don’t have farms here, or sawmills doing woodwork, so men have to go elsewhere to find work,” Williams said.

Fortunately for him, he has a farm right at Waramuri, with banana, pear, cassava and other crops. “People come right home and buy the cassava. Whenever they come, I just go in the farm and cut the bunch of banana or whatever they want.”

Williams’ wife also helps on the farm, apart from the other work she does to support the family.

The family enjoys living at Waramuri, because it is a

Waramuri farmer Ronald Williams

quiet village, and is problem- free. “I can leave my chainsaw down, my cutlass and don’t have to worry. You can leave your outboard at the landing. These are things you can’t do in other communities,” he said.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

The mystery of Shell Mound – The ‘water monster’ seems to have moved away

WHILE residents of Waramuri in Moruca cannot say for sure just what the story is behind the famous Shell Mound, many accept that there is something unique, even special, about this location. Something happened here many moons ago, but just what remains a mystery.

One of the oldest residents in the village, 83-yearold Sylvester Abrams, recalls hearing a story about how

“something” prevented people from passing in the vicinity of Shell Mound; even capturing their boats.

“The thing is not there anymore; it moved out. People were scared to go there back then, but now, you can take a walk,” Abrams told Pepperpot Magazine in an interview recently.

“It was something like a crocodile in the water; a ‘monster’. The older persons didn’t allow people

to go around there because they said it was serious,” he related.

As a boy, though, he recalled that his teachers would ask him and his classmates to go to the location and pick the coconuts off the short trees that were there. “Since I left school, I haven’t been back to Shell Mound. It was pure bush and garbage, but it has now been cleaned up,” Abrams said, Archaeologist Dr. Dennis Williams reportedly did some excavations back in the 1980s on Shell Mound. Among the items found were pots and pans, and more interestingly, skeletal remains.

“Without his work, as a child, I can remember there was evidence of human re-

There are now houses close to Shell Mound and people are not as scared of the location as before

mains there. It is believed that the sea would have been closer. The Amerindians would have all been coming here to do their celebrations and dumped their stuff here,” retired head teacher Festus Williams shared in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

“But there’s another story I was told by my late father, who would have been about 102 years old by now. He told us years ago that you could not have traversed on the river in the vicinity of where the mound is. People would have had to pull their

boats at the side of the river or else if you come this way, you’d never pass. It was a mystery.”

Growing up, Williams said he was always scared to pass Shell Mound. “When you pass that area after dark, you have that eerie kind of feeling. It’s not like that anymore, though. As a member of the village council, it’s my desire to have these stories documented,” he said.

It is also believed that there is a cave underneath Shell Mound, which was visible in times past but has been covered over the years.

“We have to do some excavation work and look for it,” Williams noted.

Meanwhile, at Heimaracabra, a satellite community under Waramuri, it is believed that there are remnants of the tools that the Indians used. The village was famous for its Mora wood which the Amerindians used to make their canoes. There is evidence in Warapoka, another village in Moruca, that they’d have taken their tools to have them sharpened on the rocks there.

Shell Mound today ( Telesha Ramnarine photos) A view from Shell Mound

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Taking a free eye ...

FROM PAGE VIII

proximately 50 persons waiting to be served. As the number continued to multiply, it was found that the number of senior citizens who needed help was a lot, hence it took a longer time to process each person.

But Mahase was high in praise for the medical team led by Dr. Ketty Monteagodo. “Our team was brilliant,” he said. “It was a unique experience working with the team led by Dr. Ketty Monteagodo; she was brilliant in every aspect of her practice for the past three days of the clinics. She saw hundreds of patients; I thought she was exceptionally brilliant, and a fantastic leader. The team from GPHC and Suddie Hospital participated well, and they were motivated to work and help when they saw the people.”

Head of the Ophthalmology Department Dr. Shailendra Sugrim was instrumental in putting together a team to assist The Subraj Foundation was able to provide free services to over 700 residents of Moruca the Foundation with its outreach to Region LaCruz said that no activity of this magnitude has ever One. Suddie Hospital, Waramuri Health Centre, and the Kumaka District Hospital participated in happened in Waramur Village before. “Most of the time, the exercise, with the cooperation of the Regional Health activities happen at Kumaka. Someone heard our voice that the smaller communities should be served too,” he expressed.

Officers of Regions One and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Former primary school teacher Rowena Williams said The Anna Regina Division Two Police Headquarters participated, and cooperated fully, along with the Guyana the exercise was really one that the community was looking Defence Force (GDF) on the Essequibo Coast. Because of out for. “Looking at the crowd, it shows they made full use the difficulties of reaching certain riverine communities, the of the opportunity,” she said, adding: “I know it is benefiting GDF/GPF, especially the Division of Region Two, reportedly us, because we do not get these kinds of services. We would have to go out to Essequibo or somewhere, and that’s a lot cooperated fully.

Five clinics were held this time around, namely: Canal of money, which is so difficult for us. The transportation to Number Two, Anna Regina, Waramuri, Kumaka and Li- go to Kumaka is very expensive, especially since the fuel chfield, West Coast Berbice. “We purchased several million prices went up.”

Another resident, Evadney Henry was thankful for the dollars’ worth of prescription glasses, which we brought with us for the first time, and we were able to dispense a number opportunity, and for the WHO team. “Most of the time we do of those glasses to really happy residents. They can see all not have this kind of exercise in our community. On behalf in one now; they have the distance and the reading glasses,” of the Waramuri community, we want to say thanks. It’s a really, really great exercise, and it helps us a great lot. Most Mahase shared. of us need this kind of assistance.”

Seventy-two-year-old Patrick Mendonca, a retired teachMASSIVE Retired head teacher at Waramuri Primary School Festus er of Santa Rosa, said many people in the community have Williams felt that the outreach to Waramuri made history.

“What is happening here today by this Foundation was never done,” he said. “Every time there is something like this, it always goes to Kumaka/Santa Rosa area, because they say it’s Moruca. So we would have to traverse from here to Kumaka. For the very first time, I think this is a plus; nothing as massive as this ever happened here.”

Headteacher of Waramuri Primary Colin De LaCruz felt it was a wonderful initiative. “I must applaud the effort; I don’t know much about the Subraj Foundation, but I am one resident who wants to say thank you to them, and hope they will be back soon,” he said.

vision problems and are going blind. “It could be the food we’re eating. In the past, people used a lot of stuff that they planted, but now you have a lot of chemicals added to crops and chicken. So, to me, that is affecting not only the sight but other parts of the body as well.

Celina Marville of Mora Village, offered that the visit was welcomed. “For you to go out and get glasses, it’s very expensive. Sometimes they give you a date, and when you go back, you get another date; it’s more money you’re spending. Most of the people here don’t have money. You have to find money for the glasses plus the transportation.

It’s very expensive, especially for us old people. The pension we get is mostly for food. I got a good service today; I got a

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Revisiting 1823: An Emancipation Journey

HISTORY is written according to the facts of the day and its moods. Some things are hidden, some things are purposely ignored or repressed; other times, a popular mood is captured. At the same time, a balance of facts is sacri-

ficed; all is hardly ever, in relevance, told.

Due to the fact that I was commissioned to do two renderings for his book, I received a complimentary copy of Thomas Harding’s ‘WHITE DEBT’, the latest book on the subject of the is-

sue of 1823, a text of the first enslaved African non-violent social protest in the then British Guiana, and possibly in the British colonies of the Caribbean.

What is unique about this book is that the author is British, and was able to have

at his disposal personal testaments, through diaries and other records from that era.

I first met Thomas Harding while he was a guest of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) during one of its Maafa (African Holocaust) ceremonies on the Georgetown Seawall a few years ago. Even more unique, in my humble opinion, is that Harding’s book brings to the table a social anthropologist’s approach to drawing the reader into the fray, thereby making it a must-read, and a personal library’s must-have reference inclusion.

The book defines how the nation that became Guyana was economically and socially built with an array of sub-cultures.

He describes a typical workday in the life of a slave thus: “With a stroke of a curved blade, called a billhook, the labourers hacked down the charred canes…” He also notes that “the men and women ranged in age from their late teens to their mid-twenties, and were exceptionally fit.” At that particular stage of their lives,

he says, they were assigned to what was known as the ‘first gang’, but “when they reached their late twenties, after a decade in the fields, they would be transferred to the ‘second gang’, whose tasks were less arduous.

If they were lucky enough to reach their forties, they would join the ‘third gang’, who tended the children, looked after the animals, and weeded the fields. Some of the women had babies on their backs; nobody stopped, not even for a sip of water.”

This narrative must be coupled with another quote from the book in reference to the slave owner, John Gladstone, a Scotsman who petitioned against the abolition of slavery on popular, self-serving grounds: “The good denizens of England, Scotland, Wales and beyond were addicted to their sugar, cacao, cotton, tobacco and coffee. Who was going to produce such necessary commodities if the enslaved people were emancipated?”

This was the same character that would sugarcoat the traders of Calcutta to collaborate and undertake the

bringing of the first indentured labourers to these shores from India, thereby launching the era of ‘Indentureship’. This is an insight into the pretentiousness and double standards of Demerara’s colonial society in the 18th Century.

That with the end of slavery and the creation of the ‘Colonial’ that followed, that those pretentions and disconnect from social reality persisted beyond independence should not be surprising, if the exploration of a book like ‘White Debt’ is well digested in the self-awareness. So, we turn to the author’s debt to John Cheveley’s diary which captured his reluctant sojourn to the colony of Demerara in 1823. As usual, the masters of slavery were men who were loyal to religion.

However, in the colony’s world, the hypocritical contradicting practices were firmly in place, as Cheveley, himself having no ‘cause of righteousness’ found the colonials to be remarkable hypocrites, as he wrote, “It was a long walk through the scorch of mid-morning to the other end of town.

When they (Cheveley and Pattinson, his host and employer in Georgetown arrived) joined a mass of folk, all well dressed in coats and frocks and fine hats, what he found disturbing at Saint Georges was the following: “colonists and their families were grouped downstairs, whilst men and women of African heritage and those of mixed-race were forced upstairs in the stifling balcony.”

Cheveley later described this division as ‘hypocritical’, given that many of the white men downstairs lived and slept with the Black women who were segregated upstairs. Cheveley mentioned this in his diary conSEE PAGE XXIV

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Advice to parents of pregnant teens LAST week I wrote about how best teenagers can deal with unexpected pregnancies and what options they may have. Teens in that situation are typically terrified of their future but, in my experience, are more afraid of telling their parents or guardians.

As a parent, I can only imagine how difficult this must be to hear, but it is an important time to show support to your child, and

a second and breathe. At this time, parenting from a place of love and support is the most important it has ever been as any decision will affect your child’s life even far into the future and simply put- this is just what good parents do; go beyond your own feelings for the sake of your child. I’m going to start by giving advice on how to receive the information because statistically, many of you or

probably punished herself enough as this is happening directly to her, adding on the fear of disclosing this information to you. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t let her know how disappointed and scared you are; those are your valid feelings, and that’s your right. Yet, that conversation might be best saved for when you are both calm and have had time to process this new information. She already knows

so, I hope these tips help.

Please keep in mind that if the pregnancy came from any illegal activity, I strongly suggest getting the authorities involved.

While it does seem as though I am catering this more to teenage girls, parents of young expectant fathers can also benefit from some of these tips. So, you have just discovered that your adolescent or teenager is pregnant. You are understandably upset and this was not a part of your plan for her. You feel a powerful mix of emotions, including anger, sadness, disappointment and embarrassment, but take

someone you know will go through this and it is best to be prepared.

When you first hear the news, I suggest you take a second to yourself, away from your child. This should not look like abandonment and you will tell her just that; that you need a second to process the information in order to healthily respond.

During this time, use whatever healthy coping skills you have to keep calm- this can be deep breathing, music, prayer- whatever works for you, and this takes as long as it takes.

This is not a time for punishment as she has

she was irresponsible and should be scared; she needs more supportive voices.

From my experience, parents often react badly due to embarrassment and fears of what others may think. I know it is difficult, but this should be the least of your concerns, your first being your child and family. People are going to talk. That’s life, but like everything else, something new will come along and this will be old news. I cannot say the same for your relationship with your child if you choose to not support her based on SEE PAGE XVI

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ANGELS WALK ON EARTH II

THE question hit Anil unexpectedly, and glancing at the girl on the bed, he replied hastily, “No-no, I’m jus de hire car driver who helped she.”

The young girl, who was now breathing evenly under professional care, said with a grateful look in her eyes, “Thank you so much for helping me, I was so scared.”

“That’s okay, I did wuh I coulda in that situation.”

“You did the right thing,” the nurse told him, “The fear could have raised her blood pressure and caused complications like fetal distress, seizures, dizziness and stillbirth.”

Anil and the girl looked at the nurse, stunned.

“Damn, that’s serious!”

he expressed.

The girl started to cry, overwhelmed by the reality of what could have happened to her and the nurse comforted her, “Just relax, you’re here now and everything would be fine.”

The cousin hadn’t arrived yet and she reached out her hand to Anil, feeling at that moment he was her only

support, “Please stay a while longer.”

He looked at the nurse who nodded her approval and he asked the girl, “Is there anything I can get yuh in de meanwhile?”

“No, thanks, I’m fine for now.”

Anil sat next to her bed, and after she had composed herself, she said to him, “I’m Amber.”

He smiled and said, lightheartedly, “Well, now I know your name, I’m Anil.”

The nurse looked at them and said to herself, “Not sure if the father is in the picture but this looks like a Lifetime story, two strangers and an unborn baby.”

Amber’s cousin arrived at that moment, short of breath and stumbling over her apology for leaving Amber alone.

“Take a deep breath,” the nurse advised her, “And calm down. A stranger helped her and she’s fine.”

“Thank you so much,” she said to Anil, “I truly appreciate your help.”

“Don’t mention,” he smiled, and to Amber, he said, “Ah gon leave now, you take care and hope everything goes smooth wid de baby.”

As he left, the nurse stated, “Not the father, yet he shows so much care. The

world needs more men like him.”

Anil got into his car, leaned back and took a deep breath.

“Man, what a day! Never thought ah woulda encounter such a situation.”

It took him a little while to gather everything that happened that morning and put them all together in a file in his mind so he could regain his full focus on his work.

Three weeks later, he was at the park on a warm, sunny morning waiting for passengers and sharing light “gyaffs” with his fellow drivers when Fat Man arrived at the park.

“Travellin’, bro?” he called out to him.

“Nah man, I ain’t travellin’ wid you.”

“Damn, lost a regular traveller there,” Anil said a little regretfully.

He didn’t allow that to bother him much for these things come with the job. As he stood by his car, he heard a soft familiar voice behind him, “Good morning, son.”

It was Amber’s grandmother, a happy smile on her face.

“I wish to thank yuh,” she said, “For what yuh did for meh granddaughta. She want SEE PAGE XXVI

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Respect and acceptance shouldn’t be difficult things SEVERAL days ago, the pride parade made its return to the streets of Georgetown after the COVID-19 pandemic forced people to stay apart for about two years. While the colours, costumes, and frolicking were a sight to behold, the parade- and the reactions to it- reminded us of the challenges members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community continue to face.

Members of the community and their allies freely marched through the streets, making a very visible statement that they are proud of who they are. But it wasn’t until you checked social media that you’d notice just how much hatred was being spewed.

Messages of support and camaraderie shone through the vitriol of hatred and violence, certainly. But the sheer volume of hatred- that I saw, at least- was very troubling.

Because I do not get it.

Just last month, in one of these columns, I questioned why it is so easy to let stigma and discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community fester and why it is so difficult to just let people live. I perused social media, hoping to find comments or explanations that would help me understand either, but nothing seemed to make sense.

What logic explains championing love and unity, peace and harmony but sticking in an addendum or little asterisk to say that this does not apply to people who identify differently?

Again, I ask: if we accept that people fundamentally have a right to happy, healthy, quality lives, why are there different metrics or parameters for people with different sexuality?

Respect and acceptance for each other shouldn’t be difficult things.

What’s worrying for me, too, is that this hatred isn’t just confined to social media spaces. Numerous publications detail the violence and discrimination faced by members of that community in Guyana.

Why? Some of this, I think, stems from our ignorance and perhaps even longstanding (heteronormative) ideals. And some of it, perhaps, can be linked to anti-gay, oppressive laws and the influence of some religious values.

I remember last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) found that Guyana’s law which prohibited cross-dressing violated people’s freedom of expression. Because the CCJ is Guyana’s apex court, the government then went to the National Assembly to formally remove the law.

Given that a decision was already made, it was difficult to comprehend the debate that consumed the National Assembly when that matter was brought up. It should have been as simple as the Parliamentarians accepting that a law that prohibits people’s right to freely express themselves was stuck down.

Instead, it was a debate, which religious arguments on the morality of cross-dressing and the transgressions that are committed by people who engage in cross-dressing.

This isn’t an attack on religion or those who believe in religion, because I believe in God. But what I don’t understand is using religion to invalidate who people are and perpetuate hate on them when they aren’t harming anyone by loving the people they love. That hate seems very anti-religious if you ask me.

Given that occurrence, though, I wonder what the appetite for removing more of SEE PAGE XXIV

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Advice to parents of...

FROM PAGE XIII

what it would look like to others. If you feel shame, so will she.

When you have gathered yourself and have a grip on your own emotions, now it’s time to return to your child.

This is a time to listen- ask her to explain how it happened, how she feels about it, her fears and whether she has any idea on how she wants to proceed.

There are only three options going forward; giving birth and raising the child, adoption or abortion. As a parent, this isn’t your choice to make. Yes, you can feel entitled and force your values and decisions on to your child and yes, in most cases and she will have to comply and keep an unwanted child or be forced into an unwanted marriage.

However, that means that you must be prepared for the negative consequences that come with that forced decision, including lifelong mental health issues and a strained relationship, just to start.

The first step in this situation is to take your child to a health care professional to discuss all her options and ensure they are healthy enough for all to be considered.

While this is recommended to be done by a doctor or nurse, if healthcare options are not easily accessible, do your own research anywhere you can. Whether you have internet, a

nearby library or community elders, educate yourself before speaking to your child about options.

After that, there are important things to discuss.

Yes, the chosen option is the most vital. If she chooses adoption or abortion, she will need tremendous support as neither of those things is the easy way out; they are incredibly painful decisions. I would suggest seeking out others you know who have made these choices and getting counselling for your child and your family, as it may affect everyone. This can be anyone in your community who typically advises in these situations- religious leaders, community elders etc.

If the decision is to keep the child, as it typically is, the conversation shifts to practical ways forward. For example, will you help so your child can stay in school, will you aid her financially, will she live with you, what are your expectations and other important decisions necessary.

Prepare them from your own wisdom and experiences for her new responsibilities to come. While everything is going to be okay, not properly preparing her is harmful.

Before this, chances are her biggest worries were school grades and whether she could go to parties. Help her to understand the amount of responsibility and commitment

heading her way.

Come up with a long-term plan, as best you can, which involves her future, yours, the father’s and the baby’s.

The more planning, the more one tends to feel in control and less stressed. These again involve questions such as whether they will stay in school, what role will the father play, how will they provide for the baby etc.

Aid them in important life changes- eating well, sleeping well, exercising, to cut out any alcohol, drugs, caffeine or anything that may be in use as teenagers do not tend to live the healthiest lifestyles.

I know this may be incredibly stressful and disappointing for you, but ultimately, it’s your child’s life and now her child that has been affected. You, as well as them, may think that their life is over, but only if you believe that and say it to them; Don’t underestimate your power as a parent.

After this, you may also be wondering how to potentially avoid teenage pregnancy for your child. I can tell you that grounding them at home until they are 30 will not do the trick, and more tends to result in rebellion. The most effective strategy is to discuss safe sex, talk about appropriate boundaries and a strict birth control plan if you feel she may already be sexually active. This means there must be open lines of communication and no fear associated with this topic and that responsibility always lies with the parents.

Thank you for reading and please continue to send suggested topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

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MANGROVE DAY

MANGROVES are the bridge between land and sea and are undoubtedly among the most important ecosystems on Earth. There are about 80 different species of mangrove trees. These trees grow in low-oxygen soil areas, where slow-moving waters allow fine sediments to accumulate.

Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Did you know? Mangroves are the only species of trees in the world that can tolerate salt water. They get rid of the excess salt by shedding it through their leaves.

Why are mangroves so important? * Mangroves can protect coastlines from storm surges, tsunamis, and rising sea levels. They also protect coral reefs, sea grass beds and shipping lanes against siltation and erosion.

Thus, mangroves increase resilience to natural hazards. * Mangrove thickets improve water quality by filtering pollutants and trapping sediment from the land, reducing coastal erosion. * Mangroves can support or conserve rich biodiversity since they provide nursery habitat, spawning grounds and nutrients for a variety of fish, shellfish, migratory birds, and insects, as well as countless endangered mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. * Because of their high salt tolerance, mangroves are often among the first species to colonise mud and sandbanks flooded by seawater.

Globally, mangroves are at a high risk of being destroyed altogether. Exploitation and pollution are important drivers of mangrove loss. According to Global Mangrove Alliance, an estimated 67 percent of mangroves have been lost or degraded to date, and an additional one percent is lost annually.

Overall, mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than global forest losses. Thus, it is important to protect or conserve the mangrove ecosystem.

2022 marks the seventh anniversary of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem or Mangrove Day. The idea to celebrate these precious ecosystems and to promote their sustainable management and use was birthed by UNESCO. World Mangrove Day is a reminder of the vital role of mangroves in preserving ecosystems. Since 2015, different parties, non-governmental organisations and interested stakeholders have celebrated this day with outreach activities worldwide on July 26 each year to raise and spread awareness of the need for international cooperation to conserve the mangrove ecosystem and promote innovative solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. Unlike other international days, there is no annual theme for each International Day of the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Did you know? Sundarban in West Bengal, India is the largest mangrove forest in the world, and parts of the forest were declared by UNESCO a World Heritage site.

In Guyana, mangroves occur all along the coast, with the largest intact section being located in Region One at the Barima Mora Passage. In fact, in a survey done in 2001 by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the estimated area in hectares (ha) of mangrove forest along the coast was estimated to be 91,000 hectares, with Region 1 having the largest mangrove cover of 49,100 hectares or 61 percent of the total mangrove cover in Guyana. Unlike the pattern found in parts of the world, mangrove distribution in the Guianas follows the pattern of Black mangroves dominant along coastal shorelines and Red mangroves further inland dominating riverine areas.

Elsewhere, the pattern is Red mangroves, Black mangroves, and White mangroves.

There are a number of national institutions and NGOs that conduct work to raise awareness of the importance of mangroves and to execute programmes and projects that promote their sustainable use, chief among these being the Mangrove

Department at the Ministry of Agriculture. To further demonstrate its commitment to preserving these rich ecosystems, the updated LCDS 2030 was drafted to include increased protection of our mangrove ecosystems.

To learn more about mangroves visit: https://www.conservation.org/stories/11-facts-you-needto-know-about-mangroves https://narei.org.gy/departments/mangroves/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5ThLJ1GJvA&ab_ channel=REELGuyana

https://www.britannica.com/plant/mangrove https://www.careourearth.com/world-mangrove-day/

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

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Learning more about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) REPRODUCTIVE health education can be undermined in our society at times. There is little to no conversation about it in your average Guyanese household, and even when it is brought up at schools and events, it’s for a “special occasion”. Believe it or not, I only found out what PCOS was about two years ago because a few people brought it to my attention. I was told that it is a very prevalent health topic, yet there is not much conversation surrounding it. Hence, I decided to share some insight on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Unknowingly

enough, PCOS affects about 2-27 percent of women ages 15-44 (a woman’s childbearing years). Can you believe that? I certainly couldn’t. While the symptoms and signs of PCOS can be noticeable, it is believed that many women with this syndrome may not be aware that it is the cause of those signs they are experiencing.

An example of this may be women who have irregular periods/cycles. Their cycle is not fixed around the normal 28 days cycle as most women. They usually have skipped periods. Do you or anyone you know experience this? Well, it might be something much deeper than just an “irregular” period.

Another sign of this includes high levels of a male hormone called androgen. High levels of this hormone in women can have physical signs such as excess amounts of facial hair and/or baldness as well as severe acne. The word poly means many. Hence, the word polycystic basically means: “many cysts”. The ovaries of a woman who has PCOS might be quite enlarged or overgrown. The ovaries might also have follicles (small sacs filled with fluid) that surround the eggs.

Due to this, their ovaries might not function regularly as an “average” woman.

Some other common symptoms of PCOS include heavy bleeding, weight gain, darkSEE PAGE XXV ening/hyperpigmentation

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Virtual Writers’ Retreat turns two WE will soon be celebrating two years since we created the Virtual Writers’ Retreat, one of the good things that was birthed during the pandemic. After a few discussions, my good friend Claudia and I decided to make this retreat a reality, and we invited Richard Young to join us. Our three-day virtual retreat covers the “Create Compelling Stories” curriculum, broken into multiple sessions: - Exploring the writer’s mindset, ideal reader analysis, visualisation exercise, story generator workshop, crafting the story arc, storytelling workshop, developing the story structure and introduction to self-publishing.

We are encouraged by feedback from people who have been through the retreat. Some of the participants have written and published their books (fiction and non-fiction), and many are in the process of doing so. Anandy Gittens is one of those people, and she shared an excerpt from her upcoming book “Well fitted crown clothed in purple” below.

“He was the epitome of fine. His broad smile and huge white teeth neatly aligned radiated through the crowd. Just one glimpse and my eyes met his face, lighting up like a candle spark at a thanksgiving table. In the room, all else became invisible as our eyes locked in with each other. The mere energy transcended the room, a shy yet bright smile matched his on my face, teeth evenly beautiful. That was the night I fell in love. That was the night he took my breath away. I thought he was my knight and shining armour, a saviour from past hurts and disasters; thought he was the shimmering light in the dark, the spark of hope in a future place. That night I danced my shoes off as we reconnected and spoke of old memories great and beautiful. I felt like Cinderella at the ball now meeting her prince charming.”

Dr. Wendy Hermonstine was the first to write her book (Compilation of Daily Reminders) after the first retreat, and she is working on her second book. A short excerpt is below “Let us get up each morning with determination to complete our agenda for the day. Be unstoppable and prepare to fight the good fight with all your might, knowing with God in the vessel, you shall smile at the storm. Romans 8:31 & 32 ask the question - What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Thanking God for another grand rising. We may all be familiar with the lyrics of this beautiful song, eyes the sparrow: Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home when Jesus is my portion? A constant friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches over me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Let’s sing because we are happy and free because of our faith and trust in Jehovah. When we are down, let us read encouraging scriptures even as we remember the promise of God to never leave us or forsake us. James 1: 12 reads, ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

She shares very inspiring content throughout the book.

Umbra Theophilus Iko-Ojo , an attorney from Nigeria was already writing his book when he joined the retreat but used the info he learned to make his story more compelling.

An excerpt from his book -What Champions don’t do: “Life is pretty unpredictable for everyone. People allow ugly circumstances to shape their lives and become worst for it. Life by her very ugly and unpredictable circumstances has a way of leading the way our lives have often gone. But Champions deviate from this SEE PAGE XXV

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Revisiting 1823: An ....

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versations with his best friend in the colony, Ben Hopkinson.

Hopkinson owned plantations Bachelor’s Adventure and Cove and John, two Cotton estates on the East Coast. Ben Hopkinson had just finished his education at Cambridge University. Ben Hopkinson was an Afro-Demerara man of mixed heritage. His father was a white Englishman from Hertfordshire, and his mother, Johanna, an Afro woman of mixed heritage originally from Tobago. Ben was described as dark. What is interesting was his approach to revolutionising his plantations. “His aim was to increase yields by using the latest scientific techniques and to improve the treatment of enslaved men and women attached to his estates. He would put aside the whip and hoped to encourage productivity by deploying training and respect.” This was a concept alive before Emancipation, and not from a popular abolitionist.

‘White Debt’ adds to previous works done by other historians and writers, local and beyond. Harding’s work reintroduced what was missing locally from our knowledge of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ Movement that it is not centred entirely around current transgressions. BLM embraces a holistic timeline. Also, Harding’s interviews with local folk, of which his visit with Jocelyn Dow is inspiring, and his conversations in England, with the descendants of those who benefited from slavery, bring an important biographical presence to his book. I don’t know if they are still available, but copies are/were at Austin’s Book Services some weeks ago.

Respect and acceptance shouldn’t ...

FROM PAGE XV

those oppressive laws will be like. For example, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruled that Antigua and Barbuda’s buggery law contravenes the Constitutional rights of citizens and noted that the selection of one’s intimate partner is a private and personal choice between consenting adults.

What would the discourse in Parliament be like if a motion to remove Guyana’s laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy was brought to the House? And would that discourse contribute to the stigma and discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community grapple with every day? Would that discourse stymie efforts at promoting greater respect and understanding?

These questions and so many more circle around my head, and I sometimes find it hard to wrap my head around it all. What remains crystal clear, though, is that greater respect and acceptance for all people aren’t difficult things.

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

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, July 24, 2022

Virtual Writers’ Retreat ... path and write their own story.

They write the script knowing that life is like script and everyone acts their way based on the circumstances they find themselves. Champions act their own script. They choose “the beauty” instead of “the Ugly” life would often throw.

The Script! Champions don’t act the script of fate. They rewrite their own story.”

Beverley Been decided many years ago that she was going to write her book one day and the retreat made that a reality.

Excerpt from her book Rising Above Challenges, Chapters 21 pg. 126 “Hurricane Irma Strikes” “I was awakened at 4 o’clock in the morning on the 6th of September, 2017, by the whistling sound of the wind as it bashed against my window on the eastern side of my one-bedroom apartment. I laid on my back and listened for a few minutes as the howling got louder and louder. I grabbed my phone, sat up in bed and dialled my husband’s number.

“The storm is passing now!” I said, “Listen to the sounds.” I got off the bed, turned on the light and jumped back into bed.

The windows rocked as the howling wind bashed against them. The lone door at the south-eastern side of the apartment shook viciously as fierce winds blasted the outer walls.”

Sara was so intentional to have her book out a few months after the retreat and she did.

“Just because he is a good man doesn’t mean he is a good father. Anyone that would insult me and put me down in front of my husband is not worth having in my life. That is NOT what a relationship is about, especially a parent to a child. On many occasions, my parents would insult me in front of both of my husbands. If they are acting in a way that is hurtful to you and will not rectify it, then why continue to be emotionally abused by your parents? They will always be your parents, but it doesn’t mean they have to be in your life. Agree with me or not? If parents cannot love, support, care and protect their children, then why do they have to be in your life? I wanted parents who set the example. Children live what they learn.”

Alesia Amanda also published her book and Andrea Edwards participated in two anthologies. Latoya Barton is the latest person to have published her book ‘Zombies of Lodge’ and her excerpt is below “He was dressed in a red checkered plaid shirt with a pair of blue jeans and some heavy-duty boots. His shirt seemed to be covered in something dark. The sleeves seemed to be hanging from his limbs. I gasped. His hands were not there!

Then I looked up at his head. He was brown-skinned with black hair closely cut to his head. His face confirmed everything else I needed to know. His eyes seemed to be clouded over and grey. There was no life in them. His mouth and the bottom half of his face were smeared with a red substance. I knew it had to be blood.”

I invite you to join us (WhatsApp 592 6848129) for the next retreat on the 19th, 20th,21st of August or the CCS monthly subscription club as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY. FROM PAGE XIX

Learning more ...

FROM PAGE XVIII

of the skin and headaches. This syndrome, in its prime can have severe effects on a woman’s body. Some severe effects include: infertility, endometrial cancer (cancer caused when the uterine lining builds up due to no ovulation or opportunity to be released), sleep apnea (pauses in breathing while sleeping, mostly common amongst overweight women who have PCOS) and the most severe and alarming effect just might be depression.

The alarming signs and symptoms might sound towering and alarming, but fear not, there are some common medical treatments available. Birth control pills and medication or Metformin (a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes) are commonly used to treat PCOS. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has its physical impacts, but I believe the emotional and mental effects are even more detrimental. The social anxiety and low self-esteem women may face are also just as important to consider as it relates to treatment.

I am no doctor, but I have decided to use my platform to educate and inform my readers on PCOS. Together, with this information I hope everyone reading this becomes a bit more mindful of reproductive health and if by chance you’ve noticed certain signs of it within yourself or a friend/family, kindly visit a health professional.

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ANGELS WALK ON ....

FROM PAGE XIV

you to know that she doing good and the baby is a girl.”

“Great,” he responded, “Happy tuh know she doing good.”

“Yes,” Grandma said, “God is great.”

“She must be really pretty,” Anil remarked.

“Yes, a cute bundle of joy and…” Grandma paused a little then continued, “When yuh have the time, yuh can visit them.

They are living with me.”

Anil took her address that was in Palmyra village and said as three passengers boarded his car, “Ah gon see when I can.”

Three days later, coming back early from town, he went to see Amber and her baby late in the afternoon. Grandma had a cozy little house, a splendid flower garden with brilliant blooms and a variety of fruit trees.

“You have yuh own lil paradise here,” Anil complimented her as he was welcomed to her humble home.

The baby was playing quietly in her crib and Amber came forward to greet him. She was quite a beautiful girl with a simple look and warm smile, something he hadn’t noticed when he had helped her.

“You look different,” he said with a hint of humour.

“Of course,” she laughed a little.

He handed her a bag with gifts for the baby and said, “I’m not sure if I shopped de right things.”

“Thank you, whatever it is, she will love it.”

She picked up the baby from the crib, so he could see her and asked him, “Would you like to hold her?”

“Not sure ah know how.”

“Here,” she placed the baby gently in his arms and as he looked at her cute face, she laughed, making a sweet baby sound. Somehow at that moment, Anil felt a blessed connection to this sweet child that he was a stranger to.

“She is really adorable,” he said to Amber.

The baby whom the mother had named Annalisa, eventually fell asleep, her little fingers wrapped around his.

“I think she knows she’s in safe hands,” Amber said with a pleased smile.

“After the baby was settled in her crib, Grandma came out of the kitchen with a small platter of homemade pastries and a mug of cherry drink.

“Have some refreshments,” she said to Anil.

“Thanks, dis looks good.”

After a short while, he asked Amber, “So what do yuh plan on doing now?”

“I have an option to go back to school, but later, for now, I have to find a job, can’t put too much strain on Grandma.”

“Umm, and de father?” he asked, somewhat cautiously.

A shadow flashed across her face and she answered quietly, “Nothing to look forward to. He didn’t want me to have the baby in the first place.”

There was a short silence, then Anil said, “Sorry to hear dat.”

She got up, walked to the window, looking out at the approaching dusk and sighed deeply, “I made a mistake and I have to figure out now what to do with my life so I can support my child.”

“And yuh parents?”

“They are not talking to me right now and I guess I deserve that for not listening to them.”

“Damn, you in a real situation,” Anil stated, “But on de bright side, you have your loving grandmother and your little princess.”

“And God, who did not turn his back on her,” Grandma added, “He sent an angel in her life.”

Anil smiled, not sure about the angel thing but not wanting to doubt Grandma’s belief. He spent a while talking with Amber and learnt she was ambitious and had been studying to graduate in business management but lost focus when she allowed love to dictate her life.

The pain and regret in her eyes and the fact that she was young and literally alone with a baby touched him in a way he never thought it would have.

He left that night after giving her his phone number and told her she could call if she needed help for anything or if she needed someone to talk to. And before he got into his car, he turned to look back and saw her standing at the door with Annalisa in her arms, watching him leave.

“She really needs something better in life, I wonder…”

To be continued

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY O the mind, mind ha Frightful, sheer, no s mountains; cliffs of fall -man-fathomed. Ho ld them cheap May who ne’er hu ng there. Nor does long or small Durance deal with that steep or deep.

GERARD MANL EY HOPKINS (18 44-1889) No worst, there is none

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

It is time to start improving your study generally.

Organise your weekly/ monthly to-do-and-by-

when list as far as possible for the year. Create a poster zone for good topic tips. Write out questions you need answered, also note due dates for course work. Get help from trusted and knowledgeable sources.

Recognise the subjects you must work very hard at.

Think ahead of approaching examinations. Understand how you learn. Understand each task. Be fair with yourself now.

Love you.

IMPROVING WRITING Writing Compositions In composition writing the power of paragraph writing cannot be overrated. It keeps your effort stable and steadily moving forward.

Writers often start a new paragraph when one of the following conditions exists: a) There is a change in time. This is usually a step forward in time, but you may sometimes wish to refer to past events. Time paragraphs often start with an expression like these: Not long after this .....

Later that day/morning .....

Five weeks later .....

The next session .....

These expressions alert the reader of a change in the time of action. b) There is a change in place. In a narrative composition we may wish to explain what is happening in another place. In a factual composition, we may wish to explain, for example, how a certain problem is tackled in different countries. In a descriptive composition, we may wish to move the scene slightly. Whatever the reason, expressions similar to the following are often used: Not far away .....

In colder countries .....

In my own country, however .....

A few miles away ..... c) There is a change in the topic or in emphasis of the topic. In a story an author can start a new paragraph when he moves from one character to another, like from mother to the newborn baby. Also, a new paragraph can be started when he describes a different method of trying to get some other type of thing, like a new way of catching

fish in ricefield trenches.

Or a new paragraph when emphasis is changed from extended family members to the matriarch.

Notice that in each case the topic is linked to the other in some recognisable way. d) There is a similarity between people, actions, or topics. This similarity is used to introduce a new topic. When this happens, we meet expressions like these: In a similar way ....

Similar conditions exist ....

We find exactly the same thing .... A similar reason is.... e) There is a modification of an idea already expressed. Sometimes this takes the form of contrast; sometimes it is merely a less striking change in the line of thought. The new paragraph may start in this way: Not everybody behaves like this ....

However, there are some important exceptions to the rule, and we ought to consider them ....

The five reasons given above cover the majority of occasions when writers have new paragraphs started.

The Extract Read the following extract from the novel, “The River Between”.

Had the missionary come to widen the split between Makuyu and Kameno? He saw the two ridges glaring at one another menacingly. Were they going to fight it out between themselves, the missionary encouraging his followers?

What surprised Waiyaki were the unprecedented feelings of hatred roused

by Muthani’s death. Yet the event by itself looked small. Perhaps it was one of those things in history which, though seemingly small, have far-reaching consequences. Girls have been initiated before. But even the one or two who had died never aroused such ill-will between the people.

Waiyaki saw greater splits coming. He knew that the strictness now adopted by Livingstone would alienate even those who had taken to the new ways.

Some would not entirely abandon their customs as now advocated by Joshua.

He did not wait long for the split. It came from the most unexpected direction. Kabonyi, the great friend of Joshua, was the first to break away. He was followed by many others.

Joshua remained loyal. He gathered the remnants together and they comforted each other like the disciples of old. Waiyaki’s heart sank with heaviness because of this unrest. Where was his place in all this? He felt a stranger, a stranger to his land.

(Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s “The River Between”) Something to Do 1. Read the extract again and then decipher why new paragraphs were started each time by the writer, Ngugi.

2. Read two or three compositions of your own and try to find why you started new paragraphs.

GRAMMAR Now that we are on narrative writing, which you know has within it a place for natural dialogue, let us remind you of some of the tenets of good dialogue, and dialogue punctuation.

Dialogue is conversation. It is used to show character or to develop plot, it helps to make writing come alive.

To achieve natural dialogue in the short story, be justly guided thus: a) Suit the language to the character. b) Use contractions to give naturalness. c) Whenever you can, omit such explanatory words as ”Janet yelled.” d) Read conversations aloud to check their naturalness.

In punctuating dialogue, begin a paragraph for each change of speaker.

“I’m sorry to be late!” exclaimed Lambert. “Have you worked for some time?”

“Oh, no,” replied Sammy, “only about an hour. Sometimes you keep us waiting much longer.”

Now punctuate these three lines of connected dialogue below: You won’t be frightened now will you I’ll try not to be even if you are frightened do not show it.

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Dentists and drug addicts

THERE is hardly a day without the daily newspaper carrying an article about someone being accused or convicted of either trafficking or using cocaine or marijuana. In fact, Guyana can be considered apocalyptic in this regard.

While drug-abusing patients may be difficult to identify, an alert dentist can contribute significantly towards mitigating the problem. The following are general physical or behavioural signs that should alert the dentist to suspect that they are dealing with an addict.

1. Inability to spit normally 2. Changes in normal work habits, attendance or efficiency 3. Deteriorated physical appearance and personal hygiene 4. Efforts to cover up arms and wrists to hide needle marks (use of intravenous drugs results in discoloured skin) 5. Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times; addicts may be hiding constricted or dilated pupils or bloodshot eyes 6. The presence of poorly defined and low-grade fever. The narcotic addict, in particular, may approach the dentist posing as a legitimate patient to obtain opioid substances. The abuser may attempt to obtain paregoric, from which he can extract opium, by claiming to have a child who is restless and in pain because of cutting teeth.

An addict may fake pulpitis (toothache) or present with an oral abscess, requesting narcotics to temporarily relieve pain. He will usually claim an allergy to weaker agents such as codeine or propoxyphene and helpfully suggest that Meperidine or Percodan has worked well in the past. Narcotic abusers also seek morphine and hydromorphone.

A dentist who accommodates a drug abuser by writing prescriptions for large amounts of drugs runs a real risk. Having once committed such a criminal act, the practitioner may be blackmailed under the threat of exposure, mutilation or death into becoming a perpetual drug supplier for the abuser, his friends or the underworld syndicate.

Drugs of abuse are divided into three groups, central nervous system depressants such as morphine, alcohol, diazepam and nitrous dioxide; CNS stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine; and hallucinogens such as marijuana and LSD. It may surprise many to learn that of the nine basic substances classified as drugs of abuse, morphine is by far the worst while marijuana is relatively harmless from a chemical standpoint. In fact, marijuana does not present tolerance or psychological dependence and only mild physical dependence. On the other hand, morphine exhibits psychological dependence as well as tolerance.

Abuse of cocaine ranks second only to morphine.

These drugs wreak havoc with the social fabric of society.

The dentist’s role as an informed, concerned and empathic counsellor in matters of drug abuse, apart from the other relevant professionals, must be assumed as a personal imperative and not viewed as an intellectual abstraction.

Whenever we are made aware of the drug-related devastation or death of a friend, we discern the immediacy of ethical responsibility of social dimensions.

The poet John Donne wrote 370 years ago: “No man is an island…Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never sends to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

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