Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 19-06-2022

Happy Father’s Day 2022!

‘Fatherhood is one of the most rewarding experiences’

Dellon Kurtlan Johnson and his children Elianah and Eli. Johnson states that there is a great need for love, care and responsibility when it comes to being a father.

(Delano Williams Photo)

Sunday, June 19, 2022

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‘I would go to the end of the earth for my kids’

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022 With his 14-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter

– Single parent father talks responsibilities and love for his children

EVEN with the mountain of challenges that come with being a single-parent father to his two children, Don Rahim would simply have it no other way. Instead of complaining about his circumstances in life, where he has to do basically everything for the children, he views it as a privilege to be able to take on all of the roles that come with parenting.

Over the past six years or so, the 47-year-old father has been solely caring for his 14-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter and does part-time driving work to bring in an income. When it’s not the three-day work with the company, though, the rest of the days are essentially “flat foot hustle”, meaning that Don would look for all viable opportunities to bring in an income.

Undoubtedly, caring for two children in this way can be expensive, especially having to put them through school.

Hence it is no wonder why Don appreciates the government’s promised financial assistance for the children.

Having lost his car in an accident has provided some setbacks to Don and his family, and there is hardly anyone with whom he’ll trust to transport his children, especially his daughter, to school. So he has to constantly work out ways in which he can efficiently care for their needs while at the same time keeping them safe.

“Being a single-parent father comes with plenty challenges because every responsibilSEE PAGE X ity is on me alone,” Don said.

Don Rahim

Don Rahim

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

Father’s Day 2022 ‘Fatherhood is one of the most rewarding experiences’

FATHER’S Day is celebrated across the world on the third Sunday in June.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with two men who believe that now more than ever, fathers must do everything in their power to instill good lessons in their children.

Dellon Kurtlan Johnson, a multi-purpose Technician, spoke of the fact that there is a great need for love, care and responsibility to be placed when it comes to being a father in a time like this.

“After becoming a father for the first time, it was kind of surreal in the sense that… I was quite elated to be responsible for bringing a child into the world.

It is also a challenging experience. For me, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences you could think of, but in essence, it is quite a natural experience,” Johnson explained.

Johnson shared his experience as a father despite not growing up with his own biological father, and what advice he would give to a young man who encounters fatherhood for the first time “My advice to that father is to allow your ability to father to come naturally [and to treat your children] just as you would want your father to treat you as a child. Ensure that you instill the same core values in that child that you would

believes.

Johnson explained that it communicates to the child that this practice helps the child to feel loved and accepted by his parents at a tender age and when they are older, they can pass on that love to their children and, by extension, to their future partners in life.

the care, love and being involved in your child’s life is critical in a child’s development, growth and nurturement.

He spoke of the importance of fathers’ involvement at every stage of their children’s lives.

“Fathers are very import-

you have received love, you can impart the same love to your children, who would grow up to love in return. “ I have met a lot of young men, who grew up without a father, many persons would

Dellon Johnson and his son Eli (Delano Williams Photo)

Colin Josiah (Delano Williams Photo)

want your father to instill in you as his child,” Johnson shared with the Pepperpot Magazine.

He mentioned that fatherhood from a holistic perspective would encapsulate the general theme of responsibility and insisted that men need to take the issue of fatherhood very seriously.

Lessons learnt “For me, because I have not grown up with a father, it allowed me to be the best father I can be to my children since I only

got to know my father in my late teenage years. I recalled that from the years of my father being absent in my life, I knew exactly what was lacking in my life, which caused me to instill real values in my children’s life[sic],” Johnson shared with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Saying “I love you“ to a child almost every day of his/ her life could be one of the ways that you demonstrate love and care to a child, particularly from an early age, he

According to Johnson, he believes that one of the most important areas lacking in today’s society among fathers and men today is the whole concept of “responsibility.”

“Whenever you have sexual intercourse with a woman, you think of the consequences of your actions. There are lots of men who do not want to stand up to their responsibility, and to my mind, that is wrong,” Johnson explained during his interview.

Meanwhile, a Guyana Chronicle staffer, Colin Josiah, in reflecting on the roles of fathers in children’s lives, also underscored the point that being responsible for

ant because we can mould our children for the future. It is important that we can guide [sons] along the way with respect to becoming a father [as well]. Therefore, we can teach them from an early age, respect and many other things we can teach them,” Josiah told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Josiah, like Johnson, grew up with a father, but in Josiah’s case, he had a stepfather who was in many ways responsible for being the man he is today.

He noted that if you have children, you must love your children, and you must love your children at all costs.

He maintains that once

have told them things about their fathers and they have become hateful towards their fathers. But I was able to give advice to several young men who found themselves facing these critical issues,” Josiah told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Josiah is of the view that educating oneself in the whole business of fatherhood and raising children are critical. He spoke to the fact that while being an academic genius might be your goal, other basic goals, such as being a good parent are also important.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

How one entrepreneur overcame obstacles to growing her business

SHALIMA Nohar, well known as Shelly, has always nurtured dreams of owning her own business and even though many challenges came up to either prevent or slow down her plans, he kept working diligently until it finally became a reality.

The 38-year-old mother of one, seven-year-old Adam, hails from Canal No. 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara and attended St. Rose’s High before pressing on to the University of Guyana to do Computer Science.

Her stint as a manager at Gizmos and Gadgets gave her the foundation she needed in business operations and the experience of dealing with team members.

“And that’s where I realised I don’t want to be an employee; I want to own my own business because I have big dreams,” she related in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.

One year after her son was born, though, she be-

help,” she reflected.

At the time, the business that is today known as Target Logistics Inc. was registered as Target Shipping which was just about two years old. “It wasn’t doing so well. It was survival mode because I was busy raising my son, so I wasn’t getting the chance to grow my business. I felt I was going around in circles all the time; clearing shipments and looking after my son,” she expressed.

The COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to help the situation, especially when little Adam had to attend school online. It was exhausting many days for Shelly to focus on her work at hand while her son would come to her for help with what he was learning in class. She was concerned, too, that the boy was not getting to focus on his work properly due to the small working space that she had to contend with at the time.

It all took a toll, and

Shalima and her son Shalima ‘Shelly’ Nohar

talk about challenges. I was able to find solutions or be directed to people that can

writing them down and was

working towards certain things.”

SEE PAGE V

Working with a tiny office space in Humphrey’s Building, Avenue of the Republic

came a single parent and while she had the support of family and friends, it all came down to her having to singlehandedly care for the baby – a task she really knew nothing about. “I was physically alone. I had to take care of a baby; I didn’t know how to. I had to get

many days, she’d go home drained, physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I must admit that I got a lot of help from friends and family. I have a very good support group; people I can depend on. What I had to learn that I did not know before was to be open and

assist me, and my friends and family are really supportive,” she shared.

Writing down her goals also helped Shelly to overcome the challenges. “I had known about goal-setting before, so I was hitting milestones because I was

Shelly recently completed the Road to Grow: Access to Finance Training by the Cherie Blair Foundation and ExxonMobil, facilitated by ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. In picture are her two business coaches.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

Many Fathers have to face-off with ‘Mr. COVID’

OVER the past two years, I have been conducting investigations into the ultimate objective of that horrible, even deadly, ‘Mr. COVID.’ We all agree that this no-good individual should, as the song says, “Hit the road Jack, and don’t come back no more, no more, no more!” There has been quite a lot of damage done by ‘Mr. COVID’. Lots of people have died because of his relentless attacks, killing without consideration; mothers...fathers. Like so many of us, I have lost some friends to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of them were fathers, even the sole breadwinner of their families. So tragic, especially for young children.

As this devasting COVID-19 pandemic raves on, parents with young children find it immensely taxing on their time, patience and emotions, as well as their finances. Many fathers have been affected over the past two years. Most of them are rising to the challenging situation. They are not caving in or throwing their hands up in disgust and defeat because they are “Men of Purpose”. Many I know personally, and I can say they are facing up to their responsibilities as fathers; it is not easy for many fathers, but they carry on bravely knowing that their little ones depend on them for their emotional and physical needs until they are old enough to take care of themselves. And there is no way out, except by time.

On Father’s Day 2022, we focus specifically on the demands on those dedicated fathers who continue to be there for their young children in the good as well as the bad times.

For example, the cost of living has been rising steadily over the recent years. The bad times of the coronavirus are also putting extra pressure on the nation’s Health Ministry and private health providers and hospitals. But at the Family level, Fathers find themselves with extra responsibilities, such

forward to do whatever they have to do for their children’s happiness and development.

Over the past two years, these fathers also find themselves facing off with the aggressive ‘Mr. COVID’ at times, which is not easy. However, most fathers I know who are in such a situation are rising to the challenging occasion.

Father’s Day 2022 finds many fathers facing a range of challenges. The ongoing coronavirus, which is still ravishing humans globally, continues to take down many men who are fathers.

The hope, therefore, is that in 2023, there will A dedicated, hands-on father with his sick young daughter, waiting to be a great decrease in see the doctor at the hospital (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier) coronavirus deaths, inas taking a sick child to the hospital or to see their family cluding a reduction in doctor. It is somewhat taxing, but those fathers - those men the deaths of Fathers, especially those with young chilof purpose - never flinch when they are needed and step dren.

How one entrepreneur overcame obstacles...

FROM PAGE IV She also found success in collaborating with Action Coach, and that’s where she feels her business turned around for the better. “I started to see growth. Systems were in place and things were documented; the team grew and we were able to serve customers more reliably, more professionally.”

She also partnered with a warehouse in the US which gave her more opportunities to offer a level of service to the Guyanese people that she always had in mind.

Looking back, Shelly can see that things have definitely gotten better as she works to care for her business in Georgetown and the other branch in Berbice. She also revealed that she’s currently working on a third location on

the West Coast Demerara.

“I am confident, and I know exactly who I am at this point and who I want to be and each and every single day, I am growing into the person who I am aspiring to be,” she expressed, adding, “The hours are long, the work is hard; sometimes I don’t get to spend enough time with my son….I understand that I cannot be successful unless I have a team of people around me.”

Hence, her advice for those in a similar situation to her would be to find their support group and lean on it when facing challenges.

“Find your tribe. Find your group of family and friends who are going to support you; who you trust. For work, it’s the same. If you are running a business, find a mentor and when challenges come, take a step

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back and understand that they are there to make you better. There’s always a solution. If you want to be successful in business, you have to talk to people who are successful in business; not to your neighbour or your friend who knows nothing about business.”

After Shelly left her job in 2009, she started her shipping business. She was doing marketing before but realised that the shipping business is what she knew best. “I actually started this business from the trunk of my car. It grew, and I had my first office on Avenue of the Republic.”

Shelly is the current President of Legendary Toastmasters Club and the incoming Area Director for Area 50, where she’ll be responsible for three Toastmasters clubs during her tenure.

With her son, Adam

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

The bustling village of Herstelling A hub for small businesses

LAST week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the budding village of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, to

dence and Peter’s Hall, and it is a fairly large community with people of different ethnicities co-existing.

The village extends from the public road way down to the sea dam, which is a squatting-area section that is being

Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

It is a developing village that benefited from upgraded,

There are small sheds, the meeting place for elders and others to get together to chat and to quench their thirst with

communities.

The people of this village are very resourceful, and they do many things for work in

Streets, houses and places in Herstelling Village (Delano Williams photos)

highlight the way of life of the locals, who do many jobs to earn.

THE village consists of internal streets, many nooks and crannies and can be accessed via the main East Bank Demerara public road.

Herstelling village is sandwiched between Provi-

Herstelling is thickly populated with about 3,000 people, and it has many small businesses, shops, rum shops, bars, stores, hardware businesses, mechanic shops, a lumber yard, a bottled-water business, a Chinese restaurant, roadside food stalls, a halaal restaurant and salons.

occupied by more than a dozen families, including some Spanish-speaking migrants.

The people of this village are friendly, welcoming and are always up for a chat and would entertain visitors at any given time.

Herstelling comes under the Herstelling/Little

asphalted internal streets, bridges, footpaths, de-silting of canals, and cleaning of drains and parapets.

The village has a potable water supply, electricity, landline phones, internet, and cable television and all the basic facilities, including a health centre, a playground and a community centre which is located in the next village, Farm.

The people of this village are small-business owners, young professionals, doctors, skilled masons, carpenters, mechanics, painters, nail technicians, hairstylists, welders and others who work outside the community.

Herstelling is a bustling village with a lot of activities and a lot of street happenings.

liquid refreshments.

It is one of those villages where the locals know each other, and the people live in a neighbourly manner.

Some locals have reported that they have unfortunately also suffered at the hands of bandits passing through the community, breaking into kitchens and houses, taking away valuables and just about anything left unattended.

The village is floodprone, but in recent times, residents have reported an upgrade in the drainage network to minimise the effects of heavy flooding whenever it rains and the tide is high.

Herstelling includes the new housing schemes on the opposite side of the public road, as well as the gated

some form of small businesses and skills.

The people are generally satisfied, but some residents are calling for upgraded internal streets and something to be done about flooding in their yards.

Herstelling Village is strategically located and is about 20 minutes from the city, and it is surrounded by major hubs of businesses including the Amazonia Mall, Massy, New Thriving Restaurant, Resto Bar and Lounge and the National Stadium.

There are gas stations and hardware stores and just about every other business nearby, so the people do not have to commute very far to shop.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

Making the most of life in Herstelling Village

By Michel Outridge NANDA Goordial wasn’t always a stay-at-home mom, but after her husband took ill three years ago, she had to quit her job. But she doesn’t mind being at home at all, since she has a lot to do and a lot of company, her dogs.

The 51-year-old is a resident of Herstelling Village, East Bank Demerara, a place she has spent all her life and loves the quietness, except for the occasional weekend parties hosted in the community, she said.

The mother of one resides in Creek Dam Street, near the koker, close to the sea dam and it is the last house on that street, but she doesn’t mind at all because it is a safe place.

Growing up in the village as a girl, Goordial said she wasn’t very outgoing and had

one direction to school and back. When she got older, she eventually had some sort of social life.

She finally got a little bit of exposure when she started high school in the city at St. John’s College. After completing secondary school, she went into the world of work.

Goordial reported that she sometimes doesn’t leave the house because there are trucks and vans that would visit the village selling groceries, greens and just about everything else.

Even the ‘fish man’ would pass by daily, and there are enough shops in the village to make purchases if needed.

The mother of one added that on Sundays, they would at times go to the La Penitence Market, which is quite large and being the closest market, it is convenient for shopping for fresh fruits and

vegetables.

These days, Goordial supports her ailing husband, Youbraj Ramdeo, who suffered a stroke and used to be a truck driver.

She also spends a lot of time with her beloved pets, dogs, in the form of Chihuahuas and takes care of the home and chores.

Goordial disclosed that since there isn’t enough space for farming or poultry-rearing, most people in Herstelling Village are either self-employed or leave the community for work.

“It is a place where most people are doing something for work, so it is relatively a safe village to live,” he said.

Bibi Shimoon Ramkissoon Meanwhile, in the same village is the home of Bibi Shimoon Ramkissoon, who resides on Fourth Street,

Nanda Goordial with some of her dogs (Delano Williams photos)

Home of Nanda Goordial and Youbraj Ramdeo.

Nanda Goordial and her husband, Youbraj Ramdeo

which is called the Back Street.

When asked how life was in that section of Herstelling Village, Ramkissoon stated that she lives in fear because recently, a bicycle was taken away along with other kitchen items during another break-in.

“To live in here you have to keep your eyes closed and your mouth shut and lock up and stay indoors, because the

thieves are around a lot,” she said. “Living here, growing up, used to be nice, but now we are afraid of what is happening with these bandits coming at nights, breaking in our homes is cause for concern because it has happened before.”

Ramkissoon reported that her 82-year-old mother is ill and needs a bit of assistance to take care of her, and she lives in an extended family

setting where there are two houses in the yard housing more than a dozen people.

Ramkissoon told the Pepperpot Magazine that the community could benefit from better roads and their yards are prone to floods during the rainy season and when there are high tides.

She is a native of Herstelling and a stay-at-home mom, who spends time with SEE PAGE XXIV

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

The people of Sea Dam, Herstelling are hoping for a good life Home of Helena Buonds La Cruz

By Michel Outridge WHEN the economic conditions in neighbouring Venezuela worsened, and things were bleak for Guyana-born Helena Buonds La Cruz, she made her way back to Guyana and now resides on the sea dam at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.

The 58-year-old mother of six told the Pepperpot Magazine that when things became difficult in Venezuela, she returned to Region One (Barima-Waini) in her hometown of Moruca to restart her life.

She stated that they spent some time in Matthews Ridge before realising that they would be unable to earn and live in that area, since jobs were not readily available.

“I born in Moruca but grew up in Matthews Ridge and more than a dozen Spanish people like [us] are living on the sea dam.

We have family scattered all over Guyana,” she said.

But things did not go as planned, and she later relocated to the sea dam area of Herstelling for more than a

year now.

La Cruz related that

she is Guyanese but left this country 40 years ago

ly, a grandson, two small grand-daughters and a daughter along with her husband are here in Guyana trying to pick up the pieces of making a life for themselves.

“Since we have been here, life is better, we get to

Margarita Ramnauth

neighbours.

Margarita Ramnauth Also on the sea dam is the home of Margarita Ramnauth, who is originally from

40 houses on the sea dam.

The 42-year-old said the Muslim community is assisting her with transportation and schooling for her three

The sea dam Herstelling squatters

Helena Buonds La Cruz, her daughter and husband at their home (Delano Williams photos)

for a better standard of living at the time. She explained that she was doing well until the country became financially unstable.

Present-

eat, and we are trying. The people have been good to us and we appreciate that so much, all they have given to make us feel welcomed,” she said.

La Cruz stated that her husband is elderly and unable to work, so they rely on her grandson to work and bring in an income.

However, her husband has a kitchen garden and is rearing a few chickens with the little space they have.

She said despite some challenges, they have a better life here in Guyana than in Venezuela, even though seven of them share a humble wooden cottage on the sea dam.

La Cruz and her family have been residing on the sea dam for one year and six months, and so far, they have had no issues with their

Mosquito Hall, East Coast Demerara, but relocated to Herstelling Village, East Bank Demerara, eight years ago.

The mother of five reported that things became hard when her husband passed away last year and she was forced to quit her job due to an enlarged liver, so she cannot work.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that medical professionals told her that nothing could be done to her condition and she would have to live with the illness.

Ramnauth stated that she has three children who are in school still, and two others who are working to support the home, but for that, she is grateful.

She has a daughter who lives next door and a brother and a son nearby among the

children, who still attend school.

Without their input, she would have been unable to send them to school, and she is very thankful for the assistance.

Not being able to work is hard on Ramnauth, who feels trapped due to her illness.

“I want to go and work to earn, but with my health condition I cannot do hard work, so I have to depend on others to help me, which is a situation I cannot avoid at this time,” she said.

Ramnauth added that she would make do with whatever is given to her by her adult children, since there is little to nothing she can do for work.

She was self-employed as a vendor who bought and sold goods, clothing and other items.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC paving the way for community development

By Michel Outridge The Herstelling/Little Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is ensuring that the village

Mahendra Roopnarine.

It was a time they were starved for resources and development under the previous administration.

But they had a positive

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oversee.

Jaigopaul stated that they also brought the ministers to the people for community meetings and they have had fruitful deliberations

The Community Centre building

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC building at Farm, East Bank Demerara (Delano Williams photos)

sees its share of community development, thus, enhancing the lives of the residents.

The Chairman of the Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC is Puneet Jaigopaul, who is also a resident of Herstelling Village and is very instrumental in community-based development and volunteerism.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he took office in 2019 as Vice Chairman and the then Chairman was The Pavilion of the playfield

change in the image of the NDC even after they inherited a broken-down system with no access to the backlog and the ‘red tape’ issue.

He explained that this was a long-drawn-out process which was eventually ironed out for ease of access to customers.

He reported that things changed when the current administration took office.

They began lobbying for funds to foster development in the five villages they

in which development took place.

He added that they have had a better collection of rates/taxes and even hosted medical outreaches and charitable drives in which the people benefitted significantly.

Jaigopaul reported that they made representations for the upgrading of the internal streets in Herstelling Village, which was asphalted, and by 2022, most of the internal streets in the

village were upgraded to all-weather.

He related that the squatting areas are being regularised so that it can be handed over to the NDC and garbage collection and the maintenance of drains and canals can be done to alleviate flooding.

Jaigopaul disclosed that 15 internal streets have since been upgraded for the five villages that come under their management.

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC have since upgraded Somerset Court roads and they are working on a footpath bridge.

The third street from Hassan Street to Rumshop Street will soon be asphalted in Herstelling Village.

Jaigopaul revealed that the Farm Community Centre Ground, which is the only functioning ground and pavilion on the East Bank corridor used for hosting cricket and coaching.

The NDC Chairman added that they have cleaned and de-silted a drainage canal which haven’t been cleaned in 40 years, and it was done late last year.

Jaigopaul reported that a similar exercise is on the agenda for the same canal, which is a major drainage source for the village and its environs.

He noted that a section of the sea dam was washed away and they have successfully rebuilt it, which is crucial for reducing flooding in the village.

“There is still some flooding in Herstelling Village but it is not as bad as before and we will continue to maintain the drainage network to prevent widespread flooding,” he said.

Jaigopaul pointed out that their coverage area has increased with the New Scheme at Herstelling, the squatting areas, Somerset Court, and Guysuco Scheme with their boundary stopping at Little Diamond.

He noted that developmental works were done in all five villages they manage, where foot paths and connecting bridges were constructed and internal streets upgraded.

The NDC Chairman told the Pepperpot Magazine that Prospect School street was upgraded from the nursery to the primary schools, and the Covent Garden Secondary School street was asphalted, as well.

“The Herstelling/Little

Diamond NDC building will be expanded in terms of a better customer’s experience and a general facelift is expected to take place shortly,” he said.

Jaigopaul said as for the Community Centre building, four new washrooms are being constructed for added convenience and the grounds are maintained for cricket coaching sessions, and the building will get a general facelift.

He added that the Chess Federation and other agencies would use the building while summer classes and cricket coaching for the target group of ages 10 to 18 years old will also be facilitated at the community centre ground by the East Bank Cricket Association.

Jaigopaul is also the President of the East Bank Cricket Association and Chairman of the Herstelling Policing Group.

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC covers five villages which are Little Diamond, Covent Garden, Farm, Prospect and Herstelling.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

I desire to be with the happiest people I FELT the mud squeezing through my toes and it reminded me of the fun times as a kid growing up in beautiful Bartica. The first half of June has exceeded my expectations but not without challenges. I AM GRATEFUL! Grateful for many things but on top of that list is contributing positively to lives. One of the things on my vision board for this year is investing more time in my hometown and contributing more to the people.

Earlier this year, I visited Mora Camp for the first time, distributing bread from the Bread Basket project. The second time was the distribution of hampers. The kids are so precious and they stole part of my heart. I promised the moms that I would do something special for the kids before the end of the year. I was discussing my trip with my friend Orwin Miller who resides in the USA and he willingly said he would contribute. A few days later, he got his sister Bridgette De Souza interested also. In a couple of months, we had a barrel with clothing for over 100 kids. Thank your Orin and Bridgette for collaborating with the Sonia Noel Foundation to put a smile on the kids’ faces. Observing the expressions on their beautiful faces while trying on their footwear or looking at their outfits was priceless. Even a two-month-old baby received a blanket.

Thank you to Banks DIH for providing the Icecream.

Thank you Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams for your support. Thank you to Chris Noel, Manuela Bell, Anesa, Estiva Blessings Lake, and her team for volunteering. This quote

well-being and wellness. I believe every community has brilliant young people with big, limitless imaginations. It enables them to see the world in a different light and dream about the person they would like to be, and know that it is possible.

They are anxiously anticipating the future and we need to create opportunities to enable them. I enjoy working with young people and I believe they also enjoy working with me.

I attended an event hosted by a young man I admire because of his drive to make things happen, and not just for him.

Calvin Roberts was one of the entrepreneurs when we hosted the EXPO 50 at Giftland Mall. He recently won the Mr.Guyana Independence Pageant, and he invited me to an event at Dada’s Grill in Tushen, to celebrate his win. I admire his passion for his indigenous culture. He provides delicious indigenous cuisine and wines for sale. He is a budding entrepreneur aside from his day job. We must encourage and support young people like Calvin as he navigates his way through life. I am optimistic because I know a few people who are willing to contribute to these young people who are our future.

came to mind that afternoon. “If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” — Kofi Annan.

My foundation also hosted Tea and Chat at Mary’s Sunset Resort. Mary Nicholas is my schoolmate, so that was a significant moment because that beautiful resort was a dream Mary had for years. I will certainly do a feature on her soon.

The ladies were dressed in all white, and someone was appointed to be the table leader and to select a word to discuss. Faith, hope and resilience were some of the words chosen. Each group also had to create a centrepiece and bring tea cups and teapots of their choice. It was an amazing evening with ladies from my hometown.

We are planning to do some extraordinary things together, God’s willing.

In March, I visited the children in the ‘dorms’at the Three Miles Secondary, and the conversations were extensive; hence I did not get to interact with the other students. I made up for that on this trip, and I left the school very motivated. I challenged them to write a short essay on the importance of our

H. Jackson Brown Jr said, “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

I desire to be in that group of happiest people as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY. BTR 1-5

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

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TOBACCO IS DANGEROUS TO HEALTH - E-CIGARETTES AND HOOKAHS ARE NOT HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES On May 32, World ‘No Tobacco Day’ was commemorated and the Guyana Consumers Association felt that it should reiterate its long-held programme and policy of taking action to curtail and prevent tobacco usage in Guyana. The energetic campaign against tobacco usage was launched by Dr Leslie Ramsammy when he was Minister of Health. Dr Ramsammy was responsible for many improvements and innovations in the Health Sector. One memorable achievement was his crusade against tobacco and having the tobacco control Legislation drafted. He is now alerting the public of the risks of e-cigarettes and hookahs.

Tobacco usage is one of the world’s silent killers. It has many dangerous chemicals which, when ingested by snuff, chewing or smoking, deteriorate the body’s organs and cause several dangerous ailments, including heart disease, cancer, lung diseases, diabetes, and pulmonary diseases including chronic bronchitis. It also increases the risk of immune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and eye diseases.

Tobacco usage causes gradual deterioration and debilitation of the body resulting in a fall in productivity in the

workplace. When users fall ill, as they inevitably will, they put an added burden on the State’s Health Services. With falling incomes and even death, they bring much distress to their families.

The Guyana Tobacco Control Legislation is quite comprehensive. For example, it controls marketing: Cigarettes should not be sold to juveniles and should be sold by the packets only and not loosely; all packaging, in particular cigarette boxes, must carry written health warnings and clear pictorial warnings of examples of the damage to the human body and such should occupy at least 60 percent of the exposed space; non-smokers are protected from secondary smoke by having several smoke free zones such as public transport or parks or in hospital environs.

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MEMORIES OF MY FATHER

IT was a bleak day in June when it always rained incessantly, for it was the May-June season.

Priya stepped carefully out of the minibus, flicking her umbrella open to shelter from the heavy drizzle. It had rained all night, heavily, but at the break of dawn, it had eased to a drizzle.

“Thank God for the lull in the weather,” she had said

quietly.

Today was a day she had been planning for a long time, and she wanted nothing to ruin it. She walked to the boat’s landing, following the directions her eldest brother had given her. It was her first time here in this rural area of Mahaicony since her departure 12 years ago when she was just six years old. As she neared, she saw

the boats moored alongside the landing of the black, expansive creek, and she smiled, a warm rush of excitement flowing within her.

At six, she had been a skinny little girl, not remembering much; just that day holding onto her mother’s skirt as they left their home in the farming area. Her father had stood watching them go, a grim look on his

face, his clothes soiled with mud from the ricefields.

She had kept turning back to look, wishing in her little heart, “Please stop us from leaving, Papa.”

But he just stood there as the boat sped further away to the mainland, and she could see him no more.

As a child then, she didn’t understand the arguments; her father’s anger, and her mother ’s tears that had plagued their lives, and it had grieved her as their home in the creek and her father were left behind.

She had grabbed her mother’s skirt when they reached the mainland and cried, “I don’t want to leave.”

But her eldest brother had hauled her out of the boat and told her firmly, “Mother can’t stay any longer with him.”

“Why?” She continued to cry, “He’s my Papa.”

Her mother, with a sad but determined look, had said nothing to the child as they boarded a bus for the city. “ Yu h g o i n g u p d e creek?” a boat driver asked in Creolese, bringing Priya back to the present.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Ahright, step on; two mo passenger and we gone.”

She smiled with thanks, and sat on an old, weather-worn bench to wait, questions filling her head.

“What am I going to find? Are there family still there? Is Papa alive? Would he be happy to see me?”

It had been a long time since they had left their home for a new life in the city; a new home, and two years later, a new dad. Her father never came looking for them, and she couldn’t understand why, because she had hoped that he would have come to take them back home. As the years went by, memories of her country life and her father became dim, fading with time, although she tried to hold on.

The step-dad treated them well, and seemed to have given her mother the happiness and comfort she wanted; no more arguments and fights.

But on Father ’s Day every year, her heart would call to the one who was a part of her. No answer she ever heard; just a pained silence.

“One day,” she had promised herself, “I will

go back home, and I will be the bridge for this broken family.”

Today was that day; today was Father’s Day. The boat driver called for everyone to put on their life jackets and sit for the trip to begin, Priya’s anxiety rising as she neared her old home. The landing at Gordon Table was her stop.

A skinny, sad little girl had stepped off that landing 12 years ago, and today she stepped back on; a slim and beautiful young woman with determination in her eyes.

She walked slowly, but with steady steps towards the house, standing there in the short distance. A beautiful sight that filled her heart with a sense of belonging.

She opened the wooden gate, and walked up the brick path bordered on both sides by a blooming flower garden.

“This is so beautiful,” she whispered.

She was halfway up the path when the door opened, and an old woman stepped out.

She looked at Priya, curiously, then her eyes lit up, SEE PAGE XXIII

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Let people live!

THERE are things I wish I did not feel the need to write about. Things so fundamental that it is beyond my comprehension- sometimes- why they appear to be contentious, controversial, or abnormal. As we continue to celebrate Pride month, however, I am forced to ponder why it is so difficult to just let people live.

Pride month is a time dedicated to uplifting and celebrating people who identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)+ community. It’s also a time when we are increasingly conscious of the challenges people within the community face.

Because you might not see horror stories of physical abuse against people who don’t conform to heteronormative standards very frequently, you might be tempted to believe that Guyana is not that bad at accepting LGBTQ+ people. You might be tempted to believe that there’s no need to clamour for LGBTQ+ rights or representation.

But that’s not the case.

Numerous publications, whether from the Georgetown Human Rights Institute or United Nations’ (UN) agencies, detail the violence and discrimination felt by LGBTQ+ people. That ranges from physical abuse to verbal, emotional, sexual, and mental violence- each of which would take a toll on any individual. And these allude to a seemingly festering sense of intolerance, even if it may only become unavoidably noticeable in Facebook comment sections.

You don’t need to look further than the comment sections of recent unfortunate reports of the Guyanese men who were found dead in a city hotel’s parking lot. In an instant, the conversation shifted from extending condolences that these two men died to faux-sleuthing attempts at determining their sexuality and relationship with one another.

As someone immersed in news and social media, I can assure you that was not an isolated occurrence. Further, consider what we normalise and consume elsewhere- the caricatures of LGBTQ+ folks in comedy or using someone’s sexual orientation (whether real, perceived, or alleged) as an insult. It’s just not okay.

We fail to realise that every time we let stigma, discrimination, and heteronormative ideals get the best of us, we chip away at our tolerance and respect for each other- both things that are so fundamental, I should not need to write that statement. We also contribute to the deterioration of people’s rights to happy, healthy, quality lives because, hot take, LGBTQ+ rights are human rights!

If we accept that people have a right to happy, healthy, quality lives, why are there different metrics or parameters for people with a different sexuality?

Thankfully, we are not without hope.

Though our healthcare system has big needs, I am particularly happy about the much-needed focus on making HIV care accessible to people within the community, cognisant of the stigma and discrimination they already face.

That focus intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic when local authorities opted to make special provisions for the delivery of drugs and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

Importantly, too, is the increasing spaces for LGBTQ+ persons with their allies. This past week, I attended an open mic night and mixer at a popular club in Georgetown.

Such events are crucial because they help to foster a sense of belongingness and community- in my opinion, at least.

And for people whose lives are policed- from the clothes they wear to the people they choose to love, it gives them a space to just be.

These two wins are not nearly enough, though. When

the time comes that more gloomy columns about this topic don’t need to be written- when people finally just live their lives- then we can happily say that enough has been done.

Until then, we can only continue working towards emphasising that equal rights and justice for all, includes LGBTQ

people.

If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com

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BIODIVERSITY FOR INCOME GENERATION GUYANA is known for its abundant natural resources, including its rich array of plants and animals. The extractive and agricultural industries have been the primary contributors to Guyana’s economy since there has been an average economic growth of five per cent annually. Located in the neo-tropical bio-geographical territory of northeastern South America, our country is also part of the Guiana Shield region, which forms part of the Amazon Biome. This spans 6.7 million km2 and is the single largest remaining tropical rainforest in the world, and is home to at least 10 per cent of the world’s known biodiversity. The biodiversity which Guyana possesses provides an important basis for climate regulation, poverty reduction, provisioning of freshwater, economic growth and development in areas such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, payment for forest climate services, and community-based economies particularly in hinterland communities.

For these reasons, it is important to ensure that development occurs sustainably.

Generating income through biodiversity use Eco-tourism In simple terms, eco-tourism refers to those activities that use biodiversity and include benefits to the local community while ensuring the protection and conservation of the very plants and animals that are the tourism product. The land of the giants and untold endemic species offer numerous opportunities for bird spotting, sport fishing, and other wildlife spotting and sporting activities. The vast landscapes in Guyana also provide opportunities for income generation through tours to waterfalls, mountain hikes, and boating.

Medicine Plants, and to a lesser extent, animals often contain compounds to treat various illnesses, from ginger and caffeine to treat headaches to aloe vera for treating menstrual cramps and burns. These applications have been developed and commercialised locally by multi-national pharmaceutical companies.

Fees and taxes Besides direct economic benefits to tour operators and communities, biodiversity generates financial revenues for countries through fees and taxes. Non-tax revenue from biodiversity includes government, NGO, and private biodiversity-related revenue generated from user fees, licences, permits, etc. * Payments for accessing biodiversity resources and areas (extractive uses) Fees, licenses, or permits for accessing natural resources, e.g. hunting permits, fishing licenses and permits for collecting medicinal plants. * Payments for accessing biodiversity areas (non-extractive uses) User fees are collected for accessing parks and protected areas and for conducting leisure activities. They are a good example of the user-pays principle in that they only affect those individuals or groups directly benefitting from biodiversity. Non-extractive uses mean that biodiversity resources are not depleted or sold in the process. Examples include entrance fees to protected areas and biosecurity services fees. * Volume-based resource user fees (water, wood) Volume- or scale-based fees include rents, concessions, dividends and royalties collected in exchange for the right to extract renewable natural resources. Examples include royalties for resource extraction for timber, water tariffs or water extraction fees, royalties from bioprospecting contracts and transportation licences, export permits, and other fees and charges for transporting SEE PAGE XVIII biodiversity products. * Land-based or infrastruc-

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BIODIVERSITY FOR...

FROM PAGE XVI

ture fees (tourism concessions) Payments for business access to natural land, establishing infrastructure on natural land, and creating marketable services on public lands. Examples include concession agreements, payments made to government from directly outsourcing protected areas management and rights of way or use for telephone, electricity or water infrastructure. * Revenue from environmental funds A biodiversity endowment fund is a fund in which the capital is invested in perpetuity, and only the resulting investment income is used to finance grants and activities. It is a common vehicle to mobilise resources from

donors, national governments, the private sector, and private citizens. * Environmental fines and penalties related to biodiversity Environmental fines and penalties are collected because of an illegal act such as illegal logging, poaching, illegal dumping, and unplanned pollution that directly harms the environment. Fines and penalties may be set as a flat rate for specific illegal acts or as fixed amounts.

Fines can either be paid to the treasury or local government or placed in special accounts to cover environmental remediation and compensation to affected people and communities. Environmental fines can be set firstly to form a threat that is sufficient to discourage illegal behaviours. Secondly, the collected revenues can be used to recover the costs associated with rectifying the environmental impact. Fines, similarly to environmental taxes, should not be seen only as a source of revenue generation.

This can have the perverse effect of allowing transgressions to happen simply to collect a fine.

Certain revenues from biodiversity and ecosystem services are explicitly linked to natural resources extraction, e.g. logging.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 is seeking to explore new avenues for the sustainable use of biodiversity for income generation. With the support of sister agencies, ministries and NGOs, the Environmental Protection Agency is making the necessary changes and implementations for this achievement. Research and surveys are being conducted where the LCDS will continue to prioritise the strengthening of measures for low-impact mining, rehabilitation and restoration of mined-out areas, and improved transparency in the mining sector, in addition to aiding in the development of strict sustainable forest management rules and guidelines.

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

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Growing up Cinema…

‘Zatoichi Meets The One-Armed Swordsman’

THE part the cinemas played in shaping the imagination of most young Guyanese is unbelievable, especially when, in the seventies, we began to see the late Sidney Poitier as Mr. Tibbs, the smart, elegant detective as an Afro-Caribbean American standing his ground. Before that, we saw Woody Strode in ‘Spartacus’, and in ‘The Ten Commandments’ as the Pharaoh of Kush; then Paul Robeson in ‘Show Boat’ and ‘The

Emperor Jones’.

The latter, which I saw on TV a few years ago, featured a mere sprinkling of non-white talent in cinema back then. But unprecedented diversity was to hit the screen in the early 70s with the appearance on the screen of the ‘One-Armed Swordsman’, introducing an incredible star that became known to all and sundry as Wang Yu. Born Wang Zhengquan on June 6, 1944 in Shanghai, China, legend has it

that before joining the Hong Kong-based Shaw Brothers Studio back in 1963, Jimmy Wang Yu, as he was widely known in cinematic circles, once served in the National Revolutionary Army, and was also a swimming champion in Hong Kong at one time, as well as a racing-car enthusiast.

To us here in Guyana, he was the first leading Chinese star on a platform and backdrop that was fresh terrain; that of China. It may not have been China really,

but that is what we saw.

I’m not sure; was it Globe or Metropole? I think it was Globe, because it was at the Globe Cinema that the Soul singer King Floyd kissed a Guyanese girl in a green dress at his show, so Globe became stuck in my mind. That’s a big girl now, because I’m talking 1970/71 and the under-aged youths that witnessed it are grandfathers now. When Wang Yu came on the scene, The Spaghetti Western was king, with that different pistol sound, no clean checkered shirts, rustic clothing and mood. For that period, the Italians did eclipse the Hollywood western, much to our liking.

IE

A REAL MAN’S MOV-

A classic was ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’. Rated the ideal man’s movie, and seen many times by male moviegoers, in this drama, though Clint Eastwood was the star, it was Eli Wallach’s character, ‘Tuco’, that stole the show, according to the male Guyanese vote. I took my now wife to see the incredible ‘double’ at Strand

Cinema. On entering, she irritably observed the 90 per cent male population in the ‘House’ section and enquired, “Is whuh showing?” I pointedly ignored the question, held her hand, and pointed to two spare seats. By the time we were comfortable, the movie had begun. The ‘double’ was, ‘For a Few Dollars More’ (I think). Thus, cinema was the medium that inspired larger-than-life ideas and roots comparisons. It wasn’t by chance that Metropole, on the corner of Robb and Wellington Streets, was called 110th Street or ‘OneTen Street’, mimicking the top-action, bad-boy movie with Anthony Quinn and Yaphet Kotto in ‘Across 110th Street’.

Wang Yu’s ‘One-Armed Swordsman’ heralded acceptance of a category of Chinese movies (described as such because those movies, at the time, were not produced in China) that introduced Bruce Lee and many others into the hearts and minds of movie-goers in Guyana, and brought the interest of martial arts to the common man.

Not that there were no

martial arts schools here.

The late Lenny Braithwaite on Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt; Frank Woon-A-Tai, Keith DaCosta, Max Massiah etc., have always existed.

But the extreme potential in the dramatised action scenes piqued the imagination of Guyanese who have always witnessed and admired our own ‘street fighters’. It wasn’t martial arts, but boxing that had inspired our local street fighters. Fighting was an honourable way of settling disputes. The gun culture came with drugs, categorised as “cowards in a car shooting and driving away from a man they can’t stand up to physically”.

The martial arts films also reached the subliminal weapons of the Georgetown and rural streets for over 200 years. Swords vs cutlasses, staffs vs knock wood, broken bottles with cutting edges, knives etc.

But most of all, the boxing agility of the martial artist’s punch and fly-kick that the film-star James Coburn had brought to the screen in the action comedy movie, ‘Our SEE PAGE XXIV

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TOBACCO IS DANGEROUS TO ...

FROM PAGE XIII

The anti-tobacco campaigns in the Developed have been successful, and tobacco usage has fallen to the extent that the Tobacco companies are now turning their attention to the Developing countries for their market, especially among the youth. In Guyana, the educational campaigns and the tobacco control Legislation promoted by Dr Leslie Ramsammy when he served as Minister of Health have had a measure of success and tobacco usage has contracted from what it was 20 years ago. Yet too much tobacco is still being consumed, and this could be gleaned from the fact that the Demerara Tobacco Company is the most profitable public company in the country.

The Tobacco Industry is always ahead of anti-tobacco activists to meet the expected fall in tobacco demand. They have put e-cigarettes, e-cigars, vapes, vape pens, e-pipes and vaporisers on the market. These e-products or electronic products use a liquid that usually contains nicotine from tobacco, flavourings, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and other unwholesome chemicals. The liquid is heated to create an aerosol that the user inhales.

We reiterate that there are significant health risks associated with the prolonged use of these devices, including general disabilities, lung damage, seizures and other neurological symptoms. The continued use of these devices is just as dangerous to health as tobacco smoking.

Dr Ramsammy, Chairman of the Presidential Commission on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, has alerted the public of the risks of usage of e-products: “While the Commission recognises the use of e-cigarettes in tobacco cessation programmes, the marketing of e-cigarettes as a healthy alternative to traditional tobacco is dangerous and misleading”. He then went on to point out that both e-cigarettes and hookah products are imported, distributed and sold in shops, stores and vendor stalls in contravention of the Packaging and Labelling Regulations (2018) passed under the Tobacco Control Act 2017. He further emphasised that the Tobacco Control Act 2017 equally recognises that the alternatives the Tobacco Industry have provided do not represent a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products. Therefore, the Regulations in the Tobacco Control Act 2017 equally apply to these products. The Tobacco Control Council must now take action to have importers of e-cigarettes and other e-products and hookahs conform to the Packaging and Labelling Regulations (2018) of the Tobacco Control Act (2017).

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MEMORIES OF MY ...

FROM PAGE XIV

and she gave a little cry of joy.

“You have returned, my child!”

Priya was not sure who she was, and asked, a little surprised, “You remember me!”

“It’s not hard to recognise family,” the old lady said with a warm smile.

“You have your father’s light-brown eyes, his nose, and that little cleft under his eye.”

She held out her arms to embrace the child she had known; now grown into a young woman.

Priya hugged her; her father’s sister, a nice old lady with a refreshing scent of lavender.

“I’m so happy one of the children has returned,” she said, wiping away the tears. “Your father has been waiting with hopes every day since that day your mother left and took all of you away.”

Priya followed her to the back of the house, and there, sitting all alone in a small gazebo surrounded by a variety of fruit trees and creole poultry, was an old, grey-haired man.

Time seemed to stand still for that moment, as she looked at the man she hadn’t seen since she was six.

Her thumping heartbeats she seemed to hear as she called out to him, “Papa!”

The old man turned and for a long moment, he looked at her, then a light danced in his eyes.

“Priya, my child, my child…” His voice broke, and he rose too hurriedly, almost falling back down.

She ran to him, and helped him up, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“I have returned, Papa.”

“I have waited so long for this day,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. “God has finally forgiven my wrongs, and answered my prayers.”

Priya’s heart exulted. She was home again, reunited with her father; her promise fulfilled. But there was one thing she still needed to know.

“Why didn’t you come looking for us?”

The old man sighed deeply. “I did; several times, wanting to ask your mother for forgiveness, for whatever wrongs I had done, but I never found my family again.”

Priya held his hands, touched by the deep regrets in his eyes, and she said, “I am here now, Papa. And one day, hopefully, you’ll see all of your children again.”

The old man smiled, and took a deep breath, inhaling a refreshing new hope as his little girl embraced him. “Happy Father’s Day, Papa.”

PICS saved as: ‘Fables’ 2

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Making the most of ...

FROM PAGE VII

Shimoon Ramkissoon

her grandchildren and supervise her children around the home.

Ramkissoon added that the neighbours are good people who cooperate when their help is needed She pointed out that they are familiar with most people in their street, but recently there have been many new faces in the village and she doesn’t socialise at all.

Ramkisson related that there is the sea dam squatting area of the village where many people reside.

Growing up Cinema…

FROM PAGE XX Man Flint’ was captivating.

I was still in short pants and pondering this type of seemingly practical foot movement.

What the Wang Yu era introduced to viewers was the concept of action movies outside of Hollywood that were convincing. For the first time, we came to recognise China, not as the supervillain Chinese character Dr. Fu Manchu, played by the late incredible British actor, Christopher Lee, among other actors. It paved the way, possibly, for China to follow the inevitable Hong Kong movie-making that produced the impressive movie, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ a complete winner. And, judging from the exceptional box-office

returns of ‘Shanghai Noon’, starring Jackie Chan, Owen Wilson and Lucy Liu, the game was on.

Sadly, Jimmy Wang Yu died recently, on April 5, 2022, at the ripe old age of 79, reportedly after a brief illness.

However, there is a ‘China Film Group Corporation’.

I think its debut is a movie I haven’t seen as yet, ‘The Wandering Earth’. I’ve not watched it, but its trailer is exciting. No doubt Wang Yu’s memory to me and others will serve to inspire when we see Jet Li do his thing, that he, too, is part of the era of the legendary ‘One-Armed Swordsman’. It must make aspiring film-makers in Guyana realise that one dreams best when awake.

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Grief and joy can coexist GRIEF and joy are two words that are hardly found together in the same statements or sentences.

For some, the two simply cannot coexist in the same space. I am currently ex-

periencing grief and loss, and while I’m not ready to openly write on that in my column section, I still wanted to share with you all a little bit of “guilt trip” and/or confusion I’ve

experienced while trying to heal from my grief. Even though I’ve lost, I am still gaining. I recently received an award for my outstanding performance in Guyana as a youth writer and

entrepreneur, among other small wins, all while still enduring and facing loss and grief. Initially, I didn’t want to celebrate; I didn’t want even to ac-

setbacks, nor are they reasons to pause. It’s simply life, and it’s in our nature to experience the good with the bad. It’s what the entire concept of Yin and Yang is

You need to intentionally allow yourself to enjoy the goodness and zest of life; it all goes back to your mind, and the power to control your thoughts and

knowledge most of my wins, because it seemed ‘pointless’ at the time.

It just didn’t feel right; no matter how prepared you think you are, nothing compares to being faced with grief. Even as a professional social worker who has studied grief and its stages in-depth, I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was for these intense, emotional days. I don’t think anybody will ever be prepared for it, but that’s a topic for another column.

As I slowly penned my thoughts, bit by bit, I started to understand that it was really and truly okay to still applaud my wins, celebrate life, acknowledge my progress, or find joy and happiness, all while still grieving for something or someone you lost. Nobody ever said you need to do one or the other. I’d like to think that moments like these aren’t

based on. Often, we fear the judgment that comes after allowing ourselves to experience or feel positive emotions after or during grief. We fear people judge us for “moving on” too quickly, or they might even think it’s inappropriate of us to be positive during grieving. I beg to differ; grief is an ongoing process. Some may even say it’s a lifelong process. It’s also good and healthy for us to allow ourselves to experience positive and joyous emotions, events and even relationships. Worry less about what other people have to say about you and your well-being. At the end of the day, only you will be able to understand what’s best for you, and how you can accomplish overall peace.

If you find it difficult to find joy or happiness while grieving, remember that the first step is to give yourself permission.

emotions. Allowing yourself to experience joy and happiness doesn’t exclude the feelings of grief, and the hurt that comes with it. Nonetheless, you can allow yourself to do both.

You can share a laugh with your family, and also shed tears with them too.

You can choose to go out today to celebrate, and you can choose to stay in and reminisce tomorrow.

Grief does not exclude living your best life, and you should not feel guilty for allowing yourself to be positive about life either, even when things may seem gloomy. In the initial stages of grief, it may seem impossible to even smile, but, in the end, we as human beings always find ways to pick ourselves up (even if we need help along the way), and we find ways to adapt and thrive. You got this! We got this!

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY She may very wel l pass for forty-three In the dusk with a light behind her!

W.S. GILBERT (1 836-1911) Trial by Jury (187 5)

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June 19, 2022 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome dear friend.

As you endeavour to study, do much self-testing which is basic to examination success. Try the brilliant and important key word revision cards. Use them for lesson revision or independent homework tasks.

The handy pocket-sized ones do jog memory well.

Just tailor the notes to your study-style. Learn topics in logical whole units, with

natural beaks in between, or break units down into logical sub-topics. Do avoid stress and anxiety in your effort.

Be wise.

Love you.

IMPROVING WRITING A. Some information about style in short story writing ? A good short story touches the minds and emotions of its readers who need to feel and see its characters and setting, and to participate in the action. We know you agree. So, let’s move on. ? Good reactions can be programmed in any form of writing, and the short story is no stranger here. Young short story writers, you can only achieve good reader-reactions by deliberate programming.

Use your language well. It is best not to present your readers with much unravelling of unnecessary words and phrases. Write simply but effectively. Write about what you really know.

Include the finer details that put life in characters, events, and passions among other aspects of short story. Just find words and phrases to provoke a credible mental picture to your reader.

What to Do Go to your last short story. Re-read it. Consider your bits of description individually and collectively. Do they enable each other? Have they been well-placed, well-worded, given at the right time?

Or maybe now you can better add words and phrases to help the reader imagine what you first imagined when you wrote. Try it.

Maybe you need to cross out some description, rephrase some, and only retain those pieces that serve the purpose well. Be persistent at this and you will become better at writing.

THE PASSAGE Read the following story extract carefully and then answer the questions below. “...But some lady is very kind,” said one of the girls to her. “Them treat y’u well. I never work with them myself, but I know some who is very kind.”

“True, my love,” agreed another, “but I wouldn’t like de work: it doan suit me. I prefer to be my own mistress.”

This was the general sentiment, and had Jane been a judge of character she would have perceived that these young women were either of a more independent disposition or of a somewhat better class than those who

remained domestic servants nearly all their lives.

They were rebels; they had no humility in them; in their own way they aspired; they wanted to be free. Most of them (city born) had never been domestics. Some others had early emancipated themselves from that form of service. Overall, they knew very little about it, but that little was sufficient for them. As for Jane, her experience had been a hard one, and so she would cordially agree with the views of her new acquaintances.

At one o’clock they struggled back to work, and from that hour until five they pasted labels and hummed hymns, only stopping now and then to have their bottles inspected and checked. Jane shared the sentiments of her colleagues, that the checker was cheating or wished to be unreasonable and once during the day she even ventured upon a feeble protest. She was quite wrong, but this effort at self-assertion pleased her.

She had already begun to feel herself ‘her own woman’.

(H.G. DeLisser’s “Jane’s career”) Working with the Passage 1. Is each of the character’s language suited to the story setting? Explain how you view the characters’ language against the story setting.

2. What hint is there that Jane’s quest for freedom had already started? What obstacles do you think are in her way forward?

3. How does the writer make these characters come alive in your mind? Say, in general terms, how DeLisser does it, and then point each out as clearly as you can see it. When you are certain of yourself, discuss your effort with a study partner.

4. Write a short story about the fate of a young woman in the present Caribbean job market. Try DeLisser’s techniques, and do not overdo the colloquial.

[Remember that dialogue helps make story writing more interesting. It builds up character, setting, and conflict.

Try not to regard its use in story writing as an insurmountable challenge. A short and suitable chat or two would be enough to embed in one short story. Make dialogue enhance character and story line... Remember also, that Your examiners require that you use the English language favourably in length and quality in your short story.

The operative word is ‘practice’ in all story aspects.]

IMPROVING WRITING B. Using correct forms In the following little story, find and identify all colloquial, overworked, or incorrect forms. Then rewrite the story, supplying good substitutes for these expressions. You can also use whatever aspect(s) of this story in one of your own making.

Last night we ate early, because my folks wanted to go bowling. They are liable to bowl almost any evening, incidentally. Irregardless of the fact that I had homework to do, I went with them. As usual, Dad bring his own bowling ball; and I drag along, behind, carrying Mom’s.

Dad was aggravated when he saw that all the alleys were busy, but he was bound to bowl; so we stayed.

Safter a while a big dark-complexioned guy who was bowling alone in the third alley began to be angry with himself.

Most of the time he was sending the ball down the gutters, and the balance of his throws knocked down hardly any pins. I sized him up as a party who could be a good bowler if he would only get himself in shape. Finally he grow disgusted and left.

Dad managed to get the alley, because the man who had reserved it for seven o’clock did not show up. We bowled three lines. Both Mom and Dad made nice scores, but I was so anxious to impress a cute blonde in the next alley that I was a disgrace to my family.

C. Eliminating wordiness in writing Rewrite the following sentences, eliminating the wordiness.

Proofread for careless mistakes in spelling or punctuation.

Discuss your sentences with study partners.

1. Mary would not give her consent to doing anything that most people considered improper.

2. Collect together the damaged machines.

3. Did you ever in your life meet up with such a man before?

4. A stranger sound was audible to my ears.

5. She was frequently thirsty at numerous intervals.

6. She was universally admired by everyone.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022

XXXIX

Shaping the mouth region

THE primary functions of the oral cavity are respiration, swallowing, mastication(chewing) and speech. The ultimate shape of the lips and jaws could be determined not by genetics alone but simply by habit. Newborn infants are obligatory nasal breathers, but the mandible (lower jaw) and tongue must be positioned away from the throat for the airway to be patent. If nasal breathing becomes obstructed, oral breathing must commence, which will present some problems. Respiratory needs, therefore, can be a primary determinant of lower jaw posture and tongue position in later years.

Respiratory and swallowing movements are activities which have been noted in utero. In fact, it is not unusual to detect a fetus sucking its thumb even four months before being born. At birth, the infant exhibits two reflexes that are related to sucking. The root reflex, which lasts until the child is approximately seven months of age, is the movement of an infant’s head and tongue towards a stimulus touching the infant’s cheek Many factors influence the facial region’s early growth and development. Habits can affect the orofacial structures and can influence the facial growth, oral function, occlusal (bite) relationships, and facial aesthetics of a patient. In other words, a child may even grow up not resembling his/her parents because of certain deleterious habits extant during the formation years.

The sucking reflex, active movements of the infant’s muscles surrounding the mouth, expresses milk from the nipple and lasts approximately 12 months. To obtain milk from the mother’s breast, the infant does not need to suck, but instead, stimulate the smooth muscle in the breast to contract and express milk onto the tongue; this is called suckling. The milk is carried to the throat and gullet by the tongue. The infantile swallow does not occur the same way as in the case of the adult. It is characterised by the infant placing their tongue beneath the nipples, contracting the lower lip, and swallowing with the lips together and jaws apart. On the other hand, the adult swallow is characterised by a teeth-together swallow, with the tongue against the palate and lips relaxed. The transition from the infantile way of sucking to the adult way is gradual, and disruption of its normal process can result in abnormal physical changes in the middle and lower sections of the face.

When a child who is more than three years old habitually sucks his/her fingers it can give rise to 12 different harmful effects that eventually lead to disfigurement of the entire dentition, upper and lower jaws, upper and lower lips, and palate. The aftermath, which depends on the frequency, intensity and duration of the habit, is invariably an adulteration of the child’s beauty. The term adenoid facies has been used to describe the facial appearance of patients with a long face and anterior open bite. This comes from habitual mouth breathing. More specifically, these patients demonstrate a downward and backward rotation of their lower jaw during growth, excess eruption of posterior teeth, upper jaw constriction, anterior open bite and increased anterior (especially lower) facial length.

The instances whereby harmful habits during a person’s tender years can modify their facial appearances are too numerous to mention here. However, the advice is that professional intervention should be sought whenever a young child is observed practising abnormal habits with the mouth.

XL

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, June 19, 2022