RememberingDaveMartins
THEinevitable,whichwe allmustface,isdeath,and asDaveMartinshimself hadpredictedinoneofhis songs,whenhistimecame hewouldputdownhisroti andgotoheavenandsay, “Wohhappenin’dey?”. Lotshavealreadybeen saidaboutDaveMartins sincehisrecentpassing. Manysuggestionshavealreadybeenmaderegardingthingsthatshouldbe donetohavehimrememberedforgenerationsto come.Iwouldbelacking inmydutynottopaytributetosomeonewhocalled me“Friend”ifIdidnot alsocontribute.
Inapreviousarticle afewyearsagoinwhich IfeaturedDaveMartins, Ireceiveda“Thankyou” notefromhimwhichreads inpart,“Lovelyreflection...thanksmyfriend... staywell.”DaveMartins wasalwaysgenerousin
Thelate,greatDaveMartins(PhotocourtesyofFrancisQuaminaFarrier)
hissalutationstoothers,be theyfriends,acquaintances orevenstrangers.Whilewe werenot“Drinkingbuddies,”ifyouknowwhatI mean,DaveandIshareda mutualloveandrespectfor eachotherovertheyears. Wheneverwemet,we topicofapleasantnatureto sentmethefollowinggreet-
ingsononeofmymore recentbirthdays.“Happy Birthday,padna.Celebrate andgivethanksforanextraordinarylife.Havea greatday.”Thatgreeting fromDavereallywarmed myheart.
Davelivedagreat life.Hisleadershipofthe Tradewinds--amusical bandwhichheandsome friendsfoundedinCanada
manyyearsago--brought adistinctivesoundofmusic,andonecanrecallthe sameapproachwasmade bythegreatAmericanbandleaderGlennMiller,who workedhardtoestablisha special‘sound’inthemusic heplayed.DaveMartinswas alsofocusedonthesound,the musicitself,andthemessages inthelyrics.Forexample,his composition“BoyhoodDays” issomewhatofahistory lessonaboutlifeinBritish Guianaandsomeofthejoyfulexperiencesheandother youngstersexperiencedgrowingupinacolonyofBritain infarawaySouthAmerica. Mostofuswouldsaythat beinginthecompanyofDave Martinswasalwaysapleasantexperience.Evenwhen theissueunderdiscussion wassomewhatunpleasant, Davewouldaddadashofhumourinmakinghiscomment. Manyyearsago,whilehewas stillresidingintheCayman Islands,Iconversedwithhim whileonavisitthere.Trying toemphasisehowhismany fansinhishomelandwere longingtoseehiminperson andattendaconsertofhis, hepointedout,“ButAhcan’t justturnupandsay,Ahdeh!” Duringthatperiod,hisgood friendandbookingagent,if youwill,FreddieAbdool, wasregularlyunderpressure tohaveDavecometoGuyana andperformasoftenaspossibleforhismanydedicated fanshereinthemotherland, andwheneverhedid,heand
theTradewindsalways playedtopackedaudiences.Theirmusicwas pulsatingandblewyou awayintoahappyland offantasy.However, DaveMartinshadafew otherinterestsbeyondmusic.entedontheguitar,werealso competentinfurnituremakhappytogetdirtyinplanting treesandothergardeningpursuits.Itcansafelybesaidthat DaveMartinswasa“rounded Person”withmanyinterests beyondmusic.
Asanadult,Dave,byhis actions,alsoshowedthathe careddeeplyaboutthewelfareofyoungpeopleandwas amentorandrolemodelto manyofthem.Heledbyexample,andmanyyoungsters wanttobelikehimwhenthey growup.
SomewaystorememberDaveMartins
Atthistime,manyGuyanesearemakinganarray ofsuggestionsastohow DaveMartinsshouldbe remembered.Sofar,all ofthosesuggestionshave merit.Oneisastatueor life-sizedportraitofthe greatmanbeingmountedattheNationalCulturalCentreinGeorgetown. Nonetheless,manymore suggestionsarebeingmade. AGuyanesejournalistcan alsobecommissionedto writeMartins’biography.
TheGuyanaPostalService canalsoconsiderprinting Christmaspostagestamps withhisimageonthem, andmadeavailableduring the2024Christmasseason. Inthatway,hewillbefurtherrememberednotonly hereinGuyanabyGuyanese,butgloballyaswe postChristmascardsand variousotheritemswhich requirepostagestamps,to placesnearandfar.Beit alsoknownthatStampCollectorsarebasedallaround theglobe,‘DaveMartins stamps’willcertainlybe soughtafter.Amonginternationalpersonalitieswho areavidstampcollectors, isPopeFrancisinRome. TheMinistryofEducation mightalsoconsidera“Dave MartinsEssay-writingcompetition”forPrimaryand forSecondaryschoolson thetopic:“Whichisyour favouriteDaveMartins song,andwhy?”Manydecadesago,asaprimary schoolstudent,Isubmitted anessayofmineforanationalschoolsEssay-writing competition,andemerged winnerinthePrimaryDivision.Toagreatdegree, thatledtomyinterestin journalism.
TheRiversideAngels
ByShaniyaHarding
YOUmaynotknowtheir name,butyou’velikelyseen themaround.TheRiverside Angelsareaculturaldance groupwhosecaptivating rhythmicperformances havewowedGuyanafor almostadecade.
Foundedbyagroupof sistersfromtheWestBankof Demerara,thenow-popular ensembledidn’tbeginasan Indigenousdancegroupbut haditsrootsinmoderndance. Today,theydrawinspiration fromotherIndigenousdancerstocuratetheirownstyle, representingtheirheritage andGuyanaontheworld stage.Thisissomethingthe girlssaythey’reproudtodo, asmuchasthey’reproudto beGuyanese.
FromWestBankto worldstage
Seventeen-year-oldIneziEmmanuel,likehersisters,hasbeendancingsince childhood.Speakingtothe PepperpotMagazine,she sharedthattheRiversideAn-
fromhowitstarted.Asshe stated,“RiversideAngels wasn’toriginallyknownas anAmerindiandancegroup. Itwasamoderndancegroup races.Wheneveryonegrew upanddecidedtoseparate wedecidedtokeepthename RiversideAngels,andtransformitintoaheritagedance group.”
LeaderandchoreographeroftheAngels,22-yearoldElizabethDavis,saysthat
oneofthereasonsthegroup continuestothrivetodayis becauseofthebondbetween thesisters.Sheexplained thateveryperformance,everymove,bringstheteam closertogether,andconnects themalittlebitmoretotheir culture.Asshestated,“It’s reallyexcellent,becauseI’m surroundedbymysisters. Therearenostrangerstome ormysisters.Thebondwe havetogethermakesmewant topushasone.Beingpart ofthisculturalgroupmakes meevenmoreproudofmy heritage.”
Elizabethsaysthat dancinghasbroughtthem countlessnewopportunities,makingthemthego-to groupforculturaldisplays. OneofthebiggestandcertainlymostmemorablemomentsintheAngels’career wastheirtriptoQatar.This wasamajoraccomplishmentforthesisters,and theproudestmomentof theirlivestorepresenttheir heritageandcountry.
AsElizabethstated,“The placewasamazing;wegot tobeonaplaneforthevery mysisters,becauseIalways wantedtoexplorebeyond Guyana.Wewentveryfar, andIwasgratefulforthat.”
AmerindianCultureis
GuyaneseCulture
Twenty-one-year-oldLeahnaEmmanuelsaysthat thesisters’loveofdanceis rootedintheircommunity. Comingfromthecommunity ofPouderoyen,ontheWest BankofDemerara,thesisters saytheywereencouragedto
Representingculture,countryandprideinidentity
expressthemselvesthrough dance.Overtime,theybegenresofmusic.
Asshestated,“Growing upinacommunitythat playedalotofmusic,we alwayslovedbouncingand movingtoallofthesebeats. Irememberinourpreschool,wehadtoperform forourowngraduation.We hadteacherswhotaughtus thesemoderndances.”
Asthegirlsgotolder, however,theybegandevelopingtheirownstyle, listeningtothelyricsofAmerindiansongs,andstudying Indigenousdances,creatinga styleoftheirown.AsLeahna shared,“Afterweenteredpri-
maryandsecondaryschool, westartedlearningmany differentmovementsfrom variousteachers,becausewe usedtotakepartinMashramanicompetitions,Emancipationcompetitions,and otherculturalactivities.After theRiversideAngelDance Groupcametogether,we startedcombiningstyles.We begantolistentothewords andcreateourownstyle.”
Auniquefusion
Althoughtheirriseto notorietywasheavilybased ontheirIndigenousdance moves,groupmember, 21-year-oldReahnaBaird
saysthattheAngelsseekto domorethanjustindigenous dancemoves.Sheexplained thattheyarestillbuildingon traditionaldances,saying,“I wouldsaymydancegroup doesn’tfullydoAmerindian dancemovementsbecause we’restilllearningevery day.Weobserveandlearn fromotherindigenousdance groups,andweseetheauthenticmovementscoming fromtheircommunities.”
Proudofculture,countryandidentity
Reahnafurtheradded thattheyaimtocapture
pectsofculturesandtypes ofdancespresentinGuyana.TheRiversideAngels areagroupthatrepresents Guyanathroughoneofour manyraces,bringingtothe forefrontthat,aboveall else,weareGuyaneseand shouldbeproudofwhowe are.AsReahnastated,“We trynottocopytheirmovementsbuttobecreative withourown.It’sablessing fromGodtobeoneofthe mostpopulardancegroups inGuyana.We’resogratefulforbeingspecialdancers representingourculture andcountry.”
VICTORIAGreensHydroponicFarmisalocalcompanywithforeigninvestors fromtheUnitedStatesof America(USA)andColombia,thathasdevelopeda state-of-the-artgreenhouse producingwholesome,organicvegetableswiththe ‘farm-to-table’concept.
SeniorSalesManagerof VictoriaGreensHydroponic Farm,RolandBeckles-LamazontoldthePepperpotMagazinethattheircompanyisthe bestandmostrevolutionary hydroponicfarmlocatedat theNationalAgricultural ResearchandExtensionInstitute(NAREI),Agriculture Road,MonRepos,EastCoast Demerara.
Hereportedthattheir greenhouseisahydroponicfarmwhereinnovation andnaturemergetoproduce soil-freecropsinaverycontrolledenvironment.Beckles-Lamazonexplainedthat hydroponicsisamethodthat eliminatestheneedfortraditionalsoilbysubstitutingit withalternativematerialsto supportplantroots.
Headdedthatthisallows cropstobecultivateddirectlyinanutrient-richwater solution.Whilethereare variousapproachestodesigninghydroponicsystems,the fundamentalelementsremain consistent.
Beckles-Lamazonstated thattheyhaveutilisednature, technology,andinnovation tomanipulatethegrowth processtoproducehealthy, wholesome,chemical-free crops.
VictoriaGreens,which comesundertheSealGroup Agriculturecompanyheadquarteredinthecity,wasreg-
isteredandestablishedayear agofollowingasuccessful meetingwithPresidentIrfaan Aliandtheinvestors.
Beckles-LamazonpointedoutthatVictoriaGreensentvarietiesofcropswiththe goalofreducingtheimportationofcertainvegetablesto Guyanaby25percent.
Headdedthattheyare lookingtoproducemore cropslocallytomeetthedemandandprovideahealthier, fresheroption.
Beckles-Lamazontold thePepperpotMagazine thattheirproduceisonthe shelvesofallleadingsupermarketssuchasMattai’sand Bounty,andtheyhavehada goodresponsesofarsince
thelocalinputhasmadea produce.
HedisclosedthatVictoria GreensemploysallGuyanese,withabout10full-time opportunitiestoelevatethemselves.
TheSeniorSalesManagerofVictoriaGreensnoted thatPresidentIrfaanAlihad atouroftheirfacilityafew weeksago,andhewasimpressedbytheiroperationsat MonRepos.
Beckles-Lamazonstated thatVictoriaGreensprovidesthreetypesofservices, whichincludeGreenHouse, supermarketswheretheir packagedcropsaredelivered,restaurants/retailers,
andwholesalerswhodeliver theirproducts,andtheyalso dohome-deliveryforindividuals.
HerevealedthatVictoria Greensgrowsherbssuchas kale,sweetbasil,spearmint, celery,parsley,coriander, dill,lettuce,vegetables,leafy greens,freshfragrantherbs
Beckles-Lamazonadded thattheywillcontinueto introducenewercrops,and theyhaveonthelocalmarket microgreens,whichisideal forsaladsorgarnish.
Hereportedthatthey growavarietyoflettuce, vegetablesthatweused toimportonalarge-scale basis.
TherepresentativeofVictoriaGreenssaid,“Wewill alwaysproducenewercrops totantalisethepalettewith crisp,freshproducetomeet thegrowingdemandlocally,sincewehaveasupport base,”.
Beckles-Lamazondisclosedthattheyarehoping toexpandtheiroperations
withthreenewfarmstogrow morecropssuchascherry tomatoes,bellpeppersand othernon-traditionalcrops.
HestatedthatVictoria Greenshydroponicfarm isastate-of-the-artfacility spanninganimpressive 2,500squaremetres.The farmisdedicatedtoproducingavibrantarrayof leafygreenvegetables,aromaticherbs,juicystrawcrispcucumbers.
“Withanunwavering commitmenttoqualityand sustainability,weareproud toprovideyear-round,fresh andhealthyproduce,”he said.
Withtheaimofreducing ourlocalimportbillby25 percentby2025,NAREI haslaunchedahydroponic projectincollaborationwith aprivately-ownedcompany, VictoriaGreens.
Thenurseryhasacapacitytoproduce100,000crops, and25,000cropsarecurrentlybeinggrown.
Thefacilityisutilising anutrientfilmtechnique, meaningthecropsuseanutrientsolutiontogrow,cuttingtheneedforfertilisers.
Additionally,theenvironmentispest-free,makingthecrops100percent organic.Thegovernment isintegratingthesecutting-edgetechnologiesinto thelocalagriculturalsystem,toincreasefoodproduction,achievefoodsecurityandcutthemorethan US$5billionimportbillby theCaribbeanregion.
Theshadehouse
InfuzedgyandKenthingsgoingplaces
ByMichelOutridge
ANenterprising,marketablecouple,Michael SampsonandKenitaRobertswillnotsettleforless; assuch,theyhaveestablishedtheirownsmallbusinesseswhileholdingdown full-timejobsasyoung professionals.
TheyareownersofInfuzedgy,asmallbusiness birthedfromtheirhomes thatcaterstoeventsand otherpublicgatheringsvia theircocktailandmocktail mixes,whichcomeinsevpackagesforbothalcohol andnon-alcoholicpurposes.
TheTropicalStingflavouroptionisexactlywhat youneedandisanon-thegoincocktail.Itcomesina plasticcontainerwithalid, cupswithice,amini-size bottleofalcohol,atinof juiceandacontainerwith grenadine(syrup)andthe
directionsformixingitup formaximumsatisfaction.
AccordingtoSampson, theideaofhavingtheirown cocktail/mocktailmixeswas conceptualisedfollowing theirdatenightsandget-togetherswhentheywould mixjuices,andalcohol amongotheringredients.
Theycollectivelycuratedthemixesanddevelopedtheirowncocktailand mocktails,creatingtheir ownsmallbusinesscalled Infuzedgy,andtheywould beatpartiesandotherevents tomarkettheirproducts.The withnamessuchasSweet Vibes,CaribbeanLove,and TropicalSting,amongothers.
InfuzedgywasestablishedonFebruary19this year,andasarelativelynew businesswithtwopickup spots,thecoupleishoping marketanddisplaytheir products.
Sampsonrelatedthatit isabusinessbirthedoutof love,andwhentheyhad cocktaildates,theymixed everything.
Thecreativeduowould thensitandsavourthetaste sharethatexperiencewith others,butforasmallprice.
Herelatedthatthealcoholvariesfromlocally sourcedandimported,and
Sampsonis24years old,andheisasoftwaredeveloperfora privatecompany.And beforethebusinesswas established,theyhada samplingsessionwhere familyandfriendsencouragedthemtomake itintoasmallventure.
Sampsonexplained thattheymademinor adjustmentstomake itrightasitrelatesto thecocktailsandother ingredientswerealso addedtotakeittoanotherlevel.
Thecoupletakes ordersadayaheadto preparethepackages forcustomerswithtwo pickupspotsinthecity.
“Atnights,we wouldgobeyondregularworkinghoursto fulfilordersoncocktailsandmocktailsfor customersandseeit throughtodeliveryor pickups,”Sampson said.
thepriceperpackagestarts from$2,000to$2,500, dependingontheoptions selectedforpurchase.
Inaddition,Sampson saidtheywouldgotoevents andselltheircocktails/ mocktailsbythegallons, withalsoanon-alcoholic optionforpeoplewhodonot consumealcohol.
Hereportedthatthey supporteachother’ssmall businessesanditisacollectiveeffortasacouple, buttheyhavetheirown identitiesandbrandsintheir businesses.
KenitaRobertswithanInfuzedgyproduct
MichaelSampson,co-ownerofInfuzedgy,displayinghisproduct
Abraceletmadeby KenitaRoberts
SOME58yearsago,the peopleandleadersofGuyanacametogethertopioneeranewcommunity underanentirelynovel idea:theself-helpprinciple. Theplannearlysixdecades agowastohavemenand womencometogetherto buildavillagewiththeir hands,quiteliterallyfrom theverygroundup.
Justafewmenand women,mostofwhomwere publicservants,ventured tobeginthecommunityof PhoenixParkin1966.Found ontheWestBankofDemerara,PhoenixParkcontinues togiverisetoadiverse, successfulgroupofpeople. Today,thevillagestandsasa reminderofwhatcollaboration,dedication,andgenuine co-operationcanaccomplish.
AWalkin‘ThePark’
OneofthemoststrikingthingsaboutPhoenix Park,andsomethingbound tosurprisenewcomers,is thestreetsofthecommunity. Unliketraditionalstraight streets,PhoenixParktakes circularlayout.Theintricatecommunityisonecircle withinanother,addingtoits uniquenessandindividuality.
Itisabeautifuland peacefulcommunity;inessence,mostofthevillagers
saythatlifeintheresidential areaisquietandeasygoing. Withsupermarkets,schools, healthcare,andcountlessotherconveniencesrightaround thecorner,lifeinthevillage islike‘awalkinthepark’. Butbuildingthecommunity wasanythingbut.
MarvaJoseph-Grandisonwasamongtheyoung motherswhowerepartofthe then-buddingvillageofPhoenixPark.Thebravemenand womenwhowerepartofthe self-helpinitiativewentinto buildingthecommunitywith simplyagoalintheirhearts andavisioninmind.
Marvasawthebuildingofthecommunityasan opportunitytogainahome ofherownandafreshstart forherchildren.AsMarva stated,“Thiswasaplacefor peoplewhohadjobsanddid nothavehouses;thiswasan opportunityforthemtoown theirhomes.”
Sharingabitaboutthe developmentofthecommunity,Marvastated,“It’sthe firsthousingschemethat wasundertheoldself-help programme.Andthatwas 50-somethingyearsago.I’m notquitesurehowmuch, butIknowit’ssomewhere around57yearsorso.”Recountingherexperiencein theearlydaysofPhoenix Park,shefurtheradded,“Because,atthetimeyoudid
self-help,youusedtoget alittleoilandbutteranda things.”
Thenow73-year-old JusticeofthePeacewas bornandraisedintheWest BankofDemerara,settling inPhoenixParkafterhaving beenraisedinMiddleStreet
Pouderoyen.Shehascalled PhoenixParkhomeforthree decades;inthoseyears,she haspioneerednewpathsfor herselfaswellasthecommunity.
Statingwhyshewanted tocometothecommunityin “IcametoPhoenixPark becauseIneededahomeat thetime.Ihadmychildren andsoon,andIwasliving upstairsatmymom’shouse, andIwantedmyown.And Icamehereandrentedhere for$40amonth.Well,from livingayearortwo,Ibought itfor$35,000.”
MarvadescribesthevillageofPhoenixParkasthe perfectbalancebetweenthe warm,welcomingnature ofthecountrysideandthe
peaceful,well-keptnatureof residentialcommunities.
AsMarvastates,“When Icamehere,Iboughtthis place.Ihadcows,goats, sheep,fowls,duck,turkey, younameit,Ihadit.AndI plantedupallhere;yousee alltherewaskitchengarden.”
Communitiesareessential;theycreateasenseofbelonging,aplacethatwecall home,createfamilies,and findonewithinourneighbours.ThepeopleofPhoenix Parkhaveauniqueadmirationforthevillagethatthey helpedbuild.
However,communities aremadeupofmorethan goodstreets,developedcommunitycentres,andgood leadership;villagesarealso
aboutpeople.Marvaunderstoodthisandhasdone morethanherfairshareof helpingthecommunityover theyears.
Overtheyears,thefriendlyandcharismaticMarva becameacommunityleader.First,asacommunity councillorandthenleaderof committee,thisiswhereshe madethebiggestimpact, reachingasmanywomen goingthroughabuseaspossible.
Asshestated,“Because Iwasacommunitycouncillor,Ibecamethechairperintheentireregionthree.I usedtogotothedifferent regions,placeslikeRegion1 andSantaMission.Iwould goouttolookatwomen’s rights;Iwouldholdrallies andworkshops.Iwouldhave resourcepersonnelcometo givelectures.”
Marva’smessagewas alwaysfocusedongender-basedviolenceandteachingwomenabouttheirrights andthefactthattheyhave tospeakouttobeheard.As shestated,“Mymessagewas alwaysaboutabuse.There werealotofwomenwho wentthroughabuse;someof themdidnotdoanything,but trytorepresentthemselves.”
Marvastillpractisesas ajusticeofthepeaceanda commissionerofoathsand whilecaringforsevenchildren.Shehasdonemore thanherpartinthedevelopmentofthecommunity andGuyanaonalarger scale,buildingcommunitiesthroughco-operation andwagingwarsongender-basedviolencebybeing heard.
MarvaJoseph-Grandison(JaphethSavoryPhoto)
ByShaniyaHarding.
Lookingatthecommunity’sresponsibilitytonurturecreativity
APLAYFULyetcaptivatingdance,apieceofart thatiswildlyengaging. Childrenarecreativefrom theverybeginning;their naturaltalentsaresometimeshardtohideandeven hardertonurture.However,asthecreativecommunityofthecountrygrows, andGuyanaseestheriseof morecreativesandartists, perhapsitistimetostart nurturingcreativity,and seeingtalentasanoption foracareer.
ThisishowEarlBagot ofPhoenixParkseesit.Earl, along-timevillagerofthe community,saysheseesthe youngmenandwomenof withpotential,butittakesa villagetohonethatpotential intosomethingmuchgreater.
REFLECTINGON THECOMMUNITY
community,becauseitwas builtthroughself-help.The reasonwhyI’mpassionateis wasbuiltundertheself-help programme.Whenwecame here,wehadwaterandroads. Itwasreallyamodelhouse, anditwassomethingtobe proudof.”
opmentofthecommunity, Earlsaysthevillagehas evolvedfromaclose-knit agriculturalcommunity toamoreresidentialarea. Becauseofthewayitwas developed,PhoenixPark wasoncehometoavibrant agriculturalpresence.Althoughsmall-scale,most,if notallofthevillagershada kitchengardenorlivestock ofsomesort.Today,plants canbefoundinthevarious floweringplantsscattered throughoutthevillage.
NURTURINGYOUNG TALENT
stoodandusedtolistento theolderfolksandlearnfrom them.Therewasmuchmore cooperativeness.”
Asacommunityelder himself,Earlseessignificanceinreignitingtherelationshipwiththeyouths ofthecommunity.Looking back,herecountedthehours hewouldspendinteracting withhisparents,grandparents,andalmostanyadult. Heseestheseinteractions placehelearnedsomeof life’smostimportantlessons. Hewouldliketoseethisbecomethenormonceagain. Ashestated,“Iwanttosee theyoungpeoplecometous. Theyhavephonesnow,but theycanlearnalotfromthe olderpeople,andwemight evenlearnsomethingstoo.”
PhoenixParkhasseena varietyofchangesoverthe years,withnewroads,initiatives,andpeople.However, thebiggestchange,inEarl’s opinion,istherelationship betweenthecommunity’s
PhoenixParkisasmall communitywithafewhundredpeople,makingitdifficultnottobeconnected insomewayoranother. Althoughthetraditionsof firesidestorytellingareno longeralive,thevillagestill retainsastrongsenseofcommunityandtogetherness;at theheartofthistogetherness arethetalentedyoungpeo-
Earlfellinlovewith PhoenixParkwhenhewas stillachild.Aftercoming tothecommunityatseven, Earl’sfamilywasamongthe helphomescompletedinthe village.
Ashestated,“Icamehere whenIwassevenyearsold.I amverypassionateaboutthis
olderandyoungergenerations.Sharinghisthoughts, hestated,“Thereusedto bemuchmoretogetherness. Youthsusedtolistentoelders.Asayouth,Iunder-
ple.AsEarlexplains,“This villagehasalotofyoung people,andtheyallhave differenttalents.Wehave youngwomenwhodance, andalotoftheyoungmenin
thisvillagewouldbegoodat sportsormodelling.”
Earlbelievesthatallthey needtotapintothisundiscoveredpotentialisalittle bitofguidance.Ashestated, “Weneedmoreinitiativesfor theyoungpeople.Weneed morethingsforthecreative people.”Thecountryiscurrentlyseeingasteadyrise inthenumberofpassionateprofessionals,butEarl sayscreativityisanentirely newsectortoexplore.“I wouldliketoseetheyoung peoplebeabletopursue theircreativetalents-dance,
modelling,music,andthings likethat.Ithinkitwouldbe goodforthewholecountry,” hesaid.
EarlisaproudGuyanese andwouldliketoseemore ofhisnation’syoungpeople makeittotheinternational stagewiththeircreativity.As hestated,“Itcouldstartwith communityprogrammes.I rememberthisvillagehad footballanddancingcompetitions.Weneedincentives fortheyoungpeoplenow. Wecouldgetthematrophy orstipend,somethingtoget theminvolved.”
Thecommunityisnot perfect,saysEarl,butthe villagehasmadegreat strides.Theyfacechallengeslikeanyothercommunity,withoccasionalwater andelectricityissues.Butas acommunitythatwasbuilt bythepeople,littlebylittle, PhoenixParkisamodelof whatcollaborationcould achieve.Today,Earlandhis fellowvillagersarelooking towardsdevelopingthe nextstepintheircommunity:nurturingthenext generation.
EarlBagot(JaphethSavoryPhotos)
FromBackyardtoBusiness
PhoenixPark’snaturaljuiceentrepreneur
ByShaniyaHarding.
NATUREisallaroundus, andinGuyana,itspresence canbefeltandseen.Aschildren,wehaveallhadthe blissfulexperienceofpickinganeighbour’smangoes orvisitingafruittreeon ourwayhomefromschool. Praisedforitscountless healthbenefits,Guyana’s fruitsandvegetableshave alwaysbeenapartofour dietandwayoflife,with somerareandindigenous tothecountry.
OnePhoenixParkman, however,hasdecidedtotake theopportunitytodevelopa business.Gatheringabold mixoffruitsfromacrossthe region,MarvinMitchellhas developedhisownbrand offruitjuices.Inspiredby thenutrientsthatcouldbe gatheredfromnature,Marvinsayshisjuiceisaunique blendofeverythingnatural andeverythingGuyanese.
Havingbeenapartofthe communitysincehewasa child,Marvinhadwhatmost wouldcallthe‘countryside’ upbringing.PhoenixPark,at thetime,wasacommunity overflowingwithgreenery andavarietyoftrees;today itislessso.Ashestated,“My childhoodinthiscommunity wasgood.Icameherewhen Iwasverysmall,andIneverleft.Irememberwe,as youngpeople,usedtotalk andspendtimewiththeold people;wehadmoretogetherness.Wehavemoreplants andtreesinthevillage,more fruitsandsoon.”
Hedescribeshislifein thecommunityaschallengingattimes,butthepeople ofPhoenixParkarewhat makesthecommunitywhatit is:Awarm,welcoming,and supportiveplace.AsMarvin stated,“Lifeinthecommunityiskindofhardwhenit comestowork.ButIlikethe village;thiscommunityhas plentyofgoodpeople;they makethecommunitynice.”
Thiscommunitygave risetohisbusiness.While anewjob,hisbiggestsupporterscamefromhiscommunity.Beforehestartedhis now-growingbusiness,Marvinandhiswifewereapart oftheirownentrepreneurial venture.Asheexplained, “BeforeIstarteddoingthis, meandmywifehadalittle business.Shedoescatering, andIwouldhelphersell.”
Butthiswassimplynot enoughtoprovideforafamily,saidMarvin.Hebegan seekingnewwaystosupport hishousehold.Oneday,he wasstruckbyinspiration; seekingtocreatenewopportunities,Marvinmadea blendofafewfruitshehad aroundhishome,creating somethingnew.Ashestated, “Iusedtohelpmywifewith sellingfood,butthatwas notenough.Ihavechildren totakecareof.AndthenI decidedthatIknowhowto makejuice,andIhavethe fruits.So,Imadeafewbottlesandthenthatturnedinto moreandsoon.”
Heexplainedthatabig partofhislovefornatural
juicecomesfromhispersonalexperiences.Marvinstated thathebeganleadingamore naturallifestyleinanattempt toleadahealthierlife.As hestated,“Istartedmaking somejuiceformyself,with soursopandseamoss.Istartbehealthier.”
WhathelpsMarvin’s businessstandoutisits uniqueness,withawidevarietyofjuices;eachbottle taste.AccordingtoMarvin,hisunderstandingand knowledgeofthevarious fruitscamefromapersonal pursuitforhisownhealth.As heexplainedtothePepperpotMagazine,“WhenIwas fruits,itledmefromone thingtoanother.Manypeoplefromallaroundwouldtell
Apartfromitbeingan economicventure,Marvin alsoseeshisvariousjuices asahealthieroption.After yearsspentlearningabout thecountlessnaturalgifts Guyanahastooffer,Marvinsaysheurgesothersto incorporatemorenatural ingredientsintotheirdiet.As hestated,“Peoplewouldtell meaboutsomanyfruitsand vegetableswehaveinGuyana,andhowtheycanhelp. Thesearethingswehave inourbackyardsbutdonot use,”hesaid.“Iliketomake nottoomanypeoplewhouse
Marvinsayshisbusi-
MarvinMitchell,alsoknownas‘JuiceMan’(JaphethSavoryPhoto)
nesshascontinuedtogrow, seeingmorecustomers dailyaspeopleseekhim outtofindtheirfavouritehard-to-findfruits tohavethemmadeinto anall-naturalrefreshing drink.Mostdays,Marvin canbefounddistributing hisvariousblendsaround RegionThree,awell-known ‘Juice-man’fromPhoenixPark.Asmoreoptions becomeavailableinthe realmofprocessedfoods, itisimportanttopeople likeMarvinthatnatural substitutesarealwaysan option.So,thenexttime youareinyourbackyard, atthesupermarket,orin thecommunityofPhoenix Park,remembertopick somethingnatural.
Themisguidingperceptionofillustrated literature,commonlyviewedascomicbooks,etc.
Mygodparentswhoraisedmealwaysallowedmetoread theSundaypull-outofFlashGordon,Mandrakeetc.that wasdesignedfortheyoung,whichtheseniorsenjoyed too.Atthetime,Iwasquiteunawareofthepsychological messagesrendered,withmeasanon-Eurocolonychild, adoringheroeswhowerepeoplefromanotherworldand superbeingsinmanyrespects.ButIdidcultivateahabit ofreadingthatwould,intime,liberatemetolookatother heroes,thoughnoneofthemcouldbefoundinmyusual Sundaycomicstrippages.
Mostlil-boyartistsinmyyouthparticipatedingettingrewardsfromotherstudentsforartworkdoneduringArtclasses thatwasthenontheweeklytimetable.Ithinkthatwasusually Wednesdayafternoons.Readingwasinthemorning.AsI grewup,Ilearntmanythingsaboutusingcomicandheroic illustrationsfromasfarbackasAncientKhemettotheMiddle AgesinEurope.Butmostofall,andimportanttothisgenreof expressionisthefactthatmostso-calledcomicbooksarenot
Today,theComicbookindustry-2024(eitherwithheroes orcaricatures)has,withoutwarning,leaptboundariesintore-
detail.Anotherwake-upcall:Todaythegeography,thepeople
would-becriticswhoaretroubledalso. don’tholdontothat.Theymaybelookingatthatangleyou isrightcancause?They’resupposedtocomeandgo,butif they’regrounded,theystayandmakeyoutheircareerpiece. Luckily,andalsosadly,thereisnotmuchofthatcapability
acters,andnotonlywhatyoureadinthatonebookorarticle ofthenow,there’salwaysanotherstorythathappenedbefore thatresultedinwhatishappeningnow.
Mostpeopleacceptwhatthey’retoldfromanexplanation ifappliedtoyourstoryline.
Graphicmagazineshavetouchedoneverysubject youcanthinkof,somedrawnascartoons,someasfulllifegraphics.Inclosing,Iwanttoquoteacartoonistwho didbooksontheHolocaust.Hiscomicbooksarecalled ‘MAUS’1&2.Hewasasked,“IsMausagraphicNovel?”
Herespondedno,“Ihatethat-itsmacksofwrongheaded gentility.Graphicsarerespectable.Novelsarerespectable.No,GraphicNovels?Zap!Doublerespectability. No,they’recomicsforme.Soyouaren’tconfusedbythe factthatcomicshavetobefunny,asincomical.Youthink thatit’sa‘co-mixofwordsandpictures.’Forme,Ido ‘IllustratedGraphicmagazines.’Formycolleagueswho’re interestedinexploringsomesourcesofthisvintagemagazine,trytoputyourhandonwhatItermaspecialedition of‘TimeMagazine-November1,1993’thatwasgivento mebyapastfriendandbuddy,RichardHumphry.
AFTERmylastcolumnonwhyweseemto beourworstcritics,Ibeganthinkingthatour innercriticprobablymakesussettleforsafer optionsinmostareasofourlives.Therefore, anequallyimportantquestionis:areweall settling?
Whatdoessettlinglookliketoyou?Especiallyinthecontextofwhetheryouthinkyouare oraren’t.
Ihavehearditfromclients,family,friends andenemies--thewordsdrippedindespair–“I amsettling.”
Ifyou’rehuman,itsoundsfamiliar,andwhile itismostlyusedtodescriberomanticrelationships,therearemanyotherareasinlifewhere onecansettle:allrelationships,work,consumer purchases–literallyanything--assettlingisjustabouthavingalimitedmindsetandbeliefinyourself.
Somemaynotbeasobviousasothers,sohowdoyou knowifyouaresettling?
ItmaymakesensetostartwithWHYwesettle,asitcan beconsciousorunconscious,buttherootisthesame–we settlebecauseofourinnercritic,becauseofhowweview ourselvesandforwhatwebelievewedeserve.‘Why?’is alwayswherethestorybegins.
Abookcalled“TheMoleculeofMore”describeswhy settlingisnotalwaysanactivechoice-whichIthinkbrings abouthopeandactionofchange.Itdiscussesthewaydopamineregulatespleasureandreward.Asareminder-dopaminevated,dopamineisbeingreleasedintoyourbrain.
Now,thebookexplainsthatsometimes,whenthings getoldortooroutineforus,webecomeimmunetothe levelsofdopamineitoncereleased.Thatmakessense, right?Ourdreamhomewouldmakeusfeeloverjoyed foralongtime,butafterawhile,welosesomeofour openthesamedoors.
Oncedreamsbecomerealityandbecomeordinary,our dopamine-deprivedbrainalmostpressuresustostrivefor more.Weabsolutelycanandoftenshould,butthisisnotto bemistakenfortheillusionofsettling.
Youmayhaveonetimeoranother,askedyourselfifyou aresettling.Ifyouareunsure,allowmetogivemytwocents ofclarity.
forthegrandprize.Wecompromiseonsalariesforour
wecompromiseourlate-nightadventurestomakeour placeoftenbecauseweknowmostofourfriendsliketo frequentthere.
However,unhealthysettlingislettinggoofpiecesof yourselfthateventhebestoutcomewillneverpieceyou backtogetheragain.Youaresettlingifyoucompromiseyour needs,values,morals,hopes,dreams,andgoalsandifyou
Ifyoualreadyhavesomethinginmindthatyouareworriedyoumaybesettlingon,askyourselfthefollowing:
Onanygivenday,ratherthannaturaljoy,doyouhaveto activelyworktogetexcitedaboutit?Areyouabetterperson withitinyourlife?Areyoutrulygratefulforit?ORareyou onlydoingitbecauseyouhavebeentolditiswhatyoushould bedoing,thatit’sjustthenextstep?
answersaresogenericthatitcouldbeappliedtoanything oranyone-“Iwasboredso,”“itmadeitmoreexcitingto havecompany,”“itgavememyowncontributiontothis conversationmyfriendsarealwayshaving”etc.-thenyou, myfriendaresettling.
Beforewedivulgeintohowtostopsettling,thereare afewthingstokeepinmind.Wearesurroundedbyanever-changingworldthatoftenpushesustowantmore.Over time,alotofthingschange-andnotalwaysforthebetter. Thereiscomplacency,comparisontoothersandlossof passionthatcanresultinfeelingsofunhappiness.However, sometimes,insteadofreplacing,thingsneedrepair,andit’s doesnotmeanyouaresettling,andbeforeyoujumptothat
conclusion,makesureyouhaveaskedyourselftheimportant currentjob,asthoughyouaresettling,butthatjobprobably besettling?Instead-Aretherethingsthatcanchangetomake donotrequireyoutochangeasaperson?
Insomeunsuresituations,themagiccomeslaterafter anappropriateamountoftime;suchaswhenabestfriend becomestheloveofyourlife.“Settling”sometimescan bejustwaitingforthemagic.Ifyouhaveexhaustedallthe possibilitiesandhavestilldecidedthatyouaredownright settling,youareingoodcompanyandtherearethingsthat canstillbedone.
Examinewhyyoubelieveyouaresettling;notwhatyou thinksocietydeemsyousettling.Somepeoplestayinaplace foralongtime,i.e.,thecomfortzone,becausetheyareafraid totaketheleap,fearofchangeanddeathlyfearoffailure. Sometimes,weareluckyenoughtoidentifythatwehave donethis,butwefeelpowerlesstochangeit.Iwouldlikeyou toreadthisnextsentencetwice,becauseItooksometimeto writeitasclearlyaspossiblejustsoyou,too,canbelieveit.
Youarenotatthemercyofyourpastthoughts,emotions, andbehaviours;thesecanbechangedatanytime.Whenyou feelthisway,youhaveonlytwooptions--youcanaccept defeat,oryoucanacceptthatyouhavethefreewilltomake changes.
Agoodandimportantplacetostartisbyreframingyour whys.Let’susetheexampleofyouwantingtoownyourown business,butinsteadaresettlingforsomethingmorestable (butthiscanworkforanything).
So,youwanttobecomeanentrepreneur--yourwhyfor settlingwouldprobablylooklike-“I’mlackingthebusiness experiencethatmaybeneeded,”or“Ihaven’tyetbeeninspiredtoknowwhatkindofventureIwouldliketoexplore”.
Reframingthewhyslookslike“Thebusinessexperience I’mlackingcanonlycomewiththeexperience.”“Idon’thave tobeinspiredtostart.Icanstarttobecomeinspired.”
Ifyouarebeinghardonyourselffortrulysettling–andIknowthisiseasiersaidthandone--don’tbe.It’s notalwaysastraightforwarddecision–mostofthetime, ithappensgradually.Wedon’tsetouttosettle-noone does,butastimepasses,peoplechange,situationschange, andwetendtocompromiseourselves.Giveyourselfgrace formakingthebestdecisionbasedontheinformationyou hadatthetime,butnow,begratefulforyourfreewillto changeandaskyourselfifyouaremeantformore.
ADVENTOFAMERINDIANHERITAGEMONTH
InAugusteveryyear,WorldIndigenousPeoples’Day iscommemoratedworldwideundertheauspicesofthe UnitedNationsanditsthemethisyearis“Protectingthe RightsofIndigenousPeoplesinVoluntaryIsolationand InitialContact.”WorldIndigenousPeoples’Daypromotes andadvocatestheachievementofthecomprehensiveideal forIndigenousPeopleswherevertheylive,whichwould obviouslynotuniformlyapplytoeverycountry.For example,thisyear’sisolationandinitial-contacttheme wouldberelevanttotheAndamanIslands,butnotGuyfromcountrytocountry,andGuyanastandsoutasthe countrywiththestatusnearesttotheideal.Despiteits extraordinaryachievement,Guyanastillenthusiastically commemoratesWorldIndigenousPeoples’Dayyearly. Guyana’sachievementwillunfoldaswenowconsider AmerindianHeritageMonth.
In1995,DrCheddiJagan,whohadreturnedasPresiyears,designatedSeptemberasAmerindianHeritageMonthto
SEEPAGEXIV
ADVENTOFAMERINDIAN....
trainedasmedics,nursesanddoctorsandfourhigh-gradehospitalsarebeingconstructedin hundredsofsquaremilesofland,whichthecommunitiesoccupywithownershipnotonly
ThereisoneareaofAmerindiandevelopmentthatGuyanahasfoundverychallenging,andthatistheuseandpreservationoftheAmerindianlanguages.Sporadic attemptshavebeenmadeovertheyearsbytheAmrindianDepartmentoftheUniversity ofGuyanaandoneortworesearchersfundedbyUSfoundationstocompiledictionariesandevengrammarsofoneortwoofsevenAmerindianlanguages.However, shouldbemadetopreserveeachofthesevenlanguagesandalinguafrancashouldbe
Awomanwascrying.
ITwasadarknightinasmall,dustyvillage,deepin untouchedbythechangingtimeswheremercilessage-old traditionstillreigned.Inthesilenceofthenights,alwayscan beheardawoman’scriesasaman-agladiatorwithsteel musclesandanaggressivemind-stampedhisdominance andcontrol.Atdawn,thesilenceassheperformedherdaily taskswaslikeanoppressiveveil.
Tonight,thatveilthathadcoveredtheblood,tears,and theoppressiveruleslikethesoundlessroarofanangrysea, thescreamingwinds.Thewomancryingsoftly,herlipsquiveringwithadeeppassion,bloodtricklingfromherwounds, lookedatherhusband’scharred,lifelessbodylyingonthe dustystreet.Herthreeyoungchildrenhuddledclosetoher, toooftenintheembraceofviolencetobeshockedbutstill scared.
Tragedy,amessengeroffate,alwayscamecallinginthat littlevillagewheremindsandbodiesaretornandbled,and mostoften,thewomanwasthevictim.
Tonight,onewomanchangeditall;hernamewasSharda.
Attheyoungageof15,whenherlife,likearose petal,wasjuststartingtobloom,herfather,amanof old-fashionedidealsandprinciples,decidedsheshould getmarried.Shehadwantedsomuchtobegivena chancetostudyatahighschool,tobroadenherhorizon, soshecouldbreaktheshacklesthatimprisonedthe womenofhergeneration,butherfatherwouldn’tlisten toherpleas.Shehadlost,andalifeshewasn’tready pluckedfromagarden,witheringinuncaringhands.Her husband,mucholderandmoreeducated,usedthatasatool todominateherlife,nottoloveorshare,fortohim,marriage wasonlyaconvenience.Hewasahabitualdrinker,andso often,hewouldbeinabadmood.Hisinsultsthatdenounced couldn’tawakefrom.Yetinherculture,shemusthonourhim asherGod,tolovehim,toprayforhim,tocryforhim.
HowcanhebemyGodifhecannotloveme?
Hehadleftwhenshewasjusteightyearsold,andnow, hewasback.Hehadtoseeher.Aworriedlookhadcrossed hisface,
“Whathasbecomeofyou,Sharda?”
Shehadsmiledwryly,“Nothing,I’mokay.”
“No,you’renot.Youcantalktome.I’mlikeabrother toyou.”
“Anewdaywilldawn,”shekeptreassuringherself,“A newdaymustdawn.”
Hewasdemotedfromhisjobjustafterhersecondson wasbornbecausehisdrinkinghabithadworsened,andlife becameagreaterstruggle.Shehadbegunworkingherfather’ssmallfarmlandtosustaintheirneedssoherchildren wouldn’tgohungry.Inthequiet, asshetilledtheland,sheoften wondered,“Why,asawoman,am Itreatedinsuchaninhumanway? Howbetterisheasaman,more thanIam?”
Fromwithinawomancomes life,purityandrichnessthatthe Godsknow,andshewouldask oftheheavensasshesattorest underajamoontree,“Questions, Iaskofyou,DearLord,canyou answerme?”
Noanswersastimemovedon, andsheopined.
“Maybethere’snoanswer becausemaybeawoman’stears havetofilltherivers,andher bloodmustfertiletheearth.”
Shehadwatchedthewomen withnoonereallywillingtogo tothedepthsandlengthstounderstandtheproblem,tostandin theshoesofanabusedwoman sleeplessnights,shewouldsit lookingathersleepingchildren, deeplyworriedthathersons wouldmostlikelygrowuptobe abusersandherdaughteravictim asthecycleofoppressioncontinued.Somethingmustbedone,but whatandhow?
whenasistertiedasacredthread onherbrother’swristforcare andprotection,ananswershehad longawaitedcalledatherhumble home.
whomshehadn’tseenforover
Shehadbeensohappytoseehimafterallthoseyears,not wantingtoburdenhimwithherproblemsandastheytalked, tohim,thegrandsonofanoldPanditfromthenextvillage.All waswelluntilherhusbandcamebackhomelaterthatnight, drunk.Thesuspiciouslookhegaveherrangwarningbellsin herears,andsheknewshehadtohideherselftoescapehis cruelty.
“Youlookhappytoday,woman,”hesaid,“whenyoulook atthatman.”
“He’smybrother,andIhaven’tseenhiminyears.Itied rakhionhishand.”
Hegrabbedheraroundtheneck,hiseyeswildwithanger.
“Idon’tbelieveit.Somethingisgoingon.”
Shestruggledandmanagedtopullawayfromhim,gaspingforbreath.
sworeloudly,knockingoverthekitchentable.Thechildren awoke,herlittledaughtercrying,andsherantograbthem andmove,butitwastoolate.Heblockedtheirescape,a cutlassinhishand,darkrageonhisface.Shewastrappedin theroomwiththechildren,fearwellinginherheart,almost
“Isthishowitendsforme,hackedtopiecesasmychildrenwatch?”
Asheadvancedonher,hereldestsonshoutedandthrew hiscricketbat.
forhepossessedthestrengthandfearthathadweakenedher. Shefeltaburninginherarmandshoulder,knowingshewas bleeding,butshesteadiedhermind,nottogodown.Theboys keptgrabbinghimaroundthewaist,toslowhim,givingher achancetoescapefromtheroom.Shescreamedforthechildrentorunoutofthehouse,andasheswungthecutlass,she grabbedthelightedlampfromthetableandthrewitathim. Thelastthingshesawassheranoutthedoorwashisshirt it,knowingonething:ifheexitedthatdoor,shewasdead.If nottonight,anothernightorday.Asheshoutedandkicked thedoor,shescreamedtothedarksky,“I’vehadenough.You
Eventheearthseemedtoshudderatheranguished breakingpoint.
Thedoordidnotbudge.
Now,asshelookeddownathisburntremains,shefelt nosorrowbutdeepregretsithadtoendthisway.Theveil ofoppressionhadburntwithhim,andanewdaywould nowdawnforher.
UNFORTUNATELY,weliveinaworldwherewomen
andImeanthatliterally.Theactofself-defenceisusing forceor“violence”toprotectoneselforanotherperson canchoosetoprotectthemselveswithself-defence. ofprotectionagainstviolence.Sometimes,wefeelso transportation.Thereisaconstantfearthere,andtheorhowtodealwithfear.
Inself-defenceclasses,itisusuallyhighlightedthat humanbeingsdonotasktobeassaulted.Yes,youmight makepoorjudgmentsaboutbehavioursometimes,butthat stilldoesnotinviteassault.Self-defenceshouldneverbe usedasatooltocastjudgementontothevictims.Theway inwhichsomeonedecidestodefendthemselvesishow theythinktheycansurvive.
ThePeaceOverViolenceprogrammestressedthat agoodself-defenceclassdoesnottellpeoplewhatthey shouldorshouldnotdo.Instead,optionsandalternativesareprovided,andit’suptothevictimstochoose. peopletolivein.Everyone,includingmenwhoaremost measuressuchasSelf-defenceClassestodefendthemselves.Manywillarguethatit’suptotheaggressors aggressorsorperpetrators.
Preventionisalwaysbetterthanacure.Inself-defence classes,movessuchasthehammerstrike,elbowstrike, escapefrombearhugs,andgroinkicksareallconsidered defencesthatcanbeused.TherearefourA’stoconsider: attitude,awareness,assessmentofasituationandaction. Thephysicaldefencesarejustasimportantasthementaldenceandbelieveinyourselfenoughtoknowthatyou havewhatittakestodefendyourself.Youhavetobeable whatsoevertocondonetheabuse,harassment,orviolence againstanotherhumanbeing.However,ifyouarebeing abusedorharassed,theonlyotherwayoutofthatisto insomecommunitiesacrossGuyana,directself-defence classesforwomenrelatingtoabusearelacking.There moreself-defenceclassesinGuyana.Ihopethatthese classesareholistictrainingandnotjustaclassthat showcasesphysicalstrengthandtechniques.Forwomusefultoolsandinformation.
InfuzedgyandKenthings...
herachievements,sinceshestartedherjewelbusinessfrom herhomewhileshewasstillinhighschool.
Aftercompletinghighschool,Robertsenrolledfora two-monthjewel-makingcourseattheUniversityofthe WestIndies(UWI)CampusinTrinidadandTobago.
Shewassuccessful,andshereturnedhometopractise hertrade,whichdevelopedintoahobby,andshedecided toearnfromit.
Thesmallbusiness,Kenthings,ishome-basedfornow untilastorecanmaterialise,butRobertsisveryactivein promotingherproductsthroughexpos,eventsandsocial platforms.
Robertsteachesjewel-makingattheCarnegieCompound,CraftProductionandalsoholdsafull-timejobasan
EnvironmentalConsultantatEnvironmentSolutionsInc., aprivately-ownedcompany.
“Whenwebothstartedoursmallbusinesses,itwasfun andinteresting,andwewillcontinuetopartnerevenin businessestomakeitworkbecausewefullysupporteach otherasacoupleandinbusiness,”shesaid.
Robertsaddedthattheyadvertisetheirsmallbusinesses viasocialmedia,andtheywouldliketohaveaplaceto calltheirowntodisplayandselltheirproducts.Theyare workingtowardsthatgoal.
Havingtheirownconceptandcreatingaplacefor theirbusinessesisofgreatimportance,andbothSampsonandRobertshavevowedtheircommitmenttowards realisingthatdream.
FROM PAGEV
Kenthings
Meanwhile,KenitaRoberts,whose smallbusinessisKenthings,showcases hertalentinhand-madejewels.
ShetoldthePepperpotMagazinethatshemakesjewellerymostlyfromwiresandbeads,andthepiecesinclude
Robertsaddedthatshehadalwayshadapassionfor jewel-makingandafterexperimentingandgettingthe hangofit,shewantedtodomore.
Asaself-taughtjewel-maker,the24-year-oldaspires tobecomewell-knownlocally,andsheisreallyproudof
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearreading friend.Youcanbehelped tounderstandthemaininformationcontainedina considerthetextgloballyat andthenreorganisetheinformation.Yournote-taking skillswillalsocomeinto
playastheexercisewillcauseyou tonotedownthemainpointsonly andleaveoutunimportantdetails. Bewise.
Loveyou.
THEPASSAGE
1.Readingforcomprehension andansweringquestions
Readingforcomprehensionis theartofreading,understanding, andrememberingwhatyouread inanygivenpieceofwriting.To dothis,itisadvisedthatyouread thepassageasfastaspossibleand getinvolvedwithitbyunderlining importantlinesorpartsofit.
Withunderstandingapassage, yougethelpinmanyways: toanswerquestionsonit, toreproducethesamepassage inyourownwords, tounderstandthemainideaof thepassageorthetoneormoodof theauthor,and toeventuallybuildyourfoundationforhigh-levelthinkingin
Readthepassagebelowand answerquestionsfollowingitonthe basisofwhatisimpliedorstated. ButsomethinghadheldPhoenix Jacksonverystill.Thedeeplinesinferentradiation.Withoutwarning, shehadseenwithherowneyesa pocketontotheground…Phoenix heardagunshot.Butshewasslowlybendingforwardbythattime, furtherandfurtherforward,thelids stretcheddownoverhereyes,as ifsheweredoingthisinhersleep. Herchinwasloweredalmosttoher knees.Theyellowpalmofherhand cameoutfromthefoldofherapron. groundunderthepieceofmoney withthegraceandcaretheywould haveinliftinganeggfromunder asettinghen.Thensheslowly straightenedup,shestooderect,and thenickelwasinherapronpocket. “Godwatchingmethewholetime. Icometostealing.”
QuestionsonthePassage
1.Whatcancausedeeplineson experience?
2.Whatinthepassagecaused
3.HowoldcouldPhoenixhave been?Whatcouldherfinancial statehavebeenlike?Givereasons foryouranswer.
4.WhatthingsdidPhoenixpay noheedto?Why?
5.Thewritergivesacharming,
gatheringofthepieceofmoney.Whatcharmwas putintoit?
Supportwhatyousaid.
7.Fromwhosepointofviewwasthestorytold? Howdoyouknow?
8.WhoandwhatdoesPhoenixencounteronher
ThePassage
2.Readingforthemainidea
Themainideaofaparagraphiswhattheauthor says(hismessage)aboutthetopic.Themainideais oftenexpresseddirectlyorattimesimplied. becauseitallowsthereadertounderstandandthink criticallyaboutwhatheisreading,nomatterhischosenprofession.
Nowreadtheupcomingpassageandrespondtothe questionsbelowonthemainidea.
WoundedsoldiersintheCivilWarprobably thoughttheyweredreamingwhentheylookedupto theirwounds.Itwasnodream.Dr.MaryEdwards hadcomeboldlytothefrontlinesofbattletoserveher country,andnoonecouldstopher.
wenttoworkanyway,asanunpaidvolunteer.When pantsandunderherskirt,averypracticalchoicefordiersaroundher.Laterinthewar,sheservedasaspy, daringtocrossenemylinestogainsecretinformation. highestmilitaryhonour,theCongressionalMedalof Honour.Sheremainstheonlywomanevertohave receivedthisaward.
SomethingtoDo
thegeneralideathatDr.Walkerwas (A)courageousandstrong-willed.(B)recklessandsilly. andmotherly.
asanunpaidvolunteersupport?
(A)Shewaswealthy. (B)Shewasfoolish. (C)Shewasdetermined. (D)Shewasshy.
(A)Shecaredtoomuchaboutclothes. (B)Shedidwhatwaspractical. (C)Sheonlywantedtoshockpeople.
4.Whatisthemainideaoftheselection?
Dr.Walkerwas (A)asurgeonintheU.S.Army. (B)abrave,determined,andunconventional hero. (C)awomanwhohadskillsbutlackedself-discipline. (D)awomanwhowasanexcellentdoctor.
5.ThedescriptionofDr.Walkerinparagraphone servesallofthefollowingpurposesEXCEPT (A)Setthehistoricalcontext.
(C)setthetoneoftheselection. (D)introducetheconceptthatDr.Walkerwas unusual.
SOMETIMEShearingwhatissimplyobviousindeed representsavitalanecdote.Goodoralhygieneandregular dentalcareareimportantthroughoutyourlife,nomatter yourage.Bypractisinggoodoralhygieneathomeand visitingyourdentistregularly,youwillpreventdental problemsandsavetimeandmoney.
Today,olderadultsarekeepingtheirnaturalteethlonger -
aged55to65,therateoftoothlessnessdropped62percent since1967.
youage.Plaque,thesticky,colourlesslayerofbacteriathat canbuildupquicklyontheteethofolderadults,particularly whentheyneglectoralhygiene.Thiscanincreaseyourrisk fortoothdecayandperiodontaldisease.
teethcleaning.
bacteriainplaquefeedonthe
diseaseiscausedbyplaque,otherfactorscanincreasethe
Althoughperiodontaldiseaseiscommon,itcanbe controlledorarrested.Initsearlystages,itcanbereversed.Treatmentofadvancedcasesmayrequiresurgery. Lookforthesewarningsignsandseeyourdentistifyou noticeanyofthem:bleedinggumswhenyoubrush;red, tenderorswollengums;gumsthathavepulledawayfrom teeth;plusbetweenyourteethandgumswhenthegums arepressed;looseteethorteeththataremovingapart; dentures;constantbadbreathorbadtaste.