ByInrawattieNatram
ScoresofchildrengatheredattheDepartmentofEducation’sRegionalLiteracyUnit expositioninRegionTwoonFridaytowitnessanarrayofcreativelearningtools designedtoenhanceclassroomlearning.
Achildatthebooth
Bringingculturecloser
ByShaniyaHarding
AVIBRANTblendofcreativityandculturetakes centrestageonceagainat thisyear’sArtExhibition celebratingAmerindian HeritageMonth.Overa dozenartistsandsculptors havetheirworkondisplayatCastellaniHouse throughoutSeptember. Theannualcollaboration betweentheMinistryof AmerindianAffairsand CastellaniHouseshowcascreativesfromallcorners ofthecountry.
Fromtraditionalgarments tobreathtakingsculptures andpaintingsthatoffera glimpseintoindigenoustraditions,thisyear’sexhibition hasreceivedagreatreception fromthepublic,withseveral piecesalreadysold.PekahiahJames,thecuratorofthe eventforthesecondtime, saysthemissionremainsconsistent:toprovideGuyanese artistswithaplatformand toexperiencetheircreative expressionsofIndigenous culture,ultimatelybringing peopleclosertothatheritage. SpeakingtothePepperpot Magazine,Pekahiahelaborated,“Theexhibitionfocuses ontheheritageandculture oftheindigenouspeopleof Guyana,encompassingall ninenations.”
Inclusionisadefining themethisyear,withmore artistsparticipatingthanin previousyears.Unlikepast exhibitions,morecrafters andtheirworkswereincluded.Byfeaturingfewer piecesfromalargernumber
ofcrafters,theexhibition allowsforbroaderexposure. Pekahiahexplained,“We’ve reachedouttocraftspersons andaskedthemtosubmit theirbestwork.Insteadof havingentirecollections, we’velimitedittoaboutone tothreepieceseach.”
Shefurtheradded,“For thisparticularyear,wehadto reachouttotheartiststosee whatsortofworkstheyhad available,whetherornotit worksbasedonthat.”
Theexhibition,heldunderthetheme“ManyVoices,
interactiveinstallationhas captivatedmostvisitors.“It’s suspendedfromtheceiling, andyoucantiltitleftorright tohearthesounditmakes.I hadthetimeofmylifewith it,”Pekahiahenthused.
Asasuccessfulvisualartistinherownright,Pekahiah emphasisestheimportanceof publicsupport.Theresponse thisyearhasbeenparticularlyencouraging,withmore peoplereachingouttosupporttheexhibit.“People appreciatethatwe’velimited thenumberofcraftsthis year.Theycanclearlysee
OneSong,”embodiesthe celebrationofunityindiversity.Pekahiahsharedher interpretation:“Theideaof ‘ManyVoices,OneSong’ manyperfectexamplesofIndigenousheritage,traditions, andculturesandcombine themintothisbeautifulpresentation.”
Shefurtheraddedthatthe exhibitionservesasabridge connectingGuyaneseacross thecountry,allowingthose inthecapitaltoexperience asliceoflifefromtheRupununiorPomeroon.“Unless you’rewillingtomakethat triptoIndigenousvillages orgooutofyourwaytobe involvedinIndigenousactivities,it’snotsomethingyou canexperienceonaday-todaybasis,”Pekahiahnoted.
Theexhibitionshowcasesdiversitythroughpieces madefromdifferentmediums,eachwithitsown meaning,representation,and interpretation.Onestandout piece,afavouriteofPekahiah’s,is“Therainstick” byMcKernanAlbert.This
thefocusisoncraftsmanship, whichisexactlywhatwe intendedtohighlight,”she shared.
Theannualeventhasgarneredinterestfromvarious artists,bothveteransand newcomers.Whilenewartistsseeitasawaytogain exposure,therearethose whoseworkisfeaturedyearly.Pekahiahexplained,“For Indigenousartistswhomight nothaveaccesstoaplatform, thisannualexhibitiongives themsomethingtoprepare for,toshowcasetheirtraditions,culture,andpride.”
Theinspiringexhibitis alsoapersonalventurefor Pekahiah.HavinggraduatedfromtheUniversityof GuyanawithaBachelor’s inFineArtstwoyearsago, sheseesthisasthenextstep inheralreadyvibrantcareer. “Ifelttheadministrativeside oftheartfieldiswhereI couldprobablydothemost andhelpthemost.I’mstill learningasacurator,”she admitted.
Forthosehopingto glimpseavitalpartofGuy-
ana’sdiverseculturaltapestry,theexhibitisopento thepublicduringafternoon hours.Pekahiahurgesvisitorstoappreciatethevalue, ofeverypiece,understanding thateachonebringsthem Sheconcluded,“Peopleoftenundervaluethearts,and Ithinkthatcomesfroma lackofunderstandingof itsimportance.Here,you
areseeingtraditions,heritage,culture,andyearsof craftsmanshippasseddown throughgenerations.”
The“ManyVoices,One Song”themeresonates throughouttheexhibition, highlightingtheunitywithindiversitythatcharacterisesGuyana’sindigenous peoples.ForPekahiahand theartistsinvolved,this exhibitionismorethan justadisplayofart–it’s abridgebetweenpastand present,adialoguebetween cultures,andacelebration ofidentity.Asthemonth ofSeptemberprogresses, thehopeisthateachvisitor willleavewithagreater understandingandappreciationofAmerindianheritage,carryingwiththema pieceofthisrichcultural tapestry.
TheArtExhibitioncurrentlyunderwayatCastellaniHouseinhonourof AmerindianHeritagemonth(DelanoWilliamsphotos.)
…TTHighCommissionertoGuyana
HISExcellencyConradEnill,HighCommissionerofthe RepublicofTrinidadandTobagotoGuyanaandAmbassadorExtraordinaryandPlenipotentiarytoSuriname, hascalledonbusinessesacrosstheCaribbeanandthe internationalcommunitytoseizetheimmenseopportunitiespresentedbytheupcomingInternationalBusiness Conference(IBC)2024.Emphasisingtheimportanceof collaborationintoday’sinterconnectedglobalmarket, EnillhailedtheIBCasapivotalplatformfordrivingregionaleconomicgrowth,strengtheningpartnerships,and fosteringinvestment.
Inapressrelease,Enillhighlightedtheenduringbilateral relationshipbetweenGuyanaandTrinidadandTobago,which hasthrivedforover60years.Heunderscoredthedeep-rooted tiesintrade,culture,andinvestmentthathavelongsupported bothnationsthroughchallengingtimes.“TrinidadandTobago andGuyanahavestoodbyeachother,andIseenoreasonwhy thesehistoricaltiesarepoisedtoevolvewiththecurrentwave ofeconomicdevelopment,particularlyintheenergysector.
Oneofthekeyareasofpotentialcollaborationdiscussed byEnillistheenergysector,whereTrinidadandTobago’s Guyana’sburgeoningindustry.“TheexpertisethatTrinidad brings,particularlyinqualityandsafetystandards,willhave robustmanufacturingsector—oftenovershadowedbyitsoil contributetoGuyana’sindustrialdevelopment.
“TheIBCprovidesaninvaluableopportunityforbusinesseswithinCARICOMandbeyondtoforgenewpartnerships, scaleupoperations,andtapintoemergingmarketsthatwere ofplatformsliketheIBCinfosteringbusiness-to-businessnetworking,notingthattheeventisparticularlywell-positioned toexpandtheirreachintheglobalmarketplace.
EnillpointedoutthatGuyana’srapideconomicgrowthhas
renewableenergy.Hehighlighted,“Whatyouwillseeatthe internationalbusinessconferenceisthatknowledgewillbe shared,andthatexperiencewillallowforthelearningcurve
Inaclearcalltoaction,Enillstressedtheneedforashift fromcompetitiontocollaborationasthenewparadigmfor economicsuccessintheregion.“Theoldwayofdoingbusinesswasgroundedincompetition,buttoday,collaboration
resources,strengthenourcollectivecapabilities,andelevate
AstheInternationalBusinessConference2024approaches,itpromisestobealandmarkeventthatwill reshapethebusinesslandscapeacrosstheCaribbean.With high-leveldiscussions,targetednetworkingopportunities, andavenuesforforeigninvestment,theIBCissettoplaya crucialroleinadvancingregionaldevelopment,fostering newbusinesspartnerships,anddrivingeconomicgrowth.
HisExcellencyConradEnill,High
THEstrikingbeautyand vibrantnaturaldiversity ofMashaboareunparalleled.Anotablename alongtheEssequiboCoast, Mashaboisoneofthose communitiesthatdisplay thetrueuniquenessofGuyana,hometosavannahs, lakes,andhills.Boastinga populationofjustover500 people,thecommunityhas drasticallydevelopedover theyears,withmoreinvestmentsbeingmade.Now,the communityisoptimistically lookingforward,withthe Toshaoofthecommunity sayingMashabo’splanis simple:develop,unite,and modernise.
Toshaoofthecommunity, HenryHendricks,fellinlove withMashabomorethan threedecadesagowhenhis thevillage.Now,hestands asToshaoofacommunity thatbecamehishomeandso muchmore.Ashestated,“I
AblossomingparadiseontheEssequiboCoast
amthenewlyelectedToshao wanttosaythankstomy peoplewhohavemadethis choicetoplacemehereasa leader.”
Henrywearsmanyhats inthecommunityandnow dedicateshimselftohisfamilyandthevillage.Ashe sharedwiththePepperpot Magazine,havinglongbeen passionateaboutthevillage,
growingpopulation.Asthe Toshaostated,“Mashabobecameadevelopingcommunitynottoolongago.When IcametoMashabo,Mashabo hadonlyapproximately18 to20families.Buttoday, Mashabohasapproximately 130families.Thepopulation hasgrowntowhatwehave now,presently,516communityresidents.”
Reminiscingabouthis
anindigenouscommunity, withvarioussystemsbeing introducedtotacklethevillage’suniqueenvironment. InformationandCommunicationsTechnology(ICT)hub, healthcentre,andupgrades ineducationhaveallplayed aroleindevelopingthequalityoflifeinMashabo.As Hendricksadded,“Aswe lookback,Mashabokeeps
hewasstillpleasantlysurprisedattheopportunityto stepuptotheplate,“Iam sosurprisedthatatthisage, attheageof61,tobestill aleaderforMashabo.And also,Iamanelderforthe MashaboSeventh-dayAdventistChurch,supporting notonlythevillagebutalso inareligiousway.”
Likeafewofthenation’s communitywentundevelopedforquitesometime. Inrecentyears,changesin systemshavebeenamassive boostforMashaboandits
earlyyearsinthevillage, Hendricksisproudofthe changesthecommunityhas seen,withsomeareaslike transportationbeingcompletelyupgradedandrevamped.Asheexplained, didn’thaveoutboardengines. Wehadthesedugoutcanoes. Iusedtopaddletogoacross thelake.Buttoday,wehave betteraccess,wherethegovernmenttriedtoassistuswith somemodernisingsystems.”
Beyondthelifeofthe residents,thecommunity continuestoseesupportas
developinggradually.Not onlywiththeresidentsbut alsowithnewdevelopments withintheAmerindiancommunity.”
Withanaturallandscape asbreathtakingasMashabo’s, it’sawonderwhymoretoursandybeaches.Althoughthe potentialfortourismexists inthecommunity,itisanew areathevillageisexploring withrecentchanges.Asthe Toshaoexplains,developing thenecessaryinfrastructure direction.“Tourismcould Mashabo.Wehaveabiglake, soifwecouldcreatethings likeregattasessionsopena placeforregattas,wecould havemorepeoplecomingto Mashabo.”
Mostofthesestepsare alreadyinthisdirection,says theToshao,ashestated,“We
Toshaoofthecommunity,HenryHendricks (SamuelMaughnphotos)
TheMashabovillageGuestHouse
ByShaniyaHarding
WEHAVEallheardabout thesteadfastimportance ofeducationfromparents, aunts,uncles,orcommunityelders.However,munitiescanbechallenging,wherethecommuteto schoolistwohourslonger andbyboatratherthan bus.Theseadversitieshave beentackledhead-onby thepeopleofMashabo, bothteachersandstudents alike.Aseducatorsventure intothecommunitytoteach atprimaryandsecondary levels,highschoolersmake thedailycommuteoutof thevillage.Thevillageis nowworkingonanewprojectforitseducationsector, trainingyoungmenand womenfromtheircommunityasteachers.Theysay educationisthepillarofeverysociety,andMashabois onamissiontostrengthen thosepillars.
NostrangertothePepperpotMagazine,headteacheratMashaboPrimary,Modi Beepat,saysthevillage’s educationsectorhasgrown alongwiththepopulation, withmoreteachersbeing broughtintoeducatemore
Acommunity’scommitmenttolearning
todayI’mstillteachinghere atMashaboPrimary.Teachinghasbeenanenjoyablejob overtheyears.Ihavereally enjoyedit.”
Assessingthevillage’s successineducation,the communityhasdonemuch morethancomealongway; theyhaverisentothestandardofanyotherschool alongtheEssequibocoast—a goaloncedeemedimpossible.SirBeepatshared, “Whenwecameherein 2013,wedidn’thavepasses forabout30yearstoSecondarySchool.Andsowe decidedtoworkwiththe teachers,andnooneperson candoitbythemselves.We workedwiththeMinistryof EducationanddonoragenciesliketheGuyana-Jamaica FriendshipAssociation.We allworkedtogether,andwe wereabletoachievesuccess in2018after30yearsofno passes.”
numerousinterventions.They introducedtheteachers’cash grant.Alltheclassrooms arechild-friendly,andthis hasalsohelpedtoincrease attendance.Whenpupilsfeel comfortable,theywanttobe thereintheclassrooms.”
Thecommunitynow hasmoreteachersthan ever,andasthestandard ofeducationdevelops,so doesthereceptionofpupils andparents.Mashabonow seeminglyhasarevitalised ambitionforacademicexcellenceamongitschildren. SirBeepatstated,“Wehave goodcooperationherefrom theteachers,theparents, thepupils.Thereisnoform ofindisciplineamongthe pupils.Theyareverydisciplinedanddedicated.Attendanceisreallygood—we haveanattendanceofover 90%.”
children.AsonoftheEssequiboCoast,‘SirBeepat’started teachingrightoutofschool, ignitingachildhoodpassion.Asheshared,“Istarted teachingin1999.Ihavebeen teachingallmyyearssofar.
atMashaboPrimaryhere, andthenatSmithMemorial PrimaryinGeorgetown.IreturnedheretoMashabo,and
Today,Mashaboisstrivingtohavemoreteachers fromwithinthecommunity. Theyoungpeoplearesteppinguptotheplate,withseveralyoungmenandwomen currentlyattendingCyrilPotter’sCollegeofEducation. Asstatedbytheheadmaster, “WhenIstartedworking here,weonlyhadoneteacherfromthecommunity—an untrainedteacher.Today, ofthecommunity.Myaim isthatbeforeIleavehereat Mashabo,wewant100%of theteacherstoberesidents andmanagetheschoolby themselves.”Hefurtheradded,“Thegovernmenthas
Majorinfrastructuralinvestmentshavealsobeen made,withtheintroduction ofavillageICThubandthe GuyanaLearningChannel, bothofwhicharepowered bysolarenergy.Astheheadteacherstated,“Morerecently,wehadtheintroductionof internetserviceattheschool. So,pupilsnowhaveaccessto theinternet.It’sgoodinter-
acrossthecountry.Thepupilsnotonlyseetheteachers atschoolbutalsoteachers countrywidewithalotof resources.Thisisaboostfor ourteachers.”
InavillagelikeMashabo,schoolsarevitaltothe developmentofthecommunity.Thisiswhythe schoolisworkingalong withthegovernmentto bethatsecondhometo children,withmorehot mealsbeingprovidedfor thechildren.Assharedby SirBeepat,“Veryimportantly,ourschoolishaving afeedingprogramme.That feedingprogrammehas helpedtremendouslywith attendance.Priorto2024, itonlycateredforalunch,a hotmeal.Butnow,it’sbeen expandedtoincludebreakfastforthepupils,which hasincreasedattendance.”
Therearecountlessdifferencesbetweenlifein Mashaboandlifeelsewhere ontheEssequibocoast,but thevillageisadamantabout beinguptoparineducation andtheskillsofitspeople.Tranquillityandbeauty arejustafewmorethings
Beepatshared,“Thereare livingontheEastCoastand inMashabo.Oneofthebiggestispeace.It’sverypeacefulhere,veryscenic.We don’thaveparentscomingin tobombardteachersorbeat themup.Thepupilsarevery disciplinedandlistentothe teachers.”
Educationis,without adoubt,importantand comeswithavarietyof challengesfromcommunitytocommunityandfrom childtochild.Mashabo istakingwhatcanonly becalledacollaborativeallydoestakeavillageto raiseachild.AsSirBeepat emphasised,educationis vital—it’sthepillarofany community.Atschoolhere, wetryourutmosttoensure Youlearntoread,andthen youreadtolearn.Once pupilshaveapropereducation,theycanbecome anyonetheywanttobe.”
net,wherepupilscanactually outforthemselves.Thathas helpedustouseaninquiry approachinteaching.”He furtherstated,“Inaddition tothat,thegovernmenthas launchedtheLearningChannelattheschool.Wehave threetelevisions,andwe loginwithotherschools
HeadteacheratMashaboPrimary,ModiBeepat(SamuelMaughnphotos)
MashaboPrimarySchool
Thehealthofacommunity
HowMashabo’shealthsystemhasdeveloped
ByShaniyaHarding.
LOOKINGatthecountry’s healthcaresystemtoday,it maynotbeeasytoseejust howfarGuyanahascome, butwhataboutonasmaller scale?Thisweek,thePepperpotMagazineventured totheriverainvillageof Mashabo,wherehealthcare isstilldevelopingwiththe village’speopleatitshelm.
Acrossalakethatstretchesmorethantenmileslies thecommunityofMashabo. Thelastdecadehasseen thevillageundergoseveral changesinmanyareas,with transportation,education, andagriculturecontinuing toinnovateanddiversify. Oneofthevillage’sbiggest hurdles,however,hasbeen healthcare.
Foracommunitythat wasonceonlyaccessiblevia afewspeedboats,healthwas achallenge.However,the menandwomenofMashabo havenotletthisstopthem.
Withhopesofmodernisingthesector,thepeopleof Mashabocontinuetostrive. Residenthealthcareworker, FayeHendricks,shareshow healthcareinthecommunity hasdevelopedandwhatthe peopleofthevillagearedoingtogiveback. Mashaboismostoften praisedforitstranquillity,but thispeaceandquietcomeata cost.FayeHendricks,raised inthecommunityofMashabo,hasseenthecommunity’s healthcaresystemgofrom lackingbasicdrugstobeing capableofhavingitsown outreachesandimpactful initiatives.Recountingthe earlychallengesinhealthcare,Fayestated,“Years ago,underthepasthealthcareworker,gettingthings likedrugsinthecommunity wasveryhard.Wedidnot havetransportationlikewe gettingthingsinandoutof thevillage.” Healthcareisnotthe
onlythingthathaschanged overtheyears;theway oflifehasalsoseenamajorshiftoverthedecades. Fayedescribesgrowing upinMashaboasgood, simplistic,butenjoyable. Stillhousingavibrantagriculturalpresence,for mostofthevillage’shistory, farmingwastheobvious choiceforwork,withyoung womenundertakingthe occasionalteachingand nursingopportunities,both ofwhichrequiredthemto leavehome.
Passionateaboutgiving backtohercommunity,Faye initiallypursuedacareer inteaching.Assheshared, backtomycommunity.” Hereffortsatbecominga teacherwereunfulfilledas shegrappledwithmanyof thechallengesthecommunityfacedatthetime.Faye’s aspirationsofgivingback
SeniorhealthworkeratMashabohealthcentre, FayeHendricks (SamuelMaughnphotos)
ofhealthinthecommunity, bridgingthegapbetween thecoastandthelakeside village.Asshestated,“I said,youknowwhat?I wanttodosomething.Iwill just,youknow,stepoverto thehealthcaresystem.And thisiswhenIgotthrough.”
tohercommunitywerenot entirelylost,however,asshe sawheropportunityseveral yearslaterinhealthcare.
Asthecommunity’s healthcareworkercame closertoretirement,the communitywasinsearchof someonetotakeherplace. Seekingtotaketheopportunity,Fayefurtheredher thejob.Afewyearslater, shestoodattheforefront
Sincethen,thevillagehas expandedthewayitcaresfor itspeople.Presently,Mashabo’shealthcentreismore equippedthanever,withacesstohospitalsonthecoast, withSuddiebeingtheclosest andfirstchoice.AsFaye usnow...Becausebefore,for thevaccines,forexample, peopleusedtohavetogoto thecoastatahospital.But nowwedoitourselves,here inthecommunity.Theretired healthcareworker,shehada reallytoughtime.”
Nowmorecapablethan ever,Mashaboisableto takebettercareofitspeople.AsemphasisedbyFaye, Mashabonowhostsitsown initiatives,withthemost recentbeingthevaccination againsttheHumanPapilloma Virus(HPV).Astherestof
thecountrywageswarson varioushealthchallenges, Fayeshared,“Rightnow, whatwedonow,we’redoingHPVvaccine,andwe’re educatingtheparentsandthe childrenaboutHPVvaccine.” Shefurtheradded,“Weconsultwiththewomen,andthe girls,andtheboys,aboutactuallypreventingthemfrom gettingthosethings,likethe wart.So,wejustgotothe heartandcleanup,youknow, thewart.”
Thecommunityis proudoftheprogressthey havemade,withthebiggest achievementbeingable toincreaseaccessibilityto betterhealthcare.Citing theimpactofgovernmentalsupport,Fayestated, “Iwouldliketothankthe governmentforcontinuing tosupportus.Andwe’lldo thesamethingforthem.” Shefurtheradded,“Ican seealotofimprovement becausewenormallybook fordrugs...Webookit,like, webook,like,two-month drugs.We’rehavingthaton atwo-monthbasis.”
TheMashaboHealthCentre
ReturningtoInspire
Mashaboteachershareshowsheisdoingherparttobuildthecommunity
ByShaniyaHarding
COMMUNITYdevelopmentisrooted intheveryessenceof thecommunityitself. Villages,likecountries,aredeveloped bytheirpeople,with eachindividualcontributingtheirpart togiveback.When twenty-one-year-old BibiannaHendricks finishedschool,she knewshewantedto givebacktohervillageofMashabo.
Astrikingproduct ofthevillage’sblossomingeducationsystem,Bibiannaisjust oneofMashabo’sambitiousyoungpeople.Part ofanewgeneration ofmenandwomen, Bibiannasayslifein thecommunityhasimproved,withthestandardoflivingseeing smallbutsignificant changes.However,Bibiannaandherpeersdo notintendtostopthere. Inspiredbytheirlove fortheircommunity, theyoungpeopleof Mashabohavebigplans forwhattheirvillage couldbecome.Bibianna sharedwiththePepperpotMagazineher experiencesgrowingup inhervillage,hereducational journey,andhercurrentrole asoneofthevillage’syoungestandbrightestteachers.
Toanoutsider,thevillage ofMashabomayseemlikea paradise.Thelakesidecommunityistuckedawayamile coastalcommunityofHuis T’Dieren.Fromthere,itis
furtherhiddenandaccessed byatwenty-minuteboatride throughthevillage’sprized blackwaterlake.
Thelayoutofthecommunityisunique,withhomes liningthehills,builtbothup anddownhill.Mashabo’s terrainhascreatedchallengesinthepast,withthelake continuallyencroachingon
thesavannah.Thevibrant communityhasfourmajorareas:thevillagecentreorMission,Waddaduri,HighHill, HosannahHousingScheme, andKamuro.Theseareasare interconnectedbywooden linkbridges,auniqueand captivatingpartoflifeinthe community. Lifeinthecommunityis
aspristineasitispeaceful. Asafarmingcommunity, fruitsandvegetablesare alwaysavailabletovillagersandvisitorsalike. Thevillageissomewhat self-sustainingaswell, withtheintroductionof fishingasanagriculturalsector.Electricityand transportationareareas wherethepeopleofthe villagesaytheyhaveseen
thebiggestchanges. YoungteacherBibiannaHendrickswasbornand raisedinMashabo.Shedescribedherchildhoodinthe communityasbeautifulbut notwithoutitschallenges.In earlierdays,thevillagehad fewerboats,whichmeant travellinginandoutofthe communitywasfarmoreesalsoservedasstumbling blocksforsomefamilies, especiallyintherealmof schooling.AsBibiannaexplained,“MynameisBibiannaHendricks.IamateacherattheMashaboPrimary Schoolandalsoaresident ofthisbeautifulvillage.I wasraisedinMashabo.”She furtherstated,“Growingup inmycommunitywasfun.
Oneofthebridgesusedby residentsofMashaboto commutethroughoutthe community.
AgroupofMashabo’syoungmen,manyofwhomareavidsportsmen (SamuelMaughnphotos)
BibiannaHendricks
EVERYfewdecades,anew generationofpeoplemarks theworldwithitsown theworldtoitslikingand
thenextgenerationtakes beinginheritedbyGener-
worldisnotthejobofonly
howexactlyisGenZgoing toshapethisworld?
Perhapstheanswerliesin thesimpleactoflearningto dream.Dreamsarethefuel forchange.Thosewhocan dreamforthemselveswill eventuallylearntodreamfor abetterworld.Forinstance, ourpredecessorshaddreams sorichandpowerfulthatthey builttoday’sworld--aworld skyinaeroplanes,orseewhat eachplanetlookslikewithout movinganinch.
Itisanunfortunatefact, however,thatovertheyears, ithasbecomeincreasinglydifficulttosurviveasa dreamer.Weareconstantly swimminginseasofinformation.Wearebombarded withnewsandnewknowledgeeverysinglemoment. Ourmindissobusysorting throughsomuchmaterial thatitnolongerhastimeto createanyofitsown.Further, ourdreamsandinnovations areincreasinglybecoming centredonsolvingproblems wehaveinheritedfromour predecessors.Thus,wesimplyhavenoenergytofocus ondreamingofabetterworld. Climatechange,deforestation,andpollutionareonly someofthenever-ending battlesthatweface.Weseem tohavebecomeageneration thatisstrugglingtosurvive. Weseemtohaveconvinced
ourselvesthatthethingswe dreamofwillnotexistpast theboundariesofourimaginations.
Thetruthis,whenevera newgenerationtakesoverthe world,itbecomesdifferent altogether.Theworldthatis beinghandeddowntoGenZ isteemingwithtechnological advancements,unliketheone thatourancestorslivedin. Also,unlikeourancestors’ world,webattleaplethora ofglobalandenvironmental problemswhoserootsbegin longbeforeourveryexistence.
Toputitsimply,welive inahand-me-downworld. Theideaof‘hand-me-downs’ isnotunfamiliar,especially tothosewithsiblings.Even expensivefamilyheirlooms are,intheirownway,aform ofhand-me-downs.Whenwe receiveahand-me-down,it maynotbeinmintcondition, butitstillhasalifeaheadof itandanimportanthistorynitelypointouteveryflaw inthejewellerypiecesor feelirritatedthatoneoftherectly.Similarly,wecanalso placethearticleintotheback ofourclosetanddonothing withituntilitistimetopass itontothenextperson.
However,ifwedotakea momenttotailortheclothes orpolishthejewelleryand addanewgemstonetoit,
aperfectlygoodarticlethat wecanuseandpassdown oncemore.Withjustalittle timeandenergyspentonit, anoldandworn-outarticle canbeautifullytransforminto somethingthatrepresentsus andourmemories.anddreamsthatwemaynotnotinthesameconditiontodayaresimplyerrorsor correctingsomeofthese onaplanetinwhichwecan
Mostimportantly,wecan generationscanalsodream
THEKURU-KURUCO-OPMOVEMENTOFTHE’70s
RECENTLY,theco-operativemovementwasin theair,mentionedfondly bythecurrentMinisterof Labour,anditraisedmemories,someofwhichI’ve writtenaboutinthiscolumn.Iwaspartofayouth pioneergroupthathad volunteeredtobetrained towardsanAgro-IndustrialCo-opsociety.I’mnot sure,butIthinkthatitwas aprojectbetweenUSAID andtheyoungGuyana Government,whichhad justturnedaRepublicin 1972.
Weweregivenastipend andtrainedundertheguidanceofseveralprofessionals inthenecessaryskills.Of ourseniorguidancestaff wereSkipperGordon,who wasinchargeoverall,Rigby Dover,ourmanager,andLakeramPersaud,whotaught usbook-keeping,among others,whosenamesIcan’t rememberatthistime. Thoughweraisedpigsand plantedvegetablesonthe highway,vegetable-growing soilwasaccessedthrough brushclearingbyhandratherthanbyheavyequipment, soasnottolosefunctional soilforourneeds.Ourbest-
sellerwaschickens.Our trainingcoveredlivestock husbandry,accounts,anda basicrelationshipwiththe constructionofnecessary supportbuildingsforlivestock,aswellasfostering anunderstandingbetween usandtheanimalsthatinhabitedtheforestedareas thatsurroundedourspartan livingquarters.
perienceswithourforested neighbourswaswhenthe firstchickenpenasbuilt. Thecarpenterincharge boughtsomecheapwire fencetosavefromthe budgethehadappliedfor. Thepenswerebuiltand thechickenswereplaced inthem.Then,theocelots hadafield-dayfeast.The carpenterwassacked,and eventually,anewpenwas built.Thechickenscame later.Wehaderectedaguard hutwatchingourchicks.
SkipperGordonsuckedhis teethandgaveusaportable powerlampandsaid,“Yuh comeandlivein‘Tiger-Cat’ villagenowyuhwantto murderhewhenhecome fuhshare?”
Wehadaguardhut
watchingoverthenewpen watchwaschanged,there weretwoocelots.Theytried, butthenewmeshwason topofthegame.Wedidas wassuggestedandshonethe powerlightsonthem.We receivedabout20minutes ofTiger-Cat“busing”then theyretreated.Wediscussed itwithMrGlasowduringthe week,whowastheonlyman weknewwhowasplanting pineapplesinthatpartof thehighway.Hesmiledand toldus,“Yuhbossisawise man.’’
KAYS,ortheKuruKuruAgro-IndustrialYoung SettlersCooperative, policywasthatwedoas muchbusinesswithfellow co-ops.Webrokethose ruleswithinthesameyearblydidn’thaveourtraining.Wehadtoambush someofthemtogetpaid, unlikedealingwiththe elderbrotherfromBlair’s Delight,amongotherfolks whowouldcomein,place anorderandreturn,pay theCo-opComplexbased onhowtheyhandledour
tomatoesupondelivery, thoughtheypaid.Wegot abetterpriceatBourda Market.Contextualising theco-opmovementto-
daywithstrictlaws,includingjailtimeforsome violations,willempowerunemployedcitizens
servicesmakingrightthe term(charity,orrather, employmentinthiscase,
THISyear,underthetheme“MontrealProtocol:AdvancingClimateAction,”Guyanaproudlyjoinstheglobal communityinhighlightingthecriticalimportanceof protectingtheozonelayer.
Guyanaisamongthenationscommittedtoreducingtherocarbons(CFCs),inalignmentwiththeMontrealProtocol. overseestheimplementationoftheProtocol.Ozonedepletion theEarth’ssurface.This,inturn,elevatestheriskofskin cancer,eyecataracts,geneticmutations,andimmunesystem damage,amongotherhealthandenvironmentalconsequences.
semblydesignatedthisdateastheInternationalDayforthe PreservationoftheOzoneLayertomarktheanniversaryof thesigningoftheMontrealProtocolin1987.Thislandmark in1985,followedthegroundbreakingdiscoverybythreeBritlevelsofozoneovertheSouthPole.Thisdiscovery,widely
humanity’scapacitytodamagetheEarth’satmosphereanda keymilestoneinglobalenvironmentaladvocacy.
WhatistheOzoneLayer,andWhyisitsProtectionImportant?
Theozonelayer,oftenreferredtoastheozoneshield,is aregionofEarth’sstratospherethatcontainsahighconcentrationofozone(O3).Insimplerterms,itisathinbarrierof gashighabovetheEarththatprotectslifebyabsorbingthe
Youmaywonderwhyit’ssovitaltoprotecttheozone layer.SubstanceslikeCFCsandsimilarchemicalsreleased intotheatmospherecontributetoitsdepletion.Whenthese down,releasingchlorineandbromineatoms.Theseatomsare highlyreactivewithozone,disruptingthedelicatebalanceof thestratosphere’schemistry.
Ozonedepletionismorethanjustanenvironmental
Environmentally,theseraysharmaquaticandterrestrial ecosystemsbyalteringgrowthpatterns,foodchains,andbiochemicalcycles.Marinelife,especiallyplanktonandalgae, whichformthefoundationofthe aquaticfoodchain,isparticularly SEEPAGEXIII
vulnerabletohighradiation levels.Agricultureisalso impacted,asplantgrowthis stunted,potentiallyleading toreducedcropyields.
Socio-economically, ozonedepletionposesseriousthreatstohumanhealth. Exposuretoincreasedlevels ofUVradiationhasbeen linkedtoahigherincidence ofskincancers,eyecataracts, andweakenedimmunesystems.TheheightenedpresenceofUVraysalsoboosts theformationofground-levelozone,contributingto respiratoryproblems.
Increasedhealthcarenomicburdenresultingfrom higherUVradiationexposure,forcountrieslikeGuyana,thecostsassociated withtreatingmillionsofadditionalcasesofskincancer andcataractscouldplacea strainonhealthcaresystems, particularlyinlessdeveloped regions.
Let’sPledgetoProtect theOzoneLayer!
Herearesomesimpleac-
tionswecanalltaketohelp protecttheozonelayerand safeguardourplanet’sfuture:
•Conserveenergyat home,atwork,andeverywhere.
•LookforENERGY STARlabelswhenbuying
•Carpool,usepublic transportation,bike,orwalk wheneverpossible.
•Followgasolinerefuellinginstructionscarefulrecovery,avoidspills,and alwaystightenyourgascap securely.
•Considerpurchas-
ing“spill-proof”portable gasolinecontainerswhere available.
•Keepyourcar,boat, andotherenginesproperly tuned.
•Ensureyourtires
•Useenvironmentallysafepaintsandcleaning productswheneverpossible.
•Mulchorcompost leavesandyardwaste.
Together,through small,everydayactions, wecancontinuetoprotect theozonelayerandsecure ahealthier,saferplanetfor futuregenerations.
variousbooths. Teachersfromboththe PrimaryandNurserylevelsshowcasedcreativeand innovativeteachingaids designedtoimpactclassroomlearningpositively. Ragoobeeremphasisedthat childrenhavethepotential tolearnandwrite,andwhen
teachersemploycreativity, potential. Healsohighlightedthat toimproveliteracyinthe regionfurther.ThiswasthegionTwo,andRagoobeer expressedhopethatteachers wouldcontinuetobeinventiveintheclassroomto inspirestudents.
Henotedthatchildren wereusingpaintbrushes tocreatetheirownstories,addingahands-on, artisticelementtoliteracy development.Throughout theexposition,children wereexcitedtoexplorethe booths,whichfeatureda varietyofcreativedisplays aimedatfosteringalove forreadingandwriting.
Anotherboothattheevent
FROMPAGEII
PAINTARAINBOWINTHESKY
INalandonthenorth-easterncoastofSouthAmerica, oncealostworld,ahiddenparadise.Butnow,theeyesof theworldhavebeenopenedtoitsastoundingbeautyand uniquenessthatenthralthemindandcaptivatetheheart tofallinlove.
Guyana–thelandofmanywaters.
Karainhaleddeeplyastheplanereacheditsdestination.
“Home,aftertwentyyears.”
HerfamilyhadmigratedtoEnglandwhenshewasjust eightyearsold,andshehadneverreturnedtoEuropeforher becominghome.Butdeepwithinherheart,asshegrewfrom achildtoanadult,theconnectiontoaplacethatwasonce homestayedunbroken.
“It’skindastrange,”shemused,“Ormaybeit’sbecause thebondbetweenmotherandchildisneverbroken.”
Hercareerasajournalisttookhertomanycountries acrosstheworld,butthethoughtneverlefthermindthatone day,shewouldreturntothelandofherbirth.
Itwaslateinthenightwhentheplanelanded,andasshe steppedoutoftheairport,thecoolbreezesentawarmthrill throughherbody.Shestoppedandclosedhereyes,embracing thatmoment,andsheannounced,“I’mhome,dearMother.”
Thehotelhadsentacabforher,andonthedrivetothe PrincessHotelontheEastBank,shewasquiteimpressed withtheimprovedchangesofsmoothdouble-laneroadways andstreetlights.
Shesmiled,ahappyfeelingwithinherasshechecked inatthehotelandsaidtoherself,“Fromtomorrow,Iwill becomeacquaintedwithyouagain,dearland.”
Karaawokelatethenextmorningandwentdownstairs totherestaurantforascrumptiousbrunchwithtwoofher cousinsfromthecity.ShehadmetthemtwiceinNewYork andLondonwhentheywereonvacation,anditwasahappy momentseeingeachotheragain.Theyhadarrivedearlierat thehotel,waitingtodrivehertoheroldhomeintheancient countyofBerbice.
AfterthebrunchthatKaraquiteenjoyed,hercousinVinitaasked,“Areyouready?”
“Yes,”Karaansweredexcitedly,“Lookingforwardso muchtothistrip.”
Thelongdrivewasajourneytoremember.Karawas awedbythelushgreenlandscapes,thegrandeurofmodern architecturalbuildingsandimpressivehousingschemes.
“Newchaptersofeconomiesthathaveopenedanewfrontierofdevelopments,”sheobserved,“athirdworldcountry ontherise.”
Butwhatshelovedbetterwerethefoodstallsalongthe roadwaysellingtastyGuyanesedelicacies,freshfruits,sugarcanejuiceandthirst-quenchingcoconutwater.
“Thisismarvellous,”sheexuded,sittingonawooden theambienceofthepeacefulcountryside.
Theyhadstoppedataroadsidestallandshewasenjoying thetastycassavaballswithhotmangosourthatbroughttears tohereyes.
ThejourneycontinuedwithafewstopsforKaratotake picturesofoldcolonialchurchesandhousestheysawalong theway,pricelesspiecesofhistory.Soon,theyreached Rosignol,acommunity,Amarsaid,hadcomealongway, boostingsomefabuloushousesthatwererealshow-pieces andtheBerbiceRiverBridge.
“Remarkableaccomplishment,”Karaexpressed. Theyboughttasty,crispycassava,plantainandsweet potatochipswithmangosourfromvendorswhorushedto thecar.ItwasafternoonastheydrovealongthePalmyra/ No.2Roadandturnedinto CanjetoKara’soldhomein
PAINTARAINBOWIN...
asprawlingsettlementonthe WesternSideofthemainroad.
Thestreetswerepaved,andshe exclaimedinsurprise,“Thisis wonderful!”
SheaskedAmartostopthecarsoshecouldwalktogeta feelforthestreetthatborechildhoodmemories,likefalling downwithherbicycleonthethen-badroad.Shelookedat thehousesasshewalkedpast,beautifulcountryhomeswitha
thanacrosstheKalaPani.
Thatnight,shetooksomefamilymembersandneighboursforanightoutinNewAmsterdam.Thetownhad risentogreaterheightswithtelevisionstations,hotelsand fun,laughter,andgreatfood,suchasBanksBeerandEl Doradorum,whenthetroublesoftheworldwereforgotten.
foryoungpeoplestridingwiththegreatadvancesoftertiary education.
“Whatdoesn’t?”Kararesponded,“Problemsareanorm
“Totallyagreewithyou,”Vinitasaid,“Butrightnow TheystoppedataChineserestaurant,andKarasurprised hercousinswiththefactthatsheknewhowtospeakChinese afterhavingcoveredafewassignmentsinChina.Theproprietorwasquitepleasedwithhis newcustomerandmoresowhen FROMPAGEXVI SEEPAGEXXI
Shesawfacesshecouldnotremember,wholookedat hercuriously,knowingfromheroutlookandaccentshewas aforeigner.Sosheintroducedherself,recognisedbyherfather’snameandsoonthemodesthomeshehadlivedinsaw suchawonderfulfeelingbeinghomeagain,andshelistened fascinatedlytotheCreolesespoken,amixoflanguagesthat wasquiteunique.
Karawasnudgedawakeearlythenextmorningbysoftdevotionalsongs,thearomaofbreakfastintheairandthecreole
“Ohdarn,”wasallshecouldsayafterthatmeal,hereyes mistingfromthespiciness.
Laterinthemorning,shesharedcandiestothechildrenin theneighbourhood,whowerethrilledbyherBritishaccentand oneyoungboyboldlyremarked,
“YoulikewanahdemJamesBond007gyalfriend.”
“What!”shesaidlaughing,surprisedtheyknewtheScottish actor.
“Thechildrenthesedays,”Vinitatoldher,“Knoweverythingbecauseeveryhomehasatelevisionnow.”
“That’sgreat.”
Andinamomentofreminiscing,shesaidquietly,“Growing upasachildhere,wehadradioandstory-tellingnights.”
Thenextday,shetookawalkalongthestreetswhereshe usedtoplaygamesandrideherbike.Shehadthenamesof somepeopleherfatherhadgivenhertobecomeacquainted with,butmostofthemwerenotthereanymore.
“Wherehaseveryonegone?”sheasked,abitperturbed.
“Migration,”wastheanswer.
“Ohyes,”Karaacknowledged,“Myfamilywasapartof thatexodus.”
Lookingatthelistofnamesinherhand,atingeofregret touchedherheart.Aseparationthatleftadeepyearningwhere handscouldnottouchanymore,distancedfromlovedonesby thousandsofmiles,forlifehadcreatedmorejourneysother
Acoupleofdayslater,shewentonatriptotheCorentyne,whichwasanotherwonderfulexperienceforher becauseshehadnomemoryofthisplace.Vinita,aregular visitortoCorentyne,describedtoherthedevelopmentsover theyearsthatleftKaratrulyimpressed.Butwhatimpressed hermorewastheUniversityatTain,aworldofopportunity
RESUSCITATINGTHEYARDGARDENS
INthe19thandformostofthe20thcenturies,Georgetownwasproudlyknownas“theGardenCityoftheWest palmsplantedalongthemainstreetsofthetownandthe
Thetree-linedstreetsofthe“gardencity”cannotbe revivedforanumberofreasons,buttheyardgardenscan. Beforethelossofthecultureofyardgardensandplantpots, everyyardhadtohaveacoconuttree,amangotree,bananas andarootofsugarcane.Theyalsoplantedtreesfromalarge varietywhichincludedgenips,breadfruit,tamarind,plumrose,sapodillas,maamie,jamoon,starapples,dunks,aswell assmallerfruittreessuchaspapaws,avocadopears,soursops,sidyums,gooseberries,guavas,cherries,custardapples, sugarapples,limesandsouraries,boththesweetandsour varieties.Inthebackyards,therewerethekitchengardens whereochroes,tomatoes,mustardandothertypesofbhaji, sweetandhotpeppers,radishes,saijan(merenga),baigan (boulanger),squash,carilla,bora,sorrelandevenpumpkin orwatermelonorsweetpotatovineswereallowedtorun alongtheground.Anumberofspiceplantsthatwereused (basil),ginger,andsometimesturmeric,wereincultivation.
ent,andthesewouldusuallybeCaribbeanroses,oleanders, andbougainvillaeasofvariouscolours.Bachelor’sbutton reminiscentoftheseoldergardensisstillmaintained. Today,buildingshaveovertakenthelandspaceinmostof theyardsofdowntownGeorgetown,leavingcomparatively smallpatchesoflandascomparedwiththemoreeasterly wardsofthecity,wheretheyardscanaccommodategardens. Nowadays,graftedfruittreesareverycommon,andsuch treesgrowwhenthetreeisveryshort.Assuch,moretrees couldbeaccommodatedinthelimitedlandspaceindowntownGeorgetown.Inthemorespaciousyards,theold-style gardenscouldeasilyberesuscitated. inparticularroses,whichseemtohavedisappeared,evenin theBotanicandPromenadeGardens.
Fruittreescouldbegrownmorefreelyabouttheyard sincemanywouldbeshort-graftedandoccupylessspace. Thekitchengardeninthebackyardshouldbemorecarefully plannedandcultivatedtoproducefreshandhealthyfoodfor thefamily,andplantpotsand boxesshouldbeusedtogrow smallmedicinalplantssuchas
RESUSCITATINGTHEYARD...
FROMPAGEXVIII
lemongrass,ginger,turmeric,toolsie,neemandmint, amongothers.Muchresearch hassincebeendoneonherbs andmedicinalplants,thusprovidingabiggerrepertoire.Inrevivingthegardensofthepast,someripefruitshouldalwaysbe allowedtoremainonthetreessothatbirdscouldagainbeattractedtoreturntoGeorgetown.InoldGeorgetown,colourful andbeautifulbirdsgreetedeachnewdaywithbirdsong,and citizenswokeupinthemorningsamidthesebeautifulsounds.
Therearetwothingsthatcouldbedonetoimprovethe renascentgardens:thecultivationofgrapevinesandplacing gardenchairsinthegardens.OneortwoMadeiranfamilies cultivatedgrapevines,bothdarkandcleargrapes,butthisculturedisappearedwiththedeclineoftheold-stylegardensand theemigrationofPortuguesefamiliesinthe1950s.Grapevinesandthehangingbunchesofgrapescouldaesthetically improvethegardenandprovidefamilieswithvaluablefruit. exposedbunchesareveryoftencoveredinbagstoprotect themfrombirds.
Inallthewardsofthecityandintheimmediate surroundingvillages,thebrightstreetandhouselights havemadeitimpossibletoseethestarryskiesandthe moonlight,forthoughonecouldseethemooninthesky, onecouldnotseethemoonlight.Afewgardenseatsinthe backgardencouldallowonetoenjoythemoonlight,see thenumerousstarsinthedarknightskiesandthedaily treatsofthecolourfulsunsets.
Returningto...
FROMPAGEVIIIBeingamongmycolleagues, itwashard,butaswemove intoamodernisedworld,I’m enjoyingitmore.”
Althoughteachinginamodernworld,Bibiannafaced herfairshareofchallengesinherownyearsofschooling. Recountinghertimeinnurseryandsecondaryschool, BibiannaexplainedthatMashabotodayhasmanymore facilities,teachers,andopportunitiesforchildren.Asshe shared,“Goingtoschoolwastoughattimes.Wedidn’t haveanybridgetowalkacross,sowehadtogetaboat.We usedacanoe,whichwasveryexcitingbecausewelearned topaddleandswimataveryyoungage.” graduatedasoneofMashabo’sbeststudents.“AfterIgraduatedfromMashaboPrimarySchool,Iwentontostudyat AuroraSecondarySchool,whereIwrotemyCXCexams, with10subjects,8grade1s,and2grade2s,”sheshared. Heracademicsuccessfurtherfuelledherambitionand beliefinherself,pushinghertoundertakethechallengeof attendingCyrilPotter’sCollegeofEducation.
Furtheringhereducationwasnoteasy,butitgave Bibiannatheopportunitytolearnandgrow,gainingskills andexperiencessheneverwouldhavehadotherwise. AccordingtoBibianna,herbiggesthurdleinbecoming ateacherwasthetwoyearsshespentinthePomeroon Riverregion.Farfromhomeandinanewenvironment, Bibiannacontinuedtostrive,andshesoongraduatedfrom
PAINTA RAINBOW IN...
teachers’college.
research-basedwayofteaching,wherestudentsaregiven thetoolstosolveproblemsintheircommunity.Citing thedramaticchange,Bibiannashared,“Wehaveused technologyinourteachingbecausewehaveWi-Fiatthe schoolnow.WhenIwasattendingprimaryschool,there wasnoWi-Fi.”Regardlessoftheadversitiesthatmay anytimesoon,asshetoldthismagazine,“Ilovedoing myjob.” shetoldhimshehadeatenonceathisuncle’srestaurantin ZhiJian.
“Talkaboutasmallworld,”Vinitaexpressed,“Andyou’re quiteanamazingwoman.”
Afterquiteanenjoyablelunch,theydrovefurtherupthe countrysidethroughSpringlands,anestablishedtownship;the impressionableSkeldonmarket,ahistoricalsugarestate;the beautifulcommunityofLinePathandintoCrabwoodCreek. Thiswasanarearemarkablydevelopedthroughfarming businessandtradewithneighbouringSuriname.Theferry crossingatMolesonCreekwasanothergreataccomplishment,anditwastheendofthevisit.
Karafeltadeepsenseofsatisfactionastheyleft CorentyneandwentbacktoCanje,torelaxforanother day.Everywhereshewent,everythingshesawwasbeyond herexpectations,andthatleftanindeliblemarkonher mind.Sowhenitwastimetoleave,shefeltkindofsad sayinggoodbyetoaplacewhereapieceofherhearthad alwaysbeen.
“Soyouknowwhat,”shedeclared,“Thisisnot‘Goodbye’,thisis‘Seeyouagainlater’”.
Thereweremanyplaceslefttovisit,somanymoreamazmorevisits.
Andassheleftherbelovedlandattheendofhervacation, thethoughtsinhermindwere,
“Icamebackaftersuchalongtimebecausemyidentitywasnotlost,mylegacyofbelongingnotbrokenand withthatIcanpaintarainbowinthesky.”
Nowthatshehasreturnedtohercommunityasateacher, Bibiannaispleasedwiththeeducationaldevelopmentin Mashabo.Asshestated,“Now,asI’mteachingintheprimary school,wehavebeenusingWi-Fitointroduceourlessons andsoon,soitcanbeinterestingforourpupils.”Shefurther added,“Now,I’mbackinmyvillagetomouldyoungminds sothattheycanbesomeonebetterinlife.”
TeachinginMashabohasseenacompletechange, withthecommunitynowambitiouslymovingtowardsa
FORfartoolong,suicidehasbeenmarkedbystigmathat won’tseemtogoaway.Evenwiththemanysensitisation campaignsandsensitivitiesthatexist,thereisstillstigma anddiscrimination.Suicideisdeathcausedbyinjuring oneselfwiththeintenttodie.September10thwascelebratedasWorldSuicidePreventionDay.Assuch,Iwantedto dedicatethisweek’scolumntothispressingissuetoraise moreawarenessofit.Thethemeforthisyearis,“ChangingtheNarrative.”Thissuggeststhatweneedtostart breakingbarriersandreducingthestigmaaroundsuicide.
Perhapsoneofthemostheartbreakingmythsaboutsuicide isthatpersonswhoexperiencesuchthoughtsarecrazyor delusional.Thisisnottrue.Itissomuchdeeperthanthat.It
isunfairtogeneraliseeverysinglepersonwhomightexperiencesuicidalthoughtsasacollectivewithalabel.Peoplewho mightbeexperiencingsuicidalthoughtsmightbestruggling withextremegrief,sadness,ordistress.Iwantyouallto rememberonething—thatstruggleorpainwillnotlastforever.Suicideisapermanentsolutiontoatemporaryproblem. Almosteveryproblemyouencountercanberesolved.You simplyhavetoaskforhelp.
Suicideendsyourlifeandeliminatesanypossibilityof person.Suicidealsodoesnotendyourpain.Itsimplypasses yourpainontoyourfriendsandfamily.Don’tyouthinkyour familyorfriendswouldbedevastatedbyyourlossoflife?
Absolutely—youarevaluableanddeservetolive.Even whenwethinksomeonemightalreadyhavetheirmindmade up—youcanchangeit.Mostsuicidalpeoplesimplywantthe tokilloneselfdoesnotlastforever.Suicideisunpredictable, yes,butalsopreventable.
Assuch,continuousadvocacyandsupportmustbeavailablenationwide.Suicideisalsopreventablewhenwelook outforothers.Ifyou’venoticedthesesignsinsomeone,then theymightbestrugglingwithsuicidalthoughts.Theymight starttalkingaboutkillingoneself,orself-harm,orwriting aboutsuicide.Theymightalsogatherweaponstouse,such aspoisonoussubstances,pills,weapons,etc.Theymayalso wills.Youshouldalsolookoutforsignsofwithdrawalfrom socialgroupsorspaces,aswellasincreaseduseofdruguse oralcoholuse. belittle.Iwanttostresstheimportanceofremembering thatsuicideispreventable.Assuch,I’veputtogethersome necessaryinformationthatmightbeusefulforthecontextof Guyanabelow.
Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowisexperiencingsuicidal thoughts,herearesomehelpfultips: someonewhomightbeexperiencingsuicidalthoughts suicidalthoughtsfeelisolatedoralone.Betheirfriend.pitaltoseeapsychologist,especiallyifyouhaveunderlying conditionssuchasdepression.
Mashabo...
haveasmallguesthousefor tourismnow.Butinthenear future,thatguesthousecould betwoorthreetimesthesize,wherewecouldhavemore peopleinMashabo.”Hefurtheraddedthatthetourismindustrywouldbemanagedbythevillage’syoungpeopleas hestated,“Bringingtourismintothiscommunityisoneof thebestaccessesIfeelthatyoungpeoplecouldgetinvolved
AsoneoftheoldestAmerindiancommunitiesinRegion 2,cultureandtraditioncontinuetobeabigpartofthevillage’sidentity.Aproudcommunityofpeople,themenand womenofMashaboarealwaysreadytosharetheircommunity’straditions,food,andmaybeevenastoryortwo.As ToshaoHendrickstoldthePepperpotMagazine,“Heritage couldbeabigtouristattraction.Alotofpeoplefromthe coast,whentheycomehere,theywantsomewildmeat, thesethingsforpeoplethatcomefromoutside.”Hefurther added,“It’sveryimportantforustocelebrateourheritage.
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearreading friend.Youcanbehelped tounderstandandevaluate informationgiveninapassagebyusingasuitableset
givenapassagetocompare itscontenttoseveralpassagesonthesamesubject, rightawayyoushouldsee yourselfrelatingtheinfor-
mationgivenintheinitialtextto thatoftheothertexts.Note-taking isessentialtotheprocessalso. RelatinginformationishighlightBewise.
Loveyou.
IMPROVINGWRITING
Explainingaprocessyouknow well typesofwritingsuchasnarrative, expository,andpersuasiveamong others.Infact,herearemore typestosetyourhorizonwider andclearer:memoir,essay,journalism,autobiography,biography, featurewriting,manual,travel guide,recipe,andacademictext. literaryworkthatisfact-based, intendedtopresenttrueevents andinformationasaccuratelyas possible.Youencounteritwhen yourefertoinstructionsonhow tousesomethinglikeapieceof equipment,say,binoculars.This formisshort,focusedexpository thatexplainsaprocess. Supposeyouweretowrite anessaytoexplainaprocessyou knowwell.
Youressay,then,wouldinclude thefollowingfeatures: afocusedtopicthatcanbefully explainedintheessay explanationsoftermsormaterialsthatmaybeunfamiliar aseriesoflogicalstepsexplainedinchronologicalorder charts,illustrations,anddiagramsasnecessarytomakecomplicatedproceduresunderstandable error-freewritingincluding correctuseofcomparativeand superlativeandotherformsof grammar.
Howdoyouchooseyourtopic? Listpeople,places,things, andactivitiesthatyouareinvolvedwithathomeorschool. Gothroughthemandmakemental orvisualconnectionstocoinyour topic.Chooseyourtopicfromthe ideasthechartgenerates.
Howdoyougatherdetails?Do thisbymakingatimelinethisway: Dividetheprocessyouhave chosenintodistinctsteps. Makeatimelinetoorganise thesequenceofstepsyourexplanationwilldescribe.
Identifythephotographs,illustrations,ordiagramsthatmight helpyouexplaintheprocess. Shapingyourwriting.Order isimportanttomakethiseffort workwell: organiseyourdetailsintoa sequencetomakecleartheorder ofsteps,eachmaybeonaseparate pieceofpaper.
Addtoorrearrangethesteps
asneededandmakeeachfulsomeinitsturn.
Whentherightorderisfound,numberthesteps andusethesenotestodraft.
Howtoelaborate:Whenyouwriteeachparagraph eyeanyimportantdetailthatneedsmoreinformation–whatkind?howmuch?Howlong?Ortowhat degree?
Revisingyouroverallstructure:Hereiswhenyou addinteresttoyouressay.Thishelpsyoulookfor waystoconvincereadersthattheprojectisworth reading.Useyourpre-writingnotestoseewhatgave youtheideaforyourtopic,andbuildyourenthusiasm intoyourintroductionandconclusion.
Revisingyourparagraphs:Addmissinginformation,likemissingstepsormisinformation.Doallyou canwithaddedinformationanyreaderwouldneedto writingwheremanyimportantbitsofinstructionare oftenleftoutbecausethewriterfeelsthatthereaders arefullyacquaintedwithacertainprocedureinastep.
IMPROVINGREADING Contextclues
Note:Oneauthoritysaysthis:Whenyouare readingtounderstandcontextcluesyouneedtolook forhintsaboutaword’smeaningfoundnearby.You mightlookforcontextcluesinthesamesentence,or inthesentencesbeforeandafterit.Thesecluescan alsobesynonymsofthechallengingword,oreven
Readthefollowingpassage.Then,answerthe questions.
Themoon,Earth’sonlynaturalsatellite,changesinappearancemonthlyasitorbitsaroundour planet.Itwaxesandthenwanes,seemingtoincrease andthendecreaseinsize,fromfullmoontoquarter, tocrescent,tothenearlyinvisiblenewmoon.Before theageofmodernscience,thesephasesofthemoon inspiredmanylegends,orstories,thatattemptedto explainthechanges.Althoughtheseexplanationscientpeoplewerediligentobserversofthenightsky, carefullystudyingandaccuratelynotingchangesin theheavens.
intheselection?
(A)aplanet(B)astar(C)somethingthat orbitsaplanet
2.Whichcontextprovidesthebestcluetothe (A)changesinappearance(B)itorbitsaround ourplanet (C)increaseandtendecreaseinsize (D)fromfullmoontoquarter
(A)increases(B)decreases (C)becomesinvisible(D)growsshadowy 4.Whatdoestheword’phases’meaninthis selection?
(A)stagesinbecominganadult (B)regular,predictablechangesinappearance (C)endings(D)timesofconfusion
(A)imaginative(B)uninformed (C)careless(D)careful GRAMMAR:Punctuation
Inthefollowingsentencessupplythecorrect capitallettersandpunctuationmarks.
1.wespentagloriousweekatsylvanlakeinthe blackhillsofsouthdakota
2.itsthemensturnnotthewomenstoplanthe
THEsadnewsforpersistentsmokersisthatinmanyjuanasmokerssinceithasbeenestablishedthatthis practiceisnotahabitashasbeenpreviouslybelieved, butreallyanaddictioncompletewithinherentphysical andpsychologicaldependence.
Forthepastfourconsecutiveyears,thethemeforOral CancerMonthwas“CheckYourMouth”.Accordingto theOralCancerFoundation,everyhour,24hoursaday, 365daysayear,someonediesfromoralororopharyngeal cancer.Theoropharyngealareaislocatedatthebackof theoralcavityandupperthroat.
Amongnumeroushazardsrelatedtooralcancerare: rampantcaries,gingivitis,stomatitis(infectionoftheliningofthemouth)andthestainingoftheteeth.Statistics showthatonlythreepercentofallmouthcancersoccurin personswhohaveneversmoked,whilethosewhochew tobaccohavethehighestchanceofdyingfromthedisease. often,oralcancerappearsasachronic,painfulsoreorulcerwhichhaddevelopedfromawhitepatch.Thedeeper inthemouthitisfound,thefasteritmaykillthevictim. Inotherwords,canceronthesoftpalateisfarmoredangerousthanonelocatedonthelip.
Theprevalenceofmouthcancersincreaseswithage, with98%ofcasesbeingover40yearsold.Ofparticular interestisthefactthatincombinationwithalcohol,there studiesindicatethatevenbeerandwinecouldcauseoral cancer,especiallywhenconsumedbyinveteratecigarette smokers.
Canoralcancerbeprevented?Largely,yes.Regular mouthandthroatexaminationscandetecttheconditionat itsearliest,mostcurablestage.Survivalratesarearound 75%ifdetectedthen.Ontheotherhand,withoutperiodic examinationsandtestsbyyourdentist,risksincrease,and survivalratesdecrease.AdietrichinvitaminsAandC andmoderationorabstentionfromtobaccoandalcohol constitutemodesofprevention.Progressivelydecreasing thenumberofcigarettessmokeddailyistherecommended methodtogetridoftheaddiction.
Inadditiontoover300otherpoisons,thesmokefrom thecigarettecontainsnicotineandcondensate(tar),which depositonthetooth’ssurface,leavingadarkbrownto blackoveraperiod.Becausetheenamelhastinypores,the nicotineeventuallypenetratesthetooth’sbody,thusvirtuallyincorporatingitselfintothestructureofthedentin. Polishingcannotevenremoveit,andtheteeth,therefore, becomepermanentlystained.
Destabilisationoftheintegrityofthevarioustissues inthemouthbecauseoftheconstantlypervadingheat andchemical-ladentobaccosmokeleadstomanylocal thecilia,whichfunctionbysweepingdustparticlesdown thegulletfromthenasalliningandthroat,resultsinthe chronicsmoker’scough.
Theawarenessoftobaccoissuesbyhealthcareworkersmayvaryfromjustmentioningtotheirpatientsthat smokingcessationwillcontributetothegeneralstate materialonquittingthetobaccohabit.Moreformal assistancemayincludethedeliveryofcessationprogrammesinsmallgroupsoronaone-to-onebasisin aclinicalsetting.Itisimportanttonotethatevenless intensiveinterventionsmayhaveanimportantimpact onpublichealth.