Horaytusandhissons,Othaniel(right) andEmmanuel(left),areabeautifulreminder thatsometraditions,nomatterhowthey evolve,remaindeeplyconnectedtothe thingsthatmattermost:familyandfaith (SamuelMaughnphoto)
Empowering womenandgirls throughliteracy andnumeracy
INtheremotecommunityofBaramita, MatarkaiSub-District,RegionOne (Barima-Waini),27 womenrecentlycelebratedasignificant milestoneafterparticipatinginasix-month literacyandnumeracyprogrammeaimed attransformingtheir livesthrougheducation.
Thewomenand girls,manyofwhom hadlittletonoformal education,learnedto read,write,spell,and count—empowering themwithfundamentalskillstonavigate everydaylife.
Duringthecourse, participantsmastered essentialliteracyskills suchaswritingtheir names,spellingbasic words,andcrafting simplesentences.
Theyalsolearned numeracyskills,includingcountingfrom 1to100.Thenewfoundknowledgehas greatlyenhancedtheir abilitytoengagewith essentialsocialservices
intheircommunity.
Theliteracyand numeracyprogramme wasdesignedtoaddressacriticalgap inbasiceducation forwomenandgirls, givingthemtheconfidenceandtoolsto managetaskssuchas readingsigns,filling outforms,andinteractingwithserviceproviders.
Forthese27graduates,theabilityto readacalendar,recognisethedaysofthe week,andunderstand
themonthsoftheyear representsmorethan justacademicachievement—itisasteptowardsindependence andself-sufficiency.
Oneofthefacilitatorsoftheprogramme,Bissoonnauth Bacchus—anativeof BaramitaCentral—told thePepperpotMagazinethattheliteracyandnumeracyprogrammeforwomen andgirlswasheldat theBaramitaSchool in2024,withsupport fromtheVillageCoun- cil.
Hereportedthatit wasforschooldropoutsandolderwomenwhohadnoformal education,andthey conductedsessionsin twobatches.
Thecurrentheadteacher,AudreyWilliams-Massiah,and Bacchushimselftutoredthegirlsand women—15perclass, thoughsomedropped outanddidn’tgraduate.
Bacchusaddedthat itwastimewellspent, notingthetransformationofpersonswho wereunabletoreadand writefromlettersand eventuallymanaged topronouncewords,
whichwasthehighlightoftheinitiative. Hestatedthatat first,itwasverychallengingbecauseof thelanguagebarrier— mostofthelocalsstill speakintheirCarib dialectandarenon-bilingual—buttheywere committedtolearning. Thetutor,aformer educator,pointedout thatthegirlsandwomenlearnedovertime andevencompleted theirhomework.He wasverypleasedwith theireffort.
Bacchus,alocalof theEssequiboCoast whoresidesinthe far-fetchedvillageof
Retirededucator:BissoonnauthBacchus
PreservingthetraditionsoffaithandfamilyatEaster
ByShaniyaHarding
FORtheoldergeneration,EasterinGuyanahasalwaysmeant kiteflying,fun,and hotcrossbuns—and formostofus,itisa timeforfamily.It’s aseasonwhenfamiliesgatherwithhandmadekites,whileparentssharechildhood storiesandchildren crafttheirown.For others,Eastermeans egghuntsandvarious otheractivities.For HoraytusDemattos andhisfamily,Easter traditionsaremore thanjustaseasonal pastime—theyarea celebrationofidentity, faith,andfamily.
Sittingdownwith PepperpotMagazine intheircommunity ofMocha-Arcadia, HoraytusDemattos sharedthatEasteris muchmorethanjusta holiday.ForHoraytus, itisthetimeofyear hecherishedmostas achild,oneinwhich heformedsomeofhis bestmemories.Today, heaimstopassthose experiencesontohis childrenthroughoneof themostoriginaltraditionsofall—theartand importanceofauthentic kitemaking.
TheDemattosfamilybeginstheirEaster celebrationswellbefore theholidayitself,with kiteseitherbeingmade orboughtfromlocal kitemakersandartisansintheircommunity.Althoughtoday’s kitesarenotentirely differentfromthose madeyearsago,Horaytusnotesthatsometraditionsinkite-making
haveshifted.During hischildhood,Easter wasaboutresourcefulnessandreverence.
Kiteswerenever purchased;theywere bornfromcreativity— craftedwithpagesfrom schoolbooks,natural paste,andtailsmade fromoldclothes.“We madeourkitesfrom scratch.Youtearthe bookpage,makethe tail,anddoeverything. Iremembergetting somelashesfortearing outtheexerciseleaves frommyschoolbook tomakethecaddyold punch.Someclothes weredamagedinthe process,too,tomake theclothtails,”Horaytusshared.
Onepartofthefamily’sEastertradition thathasremainedunchangedisthelocation wheretheyflytheir kites.Thefamilystill headstotheMocha PrimarySchoolcompound,thesameschool Horaytusattended morethantwodecades agoandwherehisson recentlygraduated. “Thisgroundhereis whereIreallylaboured intensivelytoputupa kite,”hesaid.
Thatspaceholds deeppersonalmeaning forHoraytus.Itwas there,asaboy,thathe discoveredthetruejoy ofEaster—notthrough store-boughtkitesor organisedevents,but throughthecareful, andsometimeschaotic,processofbuilding hisown.Heemphasisedhowkite-flying becomesmoremeaningfulwhenthekite isoneyou’vecreated yourself.“Itfeelsbetter
whenyou’vemadethe stuff.Youcanputon initials,yourchildren’s names,orsomething special.It’salotmore significantthanjust goingtopurchase,”he shared.
Beyondpaper,tail, andstring,Easteralso holdsprofoundreligioussignificancefor theDemattosfamily. Horaytusemphasised thedeepermeaningof theseason,statingthat “Easterforme,growing upinareligioushome, wasmostlyaboutthe death,burial,andresurrectionofChrist.The mainthingaboutEaster isreallytocelebratethe death,theburial,and resurrectionofJesus Christ.It’satimeof introspection,theway youthinkaboutyourselfandwhatChrist didforus,”hesaid. Horaytushopestocarry onandincorporatethis samefaith-basedapproachintothelivesof hischildrenandfamily, ensuringthatthespiritualessenceofEaster remainsattheforefront.
However,newer customsandmodern formsofcelebration havemadetheirway intotraditionalEaster observances.Reflectingonthedifference betweenthepastand present,Horaytusexpressedconcernthat thespiritualfocusis beginningtofadein today’ssociety.“WhatI seehappeningissometimespersonsareforgettingthereligiousaspect,”headded.“They gothatshowsnowon Easter.Thoseareall
ATimetoReflect,ATimetoReconnect
HowtheHolyWeekcouldserveasabridgebetweengenerations
ByShaniyaHarding
WITHtheriseof newtraditionsand customs,forsome, HolyWeekisseen asjustanotherextendedholiday—a four-dayweekendto fete,washdownby thecreek,orsqueeze inafour-dayhustle. ButforAdrianAgeday,ayoungreligious leaderandgrowing socialmediapresence,theseasonisso muchmore.Rootedinscripture,rich insymbolism,and loadedwithlife-alteringmeaning,Holy Weekis,asheputs it,“aperfecttime toremindyourself whywebelievewhat webelieveasChristians.” Adrianhasbecomeknownforhis straightforward,scripture-basedvideos underthetagBeEncouraged.A30-yearoldreligiousfigurein hischurch,theBethelWesleyanChurch, hehasbeenusingsocialmediatoconnect withMillennialsand GenZssince2021. “Iwantedtoreacha particularaudience, whichwouldhave beenlikeMillennials, GenZs.Youngpeople gravitatebecausethey seethisisayoungperson,notabigoldpastortryingtocondemn us,”hetoldPepperpot Magazine.
Themessageshe sharesarenotwatered downorsugar-coated—theyaregrounded intheBibleandtied tosocialissuesand theeverydaychallengesofyoungpeople. AsAdrianexplained, theaimistoshow peoplethatthereis ascriptureforevery challengetheymaybe facing.“It’smypage, soIwillsticktothe scriptures,”hesaid. Whetherit’scommentaryontrendingissues
orweeklyencouragement,Adrianensures thathiscontentiseasy tounderstandandrelateto.“Icouldput outclearlyunderstood biblicalmessagesthat somebodycouldread, watchandreceive andcometoknowthe Lord,”hesaid.
Andinasociety whereEasterisincreasinglylinkedwith parties,drinks,and longweekends,he hopestocutthrough thenoisewithasteady callforreflection. “Party,party,fete, jouvert—everywhere youturnEasterSunday:washdown,lime bythecreek,”heobserved.“Thereisthis lossofreverence,in myopinion,”hestated.Adrianbelievesthe shiftstemsfromalack ofproperteaching. “Ifyouaren’ttaught, morethanlikelyyou won’tknow,”hesaid, pointingoutthatmany seeGoodFridayand EasterSundayasjust normaldays,anormalholidayweekend.“Forsomepeople,Friday,Saturday, Sunday,Mondayis aperfectweekend tomakemoney,”he added.Still,heurges hisfellowGuyanese topauseandreflect. “GoodFriday,Easter Sunday—tryyourbest toreflect.Thisday wasaconsequence ofaman'ssacrifice,” Adrianshared.
Thenarrativeof HolyWeekiscentral tohisteachings,and hebelievesthatmany ofthestoriestoldand learntintheBibleare stillimpactfultoday. Recountingafewinterestingfactsabout theHolyWeek,Adrian shared,“Everything intheHolyWeekis rootedinscripture.” Headded,“Thursday, duringtheday,iswhen Judasswitchedoutand betrayedChrist.Jesus
MoreThan Kites...
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thingsthatarecoming innow.Inourtime,it wasjustmakingkites, andthatwasit.”
Still,despitechangingtimes,heremains hopefulthatsometraditionswillendureand thatEastercelebrations willcontinuetoblend joyfulplaywithspiritualreflection.For Horaytus,watchinghis childrentakepartin thesamecustomshe
onceenjoyedbringsa senseoffulfilment.He seesinthemthesame excitementheonce felt—thethrillofakite catchingthewind,the prideinbuildingsomethingbyhand,andthe understandingofwhat theseasontrulymeans.
Thoughtoday’s childrenaredrawn togadgetsandmodernentertainment,he believesthereisstill spacefortraditionto thrive.Horaytusof-
feredafewwordsof cautionandcare,urging,“Pleasebesafe. Remembertherules. Don’tflynexttoelectricalwires.”Horaytusandhissonsare abeautifulreminderthatsometraditions—nomatterhow theyevolve—remain deeplyconnectedto thethingsthatmatter most:family,faith, andthebeautyofcreatingsomethingwith yourownhands.
Horaytusandhissons,Othaniel(right)andEmmanuel(left), areabeautifulreminderthatsometraditions,nomatterhow theyevolve,remaindeeplyconnectedtothethingsthatmatter most:familyandfaith(SamuelMaughnphoto)
ByMichelOutridge
HEADTEACHERAudreyWilliams-Massiahisdoingthemostbehind thescenestoimprove learningandequip thelearnersofthisremotecommunitywith aformaleducationto becomequalifiedprofessionals.
ThisSeptemberwill markthreeyearssince Williams-Massiahbecametheheadmistress atBaramitaSchool, whichhousesthenursery,primary,andsecondarystudentpopulation.
TheBaramita Schoolislocatedin centralBaramitaalong theairstriproadand comprisesthreedepartments—nursery, primary,andsecondary—withatotalof657 learners.
Williams-Massiah toldtheGuyanaChroniclethatforthefirst time,BaramitaSchool willbesittingCaribbeanExaminationsCouncil(CXC)examsnext year.
Shereportedthat12 studentshavesinceregistered,andsheisboth excitedandmotivated becausetheywould normallyhavetogoto PortKaitumatostayin adormitorytowritethe exams—oftenresulting inpoorattendance.
Williams-Massiah addedthat,uponreturning,manyofthe studentswoulddisappearintothebackdams toengageinmining work.
Inaddition,theeducatorstatedthatForm FourandFormFive students’attendance ispoor.Someown dredges,giftedbytheir parents,tostartsmall businessesandmust overseetheoperations, resultinginfrequent absences.
Williams-Massiah notedthatalthough therearechallenges,
therearepositivesas well.Forthefirsttime ever,theywillbeheadingtoGeorgetownnext weektoparticipatein theScience,Technology,Engineeringand Mathematics(STEM) GuyanaScienceFair.
Itisconsideredhistoryinthemaking— BaramitaSchoolplaced firstwhenrepresenting theMatarkaisub-districtintheregion.She saidtheytoppedboth MorucaandPortKaitumaintheagriculture category.
Thisaccomplishmenthappenedunder Williams-Massiah’s captaincyasheadmistress,andsheisvery pleasedwiththesterlingperformanceof thelearnersinsecuring thetoppositioninthe region.Theywillnow beheadingtothecityto competewithschools fromRegionFour.
Some62pupilsof BaramitaSchoolwrote theNationalGradeSix Assessment(NGSA) lastweek.
Theheadteacher mentionedthatthis Septemberwillmark twoyearssincethesecondarysectionofthe schoolwasseparated fromthenurseryand primaryinabuilding ofitsown.
Shereportedthatthe schoolisnowoffering sixsubjectsandhasa newcurriculum,but stillneedsteachersfor theIThubandHome Economicssections.
Williams-Massiah addedthatanewbuildingwillbeconstructedforthenurserydepartmentofBaramita School.
Baramitahasapopulationofabout5,000, with21satellitevillages.RegionOnehas threesub-districts: Mabaruma,Moruca, andMatarkai.Baramita istwohoursawayby vehiclefromMatthews Ridge.
Accordingto
Williams-Massiah, BaramitaSchoolhas 13teachers,including herself—fivetrained
andeightatCyrilPotter CollegeofEducation (CPCE)level. Sherevealedthat
oneoftheschool’s pressingneedsincludes anAll-TerrainVehicle (ATV),sincetheteach-
ershavetowalkfor halfanhourtogetto thesecondaryschool
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Kites,Cuisine,andCommunitySpiritShine atNo.63BeachEasterCelebrationAnnually
ByMarissaFoster
THENo.63Beach inBerbice,Guyana, continuouslybrings togetherfamiliesand communitiesduring Easter.Overthelast fewdecades,ithas servedasthesolerecreationalareawhere familiescouldcelebrateEaster.ForBerbicians,visitingthe No.63BeachonEasterMondayisa“rite ofpassage”.Annually,familiesfromall acrossGuyanavisit thebeachforEaster celebrationstopartakeinitsuniquefestivities.Asthesalty windblowsheavily, childrenandadults alikeflykitesofall shapesandsizes.The
PartofthecrowdattheNo.63BeachonEaster Monday,2024(PixelPerfectProductionsphoto)
AerialviewoftheNo.63BeachonEaster Monday,2024(ZamalHussainphoto)
OneHub, ManyServices
Afamily-friendlybusinessbringing
closertothecommunity
ByShaniyaHarding
BUSINESSESare thelifelineofcommunities.Theyoffer morethanjustservicesandgoods—they createasafespacefor families,ahangout spotforfriends,and aplacewhereneighbourscanreconnect. Thatisexactlywhat ColletteCharlesset outtobuildwhenshe openedherbusiness, Charlie’s.Shewanted tocreatesomething meaningful,rooted incommunityand madeforfamilies. Today,shestandsas thewomanbehind Charlie’s—oneofthe newestandmostvibrantbusinessesalreadygainingmassive supportintheParfait Harmonycommunity.
SpeakingtoPepperpotMagazine,Collettesaidtheideaof Charlie’swastocraft aspaceforfamilies.“I wantedtobringsomethingtothecommunity.Somethingthat isfamily-oriented,” sheshared.Withwarm lighting,aclean,family-friendlysetup,and goodfood,Charlie’s offersfarmorethana goodmeal—itoffers aplacewherefamilies cangather,friendscan meet,andpeoplecan feelathome.
Collette,whoisa headteacherbyprofession,hasbeeninthe educationsectorfor nearlythreedecades. “I’veworkedover20, closeto26,27years.
I’veloveditsinceI startedjustoutofhigh school,”sheshared.
Herventureintoentrepreneurshipcamelater. Teaching,however,she said,isinherblood. “Bothmyparentswere teachers,”shenoted, addingthatherparents hadastrong,positive influenceonhercareer choices.
Thoughshespent mostofherlifein Georgetown,Collette wasbornin51Village,Berbice.“Ileft BerbicesinceIwas likethree.Mostofmy lifeIlivedinGeorgetown,”sherecalled.But itwasParfaitHarmony,ontheWestBank ofDemerara,where shechosetobuildher home—andeventually,herbusiness.“I havelandinParfait,so Ibuiltmyhomehere withmyfamily.And thenIbuiltCharlie’s,”
ColletteCharles,teacher,entrepreneurand thepersonbehindCharlie’sGrillandChill
sheexplained.
Collette’svisionfor Charlie’sbeganmore thanadecadeago. “Past10years,Ihadit inthought,”shesaid. Withthesupportofher husbandandfamily, sheturnedthatidea intoaphysicalspace— onethatquicklygrew fromafoodoutletinto aminicommercialhub. Thebusinessfeatures morethanjustfood—it housesseveralother essentialservices.As Colletteshared,“We gotwater.Wegotdetergent.Wegotthebarbershop.Wegotthe laundromat.Wegotthe food.There’ssixdifferentbusinesses.Iwould sayessential,ifyou thinkaboutit.”
WhatmakesChar-
lie’sparticularlyspecial isitscommitmentto quality.Withalovefor cookingandafamily thatlovesfood,Collette ensuresthatCharlie’s servesthekindoffood peoplewouldusually traveltoget.“We’re foodies.Weeatouta lot.Sowesawtheneed forsomethinginthe scheme.Peoplefacethe sameplightasus—goingoverthebridge,all thewaytoGeorgetown, ifyouneedsomething toeat,”shesaid. Locatedintheheart ofthecommunity, Charlie’sbringsrestaurant-standardfoodclosertohome.“Let’sbring thatrighthereinthe community.SamestandardasGeorgetown,
One Hub, Many...
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andthemallsandso on.”Shefurtheradded, “Wewantedtoprovide alotofbusinessesso peopledon’thavetogo far.”It’samodelthat seemstowork.Whetherit’saquickhaircut, abitetoeat,orlaundry day—Charlie’shasbecomeaone-stopshop.
Herfood,shesaid, ismadewithadifference,drawinginspirationfromvariousplaces.“Wedoeverything different.Wealsotravel alot,soweseealotof thingsandideasthatwe couldintroducehereas
well,”Colletteshared. It’sthatglobalexperiencepairedwithlocal heartthatshapesthe Charlie’sexperience.
Beyondbusiness, Colletteisdeeplyinvestedinchanging perceptionsaboutthe ParfaitHarmonycommunity.Tuckedaway ontheWestBankof Demerara,thevillage ofParfaitHarmonyis notknownbymany— butwiththeemergence ofnewbusinesseslike hers,Collettehopes tochangethat.Asshe explained,“Parfaithas avibrantmiddleclass, andpeopleneedsome-
ThepowerhouseduobehindCharlie’s, Colletteandherhusband
whereclosethatthey cango,sit,andenjoy goodfoodandcertain services,”shesaid.
However,Collette’s dreamdoesn’tstop here.Movingforward, sheandherhusband hopetodevelopa sportsbar—arelaxing, close-to-homespace foradultstounwind.“I wanttocreateaspace wherepeoplejustsit atthebar,lookatthe sports—somethingreallynice,”sheshared.
Sincemovingto ParfaitHarmonyin 2012,Collettehas watchedtheareagrow. Now,withCharlie’s quicklygrowingalongsidethecommunity, shehopestocontinueplayingarolein thatgrowth—bothas abusinessownerand
aproudresident.With justahandfulofstaff members,Collettesays familysupportplayed amajorroleinmakingthebusinessboth arealityandasuccess. Andthat’swhattruly makesCharlie’sstand out—notjustitsmenu orrangeofservices, buttheloveandteamworkthatbuiltit.
ForCollette, Charlie’sisn’tjust abusiness—it’sher communitycontribution.Asshedescribedit,something clean;wherepeople couldcomeandsit andrelaxandfeellike they’reathome.”So ifyou’reontheWest Sideandneedaquick haircutorabiteto eat,checkoutCharlie’s.
Baramita,relatedthat hiswife,anativeofthe village,wasropedin toassistintranslating sincesheisfromthe Caribtribe—themajorityofAmerindians inthatarea.
HetoldPepperpot Magazinethathedid whathecouldtobuild theirconfidence,and theyblossomedfrom beingcompletelyshy andintrovertedinto peoplewhowereable
toreadandwriteforthe firsttimeintheirlives.
Bacchusrevealed thatFoodforthePoor (FFP)Guyanaprovidedthematerialsforthe programme,whichwas wellreceived.
In1998,hewasthe headteacheratBaramitaSchoolandwasoften theloneeducatorthere.
In2000,herealisedthe needtoqualifyhimselfandenrolledatthe UniversityofGuyana (UG),wherehepur-
suedadegreeineducationaladministration andpassedwithcredit.
However,upon completinghishigher education,Bacchusreturnedtothecommunitytoteachfor18years.
Hewasateacherfor muchlonger,having spent30yearsinthe nobleteachingprofession.
Thefatherofthree reportedthat,afterretiringasateacher,he workedfortwoyears
asaprobationofficer andwasalsopartof manyeducationalprogrammesandvolunteerisminitiativeswith theVillageCounciland otheragencies.
Bacchusaddedthat theVillageCouncilhas amulti-purposebuilding,whichwasgifted byFFPGuyana,and thatiswheremostof thecommunity-based initiativesareheld.
Hedisclosedthat BaramitaSchoolhas movedfrombeinga GradeEschooltoan improvedGradeB school,withanannexe housingthesecondarydepartmentabout
twokilometresaway fromthemainbuilding, whichaccommodates thenurseryandprimary sectionsoftheschool, outfittedwithteachers’andheadmistress’s quarters.
TheBaramita Schoolbenefitsfrom thegovernmentfeeding programme,wherea kitchenprovidesbreakfastandlunchforlearnersfivedaysperweek.
“Asaneducator,I lovedmyjob.Iwas oneofthefewwho, aftercompletingUG, returnedwithadegree toBaramitaVillage and,asacoastlander, gavemyservice.My
mainfocuswasbuildinghumanresource developmentamong thepeople,”hesaid. Bacchusnotedthat Baramitaisanexceptionalplacewherethe nativeshaveneverlost theirtrueidentity.The majorityspeakintheir ownCaribdialectand arenotbilingual,so thereisalwaysalanguagebarrier.
Herevealedthatin Baramita,thereare 20satellitevillages andsomesmallervillageswithlocalswho donotspeakEnglish orevenbrokenCreole.
FROMPAGEII
Kites, Cuisine,and Community Spirit...
skybecomesacolourfulandvibrant scenery.Somefamiliesutilisethewood andshadefromtrees to“bushcook”on thebeach,whileothersmayspreada clothonthesandto haveafamilypicnic.
Thereareusuallylocalvendorswith temporarystands sellingvariousGuyaneseclassicfoodsand drinkssuchasbarbecuechicken,fishand chips,cook-uprice, mauby,BanksBeer, andeventraditional Chinesefood.Local music/soundcompanieswouldtaketheir soundsystemsonto thebeach,orcarenthusiastswouldutilisetheircarsound
systemstoblastCaribbeanclassicsand enhancethecelebrationsthroughmusic anddance.
Thebeachandits openspacesareperfectforfunphysical activitiesandgames. Assuch,gatherings wouldutilisethebeach toplayagameofsoftballcricket,orthey’d diveintothewater foragameofwaterpolo.Aschildren draw“hopscotch”and “salpas”toplayor swiminshallowwaters,youwouldfind parentsbracingonto theircars,enjoyinga refreshingcolddrink astheysupervisetheir children.
MelenaWilliams, aCorentyneresident
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Kites, Cuisine,and Community Spirit...
andbeachlover,shared herexperienceofattendingthe63Beach festivities.Shesaid, “Asachildgrowing up,Ialwaysenjoyed goingtothebeachon EasterMondaywith myfamily.Themost excitingpartwasgoing toviewallthedifferentshapes,sizes,and coloursofkites.The crowdisusuallyvery, verylargeonthisday. Carswithmusicsets canbeseenscattered throughouttheseashoreplayingdifferent genresofmusic—and notforgettingthesightseeingofpeopleofall racesshowcasingtheir senseoffashion.”She continuedbysaying, “Childrenandadults aremosttimesseen takingaswiminour beautifulsaltwaters, andothersvibingand enjoyingthecombinationofacolddrink,the sun,andseabreeze.”
TheNo.63Beach
remainsamaintouristattractionandleisurecentreformany. EasterMondayon theNo.63Beachis notjustaregularholidaycelebration—it’s atraditionthatmany Guyaneseuphold.It isoftencautionedto avoidswimmingin deepwatersbecause thereisnolifeguard present.Itisalsoessentialtocleanup afteryourselves.The beachhasitsvery owncommitteethat isoftenresponsible forEasterMonday’s activities,aswellas clean-upinitiatives aftertheEastercelebrations.Theyreiteratethepointofkeepingourcoastlines cleanannuallyafter eachcelebration.Despitethecrowd,EasterMondayonthe No.63Beachisan unforgettableexperience—it’satruereflectionofGuyanese unitythroughfestivities.
FROMPAGEXI
FROMPAGEV
buildingfromthemain nurseryandprimary compound.
Theheadteacher addedthatabusisalso neededtotransport learnerstothehealth centre,whichis10 minutesawaybyvehicleandcurrentlycosts $2,000pertripduring emergencies.
Williams-Massiah reportedthattheschool sitsonasolarfarm, butduringtherainy season—whichisoften—theydonothave generatorpowerfor daysatatime.However,theydohaveawell, sothewatersupplyis adequate.Sheresides intheteachers’quarters.
Onanotherpositivenote,Baramita School'sattendancehas improvedsignificantlyoverthepastthree years.
Theheadteacher statedthattheschool needsmodernbuildingstofullyaccommodatethelearners,but sheremainsoptimistic thatthiswillhappen soonerratherthanlater.
Williams-Massiah, originallyfromNorth Ruimveldtandamotheroftwo,describes
Baramitaasquietbut interesting.
Shesharedthat,in recenttimes,therates ofteenagepregnancy, suicide,andmurder havedeclined.Educationalprogrammes inschoolaimtoraise awarenessabouthealth andfamilylife,encouragingschool-agedgirls toreturntoschoolafter givingbirth.
Williams-Massiah statedthateducationis thewayoutofpoverty, andacquiringskillsto earninsocietyshould betheultimategoal ofyouthstoensurea securefuture.
Shenotedthatthe schoolholdssessions toencouragelearners tomakebetterchoices andtostayinschool sincesomeAmerindianculturalpractices areforceduponthem. Manyarenowchoosingtorebelagainst theseandstrivefora betterlifeinsociety.
“Astheheadteacher,Ialwaysrallyaroundthelearnerstohavetheirbest interestsatheartin equippingthemwith educationtobecome professionalswithin thecommunity,”she said.
AsectionofBaramitaSchoolinRegionOne (Barima-Waini)
ATimetoReflect,ATimeto...
shareshislastmeal withhisdisciplesand heinitiatesthecommunionthatwenormallytake.Andthen thedayfollowingwas hisdeathandresurrection.”
Themostwellknownpartofthesto-
ry—thecrucifixion—is thereasonweflykites atalland,asAdrian says,isthereasonthat Christiansbelievein Christ.“Theyselectedacriminaloverthe Lordandthenhewas takenintotrial,”he said.“Theyaskedhim, ‘Whodoyousayyou are?’Hesays,‘Iam
theIAm.’”Thatmoment,forAdrian,underscoresthepower anddivinityofJesus. Andwhatcamenext— hisdeath—isnothing shortofcrucialtothe faith.“Thecrucifixion isparamount,iscritical,isthefundamental basisoftheChristian faith.Ifthatrising-
from-the-deadpartdid nothappen,thenwhat arewebelievingin?” Adrianshared.
Still,despitetheseriousmessage,muchof Adrian’sonlinecontent isfilledwithcompassion—andthiscompassionhasearnedhimthe supportofmanyyoung men.Asheshared,“A
lotofpeoplehavemessaged—youngmenin particular—andsaid, ‘Hey,look,Ineedhelp. Ineedprayer.’It’sgood toknowthatI’mthere tosteertheminthe rightdirection,”he stated.Whetheronline orinperson,Adrianis alwaysreadytoconnectwithpeople.“I’m alwaysinvitingpeople toourlocalassembly,” hesaid,noting,“There aresomanypeoplethat followbutmightnot sayanythinguntilthey seeyouintheroom andsay,‘Hey,Iknow youfromsomewhere else.’”
Adrianseesthe evolvingculture,the riseofdigitaltools, andtheverydifferent expressionsoffaith acrossagegroupsnot asathreatbutasan opportunity.“I'mamillennial.Beforeme,was a[Baby]boomer,and thenwegottheGen Zscomingup.I'min themiddle,”henoted.Speakingofthe generationaldivide, heoftenfindshimself navigating,headded,“YoutellaGenZ, ‘Okay,we'regoingto doaservicejustcateringforyouguys.’ Theycomedressedall kindsofways.Sothe
[Baby]boomerseesthat andsays,‘Man,this isn'tappropriatefor church,’”heexplained. ForAdrian,bridgingthatgapisn’tabout choosingaside—it’s aboutmutualrespect andcreatingaspace wherefaithcanbe felt,notjusttaught.“It hastocometoaplace wherebothpartiesare understood,respected, andgivenalistening ear,too,”hesaid.“So youcouldsay,‘Okay, here'swhathappened. Youcancome,butif it'syourfirsttime,you candresslikethat.But fortheservicesafter, that'sadressproblem. Well,justdresshow webelieveyoushould dressinchurch,’”he shared.
Thesamegoesfor worshipstyleandBibleformats.Whether it’shymnsorcontemporarysongs,printed BiblesorBibleapps— whatmatterstoAdrianisthatthemessage isn’tlostintranslation.HolyWeek,for himandformany Guyanese,ismore thanritualortradition—it’sanopen invitationtopause, reflect,andconnect withsomethingdeeper.
Jesus’Birth,Death,andResurrection
1.HEwasbornasa baby
BeforeMarygave birthtobabyJesus, He’dalreadyexisted inthespirit.Godsaw theneedforHisSon tobeontheearth,in theflesh,soHeensuredthatJesuscame throughhumanmeans,
withtheexceptionof fertilisation.Therefore,GodchoseMary tocarrythechildthat wouldchangebelievers’walkwiththe Lord. WhatevertheFatherpromises,Hewill causeittohappen. Duetothefirstsin,
GodautomaticallyarrangedtosendHis Sontoearthinhuman formtosaveeveryone. Jesuscametoearth asababyandnotas anadult,soHeexperiencedallthethings humansmustendure. Theonedifferenceis
TURNTOPAGEXX
STUDYSUCCESS
DearStudent, Welcome,dearreadingfriend.Studyskills oracademicskillsare practicesappliedto learning.Ifyoudonot acquireorhavenotbeen taughtthem,youmay notbesuccessfulwhilein school.Academicskills helpyouthroughout lifeandincludemany differenttaskssuchas classroombehaviour, timemanagement,organisation,andmemorisation.Theyhelp yourcriticallistening power,surpassingjust hearingandhopingto learnsomething.They alsoincludeyouruprightsittingpostureand note-taking!Bewise. Loveyou.
THEPASSAGE
Howmuchdoyou quicklyremember?
Fromitssourceinthe mountainsbetweenSierra LeoneandGuineatoits deltainEasternNigeriathemightyNigerwill havetravelledsome4,000 kilometresthroughmany countriesandsomeofthe mostvariedsceneryinthe world.
Fromthehigh mountainsaroundFuta Jallonthroughthedense forestsofGuineaitflows, gaininginsizefrommany
tributaries.Itswaterscreatethefertileplainsof theMaliRepublicbefore reachingthedesertregions beyondTimbuktuwhence itturnssouth-eastwardsto flowbetweentherepublicsofNigerandBenin.
Itisherethatit entersNigeria,thatgreat Africanstateand,more thanhalfitsjourneyover, isputtowork.Vasthydro-electricplantsprovide fortheneedsofNigeria’s millionsandfortheindustryofthishugecountry.Here,too,irrigation schemes,fedbyitswaters, assistinfoodproduction anditsuse,withspecificallydesignedvessels,to facilitatetravel,tradeand thetransportofgoods. Andeverywherethereare fishermencastingtheir nets.
AtLokoja,where theNigerisjoinedby itsgreatesttributary,the Benue,itturnssharply southwardstoflowmajesticallypastOnitshaand presentlytoformitsvast delta.Thisdelta,hotand humid,isaplaceofgreat rainforests,mangrove swampsandanetwork ofwaterwaystakingthe Nigeratlasttothesea. Here,too,andinthesea offshore,aretheoil-fields whichmakeNigeriaone ofthemainoilproducers
oftheCommonwealthof Nations.
1.Whereisthesource oftheNiger?
2.NameFOURtowns onitsbanks.
3.Whichcountries doestheNigerRiverflow through?
4.Inwhichcountryis theNiger’sdeltafound?
5.Inyourownwords describewhatyouthink abouttheterms:“delta” “mangroveswamps”.
6.Whatistheopposite directiontosouth-east?
7.Whatconfluence occursatLokoja?
8.Writeshortanswers onthefollowingphrases: denseforests,gaining insize,hydro-electricplants,irrigation schemes,rainforests, networkofwaterways, intheseaoffshore.
IMPROVING WRITING
1)Anotherreminder oftheparagraphstructure
Note:Thebasicdefinitionofaparagraphis thatitisablockofwriting thatcontainsthreeparts:
1)Beginningofparagraph–thiscontainsthe topicsentencewhich givesthetopicandthe directionorpathwaythe writeristakingthetopic.
2)Themiddleofparagraph–thiscontainssupportingdetails(atleast
threedevelopedones). Detailsarepointsthat helpthetopicsentenceto expand,explain,prove, testify;givestatisticsor experiences–anything thathelpsthereaderto followwhattheopening sentenceissaying.
3)Theconcludingsentence–whichcanbea restatementofthetopic sentenceinsomecases. Inothersitcanhaveanaturalending(whichisnot arestatedfirstsentence).
Benefitsofproperly constructedparagraphs:
1)Properlyconstructedparagraphsmakeyour workreadableandimproveyourscoreatexaminations.
2)Goodconstruction alsomakesyourscoring pointsstronger.
3)Correctorganisation ofpointshelpsgreater reader(andexaminer) interest.
4)Well-tailoredparagraphsarewhatteachers (andexaminers)arelookingforinyourcompositions.
Payattentiontothe paragraphbelow.
Itisherethatit(the Niger)entersNigeria,that greatAfricanstateand, morethanhalfitsjourneyover,isputtowork. Vasthydro-electricplants providefortheneedsof
Nigeria’smillionsand fortheindustryofthis hugecountry.Here,too, irrigationschemes,fedby itswaters,assistinfood productionanditsuse, withspecificallydesigned vessels,tofacilitatetravel, tradeandthetransportof goods.Andeverywhere therearefishermencastingtheirnets.
1)Whatistheparagraphtopicandthewayit isbeinglookedatbythe writer?2)Sayhowthe paragraphisdeveloped. Whatexpandedsupportingideasdidthewriter use?
3)Whatistheconcludingsentenceofthe paragraphsaying?Does itintroduceanewidea? Doesitrestatethetopic sentence,ordoesitend naturally?
4)Whatcanyouinformedlysayaboutthe paragraph’slength?
5)Canyoudetectthe orderofsupportofthe paragraph?
6(a)Howdoyouassesstheclarityandcoherenceoftheparagraph? (b)Whatismeant by‘coherent’writing,and ‘articulate’writing?
7)Doyouseeacompletepictureofwhatthe paragraphisabout?Give asynopsisoftheparagraph. IMPROVING WRITING
2)Doyourparagraphs reallycommunicate? Understandthatno rulesorformulascan guaranteethatyouwill writeagoodparagraph. Youhavethefreedomto developyourparagraph accordingtoyourneeds. Whatisimportantto noteisthataparagraph mustbeanefficientinstrumentinyourcommunicationofideas.Let yourideashangtogether logicallyandsmoothly; bevividandforcefulas oneunit.
a)Whatistheorderof support?b)Isthewriter swingingthesupportdetailsanywhichway?c) Howisitdone?
ANYperceptionof painemanatingfrom atoothcanbecaused bymechanical,chemical,thermal(temperature),orbacterial stimuli.Stimulation sourcesmayinclude toothbrushing,digital(finger)probing, desiccation(ablast ofair),acids,sweet orsourhotandcold products,andacid productsfromplaque bacteria.Thisisbecausedentine—the mainbulkofatooth— ismineralisedtissue transectedfromthe pulpchamber(atthe centreofthetooth) toenamelorcementum(thesurfaces)by microscopictubules. Withinthetubules areprotoplasmicprojections,withthecell bodyitselfinthepulp chamber.Onlypainis feltwhenthesecells arestimulated.
So,itisquitecommonfordentalpractitionerstohearpersons describedentalpainas an“edging”or“shocking”whentheyeator drinkanythingsweet orsour,whenthefood ishotorcold,oreven simplywhenbrushing.
Ifyouexperiencethis, thenyouareamong numerousadultswho sufferfromdentinehypersensitivity.
Therearecurrently fourhypothesesofpain transmissionthrough dentine,ofwhichthe hydrodynamictheoryis themostwidelyaccepted.Accordingtothis theory,themovement offluidswithinthe dentineandpulpstimulatesthenerves,causingpain.Allexternal stimulitranslateinto hydrodynamicchanges thatalterthepulpequilibriumandelicitpain. So,evencontactwith aircanresultinpain.
Therearevaried predisposingfactorsto dentinalhypersensitivity,butnosinglecause. Thetoothbecomessensitiveafterenamelloss orrootsurfaceexposure.Enamellossfollowsmechanicalwear (bitingsurfacewear), neckabrasion,orpossiblytoothflexure aftergrinding,which fracturesenamelrods. Chemicalerosion(acidicfoodsorstomach regurgitation),gingival recession(retracting gums),andsubsequent
toothrootexposureallowmorerapidand extensiveexposureof dentinaltubulesbecausethecementum layeroverlyingtheroot surfaceisthinandeasilyremoved.
Themanycauses ofgingivalretraction includenormalageing, chronicperiodontaldisease,abnormaltooth positioninthedental arch,periodontalsurgery,incorrectbrushing habits,androotpreparationforcrowns.All theprecipitatingfactors allowtheexposureof dentinaltubules,which createtheconditionfor dentinehypersensitivity.
Treatmentmodalitiesfallintotwomain categories:chemical andphysical.Allavailabletreatmentswork todifferingdegreesdependingonthetreatmentandseverityofthe patient’shypersensitivity.Painisextremely subjective,soeffective treatmentoftendepends ontheindividual’spain threshold.Somedesensitisingagentscanbe usedathome;others requireavisittothe dentist.
Chemicaldesensitisingagentscanbe sub-classifiedbytheir action:anti-inflammatory,proteinprecipitating,andtubuleblocking.
Corticosteroids— oneofthemanygroups ofchemicalagents— havebeenusedtopicallyfortheiranti-inflammatoryeffectsbut arenotparticularlyeffective.
Thesecondgroup ofchemicalagents,the proteinprecipitants,includessilvernitrateand zincchloride.Silver nitratewaswidelyused inthepast.Unfortunately,bothsubstances causeteethtostainpermanentlyandareharmfultogumsandpulp. Strontiumchlorideand formaldehyde(inSensodynetoothpaste)belongtothegroupof
agentsthatprecipitate proteinswithinthetubule.Otherdrugsused totreatthecondition includecalciumhydroxide,fluoride,and sodiumcitrate.
Patientsmayalso betreatedwithcomposites(fillings),resin varnishes,sealants, softtissuegrafts,glass ionomercements,and lasersealingofthe tubules.
Guyaneseyouthsandtheirrole inupkeepingEastertraditions
EASTERinGuyanais oftennotablymarkedby tastyhotcrossbuns,kite flyingbythebeachside, orlongweekendholidays.Itcanalsobean importantseasonthat promotesregrowth,renewal,andasenseof hope.ManyyoungpeopleinGuyanaoftenuse thisseasontoreconnect withChristianityandexpresstheirfaiththrough
meaningfulcommunity serviceprojectsinobservanceoftheLenten season.
Fromthecoastlandsof Georgetownalltheway totheruralhinterland communities,youwould findyoungGuyaneseparticipatinginmeaningful eventsandactivitiesto observetheEasterseason.Duringthisseason, youngpeopleoftentake
partinchurchactivities suchasHolyWeekchurch cleaning,pilgrimages,retreats,orevenkite-flyingevents.Manychurch youthgroupsprepareand rehearseplaysordramatisationsofthePassionof Christ.OnEasterSunday morning,youngpeople oftenperformmelodious songsandmusictocelebratetheresurrectionof Jesuswhilesharingcross
bunsforbreakfastwiththe congregation. Eastercanalsoserve asaperiodofrenewal offaithformanyyoung people.Duringthistime, theyrecommitthemselves toattendingchurchregularlyandparticipating
moreactivelyinchurch activities.Unfortunately, manyfactorscreatearift betweenyoungpeopleand thechurch.Assuch,this periodservesasareminderthatevenwhenthings seemlost—whetherit’sa senseofpurpose,peace,
orbelonging—Godisalwaysworkingbehindthe scenestobringnewlife. Beyondthereligious observances,EasterMondayiscelebratedculturallythroughkitemaking, kiteflying,“bushcooks”, andfishingexpeditions—
Guyanese youths...
justtonameafew.In recentyears,manyyoung peoplehavebeenconstructingcreativekites suchasboatkites,box kites,andevencartoon characterkites.Kiteflyingremainsasymbolof JesusChrist’sresurrection. ManyGuyanesefromvariousculturalandreligious backgroundsgatherto observethissymbolism atopenfields,beaches,
andparksallacrossthe country.
Amidstthefunactivities,youngpeopleoften reflectonthetruemeaningofEasterandhow thelessonsoftheseason canbeappliedindaily life.Guyanaisblessed tohaveyoungpeopleall acrossthecountrywho areactivelyparticipatinginchurchactivitiesas theytrytokeepGuyaneseEastertraditionsalive.ThepassionandcommitmentshownduringEaster timeinchurches—and, byextension,incommunities—showhowvital itisforyoungpeopleto participateinculturaland religiousactivitiescontinuously.
Itisalsoimportantthat theoldergenerationcontinuetowelcomeyounger
Guyanesewithopenarms toreligiousandcultural activities.Youngpeople mightsometimeswantto addtheirowncreativity andenthusiasmtoevents, andwiththenecessary guidance—theycan.Oftentimes,theoldergenerationisresistanttochange, butchangeissometimes necessarytoadapttothe
changingworld. Asweallcelebrate Easter,Iwanttoencourageyoutocontinuesupporting,guiding,and mentoringyoungpeople throughtheirfaith— notjustinChristianity. Theirpassion,enthusiasm,andvisionlieinthe hopeofabrighter,more religiousGuyana.
ANGELSINTHESKY
beenturnedupside downwhenaspeeding minibusskiddedoff thewethighwayand crashedintohisfather’s SUV—ahorrificaccidentthatcrushedhis dreamsofbecominga cricketer,amesmerisingspinbowlerlikethe greatsofthepast.He couldn’tevengoback
RICCARDOstared atthesketchpadin frontofhim,hismind blank,seeminglost inadesertplace.He sighedinexasperation and,puttingdownhis pencil,wheeledover toanopenwindow overlookingthegarden.Itwaswherehe wouldsitonthose daysandnightswhen hisspiritswerelow— lookingatthenight skyorsunrise,listeningtothebirds singing,andfeeling thecoolbreezeonhis face.
Thosescenesoflife gavehiminspiration asanartist,forarthad givenhimanewlease onlifeaftertheaccident.Eachday,helived withthehopeofamiraclethatwouldmake himwalkagain.
Hisyounglifehad
toschoolandbecame homeschooled,sohe hardlyhadanyfriends. Timepassedslowly andpainfullyforhim afterthedoctorsconcludedhewouldnever walkagain.Gradually, heturnedhisinterests toartandchess.He wonmanytrophiesin juniorchesstournamentsbutkepthisart asaprivatecollection. Nothingseemed inspringtodayashe lookedthroughthe
windowand,sighing deeply,wheeledhis chairtothebackverandawherehecould seetheplayfieldashort distanceaway.
Kiteflyinghadalreadybegun,andboys
shouted,laughed,and ranwiththeirkitesas theytooktotheair.
Riccardowatched, anacheinhisheart, andwhisperedlikehe haddonesomanytimes before, “IwishIcouldwalk again.”
Hesattherewatchingthefunaskitesrose andfell,thestringofa butterfly-designedkite burstingandflyingover thetallpalmshighin thecloudlesssky.Riccardowatchedthekite
asitsailedaway,anda lightshoneinhiseyes.
“Yes!”heexulted, anideajustborn.
Hewheeledhischair backtohisdeskand, pickinguphispencil, hisfingersbroughtthe blankpapertolife.
Thatnight,afterhis motherhadhelpedhim tobedandtheysaidthe Lord’sPrayertogether, heaskedher, “Arethereangelson earth,Mum?”
Shekissedhimon theforeheadandsaid, “Angelsareeverywhereweare—inour heartsandourminds.”
Hesmiledand closedhiseyestosleep.
Hismotherlooked athim,anachinginher heartbutproudalso, andshewhisperedto theHeavens, “Abravechildhe is,andhebelieves somuchinyou,dear Lord.”
Riccardoworkedon hissketchalldayuntil itwasperfect.Now, allheneededwasthe construction,whichhis bigbrotherwasgood at.EasterDaydrew closer,andeventhough heknewhecouldn’t runandplayanymore, hecouldstillmakethe dayspecialwithhis uniquelydesignedkite. Paperedinpurewhite withgoldtrimmings, hecalleditWingsofan Angel.
OnEastermorning, heawokewithpure excitementinhisheart, andasheenteredthe parkwithhisfamily,he feltsomethingbeautiful wasgoingtohappen. Hiskiteattractedalot ofattention,andaftera fewtriesbyhisbrother,thekitewastaken tothesky.Hesatin hiswheelchairholding thestring,thrilledat thestrongpullingasit dancedinthewind.
Riccardodidnot takehiseyesoffthe kite.Thensuddenly somethingwhiteflew across,thenanother andanother.Hegasped andlookedaroundto seeifanyoneelsehad noticed,butnoonedid. Helookedbackintothe
sky,thinkingmaybeit washisimagination— butitwasreal.
Therewereangels inthesky,flyingwith hiskite!
Riccardowasoverjoyedbeyondwordsat suchawondrousvision, andtheycamedown oneaftertheotherto thedisabledboyand tookhishand,pulling himuptohisfeet.
“Gorunandplay,” theysaid,“Godhasansweredyourprayers.”
Riccardolaughed andranacrossthepark withhiskite.
“Ricky,wakeup,”a gentlevoicewassaying,andheawokewith astart.
“I’vegotyousome foodtoeat,”hismother wassaying.
Helookedupatthe sky—thekitewasthere, butnoangels.
“Itwasjusta dream,”hesaid,sighingindisappointment.
“Whatwereyou dreaming?”hismother asked.
Hesmiledandsaid, “Angels.”
Shesmiledalittle— nothingneededtobe said—andasshehandedhimtheboxoffood, thekitestringslipped fromhisfingers.He jumpedupandranand caughtitinoneflowing motion.
Allthosearound gaspedinshockatthe miraclethathadjust happenedintheblink ofaneye.
“Itwasn’tadream!” Riccardocried.“It’s real!”
HismotherwascryingandpraisingGod, andhisbrotherhugged him,tearsinhiseyes.
“Angelsareindeed amongus.”
Riccardoranand playedasmorekites wereraisedonthat BlessedEasterDay.
Jesus’Birth,Death...
FROMPAGEXIX
thatMary’sfertilisation didnotoccurthrough thebiologicalprocess ofspermandegg;instead,Godcausedher tobecomepregnantbeforeJosephknewher.
Godselectedtwo competentpersons tobeconsideredthe
earthlyparentsofJesus.Whilethesetwo individualswerenot initiallyawarethatthey wouldbechosento parentJesus,theyboth providedwhateversupporttheycould.Mary doubtedherabilityto bethechosenvessel tocarryJesusfornine
monthsinthewomb. Josephwasconsideringwhetherheshould stillproceedwiththe marriage,buttheangel spoketohim,andhe decidedtoacceptMary ashiswife.
2.Herodcouldnot stopJesus’birth
TURNTOPAGEXXI
Jesus’Birth,Death...
FROMPAGEXX
DuringMary’spregnancy,Herodwasking. Thereweresignsthat Jesuswasgoingtobe born,andthistroubled KingHerodbecause Jesuswouldhavesignificantauthorityover humanity,according toIsaiah9:6–7.Therefore,KingHerodtried manythingstopreventGod’splanfrom happening.However, noonecanstopGod’s plan.
KingHeroddidnot wantanotherkingto beborn.Jesuscame withauthoritytoreign onearthandinheaven. Hewasneverobsessed
withpowerbutexecutedHisassignmenton earthwithsimplicity andexcellence.Herod wasdeceptiveinhis planstoendJesus’ life.ButwhileHerod wasplanninghisnext move,Godwasalready aheadofhim.
3.Jesus’deathwas predicted
Manywishedthat Jesuswouldliveonthe earthforever.However, Hisearthlyministry wasshort.Hefulfilled Hisassignment,and thenitwastimefor Himtodepartfromthe earth.Theactionsof JudaswerenotasurprisetoJesus.Infact,
JudaswasonlyfulfillingGod’splans.No onecanputabeliever todeathunlessGod givespermission.On manyoccasions,Jesus toldpeoplethatHis deathwascoming.
4.Jesuspredicted Hisdeathforthefirst time
AfterPeterprovidedthecorrectanswer aboutwhoJesusis,He explainedtothemthat HemustgotoJerusalem(Matthew16:21). ThiswasaclearindicationthatHeknew Histimeonearthwas abouttoend.Healso knewthecommunity whereHisdeathwould
takeplace.Jesusvoluntarilysurrenderedto deathbecauseHehad fulfilledHisearthlyassignments.Hetoldthe disciplesnottotellotherswhoHewas(Matthew16:20).
5.Eventsleadingup toJesus’crucifixion AsthetimeofJe-
sus’deathdrewcloser, Hespentmoretime withHisdisciples.He knewJudaswouldbetrayHim,yetHedid notdisposeofJudas (John13:2).Jesus knewJudaswaspartof theequationthatwould resultinHisdeath.
6.Thebetrayalplot wasknown Jesuswouldbebe-
TURNTOPAGEXXII
Thedisciples’feet werewashedbytheir leader.Heremained humbleandwashed thefeetoftheadult menwhofollowedHim throughoutHisearthly ministry.
Jesus’ Birth, Death...
FROMPAGEXXI
trayedbyoneofHis own.However,that didnotsurpriseHim becauseHeknewabout theplantobetrayHim (John13:21).Jesus’ statementaboutHis betrayaltroubledthe disciplessincethey hadjusthadsupper. PeteraskedJesusto namethedisciples whowouldbetrayHim (John13:24–25).Withouthesitation,Jesus provideddirectevidenceofthedisciple whowouldbetrayHim (John13:26–27).
AfterJudastooka breakfromJesus,Satanenteredhim(John 13:27).Jesuswasquick toinformJudasthat whateverhehadtodo, hemustdoquickly. AstheSaviourofthe world,HeknewHe hadcometodiefor thesinsofpeople.His timewasup,andHe wasnotextendingHis stayonearth.TheSaviourmadenoeffort topreventJudasfrom betrayingHimsinceHe wasreadytodieforall humanity. Itwasnight-time whenJesushadsupper withHisdisciplesand washedtheirfeet.The discipleswereprobablyexpectingajoyful conversationwiththeir Saviour,butHeonly toldthemoftheevents leadinguptoHisdeath. Theirheartsweresorrowful,andtomake thingsworse,Jesusinformedthemthatone ofHisdiscipleswould betrayHim.
7.Upfromthegrave Hearose
Thosewhocrucified JesusfelttheyhaddefeatedHim.Theywere satisfiedthatHewas dead.Hewasplacedin thetomb,sothiswas expectedtobetheend ofHislife.BeforeHe wasplacedinthetomb, Hissidewaspierced, andbloodcameoutof Hisbody(John19:34). Theywereconvinced Hewasdead,sothere wasnoneedtobreak Hislegs(John19:33). Thereligiousleaderssoughtpermission tohavesoldiersguard thetomb.Thesoldiers changedshiftsregularlysothattiredsoldiers wouldbereplaced.The Romanswereanxious aboutJesus’deathand resurrection.IfHewas notamanofimportance,whydidthey placesomanyguards towatchoverHistomb (Matthew27:62–66)? Itisonlywhenyouare importantthatyouwill gainsuchattention.Not everyonecelebrated Jesus’importance,but theyknewthatgreatnesswasinsidethe tomb.
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THELITTLEMINDSANDTHEIRQUESTIONS WEREALWAYSTHEREINTHEPAST…
EASTERwashereagain. Whilesomeofuswentto churchandothersdid not,nothingstoppedthe conversationsabsorbed fromlisteningtoadults astheygatheredtocontemplatetheEasterholidays.Sincethiswasnot aboutneighbourhood gossipwithitsreferences topeopleweknewandno “callnames”coulddisguise,wewerepartially ignored.Thetopicwas EasterandtheChurch.
Andsoitwenton— withtheargumentofhow, orif,therewasaJesus and,ifhewascrucified anddied,thenhowdidhe arise?
Theboyscontinuedto
sandthepiecesofboard giventothemasweekendtasks—boardsthat wouldbepartofsome exoticpieceoffurniture whenskilfullyassembled, uponapprovalbyUncle Hubert,whowasoneofthe carpentershop’straining team—Father. Theyoungstersdidnot participateintheargument ofideasaboutthefateof Jesusandhisresurrection,whichtheadultswere engagedinwithvaried views.Theirworldwas alsomorelockedintocoins topurchasecomicbooks, kitepaper,CousinMaud’s blackpudding,souseand pone,andstillhaveafew coinslefttoturnoverto
thematriarchofthefamily.
“Iwanttoknow,”whisperedRonald.“Butiswuh Jesusdofuhgetcrucified?”
“ThatissomethingI alwayswantedtoknow,” repliedCompton.“Ifyuh buildupthecouragefuh askFatherBransfield,we mightgetananswer.”
Leonardresponded,wavinghishandasif brushingawaythemysterythathadbeenunintentionallydirectedintotheir worldofboyhoodearning, andsaidwithaschuups! (suckteeth),dismissing Compton’ssuggestion,“If hedidknowthetruthabout that,hewouldabeenabig shotinthechurch.Ithink hejustlikewe—heent
knownutting.”
Noneoftheboyswere awarethattheadultshad stoppedtalkingandwere nowkeenwitnessestotheir conversation,withsome surprise.
Hubert,theownerof theworkshop,inferred, “Well!Well!Theboysdeh payingattentiontothings, fellows!Letusbigpeopleexplain…First—Jesuswasn’tanoldman,he was—”weavinghishand tocoverhisfriends,“not likeus—hewasyoungbut olderthanyouall.That waswhatmayhavebeen hisgreatestproblem.”
MrOglefollowed,“He wasareformer—wanted tofix-upthingslikecor-
ruption,plentythief-man priestandtinglikeduh!”
“Okay,suh—hecouturepondehighpriestand dem,anddehgetvex.But wait—heliepondem?”
“No,son.Hetellthem tobetruthful.Suhdehplan fuhdestroyheandallhe instructedthemtodo.”
“ButDad,”askedlittle Pumpkin,“whyGodent savehefromtheRomans?”
“Well,allIcansayis thathehadtosehtheimportantlinesoftruththat thescripturessaidhesaid.”
“What’sthat,Dad?Tell us.”
“Youboyswantto know?Well—numberone isOne:thattheKingdom ofHeavenlieswithinus; meaningweobeyitorwe betrayit.Andtwo:‘Who iswithoutsin,peltthefirst stone.’”
Theboysshooktheir headsinagreement, possiblyindicatingthat theyunderstood.Butthe menknewthatonlywith growthwouldtheytruly understandthattheEasterstoryisaconceptualisationofhumannature atitsmosttragicexpression—yetitexplainsfallingandtheself-redemptionofrisingagain.
“Weshouldnoteven discussthiswithyou,”he hesitated,“butyuhgotfuh learn,thatnotalldreams aremadeonclearpastures.”
ACollectors’ Treasure
OURplanetisfilled withcreaturesthat spendtheirlivescollectingsmallpieces oftheworldaround them.Insomeplaces, youmayfindsquirrelspreparingfora coldwinterbycollectingnutsandseeds tostoreunderground. Inotherplaces,you mayfindstrange decoratorcrabscollectingfragmentsof spongesandanemonestoplaceontheir shellsforcamouflage ordefenceagainst predators.Youmay evenfindbowerbirds, whichcollectbrightlycoloureditemsto decorateanest-like structurethatthey buildforthepurposeoffindingand attractingapartner. Collectingseemsto beanaturalpartoflife formanyofourplanet'soccupants.Much liketheseothercreatures,humanbeings arealsoavidcollectors ofthethingstheyfind intheworldaround them.Aschildren,we mayhavecollected itemsliketoys,marbles,orcards.Aswe growolder,wegraduallybegintocollect itemslikesouvenirs, sculptures,orpaintings.Theitemswecollectarevaluabletous becausetheyremindus ofdifferentpartsofour lives.Theyaretangiblerepresentationsof
extremelyimportant memoriesthatwecan keepinthepresent.In somecases,thethings wecollectaretheonly connectionsleftwith peoplefromthepast whomwelove.The possessionsthatwe collectandkeepalso representwhoweare. Forinstance,whenwe walkintosomeone’s houseandobserve theitemsplacedon display,wearegiven awindowintotheir identity.
Theabilitytopurchaseandownsomethingforyourselfisa preciousgift—itisa rewardreceivedafter muchhardwork.However,whentheveryact ofowningpossessions beginstobecomea primaryaspectofour lives,itmeansthatwe havebecomeinfected bytherootsofconsumerismandmaterialism.Itmeansthatwe havebeguntolivelife forthesolepleasureof purchasingandowning newitemswhenever possible.
Asourworlddevelops,youngergenerationsarebeingexposedtoanenvironmentwherematerial goodsofeverykind areeasilyavailable tothem.Notonlyare ourneedsmetmore easily,butourdesires aremorequicklyinspired.Ouraccessto socialmediaandthe
internetmeansthatwe canviewaplethoraof attractive,interesting itemsandpurchase themassoonaswesee them.Then,assoon aswepurchasethose items,thereisalways somethingnewerand trendiertobuy.While inthepast,trendsmay havelastedformonths oryears,thetrendsof today’seralastonly afewdaysorweeks. Itemsthatwereconsideredfashionablea monthagoarenolongerinteresting,andthe onlywaytokeepup withtherapidspeed oftheworldistopurchasenewitemstofit in.
Thisstrangeeraof quicklymovingtrends meansthatpeopleare moreinclinedtoexperimentandexpress themselvesfreely. Thereisseeminglyno limittothethingsone cantryorthestyles onecanwear.However,italsomeansthatan unhealthydependence onconsumerismmay developinordertoensurethatweconform. Ourgeneration,having beengiventheabilitytoacquirematerial possessionsatafasterrateandingreater quantity,hasalsobeen handedtheimportant responsibilityofbeing mindful.Wemustbe mindfulofthevalue oftheitemswechoose tobuy—howmuchwe
SCHOOLFEEDING–ANECESSARY ENHANCEMENTOFTHEEDUCATIONALSYSTEM
SCHOOLfeedingisa comparativelynewconceptintheworld.Before theIndustrialRevolution andwellintothe19th century,theonlychildrenwhoweregivenany schoolingwerethoseof thewealthyandupper classes.Thevastmajorityofchildrenworked withtheirparentsasagriculturistsorintrades suchasblacksmithsor carpenters,andthisis commemoratedinnurseryrhymessuchasLittle BoyBlueandLittleBo Peep,depictingchildren whohadtheresponsibilityoftakingthesheep outtograzeintheroleof shepherds.
Theoperationofindustrialmachinesnecessitated bytheIndustrialRevolutionandthealmostcontinualwarsandstanding armiesofEuropeannationsrequiredthatworkers andsoldiersshouldhave atleastbasicliteracy.Asa result,theChurch,private benefactors,andtheState begantoprovidemainly primaryschoolsforworking-classpeople.Guyana,asaBritishcolony, reflectedtheeducational milieuofBritain,andaftertheendingofslavery, ChristianChurchesbegan tobuildandstaffschools withfinancialandother assistancefromthecolonialState.
ThissystemofVictorianesqueeducation, withitscorporalpunishment,continueduntilafter WorldWarII.Therewas agreatdealofabsenteeismcausedbythepoverty ofparentswhowerenot abletosendtheirchildren toschoolduetohunger.
Mostchildrenwentto schoolhungryormalnourishedandwerenot abletohaveanythingto eatuntilafterschoolat3 p.m.AfterWorldWarII, inthe1940s,children— especiallyinGeorgetown schools—weregivena lightsnack,adrink,and atablespoonofavitamin tonicatthelunchperiod.
Inthe1960sandfor thenexttwodecades,the countrywasenveloped inpoliticalinstabilityand disorder,andattemptsat schoolfeedingfellinto desuetude.Inthe1980s and90s,childreninthe primaryschools,mainlyin Georgetown,wereirregularlygivenlightsnacks.
Inthelastdecade, schoolfeedingcametobe regardedasanecessary partoftheeducational system.Firstly,because food—especiallyforchildren—wasregardedas ahumanright;andsecondly,itwasrecognised bytheStateandmedical opinionthatifyoungchildrenwerenotfedproperly,thiswouldhamper theirbraindevelopment andtheadultcitizenryof thecountrywouldturnout tobelessabletoachieve socialandeconomicdevelopment.Accordingly, theschoolfeedingadministrativesectionunderthe aegisoftheMinistryof Educationbecamefirmly establishedandfunded.
Thoughschoolfeeding hasbeenestablishedinall theregions,notallschools havesofarbenefitted,and themenusandquantityof foodperstudentarenow strivingforstandardisation withthehelpofnutritionistsfromtheMinistryof
Health.InGuyana,inthe formulationofmenus— unlikeuni-culturalcountries—somecognisance hastobegiventothefood usedbychildreninthe Amerindian,Indian,and Africanculturalareas. However,themenusreally donotdiffermuch,and somefavouriteslikerice puffsandenergybiscuits haveapermanentplace everywhere.
Atthemoment,meals areprovidedforthenurseryandlowerclassesin theprimaryschools,but thesecondaryschoolsso farhavebeenoutofthe net.Theschoolfeeding regimeisfastmovingtowardsstandardisationand extensiontoallchildren atboththeprimaryand secondarylevelsandthe ChiefSchoolFeedingOfficer,MrTanner,isoptimisticaboutachievingthis beforeyearend.
TheSchoolFeeding Programmehasmany benefits:Ithasalmost eliminatedabsenteeismsincechildrengo toschoolbecausethey wouldreceivemeals; academicperformance hasgreatlyimproved, ashungerandfoodinsecurityhadnegatively affectedacademicperformance;thelocaleconomieshavebenefitted sincefarmershavearegularandsecuremarket fortheirproduce,anda numberoffoodcaterers whoprovidefoodforthe programmenowhavea regularsourceofincome. Lastly,itservesasan educationaltooltoteach childrentheimportance ofhealthyeatinghabits
SCHOOLFEEDING–ANECESSARY...
reallyneedthemand forhowlongwein-
tendtousethem.Most importantly,wemust alsoconsiderhowthose itemsandtheirpack-
agingmightimpactthe planetaftertheiruse. Eventhedecorator crabs,whenmoulting
theiroldshells,ensurethattheycarefully transferalltheirdecorationsontotheirnew shells! Lifeisaunique journeyforeveryone, andperhapsweare allcollectorsofdif-
ferentthingsinour ownways.However,thequalityofour livesandtheimpact thatweleaveonthe worldcanvarygreatlydependingonwhat wechoosetocollect andhowweuseour
treasures.Afterall, wemighteventuallydiscoverthatthe truetreasuresare thingssuchasmemories,friendships,and love—whichwilllast andneverfade.