Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot Epaper 07 07 2019

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Sweet, serene

Guyana

This week, we take you back once again to Orealla, located on the Corentyne River in the East Berbice-Corentyne region. This building stands on stilts just at the waterfront of the village and is one of the many structures that line the shore, greeting visitors as they travel along the river. (Delano Williams photo)

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Road Hogs This “QUIET ZONE ” sign is located on Brickdam at High St reet; one of the noisi areas of the city. (P est hoto by Francis Q. Farrier)

By Francis Quamina Farrier AS the Guyana Police Force celebrates its 180th Anniversary, I am revealing the grim fact supplied by the Traffic Division, that over 9,000 Guyanese have been killed in road accidents since the country gained its Independence in 1966. You should also know that on four separate occasions, I was almost run over by a vehicle while using a pedestrian crossing in Georgetown, for this year, so far. I have to give credit to my ballet teacher for the excellent training which I received when as a teenager. I attended ballet classes and thank goodness, I can still make some life-saving ballet moves.

Sadly, we have to agree that there is a growing percentage of drivers who can be classified as road hogs in Guyana in more recent years; drivers who are criminally aggressive and expect everyone else to get out of their way when they are using the public streets and roadways.

Just stand on a downtown pavement in Georgetown, close your eyes, and listen.

You will readily recognise the road hogs behind the wheels. They just keep honking their vehicle horns on and on and on.

They are the type of drivers who Tangerine Clarke recommended to be banned in her article 40 years ago. They just keep the incessant honking of their vehicle horns; even in so-called Quiet Zones such as around hospitals and the Courts. I have spent over 50 five-minute periods in those so-called Quiet Zones, listening to the continuous honking of vehicle horns, and concluded that Georgetown can arguably be classified as being one of the noisiest cities in the world. In a recent brief exclusive interview with the Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden Isles, he stated that the Police will be taking action against this illegal practice by motorists who honk their vehicle horns in Quiet Zones.

Forty years ago, veteran journalist Tangerine Clarke launched her illustrious journalistic career with a feature article in the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper of April 8, 1979, which had the Headline, “Ban the Road Hogs”. Ms. Clarke had experienced tragedies in her own life, with the deaths of two very close relatives,

who were killed in road accidents.

Since the publication of Ms. Clarke’s article 40 years ago, over 9,000 Guyanese have been killed in road accidents. They include Ms. Christobelle Hughes, the mother of the celebrated Attorney Nigel Hughes, who lost her life on August 16, 2015, when a speeding vehicle driven by an alleged drunken driver, slammed into the vehicle which was taking her home from a family gathering. Also killed by a speeding vehicle, was the Chief Librarian of the National Library, Ms Gillian Thompson, whose vehicle was broadsided by a speeding vehicle on December 23, 2011. She died on the spot. Another high profile female who was killed in a road accident was Minister within the Min-

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

continue the road slaughter

by an ambulance. The most high profile male to be killed in a road accident in Guyana was Police Commissioner Henry Greene, who lost his life in a horrific two-vehicle crash on the West Coast Demerara, in which a child was also killed.

Recently, I requested and received the following figures regarding the slaughter on our roads, from the Police Traffic Division.

The three years with the highest traffic fatalities are as follows; In 1985, 212. In 1986,

The three years in which the highest number of children were killed were 1971 with 54 fatalities, 1978 with 55 and topping the list, 56 victims in 1982. The years with the least number of children killed on the roads of Guyana are as follows; 7 each in 2008, 2010 and 2012. There were 4 in 2018 and 2

When you are caught in the chequered box like this, then you could be classified as a “ROAD HOG”(Photo by. F.Q. Farrier)

Police Traffic Patrol at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three

istry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, who lost her life on December 11, 2009. The vehicle in which the minister was a passenger, was hit

the years 2010, 2011 and 2013 which tied at 112. And the year with the lowest number of Road Fatalities was 2010 with 110 fatalities,

215, and the highest number, 225 was in the year 1982. The years with the lowest fatalities are 2017 with 115. For second lowest were

in 2017. It would be remiss of me not to publicly thank Corporal Higgins of the Police Traffic Headquarters who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide me with much of the details which I have used in this feature article.

Following this 180th Anniversary of the Guyana Police Force, the recommendation by journalist Tangerine Clarke of 40 years ago to “Ban the Road Hogs”, must be seriously addressed by those in authority in order to save lives. It is a well-known ‘secret’ that many drivers in Guyana never earned their licenses to drive, but rather ‘bought’ the document from rogue police officers.

That illegal corrupt practice needs to end, since, according to experts, people who drive in public places, having not been properly tested by the competent authorities, are most likely to be bad and dangerous drivers.

To lose over 9,000 lives in 50 years in a country with just a little over half a million population must be regarded as being most tragic and very unacceptable.

Fifty-two persons including two children have been killed due to road accidents in Guyana during the first six months of 2019. As we came to the end of the first half of 2019, on Saturday, June 29, Livestock Farmer, 61-year-old Colin Crawford died after being struck down on the McDoom Public Road by a vehicle which was driven by a police constable.

How many will be killed during the second half of the year? Will you be one? Will I be one?

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

III

West Demerara Hospital boasts a dynamic health care system

By Shirley Thomas NEWLY appointed Regional Health Officer of the West Demerara Health Services, Dr. Cerdel Mc Watt, is heartened at the work of the regional health system within Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region. And noting its current level of competence, he feels confident that it is poised for greater things to come.

In a recent interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Dr. Mc Watt commented: “In Region Three we have a [health care] system that is very dynamic. It is a Region with great potential, and if we have the capacity to deal with our health care issues and the needs of all the populace who live here or seek health care services within the Region, then we are in good standing.”

Dr. Mc Watt observed that already, the health care system is working assiduously to build the necessary capacity at all centres, as its distribution has extended to 18 Outposts; 20 Health Centres; two District Hospitals; One Cottage Hospital and one Regional Hospital. This, he said, is geared to provide health care services from level one to level four, since the programme generally stems from Programme and Sub-Programme and is divided into 19 activities.

Being at the helm of the organisation and having made an assessment of the structure over the past four months, Dr. Mc Watt while giving kudos for the positives, has come up with a blueprint for dealing with the challenges inherent within the system.

THE CHALLENGES: Having highlighted some of the positives, Dr. Mc Watt, in the interest of identifying and nipping challenges in the bud, said that every system has its appropriate challengessome can be easily controlled, others cannot. Invariably, challenges are human resource or finance related, but one of the major challenges he’s encountered has to do with a bottom-heavy structure at the expense of the limited availability of resources at the top. And since there is only so much that a person can do, in time it can lead to ‘burn out’ which does not augur well for the person nor the organisation. This can also lead to the problem of oversight and so forth at the top level, given some constraint in terms of the information being filtered down.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Dr. Mc Watt observed that Customer Service, in terms of how staff interact with the general public needs some improvement. He stated that some staff might be trying their level best, to offer service and make patients feel comfortable, that they are cared for and that there is hope for them.

When caregivers are caring and compassionate to the patients, most clients, by the time they would have made contact with the health care worker, and based on their perception and the type of caregiving they would have received, 25 percent of their burdens can be lifted without receiving treatment.” Dr. Mc Watt reasoned.

The RHO said that while not all staff are culpable, it has been found that some who are guilty of failing to be caring and compassionate, may be behaving in an uncomplimentary fashion because of work overload. He noted that the staff members are trying but issues such as overwork and social ills may be added stresses for them.

While admitting that customer service can be a problem at times, the RHO said that programmes are in place for the requisite training to be given to all health care workers so there can be improvement in that area.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION Meanwhile, explained that nutrition also goes a far way for patients. “The first thing we look at is diet…So the major thing that I am looking at is information concerning health and wellness and individuals need to understand that it not only has to deal with having clinical attention. And also those illicit habits of smoking and alcohol use and so forth, likewise the other illicit drugs do much harm,” he said.

He added that the West Demerara Regional Hospital’s promotion is geared as health promotion activities. To this end, they collaborate with other entities promoting health such as the last Ministry of Public Health Fair which and

Dr. Cerdel Mc Watt, Regional Health Officer, Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara (Carl Croker photos)

The West Demerara Regional Hospital

participated every day until the final day. One of the things focused on was Rehabilitation services, and water and what is observed within the region in terms of rehabilitation. The Hospital also looked at the Maternal and Child Health aspect of health care; family medicine, internal medicine, dental health, pharmacy and environmental health departmental health.

“We try to instill in people’s minds that it is not just the clinical services that are offered, but we offer a package and we insist that this would become part of our regime so that we can improve,” Dr. Mc Watt concluded.

Meanwhile, to coincide the observation of Father’s Day the administration of West Demerara Hospital staged a spe-

cial programme for male staff of the institution, as a timely reminder of their role as fathers and their commitment to the family in that capacity.

In a stirring presentation to the gathering, Dr. Mc Watt told those assembled that, “Your fathers are not only biological fathers but all who they interface with. That can be your workmates or the clients you visit from time to time.”

He admonished them to extend the same love and kindness to all those with whom they come into contact, especially their extended families, including workmates, reminding them that they cannot only foster children but team spirit and team effort, basically moving the health care services within the Region forward.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

Family business infusing local and foreign cuisines into everyday eating

By Vishani Ragobeer THE vision of a restaurant that could offer a fusion of flavours yet still feel like something from a mother’s kitchen was birthed many years ago. But it was only until seven years ago, in 2012, that Keisha Chung and her husband were able to make this a reality.

“The vision really started since we were

young, with our single mother,” Chung, who is the restaurant’s owner, shared. “She cooked basically everything and ensured that all seven of her children learned to cook.”

Their mother ensured that she passed all of her skills in the kitchen to her children, but of the seven hopeful maestros, Keisha proved to be the one that could not cook. As such, she became the dedicated “wares-washer”.

As fate would have it, however, this wares

Chef Alicia Browne and her younger helper cooking in the kitchen at Xie Xie

Xie Xie changed up its aesthetics for the recently concluded Restaurant Week

washer pursued management studies and alongside her husband, bought the place and just made the vision a reality.

And so, Xie Xie, which translates to ‘Thank You’ in Chinese, opened at the corner of Barr and Alexander Streets in Kitty.

“It’s been an exciting journey for us because I think in the beginning and even now what we have tried to do is really infuse a variety of different foods and cultures into our own restaurant industry,” Keisha related.

The game plan at Xie Xie is that just like clothes and fashion, food evolves and food has trends of its own. And to stay ‘trendy’, Keisha and her crew ensure that the menu and the aesthetic change from time to time,

in response to what market research shows the food trends are.

And when it comes to the food, there is absolutely no shortage of variety with the in-house chef- Keisha’s sister and current manager, Alicia Browne.

Keisha related that Browne remigrated to Guyana when their mother passed away in 2016 and took over the reins of the business.

Alicia, unlike Keisha, garnered some of her culinary prowess from their mother. The remainder of her culinary skills was gathered through her many years of work with a US consultancy that travelled to various countries around the globe opening restaurants.

Turn to page X ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

V

The challenging journey to become a Social Worker

By Marissa V. Foster LAURISTAN Choy is an ambitious young man who is impassioned to serve humanity and is working towards becoming a Social Development Specialist.

Choy grew up in a home that taught him the importance of both education and spirituality -- two concepts that moulded him into the man he is today. He attended the New Amsterdam Primary School where he wrote the Common Entrance Examination and was awarded a place at Canje Secondary School (one of the lowest junior secondary schools in New Amsterdam/Canje District). In the year 2004, he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations and he received passes in six subjects out of seven. He was also awarded Best Graduating Student in English Language, History, and Social Studies. Immediately after high school, Choy attended the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI). Here, he earned diplomas in Computer Science and Business Studies and in 2006, he graduated as the

Lauristan Choy

institution’s first valedictorian.

In an effort to further his self-development, he attended the University of Guyana Berbice Campus in 2009, where he read for A Diploma in Public Management while he was employed with the regional administration. At this point, his heart still had a

burning desire to help persons in need. It eventually led him to pursue a Diploma in Social Work and was awarded Best Graduating Student upon completion. In 2014, he was hired by an airline company. He spent one month in Las Vegas, U.S.A., being trained as an International Flight Attendant.

Sadly, he spent only three months flying. A major life challenge for Choy was when he received his retrenchment email from the airline indicating that he would not be working there any longer. He was devastated by the news, because he had resigned from his job of six years and had also withdrawn from the university to accomplish this dream. “I was depressed for months; while my friends were hired by another airline, I was not that lucky.

I continued to pray and trusted God for I was taught that, in everything, give God thanks.

Later, I was rehired by a former employer, while I continued to send out applications. I overcame this challenge by having faith in God, with the support of my mother, siblings and my close circle of friends,” he said.

FINALLY FINDING HIS CALLING He returned to Guyana and with his hard-earned Diploma in Social Work and gained employment as a Probation and Social Service Officer within the Ministry of Social Protection in the Childcare and Protection Agency, serving the Mahaica-Berbice region, a portfolio he currently holds. “As a Child Protection Officer, I finally felt like I was doing what I was called to do. This led me to return to the University of Guyana where I continued my Bachelors of Science Degree in Social Work,” Choy explained.

In 2017, he graduated with his Degree and was awarded the Best Graduating Student in Social Work and the Director’s Award for the graduating student who exemplified leadership within the university. Outside of academic accomplishments, Choy represented Guyana in Jamaica, Tunisia (North Africa) with the United Nations, Suriname and the United Kingdom. He has a strong passion for serving humanity through volunteering, because he believes that he is a global citizen. He is currently the outgoing Public Relations Director for the Rotaract Club of New Amsterdam and volunteered with the US Embassy Youth Action Network, Berbice Chapter, the Cancer Society and many other organisations.

The ambitious Choy’s enlightenment message to youngsters with stories similar to his is, “Young people, where you start is never where you are destined to finish; life is beautiful and adventurous. You will have good days and bad days; make good use of the good days so that you can ride out the bad ones. Everything takes time, you may attend the lowest school or you may not have been fortunate to attend one. Your road to success does not end there. Put God first and all other things shall be added unto you. Always strive to be the best version of yourselves. Never change to please anyone. Always remember to aspire to inspire before you expire.”

This professional helper hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social De-

velopment at Sussex University in the United Kingdom. He promises to return to Guyana to serve in the capacity of a development specialist to work towards strengthening family and community resilience to address child abuse. His biggest goal is to work at the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) as a development specialist. If you work hard; great things are destined to happen—as is evident in Lauristan Choy’s story.

Choy in Tunisia as the only Youth Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean (2014 UNDP Youth Strategy)

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

Critchlow Labour College honing valuable skills for Guyanese

By Shirley Thomas

THE Critchlow Labour College (CLC) is rolling out a plethora of novel and exciting training programmes, in its bid to effectively educate and prepare the nation’s youth for entrepreneurship and leadership positions at varying levels, ‘before, during and after oil.’

The new programmes, some of which are already underway, will be executed in addition to its traditional core training programmes in its curriculum. So says Administrative Director of the CLC, Under a shade house: agricultural projects undertaken Mr. Bissesar Chintermanie during an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine. by agri-based students at the Critchlow Labour College Chintermanie, who gave a background to the college and what it has to offer, outlined that the core subjects originally offered were largely based on the Social Sciences and were of one year’s duration.

CURRICULUM REVIEW These include Certificate programmes in Industrial Relations and Management, Social Studies, Human The CLC was established in 1967, out of the trade union body, with a mandate Resource Management, Management, Health and Safety and Child Care. to offer training for trade union and other workers and today has emerged as a key academic training institution in Guyana.

More recently, the college did a complete strategic review of its curriculum which is divided into three centres: The Critchlow Labour College; The Critchlow Labour College Centre of Business Excellence; and the Critchlow Labour College for Oil and Gas – all currently up and running.

Today, there are more than 30 programmes, ranging from certificate to diploma level, and more recently a Post-Graduate Diploma/MSC Programme in Food Security and Climate Change, the Director said.

The Certificate in Industrial and Social Studies (ISS) is a one-year programme and is the CLC’s flagship programme.

Proud agri-based students admiring the fruits of their labour

It is accepted as an entrance qualification at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana. Meanwhile, the MB also offered at the College, is a post-graduate programme aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills in the business sector.

CLC also offers diploma courses for applicants, part of the criteria for which should be a certificate in one of its core one-year courses at the certificate level. Then there is the ‘Certificate in Further Access to Education’ (CFAE) (much in demand) - a second chance for persons who would not have initially secured the grades required to enter the University of Guyana.

Centre for Agricultural and Environmental Studies (CLCCAES) In 2017, the CLC celebrated its 50th anniversary and on that occasion established the Guyana Climate Change and Food Security Institute (GCCFSI) and the CLC Centre for Agricultural and Environmental Studies (CAES). This was done with the aim of “allowing people the opportunity to be involved in agriculture and to realise their full potential to create wealth, at the same time preserving and conserving the environment for future generations,”Chintermanie explained.

In this regard, CLC continues to render quality, demand-driven training and has reviewed its programme and is offering more specific and relevant training for the sector, which is reflective of the industry’s needs.

Giving a sneak peek into the programmes and what they offer, the administrative director said: “What we try to do, is to make the courses more flexible or more accommodating. In effect, we are trying to make them very flexible, because we know agriculture, for example, can take on diverse connotations and experience has shown that young people are looking for more office kind of jobs, as opposed to jobs where the field-based training is mandatory. They see this as a challenge, but it’s amazing how the stakeholders are making it exciting for the students.”

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

VII

Barbering for the love of it outside of the door to the Transport and Harbours Department (THD) wharf and has been functioning from that location for the last three years and is doing quite well so far, he says.

“I like my job. I take it seriously and have a great amount of respect for my clients and that is the bedrock of the professionalism that is required in this business. Put it this way: you might have a customer with whom you have a casual relationship, but that does not say that if he requests that his hair be cut in a certain style you should go against that and do what you feel would take him better,” he advised.

“The other thing is that we should both

A glimpse at haircutting in the VIP Barbershop at Vreed-en-Hoop (Carl Croker photo)

By Shirley Thomas “BARBERING is my passion, and with each passing day, I am growing to like it better,” says David Pereira, owner of the

West Side VIP Barber Shop located at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Demerara.

Pereira’s barber shop is strategically placed. He occupies the first booth on the left-hand side of the walkway as you step

have respect for time. Come into the shop and get your job done in the order as you have come and that will avoid any bad feelings or even a confrontation. So in that way we get things done professionally on the basis of respect for each other and each other’s time,” Pereira reasoned.

He is polite and does not execute jobs on the basis of age- he does haircuts for the young and the elderly. He advises against being biased towards persons of a certain age, adding that his service is not only for the young.

And as for styles, he has a variety of these posted on his wall. All the client has to do is choose.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

GTT stands by voting process for +Star Singing Competition

The 11 finalists in the GTT +Star Singing Competition on stage last Monday as GTT Chief Commercial Officer Wenise Davis (right) announces those eliminated

By Tamica Garnett AS the saying goes, you can’t please everyone, and telecommunications giant GTT representatives think that just might be the case in the hullabaloo that has been ongoing since the winners of the GTT +Star Singing Competition were announced last Monday night.

Persons had much to say about GTT’s choice to let the final decision of the winners be determined entirely by votes received from the public via SMS. This year GTT used a judging system that gave the general public more voting power with each successive stage of the competition. GTT says no matter what judging process is used, disputes are unavoidable.

“We’re stuck in a rock and a hard place,” conveyed GTT Chief Commercial Officer Wenise Davis.

“If we had used judges and persons didn’t get who they wanted then you would‘ve heard that GTT rigged it, so we moved away from that. We started with our auditions being 100

percent up to the judges’ decisions, we moved to the preliminary again this was 100 percent with the judges. For the quarterfinals judges accounted for 70 percent of the scores and the public 30 percent for the semifinals we had the judges contributing 40 percent and the public contributing 60 percent. The finals were down to Guyana.”

Following pumped-up performances by Shal Marshall, Ravi B, Nesha B and the Karma band last Monday night at the MovieTowne parking lot, the 11 finalists in the competition found out their fate and it was Ganesh Kasinath who was declared the $1 million grand prize winner of the Competition, while Tonaina Samaroo took second, and Lerone Souvenir third.

And while the confetti was grand, the applause was lukewarm, the patrons at the concert and many more watching from home were not pleased with the results.

And if it’s one thing that Guyanese love to do is register their dissatisfaction, so they were not to be subdued as they openly voiced discontent when they streamed out of the Movi-

Second place finisher Tonaina Samaroo was all smiles and did not let the bullies dampen her excitement (Elvin Croker photo)

eTowne parking lot at the end of the night. But that, of course, wasn’t the end of it, and after the confetti settled on Monday night they took the argument to social media during the rest of the week.

The crowd became particularly disappointed with the announcement that competition favourite Delisha Wright was one of the contestants not among the top three. As Wright walked off the stage that night approximately half the crowd walked out the gate, without waiting to hear the winner. At least one patron became so animated she had to be restrained.

Some of Wright’s supporters were even seen crying.

Davis believes the resulting outcome was due to the fact that while many were vocal in their support for particular contestants they were less active when it came to voting for their choice.

She says the voting process utilised by the company can stand up to any scrutiny. “We just needed to put our money where our mouth is and unfortunately that just didn’t happen. It’s unfortunate that sometimes persons are so passionate but they did not translate that passion into votes and not just cheers, that’s disappointing. We had auditors that sat down and went through with us all our reports,” she conveyed.

She firmly dismisses accusations that the company only used the SMS voting process to make money, saying the company invested tens of millions in the competition, and the focus was all about providing a platform for the talented singers.

This year the competition saw the return of TV personality Joel Ghansham as a judge, while also judging was former GTT Jingle Competition winner Timeka Marshall, and famed gospel singer Saiku Andrews, a number of guest judges were featured at different stages during the competition.

Since the announcement, Andrews earlier this week took to social media to give his two cents on the situation.

Notwithstanding the backlash, Kasinath didn’t let that phase his celebration over the shock of his win; Samaroo had an anti-bullying message for hecklers. Kasinauth, who stood out throughout the competition for his distinct performances of Bollywood songs, was surprised by his win and thanked his supporters. “ I feel so blessed right now. It was stiff competition a lot of talented persons took part here and I didn’t think that I had a shot to become the winner. The competition was a very nice opportunity because it brought out a lot of hidden talent all over the country and made them a star, so GTT did a good job here,” Kasinath shared as he celebrated his win.

He says whether persons supported him or not he’s looking forward to making all of Guyana proud going forward. As part of his prize package, Kasinath will also be producing a single with the famed Drew Thoven. “I will make them proud no matter what. That’s the type of person I am, I will always make Guyana proud. I am a new star for Guyana. Expect me as the next international singer for Guyana,” Kasinath said.

Samaroo, who received a lot of negative feedback during the competition also remained unfazed, calling persons out for being mean to her. Sadly, she noted that many of the critics were racist in their disapproval.

“They should stop bullying people on social media, it’s very coward[ly] for people to do things like that. A lot of persons voted for me because they believed me on social media and it just goes to show don’t bully people because they just might end up in second place to prove to those bullies that what they’re doing is not fair. I hope that next time if they have a contestant that they like they will go out of their way and vote for that person,” Samaroo said.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

IX

The AirPods just got new competition in Sony’s WF-1000XM3 wireless earbuds SONY’S highly-regarded WH-1000XM3 Bluetooth headphones feature industry-leading noise cancelling technology that’s about to be taken to the next level. Though they were released only less than a year ago, a new model has just been announced that takes many of the great features of the XM3 over-ear headphones and packs them inside truly wireless earbuds — the WF-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Truly Wireless Earbuds.

With 24-bit audio signal processing for dramatically improved sound quality and an HD Noise Cancelling Processor, the WF-1000XM3 earbuds are set to live up to their predecessor’s legacy. Each earbud is equipped with a pair of microphones that work in real-time to feed external sound to the QN1e processor and block out background noise. There are also modes you can set using the Sony | Headphones Connect

The cassette player finally goes Bluetooth

THIS month marks the 40th anniversary of Sony’s first Walkman, the portable music player that would forever change the way we consume music. And while the audio cassette long ago fell out of favor for the CD and later digital music, the format’s certainly not forgotten. It may not have the same audiophile cache as the vinyl LP, but a small and passionate contingent of music listeners are keeping the fire burning.

NINM Lab’s latest project occupies that same sort of fuzzy technological limbo as past products like the I’m Fine single-use camera. It’s also got a name to match: It’s OK. In this age of political unrest and global disasters, maybe that’s exactly the message we need right now. As for a Bluetooth cassette player, it’s probably true that nobody needs such a thing; hyper-specific products are one of the nice byproducts of late capitalism.

The product bridges the seemingly insurmountable gap between state of the art 80s tech and AirPods with Bluetooth 5.0 functionality, with a fittingly retro design that’s a nod to the era’s Walkmen. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack on board, giving it a leg up on the latest generation of smartphones.

The device hit Kickstarter on Thursday, with pre-orders starting at $63, making it pricey for a cassette player, but cheap compared to other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

As is the nature of Kickstarter projects, prices only go up from there. Cassette tapes, on the other hand, can be found in bountiful quantities at your neighborhood Goodwill.

app which can adjust the amount of ambient noise heard at any given time.

Similar to the Apple AirPods, the WF-1000XM3s utilize a dedicated chip which connects both earbuds simultaneously to the device currently in use with increased stability. Many wireless earbuds require you to pair one earbud to the other and can be somewhat clunky to set up, but the WF-1000XM3 earbuds relieve listeners of the hassle. They also come with a

charging case that can keep them powered for up to 24 hours of listening time before needing to be recharged; on their own, the earbuds can last for around six hours.

If you’re ready to try out this latest addition to Sony’s lineup of wireless noise cancelling headphones, you can pre-order them now via Amazon at their regular price of $229.99 in your choice of black or silver. Orders are set to begin shipping next month on August 5.

X ◄◄◄ From page IV

“She is such a genius of a chef and I always have to say that I feel like my sister doesn’t get the traffic at Xie Xie for being such a great chef,” Keisha opined while noting that the current menu is really reflective of Alicia and her skills gathered over the years, But even with the maestro in the kitchen, some things haven’t strayed far from what they learnt at their mother’s knee.

The Mac N Cheese, for example, is made from their mother’s special recipe.

And before you even think about Mac N Cheese being just a simple side, mom’s recipe really does give the gooey, cheesy dish an extra kick.

This is the same with quite a few other menu items, according to Keisha. “Lots

of the sides and the blends come from the Guyanese and the local background, blended with what we would have gone out and learned from other countries and places,” she said.

The reason for this, according to the woman, is that while you want to bring different foods from different cultures, you also need to find ways to tantalise the local taste buds with foods that are familiar.

You just can’t go into a food business and bring a whole menu that people can’t relate to in some way, Keisha said. Really, why wouldn’t you try an Asian Shrimp bowl if you can get it with cassava chips as an appetizer?

Even as much as Xie Xie tries to keep some of the food local, the aim is to provide an option for persons to try the foods that they might not usually have. This, however,

is not an easy task.

“I think sometimes we, here in Guyana, are still only stuck on the fried rice and chicken, and curry and dhal puri, which is not an issue because I could eat curry seven days a week but in this kind of business, you want to have an open mind and be able to experience certain kinds of food,” Keisha said.

What she hopes to see, not just at Xie Xie, but with other local restaurants, is that people try to taste different foods from time to time. Furthermore, she explained that restaurants do have to find different niches to fit into to remain appealing and relevant, but also competitive.

In this vein, she also stressed that no restaurant owner or team comes out deliberately trying to mess up a customer’s day or food.

For her, instead of going to bash local

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019 restaurants on social media for a bad experience you might have had, the first step you should take is to bring it to management’s attention and try to get the matter resolved.

“I have a hardworking team; some of the girls are single mothers and sometimes them girls would bring their children here and they sit at the back and do their homework while they work in the kitchen. When you discourage people from here or any restaurant for that matter, you are affecting those little people,” she stressed. “Hold restaurants accountable so that we keep the standards very high, but at the same time, use as many measures as possible if you have any issues in house.” To this note, Chung added that the team of any business works extra hard to ensure that customers have the best experience.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

FILES E S A C T R U O C

Convicted murderer loses appeal

By George Barclay

Same court frees him after taking fresh medical evidence IN August 1956, murder accused Lochan of Demerara was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Ramcharitar, also called Samaroo.

The convicted man appealed to the Court of Criminal Appeal, which dismissed his appeal and affirmed his conviction and death

sentence.

But with the help of the Director of Medical Services and the governor, a petition was sent to the Criminal Court of Appeal which included fresh evidence to prove that the man on death row was wrongly convicted, and requested that he be pardoned.

The court, constituted by Chief Justice Frank Holder, Justice Kenneth Stoby and Justice J.A. Luckhoo, studied the fresh medical evidence that included X-Ray films and evidence of doctors.

Consequent to their conclusion, the said judges allowed the appeal and freed the convict by setting aside the conviction and death sentence.

Before quashing the conviction and death sentence, the Criminal Court of Appeal said: “We trust that the comments which we now make will result in the present system being examined and an efficient arrangement devised, which will prevent a repetition of any similar occurrence.”

The facts of the case disclosed that in August 1956, the appellant Lochan was convicted of the murder of Ramcharitar. He appealed against conviction and his appeal was dismissed in October 1956.

Under section 22 (a) of the Criminal Appeal Ordinance (Chapter 8), the governor referred to the Court of Criminal Appeal a petition by the appellant dated 27th November, 1956, alleging that he had been wrongly convicted.

The evidence at the trial was that Ramcharitar died from a fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra, which could have been caused by blows on the neck inflicted by the appellant. No evidence was given at the trial of an X-ray examination of the suspected fracture and on appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal expressed concern that the deceased was not X-rayed before being allowed to leave the hospital.

Following on these comments, the investigation revealed that X-ray pictures had been taken which did not reveal a fracture and the Crown made this evidence available to the appellant.

After hearing fresh evidence relating to the X-ray examination, the court admitted it on the grounds that it was not in any true sense available at the appellant’s trial.

Ramcharitar was admitted to hospital on 26th December, and treated for suspected cervical fracture.

On 28th December, 1955, the radiologist and the senior surgeon examined the X-ray pictures which did not reveal a cervical fracture.

Ramcharitar left the hospital against medical advice on the 30th December, 1955 and died on the 5th January, 1956.

The post-mortem revealed the cause of death to be a fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra. The senior surgeon expressed the opinion that there was no possibility of a cervical fracture existing and no sign of it appearing on X-ray pictures properly taken.

He could definitely say that a fracture did not exist.

The radiologist agreed that it was possible but highly improbable, that a cervical fracture could have existed and not been shown on X-ray pictures.

The pathologist stated that he would not be surprised if told that fracture of the cervical vertebra which he had seen during the post mortem was not revealed on X-ray pictures.

The Court of Criminal Appeal held,“An opinion is tenable where it is based upon grounds which, even though they are not conclusive, are sufficient and reasonable, but might be rejected by a jury, and the court is not concerned with the correctness of an opinion expressed, so long as the grounds on which it is founded are tenable.

“Had the evidence of the surgeon and the radiologist, together with X-ray pictures been before the jury, they might in all probability have come to a different conclusion from the one at which they had arrived.

“As a reasonable jury hearing that evidence and seeing the X-ray pictures and being properly directed might very likely have come to a different verdict.The court would not grant a retrial.”

Ruling, the Court of Criminal Appeal allowed the appeal and quashed the conviction.

Lawyers Mr. E.V. Luckhoo with Mr. J.O. F. Haynes appeared for the appellant.

Mr. S.S. Ramphal, Acting Solicitor General, represented the respondent.

After delivering the judgment, the Appellate Court said that it is satisfactory to note that as soon as the law officers became aware of the existence of the fresh evidence, including the X-ray pictures, they placed it at the disposal of counsel for the appellant and so acted in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of counsel for the Crown.

The chief justice who delivered the judgment on behalf of the court had said, “We feel that we must refer once again to the unfortunate circumstances which rise to this case being referred to us by the governor.

“It is a matter of deep concern that arrangements at the hospital were such, that it was possible for evidence of vital importance in a trial involving the most serious crime to have remained unknown and not produced at the trial.

“Neither the police nor the Crown nor the defence was aware of its existence. In consequence, it was not available at the trial and has brought about a very undesirable state of affairs. “It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the arrangements for producing medical testimony before the courts are highly unsatisfactory. There should be no possibility of vital evidence remaining unknown to the police or the Law Officers of the Crown until months after the accused had been convicted.

“We wish to state that it is unfair to the judge whose summing up was adequate on the evidence before him, unfair to the Law Officers of the Crown, to the police, to the public and unfair to the accused.”

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Air Quality and Noise Management

THOUGH it is all around us, air is one of the components of the environment often overlooked because it typically cannot be seen. It faithfully serves all life on earth, plants, animals, and mankind, through unique intertwined processes in the environment. Air quality, like other aspects of the environment such as water and forests, is under threat from human action. Indoor and outdoor air quality are important for the quality of life on earth.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated under the Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana, to stem the creation of pollution havens, preserve, protect and enhance the national air quality, and ensure that clean air is maintained while economic growth occurs. Further, the Air Quality Regulations and Noise Management Regulations, both established in 2000, are jointly enforced to manage air emissions in Guyana.

The Air Quality and Noise Management (AQNM) Programme of the EPA is tasked mainly with the enforcement of these regulations which guide the establishment of parameter limits, the issuance of environmental authorisation, monitoring and compliance assessment, and research for the management of air contaminants.

WHO NEEDS TO BE AUTHORISED? Any activity which emits any air contaminants in the construction, installation, operation, modification or extension of any facility relating to industry, commerce, agriculture, or any institution must be authorised by the EPA. Some of these contaminants include smoke, solid particles (e.g. sawdust, cement), sulphuric acid mist, fluoride and hydrogen compounds, chlorine and carbon monoxide.

Another important potential air contaminant is radioactive particles. These are typically utilised in medicine and industry and must be managed safely. It is an offence under the Air Quality Regulations to start any such activity without the approval of the EPA. Penalties include fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Likewise, activities producing noise from construction, installation, operation, modification or extension of any facility, must be authorised. Anyone who wishes to operate a loudspeaker or any other sound-making device or equipment at a public space (e.g. barbecues, shows, nightclubs) or at any private premises must seek permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Depending on the nature of the activity, the EPA grants two types of noise permits - Short-Term Noise Permit and Long-Term Noise Permit. The AQNM Programme processed 97.8 percent of applications received for Environmental Authorisation in 2017.

COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT The EPA frequently responds to complaints regarding air pollution. Most of these complaints are concentrated on the coast and are relating to odour nuisances from livestock rearing, fumes from spray painting activities, dust and noise from sawmills and construction, noise from restaurants, bars, and mechanic workshops. More than seventy (70) complaints related to air pollution were investigated in 2017.

Noise producing activities must comply with the noise limits specified in the Noise Management Regulations.

NEW INITIATIVES – RADIATION SAFETY Under the AQNM Programme, the EPA is engaged in

improving the safety and security of sealed radioactive sources through registration and authorisation. Moisture density gauges used in the construction sector are an example of sealed sources found in Guyana It is important that sealed sources be regulated to ensure that they are managed in safe, secure environments by personnel who have received specialised training. Serious injuries and death can occur when radioactive sources are not managed properly.

In its journey to improve the management of sealed sources, the EPA is receiving much support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the EPA is implementing two projects funded by the IAEA. The projects seek to “establish and/or improve a sustainable, safe, adequate and permanent cradle to grave control of radioactive sources, consistent with the IAEA Safety Standards” and “establish and sustain the national safety infrastructure for the control of radiation sources”. To date, under these projects the EPA has benefited from three training workshops and is aggressively pursuing them.

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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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

The ‘West Side’ fashion vendors Working with their children in mind

“Fashion is my business” This fashion-conscious young woman models what can be had at the Vreed-en-Hoop Mall.

By Shirley Thomas THE transformation of the Transport and Harbours (T&HD) Goods Wharf at Vreed-en-Hoop on the ‘West Side’ (West Bank Demerara), from a hitherto noisy arena characterised by squeaking winches and an occasional greasy smear, into a well-stocked and neatly organised fashion mall of sorts, is amazing.

Today, more than 20 young entrepreneurs have set up a magnificent display of clothing and accessories, literally converting the building into a colourful and spectacular ‘A to Z’ fashion mall, where they daily ply their ware, offering the best in the line of fashion at remarkably affordable prices. And so popular has it become, that persons from all over Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and further afield shop there by choice.

The vendors offer for sale, the best in the line of predominantly female clothing and accessories and a wide array of dresses, tops and accessories; jeans, high-end handbags and umbrellas. For the men, they offer jeans, jerseys, hats, caps and pouches.

From as far away as the Vreed-en-Hoop junction, the clothes vending mall could be spotted, presenting dozens of boutiques, imposing and pleasant to the eye.

Meanwhile, at the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction, there is also fantastic display of predominantly women’s wear, attractively displayed in front of stores, but not essentially causing traffic congestion. A few years ago, there was a discussion about reclaiming some of the parapet lands in front of houses and other buildings so as to ease traffic congestion.

But what is commendable is the cleanliness, absolute order and uniformity employed by the boutique vendors in displaying their wear. The wharf vendors have been selling out there for more than 10 years, and through this means, many unemployed young women have been able to find themselves meaningfully and gainfully employed and so provide for their children.

Asked by the Pepperpot Magazine, what sales are like on an average day, and what keeps them motivated to continue despite the odds, one vocal female vendor replied: “There are good days when business brisk, but other days when it is slow. But we keep motivated in the knowledge that this is what is giving us and our children a daily bread and the opportunity for them to attend school and stay in school, allowing them an opportunity to soar to great heights so that their lot can be better than ours.”

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ocus F on the Village

y l d n e i Frfaces Den Amstel in

By Michel Outridge

THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the West Coast Demerara village of Den Amstel for its Village Focus and met some interesting folk.

Den Amstel is a village in Guyana’s Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region. Sandwiched between Blankenburg and Hague, the community is located approximately 13 kilometres west-north-west of the capital, Georgetown. It has a population of about 3,000 people, who are predominantly Afro-Guyanese.

The Pepperpot Magazine met Colin Wellington, a resident who is a small business owner with a roadside stand that sells honey-roasted peanuts and packaged snacks on the Den Amstel Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

Wellington explained that he started off his own business--though small--because he always wanted to work with himself and never with people.

“I been doing this on and off for some time over the years and it is a source of income for me. I had stopped this business six months ago, but started back because I have to work and I started it again about three months ago,” he said.

Wellington, an easy-going young man who was seated near his roadside stand, related that he was born and grew up in the village and from his humble and just upbringing, he thinks that he has turned out to be a well-rounded young man and credits his success to the community being close-knit.

“I started this business when I was 17 years old because I wanted to work and I didn’t want to work for people, so I garnered some money and set up this business. Even though it small, it is work and I earn from it and this is what I wanted-- to work for myself; so this motivates me and I have to get up every day and do this for me,” he said.

Apart from this roadside stand he also does construction work as a “side hustle.”

The 34-year-old said that choosing the spot at which he is currently vending was easy, because it is the roadside and it is the spot where people pass frequently.

Now when it comes to the other gender, the bachelor said that he is no way shy, but is not looking for just ‘any girl,’ he is indeed looking for a wife. “I see girls in this village but no one has caught my eye yet. When a

man looking for a woman he can get one quick, but when you choosing a wife that’s different and I have that in mind, so I just can’t walk around and just get a girl,” Wellington said.

He stated that Den Amstel village is an ordinary countryside place with

Colin Wellington’s roadside stand

Colin Wellington at his stand

Deverel at the door of her restaurant

its own issues, but it is a quiet place where people live in harmony and try to make a living by being self-employed or finding work outside the village.

“We entertain ourselves by playing cricket, football and other games and we are said to be a village of athletes and Christians. We have to unite and remember we are all Guyanese. Remember two hands does clap not one. Life is about unity and we have to learn to live in harmony and coop-

erate for a better Guyana,” Wellington said.

THE VILLAGE RESTAURANT Valarie Deverel is a woman of many characteristics. She always has a listening ear and with her friendly and kind personality, it is easy to like her.

Deverel inherited her family shop that has been around for generations and has taken up the mantle as its owner for the last 12 years. Deverel told the Pepperpot Magazine that the business is open from quarter to 07:00hrs to up like around 19:00hrs.

She noted that life at Den Amstel is quiet and peaceful but there are some community needs that they wish would be addressed.

“We need street lights because it was removed from the Old Road and I think that is wrong. A lot of young women have to walk through there at nights from work and it is unlit and dangerous for them too. A night one of them get rob right through that street. We need the old road to be fixed. It is in a bad condition as well ….” Deverel said.

She related that, otherwise, life in Den Amstel is a good place to reside and the place is almost crime-free and people ‘live good’ with each other, but for that good to continue people must work towards it.

Deverel added that most people in the village are part of a church and the youths are involved in church-related activities. The mother of two stated that her business is different because of its ‘saloon-style’ doors, which are a feature in most Western movies, especially in bars.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

The work of the Den Amstel NDC

By Michel Outridge THE Den Amstel Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has been making strides for the continuous development of the village. The Pepperpot Magazine had a chat with NDC Overseer, Ciceline

Creighton, who related that the NDC of Hague/Blankenburg consists of 18 councillors and its Chairman Kenton Hilliman.

Creighton has been at the job as overseer for the past seven years and his work entails the collection of rates and taxes from villag-

ers within the community.

She added that they also address the concerns of villagers and try to resolve them at this level before they spiral out of control.

“Some concerns, so far, [ that we have dealt with include] illegal dumping of garbage within the village and the NDC has advised their environmental health officers to speak to persons as it regards to the proper way of garbage disposal and to utilise the private waste disposal services such as, Puran Brothers etc. since the NDC doesn’t pick up garbage in this area, to Blankenburg,” Creighton said.

WORKS She pointed out that they have done upgrading of roads and bridges, but now they are focusing on putting culverts to maintain bridges within the village.

Creighton stated that with monies they collect they try to generally enhance the village by patching up roads, clearing drains, canals and installing and replacing street lights.

She said that this year they haven’t start-

NDC Overseer Ciceline Creighton

day-to-day administration of the office and assisting in the execution of the council’s

Hague/Blankenburg NDC office (Adrian Narine photos)

ed any new project, but they have a few on stream and with government’s assistance, they will embark on some developmental works. The NDC overseer stated that residents of Den Amstel haven’t been paying their rates and taxes up to date and they need to do so for them to further develop the village.

NDCS According to the Ministry of Communities website, a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) “covers a small geographic area within each region and is tasked with responsibility for the management and administration of these areas within its boundaries.

Although the NDCs were established by an order under the Local Democratic Organs Act 12 of 1980, it was not until 1994 that they were actually implemented.

Councillors are elected at local government elections, which is held under the general supervision of the Guyana Elections Commission. The number of councillors elected may range from 12 to 30, depending on the size of the population of the neighbourhood and its topography. These councils operate under Local Government Act, Chapter 28:02 The overseer is responsible for the

decisions.

The NDCs receive subventions from central government every year to assist in the execution of developmental works within their boundaries.

Additionally, each NDC collects rates and taxes from the established revenue base.

These are retained by the said council and are used to provide effective and efficient services to residents.

FUNCTIONS OF THE NDCS: 1. To provide efficient services for residents as stated in the laws. Services include sanitation, garbage disposal, road/dam maintenance, market facilities, burial grounds, abattoirs, drainage, etc.; 2. To maintain and protect public property; 3. To levy and collect rates.”

WHY PAY RATES AND TAXES? The website also informs that for communities to experience development, both local government entities and residents must work together. Local authorities provide a number of services to the residents within their boundaries as mandated by law. This provision has a cost attached and becomes recoverable from an individual with respect to his or her ownership of land or other property.

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‘No work is degrading once it is honest work’ Den Amstel’s ‘Matriarch’ imparts wisdom

Winifred Charles (Adrian Narine photos)

By Michel Outridge WITH the motto, “No work is degrading once it is honest work” embedded in her mind, 91- year- old Winifred Charles has managed to remain humble and realised her dream of becoming a school teacher.

Winifred Charles is a resident of Den Amstel and is described as the matriarch of the village given her wisdom, “straight-up” personality and friendly disposition. She is the ideal person to chat with about the olden days as compared to today.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Charles said that despite her age she is very much active.She does her own cooking and just about everything else, but cannot read as much as she would like to, given her health issues.

She suffered a stroke last year but thankfully, she can still walk on her own--- though she needs to use a cane; she is also a diabetic and has hypertension problems too.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that last year, she underwent two eye surgeries, so she had to give up reading extensively but still reads, since she likes “to be in the know.”

BACK IN THE DAYS Giving a history of her yesteryear days, Charles said she attended the Blankenburg Primary School and couldn’t pursue a career as a teacher, because of financial and other circumstances.

“I wanted to be a teacher, but I hadn’t a responsible father and my mother was sick; she was diagnosed with diabetes but she tried with me,” Charles said.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that Alleyne’s High School on Regent Street started in Hague, West Coast Demerara, at the A.M.E Zion Church and it was $12.00 per term.

She explained that after she passed the primary level, the head teacher gave her a letter to take home, but she didn’t know what it contained.

“I went home and handed the letter to my father but when he opened it he said ‘Sorry girl, I can’t afford’; then I knew I

had passed, but he told me I am bright and I should try to attend high school,” she said.

Charles, who was somewhat disappointed, handed back the letter to the head teacher who told her “what a pity, [your father] didn’t even try.”

Charles continued, “Anyway, a teacher by the name of Ivy Jackson, always taught us in school that no work is degrading once it is honest work.” From then, Charles accepted the motto and started doing domestic work because of her financial situation.

“At age 17, the first place I worked was in 1943 as a live-in maid at Echibillar Villas, Campbellville and when I came back I was at home I had a nephew, who was academically challenged so I used to have a class. Then, children from the village used to come to my ‘bottom house’ classes with their little bench and so on. One day, Miss Avril Merriman came through the street and saw me teaching these children and though I had a lot of patience with them and insisted I become a teacher,” Charles said.

As time went by, one day, Charles was at home when she received a call that a ward maid was needed at the then West Demerara Hospital and she accepted the job.

DREAM COME TRUE Charles related that her dream of becom-

Winifred Charles’s house

school and was told only seven children showed up.

“I had an old teacher Miss Taylor, who taught us in school but she had retired; as such, she gave me a nice little easel with a blackboard to use and I gladly accepted the gift,” she said.

The classes went on and more pupils came to school and when Charles ended

Some of the plaques that were gifted to Winifred Charles for her service to the community displayed in her home

ing a real teacher was realised when she was offered to start a school for children in the community, since the Cornelia Ida School was overcrowded.

The senior citizen told the Pepperpot Magazine that permission was given for her to start the school and 27 children were identified within the village to attend in September, 1943.

However, the morning she was supposed to start teaching she had to attend the funeral service of her late headmaster, so she sent her ‘goddaughter’ to open the

her teaching career they had a total of 27 children.

YOUTHS Meanwhile, when asked how she felt about the youths of today as compared with her days, she related that things are very different these days as they relates to our young people.

“The youths in this village, I don’t know what to say but I blame the parents. When we were children my parents separated and we didn’t know what it was like to lie in

bed till 05:00hrs. We had to get up early and walk about a mile to Hague backlands to buy bitter cassava for mommy to make cassava bread and still get back in time to finish household chores and get to school on time,” Charles said.

The Den Amstel resident related that then no matter how tired their mother was, she always checked their books to see what they did in school every day and even though she wasn’t every educated she assisted with homework.

“But these days, children dress in shoes and socks, return home from school, dump their books and walk all over the place until night, but in my time that would never happen in our house. The other thing is a set of ‘big young people’ at home watching television all day and getting food up to date. Back then if you didn’t work you couldn’t eat and that’s my policy up to today,” she said.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that she took in a nephew who was abandoned by his father at Kurupung and she got him into church and he grew up to be an affable young man.

Charles added that one day he came to her to ask her opinion about changing his hairstyle to a braided hairstyle and she told him it was not appropriate if he was seeking an office job.

Charles stated that he took her advice and later he wanted to ‘rear birds,’ but she advised him that “Only lazy men do that” and he relented.

“Back then when you bathe at 17:30hrs you could not come out the house and had to take up your books using a ‘flambo’ lamp and complete your homework before it goes out,” she said.

This elderly woman said she got things on her own by rearing pigs, goats and sheep. Having struggled as a child to overcome financial difficulties, she managed to accomplish a lot after her husband passed away 21 years ago.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019

A good country life

Den Amstel Village

By Michel Outridge SOME say the “West Side” is the best side and this was the sentiment of many residents of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, who are not willing to relocate from that close-knit community.

It is a village of people who are self-employed, who rear their own livestock and some who are rice farmers, while others also work outside the village.

Tiffany Mc Allen is a stayat-home mother of a frisky two-year-old. This resident said she is satisfied with her Tiffany Mc Allen life in that community, simply because she is comfortable living in a place where she grew up among loved ones. She added that it is quite a quiet, simple country life with which anyone can fall in love.

The 22-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has no need to seek employment because she is being taken care of and is not short of anything, materially.

“I finished school and then I had my son, so I really didn’t have to work or anything because I get everything up to date and I spend my time taking care of my son and do chores in and around the house,” she said.

From a young lady’s perspective, Mc Allen admitted that life in Den Amstel is good and it is her home town, a place she can never get tired of.

“People in this village don’t really work with people because almost every house got their own cattle or livestock or chickens they rear and some are rice farmers; so we don’t really need to exit this village to look for work, “Mc Allen said.

Most of the youths in the community are self-employed and a few persons work in offices elsewhere, but generally, folk in Den Amstel “do their own thing” according to Mc Allen.

She added that the village has a few teachers as well and people are friendly and hospitable and they live on good terms with each other and there is no place for any racial disparity there.

This Den Amstel resident stated that her only difficulty is trying to acquire a piece of farmland aback the village, but so far, they are stumped since there is land there but no allocation yet.

“We as young people need to utilise our lands to make a living and we have vast rice lands aback this village and we need a plot or two to do our farming, because we don’t want to leave this community,” she said.

The village has about 3,000 residents, many of whom are self-reliant and multi-talented with the resources they have at hand.

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Deciding on a future path not worry. Our world is made up of boundless possibilities and the right decision will be made if your desires, morals and skills are taken into consideration.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep

I RECEIVED an email from a young woman in her early twenties who was going through a lot of stress because she cannot decide what she wants to do with her life.

She says she feels years behind her peers and co-workers and is also being pressured by her parents to choose an appropriate path. Honey, I’m here to tell you that you are definitely not alone; that millions of people around the world are unsure of what they want to specialise in and even worse, if they do, they are not often able to pursue it.

This question, fuelled with pressure can arise when you are 18 or 80 and it’s okay to take some time (as much as you need) to decide what you’re going to spend the rest of your life doing; it’s a massive commitment and therefore requires lots of thought.

I definitely can’t and won’t tell anyone what to decide on their future but I can make suggestions on how to get there.

Making a list is always a good place to start. A list of all the things you can imagine doing with your life. This can be absolutely anything, although sticking to what truly interests you makes it easier. Deeply explore what you desire most. Ask yourself some important questions, questions that I and millions before me had to consider. What are you most passionate about? What fulfils you? What are your goals? Who do you admire most?

Deeply examining who you are, your standards, values and skills can make this decision a whole lot easier. There’s an effective technique for answering these questions called a personal manifesto. This is known to work as a statement of morals, a source of motivation and a call to action. You will address questions such as what do I stand for? What means the most to me? Do I open myself to new and exciting opportunities? How do I define myself? What does ‘living my best life’ mean to me? Am I fully and healthily capable of dealing with disappointments? Do I typically make choices based on sound reasoning? Do I care about personal improvements? Am I willing to expand my comfort zone? While they may seem off topic, the answer to these and similar questions go a long way in determining what path is right for you.

Volunteer or shadow someone in the field or fields that interests you. Before I knew I wanted to be a psychologist, I actually wanted to be a lawyer. Luckily I was able to do a nine-month internship at a prominent law

office and I learnt that it wasn’t for me. This allowed me the early opportunity to avoid being unhappy in a field that I didn’t have enough experience in to know I wouldn’t like it. I know so many people who went off to study a particular field very early in life and they no longer practice in that field. This happens when you have no direct experience in the field or you are pressured to make a decision before you truly know what you were meant to do. To avoid this, I strongly suggest that everyone does this even if part-time for a short time. Volunteering in any position you are interested in is a fantastic way to try out many different careers without actually committing to them. If you are unable to do this, simply talk to people within your desired field. People who are living your dream can provide tons of information and inspiration.

Pay attention to what classes or subjects you are or were most interested in high school or through any courses that you did. If you haven’t done any formal studying yet, do you have a passion? Are there any activities that you’ve done which challenged you or brought you joy?

You can also work backwards. Many don’t know what they want to do but they are definitely certain of what they do not want to do. Make a list of these things too. Why do you not want to pursue this path? Is it the hours? Money? Type of people? Knowing this clearly could also help you determine what you may actually be looking for. Many people ask themselves what kind of job they want or what kind of work they want. They tirelessly study the position and often end up dissatisfied because they got the job they wanted, but not the life they desired. You can decide on the kind of life you want and make a career decision from there. How much free time do you want? Do you have an important hobby that you would like to simultaneously pursue? What kind of people do you want to spend time with? Do you want to do some travelling? These are also fundamental questions when it comes to choosing a path in life.

Take some time to decide not just the kind of job you desire, but the kind of life.

Please remember that you can choose more than one area. Many people live in a combination world of part-time if that’s what your heart desires. Remember that feeling stuck in a current position is a mindset, you can always change course if you are not doing what’s right for you.

If you’re unsure at the moment, please do

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 7, 2019

TRUE EMANCIPATION! The declaration of housing every Guyanese family

THE declaration and obvious commitment by this government to place an owned roof over the head of every Guyanese, is evidence of true emancipation. We have had mind-altering experiences without the substance with respect to the horrible conditions of the boundaries and fetters of the tenant-hood experience--- its tensions, torments and challenges not to follow one’s personal Lucifer, whispering how to deal with an obvious, unreasonable tormentor and persecutor personified as a landlord/ lady, not to pretend that some tenants can prove even more vicious, unscrupulous and aggressive than the worst landlord.

That conflict, however, has long been a driving force behind stress in our country,

of the area, location and commuting to work and back against the background of a new, unknown possible psychosis that exists or may have existed within this new space. I say this from the experience of executing advertisements for a client who had a landlord who sat on his veranda and watched customers go in and out and would approach my client within every five months for a raise in the rent. Eventually, my client moved and to our surprise, the property owner attempted to mimic the same business, and as with most mimicry, the landlord and his son’s attempt diminished, and the place was once more up for rent in less than a year, like the plot of a B-rated horror movie.

I have encouraged friends to read the

on the list, against what he can afford.

The article did not provide a gender table of Stress/Stroke victims, but I am sure more males have fallen victim, and if you get closer to male exchanges, owning one’s home is critical, against the victimhood of tenancy, and due to the stresses imposed on their families of which they are helpless to defend against, the desperate feeling of helplessness is the ultimate detrimental factor. Our historians do not tie in the social anthropology into their narratives when they state that after Emancipation more victims of insanity were visible, and at the same time, reporting that housing and crowding were depressing social factors, see –A History of Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905 by Walter Rodney pgs

conditions such as rent, wages and family demands. Both guiding males in my life, my godfather and father, held government jobs but were tradesmen, the former a plumber, the latter a joiner/contractor, which they practised in their own time. I can quickly analyse why they didn’t get rich: they both were contained in the cultural directive to adopt the concerns of relatives as patrons.

This is a different world we live in today.

The rise of home-run businesses is significant worldwide; the architecture of a home must include a ‘Study area’ for computers and related furniture. This adjustment is no longer a fad; these are practical necessities for children in school and most home-run businesses, since Facebook is an advertising

especially Georgetown, and many have indulged in repressive memories to continue; but do repressive memories alter the biological harm done? A classic example is this reference to a lady I know in Queenstown who thought that the inherited property she owned was supposed to work as a prosperous business, but never contemplated that a fraction of the rent received that enabled an admired lifestyle should be reserved for addressing the deterioration of the property. Next, the tenants are forced to buy plastic ware during the rainy weather to catch the outpour through leaking roofs, while the landlady lobbied her children to raise the sizeable sum to fix the roof over the heads of the wretched source of her income, and they in turn struggle with acquiring of the sum that is needed towards the renting of another living space.

A task that demands a tactical assessment

Monday, October 29, 2018 article in the Chronicle newspaper titled, “Workplace stress can be very dangerous---stroke survivors warned.” Workplace stress and dangers are known and can be dangerous at various levels. The article outlined the causes and pros and cons of stress that lead to what my mom called the ‘silent killer’; this is an article every male especially, should have in his scrapbook. But there are prevalent events outside of the workplace that also contribute --- domestic pressures that are not always relationship-based, but rather fitted into the genetic, culturally inherited mandate of responsibility. Real men adhere to the unspoken task to make their family comfortable. In the threat or failure to do this, he sleeps less, drinks a little more, misses the symptoms about his health, and most times in the financial arena of what confronts him, places himself lower

‘Henry Kirke magistrate and sheriff of Demerara comments’ 195-97. A relevant report was cited, but not identified for some reason in the West on Trial by Cheddi Jagan also reveal as follows,“A survey completed in 1943 indicated a steady increase in the cost of living since 1938. In 1942 according to the survey, the cost of living was about 60 percent higher than in 1938. The report revealed that a Georgetown working-class family of 4.8 persons earned $7.41 but spent $8.23 per week. At that time the wage rate was 72 cents per day. The explanation for expenditure exceeding income was that people owed rent to landlords and money to shopkeepers from whom they were buying on credit. In other words, they were living through one week on the anticipated earnings of the next.”

Thus, the evidence shows that certain health afflictions are related to unstable social

platform as well as a social interaction and assessment medium. Thus, the emancipation from renting from cash intensive landlords/ ladies will have positive health, social and economic returns. I can remember as a new teen, the negative assertions about the south Georgetown populations moving into South Ruimveldt, many from the tenement yards.

Most of them demonstrated a transformation upon home ownership, contrasting the lustreless moods common in their former dwellings. The other philosophy of ‘Don’t change what works’ of the banks is where the President, CEO Lelon Saul and Minister Bulkan will have their greatest challenge.

In closing, also, when are our housing development designers going to evolve to recognise that proper pavements are an essential component of possible new townships? We are not an island after all.

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Future dentistry various options which are available for altering the image.

This keeps the use of the computer keyboard to a minimum except for entering text to the screen.

The programming is very powerful, which means that while it is very simple to operate, the dentist can do some fairly mind-boggling things to the image in order to demonstrate to his patient the requested improvements. For example, individual teeth can be lightened or darkened; blemishes can be erased; teeth can be lengthened or widened; copied and placed into gaps; turned through any angle; flipped over to

THE field of dentistry has been experiencing many innovations although these instances are not widely known. For example, it has been more than two decades since research scientists confirmed clinically the likelihood of people being immunised against dental caries. Having proven long before that the bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans, is the principal actor in the process of tooth decay, a comprehensive effort was made to use its protein to elicit the production of antibodies (defensive substances in the blood specific for a protein).

Evidence shows that the Cercopithecoid primates (monkeys), genetically closest to humans can be vaccinated against acquiring tooth decay.

Vaccination is the inoculation of a person (or animal) in order to bring about the immunity to an infectious germ.

The term (from Latin, “cow”) originally meant immunisation against smallpox, because the procedure started in 1796 when English physician Edward Jenner discovered that milkmaids who had contacted the mild disease cowpox were immune to smallpox. The development of the cowpox vaccine has since led to the production of vaccines against a wide range of diseases.

It seems that two predominant factors have resulted in there not being a vaccine against tooth decay as yet. On one hand, the American authorities have an extremely complex system in place whereby many hurdles have to be passed before a drug can be tested in humans. Second, as a part of the first obstacle, the tremendous impact this would have on the dental profession has protracted its consideration. Many see the introduction of a vaccine against tooth decay as being the first step in the process of dentists going into virtual self-extinction.

Another procedure which is currently accepted as another future dimension within the realm of dentistry is the dental imager. This is a communication tool which bypasses words and emotions and presents an image of a patient’s face or smile for analysis and allows the dentist to show the possible results of his proposed treatment to the patient.

It does this by capturing a still colour picture of the person’s face or smile on a television screen and then allowing the dentist to change on the picture any features of the patient’s appearance which he does not like. The result is compared side by side on the screen with the original image to give the client a ‘before and after’ picture which can be then printed out for him to take away for further consideration and to show his spouse or friends.

Imagers consist of a video camera connected to a computer, a monitor screen and a video printer. The heart or rather the brain, of the system, is the software and some specialised hardware within the computer. The on-screen image is usually changed by using a device rather than like a pen on a plastic pad, which directs an arrow on the screen (the cursor) to select

give a mirror image, and moved to and placed to any position in the image. Because of this simple-to-use ability, imagers must be the most powerful information, education, and marketing tool dentistry has ever had. This equipment widely used in England and Germany.

Finally, there are many documented cases of teeth which were successfully transplanted either from one part of the mouth to another or from one person to another. And why not, aren’t hearts, kidneys etc., being also transplanted?

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BLOOD DONATION - A WIN/WIN PROPOSITION ONE of the great achievements of Western Medicine is the process of blood transfusion. Before blood transfusion came to be used as a common medical procedure, millions of people all over the world died from a lack of or loss of blood.

The illnesses from which people die because of lack of or loss of blood are numerous. Most people are acquainted with persons who had been brought to death’s door by loss of blood due to traffic, industrial and other accidents. But there are numerous other ways in which blood transfusion could save lives. There are persons whose blood count could become

so low that they could fall into a coma and die except they received blood; in many surgical operations blood is lost and has to be quickly replaced by transfusions; or sometimes, in childbirth, transfusions have to be given to save both mother and child. In Guyana, more than 50 percent of the blood supplied by the Blood Bank is used in maternity cases.

On Friday, June 14, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, the Chief Medical Officer, presided at a function held at Herdmanston House organised by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to mark International Blood Transfusion Day and also to honour dedicated blood

donors. The main speakers on the occasion were Dr Shamdeo Persaud, Dr Pedro Lewis, the Doctor in charge of the National Blood Bank, and two regular contributors to the Bank who recounted their personal stories.

Francine Leitch said she had been afflicted with a rare type of cancer and she needed 12 units of blood before she could undergo her first treatment of chemotherapy. She was considered in a terminal condition. She, fortunately, was able to receive the 12 units from the Blood Bank and underwent her first treatment. She required a further two units to be able to continue her treatment and this was supplied by the Blood Bank in a timely manner. Her treatment was successful and she attributes her survival to the Blood Bank. She now realises the importance of donating and has become a regular donor. to the Blood Bank.

Angelica Holder then told her story of how she became a life-long and regular blood donor. As a child, she saw her father bitten by a labaria snake whose venom was haemotoxic which prevented his blood from coagulating. He was beginning to bleed to death when blood transfusions saved his life.

From that time, Angelica and her family have become regular blood donors.

Dr Shamdeo Persaud said that at the moment there are approximately 10,000 voluntary blood donors - a figurewhich is barely adequate and these are from the coastal areas but that collection is now being extended to the Interior Regions.

Likewise, blood transfusion services have been extended to Bartica, Mabaruma, Lethem, Mahaicony, Fort Wellington and the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Dr Pedro Lewis, Director of the NBTS, said that there would soon be established a “Trauma Centre” at the Georgetown Public Hospital which would absorb the Accident and Emergency Department and which, from its nature, would require an increased and constant supply of blood. He estimates the Blood Bank would need between 30,000 to 35,000 donors which he estimates to be five percent of the country’s population.

So far, the actual collection of blood is centralised at the Blood Bank at the Georgetown Public Hospital and this is done so that the safety of the blood in all its facets is ensured.

Each time blood is donated, the NBTS checks the blood using 11 tests or “markers” to ensure that the blood is safe from any diseases and is 100 percent healthy. It should be noted that in the first place if anyone suffers from any disease, that person is not accepted as a blood donor.

In the developed countries, large numbers of blood donors are found among young people at the universities and tertiary educational institutions and this is a culture which Guyana could usefully adopt since it would secure blood availability.

Finally, we would like to emphasise that the myth that blood donation weakens the body and opens it to disease needs to be eradicated since it has inhibited the less educated from becoming blood donors. Actually, the pint of blood donated is restored by the body with new blood in six weeks and this renewal of blood makes the body healthier. Regular blood donors are invariably people who are always in good health. Donating blood to the Blood Bank is a win/win exercise - it helps to make the donor healthier and at the same time saves lives, sometimes as much as three lives with one donation since 525 millilitres can actually help three persons.

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#SupportCreativity

Dark – Season 2

“Dark, Netflix, 2019 – Image via: IMDB”

PEOPLE really need to give foreign language shows a chance. Watching films and TV shows from other countries gives us an insight and appreciation into another type of society, while also allowing us to observe and evaluate the nuances of a foreign language and culture, which includes different ways of thinking, different ways of seeing the world and its people, and different thematic concerns and presentations of people, things, and situations, that may be familiar to us. “Kingdom,” for example is a South Korean show that tackles the concept of a zombie outbreak while including political intrigue and peasant life in the country’s medieval Joseon period. Brazil’s “3%” is a dystopian series that pits people against each other in a bid to see who can survive long enough to win scarce resources.

“Elite” from Spain is a teen melodrama, focusing on rich kids who attend an elite high school. Each of these shows is entertaining in its own right, and they all come from a unique culture that is ingrained in the fabric of each particular show. Similarly, the German show, “Dark” also presents something that is rooted in the country from which it emerges, and like all of the others, “Dark” also manages to be universal in its themes, fusing science fiction, religion, family drama, teen melodrama, and detective story into a complicated, intellectually-stimulating, heartbreaking saga that is very different from anything Hollywood and the English-language movie and TV machin-

ery have produced thus far.

The second season begins exactly where season one ended, with our hero, Jonas, being transported through time into the future, where the town of Winden has been destroyed due to a fault in the nuclear plant and a great majority of the main characters have died.

Jonas tries to go back in time to save his mother, his friends, and everyone else in Winden. However, his actions, as before, causes a chain reaction that results in disastrous and complex consequences. The concepts of time travel, religion, and the laws and theories of physics continue to play integral roles in the storyline at the centre of “Dark,” and the writers and creators go deeper into the complex labyrinth of mystery and science that have come to define the show. Season 2 is not an easy watch, but then again, “Dark” is not for people who want their shows to be literal or unchallenging. There is definitely the risk of becoming entangled in the show’s multiple storylines and myriad characters to the extent that the entirety of the season might not be understandable to the fullest degree, but in some warped way, the risk seems worth it. It is almost as if the show’s many gifts (brilliant storytelling, fantastic acting, twists, characterisation, etc.) more than make up for a narrative that sometimes defies comprehension, not because it is nonsensical or maudlin, but precisely because it is so layered and complex and intelligent.

Apart from the plot, the performances of

By Subraj Singh all the actors are simply out of this world.

Louis Hofmann and Andreas Pietschmann who both play the protagonist, Jonas, are very good because they are both given more emotional weight to carry in the second season.

There is something particularly heartrending in the scenes where the characters try to change a past that is determined to come through, and Hofmann and Pietschmann both carry these scenes particularly well. The older actresses who play Claudia Tiedeman, Julika Jenkins and Lisa Kreuzer, both convey the hutzpah and strength needed for this particular role. Two other standouts include Mark Waschke, who plays the terrifying priest, Noah, and Sandra Borgmann, who plays the future version of the deaf Elisabeth Doppler.

Truly, the cast and acting are two of the best things about the show, and the casting director deserves much credit. Each actor brings his/ her best to the second season, and the cast is one of the reasons why I will continually return to “Dark.”

The soundtrack also needs some commendation, because the musical score (with

its soaring violins and tinkling bells) seem to work hand in hand with the production design and cinematography to create the eerie atmosphere that the show would be nothing without. Many episodes in the second season close with a slow-motion reel of particularly poignant and/or shocking moments for the characters and without a doubt, the music is an essential part in conveying the power of these particular scenes.

Overall, the second season of “Dark,” maintains its role as one of the most entertaining series currently showing, stacked with talent in the acting department, along with outstandingly good writing and directing. It should be essential viewing for every audience member who believes that art should force us to think as well as to feel. It is a show that can also be studied by actors and writers, where everything from playing a role already established by another actor to learning how to deliver brilliant twists can be gleaned. I look forward to the third and final season, which will begin airing in 2020.

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Supporting the Arts in Guyana THE local creative sector, in my opinion, is one which is filled with so many talented persons who deserve so much more recognition and support for all of the great work being done in their own little niches.

The Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition (GVACE), which got underway recently, is one forum that allows local creatives to get some recognition and support for all the good work they’ve been doing. The competition features six categories- painting, sculpting, ceramics, drawing, photography and fine craft.

In 2017 and again in 2019, I was fortunate to be able to visit the exhibition at the Castellani House and see the hundreds of locally made art creations and I believe that the GVACE really does a good job at fostering that sort of appreciation for creatives.

In fact, it was crafted in 2012 as a biennial competition and exhibition that aims to provide a forum to recognise and support the creative work of Guyanese in the Visual Arts, and to provide a source of inspiration to Guyanese artists, thereby stimulating the development of the finest expressions of the Visual Imagination among Guyanese.

This year, the exhibition runs mid-August, and that’s a space for persons to go see their works exhibited and look at the works of many others.

Aside from the GVACE, I also know about the Guyana Annual, which is a magazine that was relaunched last year and also serves to highlight the work of some local creatives in the literary and visual arts.

This year’s edition of that magazine will be launched by the end of this month.

Both these platforms provide avenues for persons in the creative sector to get that support I mentioned. But I also think that support can come in much smaller ways and still have a significant impact.

A few months ago, a few of my friends and a few other young creatives started something small on Instagram. It was sort of a trend organised under the tag #SupportCreatives, and it was a social, Instagram-based something that sought to encourage persons to appreciate the efforts of young artists and photographers.

What the persons involved did was that they just reposted pieces done by persons and in some cases said what they liked about the pieces or how the work of the

creator impacted them. I for one felt that this was such a sweet gesture that had a profound impact. And what started out as a few students appreciating one another, became a wider chain of persons supporting other persons (even those who they only knew online). It even allowed persons to share their own thoughts on uplifting each other within the creative field.

“The little help can go a long way in helping them develop their work, as it boosts their self-confidence,” an amateur photographer, Nathan Chinapen wrote, and continued: “I would’ve never gotten to like photography if it wasn’t for the overwhelming support some of you guys gave to me over the last three years.”

It was the posts and messages like those that made me so happy with that little trend.

Two weeks ago as well, I had a conversation with Guyanese photographer Fidal Bassier (whose works can be identified as 55 photography). Commenting on some of the photographs that I’ve shared online, he told me that he liked what he was seeing and that I should keep striving to improve my craft.

His sentiments came at a time when I

felt as though my work had become mundane when compared to the work of all the other young, local photographers that I support. Out of that conversation, Fidal highlighted that you can look to others for inspiration and motivation and show your support for the work they’ve been doing, but the minute you start comparing yourself, you would never be satisfied. I personally think that what he said was so incredibly important (not just for me, but generally). And this was just another way of providing support within the field.

I say all of this to illustrate that support can come in many shapes and sizes, and we have our part to play in showing this.

And on that note, I’d like to give a plug to the Parkside Steel Orchestra.

This group would like to send a large contingent, as part of the National Orchestra, to Carifesta XIV which will be held in Trinidad from August 16 to 25.

Already on their own, they’ve hosted a concert last Sunday to raise funds and intend on doing more of those. I’m just saying that if possible, in some way-- look out for them and show them your support (in cash or kind).

Wakenaam girl starts 'Shine your light initiative' to ignite the light in others TWENT Y YEAR-OLD A b e e n a Gomes from the serene island of Wakenaam is on a mission to spark the light in young people in her community and of her country.

The young woman said that she is a point of light and a peaceful soul. She said growing up in Wakenaam, she was groomed with love, kindness and respect; thus, those are the traits she embodies most.

Gomes is a second-year Computer Science student at the University of Guyana with a passion for self-expression and all things ‘STEAM’, “and as such, I use my creativity to foster personal growth and positively impact the lives of those I encounter.

Whether it is modelling, poetry or acting, I love delivering content that can positively impact others,” the

young woman said.

Her passion for modelling extends into pageantry; this caused her to venture into a new journey which she said will be used to inspire and ignite.

“I now started the Miss World Guyana journey because the national competition encourages service over self and allows young women to highlight both their beauty and purpose. I stand by the philosophy, ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime’ thus my Beauty With A Purpose Project boldly holds the title ‘Shine Your Light Initiative,’ which aims to give youths the tools they need to ignite their inner light by focusing on the pillars of personal development; Mind, Body and Spirit,” Gomes said.

This project was launched in May 2019 in her hometown Wakenaam, and the young people have shown a keen interest to take advantage of this opportunity. Gomes

said that the programme will include monthly interactive and skill-building sessions.

“Knowing that my actions have a positive impact is my greatest inspiration. There is a feeling of fulfilment when you receive gratitude for shining your light. I was always giving something away and finding creative ways to express myself. In nursery school I started participating in Mashramani competitions and that trend continued until now. I find solace in being on stage and being able to share my resources with others in general,” she said.

This caused her to aspire to be the best version of herself.

“I aim to let my light shine so that my legacy outlasts my time on earth. There is a light within you that you need to let shine. Embrace all that you are and ask for divine guidance, so that you can embark on the journey to becoming your best self, fearlessly,” the aspiring queen said.

Abeena Gomes

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The growth of Guyana’s economy IT HAS been said that a rising tide lifts all boats and President David Granger believes that the rising tide of Guyana’s economy will bring about unprecedented business opportunities and economic change to the Region. The President made this statement last September, in an address at the launch of the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE).

Now, shortly after the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) has named Guyana the fastest growing economy in the world, we see that the President’s vision for Guyana’s economic outlook was spot-on.

In this edition of Government in Action, we explore Guyana’s growing economy and take a look at our nation’s ever-improving investment climate.

A TIMELY PREDICTION “We in Guyana are seeing the surge of a rising tide that will deliver transformative economic change. The world-class discoveries of petroleum, made in the maritime space, will unleash unprecedented business oppor-

tunities. Petroleum revenues will catalyse economic growth, increase employment, propel innovation, intensify technology transfer and improve workforce productivity,” the Head of State said.

President Granger said innovation must be cultivated to ensure that the economy grows and develops sustainably.

“Guyana will soon become the Caribbean’s foremost investment destination.

The private sector should aim at building capacity and establishing strategic partnerships to be able to exploit the opportunities which will flow from the petroleum sector. Experience has forewarned us of the dangers of dependence on one sector or commodity. Petroleum revenues will be deployed prudently to ensure sustainable and inclusive development under the Green State Development Strategy – the pathway to the economic transformation of Guyana into a ‘green state,’ he said.

President Granger, highlighting the need for intense collaboration between the public and private sectors, said that innovation must be highly sought after.

“The private sector has a pivotal role to play in regional economic cooperation. The private sector, to fulfil this role, should aim at increasing international trade and at avoiding the dangers of insularity. The private sector should aim at increasing investment and at becoming more innovative in pursuing new markets and improving the competitiveness of its goods and services. Investment is the fuel for wealth creation and employment generation,” the Head of State said.

LEADING THE WORLD On June 27 NASDAQ released a ranking of the five fastest growing economies in the world. Guyana topped that list with a 16.3 per cent growth rate over a four-year period, from 2018-2021. As for Guyana’s gross domestic product (GDP) NASDAQ predicts that the 2019 GDP growth rate will be 4.6 per cent and expects that in 2020 and 2121, the economy will grow by 33.5 per cent and 22.9 per cent respectively.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also reported strong predictions for Guyana’s economy. The preliminary results of the Staff

President David Granger shortly after cutting the ribbon to officially open GUYTIE 2018. Also pictured here: Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, former Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, and CEO of the Guyana Office for Investment, Mr. Owen Verway.

CEO of the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest), Mr. Owen Verwey.

Concluding Statement of the 2019 Article IV Mission state that, “Economic growth strengthened in 2018 with broad-based expansion across all major sectors. Real GDP grew by 4.1 percent in 2018, up from 2.1 percent in 2017, led by construction and services sectors. Inflation remained steady at 1.6 percent at end-2018, on the back of stable food prices and exchange rate. For 2019, the mission projects real economic growth of 4.4 percent, driven by continued strength in the construction and services sectors ahead of oil production in 2020, and strong recovery in mining.”

In March, the Caribbean Development Bank released its Country Economic Review of 2018 for Guyana. It stated that “economic growth is estimated to have risen in 2018.

Based on Ministry of Finance data, GDP grew by 3.4%, compared with 2.2% in 2017. This partly reflected preparation for the first commercial oil production in 2020.

Construction activity rose by 12%. Output from other services was up 15%, linked to increased visitor arrivals…Inflation averaged 1.4% in 2018, compared with 1.6% in 2017.

The decrease reflected lower price rises for food and for housing.”

Guyana, the CDB says, is on the verge of sharp increase of economic growth in the coming years.

GUYANA’S INVESTMENT CLIMATE The Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest) is responsible for facilitating investments and promoting trade in Guyana. Chief Executive Officer of GoInvest, Mr. Owen Verwey says that the current investment and

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Business representation at the 2018 Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE).

economic climate in Guyana are the best they have ever been.

“GoInvest… is responsible for promoting investments in Guyana… for facilitating investments in Guyana. It is also responsible for promoting trade and to a lesser extent, policy advocacy on policies related to both investments and trade… We [promote] in several ways… [There are] promotional activities that are done outside of companies where we promote trade expositions and other trade-related events… [that] the Government of Guyana or [GoInvest] may host in other jurisdictions outside of Guyana. There are trade missions that come into Guyana and also trade missions that go out of Guyana.

All of those are activities we work on in terms of promoting trade,” he said.

Mr Verwey added that “the investment climate and economic climate in Guyana is

probably one of the best that it has ever been in its history, primarily because of the oil and gas discoveries. We cannot run away from that. The… sheer scale of the values of the macro-economic activities that will happen in that industry is very large,” he said.

Although oil and gas have brought Guyana initial recognition, Mr. Verwey says that persons coming to Guyana for oil and gas also explore other areas of investment.

“With every investor who is in a core activity, they sometimes like to… explore how they can diversify that portfolio and have something in other areas… I think that’s where our general economy has a very big benefit… Those oil and gas guys would like to know what else is there that we can invest in… I’m not talking about the core companies that have a focus on oil and gas; I’m talking about the shareholders and the

employees. I’m talking about the companies that do some amount of supplies to them and the others who are associated with them. It’s never a ‘one-product, one-mind’ strict focus to them. They look at other things.

President Granger had, in his address to GuyTIE, highlighted the importance of diversification.

While oil and gas seem to be the ‘next big thing’ Mr. Verwey encourages Guyanese to explore and improve the tourism, agriculture, forestry, and natural resource sectors as well. He confirmed the very possibilities that President Granger alluded to in his speech: Guyana is the right place for investment, and the perfect time is right now.

“The outlook for Guyana as rated by most of the international and multilateral financial institutions are not just good, its actually very good. That’s what the econom-

ic outlook is, very good for us. GDP growth [is] projected to be higher than every other Caribbean country and every other South American country… Politically, we’ve been very stable, at least if we can think of the situation from December 21st to date. There has been no civil unrest. There’s been no political unrest. In many other jurisdictions there would have been chaos for at least 24 hours. We’ve had none of that. That is a very good sign of political maturity from where we came and to keep the outlook for Guyana as an investment destination very positive,” he said.

Guyanese are encouraged to get ready for Guyana’s emerging economy. Let us equip ourselves with the necessary education, skills and competencies to capitalise on the imminent opportunities and reap the benefits.

Mr. Verwey and colleagues attend the May 2019 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) held in Houston, Texas, United States.

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THE LIVING SOIL: PROTOZOA PROTOZOA are single-celled animals that feed primarily on bacteria, but also eat other protozoa, soluble organic matter, and sometimes fungi. They are several times larger than bacteria. As they eat bacteria, protozoa release excess nitrogen that can then be used by plants and other members of the food web.

Protozoa are classified into three groups based on their shape: Ciliates are the largest and move by means of hairlike cilia. They eat the other two types of protozoa, as well as bacteria. Amoebae also can be quite large and move by means of a temporary foot or “pseudopod.� Amoebae are further divided into testate amoebae (which make a shell-like covering) and naked amoebae (without a covering). Flagellates are the smallest of the protozoa and use a few whip-like flagella to move.

WHAT DO PROTOZOA DO? Protozoa play an important role in mineralising nutrients, making them available for use by plants and other soil organisms. Protozoa (and nematodes) have a lower concentration of nitrogen in their cells than the bacteria they eat. (The ratio of carbon to nitrogen for protozoa is 10:1 or much more and 3:1 to 10:1 for bacteria.) Bacteria eaten by protozoa contain too much nitrogen for the amount of carbon protozoa need. They release excess nitrogen in the form of ammonium (NH4+).

This usually occurs near the root system of a plant. Bacteria and other organisms rapidly take up most of the ammonium, but some are used by the plant.

Another role that protozoa play is in regulating bacteria populations. When they graze on bacteria, protozoa stimulate the growth of the bacterial population (and, in turn, decomposition rates and soil aggregation.) Exactly why this happens is under some debate, but grazing can be thought of like pruning a tree - a small amount enhances growth, too much reduces growth or will modify the mix of species in the bacterial community.

Protozoa are also an important food source for other soil organisms and help to suppress disease by competing with or feeding on pathogens.

WHERE ARE PROTOZOA? Protozoa need bacteria to eat and water in which to move, so moisture plays a big role in determining which types of protozoa will be present and active. Like bacteria, protozoa are particularly active in the rhizosphere next to roots.

Typical numbers of protozoa in soil vary widely - from a thousand per teaspoon in low fertility soils to a million per teaspoon in some highly fertile soils. Fungal-dominated soils (e.g. forests) tend to have more testate amoebae and ciliates than other types. In bacterial-dominated soils, flagellates and naked amoebae predominate. In general, high clay-content soils contain a higher number of smaller protozoa (flagellates and naked amoebae), while coarser textured soils contain more large flagellates, amoebae of both varieties, and ciliates.

NEMATODES AND PROTOZOA Protozoa and bacterial-feeding nematodes compete for their common food resource: bacteria. Some soils have high numbers of either nematodes or protozoa, but not both. The significance of this difference to plants is not known. Both groups consume bacteria and release NH4+.

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Sports and Education Part II Finding a balance between being a student and being an athlete WHEN we speak of the word balance, perhaps a measuring scale comes to mind and two things being equal to each other. I am sure we were told at least once in our lives that we need to balance all aspects of our lives, including sports and academics but what does it really mean to do so? As discussed last week, sports and physical education have many benefits as it relates to academical achievements. However, just like every other aspect of life—we must have ‘balance’. Students who are also athletes sometimes find it difficult to excel in one aspect over the other for many reasons. Perhaps, you have a liking for sports over education so you choose to commit more to that, your examinations and assignments are of more importance to you, your study schedule clashes with your sport practice schedule or after practice you’re too exhausted to study. Whatever the reason may be— for many, it might be difficult as it is to balance the two.

It is important that we balance the two for many reasons.

For starters, let’s say your career in sports did not work out—you would still have your educational background to kickstart a new career/job. If you want to become a successful athlete, it requires a lot of hard work and dedication. That very hard-work and dedication may overlap and get in the way of your studies. Here’s the deal, age and physical health go hand in hand. As we age, our ability to perform physically might decrease. Athletes have a higher rate of retiring compared to other jobs/career choices. As such, I would like all my young athletes to keep in mind the fact that you might retire at the age of 30 or 40 depending on your bodily processes. Do you think you’ll be able to remain retired? Or would you like to have a plan B career/job option?

Garfield Benjamin is a cricketer from Berbice who played for the Ancient County for the past five years and he also represented Guyana at the Under-15 level and was a National Under nineteen selectee. He accomplished all of this while attending the New Amsterdam Multilateral and New Amsterdam Technical Institute. His advice for balancing sports and education for you is: “Balancing sports and education is not as hard a task as people would talk about it or many may make it seem. It’s not hard, then again it’s not the easiest thing to do. But what was the key for me, is the support of my family and them believing that I can do the best in both of these worlds. You would also need to be in a Turn to page XXXI►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot July 7, 2019 fellow teammates; be sure to surround yourself with supportive people and even those who can assist you. You need your mental health in-check if you’re to balance the two.

While sports can be a great stress outlet, it can also cause stress if taken very seriously.

Taking breaks and relaxing may help you ease your mind. You can make a study schedule and practice schedule, so the timings would not overlap. It is important that you manage your time wisely and stay organised as much as you can. Procrastination is not your best friend if you are to maintain balance, in all aspects of your life. Stay focused and concentrate on one task at a time.

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good mental state of mind. Because honestly, if you don’t have that support there’s no real point in being involved in sports. There were many times when a tough decision had to be made and games were coming up around exam season, but my family trusted and believed in me that I could handle it and it eventually paid off. I successfully com-

pleted high school and my two years at the tertiary educational institute while still being able to perform successfully in my games.”

As Garfield mentioned, you would need a very strong support system to help you.

You simply cannot accomplish it all on your own. If not your family, perhaps supportive friends/classmates, teachers you trust or your

XXXI Both sports and education are important aspects. Sports can teach you many skills you may not learn in schools. From team building and patience to discipline and time management; they can all be very helpful. You can also have a career in sports as long as you can upkeep excellent physical health. Education can be a useful tool to gain employment elsewhere is sport fails—it gives you choices. My mother would say, “Nobody can ever take your education away from you” and my dad would say, “Sports is an essential tool for proper education”. Without a doubt, they are both correct.

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The beginning of the last half of the year

ON June 30, it hit me that we were completing half of the year and soon the latter half would commence. Do you think it went fast? I certainly think so.I decided to use July 1 as a day of reflection – reflection and the power of the pause. Pausing allows growth to catch up with us and observe where we went wrong or right. I have accomplished a lot in the last six months but nowhere near to what I had anticipated. I was about to be hard on myself for not doing more, but then checked myself to first be thankful for the things I was able to get done.

Gratitude is powerful and we need to constantly practise, no matter what we are going through. In the last six months; I laughed until my belly hurt; cried until I was out of breath; danced as if no one was watching; and experienced love and

pain that was so excruciating that I thought my heart would stop.I have experienced some of the deepest valley moments in my life. I survived because I do believe some of our best moments are created in the dark and God has a plan beyond your imagination. Negatives develop in the darkroom and the images are so beautiful. If we look for a silver lining in every dark cloud, that helps us to maintain a positive mindset.

The fourth Women in Business Expo, Inspire You and the release of my fifth book, Rising From the Ashes, contributed forewords for two books and receiving an award from United Bridge Builder Mission Inc. My passion is reignited when I look at the progress the people made who participated in the Confidence Becomes You and Developing the Best You programmes. Those pro-

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel ... Inspiring lives through fashion

grammes will recommence soon. The first Living with Intention Youth Forum for girls penetrated my heart, because of the testimonies after. I still receive messages telling me about the mindset shift that took place among many young girls. On a personal note, I had more family time and God time that I will treasure forever. While in New York, I caught up with my schoolmate Judy and she was telling me that her sister Joanne who was part of the EXPO has experienced significant growth in her business and her products are in supermarkets now. That is one of the reasons I decided not to be too hard on myself, because you would have contributed something if you made a difference in one person’s life.

How can we do better for this latter half of 2019?

We need to be more intentional about everything we do daily and that was the conversation I was having with my sister Bibi Alli on my day of reflection. We are on similar journeys and it was great to have a discussion on the future. I have a new study bible and will be utilising it more, because I need a deeper understanding of God and the Word. I planned to be focused more on the wildly inspiring goals (WIGs) that will not only benefit me, but others also. Create a weekly blueprint and monitor results. I plan to make family an even bigger part of my life and love like I never did before; eat healthier, drink more water, and workout with a personal trainer. I do have time allotted to prepare my mind, body and spirit for the day, but I need to extend that; embark on a project that scares the hell out of me, be a better listener, be more in the present and clear out distraction. I do manage my time well, but there is always room for improvement. I want to attend one or two more conferences for my personal and business development.

I trust there is something in this column that motivates you to take control of 2019 and make it a success. I will leave you with the words of Arthur Rubinstein: “I have found that if you love life, life will love you back,” as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

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There is room for males in the nursing profession

Nurse Moseley assisting a patient

SOCIETY has been pushing to empower the girl child but often times not as much attention is extended to boys or men who defy stereotypes and take up female-dominated professions.

Kenroy Anthony Moseley is a living example of a man who has defied the stereotype when he ventured into the nursing profession many years ago. After careful consideration, Moseley heeded his mother’s advice to enroll in the Charles Rosa School of Nursing in Linden leaving behind his desire to work with electronics.

Enrolling into nursing school was not an easy decision.

Nursing was and is still widely viewed as a profession for females. Even as a student, Moseley was tempted to drop out but thanks to a strong support system he remained- a decision he is pleased with.

“To be a nurse was never my dream. I had a love for electronics and even graduated from the Linden Technical Institute, but, it was my mom who saw an ad in the newspaper requesting persons to register in the Nursing Programme being offered at the Charles Rosa School of Nursing and suggested I should join,” he said.

Moseley seriously pondered on this seemingly unusual suggestion of his mother’s. The thought-provoking career choice resulted in him seeking advice from Mr. Hilary Christopher (now Principal of the Charles Rosa School of Nursing) over a game of dominoes. During one of his many domino games with Mr. Christopher at a friend’s shop, Moseley related the possibility of him joining the nursing profession.

“I spoke to him because I knew he worked at the hospital but I wasn’t sure what he did at the time. He was excited about my intentions and he revealed that he was a Registered Nurse working in the Operating Room. He also identified some doctors who started out as male nurses,” Moseley added.

That conversation encouraged Moseley to register to be part of the programme. As was expected, Moseley was the only male in his batch. The truth of the nursing profession being dominated by women was upon Moseley. However, he was able to secure the friendship of two males who were two batches ahead of him. Sharing different perspectives was necessary as Moseley was developing as a young man.

Today, Moseley is employed as a Nurse at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He is currently pursuing a Degree in Emergency Nursing at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The programme is being done in collaboration with the University of Guyana. He works about 40- hour days and 60-hour night shifts. Sometimes, he is required to work more hours depending on the situation at the hospital. Even as he spends many hours caring for others, Moseley has a family of his own. The 39-year-old is married and has three children.

Moseley loves his job. He no longer views it with respect to gender. He believes that nursing is a profession for anyone who genuinely wants to help. Every day, different situations allow the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of complete strangers.

He related, “Being able to provide that support, compassion, being empathetic and assist patients (and even their families), who come with whatever illness or complaints and making a difference, impacting positively in their lives. Going that extra mile to ensure their wellbeing in and even out of hospital.”

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English

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Dear Student, When fear comes, just pause. Stick to the here-and-now and ask yourself such questions as: What is the very next thing I am going to do? Jot it down, and endeavour to complete it. You could expect your fear to rise at times. Don’t try to eliminate fear; just make it manageable. Be good to yourself during study. Be wise.

Love you.

THE PASSAGE The reading of passages for comprehension encourages good reading habits. It strengthens comprehension skills. In the end you’ll be able to express yourself more easily because of the language patterns you will have been experiencing through your reading.

Stories and accounts will become easier for you to think up and write about.

Here is a simply written story with lots of description.

I saw that Donne was ageing in the most remarkable misty way. It was something in

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

the light under the trees I said to myself shaking my head. The day had grown sultry and darker than She may very well pass for forty-three morning and a burst of congealed lightning hung suspended in the In the dusk with a light behind her! atmosphere, threatening to close W.S. GILBERT (1836-1911) the long drought and the dry season of the year.

Trial by Jury (1875) Thirty or forty seasons and years had wrenched from him this violent belt of youth to shape a “Put on ten years overnight, old man,”…. nose in the air. A shaft from the forest and “It’s the trip all the way from the coast I supthe heaven of leaves aged him into looking pose. How do you feel?” the devil himself. The brownness of his skin d) “A shaft from the forest and the heaven looked excessive pallor. He stooped in un- of leaves” conscious subjection I knew to the treachery 3. What makes you want to read more of and oppression in the atmosphere and his eyes the narrative? What can you say about the were sunken and impatience raged, burning descriptive words and phrases? with the intensity of horror and ambition. His 4. Write a short story about forest life hands opened and closed of their own will, inspired by the passage? Pay attention to the casting to the ground everything save the finer details in character and setting. feeling of themselves and the identity they wished to establish in the roots of their earthly IMPROVING WRITING sensation. He was an apparition that stooped Some information about style in short before me and yet clothed me with the very story writing frightful nature of the jungle exercising its ? A good short story touches the minds spell over me. I could no longer feel myself and emotions of its readers who need to feel shaken: dumb with a morsel of terror. and see its characters and setting, and to parHe started suddenly addressing the com- ticipate in the action. We know you agree. pany in the lurid storm, but it was as if he So, let’s move on. spoke only to himself. The whole crew were ? Good reactions can be programmed in blasted and rooted in the soil of Mariella like any form of writing, and the short story is no imprisoned dead leaves. I alone lived to face stranger here. Short story writers, you can him. Words came as a frightened spiritual only achieve good reader-reactions by delibmedium and translation. Meaning was petri- erate programming. Use your language well. fied and congealed and then flashing and clear It is best not to present your readers with upon his rigid face and brow hanging in his much unravelling of unnecessary words and own ultimatum and light. phrases. Write simply but effectively. Write The storm passed as quickly as it had be- about what you really know. Include the finer gun. Every man came to life again. Donne details that put life in characters, events, and was free of the hate he had shown, and a smile passions among other aspects of short story. had been restored to him ingenuous as youth. Just find words and phrases to provoke a He drew me aside leaving the old Arawak credible mental picture. woman encircled by the crew.

“Why, you’re looking as haggard as hell,” What to Do he said to me in solitude. “Put on ten years Go to your last week’s short story. Reovernight, old man,” he spoke with a knowl- read it. Consider your pieces of description edgeable air beneath his apparent freshness individually and collectively. Do they enable and youth. “It’s the trip all the way from the each other? Have they been well-placed, coast I suppose. How do you feel?’ Up to well-worded, given at the right time? Or another strenuous exercise and excursion? maybe now you can better add words and Afraid I’ve been deserted by every labouring phrases to help the reader imagine what you hand I had, and I’ve got to go on the trail to first imagined when you wrote? Maybe you find them. Think you would relish coming?” need to cross out some, rephrase some, and I shook my head quickly and affirma- only retain those pieces of description that tively. serve the purpose well. Be persistent at this Do you know he was in a better mood than and you will become better.

I could ever remember. “There’s something in what you’ve been telling me, old chap.” He GRAMMAR tapped me on the chest significantly. “You do Eliminating inconsistencies see the situation sensibly and constructively.

Rewrite the following sentences so their I grant I have been cruel and harsh….” He messages are clear and definite. Hint: elimipaused reflectively. nate all inconsistencies.

“Yes,” I prompted him.

1. The great magician appeared on stage with his black and grey scarf trailing, and all What to Do his expensive costume was in disarray.

1. Describe the character Donne in your 2. Go to the next chapter, and then you own words for a friend interested in things skim five others. Then find the answer to descriptive. the riddle.

2. Think carefully about what is revealed 3. She was tending the sheep and garden in the passage by these word groups: and upon hearing the bombings decides to a) “something in the light under the trees” go into hiding. She then called the efficient b) “a burst of congealed lightning hung police chief. suspended in the atmosphere” 4. The inexperienced tourists tried surfing c) Compare and contrast these two quotes: without permission in shark infested water bei) “Thirty or forty seasons and years had fore the guards hail her. Her son was nursing wrenched from him this violent belt of youth a nip on his left foot. to shape a nose in the air.” AND 5. They must decide soon or later to ii) You’re looking as haggard as hell,”…. state either their eating or to diet.

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Tamarind Balls INGRIDENTS 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 lb. ripe tamarind 2 cloves garlic pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS 1. Grind garlic and pepper in a mortar 2. add that and sugar to the tamarind 3. mix together 4. form into balls

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