Sunday, July 23, 2023
Award-winning Guyanese MUA, Reneé Chester, is the new National Director of the Miss Global International– Guyana (MGI-G) pageant franchise and has big plans for transforming the local pageant industry (Michael Bonds photo)
New national director of the Miss Global International Pageant - Guyana has big plans in the making
- Promises all-round development, tremendous support for local contestants
“THE glass ceiling has been broken.” That’s how the newly elected president of the Guyana Ex-Police Association of America (GEPAOA) Inc, Gem Sampson, recently described her elevation to the prestigious post.
Fifty-six years after the formation of the association, which is based in New York, it is being led by a woman. And for good measure, the First Vice-president, Joan Emmanuel, is also a female. Sampson replaces Irwin Daniels, who served in the position for the past four years.
In an interview with the Sunday Pepperpot, an effervescent Sampson said she has no intention of sitting on her laurels and will immediately tackle what she describes as her main concerns, among them reintroducing the scholarship fund, which became dormant a few years ago since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Sampson, the fund assisted youngsters
attending college and helped the Guyana Ex-Police Association at home in several ways. Among her other priorities is managing the association’s building, which she said is managed by a special committee since the asso -
ciation itself is a non-profit organisation, while the building doesn’t fall under that category. She pointed out that a meeting has already been planned for August 13, when matters pertaining to the management of the building will be ventilated.
Sampson described the new executive committee as a “diverse group” since it consists of a mixture of men and women and she’s extremely pleased with its composition.
Sampson joined the Guyana Police Force in the late 60s and, while at the Police Training School, did a short stint at Operations Room, Brickdam,during the Christmas season before returning to complete her training. She was then transferred to Force Control, where she spent most of her career, apart from a two-year stint at Linden, where she was Corporal in charge of the registry.
Back at Force Control, Sampson continued her journey in the force until she called it quits in 1978 and migrated to the USA the following year.
Boasting of her academic
successes, Sampson said,“I went back to school where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work.” Following her achievements, Sampson was employed with the City of New York Children Services until her retirement in 2010.
Encouraged by her father, who was also a member of the Guyana Police Force, Sampson joined GEPAOA in 2012 and has been a member ever since. She previously served as Second Vice-president, Secretary on several committees and was the First Vice-president before the last Annual General Meeting.
Sampson comes from a heavy policing background. Her father Wilfred “Champ” Sampson retired as Sergeant, and her brothers Oswald
– Superintendent, Cecil –Sergeant and Charles – Constable. Her son, John, who resides in Toronto, Canada, also served as President of the Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada (GEPAC) despite never being a member of the force. He was elected based on the Constitution,allowing former members’ children to be part of the body.
Following a preliminary meeting by eight former members of the Guyana Police Force on March 25, 1967, GEPAOA was eventually established on April 16 the same year with 22 ex-members attending the inaugural meeting.
On May 21 of that same year,a constitution was duly enacted and a Welfare Fund implemented.
The objective of GEPAOA is to foster good relations, fellowship and cooperation; to encourage cultural development and to provide mutual assistance to, and welfare of, its members and the community at large.
Apart from Sampson and Emmanuel, the other executive members are: Colin Griffith – Second Vice-president, Joan Bholo-Secretary, Victor Morrison -Treasurer, Simone Burkett-Rollins - Assistant Treasurer, Coleen Bholo-Dey - Welfare Officer/ Chaplain, Irwin Daniels – Public Relations Officer, Shawn Alexander - Recording Secretary, Leon Gibbons - Parliamentarian and Wayne CummingsSergeant-At-Arms.
- ‘The glass ceiling has been broken’GEPAOA President Gem Sampson First Vice-president Joan Emmanuel
- Promises all-round development, tremendous support for local contestants
IN what can only be deemed both a professional and personal endeavour of passion, award-winning makeup artist Reneé Chester has announced that she is the new National Director of the Miss Global International– Guyana (MGI-G) pageant franchise. With this new title under her belt, Reneé has expressed her resounding commitment to transforming the local pageant industry while providing both a memorable and personally transformative experience for Guyana’s future contestants.
In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Reneé shared that she has had a long-standing admiration for pageantry, particularly the Miss Global International Pageant itself, where, in 2010, she was chosen as Guyana’s representative for the international pageant in Jamaica and copped the award for Best Talent. “That experience allowed me to witness firsthand the transformative power of pageants and the positive impact it could make in young women’s lives,” she said. “So that personal experience and witnessing the potential for personal growth and preparedness further fueled my motivation to pursue the Miss Global International Pageant-Guyana franchise.”
Learning from the experiences from her own journey, Reneé identified some areas of improvement she believes need to be made to ensure the contestants have the best support possible in representing Guyana, soher new title will now allow her to ensure those gaps are filled. “I want to create that same life-changing opportunity for other young women in Guyana and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents, amplify their voices, and inspire them to become confident leaders,” she said.
Passion aside, the decision to undertake this new role came after much research,negotiation, completion of legal and administrative procedures, and meticulous planning and preparation,Reneé said. “The process aimed to establish a solid foundation for the pageant’s operations in Guyana while ensuring alignment with the international organisation’s values and reflecting the unique aspirations of both Guyana and the Miss Global International Pageant standard in Jamaica,” she explained.
Now that the technical matters are behind her, preparation
for this year’s pageant in Jamaica on September 16 is underway. “My primary focus for this year’s Inter national leg of the Miss Global In ternational Pageant is to put Guyana first and showcase the beauty, talent, and rich culture of our country on the international stage. I have several impressive aspects planned to ensure that Guyana leaves a lasting impres sion at the pageant by showcasing Guyana’s unique identity but also creating an immersive experience for the contestants and audience,” she said.
The theme of the pageant is “Uniting the world through beauty and Tourism” and Reneé plans to leverage that tourism focus to show case Guyana’s natural wonders. “I aim to use the pageant as a platform to promote tourism in Guyana, showcasing our breathtaking land scapes, eco-tourism opportunities, and unique experiences to an in ternational audience,” she said. To achieve this feat, Reneé will be leaning on the unique talents of some of Guyana’s fashion icons like Quinton Pearson, Keisha Edwards, and Roberto Teekah. “This will not only add to the cultural richness of the pageant but also remind the world of Guyana’s significant presence and contributions on a global scale,” Reneé said.
Reneé is driven by the ambition of consecutively bringing home the crown for Guyana over the next five years while securing nationwide support for every Queen chosen to represent the country. “This support will boost the confidence and morale of the queen during her preparation for the international pageant,” she said. “I also plan to actively collaborate with a wide range of local brands, organisations, and ministries to showcase the unity and diversity of Guyana. This collaboration will highlight the collective effort to promote Guyanese talent and culture.” Reneé also hopes to
host a grand coronation event in future years, which will serve as the ultimate celebration of beauty, talent, and Guyanese culture, attracting a wide audience and creating a memorable experience for all involved.
Reneé’s recent acquisition of the franchise meant she had to select a suitable contestant within record time. Having alreadymade that selection, she is confident in her decision. “I had the opportunity to meet her in a professional setting. She was introduced to me by a close friend and fellow businesswoman who recognised her potential.I also had the privilege of working as her makeup artist on several occasions. I had the chance to engage in intense conversations with her. These interactions allowed me to witness her charm, intelligence, and passion for making a difference,” Reneé explained. “Witnessing her humility, dedication and hearing her speak passionately about her goals, aspirations and intentions to bring home the crown, I was convinced that she was the perfect choice to become the Queen of Miss Global International-Guyana. That commitment to making a positive impact and her willingness to embrace the responsibilities of the title was truly inspiring.”
As to the identity of this new Guyanese Queen, Reneé said that it will be revealed publicly in the coming weeks so that the public can celebrate her journey and support her as she embraces the role of an ambassador for Guyana. As a lead-up to the pageant, Reneé and the team will be working closely with the Queen to ensure she has all the tools to represent Guyana. This includes extensive training and preparation from fitness to history lessons, mentorship, elocution and pageant coaching. “MGI-G is committed to providing her with the support and resources she needs to succeed, and we believe she has the potential to make a lasting impact,” the national director said.
Guyana has performed exceptionally well at the MGI pageant, including Reneé’s stint which won her Best Talent. In 2016, Poonam Singh also placed as First Runner Up and brought home six awards. For Reneé, the only way for such good perfoamce to continue is through preparation. “We have developed a comprehensive
GUYANA’S annual Emancipation Festival has always served as a family-oriented activity where people of African Descent can gain knowledge about who they are and experience where their ancestors would have come from.
This year, African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) celebrates its 30th anniversary and 30th Emancipation Celebration on August 1, at the National Park.
This also marks ACDA’s ninth year celebrating Emancipation during the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), which was started in January 2015and will end on December 31, 2024.
This year is also extremely significant to the Guyanese people since August 18 will mark the 200th Anniversary of the 1823 Demerara Rebellion, an important turning point in the fight against the British imperial plantation system and global chattel slavery. This ties the two celebrations together beautifully.
The Festival’s Coordinator, Aisha Haynes, spoke with the Pepperpot this week and delved into details on the history of the Emancipation Day festival and what we can expect on August 1.
“The whole purpose of the festival is tocelebrate and commemorate 1834,the end of chattel slavery, not in Guyana, but around the world, because most of the stuff that happened in Guyana also stirred and created change around the world,” she said.
She added that this year, they arehonouring the martyrs of 1823. “So, it’s the 200th year of that revolt. Because of that, we’re focusing on the villagewhere that happened. And that, that happened on August 18 at Bachelor’s Adventure Village.”
Bachelor’s Adventure, a Village on the East Coast Demerara, between Paradise
and Enterprise, was selected as the significant history to be honoured at this year’s festival; and according to ACDA, it is situated on former estate land, or what was considered as sugar land, which once played a role in Guyana’s history 200 years ago. At this village, the sole significant armed confrontation occurred between the government forces and the enslaved Africans of the East Coast who rose up in 1823.
Moreover, the 1823 Demerara Rebellion displayed incredible daring, courage, the effectiveness of group action, andthe capacity of the enslaved to shape their own fate by attacking the institutional and physical embodimentof their servitude.
On August 1, all roads will lead to the National Park, where thousands will line up to witness and participate in several activities for the entire day.
The day begins with a sunrise service at 05:30hrs, followed by an Ansa McAL sponsored Cook—Up competition from 12 to 14:00hrs; then the best-dressed competition from 15:00hrs –16:00hrs. According to Haynes, the cook-up competition will feature vegetarian cook-up and cook-up with different types of meat in them.
She explained that part of the reason why some people look forward to these events is because some of these dishes are widely tried on Emancipation Day. Haynes said, “I think after, there’s a greater anticipation. I feel a lot of people are really excited. All types of people, all backgrounds, all ages, seem very invested, very excited.” She said, “What I want to emphasise is that it’s an entire day. It’s a festival.”
She further explained that it’s not a show, but a festival that has live music and live elements. She said further, that the Emancipation Festival is THE largest cultural festival in the region.
“We have other people
around the Caribbean wanting to come to Guyana for our Emancipation Festival. So, with that, I’ve gotten a lot of interests from different walks of life, from different parts of the region not just Guyana,” she said.
Aisha noted that at their auditions last Sunday, there were Venezuelan groups who had a translator explain that they wanted to be on stage for this event. She said, “The amount of interest and drive, I’m really excited to see people feel so excited about it,”
Continuing she said, “Everybody has their own interests, like even between the fashion competitions; We do the best dressed in the park, where we go through and we pick people and that’s a whole vibe by itself.”
Additionally, the gates open at 10:00hrs and the activities lead into performances from international and regional performers.
These range from Grammy Award-winning Morgan Heritage and Band; to International Award Winning Afrobeat star Stonebwoy from Ghana. A series of international cultural presentations and regional drumming groups will also be held. These events will be held on centre stage from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs and tarmac stage which starts from 14:00hrs to 20:00hrs.
A number of local artistes will also take the stage, including acrobats, musical artistes, poets (spoken words), and performers, as well as performing groups (dances, skits and so on). Educational booths highlighting the African Cultural and Development Association Story and History, booths: 1823 Rebellion, African Guyanese Village Movement, Hairstyles, History, Music, Names, among other things.
Children will also have the opportunity to see the “Hello ACDA- Guyana” Children’s Parade and
Guyana that come together and have food, drinks and there’s drumming and there’s fashion.”
Focal African countries
Another annual tradition is the choosing of the African Country that will be honoured. This is done by building an educational booth for that country. This year 2023, the focus will be BENIN.
Fun Centre activities from 10:00hrs to 16:30hrs. The Children Centre will have folk games, face painting, storytelling, coloring, and bouncy castles.
A fashion Competition- Judging Centre Stage from15:00hrs to 16:00hrsthe best African dressed: Male, Female, Child and Family. Music, Dance and Poetry Competitions; Food cooking and eating competitions; And Sporting Activities.
Furthermore, it must be noted that the events are aimed at seeing youths in action, demonstrating their skills in the spirit of Emancipation season. The teams taking part are from Georgetown, East Bank, East Coast and West Coast Berbice.
She explained that counting down to Emancipation Day, there is usually a street bazaar. This, she said occurs about two weeks before the festival, and, “Every day in Main Street, there are vendors from different parts of
Benin, is a country with a very rich African influence, history and culture, and will proudly be showcased during the observance of this Emancipation. It is a French-speaking West African nation with a population of approximately 13 million; and is borderedby Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast. It is the birthplace of the vodun (or “voodoo”) religion and home to the former Dahomey Kingdom from circa 1600–1900. The Dahomey Kingdom became popular, especially their “Woman Warriors” after being featured inmovies like ‘The Woman King’ and ‘Black Panther.’
They said that Benin City has always been famous for its“bronzes”; brass work found in museums around the world; some of which is said to date from the 13thcentury.
This year’s Pre-Emancipation Day activities include the launch, which was held on July 6. This was followed by: A Celebration of Life in honour of their Queen Mother, Sister Clementine Marshall; African Street Theater on Main Street from July 17 to 31; and an Emancipation Spiritual Tribute for the 1832 Bicentennial Martyrs at Parade Ground from July 30 to 31.
Post-Emancipation will feature an award ceremony and reception for ACDA’s Akwaaba Centre on August 5.This year’s emancipation theme is “Honoring our 1823 Bicentennial Martyrs, Reviving their Spirit”.
DR . Dexter Todd is one of Guyana’s leading defencelawyers and he recently achieved his Doctorate from Charisma University in Turks and Caicos. In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Dr Todd shared details about his life, career, and his projections for the future.
During his interview, Todd made the point that education is the key to the alleviation of poverty in one’s life.
Originating from a family of seven and being the last of five boys for his mother, Todd noted that he saw faith in his mother.Even though there were many occasions when there was not much to eat daily, his mother still ensured that she put food on the table when she received finances from her domestic work, which sometimes amounted to three or four jobs per day.
Todd mentioned that he began his school career at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School. After he wrote the Common Entrance Examination, now known as the National Grade Six Assessment, he gained a place at the West Demerara Secondary School. He further noted that since his older siblings had already dropped out of school and began working to assist his mother with providing daily food at an early age. Hehad no choice but to re-
main in school and get a good education.
“It was because of the fact that they were always trying to find a little end job so that we can eat, but being the last boy, I was not allowed to drop out of school…Many timesI think of the sacrifices my brothers made… their working made things a little easier for myself and my young sister,” Todd told Pepperpot Magazine.
While attending West Demerara Secondary School, he explained that the school had been gutted by fire and began offering half-day sessions. Toddsaid that the half sessions were posing a great difficulty in terms of his ability to learn and focus. Unknownto his mother, young Todd travelled to Georgetown to seek a transfer to a school that had a whole day session.
“My mother was very busy with the number of jobs, sometimes three jobs in a day, and by the time you are finished cleaning at one location, you have to travel to another, so I decided one Monday morning to take a journey on the steamer boat at that time, you had the steamer coming from Vreed-en -Hop to Georgetown, and without telling my mother anything, I decided was going to come into the Ministry of Education,” Todd explained.
As a young boy, since he
did not know Georgetown, he asked for directions to where the Ministry of Education’s Central Office was. When he arrived at the Ministry, he asked to speak with the person in charge and was told that he was too young to speak to anyone, so he had to wait a very long time to get attention.When he was finally attended, he was placed at
St. John’s College.
“When I shared my story with her. She didn’t like my method of how it was done, but afforded me the opportunity nevertheless.I was all excited that I was going to a whole day session school in Georgetown, so the ride on my way to school was not a terrifying one,” Todd explained.
But Todd’s school life
at St. John’s College was again interrupted when that school was also gutted by fire during his second year there. “I knew that it was not a possibility that I can go to the Ministry again and get another school for a whole day session, so I endured the half day sessions again, but it was a little better than what I had previously experienced,” he explained.
After completing schooling at St John’s College, young Todd then journeyed to the Bishops’ High School to do Sixth Form. During the July/August holidays, he worked as a handy boy at retail stores in Georgetown packing boxes, clothes, shelves, etc., to earn enough to purchase school supplies for the next termand help to contribute to the home.
After completing his schooling, Todd then went to work at the Guyana Revenue Authority as an Inspector of Taxes before migrating to the British Virgin Islands for a short while before returning to Guyana because there was no university there.
It was after joining the Guyana Police Force he also enrolled at the University of Guyana, where he pursued a degree in International Relations and then a second degree in Law.
Todd was admitted to the Bar in Guyana and Belize
and is recognised as an international Professional trainer on peace and security with the International Consulting Cabinet in Geneva and a member of the Peace and Security Advisory Council to Caribbean Nations, MACBAN Corp USA.
Todd has experience in all law areas and has litigated, from admission to bar to current, over 300 cases. In addition, he is a coach to many young attorneys and law students from both the University of Guyana and Charisma University.
Todd is a member of Charisma University’s Senate and was appointed in 2021 as an Adjunct Professor at Charisma University where he currently lectures Master of Laws (LL.M) students in Conflict Resolution and Communication and Theory in Conflict Resolution. Todd also lectures LL. B students at the said University in the areas of Legal system and Constitutional Law.
Having received many outstanding awards for his work and given his vast experience, Todd continues to push the value of education in helping to achieve your biggest dreams.
BEYOND Paradise, Melanie and Bachelor’s Adventure there is a small village with a mysterious history and a promising future.
Fort Wellington is located some 54 miles away from the capital city, in Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), on what was once plantation Catherina’s Lust. Rich in history and interesting people, Fort Wellington is one of Gyana’s hidden treasures.
Leaving Georgetown and driving down the east coast of Guyana, one is greeted with many villages and sites that help tell the story of our Country. From the Chateau Margot Chimney to the halfway tree, history is told through monuments and sites. But Fort Wellington is one of the many local places where its history is told
centre. It is home to the Regional Democratic Council,
And even today, the village’s roots in agriculture can be seen everywhere. From its massive farmland of crops to the fields filled with roaming cattle.
through the people.
Fort Wellington, similar to many of its neighbours, is a farming community. But unlike the surrounding villages, Fort Wellington is the region’s administrative
Magistrates’ Court, National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Election Commission and their own post office and branch of the National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI).
Just over the bridge that marks the beginning of Fort Wellington, David Lampley can be found. Selling his famed snow cones in the village for many years, he has become well-known to the villagers. “I started selling here since 1987. But I decided to come to Fort Wellington over 10 years ago,” said David. Although he lives in neighbouring Rosignol, he considers Fort Wellington and its residents a home away from home. “I live in Rosignal, but I like to sell in Fort Wellington. The people are nice and the people buy from me. They know me and we get along well all the time,” he said.
Even after having spent
so much time in Fort Wellington, David says there is still uncertainty about the true name of the village. He said, “They call everything Fort Wellington, the hospital is named Fort Wellington and everything.” He then went on to explain the many eras that make up what is called Fort Wellington. According to David, in addition to Catherina’s Lust, the area known as
ten discuss and try to figure out where Fort Wellington truly lies.
On the topic of how he became the ‘Iceman’, David said, “One of my brothers introduced me to making snow cones. I used to work at Blairmount sugar estate. I saw it as something good so I decided to leave the estate and do this, and since
just fine for him. “At the time I started selling ice, I had four kids and it helped take care of my family,” he said. Today none of his children lives at home, but he still does what he loves in the community he loves. Fort Wellington is a map of complex winding roads that could get anyone lost. But it
Fort Wellington includes Onderneeming. This seems to be a sentiment shared among many villagers as they too of-
then, I’ve been selling ice.” For more than 30 years, he has plied his trade, and David says it has worked out
is also filled with beautiful scenery and friendly villagers always willing to help.
By Shaniya Harding
ONE of the things that makes any village or neighbourhood a good place to live is its people. This is perhaps one of the reasons why people consider places like Fort Wellington and the rest of the countryside the perfect place to call home. The villagers of Fort Wellington care for and help one another in any way possible or necessary.
At the far end of Fort Wellington lives a young man who displays amazing feats of strength, care and compassion. He is an ambitious young man attending the Guyana Technical Institute while he maintains a job. But his responsibilities go far beyond those as he is also tasked with caring for his father. But as difficult as it may seem, this young man says that his family and neighbours make car-
ing for his father possible.
Quindon Gilles is an inspirational young man who has lived around Fort Wel-
lington all his life. And while his village has remained mostly the same, Quindon says a lot has recently
changed for both himself and his father. His father, 70-year-old Victor Gilles, has lived in Fort Wellington for
almost 20 years but still finds it hard to remember the place he has known for almost two decades. This, Quindon says, is due to a stroke his father suffered three months ago.
“He has three blood clots in his brain. He normally gets strokes, but recently they realised that blood clots are
there. He was in the hospital for about a week or two, and he’s on medication right now,” Quindon explained. His father’s symptoms go as far as affecting his hearing and memory. And although he can do a lot for himself, he still needs help with some things. “I help him with things he can’t do by himself. Like physical things, getting him water and making sure everything works and so on,” He explained.
One of the biggest issues that Quindon faces is the possibility of his father having another stroke. As he stated, “He is improving, but I still have to
watch him. Because he could have another stroke at any time.” Quindon is not an only child. On the contrary, he is the last of 13 siblings. Caring for this father is a shared task among the siblings that live close by. But because of his age and availability, much of the responsibility of caring for Victor falls on Quindon.
In a community as close-knit as Fort Wellington, where everyone seems to know everyone else, it is no surprise that the neighbours are the family’s biggest supporters. As Quin-
don expressed that, “The relationship between my father and the neighbours is great. They would come over and check on him and help whenever he is alone or sick. If we call them, they would be here. The relationship is really good,” he said. To families like his that are fighting similar battles, Quindon says the most important thing is to co-operate and work together with the community and to offer help to those who need it.
By Shaniya Harding
A HAPPY place with happy people; that is what Fort Wellington is. Despite what challenges they may face, the people of this little village are the embodiment of joy. As well as being fun-loving they are extremely friendly and always ready to share their story.
On any day, Enid and her husband Hubert Thomas can be found chatting with their friends while having a drink or tending to the many
ducks they have at their Fort Wellington home. The elderly couple has adult children and as such, neither of them work anymore. They instead chose to retire and lead a humble life. Both husband and wife enjoy simple things such as gardening and fishing from the canal behind their home. Hubert and his wife have a very quiet and serene life, just like many of their neighbours. But unlike his neighbours, Hubert’s story is a bit different.
The pair have called Fort
Wellington home for 22 years and as Enid says, there is no place she’d rather live. In the past, the couple was involved in various businesses. Among those were farming and Huberts’s job as a land surveyor. One day while he was on the job, he had an encounter that would change his life. Hubert’s family has long since been troubled with diabetes. And it was always something he was watchful of until it took him by surprise one day three years ago. “I was a surveyor and one day, I felt something bore my foot. After that I came home and as I was lying in the hammock, I asked my wife to check my foot. And she saw a black spot and I went to the hospital to get it dressed.” said Hubert.
This was just the beginning of a roller coaster that changed his life forever. In the years that followed, Hubert lost his right leg just below the knee. To
most people, this would be seen as the end of a fulfilling life, but Hubert Thomas isn’t most people. Even with the loss of his leg, he remained active and retained just as positive
an outlook as ever. “And after a while, the doctors told me I was going to lose my little toe. And I was alright with that.” Hubert told Pepperpot Magazine.
Although he admits his
pain and sensations for his lost legs. In times like these, he would try to walk, get out of bed, and even scratch and itch. On this note, he stated that he has never felt sorry for himself nor his wife or
journey wasn’t easy, he believes that challenges are no reason to give up. “Then, in 2020, I went to New Amsterdam Hospital. I was in the hospital for a while and I was in pain so I called my wife. From one toe to the next. I spent more than forty days in the hospital.” The next three years consisted of a number of doctor’s visits, money spent and time wasted in waiting rooms. And on December 31st of last year, he lost his left leg. This marked the end of the doctor’s visits, but the journey of learning and adjusting had just begun.
Hubert’s biggest adjustment was perhaps learning to deal with the fact that his legs were no longer where they were. He described the feeling of ‘phantom pain’, where he would still feel
family. “Not just because I don’t have legs means that I must want to die. Sometimes it’s just like before. I can do so many things for myself that I forget. I find myself feeling as if I still have legs and sometimes trying to scratch my toe. It’s even funny sometimes,” he said. Today he could be found at his Fort Wellington home tending to his garden and ducks. He still indulges in the things he loves, never losing sight of what’s important. He still hangs out with his friends just as before, forever wearing the same smile. Both he and his wife are just a few examples of what can be conquered with an optimistic outlook and the strength to keep going.
THE short 54 miles to Fort Wellington from Georgetown seems to create an almost entirely different world from that of the city. With its empty roads and crisp country air, living in a place like Fort Wellington is truly an amazing experience.
Some may argue that living in the city, with its more active, bustling atmo-
sphere is the way to go. But few have lived in both, and Wilfred Arthur is one such person. And he firmly and adamantly believes not only is the countryside simpler, it is just better. His interest in plants stemmed from his family. “My grandfather used to farm, so I learnt to farm. And I studied agricul-
ing, plant and agriculture are more than a job to him, it is what he loves. He reminisced on how as a young man attending Fort Wellington Community High School, plants were what he spent his time with. “I just like plants, and I always have,” remarked Wilfred.
Evidence of this can be
ture in school. I took it very seriously,” he said.
Having grown up in Hopetown, Wilfred says farm-
seen all around his home. He has made it somewhat of his mission to beautify his home with an assort -
ment of plants and trees. Although never having studied agriculture professionally, Wilfred knows a lot about plants and their different species. His home is surrounded by many different species of plants. But the focal point of his home is his prized pine trees, which he has grown and hand shaped. He says he will continue to put in hours every day to his plant and farm alike. He was among the few young people that saw farming and agriculture as a career. And although he would have loved to study his passion further, Wilfred says that times were hard and he had to make a decision. “When I finished school, I wanted to study, but I couldn’t. My parents
were poor people and they couldn’t afford to send me to study agriculture or horticulture or anything,” he explained.
After he left high school he moved to the East Bank of Demerara. When he moved, he saw just how different life here was. As Wilfred stated, “I was facing a lot of hardships in Georgetown. Berbice is a humbler place and I find the things tend to be easier and cheaper here. Living in other places, I had to buy this and that. But here, certain things I don’t have to buy. You can go by a neighbour and ask for anything you need or go to the farm or go fishing.”
It was these challenges that forced him to return to Fort Wellington. And in
2001, he settled down with his wife Evelyn. Today they have five children together and Wilfred was finally allowed to return to farming. He and many of his neighbours are also farmers and are making a very happy life doing so.
One of the things that he says that stands out about Fort Wellington is the lack of crime. As Wilfred said, “There is no crime or thieves or anything like that. We just live like family. No one is going to steal your things. If they do, they would most likely take your fruits or cattle.”
When asked about why he loves Fort Wellington and Berbice alike, he says, “Life is just better in the countryside.”
By Shaniya Harding
THE beginning of Fort Wellington is marked by a bridge over one of Guyana’s many canals. Something that has also become a part of Fort Wellington is a shop that lies at the very edge of the village. It has been in existence for almost two decades. It was opened by a single mother who sought to provide for herself and her daughter in the small village of Fort Wellington.
Yonette Dehnert came to Fort Wellington almost 25 years ago. And she says that, in those years, the village looked nothing like it does today. “In the past, we didn’t have this many buildings and now we have a GECOM office and so many other
things,” said Yonette. She then went on to describe the development and changes Fort Wellington has seen in recent times. As one of the smaller villages in Mahaica, it plays an integral role in the region.
Although Fort Wellington has seen a wave of development, very few people still see the community as a place to develop business. Today the village of Fort Wellington has two small businesses. Yonette stated, “There aren’t that many small businesses in Fort Wellington. It’s only myself and one other lady that have small businesses in Fort Wellington.”
Yonette says she saw the opportunity in the small community and opened her business. “I have lived in Fort
Wellington for a long time and I like it. When I came here all those years ago as a single parent, I didn’t have a source of income. I had to support my daughter and send her to school.” said Yonette.
Hadassah Dehnert is Yonette’s daughter and lives in Fort Wellington with her mom and is as old as the shop she helps run today. She agrees with her mother that their village has seen some changes and a few more businesses would be welcomed. “When I came here to live, I put this little shop here. It has been basically the same,” said Yonette.
The pair agree that although the village isn’t a business hub, the new infrastructure has been a nice addition. “In the 20 years that I have been here there has been mass development. They opened a new scheme at the back. There have been more people. It’s just been excellent,” stated Yonette.
“In my opinion, Fort Wellington is a very nice
community; it’s a residential area. And you have everything you need right around you. School, police station, post office, everything is nearby.” Yonette Stated. The views of Yonette and her daughter are mirrored by many of the villag-
ers. And although they may not all agree on everything, everyone living in Fort Wellington agrees that it is a humble and happy place to call home. And a trip down to Fort Wellington would be well worth your while.
Not too long ago, I spoke to a friend in front of his home, and within two weeks, I picked up the phone and was told that he had suddenly died. I was taken back. We were all
one of the best family Insurance institutions at the time-American Insuranceon Waterloo Street.
Muscle Craft was mostly a keep-fit gym, for guys and ladies who now had fami -
when ‘we’, myself and another gym member, sat in the church, something dawned on us as we listened to the tributes. His accommodation of grandchildren and relatives spoke of the giving nature
one such routine was mentioned, but we weren’t told how it was localised and whether medical help was sought. He was not a ‘nouveau riche’ or of a wealthy inheritance, so how and what
from the ladies next door. But obviously, the nicer you are, it’s easier for offspring and folks to shift some of their responsibilities to you if you don’t want to be slandered as the‘mek-up’ mean selfish bad
in some cases. Culturally we are disposed to help friends and relatives, but help and round-the-clock responsibilities have different interpretations.Where did it start? It was there all the time. Once
part of a friendly gym in Bent Street called ‘Muscle Craft’ courtesy of Ronald Mohan’s bottom house, right next to where Sound Dimensions Band practiced.Ronald was my Insurance agent of possibly
lies and couldn’t afford the luxury of competitive ‘bodybuilding’ but had evolved in the awareness of respecting their ‘temples‘ as I had insisted the body is. Now this brother had passed, and we informed those abroad, but
of this brother. We looked at each other, and later when the ceremonies were over, we contemplated how this brother, who still maintained an in-house exercise routine survived.
Aphysical failure during
did this brother eat?How did he look after his health? With dependents at the table, we summarisedfrom how ‘we’ were facing economic times. This brother was over his head, just being nice, which can also include the smiles
person.Because you defied the intruding ‘entitlement’ scheme, then ‘Cat ketch yuh dinner’.
This is a serious issue, “entitlement” which, if not taken seriously, can lead to abuse and murder, as it has
the hard lessons and early covenants are not spoken off and projected, human need matures into a phase of unreasonableness. Entitlement comes from many sources.
SONGS gave her comfort and peace, melodious songs that had helped her since childhood and she sang softly to soothe the sadness in her heart.
Aunt Stephanie looked at her and sighed, feeling sorry for the young woman and she expressed her concern, “She’s such ah nice girl. How something like dis coulda happen to her?”
The other vendors shared her sentiments.
“He seemed like ah nice boy, de two ah dem look good togetha but he deceived her.”
“He just play a role tuh win her heart, he is not de right one fuh her.”
Tanya smiled appreciatively, touched by their care and concern, like a real family.
After the morning rush was over, she sat down with one of her books to read.
She smiled wryly and said nothing, but the detective did not miss the flicker of sadness in her eyes. He handed her his card and said, “You know if you don’t speak out, this will continue. Any time you want to talk or need help, call me.”
She smiled just a little with thanks and took the card, looking at it after he had left.
The name on the card was Detective Arvin Samaroo.
“Interesting,” Aunty Theresa said over Tanya’s shoulder.
Tanya sighed and put the card in her apron pocket, a worried look on her face.
Mark did not come home that night nor the other and when she tried calling him, his phone went to voicemail. She could not sleep, her mind troubled over her relationship with him, the constant abuse and now his disturbing secrecy.
“What do I do?” she questioned herself, as she sat at the kitchen table drinking a strong cup of tea.
The phone rang, almost startling her.
It was Mark, wanting to how she was doing and apologising for his absence because he was tied up with important business.
“The police were in the community looking for suspects in some high-profile robberies.”
There was a long pause then he asked, “Did anyone question you?”
“Yes,”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, I don’t know anything but I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be,” he assured her, “Talk to you later.”
He ended the call and she sat there, her mind numb. Tears filling her eyes, scared of what could happen to her. SEE PAGE XXVII
Lunch hour approached and as the food vendors prepared for the rush, someone shouted, “Police!”
A sudden flurry of movements resulted in the food court empty of young men and one vendor three stalls away unleashed a string of expletives about the police disrupting their businesses.
“Ah wonda is who they looking fuh now,” she fumed.
Two police vehicles sped behind the youths in the community and Tanya shook her head resigningly because it was something common. But when two dark SUVs pulled up a short while later with detectives, she realised something different was happening.
“I wonder…,” she whispered, a little tremor of fear passing through her being, “I hope this has nothing to do with Mark.”
Law enforcement disclosed that a few high-profile robbers had hit businesses in the city with well-executed plans. Investigators were hunting for suspects who had been on the police radar for some time.
The food vendors were shown photographs of the suspects and spoken to in serious tones.
“You are all here from morning every day so it’s possible you could have seen at least one of these men.”
No one did, despite repeated questions, and a young detective who had looked at Tanya for a long moment then said, “The fear in your eyes and your bruised lips tell a story of its own. What happened to you?”
She didn’t answer, and he shook his head slowly, “Let me guess, you walked into a door?”
THE history of Albouystown as a real estate investment has changed over the years. In 1906 when Albouystown was integrated into the city of Georgetown, it was a neat suburban village. There were small cottages and even some ranges in spacious yards, usually with fruit trees. The streets were clean, and crime was almost unknown. Owners lived on their properties and usually had a tenant or two. Its multi-racial community lived in fraternity.
Property prices compared with those of the wards south of Brickdam and since not many people sold their properties, it was quickly bought whenever a property was for sale.
In the 1960s racio-political disturbances enveloped Guyana and there were shifts and movements of people. Large numbers of people from the villages migrated to the city. Most of them found their way to Albouystown since rents
were cheaper than in other areas.
The settled original population mostly migrated abroad, selling their properties at knockdown prices. Since the economy was depressed, most new migrants could not find work and became a lumpenproletariat. The physical conditions of the ward rapidly deteriorated, and crime grew. Property prices fell to their lowest.
From the 1990s, the country regained its stability and the economy gradually began to improve and this was reflected in Albouystown. Middle-class people began to buy property and live in the ward. Houses were repaired, crime was controlled, and the area became cleaner. Real estate prices began to rise again until they compared with those of Werkenrust and Wortmanville.
In the last three or four years, reflecting that Guyana had become an oil country, Albouystown entered a boom. The Government made Albouystown a developmental priority, and hundreds of millions of dollars were allocated to its development. The expressed aim was to transform Alboustown into the best ward in the city.
The streets were all asphalted; all government structures were rehabilitated; new houses began to be built and old ones repaired; the old slummy structures were being eliminated; the drains were concreted, and flooding came under control; crime was reduced to the same levels as other parts of the Capital. One of the most remarkable developments has been the transformation of Independence Boulevard into a modern highway leading from Saffon Street to Ogle. More people began buying property in Albouystown as an investment and as residences.
Though property prices are increasing, they are still not at their optimum and this has prompted the political leadership of the country- Mr Christopher Jones on behalf of the PNC/R and Vice-President Jagdeo on behalf of the PPP/C to advise property owners to be in no hurry to dispose of their properties since values would be rising much higher.
Albouystown properties have become the premium real estate in the city. With the new road system, it is within easy reach of the two airports and is the part of the city with the fastest connectivity with the Cheddi Jagan airport. Between Ogle Airport and Albouystown is a ten-minute drive along Independence Boulevard. It is within walking distance of the Law Courts, the main Administrative Offices and the city’s commercial hub. Indeed, Independence Boulevard is fast becoming a commercial district similar to Regent Street. It is also within easy reach of the onshore oil and gas developments at Vreedenhoop and Houston, where employment could be found. Indeed, several people employed at Houston have taken up residence in Albouystown.
Educational facilities are being upgraded, including Dolphin and Carmel schools and health facilities with the upgrade of the Selman Fraser centre and easy connectivity with the new state-of-the-art hospital being built on the East Bank Demerara.
As these social and economic developments come into stream, Albouystown properties are becoming more valuable and entrepreneurs are quietly buying up properties there and it is this trend that has prompted the national leaders, as mentioned above, to advise Albouystown people to be in no hurry to part with their properties.
FROM PAGE III
strategy focused on several key areas:securing all travel and accommodation expenses ahead of time. We have eliminated any worries and distractions for our Queen. She can focus solely on her training, mental preparation, and enhancing her skills to showcase her best self at the international pageant,” she explained. “The production
relevance today and that it has even evolved to address those concerns by focusing on empowerment, personal growth and even offering winners scholarship opportunities- this evolution, she says, can be seen right here in Guyana as well. But she believes that the internal problems faced in pageants must be addressed at the highest level. “It is crucial for everyone involved to
er to the local spotlight. Rated as one of Guyana’s best makeup artists, Reneé has catapulted to the top echelons of the local beauty industry through her commitment to excellence and professionalism. Her work has gained her international recognition, having been awarded the Caribbean Style and Culture 2019 Award of Excellence- Makeup and Aesthetics in Maryland,
of wardrobe pieces, including the costume, evening gown, swimwear, and talent outfit, is well underway and nearing completion. We are working closely with talented designers and stylists to create unique and stunning pieces that will perfectly reflect Guyana’s culture, elegance, and individuality. Each outfit is carefully crafted to ensure that our Queen stands out and makes a memorable impression during the competition.Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to handling every aspect of her journey, including logistics, scheduling, and coordination. With our advanced level of preparedness, the Queen can have complete trust and confidence in the MGI-G Team.”
Despite its benefits, pageantry has received its share of public criticisms and concerns ranging from the objectification of women to claims of sexual harassment. Aware of these concerns, Reneé is confident that pageantry still has great
address any inner rivalry or personal issues before entering the world of pageantry. It is important to prioritise a positive and supportive environment that encourages healthy competition and camaraderie among contestants. By fostering an environment of respect and professionalism, pageants can mitigate unnecessary drama and ensure a more positive experience for everyone involved,” she said.
“I will always advocate for more focus on our personal growth, advocacy, and making a positive impact, rather than getting caught up in negative rivalries that can undermine the true purpose of pageantry.” She also takes the issue of sexual harassment very seriously and assures that in her position of responsibility, she will prioritise contestants’ safety, well-being, and comfort as part of creating the best possible experience.
While her newest title is one she has not donned before, Reneé is no strang-
USA. She also received a 40 under 40 Entrepreneurial Award for Success from Brand Youth Global.
Apart from her accolades, Reneé’sbrand BROMELIAD.rnc has grown tremendously over her last 17 years in business. These include hosting two successful iterations of the MUA networking event “Fifty Shades of MUA” andhosting a Master Class with esteemed international makeup guru from Trinidad, Arlene Villarule-Felix. As she progresses, Reneé hopes to see the overall development of the local beauty industry, including regularisedpricing practices and other standards that could enhance the overall reputation and credibility of MUAs in Guyana, along with her ultimate hope for makeup artistry to be recognised as an official trade.
Overall, though, Reneé is overflowing with gratitude; to her customers, clients and supporters who have helped shape her business ventures, her family and staff who have shown
SEE PAGE XVIII
IT is now about two months since the horrific fire at the female dormitory of the Mahdia Secondary School in Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni) claimed the lives of 20 children- 19 girls and one boy- and dev-
astated many families. Natalie Bellarmine, Andrea Roberts, Lorita Williams, Nickleen Robinson, Sherlyn Bellarmine, Lisa Robert, Cleoma Simon, Tracil Thomas, Delecia Edwards, Arianna Edwards,
Sherana Daniels, Bibi Rita Fiona Jeffery, Subrina John, Loreen Evans, Belnisa Evans, twin sisters Mary and Martha D’Andrade, Omefia Edwin, Eulanda Carter, and Adonijah Jerome lost their lives.
They came from the communities of Chenapau, Micobie, and Karisparu- all communities in remote areas of Region Eight.
I visited each of these communities, and it was a heartbreaking experience witnessing the devastation and listening to families talk about the sacrifices made for these children to attend that secondary school because that level of education is not available in their home communities. They left their families and communities and went to the dormitory to be cared for while they were away.
By now, many of us should know how the fire started. A girl is before the courts facing charges. Still, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the catastrophe is being pursued; this comes as concerns about the state of the facility the children called their home away from home have been raised. Concerns about other similar facilities have been raised, too and, in response, the local authorities have been making checks, installing needed equipment, and practising drills with residents so that such a disaster would not recur.
This inquiry is important.
It is an important forum to acknowledge, assess, and address systemic shortcomings. Only if we are frank about
these shortcomings and the challenges that confront us can we meaningfully prevent future disasters. That means understanding what can be done to boost fire prevention efforts and what can be done to improve the supervision of children.
This inquiry is also important because, I believe, it will spotlight the challenges faced by people living in the hinterland. It will demonstrate how limited resources affect children and families, such as limited access to educational opportunities in communities or dilapidated roadways. Those realities, I figure, will be juxtaposed with the geographical challenges that constrain development in these areas but at least there should be a greater impetus or will to push past those challenges.
And I think the inquiry will allow for examining the social fabric and socio-economic situation in the hinterland region. What quality of life do families enjoy? What threats do vulnerable children face when they are away from their communities? And how, then, do we do more to help protect the children?
As of Tuesday, the members of the Commission of Inquiry, aside from its Chairperson, Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, have not been named. Once those other members are named, however, they will get down
to hammering out the Commission’s Terms of Reference and get down to work. I hope this inquiry proves helpful.
Aside from the inquiry, this past week, there were reports of the government offering financial support valued at $5 million each to the families who lost children in the fire. The families of children who were injured would reportedly get $3 million each.
Beyond this financial support, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said the government would continue to provide support through several other avenues as the families need. During a government programme, the Attorney General said the funds offered as financial support are not compensation for the 20 lives lost.
Previously, President Dr. Irfaan Ali promised to provide whatever support the families needed, whether health support or other aid that could help them manage during the difficult time. He also said his government’s support would be long-term. These measures should be complemented by others based on the findings of the inquiry.
If you would like to discuss this column or any of my previous writings, please feel free to contact me via email: vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
IT is only natural that my mind and body would feel exhausted after five weeks of travelling. Maybe I would have been well rested if I was on vacation,
Rejuvenate Spa was my first stop for a massage and they did not disappoint. I knew from how I felt mentally that there had to be more than a message to get my mind, body and soul in sync.
wisdom and Lennox John falls into that category.He has been called crazy, but if you have not been called crazy, your dream is not big enough.
This spectacular re -
but it was mainly work. I am not complaining because it was an extremely blessed trip. When I said I need a short vacation, the response is often that Ijust had one lol.It was even difficult to maintain this column because of how hectic it was. I am grateful to all the people who made my first tour featuring my designs and books possible after the Pandemic.
I thought about Splashmins Resort because I always wanted to experience a few days there. Lennox is so inspiring, and I always take away something from our conversations and I promised him the last time we had breakfast that I will be experiencing more than a day visit soon. A visionary is someone who is thinking about or planning the future with imagination or
sort was created from the Madewini Basin’s pure swampland, through which the Madewini stream flows and is nestled in the heart of the Madewini wetlands on the Linden, Soesdyke Highway. In the beginning, trees were cut and used to fill back the nine feet swamp.
From swamp land it was
SEE PAGE XXIX
Addressing models at a recently-held fashion/ modelling workshop
unwavering support and dedication to her professional endeavours, and- now with pageantry added to her portfolio- to her MGI-G Team, who she credits for helping to make this newest dream of hers a reality. “I want to also express my sincere appreciation to our Queen for saying ‘Yes’ to the crown. Your trust and confidence in me have been an incredible honour and have propelled me to new heights. To all my supporters, whether clients, friends, or well-wishers, your belief in my work has been the foundation of my success. Thank you for your trust, loyaltyand encouragement. I am forever grateful for your contributions and look forward to creating more memorable moments in the world of makeup, beauty and business together.”
FROM PAGE XV
THERE was a point in time when I was heavily invested in the journeys of “travel vloggers”. It was quite interesting to see the cultures of others all condensed into one video. Perhaps, one of the most
fascinating aspects was street vending and vendors. It seems as if every single country has their own culture of street vending and what it means, as well as, what it offers.
Guyana is now being ex-
plored by some of those travel vloggers, and our street vending culture is becoming increasingly popular. Most, if not all of the vloggers that feature Guyana and its cul-
SEE PAGE XXVIII
“Who do I ask for help?”
She inhaled deeply to control her emotions and it was then she remembered the detective who had given her his card.
She was uncertain what to do, fearful of Mark’s dark anger and she prayed.
“Please, Lord, help me find a way out of this.”
Two more days passed and Tanya continued her food business, trying to stay calm in her mind, telling herself nothing was wrong.
The detective did not return and Aunt Theresa asked her, “Did you call him?”
“Call who?”
“De detective who gave yuh his card.”
“Oh,” Tanya looked at her, mildly surprised that she had expected her to do so.
She saw the mischievous glint in the older woman’s eyes and said to her with a little serious look, “You know that’s courting trouble.”
“Ah know girlie,” Aunt Theresa continued, “But he’s so good-looking.”
“I didn’t notice,” Tanya said casually.
“Sure, you didn’t,” Aunt Stephanie, who had been listening, teased her.
Later that afternoon as Tanya was closing her business for the day, a team of detectives came back. It seemed as though they were tipped off on something. She glanced at them, saw the young detective, and looked away, hoping he wouldn’t
come talk to her. But he did, his approach this time though, different.
“So, how’s business?”
“Good.”
“Is there anything you can now tell me?”
“No,” she answered quietly.
“From intelligence gathered so far,” he told her, “we know someone with ties to the community is planning these heists.”
She said nothing because she honestly knew nothing and he changed the topic, noting her lips had almost healed.
“So, no more domestic incidents?”
“No.”
“That’s good,” he said with a hint of a smile.
“Remember, you can call me any time.”
She nodded and as he left, Aunt Stephanie expressed with a pleasing smile, “Getting more interesting.”
“He’s just doing his job,” Tanya quietly pointed out to her. Mark came home late that same night, awakening her from bed so she could celebrate with him.
“What are we celebrating?” she asked as he poured two glasses of an expensive wine.
“To my new life,” he cheered and the success of a clever mind.”
She had never seen him so confident and excited about anything but he still refused to confide in her, “I can’t tell you anything just yet,” he told her.
Pulling her closer and kissing her lightly, “Your innocence will be like a shield for me.”
She shook her head, not sure about the new life he was talking about and she told him, “The detectives believe the mastermind of the recent robberies has ties to the community.”
Mark drank another glass of wine and another, then he laughed a little, “They’re just bluffing, they have nothing.”
She did not push for answers knowing it would anger him and he would most likely hit her. He stayed that week and their lives returned to normal, then, one night he got a call and left, giving her no explanation. Three days later, the breaking news was another robbery heist executed in the same style.
Tanya did not go to the food court for a few days after that news, fearful of any questions. But on the third day detectives came to her house and asked her to accompany them to the police station.
“Why?” she asked perplexed.
“We need to ask you about your boyfriend, Mark Jacobs.”
To be continued…
FROM PAGE XII
The discussion my father and Godfather had with me went like this,“Regardless of the exams yuh pass, youmust know a trade that could earn yuh bread and butter and house yuh in any emergency.”
I will present a recent issue of entitlement that was related to me. “A man owned a home, had children, and when they matured, left for abroad. Some of his children had left before. His local daughter and her husband later came to occupy his home. He came home for a holiday, now retired, and his main room was always supposed to be left unoccupied. After some time, his daughter called her sister overseas and complained that her husband thinks that they (overseas) should send a ticket for the father because he was occupying the children’s (his grandchildren’s) room. The sister called their elder brother, who is also overseas, relating the issue, the brother called the brother-in-law and his sister and told them in the most unpleasant way to get out of his father’s house, or he would have to “come home!”
The man was not even aware that he was trespassing in his own home. Entitlement is not a reasonable state of mind. It can be brutal. And there are numerous expressions. The answer may rest with allowing people to know at an early age that becoming a parent is a lifelong responsibility. I was told that.My mom gave birth to ten of us. I fathered three children.I was jerked into another reality when my Godparents passed and I lived with my mother and siblings for a period before I moved on, evolvinginto a type of survivalist maturity at 16.
There was no entitlement, but rather that I had to adjust by the best means available to shape and establish my manhood; thank god I had the early nurturing of home life and how to recognise and create through learning, a selected niche, despite the environment.
A culture, a parent or a guardian can also unwittingly develop a creed of entitlement. The Creole term for that is ‘Spoil Child-children’ De better than dem syndrome, and the deceptive ‘shirt Button’,‘I’ firstProducing beings who cannot empathise, thus cannot holistically lead, nor develop a grounded vision beyond self entitlement. This is a current topic, that we must expand on.
FROM PAGE XIX
ture references one of our well-known markets, the popular eggball stands, the men selling water at stop lights, coconut water vendors and artists that sell their paintings on the curbsides. I don’t think we appreciate this aspect of our culture as much as we should.
Street vendors are considered to be people who sell goods and services to the public but without the use of a permanent structure. In the era of expansive economic development, where monopolisation is dominant—these are ordinary citizens trying to make an honest living. I remember once when I was in the state of Vermont, the citizens of the downtown area petitioned for no monopolised entity to establish businesses there. Instead, they have local vendors and businesses to provide similar needed products and services. The community also offers support to help them develop the quality of their products.
Our “street vendors” provide a taste of our culture while making ends meet for their household. Many will argue that it’s primitive, disruptive or even untidy. That may be true in some aspects, but this happens when you have underdeveloped potential. Only a handful of those street vendors actually move on to own a storefront or even he is lucky to afford rent for one. The majority will have to remain to provide their services from a makeshift stand. Yet still, hundreds of Guyanese purchased something weekly offered from a street vendor.
I have noticed that some Guyanese are trying to eradicate street vending culture altogether instead of trying to find or create better alternatives for these people to vend. Most of these vendors may not be considered “formal workers” nor do some of them even consider themselves as “entrepreneurs”. Most of them would consider the term “hustler” because the “hustle” for money and a want of a better life drives them to continue their vending.
It’s about time we start to see and acknowledge street vending as a form of self employment. Poverty, coupled with lack of unemployment, forces people to find unique ways to make ends meet and street vending is one of many. I respect and admire the fact that many people who are street vendors are finding ways and means to make an honest living. They should not be treated as an annoyance. Instead, they should be regulated, respected and given outlined roles and responsibilities to follow.
I believe that these self-employed individuals of our population should be given the same opportunities as an entrepreneur operating a storefront. They should also have access to entrepreneurial training, education about business regulations & registrations and even opportunities for further economic growth—when necessary. These people deserve a right to livelihood. Instead of finding ways and means to remove them, we should implement ways to further help them through mutual understanding.
developed into this gorgeous resort providing Guyanese and visitors and with an amazing option.
I am one of the Guyanese proud of the “crazy guy”. We had breakfast again on this trip, and I enjoyed my favourite bake and salted fish with a few slices of avocado. I was
other African dishes at Parc Rayne while listening to African storytelling and drumming at brunch today. If you are reading this article early enough, you may just be in time to still join us because it ends at 13:00hrs.
I will be displaying male and female outfits and you also have the opportunity to buy your exclusive outfit or head wrap for emancipation. If you will have another opportunity on Tuesday and Wednesday (25th & 26th July) you can visit my Pop up shop at Tower Hotel from 11 am to 6pm.
We will be celebrating another Emancipation Day and I encourage us to think about what we desire to emancipate ourselves from as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
surprised that he had 45 minutes to sit still. I was fortunate to meet his beautiful wife Diaca. She realised how much I enjoyed avocados and made sure I had my supply of avocado grown at the resort. Walking on the beach, feeling the sand in my toes after breakfast,relaxed me. My room was very comfortable with very efficient wifi, which was not used to go on social media but to listen to some of my favourite mentors like Myles Munroe. I minimised my calls because I needed to recharge for my next mission.
I love bonfires and did not realisethe resort has one every Friday evening. I was excited as a little girl who was about to get something she always wanted. I got even more excited to see families enjoying this activity after dinner. The resort is exceptionally family-friendly, providing an array of amenities and services that cater to the needs of families with children. Most people are aware of the Saturday and Sunday day trips to splashmins with water sports and relaxing under the gazebos. Nature lovers have the option of early morning hiking to be one with nature.
Every Saturday evening, visitors dine on the beach, which reminds me of dining on the beach at Sandals Barbados. The atmosphere is beautiful and so romantic that I don’t plan to do that Saturday evening dining without my partner.I will consider this venue for my beach weddings. My friends Rudy and many other couples tied the knot on this white sand beach. You can personaliseyour wedding with your unique theme. One of the most peaceful moments is lying in the hammock surrounded by a thick, tall bamboo patch. The cool breeze through the bamboo was refreshing and I also enjoyed the magnificent sunset and intentness meditation. Although this resort has many beautiful areas, this is one of my favourites and I intend to use it in my travels. Travelling overseas is great, but enjoying resorts in our country is a blessing.
Horseback riding, which I did on my last visit, is another option you should have when you visit. The ladies are excited for our next Living with Intention Retreat which will be at Splashmins Resort. This establishment has many sites, and Madwini Waterfront Villas is another. These approximately 300 luxury beachfront villas will afford residents a healthy nature that will contribute positively to their mental health.
Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development. It is important to me to be around water and places because it helps to condition my mind in a positive space, and creatives need that. We are in pre-emancipation season, and I have created some amazing Afrocentric outfits for this season. It is possible that I am enjoying Jollof rice, pepper soup, peanut soup and
Dear Student,
Welcome dear friend. In your bid to study efficiently, you need to apply study skills which cover many different major tasks such as using the dictionary, navigating the internet, reading a table of contents, underlining and boxing, and note-taking and summarising. Taking notes correctly
July 23, 2023
is essential to remembering what you read or listen to, but it further entails establishing the structure of the text and its key ideas and to learn to leave out unessential information. Be wise.
Love you.
Topics and sub-topics in a paragraph
Note: A paragraph consists of one main idea and details or sub-topics that support the main idea. The main idea is the “key concept” being expressed. Details, which can be major and/or minor, support the main idea by telling how(method or theory indicated), what /who (person or thing or group), when(any reference to time), where(place named in text), why(any reason or explanation), how much, or how many.
When you locate the topic, main idea, and supporting details of a paragraph they help you understand the point(s) the writer is attempting to express.
Now try outlining a given paragraph. A paragraph outline shows what each paragraph contains, in what order paragraphs appear, and how all the points fit together as a whole. Most outlines use bullet points or numbers to arrange information and convey points. See example of a paragraph outline below.
Main idea
A..Detail supporting the main idea.
B..Detail supporting the main idea.
C..Detail supporting the main idea.
Exercise
Q: Read the following paragraph. What is the main idea and what are the details that support the main idea?
There are many kinds of fruit in the West Indies. Perhaps the most common and most plentiful are mangoes. In most of the islands three are several varieties of citrus fruit of different sizes and colour. Cherries, sapodillas, plums, and avocado pears are grown abundantly and are exported to many other countries.
A: The first sentence holds the main idea which is: “There are many kinds of fruit in the West Indies.” The details or subtopics that support the main idea are mangoes, citrus fruits, cherries, sapodillas, plums, and avocado pears.
Now read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.
Mangoes grow abundantly in many of the islands of the West
Indies. They are also grown in several South American countries such as Guyana and Venezuela, and in countries in Central America such as Costa Rica and Panama.
Mangoes vary in weight, shape, and in the colour of the skin. A mature mango from some varieties may weigh 150 grams, while in other varieties, a full-grown mango may weigh as much as 500 grams. The upper part of the mango, the part that is attached to the stem, is usually larger in size than the lower end. Some varieties are somewhat round. In other varieties, the mangoes are long. The skin of a young mango is usually green but may change its colour as the mango ripens.
Mangoes are eaten mostly when they are ripe. The Bombay and the Julie are probably the most delicious. Both are sweet and juicy. The long mango is used for many purposes. Like the Bombay and the Julie, its flesh is also sweet and juicy when it is ripe. Mature long mangoes are often cooked or preserved.
Answer the following questions.
1. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A) The Size, Shape, and Colour of the Mango
B) Facts About MangoesC) Mangoes in the West Indies
D) Eating, Cooking, and Preserving Mangoes
2. The first paragraph in the passage is mainly about A) places where mangoes are grown.B) places in Central America.
C) places in South America.D) the islands of the West Indies.
3. The second paragraph in the passage is mainly about A) the weight of mangoes.B) the shape, and colour of the mango skin.
C) the weight and shape of mangoes.
D) the weight, shape, and colour of mangoes.
4. The third paragraph in the passage is manly about A) varieties of mangoes and their uses.B) kinds of mangoes.
C) delicious ripe mangoes.D) cooking and preserving mangoes.
THE POEM
Analysing and interpreting the poem O Mistress Mine
O mistress mine, where are you roaming?
O, stay and hear, your true-love’s coming, That can sing both high and low.
Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Journey’s end in lovers meeting, Every wise man’s son doth know. What is love? ‘Tis not hereafter; Present mirth hath present laughter; What’s to come is still unsure: In delay there lies no plenty; Then come and kiss me, sweet and twenty, Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
(William Shakespeare)1. The time of youth is short as is expressed by the speaker who pleads with his beloved to return his love quickly. Which lines express this idea?
2. What is the argument of lines 7-10?
3. Give the meaning of the following words: roaming; trip no further; sweeting; Youth’s a stuff will not endure.
For evil news rides post, while good news baits.
JOHNSamsonMILTON(1608-1674) Agonistes
TEETH wear down and break. In addition to proper oral hygiene, the pointers below should serve as things you should not consider doing.
Don’t even think about opening a bottle or a wrapper with your teeth. Using your teeth as a can opener or chewing on pens, ice, or popcorn kernels can dull or even crack your teeth.
Don’t even think about showing up to your dentist’s office without brushing and flossing. Brush before you come in. The whole office will appreciate it.
Don’t even think about letting your child go to bed with a bottle in their mouth containing anything but plain water. Milk, formula, and juices can cause what’s known as baby bottle tooth decay when they remain on a child’s teeth for extended periods.
Don’t even think about sucking your thumb. Yes, some adults suck their thumbs. In fact, my sister does it and she is older than me. Thumb sucking is a paranormal habit which will damage tooth alignment. And, by the way, pacifiers or bottles for children past the age of two are just as bad.
Don’t even think about smoking or chewing tobacco. They discolour and weaken your teeth and can lead to gum disease and oral cancer.
Don’t even think about going to sleep without brushing and flossing. The plaque will remain on your teeth for an extended period, making you more vulnerable to gingivitis. Most research shows that if you disrupt or remove dental plaque and the bacteria it harbours within twenty-four hours, it does not have time to produce enough acid to decay your teeth. At minimum, once a day is a must!
Don’t even consider using over-the-counter tooth whitening products without your dentist’s guidance. These tooth-whitening products are not regulated by the FDA, ADA and other world dental associations because they are considered cosmetic, so there is no guarantee that they are safe or effective. Plus, you may not be a good candidate for whitening, even if they do work.
Don’t even think about chewing gum or sucking on lollipops all day unless they are sugar-free. This includes any substance that will bathe your teeth in sugar for long periods. Regarding sugar-free products, I recommend you also avoid aspartame because of all the controversy about possible health risks. Just check the ingredients to know if you are using the right product. If sweetened with aspartame, that’s bad if sweetened with xylitol, that’s good because its natural and good for the teeth.
Don’t even think about using super-abrasive toothpaste. Sure it may remove the stain, but it may take part of your tooth.
Don’t even think about biting your nails. You can wear your teeth down and chip off the edges.
Don’t even think about not wearing your retainers after having braces or other orthodontic treatment. Without the retainers, your teeth will almost certainly return to their original place.
Don’t even think about going to a bargain dental centre. You get what you pay for, so go to a reputable dentist.
Don’t even think about using someone else’s toothbrush. It harbours foreign bacteria that cannot blend in with your own oral flora and can harm you.
Finally, don’t even think about getting your tongue pierced. Tongue piercing can cause excessive drooling, infection, pain, and swelling, chipped teeth, increased saliva flow and nerve damage. Remember the tongue is the only part of your body where so much important nerves traverse.
