Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot E-Paper 28-05-2023

Themournscountry

One of the survivors of the Mahdia dormitory fire at the vigil honouring the 19 lives lost (Photo courtesy of Office of the President)

Humble beginnings spur success for Guyana-born lawyer

GUYANA-born Ramnarine Sahadeo, who started practising law in Ontario, Canada in 1980 and retired in 2014, is credited as being one of the most astute attorneys, specialising in the field of Immigration and Citizenship, Family Law and Criminal Law.

While law was his forte, Sahadeo also excelled as an author, writing extensively on the “Great Soul” Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and the Bhagavad-Gita. According to Sahadeo, his initial endowment financed the scholarship, which was established at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, for a few years, but he wants other admirers of the Mahatma to have an opportunity to contribute in order to make it a lifetime award. Since his retirement after 34 years of active law practice, Sahadeo has researched, written, and lectured about the life of the Indian lawyer, politician, social activist and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India.

Sahadeo pointed out that since its inception in 2017, the scholarship has already supported several students in pursuing academic excellence. The recipients, to date, are Adriana Michell, a Third Year English/Cultural Studies and Peace Studies student; Amber Robidoux, Third Year, Justice Political Philosophy and Law; Tal Septon, Fourth Year, Peace Studies and Political Science; Leni Frances Kneller, Third year, Peace Studies and Anthropology and Hannah Elisabeth Jean Chapman, Third Year, Justice Political Philosophy and Law.

In 2020, the Office of the Dean of McMaster University wrote Sahadeo for his “kindness in changing the world.” The Dean pointed out that, “2020 has been an unprecedented year

full of challenges for many. This year has also brought about reflection. As I look back, I am reminded of a simple creed you live by – treat others as you wish to be treated. This creed has been echoed across the world and those who don’t live by these words – their actions have been magnified on the news and in social media globally. It is a reminder that we still have work to do. It is a reminder of the importance of the Gandhian lifestyle and his universal principles that we know can make a change. It is true the selfless acts of people like you that give our future hope.

“To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation, in 2017, you created the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship. The scholarship aids in the education of the next generation of leaders and promotes values of peace. I am proud and grateful to share with you that because of your generous support, the scholarship will now last in perpetuity. You, too should be proud.”

Sahadeo’s first edition of his book titled Mohandas K. Gandhi – Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita came out to mark the 10th anniversary of the atrocities of September 12, 2001, now popularly known as 9/11 and according to the author “it was primarily intended to show that we should not assume that thousands of years of human existence only produced one 9/11 and that we should not allow one dark event to dominate our thoughts, words or deeds each year. On the same date but in different years, other men spoke of peace, love and unity, in the face of some of the greatest injustices the world ever witnessed.

Sahadeo disclosed that “hundreds of terrorist attacks killed thousands of people before and after this infamous day, but they did not happen on American soil and thus did not capture the attention of the world that has since restricted the freedoms and rights we once enjoyed. Those who once thought that religion is a private matter between God and believer now

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Ramnarine Sahadeo

From a bus driver’s son to a prosperous businessman

By Cindy Parkinson

SUCCESSFUL business

mogul and entrepreneur, 34-year-old Ameir Ahmad, the eldest of four siblings, was born and raised in the village of MetenMeer-Zorg, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (RegionThree) to an ambitious and “go-getter” father, Shareef Ahmad, and his humble, generous, and equally ambitious mother, Sunita Amad.

While sitting in his spotless, cozy, and luxurious office, Ameir exclusively shared with the Pepperpot Magazine that success didn’t just find him and his family; it all started with a humble, positive, and determined mindset. Ameir related that his grandparents were cleaners and tried their utmost to provide the best of what they could afford for their family. However, even though they couldn’t afford to give their children the materialistic pleasures of life, they gave them something that money could not buy. They instilled in their children the knowledge, work ethic, passion, and drive to accomplish a better life than the one in which they were brought up.

MAKING ENDS MEET

However, it wasn’t a walk in the park for the now-accomplished Shareef Ahmad, who has been a successful businessman for over 25 years. According to Ameir, before all of the success, his father worked relentlessly as a bus driver to provide for his family. Due to limited finances in the home, Ameir said that his mother wanted to contribute financially to the home to help remove some of the stress from his father. So, Sunita started to work with one of her brothers-inlaw, who owned a jewellery store in Stabroek Market in Georgetown at the time. He further explained that his uncle and aunt gave his mom “a break” by giving her a stall that was next to them for rent. He further stated that his mom told him that she gathered all of his baby jewellery and all of their jewellery and put it for sale at her business, and that was the birth of Sheriff Jewellery. Ameir also noted that the stalls are in the market and are functioning, but the family refuses to sell the structures since they played an integral role in the fami-

ly’s development in business. Even though both of his parents were working, they wanted a better future for Ameir and the rest of the family, and as such, they migrated to New York when he

was only 12 years old. Ameir explained that he was a pupil at Leonora Primary School on the West Coast of Demerara, and after his migration, he went to an Islamic school in the Big Apple, after which he wrote his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and was awarded a place at the Information Technology High School. After being successful at his high school, Ameir went on to secure a place at New York University (NYU), majoring in American History and minoring in Business Management; however, he did not graduate.

MOVING BACK HOME

In 2007, Ameir explained that his dad wanted to return to Guyana to invest, find a way to contribute to society and give back to his country. “When you are from Guyana, no matter where you may live, your roots are stuck here. You always have a feeling of missing home, and that was us, so we came back with the hope of getting into a few small businesses. After returning, I noticed that people were starting to use cellphones a lot, and I wanted to set up a business, so my father loaned me US$60,000 to see what I could have done with it,” Ameir said. He continued to explain that he started to sell cell-

taught him and his siblings by example that hard work and determination pay off. He added that even though his parents are divorced, they continue to play an active role in their lives by being supportive and by ensuring that they are okay.

Ameir cheekily shared that his mother, who currently lives in New York, messages him daily to ask where he is, what he is doing, or just to say, “I am proud of you, Ameir. My mom enjoys travelling, and it is because of her that I developed a passion for it. I am humble that I got the opportunity to travel to the Middle East and countries like [sic] Hong Kong, and it is because of those experiences I am inspired to build and contribute to Guyana, so that the economy can develop and we can be on the map for all that we have to offer in the different sectors, as well as for our architectural work,” Ameir shared.

phones but found it difficult at times to receive payments from the wholesalers, so Ameir eventually opened his own store. He later expanded to computers, and eventually they pooled their resources and purchased a plot of land on Sheriff Street. There they invested in building Sheriff Jewellery, Electronics City, Subs and Salad, Italian Grill, Miami Pizzeria, and the most recent, the Sheriff Security Service and Sheriff Medical Centre.

“Even though the stores were doing great, I always saw a need to expand and invest in the different industries. I am considered a serial entrepreneur, meaning, if I see that selling bread is the next big thing, I want to capitalise on it. I am grateful and lucky that I did invest, and I say this with no disrespect, but now that I look back at all of the competition that I had then, I realised that they are nowhere close to where my portfolio is. I know that if I didn’t make that switch, I wouldn’t be where I am, I would have been hustling and bustling with the retail industry, but instead, I am catching up with the oil-andgas market.”

FAMILY LIFE

Ameir explained that he has immense respect and love for his parents, who

However, Ameir explained that his dad, who is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Sheriff Group of Companies, is proud and humbled by their success. “On the other hand, while I know that he loves me and my other siblings and he is proud of us, he doesn’t say it to our faces, but we will hear it from my mom or stepmom. I am motivated by him, and I know that we are a family that has a go-getter attitude, and collectively, we are proud of each other and each other’s accomplishments. I cannot do what I do all by myself, and I am grateful for the togetherness.”

LEGACY

Even though Ameir and his wife are divorced and he has moved on with someone else, he said that they have a great relationship with co-parenting their two daughters, Aaria and Aliya Ahmad.

According to Ameir, life is short, and he wishes to leave behind a legacy that his daughters can be proud of and carry on after he is long gone. Ameir said, “I am extremely proud of my daughters, and I remembered the stories my mom shared with me about not being able to afford the basics like [sic] pampers for me. I don’t want my daughters to struggle, I want to ensure I give them

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheriff Security Services, Ameir Ahmad

Ameir Ahmad (centre), his dad, Shareef Ahmad (left), and uncle Edul Ahmad

The Scout Association and its work in Guyana

ACCORDING to information available on their website, the Scout Association of Guyanawas established in British Guiana in 1909, two years after it was founded in England by Sir Robert Baden-Powell. This was the first country in the Caribbean where it was established and the second in South America. The initial scout troop was founded at Queen’s College by Sgt Major George Manley, a member of a British regiment stationed here, and scouting soon spread to other schools and churches. By the mid-century, there were over 25 troops in BG, many initiated by church groups. These included Queens, St Mary’s, St Theresa’s, St Stanislaus, St Francis, St Thomas More, HQ Troop 39, St Pius, and Central High in Georgetown.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with the current Chief Commissioner of the Scout Association,Yonnick David, who shared with us his involvement in the association having

to his experience as a Scout.

David noted that he sees the Scout Association as one of the largest groups in Guyana dealing with young people who are learning an array of skills that will benefit them in their later lives. He added that there are several successful men and women who have illustrious careers that came out of the Scout movement- careers such as Doctors, lawyers, and the like.

According to him, the Scout Association and its members are working in close collaboration with members of the Guyana Police Force.

He noted that if someone wants to become enlisted in the Scout Association, the impartation of information is very simple to follow, even if you are familiar with what is expected of you.

Recently, the Scout Association hosted its 14th Caribbean Jamboree commemorating its 100th year in scouting at the Sophia Exhibition Centre under

in areas of survival. These include culinary skills for the various categories and groups.

Scout Association of Guyana is the Largest and Oldest Youth Organization in Guyana. Developing Youths Since 1909

According to information found on their website: Elsie Taylor, wife of Peter Taylor, former Editor of the Evening News, dedicated her life to scouting in Guyana and for many years kept the movement alive despite constraints and a period of near dormancy in the seventies. Her motivational skills were exceptional, and she endeared herself to every scout in Guyana, being their ‘second mother’ and mentor. DB St Aubyn, MBE, Commissioner 1952, was very instrumental in acquiring the present scout headquarters on Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.

grgonethrough the association’s ranks from the tender age of seven.

David explained that Cub, explorer, and venturer groups are the Scout Association’s three arms. According to him, he has built confidence and discipline and learned leadership skills as he interfaces and deals with his business daily thanks

the theme “One Movement, One Destiny”. Contingents came from Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname & Trinidad & Tobago.

Over the years, the Scout Association has been equipping youngpeople with the skills necessary to develop themselves

From a bus driver’s son to ...

FROM PAGE III

an education, and I wish for them to make a positive impact in society. Even though women are doing so much in society, we are still living in a society where men are most dominant, and it is my hope that my daughters can take charge of my businesses without having any financial challenges, going forward.

“The road map is set for them, and I would like for them to take it from there. I don’t want them to be dependent on a husband or anyone else. When I am gone, God rest my soul. I want to be remembered for leaving my businesses to two good

human beings who I know will use them to help others as well.”

Biggest Misconception

When asked what the biggest misconception is about him, Ameir said, “I heard people say that I am not easy to speak to or easily accessible, but I wouldn’t say that. It is just that I am a serious person when it comes to money and getting the work done. I always say my job comes first because when things are going well for the company, we are benefitting, and the people that [sic] work for us are benefitting.”

Finally, Ameir said that he is just getting started with

all that he and his family want to do in Guyana, whether in the construction field, medical sector, security, or any of their other businesses.

The successful entrepreneur took the opportunity to leave a message with his fellow Guyanese, especially his peers: “Faith plays a very important role in one’s development, regardless of how we choose to worship, and I am proud to know as Guyanese that we respect and celebrate each other’s beliefs.” I also want my peers to know that we are responsible for putting things in place for future generations. Let us be the foundation for a better tomorrow.”

The 3rd Caribbean Jamboree held at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later National Park) was a memorable affair, and probably one of the best in this hemisphere. Contingents came from Canada, England and all the Caribbean Islands. Sir David Rose was the Chief Patron and it is estimated that over 1500 scouts participated.

Ameir Ahmad and some of his family members at the opening of the Sheriff General Hospital at Leonora, West Coast Demerara

Providing a digital marketplace for businesses

By Dillon Goring

WORKSITE Guyana is a web marketplace that connects individuals seeking help from professional experts. The platform’s purpose is to eliminate the hassle of finding competent and reliable tradesmen, tradeswomen, and contractors in Guyana.

The platform also provides project management for those who live overseas and others that do not have the time to oversee work that needs to be done for them.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with the Director of the marketplace Simeon Hardy, who discussed the benefits gained as a Guyanese

“Worksite Guyana helps the Guyanese people with convenience. Our services allow them to save time and money. Having to look for a professional that is vetted and reliable can be time-consuming and time is money. Having your materials ruined by a so-called expert will cause you to lose both time and money.At Worksite Guyana, we provide professionals who are highly rated, qualified, screened, and most importantly. Competent and Reliable,” Hardy told Pepperpot.

He noted that there are many advantages of using Worksite Guyana. The convenienceat WSG gives you the ability to access skilled professionals to do work that you may not have the skills or time to do yourself.

The platform also covers a broad spectrum of services in

the construction industry, including plumbing, carpentry, ac installation, masonry, electrical insulation, handymen, and much more.Hardy said that all of the professionals’ identities are verified.

He noted that Worksite Guyana has a level of flexibility whereby they can send someone on short notice to help with an emergency problem or have a scheduled appointment for a specific time and date.

According to Hardy, WSG takes measures to ensure the safety and security of its customers by giving them peace of mind about the credibility of the professionals listed. “We seek reviews and ratings from customers after a job is completed by the professionals,” he said.

WSG offers customers support to help address any concerns or issues that may arise during the process of booking a professional. The platform is the mediator and helps resolve conflicts between professionals and clients if any may occur.

Hardy assured 100 percent quality service but while their professionals are experts, he noted that there is a chance theymay encounter individuals who may not be 100 percent happy with thestandard of work provided.

He noted during his interview that depending on location, access to a variety of professionals can also be challenging.

Compared to traditional methods, Hardy suggested that while asking a friend for a referral to a good professional is free, acquiring a service has a fee attached for connecting with

Humble beginnings spur...

FROM PAGE II

have good reason to think again. When the towers in New York collapsed, people of all religions lost their lives. Even the agnostics and atheists were not spared. Consequently, we must learn about all religions and how they can impact human behaviour and social development.”

Sahadeo feels that ‘whatever feeble attempts have been made to justify such acts be conceded that they were not caused because of poverty, exploitation, or lack of education, for there are millions across the globe who suffer from these daily.”

According to Sahadeo, the book’s ultimate aim can be summarised in Gandhi’s own words. “While he was fasting almost to death and was asked what do you want?

His memorable reply was “I just want the fighting to stop. These were the exact words that a little child repeated to a family court judge who was presiding over the custody battle waged by her parents without regard to the harmful effects on her, whom they claim to love so much.”

The book also summarises the life of Gandhi, his education in England, life in South Africa and his struggles for the Independence of India, all while following the dictates of the Gita.

A copy of the book was sent to President Barrack Obama. Tulsi Gabbard Congress person from Hawaii in

the House of Representatives, also received a copy in 2015 and acknowledged appreciation “for your thoughtful gift.”

As far back as 1992, Sahadeo has been playing a major role in promoting education in Guyana and elsewhere. He has adopted the first school he attended and wrote a booklet as a guide, encouraging others to do the same. The media referred to him as ‘Father of the Adopt a school programme” with a “touch of Class” as far back in 1993. He is currently

sourcing books for school libraries in Lethem, Leguan and other areas where libraries do not exist.

Sahadeo was also part of Democracy Watch 2000 after the elections in Guyana. The driving force of this ad hoc group and friend Rajendra Singh commented, “Ramji, as he was familiarly called, offered encouragement, counsel, guidance and inspiration to other members. He assisted the group to write letters to local and national politicians across North America; to write to newspapers across

the professionalslisted. He admitted that some consumers may not want to pay for this as they aren’t yet used to the type of innovation.

Success Story

“Three hours after creating the Worksite Guyana platform on Facebook we had our first booking and the job was a success,” he proudly said. “We’ve been able to fill jobs at construction sites with young tradesmen who didn’t know where to find work.”

WSG has successfully partnered with the Government Technical Institute (GTI) for an internship programme that will help the students with practical experience by going to construction sites for practice.

Future plans

“Our vision and mission are to grow Worksite Guyana to become the only place that people trust when hiring a skilled professional,” Hardy explained.

The motivation comes from understanding that our nation is propelling at a swift pace and Guyanese need to match the same acceleration for us all to benefit from the resources and opportunities that already exist and also the ones which will become available.

Canada seeking help in our cause.

“We contacted the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada and senior leaders of both major political parties in the USA. It must also be mentioned that while Ramji volunteered his time and energies to Guyana’s future, he was simultaneously engaged in promoting the Gandhi Scholarship he founded.

“As a very staunch Hindu, Ramji, now a retired lawyer, occupies some of his time with helping Mandirs in their fund-raising drives and has constantly been campaigning in the drive to stamp out the consumption of alcohol at all Hindu functions including funerals.” His book is available in Guyana and North America and proceeds used to fund the Gandhi Scholarship and other Cultural Learning institutions like Saraswati Vidya Niketan on the WCD and the Cove and John Hindu College.

Born on the island of Leguan , Sahadeo attended St. David’s Anglican School, now called Eastern Leguan Government. He also went to

a private secondary school at Wakenaam Island for one semester and according to him, “this meant daily bicycle ride early from Endeavor, Leguan to backpart, parking the bicycle at a friend’s home then taking a launch across the river to Wakenaam Island.”

It was then onto Metropolitan High School, located above a rum shop at Blenheim, Leguan, a private secondary school run by three Trinidadians. He said the school closed after a few years for lack of support.

After gaining four subjects at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) while at that school. in 1964, Sahadeo started teaching at age 16 at Uitvlugt Primary School, Ocean View, on the West Coast, Demerara, one of the many schools that was created during the 1960s as a result of racial disturbances.

“It was also the time when government was setting up its own schools and taking over from the religious institutions. It was no longer necessary to convert to get a job with the government.”

Sahadeo took private cor-

respondence course by Rapid Results College in UK, passed two subjects Advanced Level GCE, and then started working at the Guyana Revenue Authority as accounts clerk. Sahadeo migrated to New York in 1969 but quickly moved to California until graduating in 1971 from California State University Pomona in Political Science. In 1972, he was admitted to first-year Law School in UG but left for Canada where he attended Windsor Law School. He graduated in 1978 and started practising law in 1980 in Ontario. Sahdeo retired 2014 after practising mostly in Immigration Family and Criminal Law. One of the most memorable periods during practice was representing many persons from Guyana, a country producing the most Refugee claimants from anywhere in the world to Canada in 1984-85. Most came because friends/relatives paid their passage and hosted them.

Sahadeo is married and has two children and four grandchildren. His wife hails from Hong Kong.

Sahadeo with his wife and four grandchildren

Front cover of Sahadeo’s book on Mahatma Gandhi

Good Faith Village, Mahaicony

LAST week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the quiet countryside village of Good Faith, Mahaicony, to highlight the way of life of the locals.

It is located about 62 miles from the city, is nestled between Novar and Recess villages, and is in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

The village is the home of Good Faith Beach, which is located aback the community, down a road about a quarter

mostly on weekends and holidays and it is a nice place that needs a bit of upgrading and is usually the scene of family picnics and fun days.

Many appreciate that they don’t have to travel up the Corentyne to go to the #63 Beach and utilise this very beach for many family gatherings.

It is not certain how the village got its name because most of the old people have since passed away and a lot

others after he died.

Today, there isn’t any descendants of the Madrays in that village but the locals are very friendly and welcoming people.

Good Faith Village has two streets that run from east to west and it is one of those roadside villages ideal for a country lifestyle.

The main economic activities of the locals include fishing, farming, poultry and cattle rearing, and there are a

The roads in the village (Delano Williams photos)

mile long and there is also the Crematorium, a small but adequate facility utilised by locals.

The Good Faith Beach is a place frequented by visitors

of others migrated.

It is said that it was a plantation bought by indentured labourer, Madray, who settled in the village and it was later passed down to

few self-employed folk and others who leave the village for work.

Good Faith has a sawmill, a few shops, rum shops, bars, supermarket, a tyre

shop, a few mechanic shops, a Kali Temple, a store on the main public road and a roadside snackette.

Aback of the village there is a drainage canal running through several villages and there is the vast backlands area.

It is said that the village was established in the 1960s and is home to hundreds of people, most of whom are of Indian ancestry and a few Afro-Guyanese.

The people have modern houses in all sizes, shapes and colours and there are just

one of two olden buildings of yesteryear that survived the test of times.

The village has electricity, potable water, internet, landline phones and good roads.

SEE PAGE XXVIII

The drainage canal running through the village

The Crematorium

The village supermarket

The Kali Temple

Living life despite the challenges

By Michel Outridge

AFTER being maliciously set alight and suffering third-degree burns to the upper body, Sherry Hardat struggles to earn to provide for her daughter as a single parent. She works at a store three days per week in Good Faith Village, Mahaicony.

She resides at Dundee Village, a neighbouring community and the store is located on public road Good Faith, Mahaicony and she would get there to open the business for the day. Next door is also a family-owned Country-Style Inn, a house made into a hotel for overseas visitors.

Tobago but returned home to Guyana for a year now and it has been trying to start over from scratch.

She related that, as a single parent, whenever hampers and other things are being shared in the village, she doesn’t benefit and village meetings are held in a hushed manner and they choose the people to attend.

Hardat told the Pepperpot Magazine that there must be inclusivity in the village and whenever things are distributed, it must be given evenly since the people who need it most don’t get any.

She is employed at her cousin’s business place, a large store that sells clothing, footwear, electronics,

due to her condition, she cannot be in the sun at all because, due to the burns, her skin is much thinner and she is left with a skin condition and cannot do any strenuous work.

“Once you have life you have to try despite challenges, and I am doing just that to get by daily,” she said.

Romario Singh, the fisherman

Just across the public road is the home of Romario Singh, a fisherman, whose fishing boat sank a few months ago in the Atlantic Ocean, but he, along with a crew member, managed to swim to shore and was rescued.

The 32-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is looking for work and setting his seine at the foreshore in the village until he can own another fishing boat to return to sea to earn.

Singh, a father of four, stated that he has been a local of the village all his life and it is a quiet place to settle.

Whenever he made a catch of fish, he would ride around in the village on his motorcycle and sell.

“This place quiet except for the passing of vehicles on the public road and it is just a good place to live and keep to yourself,” he said.

Singh is also a cash crop farmer and was renting a plot for his cultivation but cows destroyed his crops.

Donna Madray, the supermarket worker

would struggle to earn as a single parent and pay rent single-handedly when her partner left.

The 43-year-old, however, is employed at a local supermarket and shop at public road Good Faith Village and she lives a few houses down the road, a rental place, and she is trying her best to send two small children to school.

the home and she can continue sending the children to school.

“I am hoping my life will change for the better and with good health I can do it,” she said.

Seeulall Ramotar, the elder

Seeulall Ramotar lives in Middle Walk, Good Faith Village, Mahaicony and he is looking forward to celebrating his 80th birth anniversary on June 28.

The father of five disclosed that life in Good Faith Village, Mahaicony, is considered good because he has been living there for a long time and he is quite settled.

He is originally from Perth Village and settled in that village in 1965. Back then, it had only a few makeshift logies and the road was a small track, a mud dam and the place was bushy and underdeveloped.

Hardat reported that she used to live in Trinidad and

hardware and gift items.

Hardat explained that

It was with excitement that she left her home village of Moruca, Region One (Barima-Waini) with the promise of a better life and relocated to Good Faith Village, Mahaicony.

Little did she know she

Madray explained that, while in Moruca, she met a man who convinced her to leave that village with him and she did but, a few months after, he vanished leaving her

to fend for herself and her children.

She reported that if it wasn’t for the people of that village, she would go hungry a lot and they gave her a job and now she is earning.

Madray stated that the people of Good Faith Village are nice and help her a lot every day. For that, she is thankful but hopes to get a plot of land to build a little house to escape paying rent.

The mother of six explained that she hopes to get some form of public assistance to offset expenses in

Seeulall added that he used to be a ground provision farmer and did some carpentry work but, as he aged, he began to have pains in both knees and had to quit working.

He is the grandfather of seven and his youngest son still lives with himself and his wife, Elslin Ramotar, 72, who was in the kitchen making a meal of rice and cabbage with chicken.

“Things are okay. I am living off my old age benefits and so on and we are trying as is,” he said.

Donna Madray

Seeulall Ramotar

Sherry Hardat (Delano Williams photos)

The local store at Good Faith Public Road

Doing the most to earn in Good Faith Village

By Michel Outridge

BABITA Dindyal is one of those women who don’t sit idly by. Instead, she is a go-getter, a single parent who is a cash crop and poul-

try farmer. The 53-year-old doesn’t complain. She does the most to earn and she cultivates every little space in her yard with crops of ochro, peppers, boulanger, callaloo, and pak

choi which she sells right in the village.

The mother of three also has some meat birds and she would pluck the chickens and sell from her home.

Dindyal told the Pepper-

pot Magazine that her husband died 30 years ago and she single-handedly brought up her children, two boys and one girl.

She reported that when her husband was alive, he did whatever work was in season to provide for the home and he even did some fishing in the canals in the village on

cats. And during the day, she takes care of her four-yearold granddaughter, who she would take to nursery school in the nearby village daily.

When the team visited, Dindyal’s mother, Baboonie Mangal, 70, was visiting with her daughter, and she was making herself useful, doing odd things around the yard.

see, I am doing my part to earn and I feel contented with life as is,” she said.

Priya Ramjewan, the stay-at-home mother

Being a mother of schoolage children is an everyday job to ensure they get to school and then taking care of the home is a full-time job itself and this is the life of Priya Ramjewan of Good Faith Village.

The 22-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is originally from Bath Settlement Village and settled in the village after marriage and acquiring a plot of land.

Ramjewan added that life was fair and being a mother of two her life was busy and she would take care of the home and children. Her husband is a fisherman and would often go on fishing expeditions but due to the bad weather, he was at home that day when the team visited.

days when work wasn’t in his favour.

Dindyal was born and raised in Good Faith Village, Mahaicony and it is a place that brings her a sense of security and peace.

“As you can see, my home is the safe refuge for cats, strays, that people drop off. They would come here and I would feed them and ensure they are cared for,” she said.

She has a total of six

They had already chopped up a bowl of half-ripened mangoes to make a mango curry for the day. Even though it was a rainy day, there was no stopping these ladies, who would make the most of the day.

Mangal is a resident of Dundee Dam, the neighbouring village, and that day she had walked there and was going back the same way.

“I am trying to make the most of life and as you can

Ramjewan lives on the Good Faith beach road and she has a neat house that is clean and organised; they were reclining in hammocks under the house that day. The resident said they do not have any electricity and would utilise solar power for lights.

Ramjewan said they have potable water and use cell phones to make calls since there is no landline service yet.

From the look of things, it seems Ramjewan is comfortable.

Babita Dindyal at her home (Delano Williams photos)

Sections of Babita Dindyal’s garden at her home

Priya Ramjewan

The people of Good Faith Village

By Michel Outridge

Magazine that as a resident of Middle Walk, many people would pass through the village on weekends and

visitors.

Singh is a stay-at-home mother whose husband is a rice farmer and she takes

The yard is big and filled with trees, plants and fruits, including grapes, cashew, seedless oranges and other fruits.

Singh reported that the neighbours are nice people and it is one of those countryside villages where you can still go by your neighbour for anything and the people have a giving spirit.

She stated that they look

SEE PAGE XXVII

a quiet farming life.

holidays to visit the beach. Her house is near the dam

charge of the household chores and cooking and en-

leading to the site, an attraction among both locals and

sures the entire place is in order, clean and tidy.

FOR Chitra Singh, home is where the heart is and

Good Faith Village, Mahaicony is the ideal place for

The 37-year-old mother of two told the Pepperpot

Dularie Lall (Delano Williams photos)

Boy (only name given) in his hammock

Seedless oranges in Chitra Singh’s yard

‘Aunty Baby’ and her roadside snackette at Good Faith Village

By Michel Outridge

BEING

haicony Village resident.

Doodnauth

Saturday.

She caters for lunch only and every day is a different menu to tantalise the taste buds.

The 45-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that, ten years ago, she took a leap of faith and started her own small business selling food and, over the years, she got better at it and began getting regular customers.

Doodnauth related that she was selling out of a makeshift

roadside

The small business owner added that she is a mother of two and she wanted to become independent and thought of a way to make her mission possible.

Doodnauth explained she likes spending time in

Savitri Doodnauth with her locally prepared food for sale (Delano Williams photos)

self-employed is quite empowering for Savitri Doodnauth, better known as Aunty Baby, who is a Good Faith, Ma-

has a roadside snackette along the Good Faith main public road just opposite the church and she is there vending home-cooked creole foods from Monday to

stall which was in disrepair and, three months ago, she upgraded to a wooden snackette.

Savitri Doodnauth at her roadside snackette at Good Faith Village, Mahaicony

The first-born creation of the male

OUR cultural heritage guides us when the concepts that emerged cannot be firmly dated. Most likely the simple experience of a mother and child being attacked by a hungry predator, and the male retaliating, either got lucky or

understood the predator’s weaknesses and came out on top. Thus was established a male responsibility that was inherited by our distant ancestors who sat around the fire contemplating the order of the day to sustain the ability to feed

the group, or small tribe, and retain the line of duties.

I can well imagine that the flame must have intimidated the more powerful creatures hiding behind forested areas beholding us as prey.

Without organisation,

(A predicament in this Age)

we would not have survived. Thus, organisation and planning were the guarding traits that enabled us to survive the challenges of the day and the terror by night. What followed as we became more confident as a species, as nature evolved our kind… Hold on a minute! I’m not saying that we were not created from the inception; it’s still a discussion.

What is evident is that we found it necessary to agree to laws, and how to punish those who violate, at times with harsh means, that included death and torture. We also concluded preferable gender responsibilities. But the great divide lay with the matriarchal and patriarchal realms. Among the tribes of men, was the woman an equal? And this is still a debate today.

The predicament of today’s first-born creation, ‘men’, is to navigate his an-

cient inheritance as guardian, provider and inspiration to the community, towards young men, especially, and custodians of knowledge on some specific subject. The men before me; my Godfather, my father, their friends who passed on and debated what was discussed, arriving at the agreed narrative, upon the details of what I and whoever other youths were there in his workshop, should be taught.

The unique thing about that generation’s school of artisans, was that they read both the non-fiction and fiction of the day. Not much reading is happening today; social media seems to be the ultimate teacher. The art of observation and analysis based on cross-reading has declined; there is a quick embrace of the loudest voice, like the hecklers of old, to lazily determine the outcome

of issues before them. The most important resort is to find clarifications to would-be issues. There are still some second-hand bookshops for older books, and there is an array of books at Austin’s Bookstore and at New Era Bookstore for current international issues, and don’t ignore the few second-hand book stands still around. Take a month to read a book, and you’d have a stage to stand on when you’re finished. Then you can Google for alternative positions. Listen to Tik-Tok views and examine whether the position you have is nearer to what the issue is about. Everyone needs to be informed, but the male in the home is expected to have a profound, guiding, reasonable knowledge of most matters, including health matters.

SEE PAGE XV

The first-born...

FROM PAGE XIV

Recently, in the May 13, 2023 issue of the Guyana Chronicle, PAHO ‘reps’ indicated that 21.5 per cent of our female population lives with hypertension, while 24.5 per cent of the males are in the same fix. That’s nearly half of our population. Not to be confused with the interpretations of hypertension, I consulted an old friend, my admittedly out-of-date 1990 MAYO Clinic Family Health Book, for answers. A paragraph did hit me to the point: “Excessive salt in the diet has been the focus of many studies in recent years. The evidence is convincing; salt causes the

body to retain fluids, and thus, in many people, is a factor in causing high blood pressure.”

Recommendations are:

“Weight reduction, the ex-

cessive weight adds to the strain on your heart. In fact, in some people, weight loss alone is sufficient to avoid the need to take hypertensive drugs.” Alcohol and smoking

are habits to kick or seriously be moderate with, in a strange age of obviously less cooking happening at home, and fast foods supplementing home-cooking. With the latter, adjustments can be made. This information should have raised brows. I know that it’s tight with most homes’

budgets, including mine. But ‘knowledge, not machismo’ in this case, must be the driving force. And, again, men are on the losing side.

In conclusion, we stand in an arena of multiple foes, where our allies are the focus of awareness and not easy conclusions. Once

more, the gauntlet is cast before our gender to lead or be consumed. It’s not the first time. Thus, we must be what we are, and not be shaped by the Demigods of the global cooperate evolution, and change our statistics.

THE LOST PLANE THE ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT AND BRAVERY OF A YOUNG NATIVE GIRL

Dedicated to the young girls’ lives lost in the Mahdia tragedy of May 22, 2023.

THE magnificent eagle spread its wings and sailed smoothly over the tree tops, going far away beyond the mountains.

always by her side.

“Ann Marie,” her father was calling and she ran up to him.

The young native girl, standing by the gushing stream, watched in awe as the splendid bird disappeared in the horizon. She loved the beautiful and spectacular birds and animals, the exotic flowers and the pure streams of rushing cool water.

But the exciting part of her life was the adventures.

She loved to explore and discover places that the hunters and trackers knew nothing of- the hidden places where rare flowers, birds and butterflies made their homes, nature’s secret little hideouts. Her father had repeatedly warned her not to wander far; at least she never got hurt or lost. She was never afraid, like a guiding spirit was always there with her and her pet monkey, Scarlet,

He was standing with a group of people who had flown in from the city early this morning. Her father was one of the village’s best trackers and was enlisted to help find the missing plane that was believed to have crashed with a British family of four aboard. The plane had been reported missing almost two weeks ago.

“I don’t want you wandering off. Stay close to home,” her father warned her. “I’ll be gone for a couple of days.” She watched the rescue party leave, wondering, “Where could that plane be?”

Two days later the rescue party returned with no success and watching the grieving relatives as they left was a sad moment.

“There’s no sign at all,” her father said dejectedly, “It’s just like the jungle just swallowed them up.” That night she snuggled in

her hammock as the sounds of the jungle like an orchestra came to life, thinking and wondering about the missing plane. She knew the jungle so well but she knew not, deeper where it was dark and forbidding.

“Maybe, that’s where it

crashed, that’s why it can’t be found.”

By dawn, she had sketched a plan in her mind and slipped away into the jungle, following the same trail the trackers had taken carefully but at the end, it branched off into three trails. She stood for a while, deep in thought, sharp instincts guiding her along a different trail. It was a rough and rugged terrain and the cluster of tall trees allowed little light. The further she walked, the denser and darker the jungle got and the sinister sounds of strange creatures came from far within.

She was beginning to feel afraid and even Scarlet

The value of Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

is an innovative process and we all have various stories of the many triumphs and failures on this journey. This pro -

daily to motivate ourselves and others, no matter what. I believe most entrepreneurs wanted to quit at some point on this journey. We need that internal driving

of my ideas with the young ladies who represented the business at the Expo. When Marian (my dog) -- who was like my third child –died, I was devastated and

cess involves a journey of improvising and coping with uncertainty. There are many obstacles and

force that leads us to solve problems by taking entrepreneurial action to actualise new business potential

even more devastated that I could not bury her in a pet cemetery.

One of my dreams is

pulling, pushing, and driving forces that we entrepreneurs may encounter along the way. I have had many creative ideas that have succeeded and many that failed, but still continue to try. As Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon said, “I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.”

We need to find a way

against all odds. Take a few minutes to reflect, and you will realise that there are many things you can do with the resources you already have.

I saw some new business potential at the recent UG Business Expo. I am anticipating utilising the service of Pawsible Doggy Daycare. I love dogs and will feel at ease leaving them in capable hands when I travel. I was sharing some

to establish a pet cemetery in Guyana, and I shared that with them. I have been saying this to many of my friends over the years and the most popular remark is, “we don’t even have a proper cemetery for humans,” lol. I am hopeful it will happen in the near future.

I believe the pandemic has created many more

SEE PAGE XXVI

VACCINES SAVE LIVES

ONE of the most terrible scourges which have affected humanbeings over the centuries is the spread of pandemics whereby infectious diseases kill millions without any possibility of stopping or controlling them. In the Middle Ages, for example, the Bubonic Plague or Black Death killed off, by some estimates, more than half of the population of Europe, and it had to be allowed to run its course since there was no way of controlling it, as, as modern societies do, by vaccines. Over the centuries, there have been other Pandemics, the most recent being COVID-19 which is only now receding.

Over the centuries also, societies have been trying to find answers to meet Pandemics but without much success. Smallpox was one of the most deadly and recurrent epidemics, and the ancient Chinese and Indian doctors collected the

dried scabs of the pox, ground them, and patients and others inhaled the powdered scabs, or it was put under the skin. This procedure, later known as Variolation in the West, resulted in a milder attack of the disease in the majority of patients, but it was no cure or prevention.

The breakthrough came in 18th century England when Dr Edward Jenner used a weakened cowpox germ to inject into patients, resulting in immunity against Smallpox. Dr Jenner published his findings in the Medical Journals and the procedure became widespread and was given the name of vaccination. The story of Dr Jenner’s discovery is interesting: He noticed that milkmaids often contracted cowpox and developed an immunity to Smallpox.

Later, in 1879, the great French scientist Dr Louis Pasteur did further scientific work in developing vaccines and there-

after, scientists in other parts of the world, working in their laboratories, developed vaccines by using other methods than by use of a weakened form of the germ.

Vaccines have now been discovered to combat many of the most deadly infectious diseases and the result has been particularly positive with children whose chances of survival have greatly improved - from a death rate of 20% to 25% to about 2% to 3%. Vaccines have now been developed for Hepatitis, Diphtheria, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Polio, Tetanus, Yellow Fever, Cholera, Measles, Mumps and Rubella or German Measles. By 1980 the World Health Organization had been able to issue an announcement that the world was free of Smallpox and after Dr Jonas Salk’s invention of the Polio Vaccine, Polio has been eliminated from the

SEE PAGE XIX

VACCINES SAVE ....

FROM PAGE XVIII

world except for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Guyana had been the victim of epidemics - For example, in the 19th century, thousands of people died from cholera to the extent where a particular part of the Le Repentir cemetery was allocated for cholera burials or in the early 20th century, tens of thousands of people died from Influenza. The country has successfully combated the COVID-19 Pandemic by using vaccines and health precautions.

Vaccines have saved the lives of thousands of Guyanese over the years, especially small children. In the past, when a child was infected with any of the infectious diseases, he or she would often die in the mother’s hands, the mother being helpless to do anything. Or when a family member was hospitalised for any infectious diseases, it was a harrowing time for them because they could receive a “death message”

at any time.

With the spread of vaccines, the world has become safer, the fear generated by infectious diseases has greatly diminished, and thousands of Guyanese have been saved from early death.

Despite Vaccines’ great benefits to the world, there has always been an anti-Vaccination lobby, even from the time of Dr Jenner. The positions taken by the anti-Vaccination lobby are fundamentally rationally flawed. During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Guyana, when there was the threat of massive deaths, the anti-Vaccination lobby tried to keep citizens away from taking the vaccination, thus endangering themselves and infecting others.

During the height of the Covid 19 Pandemic, many countries suffered from serious vaccine shortages or had to pay exploitative prices to acquire them. The Government of Guyana is seriously thinking of becoming a vaccination producer and has already made linkages with India, the largest vaccine producer in the world. It should be remembered that there are several able

Guyanese scientists working in various countries. One of the lead scientists in the production of the Pfizer Covid vaccine, for example, is Dr Vidya Roopchand from Wakenaam and an alumnus of the University of Guyana.

The Ministry of Health, in its drive to protect the population, is offering in the month of May, free vaccinations for a number of diseases, including HPV, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B, COVID-19, Tetanus, Cervical Cancer, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles). If citizens had to pay for these vaccinations at private hospitals, it would cost them thousands of dollars. Vaccination centres are Ministry of Health, Brickdam; East LaPenitence Health Centre; Sophia Health Centre; Ministry of Health Vaccination Centre; and Massy Stores at Turkeyen and Providence, EBD. The Consumer Community and the population at large are enjoined to take advantage of the Ministry’s gracious offering.

THE LOST PLANE...

FROM PAGE XVI

was making some nervous sounds. She came around a bend and drew to a sudden halt. In her path, the thicket of huge trees stood like a wall. Giant creepers hung like tentacles, an ominous warning for those who dared to pass through.

Ann Marie didn’t know what to do, sensing the dangers that lurked within, when she heard a low growl behind her. She was rooted to the spot, knowing any false move would cause an attack. She turned around very slowly and almost gasped- a huge, black wild boar was staring at her with its beastly eyes. “Oh no, this is not good,” she said to herself. There were only two ways out, one past the boar which would be a very bad idea and the other into the dark jungle. She inclined her head, slightly, a sign for Scarlet to distract the beast and she ran, slipping through the creepers, knowing the boar couldn’t get her there. She stood there for a while, the eerie silence clawing at her mind, when she heard crying.

It was coming from a distance, the soft pitiful crying of a child. She followed the sound cautiously, guided by Scarlet as he moved ahead of her until she came upon a little clearing and saw the boy sitting alone.

The missing plane, broken in two, was lying on its side not far off.

“Hi there,” she called.

The boy stopped crying and turned around, startled. His clothes were torn and bloody. “Yo – you ha – have come to save us,” his voice trembling, overcome with relief, “Wh – why did they take so long to find us?”

“No one else knows where you are. They have

been searching all the time,” she said calmly.

“But how did you?” “The jungle is my home. I know places no one else knows.”

He showed her his mother, father and uncle lying in the wreckage, barely clinging onto life.

“I’ve been taking care of them the best I can but their injuries are too bad.

How can help get to us?” “I have to go back for help.”

The boy grabbed her arm, fear in his blue eyes, “Suppose you don’t find your way back?”

“I will,” she smiled at him reassuringly. As she turned to leave, he said with tears in his voice, “Please, come back for us or we’ll all die.”

Scarlet had marked their way by breaking small limbs on the trees and in her haste, it didn’t take Ann Marie too long to reach the village. Her father was angry, anger that changed to astonishment when she told him she had found the missing plane. It was already dusk and no one could go in until morning. It was the longest night of Ann Marie’s life and she wondered what the boy must be thinking.

At the first light of dawn, she led the rescue party to the plane and the survivors were brought out, still alive.

The boy hugged her tightly, not ashamed to cry and he told her, just before he left to return home, “I will never forget you, you have saved our lives and you’ll always be a special person in my heart. I will come back one day to see you.”

He gave her his silver chain as a thank you token.

She became a national heroine for her brave deed and life went on, but she never forgot the white boy, lost in the jungle.

He had said, he would come back one day.

The country mourns

Scenes from the vigil and other events held in memory of the 19 victims of the Mahdia dormitory fire

President Ali at the flower laying ceremony

A little boy hold the ‘Pray of Mahdia’ sign at one of the countrywide vigil

President Ali consoles one of the injured girls during the vigil at the Umana Yana (Photos courtesy of Office of the President)

Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips and Minster of Education Priya Manickchand with one of the survivors at the Mahdia Hospital on Monday

Scenes from the vigil

Some of the girls who were discharged from the hospital at the National Candlelight Vigil on Tuesday night

President Ali embraces a little girl at a flower-laying ceremony at the site of the tragedy in Mahdia on Wednesday

British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Jane Miller during a solemn moment.

President Ali, Prime Minister Phillips and Minister Manickchand consoling a family member

FROM PAGE X

‘Aunty Baby’ and her roadside snackette at Good...

the kitchen and had the idea of making it a business to earn because it was most fitting then.

On that day, when the team visited, she had prepared cookup-rice with pot roast chicken and a side of salad and freshly made cherry juice.

In addition, Doodnauth also prepared egg ball, potato ball, pholurie, channa, chicken burger, puri and chicken curry, sausage roll, chicken foot with sour, among other edibles.

Doodnauth stated that she wanted to earn and wasn’t getting work and the idea of working for people did not sit well with her.

She is open for business around 11:00hrs up until all the food is sold and sometimes until 15:00hrs or a bit later.

“Depending on what my customers request or I would make up my own menu, fancy dishes that people like and I would prepare about five to six boxes, enough that would sell for the day,” she said.

She would prepare creole foods, Spanish rice with fried chicken, fried rice with chicken, roti and curry, and greens with rice.

Doodnauth also sells cold beverages such as water and carbonated sodas.

She is a resident of Good Faith Village, Mahaicony and she is well-known for her tasty foods and calm attitude.

Doodnauth is originally from Rosignol, West Coast Berbice and moved to Good Faith Village 29 years ago when she married a local man.

On June 9, Doodnauth’s father, Narine Phagwah, will be celebrating his 100th birth anniversary. They will be hosting a thanksgiving service and family get-together on June 11 at his residence at Welcome Street, Rosignol.

Her mother passed away years ago and they are a family of nine siblings. One sister migrated to Venezuela 40 years ago and she hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

The family is hoping that she will make contact and they will be reunited one day before it is too late.

Doodnauth stated that she had an employee, but things did not go as planned and she didn’t bother to re-hire a help and is enjoying doing the work alone even though it is a lot.

“I feel empowered having my own small business and I am earning from it, not a big earner but still something to get by rather than sitting idly,” she said.

Eradicating violence through peacebuilding

LATELY there’s been a lot of unrest in the media—from the regular Ukraine War updates, family violence, selfharm or national debates and conflicts. These headlines can be quite disheartening because I would love to hear about more peaceful and constructive dialogue and events. We ought to do as we preach and with that in mind, we must practice some form of peacebuilding to help rid the world of its rising numbers of violent crimes and events. We can “build peace” through our own homes or schools or form groups to execute peacebuilding exercises in a more structured sense.

Peacebuilding is the process of reducing violence in societies. It’s about the actions taken when there’s conflict while

everyone—from Non-governmental organisations, governmental institutions, civil levels, the community and its people, religious institutions, schools and the family. To ensure positive and constructive change within ourselves

and even our society at large— we ought to all play our roles in eradicating violence while promoting peace. Whatever it is you choose to do, I hope it’s for the betterment of promoting or supporting the building of peace.

simultaneously supporting and managing conflict resolution without including violence. It is essentially a concept that helps to prevent the outbreak, escalation, continuation and reoccurrence of violence—according to International Alert. Peacebuilding is a continuous process that requires patience and community-wide support to achieve its success. Societies and communities worldwide cannot effectively thrive as they should if there are high levels of violence. As such, peacebuilding is of paramount importance to all.

Violence stems from conflict within relationships. We stand a better chance at combating violence by understanding the dynamics and conflict within personal relationships, communities and even a country/countries at large. Peacebuilding is a wide concept and it can take the shape of many solutions we may already be familiar with. Utilizing the media to share positive, anti-violence and informative messages, advocating for the voices of underprivileged populations to be heard by policymakers and even bringing conflicting groups or parties together to help resolve their conflict. Peacebuilding can also help to encourage policy reformations that are either outdated or serve against an underprivileged social group.

As we encourage peacebuilding in Guyana and worldwide, we ought to ensure our approaches are sustainable and effective. Peace is more than just the absence of violence as well. We ought to ensure that every member of our society is housed in a safe and secure environment without fear or prejudice. Peace also means that resources are accessible to all and are not limited to the selected one per cent. Peacebuilding should inspire equality of all social groups and ensure that all groups are heard from the grassroots to the highest levels in state administration.

Peacebuilding is a collaborative effort. It is done at a country’s micro, mezzo or macro levels. It involves

The value of ...

options for aspiring entrepreneurs to explore. I was very impressed with the Achievers GrocerEase Online platform for grocery ordering and delivery.The business will offer a cutting-edge grocery-delivery service to customers in Guyana. The primary goal is to launch an app and amass a sizable client base. The long-term objective is to broaden the reach across Guyana and establish the business as the preferred option for grocery delivery. The mission is to support small businesses in the region, while giving customers a hassle-free shopping experience. The business will prioritise reliable services and strong logistical assistance. The target market is anyone who needs groceries in Guyana. The business will also focus on affordable prices, expedited delivery, and offering various options for customising the package to the client’s requirements.

We need to encourage and nurture creative entrepreneurship and partnership. My foundation is collaborating with the Office of the Regional Chairman and will be hosting a workshop in Bartica, “Empowerment Through Creative Entrepreneurship.” Indigenous Designer Natasha David will join me as a facilitator to add value to lives in my hometown Bartica. It is a free course, and I encourage you to share this information with someone to register (684/8129) because this may be the push they need to begin their entrepreneurial journey. We must develop a certain mindset to use our faith, focus, determination and resilience muscles to succeed. I often listen to entrepreneurs who have failed many times but found a way to rise from the ashes. I often share their quotes with my students and I will share some with you.

1. “ Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

– Steve Jobs, Co-founder, CEO, Chairman Apple Inc.

2. “My biggest motivation? Just to keep challenging myself. I see life almost like one long university education that I never had — every day I’m learning something new.”

-Richard Branson, founder, the Virgin Group

3. “Every time you state what you want or believe, you’re the first to hear it. It’s a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.”

– Oprah Winfrey, media proprietor

4. “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

– Steve Jobs, Co-founder, CEO, Chairman Apple Inc.

5. “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.”

-Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO Amazon

6. “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t — you’re right.”

– Henry Ford, Founder Ford Motor Company

7. “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”

– Mary Kay Ash, Founder Mary Kay Cosmetics

I trust that something in this column will inspire someone to join us on this entrepreneurial journey as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

FROM PAGE XVII

The people of Good....

FROM PAGE IX out for each other and enjoy a quiet life as they go about their daily chores and keeping a house organised.

“My family isn’t the going out type and we don’t drink, so we prefer to stay in and be at home mostly,” she said.

Singh pointed out that on some weekends, they would visit her in-laws’ place in Mahaicony Creek and after soaking up enough of fresh air they would return home.

Just in front of Singh’s house there is a play park which looked as though it was well-kept but has since closed and it was a spacious place for adults and children to play and recreate.

Singh is originally from Novar Village and she has been living in Good Faith for the past 13 years following marriage.

She has a school-aged child and her youngest is expected to start nursery school in the new school term.

Dularie Lall, the domestic worker

Dularie Lall is also a resident of Good Faith Village, Mahaicony and she has a nice house along the Good Faith Beach Road.

The 52-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is the mother of nine and four of the nine children are still living with her.

She does part-time domestic work within the village but is looking for permanent employment to offset household expenses since she is a single parent.

Lall stated that she is the grandmother of seven, and her husband died many years ago when her children were small.

She has been a resident of Good Faith Village for the past 16 years and is among the first settlers along the beach road. Today she and a handful of others have houses there including a bar, named ‘Ocean Breeze’.

Lall reported that, since her husband died six years ago, she had been fending alone to send the young ones to school and put food on the table single-handedly.

She is seeking to become a part-time worker and will make arrangements to fill out one form in which she hopes to gain employment.

Lall told the Pepperpot Magazine that in that section of the village, they don’t have electricity but have potable water supply.

“I need a steady job because one day work cannot do much because I have children to send to school and that in itself is costly so I can earn more,” she said.

At times, her son, Boy (only name), who is 33 years old, would assist but he has been working on a fishing boat since he was seven years old and today, he has ended up with body pains which do not allow him to do strenuous work anymore.

He does a bit of carpentry work every now and again and after the rainy period he may return to sea to make another fishing expedition.

Grapes grown locally by Chitra Singh

Home of Chitra Singh (Delano Williams photos)

Good Faith Village...

FROM PAGE VI

The crush-and-run road leading to the beach was recently upgraded but continues to fall apart rapidly.

Most villagers have their own kitchen gardens, growing their own food and rear their own chickens, ducks, and cattle. The residents hardly ever commute to the city and they prefer to go to Rosignol for their bulk shopping and they feel safer on that corridor.

Good Faith Village is a relatively safe place to live and raise a family and most of the locals have lived all their lives in that community where there is familiarity and the people enjoy a trouble-free tranquil life away from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of urban life.

Most people like the quiet peace of the village and others said it is their home, a place they are accustomed to.

The health centre and schools are in the next village of Novar and other facilities can be accessed in nearby villages on the East Coast corridor.

The people seem comfortable and well at home, and the village itself is fairly clean and the houses are in similar form, clean and tidy with well-kept yards, potted plants, flowers and budding gardens.

There are no strangers in Good Faith Village since the people know each other but there are a few people renting houses in that community which is of no bother to the locals.

Delano Williams photos saved in a folder in Graphics as Good Faith in May 23, 2023.

Captions:

2487, 2485 –

2486 – Middle Walk, Good Faith Village

2502, 2503 –2505 –

2507, 2510, 2514, 2518 –2524, 2525 – The Good Faith beach Road

2567 – Good Faith signage

2638 –

2635 – The church

2607 – The tyre shop on the main public road

2614 – Public Road, Good Faith Village

The Good Faith Beach

Good Faith Village, Mahaicony

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

STUDY SUCCESS

Dear Student, Welcome dear friend. One important factor in Paper 1 is your ability to read quickly and capably. Every reader encounters new words. Practise using context clues – noting the connection in which a word appears in text. A word synonym carries approxi -

May 28, 2023

mately the same meaning as it, and an antonym is directly contrary meaning wise. Practise spotting a previous word or sentence that describes the mood or situation which gives meaning to the new word. But there are other ways…

Love you.

IMPROVING READING

Comprehending a poem

Read the following poem carefully and then answer items 1-7 based on what is stated or implied.

Taste of Endless Fruit

When a single kite is left Line 1 in evening sky and I stand black against its saffron pulling in the nightcovers Line 5 with a single thread I think of you.

When chickens search the warmth

Of a hen’s wings; When bats break a calm lake Line 10

Like scissors on a warm fabric

Where a lone fisherman waits

Alone, on the hill, I think of you.

1. There is a “single kite” (line 1) left in the sky MOST likely because

(A) it is late in the afternoon

(B) the other kite flyers are having dinner

(C) dusk has descended

(D) the lone fisherman waits

2. What characteristic of the sky does the poet focus on?

(A) Shape (B) Distance (C) Dimension (D) Colour

3. Who do you think the poet is MOST like thinking of?

(A) Another lonely old person

(B) Somebody he/she has affection for

(C) Someone in the confines of his/her home

(D) An artist at work

4. “When bats break a calm lake, like scissors on a warm fabric” (Lines 10-11)

is an example of

(A) personification (B) metaphor

(C) simile (D) hyperbole

5. The poet speaks about all the following items EXCEPT

(A) bats breaking the calm lake water

(B) hen’s wings providing warn cover

(C) a lone fisherman waiting longingly

(D) a single kite in the sky

6. The poet intends to portray

(A) a description of the sunset

(B) the profile of a lone fisherman

(C) nature in the evening

(D) someone missing someone else

7. One of these terms BEST describes the poet’s tone. Which is it?

(A) Serious (B) Nostalgic (C) Caring (D) Tranquility

THE PASSAGE

Comprehending a passage

Read the following extract carefully and then answer items 1-3 based on what is stated or implied.

When the traditional family unit is discussed, it is usually in terms of the external social changes that are threatening its existence as an institution. Little thought is given to the internal problems of normal homes. The central problem for most family members is, of course, how to get along with each other. This internal matter is not without its external implications; for only where there are orderly and peaceful families can there be an orderly and peaceful society.

Of all the social changes that have affected the family in recent years, by far the most significant has been the increase in the number of mothers of school-age children who have taken outside employment. In Canada, some 75% of women in this category now have full-time or part-time jobs. For the most part, economic imperatives have left women no choice but to work for money. An income sufficient to maintain an average family style took one Canadian 48 hours a week to earn in the 1950s. It takes two people 65 to 75 hours a week to earn that today.

The conflicts between work and family life and scarcity of time to devote to children have taken personal tool on women in the form of stress and depression. Obviously individuals under stress are harder to deal with than those who are not, so the tensions of work are carried over into tensions in child-mother relationships…

1. According to paragraph 1, which of the following results from conflict between family members?

(A) Anxious parents and children

(B) Some men are laxed in doing housework

(C) Behaviours in the home being disruptive

(D) Disorder in society

2. According to the extract, all of the following threaten the existence of the family EXCEPT

(A) the increase of the number of mothers of school-age children working outside of the home

(B) the many problems family members go through in trying to get along

(C) maintaining an average family style is more costly now than in the 1950s

(D) men from traditional mother-at-home families are more eager now to share household workload

3. The tone of the text may be BEST described as

(A) complaining (B) analytical (C) uncertain (D) complimenting

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616) Henry V, Act 3, Scene 1

Dental related pain and headaches

What most people, physicians included, do not realise is that a tremendous number of headaches are related to teeth. In my experience as a dental surgeon, as much as about 85 percent of all head pain has been directly attributable to problems in the teeth and jaw, especially when new fillings, new dentures or crowns are placedand is readily alleviated with dental treatment.

Headaches have practically become a national pastime; they are the seventh leading complaint in outpatient medical care in Guyana. During the past year, nearly 90% of men and 95% of women have had at least one headache. An estimated 120 thousand Guyanese suffer some form of severe headache; they make tens of thousands of outpatient visits to physicians every year for this condition. Thousands suffer from migraine – about 12% of our population.

When a friend told me that she had been getting headaches nearly every day for several years, I immediately suspected a problem with her teeth. Sure enough, her wisdom teeth were impacted. Since she never had specific problems with them, she did not know that they needed to come out. And once they were removed?

You guessed it – 99% of her headaches have completely vanished. She still reports occasional headaches, but we have both concluded that once her three kids are abit older, those will probably miraculously vanish!

The result of stress, tension headaches are the most common, afflicting as many as 75% of all headache sufferers. According to the American Council for Headaches, ninety percent of adults have had a tension headache. Tension headaches are usually a steady ache rather than a throbbing pain; they affect both sides of the head. I believe psychological factors have been greatly overemphasised as a cause of tension headaches.

You might think that the only way to treat a tension headache would be to reduce the tension or learn how to “relax” more, but that is not always possible or even easily accomplished. It is also not only the answer.

People under stress often clench or grind their teeth, which is frequently the result of a misaligned bite. As a result, the tension headache is almost always accompanied by spasms of the muscles, which help to open and close the jaw. To evaluate whether the headaches are bite related, a small mould can be made fitting over the upper front teeth, which the patient wears for several days. Often, the headaches stop entirely or diminish greatly. It is then known that a dentist can go ahead and make minor but important adjustments to reshape the teeth so the patient can have long-lasting relief. When the bite is corrected, the strain is taken off the muscles which are free to relax and heal, while the patient continues to feel better and better.

TMD – formerly known as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome, is simply a dramatic extension of the classic tension headache. It is named for the Temporomandibular joint which is in front of the ear where the lower jaw rests in the skull bone socket. Often related to clenching and misaligned bite, the TMD syndrome can result in extreme spasms and trauma to the muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. In many cases, even the back muscles are affected.

A cartilaginous disc is between the top of the lower jaw, called the condyle, and the skull. This serves as a cushion as the condyle moves forward and down when the mouth

opens. If this gets displaced slightly, a click or pop will occur upon opening the mouth; sometimes, the jaw may even lock.

Some symptoms of TMD include dizziness, headaches, migraines, facial pain, tooth pain, pain down the arms into the fingers, lack of jaw opening, and pain upon jaw movement, ringing in the ears, grinding of the teeth and chronic neck and backache.

Since the site of the Temporomandibular Joint is at the intersection of three major energy meridians relating to the stomach, endocrine system and small intestines, relief of TMD can spark a tremendous healing process in the whole body, relieving symptoms like stomach problems, chest pains and cold extremities.