HAVINGalreadyconductedextensivecharityworks invariousregionsacross Guyana,BackpackInternationalInc.(BPI),aUS-tion,isbackagain–this timeonitsninthmissionto LethemintheRupununito distributeschoolsupplies andhosteducationaland recreationalactivitiesfor localchildren.
OslynRodriguezisthe founderandexecutivedirectorofBPI,anorganisation shestartedin2016with aglobalmissiontoequip studentsinneedsothatthey canachieveoverallacademic success.
Thistimearound,the 11-memberteam,consisting ofninevolunteersfromthe USAandtwofromGuyana, ishereinGuyanaforthe periodJuly4-15,having earlierthismonthshippeda
backpacksloadedwithnew shoes,schoolsupplies,hygieneproducts,andreading booksforover200children inLethemandSt.Ignatius Village.Thisshipmentalso includesmedicalscrubsfor
themHospital.
“Themissionaimsto providemuch-neededsupportandresourcestothe localcommunities,ensuring thateverychildhastheopportunitytostarttheschool yearwithconfidenceand dignity,”Rodriguezshared.
Themission’sactivitieswillfeatureaSummer
anddodgeball,alongsidea VacationBibleSchool,arts andcraftssessions,sports events,andmeals.These activities,freeofchargeto theregisteredchildren,willbeconductedincollaboration withPastorJennieFordeof LethemAssemblyofGod andRicardoandReginaRobertsonofSt.IgnatiusVillage, RegionNine.
Rodriguezemphasised theimportanceofthemis-
sion,noting,“Iremember howexcitedIusedtoget goingback-to-schoolshoppingfornewclothes,shoes, andschoolsupplies.Someof ourstudentsdon’thavethat opportunity.Ibelieveevery childdeservesthechanceto enterthenewschooltermingthesetostudents,it’sa smallstepinencouraging themintheireducational journey.”
Shesaidthesupportfrom theMinistryofAmerindiangionalChairmanBrianAllicock,hasbeentremendous. “Theyfacilitatedclearance ofthecontainerfromthe portandcoordinatedtransportationofthegoodsfrom GeorgetowntoLethem,”she disclosed.
Theteamalsometwith representativesfromtheLethemRegionalHospitalto handoverhundredsofmedicalscrubsforthemedical inSt.Ignatius. Rodriguezreturnedto
Guyanaafterbeingawayfor herassistanceanyhowshe could.“Iwasreallymoved andwantedtodosomething togivebacktothechildren ofGuyana,”shesaid. teacherwithapassionfor education,Rodriguez,who wasborninLindenandgrew upinRegionFive(Mahaica/ Berbice),wantstobeable tohelpchildrenobtainthe essentialsofbeingsuccessfulatschool.Thegoal,she shared,istoequipstudents witheverythingtheyneed forschool.
Sometimeago,BPIassistedwithtransformingan underutilisedcommunity buildinginAnnaiVillage, RegionNine,intoalibrary. StudentsfromtheSand CreekMiddleSchoolinNew Yorkdonatedover12,000 bookstosupportthelibrary. BPIandtheSouthColonieCentralSchoolDistrictsubsequentlyhosted abookparadetocelebrate thephilanthropicefforts ofthestudentsatSand CreekMiddleSchool.The StudentCouncillauncheda school-wideserviceproject tocollect5,000booksto Annai.Thestudentsquicklysurpassedthisgoaland collectedmorethandouble thetargetnumber.
VolunteersfromUSAandGuyana
FounderandExecutiveDirectorofBPIOslyn Rodriguez
ThesupportfromtheMinistryofAmerindian
ByMichelOutridge
CalvinLuthers,anend-stagerenalfailure patient,saystheGovernmentofGuyana (GOG)cashgrantof$600,000perpatient initiativeannuallyhashelpedalotinhisdialysistreatment.
The51-year-oldtoldthePepperpotMagazinethatnineyearsago,hewasdiagnosed,and hashadtoundergodialysistreatmentatDoobay MedicalCentre,Annandale,EastCoastDemerof$12,000persessionandnowadays,heisrequiredtohavethreedialysissessionsperweek.
Luthers,whowaspreviouslyself-employedastheownerofageneralelectronics repairshop,cannotwork.Thesedays,he dependssolelyonfamilyandfriendstoassisthimwithmonetarycontributionsforhis weeklydialysistreatment.
HereportedthatthisOctoberwillmarknine failure,aconditionthathasweakenedhishealth considerably,makinghimlosehisconcentration andgoodeyesight,thus,hisinabilitytowork.
“Honestly,Iamverythankfulfortheadministration’scashgrantforkidneypatientsbecauseitishelping…andIwishitwasmorepermanentforpeoplelike mewhocannotworkandhavetodependonothersto payformydialysistreatmentattheprivateinstitution,” hesaid.
LutherstoldthePepperpotMagazinethatthecash grantof$600,000wouldgivehimthree-monthsworthof dialysistreatment,whichalsoincludestransportationand medications.
forkidneypatientsforoneyear,andheremainsthankfuland hopefulthatithashelpedalot.
Inaddition,Luthers,whoisalsohypertensive,lived abroad(Montserrat)forsometimebeforehereturnedtothe landofhisbirth,Guyana,tosettleandwork,butfatewould haveitthathebecameill.
tocontinuehisdialysistreatment,burdeningfamilyand friends.
dialysistreatment.
verygratefulforthegestureofthismonetarygrantanditis beingusedasitshould,”hesaid.
Since2020,thegovernmenthasmadedialysistreatment moreaccessibleviatheirannualcashgrantof$600,000per patient.
Some$360MwasallocatedinthebudgetfortheMinistryofHealthMedicalTreatmentDepartmentinitiativeto asanalternativetoremovingwastefromtheblood.
Thecashgrantforchronickidneydiseasepatientswas rolledoutin2020tosupplementtheirtreatmentcosts.
Currently,dialysispatientspaybetween$12,000$15,000persessionandtomaintaingoodhealth,theyneed atleastthreesessionsperweek.
Inadditiontothosethreesessions,theyarerequiredto purchasemedication,eatabalanceddietaswellasdoa seriesofbloodtestsasoftenasneeded.
Chronickidneydiseasepatientshavelonglamentedthe arealsoforcedtogotodialysistwotimesinsteadofthree.
Thegovernmentisseekingtoadderythropoietin–one ofthecriticaldrugsinthetreatmentofkidneydisease–totemsoon.
AccordingtotheJohnsHopkinsMedicinewebsite, “End-stagerenalfailure,alsoknownasend-stagerenaldis-
disease,wherekidneyfunctionhasdeclinedtothepointthat thekidneyscannolongerfunctionontheirown.
Apatientwithend-stagerenalfailuremustreceivedialysisorkidneytransplantationinordertosurviveformore thanafewweeks.
Patientsmayexperienceawidevarietyofsymptomsas kidneyfailureprogresses.Theseincludefatigue,drowsiness, decreaseinurinationorinabilitytourinate,dryskin,itchy skin,headache,weightloss,nausea,bonepain,skinandnail changesandeasybruising.
Doctorscandiagnosethediseasewithbloodtests,urine tests,kidneyultrasound,kidneybiopsy,andCTscan.
Someoftheriskfactorsfordevelopingchronickidney disease—thatcouldultimatelyleadtoend-stagerenal failure—includediabetes,highbloodpressure,heart disease,drugabuse,blockagesintheurinarytract,familytionally,havingchronickidneydiseaseandnotproperly managingitcancausethediseasetoprogresstothepoint thatitbecomesend-stage.”
CalvinLuthers
ByTeleshaRamnarine
GUYANESEmusicianSamanthaGrantisheartened bytheoutpouringofsupportshehasbeenreceiving
Woolford-Saunders–where Samanthagrewup,came togetherwithSsignalProductionsledbyBonnyAlves andCharmainBlackmanto hostthe‘SaveaLife’concert.
turninghome.
Thingschangedforher when,in2021,shefelta lumpinoneofherbreasts, butlikesomanyotherbreast cancervictims,shedidn’t takeitforanything.In2022, though,shedidamammogram,andtheresultsshowed thatitwascancerous.Bythis time,thelumphadgotten bigger.So,afterstartingchemotherapy,shehadthesurgeryin2023.Butthiswasn’t goingtobeitforSamantha.
“IsayIhaditbecauseI amnotclaimingitanymore. Ihadbreastcancer.Ididthe surgery,andtheytookoutthe lumpandsentittoTrinidad, sowearebasicallywaiting fortheresultstoseehowfar alongitis.Intheprocessof doingthat,Ihadakidney relapse;mykidneysfailed, sonowIhavetododialysis forthat,”shesharedwith PepperpotMagazine.
Sobymeansoftheconcert,thevillagersandmusiciansaretryingtoraisefunds tohelpwithherongoing medicalexpenses.
The43-year-old,who startedhersingingcareer
DeputyandWonderGirls backintheday,moved ontoTrinidad,whereshe
eversinceshebecameill. Theconcertscheduledfor today(July14)inhonourof herbyherfellowvillagers andmusiciansisthelatest gesturethatshedeeplyappreciates.
ThreevillagersfromPlaisance,EastCoastDemerara–ErwinAllen,Cheryl ThomasWentandAnisah
Theconcertwillbeheld athistoricalsiteinPlaisanceattheheadofPrince WilliamStreetontheline top.“Attheconcert,I wouldlovetobeperforming.Icanstillsingbecause nothingain’thappentomy voice.” -Hosting‘SaveaLife’concerttohelpSamanthaGrant
didher“RockmyBody” album.Fromthere,she hadanopportunitytogo toCanada,whereshespent about15yearsbeforere-
“ItoldhimyesbecauseIam
“Everyonewhoissupportingmeeitherthrough donations,aniceword,havingmeintheirthoughtsand prayers,Ireallyappreciate it,”Samanthaexpressed.
“IdidalivewithCharmaineandBonny,andI didn’treallywanttobecause attimesyougoandshare yourstoryandsomepeoplesponseIhavegottenisreally overwhelmingandheartfelt andIreallyappreciateit,”she continued.
Eventhoughshehas easedupsingingbecauseof herillness,shesaidBonny hasaskedhertoenterthe ‘CalypsoMonarch’nextyear.
feelingmuchbetterandby thenIwillbeevenbetter.”
Eventhoughtheillness haschangedlifeforSamanthaintermsofhereating habitsandotherthings,she saidithasmadeherlookat lifedifferently.“Itshows youthatsickreallydon’t haveanyage;anyonecan getsick.Itmakesyouthink positivelyandtakeoneday atatimeandmakethebest ofeachday.”
Sheisnotashamedto admitthatbeforetheillness,
shewasnotverymuchinto readingtheBibleandpraying.Butthesituationhas madeherrealisehowmuch sheneedsGodinherlife.
Attheconcerttoday,Samanthawantstoperform alongsidehercolleagues.
Melissa‘Vanilla’Roberts, VinelHinds,OKC,BigRed, Alabama,CharmaineBlackman,Ego,Jumo,Calvin BurnettandAkeemAlexan-
der,amongothers,haveall throwntheirsupportforward andareonboardtoperform.
GuyanesemusicianSamanthaGrant
CharmaineBlackman-Alves,SamanthaGrant
Avillagedefyingdivision
COMMUNITIESformin countlessways.Afewsmall peoplewithacommongoal oftencometogether.Butlybroughttogether.The communityofStrathspey isuniqueinbreakingthis alongGuyana’sEastCoast stretch.Strathspeyisawhichitwasbuiltcontinues
Morethan25yearsago, menandwomenseeking toownlanddrewrandom numbersfromabagtogain ahouselotinthethen-new villageofStrathspey.This anewbeginninginaplace stillclosetothecapitalcity. However,thevillage’sdevelopmentmaynothave beenasrandomasitseemed. Amixedgroupofmenand
womenwereissuedlandin thevillage,stillwithoutlights orwateratthetime.
Thiswasnotachallenge foryoungandprospective homeownerslikeRandolph oldcamefromBuxtonto Strathspeymorethan24 yearsago.Talkingtothe PepperpotMagazineathis home,heexplained,“What theydidatthetimewasthat peoplenearesttothevillage whowantedlandweregivenit.Thenearestpointthat peoplewantedland,they gotlandwhenitwasshared. That’showwehavesomany peopleherefromBuxtonand surroundingvillages.”
Twoandahalfdecades ago,Strathspeylookeddrastoday.AsRandolphshared, initially,itwashometodense trees.LikemanyothervillagesinGuyana,Strathspey waswithoutelectricityor water.Topersonsseekinga homeoftheirown,thisdid notfazethem,butStrathspey wasstillonthecuspofits development.
Randolphstated,“When Icameherein2000,there werenostreets,nowater, andnolights.Itwasfif-
AquietstreetinStrathspey.
typercentoccupiedbefore basicinfrastructurecame in.”Sinceaddingbasicinfrastructure,thevillagehas seencountlessotherchanges anddevelopments,bringing ituptoparwithitsmore popularsurroundingvillages likeVigilance,Buxton,and BladenHall.Oneaspectof thecommunityremainsthe same,however:itsdiversity.
Fifty,forty,orthirtyyears ago,communitiesacrossthe ‘Blackvillages’or‘Indian these‘one-race’communities hasbecomeamuchharder taskandanevenrareroccurrence.Strathspeyisoneof theearliestvillagestoplay anintegralroleinthisfrom itsveryinception.
Explainingtheprocess anditsimpact,Randolph shared,“Whathappenedat thetimewasthatthevillagety,IndiansandBlacks.So,it isnotablackcommunity.We wouldputourhandinthebag andwhatevernumberyou pulled,thatwasyourhouse lot.”
Thedeliberateactionby thecommunityleadersat thetimehashadalong-lastingimpactonthedynamics andrelationshipsbetween residents.AsRandolphex-
plained,thisactionalmost threedecadesagohascrafted uniquerelationshipswithin thecommunity.“Ithinkit wasaconsciousdecision tobringtheracestogether andmakesurethatthere wasnocryofracism.Itwas balanced.Tome,thatwas good.Idonotknowofany othercommunitythatwas structuredonthatprinciple.” Hefurtheradded,“Ithinktoday,peopleinthecommunity haveamutualunderstanding andagoodrelationship.”
Loveofone’scommunity isasentimentechoedbythe residentsofStrathspey.Ranspirit.The75-year-oldhas beenchairmanoftheNeighbourhoodDemocraticCouncilfor16years.Ashestated, “InthetimeIwaschairman, Isawthevillagegetroads, lights,andwater.”
Sheddingsomelighton lifeinthecommunity,RandolphstatedthatStrathspey iswhatmanywouldcalla ‘kitchengarden’community. “Wedonotdofarmingona largescalehere.Mostpeople farmintheirlittlekitchen garden.Butmostofthepeoplegoouttowork.Some peopleworkinconstruction, someincivilservice,and someintheprivateandpublicsector.”
Randolph,anavidgardenerhimself,sharedthat gardeninghasdeclinedwith thecommunity’sgrowth.As heexplained,“Thewhole villagenowishouses.This isjustapartofStrathspey called‘AreaG’.Thisarea wasdevelopedlateron.This areawasareserve.”Hefurtheradded,“InStrathspey, in‘AreaG’,wehaveabout 200houses,somaybetwoto threehundredpeopleinthis areaalone.”
Strathspeyisacom-ingcommunity.Inmany still-growingcommunity playanintegralroleinthetyincountlessways.Ashe fromtheyear2000to2016,back.Ifeltcomfortable inaway.”Thisbrimming senseofcommunityistruly Strathspey.
CookingupsuccessinStrathspey
AStrathspeywoman’srecipeforturningchallengesintoopportunities
ByShaniyaHarding
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
isoneofStrathspey’smost prominentandadmirablequalities.Aquickwalk throughthisrapidlygrowingcommunityreveals thetrueextentofvarious entrepreneurialventures thrivingwithinitsborders. Fromvulcanisingshopsto boutiquesandsupermarkets,Strathspeyishometo numerousbusinesspeople bravingtheunpredictabilityofcommerce.
Amongtheseenterprising individualsisKarenNicholson,amotherandbusiness ownerwhosejourneyembodiesthespiritofStrathspey’s development.Beginningwith anideaandapassionfor business,Karen’sventurehas blossomedintoasuccessful enterprise.Throughoutthe years,shehaswitnessedher businessdevelopalongside thecommunityofStrathspey, andtransformation.
LifeintheCommunity ofStrathspey
Guyanaisasvastasitis diverse,yettheessenceof itspeopleremainsconstant acrossregions.Strathspeyhas becomehometoindividuals fromsurroundingcommunitiesfarandwide.Inthecommunity’searlyyears,various peoplecametosettle,among themKarenNicholson.Like manyothers,shearrived duringthecommunity’sinchangeinherlife.
BornandraisedinBuxton,Strathspeypresented
Karenwithanewenvironmentandunfamiliarfaces. However,italsooffereda freshopportunityforher family.Themotherofsix recounted,“Iappliedfora pieceofland,andthat’showI endeduphere.AsIgotolder andhadchildren,Ineededto makemychildrenandmyself comfortable.Ihavethree girlsandthreeboys,butallof themaregrownnow.”
Thetransformationof Strathspeyovertheyearsis trulyremarkable.Today,the villageishometomorethan athousandresidents,afarcry fromitshumblebeginnings. Karenvividlyremembers thoseearlydays,stating,“I wasthefirstblackwoman inthisscheme.Icouldhave countedthehouses;myhouse
ShefurtherpaintedapictureofStrathspeytwodefromwhatweseetoday:“At thattime,thingswerevery different.Wedidn’thave electricityorproperroads. Iusedtocarrymydaughter togethertoschool.There werejustafewsmallhouses around;wedidn’tevenhave thesebighouseswehave now.”
Despitetheless-thanidealconditions,Karen maintainedanoptimisticoutlookregarding thecommunity’spotential.Asayoungmother seekingtocreateabetterlifeforherchildren, shesawStrathspeyasher onlychoice.“Tobehonest, whenIfirstcamehere,I didn’thaveanyotheroption.AndIwasn’tafraid,”
sheexplained.Herview ofthecommunityhasremainedrelativelyconsistentthroughouttheyears, particularlyconcerning therelationshipsbetween Strathspey’sresidents.She observed,“Idon’tthinkthe communityismoreunited now.Peoplenormallyjust keeptothemselves.”
BuildingaBusiness
Nearlyeighteenyears ago,Karenembarkedonher entrepreneurialjourney.She startedwithasmallshop whereshesoldphonecards anddrinks.Assherecalled, “Ihadalittlehouse,and I’vealwayslikedbusiness.I usedtoselldrinksandphone cards.”Withthecommunity stillgrowing,customerswere fewandfarbetween.However,asthevillage’spopulation increased,sodidthedemand forabroaderrangeofproducts.
Karenexplainedhow herbusinessevolved:“My grandsonwouldbehome andseethesepeoplecome andask,andhesaid,‘People arecomingforriceandsugar, granny.Youshouldopena shop.’Heencouragedme, andItookhisadvice.”
Inspiredbyhergrandson’ssuggestion,Karenboldlydecidedtoexpandher business.Sheinvestedin stockingthevariousitems thatvillagersfrequentlyrequested.Theoddsseemed stackedagainstherinthe earlystages,withevenher husbandexpressingdoubts. “Myhusbanddidn’tthinkit wouldwork.Hesaidnobody wouldcomeherebecausewe
hadpeoplewhousedtowalk andsell.ButIopenedmy shopanyway.Isaidwhoever wantedtostopwouldstop. I’mgoingtoopenmyshop. Itwasasmallwoodenshop. Iopeneditin2007.Since then,everythingjustfellinto place,”sherecounted.
Karenhasmaintained thatsameoptimismsince theverybeginning.Today, herestablishmentisamong themostwell-knowninthe area,attractingmorepeople tothevillage,particularly thoseseekingherdelicious cooking.Althoughbusiness isgoingwell,Karenexplains thatsomedaysarestillbetter thanothers.“It’sbusiness–somedaysit’sup,otherdays it’sdown.Somedays,Iget
oneortwocustomers,but youcan’tgiveup,”shesaid.
LookingtotheFuture Asshelookstothefuture,Karenwantstoreturn tofarming.“Iwouldlike tohaveanotherpieceof landforfarming.Icould dopoultry;Iusedtodo farming,”sheshared.Asa successfulbusinessowner andmother,Karenalso emphasisesthevalueof trainingforwomenlike herself.Sheexplained,“I wouldprefertrainingfor smallbusinessowners.” Karen’sjourneyfroma newcomerinStrathspeyto arespectedentrepreneur mirrorsStrathspey’sown growthanddevelopment.
Keepingthelightalive
Overcomingabuse,embracingsolitude,andinspiringacommunity
ByShaniyaHarding
INthecommunityof Strathspeylivesanamazing womanwithaphenomenal story.Strathspeyonthe EastCoastofDemerarais auniquecommunitywith abeautifulmixofpeople.Likesomanyplaces thePepperpotMagazine hasvisited,theirstories areuniquelyinspiringand showthetrueextentofthe Guyanesespirit.
Seventy-one-year-oldIndrawattieSooknananisperhapsoneofthemostjovial andhospitablepersonsthis magazinehaseverencountered.Shespokeaboutthe developmentofthecommunityaswellasherown personalgrowth.Themother offourhasovercometrying timesinthevillageaswell asathome.Shetolduswhat itmeanttoworktosupport herchildrenandsurvivean abusivepartner,and,most importantly,howsheiscopingtoday.
Indra,assheismorepopularlyknown,isoneofthe fewpeoplewhocanconsiderthemselvesStrathspey bornandbred.Herfamily wasamongthefirstinthe communitywhereIndraand herthreesiblingsgrewup. Strathspey,morethan60 fromtoday’scommunity. ButIndraexpressedthatshe lovedthecommunitythrough allitschanges.
Sheexplainedthatthe communityisfarmorede-
velopedtoday,butshewould alsoliketoseethecommunityspiritthevillageoncehad. “Iwouldsaythecommunity changedforthegood.Long ago,thevillagedidnothave anything.Wedidnothave thingslikeroadslikewedo now.Wehadsomesmall houses,butnowpeopleget theirlot,theymaketheir houseandtheyhavelightand water.Sowehaveagoodlife inhere,”shesaid.
Althoughsheconsiders Strathspeyherhome,Indra explainedthatshemovedto Vigilanceaftergettingmarried.Thenewlywedslivedin thevillageofVigilancefor afewyearsbeforereturning toStrathspey.Asshestated, “Iwasbornandgrewupin Strathspey,andthenIgot married.ButIhavelived hereallmylife.Igotmarried, wenttoVigilanceforalittle bit,andthenIcameback here.Igotmarriedyoungand whenmymotherandfather died,Imovedbackhereto Strathspey.”
Indrasaysthiswasperhapsamongthehappiertimes inherlife.Themotherof threewasmarriedtoanabusivemanformoreabouta decadeandahalf.Shedeandtaxing,‘takingalotout ofher.’Shestated,“Ilived withmyhusbandforaround 14to15years.Hewasa drunkard;heusedtodrink andthenbeatme.”Throughoutthoseyears,shesaidshe thoughtaboutleavingbutfelt shecouldnotformanyrea-
sons,includingherchildren.
Thevaluesandbeliefsof theeraalsoplayedarolein herstayingwithherhusband foraslongasshehad.As sheexplained,almost50 yearsago,peoplehadvery differentideasaboutwhen andwhytheyshouldstay together.“Istayedbecause longago,peoplewouldtell youtostay.Mymotherand mother-in-lawwouldtellme IpickedhimsoIhavetostay withhim.Ihadtolivemylife forthem.Hewasnotlikethat allthetime;weusedtolive good,”shesaid.
Herhusbandlaterdied. Indrasaysthathisdeath wasthebeginningofanew era.Shedoesnotsharethe opinionsthattheoldergenerationdid.Sheexplained thatifsheknewanyoneina situationlikehers,shewould encouragethemtoleave. Sincehispassingalmost20 yearsago,Indrahasgrasped anewsenseofindependence andnowlivesalone.Shesays sheprefersitthatway.“Ido notworkanymore.Iusedto sellatthebigmarketfora longtime,sixtosevenyears. Myhusbandusedtowork shesaid.
Shestated,“Ilikeliving bymyself;Iamaccustomed toitbynow.Mostdays,my childrencomearound;they cookforme.Ijustliveby myself.Butwhennewpeople come,Iliketalkingtothem. Likewhenmygrandchildren comearound,Ifeelsohappy talkingtothem.”Herlife
nowrevolvesaroundher family,children,grandchildren,andgreat-grandchildren.Sheadded,“Ihave threesonsandonedaughter. Theyareallgrownup;they liveallaroundGuyana,and whentheygetthetime,they comeandseeme.” Now,sheappreciates thevillageshegrewupin.
“Strathspeyisanicecommunity.Everybodyhere livesgood.Ican’tthink ofanycomplaintsabout thiscommunity,”shesaid. Indrastatedthatherchildrenoftenaskherifsheis happylivingonherown, especiallyatherage.Indra saysshewouldnotwantto haveitanyotherway.“My
husbanddiedalmostthirty yearsago.Sincethen,I havelivedbymyself.SometimesIvisitmychildren andgrandchildandthat makesmehappy.Ijust lookaftermychildrenand livebymyself.Ilikeitlike that.”
LivingandfishinginStrathspey
ByShaniyaHarding
THEvillageofStrathspey iscolourfulandcomplexin manyways,andthelivesand jobsofitsresidentsarenoexception.Locatedjustoutside thecapitalcity,Strathspeyousareasandsectors,with entrepreneurshipgrowing. However,someresidents stillprefermoretraditional beenafishermansincehe graduatedfromhighschool. Now,morethan20years later,hesayshestillloves beingatsea.
erman,wasbornandraisedin Strathspey.Followinginhis father’sfootsteps,Narinehas beentoseacountlesstimes andnowhasafamilyofhis ownasafathertothreeboys. Thevibrant51-year-oldsays hestillloveshisjobregardlessofitschallenges.Ashe shared,“Ihavebeendoing fishingworksinceIwasa littleboy.Myfatherwasa likehim.IwouldsayIhave beenafishermanforwell overtwenty-somethingyears, andIlikethework.”
Throughouttheyears, Narinehasworkedatvarious communitiesalongtheEast CoastofDemerara.During thistime,hesayshehas seenhisprofession’sbest
placeIworkedwasMeadow Bank,andthentoEcclesand afewotherplaces.Afterthat, Istoppedgoingouttoseafor awhile.Istartedworkingin theswamps.Iusedtocatch shrimpsandmullets.”
Althoughhewasnever formallytrained,Narinehas workedinalmosteveryarea ofaquaculture.Heexplained thathisloveforseacreatures hashelpedhimholdonto hisjob.Theworkisfarmore technicalandcomplicated thanmostpeoplewouldexpect.Goingouttoeithersea orjusttotheswampsrequires Narinetounderstandboththe animalsandtheirhabitat.
Heexplainedthatfishingforcertainspeciesmust bedoneatparticulartimes
“Fishingworkisnice;asa fisherman,allyouhaveto doisunderstand.Whenwe goouttosea,wehavetopay attentiontothetideandthe timeofday.Wehavetoknow wheretogo,”hestated.
andotherareasofaquaculturearephysicallychallengingandtendtoimpacthis body.However,hesaysjobs likehisandagriculturealldependence.Asheexplained, “Oneofthebestthingsabout theworkthatIdoisthatnobodyhastotellmeanything.
Goingouttosea,it’sjustyou andyourcrew;thereisno bossoranything.Whatever youcatchisyourown.”
Sharingsomeofhisexperiencesatsea,Narineexplainedthatthereisaninterestingtypeofcamaraderie amonghisfellowcrewmates. “Whenwegoout,itisjust us.Wecookandworkand lookoutforoneanother. Wegosofarouttoseathat wedonotseeanybody.We donotseeanyland;maybe sometimeswemayseeaship passingoranotherfishing boat.Wesayhitoeachother, andwecontinue.”
Lookingbackatthecommunity’schangesoverthe years,Narinesharedthat someofthechangeshavegion.Pollutionisaproblem worldwide;asweproduce more,moreislefttodispose of.Narineexplainedthatthe growingpresenceofmaterialslikeplasticseemstochase
Asheexplained,“Irememberlongago,thecanals, trenches,andtheseadid notlooklikehowtheylook today.Atthattime,people didnotthrowanythinginthe water.Weusedtoswimin thecanal,andthewaterwas clear.Nowwehavegarbage andallthesethingsbothering notbeenenoughreasonfor
Narinetostopthefishing business.Instead,hehas expandedintonewterritory. Everyyear,hundredsof poundsofwildmeataresold inGuyana.Inmanycases, thisisdoneillegallyandby unlicensedpersons,often leadingtoanimalsbeing killedinandoutofseason.
ThisissomethingNarine disagreeswith.Receiving hislicenceafewmonths ago,Narineisnowworking towardsdistributinglegal, safewildmeat.Hehopesto openabusinessthatpeople cantrust,asheshared,“I startedthewildmeatbusiness awhileago.Igotmylicence
afewmonthsago,andIwant todothingstherightway.” Narinesayshewantsto continueinbothbusinesses dependingonavailability. Hesaysregardlessofwhat hedoes,hewillbedoingit tothebestofhisability,as nature.
SOMEdaysago,Icalleda taxi,butittooksolongthat, whileIwasoutsidewaiting, anotherfamilymember calledanotherservice,and itturnedupingoodtime. Ithen,whileseated,called theotherbaseandcancelledthepreviousrequest.
Thedriver,aswedrove off,askedmewhileIwas seatediftheotherTaxihad comeupwhatIwouldhave done.ItoldhimIwouldhave, onprinciple,hadtopayhimlars.Theyoungmansmiled. Iaskedhimifhethoughtthat
Ishouldn’thavepaidhimat all.Heresponded,“No,that isnotit,yuhsehonprinciple!”Yes,becauseIcalled them,andthoughheturned uplaterthanindicated,Iwas stillwaiting,andIusethem regularly.Ashedrove,he continued,“Wuhahmean isthatpeopleentreallygot principlesnomore”.Ireally didn’texpectthatresponse, soIthrewanintendedstopperathim,“Bro,thisisyour generation,yuhknow?”He smiledandresponded,“I’m closetomyfather;hegrew upinthe70sandheusesthat word,sometimeshesaysthat peopleentgotprinciplesno more.Itrytopatternmyway basedonunderstandingwhat isrightorwrongbyhisstandards.”TheonlythingthatI couldrespondwith,honestly,wastocongratulateand
youth,beyourself,butunderstandthatwe’reintheage ofpretenders,sobecautious withwhoyuhtrust,always doyourseriousbusinesswith therightpaperwork.”
Theaboveexperienceinspiredmetoaskthequestion thatisthemastheadofthis article.Weexistnowand witnessoursocietywithtoo muchfatalconfrontations, bothdomestic,exchanged vexationsand‘StreetCrime” thatleadtolethaloutcomes, andtheageoftheperpetrators issurprising.Thisissocial discord,andit’snotjusta Guyanesething.Personality guidesocietyworldwide.
Someissuesbeyond Guyanaaregeneratedby thelossoftheentitlement syndromeofgroups.What
wehavetorecogniseisthe factthatplatformslikesocialmediacannotbecontrolled.Socialmediacrosses borders.Onedoesn’thave tobeliteratetogeta‘TIK commentaryonanyissue. Everyitemisvocalised.A fewyearsback,researchhad shownthatjust18%ofGuyanesewereonsocialmedia podiumsorhadsmartphones. It’sbeyondthatnow.
Manystillreadthepapers,butthefactiswhatyou don’tsee,someoneelsewill call,informyouandguide youto“Seefuhyuhself”. Whetherit’swrongorright, it’sthere.Tothepublicit’sa in.Totheparentsandleaders oftomorrow,it’sworrisome todeterminewhatisright orwrong.Religionreveals charactersandcharacteristicsofdistrustbecauseof thesilenceaboutthefallen angelsintheirmidst,which thepublicusedtowhisper about,andnowtheytalk aloudamongthemselves.
Therewillalwaysbe challengesinthelabyrinth of‘TalkingCulture”,but regardlessofhowweanticipateontheshadows, awarenessofitspotentialis awakening.Thechallenge iswherethetaskbegins, boththeconversationand thecounteraction,outof whichanantidotecanbe –withcourage–reasoning andeffectivenessbecome thepopularchoice.
YouthandClimateChange:AGrowingConcern
THEUnitedNationshasissuedastarkwarningbydeclaringthattheearthisnowinaneraof“globalboiling”due toglobalwarming,whichresultsinclimatechange.This
prisealmostaquarteroftheworld’spopulation.Climate willcometoknowandbearthebruntofitsconsequences. AccordingtotheUnitedNations,childrenandyouthare posingoneofthebiggestthreatstotheirhealthandfuture.
CASSANDRAanswered afteralongmoment,“Ifyou knowyou’reready,you’ll havetobraveyourmindto facehim.”
Aanyawalkedbacktothe tableandsatwithherfriend, aworriedlookonherface, “I’mnotsureI’mready,but themoreIrun,thelongerit willbecomeformetoseemy children.”
Shesigheddeeply,uncertainofwhattodo,andthetwo friendsrelapsedintosilence. ThenAanyasaidfirmly,“I willhavetofacehimsoIcan stoprunningandtakefull controlofmylife.”
“Awomanreborn,”Cassandraapplaudedher,“I’m proudofyou.”
SoAanyadidnotgoon thetriptoGuatemalabutcontinuedworkingintheforested regionsofGuyana,learning newskillsfromtheindigenouspeopleinarchery,canoeingandswimming.During thattime,inthequietofthe evenings,sheandCassandra woulddiscussandformulate plansforhowshecouldface herhusbandandgainaccess toherchildren.
Therewerenights, though,whenshelaydownto onthepast.
“Ifonlymyfatherhadinvestedinmeashisdaughter, believedinmeandsupported meinsteadofpushingmeinto amarriageforwealthygains.”
Andyet,forallhehad gainedfromhisrichson-inlaw,itcouldn’tsavehimfrom thecancerthatravagedhis body.Shehadvisitedhimat thehospitalonhislastdays, andhehadlookedatherwith tearsofdeepregret,“Iamso sorry,mychild,forwhatIdid toyou.”
Aanyasmiledwryly,“It’s toolatetosaysorry,father.”
Shehadgottenupfrom hisbedsideandwalkedaway, stillhurting.Thenewsofhis deaththreedayslaterhadnot stunnednordistressedher,for hehaddepartedandleftherin aliteralhell.
“Imanagedtofreemyself,”Aanyasaidquietly,“But it’snotoveryet.” TheplansheandCassandrahadbeenworkingon
fortwomonthswasfinally readytoputintoplay.Itwas apostonsocialmediathat documentedAanya’slifeof anabusedwomanwhowas forcedtoleaveherchildren tosaveherlife,hopingone daytoreunitewiththem.It featuredpicturesandvideos ofherworkasanenvironmentalistandtheawardshe receivedforhergreatwork. Shesucceededthroughdeterminationdespitehaving toworkdeepintheSouth Americanjunglesbecauseof thetenmilliondollarrewardmationonher.
hertyranthusband,despite womenempowermentactivistscameoutinaprotest marchtosupportherand otherabusedwomen.
theycangettoknowmoreof howIamlivingandthework Iamdoing.”
“I’msuretheywouldbe verythrilled,”Cassandrasaid.
womensittingaroundinsupport,andshewastheentire teamshehadbeenworking with.
withonlythechildrengoing forward.
“Weneedtoseethemother,”onepersonnelfromchild servicessaid.
Thepostwentviralforher touchingstorythatawakened ofwomenthat,overtime, seemedtohavebecomea norm.Notenoughstrong voiceshadbeenraised,and notenoughhadbeendoneto savethesehelplesswomen andhelpthemstartanewlife.
Onewomanwasbrave enoughtowalkawayandtake herlifeback.
Now,shehadexposed
Humanrightsorganisationscautionedherhusband towithdrawthetenmillion dollarsrewardhehadonher, andchildprotectionservices contactedhimtomakearrangementsforthechildren tomeettheirmotheratthe riverlodge.
thatsheshouldcomehometo seeherchildren.Furthermore, shehadlostherrightswhen fromtheagencypointedout tohimthatthat’snothowthe storyisbeingviewedright now,andamothercannotlose herrightsthatway.
“Thiswouldbeanepic face-offwithhim,”Aanya voiced.
“Nervous?Scared?”Cassandraaskedher.
“Alittleofboth,butmostlyhappythatIcannowreunitewithmychildrenand
Aanyawaited,herheart beatingatafastpaceastwo SUVspulledupwithherhusbandandthekids,hismother andbrotherandtwopersonnel fromchildservices.Aanya stoodjustbehindCassandra andNicole,twoex-military
“Imustbravemymind,” shekepttellingherself,“Ident.”
TheDirectoroftheResearchCenterwentforward tomeetthevisitorsandcordiallyrequestedthatthey stayatacomfortabledistance
Aanyasteppedforward frombetweenthetwowomen,andbeforeanyonecould move,thetwochildrenranto herwithexcited,happyshouts of,“Mommy,mommy!”
FROMPAGEXV
Shekneltdownto hugthem,cryingwith joy.
“Mommy,wemissedyousomuch.”
“Imissedyoutoo,mybabies.”
Theyjustcouldn’tseemtogetenoughofhugging andkissingher,andtherewasn’tadryeyeamongher teammembers.
herfacelovingly.
“Yes,I’vechanged.”
“Myfriendsatschoolthinkyou’reaverycool mom,”hersontoldher,prideinhisvoice.
“That’snicetoknow.”
“Ineedyouwithme,”herlittledaughtersaid,a littlequiverinhervoice.
“Ican’tcomebackhomenow,baby,butI’lldo everythingIcansowecanspendlotsoftimetogether.”
Thechildsmiled,thoughnottoohappyhermother wasnotgoingbackwiththem.
Herhusband,whowasn’tallowedcloseenoughto speakwithher,spokeloudlyinanangrytone,witha darklookonhisface.“Therewillbenomorevisits;a goodmotherdoesnotleaveherchildren!”
Aanyaignoredhim,andseeingtearsinherdaughter’seyesandaworriedlookonherson’sface,shesaid tothemcomfortingly,“Don’tbotherwiththat.Iwill
Shehuggedthemandturnedtoherhusband,walkwomanleavesgoodandrun.Sherunsfromabuseand
“It’soverwhenIsayit’sover,”heresponded aggressivelyandrushedatherbutwasstoppedinhis tracksbythethuddingofarrowsinfrontofhisfeeton thedeck.TherewereIndigenousmarksmensittingin theidlecanoesaroundthelodge,forAanyahadasked themtostandbyknowingherhusband’sviolentnature. Thatactionstunnedhimandhisfamily,leaving thechildreninawe.Aanyalookedathimwitha battlewithhim,andlater,asshewatchedherchildrenleave,shefeltanewstrengthrisingwithinher formoreroundsuntilshewontohaveherchildren withher.
FORsomeyearsnow, CARICOMcountries havebeenexpressingtheir commitmenttotheeliminationoftheUS$6billionfoodimports,butnot muchhadbeenachieved untilamovebyGuyana toavoidbeingaffected bythe“DutchDisease” bybeingtoodependent onoilrevenues.Guyana committedtoeliminating theUS$6billionperannumfoodimportbillby embarkinguponanagriculturalrevolution:new cropssuchassoya,maise, milletandtropicalwheat wereintroduced;livestock-poultry,cowsand sheep-wereupgradedby importofforeignbreeds;piawerecultivated inpondsinaddition andsugarandrice cultivationbegan tobescientifically modernisedwitha riseinproduction andproductivity andupgradingof honeyproduction wasalsopartofthis agriculturalpush. ofachievinga25% reductioninthe foodimportbillof US$6billionbythe endof2025. Expertisefrom Cubawasenlisted tohelpdeveloptheHoneyIndustrywithNAREI, whileatthesametime,the Ministryquietlygavesome stimulusatthelocallevel bytraininginapiarymanagementtointerestedvillagersandevensometimes donatinghives.Recently, towardstheendofJune, forinstance,PresidentDr. IrfaanAlivisitedStCuthbertMission,donated25 hives,andarrangedtotrain thepersonswhowillman
hasbeenhelpful: Healscutsandwounds; helpsrelievecoughs,colds andbronchitis;aidsdigestion;treatmentofburns withgoodresults;improves brainfunctionandmemory; reducesarthritissymptoms; aidsincancerprevention inhibitscancercellgrowth; helpstomanagediabetes, controlsbloodsugar;promoteshearthealth-lowers LDL.
Onecouldgettwo typesonthemarket-raw honey,whichexistsinthe hiveandisthesameas ‘purehoney’andpasteurisedhoney,whichhasbeen subjectedtoheat.Mostof thelocalhoneyatpresent soldinthesupermarkets, thoughlabelledas“pure honey”hasbeen dilutedwithsyrups suchascornsyrup, andthebuyerisnot awareofthis.
them.Thehoneyindustry isfosteredbothasanimport substitutionandtoimprove thenutritionandhealth standardsofthepopulation. Itmaybeappositeto sayawordofthehistory ofhoneytoremindusof itsancientprovenance andsounderscoreits completeusefulnessand safety.Thefirstextant recordofhoneyproductionwasfromaStoneAge paintingintheCuevas deAranainSpainsome 8000yearsago.Itwas widelyusedinEgyptian civilisationasafoodand medicineandtoembalm themummies.Itispartof Ayurvedicpharmacopoeiadatingback4000years. Itisalsousedinreligious ceremonies.
Honeyisantiinflammatory,antioxidant,antimicrobial,antiseptic,and antibacterialandboosts theimmunesystem.When thesequalitiesarebrought tobearonthevariousorgansofthebodyandonvariousdiseases,thecurative natureofhoneybecomes evident.
Below,wemention someoftheailmentsor conditionsinwhichhoney
Consumers couldobtainpure rawhoneydirectlyfromanyofthe manyamateurproducerswhohaveone ortwohives.The onelargeproduceris theRajkimarfamily fromBerbice,who havebeeninbusinesssincethe1940s andtheirhoneyis regardedaspureand ofgoodqualityand couldbeobtained frombettersupermarkets. Consumersshouldalsobe onthealertforfakehoney, whichismostlyimported andsoldinsupermarkets. Fakehoneyisformulated withsyrups,whichsimulatethetasteofhoney.
Genuinepurehoney wouldbecomemorereadilyavailableandbeincreasinglyusedasafood anddrugasthehoney industryrapidlyexpands.
Youthand ClimateChange...
FROMPAGEXIVinjuries,anddeathsattributable toclimatechange.Changing weatherpatternsalsoaffect agriculture.Astheworldwarms,hungerandwatershortages becomemoreprevalent.Failedrainscausecropstowitherand livestocktodie,exposingchildrentostarvationanddiminishing watersuppliesfordrinkingandhygiene.
Inadditiontotheimpactonphysicalhealth,theclimate crisismayalsoleadtomentalstress,particularlyamongyoung people,astheyarestilldevelopingphysicallyandpsychologireducetheseverityoftheimpactsonouryoungpeople.
Educatingthenextgenerationaboutclimatechangeis morecrucialthanever.Youthhavetherighttounderstandthe contributetosolutionsbylivingsustainably.Theyneedtoenjoy andrespectnature.Encouragingoutdoorplaynurturestheir appreciationfortheenvironment.ThisiswhytheEPAGuyana hasbeenworkingwitheducatorsnationwide,holdingEnvironmentalEducationTrainingsessionswithteacherstointegrate environmentaleducationintoschoolcurricula.Additionally, theagencyconstantlyparticipatesinoutreaches,workshops, exhibitions,opendays,andothereventsfocusedoneducating youngpeopleabouttheroleoftheagencyandtheirroleinthe
WeonlyhaveoneEarth,andwemusttakecareofit.For thesakeofouryouthandfuturegenerations,combatingclimate changeisimperative.
Theenvironmentiseverybody’sbusiness;letustakeaction tosafeguardouryouth.
Youcanshareyourideasandquestionsbysending lettersto:“OurEarth,OurEnvironment”,C/OCommunicationsDepartment,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency, GangesStreet,Sophia,GEORGETOWN,oremailusat: communications@epaguyana.org.FollowusonFacebook andInstagramandsubscribetoourYouTubechannel.
CANyoucriticallyengagewithsocialmediacontent? Canyouanalysethemessagesbeingcommunicated throughsocialmediacontent?Iftheanswerisyesto bothquestions,youaremostlikelysocialmedialiterate.Socialmediaanditsusagehaveskyrocketedin recentyears.Certainplatformshaveturnedregular peopleandcreatorsintointernationalcelebritiesand createcontentfull-time—it’stheirformofemployment.Theamountofmoneycertaincreatorsmake theirlifestyleandthecontenttheycreate.
Withthatinmind,Iwantyoutounderstandthat mostofwhatyouseethroughtheeyesofsocialmedia contentcreatorsportraythelifestyleofaglamorous stay-at-homemotherorindependentartist,butthatis notnecessarilythecase.Their“content”?Itmaybe createdbasedonmarketingstrategies.Theirlifestyle? Itcanbemadeuptomakeyoubelievethisishowthey andmoneyandnothingelse.Thisiswhysocialmedia literacyisveryimportantwhenitcomestoaccessing andinteractingwithcontentonline.
Doyouremembertheeraof“familyYouTube channels”priortothepandemic?Haveyounoticed thattherewasadeclineinthoseviewerships?There canbeanexplanationfor suchanditmaybepeople’s
FROMPAGEXXI
realisationandunderstanding oftheauthenticitybehind suchcontent.Mostpeople haverealisedbynowthatnoteveryfamilychannelhad a“perfectfamily”becauseoftherecentupsettingnews reportsthatbrokeoutwithmanyofthem.However,this formofawarenessandcriticalcontentanalysisshould notbelimitedtofamilychannelsonly.Acriticalanalysis maybeyouaskingthe“why”,“how,“when”,“where” itemorservice.
totellmetopurchasethisitem,orisitreallyagooditem thecontenttobeginwithbecause,unfortunately,most contentonsocialmediaispurelymadetomaximise itpreventsthespreadofmisinformationanddisinformation.Ifyou’recriticalofthecontentbeingpublished,you wouldcheckthesourcesofthecontent,fact-checkthe informationpresentedandunderstandintentyetagain. Thelackofliteracyinsocialmediaalsocausescyberseshouldchecktounderstandandseeifit’salegitimateand Unfortunately,manypeoplelosemillionsofdollars annuallyduetocybersecurityvulnerabilitieswhile usingsocialmedia.Ibelieveitisourresponsibility toensureweusesocialmediainkeepingwiththeapplication’scommunityguidelinesandwithourmoral compassatwork.Wemustbemindfulofthecontent weconsume,shareandinteractwithbecauseitmay domoreharmthangoodtoourselvesandothers aroundus.Youshouldbeabletouselessemotions andmorecriticalthinkingwhenanalysingcontent. Ithinkthere’snoescapingsocialmedia.Evenonline classroomsrequireyoutojoinasocialplatform. Nonetheless,thatdoesn’tmeanthatweshouldn’tbe mindfulofhowweusesocialmediaandwhatwesee. Afterreadingthiscolumn,Ihopeyoustarttorealise thesepatternsandmakebetterdecisionsmovingforward.Happyscrolling!
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcomedearfriend. Tohelpyouunderstandand evaluatetheinformation giveninapassageyouare sometimesaskedtocompareseveralpassagesonthe samesubject.Here,youare torelatetheinformationreoftheothertexts.Note-takinghelpshere.Seewhat
newtheothertextsbringandnote theirpossiblebiases.Comparing severaltextsisonewayoforganisingwhattakesplaceinourmind whenweread,friend.Bewise.
Loveyou.
IMPROVINGWRITING
Writingaresearchreport
Whatitis:Aresearchreport givesaccurateinformationthat youhavediscoveredaboutatopic. Decideuponyourmainideasand arrangeyourfactscarefully.This informationmustbeclearand well-organised.
Givethesourcesofyourinformationwhereverpossible.Often thereportincludestheideasand opinionsofpeopleconsideredto beexpertsonthetopic.
Whatitdoes:Givesfactual informationaboutatopic.Providesabasisforfurtherstudyor discussion.
Whoitisfor:Readerswho aboutatopic.
Howitiswritten:Aresearch reportiswrittenasseveralconnectedexpositoryparagraphs Whenyouhaveseveralmainideas aboutatopic,youwillwanttouse severalconnectedparagraphsto developtheseideas.Eachmain ideawillthenbesupportedbyits ownsetofdetails,andallthemain ideaswillsupportandtogetheradd uptotheoverallmainidea
Whenyouwritearesearch report,therearerulesyouneedto follow.
1.Startbytellingwhatthe topicisabout,andwhatthereport willtrytodo.Youneedtoarouse thereader’scuriosity.
2.Useatopicsentencetogive theoverallmainidea.
3.Inthemiddleofthereport, givetheinformationyouhave found.
4.Useaseparateparagraphfor eachmainidea.
5.useendnotestogivethe sourcesofyourinformation.Includeabibliography.
6.Endbyrestatingtheoverall mainideaorsummarisingtheinformation.
7.Usesignalwordsandphraseswhereappropriatetoconnect themainideas,andtoconnectthe detailstoeachotherandthemain ideas.Makesurethatthereaders knowwhatyouweretryingto prove,andthattheyfeelyouhave succeeded.
Hereispartofashortresearch reportonparachuting.
Parachutingisanexcitingand invigoratingsportenjoyingasharp increaseinpopularity.Forcentu-
Now,menandwomenalikearespendingtheirtime theair.[Beginningtopicsentencewiththeoverall mainidea(Whatthereportisabout.)]
Sinceparachutingisrelativelynewasasport, peopleareaskingwhatitis,howmuchitcosts,and whyithasbecomesoattractive.Thiswilltryto answerthesequestions.[Whatthereportwilldo.]
Parachutingisjumpingfromanaeroplaneand fallingslowlythroughtheairwiththeaidofahuge canopycalledaparachute.Twokindsofjumpscan bemade:thestatic-linejump,andthefreefall.Beginnersusuallyjumpusingastaticline,whilemore seasonedjumpersfreefall.1[Middledetails.There isanendnotereferenceherefortheendofthepaper.]
Parachutingcanbeexpensive.…
Althoughparachutingcanbeexpensiveanddangerous,mostjumpersagreethatthesheerexhilaration offallingthroughtheairmakesitallworthwhile. [Endingrestatesmainidea.]
GRAMMAR
Recognisingcertainerrorsinsentences.
Nosentencebelowcontainsmorethanoneerror. Someofthesentencesareacceptableastheystand.
Note:i)Asentencecontainsaclichéwhenthat expressioneitherhasageneralmeaningorhas“lost itsmeaning”overtime.Theoverusedphrasedoes
ii)Asentenceisincorrectgrammaticallywhenits structurecontradictssomelawofgrammar.
iii)Awordysentenceisonewhichusesmore wordsthannecessary,especiallyshort,vaguewords thatdonotaddmuchmeaning.Awordysentenceis oftenindirectwithitssubjectandverbnotexpressing themainfocusofthesentence.
Whenyouanswer,marktheoneoptionthatbest describeseachsentence,asfollows:
(A)Thesentenceisacceptableasitstands.
(B)Thesentencecontainsaclichéormisused metaphor.
(C)Thesentenceisincorrectgrammaticallyor faultyindiction.
(D)Thesentenceistoowordy,isrepetitiveor containsredundancies.
1.Sittinginhisroombyhimselfherepeatedher nameoverandoveragain.
2.Themajorrushedupthelanelikeahouseonter,soundedthealarm.
3.IfIwerethecaptainoftheWestIndiesteam, Iwouldattackthebatsmenwithmyfastbowlers immediatelyaftertheluncheoninterval.
4.Therearemanywhohavenotconsideredthe needtoabstainfromalcohol,butabandoningdrink forsobrietyistrulytheonlyoptionforonewhowishestoengageinhealthylifestylepractices.
5.Shewasanimble-footeddancer;hergraceful bodyexecuteddelicatemovementswithincredible poise.
6.Becauseofthemanyfruittreeswhichdistinguishedtheyard,thelittleboysenjoyedplayingin theyardoftheuninhabitedhousewherenoonehad livedformanyyears.
7.TheChernobylaccidentgaveagrimbuttimely reminderofourshrinkingworldthatnonationcan majornucleardisaster.
8.Thepoliticianhammeredthenailofhisargumentintotheleafymindsofhisaudiencewho ofmonetarypolicy.
DIDyouknowthatnopersoncantalkoreatifitwere
Manyoftheproteinsandotherconstituentsofsaliva protectthesoftandhardtissueoftheoralcavity.The salivarymucins(slime)coatandlubricatethesurfacesof theoralmucosa(lining).Theselargermoleculesprevent bacterialadherenceandcolonisation,protectthetissues fromphysicalabuseandallowthemtoresisttemperature change.Someoftheproteins,likelysozyme,candegrade thebacteria’scellwalls,e.g.histatin,lactoferrinandlactoperoxidase,andinhibitmicrobialgrowth.Someproteins, suchassalivaryantibodies,mayprotecttheteethagainst caries.
tablespooneverytenminutes.Consciousorunconscious, salivaaveragesonetablespooneverythreeminutes.The -
(chewing)secretions.Thesemayhaveuptoa30-foldrange. Thus,awiderangeofsalivaproductioncanallownormal usuallyhavebadbreath.
reducedbyatleast50percent.Theoralsymptomsofxerostomia(drymouthduetoglandsnotfunctioningproperly) swallowing,speakingandeatingdryfoods,needtosipwaandoftendothingstokeepthemouthmoist.Badbreathis
additiontoarecurrenthistoryofvaginitis.Dryskinand nosearealsoseen,apartfromfrequentconstipation.Many ofthesesymptomsmayalsopresentinpatientswithoutxerostomia,buttheyaremuchmorecommoninthosewithit. Variousotherfactorscausexerostomia,inadditionto morethan400drugsthatcandecreasesalivasecretion. Withoutadoubt,theworstagentcapableofcausingthe syndromeisradiationusedinthetreatmentoforaland thyroidcancer.Asfaraspossible,theglandsshouldbe shieldedfromthefullradiationdose.
Includedinthediseasesthatmaycausesalivarygland hypo-functionarerheumatoidconditions,AIDS,andcertain commondiseasessuchasdiabetesandhighbloodpressure. Decreasedchewingbecauseofconstantliquiddietsand inpatientswhosejawsarewiredwhenbrokencaninduce glandatrophy(shrinkage),leadingtodrymouth.
resultinlastingepisodesofdrymouth.Whennoorganic changecanbefoundinapatient’stroublesomeoraldryness, heshouldbeadvisedtoconsultapsychologistorapsychiatristtoexplorepossiblepsychogenicfactors.Treatment usingantidepressantdrugstendstoaggravatethedegree oforaldryness.
