Canadian-Guyanese to create first women’s retreat centre in Guyana
place for women to relax and connect
KIDS Fest 2023 promises to be an altogether different and special experience for the Guyanese people, according to its founder Natalya Thomas-Small, who has invested heavily this timearound to bring in huge inflated dinosaurs to complement the “Dinosaur Adventure” theme this year.
Different also this year is that Kids Fest would be a two-day event – on April 9 and 10 –as compared to the typical one-day that it was held on over the past five years that Natalya has been hosting the event.
“We invested a lot in bringing in some dinosaurs that will be at the event. This is something that has never been done before where dinosaurs of that size and magnitude would be here,” she shared in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine.
The dinosaurs are 20 and 30 feet tall, and there would be at least four at the event for children to see and take pictures with. However, no form of interaction with the dinosaurs would be permitted. “They are quite scary looking but very thrilling,” Natalya shared.
On at the Promenade Gardens again this year, Kids Fest, which was started in 2017, caters for children within all age ranges and the goal, according to Natalya, is “to provide a participatory, hands-on access to the arts suited for children and the involvement of their family; creating memories and growth.”
She had always nurtured a childhood dream of going to Disneyland. As she noticed a shortage of local family-oriented events, she decided, ‘Why not bring Disney Land to Guyana instead?’ And that she did with the introduction of Kids Fest, which encompasses music, dance, fashion and pageants, and games.
At this year’s event, she will also be using the opportunity to launch ‘Genomatics’, a STEM project that represents geniuses in technology and that is intended to help children to learn and explore through play. “It was supposed to be a public competition but we’re doing a soft launch with children signing up for the project,” she informed.
There will also be a soft launch for the ‘Baby 2 Baby’ initiative to provide children living in poverty with all of the basic necessities. By means of this project, persons can donate items that may have been used but are in good condition to the less fortunate.
A ‘Give earth the chance green walk initiative is also planned for April 8 where the Kids Fest team will collaborate with NAREI and the EPA to do a ‘green initiative’ walk and replanting of trees exercise. Furthermore, nine little beauties will be vying for the title of ‘Miss Kids Fest Dino Princess 2023’and live local performances, along with vendors, will be at the venue. A museum will also be set up with the dinosaurs.
“I would love Kids Fest to become a household name. I would also love to build an amusement park to bring a world of possibilities to children,” Natalya had said in a previous interview.
Kids Fest, according to her, aims to work with a variety of quality children’s brands and entertainment companies to put on the festival, which is usually held outdoors. “The demand for quality children’s entertainment and activities in Guyana far exceeds the availability of such events,” she observed.
By putting on the show, she said children are encouraged to dream and experience what childhood should be like. “Kids Fest 592 would like to further family involvement throughout the community and to excite our area youth’s senses and creativity through arts. The goal of Kids Fest is to celebrate the beauty of being a child.”
“The concept is to bring Disney Land and children’s wildest imagination alive. Kids and their families are greeted by princesses and superhero characters while they walk through the festival, giving them a storybook feel.”
Tickets for children are for $1,000 and $2,000 for adults. Children under three are free.
VAKSANA, Guyana’s first women’s retreat centre aimed at empowering women, creating a safe space
for certain approvals and permits that would allow them to implement all that they have in mind.
after-school programme.
Queenstown Village, a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage, is espe-
for them to develop skills, connect with each other and improve their overall well-being, is currently in the works at Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast, as the developing team continues its work of obtaining permits and licences to get the facility in full swing.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Menakshi Babulall is excited about the Vaksana project and cannot wait for it to become a reality in the fullest sense.
Even as they’ve already established some facilities for camping at the location and have started some of the programmes, they have been waiting for over a year now
As disappointing as the wait has been, especially as she thinks of the benefits that the facility will bring to the public, such as helping to address the issues of gender-based violence, Menakshi, a member of the Canadian-Guyanese organisation ‘A Different View Project,’ is confident that things will eventually work out.
The idea was born out of Menakshi’s desire to give back to the world and her father’s comment on her focus on helping people in Africa but not in her own country. This led her to conduct various projects in Queenstown Village, including a salvage playground and an
cially close to her heart since she was born and raised there before moving to live in Toronto, Canada. “This personal connection to the community has been a driving force behind the Vaksana project,” she shared in an interview with Pepperpot Magazine a few days ago.
Vaksana originally intended to promote sustainable and regenerative development then evolved into a space for women after Menakshi observed the high rates of femicide and gender-based violence in Guyana. Having experienced gender-based violence herself while living in Guyana, she felt “called” to create a
space for women and make it her purpose to address these issues.
The Vaksana project has three components: a regenerative farm, community outreach programmes, and the retreat centre. As part of the centre, a Lotus building will be constructed, a multipurpose space for yoga, and meditation, a kitchen, restaurant, and workshop/
training space.
The regenerative farm is intended to provide fresh, healthy food for the retreat centre and the surrounding community. Sustainable agriculture will also be promoted with a special focus on educating people about the importance of regenerative farming practices.
The community outreach programmes are specifically geared towards Queenstown Village, as the unique needs of this community have been SEE PAGE XV
IN a world dominated by unrealistic beauty standards, young girls often struggle to find a place in society since they do not fit these ridiculous “norms”.
In the eyes of one girl, the Girl Guides Association is composed of warm-hearted ladies who make you feel worthy and encourage you to study, lead, and speak up, even when you are feeling low.
The association is the oldest organisation in the country devoted to the social advancement and wellness of girls and young women.
The voluntary organisation, registered in 1924, continues operatingthrough small units.
The Girl Guides branch in the Plaisance community held an event on March 18 at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church to celebrate International Women’s Day and pay homage to all those who came before them and paved the way.
The annual gathering draws girls from as far as Melanie, East Coast Demerara ,to bond with fellow members, according to June Halley, the programme’s
coordinator and a lifelong association member.
In an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine,Halley explained that even though it was past International Women’s Day, she insisted that they set alater date because she wanted all of the girls to participate.
She further affirmed that the event was aimed at “celebrating women who would’ve blazed the trail and left a legacy for others to follow.”
As the day gave way to night, girls and women
from all walks of life forged ever-lasting friendships through discussions such as “how do you know you love yourself?”
Moreover, they were serenaded by musical renditions from the GBTI/Buxton Steel Orchestra.
Kicking off the program with a fashion show, several of the girls featured the development of fashion trends throughout the decades.
Additionally, an 11-yearold Brownie (girl guides members between the ages of 7 and 11), supported by a guide (girl guides members aged 11-15) performed the
poem, Phenomenal Woman by the renowned Maya Angelou.
As the programme progressed, the girls and women started to voice some of their thoughts, not only on the subject of International Women’s day but also on life, in general.
In fact, 16-year-old Natalya stated that she has high hopes of succeeding at the “CSEC examinations”;in light ofthis;the rest of the members applauded her.
Although all of the girls had different reasons why they loved being a part of the organisation, there was one recurring sentiment of love and guidance.
For instance, Tamia Abrams, one of the younger girls, said that she loves being a member of the association because she gets to “bond with girls just like herself.”
There was a dire need for an atmosphere of security for girls and young women in Plaisance, according to Halley, and for them to attain their true potential; the Girl Guides in that unit was created.
She continued by saying that although many of the girls who join the association do well in school, they frequently have difficulty
with their social skills, so the organisation provides the necessary tools they need to flourish into fully-rounded individuals.
Halley frequently hosts meetings to discuss important topics in this society, sometimes in conjunction with other senior and experienced members.
“A lot of these girls come into the organisation with issues that are troubling them,” Ms. Halley said. These situations would plague them for a very long time, but she would foster sessions where she would address issues like physical, emotional, and verbal abuse in an amiable way. Also, some of the more seasoned members would offer these girls advice based on their experiences.
She noted that because of the support of other members, most of the girls could come out and speak up about the violence they had experienced. In some cases, even the mothers of these children are unaware of their daughter’s situation.
Additionally, there are camping trips and other outings that are specifically catered towards the girls.
Halley also stated that the organisation will continue to thrive and place the girls’ well-being first, for generations to come.
THROUGH the International Fund for Agriculture Development, the Government of Guyana has collaborated with the Carnegie School of Home Economics to embark on a six-year project for the Hinterland Communities of the country.
The name of the project is called Hinterland Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Development (HESAD) Project.
This project aims to improve Indigenous Peoples’ livelihood through income generation and create an Indigenous Recipe Book.
Principal of the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Sharmaine Marshall, disclosed that the project seeks to improve their livelihood and resilience through income generation, access to assets, improved nutrition and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Indigenous community.
She also told this publication, “Through this project, Carnegie School of Home Economics is creating history here because it is the first
historical nature of the recipe book, the recipe of traditional values cannot be changed.
“What we can suggest, for example, tuna, if you add anything to tuna, it becomes a soup, and we don’t want to do that. What we suggest is that this meal can be eaten with steamed vegetables and
that is what we are trying to encourage among the indigenous nations,”Griffith explained.
She noted that these vegetables could be grown in the Amerindian villages, but our primary focus is to show how vegetables can be used to enhance nutritional value.
It was noted that each recipe has its own traditional value.
The project recently developed a Nutrition Strategy and Play book that outlined the nutritional problems of the beneficiaries of the HESAD
Project in Regions 1 and 9 to make awareness interventions in nutrition especially concerning women, youth and children.
documented book of Indigenous recipes, so what we did was to have a call for recipes. Those recipes were submitted and we conducted a testing kitchen and standardised the recipes,” Marshall was quoted as saying during her interview.
Marshall further added that, once the recipes are standardised, there is a further aspect to it and that is to have the taste kitchen, where persons from the Amerindian community have to buy in while at the same time raising nutritional awareness among the Indigenous community.
Marshall noted that the response to the publication of the Recipe Book has been overwhelming and traction is being gained as we go along thus far.
‘We are not changing traditional Recipes’
Both Marshall and Deputy Principal, Tandika Griffith, made it quite clear in their interviews that because of the
THE village of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, is a small community with colonial-style houses which still seem to be set in olden times and some more modern houses.
The village is large with many one-vehicle concrete internal streets and houses
on both sides of the main public road. There are two churches, a mandir, a mechanic shop, Cheneck Supermarket, which has a Superbet outlet, a Money Gram section, a large supermarket, small shops, the Betsy Ground Nursery and Primary Schools, which is
in one large compound, rum shops and other liming spots.
Betsy Ground is a place where time seems to stand still; there is no rush or urgency for anything and it is a very safe place to live.
In this countryside village, bordered by Gangaram and Goed Bananen Land,
you can get fresh fish daily, fresh cow’s milk, organic garden vegetables and just about anything else needed
for the pot.
The fishmongers would walk through the village daily to sell freshly caught fish and
there are roadside stalls selling produce and other things.
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CHANWATIE Shiaundai, 77, is a resident of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice and is self-employed, but these days, she is in a lot of pain because she needs surgery for both legs due to an ailment.
She is the mother of four children, all of whom reside overseas. Shiaundai is also a resident of the United States of America but is here in Guyana almost every year.
husband passed away more than 20 years ago. They are originally from New Forest Village, the only village on that corridor, and they relocated to Betsy Ground more than 30 years ago. They established a shop and it still is her only source of income today.
The shopkeeper stated that her father had a rice field, an estate and cows and it is still in the family, managed by her nephews after the elders passed away.
while she does her own cooking and tend to customers in the shop.
When the team visited, she was mopping the concrete floor outside her home and does that before opening the shop so the place is tidy before customers visit to make purchases.
Shiaundai once had a large shop but was the victim of four violent armed robberies at her home and had to scale down the operation since these incidents.
groceries.
Outside her spacious yard, she has a pool table with wooden benches and a table to accommodate customers.
Her only concern is the neighbour’s roaming cows,
Across from Shiaundai’s home is the home of sugar estate worker, Rajbally Baljit, who is attached to the security section of the Rose Hall, East Canje, Berbice Sugar
their home, and he has committed to keeping the family tradition alive until he can.
Baljit added that his parents established the business in 1990 and they have had the support of the locals ever since even though it is not an
Due to severe leg pain when walking, she may have to go back to undergo surgery since it is very expensive here.
The elder told the Pepperpot Magazine that her
Shiaundai wants to do things on her own, but walking is very painful for her and she had no choice but to hire help. A cleaning lady comes and assists with the chores
The shop she currently has is attached to the lower flat of her two-storey wooden house and she sells basic items such as packaged confectioneries, beverages and
which would enter her yard, destroy the fruit trees and fruits, and leave holes in her yard.
Shiaundai told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has 20 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and she is very comfortable living in Betsy Ground.
Estate.
The 60-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been residing in Betsy Ground for the past 30 years and he inherited his parents’ home when they passed away.
They always had a liquor shop, called S. Baljit Bar. The establishment is attached to
everyday business or money-making, it is a small stable operation.
The resident of Betsy Ground would take a rest in the day while his wife would tend to customers in the shop since he has to work on a shift system at night.
Baljit added that among his local cuisine of cutters include wild meats such as bush hog, watrash and locally produced chicken, fish and chips, all reasonably priced per serving.
The father of five reported that he has been employed at the sugar estate for more than 40 years as a canecutter, labourer and now he is in the security section.
“This is a nice area, safe, the people are good, no real issues here and the people support my small business and things are just normal like any other village,” Baljit said.
He has a clean and wellkept shop with many tables, chairs and everything else to make your stay at the bar comfortable and pleasant.
BEING able to work and live in the same area is a real convenience. Ramdat Jailall benefitted from that from 1976 until he retired in 2000 as a cane harvester and an excavator operator attached to Rose Hall Sugar Estate, East Canje, Berbice.
The 62-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that
bit of gardening in the backyard and he would basically ensure the yard is tidy.
The father of three added that all the children are grown and are leading their adult lives with their families elsewhere while it’s just him and his wife at home.
He reported that Betsy Ground is a generally quiet place that is very safe and there isn’t much to worry
talk to family members on the phone.
However, he is looking forward to his 63rd birth anniversary in May this year and is very comfortable at his home and in the village he has been living in for a very long time as his place of birth.
Jailall reported that his wife would do the cooking and he would assist in some
Shivanie Persaudthese days he is mostly at home doing the yard work and looking after the trees, flowers and plants. He has the time to do a
about.
Jailall resides on the public road and isn’t really bored since the internet is an avenue to watch movies and
chores and they have an excellent relationship in the home as well as with the neighbours.
Further in the village is the home of Shivanie Persaud, whose father is the local electrician who repairs microwaves, music sets, among other things on a part-time basis.
The 24-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she used to work as an office
are relatively easy-going and quiet.
There are also a few abandoned houses in the same street, and the people seem to be about their own business.
When the team visited, Persaud had already finished cooking and had indulged in a meal of curry and rice, hot off the stove while in the
of preparing a meal when the team visited that day.
Ishmael told the Pepperpot Magazine life in Betsy Ground is fair, and they have the basic necessities to have a contented life there.
She reported that her husband works at the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate as a pump attendant and he is on a shift system and she is the
assistant and today, she is unemployed and is looking for work.
She is from a home of two siblings; both are gainfully employed and her father works at the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate as a pump attendant while her mother is a stay-at-home wife.
Persaud resides in Mandir Street, Betsy Ground Village and on one side there is no house; on the other side, there is an empty plot and the people in the same street
hammock under their house.
“In the countryside, it is normal for people to cook and do chores early in the morning so they have the day to themselves and I need a job to contribute to the home and be occupied because it has been a while since I went anywhere,” Persaud said.
Nandanie Ishmael
In Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, Berbice, resident Nandanie Ishmael is a housewife, who was in the process
mother of two.
Even though it was a rainy day, she had already completed household chores.
Ishmael disclosed everything is normal and quiet in that part of the country.
They have a pet dog, Clifford that is basically a house dog and a parrot.
“I am from this village and being able to grow and get married here is good with me because I like this place and I don’t want to relocate at all,” she said.
JAIPAUL Kuldeep, who was the former Chairman of the Canefield/Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), has done significant work for the community, so much so that the street where he resides was named in his honour.
Under Kuldeep’s watch and intervention, Kuldeep Street was transformed from a mud dam to an all-weather road. But it needs some upgrading today due to its deteriorating condition.
The 72-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that these days he is enjoying his retirement and would spend his days reclining in the wooden swinger under his house and be on ‘eat, sleep’ and on repeat.
Kuldeep explained that while serving as the Chairman for the NDC, he did
everything he could to see the street he resides go from a mud dam to loam, to crush and run and then to asphalt, which occurred just three years ago.
The elder added that he
ment Committee Chairman in 2012 and was later elected as the Chairman for the Canefield/Enterprise NDC and he served in that capacity for four years.
Kuldeep stated that Betsy
on the fence and would be used to make many things.
Tall Boy told the Pepperpot Magazine that he works on a shift system and when he is off duty he is at home with his family in Kuldeep Street, Betsy Ground Village.
“This village is quiet and nice, I grew up here, so this is home and the people are good too,” he said.
Pamela La Fleur
Also in Kuldeep Street is the residence of Pamela La Fleur, who works at the nearby Betsy ground Nursery
School which is just across from her house.
The 36-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living in the village for the past 14 years and has never had any issues. Her husband is a taxi driver and cane cutter and she is a part-time employee at the school, who had already finished her job that day when the team visited.
La Fleur was relaxing when the team visited and she was in company of her pet parrot, Patsy, a noisy bird who was at the time having a meal.
was the Interim Manage -
Ground Village is quite large and even though it isn’t his place of birth, he has been living there for a long time, so he is familiar with the people.
He reported that on the original map of the village, which is the property of the NDC, it shows the olden name of Betsy Ground as Goldstone Hall and Little Brendall, which was established in the 1930s or earlier.
Kuldeep could not say how the village got its name, but the community has potable water, electricity, internet, landline phones, good cell phone service, roads and infrastructure.
He stated that his wife passed away one year, three months ago and he is still reeling from shock, but as each day passes, he is comforted by the memories of happier times.
The father of five told the Pepperpot Magazine that all of his children live abroad except for one daughter, who will be away soon but has other relatives nearby.
Kuldeep disclosed that he also worked at the nearby Rose Hall Estate as a cane cutter for 25 years, and he was also the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) representative and was attached to the Goed Bananen Land/Betsy Ground Sluice which is controlled by Guyana Sugar Corporation
(GUYSUCO).
He retired in 2011 and has been at home since, doing simple things and today, he has the time to relax and enjoy his old age.
Tall Boy
In the same street is the home of Tall Boy (only name given), an ambulance driver attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Tall Boy and his friends would go to the back dam in the village and make a catch of caimans which is added to the food for his four large dogs.
The skin would be stripped and hung until dry
CHAIRMAN of the Canefield/Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Sherryann Beharry told the Pepperpot Magazine that a lot of emphasis is being placed on community development via the NDC.
She related that with their resources, they managed
to upgrade several internal streets in Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, which was deplorable.
Beharry stated that they have completed four internal streets to concrete in the village, and they also have an asphalted street.
The NDC Chairman disclosed that they cover six villages in their catchment area and equally, they would
do community projects to enhance the lives of the locals via good roads and infrastructural works.
Beharry pointed out that they also completed revetment works at the sea defence boundary in Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.
In addition, she related that the Canefield/Enterprise NDC also paved the once mud dam to an all-weather
road which Guysuco uses to access the cane fields and residents of that section of the village.
She explained that they do maintenance of drains and parapets as much as possible
nuts to wash down with cold beverages and packaged confectioneries for the school children to buy on week days.
The 51-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that since she established her shop
villages and she has gotten used to that lifestyle; slow but sure.
Being self-employed is indeed a gift, and working from home is even better for Motilall and her family.
The mother of four reported that all of her children live outside the community but has a daughter that is still with her and a grandson.
Her husband has a steady job and things are exactly what it seems in this village that is still set in old times, where most of the people are offspring of plantation workers.
“I don’t sell liquor or cigarettes, just a bit of snacks for the school children and a little bit of groceries and it is a job for me even though it is not a big income. I am still satisfied,” Motilall said.
Outram
in the six villages under their jurisdiction.
The shop owner
Reshma Motilall earns from her home in the form of a shop which is in her front yard and is easily accessible to the school children just across the road, Betsy Ground Nursery and Primary Schools.
Motilall would make milky fudge and salted pea-
nine years ago, her fellow villagers have supported the small business and depend on each other to earn.
Motilall added that living in Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, Berbice is a good thing. The place is quiet and not overly populated but has houses on both sides of the main public road with a few internal streets.
She stated that things are fair and life is not as fastpaced as in other bustling
Meanwhile, Outram Shamsundar is also a resident of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice and in all his 49 years, he has lived in the community.
He is an employee attached to the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate and was on that day awaiting his time to report for duty based on a shift system.
Shamsundar told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is responsible for taking out the punts from the backdam of the canefields.
He likes the quiet countryside life because it appeals to him and the stability and familiarity combined make it worthwhile.
“There is no place like home and this is it for me and my family,” he said.
The people of Betsy Ground comprise both East Indians and Afro Guyanese and they co-exist in peace and harmony and live side by side with each other.
The locals of Betsy Ground don’t have any complaints because most things are in their favour and they have electricity, potable water supply, internet, good roads, streets, landline phones and reliable cell phone services.
It is a relatively clean place with many colonial-style houses which are well maintained with tidy yards filled with potted plants, flowers and trees.
Some residents have inherited the houses from their parents, who are deceased and have managed to keep it to a good standard over the years with repairs and additions to the properties’ well-painted sections.
Most of the natives of Betsy Ground have lived all their lives in the village and see it as their home, a place they are comfortable and familiar with.
There are, however, a lot of unoccupied houses rotting away and a lot of empty spaces which are overrun by bushes.
Betsy Ground Village is about 15 minutes drive from New Amsterdam. The village can
be accessed via Sheet Anchor’s main road, where a series of villages can be found, with the last on that corridor being New Forest, a remote place with no basic facilities.
Most of the elders have passed on while many others have migrated and the people are mostly self-employed and there are many sugar estate workers, some retirees.
The sugar industry keeps this community going, and a lot of people are employed at the Rose Hall and Albion Sugar Estates.
Police Stations, health centres, post offices and other agencies can be accessed at other nearby villages.
The main hospital is in New Amsterdam, just like the large market and other huge shopping malls, gas stations, commercial banks and other businesses.
Betsy Ground is where people still sleep with their doors unlocked and there is no need for grillwork and added security features such as cameras and dogs.
In almost every yard, there are pets, including parrots, dogs, and cats and the people rear their own animals like cows, goats, sheep, creole chickens and ducks.
In Betsy Ground, the yard chickens and ducks roam the streets freely and the cows would graze on the roadways, which is quite normal in the rural setting.
The locals get by doing many things from their home while others leave the village for work daily.
“These two phenomenal women are so beautiful inside out. They are my mentors, role models and idols. Ms Sonia Noel empowered and believed in me from the moment we met in 2021 at her Expo 50. She said to me, “I saw myself in you, that passion and drive and you work hard. I know you will get there.” I still hear her voice saying those words on to this day. It was because of her I met the amazing MsNisa Walker, and I was honoured to be a part of her grand celebration yesterday.
It was never in my wildest dreams that I would’ve been amongst such wonderful women. I got to meet and greet some of the most down to earth persons and made a few potential customers too.
I hope when I’m in my 50s and 60s, I’m this fine as these
two beautiful ladies because they are both rocking their ages.”
This FB post from Farah Ibrahim Azeez reminded me that I am fulfilling my purpose and my DASH will matter meaningfully. I needed my 50th Celebration to be memorable, not just for me hence hosting EXPO 50. The intention was to provide young male and female entrepreneurs a platform to elevate themselves and businesses. They were also given my Confidence Becomes YOU Programme complimentary.
Farah was one of the talented entrepreneurs and hungry to learn and master her craft. I look at the friends and colleagues I have who were willing to support me and Lady Nisa Walker was one of those ladies who was assigned to Farah and Manuella Bell from Bartica. She is always so willing to share her knowledge of the culinary arts. Our children attended School
of the Nation and we met at a parent-teacher meeting. We connected instantly and she is the only parent that I am still connected with. Dillon felt like my son and he calls me auntie Sonia and Marisca felt like her daughter and Marisca calls her auntie Nisa. We support, admire and respect each other.Nisa Walker is beautiful inside and has a heart to serve. She always donates something delicious to my charity events. I always enjoy chilling at Oasis with a glass of wine or hot chocolate on a rainy day. I have many meetings at Oasis because the ambience caters for many occasions. We also hosted an evening of inspiration with the participants of my personal development programme and we had a blast at Oasis. Celebrating Lady Nisa’s 60th birthday in the Promenade Gardens was an honour. We were decked out in our regency attire, looking as if we were on the cast of the hit series
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Bridgerton and you can tell from the shared pics. I also had the opportunity to showcase some of my outfits from my new collection. I glanced around, thinking what a wonderful event this was and my eyes focused on Farah.
I am very proud of Farah that Nisa could have entrusted such a significant event to her capable handles. I believe Farah will pay it forward by mentoring someone. She is already inspiring many young people.
Another testimony of the importance of mentorship. We must continue to encourage young entrepreneurs and help them chart their courses. Keisha Phillips from Tower Suites is a woman who gives opportunities to young entrepreneurs.This has allowed
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the entrepreneurs to extend the Pop up Shop featuring women with small business until April 8. We invite you to pass and also invite your friends and relatives who will be visiting us for Easter.
Let’s continue to do the things to create the world we desire to live in as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
THROUGH experiences, I have concluded that most (but not all)of the people that may have the income or can source it from dark corners to produce shows and other popular culture features lack any intent to reward the ‘Talent-Acts’ that they engage. This revolves around every area of the talent and creative field.
A lifetime ago, I was with a young lady when her father stopped me on Camp and Princess Streets in front of
‘Luscious Bar’ and enquired about my income hustle, which meant how I earned. We had a conversation that was not too private to the silent crew sitting on the bridge, but satisfied, he departed. One of the brethren immediately poured out some advice, “I know he daughter yuh girlfriend. She’s go Muslim, duh old scamp. He’s a promoter yuh know, ah time wid Roody and the Roasters, he hired them, half empty the gate box, stash off, then throw down the
box and seh some banna pun a 65-cc try fuh rob he, short pay the band, now he preaching to you, stupes!”
That was a first insight to promoters, but without rules and penalties, the victims on many occasions, were public. Imagine you’re young unemployed but skilled, and two different dance promoters come to pay to advertise their dance on a cardboard poster, destined for a then- GEC line post, ready to advance you to sign paint and nice-up. The
only exception is that they’re having it on the same night and both of them are advertising ‘Yoruba Singers’ or ‘Mischievous Guys’ again, on the same night at two different locations, which is not possible. Since you’re not the promoter or his clueless patron, you do the job, get paid, and learn. The thing with those times was the gate men used to be no-nonsense, tough, street-wise brethren, and with no legal rules on promoter conduct, ‘game done.’
Today it’s much different. The talent recruited is on a different stage. A young songwriter who has spent time composing his song, and may even have a melody that’s original and not a cover melody needs to be treated differently. But from observation and experience, I’ve concluded it’s not just dishonesty, though that plays a tremendous role. In some cases, it’s a pathological condition of envy of talent that manifests a need to humble and, if possible ill-treat these talents in the most perverted way, inculcating a negative cultural practice of paying a vicious toll to cross the bridge to possible fame, accompanied by irrevocable psychological damage.
Hollywood would be a relative example of the men-
tal collapse of talents that would lead to suicide. This is not only exclusive to Hollywood but also to the inner workings of the entertainment business and the battle with pharmaceuticals, legal and illegal, that have led to the untimely deaths of superior talents like Michael Jackson, etc. The movie ‘ With eyes wide shut’ brought a glimpse through screen drama to the rumours we have all heard about occult simulations and occult practices. Recent talk of disgusting indulgences, etc. have led to weird dehumanising treatment that may have caused suicide with individuals. Wakening and recollecting experiences that are narrated in the text of occult and cult-disguised formal religious organised entities, shame, and self-guilt is a powerful formula to wield against a person with any self-value. Thus, this demoralising format more likely, with a minority of such victims, that may have been induced through veiled, drugged food or drinks.
The latter is now common within our borders. What kind of people does such things? No doubt, what we called a ‘Weirdo’ in the 70’s, was how we described people who did stuff like that back in the day. A weirdo was often a person
who was out of balance with our sense of normal, like a con man- gang rapist, or creatures who always didn’t like this or that person and couldn’t tell you why we never understood the kind of envy that could embrace a person with a smile, yet despise or hate them at the same time, yes, we were naive. So we called them weirdoes. We had concluded that somebody had done something to them as a child that had screwed them up. The fact is, some people are born that way.
Talent is especially vulnerable to ‘Users.’ I once managed two singers for a colleague. They came to me on the pretext that they were asked to do a show.
I instructed them that it would be necessary to let me talk to the actual promoter and have him sign a performance contract rather than one of his hanger-ons. They ignored me, went and performed and didn’t get paid, came back to me with long faces, and I told them,
“It was your call, I’m out of it, you’re big boys now, and that was lesson #1.” The 1962 newspaper clipping featured in this article is one I inherited from an album of tits and tots from a relative. It tells a chapter, of many tales, with more to come.
recognised. “We believe that by focusing our efforts on this area, we can make a significant impact in the lives of the women and children who live there … investing in the education and well-being of children is crucial to creating a brighter future for the community as a whole,” Menakshi expressed.
She continued that the retreat centre will be a place where women can relax, connect with other women, and participate in workshops and classes that promote self-
care and personal growth. “We envision our retreat centre as a place where women can escape the stresses of daily life and focus on their own personal development.”
Meanwhile, even as the original idea for Vaksana was developed by Menakshi, the project is the result of a team effort and collaboration with local and international individuals and organisations.
The Vaksana project has established partnerships and collaborations with various organisations and individuals, including the University of Guyana’s Architecture Department, Mariana Jiminez (a civil engineer and earthbag specialist), Alyssa Gibbons (a Barbadian architect specialising in climate-resilient and culturally representative architecture), The Breadfruit Collective (an organisation focused on climate and gender justice), Green Dupatta (a Canadian organisation), Lydia Vallo (a vegan chef and soil regeneration and organic farming expert), the Tourism Ministry of Guyana, and the Queenstown Development Association.
So far, the project has been primarily funded by the directors of the organisation (three cousins), namely Menakshi, Samantha Gabuji and Shoba Bharatt, with some support through crowdfunding initiatives for the outreach programmes. “We are committed to being transparent about the costs associated with the Vaksana project and will continue to update our supporters and the community as the project progresses,” Menakshi said.
“GOOD MORNING Miss,” a chorus of little voices greeted Marissa as she entered her classroom.
“Good morning, children,” she responded with a warm smile, always loving the sound of their cheery voices.
It was the third week of the new school term and her Grade One pupils were settling in nicely. The first week was always the usual hectic period as the children began transitioning from Nursery to Primary school. Some were always resistant to the
change, silent tears, and discomfort with the new classroom and teacher. But Marissa’s patience, calming voice and warmth in her smile wove a certain kind of magic that comforted their little minds.
She was young, just four years in the teaching profession, her natural attributes perfect for she was doing what she loved best, teaching from the heart. She had special ways of enriching their minds with the fun of learning that built their enthusiasm and love for the work they did. There was never a dull moment in the classroom and they now loved their new teacher.
Jared, the bravest of them all and quite talkative, told her one day, “Miss, you look like an African Barbie doll my sister has.”
“Well, thank you, Jared.”
Their sentiments, observations, and questions asked were interesting as their minds developed. But one little boy sat quietly with a sad little look on his face. He was showing little interest in class work and after speaking to his aunt, who had brought him to school, Marissa realised she had to pay extra attention to him.
His mother died in an accident when he was four years old and his father’s business in mining took him away for regular periods. The child was in the care of his grandparents, aunts and uncles, who were taking great care of him but somehow, the little boy seemed to be missing something.
The sad look in his eyes touched Marissa’s heart and she said to herself with certainty, “I’m sure he’s missing his mother.”
He was so cute with thick, bouncy, curly hair, cherub cheeks, and hazel eyes. She sat with him during lunch break to ensure he ate something, held his hand sometimes to guide his fingers in drawing and colouring. He was not doing well, but she commended him for a good effort and showed him how to do better.
He slowly began to warm towards her and she noticed a tiny smile whenever he raised his hand to answer a question. His growing enthusiasm towards his work was quite pleasing, and she thought, “Hope it gets better from here for him.”
Three weeks passed and she was at her desk arranging the day’s work neatly after school had been dismissed when there was a knock on the open door. She looked up and drew in her breath a little at the man standing there with undeniable good looks.
“Oh darn,” she exclaimed silently.
“Good afternoon, are you Miss Marissa Callaway?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“I’m Aryan’s father. Can I speak with you for a moment?”
“Sure, come in.”
He extended his hand, “I’m Aditya.”
She smiled pleasantly and shook his hand, “It’s good seeing his parent now.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t have been here earlier,” he apologised, “But there was a terrible accident on the mining site that caused a long delay.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that. Is everything okay now?”
“Thankfully, yes, for now.”
She noticed a worried look on his face and he asked, “So, how is Aryan doing?”
There was an edge of concern in his voice that she did not miss and she answered, “He’s doing fine now but for the first few weeks, he was withdrawn and sad.”
A flicker of pain flashed across the father’s face and he said, “It’s difficult for me and the families to come to terms with the tragedy and Aryan is at an age when a child needs their mother.”
She felt touched by his pain and said with a sympathetic tone, “It’s not easy for anyone to lose a loved one and I’m so sorry for your great loss.”
He sighed deeply and nodded, “Thank you.”
“I must say, I recognised he was going through some kind of trauma and I’ve been paying
Give an Hour to Earth by spending 60 minutes doing anything positive for our planet.
Earth Hour, organised by the World Wildlife Fund, is a global grassroots movement uniting people to take action on environmental issues and protect the planet. Engaging in a massive mainstream community, Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-out event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007. Since then, it has grown to engage millions of supporters in more than 185 countries and territories, inspiring individuals and organisations worldwide to take action for the environment and driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the crowd. As the movement grows, the one-hour lights-out event continues to symbolise a broader commitment toward nature and our planet.
Give the jaguar a voice
Earth Hour in Guyana 2023 will focus attention on the protection of jaguars and the conservation of their habitats. Earth Hour 2023 advocacy and awareness campaigns are intended to enhance citizens’ interest and strengthen national commitment to protecting jaguars through the governments signing of the jaguar Roadmap.
With this campaign, WWF underscores the importance of the jaguar and will ask governments to advance in implementing the Jaguar Roadmap 2030 and launch conservation efforts through four pathways: regional cooperation; development and implementation of national strategies; jaguar-friendly productive practices, and sustainable financing.
Facts about Jaguars
Scientific name: Panthera onca;
The largest wild cat in the Western Hemisphere. The third largest cat in the world behind the lion and tiger;
Are excellent swimmers and climbers;
Have the strongest jaw and bite of all wild cats. The name jaguar comes from
Can kill by piercing the bones of the skull between the ears. With no predators, the jaguar is at the top of the food chain where it lives. The jaguar prefers stalking and ambushing its prey.
It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of the entire jaguar population (57,000 out of 64,000) live in the Amazon and the Guianas. The sub-populations found outside of the Amazon are threatened because of their small habitat size, isolation, lack of protection, and high density of human populations. The jaguar is already extinct in El Salvador and Uruguay and is virtually gone in the United States.
Jaguars in Guyana
The jaguar was chosen as the national animal of Guyana because it represents strength, courage, endurance, and resilience.
In addition to being an important part of our culture, the presence of these animals helps maintain healthy populations of other species by keeping ecosystems balanced through natural predation patterns.
Scientists (from Panthera) reported finding a relatively healthy jaguar density of three to four animals per 161 miles in Guyana’s southern Rupununi savannah.
Guyana’s jaguars can be spotted in its protected areas – can you name them?
The EPA, through its Environmental Authorisation process, Biodiversity Research process and coordination of the implementation of environmental agreements, will continue to play its role in protecting Guyana’s jaguars.
According to Section 4 (7) of the Wildlife Conservation, Management, and Sustainable Use Regulations (2019), all wildcats are protected, and it is an offence to collect, hold in
captivity, kill, hunt, or otherwise molest a protected species. You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street,
Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
IN light of recent health scares within my family, I’ve now been trying to be more conscious of the food I eat and the lifestyle I live as it relates to my physical health. I know what you’re thinking—why now? While prevention is better than a cure, it’s always better to be late than never do it. In hopes of changing this, I’ve been researching how to be more “aware” of what I eat and how I eat. After my last article on eating disorders, I came across the concept of Conscious Eating or Mindful Eating and thought it’s only fitting that I share it with you all. Conscious eating is an awareness of the eating experience. It is a concept that is based on Zen Buddhism and asks us to be conscious of our surroundings and inter processes as we eat.
To consciously eat means also understanding your hunger cues and being aware of when you’re satisfied. It has less to do with the aggressive dieting culture of calculating calories. It’s not focused on losing weight. It’s more of a journey on how to be aware of the food on your plate. Nonetheless, those who adopt this lifestyle will most likely lose weight in the process. It is process-oriented not outcome driven. Regular diets will tell you what to eat, when, and how to eat. Conscious eating will allow you to experience a healthier relationship with food. You’ll do that while knowing what you put into your body in a given moment.
To practise conscious eating, you should put away your devices or stay away from the twelve while you eat. You should be able to cook/prepare the correct portion sizes for your meals. You should sit down as you eat. As you eat a meal, being consciously aware of what you’re doing can make you understand when you’ve had enough to eat. By being process-oriented, conscious eating doesn’t allow you to be preoccupied with the outcome of the experience. It gives you a more positive and efficient attitude towards the things you put your mind to. We all must have a better relationship with food. Many of us have a love/hate relationship with food. An unhealthy relationship with food leaves you hating to love food, or you loving to hate food.
A better relationship with food allows you to put thought into what you put into your body. Ask yourself, “how will this benefit my body?” the next time you think about putting too much sugar, fat or carbs into your body. I am developing a habit of always asking myself, “will this help my body, or will this harm it?”. I encourage you to do the same if conscious eating is something you’d like to practise.
You should also learn how to appreciate the journey, not dread it. Too often we’re focused on what happens at the end of a journey instead of taking time to slow down and appreciate the experiences, knowledge and insight we’ve gained on said journey. There will be days when you’ll probably relapse. It’s normal for most people when you’re going through a lifestyle change. Nonetheless, that shouldn’t discourage you. Simply get up and don’t be afraid to start all over again. If you make conscious eating a habit, then it becomes instinctual—it’s never too late to reprogramme your mind, especially if it’s to benefit your overall well-being.
LAST weekend I was shopping at the City Mall when a group of Environmental Law students from the University of Guyana (UG) stopped me and asked me to participate in a survey for an assignment. Assignments (especially group assignments) are taxing, so I immediately agreed. Fortunately or unfortunately, they wanted to question me about a topic I am super into: climate change and the environment.
They tailored their questions based on an initial assessment of my knowledge. And it immediately got me thinking about what questions they might be asking other people. I didn’t have to wait too long because a few days later, a friend in that class saw the group’s survey with me (they videoed our interaction) and messaged me about it.
I don’t have any of their findings- if that were collecting empirical data- to share people’s level of knowledge. However, for what it is worth, my friends said, based on the videos shown in class, I was the only person who “didn’t sound dumb.”
I said earlier that the group’s decision to tailor their questions based on an assessment of my knowledge got me thinking. I thought about it because I have been exposed to many people- especially those disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis- who are largely unaware of the global catastrophe before us.
I choose my words very carefully to say this.
Certainly, anyone can explain how devastating a flood is. People living along Guyana’s vulnerable, low-lying coastal plain can aptly describe how disastrous rising sea levels are, especially during the rainy seasons. I am not attempting to be condescending when I say this but based on my experiences engaging people in the field, not everyone can link those events to climate change. Not everyone can even describe what climate change is.
I have learnt not to write people off based on their limited knowledge of any subject area. And even though the climate crisis affects our everyday life, I still don’t believe that we should write people off as being dumb or ignorant when they don’t know much about it, or they don’t want to know more about it (sometimes ignorance is bliss, I get it). It just goes to show that those of us who do know could do a little bit more to help enlighten the people around us. That’s my take on it. And that’s why I hope to do whatever little I can through this space.
From a very young age, I was exposed to the value of Guyana’s forests and efforts to protect them. I didn’t know too much about climate change then, but again, I inherently understood that our forests were so valuable and the world had started to realise this. In the following years, global warming and climate change became increasingly serious topics in my high school classes. And now, perhaps because of attention directed towards Guyana’s nascent oil and gas sector, the updated LCDS is, once again, getting the world’s attention. More recently, that strategy has been leveraged to help Guyana earn millions more by selling carbon credits.
There are a few particularly interesting things to know.
First, the process itself is key. Trees breathe in the carbon dioxide (a gas) that humans breathe out; this carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when trees are cut down or when fuels are burnt. When this gas (called a greenhouse gas) is released into the atmosphere, it makes the earth hotter (through a process called global warming). It contributes to other climatic situations, such as increasingly worse natural disasters like floods. Carbon dioxide is viewed as an environmentally- unfriendly gas, and the goal is to limit how much of this gas we release into the atmosphere.
Guyana’s forests are valuable because intact forests
ONE of the recent great achievements of Western Civilisation was its ushering into the world of social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok and Youtube. These platforms are well-known throughout the world and are a liberating force. They are even used by leaders of countries for diplomatic communication. But they have a serious and disastrous effect on Society when they are misused, for example, their attacks on women and vulnerable minorities.
The perpetrators of this misuse employ hate speech, misinformation, and fake news to spew racism and hatred, stymie social and economic progress, and cause social confusion and distress. Long before social media, the Nazi media pioneered this when they demonised the Jewish People leading to the holocaust and the non-Germanic peoples of the world whom they described as ‘Untermenschen’ or subhumans or the Rwandan radio station, Mille Collines, which carried hate speech against the Tutsis resulting in the barbarous genocide of millions of innocent people. Oftentimes, leaders and blameless prominent persons are accused of crimes, weakening governance and also deterring sections of society from going into the mainstream and taking advantage of the benefits which may be on offer.
Other perpetrators use Social Media to propagate vulgarity and crimes such as narcotic drug use, prostitution, human trafficking, and recruitment for terrorist groups in various parts of the world. The Islamic terrorist group ISIS, for instance, has been able to recruit via Social Media thousands of innocent underage girls to be sex slaves in the Middle East.
Many who misuse social media are very young or inexperienced people who are unaware that they are ultimately publishers reaching hundreds and even thousands and do not understand that their online actions could result in very deleterious implications offline.
Guyana has not been spared of the negative effects of social media.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently lamented those who are making money out of the negativities spewed by social media: “Social media platforms based on a business model that monetises outrage, anger, and negativity are causing untold damage to communities and societies”. . . He further went on to point out, “Our data is being bought and sold to influence our behaviour, while spyware and surveillance are out of control, all with no regard to privacy. Artificial Intelligence is compromising the integrity of information systems, the media and indeed democracy itself . . . and we don’t have even the beginnings of a global architecture to deal with any of these.”
mean that more trees would capture those gases that make the earth hotter. Because of that, companies like the Hess Corporation would pay Guyana significant sums of money to keep protecting those trees. This payment scheme involves “carbon credits”- a kind of tradeable permit or certificate that represents the removal of a certain amount of carbon dioxide from the environment.
Already, Hess secured 30 per cent of Guyana’s available carbon credits. So, the country has about 70 per cent of credits left to market to countries or companies. That means Guyana can earn millions more for its forest-saving efforts. And for any of the credits sold, Guyana’s government said it will directly allocate 15 per cent of the funds secured to Indigenous communities for their developmental priorities. The remaining 85 per cent will be spent on national development priorities.
In the months and years ahead, we will be able to see just
how the LCDS and Guyana’s environment-saving plans will unfold, especially amid an increasingly prolific oil and gas sector. Until then, I hope we can continue learning more about all that going on and I hope that we can care about learning and care about saving the earth bit by bit.
If you would like to connect with me to discuss COVID-19, this column, or any of my previous works, feel free to email me at vish14ragobeer@gmail.com
FROM PAGE XX
If the victims of unjust social media attacks try to defend themselves in any way, or even those who share their position, they are accused by a vociferous national and international lobby of being Nazis and authoritarians and against freedom of speech and expression, against national constitutions and should be ostracised.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali attempted to bring some equilibrium to this situation when he commented: “I believe in full freedom of the press. I am open to constructive criticism . . . when we speak of freedom, we are speaking of the ability to conduct ourselves in an open, free manner. But the ability to conduct ourselves in such a manner is within the confines of rules and the Constitution in a democratic society.” He further underscored this: “Men and women are free, but there are limitations to which they must conform in that free society. You are not free to harm each other, you are not free to destroy property, and you are not free to destroy character. That is why we have laws and rules in a democratic society.”
No universal solution has so far been found to control the miscreancy of social media, but some relief may be obtained if every country were to evolve its peculiar legislation. For normal persons who may wish to make postings, they do so after some thought and consideration and not impetuously. Most importantly, users should avoid useless and objectionable platforms which waste one’s time and concentrate on those which are enjoyable and educative, such as platforms on music, health, history, learning a foreign language and perfecting one’s English, drama, films, world affairs and delving deeper into the treasury of other offerings. If users become so positively and constructively involved, scandals, abuse and other negativities will have no effect.
special attention to him.”
“Thank you so much, I truly appreciate that.”
“There’s something I want you to see though, because it depicts how he’s seeing things in his life.”
She sifted through a stack of pages and handed Aditya the one with Aryan’s artwork. He looked a little puzzled and Marissa explained, “I asked the class to draw a picture of their family and this is what Aryan did.”
She pointed to the sky with the golden light and said, “This is his mother gone to heaven, the boy is him standing alone and the man far away is his father.”
Aditya inhaled deeply and said, a slight break in his voice, “I’ve been away too much.”
“If I may say this, I think you need to spend more time with him.”
“I know but the bulk of my investment is in gold mining so I’ll have to do some rescheduling so I can be closer to home.”
“That would be good,” Marissa expressed.
They spoke a short while more then he got up to leave.
“Thank you, again. I’m happy that he has you as his teacher.”
She smiled with a little nod and at the door he turned back and said, “Please take my number so you can contact me on anything I need to know on how he’s doing.”
“Sure.”
After he left, two of her female colleagues who had been waiting for her so they could leave together asked in a teasing hushed tone, “And who is that?”
“A student’s father.”
“Gosh!” they exclaimed in unison and one said, “Thought he was your boyfriend.”
Marissa smiled and shook her head, always amused by their expressions when seeing a handsome guy because none of them had boyfriends.
She herself had been struck by his good looks but he was a grieving widower with a young son, and as a teacher, she was working with the child to help him overcome his trauma.
The next morning Aditya brought Aryan to school himself and informed Marissa, “I’ve decided to take some time off now to spend time with him whilst working on something that’s closer to home.”
“That’s wonderful,” she expressed and looking at Aryan she said to the father, “He looks happy.”
“I did not realise how much my regular absence was affecting him.”
“You’re the closest thing to him now despite the loving care by relatives.”
He brought Aryan to school every day and always stayed a little before leaving, talking with her as she settled the children in.
“Your mellow voice and engaging smile seem to add energy to the classroom,” he observed.
“Really?” she laughed a little, “I love my work and love working with children.”
I like that,” he said with an appreciative smile. Somehow she was beginning to like seeing him every morning and talking with him. The worried look she had seen on his face the first time she saw him was not there anymore.
“It’s so great,” she thought, “What love and bonding between parent and child can do.”
At lunch on the last day of the working week, her friends Cindy and Shivanie stopped by her class as she sat a little lost in thought.
“So, how are things going with your handsome parent?” Cindy asked with a teasing smile.
“What things?”
“Well, he’s here every morning chatting with you.”
“He brings his son to school who is in my class, so obviously he would talk with me.”
Tbeg looked at each other then at her and stated, “Something seems to be happening.”
“Oh boy,” Marissa shook her head, smiling in mock hopelessness.
“Why do the two of you always see something when there is nothing?”
“We have a part-time job with Cupid,” Shivanie said with a little laugh.
“He’s a grieving widower okay, so the two of you will lose your part time job.”
Close friends they were, always jesting with each other but in her mind, Marissa questioned,
“Is something really happening?”
To be continued…
But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Them imitate the action of the tiger. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564- 1616) Henry V, Act 3, Scene 1
March 26, 2023
Dear Student, Though you can be more demanding of yourself than others would, it is generally more troubling to be thinking about people’s expectations. Yes, you will reap
sharp criticism should you underperform for them, but do not beat yourself; the fear of letting others down is a common form of examination anxiety. Get past that level; consider using energy gainfully to satisfy your own projected standards. Keep in mind: Your mature, profitable handling of stress greatly determines your future success.
Love you.
GRAMMAR
Using good/ well; bad/ badly correctly
Read carefully, now.
1. Use “good” and “bad” as adjectives.
Right: This coconut dumpling tastes good. (predicate adjective)
Right: Don’t feel bad, Sandra. (predicate adjective, completing a linking verb)
2. Use “well” either as an adjective or as an adverb, depending upon the sentence meaning. In speaking of one’s health or appearance, “well” is an adjective to mean “in good health;” otherwise, “well” is an adverb and modifies action verbs.
Right: Does your mother feel well today? (adjective)
Right: Jefferson doesn’t sing very well. (adverb)
3. Use “badly” as an adverb.
Right: Uncle Freddy dances badly.
Something to Do
1. Our truck still runs ---- but my father is bent on getting a new one.
2. Are you feeling ---again? That is ---- news.
3. I always sleep ---before a class test.
4. Mother felt ---- yesterday, but she is better today.
5. Doesn’t that bacon and egg smell ----? I feel starved!
6. The group is playing ----.
7. Do not feel ----; things will change soon.
Writing about historical things
Once upon a time an innocent prisoner was condemned – for his religious beliefs – to die by the cruelest tortures of the Spanish
Inquisition. After the strain of the long trial, the prisoner fainted. Black-robed figures carried him unconscious –down – down - down far below the surface of the earth, into a dungeon where the mind of man had excelled itself in devising fiendish implements of torture. When he regained consciousness, he examined his surroundings. On the walls were grotesque carvings – figures of imps and demons – and on the ceiling was the figure of Father Time, pictured, as usual, with a scythe.
Suddenly he observed something startling about the figure. Father Time’s scythe was a pendulum! The sharp blade was descending inch by inch – and he lay, bound securely, directly in its path. Now the full meaning of his sentence was clear. He was to die by the cruelest of all tortures, mental torture; for his was to be the anguish of watching death approach by slow degrees.
Down – down – steadily – steadily down. Hours passed – perhaps days – he had no way of knowing; and still the pendulum descended. Nearer and nearer – still nearer and nearer…. Now the blade, as it passed, cut the folds of his garment. One more stroke and it would reach his heart …
This story is an example of treating some forms of writing where the setting is far away and of long ago. Its vocabulary can be beyond some students.
It was introduced to some children by their very thoughtful teacher. She provided a thumbnail background on the Inquisition and its extreme cruelty to heretics.
She told the first part of the story – with dramatic flourish. Did you pay attention to her rendition? Was she successful with you? Perhaps you were turned off by such cruelty.
Anyway, the purpose here is to teach and reinforce that a good story can be produced based on garnered facts coupled with appropriate interaction with teacher and study partners.
1. Add an ending to your teacher’s story. You can either write about how the tortures were stopped, whether you think the fiendish tortures can be stopped, or how the prisoner can be saved. Take your time; it is not like your everyday stories. We suggest that you not write without doing further research.
2. Find another historical era about which factual points are easily gotten and then write an interesting and nail-biting story on it. Share this also at your Writing Club and watch their reaction.
Our mother believed that the future would be better as soundly as she believed in God. She showed us this conviction daily, and yet the earliest tale I heard her tell about herself was of a little girl who had to give up what she loved best. This is the first story in my mother’s “Tale of Three Stoves.”
“Joanna,” her mother said in Hungarian. “You must choose. You can take only one toy with you. There is no room.”
The girl is eight, maybe nine, and thin as a waif. She is deliberating with great seriousness, “Yes, Mama.”
Her brother, John, comes into the kitchen carrying Father’s shot-gun. He puts it behind the front door, so he won’t forget it. “Hurry up, little goose,” he tells Joanna, who is studying a rag doll and a black cast-iron toy stove...
“Which one did you choose, Mommy?” I used to ask. “The doll?”
Using good dialogue to advance your story
Your study partners and you should discuss the effective uses of dialogue in this shortened narrative. One purpose is to highlight relationships. Find out the others. [To be continued next week.]
ANYONE with recognised gum disease, also called periodontal disease, even in the early stages, is well advised to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly at least once a day, preferably twice a day. By the same token, excessive brushing and flossing can be harmful. A woman with an immaculately clean mouth complained to me that her teeth were sensitive to cold water and brushing, even to breathing through her mouth. When she reported that she brushed five or six times a day, she was advised to brush no more than twice a day and to avoid scrubbing the necks of the teeth in a straight back-and-forth stroke. Within a few weeks, the sensitivity to cold and brushing disappeared. Her problem resulted from her needlessly wearing down her enamel and dentin with the abrasives in toothpaste.
The primary objective of treating periodontal (gum) disease is to remove plaque from teeth and to keep them free from returning once removed. This is known in dentistry as prophylaxis but is simply called “cleaning” by patients. However, because plaque re-forms within 24 hours, only personal hygiene can keep it from re-establishing itself, bearing in mind that effective control of plaque is the “secret” to oral health. Because some people are more susceptible than others, not everyone may be required to practice prevention with the same diligence.
Similarly, there was a young man who never had a cavity. His gums were healthy, but the tissue between the teeth was “punched out”. He had been advised to use dental floss. Figuring if a little floss was good, a lot was better, he tied knots in the string and pulled them through the teeth, destroying the interdental papilla, the triangular-shaped gum tissue that normally fills the space between the teeth. On cessation of this destructive flossing, the gum tissue gradually grew back to its normal shape.
Professional treatment for diagnosed periodontal disease is generally divided into nonsurgical and surgical phases. Antibiotics and antimicrobial chemicals are used for acute infections and for supportive therapy. Mechanical protective devices such as plastic occlusal guards relieve problems caused by compulsive grinding. Orthodontic realignment of teeth corrects severe and traumatic occlusion. Prosthetic appliances-fixed and removable bridges and splints-may be necessary to restore and stabilise teeth. And, of course, there is no substitute for personal effort.
There are two major motivations for a person to practice good oral hygiene. They are to have sparkling clean teeth and wholesome breath, just like the chewing gum twins of the TV ads. Preventing periodontal disease, which requires an understanding and perhaps fear of its cause, is seldom foremost in the avid toothbrusher’s mind.
Primary prevention of periodontal disease requires good personal home care, emphasising diligent daily tooth brushing and flossing. Once the disease has occurred, the same methods, supplemented by professional treatment and special devices and rinses, prevent further extension of the disease. While gingivitis is a reversible gum disease, over the years, various brushing and flossing methods have been advocated: this shape, that shape, soft bristles, hard bristles, waxed floss, unwaxed floss, and so on. Whenever we find such inconsistency among authorities, we can reasonably conclude that there is no one best way but rather a number of modalities that work well.
As long as one brush without abrading, puncturing, or otherwise irritating the gums, one technique is probably as good as another, provided plaque is effectively removed.
Being a dentist for over twenty years has taught me that the best way to prevent and maintain oral health is to obey the Rule of Thoroughness. This rule states that the total time spent cleaning the mouth every 24 hours must equal the number of natural teeth in minutes. For example, if a person has 20 teeth, he/she should spend at least 20 minutes every day brushing, flossing, etc.
One should not scrub the teeth with a straight back-andforth stroke because of the danger of wearing grooves along the necks of the teeth, the area at the gum line where the crown joins the root. Brushing from the gums to the tips of the teeth or with a circular motion removes most plaque without damaging
the surfaces of teeth. However, plaque also forms beneath the gingival cuff. If the bristles are placed at a 45-degree angle at the neck of the tooth so that the tips slip under the cuff and the brush is then jiggled back and forth, newly formed plaque can be removed from this covered area.
The average person takes less than a minute to brush
their teeth and fails to remove two-thirds of plaque. While emphasising the importance of tooth and gum care in oral health, one should not ignore the tongue. A healthy tongue is smooth and pink Excessive smoking and coffee consumption can cause strains and irritate the top surface. Mouth breathing, particularly during sleep, dries out the mouth,
