Backfromtheashes
Risingaboveanxietyanddepression
NATASHAAlliisasuccessfulbusinesswomanwho hasfoursmallbusinesses, includingthenewlyopened DaretoTasteCaféatCity Mall.Despitementalhealth challengesforthepast15 years,sheisgettingbetterandhasrisenfromthe ashes.
Alliistheownerofa
TasteCaféatCityMallon
“Anxietyisanemotion whichischaracterisedby anunpleasantstateofinnerturmoilandincludes feelingsofdreadoveranticipatedevents.Anxietyistionalresponsetoapresent threat,whereasanxietyis theanticipationofafuture one.”(Wikipedia)
NatashaAlliwithherhandmadebouquetoffresh
SingingChefAdventures
TheTastesandRhythmsofGuyana
ASGuyanastepsintoanotherTourismMonth,The PepperpotMagazinetook theopportunitytospotlightafewuniquetourism businesses.Inacountryas vastanddiverseasGuyana,numerousdestinations aimtocapturesomething beyondthetypicalsun, sand,andsea.Oneofthe mostintriguingventuresis SingingChefAdventures. Ownedbyapassionatecouple,SingingChefAdventurestakesvisitorsthrough thesightsandsoundsof thecapitalcitywhilethey entirecountry.Husbandand-wifeduoEonandJessicaJohnsaytheycreated theventurewithonegoalin mind:tohelppeoplefallin lovewiththetasteofGuyana,justastheyhave.
GettingtoKnowthe Owners
SingingChefAdventures ismorethanjustacatchy experienceguestsenjoy.The couple’sstoryisasdistinctive astheirbusiness.Bornin Guyana,Eonventuredabroad atayoungage,pickingup culinaryandmusicalskills alongtheway.Thesetalents nowallowhimtoserenade music.
Jessica,originallyfrom SouthAfrica,holdsBritish citizenshipandhasstrong familytiestotheUK.After
visitingGuyanamorethan15 yearsago,shebecamedeeply investedinitscultureand history.Nowfullyimmersed inGuyaneselife,shebelieves Guyanaissimplythebest placetoliveintheworld.
Overtheyears,Jessica hasdevelopedadeepappreciationforGuyana’srich culturalheritageandhow itcontinuestothrivetoday. AlongwithEon,she’spassionateaboutshowcasingthe vibrancyofGuyana’spast. Assheshared,“We’rebring-
ingstoriesandthehistoryof Guyanatolifethroughculture,food,andmusic.We’re tellingstoriessothatpeople canunderstandwhatmakes aGuyaneseperson,whether ofAfrican,Indian,orIndigenousdescent.”
Eonreturnedtohishomelandafter40yearsabroad, reconnectingwithhisfamilyandculture.Histravels aroundtheworldgavehim vastexperienceintheculinaryarts,andexposuretodiversecuisinesinspiredhimto workwithlocalingredients.
Experiencingculture throughculinaryarts
Oneofthecouple’smost populartoursisTheTasteof Freedom,aculinaryjourney
Guyana’sAfricanheritage. AlthoughborninGuyana, thistourintroducedEonto aspectsoftheculturehehad neverfullyexplored.The researchhedidprovided opportunitiesforpersonal reflectionashespenttime inBuxton,uncoveringthe
“ThetourrelatedtoAfricandescent,calledTasteof Freedom,coversthestoryof Africansafterenslavement. Theyestablishedover38 villages,makingittheonly placeintheworldwherethat happened,”heexplained.He added,“WhenIcameback toGuyanaafter40years,I wantedtosoundmorelike
wasencouraged bytheGuyana TourismAuthority (GTA).ThiscollaborationallowedEonand thetour,creatinganauthentic experienceforbothlocals andtourists.
myfamilyagain,andsomethingjustclicked.Itfeltlike IwasbornagainwhenI returned.Thehistory,the food—everythingreminded meofhome.”
Creatinganexperience throughcollaboration
Anotheroftheirfamous tours,TheSevenCurryTour,
Recallinghowtheidea forTheSevenCurryTour emerged,Jessicasaid,“The GuyanaTourismAuthority emailedme,suggestingthe tourasagreataddition.I turnedtoEonandasked, ‘ShouldwedoaSevenCurry Tour?’That’showitstarted, andnowit’soneofourmost populartours.”
JessicaandEonstrive
Guyanesecultureintheir culinarytours.Eon’sanecdotalknowledgeandpersonal discoveriesabouthisheritage addlayersofauthenticity toeachtour,makingevery encounterbotheducational andpersonal.
However,thetoursare morethanjustaboutcultural foodsinGeorgetown.Visitorsalsohavethechanceto placesaroundthecapitalcity.
TheyemphasisethatthetoursingadeepdiveintoGuyana’s culturalhistory.AsJessica explained,“Peoplecometo usnotjustforthesunand sea—theygotoBarbadosfor
that.TheycometoGuyanana,andtherainforest.When theyleave,theyfeelmore connectedtothecountry becausethey’vegottento knowit.”
Overcomingchallenges andbuildingconnections
Aswithmanysmallbusinesses,EonandJessicafaced challengesinsettingupaviastructure.Supportfromthe GTAplayedacrucialrolein overcomingtheseobstacles, highlightingtheimportance ofinstitutionalbackingindevelopingsustainabletourism.
Jessica,whohandles muchofthebusiness’stechnicalandlogisticalaspects, believesthattourisminGuyanaisgrowing.Withbacking fromgovernmentalagenciesandGuyana’sincreasing globalpresence,thesector’s continueddevelopmentisassured.Shesaid,“Aswithany smallbusiness,it’saboutestablishingyourself,creatinga goodreputation,andbuilding onpeople’senjoyment.With thesupportoftheGTAand others,we’vehadthehelptouctscontinuously.”
Thecouple’stoursfostercloseconnectionswith guests.Jessicasharedthat manytouristsstayincontact, oftenreachingouttoshare theirfurtherinsightsorthank themfortheexperience, whichhelpsbuildastrong communityofadvocatesand friendsworldwide.
“It’ssolovelytosee agroupofpeoplestartas strangersandendupas friends,”shesaid.“Theystay intouch,tellingusabouttheir travelsandcomparingexperiences.It’sreallyrewarding.”
EonandJessicaaimto continueprovidingthese immersiveexperiencesto theirvisitors.Eonbelieves theflareandfireoftheir businessareowedtothe vibrancyanduniquenessof
“Growingup,Ialwaysdid music,butIearnedmoney throughcooking.WhenI returnedtoGuyanaand tastedtheseingredients, Ithought,‘Icoulddoincrediblethingswiththis. nowhereelse.’”
Thehusband-and-wifeteam,JessicaandEonJohn(JaphethSavory Photo)
BimichiEcoLodge
AboldculturaladventureinthevillageofPakuri
ByShaniyaHarding.
THEwordBimichiisan Arawakwordmeaning hummingbird,abeautiful andadventurouscreature.
Itwasthisimagerythat inspiredthecreationofBimichiEcoLodge,locatedin theAmerindiancommunity ofSt.Cuthbert’sMission, Pakuri.Thelodgefocuses
onprovidingvisitorswith anindigenousculturalexperience.
Ownedandoperatedby AbigailAllyandherfamily, BimichiLodgewasborn fromAbigail’sdesiretoreconnectwith theauthenticcultural experiencesofher community.“Iam originallyfromSt. Cuthbert’sMission; Igrewupthere,”Abigailshares.“Most ofmytime,Ispent inGeorgetownbecause,rightafter CommonEntrance, wedidn’thaveasecondaryschoolinthe villageatthattime.” Itwaswhilelivingin GeorgetownthatAbigailbegantomissthe authenticexperiences ofherhomevillage, whichledhertostudy tourismandlaterstart BimichiEcoLodge. Oneofthefirst endeavoursthatBimichieverundertook waseducational, whichstillshapes thecommunitytoday.Some10years ago,ateamofforestrystudentssoughtto exploreandresearch thetreesoftheLinden-Soesdykehighway.Thiswasamong thefirstgroupsthat Bimichihostedandcontinues tohosttoday.Abigailrecalls,
“In2014,that’swhenwehad studentsvisitSt.Cuthbert’s.
Wewerelookingforsometogoontheirfieldtrips, especiallyforestrystudents.”
Culturalandadventure tourism
auniqueblendofcultural immersionandoutdooradventure,makingitahidden gemforeco-tourismenthusiasts.Visitorsaretreatedto arichexperienceofArawak traditionsthroughtraditionalpotatowine,captivating dances,hands-onarcherylessonsusingtraditionalbows, andtheintricateartofTibisiri craftwork.“Wedotraditional danceandcanoeingbecause, youknow,somepeoplehave neverbeeninacanoe,”Abigailfurtherstated.Whetheryou’recanoeingthrough serenewaters,hikingalong trails,orswimminginblackwaterlakes,thelodgepromisesanenrichingjourneythat marriesculturalheritagewith thebeautyofnature.
Bimichi’sculturalexperienceisfurtherenhanced byimmersingvisitorsinthe cultureofthecommunity.
Ownedandoperated byAbigailAlly
Withadeepcommitment tobothcommunityandenvironmentalresponsibility, serenegetawaybutalsoplays apivotalroleinsupporting thesurroundingcommunity. Withsolar-poweredlights andeco-friendlyaccommodations,itcaterstoenvironmentallyconscioustravellers. “Forlighting,wegetpower throughthevillagegenerator from6to10atnight,andafterthat,weusesolarlightsat thelodge,”Abigailexplains. Tourismgrowthandnew
Astourismcontinuesto growinGuyana,BimichiEcoingstomeetthedemandsof travellersseekingfresh,excitingexperiences.In2023, thelodgelaunchedthePakuri FinandFeatherAdventureswatchingandsightseeing alongthetranquilMahaica River.“It’saboattourthat alongtheMahaicaRiver,”
ByShaniyaHarding
IN2020,whiletheworld wasunderlockdown, CherryannGreenebegan seekingwaystobringher uniqueideatolife.Outofa job,shewantedtohelppeopleconnectwithGuyana andwitheachother.Ride
andtouristsanexcitingway toexplorethecapitalcity, withvariousbiketours
ThevisionbehindRideAlongGuyana
Guyanesecitylife.After stopsatthenation’smostimportanthistoricallandmarks andmuseums,guestshave theopportunitytosavourthe underthefamousStabroek MarketClock—apopular highlightforvisitors,accordingtoCherryann. Cherryannalsoprioritiseseco-friendlysolutions, avoidingsingle-useplastic bottlesandpromotingre-
ryannpersistedinplanning andultimatelyrealisedher long-helddream.“Ihadthis ideatodobicyclerentalsand toursaverylongtimeago. ButIdidn’thaveanymoney anddidn’tknowwhereto start.So,Istartedwiththe basics:registerthebusiness andwritedownmyideas. EverytimeIwenttobed,I wokeupstressed,wondering howIwasgoingtodothis alone,”sherecalled.Withen-
availableinGeorgetown andBartica.Thebusiness hasblossomedintoone ofthebestwaystoenjoy Guyana’scities,providing acleanerandhealthierway toexperiencethecountry. Cherryann,acreativeand passionate40-year-oldentrepreneur,launchedRide AlongGYin2021.With optionsfortandemrides, four-wheelbikes,andbaby seats,herbusinesshasdisarangeofdiverseexperiencesthatplacethepeople andtheirenjoymentatthe forefront.
Togetherwithateamof tourguides,Cherryannleads visitorsonhands-ontours throughoutGeorgetown.A trulyone-of-a-kindexperience,abiketourwithRide AlongGYimmersestourists inthehustleandbustleof
usableoptionsforclients.
“StartinginJanuary,nomore single-usebottles.Ihave someonewho’sbrandingreusablebottlesforus,sowhen peoplecome,they’llhave waterinabrandedbottlethey cankeep,”sheshared.Ride AlongGYhaswonmultiple awardsforitssustainableinitiatives,earningareputation asoneofGuyana’sleading greenenterprises.
OvercomingChallengesandBuildingCredibility
Likemanysmallbusinesses,CherryannfacedseveralchallengeswhenlaunchingRideAlongGY.The biggesthurdle,however,was funding.WithanideaasnovelasbikingtoursinGuyana, manydoubteditspotential success.Nevertheless,believinginhervision,Cher-
couragementfromfamilyand friends,shetooktheleapand appliedforfundingthrough theSmallBusinessBureau, successfullysecuringagrant
thathelpedhergetstarted.
Thebusinesshassince expandedfrom12bikesto60 andhasthrivedwithsupport fromtheMinistryofTourism andtheGuyanaTourism Authority,whichhelpedit gainrecognitionforinnovationandexcellence.Despite challengessuchaslocalperceptions,risksoftheft,and publicscepticismaboutcyclingsafety,Cherryann’sdeterminationhasenabledher toovercometheseobstacles.
RideAlongGYhasimplementednumerousmeasurestoensurethesafetyand comfortofitsriders,includ-
ingskilledtourguidesand advancedtrackingtechnologyoneachbike.However, somechallengesaremoreryannexplains,whilesome visitorscomeeagertoenjoy thewarmthoftheGuyanese
“Nobodywantstorideinthe sun.Somepeopleeventhink otherswillstealthebikes orrobyou.Buteveryyear, Iproveit’spossible.Not anaccident,notanincident sinceIstartedthebusiness,” Cherryannstated.
Today,thebusinesscaters totouristsfromaroundthe
world,withcontractswith foreigntouroperatorsand groupsfromEurope.Cherryannisoptimisticabout expandingherserviceswith acontinuedfocusonsustainablepractices,aligning withGuyana’sLowCarbon DevelopmentStrategy.
Creatinguniqueexperiencesfortourists
Cherryann’sgoalisto integratetouristsintoGuythatincludevisitstomarkets, samplinglocalfoods,andenjoyingauthenticstreetexperiences.“We’vegotbabyseats andtandembikes,wheretwo peoplecanrideatthesame time.Iwanteverybodyto havetheexperience,even peoplewhocan’tbalance ontwowheelsorhaveother challenges,”sheshared,underscoringhercommitment toinclusivityandcustomised experiences.RideAlongGYingtourstodestinationssuch asKaieteurFalls.However, Cherryannsaysthebiketours remainherpriorityasshe continuestobuildanalready impressiveclientele.
Toattractmorevisitors thebusinesshasintroduced innovativeconcepts,with Cherryannplanningtokeepsakessuchascapsor pouchesassouvenirsfor tourists.Positivefeedback acrossplatformshighlights theappreciationtourists havefortheauthenticculturalexperienceshertours provide.“Peoplealways enjoyit.Theyappreciate seeingGeorgetownand thelocalmarketsandtryingstreetfood.It’sabout lettingtouristsexperience theculture,notjustthe scenery,”shenoted.
ThewomanbehindRideAlonggy,Cherryann Greene.
ByYouthPerspective.
Guyanahassomeofthe mostcomprehensivesexual healthandrightspolicies intheCaribbean.Despite this,challengesandbarriersremainthatinfringeon thesexualrightsofGuyanesepeople.Professionals suchasKobeSmithwork tirelesslytoensurethat thesepoliciesareadhered towhileadvocatingfor furtheradvancementsin sexualrights.
KobeobtainedaBachelor’sDegreeinLawfromthe UniversityofGuyanaand wastherecipientoftheGuyanaNationalYouthAward in2017.Heisastalwartin sexualhealthandreproductiveadvocacyinGuyana. Hisjourneyintosexualand reproductivehealthandrights (SRHR)advocacybeganasa deeplypersonalonewhenhe losthisbelovedmother.
Kobeexplainedthathesequencesoflimitedaccess toqualityhealthinformation andservicesfollowinghis mother’spassing.ForKobe, thistremendouslossacceleratedhisdecisiontobecome anadvocate.Herealisedthat countlessotherswereexperiencingsimilar,preventable tragediesduetogapsinGuyana’shealthcaresystem.Over time,hisactivismevolved frompersonalmotivationinto aprofessionalmission.
TheGuyanaResponsible ParenthoodAssociationisthe leadingsexualandreproductivehealthcareproviderin Guyana.Today,Kobeserves astheorganisation’sExecutiveDirector.Inthisrole,he isresponsibleforsteeringthe organisationtowardsmeeting criticalhealthneedsacross diversecommunities.This dynamicpositionenables Kobetoleadatalented,dedicatedteamwhileworking alongsidegovernmentandinternationalpartnerstoexpand GRPA’snetworkandreach. Kobewantedtodomore thanadvocateforaccessto SRHRservices;healsofelta pressingneedtoaddressthe broadersocialfactorsthat
hinderpeople,particularly youngpeopleandvulnerable communities,fromexercisingtheirrights.Inhiscurrent role,hestrivestocreatea healthcarelandscapewhere allindividualscanaccessessentialserviceswithoutfear ofdiscriminationorstigma.
ThisinfluentialSRHR advocatehasalsosoughtto highlightoneofthemost pressingyetunder-recognisedchallengesinthe andcontextuallysensitive SRHReducation,particularly inGuyana’shinterlandand Indigenouscommunities.
“Theseareasareoftenunderservedandfaceunique culturalbarriers,makingit high-qualitySRHReducation andservices.Additionally,gender-basedviolence remainsprevalent,exacer-
batingbarrierstoaccessing SRHRservices.Tackling theseissuesdemandsnot onlypolicychangesbutalso community-drivenapproachesthatrespectandinvolve thepeopleaffected,”said
work,rangingfromsocietal stigmasurroundingsexual healthtoinadequatefunding andinfrastructure.According toKobe,inmanycommunities,SRHRremainsataboo topic,whichmakesopen
Kobe.
Kobe’sworkandinfluencehaveextendedbeyond Guyana’sborders.Hehas representedGuyanaandthe GuyanaResponsibleParenthoodAssociation(GRPA)at numerousregionalandinternationalforums,whichhave beenvitalincreatingglobal solutions.Theseincludethe ICPD30GlobalDialogueon DemographicDiversityand SustainableDevelopmentin Bangladesh,theUNWomen GenderEqualityForumin Antigua,andtheWomen Deliverconferencein2018. Therearebothsocialand structuralbarriersinSRHR
discussionsandaccessto servicesdifficult.Froman organisationalperspective, navigatingfundingrestrictionsandensuringproject sustainabilityareconstant challenges.“Toovercome these,weprioritisecommunityengagementandadvocacy,workingdirectlywith communityleaderstofoster understandingandbuy-in,” Kobeexplained. Additionally,underKobe’sleadership,GRPAhas focusedoncapacity-building initiativessuchasTraining ofTrainers(TOT),which empowerslocalleadersto continuetheworklongafter specificprojectshavecon-
cluded.Thisapproachcreates amoresustainableimpact thatensuresthecontinuation oftheirmission.OneofKobe’sgreatestachievementsas ExecutiveDirectorhasbeen overseeingmobilehealth outreacheffortstoprovide SRHRservicestoIndigenouscommunitiesandother underservedareas.Through initiativesliketheGlobalAffairsCanada-fundedRights fromtheStartprojectand UNFPA’sEQUALSRHR project,heisworkingtoensurethatwomen,youngpeople,andmigrantpopulations haveaccesstovitalinformationandservices,including abortioncare,contraceptives, cancerscreening,andHIV/ STItesting,whichwould otherwisebeoutofreach. Kobe’sworkhasbeendescribedashighlysuccessful byhispeersandcolleagues. Heisregardedasatrailblazer
inprojectplanningwithin thefieldofsexualandreproductivehealthandrights. ThePepperpotMagazine waskeentolearnhowKobe measuressuccessinhisrole attheGRPA.Heemphasised thatsuccessisnotmeasured solelybyquantitativemetrics,suchasthenumber ofindividualsreached,or servicesprovided,butalso bythequalitativeimpact onthecommunitiesserved. “Forexample,wetrackthe increaseinknowledge,shifts incommunityattitudes,and theimprovedcapacityoflocalhealthworkers.Successis sustainservicesandexpand reach–particularlyinremote areas.Byfosteringpartnershipsandengagingcommunitymembersasleaders,we ensurethatourinitiatives havealastingandmeaningful impact,”Kobestressed.
WhenaskedbyThePepperpotMagazinewhathe foreseesforthefutureof SRHRadvocacyinGuyana andhowheplanstoalign
sionafuturewhereSRHR isuniversallyrecognised asafundamentalrightin Guyana,withequitableaccessacrossallcommunities. Thekeytothisfuturelies inpartnerships,bothlocally andinternationally,aswell asinadvocatingforpolicies thatsupportSRHRatevery
“Toalignwiththisvision,I plantocontinuemyadvocacy throughregionalnetworks, leveragingmyroleinorganisationsliketheCaribbean VulnerableCommunities Coalition.”
AsGuyanaprogresseswithmorediverseapproachestoaddressingthe challengesrelatingtosexual healthandreproductive rights,Kobehopestobuild aninclusivemovementthat notonlyaddressesimmediatehealthneedsbutalso tacklesunderlyingsocial issues,creatingahealthier, moreempoweredsociety forall.
TheGuyanaResponsibleParenthoodAssociation’sExecutiveDirector,KobeSmith
Atrailblazerforwomeninbusiness
ByMichelOutridge
ASatrailblazerforwomen inbusiness,ShaneshaDeonauthwassuccessfulin
enterprisewiththeopeningofathirdlocation,and businessahouseholdname.
Fulfillinghermotto, “Bloomingwithpossibilities”,Deonauthtoldthe PepperpotMagazinethather parentswerehermentors whotaughtheraboutthe
floralstoreatLeisureInn, DeonauthhastwootherieTowne,EastCoastDemerara,andatWestCentral Herparents,ownersof beeninthebusinessfor35 years,withtheopeningof -
DeonauthisanAmerispentthebestpartofadefamilybusiness,withstrong femalerolemodelslikeher mother,Nesha,fromNesha’s onherownin2022,spotting high-quality,professional -
DeonauthtoldthePepperpotMagazinethatshewas
Oneofthelovelybouquets
Theenterprisingbusiherpassionforbusinesswith
Withresoluteambitionto expandherbusinessempire
sideringstartingabusinessto
“Thoughhardtostart inbusiness,thereisnotime
parentsraisedme;it’stheanaisthelandofopportuni-
Deonauthexplainedthat wouldliketorepresentboth Asapersonwhogrewpressingherselfinbusiness
DeonauthstatedthatshetoChina,shewouldreturn forValentine’sDaytowork
withthehighestqualityof makeallofyourmoments -
Shanesha Deodat,owner ofShanesha’s Flowerland
Birthday candles
BIRTHDAYSareperhapsoneofthemostjoyousoccasionsinourlives.Theyareamongthoseeventsthatare celebrateduniversally,regardlessofcultureorreligion. Afterall,lifeisagiftthatisalwaysworthcelebrating. Everyyear,anothercandleisaddedtoourbirthday cake.Weusethecandleasasymboltocelebratetheyear oflifethatwehavelivedandeverythingthatwehave experiencedandachievedduringthatyear.However, whenwehaverecoveredfromtheinitialexcitementof thecelebration,wedohavetoblowoutthecandlesthat havebeenlit.Atthispoint,weareremindedthateach candlealsorepresentsayearthathaspassed—ayearof ourlivesthatwewillnevergetback.
Weareoftenremindedthatweonlygetonechanceat life.Thewords“Youonlyliveonce”have,inastrangeway, becomethemottoofyoungpeopleasawhole.So,weare encouragedtoenjoyeverysingledayandensurethatwe usetimetothebestofourabilities.However,livinglifeto importantaspectofthejourneyoflifeisdiscoveringwhat itmeanstous.
Forinstance,seatedwithin museumisamummynamedLa Doncella.Themummyisthat ofa15-year-oldgirlwhowasa memberoftheIncantribenearly 500yearsago.Herpurposeinlife wastobecomeamessengerto theIncandeities.So,shesaton thefreezingmountaintopsuntil shesuccumbedtothecoldinher sleep.Today,wecanstillseeher dreamsanddesiresfrozenina museumalongwithherphysical ago.
Fischerreceivedtheextraordinarytitleof‘grandmaster’,thus settingarecordastheyoungest chessplayertogainthetitle.
Finally,attheageof15aswell,MalalaYousafzaisurvived anassassinationattemptthatwasmadesimplybecauseshe advocatedforgirlstobeeducated.Twoyearslater,Malala wontheNobelPeacePrizewhilealsosettingarecordasthe youngestpersontodoso.
Eachoneoftheseyoungpeoplewasthesameagewhen andwhattheyinspiredasaresultoftheirachievement. LaDoncellahasinspiredhistoriansandarchaeologistsfor decades. players.MalalaYousafzaihasinspiredsomanyyounggirls birthdaycandlesservedasaheraldtotheirownerasof inspiration.
Ourlivesdonotneedtobecomeinspirationstogenerationsofotheryoungpeople.Theydo,however,needtocarry that“youonlyliveonce”falselyleadsustobelievethatlife isataskwithatimelimitattachedtoit.Itleadsustobelieve thatthereisapredeterminedlistofexperiencesthatwemust Thisputsanenormousamountofpressureonustonotonlydaycandles,wewillnotevenrealisethatwearedoing so.Manyofusspendmuchofourprecioustimeforcing ourselvestodothingsthatwethinkweshouldbedoing regardlessofwhetherornottheybringussatisfaction. Then,wespendtimewonderingwhetherwearedoing enoughwithourlivesorwhetherwearemissingouton otherthingsweshouldbeexperiencing.Theanswerto thesequestionscannotbefoundanywherebutdeepwithinourownhearts.Ifwewakeupeachmorningfeeling gladforthedayaheadofus,andweenjoyeverything wedoduringthecourseoftheday,thenitsimplymeans thatwearealreadylivingthebestversionofourlives, andthereisnothingweneedtochange.
AGROUPofGuyanesein theArtswereinvitedand theirpassagewaspaidfor toFrenchGuianabythe MITARAKAgroup.(Iwill askforsomeforgiveness forwordsandplacesmisspeltbecauseofdocuments lostwhilemovingandothersnotdocumentedasrequired.)Theessenceofthis articlewasjoltedintorelevancebytherecentpassingoftheauthor,Rooplall Monar.Thethengroupthat madethisjourneyincluded RasMichael,MartinCarter,MichaelGilkes,Monar andmyself;iftherewere othersIcan’trecall.There wasalsoaSurinamegroup whichcameinlater.Allthis occurredinOctober1998.
TheGuyanesecommunitythereavoidedus,unknowingly,thoughwecould identifythemastheyglanced andthenlookedaway,aswe roamedaroundthestreetsof Cayenne.Wewerebunked
werescheduledtobedisplayedatameeting,bringing thethreeGuyanagroups togetherafewdayslater.Our citizensthereinformedus thatour“hustlers”werethe prominentvisitorstoFrench Guiana,andourcomingwas notpromoted.Theydistanced themselvesfromour“hustler kin”withgoodreason,but therewewere,andtheywere interestedinourpresence.
nation,morelikeGuyana andSuriname.Althoughwe werenotthetypeofgroupto adviseonpoliticalplatforms, wedidrespondandhintat certainobviousrequirements thatmustbeinplacelong beforeindependence,like varietiesofagriculturalproductsgrownlocally,etc.We didnoticethatorangeswere importedfromAfricainto Cayenne.Themarketwas openonlyonedayaweek; werealisedthisbecause,as Guyanese,wewentsearching forfruitsandweretoldthe marketwasopenonlyonSaturdays.Atthattime,theonly personwithabananagarden wasaGuyanesewithasmall farmwhoprovideduswith fruitatagoodprice.
wereinvitedtovisitParis, whereanotherexhibitionwas tobeheldearlythefollowing year.Weappreciatedtheinvitation,basedonajudgement ofourpresentationsandnot ontheeconomicrealitiesof acreativepersondomiciled inGuyana.
Thus,weleftforhome,
allofuswrappedinour ownthoughts.Theelders complimentedus,butwhat remainedwasintact.Monar shruggedhisshoulders.I smiled,RasMichaelfell asleep;eachinspireddifferently.Ihadboughta Terminatortoyformyson thatheloved,andIwas
gratefulforthevisitandthe meanstorevisititthrough thememoryofacreative colleague.Solong,Monar, you’vedoneyourpart,as havethoseothermembers ofthatvoyagewhohave departedtogiveaccountto ourfathers.
attheCulturalCentre.Soon enough,wewereescortedby membersofourhostgroup, theMitarakateam,tobefeaturedonlocalTV,wherewe wereofficiallyintroduced. Uponleaving,wewerethen metbyagroupofGuyanese, includingsomefolksfamiliartomewhohadseenthe introductorybroadcast.I hadjustpublishedthecomic bookShadowoftheJaguar andhadbroughtsometwo dozenbookswithme.They
Wewerehousedinseparateaccommodations.Iwas borderedbyRasMichaeland Monar,sowemetandtalked. Rooplallthenconfessedthat hewasamysticwhointercededintheinterestofan importantpersonalityinthe sugarindustry.Iresponded thatIknewsomemystics too,DrSharples,etc.,and theywereallconmen,but RasMichaelinsistedthat Monarwastherealthing. Monar,onanevenmoreseriousnote,indicatedthathis daughterwasurginghimto migratetotheUnitedStates, somethinghewasreluctant todo.MonarwasanextraordinaryIndo-Guyanesefolk writer,therealthing.Hehad anaudienceinGuyana,but withAmerica,hewasunsure. Monarwashesitantabout migratingbutseemedenvelopedinthisnewprospect. Whatwedidnotrealise aboutthehostgroupMitarakawasthatitalsohad asubtle,hopefulpolitical desireforamoreindependent
However,wewitnessed themostremarkableburialground,makingusfeel ashamedincomparisonto wheremymotherisburied atLaRepentir,inandout ofaforest.Secondly,itwas drumparty.HadIbeentold ofafetewhereonlydrums mademusic,Iwouldhave hesitated,buttheexperience wasincredible.Wehadour creativeday;mybookswere soldout,andwehadinteractionswithothercreativepeoplefromtheGuianas.Itwas anenlighteningexperience, withmuchmoretotell.The lastthingthatImustmention wastheeveningafterthe exhibitionwhenafewofus
GISDayisaninternationaleventcelebratedannuallyto highlightthepowerandimportanceofGeographicInformationSystems(GIS)inunderstandingourworld.Held onthethirdWednesdayofNovember,GISDayencourages peopletolearnaboutandengagewithGIStechnology, showcasinghowitcanaddressreal-worldchallenges,from environmentalprotectiontourbanplanninganddisaster response.
Thisyear’stheme,“MappingMinds,ShapingtheWorld,” highlightshowGIStechnologyhasrevolutionisedhowwe perceive,navigate,andshapeourworld.GISDayisusually observedtopromoteeducationandawareness(introducing peopletoGISanddemonstratingitsapplicationsacross management,andindustrialandinfrastructuremanagement), communityengagement(promotingcollaborationandnetworkingamongGISprofessionals,students,educators,and enthusiaststoinspireinnovationandshareknowledge),and
toshowcasereal-worldapplications(highlightingthecritical roleofGISinsolvingcomplexissues,frommappingclimate changeimpactstomanagingnaturalresources).
AGeographicInformationSystem(GIS)isapowerfultool thatletsusvisualisescenariosandunderstandrelationships, trends,andpatternsinourenvironmentbydigitallylinking informationtomaps.GISispracticalandvaluableforpresenting,manipulating,andanalysingessentialdata,helping usmakeaccurateandwell-informeddecisions.GISplays acrucialrolewithintheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency (EPA)bysupportingenvironmentaldatacollection,analysis, andvisualisation.ThistechnologyempowerstheAgencyto monitorandmanagenaturalresources,assessecologicalrisks,
Asaregulatoryagencyinenvironmentalmanagement,the EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyofGuyana(EPAGuyana) reliesonaccurateandrelevantdataforplanning,monitoring, research,anddatadissemination.Geospatialdataisvitalto
informedandsounddecisions.TheEPAGuyanacontinually seeksnewopportunitiestoadvanceitstechnologicalcapabilitiesandenhancethequalityandcredibilityofitsactivities. TheAgencyenvisionstheongoinggrowthofGeographic InformationSystems(GIS)asanessentialtoolintoday’ssociety.Withclearpoliciesandguidelines,well-trainedpersonnel, andaccurate,up-to-dateinformation,theEPAaimstoensure thecontinuousprotectionandsustainabilityofenvironmental healthandwell-being.
AttheAgency,someexamplesofhowweutiliseGISare:
•WaterQualityMonitoring:Mappingriverandcreek areastomonitorwaterqualityandtrackcontaminationsourcestoensuresafewateraccess.
•AirQualityTracking:Analysingairpollutionsourcestotrackpollutantspreadandassessimpactsonpublic health.
•MappingPollution Sources:Identifyingandmonitoringsourcesofpollution,
SHIVANIEwipedthetears wellingupinhereyes, whichwerecausedbythe smokefromthelargeiron firesideshewascooking on.Thiswasnormalwhen cookingalargeamountof foodinabigkahari.She wasamongafewolder womenandtwomenfrom theirmandirontheEast Coastpreparingfoodfora religiousfunction.
Shesmiledslightlyas sheturnedthepumpkin, alwayshelpingwholeheartedly,forshelovedbeing partofherdeeplycherished Hindureligionandculture. Sheglancedatheryoung son,whowasashortdistanceawayonalowstage, assistingthekirtangroup insettingupthemusical instruments.
herbeingwithabeautiful feeling.Eightyearsago, however,thatfeelingwas differentwhenshehadn’t knownifshewantedtolive ordie.Thepainanddisappointmentshefacedsince becomingpregnantwith hersonhadlefthermindin despair.
women,listeningtothepuja.
“Thereareseveraloverseasinviteeshere,”oneof thewomenobserved.
“Thefamilyhasmany overseasfriendsandrelatives,”anotheradded.“And thereareafewnewfaces thisyear.”
seeyouagain.”
“HowdoIgetthrough this,dearLord?”shehad criedindesperation.Atonly seventeen,herfather,angry anddisappointed,hadoften insultedher,forcingherto leavehome.Hermother’singherthecareandcomfort time.Heraunthadasmall mandirinhergarden,and everymorningatsunrise, Shivaniewouldpickasingle atthefeetoftheGoddess.
Shivaniesmiledslightly, uninterestedinthe‘who’s who’fromNewYorkand Torontoattendingthefunction.Afterashortwhile, shegotupandwandereda littleintothegarden,takplants.Suddenly,adeep malevoicesaidbehindher, “Hello,Shivanie.”
Shefeltastormbrewing inhermind,andifhercold lookcouldhavefrozenhim,it wouldhave.Butsheremained calm.Herson’ssweetvoice continuedtocarryacrossthe gardenwheresheandhisfatherstood—afatherherson hadneverseen,afatherwho knewnothingofhim.
Shesmiledwrylyand walkedpasthimintothe kitchen.Oncethere,shetook afewdeepbreaths.“Whatis hedoinghere?”
Twoofthewomenfollowedherintothekitchen, askingincurious,hushed tones,“Whowasthat?”
“Notsure,”Shivaniereplied,showingnointerest.
Thewomenlookedather curiouslybutletitgoasthe pujawascomingtoanend, andtheybeganpreparing toservethefoodsmoothly. Shivaniedidn’twanttostay longerbecauseofhispresence,butherhelpwasneeded,andshecouldn’tabandon herprinciplesbyleaving.
Shemanagedtostay strong,ignoringhispresence andnotevenglancingathim orhisAmericanwifeasshe servedoneofthecurries tothem.However,hekept lookingherway,whichwas somewhatunsettling,andhe askedthreetimesforthecurry shewasserving.
“Ithinkhelikesyou,”one ofthewomenwhispered. “Hehasawife,”shewhisperedback.
Hewasonlyeightbut skilledwiththeharmonica andsangbeautifully,atalent thatfilledherheartwith pride.Asastrugglingsingle mother,shehadworkedhard togivehimagoodlife,for hewasherrichness,herjoy, andhercomfort.
Thepujabeganasinviteesstartedarriving,and Shivanierefocusedonher cooking.Shemovedback andforthfromthekitchen, listeningtothedevotional prayersandsoftlysinging alongtothesweetbhajans.
ThesongsandIndian
Inherimmensepain, sheneededstrengthtoface thestrugglesandchallenges beforeher.Ithadnotbeenan easyroad,butherfaithand beliefgaveherthemental strengthsheneeded.Today, aftereightyears,shehad becomeasuccessful,independentwoman—nomore tears,pain,orregrets.
It’samazing,though, howthepastcanunexpectedlyappeartodisturbone’s peaceofmind.
Shivanietookabreak aftercookingthesevencurriesandsatwiththeother
Shefrozeonhearingthat voicesheknewsowell—the voiceofsomeonewhohad causedherdeepheartache. Foraheart-stoppingmoment,shestoodunresponsive.Then,hearingherson’s sweetvoicesinging,she regainedhercomposureand slowlyturnedaround.
Standingbehindher, smilingpleasantlyandlookingashandsomeasever,was themanshehadhopednever toseeagain.Yetherehe was—theonewhohadbrokeneverypromisehemade toherandleftherwhenshe
Shelookedathimstandingthere,withoutahintof regretonhisfaceforhis betrayal,andhestillhadthe audacitytosay,“It’sniceto
SEEPAGEXVII
WhatmadeQueen’sCollegethelegend?
RECENTLY,thealumni,students,teachers, andmostoftheGuyanese communitycelebratedthe 180thAnniversaryofthe foundingofQueen’sCollegein1844.ThelateProfessorNormanCameron, whotaughtmathematics togenerationsofboysand laterattheUniversityoftiveHistoryoftheSchool, whichneedstobeupdated.
Dr.PatrickDial,theoldestsurvivingmasterwho taughtattheschoolover70 yearsago,supplementsthe encomiumsshoweredonthe schoolduringtheanniversary celebrationsinthisarticle.
ThePresident,Dr.IrfaanAli,wastheguestof honouratthecelebrations, andgavehischargetothe students.“Youareindeed partofarichlegacy,”said PresidentAli.“Lettherebe nodoubt,Queen’sCollege representsexcellence.Iam sure,withoutashadowof adoubt,thatthisinstitution willcontinuetoproduce someofourmostillustrioussonsanddaughters… Thereisnosubstitutefor hardwork,andyoushould nevershortchangehardwork. Butalsonevershortchange theenvironmentthatallows youtogrowandachieve thisaccomplishmentinyour individualexcellence.”He enjoinedstudentstomaintaintheirrelationshipsand contactwiththecommunities fromwhichtheycame,to giveahelpinghandtofellow students,andnottoallowthe competitivenessoftheschool milieutoobscurethefactthat competitioncouldbeusedas awayforalltosucceed.He furtherpointedoutthattrue humanexcellenceandbrilliancegobeyondacademic achievementsorinstitutional recognition.
PresidentAliadvocated thatthecorevaluesofhumanity—humility,tolerance, togetherness,andequity—be extendedtothecountryas awholetocreateamodel society.
Inthepast,Queen’sCollege(QC)stoodoutasthe
uniqueandunchallengeable premierschoolinthecountry. Now,even‘country’schools arechallengingitforthat accolade.Oneexampleis theSaraswatiVidyaNiketan (SVN)ofWestCoastDemerara.Thisschool,from itsverybeginning,admitted childrenwhocouldnotgain admissiontootherschools becauseoftheirpoorperformanceattheCommonEntranceorGradeSixexams. Manyoftheseformerpoor performers,withprofessionlearningenvironment,outperformedQCstudents.
Inotherwords,therehas beenanequalisationofseveralothersecondaryschools, suchasAnnaRegina,Bishops,andSt.Stanislaus,with QC.Thisequalisationisdue toQCsheddingsomeofits distinctivepastcharacteristics,andothersecondary schoolsraisingtheirstandards.Queen’sCollege,however,hasstillretainedmuch ofitspastmystique,which attractsthecrèmedelacrème ofstudentswhomovefrom primarytosecondaryschools eachyear.
Whatarethosedistinctive pastcharacteristics?Until the1940s,themajorityof headmasters—wererecruitedinBritain.Theywereall trained,experiencedteachers,andmanyearnedtheir degreesfromthebestBritishuniversities,inparticularOxford,Cambridge,and London.BytheendofWorld WarII,localswithsimilar andbytheendofthe1950s, completely“Guyanised”, thoughthetraditionsand standardsweremeticulously maintained.
parativelywell-paidcivil servants,andtreatedteaching atQueen’sasacareer.Inthe 1960sand1970s,afewofthetyorspecialisedpositionsin thePublicService.TheseincludedRobertMoore,RashleighJackson,andRudyInsanally,whojoinedthenewly
establishedForeignService, andhaddistinguishedcareers.JacksonandInsanally evenbecameMinistersof
andDraytonleftto initiateandorganise thesciencesector oftheUniversity. Others,likeHarold PersaudandPatrick Dial,wentontoorganisetheNational Archivesandserve asPermanentSecretaries.Thesemasters,whochoseto serveelsewhere,evidencedthequalityof theusualQCmaster.
ofsociety,earnedthestatus ofanationalevent,andwas reportedinthenewspapers.
TheCadetCorpsusually consistedofthreeplatoons,
Thephilosophyguiding theschoolwasthesame asthatofEnglishpublic schools:“Menssanaincorporesano”—cultivatinga healthymindinahealthy body.Thisphilosophyinformedalltheactivitiesof theschool.
ThebiasinGuyanese secondaryeducation,untilveryrecently,hadbeen arts-oriented.Queen’swas thefirstsecondaryschool toestablishawell-equipped laboratory,andseriously teachchemistry,physics,and biology.TheQueen’slaboratorywasamongthebestin thecountry.Manyboyswho studiedscienceatQueen’s wentontobrilliantcareers inmedicine,orasresearch scientistsbothlocallyand abroad.
Inkeepingwiththephilosophyofahealthymind inahealthybody,sports wereanimportantpartofthe schoolcurriculum.Cricket, football,hockey,athletics, andindoorsportslikechess andbadmintonwerecompulsory.Thelower-schoolforms andtheirformmasterswent totheplaygroundatleast onceperweek.Thecricket teamsplayedinnational competitions,andoneortwo membersoftheQCcricket teamwereregularlypicked torepresentthecountryin inter-Caribbeantournaments. TheannualSportsDay,held atoneofthemajorcricketclubs,wasattendedby guestsfromacross-section
anddrilledtwiceperweek withthehelpofsergeants fromtheVolunteerForce, latertheGDF.Threemasters whowereinterestedgave theirfulltimetothecadets, trainedatTacama,andqualifiedaslieutenantsinthe VolunteerForce,laterGDF. ThecorpsitselftrainedatTacamafortwoweekseachAugust.Ledbythelieutenants, thecorpsparticipatedinall
nationalparades,including RemembranceDay.Members ofthecorpswereabletojoin thearmyorthepoliceforce asacareer,andthreesuchcadetscometomind: Commissionerof PoliceLaurieLewisandGeneralsJoe SinghandDavid Granger. Thelibrary wasbyfarthebest schoollibraryin Guyana,andwas particularlyuseful duringWorldWar II,whentextbooks couldnotbeimported.Italsohadacomprehensivecollectionofbooks foryoungpeople.
Everyclassinthelower andmiddleschoolattended amusicsessiononceper week,learningmusicalnotation,thevariousagesof music,andthegreatcomposers.Thosewhowished toadvancecouldenrollfor theRoyalSchoolofMusic Examinations,whichwas
reasonablypricedasQueen’s Collegewasthecentre,and invigilatorswerevolunteer masters.Theschoolsongwas taughttoandsungbyallnew entrants,andwassungonall importantoccasions.Since Latinwascompulsoryuntil the1970s,studentsunderofphraseslike“Nosexempla fratrum”(weareexemplars offraternalloveandrespect) wasdeeplyabsorbedbythe students.
Musicteacherswerecapablemusicians,suchas LynetteDolphin,aconcert pianistwhoreceivedtherare nationalhonouroftheOrder ofRoraima.
QCcouldrecapture manyofthosecharacteristicsthatgavetheschoolits legendaryaura,ifitcould haveheadmasters/mistresseslikeSangerDaviesor DoodnauthHetramanda career-orientedstaffwith teacherslikeN.E.Cameron,ClemYansen,and Chunilall.
suchasfactories,oil refineries,andwaste sites,helpingagencies enforceenvironmental regulationsandaddressviolations.
•Tracking CleanupEfforts: Trackingcleanupcampaigns,fromhazard-
ouswastedisposaltoderelictvehicleremoval,providing spatialdatatomonitorprogressandidentifypriorityareas.
•Real-TimeResponseMonitoring:TheAgencycan monitorreal-timethermalanomalies,oilspills,andother environmentalhazards.Thiscapabilityallowsforaccurately
Zone(EEZ).Technologiesusedincludebutarenotlimitedto
•RegulatoryComplianceandEnforcement:Enables trackingandanalysingofprojectsforauthorisationand compliancethroughinspectionrecords.ThishelpstheEPA toensurethatenvironmentalstandardsareupheld.
•CommunityOutreachandEducation:Creatingstory withreal-timeenvironmentaldata,enhancingawarenessand encouragingresponsibleactions.
elliteviewing,andusingtoolslikeGoogleEarthandEsri forfuturegenerations.
Youcanshareyourideasandquestionsbysendinglettersepaguyana.org.FollowusonFacebookandInstagramand subscribetoourYouTubechannel.
FROMPAGEX
“Ohdear,”wasthesurprisedresponse.
Shivaniebusiedherselfinthekitchen,waitingtoleave withhersonandthekirtangrouptoavoidhimspeakingto heragain.But,toherdismay,themistressofthehomecame inwithhimandhiswifetopresentmonetarygiftstoallwho hadhelpedwiththecooking.
towaitforthis.”
Assheturnedtoleave,themistresscalled,“Shivanie, yourgift.”
“Thanks,”shesaidwithaforcedsmile.“Pleasegiveitto thePanditforthemandir.”
SheleftwiththeKirtangroup,breathingasighofrelief asthebusdroveaway.
Thatnight,asshelayinbed,memoriesofherhighschool dayscametolife—thejoy,thefun,thefriendshipshehad sharedwithhim.Hehadbeentall,handsome,andthecaptainoftheschool’scricketteam,whichhadwonherheart. Hehadgraduatedtwoyearsbeforeher,buttheirrelationship continued,andtheygrewclose—tooclose,leadingtoher pregnancy.Shehadbeenscaredbutheldontohispromiseto staybyherside.
Herparentshadbeenangryanddisappointed,andhis parentswereunsupportiveofhimfatheringachildatsucha youngage.Theywereleftwithonlyoneoption:toterminate thepregnancy.Butshecouldn’tbringherselftodoit.Despite herfamily’sdisapproval,shetookcomfortinKevin’ssupport. Asherpregnancyprogressed,though,hisvisitsbecamefewer, hisresponsesdelayed,andheoftenignoredhercalls. ofherpregnancy,heinformedherthathehadacceptedan opportunitytoworkoverseas.
dothisalone.” return.”
Heleftthatdaydespiteherpleas,leavingherheartbroken andintears.
Lifehadbecomeaseriouschallenge,butsomehow,she
hadmanagedtomakeagoodlifeforherson.Now,after eightyears,thefatherhadreturned,butwithhiswife. Shivaniesigheddeeplyandclosedhereyestosleep. Therewerenomoreheartaches,nomoretears.Shewasfree, learntoloveandtrustagain.
“Oneday,maybe.”
Tobecontinued
THE“digitalgenderdivide”isatermusedtorefertothe unequalopportunitiesofinternetaccessbetweenmen andwomen.Itcanalsobeusedasanumbrellatermwhen discussingdigitalliteracyrelatingtogenderanddevelopment.Thisdivideisevidentthroughthecurrentstatistics fromrecentreports.Inlow-andmiddle-incomeregions suchasSouthAsia,womenare23%lesslikelythantheir malecounterpartstoaccessinternetconnections.Com-
paredtomen,womenarelesslikelytohavebasicdigital skillssuchassendinganemail.Inmostcountries,women are30%lesslikelytobestudentsofSTEM,andincertain regions,only20%ofwomenrepresenttheworkforce.
Thesestatisticsprovideaclearpictureofthedigitaldivide betweenmenandwomen.Italsohighlightshowmenhavea headstartintheeconomyorworkforcecomparedtowomen. Thisisquiteunfortunate.Mostmodern-dayplacesofemploy-
Thedigitalgenderdivide
mentdemanddigitalskills.Thisrestrictswomen’sparticipationintheworkforcewhenevertheyareunabletomeetthat demand.Itlimitstheirabilitytoearnmoneyandalsolimits
theirjobchoices.Certainjobsthatrequirefreelancingor remoteworkwillbeoutofreachifwomenarenotdigitally literate.Women,ingeneral,havefeweropportunitiesineconomicsandeducation.Ifawomanmakeslessthanaman,she islesslikelytopurchasesmartphonesorotherdigitaldevices. Ifawoman’scommunityhasbarriersagainstherreceiving aneducation,thensheislesslikelytohavethedigitalskills neededtousedigitaldevicestobeginwith.Womenalso
ThemorewomenjoinSTEM,themoreotherwomenmight becomeempoweredtobecomedigitallyliterate.
Womeninruralcommunitiesarealsoincreasinglyunderrepresented.Thesecommunities,similartoourinteriorsin Guyana,donotaccesstheinternetordevicestobeginwith. Ageographicalbarriercanbeveryexpensivetoexpand, likeGuyana’srainforests.Assuch,womenandmenalike inthosecommunitiesareunabletobedigitallyconnected simplybecauseofwheretheylive.Whileculturalbarriers areobviousreasonsforwomennotaccessingtheinternet, digitalprogrammesandtherevisionofpoliciessurrounding womenanddevelopmentarecrucialtocombatingthisissue. Women’srolesinsocietyarechangingfromthetraditional stay-at-homeapproachtoworkingwomeninthelabour force.Theodds,unfortunately,areoftenstackedagainst odds.Theworldisnowtechnologicallyadvancedinways weneverimaginedhappening.TheuseofAI,robots,drones, newcomputersystemsandadvancedsmartphoneshavebeen propellingglobaldevelopment.
Idon’tintendtositbackandwatchyetanotherbarrierbeingplacedagainstwomenindevelopment.Assuch,I urgeallpolicymakersandprogrammeheadstostrongly considermoredigitalliteracyprogrammestargeting women.Let’sencouragemoregirlstojointhetechnology streamsinsecondaryschools.Let’sincreasethewagesin women-dominatedjobs.Let’sempowerwomenonthe importanceofdigitaltechnologyandhowitcanbeused asatoolfortheirownsuccess.AccordingtoKimberly Bryant,“womenarebothtalentedandinnovativethinkersandtheytendtousecomputersciencetosolvelarger problems.”Womencanbethechangeagentsweaspire tobe—wesimplyneedtherightspace,environment,and empowermenttodoso.
Bimichi...
FromPageIV
Abigailexplained. Thejourneytodeveloping BimichiEcoLodgebeganhumbly.Abigailsays,“Wejust hadasmalllittlehut,orlet’ssayasmallpenthouse.We builtabuildingmadefrompatchworkandlocalmaterials.” Herparents,AmandaandJoshuaMahadeohavetakenup sharingcaptivatingstoriesaboutlifeinPakuriwithvisitors. visitors.“Wehavesixsingleroomsandonefamilyroom,” Abigailhighlights.
Acelebrationofindigenousheritage thatcelebratetheheritageoftheindigenouspeople.Abigail shares,“Wedotraditionaldance,canoeing,andarchery withArawakbows.”BimichiEcoLodgeinvitesvisitorsto experiencetherichheritageofPakurithroughitsthoughtful integrationofnature,culture,andcommunity.
Whetherit’sthePakuriFinandFeatherAdventures orthequietrhythmsofvillagelife,BimichiEcoLodge promisesanunforgettableadventure,echoingthespirit ofthehummingbirdit’snamedfor.
Atrailblazer forwomen...
FromPageVII
thedozen,customisedwraps, everyoccasionandeventwithmatchingcolours.
In-store,bridal,birthday,weddings,prom,wristlets,and boutonnieresarealsoavailable,andhand-paintedrosescan behad,aswell.
“Ifthereisaneventoroccasion,wecatertomeetyour
rals,”shesaid.
doessobehindthescenes,oftenwithoutbeinginthelimelight,everytimeshemakesadonationtoanindividualoran organisation.
Beinggroundedatayoungagewithresponsibilities,I managedtobecomeindependent,craftingmyownwayinto andbeingabletocontributetothedevelopmentofmycountry, Guyana,whichbringsmerealjoy,andIamhappytobehere toinvest,”shesaid.
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent,
Welcomedearreadingprehensionskillshingeon yourabilitytopullexplicitorimSometimesyouneedpriorandindependentknowledgetounderstanda butotherwise,youunderstandan implicitfactthroughothercluesin hasnohiddenconnotationsand iseasiertogainscoresifyoustate
Loveyou
GRAMMAR
Aboutthesimplesentence Wesharegrammaticalthings aboutthesimplesentence:
a)Asimplesentencehasonly whichmayevenbeacompound monkeyanditsowner–twosingular fruits–twopluralscomingtogether) b)Asimplesentencecontains The‘doing’ofthe‘what’or‘who’, (CompoundPredicate:Thefouryear-oldjumpedonherbikeand spedheedlesslyacrossthebusy ‘jumpedonherbikeandspedheed-
c)Thesentenceisagroupof wordsthatexpressesacomplete d)Somesentencesaresimple e)Sometimesasimplesentence mayhavebothacompoundsubject
a)Thesimplesubjectofasentenceisthenounorpronounabout subject)
b)Thecompletesubjectisthe Example:Zoey,thenew subject)
c)Anounisaword(otherthan apronoun)usedtoidentifyanyofa classofpersons,places,things,or ideas(commonnoun),ortoname aparticularoneofthese(proper [Apronounisusedtorepresent
d)Anounisaword(otherthana pronoun)usedtoidentifyanyclass
Example:Itisagoodscheme tocreate‘happiness’foreveryone
e)Thesimplepredicateisthe
(‘bit’,simplepredicate)
f)Thecompletepredicateistheverbplusevery-
Example:Zoeybitthestrangerinthemiddleof darknight’,completepredicate)’
e)Asimplesentencemaysimplybetwowords-a
g)Anobjectisanounorpronounthatreceivesthe
ange’,objectinthesentence)
Justifyingcompleteness:Therearenoconjunctions atthebeginningorendofthisgroupofwords,soitis
“JoanSmidthandGeorgeThomassangaduetat
Completepredicate:“sangaduetatlastSunday’s
Justifyingcompleteness:JoanSmidthandGeorge Thomasarelinkedtogetherbythecoordinating“Austinwashedhisclothesandmoppedthelaun-
Justifyingcompleteness:Thetwoverbphrasesare
“AustinandMaviswashedtheirclothesand
Justifyingcompleteness:Conjunctionsarelinking -
SomethingtoDo
Tellastudypartnerwhataretheindicationsthat ontheirblueshortsandrantothenextstopfortheir
FORanyindividual,theexactstatusofone’sbreath thefactthattheoralcavity,thesourceofourbreath, isconnectedtoournosebywayofanopeningwhich
So,howisyourbreath?Notsure?Nodoubt,atsome point,eachofushashadbadbreath(halitosis)unwittingly,onlytobeembarrassedbythereactionofthose aroundus.
Ifournosescan’treliablyhelpusjudgethequalityof ourbreath,howcanwedetermineifwehavebadbreath?cantother.Inlieuoftheavailabilityoftheseindividuals, youmightaskafriendoryourdentistordentalhygienist questiontoaskanadult,don’toverlookaskingachild. Asweallknow,sometimestheleastinhibitedandthe mosthonestresponsescomefromchildren.Istherea wayapersoncantesttheirbreath?Therearewaysto smellyourbreathaccurately;however,youmusttakea slightlyindirectroute.
Ifyouhavedecidedonsomeonetogiveyouanhonest mustnotbedonewhenyouhavejustawoken,brushed yourteeth,eatenanythingwithintwohours,orrinsed yourmouthwithwaterormouthrinse.Next,dothetest inanon-breezyenvironment.Havethepersonbeina positioninwhichtheirnoseisnotmorethanfourteen inchesfromyourmouth.Goaheadandspeaknormally. Isuggest,forexample,theNationalPledge,theLord’s Prayer,apopularpoem,etc.Theremustbeatleastone minuteoftalking.Thepersondoingthetestmustobjectivelyanalysethesmellofthebreathoftheperson takingthetest.
Youmayalsotrythistechniquetotestityourself:lick driessomewhat,andthensmellit.Whatdoyouthink? That’sthewayyousmell,or,moreprecisely,that’sthe waytheendofyourtonguesmells(yourtongue’s“ante-
Now,dothisexperiment.Itwillchecktheodourassociatedwiththebackofyourtongue(yourtongue’s“posterior”aspect).Takeaspoon,turnitupsidedown,anduse ittoscrapetheverybackportionofyourtongue.(Don’t spoonisbackthere).Lookatthematerialthathasbeen opposedtothesamplingfromtheanteriorportionofyour tongue,isprobablythewayyourbreathsmellstoothers. Achemicalknownasvolatilesulphurcompoundiswhat wesmellinbadbreath.Therearegadgetsbeingsold onlinetotestthepresenceandamountofthiscompound. coversthesurfaceoftheposteriorportionoftheirofdecayedteeth,plaqueonandbetweenteeth,to-