Guyana_Chronicle_PepperPot_Epaper_11_17_2019

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Guyana

Leading the world in eco-tourism

One of Guyana’s best kept secrets, the Mahaica River. Along its banks one can observe deer, Jabiru Storks, and Guyana’s national bird, the Canje Pheasant. (Photo courtesy of Visit Guyana)

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Victorious Victoria now 180 Years

By Francis Quamina Farrier

THERE have been some occasions when I wished that I was born in Victoria, a village which is known as “The First Village”.

As a matter of fact, when I was a young and up-coming journalist back in the 1970s and working at the Films Division of

the Ministry of Information which was located on Brickdam in Georgetown in the building now occupied

by IICA, I produced a Film Documentary entitled, “The First Village”.

That film documentary is about Victoria and its history, with some scenes which are no longer in existence. On November 7, 1839, Plantation Northbrook was bought by 83

freed enslaved Africans with monies which they had saved from income earned over the years, from mini enterprises such as farming and poultry rearing, even while enslaved. What is not so well-known, is that the asking price for that plantation was unfairly and greatly increased in order to discourage the prospective buyers from becoming successful in their efforts to

Ongoing home construction at Victoria in 2019 (Photo by Francis Q, Farrier)

Farmers of Victoria about to send off some of their produce to market on November 9, 2019 (Photo by F.Q. Farrier) become property-owners, produced both the Damon Saturday evening, and inand so soon after Emanci- and the 1823 Monuments. teracting with some of the pation. Becoming the own- There is also Justice Jo- youths, I recognised that ers of Victoria is the pride Ann Barlow, Trade Union- many of them are unaware of the descendants of those ist Stonewall Jackson and of much of the history of 83 purchasers in 1839 and his son Barrister Rexford the Village. Returning to all residents of Victoria and Jackson, Educator Clare his native Victoria after those who love that iconic Alicia Dougall, Attorney spending several years in village. and Real Estate Broker Canada, Desmond Saul Visiting that community M e l a n i e H e a d l e y a n d is at present, very active for over 60 years I have New York-based Designer with the educational and seen its growth. I have also Claire Ann Goring, among social needs of the Youths seen many Victorians strive scores of others. of the village. Saul has and succeed. The first I Victoria has also pro- expressed the view that, would mention is Shetland duced some great families “There is a large mass of Wilson the Calypsonian such as the Pool Family illiterate youth who are known as “King Fighter”, who are descendants from unemployable, because who ruled the roost for Newton Pool, one of the they are unable to read and many years. He holds what Purchasers of the village write properly or not at all.”

I believe is the longest 180 years ago. A.B. Pool is At this time, Desmond Saul composition at the top of a well-known professional is doing what he can to help the music Hit Parade on Victorian Guyanese of to- turn things around and is local Radio, which was for day. His father, Mr. Pool, giving formal education to over 20 weeks. The title of was such a great building some of the Youths of the that composition was “Oh, contractor, that his name village. For even though My Dear”, which was in and fame spread across Victoria looks relatively fact, not a calypso, but a the Caribbean where he prosperous, and has had a romantic ballad. There is secured several building very high educational stana rich tradition of music contracts. Another great dards and achievement in in Victoria which includes Family of Victoria is the the past, the Youths of the The Masquerade. Although L u t c h m a n s . E d u c a t o r village today need urgent based in New York for Dr. Harold Lutchman is attention in the field of edsome years, there are those well-known and highly ucation, and that is where Victorians such as Win- respected not only here Desmond Saul is making ston “Reggae” Hoppie and in his native Guyana but a tremendous contribution.

Dr. Rosalind October who in the Caribbean and the So what about that film help to keep the African United Kingdom. Another documentary, “The First Guyanese Folk Culture celebrity Victoria Family Village” which I produced alive and are very involved is the Ainsworths. They at the Ministry of Informawith the Guyana Cultural established themselves not tion way back in the 1970s Association of New York’s only in Education but also and which is about Victo(GCA) annual Kwe Kwe in Politics. Nonetheless, ria? My understanding is which is usually held on the although there is obvious that sometime in the early Friday before the Labour physical development in 1990s it was dispatched to Day Caribbean Carnival in Victoria at present, many the incinerator and burnt.

New York and is extremely villagers have been exCould there be a copy popular. pressing concern about of it in existence someOver the past 180 years, the needs of the Youths; where? There is so much Victoria has produced especially in the area of in that film documentary scores of great Guyanese; education. which will be useful toamong them sculptor, artist During my own walk- day. Happy 180th Anniand poet, Ivor Thom, who about in the Village last versary, Victoria.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

III

The loss of a father and friend

Remembering Ryan Taylor

By Michel Outridge

ON October 9, 2019, when the young, driven Ryan Taylor died after the mining pit in which he was working caved in, the lives of many people changed drastically, including that of his 12-year-old daughter.

The Pepperpot Magazine recently had a conversation with the mother of Taylor’s eldest child, who explained that the young girl is barely coping and believes that she needs to talk to a counsellor.

Rebecca (not her real name), related that at 12 years old her father was her first love and best friend and his death has left a gaping void in her life.

She stated that her daughter has her days, some days are worse than others ever since they received the news of his tragic demise.

“With reality setting in that her father is no more, she is still grieving and I doubt she will be able to lead a normal life because of how close they were; and she misses him a lot and I can see how that is affecting her,” Rebecca said.

She explained that whenever he is out of the interior, he would take his daughter out and spend time with her and she was happiest then.

Rebecca added that up to recently, the teen was telling her that she wouldn’t be able to go out with her dad to get ice-cream as before. They used to go to a café not far from her school and they would chat during those outings.

The woman recalled that just the other day, the teachers telephoned her to say that her daughter was having a

really bad day and she was crying a lot, because she was sad, remembering her father.

Although Taylor has two other children, he treated them all the same but with his first-born, he was very supportive and they spent a lot of time together; as such, she was very attached to him.

Rebecca told the Pepperpot Magazine that her daughter is her only child and she will do whatever it takes to help her to lead a normal life, even though she is still grieving and it is difficult to watch her some days.

“I knew Ryan a long time, we grew up as children in Robb Street. We went to the same primary school and we played as kids before he moved to Alberttown and he was a very humble, giving young man, who liked to spread joy; and he would give of his last just to put a smile on someone’s face,” Rebecca said.

She added that a few days before the mining accident that claimed his life, they spoke via the telephone and he was asking about his daughter, her school and how she was doing and that was typical of him.

“He was always concerned about his daughter and her studies. She wants to become a lawyer and they had a long chat about that and that is how he was; and she had to get a particular rock for an assignment and he was expected to get it for her,” Rebecca said.

The woman added that before his demise, he told his daughter that he was very proud of her and would always be and how much he loved her; and she is standing by those words

to keep going, even though she is not herself, she is trying to cope.

RYAN’S SPOT At a shop in Second Street, Alberttown, where Ryan Taylor used to hang out, the night of his funeral service there wasn’t a dry eye, because he had touched many lives in some way and that night was dedicated to his memory.

Taylor had many friends and at his shop, everyone who frequented the place knew him and he would engage them in friendly chats.

One friend, called ‘Sleepy,’ told the Pepperpot Magazine that he misses Ryan because they used to sit and chat about a lot of things and he treated him well, because they grew up in the same neighbourhood and had a lot in common.

“A very good young man died as soon as he had made something of himself and was earning a bit and didn’t live to see his children grow up and that’s sad,” ‘Sleepy’ said.

Almost everyone at the shop, including the proprietors, all had good things to say about Ryan and the kind of person he was; he will be remembered because he was kind and did things out of the goodness of his heart and impacted the lives of many.

Ryan Taylor, who was attached to Troy Resources Inc., died during the

Dead: Geologist Ryan Taylor wee hours of October 9, 2019, after the mining pit in which he was working caved in.

Taylor, 34, of Albert Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was a geologist and reports indicated that he was working in the pit at the company’s operations in the Cuyuni/ Mazaruni district sometime after 02:00hrs when its walls collapsed, covering him with dirt.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Law student’s launching of a menstrual cycle foundation for women

Nicola Blenman and the Happy Flow Foundation

Nicola Blenman

OUT of three siblings, growing up, Nicola Blenman described herself as being the most mischievous.

She was not a well-privileged girl growing up; they did not have all the finer things in life, but they had each other and her parents made sure they all understood the importance of family, while providing the necessities for their daily existence.

Journeying through later stages of her childhood, struggles arose -- mentally, physically and financially. Her family was divided because of reasons beyond her comprehension and her father was away for quite some time. She attended

Agricola Primary school in the nearby village then J.E. Burnham Primary, William Street, Kitty. Nicola was a bookworm, always reading and writing. She was also quite genuine; always willing to share her lunch with somebody, always buying something for someone. Being an adolescent also had its challenges, as she fought with so many personal issues.

She eventually became a ‘rebellious’ teen and went against every good thing that she was thought. Fortunately, she grew up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and it helped to reaffirm her beliefs in God, faith and herself.

She completed her secondary education and eventually gained full sponsorship to study at the Barbados Community College. There, she completed an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, majoring in Law and Sociology.

She is currently a student at the University of Guyana, where is reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. She found that Law teaches a person to be an all-rounder in life, it puts you in every category or profession that there is, so she just could not miss out on that experience. It also puts her in a position to combat injustice.

Nicola described herself as being a humble and content person; she wants only the basics that life has to offer.

This came as a result of the struggles she faced over the last few years of her life.

She knows what it is to not have and she knows what it is to wish to have; she knows what it feels like to struggle and she knows what it feels like to have accomplished.

As it relates to humanitarian work, Nicola wished there were more support groups and programmes available to help her when she was growing up, as there is now. She wishes to see no young woman or girl go through those struggles she went through; to be seen or heard in society because the scars they left, took more than makeup and a scarf to cover. She believes everybody deserves a place in society, not just as a statistic,

but as a person. Suicide occurs most times because persons feel they have no sense of belonging, and she wants to help change that. She is the founder of the El Dorado Read Foundation, Founder of Happy Flow foundation and also manages a family business in Barbados. When she studied sociology, Nicola developed a passion for Caribbean Literature and after coming into contact with writers like Walter Rodney and CLR James, she told herself that these works need to be at every child’s disposal.

She aims to focus on Caribbean literature and to work and reintegrate books into the lives of our youths through, of course, the El Dorado Read Foundation.

ABOUT THE HAPPY FLOW FOUNDATION As we speak, this future lawyer is on the verge of kick-starting an initiative whichwill benefit young girls and women by spreading awareness of an issue that has been taboo for decades. This initiative is The Happy Flow Foundation. This Foundation will be dedicated to helping underprivileged girls and women across Guyana with free monthly distribution of feminine products. Happy flow aims at promoting the menstrual movement and bringing awareness to proper menstrual hygiene and menstrual health, through education and women empowerment across Guyana. She believes that proper menstrual hygiene management and menstrual health play a vital role in the overall performance of a woman’s body.

She also posits that it is the solution to some, if not all, menstrual health issues and the Happy Flow Foundation understands this significance.

Their objectives seek to remedy issues arising from poor menstrual hygiene and lack of basic yet necessary knowledge needed in safeguarding and bringing awareness to menstrual health. They intend to create a safe and comfortable space, where women and girls can feel free to openly vent about menstruation and issues surrounding

it without the taboo feeling and therefore accepting it for what it is, via workshops, seminars and community outreach programmes. They also intend to create an annual comprehensive educational programme which will seek to educate both privileged and underprivileged teenage girls across Guyana on proper menstrual Care.

Her mother passed away in June 2018 from renal failure, an illness that she had endured for almost 10 years.

The death of her mother showed her a different side of herself, that she did not even know existed. After her death, Nicola was devastated because she held her up to her very last breath and she passed away before her very eyes in her arms.

It tore her apart; she was angry for months because she felt as if it was her fault by not being able to get the proper medical attention her mother needed. In reality, it wasn’t her fault because she did not have it, because they didn’t know where to turn in the very initial stages of her mother’s sickness.

She eventually started to understand that everything happens for a reason. Some may understand and some will never understand, but in order for a change, things must happen, good or bad.

With faith, in knowing she is at peace, Nicola now has the courage, to get up and face this, most importantly because she knows her mother is with God, to whom she prayed every day for strength to accept the things she cannot change— she overcame!

The Happy Flow Foundation founder advises youth by saying: “My greatest inspiration came from seeing the kind and always giving…

My mother taught me the meaning of ‘when you get, give and when you learn, teach.’

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased; perseverance is Key and when we persevere with all our might, our rewards become great!”

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

V

Resilience

AFTER my column on the Transgender community last week, a few transgendered individuals wrote to me thanking me for trying to ‘normalise’ it in Guyana.

However, they continuously mentioned the stigma they face every day – enough to bring about mental health issues.

Well as much as I hate to say it, we can never control what others think, say or do but as we all know, we can control how we react to it.

This got me thinking about resilience and its importance in good mental health.

As I always say, no one is immune to life’s stresses.

Therefore, having a good life does not mean you do not experience any adversity or hardship but rather you can effectively and healthily deal with them. That is the only secret to a happy life.

Resilience is an individual’s ability to overcome and bounce back from hardship.

It means you learn from your or other’s mistakes and come back harder and stronger.

It means that you remain confident and optimistic after setbacks. Yes, it can be unpredictable- where some days we have more than others but this can change.

We are all born with inherent resilience – a natural one that from birth (and especially during childhood) which allows us continuous discovery of the world, even after getting hurt. However, as we age and inevitably experience difficultly, we need to find additional strength and strategies to adapt even more confidence to put ourselves out there, without knowing the return.

Of course some experiences may weaken resilience such as any form of abuse or mainly- unhealthy coping skills such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes etc. However, looking on the bright side, this means that developing a strong level of

resilience reduces drug abuse and a wide range of mental illnesses, as well as any physical symptoms that may stem from them. Resilience improves problem solving skills, social skills, positivity, motivation, efficiency and performance while providing a more realistic outlook on life.

If you feel your level of resilience is weak, have no fear- some things can be done to increase it.

Practising the basics for self-care definitely helps.

This means to eat, sleep and exercise well. When we are physically healthy, we are more likely to be mentally healthy.

The most important thing anyone can do is develop healthy coping skills. If we cannot healthily deal with hardship, then we are not dealing with them at all.

Adapt ones that relax you in particular – whether it be deep breathing, music and so on. Do things that make you feel good when you are upset. Make gratitude lists every day. It is always important to remember the things that we are grateful for in life as many of us tend to rather focus on what we lack.

Try and find a healthy mentor- someone you can look up to. Someone who you can watch healthily deal with their own mistakes and learn from it. This can be anyone- family, friends, co-workers etc. This also broadens your support system- something vital in overcoming obstacles.

Do some volunteering as this always puts things into perspective. Not only are you happier with yourself for your selfless act but you are also seeing how much worse things can be.

Be more positive and optimistic! See struggle as temporary rather than permanent…. because it is! Think of difficulty as a challenge and learn from all mistakes-

there is a lesson in every one of them. Understand that it is more of how we perceive a situation rather than the situation itself that allows us feeling. Sometimes a combination of low self-esteem and negative thinking can distort the facts of the situation which results in emotional rather than rational responses.

Having said that, build your self-esteem and self-confidence. It is much

easier to bounce back when you know you could. You can do this by simply avoiding negative self-talk (the gratitude list helps with this as well). If you wouldn’t say it to anyone else, do not say it to yourself. Remind yourself of all your good qualities as you have so many.

Please understand that there will still be times when we hurt. Understanding, accepting and embracing our emotions is vital in devel-

oping resilience. I had a wonderful conversation with a friend the other day- who taught me a bit about happiness. He said that no one experiences happiness all day or even every day for that matter. The trick is to find your “Spoonful of happiness.”

This mean you find something small that may cause even the slightest bit of happiness and keep and use that feeling throughout

the day. Once you get your spoonful a day, you can have this eternal happiness, and something to look forward to every day.

Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail. com.

Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 6007896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

VI

A black and white world

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Yin and Yang

WHAT does a black and white world mean to you? Perhaps a world without colour where everything looks as if it’s from a 1950s sitcom, or maybe it’s the world written in a black and white newspaper or how about the world being a scale, constantly battling for a balance of good and bad energies? For me, it’s the latter and it can be simplified to the term; “Yin-Yang”.

Yes, I’m sure you’re aware of what it is because of its famous black and white symbol. Perhaps, it’s a bit too famous because it’s meaning gets lost in translation sometimes. It is more than a ‘cool’ tattoo design or wallpaper for your smartphone.

It can be put into many metaphors but the one we mostly use is,

‘there is good in bad and there is bad in good’. In the symbol itself, there are two sides; Yin and Yang. The yin is dark/black side while the yang is the white/light side. Taijitu, which

is just another word for ‘Yin-Yang’ seeks to explain that in life, there must be a balance. Opposite sides cannot exist without each other and within one specific side, there is a bit of the other. Good cannot exist without bad, heat cannot exist without cold, dirty cannot exist without clean, the North Pole cannot exist without the South Pole, and so on.

Our mindset is always based on removing all that is dark and evil but do we ever stop to wonder that sometimes we may need it? Not to go off track but the famous Karl Marx developed his conflict theory on one of the fundamental assumptions that societal conflict is what drives social change and development. Or, how about a famous scientific phrase, “for every action there’s an opposite reaction”—Newton’s third law. See, this can all be looked at differently based on what you perceive good and bad to be. Protesting are bad in the eyes of some but, would many of our successful legislations have existed without them? Would there be a number line with only even numbers? Don’t we need the odd ones too?

For purposes of practicality, I truly believe it is all based on per-

ception. Fire destroys homes and forests, it burns us if we get too close but it also helps us to cook delicious food and it keeps us warm when the place is cold. Nothing is truly evil nor is it truly good. In fact, there is no good reaction or bad reaction, it’s how they interact that matters the most.

When we think of social issues, we can also pinpoint Yin and Yang.

Perhaps, “world peace” cannot exist without “world-war”. I’d like for you to think of ways that this symbol relates to you and your life, how you can use it to help see your perception of what is good and what is bad in an entirely new way.

Sometimes, I think that the best love stories are those where ‘yinyang’ is noticeable. I am sure if by chance, Yin and Yang were ever real people, they’d probably mention something like this to each other, “I am in you and you are in me. There can be peace on earth, there can be a balance between opposing sides and we can all live in harmony. There is good, there is bad, there is good in bad and there is bad in good and then there’s the balance.

That very balance is what gives us life”.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

VII

Quick facts on:

Fusarium Oxysporum f. sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4

A Disease NOT PRESENT IN GUYANA WHILST the Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is currently not found in Guyana our local farming community and the general public is asked to be aware.

The disease was discovered for the first time in Latin America (more specifically Columbia) and the Caribbean this year.

WHAT IS FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM TROPICAL RACE 4?

Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense and is considered the most destructive disease to bananas. It also affects other crops like plan-

tains and heliconias.

HOW IS FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM TROPICAL RACE 4 SPREAD? * TR4 is spread by the movement of infected planting material. The disease is spread between plants via root to root contact and from parent plants to suckers. * The disease can also be spread by soil and water. Anything that moves soil, such as contaminated machinery and equipment, vehicles and shoes can carry the disease.

The disease affects Lady Finger, Ducasse and Cavendish banana varieties, and can re-

La Belle Alliance agro-processor on the hunt for more markets for her local pepper sauce

By Indrawattie Natram JUNE Austin of La Belle Alliance in Region Two has the desire to secure more markets for her local pepper sauce. Austin, who is a retired teacher, said that after leaving the teaching profession, she ventured into agro-processing approximately two years now.

Speaking with the Pepperpot Magazine at the recent Essequibo Night Exhibition and Fair held on November 1 and 2 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, Austin said that she wanted to earn another income and as such, she started to make pepper sauce.

“Being at home made me think of things I want to do; my daughter has a lot of peppers and it was going to waste, so I decided one day I will grind the peppers and make it into hot sauce and eventually today it is now my business,” Austin said.

Coming under the brand M and J Enterprise, Austin said she registered her business, after which she started to add value to the pepper, fruits, and crabwood oil. She retails crabwood oil, dried preserved fruits and also pepper sauce.

The agro-processor said that she was selling her products at a stall in Anna Regina, but now she is moving around to expand the market. She said she would visit shops and supermarkets selling instead of being at one location. When asked how are sales thus far, she said that it is slow and desires more.

Whenever she is not selling she would be at home preparing her pepper sauce and dried

June Austin with her products fruits. The fruits are purchased from other farmers around her community and already Austin has booked orders from cake makers for the Christmas season. The bottling is done manually and Austin does her own labels also.

Austin said although her children are grown, she encourages them to get into agro-processing. She said adding value to perishable products is a profitable venture and encourages persons to get into same. She used the opportunity at the Expo to showcase her products as well as to increase her sales.

Anyone interested in purchasing hot sauce, crabwood oil or dried fruits can contact Ms Austin on 622-7273.

Some of the products on display

main in the soil for as long as 30 years.

HERE ARE SOME SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF INFECTION: · External symptoms include yellowing along the leaf margins, wilting of the older leaves and eventually plant death. * Internal symptoms include dark purple/ red streaking in the pseudostem.

Why should you care?

TR 4 can hinder trade of our banana (musa spp.) on the world market and cause great financial loss to local farmers of Guyana.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? * There is no known cultural or chemical

cure for this disease, therefore PREVENTION IS THE BEST STRATEGY * Do NOT bring into Guyana any plant, seedlings or vegetative material without the required Plant Quarantine Import Permits/ Approval. * Avoid sharing planting materials, equipment and machinery with other growers. Materials used must be clean and sourced from certified disease-free sources * Do not attempt to remove or destroy affected plants suspected of TR 4 infection as this may increase the risk of spread If you suspect that your farm is affected, contact the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute: National Plant Protection Organisation on 220 5858 or nppogy@gmail.com

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Informed consent in dentistry THE most important service you can do for yourself as a dental patient is to be informed.

Be aware of what your dentist is proposing for your treatment. Let us assume that he has told you that

you need one ‘simple’ cavity filled.

Which tooth is it? How can you prevent any similar cavities from forming? What type of filling is needed?

How much will it cost? Ask plenty of questions if you are uncertain of what

is going on, or what is about to happen to you. It is your tooth and your mouth, and you have every right to know what is going to happen!

Informed consent is a very important aspect of dental care today.

Patient education about necessary treatment alternatives, or the ramifications of no treatment, should be accomplished at the diagnostic appointment (such as when you go for your routine tooth cleaning and checkup). Economics do sometimes dictate which option you must elect. For example, you might decide on amalgam (silver filling) rather than gold only. The amalgam may not be the best choice, but it will save the tooth until you can save enough money to select the better choice. Ask what your options and risks are in selecting a particular course of treatment.

Having a thorough understanding of your needs allows you to understand treatment plans before treatment is started. For every procedure, you need your dentist to inform you about treatment alternatives (advantages and disadvantages), cost, risk and ramifications of non-treatment.

If you have any doubts about the necessity of restorations, the experience or expertise of the dentist, or if there is anything else that bothers you do not hesitate to speak up. The dentist cannot read your mind. If the problem is one of confidence in the dentist, do not hesitate to change dentists or at least seek another opinion.

Now, let us assume that you have chosen a dentist, and you need restoration on your lower first bicuspid.

Do you know which tooth this is?

This could be very important information to know later. Why? What if you get a toothache on a vacation? If it is on the left side, you can tell any dentist that you recently had a filling on the lower left first bicuspid, and thus the toothache might be coming from that tooth. You need to be able to communicate with a new dentist who is not familiar with your dental

history. It is also helpful to be able to communicate effectively with your regular dentist. In the beginning, a toothache is localised. Later the pain becomes diffused and it may become difficult to determine the source. If you are informed, you could be a great help in diagnosis. It’s also important to know how deep the filling was and whether pulp capping (sedative medication placed on exposed pulp) was necessary. You could be helping yourself out of an uncomfortable situation later.

In addition to the technical side, you should take into account the human aspect. A big question is: Can you communicate with your dentist?

Find another dentist if the answer is a big ‘No!’ Finally, after you get home, you can examine the treatment done by your dentist. It is quite easy, provided the dentist placed a silver or gold filling. Does it feel as though the filling is hitting first when you bite down?

If the answer is ‘yes’, go back and tell your dentist. He can ‘adjust the occlusion’ (fix the bite) by grinding down some of the dental restoration.

What for tooth sensitivity or sharp pain, which also may indicate high restoration.

Next, you can purchase a mouth mirror from the dental aids section of your local pharmacy. It will look just like the one the dentist used except that it will probably be made of plastic rather than metal. There should be no ‘catch points’ restoration between the teeth when you floss. It should be smooth; thus, you can use your fingernail to test this and to make sure that you have no obvious open margins (spaces) between the tooth structure and filling material. An open margin can eventually lead to decay under restoration.

If there is a question of the quality of the service provided, first bring it to the attention of the dentist who provided that service.

If you get no satisfaction, seek the advice of another dentist or your local dental society.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

When the ugly head of racism shows itself ONE of the most pervasive problems that plague our country is racism that is fuelled by ethnic parochialism and only recently, this ugly head of racism revealed itself to many of us in no small way with the circulation of a video of a young University of Guyana (UG) student making racist remarks about Afro-Guyanese.

In the video, the young man placed money on the floor and posited that only an Afro-Guyanese would pick it up since he believed that an Indo-Guyanese would not do that. Not only did he make those filthy remarks, but he subsequently posted another video, purportedly an apology of some sort, where he trivialised the severity of what he did. By the time I saw the videos circulating on my social media feeds, I had already submitted my column for last week and I felt as though it was a missed opportunity for me to use this space to add my two cents to the conversation. Afterwards, as I continued reading the news articles on the matter and then letters to the editors with persons proffering their judgements and suggestions for sanctions, it dawned on me that I did not miss this opportunity. It is my opinion that this specific incidence is a manifestation of those microcosmic tensions in our society.

And I think we can agree that until this nasty characteristic of racism stops showing itself (if it ever will!), there is always scope to continue this conversation.

From what I’ve discerned, two broad schools of thought emerged specifically with this situation. On one hand, some contend that it is only through punitive actions will an example be made and a precedent is set. Lest this occurs, it seems as though the matter will become trivialised and opens the floodgates for this to happen again, given that there are no serious consequences. On the other hand, some contend that while the young man was outright and blatantly racist in a supposedly tolerant society, efforts should be made to edify him. In essence, those proposing this are emphasising that you cannot ‘fight fire with fire’.

I don’t know what the correct approach is if there is any at all. But, what I do know is that when these incidents occur (because yes, they do occur), we have to talk about it. We cannot continue to ignore these sentiments because they will continue to fester. We have

to question, why is ethnic parochialism still a major feature in a society that prides itself on being “multicultural”?

Why do we still have these ugly stereotypes in our everyday lives?

I’ve spent much of the past three years dedicating my time to learning about Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s history because I believe there are lessons to be learnt from the past. One of those lessons is that there are tensions that exist in our region because of the varying experiences our fore-parents had on the plantations and through colonialism. Ethnic parochialism was a tool that was used to keep our people apart and create strife among us, and it helped to enforce social stratification within the society. This has only been to the detriment of our own development, and years later, if we are to engage in holistic development, we have to break away from these structures we have been put into.

Another dimension I’d like to factor in is consideration for who this young man is. This young man is a student of the University of Guyana (UG), Guyana’s premier tertiary educational institution and an extensively diverse space. That being said, it seems logical to advance that this young man belongs to the relatively small pool of tertiary educated citizens in this country, and has, in no small way, been exposed to the tenets of a plural society through his educational pursuits.

I have been one to say that I am confident that the ethnic parochialism that envelopes Guyana will fade away at least by the time my generation has aged to maturity. And the reason behind my belief was that we have wider access to educational opportunities and we would have been able to understand racism has, literally, split our country into two.

At this point in our country’s development, I don’t believe that racism is a foreign concept; we know of it, we know how it has stymied our collective development, and we know that it is something that we have to fight off.

Now, what baffles me is that if education is the solution to the woes of our society, how did this young man even begin to think about making those insensitive remarks? We have to do better, man.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Glimpses of hell on Earth The lure of narcotics – the forbidden fruit

GROWING up, most of my peers stayed away from alcohol because the antics of the drunk were defined as the results of ‘devil soup,’ as all alcoholic beverages were described.

The display much later in the early-mid 1970s of the ganja-smoking, ‘Bag clothing Brethren’ who then defined Rasta, and the mystic high of marijuana was not inspiring to many of us just yet. What consolidated my permanent step aside was the incident I have written about before; of an area neighbour who was accused of killing a bank manager in 1979, who told me that he saw two of the men, panicked and fired at one. I learned from that part of West Ruimveldt’s local mystic wise head ‘Decomali,’ who had seen among other things a spectral horseman rise out of the space in front of the range where I lived, long before the movie ‘The Headless Horseman ‘ came to the screen and on TV in Guyana. Deco had insisted that when you smoke Marijuana “Yuh does see visions, which was what happen, he see de man astral body.” Not convinced, I explored the U.S. Embassy – then the USIS library on Main and Bentick Streets, enquiring about marijuana and visions? I then came into contact with two words that would become part of my active vocabulary forever: ‘Hallucinogens and Tetrahydrocannabinol,’ or it’s much easily pronounced abbreviation, THC. What was my further speculation back then was what our mystic wise head Decomali was using over the years? But then ‘Heights’ and ‘Devil Soup,’ ‘Daru’ and ‘Sagiwhang’ took seats on the folk vocabulary bench. The ‘White Lady Jumbie’ had always been the hostile spirit of the planter’s wife enraged beyond death at the Afro community whose women lured the Massah into forbidden relationships and commitments; most likely it was the other way around. However, the ‘White Lady’ that returned to Guyana in the late 70s and 80s was rightfully called on the streets the “Jumbie,” because that’s what crack cocaine turned out to be.

I can remember talking to one of two brothers who lived in Kitty. They were two of the first grassroot exponents of cocaine known to me; others would follow. I had advised him not to bring crack to GT, but he argued about businessmen in the business, and one set ah people can’t mek all de Cheese; how people in authority were making airstrips in the bush,to accommodate cocaine drug shipments; about marijuana fields that a top Boche had on the highway.

His arguments were compelling, but I was by then witnessing destruction through ganja in our communities and cocaine was far worse, more destructive, and our national economy, much less the grassroot economy, could not deal with the fallout of drug houses in our towns and villages.

I was invited by an elder school mate

who had returned to Guyana; he had bought a place in Prashad Nagar. He as a kind of a ‘Don,’ the influence of extreme ‘Conspicuous consumption’ was mesmerizing local minds who could see no other way to set deh self up in life, or so the thinking went. There was a silver platter at the party with cocaine on it.

A younger brother to my knowledge, from Laing Avenue, became an addict after that party. The host of that party, the two brothers from Kitty and many more are all dead now.

The White Lady or as the most ancients called her Mama Koka the sorceress, is a heartless goddess; a jumbie like no other. Drug addiction, from alcohol to cocaine, is linked to an impairment to learn, to apply logic and fence with ideas. Conversations have to be narrowed to a small space before it peters out

into an unrelated area, especially if the addict initiated the subject and you are introducing opposing arguments, which require references that expand to other platforms. Then there is rage as if you are attacking an invasive persona to free logic, imagination and intelligent reasoning at any normal capacity, this drug manifest persona needs to be on an unchallenged pedestal to expound a concocted perspective continuously.

I woke up without any self contribution to this phenomenon and found that I had an offspring with an addiction, so I live it, I learn from it, and seek to understand from literature I had put aside, how the human mind and spirit can be mangled into unthinkable macabre shapes. That experience brought me closer to understanding the dynamics of a broken soci-

ety, where lazy and indifferent authorities assume that everything will fix itself; they need do nothing, but repair their own impoverished needs and delusional wants. In Guyana, it began with depletion of the teaching corps, the failure of the public education system to strengthen and maintain its mandate, as teachers left, and salaries dwindled in the 90s, lessons became the first private schools, unlike the lessons of my school days.

Many parents including myself, as our children were sent as a result of Common Entrance passes we were unpleased with, then chose private schools (not everyone had connections to have our children fitted into schools they didn’t earn). So far nothing was quite extremely alarming about what was transpiring then, except that the most vibrant state accommodated the economic reality of the 90s onwards was the rise of the Narco plus- nouveau riche, Guyana’s new business sector, that would infiltrate most that existed before.

Following our customs they sent their children to the very private schools, intending but not quite understanding that education is a cultural process that should have begun with then, and cannot necessarily be bought, so their children expounded with designer clothing and extraordinary pocket pieces, recruiting and eliminating students, creating a culture of a new class of contempt, bullying and ignorance, most private schools ignored the bullying and turned their gazes of authority from their more reliable financial sources and gift-bringers. So confused young minds rejecting the culture of their parents as arcane, strenuous and not able to compete with the new ‘Joneses’ keeping pertinent facts away from parents, secretly embraced the criminal state through its empowered political street bodyguards as the only certainty, and became drug dealers involved in criminal activities, hitmen, snitches and henchmen, drug mules and kept women as the criminal state would have it; and eventually as victims of these damaged souls, they couldn’t understand, who had wooed their naivety, but only saw them as pawns to be sacrificed when the time was ripe.

Guyana, because too many persons in authority surrendered that authority with logical and deceptive arguments of economic survival and greed, will not discuss that period of a retrogressive cultural shift, that still is influencing individual decisions today. We can only persevere to repair our own private victims and damaged souls, but we must never forget, nor forgive, until that day of atonement occurs.

Next week, we venture to better understand the philosophy that empowers this lure of prevalent substance abuse, as we welcome the institutional efforts to address its damning effects.

Focus Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

XI

on the Village

Way more than meets the eye A trip to Mahaicony

By Michel Outridge

THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), which is about six miles long and consists of a handful of villages from the public road that is, Central Mahaicony, from Farm/Zeskendren right down to the vast backlands, the home of rice farmers.

Mahaicony is a community that is made up several villages on the East Coast of Demerara. Region Five, Mahaicony’s physical boundaries on the coast start from De Hoop Village in the west, to Calcutta village in the east.

Fishing, farming and hunting are three of the old-

est economic activities in the world. In Mahaicony, these are still the most popular ways of life for residents, although the area produces over 15,000 metric tonnes of paddy each year.

The activities of the community are usually affected by flooding during the rainy season and the drying up of ponds during the dry season.

There are two main secondary schools – the Mahaicony Secondary School and Novar Secondary School. In the surrounding areas primary schools are scattered around -- from Mahaicony, Zeeland in the west, to Calcutta in the east, to Mora Point in the deep south.

Access to primary ed-

The garden of Sampson Gibbons of Hamlet/Chance Village.

Mahaicony Primary School

ucation is not a problem, but the culture of the community is that teens take to the agricultural fields at an early age; hence, fewer attend secondary school. The general idea among residents is that somebody has to do the farming.

In the village of L’ Enterprise we met Sampson Gibbons, who resides in the community of Hamlet/Chance, but he was at his brother’s place doing some chores and tending to his kitchen garden.

The 67-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he would visit daily to tend to his kitchen garden of bora, calaloo, and Boulanger, among other crops.

He stated that he uses the waste of the meat birds from his next-door neighbour--who rears poultry on a large scale--as manure for his crops. Gibbons said he would use the vegetables for his own use and if villagers require he would sell to them.

Gibbons told the Pepperpot Magazine that he doesn’t really believe in superstition, but has hung the skull of a cow that once produced twins in his kitchen garden to ward off ‘bad eye.’

“The cow was a blessed cow named Lucille and some years after giving birth to twins, she died of old age; and it was the first birth of twins for me and I was happy and in her honour, I took the head and hung it up on a golden apple tree to ward off ‘bad eye.’ In the countryside we all know about that and

Sampson Gibbons in his garden (Carl Croker photos) also to scare off birds,” he said.

He explained that Lucille lived for eight years after having twins and her sister is still alive and a part of his herd.

Gibbons added that he has no minors since all his children are grown and leading their own lives, but oversee his brother’s property where he was and another sibling, who lives there and is mentally unstable.

Before retiring, he used to work with the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) scheme for 25 years as a heavy-duty operator and comes from a family of 10 boys and three girls.

Apart from his kitchen garden, he is also a cattle farmer with about 40 cows and cultivates a 30-acre plot of land with rice.

He explained that the rice takes about three months before it can be reaped and he would sell the paddy to rice mills within the area.

There are two large rice

mills in Branch Road, Mahaicony.

Gibbons is also a parttime security guard with Integrated Security Service (ISS) and is attached to the #10 health centre; he however isn’t pleased about them having to work a full two

months before they can get a month’s salary; and that is a real issue for single parents.

The ex-councillor related that some single parents, especially women, depend heavily on the ISS salary to provide for their children and a resolution is in order.

Sampson Gibbons poses with the head of his deceased cow Lucille, which is hanging in his garden at L’ Enterprise on a golden apple tree

The vast backlands and rice fields at Branch Road, Mahaicony.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

No.10/Strath Campbell Health Centre gets new wing

By Michel Outridge

IN the wake of the construction of a new wing for the #10/Strath Campbell Health Centre at Branch Road, Mahaicony, health care workers aim to provide professional services for the residents along that corridor.

Midwife and Regional Coordinator for the Filaria Elimination Campaign, Shonnel Watson, told the Pepperpot Magazine that the health centre offers a wide range of services, with a complement of six staffers, including a doctor, who is in charge.

According to Watson, they have maternal and child health, family planning and infant clinics where immunisation is done; there are also special clinic days for patients affected by chronic diseases.

“We have different clinic days from 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs daily and we have an in-house doctor, a midwife, a nursing assistant, a health worker, a pharmacy attendant and a clinic attendant; and we try to accommodate everyone that shows up here for medical attention,” she said.

Watson stated that even though the facility is located miles away from the main road, they see a lot of patients, especially elderly folk, chronic disease patients and others with the regular aches, pains and arthritis.

About two months ago the new wing of the #10/Strath Campbell Health Centre was completed, but the old wing still exists.

Watson explained that the new wing has three additional rooms, one for the doctor’s clinic, the vaccination room and the other for the Ante-Natal Clinic.

Taking her filaria-prevention pills, is Regional Coordinator Shonnel Watson “We see a lot more patients stricken with chronic diseases and we host the clinic on Tuesday afternoons, just after the Infant Clinic, since the pharmacy assistant visits that day to accommodate dispensing medicines,” she said.

Watson related that she has been at the location for the past six years and described the people as very friendly and accommodating; and if there is anything

The #10 Strath Campbell Health Centre

Filaria Elimination Campaign employee, Tonisha Porter, flanked by Regional Coordinator Shonnel Watson and Supervisor Shayna Solomon at the #10/Strath Campbell Health Centre (Carl Croker photos) Campaign, Watson is the Regional to do, they are always willing to assist.

The midwife added that their Infant Coordinator for Region Five and colClinic is usually held every Tuesday lects a daily report from the three field morning with 43 registered and the clinic employees.

She reported that in Region Five they for newborns is held on the third Wednesday of every month for their enrolment have already reached their target and are way ahead in their pills distribution; and check-ups.

She pointed out that the villages along they have been at the location for the past Branch Road consists of people of Indian three years sensitising residents of its use and African descent and they live in har- and benefits.

Watson said they also do home visits mony without any problems.

Watson stated that the youths have in the community and in our presence she plenty to do, with the community be- took her filarial- prevention pills in front ing a rice-farming one; they are many of two of her staffers, adding that it is young farmers and some are teachers, always good to lead by example.

“The most detailed part of this as well. campaign is explaining the triple-drug

therapy with the addition of the new FILARIA ELIMINATION drug; some people feel it is so much CAMPAIGN As for the Filaria Elimination pills to take at one time,” she said.

A section of the new wing of the health centre

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

XIII

Life in Mahaicony is one worth living

By Michel Outridge

RETIREE Colin Gibbons is one of many other Gibbonses who reside on Gibbons Avenue at Chance Village. The avenue has seven houses and all the people there are related and live in unity and peace.

Gibbons added that he lives between the United States and Guyana, but of recent he has been spending more time here than abroad, because of the cold weather and a few other things.

“You can say I am living my ‘golden age’ now and this is the place for me, my home. I born and grew up here and I feel comfortable here and there is no other place I would rather be right now,” he said.

When the Pepperpot Magazine met Gibbons he was in his hammock enjoying the country breeze while some men were cutting the grass in his yard.

He stated that it has been more than a year since he has been back home and he has done a lot, including filling up his yard with dirt and planting flowers and vegetables.

It was evident that a lot of work went into getting the yard to the standard it was when the Pepperpot Magazine visited.

Gibbons was a rice farmer before he migrated.

The Pepperpot Magazine also met another rice farmer, Winston Shepherd, a resident of #10 Village, Branch Road, Mahaicony.

Shepherd is working on family rice lands owned by him and other relatives, where a 75-acre plot is solely for rice cultivation.

“As you can see, we have a lot of land at the back here and almost everybody here related and we came together and do our farming and it is no worries at all,” he said.

The 56-year-old added that apart from rice farming, he is rearing some cows and is quite

A young man on horseback after taking cows to graze in the savannah (Carl Croker photos)

comfortable with his life, except that he has been a bachelor for the past 10 years.

With his children grown, Shepherd said he is looking for suitable companionship and is also a member of the village church.

He described life in the village as breezy and peaceful, but it involves a lot of hard work; it is a good life nonetheless.

“We have everything right here. I does go to the church too and we don’t have to walk far and we don’t have to worry about thief man and can sleep with the door open,” he said.

Shepherd, however, has a concern, stating that there is need for development of the ballfield for the youths to have a place for recreation, because as is, they are playing cricket on the road.

He noted that they have a community centre building, which is in disrepair; it is a large ground but it is overgrown with bushes and needs to be maintained.

When the Pepperpot Magazine met Shepherd, he was on his bicycle taking a bottle of oil for the engine of his tractor; he, however, was in no hurry to do so because he had some

other stops to make.

The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to Hamlet/Chance Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Overseer Shondell Roberston, who reported that within Branch Road, Mahaicony, they have seen development.

She related that within recent times the main access road which is traversed by heavy-duty trucks going to and from the rice mills in the village, was paved and upgraded; however, a section that is closer to the backlands is yet to be re-surfaced.

Roberston added that the village has adequate drainage and along Branch Road, Mahaicony, they have a cluster of villages which includes, L’ Enterprise, Zeskendren, Hamlet/Chance, Perth, Fortitude, Spooner, Supply, Strath Campbell, Broomland, New Providence, Wash Clothes, Gordon Table, Mora Point, Felicity and Mortice, among others.

She noted that within that NDC they have recorded 1,500 residents, but along Branch Road, there are hundreds of villagers, especially in the more populated village of Perth.

The NDC tractor taking out refuse from the community

One of the few shops in the community

Grazing goats in Branch Road

A drainage canal

One of the many kokers in Branch Road, Mahaicony

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Taking care of the needs of families The Perth Union Burial Society

By Michel Outridge

THE Perth Union Burial Society is making a worthwhile contribution to its community. Recently, following a few deaths, the entity donated monies garnered for funeral services and it has also caused others to join, having seen the benefits.

“According to what I heard some years ago, they had a dead in the community and they couldn’t come up with the money to bury the dead and so the idea of the burial society was birthed,” Blue-Lovell said.

She related that after that the residents came together and established the Perth Union Burial Society after pooling their money under the stewardship of the late Stanley Griffith, the founding member.

Blue-Lovell added that residents can join, but a mother and child will get special privileges, especially if she is pregnant, because membership is from the womb to death.

To join one has to pay a fee of $2,500 and after that, they can pay a monthly fee of up to $1,000 and a card is given to record their contributions, which will be totalled at their death.

The Perth Dancehall building

Terrey Blue-Lovell, the collector for the Perth Union Burial Society (Carl Croker photos) The collector is Terrey Blue-Lovell for the Strath Campbell branch, who gave a brief history of its establishment many decades ago.

The wooden building that houses Perth Union Burial Society is said to also be one of the largest dancehalls in Region Five and is located at Perth Village, along Branch Road, Mahaicony.

Perth Nursery School She explained that half of that total will be handed over to the two beneficiaries and when the death certificate is produced, the balance will be given.

“Everything is done by the book and it is similar to that of penny banking and every contribution of members are recorded in the card that is given and the monies are kept until that member has passed away,” she said.

Blue-Lovell related that in the villages of Hamlet-Chance where she resides, there are a lot of elderly folk and they know of the benefits of the burial society and are making use of it.

She stated that every member has to appoint two beneficiaries to look after their interest when they pass on and annually, that is, the first Sunday in August they have a long-standing awards ceremony.

The NIS Office at Branch Road, Mahaicony

Blue-Lovell noted that some time ago, some members exited the burial society and after realising its benefits they re-joined and the organisation, which is managed by a board, is going strong and they have branches from Mahaica to Rosignol.

“Is my parents put me in this burial society and to date, I am still in it as the collector and I have been doing this for many years,” she said.

When asked about the Perth Dancehall, Blue-Lovell said that the place is controlled by the Perth Union Burial Society and it is rented to host activities such as weddings, parties, and dances.

She related that years ago they used to host the Farmers Dance there and the name left on the place as ‘dancehall;’ and often when events are held there, one has to pay a fee before entry.

“I came here and meet the building and name, but from what I heard the place got its name from the events that takes place there; a lot of dances like weddings and concerts and almost everyone used to go there,” she said.

The Adventists usually host their church services there; the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office is housed on the lower flat and the Ministry of Social Services would utilise the place to hand out new pension books, from time to time.

Blue-Lovell added that the Perth Nursery was once housed in the building, but after a new edifice was constructed opposite they relocated.

“I am a pensioner depending on my pension to support myself; I retired at age 60 and I will be 74 years old in December this year and still waiting to get my National Insurance Pension (NIS),” she said.

Blue-Lovell before retirement worked at the health centre as an attendant for almost 19 years.

Life is a breath of fresh air

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

XV

– For 99-year-old resident of Chance Village

By Michel Outridge

ONE of the friendliest persons you will meet when in Hamlet/Chance Village is Princess Morrison, who has the bubbly personality of a teenager.

The nonagenarian told the Pepperpot Magazine that being humble and earning honestly have been a way of life for her since she was a child.

When asked what the secret to her longevity is, she said, “The Lord wanted me to live so long; you know, I used to work very hard to bring up 11 children.

When my husband passed away they were still young and I work on farms with my

in which was renovated.

“I born and grow here in this same place and house, but the house was very small and old and we renovated it to this,” she said.

At her age, Princess is in charge of all her faculties and is aware of everything that goes on around her and is always up for a chat.

“I took pattern from my parents, the old-fashioned way and I made use of my hands to do things that I earned from; and for you to live a long life, you have to get yourself together and obey your parents to live a life pleasing to God,” she said.

Princess told the Pepperpot Magazine

The home of Princess Morrison bare hands.”

Today, she passes time by sitting by the front door peeping out at the main road, or she would venture out in the yard in her wheelchair to take some ‘fresh air.’

Princess said back in the days she used to cut rice, throw cast nets to catch fish and worked alongside men on the farm, so she is enjoying her golden days.

She resides with one of her daughters, Juliet Morrison, in the house she grew up

that she used to like going to church and went to Pilgrim Holiness Church for many years; and then she went to Strath Campbell Assembly of God Church, but these days she is immobile and doesn’t go out much, given her condition which confines her to a wheelchair.

“Some days I wake up and I see clearly and others I don’t see too well, so with that said I think my sight is going and my memory, because I don’t remember cer-

Princess Morrison and three of her daughters

The 99-year-old Princess Morrison displaying a portrait that was taken Sisters, Terrey Blue-Lovell and Juliet when she celebrated her 99th birth Morrison at Gibbons Avenue (Carl Croanniversary ker photos) tain things but I have lived a full life and about their presence, but it is Juliet Morfor that, I am content,” she said. rison who resides with her and takes care Princess related that to live that long of her. is quite something out of the ordinary, Juliet said she was a member of the but it can happen for a lot of people too if Guyana Police Force (GPF) before she rethey get the care and support from their tired and describes her life as very good. loved ones.

“Around here everybody does look When the Pepperpot Magazine met out for each other and I like the quietPrincess at her home, she had three of her ness and the breeze, where you have a daughters there and she was very pleased lot of space and things to do,” she said.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

‘Operation Christmas Child’

MISS West Indian-Canadian 2019 on her Guyanese roots and her hope to help underprivileged children

By Frederick Halley SEVERAL visits to Guyana have prompted recently crowned Miss West Indian-Canadian Pageant winner Emily Teresa Singh to make underprivileged kids there her platform.

In an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, the 19-year-old Singh whose parents are Guyanese, disclosed that when she was in Grade Eight in elementary school she started a foundation called “Operation Christmas Child.”

According to Singh, “I implemented it and we collected non-perishable foods, hygiene products and school supplies and sent them to Third World countries. However, the focus will now be on Guyana and that exercise

Emily Teresa Singh shortly after being crowned the 2019 Miss West Indian-Canadian Pageant winner

will commence from this year’s Christmas.”

Starting the historic 10th staging of the pageant as an underdog, Emily stunned her other contestants to capture the coveted title. “When I did my first interview with the organiser, Julie Rambali, I was very shy and nervous, even throughout the rehearsals. I think I have grown now as a person; I am a lot more confident now with who I am and how I can represent the West Indian community.

I think I have a good opportunity to do that and I think I am going to use it,” she said.

In 2017, Emily was among the dancers who performed at the pageant and according to her, “I thought it was very interesting. I didn’t think it was unfair in any way, so I decided to participate and get more involved in the community.”

About the pageant itself, Emily confided that despite being confident, “I realised it didn’t matter because any one of the girls could have made a good queen.

Of course, it’s nice to win. I was fairly confident because I knew I put in lots of hard work to get there.”

Still on “cloud nine” after her triumph, Emily said she was overwhelmed when the decision was announced.

“It still doesn’t feel real; it was surreal and I was very happy.”

Touching on the support she had before and after the pageant, Emily said it was huge. “First and foremost, my parents and sister were responsible for selecting the evening gown and the talent song. My dance teacher, who spent hours preparing me for my dance sequence and even the audience were very supportive.”

Emily also posited that the experience of participating in the pageant “was really good as before entering the contest, I didn’t think I was a pageant girl and didn’t see myself doing stuff like that, but having gone through it, I think I will encourage [others] to do the same, since it’s an amazing experience.

It’s not just about winning, but the experience gained has also strengthened my overall confidence.”

A second-year Ryerson University journalism student whose aim is to major in broadcasting and

Turn to page XVII►►►

Emily during the dance sequence

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

XVII

Would you try a vaginal steam?

Nickola Rowe says it works wonders!

By Telesha Ramnarine

NICKOLA Rowe can care less about what others say on the matter of steaming the vagina. All she knows is that it did an amazing job for her and resulted in tremendous health benefits, ending all of the woes that she had to deal with every month.

The 39-year-old especially loves to do things that she is passionate about, and is very much into nature, even planning a trip to India next year where she will be able to explore various herbs and spices that can be used in

vaginal steaming.

Vaginal steaming, sometimes shortened to V-steaming, is an alternative health treatment, popular in various countries, whereby a woman squats or sits over steaming water containing herbs such as mugwort, rosemary, wormwood, and basil.

Nickola had no idea what a vaginal steam was until she made a life-changing visit to friends and family in Suriname a year ago.

“I was in a village and going through a painful period at the time. The village mother, her English name being Patty, told me they

MISS West Indian-Canadian 2019 ... ◄◄◄ From page XVI

investigative journalism, Emily is also doing minors in Criminology and English. “So far, I have done some acting and have been dancing since I was five years old and also into arts and doing stuff like that.”

Emily disclosed that she enjoys the programme, which includes interviewing people on the streets and assignments whereby they write stories with seven-hour deadlines. “We also have to include quotes, video, audio and photos. I hope to go into broadcast journalism in the future, as well as doing my own freelance pieces that will shed light on issues that do not receive enough attention.

Eventually, I’d like to do documentaries as well, on these issues.”

Emily’s dream is to be a role model for younger girls. “I hope I am approachable enough to answer any questions. Being a teenager in this era of social media, especially in Canada, is not easy, but I completely understand this and hope to be a role model for younger girls.”

The Miss West Indian-Canadian Pageant is the brainchild of Guyana-born Julie Rambali, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the annual Wi Canadian Expo, Wi Can Dance Competition, the founder of Wi Canadian and event organiser of the successful Wi Canadian Expo established since 2007.

Julie has been proactively involved in the Caribbean cultural scene for many years and boasts that the Miss West Indian-Canadian Pageant is the most recognised pageant in the West Indian- Canadian community. “The possibilities this pageant brings with beautiful, talented, intelligent, and cultured women enhance the spirit of the community.”

The pageant features traditional and non-traditional designer bridal wear well co-ordinated with exotic embroidery and ethnic colours. The grand opening features choreographed dance by the pageant contestants, their talent, evening gown, questions and answers and crowning presentation, accompanied by Little Miss West Indian Canadians, hilarious comedians, dancers, singers, giveaways, great raffles, free samples, and much more Julie said this platform was created to promote the West Indian-Canadian culture and to provide the youths with a vision to be proud of for generations to come. “Everyone in the community gets involved to support this great initiative, which projects positive exposure for The Miss West Indian-Canadian Pageant.”

don’t get pains and the works because they take care of themselves by using herbs to prepare their bodies so that it is not susceptive to painful periods. In fact, she said that they welcome their periods,” Nickola recalled during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

This idea appealed to Nickola because she never liked using pills, owing to their side effects. “She told me there are herbs available that I can use and that I can steam my vagina. I didn’t understand what she meant, but she explained that it meant sitting over a pot of water with special herbs before and after the period and it cleans you out. It cleans the area so that the uterus can really work. Like any organ, the uterus needs help. Every month after a period, there’s like backed up blood and other stuff that are left in there, everything is not released.”

Patty, a traditional herbalist, gave Nickola a mixture containing various herbs to drink, and that eased all of her pain. “I felt good the next morning. She then set up a vaginal steam for me, picking specific herbs dealing with my condition. My pain was no longer painful, there was no bloating, and it helped with my mood swings as well. She also gave me another steam to regulate my

Nickola Rowe organs,” Nickola recalled.

She began to realise that no one should really have to endure painful periods, and that skipping periods and having lengthy ones are all abnormal. “I thought this was a very good thing to get into because it’s not only helpful to women but also educational, and it is something that women need.”

Nickola has since been in regular communication with the traditional herbalist in Suriname, a herbalist in Canada and a gynaecologist from India. “I wanted to be a little more out of the scene and into me. For that, sometimes you have to drop the earthly things and the

Nickola has a good stock of herbs at her recently opened spa.

earthly lifestyle and just go back to nature. I am now a herbal vaginal facilitator; not a herbalist as yet.

I still have a few more classes to go to. It’s a never-ending educational path, but I’ve started.”

‘DON’T TOUCH IT’ Gynaecologists, in general, argue that no one should clean their vagina in this manner.

“Most gynaecologists say don’t touch down there; it’s a self-cleaning oven. Yes, it cleans itself every month, but if you have hormonal imbalances, it cannot clean.

It’s like a sick liver that needs assistance. It needs assis-

tance like every other organ,” Nickola contends, adding, “A vaginal steam is not a cureall, but it’s an assistant. It helps to keep that area clean and functioning.”

According to her, the process to do a steam is very simple, however, it is recommended that persons wishing to do one visit someone who knows what they are doing because every herb has a specific purpose and benefit.

Nickola has just days ago opened her spa called “Sacred Flower Herbal Vaginal Steam” at Lot 6 ‘A’ Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt.

Her clients will be able to benefit from expert advice from her overseas contacts regarding what type of herbs should be used and so forth.

“It’s a passion for me, so I put myself on the line basically. I show you the herbs, show you the mixtures, it’s nothing hidden. It’s my passion, not just about a business; I want to help people,” Nickola expressed, adding, “My family and friends trust me with it, and I think the general public can trust me also.”

She warns though that persons who are trying to conceive, or who have an active infection should not do a vaginal steam. “We want to take everybody back to nature, but in a sophisticated, trendy and affordable way,” she said.

A vaginal steam involves sitting over steaming water containing herbs.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

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Essequibo women empowered during cooking classes

By Indrawattie Natram

FIFTEEN women living throughout the Pomeroon-Supenaam region are happy and satisfied at the recent Cookery classes they attended at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), a branch of the University of Guyana in Region Two. The women were provided with $10,000 grants, compliments of the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Department of Youth.

Many of them are already thinking of venturing into their own catering business, having gathered the essential skills in the Industry. Munirah Reedon, a teacher by profession, was part of the classes.

Reedon showered praises on the Government of Guyana for empowering the women in the region.

She said she learnt many things she didn’t know and plans to share her knowledge with other children and teachers.

Gail Wong, an employee attached to Lake Mainstay Kitchen, said the experience she gained is life-changing.

Wong said that she did not regret joining the classes and is excited to try out what she learnt; she is better equipped with knowledge in the setting of tables and the preparation of meals.

“I knew to cook, but I am happy that I will receive a certificate from the University of Guyana in this field. I know with this certificate I will be highly marketable in the tourism and hospitality sector,” Wong said.

Shunnell Mcintosh said that she was motivated to join the classes because of the valid certificate that is provided.

She is already in the catering business and said the certificate will boost her business. Mcintosh added that she is now better polished in the field of cooking.

Home Econom-

Women in the class held at IDCE Anna Regina; in photo also is Ms.Verna Younge

The three ladies (left to right) Munirah Reedon, Gail Wong and Shunnell Mcintosh

Women actively involved in the Cookery class

Meals being prepared by the women

ics Teacher Ms Verna Younge from Little Alliance village said she has been tutoring the ladies since September 30. She said the classes were a total of 40 hours and the ladies were given stipends to help offset their expenses. The vegetables and other ingredients used during the cooking classes were provided by the women.

They were taught catering which embodies planning and preparation of meals, nutrition, personal and kitchen hygiene, table settings, measurement, menu planning and temperature in cooking. The retired teacher said that she was happy to be part of the womens’ lives and commented that many of the ladies will be venturing in their own businesses. The course commenced on September 30 and concluded on October 1 and the women will be provided with a certificate in December at their graduation.

Culture and Youth Officer in Region Two, Herald Alves, said that the classes were part of the department’s Community Skills Development Programme and cater for persons, especially school dropouts. He said apart from the cookery classes, persons were educated in Social Work and cake decorations.

The finances provided by the ministry was to ensure that the participants carry through with the programme. Recently also, several persons benefitted from Spanish and floral arrangement classes in the Supenaam areas. The Department of Youth has also partnered with IPED in speaking with these persons and to assist them in setting up small businesses.

He said follow-ups will also be made with these persons in the future and whatever assistance can be given by the government same will be done. Forty-five persons have benefitted from the three skills training programmes thus far.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Leading the world in eco-tourism

A LOT is happening in Guyana! Education is on the rise; the Green State Development Strategy is in its implementation phase.

First oil is imminent and the Decade of Development is at hand. Guyana is the place to be, and the Government of Guyana is not the only organisation to recognise this.

This year alone, Destination Guyana has won six tourism awards, including ‘Best of Ecotourism’ and ‘Best in Sustainable Tourism.’ This edition of Government in Action features two organisations working hard to put Guyana on the map.

DESTINATION GUYANA Mr Brian Mullis, a California native, was hired as the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in 2018. His appointment was a key part of the government’s effort to restructure the GTA and more effectively promote Guyana as a viable tourist destination.

Mr Mullis explained the vision for the GTA. “The GTA has a number of responsibilities that fall under its portfolio. They include… marketing [and] being the voice of Destination Guyana in the global arena as well as domestically… Our vision at the Guyana Tourism Authority is to be recognised locally and internationally as a leading destination [which] is maximising the positive, social, economic, and conversation outcomes associated with tourism to benefit

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Mr Brian Mullis residents and provide an exceptional visitor experience… It’s a work in progress, [but] we have received a number of awards in 2019 alone that have opened the world’s eyes to Guyana as a leading sustainable destination,” the director said.

Wichabai Ranch, located three hours south of Lethem, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). (Photo courtesy of Visit Guyana)

One of Guyana’s best kept secrets, the Mahaica River. Along its banks one can observe deer, Jabiru Storks, and Guyana’s national bird, the Canje Pheasant. (Photo courtesy of Visit Guyana) Destination Guyana is currently number one in the world for Ecotourism and Destination Stewardship and also holds the top spot for Sustainable Tourism. Additionally, Guyana received silver-award recognition as the Best Sustainable Adventure Destination and was placed among the top 10 of the world’s sustainable destinations; Guyana has also won the award for best destination video.

Mr Mullis said this is due to the care given to Guyana’s natural patrimony.

“It just goes to show that Guyana’s legacy of protecting its rainforest, its Indigenous Peoples who have been stewards of those rainforests for millennia, and the long-standing sustainability agenda in the country has provided the foundation for us to build a strong and resilient tourism sector,” he said.

Mr Mullis added that Guyana’s distinct social, cultural, and natural environment is the nation’s greatest asset.

“There is nowhere else in the world that has 80 per cent plus virgin rainforest.

I understand from our friends at Iwokrama, [that] 87 per cent of our rainforest represents intact ecosystems. We have six peoples living in harmony… nine groups of Indigenous Peoples with their own unique, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, largely undevel-

Co-founder of Visit Guyana Mrs Stacey Dos Santos-Rahaman oped coasts, fairly unpopulated hinterland where there is an abundance of wildlife and birdlife… You can have an immersive experience with Indigenous Peoples without the

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

in the country.

The GTA has made significant strides during the past few years, but Mr Mullis says that there is still a long way to go.

“I do think that Guyana can become known as a thought leader in sustainable destination management and in development [of] community-led tourism… Communities leading, managing, and owning their own tourism enterprises and the entire communities benefiting, while, at the same time, creating pride in their cultural heritage, protection of their cultural heritage and protection of their natural heritage,” he said.

A collaborative effort, Mr Mullis explained, is the key to keeping Guyana on the map.

“While Guyana has been recognised as a leader in sustainability, I think that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. A lot of that recognition has stemmed from past efforts in community-led tourism… It’s been linked to the long-standing sustainability agenda, the current Green State Development Strategy as well as the Low Carbon Development Strategy, which shows that tourism is apolitical…

There’s a lot of room for improvement, not only what we’re doing within the government, but also in the tourism private sector and also

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within communities… What we’ve found is that by working together, that really is the key to unlocking the potential… We’re competing with every destination in the world… When we come together as a sector, as a whole, private, public, civil… then we can truly achieve the potential… I think people are already experiencing a number of benefits,” he said.

VISIT GUYANA Most Guyanese can attest to the beauty of Georgetown and the tourist hot spots near the capital city. Most Guyanese can also attest to hearing extremely negative stigma and grossly misguided perceptions of what life in Guyana is really like.

While studying abroad, Mrs Stacey Dos Santos-Rahaman created an online space that points people to all the beauty Guyana has to offer: a Facebook page called Visit Guyana.

Mrs Rahaman tells her story.

“The inspiration for Visit Guyana came about from a need to show people who are non-Guyanese, what Guyana is all about culturally… I was working outside of Guyana and my co-workers didn’t’ know a lot about the country. So, I wanted to create a Turn to page XXII ►►►

First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger walks along the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway. need for an interpreter or getting to go to a national icon like Kaieteur and pretty much have it to yourself or travel for multiple days and see… little to no sign of human life in certain parts of the country. These are worldclass experiences that can’t be found in many places on the planet. So, it does make Guyana a standout destination,” she said.

Expressing his own love for all that Guyana has to offer, Mr Mullis said he is fully committed to seeing Guyana marketed as a world-class destination.

“When the Guyana Tourism Authority opportunity became available, the board expressed its unanimous desire to bring me on board and invited my wife and I to come visit. Of course, we went to Kaieteur and got to… know Georgetown a bit and I could see immediately that it was a perfect fit for our family… That was a natural fit. Given how hospitable the people are, how wonderful the

food is, how great the nature, culture, and adventure [are], how can you not fall in love with Guyana? That really has made it easy for me to passionately be able to convey my love for the country in a way that’s compelling… for others… I think once Guyana gets in your heart, then it’s there for life,” he said.

Tourism Awareness Month, observed annually during the month of November, features a number of events. Arguably, the most popular, the Tourism Awards Ceremony, takes place in early December. At both Giftland Mall and MovieTowne, there will also be trade fairs, where attendees can learn about travel opportunities and new travel products. The calendar also features school talks, a scavenger hunt on Main Street and tourism events in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Online, the GTA has launched a ‘Why I love Guyana’ Video Campaign, whereby participants list their favourite spots

The tallest single-drop waterfall in the world, Kaieteur Falls. This breathtaking waterfall is a feature of the Potaro River, located in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight). (Photo courtesy of Visit Guyana)

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Part of the majestic Mazaruni mountain range is visible from Jawalla Village, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) ◄◄◄ From page XXI

single space that just had positive images about Guyana… I wanted to share with them a bit about all of our festivals, our cuisine, our peoples, the beauty of our flora and our fauna and that’s really what happened.

Within a week, the page got… 10,000 fans on it because… Guyanese wanted to see these images as well,” the co-founder of Visit Guyana said.

The Visit Guyana page now has over 200,000 fans and has a reach of about 1,000,000 people per month.

“It was really a demand by people for more content.

Everybody wanted more. As the years went by, the page got its own identity based on what our fans were requesting.

So, we bought our first camera, then we bought the second one, then we bought a drone… Really, we started to learn about our own country… we hadn’t ourselves, travelled around a lot. It was because of that page that we had to because in order to show authentic experiences, we had to experience it for ourselves,” she said.

Mrs Rahaman told us about her top three spots in Guyana.

“The top three places that I love in Guyana would be Kaieteur Falls, Orinduik Falls and I absolutely love the Rupununi as well… Orinduik is my favourite of the three…

It’s a really tranquil, beautiful place. It’s a true reflection of the beauty and simplicity and diversity of Guyana.

Kaieteur… There is no word to describe Kaieteur… It’s a feeling, not a word, I could use to describe… If you’re an adventure nature lover [and] love flora, fauna, and a lot of nature, Guyana is the number one eco-tourism destination in the world for 2019 and Rupununi is why we won that award. Rupununi is the reason we won it,” she said.

Mrs Rahaman said that one of Guyana’s best-kept secrets is the Mahaica River. There aren’t many settlements along the banks of the river, which makes the area ideal to see the Jabiru storks, deer, and Guyana’s national bird, the Canje Pheasant. The Essequibo Great Lakes, she said, holds beauty beyond description.

“There is a reason why Guyana has won six awards for eco-tourism and sustainable tourism for this year alone.

There is a reason why we were voted the best ecotourism destination in the world; it is because we are unique… We have something unique and… when somebody comes to me with something negative, I’m going to say… well you guys don’t have all these giants… You don’t have Kaieteur and Orinduik. So, we have to be proud of what we have.

We are good people. We are good neighbours to each other.

When the going gets tough, we’re there for each other and we have to be proud of that. We are Guyanese first and foremost,” she said.

The GTA continues its efforts to put Guyana on the map. Guyana’s standing as a world- class tourist destination can only improve as persons from around the world come for business and stay for beauty and adventure.

The world is only now becoming familiar with facts that Guyanese knew all along: Guyana is beautiful and her beauty is unmatched.

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40 environmental professionals benefit from EIA/ESIA training

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas – Guyana Country Office and the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment successfully executed a training workshop on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during November 5-8, 2019.

The workshop which was facilitated by two experts, Mr. Stephen Teeuwen and Mr. Peter Nelson from the Netherlands Commission on Environmental Assessment aimed at building capacity of environmental regulators to strengthen the administration and review of the EIA/ESIA. Approximately, forty (40) professionals, comprising of 35 EPA staff, along with representatives from the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) were beneficiaries of the training.

Important components covered during the training included: the value of EIA; importance and principles of EIA review; and formulating feedback and permit conditions, amongst others. The training exercise also saw the principles being applied to review some active

EIAs engaging the attention of the EPA. Further, the process facilitated review and strengthening of pertinent existing guidelines within the EPA for finalisation.

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) also referred to as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is the evaluation of the environmental and socio-economic impacts likely to raise from a major project. It is the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions are taken and commitments made.

(IAIA, 1999) What are some areas covered by an EIA? The EIA/ESIA should identify, describe, and evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the proposed project on the environment including: * Human beings; * Plants, animals, species, habitat; * Soil; * Water; * Air and climatic factors; * Material assets, cultural heritage, and the land scape; * Natural resources etc.

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STYLEMISSION STYLE MISSION is back. It is a fashion event that was created years ago to raise funds and awareness for a meaningful cause.

The Pegasus Hotel collaborated with my foundation to host this year’s event. Mr Montenegro, General Manager of the Pegasus Hotel and I spoke about this collaboration a few months ago, but because of my travel commitments, it is only now possible. The event will feature outfits from local designers and boutiques showcasing their new outfits for Christmas. Two of the

Caribbean’s top designers will also be showcasing at this event. One of the segments patrons look forward to with great anticipation is the section where well-known people in our society walk the runway for this cause.

You may even see some of your favourite politicians strutting down the catwalk. We decided that we will give the proceeds to the victims who came back from The Bahamas to Guyana because of the hurricane.

I contacted the Ministry of Social Protection for some recommendations regarding persons who can

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

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

benefit; they recommended that I contact Mr Kester Craig who was dealing directly with them. I did and he informed me that all fund-raising activities pertaining to Hurricane Dorian have been closed and did not give any contact info for the victims. Maybe things are different with the Guyanese who returned because when disasters such as these happen, people are in need of assistance for a while. It also could be that sometimes people who have a comfortable lifestyle don’t care much about the ones that are in need; there is always a solution to any situation.

I am in constant contact with Will Pluck who is a prominent Guyanese living in The Bahamas and one of the co-authors in the upcoming Men Across Borders Anthology. When this disaster struck The Bahamas a few months ago, Will sent me constant updates because he was involved not only with the Guyanese but also the wider Caribbean, especially the Haitians. According to reports, conditions are still horrible and we will be diverting the funds to the Haitians and Guyanese communities in The Bahamas. We are looking forward to your support by purchasing a ticket from the Pegasus or Oasis for STYLE MISSION. Remember style has no soul if there is no mission.

We are on the topic of mission and I have to mention an event I attended recently that impressed me. Pancreatic Cancer is highlighted in the month of November and Evelyn Herbert De Freitas hosted a brunch to raise funds and awareness. She was motivated because her husband is one of the fortunate persons that survived Pancreatic Cancer for four years. She also launched the Tough Cookie Club of which I am a member, to provide support. “The Tough Cookie Club that was launched at the Brunch held on November 3 is expected to be a beacon of hope for survivors to let them know that there is hope after diagnosis. We intend to make this event annual and we need the support,” said Evelyn Herbert De Freitas. Norbert De Freitas gave his testimony on why he thinks he survived this form of cancer that is considered very aggressive. Dr Sayan from the Cancer Institute of Guyana (CIG) shared some valuable info regarding this form of cancer.

The money raised from this event was donated to the Cancer Institute of Guyana.

I must commend Evelyn for this initiative because not a lot of focus, awareness and support exist in Guyana for Pancreatic Cancer. Many around Turn to page XXV ►►►

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STYLE ... ◄◄◄ From page XXIV

the world are affected and some are famous such as Alex Trebek, who is one of my favourite game show hosts.

The late Prime Minister of Barbados David Thompson succumbed to this dreaded disease. Some other famous people were celebrated: English actor John Hunt, known for his roles in the Harry Potter; Pavarotti, one of the world’s greatest opera singers; actor Patrick Swayze, Dirty Dancing; and Michael Landon, Little House On the Prairie. The larger-than-life CEO of Apple, the late Steve Jobs and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin were both diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in the pancreas. These days it seems as if one in four deaths of people I know are related to some form of cancer and this is frightening.

I was chatting with some of the breast cancer survivors who attended the event and the stories made me emotional. I also admire the faith, optimism and resilience displayed by these ladies. I heard this beautiful voice coming from behind me as I was waiting at the gate at the Georgetown Club. One of the survivors was singing a gospel song on what God has done for her; sometimes we take many things for granted until we have survived a tragedy. Let’s continue to put our health first because even if we have everything else it will not matter.

I am trying to practise what I preach regarding my health as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

40 environmental . . ◄◄◄ From page XXIII

An important component of the EIA is an outline of the main alternatives studied by the developer and an indication of the main reasons for his/her choice, taking into account the environmental factors.

Some projects requiring EIA * Construction of roads, harbours and airfields. * Installation for the treatment of wastewater, industrial or domestic waste. * Importation of any waste matter whether hazardous or not. * The release, use or keeping of any genetically modified organisms * The harvesting and utilisation of forest resources * The extraction and conversion of mineral resources Decision to issue Environmental Permit A decision by the Agency to issue an Environmental Permit for a project shall be subjected to conditions which are reasonably necessary to protect human health and the environment and each environmental permit shall contain specific terms and conditions.

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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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

On Loving Bad Boys and Ocean Vuong’s ‘Trevor’ BAD boys in film and literature have the reputation of being daredevils, rebels against societal restrictions and other social and moral codes who, more often than not, end up becoming involved with someone who is their exact opposite – someone soft-spoken who loves books and sunsets, someone

who sticks to all the rules, but enjoys the temptation of breaking them, of embracing the forbidden that is represented by the bad boy. Of course, this is a trope that is best explored in Lana Del Rey songs and a host of so-so Young Adult novels.

It is not exactly what you would call

Ocean Vuong, poet and winner of a Forward Prize for Poetry, a Whiting Award for Poetry, and a T.S. Eliot Prize. Image source: Wikipedia. rare – but it is somewhat uncommon – to see the bad boy trope represented in a genre that is as refined and abstract as poetry, and yet, last week, I uncovered a gem of a poem in the form of Ocean Vuong’s “Trevor” – on Buzzfeed of all places. This was a particularly interesting

find because Buzzfeed is not where one would necessarily go for high literature, especially poetry written by a T.S. Eliot Prize winner (Vuong is one of two writers to ever win the prize for a debut collection), but there was the poem, chronicling the love story of two unlikely men, a starcrossed love poem, for sure, wrapped in beautiful imagery and sadness and waiting for readers.

“Trevor rusted pick-up and no license. / Trevor 15; blue jeans streaked with deer blood. / Trevor too fast & not enough.”

The opening lines of the poem introduce quick pacing that conveys both the rushed experience of the relationship, the blur of the speaker’s time with Trevor, as well as the urgency and intensity of love itself. Importantly, the lines immediately transmit Trevor’s bad boy energy through the fact that he drives without a license, and also by associating him with (deer’s) blood. Throughout the poem, this kind of imagery is laced through, but it is often intermixed with images of a softer, more delicate version of Trevor. For example, Vuong also writes of, “Trevor lying shirtless on the barn rafters.

Trevor wearing the WWII Army helmet he bought for $7 in Wethersfield. / Trevor on his back with his dead mother’s radio to his ear, listening, listening. / …Trevor so still you had to Turn to page XXVII ►►►

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On Loving Bad Boys ... ◄◄◄ From page XXVI

run a finger across his cheek, to make sure. / & he twitches…” Trevor’s beauty, one aspect of his appeal, is conveyed in such imagery.

The juxtaposition of the two different functions of the same devices throughout the poem indicates that the speaker is aware of why he finds Trevor attractive, as well as why it might not be such a good idea to be with Trevor. Of course, the speaker does not owe us any explanations for his choices, and yet, Vuong ensures that we are offered one, of sorts, which ultimately makes us consider the importance of Trevor and, perhaps, all bad boys in literature.

The speaker seems hesitant with regards to seeing the worth within himself. Early in the poem, referring to himself in the second person, he says that Trevor was someone “Who snuck out to meet a boy like you.

Yellow & nearly nothing.” Later, the speaker goes on to say, “His tongue in your throat, Trevor speaks for you. He speaks and you flicker, a flashlight going out in his hands so he knocks you in the head to keep the bright on. He turns you this way & that to find his path through the dark woods.” These lines convey the idea of the speaker not thinking very highly of himself, specifically since he refers to himself as “yellow,” which is the racial slur usually hurled at people of Asian descent, and the fact that he thinks of himself as “nearly nothing.” The speaker seems to react, to develop, or to improve because of Trevor. He “flickers,” meaning he might have been finding his way out of the darkness of his world, he might have been coming back to life, and finding his (inner) light because of Trevor – and vice versa. This presents the importance of the bad boy figure in literature or at least one version of it. This character attracts our speakers and protagonists because the ‘bad boy,’ this person who rebels against society, the same society that the speakers/protagonists usually try to conform to, might actually also represent the finding of one’s true self – the true inner self that is tied down and restricted by societal rules, norms and expectations.

Who better to unleash the version of the individual that has been bogged down by restrictions imposed by society than the ultimate rebel against society, the bad boy? Indeed, in the case of this poem, homophobia, both internalised and manifested outwardly by others are examples of people falling prey to expectations on what love should look like.

Of course, as we know, society is not some pushover that will allow people to be their true selves, and although there are times when the bad boy is able to live a happy life with the man or woman that he has plucked from the trappings of a corporate life, religion, or capitalism, there are often times when the relationship is doomed to fail. In this particular poem, for example, one does get the impression that there is a certain doom that is awaiting the speaker and Trevor.

It is possible to feel the gloom in the first reading of the poem. The omens, in gunshots (“Trevor loading the shotgun two red shells at a time”), mortality (“Trevor pointing at the one-winged starling spinning in dirt…”), and abuse (“Trevor who was running from home… Eye a burst plum from his daddy’s one-arm-lost-in-the-war haymaker”) litter the poem, and like the speaker’s love for Trevor, becomes ultimately too difficult for the reader to not be able to observe it.

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SQUATTING

A MALADY TO BE ERADICATED

FROM time to time we will revisit the issue of squatting on both state and private land since it is one of the scourges of Guyanese society.

Squatting during colonial times was not a widespread practice.

It only became common during the racio-political disturbances of the 1960s when persons of minority racial groups in the various villages felt very insecure and moved to nearby villages where their group predominated. These “refugees” settled on the outskirts of the various villages to which they relocated forming what came to be known as “squatting areas” or “squatter settlements”. This development of squatter settlements occurred mostly in the county of Demerara and especially on the East Coast and West Coast. In Berbice and Essequibo there was comparatively very little movement of people between the villages.

In the 1960s, unfortunately, the main political parties were sucked into this squatting embroglio with negative results: Squatters began to feel that squatting had some legality and became violent when the landowners - whether state or private persons- required them to remove. With the passing of time, the political parties themselves realised that they had become hostages of the squatters who would threaten to withdraw their support except the political parties took their side in disputes. This caused the political parties to alienate some of their support and to appear as upholders of lawlessness.

There are other serious negative results of squatting. From about the 1970s squatting became a business activity. Families and close friends would invade private and even state lands and demarcate parcels among themselves. They often never lived on the land they demarcated but “sold” it to others.

Sometimes they would have built shacks or small houses which they would rent out.

In these squatting areas, they invariably stole electricity and water on a large scale and built structures in contravention of the building laws creating sanitary and drainage problems causing flooding and waterlogging providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes and disease. Squatting areas are known breeding grounds for criminals who prey upon society.

The children who live in squatting areas attend school very irregularly and drop out much before they reach the sixth grade thus increasing Turn to page XXIX ►►►

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A MALADY TO BE ... â—„â—„â—„ From page XXVIII

the ranks of the unemployed.

Recently, we had the opportunity of visiting a squatting area on the East Bank Demerara near the village of Land of Canaan and the squatters were true to form - they stole electricity and water, built structures in contravention of the building laws and in some cases rented out the structures they had built. One of them owned a brick factory at Timheri and drove an expensive car. They lobbied political parties to bring pressure on the owners not to take legal action on them and were able to dupe a social media operator that they poor people who were in need and for whom the Government must provide accommodation.

In Guyana, a country with so much land and so small a population and with a State that liberally grants leases for land, there should be no squatting.

Squatting could be brought under control and minimised if the following actions are taken: The Ministry of Housing and the Lands and Surveys Commission should carry out education programmes from time to time discouraging squatting. The Police must readily answer calls to visit squatting areas since these areas could sometimes be on the verge of violence.

The main political parties should agree among themselves not to entertain demands by squatters that they intrude themselves into squatting disputes and to let this be publicly known. This would prevent political parties from being held hostage by squatters threatening that they would withdraw their support. The Private Sector could help to bring the Political Parties together on this issue.

The Laws affecting squatting and prescriptive rights need to be revised and strengthened. Some years ago, the State had protected itself by legislating that no state land could be prescribed upon but omitted to extend any protection to private landowners. This omission needs to be urgently rectified.

The present rule for obtaining prescriptive title on private land is 12 years of undisturbed occupation; before that, it was 33 years. This 12-year rule was adopted from English legislation and proved quite inappropriate for Guyanese social conditions for the following reasons: first, the 12-year rule was appropriate for a highly urbanised society like England but not for a still rural society like Guyana; and secondly, in the last 25 years, Guyana has experienced one of the highest emigration rates in the world whereby more than half of the population of the country emigrated. In this emigration, people left their property in the care of family or friends who may have themselves emigrated or died or become incapacitated. Greedy persons, knowing of the situation, would have claimed prescriptive title. When the owners returned, they were shocked to see others in possession of their property though they would have been paying the taxes and rates. The 12-year rule should be immediately replaced by the former 33-year rule, or better still extend it to a 50-year rule.

Consideration should be given to making certain types of frivolous or dishonest or violent prescriptive claims be placed under the Criminal Law and the penalties should be strengthened.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

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English

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STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, YOU can set yourself a daily target of revision hours.

Choose maybe four hours a day. You can make a chart marked off in quarter hour units with your favourite colours, to show your effective and concentrated use of time as an alternative to using a large scale or weekly

revision timetable. Use this chart idea alone or with another chart where you mark off topics you have revised.

Think about your bright future.

Love you.

THE PASSAGE The showground was beginning to fill up, and the women helpers kept bumping into you with their big umbrellas, their baskets, and

their babies.

You had frequently to be getting out of the way of a long row of peasant girls, maidservants in blue stockings and flat shoes, with silver rings on their fingers,

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

WRITING IMROVEMENT A. Writing sentences: a reminder Every now and then it is necessary that you be reminded to check the word groups you use for sentences; to remind you that to know rules without careful practice is tantamount to crass carelessness. Let your eye and mind see what you are writing: see content and structure as you scurry through your daily various writings. Conscious practice makes perfection come sooner.

Look at these few reminders: a) A brightly coloured toy can delight the mind of a little boy. (Sentence) b) In the business of getting a quick box of money. (Non-sentence) c) Scores have protested their displacement by the biscuit factory modernisations.

(Sentence) d) Swinging from the ceiling. (Non-sentence) Authorities have described a sentence thus: 1) A sentence is a group of words that gives a complete thought.

2) A good sentence should say what it intends to say in clear and effective language.

What to Do Combine each cluster of numbered items into one or more sentences.

1. a) Steel band music surged through the hall. b) Steel band music vibrated through the hall. c) It drew in the listeners.

2. a) The listeners betrayed concentration. b) Their faces were tight-lipped. c) Their heads bobbed. d) Their heads dipped. e) Their arms hung loose.

B. Writing stories: a reminder.

1. Let the next story you write be an improvement upon your old ones. Below are some writing techniques we’ve been suggesting over the months: i) Use a deliberate choice of narrator’s point of view (first-person “I” narrator, third-person narrator).

Generally, the first-person narrated story has a point of view where the story is told by one character (often the protagonist) recognised by the use of the first-person pronoun “I”. There is also the use of pronoun “we” to represent a group of persons telling the story.

Generally, the third-person narrated story is one in which someone, who isn’t directly involved in the story action, tells the reader what is going on without using “I”, “we”, “me”, “us”. Third-person pronouns used in such narrations are he, him; she, her; it; they, them; and others according to the dictates of grammar. The third-person character is typically a main character. ii) Use effective mechanisms to enable visualizing of areas in the story’s location and action, and characteristics of persons. iii) Arm yourself with a cache of striking details from which you incorporate in your story. iv) Use your kind of energetic verbs.

Friendship should be more than biting Time can sever.

T.S.ELIOT (1888-1965)

v) Write a first draft (if you are still at that level), and finally revise your paragraphs if there is the need.

2. Look at your strategy of combining sentences. How does it help your style? Do you know your style of writing? Whatever your style, it can be helped by what is listed below: i) Combining short sentences into more complex and suitable sentences (this depends upon the effect you want), ii) Expressing ideas with more precision and clarity, iii) Knowing when shorter sentences are better (You may have preference for a string of short sentences to express a tight series of actions, etc.), iv) Deleting repeated words, v) Rearranging words for better effect; and vi) Changing the form of words.

WHAT TO DO Continue reading good books and keeping your eyes open to the way good writers structure their paragraphs. Look carefully at how they coin their sentences to hang them together. Here is an example of a well-written piece.

The violent explosion, which made Mrs. Dalloway jump and Miss Pym go to her window and apologise, came from a car that had drawn up to the side of the pavement precisely opposite Mulberry’s shop window.

Passers-by, who, of course, stopped and stared, had just time to see a face of the very gravest importance against the dove-grey upholstery, before a male hand drew the blind and there was nothing to be seen except a square of dove-grey.

Yet rumours were at once in circulation from the middle of Bond Street to Oxford Street on one side, to Atkinson’s scent shop on the other, passing invisibly, inaudibly, like a cloud, swift, veil-like upon hills, falling indeed with something of a cloud’s sudden sobriety and stillness upon faces which a second before had been utterly disorderly.

By now mystery had brushed them with her wings; they had heard the voice of authority; the spirit of religion was abroad with her eyes bandaged tight and her lips gaping wide.

But nobody knew whose face had been seen. Was it the Prince of Wales’s, the Queen’s, the Prime Minister’s? Whose face was it? Nobody knew. (Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”) SOMETHING TO DO Have a study partner or two alongside you as you read the passage again for the following observation exercises: a) Underline some good descriptive words, phrases, sentences; discuss how they together enhance the writer’s storytelling. b) Discuss broadly how trite descriptions of your own writing can be improved.

If possible, use a recent attempt which you might have admired, but now see that it can be further improved.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 17, 2019

BUTTERFLAP Ingredients

1 tbsp dry active yeast ¼ cup sugar 1 1/3 cup warm water 4 cups all purpose flour ¼ tsp salt 4 tbsp butter, melted and cooled 6-7 tbsp softened butter Powered by Chicory

Instructions IN a bowl add warm water, sugar and yeast and stir to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes until the yeast become foamy.

Mix flour and salt in a bowl.

Add flour, salt and melted butter to the yeast mix and mix to form a dough. Knead dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and no longer sticky. This can be done in a mixer using a hook attachment.

Form dough into a ball and place in large bowl and cover loosely with cling wrap. Place in a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Punch down dough and turn out onto the counter. Knead for about 30 seconds then cut into 12 equal pieces.

Form each dough into a ball then roll to form a circle.

Spread about ½ tsp softened butter on the dough, but not on the edges. Fold in half then spread with butter, then fold in half again for form a rectangle. See above video for technique.

Gently press the edges together then place on an ungreased baking sheet pan.

Repeat and place all the butterflap on the pan about 2 inches apart.

Cover loosely with cling wrap in a warm place and allow to rise, about 30 minutes.

Remove cling wrap then place in an oven preheated to 375 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter.

Serve warm. jehancancook.com

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