Photo)
Fromnothingtosomething
LIVINGinasuburbanvillageinNorthRupununi,Flazo Francisfeltlimitedandwantedtoexplorethepossibilities.
Assuch,hedecidedtoleavehishomevillageandstarted highschoolinRegionFour,sensinghewasmeantforgreater thingsandhadtoworktowardsachievingthem.
Atage10,hebidfarewelltohisfamilyinMassara,North RupununiandwenttolivewithhisgrandmotherinEnterprise Village,EastCoastDemeraratoattendhighschool.
Francisalwaysknewthatachievinghisgoalswouldnotbe
easy,buthedidnotgiveupandhonedhisskillsuntilhewas amongthebestinhiscircleofpeers.
forcedtoseekanotheralternativecareer.
Eventhoughhedidn’tderivefromafamilyofwealth, Francisusedtheopportunitiesathandtomakehimselfsomebody,sincehewasnotthekindofpersonwhowouldsitidly by.
FlazoFrancisdoingwhatheispassionateabout--makingcocktailsat work
Assuch,atage17,heintroducedhimselftothefoodandbeverageindustry,wherehesecureda jobwithaBrazilianrestaurantin Helearnedalotfromthejobguese.
Havingequippedhimselfinthe foodandbeverageindustry,Francis returnedtothecity,wherethings changedforhim;heworkedatseveralbarsbutfeltthatwasn’tenough Franciswantedmore,tochallengehimself,andwhenhewas introducedtococktail-making, hewasintriguedbytheprocess andknewhiscreativitywouldbe
Herelatedthatalongtheway thereweremanyobstacles,but heworkedwithgoodpeoplewho encouragedhim,andhewasableto overcomethoseobstacles.Sowhen anopportunitypresenteditself when he was
FlazoFrancis.
SIX-YEAR-OLD
ChristopherJoseph Barran’sparentsChanneyWongand ChristopherBarran –werealltooexcited tohelphimlaunchhis business,LittleBarran’sEnterprise(LittleBE),attherecent ArtofCollaboration event.
ThepupilwhoattendsMarianAcademy launchedthebusiness twoweeksagowith hisparents’help,providingchildrenwith stationery.
Theideaofhelping Christopherstarthis ownbusinessstarted whenhe’dgotostay witheitherofhisparentsafterschoolattheir workplaces.Hewas alwaysintriguedby theirworkandshowed adeepinterestinit. “Wewerehisaftercare, andusuallywhenhe’s there,he’salwayscuriousaboutwhatwe’re doing,andheasksalot ofquestions,”hismotherChanneysharedwith PepperpotMagazine.
“Wethought,ifhe’s socurious,whynot lethimstarthisown business?Westarted teachinghimatanearly agenotjustthefundamentalsofbusinessbutalso responsibilityandtolearn
tosaveatanearlyage,”she added.
ArtistRobertaNichols
LittleChristopherJosephBarranatthelaunchof hisbusiness
ByMichelOutridge
SAUDIAEdghillenvisionedbeinganentrepreneurofasmallbutthriving businesswhenshestartedto haveconversationsonsocial mediaaboutourrichculture andhistory.Later,withthe hopeofkeepingitalive,Edgillintroducedhersignature piecesofartsandcraft.
AsaBuxtonian,growing uphearingstoriesaboutour cultureandhistoryfromher elders,someofwhomareno longeraround,sheaspiresto tellothersaboutcultureand historythroughherplatforms onTikTok,Instagramand Facebook.
Coupledwithherbubbly personality,zestforlife,and desiretoexplore,Edghill doesn’tlimitherselfandcontinuestocreatemorepieces depictingourlandmarks, buildings,andotherlocal things.
ShetoldthePepperpot Magazinethatshebegan dabblingwithsouvenirpieces afewyearsagoaftersherefromothercountriesswapped
souvenirsoftheirrespective countriesandgaveadetailed historyaboutit.
Itpiquedherinterestafter theparticipantswerenotshy aboutspeakingopenlyabout theirhistoryandculture,and sheadmiredtheirenergyin enlighteningthegroup.
Shebeganlookingatsigherhead,andlatermaterialisedintoasmallbusiness anduniquepiecesthatare idealtokensfortravellers andlocals.
Edghillsaidpushing throughunique,functional, andconversationsviasocial mediahasbeenrewarding andpeoplehaveresponded positivelytoherwork.
Sheproducesdeskand nightlightsandkeychainsdepictingStabroekMarket,City theLighthouseandtheMap
Shereportedthatsofar, therehasbeenalotofpositivitywhenpeopleseethatsheisyoungandwhatsheis about.Theyhavegivenher
goodadviceandencouragementtocontinuetoempower
herselfasanentrepreneur.
Eventhoughhersmall businessistwoyearsold andsheoperatesfromher homeinBuxton,EastCoast Demerara,Edghillsaidshe wouldliketoexpandtohave herproductsatallportsof airportsandalsohavealittle storetodisplayandsellthe products.
Recently,shehasbenefittedfromamulti-agency trainingprogrammeandshe feelsreallyempoweredbecauseittargetedentrepreneursdirectlyandprovided theknow-howtogetabout doingasmallbusiness.
“Asanentrepreneur,itis quitechallengingwhenthat businessisyoursoleincome earner,andwiththecostfor productionandmaterials, pricingcanbeabittricky becauseyouwanttocover allthebasesandstillmake wellas,maketheproduct pocket-friendlyandnottoo pricy,”shesaid.
Edghilldisclosedthather focusistogetintobusiness withothercompaniestosell herproducts,whichcanbe usedastokensatChristmas-
Someofthelightedday/nightlights.
timeorothereventstogift employees.
Presently,shecreates productsbasedonordersand deliversorarrangesforthe itemstobepickedupfrom herhomeuntilaphysical storeisrealised.
EdghillwillbeparticipatingintheupcomingBuilding Expo2024.Sheislooking forwardtoallexhibitionsto showcase,andsellherproducts,network,andexpandher market.
“Iamreallypleased bythesupportofmypeers andthewideencouragement Ihavereceivedsincethe [sic]establishedmysmall business.DespitechallengesIhavebeenabletokeep mybusinessopenandIam positiveIwillbeableto overcomehurdles,”shesaid.
Edghillstatedthatshe wouldlikeherbusinessto bemoreofasocialentrepreneurship,hopingtoraise awarenessandappreciation forourhistory.
Sheaddedthatinher
SaudiaEdghillofBux‘NSwaps.
THErecentdestructionofmanyareasinsisterCARICOMcountries,Jamaica,Grenada,CarriacouandSt. VincentbyHurricaneBeryl,shouldbeasadreminderto Guyanesejusthowfortunatetheyareintermsofwhetherrelateddisasters.Guyanaisblessedtobeawayfrom thehurricanepath.Overthedecades,Guyanesehave haveenduredMotherNature’swrathofpowerfulstorms thunderthatissomewhatlouderthanusual,areabout allmothernaturedoestous.
ThemostrecenthurricaneintheCaribbean,Hurricane verypowerfulstorm.Suchstormsusuallydestroyproperty, Servicessuchaselectricityandtelephonearesometimes untiltheyarerepaired.Attimes,theauthoritiesdeclarea assoonaspossible.
Many,especiallychildren,aresometimestraumatisedby recenthurricaneintheCaribbean,itwouldbethatthedeath tollwassmallerthansomeofthepasthurricanesintheRe
easternareaoftheUSAin1938.Manyofuswouldrecall Andrewin1992,Mitchin1998,Floydin1999,Keith in2000,andthedoublewhammyCharleyandIvanin MotherNature.
FarrieronabeachinJamaicasome
Aplaceofexpression
DISHAHenryisgladshe hadanopportunitytosee theimportanceofartin everydaylife;howittouchespeople,uplifts,andcan beusedtoaddresstaboo topicsthatpeoplemaynot readilywanttodiscuss.As such,shehasdecidedthat shewillorganiseevents thatcanbringpeopletogethereveryyear.
Forfouryearsnow,she hasbeenhostingthe‘Sip andPaint’event,whichhas beengettingagoodresponse todate.ThelatestHawaiian-themedeventisbilled forSunday,July28atthe TikiBaronWaterlooStreet, whereatrainedartistwillbe onboardtoguideparticipantsthrough.
The24-year-oldgrew upinTigerBay,anarea withsomeamountofstigma attachedtoit.However,Disha’sparentsalwaysensured thatshetookupanyeducationalopportunitythatwas availabletoher.
SowhenSchoolofthe Nationsmovedintothecom-
freeclassestochildreninthe neighbourhood,Dishawas surelyonboard.Apupilof St.Margaret’sPrimaryatthe time,sheattended‘Nations’
Baha’iclasses,theircomputerclasses,everyopportunity
thatisappealingtothe sensesofothersandI amverygoodatcoming upwithinnovateways tobringpeopletogether,”
thingslikethese.Ithought Iwouldtakethisbackhome becauseIneverhadseenit
Fromthere,shereceived
“Theygavemeascholarshipbecausetheysaw thatIhadpotential,”Disha toldPepperpotMagazine.“I attendedNationsforeight yearsandthatgavemethe opportunitytoseelifeoutsideofTigerBay.”
Youngcreatortohostfourth‘SipandPaint’July28 ThelatestSipandPainteventwillbeonJuly28
Disha,nowacreativeand
CreativeandEventsCuratorDishaHenry
ascholarshiptoattendan artschoolinCanadafortwo years.“They’restilldoing thatforthechildreninTiger Bay.TheownersofNations, TheO’Toolefamily,are verygoodpeople,”Disha expressed.
Thankstohertraining, naturalabilities,andlovefor art,Dishadevelopedakeen eyeforart,suchasphysical art,drawing,painting,music,andthelike.“Iamable toputthemtogetherinaway
eventscuratorsaid.
Forthepastfouryears, shehasbeenhostinga‘Sip andPaint’event.Theidea wasbirthedduringCOVID whenshewassomewhat stuckinBermudaandhad nothingtodo.Assoonasthe curfewwasrelaxedalittle, afriendofafriendhosted asip-and-paintparty.“It waslikeahousethingand itwasasimplesitdownand thehappinessyougetfrom bondingwithpersonsover
donebefore.”
Whenshereturnedto Guyana,shegotrighttoit, planningitwithfriends.“I saidIwoulddo30spotsand Imadeapostonsocialmehours,halfofthosespots weresold.Theeventended upbeing65persons.”
Sincethen,Dishahas alsobeendoingprivate eventslikebirthdayparties,
FreeandEasy
Avillagetransformedbyprogress
tyofFreeandEasywilltake visitorsonacommutealong theWestBankofDemerara pasttheregion’smorepopularvillages,likePatentia, BelleWest,andWales.Free andEasyisacalm,quiet nearestmainroad.Closeknitisanunderstatement whentalkingaboutthevillageofFreeandEasy.
However,adramatic shiftinthevillage’sdynamicsandwayoflifehas occurredinrecentyears. Whileagriculturepersists, traditionalpracticesarenow complementedbyvarious jobsandnewventures.Lifelongvillager,EstherThomas,saidthecommunitynow livesuptoitsname.
Adrivetothecommuni-
“Thiscommunityisa quietone,”saysEsther.The motherofthreewasborn andraisedinFreeandEasy. Growingup,EstherremembersFreeandEasyasa farmingcommunity.Found justafewmilesfromthe WalesSugarEstate,most ofthecommunity’speople dependedonorworkedwith theestateinonewayoranother.ForEsther,farming wasafamilybusiness.
Assherecountedthe dayssheandhermanysiblingsspentexploringthe backdamsofFreeand Easy,“Igrewupinfarming.Iremembergoingto thebackdam,meandmy oldersiblings.Thefarmers
hereweresugarfarmersand theywouldselltheircaneto theestate.Myfatherwasa farmer,andsoweremyolder brothers.Icamefromavery largefamily;itwasthirteen ofus.”
Thecommunityhasrecentlyseentheadditionof variousindustrialprojects, thebiggestofwhichissaid tobeinoilandgas.Thenew projectscanbefoundjust outsideofthecommunity, mereminutesawayfromthe
village.Thishassparkeda villagehavetakenupnewer, moreindustriousjobs,and entrepreneurshipisalsoon therise.AsEstherexplained, “Hereisalothappeningnow inthecommunity.Some peopleopenasmallbusiness,andsomebodyeven openawharf.”
wasmud,butrecentlythey didtheroadanditisbetter now.”Talkingaboutthe changeofpaceinFreeand Easy,shesharedthat,“Most ofthechildrenheregoto schoolintheneighbouring community.Wehavemore nowandsothechildrenhave tobecareful.Somewalk, somerideandsomeusebus andcarstogettoschool.”
Infrastructurewasamajorcomplaintfromthecommunityresidentsthelast timethePepperpotmagazinevisitedthevillage.Estherstatedthat,amongthe newchangesinthevillage, theroadsarethebiggest improvement.Asshestated,“Atonepoint,theroad
AimandambitioninFreeandEasy
ByShaniyaHarding
AMBITIONisoftentimes oneofthedefiningcharacteristicstheoldergenerationcitesasthedifferencebetweentheirera andcurrenttimes.However,youngpeoplelike TimonCharlesareseeking tochangethenarrative.A vibrantnineteen-year-old fromthecommunityof FreeandEasyontheWest BankofDemeraraspoke toPepperpotMagazine aboutwhyhewantstobe independentandhowhe planstogetthere.
Timon,ajovialandwelcomingyoungman,sayshis loveforhardworkbeganin hisyouth.FreeandEasy,just afewyearsago,wasarural communitywithfewroads andevenfewerpeople;his childhoodinthevillagewas anythingbutexciting.
However,truetothespiritoftheGuyanesecountryside,mostofTimon’s childhooddayswerespent onhisfather’sfarm.Hours spenttendingtoplantain, banana,andpineapplecrops instilledtheimportanceof work.Schoolingwasalso “Fromnurserytoprimary schoolupuntilgradefouror halftoschool,”heexplained.
Timonsaidthat,atthe time,andevenlookingback now,hischallengeswith
walkingtoschooldidnot isperhapsowedtohistime spentfarmingsincehecould
ing,goingonthefarmsince
Hesharedthatcommunityvaluesalsoplayeda roleinenrichinghischildhood,andtheystilldotoday.Growingup,most workdoneinthecommunitywasdoneingroups. Familieswouldgotothe farm,andfriendswould walktoschooltogether. Thesupportofferedby friendsandfamilymade forhappymemories.As Timonrecounted,“Those dayswerenice.Alotofus wouldwalktoschooltogether,sowehadfun.And thenIwouldgotothefarm withmybrothers.Those werenicetimes.”
Astheyoungestofhis fourbrothers,Timonwas quicktopickupthepace tokeepupwithhisolder brothers.Asmuchasitwas interestingandchallenging beingtheyoungest,hisfamilyhasdoneplentytoshape hisambitiousendeavours.As offourbrothers.Atthetime andsoon,itwasmealone. mybrotherwouldpickme towalkingandfarmingby
then.”
Agriculturestillplays avitalroleinTimon’slife today,andhesaysheenjoysfarming.Farmingis notasectororprofession inwhichmanyyouthsare invested.Timon,however, feelsdifferently.“Ilike
farming.Wehaveafarm thatwetraveltobyboat. Itishardwork,butIstill enjoyit.Myfather,brothers,andIstilldoagriculture,”hestated.Although FreeandEasyhasrecently seenashifttowardsamore business-orientedtrajectory,Timonisstillaloverof agriculture.
Additionally,Timonand hisbrothersareinvolvedin theindustrialsideofthings happeninginthecommunity. “Sometimes,mybrothers doalotofthings,butwestill totheoilandgasproject too.”Timonhasmanagedto perfectabalancingactthat manypeopleinFreeand Easyarecurrentlyworking
towards.Agriculturecontinuestothrivealongside modernchangesanddevelopment.
Timonhopestocontinue workingthewayhedoes. Comingfromanincredibly work-orientedfamily,hesays workingindependentlyishis goal.Talkingabouthisfamily,hesharedthat,“Noneof myotherbrotherswentinto onethatstuckwithit.One ofthemisacivilengineer andtheotherisanelectrical engineer.Andanotheroneis awelder.”
Ambitionissomething thatseemstorundeepin thefamily.Timonexplained thatthehustleandbustleinvolvedindevelopingoneself hasalwaysplayedamajor
roleforhisfamily.Moving forward,hehopestodevelop abusinessofhisown.His goalistobeindependent. workingbyyourselfisway betterthanworkingwith otherpeople.Thatisthemain bymyself.”
Timonisoneofmany youngpeoplewithbig dreams.Hesaysthatalthoughmanyyoungpeople maynotseetheappealin work,especiallyinagriculture,communityandfamiaroleinhisambition.He sayshiscommunityisundergoingchange,andalthoughthenamesaysFree andEasy,hardworkand ambitionareamust.
ByShaniyaHarding
Asanewfather,RonbelievesfewplacesinGuyanaare ascomfortable,welcoming,andcaptivatingasFreeandEasy. Withahintofprideinhisvoice,heshared,“Theyusedtosay thatFreeandEasywasbehindGod’sback,butIdon’tthink theycouldsaythatanymore.”
Rondescribeshimselfas‘Free-and-Easyborn-and-bred’, thoughheacknowledgesthathisfamilymovedtothevillage paintingapictureofanidyllicruralupbringing.“Iwasborn Ronrecalls,hiseyesdistantwithnostalgia.“Itwasareal countrysideupbringing.Wespentourdaysunderthesun, climbingtrees,andexploringthearea.Thecommunityreally addedvaluetomychildhood.”
Likemanyofthevillage’sresidents,Ron’sschoolingwas ofPatentiabeforeadvancingtopursuehighereducation.“AfterprimaryschoolinPatentia,IwentontoTI,”Ronexplains. farmingvillageofRon’syouth.Thecommunitynowbuzzes withactivity,resemblingaminingtownmorethanarural settlement.Variousvehiclestraversetheroadsthroughoutthe day,starklycontrastingRon’sschooldayswhentransportation wasaluxury.
“Nowwehavetrucksandallkindsofthingsontheroads. Wedidn’thavethatwhenIwasgoingtoschool.Without transportation,youhadtowalk.Itwaschallenging,butafter atime,youjustgotaccustomedtoit…Butnow,transportation iseasierbecauseyoucanactuallyseetheroad.Especially whenit’sdry,thoughitcangetreallydusty.Butapartfrom that,gettingaroundismucheasiernow.”
TheintroductionofoilandgasexplorationinGuyanahas beenattheforefrontofmanypeople’sminds,andFreeand oilreservesbyExxonMobilin2015hastriggeredawave
ofchangethat’sripplingthroughcommunitieslikeFreeand Easy.AccordingtoRon,whilethepeoplegenerallywelcome theinvestmentintheircommunity,theyarestillgrappling withthemassivechanges.
DiscussingtheimpactofthisdevelopmentonFreeand Easy,Ronacknowledgestheproject’spositiveaspectsas wellasthenewfoundchallenges.“Theprojectisaverygood thingoverall.Buttheheavy-dutyvehiclesthatpassthrough thecommunitycausealotofnoise,andwe’renotreallyused
VeryfewvillageshaveseenthescaleofchangethatFree andEasyiscurrentlyexperiencing.Thetransformationfroma toacommunityattheforefront ofamassiveindustrialproject theresidents.
“Thetrucksworkthroughthe night.Andthat,ofcourse,causes alotofnoise.Iworknightshifts too,soIunderstandthenecessity, butit’sstillabigchangeforthe village.It’sgoodforusoverall, butittakessomegettingused
to.”Ronstated, Despitetheseissues,Ronrecognisesthebenefitsthe increasedeconomicactivityhasbroughttothecommunity. Infrastructureimprovementshavebeenoneofthemostvisible changes.“They’vedoneworkontheroad,”hesays.“Itwas yeah,it’sstillthetrucksthatarethemainissue.Ithinkifthey couldimplementsomespeedlimitersorsomethingsimilar,it wouldhelpalot.”
tunitiesforhimselfandthecommunityatlarge.Ashestated, “I’vebeenworkingwiththemforoverayearnow,”Ron shared.TheconvenienceofhisjobisnotlostonRon.“It’s contributedpositivelybecauseit’ssocloseby,”heexplains. “Idon’thavetotravelfaratall.It’slikea10-minutedriveor ashortwalkaway.It’sareallygoodjob,andI’mgratefulfor theopportunity.”
Frommuddypathstobustlingroads
ByShaniyaHarding
NANDRANICharlesis abustlingandfriendly 59-year-oldwoman.Havingspentherentirelife inthecozycommunityof FreeandEasy,shesays shehasneverseenchange sodrastic.Afteropeninga smallbusinesssellingfood tothecommunity,sheis busierthanever.Shehopes toseecontinuedgrowthin bothhercommunityand herbusiness.
Sixdecadesisalong time,andNandraniehas spentnearlythatlongin FreeandEasy.Nandranie, afree-spiritedperson,describesherchildhoodasa bitwild.Shewasaself-proclaimedfighter,stating, “WhenIwassmall,Iwas lot.”Thismadeforaninterestingchildhoodexperience. AsNandranieshared,her daysofplayinginthevillage createdgreatmemories.
Butresponsibilitywas alsosomethingshegrasped atanearlyage.Theeldest familiarwithfamilyroles anddynamics,caringforher youngersiblings.“Growing wastheeldest.Myfamily usedtodofarming,”she explained. drasticallydifferentfrom whatitwasinheryouth. FreeandEasyborelittle
resemblancetothelively neighbourhooditistoday. Historicallyafarmingcommunity,FreeandEasydependedsolelyonagriculture formanyyearsandwas amongthenotable,larger farmingcommunitiesonthe villagewasamajorproducer ofsugarcanefortheWales sugarestate.
NandraniesharedsentimentsechoedbymanypeopleofFreeandEasy:challengeswithschooling.The neighbouringVive-La-Force isthelocationfortheclosest schooltothecommunity, alittleunderamileaway. Inyearspast,travellingto schooloranywhereoutside ofthecommunityprovedtoschool.Wewouldhave ourshoesinplasticbags.We School.”
Afterleavingschool, Nandraniegotmarriedtoher highschoolsweetheartatthe family,shestated,“Myhusbandisfromthecommunity too.Wegrewuptogether andgotmarried.”Anamazingmatch,theyoungcouple facedmanychallengesin FreeandEasy.“Bushyand Muddy”ishowNandranie describedthevillageinits earlieststages.
Comparingherpastto currenttimes,Nandranie emphasisedthesignificant
developmentFreeandEasy hasseenininfrastructure, accessibility,andconvenience.“Nowthingsare better.Wehavegoodroads, morevehiclesinthevillage, anditiseasierforthechildrenofthecommunity,”she stated.Withtheintroduction ofnewprojects,thepopulationandbusinessventures haveseenarecentrise.
Nandranie.Overtheyears, shesays,thecommunityhas seencountlesschangesand
stages.Usingtheroadsas anexampleofthevillage’s development,shestated, “Asthecommunitysees progress,wehavechanged. Wewentfrommudtoloam. Fromloamtothisroadwe havenow.Frompondwater topipewater.”
Nandranie’ssnackette hasquicklybecomeone ofthemostfamoushot spotsinthecommunity. Althoughitwasrecently opened,Nandranie’slittle greatforce.Beginningjust threemonthsago,herfood hasquicklybecomeamong themostnotableinthe community.“Iopenedthe businessafewmonthsago andpeoplelikemyfood;a lotofpeoplecomehere,” sheshared.
Thecurrentindustrialprojectshappeningin thecommunityhavehad far-reachingimpacts.Goingbeyondthepeopleem-
ployed,businessessuchas
“NowthatwehavetheExxonprojecthappening,there aremorepeoplecoming intothecommunityand morepeoplecomingtothe village,”sheexplained.The veryeconomyofthecommunityseemstohavebeen changed,accordingtoNandranie,andhasplayedabig roleindevelopingbusiness-
Butthisisnottheonly reasonforthesuccessofher business.AsNandranietoldMostpeoplecomeherefor getverybusy,”shestated proudly.
At59,Nandraniestill runsherbusinessonher own,acceptingverylittle
claimedGuyanesedishes.
Somedaysitisup,other daysitisdown,”Nandranie shared.Intheshorttimeher businesshasbeenupand running,Nandraniesays thatshewassurprisedto seehowmuchsupportithas garnered.
ersandincreasedactivity duetotheExxonproject havecertainlycontributed tohersuccess,Nandranie’sbecomeparticularlyfamous, drawingpeoplefromwithin andbeyondFreeandEasy. AsFreeandEasycontinuestoevolve,Nandranie hopestoseeherbusiness growalongsidethecommunity.Bothhavefacedchallenges,adaptedtochanges andarenowpoisedfora
Thisshouldbepartofour currentawareness,aslong asweareconsciousofhow thecinemashavehidden andredesignedtheworld. Thiswasdonetoappease thesocialandculturalpayingpatrons,whetherthey wereconditionedracistsor not,whoseangerandrejectionofahigh-endmovie, couldhavesubdued,even thewealthieststudiotoits knees.Sowewereshaped bymovieslike“Pickup onSouthStreet”,a1953 gangstermoviewiththelate RichardWidmark.
From1953, popularfilms likethementionedandnumerousothers becamemidweekshows longaftertheir debutrun.The importantthing isthatthere werelocalconversationsthat couldquotethe scriptsfrom moviecharacters,theninternaliseand
colonisetheanxiousnessof localinnuendos,like;“Here’s somedough,gobuyyourself aclosetfullofclothes.”Such filmsmayhaveinfluenced theriseofthe65ccHonda motorcycles,asassociated withthestreets,andG-T Hustlersinthelate60s-70s andthefactofhowthathappened.
“TheycallmeMr.Tibbs” willalwaysresonatewiththe generationthatsawSydney Poitierwalkontothescreen, whichisevenmoreimpressivethan“InTheHeatOf TheNight”fromthe1970s, makingroomfortheAfro-Americanpresence.
Fastforwardtonow, onsocialmedia,don’tlook foranoverflowofcinematic-like,intelligent, memorablelanguagewith depth.Thathascompeted withthetopicsattempted tobringintodiscussion
Onsocialmedia,youwill engagesingleconvincing opinionsthat‘should’lead
youtoexploreandverify whetherwhatissaidis genuineornot.Topicson Facebook,etc.,command youtoexplore,whiletheceptsanddialoguetogo withit.Thesewerealready cases,incomplete. Whatwehavenotestablishednowisthenecessityto explorebecauseeverything wearechallengedtounderstandtoday,throughwhatis saidinafewwordsonsocial media,hasanadditionalnarrativeattachedtoit.Every magicalbodyshaper,every potencytablet,whetheritis politicsorentertainment,do notbemesmerisedintoswift conclusions;explore.Inits highfavour,socialmediahas theabsenceofrebuttalsthat views.
Theadvantageofsocialmediaisitsvolumeof worldstoexplorewhile secondspast.Ireferto thatconditionasmen-
talindigestionwithouta provenantidote.Igrew upinatimewhenthere weretermsdrilledintothe awarenesslike-“Readbetweenthelines”and“And so,comparetowhatissaid asagainstwhatisdone?” Theabsenceofthatadvice todaycaneasilyleaveyouences,includinglegionsof cyber-crooks.Donotthink foronemomentthatthe itemsonyoursmartphone arebadunlessyou’reinto somethingyoushouldn’t beinto-yep,‘Bigbrother iswatchingyou’.Source andreadthebookthatthe quotecamefrom.Youneed toknowwhatwe’retalking about.NeithertheS-Phone normoviesaregoinganywhere.Butdon’tmakethis technologyyouronlysource needtoreadbooks.They’re fullofrecommendations forfurtherclarification. Thiserawe’reinisrooted inneedtoknow,sogetthe ballmentallyrolling.
SHEstoodintheshadows onthepavement,waiting forherfriend’scuetostep intothelight.Shewasa girlofthenight,abrown beautywithaprovocativeflair,attributesthat attractedclientswithrich wallets.
Theunprecedentednatureoffatesometimescausesdetoursinaperson’slife.
camewithaprice,andin hermind,shegrewastrong desireforsomethingnew.
Sometimelater,shehad foundsomethingdangerous andunconventional.
toleratethejestsandtaunts ofotherchildren.
therestaurant,thoughhehad tofacethequietovertures frommalecustomersona dailybasis.
Shesteppedoutinthe lightatherfriend’ssignal, dressedinashort,body-huggingdressandwalkingin highheels.Sheswayedher hipsjustalittleforthatnaturalgait.Hehadpulledupin aLexus,impressedwiththis ladyofthenightandsmiled expectantlyasshestepped
Hismother,atolerant womanwhowasstrongin herChristianfaith,couldnot answerallhisquestions.
“Why?”hehadasked, “WasIbornthisway?”
“It’sGod’swill,son.” Shehadanswered.
fairandverygood-looking,alityandlavishlifestylewho alsotriedtoenticeJonathan intoanothertypeofwork.
“Callmewhenyouthink you’rereadytostepoutina newoutlooktomakesome realmoney,”Jonathonhad putJade’scallingcardaway, notsobravetotakeupthe
“Thereissomuchapersoncouldtake,”heseethed, ofhismind.
Buthehadwarnedhimselfoverandover,“Stay focused,Jonathan,don’tbe tempted.”
“God’swill,”hehas scoffed,“God’swilltobe teasedandtaunted?”
“Youhavetobestrong, Jonathan.”Closetotears,his
Shehadbeenlivinga simplelifesixmonthsago, workinginapopularrestaurantandhavinganicesociallifewithafewspecial friends.Shewas,though,a poorgirlwithlifebeinga continuousstruggle,living inasmallhouseinadepressedarea.Hermother, awomanofGod,never complainedandcontinued toworkhard,holdingonto faithandhopesforabetter tomorrow.
“Whenwouldthathappen?”Joannahadwondered, becausehersmallsalarywas notcreatingmuchchange forabetterlife.
Thepatienceshehad exercisedbeinganobedientandgoodyoungperson hadstartedtowearthin.As shegrewolder,sheknew successinlifesometimes
intotheluxuryride.Onher sojourntonightshewould beginsomethingthechurch deemedimmoral.
Joannaglancedatthe manbesideherandsaidsilently,“Forgiveme,mother, butIhavetodothis.”
Shehadtakenabold stepinlifetobewhatshe wasnot.
Jonathanwasthename giventothebabyboywhom themotherhadbroughtforth inthisworld,buthecould notbetheboyshethought hewouldbe.
Hegrewupwithgirlish tendenciesandmannerisms, andtryashecouldtobe anormalboy,hefailed. Societyrecognisedhimas
motherhadimploredhim,“I broughtyouintothisworld asmysonandIwillalways loveyouassuch.”
“Itried,Mother,”Joanna saidtoherselfasthecar stoppedatahoteljustoutof town,“Ireallytried.”
AsJonathangrewolder, hehadbecomealittlebraver todefendhimselfforwho hewas,anddespitethose challenges,hestillfound somegoodfriends.Buthe wascarefulnottowalkwith anyoneonthewrongpath untilonenightatahouse party,hemetsomeonenew namedJade.
Jadehadbeenwalkinga age.Jadewasatransgender,
“Thatwillmostlikely killmymother,”hethought tohimself.
Hecontinuedhisjobat
Butitwasnotthetemptationforsomethingbetterfor himselfthatpushedhimtoa lifeonthestreetsasaladyof
thenightnamed‘Joanna’.It wastheurgentneedsofhis familyandhisdesperationto wrestthemfromtheunkind handsofpoverty.Hismother’sbodyhadbecomeworn andtiredfromlonghoursof workasacleaneroverthe yearsasshegrappledtoprovideforherfamily.Thegood medicationandnourishment sheneeded,shecouldnot afford,silentlybattlingher illness.
SEEPAGEXXV
Aplaceof...
FROMPAGEVI
bridalandbabyshowers.Thisyear,shewants tocompletesixthemed eventsandistryingto collaboratewithlocal businesses.
Shewantstooffer uniqueeventsandexperiencestothepublic. “Peoplecomplainthat thereisnotalottodoin Guyana;nothingoutside ofthepartyscene;goto themoviesandthemall,
whichisverymundaneandthenthere’sashowhereand there.SoItoldmyselfIwillmakeeventsthatarenew.”
CommentingonherupcomingSipandPaintevent,she said:“Theseeventsprovideanalternativetopeoplelooking forsomethingtodooutsideofthepartyscene.Thisisvery tranquil,quiet;IusuallyhostitonSundayssothisissomethingnicetounwindontheweekends,outsideofthepartyingandthedrinkingandtheloudmusic;nothingiswrong withthatbutsomepeoplearelookingforalternatives.”
Dishaalreadyhasherideasaboutthenewandexcitingeventsshewantstointroduce.Onemorething shesharedisadrive-throughcinemaexperience.With avenuealreadyinmindandotherdetailssorted,sheis hopingthiswillbecomearealitybyChristmas.
ApastSipandPainteventbyDisha
THEVenezuelanmediaandpoliticianshavebeenkeepingtheiraggressiveclaimtoovertwo-thirdsofGuyana’sterritoryalive.Fromtimetotime,theydeploy soldiersandarmamentsontheborderwiththethreat ofinvasion.Lessthantwoyearsago,theirmapsshowed theEssequiboregionseparatefromGuyanaas“azone ofreclamation”;nowitisshownasastateofVenezuela andtheMadurogovernmenthasactuallyappointeda Governorforthe‘state’!
Thiskindofdementedgaucheriewouldhavebeen consideredcomicalinthe21stcentury,butGuyanahasto takeitveryseriouslysinceVenezuelalivesinaworldof the18thand19thcenturieswhenstatescouldacquireterritorybyaggression,oncetheirarmieswerestrongerthan theirneighbours.’ExamplesofthisarePrussia’sseizure ofSilesiafromPolandorGermany’sseizureofSchleswig/ HolsteinfromDenmark,andthepartitioningofAfrica.The mainreasonforthisanachronisticstateofmindisVenezuela’sdevotiontotheBolivariancultwhenSimonBolivar, aquintessential18th-centuryman,wentoverSouthAmericaaftertheendoftheNapoleonicwarsin1815carving countriesoutofthedecayingSpanishEmpireandtheother reasonisthatGuyana,amilitarilyweak,thoughoil-rich forceswhichishundredsoftimesstrongerthanGuyana’s. Guyana,ontheotherhand,livesinthemodernworld, andthiscausesittotreattheVenezuelanthreatasbeing resolvablebylegalmeans.However,Guyanahastobe constantlyawareofVenezuela’sanachronisticcastof mind.Unfortunately,suchacastofmindstakesalongtime tochange,andVenezuelacanonlyberestrainedfromany adventurismbydiplomacy.
Theinternationalcommunityiscommittedtopreservingthepeaceoftheworld,especiallyinSouthAmerica. Accordingly,theOAS,theCommonwealth,theUnited States,theUnitedKingdom,CARICOMandmanyEuropeanCommunitycountriesaresupportiveofGuyana. TheyarealsosupportiveofGuyanabecauseitisclear thatVenezuelaistheaggressorandGuyanaisthevictim. TheywillrestrainVenezuelauntiltheInternationalCourt ofJustice(ICJ)adjudicatesonthecontroversy. thiscontroversy:in1841,theBritishGovernmentengaged thewell-knownGermancartographerRobertSchombergk todemarcateBritishGuiana’sboundaries,whichhesuccessfullycompleted.Venezuelathenraisedanobjection, claimingthatSchombergkhadtakenpartoftheirterritory. TheBritishdidnotacceptVenezuela’sclaim,andVenezuelathenapproachedtheUnitedStatesforsupport,citing theMonroeDoctrine.PresidentGroverCleveland,ananti-Britishpersonality,hadeventhreatenedwarifBritaindid notcometothetablewithVenezuela.Venezuela,however, demandedaTreatyofArbitration,resultingintheTreatyof Washingtonin1897betweenVenezuelaandBritain.Jose AndradesignedthetreatyonbehalfofVenezuelaanditwasedbyVenezuela,twoappointedbyBritainwithaneutral Chairman.VenezuelaappointedtheChiefJusticeSEEPAGEXXX
Acallformoreyouth-centredsocialgroups
IN2014,Iwasapartofmychurch’syouthgroup,and itwastherethatIrealisedmytruepotentialincommunitydevelopmentandsupport.Oursmallchurch groupwouldseekfundingfromcommunitymembers toexecutesmallprojectsforthecommunitysuchas suicidewalksorhamperdistributions.Iamgrateful forthatopportunitybecausethecompassionIfeltfrom thoseprojectsresultedinmestudyingSocialWorkata laterageattheUniversityofGuyana.Apartfromthe projectsexecuted,Ialsohadmanymentorsandfriends Tothisveryday,manyofthosementorsstillassistmein myprofessionalandpersonaljourney.Assuch,Iamwritingthisweek’scolumnwithapleaforcommunityleaders tocontinuethedevelopmentofYouthGroupsthroughout Guyana.ManyofmycolleaguesandIgainedoursupport
tobuildpositivefriendshipsandrelationshipsthatwillimprove theirsocialandmentalwellbeing.
Ifyou’reacommunityleaderandyou’relookingfora signtostartorrestartthatyouthgroupinitiativeinyour
andevenastrengthenedidentityfromyouthgroups.A successfulyouthgroupnotonlyboastsofitsprojectsand initiatives.Youthgroupsallowyoungpeopletodevelop importantpersonalandinterpersonalskills.Skillsnecessary fortheoverallsuccessoflifesuchasdecision-makingor criticalthinkingcaneasilybelearnedinyouthgroups.
Ithinkthemostimportantaspectofthesegroups shouldbethementorship,thelessonslearnedandthe characterdevelopmentthateachmemberundergoes. Youthgroupsshouldhaveatargetgroup,yes,butshould alsostrivetobeinclusive.Toooften,I’veseenyouth groupmembersbecomingverycomfortablewiththe existingmembership,sotheydonotextendinvitesfor otherstojoin.YouthGroupscantargetvariousmembersandinterests,suchassports,religion,music,social developmentorevenacademics.
Whateverthetargetoractivitiesare,theyshouldbe ledbyateamoftrainedanddedicatedindividualswhoare theideaofformingagroupjusttoformagroupforthesake ofit.Thatshouldnotbethecase.Iurgeallleaderswho wanttotakeupthismantletounderstandwhatitmeansto beamentorandnotexperimentwithouryouth’slives.If youinthecause.
Idohopecommunityleaderstakeheedofthisbecause manyoftheyoungpeopleinourcommunitiesareturning tosubstanceabuse,crimeanddelinquency.Thisisquite unfortunate,andIbelievethesearetheconsequencesofthe shortageofyouthandcommunitygroupsacrossGuyana. Infact,whilesomegroupsexist,theyaren’tallfunctioning, educationalandmotivationalgroups.ThatisapointI’dlike toemphasiseonmovingforward.
Insomecommunities,theyouthgroupistheonlysafe spacewhereyoungpeoplemightfeelcomfortableandexpressive—safeenoughtobethemselvesamongadultsthey trust.Ifyoudeprivethemofthat,youneglecttheirability togrowsafelyandcomfortably.Italsoallowsyoungpeople
community,school,churchorvillage—thenusethisasthe signtodoso.Theyouthinyourcommunitydependupon yourleadership,andItrustyouwilldowhat’srightintheir interest.
Joanna...
FROMPAGEXIII
Hisyoungsisterwanted tostudybusinessmanagement,butthelackoffundshaltedherprogress.There wasneverenoughfoodonthetableforhistwoyounger brothers,normoneyforanewbicycle.
Jonathanlayinbedthinkingofwhatkindofjobhe couldget,wherehecouldnotbetauntedorjudgedin disapprovingtonessohecouldearnmoremoneywhenhe heardthesoftcryingofhislittlebrothers.Heknewthey werehungry,andhetriedtocomfortthem.
Hismother’scoughinghadsubsidedforthemoment,
Findingthecard,hemadethatcalltoJade.
Afewdayslater,heawokelateonemorningandsaw hismothersittingatthekitchentable,atenselookon herface.
“Goodmorning,mother.”Hegreetedher,butshedid notrespondandafteralongmoment,sheaskedhim.
“Wherewereyousolatelastnight?”
“IwenttothetheatrewithRicardo,”helied.
Shelookedathim,adisappointedlookonherface.
“I’mapoorwomanbutI’vealwaystaughtmychildrengoodprinciples,andlyingIdonotlike.Ricardo’s mothersaidhe’sintheinterior.”
AguiltypanghitJonathan,andafteramoment, notwantingtolietoheragain,hesaid,“Iwasoutwith someoneelse.”
“Whoandwhysolate?”
“AnewfriendI’mworkingwithsoIcanbuyyour medication,putenoughfoodonthetableandpaySarah’s schoolfees.”
“Whateverworkyou’redoing,”shesaidquietly,a slightworryinhereyes,“Ihopeit’snothingillegal.” “Yes,Mother,IknowwhatIamdoing,pleasedon’t worry.”
Sheservedhimbreakfast,andwhenshehadleftthe kitchen,hesaidtohimself,ashesippedawell-brewed cupofminttea,“Againstallodds,Itriedtobestrongfor you,SarahandtheboysbecauseIlovemyfamilybut sometimesmother…”hechokedalittlewithemotion, “Thestrongstumbles.”
Hedidnotgooutagainandcontinuedworkingatthe restaurantuntilJadecalled.
“Why?”
“Idon’tknow,maybethere’ssomethingspecialabout you.”
Tobecontinued…
An early...
FROMPAGEIII
Writingupareceiptbyhimself laboratewithherasoneofthe youngestentrepreneursather event,wherehelaunchedthebusiness.
Hewasabletohavealittletablewithhisitemslaidout withoutanyone’shelp.“Hesetuphistable,putuphislittle signage,gotdressedwithhisbagandwhenhiscustomers cametohim,hewasabletointroducehimselfandtellthem abouthisbusiness,”Channeyrecalled.
Christopherwasabletowriteuphisreceipts,makehis customer’schange;heusedacalculatorifitwasalarge amount.“Hewasonehundredpercentinvolvedwiththe business,”hismomsaid.
Wheneverhewouldneedtoorderitemsforthebusiness, thisiswherehisparentswouldstepin.Theywouldgoonline, showhimtheitemsandhewouldpointoutwhathethinks hiscustomerswouldlike.
Followingthelaunch,hewasabletogetashelfspace atTheSachStore,locatedoppositeWoodlandsHospitalon CarmichaelStreetinGeorgetown,wherehisitemsareavailableforpurchase.
Asadedicatedkids’stationaryshop,LittleBEspecialises inprovidinga“magical”selectionofstationaryitemsthat inspireyoungmindsandbringjoytolearning,creativityand crafting.
“AtLittleBE,weunderstandthatchildrenneed morethanjustfunctionaltools;theyneedproductsthatspark theirimaginationandmakeeverydayactivitiesfunandexciting.
Fromcolourfulnotebooksandquirkypencilstoinnovativeartsuppliesandfunaccessories,ourshopisahavenfor kidswholovetoexpressthemselvesthroughwriting,drawing andcrafting,”Channeysaid.
Asaparticipantoftherecentlyheld‘Roadto Growth’programmebyActionINVESTCaribbeanInc.,the CherieBlairFoundationforWomenandExxonMobilFounfromtoolssharedtodevelopherentrepreneurialskills.
Asamomandbusinessownerwitha9to5job,sheexplainedthatitwaschallengingtojuggleitall.However,she wasabletocreateawork-lifebalance.
Herwordofencouragementtofellowsmallbusiness owners:“Dounderstandthatthejourneyaheadwould bechallenging,butitisalsorewardingbeyondmeasure. Eachsetbackisalessonandasteppingstonethatbrings youclosertoyourgoal.”
Fromnothing to...
selectedforatrainingcoursethatAnsaMcAlDistribution Incsponsored,hemadeuseofit.
Franciswastrainedtobecomeacertifiedmixologist specialisinginmojitoswiththeBacardiandLatinbrands recognisedinSouthAmerica. However,heusedhisnew-
Someofthe cocktailsmade byFlazoFrancis,thecertiFROMPAGEII
Fromnothing to...
foundtrainingtoworklocallyandbecamerecognisedforhis skills.Hehasapassionforcocktails,andaftersometimehe
Duringthistime,herecalledhewasworkingatthe AltitudeBar.WhenCOVID-19hit,hewentbackhometo Massara,NorthRupununi,tospendtimewithhisfamily.
ogist,andhewaselated.HelaterbeganworkingatFroggy’s
RestaurantandBarandhemetLennyScotty,nowownerof Scotty’sSmokeHouseatLiliendaal,GreaterGeorgetown, whomotivatedhim.
HetoldthePepperpotMagazinethathewaslateremployedastheheadbartenderatScotty’sSmokeHouseand waspromotedtoBarManager.
andhavingbeenpromotedinathree-weekperiodthatreally empoweredmetodomoreanditisagoodfeelingtoberewardedforhardwork,”hesaid.
Francisstatedthatdespitechallenges,hecamefromhumblebeginnings,andtoday,hehasutilisedtheopportunitiesthat camehiswayandmadesomethingofhimself.Hefeelstruly proudandblessedtobeabletodoso.
“I’mtrulygratefulforeveryonewhomadeagreatimpact andinputinmylife,whocontinuestoshowloveandsupport tomysuccessandachievements,”hesaid.
Hewouldliketogivebacktothecommunitytohelp upcomingbartendersandmixologists;evensmall-business entrepreneursbyprovidinghisexpertiseingivingthema chancetolearn,grow,andinvesttoaddvaluetoGuyana’s foodandbeverageindustry.
FROMPAGEXXVIII
FROMPAGEXVI
oftheUnitedStatesandan equallyprominentAmerican judgeandBritainappointed twoequallyprominentBritishjudgeswithDeMaatens,a veryrespectedandprominentRussianjudgeasChairman. ThearbitratorsscouredthearchivesofSpain,Holland, andBritain,conductedthoroughdeliberations,andmade theirawardin1899.Allpartiesacceptedtheawardand theVenezuelanswereparticularlyjubilant,evenprinting postagestampsinhonouroftheaward.
TheVenezuelanswereparticularlypleasedthatthe BritishlosttheirclaimtothemouthoftheOrinocoRiver. TheVenezuelansinsistedthattheboundarybedemarcated withimmediacy,andin1900,aJointBoundaryCommissionofBritishandVenezuelansurveyorswenttowork
GuyanaandVenezuela.
Inthe1960s,Britainwasdeterminedtowithdrawfrom andgiveitsCaribbeancolonies,includingBritishGuiana, theirindependence.ThesuccessorindependentGuyana GovernmentwasexpectedtobeundertheleadershipofDr CheddiJagan,aMarxist.TheUSAfeltthatDrJaganwould linkupwithCuba,aCommuniststateandacloseallyof theUSSRwithwhomtheUSAwasinthethroesofthe ColdWar.TheUSAaccordinglyopposedthegrantingof Guiana’sindependence,andVenezuela,thenanAmerican aposthumousletterwrittenbyMallet-Prevost,oneofthe juniorlawyersattheArbitration,claimingthatthedecision wasriggedinfavourofBritain.
TheveracityofMallet-Prevost’slettercouldnotbe proved,andVenezuelanintellectualcirclesdidnotgive BritainandVenezuela,however,arrivedattheGenevaAgreementof1966,inwhichitwasagreedthatthe controversywouldbesettledwithinfouryears.Withthe GenevaAgreement,BritainwasfreetograntGuyanaits independence,whichitdidinMay,1966.
ProcessunderUnitedNationsauspices,andifthisfailed, theUNSecretaryGeneralwastaskedwithchoosinga modeofsettlementwhichbothpartieswoulduse.After nearly30years,thecontroversyremainedunsettledand Process.ThecontroversythenrevertedtotheUNSecretaryGeneralandhechosetheInternationalCourtofJustice
Venezuelacontinuestomakebellicosethreats againstGuyanaandthesecompelGuyanatoalways beonthealert.
IMPROVINGWRITING
[Rememberthatdialoguehelpsmakestory writingmoreinteresting.Itbuildsupcharacter,rywritingasaninsurmountablechallenge.Make dialogueenhancecharacterandstoryline.Ashort andsuitablechatortwowouldbeenoughtoembed readerinterestinyourshortstory.]
MOSTpeoplewanttohavewhiterteeth.Thatcanhappen,especiallyiftheteetharestained.Ifyouwereborn withteethdarkerthanyouwouldprefer,thenthesolutionislaminates,whichIwilldealwithinalaterarticle. Thereareseveralreasonswhyteetharestained.Foods, beverages,andmedicationsmaydiscolourteeth.Smoking alsoleadtostaining.Inothercases,discolourationmay betheresultofgeneticsordisease.Microcrackscaused bychewingiceorotherhardobjectscantrapstains mayrapidlyreturn.
Ifyourteetharestainedordiscoloured,chancesare youhavegonetosomelengthstoachieveawhiter,brighter smile.Perhapsyouhaveexperimentedwiththevarietyof toothpastesonthemarkettoday,purchasedsomeofthe homebleachingkitssoldindrugstoresandsupermarkets, ortodrawattentionawayfromyourteethoraccentuated yourhairstyleorclothing.Butunfortunately,manyofthese
becauseofstainedordiscolouredteeth.Suitablecosmetic dentaltreatmentcanprovidebothpredictableandpositive long-termresults.
Whatstainsteeth?Stainedteethcanbecausedby stain-producingfoodssuchasbetelnuts,blueberries,curry,greenscoloureddrinks,orredwine.Smokingisbadin surfacestains.
Stopstainingyourteethby
Avoidsmoking
Makeregularvisitstoyourdentistforprofessional cleanings havecompoundsthatcanhelpremoveminorstainsfora Plaquecanbuilduponteethandcancausestains,re-
occurprimarilybetweenteethandonsurfacesofcrooked usuallybemanagedwithdailyoralhygieneandregular dentalvisitsforprofessionalcleanings.Itmaybetrappedin microcracksandrequireamoreaggressivetreatmentthan professionalcleaningalone.However,bleachingcancause
lourthantherestoftheteeth.Mouthwasheswhichcontain chlorhexidinecancontributetostaining.
ment-likesubstancethatformswhenplaqueisnotremoved. areasaroundthegumline,mostoftenonthelowerfront teethandtypicallydisappearafterthoroughdentalscaling andpolishing.Itisusefultouseaplaque-disclosingagentto
Intrinsicstainsarepartofthetoothstructureitself. Thismayresultfromgenetics,disease,ortheuseofmedicationssuchastetracycline.Intrinsicstainsincludewhite spotsontheenamelsurfaceandbandsofbrownish-grey acrosstheteeth.Itmaybecausedbyfaultytoothhardeningbeforebirthortheinterruptionofnormalenamel formationbymedicationsordisease.Itoftenappearsin
peoplewhoweretreatedwiththeantibiotictetracycline beforetheageofeightyearsorwhosemotherstookthedrug whilepregnant.Itcanalsoresultfromusingtheantibiotic
minocyclineormaybecausedbyadvanceddecayoroldor forintrinsicstainsincludeslaminates,veneersandbonding.