Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot Epaper 07 28 2019

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Residents in the village of Victoria- proudly recognised as ‘The First Village’ which was purchased by freed slaves- are determined to keep the rich history of the village alive, and use occasions such as Emancipation to reflect on the sacrifices of their ancestors. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Ringing in Emancipation

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

The Museum of African Heritage at Bel Air, Georgetown

Museum Administrator Jenny Daly

Museum of African Heritage now treasure store for researchers

By Telesha Ramnarine

THE Museum of African Heritage is now home to over 1,000 artefacts collected from all across the globe, especially from West Africa where most of the Africans’ ancestors are thought to have originated from.

Sitting at Lot 13 Barima Avenue, Bel Air, Georgetown, Administrator Jenny Daly believes that the museum is becoming more and more popular with regular visits from school children and even University of Guy-

ana students.

Apart from the artefacts available there, Daly said the facility also boasts a library with books purchased through the Government of Guyana. Though they are not allowed to take out the books, the students are still able to use them for research purposes.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Daly, who has been serving in her position since 1985, said the staff makes it their duty to conduct outreaches in various regions across Guyana to be able to exhibit

the work of the museum to those who are unable to visit.

“We’re so much in demand right now,” Daly observed, as she noted that the museum’s peak periods would be in February for ‘Black History Month’ and August, for Emancipation celebrations.

Recalling how it all hot started, Daly said when she arrived at the museum in 1985, she was the only staff member.

In a previous interview, she had expressed how she was not very equipped with all of the knowledge and skills

A replica of a slave ship

needed to take on such a huge task.

“It was a very dusty place; the room, the artefacts. I had to clean them up. And to understand the art, I did a lot of reading. I wanted to understand the meaning of the African art, what it pertains to, how it originated and what I had to do to preserve it. I did that off my own,” she recalled.

Through UNESCO, though, someone from an African Museum in Brooklyn came to Guyana and together, he and Daley sorted out the entire collection of available artefacts.

When she arrived, the building already had some artefacts as it belonged to prominent Guyanese Hubert Nicholson who trav-

Serving trays and fans made from straw

elled the world and acquired artefacts that he kept in a room.

“I always tell my staff that we just have to apply ourselves. If you are eager to know, fit yourselves into places where you can get to know things. When I came here, no one taught me anything. I taught myself. And I read and what I didn’t understand. I researched and came up with ideas.”

Daly had observed that while the African tradition is very rich, it is dying slowly.

“We are trying to revitalise the African tradition and culture. That means we have to work a lot with the older folks in the African communities. We want to do that and then document it,” she had said.

The 1763 Monument

Emancipation

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

ACDA’s

By Gibron Rahim

EMANCIPATION is once again upon us.

It is a time to remember the pain, suffering and death that was endured under the brutal and inhuman system of slavery.

However, it is also a time to celebrate freedom and all the accomplishments that have been made since that dark time in human history. Every year for the last 25 years, at Emancipation, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has held its Emancipation Festival to commemorate the occasion. This August 1, in which the Festival enters its 26th year, will be no exception.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Aisha Haynes, ACDA’s Emancipation Coordinator, to gain some insights into this year’s Festival and the attractions that attendees can expect. “Innovatively Engineering the Guyana We Want To Live In” is ACDA’s theme for Emancipation 2019 while the subtheme is “Moving Together to develop Guyana into a Green State”.

The Festival, while the highlight of AC-

Festival 2019

Harnessed the Wind”, “One Love” and “Shottas”.

The film “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”, which is based on a true story, is related to both Malawi, the country that ACDA has chosen to honour at this year’s Emancipation Festival, and this year’s theme. The concept, Haynes said, is all tied into using innovation locally to build a Guyana we all want to live in. “If we have challenges in Guyana, we have to start thinking of creative ways and how we can use the resources we have and our culture and our experience to create things that work for us,” she explained.

The theme and the film chosen also tie into the goals for ACDA’s COLAACO School. Haynes pointed out that the school has partnered to be a STEMGuyana school. She noted that the school is working to develop full STEM programming where young people

Scenes from the 2018 Emancipation Festival (All photos courtesy of ACDA)

DA’s Emancipation celebrations, is not the only event that has been crafted by ACDA to commemorate this year’s Emancipation.

Haynes noted that the Emancipation Spelling Bee Competition has already started with the preliminary round having been held on July 21. The contestants were Grade Four to Grade Six students though Haynes noted there were a few younger students who also participated and did quite well. “We’re going to have a bonus round in the National Park [on August 1] where they get a chance to get extra points towards the finals which happen in September,” she said.

Haynes noted that the bazaar on Main Street has also started. The bazaar began on July 22 and lasts until July 31 from 10:00hrs to around 16:30hrs. The bazaar features vendors selling all sorts of goods that celebrate African culture. The bazaar also features different attractions, such as drumming and arts and crafts, on different days. This past weekend featured movie screenings and a folk games day at ACDA’s Akwaaba Centre. The films featured were “The Boy Who

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get the opportunity to develop specific skills in those fields. “We have to start thinking of different ways, not only specifically targeting oil, but how do we in Guyana make our lives

better here?”

As a traditional part of the Emancipation Festival, ACDA in collaboration with ANSA McAl will hold the Chief Cook Up Competition in the National Park on August 1. Haynes noted that registration for the competition closes off on Monday, July 29 with the distribution of goods and other necessary items for the competition taking place. A cash prize of $100 000 is up for grabs, in addition to a catering contract with ANSA McAl for the best cook up in each category.

There will also be an African Best Dressed Competition in collaboration with Digicel where the winners will collect prizes for showcasing their best African wear.

In addition, Haynes related that Makeda is also offering a special Emancipation bonus in addition to the prizes Digicel is offering.

Admission into the National Park for the Emancipation Festival on August 1 will cost $800 with the gates being opened from 10:00hrs. Admission after 17:00hrs will cost $1500. Headlining the event will be Ky-Mani Marley, son of Bob Marley. There will also be a Nigerian performing group and a Nigerian Afrobeat singer. Local performers

and bands, including Charmaine Blackman, and amateur performers will also be adding their talents to the festivities.

Haynes pointed out that events sometimes neglect to include activities for children. She related that the Emancipation Festival’s Children’s Centre will include activities such as face painting, bouncy castles and drumming.

“It’s really a full activity centre for your kids to take part in,” Haynes emphasised. She added, “Depending on what you like, there’s literally something for everybody to just take part in and enjoy the day.”

The Emancipation Festival is a significant event. “It’s bringing attention and celebration to a very critical time in world history,” Haynes related. She noted that Emancipation is significant for all people.

“All people who believe in equality and fairness, justice, peace, humanity [and] unity would use this as an example,” she said and added that it serves as a reminder that we should never allow such atrocities to happen in our history and culture ever again. “No matter what your background, no matter what your race, no matter what your religion, everyone can stand united and agree that slavery is something that should never be allowed to happen in our history.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Is the Victoria Village Movement living the dreams of the freed African Slaves?

By Shirley Thomas

THURSDAY, November 7, 1839, was indeed the dawn of a new day for Guyana’s manumitted slaves when a group of 63 of them, out of a determination to create for themselves and their heirs, a better life, took a bold new initiative.

The move, radically pursued, was to purchase land being offered for sale from the estate of a Scottish owner who had earlier passed away.

It was the intention that they would use the land bought from the planters, as a springboard to create a better life and never again be subjected to the horrendous treatment they experienced while working with slave masters on the plantations.

Slavery was abolished in Guyana on August 1, 1834, and it was on November 7, 1839, that a group of 63 of the manumitted Africans, in good faith, came together and pooled monies they had earned while working on the estates under conditions of ‘blood, sweat and tears.’ They managed to come up with the purchase price of 30,000 guilders and zealously made the purchase.

The land being sold was Plantation Northbrook, which later came to be known as Victoria Village. It was owned by the late Scottish planter Baillie, who also owned Plantation Dochfour. As history has it, the money was all in coins and was so heavy, it had to be fetched in a wheelbarrow to be handed over by the sellers. That move is recorded as the first major breakthrough accomplished by the purchase, and to date, it is with a sense of pride that the Village of Victoria is alluded to.

Victoria was said to have spearheaded British Guiana’s

A sign with a historical synopsis of the village of Victoria (Samuel Maughn photo)

widespread Village Movement and flourished in the areas of culture, economy and education and fostered the cooperative spirit in its people.

“In a communal model,” the modus operandi displayed on a village meeting place outlined, “Victoria villagers were expected to clean and dig trenches to drain the land, as well as to construct roads and dams and repair them as necessary. It is credited with the first codes of local government in Guyana established in 1845.”

The administration of Victoria, operating under a village council, included a strict disciplinary code: • Commercially, Victoria launched a fishing industry, and developed pig and poultry farms and agricultural produce • It also became one of the leading exporters of products made from coconuts and cassava To meet spiritual needs, the Wilberforce Congregational Church was also established and was named after one of the prominent abolitionists who worked for the liberation of the people. It continued, “ The purchase of Victoria Village by former slaves inspired not just a movement of people, but ushered in an era that served to move Guyana forward, based on freedom, vibrant culture and hope.” It concluded: “From its birth to today, Victoria has become known as a most peaceful place.”

Meanwhile, historian Joseph Barlow Jnr., a Victorian who has written extensively on the history of the village, and who has spent the last 20 years in his homestead after being domiciled in North America, is not satisfied that the freed slaves’ vision for the people of Victoria has been evolving in the manner anticipated, given the potentials

of the people.

Barlow, after painstakingly reflecting on the work, dreams and aspirations of British Guiana’s first freed slaves, is assiduously working to resist the lure of the people being sucked into conditions of the past. “I feel that with the changing of time, different people come and those people have different visions. My vision, even though I might have been at the forefront of the struggles, may not necessarily be the vision when I am in the saddle. This being so, what I would say, is that the Village Movement has died an unnatural death, having made an assessment of things since my return to this country 20 years ago and living in Victoria continuously for that period,” he stated.

In relation to the structure of the Village Movement, things changed radically in the 70s Barlow said, adding, “…and I do not think we have recovered from there.

As I recall, up until the 70s, your trenches were cleaned, you could stand up on the bridges and see fish down inside the trench.

There was no garbage around the place and now things are different. In those days the burial ground was cleaned and all this was achieved by persons who did not necessarily have the highest of education ... certainly not secondary, much less tertiary,” he reasoned.

He is firmly of the view that there should be more representatives from respective villages on the councils. He also said that a closer examination of the 1980 Constitution, Chapter 2, deals with the local authorities and that would solve the problem. “My submission is that if you are accustomed to seeing something work and suddenly it is no longer working, then go back and re-examine what was working,” Barlow said.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

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Meet the ‘micro-blading’ beautician - Striving to provide an excellent service

Beautician Sarah Arjune

By Telesha Ramnarine SARAH Arjune got her degree in Biology at the University of Guyana and was well on her way to becoming what she’d always hope to become – a paediatrician. But life took a turn for her when circumstances changed in her life and dictated that she choose another path.

The 31-year-old had always been fascinated by the beauty industry, and even as a child, she would ‘make up’ her family members when various occasions came up. Today, Sarah couldn’t be happier that this is the field that she has ended up in.

She is one of the few persons, if not the only person, who does micro-blading in Guyana, which refers to a technique to tattoo hair-like strokes on the brows to make them look as realistic as possible.

After taking this and other beauty courses in Miami, Sarah now practices out of her own business at Lot 43 Croal and Alexander Streets, in Georgetown. She calls her business the ‘Browtique’ where such services as lash tints, facials, micro-needling, among various others, are available.

“I was always fascinated with the beauty industry since as a child. I started off doing makeup, the whole aspect of selfcare and beauty,” Sarah told the Pepperpot Magazine during an interview at the Guyana Chronicle.

She began doing research and realised that no one in Guyana was doing micro-blading. “There weren’t many people doing lash extensions, so that sparked curiosity in me and it was something that made me realise this might work out,” she expressed. She subsequently enrolled for courses in Miami.

Explaining what micro-blading is, Sarah said: “It is a semi-permanent tattoo where you tattoo hair-like strokes on the brows to make it look as realistic as possible to your natural brows. But it’s actually a tattoo.” The process would be done in two sessions. “Some people have long lashes and they’re straight. The lash lifting tint would curl them. This would last for two months, and you can use mascara with it to give you that fuller extension-like look,” Sarah explained.

She also does brow ‘mapping’, shaping, and tinting which she said is one of her most popular services. “Everybody is in love with it. If people want a desired shape and can’t get it, they’d just go to a salon and they would do it, they wouldn’t map it out first. But sometimes it mightn’t be pleasing to the customer. Most clients would complain of it being done too fine and not the right shape. So I always shape it out first so we can get the desired result,” Sarah said about the technique she chooses to work with.

Most people, she noted, are not aware that the complete cycle for the brows to grow back out completely is 52 days, almost three months. “So I would let them come once a month and I would shape it and tint it and they would actually get their desired shape within the third month.”

As for those persons whose brows do not grow at all due to hereditary and other factors, Sarah said the micro-blading service would be the best solution for them.

She also does different types of facials. “My most popular

facial right now is microdermabrasion and the LED light therapy paired together. The latter has to do with using different LED lights that target different skin problems.”

Sarah always tries her best to offer the best customer service. “I try to be as affordable as possible. I also like to give clients a timeframe within which they will see results. I wouldn’t say I’m perfect but I strive to be as perfect as possible.

I always listen to my clients and try to understand what they want. Of course, I would advise them; people appreciate that.”

Sarah wants to be able to expand her business and even start classes to educate persons on the techniques she works with, which are hardly known.

‘Mapping’ out the brows first to get the desired shape.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

A handful of hardships One young man’s struggles to succeed

By Marissa V. Foster MAHENDRA Phagwah is the only son of two children to differently-abled parents ( both of whom are deaf and mute). He hails from the community of No.2 Village, Canje. His childhood was always a hassle due to his parents’ conditions but families from overseas gave them relief by helping them out in various ways. That, however, did not fill in the gaps. Mahendra recalls seeing everyone’s families venturing off to adventures, enjoying barbecues and other family events while his family could not. This always left a void of feelings within him because he craved for such a love and bond. He could not hug his parents or speak to them when something was wrong to seek their advice. This enacted a rebellious side of Mahendra but it was a desperate signal for love in disguise. High school was no exception for hardships limited food as well as hygiene-related and other issues he was laughed at and mocked because. This all resulted in him being very depressed .Eventually, Mahendra withdrew from school and began working but still felt the need to go back one day. He attended

Mahendra Phagwah ( Saajid Husani photo)

private classes with the help of some giving persons but it still was insufficient. Nevertheless, with the generosity of a teacher from J.C. Chandisingh, he was enrolled even though he advanced the age of high school. Mahendra was still very determined to get that CSEC education and persevered through the generous offer of a scholarship from the MMP Foundation for Excellence alongside the support of classmates, parents, his sister and teachers. Eventually, he aced through with 15 CSEC subjects.

Poverty and the role in which it plays on deterring students from pursuing a sound education is something he hopes to change in his community. The root causes have to be determined, tackled and solved with everyone on board and not just a one man’s show and he hopes to be a part of that transformation. Some of those underlying issues are all close to home for him and have affected him directly or indirectly.

He stressed that there are many like him out there who have dropped out of school but were not fortunate enough to return to school and complete their CSEC education. Sadly, he also lost his best friend to suicide and knows of many others who lost loved ones in that way as well. All of these misfortunes gave him the strength, experience and knowledge to become the man he is today.

Mahendra Phagwah and his family

CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS Currently, Mahendra is in the United States of America at NYU University and the Champlain College for the Young Leaders Program as the only Guyanese in attendance this year. He is required to carry out a service project for a year and as a graduate. He will be entitled to fundings to ensure his vision turns into a concrete project whilst being guided under the prestigious advises of his mentors. In doing so, he would be visiting schools to create awareness on his platform, work with the Government and Ministries on collaborative efforts to tackle school dropouts and partner with other organisations.

The ultimate aim is to have a platform that works with everyone to tackle the issues affecting young people and build a more cohesive society for the growth and development of his community and country at large. The common person must be able to have a voice and empowerment must be for all irrespective of their status. Mahendra was also recognised by the Royal Commonwealth Society and was awarded a distinction in Associate Royal.

Turn to page VIII►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

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Mother of murdered child wants youth to show more love for one another adequately with depression, anxiety and thus know how to resolve conflict.

Founder of the NGO, Miranda Thakur-Deen related that with the success of such a petition person both young and old will develop the art of being more aware of oneself and understanding oneself. “If you don’t understand you, you can’t understand somebody else,” she said. She pointed out that mindfulness and emotional intelligence involve being aware of yourself, being present in the moment and understanding your every emotion and thought.

News of Kennan Paul’s death created a stir on social and other media outlets. According to a news release, Kennan Orson Michael Paul took his last breath on July 17 when his

Kennan Orson Michael Paul in happier times with his 14 month old daughter

By Elvin Carl Croker A grieving mother of Sophia said she is pleading for youths to show more love for one another. Her cry comes in the wake of the brutal stabbing to death of her 24-year-old son recently.

The distraught mother said she was happy when his father took him to the USA four years ago because she was not pleased with the type of company he was keeping in Sophia at the time.

However, looking at the turn of events now she said she now regrets sending him and said it would have been better if he had stayed under the protection of her wings and where she would have struggled with him until things got better.

Relating what was relayed to her on the incident, which occurred in the USA, she said she got a call that her son Kennan Orson Michael Paul was stabbed by his cousin Denzil Dexter Cummings. “And when he finish stabbing him he called [Paul’s] father and said ‘Uncle Jomo, me and Kennan just had an argument an I stab he, call him and see if he ok’ that is all I hear,” she said.

She said while the stabbing happened at 10:50 hrs on July 17, she only got the message around 17:00hrs the said day.

The mother who is currently employed as a part-time staff in the GECOM House to House registration process said her son’s remains are expected in the country on August 1 and will be buried on August 5.

She related that her son was staying at his aunt’s house – Cummings’mother- but said that they have a very good relationship. “When he first went to the States he attended college before securing a job, I don’t know what transpired with them because they grew up like brothers. There was an argument but what they were arguing about nobody knows,” she related.

While this incident occurred abroad, it can serve as a wakeup call to put in place systems to deal with such situations which might be brewing. Only recently a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the ‘Give Another Chance Foundation’ said it wants to petition the government of Guyana to have ‘social-emotional learning’ taught in schools in Guyana.

This, the NGO says, will help to reduce cases like these and other cases that can lead to suicide and other mental health problems at a young age. The foundation said its recently held “Mindfulness and emotional Intelligence” workshop which targeted teachers and social workers, seeks to train persons how to impart to their students at an early age, skills on how to deal with their emotions and show empathy to others so that later in life the children they teach would be able to deal

cousin Denzil Dexter Cummings allegedly dealt him four stabs about his body outside of a construction site at Lake Street in Ithaca, New York. According to reports from the Ithaca Police Department in New York, they were both working as laborers at a construction company in the City of Ithaca when Paul was found lying in a pool of blood outside the apartment building at the construction site of the company about 10:50 hrs and was transported to the Cayuga Medical Centre where he died.

His brother , Jomo Brusheildon Paul, a former journalist, who worked for many years in Georgetown Guyana, also currently lives in New York. Since the incident, Denzil Dexter Cummings has not been found and is said to be on the run.

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PLANS On a personal goal, he currently plans to pursue Law as he sees this goal complimenting his passions. Even though Mahendra is occupied at the moment with an Associate’s Degree in Public Health and other courses, his ultimate aim is to be an all-rounder. As a little boy and even to this date, he wishes to one day become President for his country. His love for Guyana lies not in pro-opposition or anti-government support but to help in one way or the other, directly or indirectly

makes the lives of his fellow brother and sister easier. Politics has always been painted negatively but that same brush that draws is always determined by the painter hence politics once guided by true leaders who want nothing more but the voice of the people enacts into reality is what should be the goal.

His sister has always been supportive and he is always pushing her to do her best as she has the ability and she too will be working with him on many social platforms. Last but not least, his parents are the ones who are the burning fuel for him wanting to achieve success. Both of his parents, despite

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019 their disability, have worked domestic jobs. His mother never gave up on him even when he dropped out and the least he can give them back is the happiness they truly deserve.

This future lawyer’s advice to young boys with stories similar to his is: “Boys are taught to be tough and its a weakness to express yourself but this leads to isolation, denial, and built up anger. My advice is we are a generation that has to break that stereotype and work together to become tomorrow’s better father, brother and friend’s keeper. Most young men want fast money but the consequence of negating it is even greater. Work hard, honestly, and for a cause.”

Mahendra Phagwah is now a popular name in our county and his story is a testimony that one should never give up, despite their circumstances.

Photos of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active 2 leaked at the FCC

WE know the Note 10 launch at Samsung’s Unpacked event is imminent, but there is also growing evidence that the company will also launch a new smartwatch soon.

And sure enough, that watch has just appeared on the FCC website where the agency posts approval requests, complete with images. Normally, companies request that images be hidden, but somebody didn’t cross a T or dot an i, apparently.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 smartwatch is expected to be an iteration on the version that was released just this past March. One of our complaints with that watch was that although Samsung’s Tizen smartwatch software is optimized for use with a rotating bezel, the original Watch Active didn’t have one. This new one is rumored to have a touch-sensitive bezel around the screen, which should let you navigate by running your finger around the edge of the screen. It’s also expected to support ECG heart rate tracking and fall detection — though those features might not be available at launch.

SamMobile first posted photos of the watch some time ago, and we found these new images thanks to reporting from Droid Life. Here’s what the watch looks like, courtesy of those FCC documents. All companies are required to detail where their FCC label will go, but they’re now allowed to put that label in a device’s software settings. So what you’re looking at below are Samsung’s instructions for finding the label.

What you’re probably doing right now, gazing at these images, is trying to decide whether or not the bezel around the screen could accommodate a touch sensor. There’s no real way to tell from these photos, unfortunately. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is expected to come in two sizes — 40mm and 44mm — and also have an option for an LTE version.

Presumably, Samsung plans to launch the watch alongside the Note 10 next month. Given the increasingly bad choices Android users have when it comes to smartwatches, this new iteration of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has a solid chance of being the best thing available for them.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Some Guyana Police Force Trivia

By Francis Quamina Farrier

THIS is the third and final in the series of feature articles written to be part of the 180th Anniversary of the Guyana Police Force.

This features some Police trivia.

Many of these facts I already knew, while a few were provided

by Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, Head of the Police Public Relations Division. So, let’s get started.

In the colonial British Guiana Police Force, all the Senior Ranks

were done so in concrete. They include the Aurora, Bartica, New Amsterdam and Parika stations.

The colour scheme of most Police Stations is Blue and White.

One of the best-kept compounds is Charity (2018).

One of the most welcoming stations is Leguan (2019).

Crime Chief, David Rose led one of the biggest police manhunts in the history of the Force. He and his men came under heavy gunfire from the murderer and desperado, Clement Cuffy. In one of the

Bandmaster Charmaine Stuart and Deputy Bandmaster Michelle Major (Photo by Francis Q. Farrier)

were either English or Scottish. No local policeman was ever promoted to the Senior Ranks. The last expatriate Police Commissioner was H. Puttock.

Police Headquarters was relocated from Brickdam to Eve Leary in 1956. The majority of Police Stations are located on a main Public road. However, there are a few who are not. They include the Grove Police Station on the East Bank of Demerara, the Cove and John Station on the East Coast Demerara, the Whim Station on the Corentyne Coast, the MacKenzie Station in Linden, the New Amsterdam, Central Police Station which straddles the Strand and Main Street.

All previous wooden Police Stations which had to be rebuilt

encounters at Namrick Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, a bullet from the desperado blew David Rose’s police cap off. An inch lower would have pierced the Crime Chief’s head. That manhunt led by David Rose was produced as a Radio Play by Francis Quamina Farrier.

At Independence, David Rose later became Guyana’s Governor General. A school and a street, both in Georgetown, bear his name.

Former Commissioner Winston Felix became a Minister of Government. Two Commissioners had the name Felix; Winston Felix and Felix Austin.

Many who knew Commissioner Felix Austin, regard him as the most gentleman of all the Commissioners. He walked upright and with a pleasant countenance.

Governor General, Sir David Rose, (at centre), a former Crime Chief, at a Police Parade in Georgetown.

Always immaculately dressed whether in uniform or wearing his usual civilian white suit. The Police School bears his name.

Two Commissioners had the name Austin; Felix Austin and Carl Austin. Guyanese-born Commissioners include Felix Austin, Carl Austin, Lloyd Barker, Balram Raghubir, Floyd McDonald, Laurie Lewis, Leroy Brummell, Henry Greene, Seelall Persaud and Leslie James. Laurie Lewis was the longest serving Commissioner (11 years). Henry Greene is the only Commissioner to have died while still in office.

Some Senior Guyanese Officers have served in the Antigua Police Force. They Include Former Crime Chief David Rose, Former Traffic Chief Fred Peterkin and Former Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe.

There was the popular and highly respected team of Tom and Austin in the 1950s, who were well-admired for their Crime busting activities. For example, when there were many attacks on couples relaxing on the Georgetown seawalls, Tom and Austin - one dressed as a female - went and sat close together on the seawalls where they lured and arrested criminals who attempted to attack them.

Inspector John Campbell was the most culturally active policeman in Guyana. He wrote poems and plays and even acted in plays at the Theatre Guild. After rehearsals one night, we were in the Playhouse compound when a thief snatched the handbag of a nurse on her way home from the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on Parade Street. The thief ran south towards Lamaha Street. John Campbell dashed out the Playhouse compound and ran North along Parade Street towards Barrack Street. He captured the thief in a yard in west Kingston, still with the nurse’s handbag in his possession. John Campbell knew the territory well and those criminals who resided there. The Police Force Library bears his name.

Senior Superintendent Charmaine Stuart created history in

Police Commissioner Leroy Brummell and his wife being presented with a Calender of the Ghana Police Service, which Farrier was given when he paid a courtesy call to The Ghana Police Service in Accra, Ghana in 2012.

the Guyana Police Force Band by becoming the first woman to be appointed as Bandmaster. Her Deputy, also a woman, is Assistant Superintendent Michelle Major.

Former Bandmaster Barnie Small was born and grew up in Barbados. Before him, Bandmaster Major Henwood was called “Snake Hips”, due to the way he swayed his hips as he conducted the band.

Harry Whittaker and Keith Waithe are the most accomplished individual members of the Band.

There used to be one hour Band Concerts every Saturday afternoon at the Georgetown Seawall Bandstand in the colonial days. There is now a steelpan section of the Band.

One can only speculate who was the heaviest Police Commissioner; was it Carl Austin, or was it Henry Greene? Both men tipped the scale at well over 300 pounds.

The smallest Commissioner was certainly Leroy Brummell who is under six feet in height and just about 160 pounds.

It was President Forbes Burnham who reduced the height re-

quirement for recruits to join the Police Force, to under six feet. He did it specifically to accommodate the many short Indigenous recruits.

Police Headquarters is located at Eve Leary. But who was Eve Leary? Where is she buried? I am among just a few persons who know. Pardon; but I will hesitate to give the answer in this article.

I now conclude with one of the most colourful members of the Force. Inspector Joe Braz was a police celebrity with Rock Star status at Gymkhana back in the day.

He was a daredevil motorcyclist who thrilled spectators as no other in his day. He was also credited with coining the word “Chowtic”, from the word chaotic, which is pronounced, K-ot-tic. Braz in a Radio Broadcast pronounced the word as it is spelt - “Chowtic”.

That pronunciation was used by many Guyanese over the years, in a humorous way.

So, I hope that this last feature article from me for the Guyana Police Force 180 Anniversary, is in no way ‘chowtic’,

Back in Colonial British Guiana when only expatriates were allowed in the higher senior ranks of the BG Police Force.

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African Pulse Guyana doing its share Focuses on promotion of African culture and heritage The movement, founded in 2017, has continued to use its platform to educate and encourage people to love, live, embrace and celebrate their African heritage through creative and contemporary art forms including music, fashion, education, poetry, drama and art.

One of the founders who spoke with the Pepperpot Magazine a few days ago provided some insight as to what the movement is all about but noted that the founders would like to remain anonymous.

“We believe in focusing on the purpose and not the people involved in the process. We truly believe this is bigger than us,” the young lady said, adding, “However, the movement is the brainchild of a young man who is highly interested in the advancement of Afro-Guyanese. I enabled him to bring his vision to fruition and both of us manage the social media page. Hence, it’s a

Joycelyn Wegman is a nurse and model

acceptance with a special focus on our darker-skinned sisters and brothers.”

One of the upcoming projects is the “Afro Guyanese Small Business Feature” which will bring recognition to small businesses owned by Afro-Guyanese.

This project will be done in August to commemorate ‘Emancipation Day.’ The feature will include an appropriate photo of the business owner and photos of their work if applicable along with their responses to questions asked

by APG. This project aims to inspire young black boys and girls to “dream big” and to get into entrepreneurship.

Elsie Harry

By Telesha Ramnarine AFRICAN Pulse Guyana (APG) is a buzzing social media youth movement that extends great effort to promoting African pride and raising awareness of African contributions to the development of Guyana.

Kobe Smith, a student at law and a youth advocate with a special interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights

Tiseena Harry, a UG student studying Agricultural Science

two-member team - one Afro-centric brother and one Afro-centric sister using social media to promote African pride in the Afro-Guyanese community.”

Apart from sharing opportunities, information, images, to boost the advancement of the Afro-Guyanese community, the movement has also embarked on a number of projects, one being the “African Pulse Guyana Youth Week of Recognition,” where Afro-Guyanese youths who are contributing positively to Guyana and its development were featured.

“We featured Afro-Guyanese youths from all walks of life that have been effecting change and creating an impact in their respective spheres on the APG’s Facebook page. The feature included an appropriate photo of the youth along with their responses to questions that were asked by APG.” “Showing y’all beautiful black people because for far too long we have been told that black ain’t beautiful!” is the name of another project the movement embarked upon to showcase the beauty of the “black” skin.

“The project aimed to promote self-love and

Abeena Gomes, a Computer Science student who is the founder of the ‘Shine Your Light Initiative’

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Pride of Victoria

The village’s oldest resident reminisces

Evelyn Bacchus, the oldest resident of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara

By Shirley Thomas AT age 97 and fast approaching 98, Evelyn Bacchus though not yet a centenarian, is proud to be the oldest resident of Victoria village, – one of the first villages bought by former slaves from the European planter class in 1839, following the Abolition of Slavery in British Guiana in 1834.

On November 7, 2016, Mrs Bacchus was awarded a plaque by His Excellency President David Granger asVictoria’s oldest resident.

Born on December 28, 1921, Mrs Bacchus also known as “Grannie,” has had three marriages, the last being to Clarence Bacchus. She now lives at Sideline Dam, Victoria. Bacchus told the Pepperpot Maga-

zine that she was born at Morawhanna in the North West District, at a time when there were just about four houses in the village and life there was dark and dull.

Prior to moving to Morawhanna, her parents lived on the coastland, but somewhere along the line her father decided to move to the North-West to eke out a living through mining for gold, which seemed more lucrative than other occupations within his reach at the time.

In the words of Grannie, “My father went up there looking for gold and didn’t find any, but he met my mother, Leonora David and instead of digging for gold, he dig for three of us there. ” By the end of the fourth year she (Evelyn) was born at the Morawhanna Hospital, with three others before her, Grannie explained.

As for Morawhanna, whether or not there was a ‘gold shout’ in other parts of the North-West where gold was being mined, food was always readily available. It is an agricultural area where residents do cash-crop farming and sell such stocks whenever the boat (steamer) comes in. It is a village where there’s lots of crab during the July-August season and moracut (a thick-meated fish) would swim down from the nearby Venezuela border to Morawhanna via Perhaps it was the abundance of the moracut fish in the vicinity that led to ‘Morawhanna’ getting its name, residents surmise.

While there, one of Evelyn’s brothers drowned in the Barima River and perhaps it was this misfortune that led her father to return to the coastland with Evelyn and the other two siblings. And so at age four, she and her two siblings were taken back to the coastland where they settled at Victoria.

And as for memories of Victoria, Grannie

Evelyn Bacchus and her last husband Clarence Bacchus, now deceased

related: “When I come here I was just four years and lived with my Aunt Catherine Babb, right out on the Middle Walk, a short distance from here. My mother who was Leonora Davis had a flourishing farm in the North West District and used to ship out corn from the area --- 40 and 50 bags at a time --- on the North-West steamer to Georgetown,” she recalled. So whereas her father did not ‘make it’ with gold, her mother continued to tend her farm and surpassed his expectations.

Still very young, Evelyn was left in the care of an aunt in Victoria, since, given the magnitude of her mother’s farming undertaking at Morawhanna, it was a tall order for her to provide the required care. She was therefore left in the care of her aunt Catherine Babb and husband Thomas Babb who, despite the commitment of manufacturing coconut oil, rearing pigs, ducks and fowls on a large scale, still did a fine job of caring for the young child.

She attended a nearby Roman Catholic school in Victoria and continued to live with her aunt and uncle until she got married to Clifton Andrews in 1945 at age 24.

Coconut oil seven cents per pint “In those days coconut oil was seven cents per pint and one cent could have bought something in those days,” Grannie recalled.

And just what was the response to the sale of coconut oil and the lot? “Phenomenal!” she replied. “And the old man used to go to town every Tuesday night on donkey cart to sell the produce – donkey cart, not cars like now. And he did good business.”

“It was a tall order, my uncle Mr Babb and others used to transport the coconut oil in what eventually came to be known as kerosene oil tanks, and take them to town where they would get it sold,” she remembered. At that time only two buses were plying the GT/ Cane Grove/Mahaica route, so if you wanted to get on board you really had to be on time.

Childhood reflections of living in Victoria Of incredible memory, she recalls: “My school days were exciting times, even though we had a strict Headmaster, G.H.A. Bunyan from Buxton. They used to come with the nine o’clock train, up to Belfield, or other train station at the time.”

Reflecting on her childhood days in Vic-

toria, Grannie admitted: “It was hard. We wore no shoes on our feet to go to school, and the road was made of burned bricks. As for water, we had no water running through the streets. We had to fetch black water in buckets – till from Lowlands after school in the afternoon. But when rain fall it’s easier, cause then we would get rainwater in pails.”

But that apart, times in Victoria were nice, Grannie recalls, but added that her best recollections have to do with the occasions when she would sing --- literally regale audiences with her nightingale’s voice. “My relatives were Christians and we would go to a nearby church and I would get the opportunity to sing. I took after my mother. I used to sing all ‘over the air’ on VP3BG and VP3MR and it made me feel so happy. Those for me, were wonderful days that I always reflect on.

I still like to sing, but you know the voice get old now, but I have played my part, and if

Edgar Andrews, Evelyn’s only surviving son, with whom she currently shares a home in Victoria (Samuel Maughn photos)

they have any concert anywhere, I am there, ” Grannie said, with an air of gratification.

Evelyn Bacchus, in whom the residents of Victoria take great pride, gave birth to two wonderful sons, one of whom died just over a year ago. The survivor Compton Edgar Adams now shares a home with her at Victoria Sideline Dam, where they have a very good mother/child relationship.

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FILES E S A C T R U O C

Delays in cases if not checked could erode public confidence in justice system THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), hearing an appeal from Guyana in 2008, commented on the seriousness of delays in the completion of cases and added, “If such delays are not eliminated, public confidence in the justice system in Guyana will surely be eroded.”

However, the CCJ dismissed the appeal brought by former policeman Vibert Gibson against his unlawful dismissal from the force.

The CCJ found that the appellant had no appeal as of right within the meaning of section 6 (d) of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act and the appeal lacked merit in any event.

During the hearing of the appeal,President Michael de la Bastide said, “Before concluding this judgment, we feel obliged to comment on the fact that this case was originally filed in July 1989.

“The High Court proceedings were not concluded until November 2004, more than 15 years after the case was filed. “ Undoubtedly, there must have been reasons for this, but we can think of none that could justify a delay of that order.

If such delays are not eliminated, public confidence in the justice system in Guyana will surely be eroded, President de la Bastide had said. The facts of the case disclosed that by letter of June 30, 1989, the appellant Gibson was discharged with immediate effect from the Guyana Police Force on the basis that his discharge was desirable in the public interest.

He then brought proceedings against the attorney general alleging that his removal from the force was unconstitutional, null and void and claiming damages for loss of salary,

pension and gratuity.

He contended that he was entitled to the total compensatory package he would have earned had he remained in the force until he reached the age of retirement and that the court should make no allowance for the possibility of his mitigating his loss.

In 2004, the High Court found that the appellant had been unlawfully dismissed and awarded damages equivalent to 24 months salary. The Court of Appeal upheld that judgment, but allowed the appeal to the extent of ordering the State to pay to the appellant the pension to which he was entitled based on his 20 years’ service in the force. The appellant appealed to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The court invited submissions from counsel as to whether in all the circumstances the appellant had an appeal as of right within the meaning of section 6 (d) of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act, 2004.

The CCJ held that the appellant had no appeal as of right within the meaning of section 6 (d) of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act and the appeal lacked merit in any event . In order to found a right of appeal the appellant had to establish that the proceedings were concerned with the exercise of the jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court relating to redress for the contravention of the provisions of the Constitution for the protection of fundamental rights , in accordance with section 6 (d). The instant action was one for unlawful dismissal and not one seeking constitutional redress for the infringement of a fundamental right. The claim was not presented as a breach of a fundamental right, nor could it seriously be suggested that the appellant had a fun-

damental right to salary and pension as if he had continued in his post until his attainment of the relevant retirement age. Accordingly , the appeal was dismissed.

The appellant, Vibkert Gibson, filed notice of appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice from the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal, in proceedings arising from the unlawful dismissal of the appellant from the Guyana Police Force. The respondent to the appeal was the attorney general of Guyana .

The CCJ invited written submissions from counsel Benjamin Gibson for the appellant ; the A.G. and Trishala Persaud for the respondent on whether the appellant had an appeal as of right within the meaning of section 6 (d) of the Caribbean Court of Justice Act. Delivering the judgment of the C.C.J., President de la Bastide said the appellant was discharged from the police force by letter dated 30th June, 1989, with immediate effect on the ground that his discharge was desirable in the public interest. He filed suit the following month against the attorney general, alleging that his removal from the force was unconstitutional, null and void and claiming damages for loss of salary, pension and gratuity.

The appellant appeared to take the view that he was entitled to the total compensatory package he would have earned had he remained until he reached the age of retirement and that further, the court should make no allowance for the possibility of his mitigating his loss. After a trial the court held that the appellant had been unlawfully dismissed. The appellant was awarded damages equivalent to 24 months’ salary. The appellant appealed.

By George Barclay

The Court of Appeal (Claudette Singh, and Justices of Appeal Kissoon and Chang) upheld the judgment of the trial court, but allowed the appeal to the extent of ordering the State to pay the appellant the pension to which he was entitled, based on his 20 years’ service in the force. The appellant was given leave to appeal as of right to this court.

The President added, the facts of this case and the circumstances in which an appeal as of right was filed resemble very closely those in the case of Yasseen v A.G. of Guyana [2008] CCJ 3 (AJ), 72 WIR 317 in which this court delivered a written judgment on March 26, 2008. Adopting the same course we followed in Yasseen’s case, we required counsel for the appellant to provide us with written submissions on the issue whether the appellant was invited to appeal as of right.

Those submissions were filed and having read them , we can see no reason to alter the view we took in Yasseen’s case, namely, that there is no right of appeal and that the appeal, in any event, lacks merit and should be dismissed.

The President added, “We consider that the identical reasoning applies to this case.

Accordingly, we strike out this apeal and for the same reason we declined to order costs in Yasseen’s case, namely that the respondent played no part in the striking out of the appeal, we would make no order as to costs here.”

Other Caribbean Court of Justice judges were Justices Saunders and Bernard.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

The First Village

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Residents working to keep history and culture alive Saul said.

Saul, a retiree, stated that he is a born Victorian and grew up in the village. He recalls that Emancipation back then used to mean something to the older generation, because they looked forward to August 1 when they could celebrate their freedom; now it is just a time to party.

He related that today there is no recognition of the full meaning of what Emancipation is, one of the sad realities of our time.

Carlotta De Jesus

By Michel Outridge THE history of villages should be taught in schools so that the younger generation is aware of what went on before and what it means today: this is the belief of Victoria resident and elder Desmond Saul, who expressed these views in an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Saul said that as a people they don’t have the consciousness and sees it as a failure, since the youths do not know the history of the village.

“This is a major failing of ours -- the people of my generation have failed because we haven’t taught it consistently and continuously. We should teach the history of villages in schools, because back then we used to celebrate Emancipation by way of folk songs in a large gathering where we sang and drums were a part of that activity where the entire village came out. We would talk ‘Nancy Stories’ which were relevant then, because we didn’t have television sets.

“We would sit every Saturday night under the moonlight in front of a fire and talk about our history and culture. Riddles were a big thing back then too, but today the young people bury their heads and are on a cellphone,”

The Victoria Cultural Centre

Wilberforce Congregational Church

IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE Saul is the founder of the newly built “The Foundation for REAL Christian Education (The FORCE)” Training School in Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that at his school they train youths in motor mechanics, electrical installation, welding, home econom-

The Foundation for REAL (The Force) Christian Education Training Centre

ics, information technology, (IT) and other life skills courses.

Saul noted that the school has students who come from as far as Beterverwagting and Mahaica and they are planning the official opening for August 26, 2019; they would like

President David Granger to be present to cut the ribbon and signal the opening.

Meanwhile, Carlotta De Jesus, another villager who wears the cap of a councillor, a beekeeper, a seamstress, a tour guide and a birder has always represented the village of Victoria.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that although it is not originally from the village, she has been there for the past 23 years and was elected a councillor.

De Jesus added that she came to Victoria when she got married and it has since been her home; she has been involved in the Mangrove Restoration Project in that village for many years.

She stated that Victoria is a place where a lot is happening and they have been trying to preserve the historical buildings and maintain their culture among their people.

The councillor pointed out that the youth group within the village is tasked with planning and putting on cultural shows and the elders would pitch in and add to it and they have had many successes.

De Jesus noted that being a tour guide, she would provide her services to visitors where she would take them around the village from the backlands to the seawall and even guide them to some bird watching, since the village is a haven for rare species of birds and even our national bird, the Canje Pheasant INVESTMENT IN CULTURE “A lot more can be done in Victoria because we are the first village bought by slaves and I don’t see much emphasis being placed [on] passing on our rich culture,” she said.

De Jesus noted that Victoria has potential and they have about three masquerade bands within the village and talented drummers, as well.

In 2016, she reported that they had a massive Village Day; it was a huge success because of the input from government and they had $500,000 to make it happen. A cultural programme was the ‘high point’ of the event.

“I think we need more support and money from persons who are interested in history and heritage. I know Victoria is the first village and I stayed, but expected more since the heritage is so rich, if I had my way I would do more to put Victoria first…only so much I can do, I am always willing to assist and support village movement and development Turn to page XVI ►►►

XVI ◄◄◄ From page XV

of Victoria,” she said.

This year, De Jesus stated that the time is too near for a huge Emancipation celebration; however, they will go all out for the Village Anniversary when a week of activities is planned.

A Village Fete is in the making she said, where they will have clean, family-oriented activities for everyone and they will replicate slavery and other things, so the youths can get a better idea of what life was like back then.

She explained that they will put boats in the canal with produce, the way it happened in those days where farmers used boats to transport their crops from the back dams to the village.

“We want the children to understand the struggles of what happened back then like a recap of Victoria, because we have so much to offer and it is a tourist village with many historical buildings,” De Jesus said.

Next year, activities will be bigger; she stated where they will arrange games played by slaves, have the foods available and an area has been identified for the week of activities, which is the West Side Line, Victoria North.

De Jesus added that they will have activities such as ‘Morning of Prayer’, ‘Ring the Bell’ and “Wake Up the Village,’ among other things.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that the

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

‘Bell’ which is located in the compound of the Wilberforce Congregational Church is being utilised by villagers and depending on the ring of the bell, it signifies different things such as the announcement of the death of a villager, etc.

De Jesus stated that the ‘Morning Devotion’ on August 1 is a big thing where everyone would gather at the same place to partake in a meal and prayer. She added that all the foods produced in Victoria will be cooked and shared within the village on Emancipation Day. The councillor reported that Victoria still has the Emancipation Hut on the Public Road and efforts are being made to restore it and make it a mini-museum, where things of exslaves will be on exhibition. She disclosed that the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) has offered to fund that project, but the Emancipation Hut is now a snackette which is not privately owned.

Although the Wilberforce Congregational Church was renovated into a flat concrete building from its wooden state, the bell is intact and it was one of the many churches in that village where slaves used to stay.

In total, Victoria has 18 churches and some are still standing today and serves as historical landmarks which they will preserve.

Carlotta De Jesus sewing some African outfits for her customers (Samuel Maughn photos)

Victoria’s Emancipation Hut

Desmond Saul and his visiting grandchildren

Preserving our culture Young people on the move

By Michel Outridge ANTHONY Samuels is President of the Victoria Youth Development Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that fosters development.

“We work in areas of promoting youths, provide [sic] opportunities to develop ourselves and also the community and we do a lot of fundraisers and we hosted the Village Anniversary for the third time this year.

This year, we will be celebrating the 180th anniversary of Victoria Village and we normally have massive celebrations to mark the occasion,” he said.

The NGO offers all the government courses at the community level, which give the youths an opportunity for self-development and life skills training so they can earn.

Samuels told the Pepperpot Magazine

that the Victoria Village Day is celebrated on November 7 annually, after the date was declared the National Day of Villages by President David Granger.

He added that a series of activities have been planned and the NGO will be responsible for the cultural aspect of that programme, which will be hosted in the village.

The youth leader related that the event will see a camp fire setting, where young people of the village will showcase their talents and display their rich culture.

He noted that the NGO started two years ago, has 23 members and is still growing; they have been working with several ministers to train young people to become leaders in their communities.

Samuels said the first Village Day they hosted saw about 500 people in attendance

and they had a huge flag-raising ceremony; this was a success and was held at the Wilberforce Congregational Church, a historic landmark in Victoria.

He pointed out that the NGO also participates in community clean-ups, development of the community, assists farmers and a co-op was formed, bridge gaps in which the backlands and roadside people are united as a village.

Samuels said the Victoria Village Day will be bigger this year, since the Ministry of Social Cohesion has pledged its support and they will pull it off with assistance from the elders in the community.

“We should be leading in terms of cooperation because we have

Villager Julian Headley Turn to page XVII ►►►

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XVII

◄◄◄ From page XVI The first house in which the Barlows lived is still standing in their yard at Victoria

Youth leader Anthony Samuels (Samuel Maughn photos)

training sessions with the young people to ensure they know about the history of the village and their culture. We have tried to retain much history by way of keeping the olden name Northbrook, which is still relevant today, the Northbrook Nursery School still has its name in the village,” he said.

Samuels added that as a reminder, the signboard was placed on the Public Road at Victoria which provides a bit of the history and the “First Village” sign was erected at the front of the village, as a gentle reminder of the history.

“We have a rich culture in this village, one time we were the breadbasket for the country and we have a lot to offer right here in Victoria; we are the home of cassava bread, coconut oil, cassareep, achar, pepper sauce and we have many cookshops, as well,” he said.

Samuels told the Pepperpot Magazine that even a week of activities isn’t enough to tell the story of Victoria, but they will do what they can to promote the history and culture of the village. “We need to maintain our culture and keep it alive by teaching our young people and children what was life like back then and the struggles of the ex-slaves, so they will appreciate what obtains today,” Samuels said.

MEMORIES Another villager Joseph Barlow Jr., said he has always lived in Victoria and the shingle

house in which they first lived is still standing and will be there until it can no longer stand.

Barlow Jr., told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was christened in the house as a baby and he is almost 49 years old and the aged, wooden edifice serves as storage for gardening tools among other things.

He added that during Emancipation when he was a child, he used to go to the city with his siblings and parents as a family outing where ‘folk festival’ was a big thing back then.

The gentleman remembered going to the Victoria Village Day as a boy, where they had games such as the ‘greasy pole’ and whoever was successful took home a pig.

Barlow Jr. added that the Victorians are trying to replicate their culture as much as they can and they do it through story-telling; this happens on August 1 in the community, as a reminder of who they are.

The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to villager Julian Headley, who is a taxi driver and who operates within the village.

“As a boy, we used to go out in the village and it was like a ‘Folk Day’ where we had games and a culture day where the entire village would assemble to celebrate Emancipation. We had all the African foods there as well and a show was the highlight of the day, which depicted our culture and that of the slaves,” he said.

Essequibo gearing up for Emancipation!

By Wendella Davidson A FREEDOM March starting at 20:30hrs on the evening of July 31, from the vicinity of Damon’s Cross at La Belle Alliance, to Damon’s Square, in the town of Anna Regina; and a Miss Essequibo African Pageant billed for August 2 at the town’s Community Centre Ground, will highlight Emancipation activities being hosted by the African Cultural and Educational Association (AC&EC) located in Henrietta, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Damon’s Square is the area where a bronze statue is mounted in the town of Anna Regina, in honour of African labourer Damon, who was executed for his role during a protest against the system of apprenticeship.

The Damon Cross is erected on a portion of land at Plantation La Belle Alliance where the slaves used to work as labourers, and where too, the original Holy Trinity Church was sited. That church has since been relocated to Anna Regina.

Themed “Emancipate in Unity, with resilience, purpose, patriotism, perseverance and persistence,” the celebrations were launched on July 14, Chairperson of the AC&EC, Desiree Charles told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Damon Square caption: Damon’s Square (File photo)

According to the chairperson, upon arriving at Damon’s Square, the audience will be treated to a cultural programme comprising dances, poems and a motivational talk by a guest speaker.

Also billed to participate in the programme is a representative group from the African Builders Association of La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Meanwhile, this publication has learnt that a group from Queenstown Village, the most popular of the Proprietary Villages that eventually set the tone for similar developments in the

18th century after slavery was abolished, is planning to travel from Queenstown to welcome their West Demerara sisters and brothers on the Parika Ferry Stelling. They will then combine and sing folk songs, chant and participate in drumming aboard the vessel, while en route to the Essequibo Coast.

At midnight on July 31, the audience will witness a libation ceremony, which entails the pouring of drink, in this instance water, as an offering to the ancestors. That programme will culminate with the sharing of light refreshments.

At 08:30hrs on Emancipation Day, a service will be held at the association’s headquarters in Henrietta. This will be followed by a mini-exhibition at Damon’s Square, starting at 16:30hrs, featuring the singing of folk songs, playing of games, and an introductory walk by the seven pageant delegates. The activity that will run into the night, will see a family being selected as the Best Dressed Family and being awarded a monetary prize.

The Miss Essequibo African Pageant that will commence at 20:30hrs, is the second such event to be hosted by the association since its formation in 2001.

The seven delegates will participate in Talent, Creative and Evening Gown segments before a panel of judges and the audience before a winner is chosen.

The celebration also includes a Spelling Bee Competition on July 17, that was won by former CV Nunes Primary School student, Nashon De Santos, who in the new school term will be attending the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS).

On July 26, a `Hot Dog’ Sale was held at the Holy Trinity Church Hall at Anna Regina, while bringing down the curtain on the Emancipation activities will be a five-aside relay road race, to be held on August 11, 2019, from Capoey Bridge to Damon’s Cross at La Belle Alliance.

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Developing the creative industry one column at a time MASTER ART The greatest artist I have known An awesome God whose work is shown From north to south and east to west His work of art, it is the best!

Man’s imagination He has long surpassed The creation of man His complex task A composition made out of dust To walk in his image should be a must Being an artist can be a great blessing Having the ability to create something From wood and clay or even sawdust To be a sculptor I need some thrust With a throw on the wheel or a pinch with my hand I join the Greatest Potter’s band To weave a masterpiece that people can wear And Transform plain fabric into something so rare Wall hangings and things for viewers to admire In hope that I’ll have a future buyer The process of art is no easy task Will these pieces really last? They ask.

Cowhide and sheepskin go through transformation to make slippers and bags for our admiration Cartoons and commercials are done with animation And posters communicate information.

The pictures I take preserve memories that last And fashion designers bring back styles from the past Don’t question the artist about the functions of art Just look ‘round you of creation it’s a part.

Whether imagination or observation Drawing or painting an abstract composition I dare say my main source of inspiration Will always come from God’s creation The Master of the arts will always be, My Heavenly Father - He created me!

By Aiesha Scottland

FOR my first column, I was asked to introduce myself. I figured I’d switch things up a bit and bless you with my poetry. Master Art not only reveals my passion for art but also gives insight into my faith. Both of which are the very representation of who I am.

My name is Aiesha Scottland. I am a multi-talented individual with a passion for the creative industry. I graduated with a Diploma in Textile Design from the E.R.Burrowes School of Art. I also have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Guyana.

I am currently a member of two local artists groups: the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA) and the Guyana Creative Business Co-op Society (GCBCS). I enjoy writing: scriptwriting, story writing and poetry. I also taught visual arts for six and a half years at Christ Church Secondary. While I enjoyed my season of teaching, where the students’ love and appreciation for the arts grew, I was torn knowing that the creative industry is underdeveloped and that their dreams may not be realised. Quite a few of my students have gone on to tertiary art education and even became artists themselves. I wish to use this platform as a means of developing the creative industry.

Guyana’s Ingenuity will be a space where Guyanese creativity takes centre stage; where our artists’ reflection of our history, beliefs and aspirations are examined. It is a space where artists and developments in the creative industry are recognised and where art education takes place.

In education in a multicultural world, the noted educator Ernest Boyer (19281995) proposed that there are eight universal cultural concepts shared across time by people throughout the world. Four of which I will

share with you. First, we are all connected through our ability to use symbols.

Second, everyone responds to aesthetic. Third, we all engage in producing and consuming, though far too many of us are preoccupied with consumption and have very little understanding of production. And finally, all of us seek meaning and purpose.

What is the purpose of art? Art has an innate ability to create an appreciation of diversity in a multicultural society. Does art have meaning? Well, that varies from

the artist to the observer.

Art is everywhere and in everything. Can you imagine a world without art? But wait, did I just say imagine?

Hmmm, sounds a lot like art already. Don’t you think?

The culture and creative industries are imperative to Guyana’s development. Did you know that Guyana’s culture and creative industries exemplify our domestic manufacturing and ingenuity? Yet a vast majority of our economy is not built on producing creative things.

It’s time for this to change.

The fact remains that jour-

nalism can propel an arts ecosystem in vibrant and culturally diverse communities such as Guyana. It’s refreshing to know that local audiences crave information about shifting culture in their communities and about what exhibit or show they should visit. Guyana’s Ingenuity is a weekly publication covering topics relating to the arts and culture. Join me weekly to learn about happenings in the creative industry.

Aiesha Scottland is a trained artist and former art educator.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

WHY A HERITAGE COMMISSION IS NECESSARY To balance the void of historical and cultural awareness of our tribes and castes in parliament

THE Heritage Commission is as necessary and as important as GECOM is. There is evidence that most of our national festivals, through years of zombie adherence to fixed templates, have now allowed private adaptations and mimicry that lack local symbolism and significance, but must be allowed due to citizens’ efforts, where a void exists, to appear with optional default justification on the national stage.

The history of the 19-20th Centures has demonstrated that ideologies cannot transform into collaborative progress without the deeper understanding of cultural and historical considerations and the addressing of the perceptions, imaginations and the mythopoeia-mystique that though denied will become tools, detrimental from any holistic fact-finding analysis to all involved.

No political ‘ism’ can govern a country without oppression if the government is outside of the culture of its citizens; a culture that envelopes history customs, value systems and aspects of the sacred memory. The government that cannot function in this capacity becomes an intrusion; an occupational entity that must rely on the element of bribes that most prevalently manifest in allowing and empowering the criminal nature of those outside of the social grid and those sleepers within, to whom sustaining their class structure and daily pretentions are more valuable than values, morals, integrity or the most basic of the principles of right and wrong. We must all understand that the judgement of ‘Circe’s Brew’ is to demonstrate our common links to the other realms of nature. Those who drank her brew underwent a biological metamorphosis into different types of creatures, from the noblest mammal to the common rodent and insect.

The first recognition in Guyana that there needs to be a guardian entity for efforts made on substantial grounds to build formidable institutions came to light for many of us in 2007 with one of the then regular Jamaican shows at the Guyana National Stadium by a group calling itself GT Entertainment. The name of the show was the ‘Guyana Music Festival’. This name should have rung a bell with anyone managing culture within the Ministry of Education. It did not, the artistes were Jamaican; Third World and Buju Banton among others. It was disruptive to the hard work done over some 30 years to establish a local brand that seems to have gone unnoticed by the then administration, now in opposition.

One would wonder if they had paid any attention to anything Guyanese that developed outside of the grudging crusade for political power within the borders of Guyana.

To justify this statement, some years before in the late 1990s, Sydney Poitier---

then Ambassador of the Bahamas--- came to Guyana and was snubbed, not intentionally, but on the grounds that his contribution to Guyana through his leading role in the late E.R. Brathwaite’s book ‘To Sir with Love’ as a movie was deserving of a commendation from the highest office in the land. That highest office was found wanting, but the then Mayor Hamilton Green saved face. I was not in the country back then, but was relieved that some interception had occurred. I read the presentation of the motion for a Heritage Commission presented by then leader of the opposition, now President Granger, and that of the response of Madam Gail Teixeira.

There was a recommendation by then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to change the name from National Heritage Commission to National Commemoration Commission. To me, ‘Heritage’ cannot be replaced by ‘Commemoration,’ because

heritage envelopes explanations, accountable definitions of events; heritage explores the timeline and backdrops leading to where we are today, and in its totality eliminates political propaganda and stereotypical myth-making. Heritage studies are a necessary compass for a young nation. On the other hand, commemoration is a political photo-moment ideal, cutting ribbons at a monument while onlookers remain oblivious to whatever substance has led to the monument. Every serious cultural practitioner should read this parliamentary document. They would understand why we protested the location and imagery captured in the current 1823 monument overlooking Thomas Lands, when historically the slaves who were close to Georgetown were advised by the conspirators to not be informed of the non-violent East Coast insurrection.

The idea mentioned in the exchange by the then Minister of Culture, Youth and

Sport that “that policymaking should be the business of the executive” from this writer’s experience presents a flawed notion, especially when it was obvious that that minister, too, was completely out of his depth with respect to understanding the aesthetics, guiding and guarding value and economic worth of all that a Heritage Commission would constitute. The next phase of that parliamentary exchange of utmost interest lay with Madam Gail Teixeira, who presented an outpouring of a variety shop of anticipated related items that the lady assumed was worth mentioning, with a subtle rejection of the idea of a formal centre for Heritage studies. She highlighted references of specific national ‘timelines’ against others, if any would be, or could be ignored. Inserting what periods (18th &19th century) we should forget and reject about ourselves. The intent seemed directed at confusing and hopefully, subtly brainwashing us into believing that what is relevant to Guyana is only what is as old as our independence time-chart.

Much of what was said was definitely not immediately related to the potential of a Heritage Commission, but would demonstrate to the persons whom I suggest should read this document, who would then quickly conclude that parliament, especially the opposition’s contingent is not by any means equipped to even understand the immediate, much less the wider need of a ‘Heritage Commission’, its relevance and purpose especially to the arts and culture and to a larger extent developments in cultural industries, where ideas for biographical documentaries, for dramatisations based on real events, but needing historical heritage background, for artistic renditions relevant to both entertainment and edutainment would require support from such a commission.

I have cited before the ACDA Black History month experience at the Dolphin Government School, Charlestown, in 201011, where the students could not identify Fort Nassau nor the folk characters presented to them on five by four-foot posters.

The teachers blamed the social studies syllabus. Parliament needs to involve practitioners from special niche economic groups when it recognises expertise deficiencies among its political participants. Towards innovative ideas like the Heritage Commission motion, that was passed in 2013 with a walkout by the PPP. The Historical-Heritage foundations and museums that are essential to the growth of national and public awareness, and creative industries in first-world countries, which were mostly developed during the age of colonisation, cannot easily be replicated here, but efforts at a mature entity like ‘The Heritage Commission’ are truly a giant step forward.

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Proper oral care to keep plaque, and other debris removed by these activities, at sufficiently minimal levels to ensure that the gum tissue remains healthy). I especially want a patient’s brushing and flossing efforts to be effective and non-injurious, but unfortunately, I often see just the opposite. It is extremely common for dentists to see toothbrush abrasion from improper brushing or the effects of the wrong kind of brush. As I said in previous articles, hard and medium brushes should only be used for cleaning small motor parts and boots, not teeth. As far as flossing is concerned, gingival clefts (cuts) are also inflammatory injury to the gums not only allows microorganisms into the body but also causes gum and bone recession, even occasional tooth loss. (For some reason, I’ve seen moderate to severe flossing damage almost exclusively in women, some of it requiring surgery to repair the damage!) These are very poor rewards for such vigorous efforts intended only to improve health. Brushing and flossing can both be performed effectively

UNFORTUNATELY, the public has been grievously misinformed about brushing, flossing and using some advertised product; they all still fall short of what’s required for genuinely effective oral (systemic) health maintenance, by far, even though together they make up the current standard for oral care.

What makes home-care efforts so vexing for the dentist, and so frustrating for his/her patients who find out their efforts aren’t working is that many people think that state-of-the-art home care is basically just brushing well two or three times a day, and flossing at least once a day. Most people now know to brush and floss after every meal, three times a day, and to floss thoroughly at least once a day, probably because this message had been drummed into their heads over the years in toothpaste or mouthwash advertisements that induce them to buy and use certain products. Let’s begin with the shortcomings of brushing. One has to obey the Rule of Thoroughness. This Rule states that the total time spent cleaning the mouth during every 24 hours must be equal to the number of natural teeth in minutes. For example, if a person has 20 teeth they should spend at least 20 minutes everyday brushing, flossing, etc.

Compounding the frequently ineffectual home-care regimen is the notion that flossing somehow cleans under the gums. It does, but only so far as the soft tissue on the tongue side and cheek of the tooth will let it. The depth below this level is where most of the disease occurs (gingivitis excepted).

While flossing has definite benefits for many who perform this important task, it has been said that only two percent of the population flosses every day. Even doubling that to four percent still leaves 96 percent of the public not flossing even once a day. And those who do floss can’t clean the bacterial stew out from under the gums. In fact, although flossing does move the plaque and food debris that builds up between the teeth, and does dislodge some of it so it can be cleaned out of the mouth, the balance of the debris is forced into the sulcus (crevice between tooth and gum).

The pitfalls of home care can be made even worse if you use a toothpaste or mouthwash containing ingredients that carry warnings “seek professional help or contact a poison control centre immediately,” and are known to get hard. And these products are supposed to help us get healthy? My professional advice is to stay away from them. Products containing ingredients that can kill people, induce oral cancer, cause allergic reactions, burning, itching, redness, and soft tissue sloughing, and degrade tooth-coloured fillings and cosmetic dental bonding agents not improving the health of the user. People with gum disease already have enough problems without adding toxic products to their oral health program.

I am concerned, oral health can best be accomplished by exclusively using healthy products and techniques. I would like to make it clear, just for the record, that I am all for brushing and flossing. Both of these activities are fundamental oral health procedures, and both offer benefits if they are done frequently (brushing and flossing have to be done often enough

and without injury.

The public’s perception of periodontal (gum) disease and its consequences is, unfortunately, still not yet in tune with the health consequences associated with what is, in fact, a systemic infection. Until those perceptions change on a widespread basis the medical and dental professions, as well as in the public domain, we will continue to lose the battle. However, perceptions and concepts can occasionally change almost overnight, and I am encouraged that the public and the health professions may soon start viewing periodontal disease and its potentially lethal toll in a total new light. Only then will any meaningful improvement occur. I don’t know if a person’s cause of death will ever be listed as gum disease since it was perhaps a heart attack or stroke that will ultimately be the cause of death, but I do know that it would certainly help elevate the public’s awareness of how serious this health problem is.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

WWF GIFTS IMPORTANT ONBOARD GUIDE TO FISHING INDUSTRY THE public has an overwhelming appetite for political news and developments and accordingly, the media focuses on such. Thus matters of social and even economic importance are often given a secondary place or even ignored. One such item of socio-economic news which has been barely mentioned and which engendered no public comment is the recent presentation by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of a booklet titled “Onboard Guide for Identification of Marine Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) and other Key Species” to the Ministry of Agriculture and those involved in the Fishing Industry.

This water-resistant booklet was financed by the WWF of the Netherlands but its content was prepared by WWF of Guyana. The WWF has had a long history of quietly helping Guyana to preserve its wildlife and among such assistance has

been the hosting of training sessions and workshops.

Very often fishermen would catch fish and other marine species which they do not want and may leave them to perish.

Sometimes they may catch species of fish which are protected or even given seasonal protection to maintain the sustainability of the fishing grounds without their being aware that they are destructive of the ecology. The booklet identifies 42 ETP species which includes sharks, rays, sea turtles and marine mammals. The Guide would help fishermen as well as the Ministry of Agriculture regulatory officers to easily and accurately identify ETP and Key Marine Species and satisfies a longstanding need. It should be reiterated that the Guide is meant for practical day to day use by fishermen and this fact of its being water-resistant emphasises this.

The WWF Guianas presented the Guide Booklet to those

involved in the Fishing Industry and these included members of staff of the Fisheries Department and the Seabob Working Groups and the major commercial fishers - the Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP), and the captains and managers of Prittipaul Singh Investments, Noble House Seafoods and Gopie Investments Inc. From time immemorial the Oceans and their inhabitants have helped to feed humanity and maintain human existence.

In some communities the seas are a more important source of food than agriculture, Such communities would include, for instance, several pre-Columbian tribes who inhabited the islands of the Caribbean or the Marsh Arabs of Iraq or the numerous fishing villages worldwide. In Guyana, fish, prawns and other marine life including sea-moss (used for desserts) are a part of the diet of most Guyanese and the Fishing Industry is also an important employer and foreign exchange earner.

At the presentation of the Guides, Ms Sopheia Edghill, the Marine conservation officer of WWF Guianas gave an overview of the contents of the guide booklet, how it would assist fishermen, help to preserve the Ecology and its economic importance. She explained that in compiling the contents of the booklet, the species were selected based on their relevance to the commercial fisheries and their life history characteristics.

Since the Guide was meant for practical day-to-day use onboard, it did not provide detailed information on the biology, behaviour or ecology of the species but it provided detailed information that would easily allow for accurate identification of the species. There are illustrations of the species identifying their characteristics, their habitat, size, similar species, their conservation status and handling practices if caught.

The Principal Fisheries Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ms Ingrid Peters, thanked WWF for partnering with the Fisheries Department over the years and playing a critical role in the Department’s development. She mentioned the WWF’s support to the Observer Programme where the data was used by the assessors for the Guyana Seabob Marine Stewardship Council Certification.

The country manager of the World Wildlife Fund Guianas, Ms Aiesha Williams, expressed her pleasure in partnering with the Fisheries Sector. She felt the guide booklet will help to keep the species in their natural habitats to balance the ecosystem and ensure their existence for both economic and ecological purposes. “We see this”, she said, “as an important part of our work, as part of the Ocean Programme, specifically marine turtle conservation and sustainable fisheries”.

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ (2019)

“The Lion King,” Disney, 2019 – image via: IMDB

THE original version of “The Lion King,” released in 1994 by Disney, is without a doubt one of the most famous, most iconic, most instantly recognisable, most well-loved films of all time.

Who in the world can resist the urge to hum along to the film’s timeless songs, such as ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight,’ ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King,’ ‘Be Prepared,’ which is my personal favourite, and, of course, the most popular, ‘Hakuna Matata’?

Who does not know that “The Lion King” is basically Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” with lions, set in the African jungle and adapted for children? Who has not wept during the scene where Mufasa dies? Who does not enjoy the humour put forth by the hilarious duo of Timon and Pumba? There are very few people, of the movie-watching variety, who can say that they have not seen “The Lion King.”

This is a film that captured the imagination and emotions of every single child who ever saw it (and those of their parents!). It is one that formed an important part of the childhoods of the youngest generations of people in the world and it is this phenomenon that has spawned a ‘photorealistic computer-animated’ adap-

tation in 2019.

The concept of doing an adaptation is one that immediately appealed to everyone who saw the original, because the very idea of using modern technology to render a beloved animated classic, a cartoon, into a realistic, almost ‘live-action’ version was too good to resist. Who wouldn’t want to see more realistic versions of the lions, hyenas, and landscape of Africa in a new adaptation?

While the 2019 version managed to be most successful on the technological front, there are still a few downsides that come with such a photorealistic rendition of an acclaimed animated movie, even though nostalgia, for the most part, manages to make us not notice these little hiccups in the recently released film which was directed by Jon Favreau who also directed the 2016 version of “The Jungle Book,” but is more well-known for his role as Happy Hogan in the films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The photorealistic techniques utilised in the 2019 version of “The Lion King” can definitely be regarded as a major success. The cliffs and trees and waterfalls look very realistic and the wildlands of Africa definitely manage to contribute to a kind of lush,

euphoric version of the place, rich with imagery that constantly reminds the audience of the dominant ‘circle of life’ theme that recurs throughout the film. More importantly, the animals who play the major characters are also well-realised. Simba, Mufasa, Nala, and all the other lions realistically flick their ears, and Rafiki, the mandrill, sits and moves around exactly the way a mandrill would. The anthropomorphism (or the human-like qualities) given to animal characters in films and cartoons is completely missing here, and there is no doubt that the creators of this new version wanted to lose that aspect to sell the realism of their story. Unfortunately, the downside to that is a situation where a very real lion strides onscreen before bursting into song, or a situation where the realness of the animals clashes with the characters’ emotions which can only mostly come from the voice-actors and not from the technology-based animal characters created through computers for the film. In short, while technology has managed to create the characters, some of the very things that made those characters so appealing in the first place were clearly lost in the process.

Regarding the voice-actors, it is obvious that the cast list is stacked with talent.

However, not all of them stand out for the right reasons. James Earl Jones who voiced Mufasa in 1994 reprises his role in the new iteration. Jones’ voice is legendary (he also serves as the voice of Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” films) and fans rejoiced when they found out that he was returning to play Mufasa. The reaction of the fans to this is because of the emotional juncture that Mufasa’s role ends in and also because there is a wonderful mix of calm, kindness, and nobility that came through Mufasa from Jones. While the actor does a good job in the new film, it is hard to ignore the fact that he sounds a bit subdued, especially when compared to the strength and majesty that he imparted in the first film.

The child actors, JD McCrary and Shahidi Wright-Joseph, who voice young Simba and young Nala, respectively,

handle their parts really well.

Billy Eichner as Timon, the meerkat, and John Oliver as Zazu, a yellow-billed hornbill, are also very strong, managing to effectively convey the essence of their respective characters from the original movie. Alfre Woodard as Sarabi could have gotten more to do, and Chiwetel Ejiofor tries his best to be the villainous Scar and it works, but only in parts, and it is nothing close to the spine-chilling work done by Jeremy Irons in the original incarnation. Florence Kasumba as the hyena and Scar’s ally, Shenzi, is outstanding, delivering voice-work that is so sinister and terrifying that I came away feeling more scared of Shenzi than Scar.

Seth Rogen is a good Pumba, as is John Kani as Rafiki and

Donald Glover as adult Simba. Beyoncé as adult Nala just sounds like Beyoncé.

While watching the film at the theatre, I could hear some of the children singing the songs and some adults quoting the lines, and all this coupled with the fact that I still cried when Mufasa died, tells me that the film does work by playing on the emotions, specifically those same emotions that the original tapped into all those years ago. Besides the updated technology, not much else has been done in terms of making the 2019 version a separate entity that can stand on its own as a strong film.

There is not much present in terms of original changes. For example, in two upcoming live-action adaptations from Disney there are important

changes that will make these films work for an entirely new audience while being individual films that cannot be tethered to their respective original counterparts.

“The Little Mermaid” has a black actress in the lead role while “Mulan” does not retain the original songs, nor will Mushu be making an appearance.

“The Lion King” does not make any such decisions and because of this, I’m not entirely sure if to be grateful that they have preserved this piece of nostalgia from my childhood without changing it much or whether to feel a little emotionally betrayed because of the way the film taps into existing emotions that I have from the original movie.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

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Your Mental Health is important!

FOR many of us, Mental Health might be a sensitive topic, but it is one that we need to keep talking about if we are going to raise awareness on it and encourage more people to take charge of their health.

Last weekend, I attended a training session on Mental Health that was organised by the Guyana Press Association and I thought I would share a bit of what I learnt.

According to the Head of the Mental Health Unit, at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Util Thomas, there have been 184 suicide cases in 2017 (127 males and 47 females), while in 2018, this was reduced to 141 cases (117 males and 24 females).

This was a marked decrease from the period 2010 to 2012 when the country was pegged at having the highest suicide rates in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, Guyana had 667 reported suicide attempts between those years, resulting in an average of 200 deaths per year.

More than mere statistics, I think this shows that there are several persons who have been grappling with issues that negatively affected their mental health- so much so that they decided to take their own lives. And if that isn’t a cause for concern, I don’t know what is.

Suicide has been identified as a public health issue, and much focus has been given to mental health seeing as suicide is related to one’s mental health status.

What I can appreciate is

that efforts to normalise taking care of one’s mental health have become more widespread.

I think that people are becoming a bit more cognizant of the importance of maintaining mental health, with the same emphasis placed on physical wellbeing. I think we realised at some point in more recent times that suicide, and mental health by extension, was a stark issue in our country; our people were hurting and we needed to do something.

I personally know of so many efforts being made to raise awareness of mental health and suicide. The Ministry upped its focus on mental health in 2016 when it moved to establish the Mental Health Unit and since

then, that unit has been striving to build capacities at other medical institutions across the country.

In fact, Dr. Richmond Thomas indicated that the integration of mental health into primary health care is an extremely important strategy for the Public Health Ministry and the mental health of all Guyanese since it allows for a more focused approach to the matter.

Aside from those efforts, many of the youth groups I am part of, or I have attended sessions for, have emphasised getting young people to talk about mental health and importantly, learn more about it.

At the same time, however, I do believe

that there is still a lot more acceptance and education needed so that more persons can move from a place of stigma and misconception to a place of empathy and encouragement. We have to move away from labelling mentally ill persons as “mad people” and become more sensitive to their plight and lived experiences.

At this session, it was also made known that substance abuse and self-harm were indicators that persons may be suffering from some mental illness.

In fact, Dr. Thomas stressed that self-harm is the strongest indicator of a future suicide attempt since it was found that many persons who commit suicide would have had several incidences of self-harm in their past. And I think it is well-known that substance abuse leads to a myriad of issues.

If you or anyone you know might need assistance, the Public Health Ministry is offering services at its Mental Health Unit which is located at Quamina Street, Georgetown from 08:00 hours to 16:00 hours during the week.

There is also the suicide hotline managed by various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to help curb the issue. If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed and possibly contemplating suicide, please call the Guyana Inter-agency Suicide Helpline which operates 24 hours and is organised by the Guyana Police Force. Telephone -223-0001, 223-0009, 223-0818 Cellphone – 600-7896, 623-4444.

Guyana’s very own Serena Williams THE Unite d States has a renowned Tennis Star, Serena Williams but, Guyana too might soon be able to boast about its own young and upcoming Tennis Champion, Nicola Ramdyhan.

Twenty-one-year-old Ramdyhan, who now lives in the US, was a former tennis champion for Guyana.

“I am now using my talents to compete and study at the Clark Atlanta University, Georgia,” she said. Ramdyhan is following the footsteps of her mother, Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan, who was also a respected tennis champion.

When Nicola was young, her mother would often take her to the Non-Pariel Tennis Court (National Racquet Centre) so that she can observe the action.

“She would let me play with a racquet and a ball...As I got older, I took tennis more seriously and began competing locally and internationally,” said Ramdyhan, adding that although she faced challenges such as getting

sponsorship to compete in tournaments and even injuries, she did not let them stop her from doing what she loves.

Due to her perseverance, the sport has given her the opportunity to travel, meet people and ultimately her ticket to further her studies.

As for her studies, she is an accounting major with a GPA of 3.91.

She was also a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) freshman of the year in 2018 and has been named in the SIAC all-academic team for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.

One of the highlights of her career is that her teammates and she led their school to capture the 2019 SIAC championships after being undefeated in the conference this season.

While her accomplishments are great, balancing academics with athletics could be difficult at times but, Ramdyhan’s inspiration to go on comes from her role model, the great Serena Williams. She said the way Williams puts her heart and soul into every ball she hits on the court, inspires her to do the same when she plays.

Also, the endless support from her friends and family, especially those back in Guyana, motivates her to con-

tinue playing.

“They’ve believed in me because they saw something in me that I didn’t and have encouraged me to always play my best,” said Ramdyhan.

As she continues on her road to success, Ramdyhan aspires to become a role model for other Guyanese athletes, especially female athletes.

She wants to show them that despite the disadvantages such as lack of facilities, equipment and financial support, persons can still give their opponents a run for their money and be successful because Guyanese are known for making full use of what they do.

Ramdyhan intends on giving back to society through more than just words. She wants to one day open her own accounting firm and give back to her hometown by becoming a mentor and establishing scholarships and other opportunities for athletes, who want to take their game to the next level.

Her advice is to always believe in yourself and be confident in your actions. Don’t let the naysayers hold you back from going after your goals because you’re capable of achieving whatever you set your mind to.

Niclola Ramdyhan

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Theory and practical: the key to an educated youth PRESIDENT David Granger holds the view that students must be prepared for the world of work. As Guyana’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, this can prove daunting for recent secondary school graduates with little or no practical experience. The Government of Guyana has been helping combat youth unemployment through the Ministry of Education’s WorkStudy Programme, a five-week internship for fifth form students.

This is a special edition of Government in Action co-produced by the Public Information and Press Service’s (PIPS) Public Relations Intern, Ms. Shania Madramuthu of The Bishop’s High School.

From high school to the Office of the President Shania has been a most valued addition to PIPS and, for the past six weeks, has been able to gain real public relations experience as part of our team. Here, Shania shares her own exciting and challenging work-study experience.

“On this job, I had to keep up with current affairs, which is something I never did much of before. I read the newspaper every morning, every day, and I had to keep up with the Ministers and Heads of Departments and their activities… When I first came here, I went with other Communication Officers on their assignments, where they had to cover

Shania takes a comment from Minister of State, Mrs. Dawn Hastings-Williams.

President David Granger is interviewed by Miss Shania Madramuthu, Public Relations Intern at the Public Information and Press Service (PIPS), Ministry of the Presidency, The Bishops’ High School.

Ministers and Department [heads]… Eventually, I got to [cover] my own assignments.

When I came back to office, I had to write up the press release, and pick pictures for the [papers],” she said.

Shania said that she was able to explore new skills and build on existing ones.

“I dabbled in some photography. I had to learn the basics of it because I never did it before… I got to do photography for an assignment and my pictures were picked for the [papers]. That was exciting. I also learned how to conduct interviews, professionally and learned to speak to people I’ve never met before [to get] the information I need from the interviewee,” she said.

Recalling an impromptu interview that she conducted with President Granger, Shania said that she learned to adapt to PIPS’ fastpaced environment.

“When I got my first interview, it was with the President. It was sprung on me, I went over to just observe the interview, but then I ended up doing it, which was nerve-wracking. I also interviewed the First Lady… My picture actually got picked for the front page of the Chronicle newspaper, for the interview with the President, that was also exciting,” she said.

Building relationships with fellow staff members, she said, was one of the highlights

of her internship.

“The staff here was very welcoming, they taught me what I needed to know, whenever I had questions, they were willing to answer and they made sure to look out for me on assignments, especially on [the] out of town [assignments]. Whenever something big happened, like when I interviewed the President or when the picture got on the front page of the newspaper, they were genuinely happy for me and genuinely excited for me,” she said.

POINTING YOUTH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION It is important that students become both educated and skilled and are regularly given the chance to combine theory and practicum.

This is part of the President’s vision for youth in Guyana.

District Education Officer, Mr. Sherwyn Blackman said the Work-Study Programme does just that. Mr. Blackman, a former workstudy intern himself, said that the programme can even point unsure students in the direction of their future careers.

“Work-study is basically an opportunity for our students, who have just completed the CSEC examinations, to be afforded an opportunity to go to organisations where they have a sense of what happens in that environment, whichever organisation it is, but

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019 also an opportunity for them to pick up best practices on the job… Having this experience, it really provides that true opportunity for them to study [and] understand if that’s really the career path that they want to pick up… It provides them with the kind of skills that even [if] they might be going to further their studies after it still gives them that kind of jumpstart to life,” he said.

Mr. Blackman added that the programme has proven beneficial for both the students and the institutions in which they intern.

“I think that’s one of the biggest celebrations we can have in terms of being on the programme, [the interns] have the opportunity to interact with persons… at the workplace.

In some cases, the organisation… might be where they have to have face to face contact with persons so it develops their skills in terms of communication... It really helps them to mature… [Being] in an environment where you’re socialising with adults you actually have an opportunity to truly be able to move to that next level,” he said.

Mr. Blackman urged students to make the best of their work-study experience and encouraged rising fifth-formers to apply for work-study when the time comes.

“Persons being on work-study also bring a lot to the table because talking with some of the students, you recognise that they’re actually able to contribute their skills to improving whichever section or organisation they have worked at so I think, holistically,

organisation so that it would be easier on me to adapt [to the working world].

Jaheim Griffith, Central High School, Management of Information Systems Intern, Ministry of Education: I have always loved working behind computers since I was young.

Everything I did always surrounded technology so when I was given the opportunity to do work-study that allowed me to be behind a computer, I took that up right away.

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skills in a professional environment.

JAHEIM: When I first came to workstudy and they told me that I would be helping to manage the Ministry of Education website, that it would be a constant chore, something that when you do it every day, it would be something different every day and from my imagination I thought that it would have a lot of programming, a lot of script and code…

But after actually coming into the workplace,

Shania has a post-interview chat with District Education Officer, Mr. Sherwyn Blackman.

Management and Information Systems Intern, Jaheim Griffith, Central High School.

Ministry of Education Personnel Intern, Shuntia Lee, South Ruimveldt Secondary School.

it has a benefit for both sides… I would want to encourage them to ensure that they are, of course, there punctually but also to ensure that they learn as much as they can, they take the opportunity to really write the right resume…

[They] can actually go back to these organisations and get a recommendation for the job, especially, of course, [when] you have done that excellent job. I encourage them also to ensure that they are very honest, hard-working… and ask as many questions as they can because the idea is to truly understand the organisation while they’re there, regardless of whichever section they’re placed,” he said.

A WORD FROM THE INTERNS Mr. Blackman encouraged students to take advantage of the programme’s very simple application process to earn a place at one of 40 Government and Private Sector institutions for their internship.

We spoke to a few of this year’s students who shared their experiences and journeys of hands-on work in their respective organisations. They gave us direct insight into how they have benefitted from the work-study programme.

Stephen Hussain, St. Mary’s High School, Personnel Management Intern, Supreme Court: I chose to apply for work-study so that I would get the experience of working in an

file mail; I’ve learnt how to dispatch mail properly; I’ve learnt how to use the index…

I’ve learnt about filing punctuality reports on courts within Guyana of each district… I’ve also had the opportunity to go to the Public Service Commissions, the Lusignan Prison, GRA and even NIS. The Work-Study Programme helps students break out of their shells, gaining confidence, professionalism as well as knowledge that would help them in their future endeavours.

JAHEIM: In terms of how I work, my schedule, what I have to do on a daily basis, I do believe that it is teaching me how to be on time, how to get my work done, how to be vigilant in doing the same thing every day.

SHUNTIA: It has helped me to prepare myself for the working world by being mature, and how to relate to others and how you should be able to work and to put myself in an adult’s position [and]; how to be a better person and to [pursue] your goals and not to fall back on them.

STEPHEN: It is a very beneficial experience because I’ve learnt a lot.

Although some students were assigned positions outside of their ideal career choice, they continued to encourage other students to apply for the programme as the benefits far outweigh the disappointments.

JAHEIM: For anybody that would like to do this as well, I would say that you shouldn’t overthink it. It is something that you learn

Hard at work! Supreme Court Personnel Intern, Stephen Hussain, St. Mary’s High School.

Shuntia Lee, South Ruimveldt Secondary, Personnel Management Intern, Ministry of Education: I chose to apply for work-study because maybe it will give me… experience of what I’m about to go into which is the world of work.

The interns explained that the programme is not one where participants aren’t put to work, but rather, they were able to learn real

doing it, I realised that… it was a schedule.

SHUNTIA: Working along with persons, in this Department you have an officer you have to work along with in order for them to teach you how the work is being done so, I’ve learned how to work along with other persons.

STEPHEN: I gained enough knowledge on how the court operates… I’ve learnt how to deal with people. I’ve learnt how to

through time and progress and there are always people who are there that are willing to teach you the ropes as you go along.

SHUNTIA: All I would say is, it’s a great experience, it’s a great programme for you to come into and be a part of because it’s a very good experience; it teaches you a lot, especially as a teenager… For me, it has been a great experience, and maybe for others, it will be a great experience…I would encourage them to be a part of the programme.

STEPHEN: I think students should apply for work-study so that they would gain the experience so that it would be easier on them when they’re actually employed.

SHANIA: For those students on the second batch, I would advise that you be open-minded, don’t be afraid to ask questions because there will always be people willing to answer you and make the best out of these five weeks because you never know where it could take you.

The Work-Study Programme is just one of the initiatives that the Government has implemented to pursue its vision of an educated and skilled populace. The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education continues to ensure that young people are given every opportunity to become contributors to Guyana’s economy.

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NAREI’s Crop Development and Support Services (CDSS) Department Farmers, GSA students, Research Assistant, Extension staff and Quarantine staff participated in a Farmers’ Field School (FFS) for chili peppers.

THIS week NAREI in Focus will inform readers about the Crop Development and Support Services (CDSS) Department. This department is better known as Extension Services. It focuses on agricultural expansion, diversification and business orientation to agriculture and farming in Guyana.

This department was created to transfer new farming technologies to farmers, which benefit the OTHER CROPS sector; and produce quality orchard seedlings for sale to the farming communities in Guyana.

Our Extension personnel, who are present in every Region across Guyana, are the direct link between farmers and the Institute. They inform Researchers about challenges facing our farmers. In the absence of immediately available solutions, the Researchers conduct research programmes both at research stations and on-farm with farmers.

To address diversification, CDSS provides technical assistance in terms of farm planning, pest and disease control as well as information about the value chain of the crop to complement the grants and assistance that are provided by the Agriculture Sector Development Unit.

This Department is divided into four sections: 1. Coastal Extension Services 2. Hinterland Extension Services 3. Training 4. Nurseries What are some of the services offered? * Farmers Field School * Farmers Training * Farm visit * Exhibition * Farmers Clinics * Rendering technical advice to Schools, and other institutions * Budding and Grafting of orchard crop * Farm data collection.

According to Dr. Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, “We continue to ensure that these services are available to all farmers. We recognise that there are limitations. However, the staff are continuously being exposed to training- both theoretical and practical- to enhance their capabilities.”

What are some of field projects?

1. DEMO plots across Guyana.

2. Production of citrus with chicken manure.

3. Plastic mulching on white sand.

4. Bora production using inoculum.

How can this department help you? * You can get prompt and reliable technical advice on crop production. * On farm soil and water sampling free of cost. * Advice and guidance on crop loss due to adverse climate condition. * On farm diagnostic of pest and diseases, with immediate recommendation. * Issuing of Filter press permits.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

NO one is immune to life’s stresses. It is difficult (almost impossible) to avoid stress so the key to well-being is to learn how to healthily deal with these stressors. Many people, mainly adolescents, choose to unhealthily cope with their stress- particularly through self – harm.

Self -Harm occurs when an individual deliberately causes harm to their self. It can be anything from cutting, burning or hitting oneself to an overuse of alcohol and illegal drugs.

Many people use these measures for temporary relief but fail to see the long term consequences. It is often used as a physical distraction from emotional pain; where physical pain is used to mask what seems like unbearable, deep distress.

There is a temporary relief that comes along with it but that is suddenly overshadowed by emptiness and guilt.

Self-harm typically starts at about age 14. The problem is particularly common among females but males do suffer as well.

There are some signs one can look out for if they believe a loved one is self-harming.

The most obvious one is isolation- people who self-harm love to be alone. They spend most of their time in their own company and are easily irritated or angry if this is not possible. They may unusually cover up their skin- even in hot weather. They experience sudden mood changes -sometimes without any trigger. Their relationships are affected and suddenly strained – whether it be family, friends or partners.

School and work performance will also be negatively affected as low motivation and loss of interest in any activity are common. There will be obvious changes in their eating and sleeping patterns which means there will be fatigue, unusual weight loss or weight gain. They may act abnormally insecure, displaying low self-esteem and self-neglect. This tends to lead to a change in appearance which differs with each individual. For example, some may make big changes such as dyeing their hair a bright colour or getting many new piercings while others may completely neglect even basic hygiene. There will also more often than not be a start or increase in alcohol/ drug use.

People who self-injure do not do so for attention as sadly, most do it in secret. It isn’t a suicide attempt but rather an unhealthy way of avoiding it. Although it is not considered a suicide attempt, people who self-harm are at much higher risk for suicide than people who do not. Although a personal choice, it tends to causes shame, guilt, low self-esteem and very often self-hatred. Self-harm itself can also become addictive and may seem like a compulsive behaviour that seems impossible to stop. However, there are a few things that we can do.

First and foremost, to stop yourself or your loved ones from self-harming, the reasons why one chooses to do it must be identified. You cannot fix something unless you know clearly what the problem is.

Recognise the triggers – is it because of anger, sadness, loneliness etc.? It is easier to identify this if a feelings journal is kept. Write down exactly how you feel in the moments before you self-harm. I completely understand that the thought of actually paying attention to your feelings is a frightening one. Many like to avoid or numb the pain but in life, there is nowhere out but through. It is almost impossible to deal with any emotion unless it’s confronted.

Additionally, once the trigger emotion is identified, you will know what to avoid to not elicit that emotion.

If you self- harm, keeping such a secret is difficult and lonely. Relief will come if you speak to someone who you feel is truly worthy. Without meaning to, you can hurt yourself very badly. It is easy for a wound to get infected or to misjudge the seriousness of the injury. If you feel like you cannot stop suddenly, this is also understandable. In the meantime, de-escalate your intensity of self-harm. For example, if your method is self-cutting, try to do it less and cut less deeply. Better yet- use substitutes. Many of us find it difficult to stop a behaviour unless it is replaced with something else.

For example, those who cut themselves do it for the sting or to see the blood. I always recommend that they take a red marker (not a pen!) and dig it into their skin. It will still hurt and they will see red. For those who burn themselves, I recommend that they leave pieces of ice on their skin for

Self -Harm a while – it does burn after a while but obviously nowhere near as dangerously. Others might find it helpful to keep a rubber band on their hands and snap it. These are effective substitutes to slowly stop yourself from self-harm. New and healthy coping skills will also need to be learned. This means to find things that promote relaxation to distract from the urge to self-harm. This can be sports, dancing, singing, paintingwhatever works! It is of course also beneficial to get plenty of sleep and exercise as this releases positive endorphins.

Finally, reach out for help, confide in those you love and trust.

Hopefully, after that, it will be more comfortable speaking with a professional.

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If you know someone who is self-harming and would like to confront and help them, there are a few important things to remember. Firstly, deal with your own emotions before the approach. I know you care for them which means you may feel sadness or anger but this isn’t about you. Confront in a helping, unemotional way. Educate yourself on the issue- this article is just a start. Read up on self-harm so you can understand why it’s happening. Do not judge! Self-harmers already judge and have negative feelings about themselves – they do not need this from their loved ones as well. Being supportive no matter what encourages healthy and open communication.

Offer any support that they may need- don’t tell them what you think is best but rather recommend. They will want the right help when they are ready. Just be there when they are.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896. Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

When was your last eye exam?

AS any other child in primary school, you would find me in the sun running, jumping and playing games under the bright and hot sun. However, when I was in Grade Six, I noticed my eyes started to tear up whenever I’m in the sun and with excessive bright lights I would get headaches.

Luckily, my parents took heed to this issue and I began to wear glasses. In fact, I still wear specs and I couldn’t be any happier. Not to be cliché but the eyes are the windows to one’s soul and in a more literal sense, it is an insight to the inner workings of our body.

Ever went to your regular family doctor when you have the flu and they use a light while examining your eyes?

Well, the reason for this is the fact that your blood vessels can only be visible in your eyes. Your family doctor can also detect signs of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma and even brain tumours. While this can be an effective way for eye care—the best-recommended way is to have a dilated eye exam and regular checkups with an eye doctor. Dilation of the eyes happens when an eye doctor (optometrist) drops an eye drop into your eyes that will increase

Diagram showing refractive errors.

or widen the size of your pupils. This will allow the doctor to examine the back parts of your eyes even better, some of which includes your optic nerve and retina. The optometrist will also perform a visual acuity test, most of us may know it as the ‘alphabet chart test’. This is where your vision will be tested by distance, 20 feet to be exact. Peripheral vision is the indirect vision we see from the sides while looking straight ahead. A doctor will also test your side visions because a bad or even no side vision can be a sign for certain eye diseases.

If by chance, your doctor decides you need to wear spectacles/

Picture showing a visual acuity test.

glasses then this means you have a refractive error in your eyes. To have a refractive eye means to have an eyes-shape that does not bend light correctly or in a manner that allows you to see an image clearly. Hence, you’ll need spectacles – or contacts if you prefer- to correctly bend light for you.

The refraction test allows you with the help of your doctor to choose the correct lens type for your eyes.

Your doctor can also prescribe photochromatic and transitional lenses to help with sunlight. These will turn into a tint, similar to that of a sunshade. Have you ever wondered why grandma and grandpa have a lens within a lens in their glasses? Well, in Guyana doctors also can prescribe magnified lens within the normal lens if needed. It is important to note that persons who have diabetes should have regular eye checks because of their risk to diabetic retinopathy. This disease is when a high level of blood sugar damages blood vessels in our retina. If the scarring is a lot, it can result in permanent vision loss. A balanced diet, exercising, maintaining a good BMI, wearing sunglasses, resting your eyes, being aware of your family’s history of eye diseases, avoiding smoke and excess amounts of light to the eyes are all other preventative measures we can take to ensure good eyesight. Also, your eyes and brain are connected by the optic nerve. Taking care of one automatically means you’re taking care of the other.

To have sight is an amazing thing. Our eyes provide us with new meanings and a sense of pictorial vividness.

Our most precious memories, faces of loved ones, journey through books and pictures are all captured by sight.

Places like DaSilva’s Optical, Optique Vision Care, Ming’s Optical and even our very own public hospitals provide services that ensure care for this wonderful sense. I was taunted throughout my life for being a ‘four-eye’ but I’ll tell you what, I could care less about that for without my many pairs of specs— I would not have been the same.

Eyecare is effective when I (you) care; take care of the window of your soul.

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Local women businesses for Florida Expo

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel ... Inspiring lives through fashion THE Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development has over the years hosted the “Annual Women in Business Expo” at the Pegasus Hotel to mark International Women’s Day. The 2020 Expo will be launched in a few months.

Every year, over 60 exhibitors use this expo platform to advance their businesses. We have numerous success stories and testimonies since the inception of this life-changing Expo for women. We are planning a special programme for the fifth edition, which includes an overseas trip whereby 11 exhibitors will be joining me to participate in the Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo(FITCE) I attended FITCE for the first time in 2017 with an invitation from Mr Kirton. Last year I decided that some of the women from the Women in Business Expo need this experience. Carolyn Murray visited me for a few hours and was very impressed and displayed her interest to attend as an exhibitor, which confirmed my desire to have a contingent of women participate. I was intentional about making it possible, so I mentioned my idea to the organisers and on my recent trip to Florida, I had a meeting with Paola Isaacs who is equally excited to confirm our participation. These are the persons who will be joining me this year and it warms my heart to see this idea is becoming a reality, God’s willing. We are planning a takeaway lunch on August 10 at the Courtyard Mall and some other fundraisers to defray some of the expenses.

THESE ARE THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL ATTEND THE FITCE. Vanda Allicock-Calistro- Vanda’s Creations Sandra Craig- SS Natural Flavours Leisa Gibson-Leisa Salon n Beauty Supplies Carolyn Caesar Murray-Harmony INN and Secret Villa Natasha Ali- Natasha’s Gift Center Rebecca Abdool-Becky’s Blessings Melba La Gadoue- Intricate Creations Natasha David-David Creative Designs Simone Peters- Country West Style Christine Neblett -Chrisdan Enterprise Debbie Argyle- Scented Candles I know most of the women are excited to participate, so the plan is to rotate the exhibitors every year to attend FITCE. “Being a part of the upcoming Florida International Trade & Cultural Expo is a dream come true. Being able to exhibit my natural products internationally is awesome; looking forward to such a great event. Thank you to Sonia Noel and the Women in Business Expo for the opportunity,” expressed Leisa Gibson The Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) social club provides a forum for business and professional women to relax, renew and rejuvenate, while providing support & mentorship to youth and each other.

This group provides an environment that is conducive to the formation of a sisterhood dedicated to the development of self, family, society and country.

WASD harnesses the skills and talents of women from all walks of life through networking and the exchange of ideas to create an advanced society. This association organises and builds strong, confident, intelligent and empowered women who are committed to the task of building a progressive society.

FITCE2019 will once again welcome local and international companies to the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a unique opportunity to engage high-level government leaders, international trade experts and delegations from around

the world to participate in dialogues relating to international trade, foreign direct investment and culture. FITCE2019 expects to attract over 1,500 attendees, including international businesses, local businesses, multi-cultural global trade representatives from over 52 countries, federal, state and local trade agencies, and government leaders from around the world.

Maybe you are reading this article and have the urge to contribute. If so, please call 6848129 or email beyondtheruway1@gmail.com as we continue to celebrate this beautiful life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Know your Carbon Footprint

AS we go through our routines every day, we contribute to the release and build-up of substances that can cause harm to our environment. One of these substances is a group of gases called the greenhouse gases which are emitted constantly without us being cognizant of how much we contribute and their effects.

Carbon footprint is a measure of the impact of our activities on the environment and can contribute to Climate Change. It relates to the amount (tonnes or kg) of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation and production, among other activities.

Some of us might have a Carbon Footprint that is larger than others. This means that the larger your Carbon Footprint, the more emissions you produce. Even activities that seem virtually harmless can increase your carbon footprint and add to the greenhouse gas problem. By measuring your Carbon Footprint you will have an idea of the quantity of greenhouse emissions you, as an individual, produce during your daily activities.

We can contribute to carbon emissions through activities such as driving vehicles and operating machines that use fossil fuels, emissions from factories and industries etc.

Additionally, cutting down of trees allow carbon dioxide to accumulate, food and water wastage and leaving our lights on when they are not in use.

The Carbon Footprint is a very powerful tool in understanding the impact of personal behaviour on global warming. Most people are shocked when they see the amount of CO2 their activities create! If you would like to contribute to fight global warming, work towards reducing your Carbon Footprint because collective action can make a difference.

You can reduce your Carbon Footprint by: • Reducing the amount of waste you produce; • Reusing items as much as possible; • Recycling when possible; • Turning off lights when they are not needed. Making use of daylight –open windows and drawback curtains to use natural light as much as possible; • Opting for energy-saving light bulbs; • Turning off computers and fans when not in use; • Purchasing energy-efficient appliances that have the energy star symbol; • Conserving water. Our water companies burn fossil fuel to purify and pump water to our homes; • Avoiding using disposable items; • Avoiding using plastic bags. Opt for reusable bags or baskets when going to the market; and Turn to page XXXIII►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

The veteran drummer Spreading positive vibes for Emancipation

By Hugh Mclean THIRTY-eight-year-old Curt Hunt aka “Rastaman”, who hails from East Coast Demerara, Buxton, is a veteran drummer who plays the drums all year long at the corner of Regent and Camp Streets. He likes to play the African Drum which has 12 different rhythms, popularly known as “the 12 tribes of Judah”.

“I [have been] playing the drum since I was five years old,” Hunt, dressed in African print in honour of the upcoming Emancipation festivities, told the Pepperpot Magazine. Hunt grew up in the Gospel Spiritual Church which exposed him to drumming. He developed an interest in drumming because he had to play the drums in his church every Saturday and Sunday from 09:00hrs to 18:00 hrs- a task that gave him more than enough practice for what he is doing now.

“My friends, who are also drummers and I try to keep the culture alive,” posited Hunt, adding, “The drumming is live; the live music does make the people dance with a spirit.” His palms are bruised due to the continuous habit of beating the drum for hours at a time every day, all year round.

Hunt plays all day not only

because he loves drumming but to also provide for his family.

As Emancipation anticipates, Hunt and his friends are preparing their palms, drums and other musical instruments for the Emancipation Festival. Hunt believes that Emancipation is when people must “Emancipate ourselves from mental slavery” as the popular Bob Marley song ‘Redemption Song’ preaches. “I am now playing my drums longer than usual because I want everyone to start to feel the vibes of the cultural holiday,” he explained.

According to the website publicholidays.gy, Guyana shares Emancipation Day with other Caribbean countries that were formerly British colonies. Originally, the name of this holiday was “Freedom Day,” but today, the name “Emancipation Day” is usually preferred.

Thus, while those of African descent were immediately and most directly impacted by the abolition of slavery, in reality, it touched everyone. The event sent the whole nation in a whole new direction and led to greater cultural diversity as well. This diversity has led Guyana to adopt as its national motto: “One People, One Nation, and One Destiny.”

◄◄◄ From page XXXII

• Using public transport or carpool as much as possible.

Greenhouse gases occur naturally. However, our activities have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere beyond the point that nature can handle.

This according to Scientists has resulted in global warming and Climate Change. We cannot stop our carbon emissions completely but we can take actions towards reducing it to help fight Climate Change. Do your part to help improve your quality of life!

You can calculate your Carbon Footprint at the website http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx and take action towards reducing the size of your footprint. It will save you money and it will also help to save the environment.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Drummer Curt Hunt (right) and his drumming partner said that they practice drumming to keep the African culture alive (Delano Williams photo)

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English

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STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Stress is often maintained by identifiable negative self-statements. Get rid of negativity in study. Here are a few positive statements designed to replace corre-

sponding negative ones: a) My concentration has recently improved. Even when it lapses, I know how to effectively do recovery. b) I intend to pass. I’m doing a lot to ensure that happens, and I can only do my best. That’s what I intend to do. Keep on being positive about yourself.

Love you

IMPROVING WRITING Narrating a personal experience Writing about Personal Experiences: Writing about your personal and real-life experiences helps keep you in touch with important events of your life. It also allows you to really know what the events mean to you.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

HOW THE WRITING ISDONE: 1) Apply a pre-writing strategy: List the events chronologically – the order in which they happened.

2) Maintain a first -person point of view: Tell the experience using the personal pronoun “I”.

3) Use your language well: Make use of vivid adjectives, also precise verbs and adverbs, and concrete nouns. This helps your reader share your excitement, fear, or sorrow.

4) Build a conclusion that tells about your thoughts and feelings about your experience.

Then tell what it means to you.

Here are more general pointers on planning and writing: Sometimes pointers are set out for you.

Read them, and then refer to the points when it is necessary, but do not feel tied down to given suggestions as you only need some topping up at this time of preparation. You are in charge of your own writing process.

Guidance is given on a general count.

If you are doing work at home these pointers are useful: Select the right incident to write about.

It must be clearly an experience that caused a change in you. If it is proving difficult to find an experience right away, there are ways to re-activate memory. ? Think back to earlier years. ? Look at old photograph albums. ? Sit in different parts of your home. ? Go out for a walk by a familiar place. ? Talk over ‘old time’ stories with family members. ? Talk about times gone by with close friends. ? Look up your personal journal entries.

[You do keep a journal!]

Now that you have hit upon an incident for your narrative, try to recall what happened as fully as possible. Draw up a list of specific details about the incident. Pointers like: ? persons involved; ? what actually happened; ? where it happened; ? how you felt when it as going on; ? what you gained from it all; and ? what might others learn from you by telling it to them.

Drafting and Revising: Drafting is setting down your ideas without worrying about polishing them up. Revising is reading over your draft to make sure that whatever you have written fits your intention and audience.

To help you move forward if you are stuck, you can call a writing conference and then read your draft to real study partners and allow them to help evaluate your work. Let them help you check for these points: 1) Are you telling your story clearly?

2) Does your writing deal with personal change or growth?

3) Does it show why the incident was

To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour.

WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827) Auguries of Innocence,1 important to you?

4) Does it have a sense of “you” the writer coming through to them?

Here is what a personal narrative can look like. This sample came from literature called “Blue Highways.”

I turned up the heater to blast level, went to the back, and wrapped a blanket around the sleeping bag. I undressed fast and got into a sweat suit, two pairs of socks, my old Navy-issue watch cap, and a pair of gloves.

When I cut the engine, snow already had covered the windshield. Only a quarter tank of gas. While the warmth lasted, I hurried into the bag and pulled back the curtain to watch the fulminous (related to the thunder and lightning) clouds blast the mountain.

The sky was bent on having a storm, and I was in for a drubbing.

THE PASSAGE Here is a short passage. It is highly descriptive. Its details are arranged according to importance. It can really make a lasting impression upon a reader. Check what this famous writer has done.

When I think of the hometown of my youth, all I can seem to remember is dust, the brown, crumbly dust of late summer – arid, sterile dust that gets into the eyes and makes them water, gets into the throat and between the toes of bare brown feet. I don’t know why I should only remember the dust.

Surely there must have been lush green lawns and paved streets under leafy shade trees somewhere in town; but memory is an abstract painting – it does not present things as they are – but rather as they feel. And so, when I think of that time and that place, I remember only the dry September of dirt roads and grassy yards of the shanty-town where I lived. And one other thing I remember, another incongruence of memory – a brilliant splash of sunny yellow against the dust – Miss Lottie’s marigolds.

(Eugenia Collier’s “Marigolds”) WORKING THE PASSAGE 1. The passage is reminding young writers of two good points in descriptive writing. ? It uses details effectively, and ? It organises details in meaningful patterns. Use study partners to see and discuss the meaning of these two pointers.

2. What natural way to arrange description has the writer used in spatial order?

Check what she has used: left to right, front to back, near to far, clockwise, or counterclockwise, and you can go on.

3. Has the writer used any technique that improves description? Are there any prepositional phrases that establish spatial relationships between objects? Point these out to a study partner.

4. Write a descriptive paragraph about your hometown or village as you remember it when you were much younger.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019

Pepperoni Pizza

INGREDIENTS 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp. yeast 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup warm water 2 tbsps. cooking oil 100 ml pizza sauce 2 mushrooms (optional) 5 sweet peppers 125 grams mozzarela cheese grated (half of a large slab) any toppings you like approx. 75 grams pepperoni METHOD 1. to a mixing bowl add flour, yeast, sugar and salt, mix together 2. add some water mix a bit and add the cooking oil 3. by adding water gradually, knead into a dough similar texture to bread dough 4. roll out the dough to the size of your pan ( 12 inches ) or close, add some flour to your pan before placing the dough 5. make sure to spread the dough and bring the edges up against the side of the pan to keep the ingredients in once it is baking 6. fork some holes in the dough.

7. cover and let rise for 20 mins.

8. once risen, press down dough to the original shape at the beginning 9. add sauce then a layer of cheese, then the other toppings of your choice and less cheese at last at the top 10. bake for 15 - 20 mins. at 480 F realniceguyana.com

LI

LII

Chronicle Pepperpot July 28, 2019