Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot Epaper 3-3-2019

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Sweet, Sweet Mashramani Engrossed in the sweet, sweet music that serenaded the patrons on February 23 as Guyana observed its 49th Republic Anniversary, this young woman showcases Guyana’s Indigenous culture in a costume decked in the colours of our Golden Arrowhead. (Delano Williams photo)

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

AKWAABA to Ghana in this the ‘Year of Return’

By Francis Quamina Farrier ON Wednesday, March 6, 2019, the Republic of Ghana will be celebrating its 62nd Independence anniversary; not really a special number, but nonetheless, for that West African country, it is a special year - the Year of Return - as they extend a joyous “AKWAABA”(WELCOME) to one and all. During my most recent visit to Ghana, (September/October 2018), President Nana Kafu-Addo announced 2019 as “ the Year of Return “, opening the tourism door wide to all who are desirous of visiting Ghana, as it emerges from a very troubled past to a glorious future.

Since that “Year of Return” announcement by the Ghanaian President, there have been a number of African American Celebrities - Super Model Naomi Campbell included - who have already visited Ghana where they received a warm Presidential AKWAABA .

On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, Guyanese international Superstar, Eddy Grant, of Plaisance East Coast Demerara, will be celebrating his 71st birthday, and maybe he’ll be singing one of his very popular compositions, “Hello Africa”, to Ghana, a country where he is well-known and well-loved. And who knows, Eddy Grant may even be one of the international celebrities who will also visit

Ghana this year.

In this the “Year of Return”, tourists to Ghana will experience the warmth of the Ghanaian people who are very welcoming to visitors, who go to their 95,000 square mile country which has a growing population of approximately 27 million; a country which has experienced periods of serious political unrest and turmoil, coups and counter-coups

in the past. But through it all, Ghana has now reached a point in its history when it has some clearly defined national objectives; among them, to make the country among the most peaceful in Africa; to ensure that education is available for all young people, and to root out corruption wherever it is identified.

More recently, Ghana has even taken a In 1986, Guyanese International Superstar, Eddy Grant sings, “Hello Africa”. Eddy celebrates his 71st birthday on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Happy Birthday, Eddy

October 3, 2018. Farrier is pictured in the Ashanti city of Kumasi in Ghana, outside the residence of an Ashanti King, who is one of the richest men in Ghana/Africa.

campaign against noise nuisance, including to those churches which conduct their services with Public Address (P.A) systems which take the preaching and singing literally to high heaven, causing inconvenience to others who worship their creator in more quiet tones. At this time, it is appropriate for me to mention that the two principal religions, the Christians and Muslims, coexist peacefully in Ghana. While in the city of Tamale, I observed a group of Muslims attending the funeral of a retired medical worker in a Catholic church. When I asked how that was so, I was informed that the deceased, during her working life, had given medical attention to fellow Christians as well as Muslims, and so, that was the reason why there were Muslims attending her funeral at a Catholic church.

There are a number of countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Ghana; one is sister CARICOM nation Trinidad and Tobago. That is so ironic since Guyana-born Konyo Addo who is the daughter of a Ghanaian father, (and all Guyanese), needed a visa to visit the homeland of her father. Konyo Addo, who is not sure whether she is a cousin of the Ghanaian President, has visited Ghana twice so far, and plans to visit during this “Year of Return”. On my own visits to Ghana, I applied successfully for One-Visit Visas which cost US$60. A Multiple-visit one-year visa cost US$100. Guyana and Ghana recently held talks about air links between the two Commonwealth member nations. It will be recalled that over a decade ago, the now defunct Universal Airlines made a return flight from Guyana to Ghana. It was a special flight which included an in-flight fashion show with attractive Ghanaian models displaying some very attractive Ghanaian designs.

During the past decade, even with a change of governments as a result of peaceful general elections, Ghana has had lots of developments including, hundreds of miles of previous dirt roads, asphalted. These highways go deep into the hinterland of

the country, and make it much easier for Ghanaians and tourists alike, to travel from the capital ACCRA and other coastal cities, and see the hinterland and cities and towns and villages, much quicker and in comfort.

Some of these highways link Ghana with its neighbours Burkina Faso, Togo and the Ivory Coast. I am one of the thousands of visitors, as well as the Ghanaians themselves, who have benefitted from that upgrading of dirt roads, into well-paved highways across valleys and over hills and mountains - also across bridges which span rivers, linking cities and towns and villages within the 95,000 square mile West African Republic.

Wherever one goes in Ghana, one sees giant billboards on which are images of family groups promoting various goods and services; seemingly subtle messages about the benefits of good family life. “Ghana has a very high appreciation for family life,” said Guyanese Lawrence Lachmansingh, who spent three years with his own family, while on a tour of duty with the UNDP there. “Ghana will always be a special place for my family. We particularly loved the people and culture,” Lachmansingh told me.

“With the UN, I learned so much from Ghana about the art of living peacefully together.” While in Ghana, Lachmansingh was with his family one day relaxing on a river bank. A few Ghanaian young men were playing around in the water when one got into trouble. The others were unable to go and rescue him since none of them were swimmers.

Lachmansingh went after the drowning young man and pulled him to safety.

“Ghana welcomes all Africans in the Diaspora to trace their ancestral footprints to the Motherland,” says my Ghanaian friend and Tour Guide, Adam Yussif. “I invite all Guyanese to visit. I also wish that the Independence Day of Ghana be celebrated as well in Guyana to show some love for Ghana,” he concluded. However, what is hardly known in Ghana, is that Ghana Day is celebrated at the time of Ghana’s Independence Anniversary.

Buxton-born CEO and President of Federal Management Systems, Inc., Aubrey Stephenson, AA, has had a long-standing association with a religious group in Ghana, to which he has been rendering financial assistance for many years. And while there are many Ghanaians who do not know of the existence of Guyana, there is a growing number who are now becoming aware of the only English-speaking country in South America, where some of their ancestors were taken through “the door of no return”, into an existence of slavery. In this year, 2019, many of their descendants will arrive in the Republic of Ghana, through “The door of return”, so to speak, in this the “Year of Return”.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

III

Abuse of the elderly a worry for healthcare professionals

Dr. Victor Allen

By Telesha Ramnarine ABUSE of the elderly has become much more of a problem than it was just a few years ago, and authorities are concerned that the general public, including caregivers, are not aware that what they’re doing to the elderly actually constitutes abuse.

While it is true that some elderly persons are being physically assaulted, abuse covers a number of other things, healthcare professionals have explained.

Three of them, from the Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation Department, based in the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, reached out to this publication in their bid to shed light on this heart wrenching issue that they feel ought to be dealt with immediately.

Director of the department, Barbara Butts-Lawrence, sat down a few weeks ago with her staff to discuss the general operations of their clinic, when the issue of elder abuse was raised by Dr. Victor Allen, who works along with patients at the Palms each week.

The patients would never come forward to relate their horror stories because they fear

Rehabilitation Department Director Barbara Butts Lawrence

incurring the wrath of their relatives, and moreover, depend on these very persons to fill their every need in some cases. “Oftentimes, the person who cares for them is standing right here so they are unable to express themselves,” Lawrence said during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Another reason these persons hold back from opening up about their abuse is that they fear the overseers may get the police involved; and once this happens, it becomes harder on the patients in that their relatives become even more aggressive towards them.

But being trained in the medical field, and hence knowing what to look for in these patients, have helped the doctors gain a greater insight into the lives of these elderly persons who are being abused.

UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS It has been found that some caregivers expect their loved ones to do certain things that they simply cannot do. Something seemingly simple as to lift a hand, or to visit the washroom alone, may be the hardest thing for an elderly

Physiotherapist Simone Seckle

person to do.

The caregivers oftentimes hastily conclude that the elderly person is either lazy or just not trying hard enough. “Some caregivers have unrealistic expectations and that’s where the abuse comes in, because they want them to walk or lift this hand and the patient just cannot do it,” Lawrence pointed out.

At times, the relatives or caregivers may force the elderly person to stand, reasoning that they are helping them to become independent sooner. “But that person may fall and hurt themselves. We see the black and blue marks on them and wonder why they are falling repeatedly, but we realise they are being forced to stand or go to the bathroom alone.”

Lawrence further informed that apart from the physical and psychological abuse being meted out to the elderly, there is also the financial aspect of the abuse. “A lot of these

relatives focus on economics and a lot of them come just because they get the pension; that’s what brings them.”

While Lawrence and her team have even heard that the abuse can be sexual in nature due to the elderly being incapacitated, other reports have surfaced on how some relatives cause the death of the elderly person on purpose. “Sometimes they deliberately attempt to treat them in ways that would hasten their death,” she said.

Adding her bit as to what constitutes abuse, Physiotherapist Simone Seckle observed that it is sad that some relatives and caregivers do not know that the manner in which they’re treating their relative amounts to abuse. “They are thinking that they are pushing the relative to get better; they just want the person to become independent, but this may not always be easy on the patient because when the brain is damaged…because of age and the severity of the damage, you wouldn’t achieve that full independence.”

Because caregivers have their own lives to look after and may also be parents caring for young children, dealing with a sick elderly person can add severe burden to them, and that may be one reason they push them to gain independence sooner. “Keeping an elderly person in pampers that are wet and soiled is elderly abuse; over medicating them because they want to sedate them is elderly abuse; under medicating them because they want to control their chronic diseases; pulling, tugging, tying them up, restricting them are all forms of abuse,” Seckle informed.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Tempus fugit (time flies)

Guyanese feel the great ‘unity spirit’ at mash

By M Margaret Burke “THE future for Guyana rests with the people of Guyana – we have to work as a team to make this happen and we have to avoid everything and everyone that can turn out to be destructive and divisive for Guyana; this is Guyana and it is for all Guyanese,” were the words of advice being offered by Dr. Ed Yansem, adding, that it should be a clear and consistent message that he feels the government should find a way to promote daily. Dr. Yansem was one of the celebrators in a large group of Guyanese from the Diaspora on Mashramani day.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he keeps coming back to Guyana for Mashramani after being abroad for many years.

He said that this is one time that he has seen such social unity, “where there is no division between groups… it is probably one of those things in Guyana where you distinctly see social

cohesion and we need to figure a way to build on this; not to make it a ceremony, but to use it as a way to promote the fact that we are one people and we need to look at a common future and work together to make it happen,” he stated.

Dr. Yansem said that he loves Guyana and sees the place as a paradise, but that the sad part of it is that many Guyanese do not realise it. He said that there are people who are dying to come here and enjoy what Guyana has to offer but suggested that this has to be promoted.

According to Dr. Yansem, Guyana currently possesses an opportunity of a lifetime to change the country for generations to come… “We have to seize the moment, we can’t let it go,” he offered, noting that there are many great things about Guyana – its sunshine; freshness of foods and the lack of many natural disasters.

This, he posited, is an opportunity in a lifetime to change this country to a direction that for generations will never be the same and reminded of one of his great teachers who always said: tempus fugit – time flies.

GRAND COMING TOGETHER Guyanese living mostly in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America came together for a planned time of enjoyment for

Glennena Bowlin

the recently held Mashramani celebrations. They all met at what they termed ‘the regular place’ in Georgetown, to shake themselves, do some relaxing, eating, drinking and being merry.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 music to be played at such a national event. “I have no problem with other music being played,” he said, but he felt that much more emphasis ought to be placed on “our own music of such great calibre.”

He now resides in Guyana but has lived overseas for over 50 years, and says that he has no regrets coming back to his homeland.

◄◄◄ From page IV

Sam Carter

Clive and Vanessa Sampson told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have felt a commitment to spend Mashramani as a family, but also with their very close friends, whom they also see as extended family. They noted that this 2019 Mashramani they have enjoyed one of the largest groups of friends – most of whom were from overseas.

Sampson said that soon after re-migrating to Guyana after living overseas for 45 years, he and his wife have been making it their duty every year to ensure that their two young sons, who are now 14 and 12 years old, truly enjoy Mashramani.

“Because we have been out here for such a long time – since our children were in pampers; now these children are inviting their friends and their friends’ family too, so it is really nice and it is making the crowd of friends and family

Clive and Vanessa Sampson and their two sons

much larger… I always want to teach our children to appreciate other people; to appreciate other people’s culture; not to shun other people but to respect them,” added Vanessa.

A WARM ATMOSPHERE “I think that this is so warm; the only thing is that I felt that they should have much more external public toilets around so that people can access them; another thing I feel is that they should cut out a lot of the ‘side music’ because it is preventing us from enjoying a lot of the music that is coming from the parade as they pass. The music should not be allowed to be along the route as the bands are passing – it does not make sense; the band alone should be taking the parade, since many times we aren’t able to hear what the band is playing and if there is a message to it,” Clive suggested.

He noted that the Police Force should be really complemented for the “fantastic job” they did at the event this year, adding, that he had never seen it like this before and that he was really happy with the way they worked.

ATMOSPHERE OF JOLLIFICATION Sam Carter, another member of the group said that his expectation was that a whole lot more Guyanese music – especially steelpan music, would have been played on the streets of Georgetown for the people to mash. He added that he went to some of the local Mash competitions this year, and having gone there and heard the steel orchestra and listened to the various Calypso and Soca at the other competitions, he could not understand why much more of that music was not played for the Mashramani.

He expressed disappointment to the fact that since Guyana possess such “excellent steel orchestra players and good music” yet the country would still allow so much of other

GRAND COMING TOGETHER Carter went on to say that while most of the friends gathered to celebrate Mashramani 2019 are Guyanese, many of them lived overseas for many years and have now decided to return home, while some are still living abroad, but look forward to spending time together.

His wife, Gwenette Carter, said that they are comfortable being back home in Guyana. “We do our own kitchen garden and everything is self-sufficient. I plant my own greens; I hardly ever go to the market – I pick all my vegetables from my back yard and generally I am absolutely happy to be back home after spending about 50 years overseas.”

GUYANA, A PARADISE Leon Bowlin and his wife Glennena , who are also re-migrants, similarly stated how happy they were to be celebrating Mashramani 2019 here in Guyana, also saying that Guyana is a paradise,

V Leon added, “My feeling is that with all of the challenges that we have, it is still a beautiful place to live… Yes, there are some difficulties, especially after living in the US and being accustomed to doing things in a certain way, so that you are back home now and have to adjust, if not’ you can get very frustrated.” He said that tardiness was one of the major issues he has found in Guyana and that he had to learn to overcome it.(mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

Gwenette Carter

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

A focus on regional radio stations

By Gibron Rahim IT IS said that the name “Mashramani” is derived from a Lokono word meaning “celebration after cooperative work”. It is a suitable name for a celebration that commemorates our country’s republic anniversary. At the same time, we cannot help but remember the Lokono and other Indigenous Peoples who are an essential part of the fabric of Guyana. Their languages are worthy of preservation. This is one of the reasons behind the National Communication Network’s (NCN) Regional Radio initiative.

It is the International Year of Indigenous Languages and this fact is not lost on Michella Abraham Ali, Regional Radio Manager at NCN. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that her role is to supervise the regional radio stations. So far there are seven regional stations – Radio Paiwomak, Radio Lethem, Radio Mabaruma, Radio Mahdia, Radio Bartica, Radio Aishalton

and Radio Orealla. Ali related that in 2016, the Government of Guyana through the office of the Prime Minister, with NCN as the executing agency, commissioned Radio Lethem and Radio Mabaruma. “In 2017 we commissioned Mahdia and Bartica,” she said. “In 2018 we commissioned Orealla and Aishalton.”

Ali explained that the regional stations are affiliates to NCN. NCN acts as a “mother station”, feeding these stations with most of their content, with the exception of Radio Paiwomak. On the ground at these stations; however, local programmes are done on a minimum of two hours on any given day. Ali explained that there are just not enough resources to support more than that. Local broadcasters are members of the communities, such as elders and teachers, who have limited to no broadcasting experience. There are also power supply challenges in some of the communities that limit the ability to broadcast.

The local programmes are focused on the communities in

which they are broadcast. Additionally, because it is the International Year of Indigenous Languages all seven stations are mandated to have at least a programme or a segment of a programme per day or week focused on an Indigenous language.

She noted that, with the exception of Aishalton where there is a broadcaster fluent in the language, the broadcasters are more fluent in English and have to engage their community’s elders who know the languages. The project is still a work in progress. “It’s now something that we’re building on,” Ali said.

“The intention is, through synergies and collaborations with the Guyana Languages Unit, the University of Guyana, and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, we are going to build capacity for the broadcasters [and] for us here at NCN.” That process has already started. Ali related that they have already made links with the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). She pointed out that the APA already has a resource base and a network of people. “Through Dr. Laura George [and] Ovid Williams, they are putting us in touch with people who can help us especially to engage on Indigenous issues – land rights issues, environmental issues and social issues,” she said. The aim is to address these issues on the regional stations in both English and translated into the Indigenous languages of the people of those communities. There is a need to find translators for those languages. “It’s a lot of work in progress,” Ali noted. “We have genius and ambitious plans but we’re dealing with a very small resource base that’s accessible here on the coast and it’s very expensive to travel.”

The aim is not to just highlight issues, however. Ali noted the importance of coming up with solutions to these issues.

Engaging the people is an essential part of that process. “You can’t have a radio station and just the policymakers or the ministers or the leaders are the ones doing the talking, we want to have the people involved,” she affirmed. She said that the goal is to move beyond the novelty of the platform, as radio is still relatively new to many of these communities. The goal, she noted, is to harness the platform and make it something that can promote the lifestyle, culture and language of the Indigenous peoples of these communities in a very tangible way. “And to have their willingness and pride to want to do that,” she added.

From 2016 to now, the major force behind the regional radio stations has been Prime Minster, Moses Nagamootoo, according to Ali. “He has really been the driving force and it’s very simple – his intention is that people are in the know,” she said. She noted that the regional radio stations also reach surrounding communities, in addition to the communities in which they are based. These communities do not have access to television or newspapers nor did they have access to radio previously. “The intention is that [the radio stations] blanket Guyana meaning there should be no pocket of the country that doesn’t have information,” Ali stated.

The importance of the regional radio stations cannot be overemphasised. “We want the people to be proud of who they are,” Ali affirmed. One of the ways of doing so is through the radio. “If a radio station has the capacity to reach 20-25 villages,” said Ali, “that radio station has the potential to celebrate the accomplishments, highlight the challenges, help to be part of the solutions and the overarching objective is just for them to develop [and] be part of the development process.”

In addition to that, the intention is to give the people of the communities an opportunity to share their talents.

Ali concluded, “A coastal experience is different from a hinterland experience so let the hinterland people showcase, express, be part of and get involved rather than us sitting here in Georgetown and trying to understand and express and represent for the people. They can do it in their local programmes while we will provide, from Georgetown, the rest of the national conversations happening.”

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

VII

Jacobs’ farm taking Agriculture to another level Mark Jacobs

“We always maintain a high standard so that it is easier to export our products outside of Guyana. Our package must meet the basic international standard so that it can go to those markets,” he said.

In fact, the family does their own packaging at two locations: In Kuru Kuru and in Republic Park. And what’s great is that there is focus on using less plastic, as part of environmentally friendly efforts.

FUTURE PLANS The family isn’t anywhere close to being finished. The aim, as related by Mark, is to keep growing the business.

FOR years, the Jacobs family has been involved in agriculture. But now the family has decided to take their farming to another level: agro-processing that involves making unique products out of the common local produce while maintaining international standards.

You could say that the Jacobs’ farming transformation is being heralded by a son of the soil, Mark Jacobs. He’s 45 years old and is from Stanleytown, on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD)- right where the farm is located.

“My family has always been involved in agriculture... we grew up on a farm,” Mark shared. “I love agriculture. I love what I’m doing.”

The man studied aviation and financial analysis in the years gone, but in 2012 he returned to Guyana- back to his roots. What he’s doing, is working as a full-time farmer with family and employees every day on their farm to produce things like ginger, turmeric, cassava, celery, parsley, pepper, fruits, cassava, dasheen, and other ground provisions- all of which he listed without skipping a beat.

But more importantly, what he has done is introduce a greater focus on processing and packaging.

“If you’re a farmer it doesn’t make sense to sell fresh produce... there’s the farmer, the middle man, and the people who sell in the market. So for me, it never made much sense to just plant and sell, so the next step was to process,” he explained.

On the farm, there’s no regimented schedule. Mark shared that the farmers try to get there for 06:30 hrs.

“Most of the time is spent either filling in new plants or clearing... we try to plant couple hundred trees every month either coconut, citrus fruits or other fruits and vegetables, or if we’re harvesting or planting turmeric or ginger. Something is always going on,” he said.

At Jacobs’ farm, he explained that natural controls are used. There is a focus on growing natural produce because it just makes better products. And with good products, he said, the family was confident that the products would be sold easily and so he said, “The first thing was to actually start making these products.”

Some of the products are sold locally- in restaurants and shops- while some are sold in regional and international markets.

In terms of agriculture here in Guyana, finances might be the biggest challenge, according to Jacobs.

“You find that farmers won’t be able to access funds to grow their businesses... I think many agro and agro-processors in Guyana operate in survival mode,” he said, and added: “Another problem, in the local industry, is the lack of standards also.”

Cognisant of these is what enables the business to enjoy its successes, according to Mark.

In so doing, the family is making a larger place for processing in Georgetown. The place is expected to be completed before the end of March, and it will be both a packaging plant and a showroom for the Jacobs’ products.

Jacobs also shared that in growing the business, it is their hope to employ many more persons in the field- particularly folks from Stanleytown and in Kuru Kuru, where the business has a deep connection with the people.

In the future also, he related, there are plans in place to construct a facility to process cassava into flour, cassareep, cassava bread, and starch.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Putting the spotlight on a small-scale woman farmer

Persaud in her farm THERE is a common children’s song that goes something like, “Old McDonald had a farm.”

Singing that song to children today might be irrelevant because not all farmers look like the “Old McDonald.” In fact, most farmers are nothing like the fictional old man in overalls at all.

These days, most small farms are run by women when they are not aiding their husbands in the fields.

In this week’s article, the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will feature a woman who is battling the fields and at the same time raising three young children.

And—while she is married to a farmer, she has been into farming long before she was married.

THE STORY OF LILAWATTIE PERSAUD Lilawattie Persaud is 42-years-old and has been married to her farmer husband, Chaitram Ramdass, for the past 22 years. Together, they plant bora, tomato, watermelon, pepper and ochro in their field located at Little Biaboo, Mahaica.

Persaud said she has been into farming long before she met her spouse.

“I am doing farming long. My parents use to farm and then I married my husband, who is a farmer.”

The mother of three does not believe everyone can do farming. “You got to like farming to do farming,” she said, while acknowledging that farming is difficult.

Persaud and her family live opposite their farmland. In the morning when they get up, they would go and check on their crops and in the night before they go to bed, they visit their field.

The couple, with the help of their three children, would usually spend the entire day in the field—watering, harvesting, weeding or planting crops.

“You really have to put your mind to it because sometimes you plant and you lose this crop, but then next time you get three crops,” Persaud said.

The woman does not have a problem when it comes to finding market since she would wholesale her produce to persons selling at the Mahaica market. She said too, that persons would usually visit her home to buy her crop.

In the next month, Persaud will be harvesting watermelons. Staff from NAREI are currently providing technical support and have been assisting the woman since she planted the melons. Additionally, NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Oudho Homenauth visited the woman’s farm and offered some advice. He is expected to return to her farm in mid next month.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Your opinion only

I WANT to thank all of you who reached out to me after my last column on what businesses can do for their employees to obtain better mental health in the workplace.

I received many emails with many different concerns about this. However, there seemed to be one common theme- that many choose to not reach out to their bosses or co-workers (even if they were specially trained) for a fear of being ridiculed and judged. This leads me to give advice that it took me 27 years to follow myself- focus on you and forget what other people think!

Have you ever really noticed how much of our actions are influenced by what we assume others are thinking? Even when you think you don’t care what others think, you do!

From the big to the little things; from chosen career paths to the food we order in a restaurant is often determined by what others think.

Every time we feel embarrassed or wonder if we are looking silly- which we often do - is simply because of what others may think.

Caring about (therefore acting on) what others think is like trying to be a different person to everyone you know or meet.

I’m here to tell you about the simple solution that is hard to do- stop caring!

There are many benefits that come with the freedom of not caring what others may think about you. The most obvious being you get to be your authentic self with unlimited possibilities in front of you. I can’t tell you how many opportunities I’ve missed out on because I was afraid of what others may think and I know I’m not alone in that. A study conducted by the National Science Foundation found that the average human has about 50,000 plus thoughts a day. This means that even if someone thinks about us 10 times in a day, it’s only 0.02 per cent of their overall daily thoughts. It may sound mean but it’s the absolute truth- people don’t care or think about us as much as we think they do.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

FILES E S A C COURT

Defendant loses land action before magistrate Full Court set aside Magistrate’s decision IN 1976, an Essequibo Magistrate ignored a point of law relating to a bona fide dispute as to title of land. He found the defendant Sase Budhoo guilty of trespassing

on disputed land and damaging a fence and wrongly granted Judgment to Plaintiff Budhai Singh.

Appellant/defendant Sase Budhoo appealed to the

By George Barclay

Full Court which ruled that the magistrate ought to have ruled that the defendant had successfully raised a bona fide dispute as to title to immovable property.

Appeal was allowed. Decision of the magistrate was set aside with costs to the appellant (defendant) Sase Budhoo.

The Full Court was constituted by Chief Justice Harold Bollers and Justice of Appeal Aubrey Bishop, (who later became Chancellor of the Judiciary.)

Attorney-at-law, Mr. K. D. Doobay appeared for the appellant while Respondent conducted his own defence.

The facts of the case disclosed that the Plaintiff Budhai Singh and Defendant Sase Budhoo are adjoining land owners in possession. In the Magistrate’s Court, plaintiff sued defendant for trespass to land which the plaintiff allegedly bought from one Verwayne, but title to which had not yet been perfected in him.

The allegation was that the defendant trespassed by digging a drain on the land causing plaintiff’s fence to fall and became damaged. In the course of the hearing the dispute between the parties centered on the existence or non-existence of an inter-lot drain between their respective properties at lots 35 section B and 36 Danielstown , Essequibo .

Plaintiff said there was no drain between the properties when he bought from Verwayne and went into possession.

Defendant and Verwayne, on the other hand, spoke positively about the drain, on the defendant’s side of the fence in question, and the existence of two paals in line with which the fence in dispute was positioned. These paals were later found to be missing.

At the conclusion of the hearing , it was submitted by counsel for the defendant that the court’s jurisdiction was ousted by reason of the existence of a bona fide dispute as to title to land. Nevertheless, the learned magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff on his claim. Section 3 (3) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Petty Debt ) Act ,Chapter 7 : 01 provides, inter alia, as follows: “The Court shall not have cognizance of any action in which any incorporeal right , or the title to any immovable property, is or may be in question. …”

On appeal to the Full Court of the High Court , that Court held:; (i) That there was a genuine dispute about (a) the existence or non-existence of the drain on the defendant’s side of the fence, (b) the true position of the paals delineating the boundary between lots 35 B and 36 , and (C) the actual position of the fence; (ii) That it should have been apparent to the magistrate that though there was no reliable evidence before him as to the boundary line and the existence of the drain, there were nevertheless competing claims as to ownership of the strip of land undefined though it was, in the vicinity of the existing fence. (iii) That some evidence ought to be taken by a magistrate to ascertain whether he is possessed of jurisdiction to entertain the claim within section 3 (3) of Chapter 7:01. He must ascertain whether an incorporeal right or title to any immovable property is in question or may be in question, and if he has a doubt whether such right may be in question, he should decline jurisdiction; (iv) That the appeal will be allowed because, on the evidence , the magistrate ought to have ruled that the defendant/appellant had successfully raised a bona fide dispute as to title to immovable property.

Appeal allowed. Decision of magistrate set aside with costs.

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SQUATTING IS ANTI-NATIONAL IN his end-of-year statement, the Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Mr Trevor Benn complained that defaulting lessees and squatters had hampered the progress of the GLSC. Lessees have not been paying their rents or have not gainfully been using the land and in many cases have been subletting the land in contravention of the Law. Squatters have been occupying State lands, even in Central Georgetown and in particular along the Soesdyke-Linden highway and even in the interior mining regions. In many cases, these squatters have “sold” the land to others and the victims only know of the fraud when they meet GLSC inspectors.

The illegalities committed on State lands have many and varied implications. An example of this, is the sand-mining along the Soesdyke-Linden highway, where both legal lessees and squatters have been mining far too close to the road and as a result, have been weakening the foundations of the road which has already become undulating and may someday suddenly collapse into sinkholes. The work of the GLSC is greatly challenged by the inadequate human and financial resources allocated to it.

Consumer advocates fully empathise with the plight of the GLSC and would recommend that very strong measures be taken against these squatters who are anti-national.

The difficulties which private landowners have to face from squatters are even more acute than those suffered by the State. The GLSC has the prestige of being a State Corporation and when confronting squatters, could call upon the help of the Police when necessary and in any case, State land is protected from prescriptive claims. It should be mentioned that when the State was protecting itself from prescription by squatters, there was an omittance to extend some protection to private landowners.

Until about the 1940s, squatting on both public and private land and claiming prescriptive titles thereto was a comparative rarity. This culture of squatting first made its appearance in the 1960s when most of the country became enveloped in racio-political disturbances, whereby there was a consolidated movement of various racial groups between villages. From then onwards, people began to imagine they were entitled to occupy any unoccupied land, irrespective to whom it belonged.

In the 1970s, when Sir Joseph Luckhoo was Chief Justice, the English legislation of making occupation for 12 years the basis for prescription was mechanistically adopted and this led to an upsurge of prescriptive claims on private land. In Guyana, before the 12-year rule was adopted, a squatter had to be in undisturbed possession of private land for 33 years and for state land for even longer before any prescriptive claim could be made in the Courts.

With the new 12-year rule, squatting became a profession from which to make money and had little to do with any need. Whole families would invade any unoccupied land, each member staking out his/her own claim. Close friends were also invited to participate in this illegal enterprise. When owners attempted to visit their land, they were often confronted with frightening threats of violence! Indeed, some of these squatters actually began to “sell” some of the land they had squatted upon. A great deal of this squatting occurred on East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara and parts of Berbice.

The 12-year rule, as pointed out above, was adopted from English legislation. The rule, however, turned out to be inappropriate to Guyana. Guyana was still an agricultural and rural society while England was highly urbanized. The 12year rule, in addition to being inappropriate to a rural society, was even more so because of the heavy emigration which Guyana suffered where, in a comparatively short time, more than half of the population emigrated leaving their properties in the care of others.

Squatting, in the majority of cases is theft, and has nothing to do with need. Guyana has a surfeit of land for which the relevant State agencies are willing to grant leases at very reasonable rentals and are open to the entire population. Yet, the squatters would not even contemplate leasing State land because they are actuated by speculatory greed and would prefer to occupy State or private land. A good example of the manifestation of such greed occurred in 2016 when the

new Coalition Government came into office. Within a few days of the new Government’s accession to office, hundreds of squatters invaded GUYSUCO’s land on the East Coast Demerara claiming that they had a right to do so, The Police took resolute action to eject them and returned matters to normal.

Squatting erodes Law and Order in any society and should never be countenanced. In the case of State Lands, Government needs to act firmly and quickly since squatting could hold up or diminish the value of devel-

opmental works as happened with the road reserves of Mandela Avenue or the squatters at the Cheddi Jagan airport. The message should always be underlined that it is impossible to prescribe on State Lands. The 33-year rule of occupation before any prescriptive claim could be made on private land should be restored for the reasons given above. Until the 33-year rule is restored, the Police should always be prepared to intervene if summoned to a squatting situation since most squatters always threaten violence to owners.

XII ◄◄◄ From page IX

People do not often think outside of themselves which means that unless the person was directly affected by you or your actions, they really would not spend much time thinking about you.

Being the real you, which can only happen when you disregard other opinions brings much peace, genuine relationships and more apparent life goals. Are you even sure of what you’re doing or what you want to be doing? Are they your genuine choices? When you become obsessed with other people’s opinion, you forget your own. People usually judge or form opinions based on what they would do and therefore, there will be many people who will naturally judge you with a biased opinion.

Believe me when I tell you that some people will just judge you either way, no matter what you do. These are the ones unhappy in their own lives and that’s not something you can control. While it is human nature to want to be liked, you cannot please everyone so what’s the point in trying to please anyone? Furthermore, whether others will admit it or not, the right people admire when we stick our values, even if they are not agreed with.

I can tell you from personal experience (although I have a feeling that I don’t even have to) that caring about what other people think is exhausting; it’s like a mental prison.

It’s also a complete waste of time. Why? Because we can’t read minds. How we can make decisions on what others are thinking when we truly have no idea what they are thinking.

We can assume but we don’t really know and there is no way of knowing.

I’m not even sure if most you can identify that the majority of stress you are feeling is from this. Living this way makes us incredibly vulnerable meaning our self-esteem, self-confidence will mostly depend on the opinion of others.

While it isn’t easy, there are things we do can to live more for us and our opinions only.

First and foremost, you need to clearly identify who you are, what you believe in and what you want out of life.

Once you are secure in this, you will be less attentive to others opinions and be able to comfortably focus on your own.

We can develop something that psychologists call attentional control. This means that we only consider outside opinions about us if they are justified and may make us better people overall. This happens when we have made mistakes or have done wrong to others; not caring what others believe doesn’t mean we can be cruel or are always right.

However, attentional control allows us to admit when we are wrong, make amends and move forward without your overall view of yourself becoming damaged. It’s simply about learning what’s important to focus on and what isn’t.

Set a standard for your actions, who you are and who you want to be. Feeling embarrassed or ashamed, caring what other people think tends to happen when we feel that we have violated some code or standard. However, who sets these standards and do you even agree with them? Once you

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 are a good person who respects yourself and others, you can follow any standard you want.

Age is supposed to bring wisdom and rationality. However, as we get older we care more about what others think and therefore highly contribute to our own added stress and subsequent downfall. We make decisions based on other’s opinions yet we are the ones who are stuck with the consequences of our behaviour. See the problem?

The most important things to remember are that people’s opinion of you don’t change who you are and opinions can only affect you if you let them. Opinions are truths. I am aware that this is a very difficult thing to do and it is not expected to happen with continued perfection right away.

Like anything else, it is a skill that needs to be developed and continuously practised.

I’m going to leave you with some of my favourite quotes on the topic.

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu “An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you.” -Goi Nasu “The only thing that makes it a part of your life is that you keep thinking about it.” – Unknown Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 2230009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

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How babies get their oral bacteria Research during the 1980s illustrated how bacteria were transferred between family members and from mouth to mouth. A simple and successful method of controlling this transmission was found just a few years later.

For 20 years we have known how to reduce both the inheritance of bad tooth bacteria, and the chance of a parent infecting their child with the bacteria that cause cavities.

Parents with bad teeth can get rid of aggressive and harmful bacteria from their mouths, and even without traditional treatment. You may be shocked to discover that it is possible

IN the 19th century, progressive medical surgeons begged peers to wash their hands thoroughly in order to prevent the spread of infection. Today, I beg patients to clean their mouths and their toothbrushes to control the spread of tooth and gum disease between family members. Today we have become more aware of the delicate balance that exists between the bacteria that help and protect us and the bacteria that cause infection. Overuse of antibiotics showed us that if protective bacteria were removed, overgrowth by harmful ones often followed, and the same reactions can be seen when we look at oral bacteria.

Surprising as it may seem, many people are unaware that dental disease is just like any other infection caused by bacteria. It is a disease that can be spread easily, is transferred from person to person, and worst of all can grow on things like toothbrushes. Once you realize that dental disease is this kind of infection, you understand how very simple steps can be used to control it.

Bacteria that live on teeth can grow only when attached to a hard, non-shedding surface. Some kinds of tooth bacteria are harmful, whereas others are good for our health.

In fact, it appears that teeth need a barrier of healthy protective bacteria to stop harmful ones from damaging the tooth surface. The balance between good and bad bacteria is important for dental health, and it is also important to know that this balance can change.

People are often surprised to learn that they can lose healthy bacteria following an abrasive dental cleaning, after taking a course of antibiotics, or when the mouth becomes dry or acidic for long periods of time. During times of change, it is possible for a new type of bacteria to infect your mouth and suddenly cause damage to your teeth and dental health.

Tooth bacteria rarely exist in a baby’s mouth before the presence of a tooth. Therefore, the origin of these bacteria is necessarily someone else’s tooth. DNA studies have illustrated that a parent, usually the mother, is most often the person who passes tooth bacteria from her mouth to the baby’s mouth when his or her first tooth erupts. Most people imagine a genetic link or something in the

mother’s milk that passes on dental disease.

The truth is that the dental disease is transferred directly to a child’s new tooth, often during a loving cuddle or kiss.

Most often, parents and caregivers share their mouth germs with their children (vertical transmission), but it is also possible for mouth germs to spread between siblings or from spouse to spouse (horizontal transmission).

Parents should also be aware that children born by caesarean section appear to be infected by mouth germs earlier – possibly because they lack some kind of protection – than do vaginally delivered infants.

Bacteria travel to the new baby tooth most often in a droplet of saliva. The bacteria can transfer during a kiss, from a drop of saliva on spoons or pacifiers, or from food shared with a baby. I would never, suggest that parents stop kissing their baby or worry about sharing food. Think about this: If the bacteria do not come from your mouth, they will be transferred from the mouth of someone else who comes into contact with your child. Since this bacteria transfer cannot be stopped, it makes more sense to control the kind of bacteria passed to children.

Obviously, you want a baby to be infected with healthy, dentally, protective bacteria rather than aggressive, cavity-forming ones.

The fact is, that once a particular kind of bacteria reaches a baby’s first tooth, this bacteria will then colonise or spread to the other baby teeth as they erupt. It has also been shown that whenever there are many harmful bacteria in a parent’s mouth, the chances that they will transfer to the child are greater. It has also been shown that the first kind of bacteria to infect the biting surfaces of molar teeth, usually become the dominant strain in the mouth because the grooves of these teeth become reservoirs of bacteria for the mouth. Changing the kind of bacteria in a child’s mouth after molar teeth have erupted becomes more difficult. This fact can also be used to a parent’s advantage. To give children the best advantage, make sure that health bacteria are established in their mouths before the molar teeth erupt. This simple charge can provide your child with many years of dental protection.

to remove harmful bacteria even if you still have cavities or cannot go to the dentist, for whatever reason. When the bad bacteria are gone from your mouth, protective ones will take their place.

Preventing the passage of harmful germs to the next generation may be the most promising method of preventing cavities in children’s teeth. If this is the first time you heard about this kind of bacterial transfer, it will be natural for you to wonder why there has been no media attention and no national education on the topic.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

The shortest month is also the month of Black History The Importance of our African- ancestral history

The 1763 Monument

FROM ‘Negro Week’ in 1926 to ‘Black History Month’ in the 1960s, the month of February is nothing but ‘just another month’. It was an initiative taken up by Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves after he came to the realisation that the history of Africans is not relatively celebrated, taught or even recorded in schools and books.

While this holiday is strongly observed in the United States of America and Canada it does not change the fact that it has no form of relevance to Guyanese.

As I was watching the 2019 Academy Awards, Spike Lee who is the director of the movie ‘BlacKkKlansman’ after receiving his award said, ‘The word today is irony, the day: 24th, the month: February; which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black history month.’ So short, that by the time you read this column it’s already March. Is it really an irony that the shortest month is also Black history month? Maybe.

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Hanya Yanagihara’s ‘A Little Life’

THE first noticeable thing about Hanya Yanagihara’s novel, “A Little Life,” is how contradictory it seems even before one opens the cover. Despite, its title, the book does not convey any idea of ‘littleness’ at all. It is a hefty tome, weighing a good couple pounds for sure, and running over eight hundred pages in length. Its bigness can be daunting

and can cause one to want to postpone reading it for a long time, as happened to me. However, it is only after having read the novel that it suddenly became clear to me that there is an artistic move even in the title’s juxtaposition with the size of the book. The lesson seems to be that regardless of what someone thinks about their life, or

“A Little Life,” Doubleday, 2015 – Image via: Goodreads

regardless of how one’s life is represented by others, we all, ultimately, live lives that can run for pages and pages, numbering well beyond the thousands. It is almost as if the book is saying, even if you have done little in your life, even if your life is small, there will still be enough, there will still be points of value and interest, a tale that is a long, interesting, bizarre, rarely-happy, and oftentimes grief-stained story, in much the same way that “A Little Life” is itself.

The central life of the novel belongs to a character named Jude, whose life from the moment he is found as a baby by monks, to the moment of his death, is presented in painstaking detail. Yanagihara’s prose appears quite spare, to the point and matter-of-fact, and yet it runs on and on without losing its intrigue, its beauty, or its spellbinding effect on the reader. It is indeed rare to find a writer who seemingly never runs out of things to say, a writer who always finds another layer to add, another pulse of interest within an ever-climbing tale to cut out and unspool for the reader. Yanagihara is truly a marvel to me, and her work stands as an effigy for her toil and skill, particularly to those of us who, in the current age, are plagued by writers’ block, social media, and the trials of surviving in the 21st Century. Yanagihara managed to overcome all of the same tribulations, and the fantastic work of art that is “A Little Life” is, in a way, a testament to the strength, intelligence, and perseverance of Yanagihara and all other writers who work in the current age.

However, I digress, and I now must return to Jude, our protagonist. Yanagihara’s portrayal of his life as a heinous cycle of rape, abuse, and torture in his childhood and early teenage years is contrasted with the many successes and suspicious joy that comes Jude’s way as an adult.

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Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

ON the first day of the month that celebrates women all over the world I became more emotional than usual for many reasons. It is also the start of the weekend of activities hosted by Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts.

Also in a few days, my fifth book, Women across Borders –Rising from the Ashes, will be launched on Amazon. If you are reading this column in real time, you can still join us at the Pegasus for INSPIRE YOU and Women in Business Expo, and I am VERY emotional for many reasons.

A few years ago it was just an idea and some people embraced the idea and some did not, but that is okay. Some I knew, for years asked me why am I was wasting time because it will not make any money. If money was my motivation, there are many projects I initiated I would not have done.

Adding value to lives is priceless. Money is necessary to facilitate certain things in our life but it should never consume us so much, that there are no boundaries in the pursuit. I am happy that I am not easily influenced and was not influenced by persons’ opinions because this event would have still been stored in my head.

This is number four and many things transpired in many lives. I cried a few times but had more laughter, even if is at myself. I have watched those who think they have power, withhold resources in the hope that it may affect this event.

They enjoy if they can have you like a mendicant because it feeds their egos. This makes me even more determined to keep doing it NO MATTER WHAT. Then, someone asked me last year how big is my team, and when I answered [it is] under five he thought I was kidding. For the Expo, we have people who volunteer but it is under five. I went on to say that the one we can’t see is my most efficient and that is God. I truly believe he was in it from the start and, that made me grow through my challenges which were many. My life can never be described as banal because it is full of new and exciting projects even if all don’t succeed I wish I could do more for the 60-plus passionate women who are part of this event, because their potentials are endless but I have a feeling soon I will if it is God’s will.

THANK YOU, Mr Badal, for saying YES to my proposal in 2017. God has come through and many levels for this event, and deserves the biggest `Thank You’. Next week I will amplify that THANK YOU list because it is long.

This expo is beyond me or any exhibitor. This is for that young child that attends this event and something triggers in her mind that made her think “I CAN DO THIS TOO ONE DAY.” Or that young lady that failed many times like I did but was motivated to press that reset button and try again.

One of the things I love hearing is when the exhibitors express how this gathering feels like family. I want to encourage us to keep caring and sharing as we continue to celebrate life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page XVI

This particular contrast is one that frames the novel since the narrative weaves back and forth between the past and the present. There have been readers who have commented on the sickening, depraved, and extremely disturbing acts of violence, including self-harm, portrayed in the novel.

However, these instances are not gratuitous and only serve to contribute to the creation of the extremely complex character at the centre of the novel.

Yanagihara’s Jude is an extremely bright man, an accomplished piano player and a very good singer. Yet, despite all of his gifts, he remains throughout his life an individual who regards himself with the utmost contempt – someone who believes, and perhaps

wants, the worst possible things for himself, because of the sense of worthlessness that has been instilled in him during his formative years when he was abused by an assortment of callous and terrible men. The great irony of Jude’s later life is that all of the other characters, mostly other equally complex, good, men with their own fascinating stories to tell, revolve around him and love and care for him deeply. They are all able to see his gifts – everything about himself that he is blind to, and this is what comes across as one of the saddest aspects of the novel, the fact that Jude, like so many other lost people in the world, is unable to recognize or even see his own beauty, his own greatness.

Yanagihara really taps into the effects of abuse – whether it is through the most

damaging wound or through the slightest of words – and highlights the long-lasting effects of trauma. It is enough to make the reader contemplate every bad thing that he/ she has said to someone over the course of his/her life while secretly hoping that none of those things manifests in the ways Jude’s abuses and trauma manifests itself.

“A Little Life” is harrowing and depressing, offering intimate portrayals of the lives of several characters. Despite the sorrow that leaks from it, there are still moments of intimacy, beauty, and positive emotion in the book, and these moments make the sad parts of the novel endurable.

Much like real life, Yanagihara’s book contains all the important parts of the human existence, magnified and made

XIX into art. The formative childhood years, the awkward college years, friendship, struggling to make it in life, love and loss, jobs and vacations, broken hearts, more loss – in the way all of these elements come together, the book does manage to represent a typical life. The only significant change from the life of the average person and the life of the central character in the novel is that Jude’s life is that of someone who has had a particular set of experiences that will forever affect even the most normal and mundane experiences of his life, and the unravelling of this kind of almost-perfect life that is ruined because of the horrors of trauma and abuse is as enlightening and informative as it is heartbreaking to read.

XX ◄◄◄ From page X

In its judgment, the Full Court had referred to 19 cases.

Justice of Appeal Bishop who delivered the judgment of the Court noted that the main ground argued by counsel for the appellant (defendant) was that: “the Magistrate’s Court had no jurisdiction in this matter, objection to which was formally taken before decision, is that the jurisdiction of the Court was ousted by operation of section 3 (3) of the Summary jurisdiction (Petty Debt) Act Chapter 7:01, as there was a bona fide dispute as to the land and the fixtures thereon , the subject matter of this action.

Continuing, Justice Bishop said that it should be noted that the appellant (defendant) did not in his defence ”plead’ this objection to the magistrate’s jurisdiction

being ousted but, through his counsel, did so at the close of the case. The learned magistrate unaware therefore that such an objection would be raised , proceeded to hear evidence and in due course gave judgment for respondent (plaintiff) on his claim.

In para 5 of his plaint , the respondent (plaintiff) averred that between January 26 and February 2, 1975, inclusive of both dates, the appellant (defendant) unlawfully and maliciously trespassed upon his land , dug a drain thereon and as a result caused 233 feet of the respondent (plaintiff) said fence to fall down and become damaged. He specifically claimed as damages , $350 for the fence and $150 for the land but the learned magistrate did not indicate any apportionment , under the two sub-heads.

During the trial it emerged, however,

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

that the respondent (plaintiff) has bought lot 35 , Section B, Danielstown, Essequibo from one Francis Verwayne, on February 2, 1973, with the building thereon and the surrounding fence. In support of the said sale, the respondent (plaintiff) tendered the agreement , Ex. “A”. He also testified that he had been living on the land prior to the sale , and had paid Verwayne no rent since purchase. The respondent (plaintiff) complained that though these were the facts, Verwayne had refused to formally convey the property to him.

When Verwayne gave evidence, on May 20, 1975 he said that lot 35 B and the surrounding fence were his property and denied , inter alia, signing the agreement or receiving the purchase price of $3,000 acknowledged therein.

In short, he denied selling Lot 35 B Danielstown to the

(plaintiff) but conceded that the respondent (plaintiff) had discontinued paying him rent in 1973 ,and held up his son for picking coconuts on the land.

Above all, Verwayne admitted that he had taken no action against the respondent (plaintiff) to recover any rent. The learned magistrate assessed Verwayne to be an inveterate liar and found that he had sold the property to the respondent (plaintiff), Nonetheless , it appeared to be common ground that Verwayne had erected a fence separating the respondent (plaintiff’s) land from the appellant (defendant’s) Verwayne said.

After recounting this and other instances including the bona fide dispute, the appeal was allowed and the order of magistrate set aside with costs to the appellant.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page XIV

Nonetheless, it is also a month that we reflect and remember where we came from.

The first set of slaves and settlers dated back to the mid-seventeenth century. In Guyana, Africans came to work, most of whom were forced against their own will on the various sugar estates across British Guiana.

Slaves were bought at auctions by European plantation owners, and families and friends were usually separated in this process. Due to the inhumane treatment; (severe punishments, lack of food and clothes, poor housing, forced labour, etc.) Africans would usually rebel. In 1763, an enslaved African, who is now known as Guyana’s national hero, led a rebellion against the whites. One of the many forms of a fight for Emancipation, sadly they were not victorious, yet still, it is of great significance. A bronze statue, symbolising

Cuffy/Kofi in the Square of the Revolution reminds us of this event. Other rebellions include The 1823 Demerara Rebellion (over 10,000 slaves participated which made it one of the largest revolt in the Americas, The Damon’s rebellion (1834) which is now remembered by a statue in Essequibo and many others, some of which were so small they were not documented or seen as significant.

In fact, every act of rebellion, in this case, led to the free country we know today as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Our ancestors taught us that if you stay true to who you are and what you believe in then anything is possible, even freedom after four centuries of oppression. While there is still ethnic tension between Indo and Afro-Guyanese, we should take heed that oppression of race/ethnicity is a social construct created by slave masters that tallied them up to the social ladder above both Africans and

Indians. Perhaps it was ignorance or greater evil, whatever the case may be, but racism is undisguisable and wrong. The physical shackles are off but the emotional bonds still remain because I may never know what the pain of intense open-wounded lashes feel like; what it feels like to be kidnapped from my homeland; separated from my family

XXI and stripped of not only my clothing but my religion, or have the ability to live my life as I wish with dignity. Sometimes I weep at the silence of deprived culture reminders, the ones that make us want to strive for the betterment of Guyana because we are living in a land that is stained by the blood and sweat of our ancestors.

They were more than slaves; they were human beings with names. They held Islamic or specific tribal beliefs. All in all, my thoughts were not to write you a history textbook, it was to enlighten you on the importance of history. The importance of Black history should be remembered every month of the year, we should always remember. So next time you hear the word ‘Freedom’, I hope you understand the strength it has, because in the mid-seventeenth century up until 1837, our African ancestors starved to feel it’s true meaning.

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Managing your ‘E-Waste’ Recently, the Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Guyana Ms. Penelope DeFreitas conducted a survey to ascertain the perception of Guyanese, when it comes to electronic disposal and management practices.

This study surveyed approximately 10,000 students and staff of that institution and concluded that much more national effort is needed in this area. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fully endorse this conclusion and would have over the years been making strides such as developing educational material on this topics, providing training seminars and raising general awareness through talks with communities groups and schools on best practices when it comes to managing these and other types of waste.

WHAT IS E-WASTE? E-waste (Electronic waste) is a popular, informal name for discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators nearing the end of their “useful life.”

Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled, but electronic discards is one of the fastest growing areas of waste in our world today.

The United States is the world leader in producing electronic waste, tossing away about 3 million tons each year.

China already produces about 2.3 million tons (2010 estimate) domestically, second only to the United States and despite having banned e-waste imports, China remains a major e-waste dumping ground for developed countries.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Electronic_waste) IS E-WASTE CONSIDER TO BE HAZARDOUS? Certain components of some electronic products contain materials that cause them to be hazardous, depending on their condition and density.

For instance, nonfunctioning CRTs - cathode ray tubes which help to display images in televisions and monitors, are considered hazardous.

Environment Effects of E-Waste Computers and most electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, zinc, nickel, flame retardants, barium, and chromium. Specifically with lead, if released into the environment can cause damage to human blood, kidneys, as well as central and peripheral

nervous systems. When e-waste is warmed up, toxic chemicals are released into the air damaging the atmosphere. The damage to the atmosphere is one of the biggest environmental impacts from e-waste. When electronic waste is thrown away in landfills their toxic materials seep into groundwater, affecting both land and sea animals. This can also affect the health of the people in the developing countries where most of the electronic waste in dumped.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY ELECTRONIC DISCARDS? The mantra of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” applies to electronic discards. Reduce your generation of e-waste through smart procurement and good maintenance. Reuse still functioning electronic equipment by donating or selling it to someone who can still use it and in countries where the facilities exist, recycle those components that cannot be repaired. Some computer components can be reused in assembling new computer products, while others are reduced to metals that can be reused in applications as varied as construction, flatware, and jewellery. Eternity Investment is the only facility authorised in Guyana by the EPA to manage E-waste.

FACTS ABOUT “E-WASTE) • 20 to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed of worldwide every year.

• Cell phones and other electronic items contain high amounts of precious metals like gold or silver. Americans dump phones containing over $60 million in gold/silver every year.

• Only 12.5% of e-waste is currently recycled.

• It takes 539 lbs. of fossil fuel, 48 lbs. of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture one computer and monitor.

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.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page III

At times, relatives lock their elderly family members in a room when friends visit because they are embarrassed by them and, do not even want others to know that an elderly person is living with them.

Dr. Allen, who was also a part of the interview, related that two indications of an elderly person being abused are marks on their skin, and the attitude of the relatives towards the patient.

“When I studied in Cuba, we were trained to identify abuse and report it; to identify injuries of neglect and so forth in the geriatric population, and since I’ve started working in this department, I’ve seen some of it. It was shocking to know that the patient’s own children are abusing them verbally and physically, and in some cases, they tell us they even take away their pension.

“There are even cases reported where the children take the parents so that they can get

XXIII of what happens at home.”

The elderly participating in a group exercise a few days ago

their properties signed over and after that, it’s hell for those patients. They’re mistreated and placed in conditions to hasten their death.

“We were told that right here in the Palms, there are persons who don’t wish to be here, but they’re here. They have their properties and these were taken away from them and

they are now left here for society to take care of them,” Dr. Allen related.

He pointed out that most of the patients he sees do not know how to behave in the presence of their caregivers. “When you go to them sometimes, they pull back as if they feel you were going to hit them, obviously an indication

WHAT CAN BE DONE? Lawrence said the health officers at times feel that their hands are tied because they cannot get these elderly ones to speak out about what’s happening to them.

Further, were they to involve the police and other authorities, it may just make the lives of these elderly ones worse.She has been trying, though, to host a forum two times a year, specifically tailored to the needs of caregivers and relatives. The very next one to be held will include the issue of abuse, Lawrence said.

Dr. Allen said he wants to get more in depth into the laws governing the rights of these elderly persons, and is hoping that the government, through its various agencies, will continue to apply such laws in the interest of the victims. “It’s saddening and makes me not want to get old,” Dr. Allen said.

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Drug Treatment Court & Alternative Sentencing FOR some time now, a concept that has been bubbling around locally is alternative sentencing. It aligns with the wider, global effort of promoting this, perhaps due to the dismantling of archaic laws and the greater focus on people’s rights.

This past week it was announced that the government would be exploring the possibility of establishing a Drug Treatment Court, as part of efforts to foster alternative sentencing in Guyana, to mitigate the overcrowding issue in the local prisons.

Just recently, a 20-year-old student of the School of the Nations was sentenced to three years imprisonment for the possession of Ecstacy pills. Stemming from this, an online petition was launched in an attempt to reduce the severity of his punishment. Before that, there was national outcry after a father was sent to jail for possessing a small amount of marijuana.

Guyana’s laws provide for a mandatory three-year jail sentence for the possession of small amounts of marijuana which has contributed to an overcrowding of the country’s prisons- that was especially spotlighted during the 2017 Camp Street fire.

Under the laws of Guyana, possession of certain quantities of these substances is pun-

ishable. And laws are maintained by society just so that there wouldn’t be a breakdown in the society’s values, i.e. anomie.

Effectively what this drug treatment court would do is, look at these offences through a different set of lenses, due to cognisance that crime and deviance cannot be covered with one paintbrush- it calls for more individuality or specificity sometimes.

Youth violence in the Caribbean and other oppressed communities, like the ‘ghettos’ in the United States or in Latin American countries, can be caused by a strain felt to meet societal expectations.

Look at the social setting in Guyana, for example. There is pressure on children to perform well academically from an early age. This is amplified around ‘Common Entrance’ time (which by the way is just a few weeks away) when many parents want their children to get into the high ranked secondary institutions.

I won’t be the judge to say that this pressure is good or bad, but I’d just like to acknowledge that it exists- and it exists because societies like ours have long since been characterised by an emphasis on the achieved system of social mobility. And education has perhaps been the main avenue

of achieving a higher status in contemporary society.

But looking at this further, I would always reflect on Robert Merton’s strain theory. The strain theory seeks to highlight that there are societal goals (e.g. owning a house and a car, as part of a comfortable life) that can be achieved through acceptable/ innovative ways (e.g. working diligently) or socially unapproved/ unconventional ways (fraud, forgery, etc). One can also opt to reject both the goals and either avenue of achieving them. The theory doesn’t explain every single instance of deviance, but it does allow for an understanding of a possible factor.

What this theory lends credence to, however, is that the environment of a person and their lived experiences ultimately shapes who they are and what they do. If a strain is present, it shapes how the person will choose to respond to it.

In announcing the new court, the Public Security Minister posited that imprisonment does not rehabilitate drug users, and was quoted as saying that instead “they graduate into bigger things.”

“They get to learn the tricks of the trade while serving their three years for possession

of narcotics and they come out back [with] a higher degree of criminality or at least a certain knowledge of what best they can do now…without getting caught,” he said.

This was emphasised in Edwin Sutherland’s theory of Differential Associationagain, your environment and lived experiences shape you.

At the same time, while I empathise with persons and I do believe that sentences like these are too harsh, I know there are elements that take advantage of persons feeling the strain and exacerbate the situation.

This past week, the Guyana Chronicle reported that a drug ring was exposed. This ring, allegedly, is run by a young man who has drawn teenagers into his ‘business’ It could be that the man in charge also felt a strain and resorted to the drug ring to make extra money, but that is yet to be unearthed. As is, it has been purported that he took advantage of young students- and in my books that is unacceptable.

I see the merits in this drug treatment court and I do hope that it is realised sooner than later. Valuable human capital is diminished because of the existing systems and that is human capital Guyana cannot afford to let go of.

Guyanese artiste launches clothing line Esan Benn/Esan Benzy NOT forsaking his m u s i c a l c a - reer, Esan Benn, popularly known as Esan Benzy, recently launched his own clothing line, which in a matter of days, spread across the country like wildfire.

The 22-year-old Guyanese artiste, said that though his passion is music, he always wanted to start his own business.

“Most of my close friends are successfully in their own businesses, and that actually gave me the drive. At first, I had no idea what I wanted to do since my other friends’ businesses were photography, party promoting, bars etc. So I began thinking how best I can actually benefit from their business, through doing mine, and that’s where I thought along the line of

fashion, because people have to dress to go to clubs, and fashion is a key component of photography,” the young man said.

Labelling himself an authentic person, Benn said with his idea to start a clothing line, he wanted to be unique.

“So while thinking along the line of clothing, I wanted to be different, because anyone can sell just clothes. So I thought of printing unique t-shirts, with words that we Guyanese can relate to,” he said.

Since the line was launched, Benn said the support thus far has been tremendous, and he has high hopes of taking his brand further afield.

Apart from his clothing line, Benn recently graduated from the University of Guyana with a Diploma in Communication

Studies. He then fell in the line of graphic designing, at a popular news agency.

However, his love for music, he said, will never die.

“At the age of 14, I was introduced to rap music by a cousin that actually used to rap.

We would gather at my grandmother’s house and write and rap for our grandmother all the time. I was never a sports person and naturally, I felt that I was good at rapping and singing so I continued with it until this day,” Benn said.

He said his inspiration comes from the multi-talented celebrity, Chris Brown, and the confidence and self-motivation he possesses, helps him to stay committed to what he loves.

“My aim is to be a major artiste in and out of Guyana,

worldwide actually, being a voice that can influence people in a positive way. However, though that’s the ultimate goal, there are other things I have, that I want to accomplish. My own business being one of them,” Benn expressed.

“The only thing that can stop you is yourself. Never tell yourself you are not good at what you do because you can only get better at what you do, if you continue to do what you do. Never fear anything or anyone because fear stops you from the best things in life. Most people might say music doesn’t make sense in Guyana, but honestly, you can make it, just keep trying because you never know what can happen, surprisingly,” the young man advised.

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Community policing

Bridging law enforcement and community development ARTICLE 32 of the Constitution states that “it is the joint duty of the state, the society and every citizen to combat and prevent crime and other violations of the law.” In keeping with this, the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Police Force have endeavoured to build relationships in communities across the country in order to fulfil this mandate.

Aided by Community Relations Officers and Community Policing Groups (CPG), the Force aims to work in partnership with citizens to better detect, suppress and prevent crime.

ENFORCEMENT THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The programme operates under the phi-

losophy that any resident can contribute to the development of safe and stable neighbourhoods and communities.

National Administrator of Community Policing, Mr. Dennis Pompey agrees. He noted that young people are important stakeholders in this process as their involvement in community activities and service reinforces a sense of ownership and responsibility to their communities.

“We have seen lawyers, doctors, teachers and pastors that are coming into CPG and that are giving back to the community, not only their man-hours in terms of patrolling, but trying to educate those persons who are within the CPG so they could perform at a higher level,” he said. Mr. Pompey also noted that CPGs comprise mostly of young

This officer holds a young girl close during a walkabout in ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields Sophia

Commander ‘C’ Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus interact with children in ‘C’ and ‘D’ Fields Sophia during a recent ‘walkabout’

people and account for over 30 per cent of community police, ranging from ages 24-34.

The education effort is also bolstered by training programmes covering topics like domestic violence, conflict resolution, trafficking in persons, social cohesion, and basic principles in mediation. The CPGs are provided with land and water transportation by the Government, after which the group is tasked with the maintenance of the equipment.

There are 210 community policing groups comprising 4,255 members across the country. That number rivals the total population of the GPF, which stands currently at 4,639 officers. Citizens, therefore, are the driving forces in the safety and stability of their communities.

In 2018 a total of 262 arrests were made by community police. In February 2018, a Soesdyke CPG, after they had gathered intelligence through surveillance, were,

in tandem with police, able to dismantle a carjacking ring based at the East Bank Demerara village and operating from Vryheids Lust on the East Coast of Demerara.

AUGMENTING THE FORCE IN THE HINTERLAND Community police have also significantly augmented the services of the GPF in the far-flung and interior regions.

In his address at the annual Police Officers Conference in 2016, President David Granger had emphasised the importance of community policing in the ongoing efforts to curb crime and had noted that it was an important bridge between the community and police.

“Community policing establishes partnerships and these partnerships emphasise problem-solving and they place emphasis on public safety and public service, with the aim of improving the quality of life,” the

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Community policing in action!

President said.

The Head of State had then called for CPGs to be established, particularly in hinterland and ‘frontier’ villages to support professional law enforcement. This partnership is especially important in interior locations, which covers vast terrains and often does not fully benefit from all of the manpower or equipment needed to ensure the deterring of crime.

It is in keeping with this charge, Mr. Pompey said, that the Community Policing group, stepped up its efforts to establish more CPGs. “After His Excellency visited the interior, he saw the need for community policing and, based on his advice, we went in there and formed groups in Barima-Waini (Region One), Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven), and Potaro–Siparuni (Region Eight) … What

you find there, is the police population is very small, so in some communities you find 15 and 20 CPG members [who] add to the strength of the Guyana Police Force,” Mr. Pompey said.

Barima-Waini (Region One) is one area which has seen a notable response from residents to join CPGs. The Region boasts 12 groups with 189 members spread throughout the villages of Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Kumaka, and Yarakita.

In cases where the national police are not familiar with the location’s geography, it is the community police that assists them in that regard.

and the police is now stronger.

“The bridge is being strengthened because you find that police can go into communities now and get the support from the community. Police are going in and forming youth clubs and getting people to understand what is community policing,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Ms. Maxine Graham also noted that a proactive approach to policing has had a tremendous impact on crime fighting for the Force.

“If you have proactive policing it would be able to curb a lot of things that are happening. So, when we reach out to the community it is better for us… When you are active in the community, persons see what you are doing and they want to come out and tell you things [that] they may be seeing [or about] things [that are] happening in the area… [They] want to come forward,

but don’t know how to… Because of the partnership that we have now, we have persons giving us a lot of information and we’re working on it and solving crimes,” Ms. Graham said.

ENGAGING YOUTH There are seven police divisions and each division has an assigned Community Relations Officer who works with community groups to engage young people. This is especially important because young people are often targeted by seasoned criminals. As such, the Force has increased its interactions with youth and it has already noted a reduction in crime.

IMPROVING COMMUNITY “We’re seeing the benefits of it right RELATIONS now because in certain areas where you had Mr. Pompey said that he believes that the increased… crimes with youth, you [see] a relationship and trust between communities decrease because we’re trying to filter their energies into other areas which are more meaningful,” Ms. Graham said.

Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Ms. Maxine Graham addresses officers after a ‘run and shoot’ exercise.

Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement), Mr. Lyndon Alves also believes that this approach has been instrumental in reducing crime. The Force saw a 22.4 per cent reduction in serious crimes in 2018 compared with 2017. “We recognise that youth are the vulnerable ones out there who have been targeted by career criminals so we think that engaging them and getting them involved in activities and creating opportunities for them, would aid in our fight against crime,” he said.

Since 2014 after an initial attempt to improve community relations through project “Impact Albouystown”, a low enforcement and social intervention project launched to decrease criminal activity among youth in community, the Guyana Police Force has been getting more collaborations with young people and every weekend community relations officers have been conducting activities with young people across the country.

Deputy Commissioner Alves said that the Guyana Police Force cannot afford to lose the support of civil society. To that end, maintaining good community relations through engagements with the public remains a central focus of the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Public Security through the Guyana Police Force.

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‘We were here from the start’ -Buxton/Friendship Grantees call for proprietorship, support from gov’t

By Navendra Seoraj THE Buxton/Friendship Grantees, who have been farming in the Buxton/Friendship area for years, are calling for proprietorship and support from the government to improve their trade.

The grantees who claim to be “pioneer farmers” in the community, said their colleagues in the Buxton area have been receiving most of the credit while they have not been credited for their work.

Chairman of the Buxton/Friendship Grantees, Leroy Hamer said the farmers

from the Friendship area need proprietorship because they have rights which fall under the constitution. The co-operative society, which has ownership of over 2,000 acres of land in the area, had celebrated 110 years of existence on February 22 but, the citizens of Buxton/ Friendship only discovered the secret of their

wealth in 2009.

Hamer, in 2009, received a legal document from the Land Registry allotting the land binding the two communities, making only the generations of their ancestry the real owners of Buxton/Friendship.

“Based on the Land Registry Act the document states that any land that you cannot prove ownership by document belongs to the state. And the same Act says that you must do a declaration of ownership. So when the government did come and grade the land we didn’t have nothing, so that is when we go and uplift the grant and do a declaration,” said Hamer in a past report.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 Kurt Adams spends most of his time taking care of his farm (Adrian Narine photo)

◄◄◄ From page XXVIII

Since they uplifted the document, the farmers have been working under the inspiration of President David Granger’s initiative for a green economy.

“Under that initiative, we planted over 3000 trees but nobody gave us anything and nobody is doing anything for us,” Hamer lamented, noting that they love the President’s initiative but he needs to make his contribution.

Farmers from across the country have been benefitting from the Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID) project which focuses on many aspects of infrastructural development for agriculture.

Hamer said his colleagues from the Buxton area have benefited from the RAID project but the “pioneer farmers” have not seen any benefits. “Our contractual rights were violated...the programme supposed help with our project because we are the registered proprietors,” he lamented, adding that the farmers take all their responsibilities seriously under their contract.

The farmer said they need the support because they will soon be embarking on a project to train persons in the field of farm-

ing. The programme will focus on persons between the ages of 18-35 and 35-75.

The grantees have been working on such projects because it will generate wealth which will be passed on for years to come.

He believes that the grantees have done

XXIX enough to get support but, his opinion is that the people who are in charge of the project are not doing enough.

“We need assistance so we submitted a request to the Ministry of Social Protection for support under the Buxton/Friendship grantees special project which started in June 2018,” said Hamer.

The grantees have so far received support from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to plant coconuts, peppers and soursops. The area for which this project was done will be used to do the aforementioned training.

With that already underway, he said they intend to use the support from the Social Protection Ministry to plant some suckers and plantains.

Hamer called on officials to not just talk about agriculture but to look at the projects and get into the fields and get things done.

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◄◄◄ From page VII

“I think where we’re heading is where the industry needs to go,” he said.

Lending credence to this, was Minister of Finance Winston Jordon who recently checked out the work of the Jacobs’. Mark indicated that the government has connected with the business to engage in certain projects that could boost the field.

He also indicated that the business is focusing on data collection too, and said: “Everything we do, we produce, we want to take account of it.”

This move aligns with the international focus being placed on traceability, where agro-businesses need to account for each ingredient used in production, provides insight into the supply chain and ensures compliance and safety.

Aside from expanding and development, Mark also shared that the family business is looking to train about 300 young people a year- and engage in school tours.

All in all, he affirmed that the Jacobs’ farm business is only going to get bigger and better in Guyana.

A small section of the Jacobs’ farm

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Denica Henry, a name from Berbice to remember

By Marissa V. Foster THE eldest sibling of three sisters born to Rhonda Brown and Dwayne Henry; Denica Henry, is a 21 -year-old beauty

who was born and raised in the small village of Broomfield in Corentyne, Berbice. She was educated at the Auchlyne Primary School and subsequently at the New Amsterdam Secondary School (NASS). It was in secondary school that

Denica Henry

Denica realised she has a passion for art. She majored in the Arts/Humanities stream at NASS and it was here that she became theoretically skilled by the hands of her teachers; Ms. Shaundelle Phillips and Osafo Dosantos.

Henry and her class also managed to grab the first prize of the National Drama Festival while she was attending high school.

Miss Berbice contestant, Denica Henry, participating in a social media campaign to commemorate International Women’s Day. (Andy Eastwise Henry photo ) Turn to page XXXIV►►►

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Guyanese Sheran Harper installed as MU Worldwide President

Mrs Sheran Harper with Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby

By Wendella Davidson IT was a crowning moment for Guyanese Sheran Harper, on February 26, when she was officially installed as the Mother’s Union Worldwide President by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, at the Southwark Cathedral in London.

For the next three years, Harper, wife of former national and West Indies cricketer, Roger Harper, who made history by being the first person from outside the British Isles to hold the position, will use the St Mary Sumner’s House, London as her headquarters. She took over the position from Lynne Tembey, whose tenure ended in December 2018.

On hand to witness the memorable occasion which was interspersed with strains of calypso music from the Nostalgia Steel Band were: Bishop of Guyana, Suriname and Cayenne, Charles Davidson; his wife Maureen Davidson; Sheila George, wife of the late Bishop of Guyana, Randolph George; Guyana’s High Commissioner to London, Frederick Hamley Case; a representative from the High Commission of Rwanda; the Bishop at Lambeth, Tim Thornton; the Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun; and Bishop Anthony Poggo.

In congratulating Mrs. Harper, Archbishop Welby remarked, “Sheran, let me congratulate you for the trust the members have bestowed on you in electing you as their worldwide president,” as he also thanked Lynne Tembey for her tenure.

“There is only one Mothers’ Union! It is the world’s oldest and largest women’s movement. It is one of the Anglican communion’s greatest gifts to the worldwide church,” the Archbishop added.

He spoke too of the “powerful force” that is Mothers’ Union to the congregation of more than 600 friends, family and Mothers’ Union members, many of whom flew in from around the globe and closer to home for the occasion.

The Archbishop, in referring to the readings from Romans, spoke about the simplicity of the New Testament and how, once called by God, He “takes us by the hand and takes us on the greatest adventure that there is the adventure of Christian discipleship. That adventure has taken Mothers’ Union from Mary Sumner in the countryside of England to a worldwide organisation on which people can depend”, he noted.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page XXXII

This beauty with a brain also attended Sixth Form at NASS but due to financial difficulties, she only completed one year. She landed her first job at the Sha Veh Supermarket in Port Mourant. Henry realised at this point in life that her journey would not have been a ‘walk in the park’, but she was determined to succeed in life as this was the first of many experiences for her. In 2011, she was a part of the Children’s Parliament which is currently known as the National Youth Parliament. At the tender age of 18, Denica moved to Georgetown and gained employment at the General Register Office (GRO), where she worked in the Information Technology Department.

After two years of living in the city, Henry realised the impact the ancient county had on her. She reflected on the effects internal migration has on Berbice, its economy and the people living there. “Georgetown has many opportunities available for youths compared to that of Berbice. There is much work to be done and if someone can use their platform to help make the country aware of such an issue then I believe it should be me’’, stressed Henry.

As such, she decided to move back to Berbice, where she is currently studying for an Associate Degree in Social Work at the University of Guyana, Berbice Campus. She also held the position of Student Representative of the University of Guyana’s Students’ Society. This young advocate’s passion for art, social work combined with her experiences makes her a force to be reckoned with.

Denica was also a contestant in the Ms Berbice Pageant.

While she did not obtain a place in the top five, she was crowned with the titles of Best Body and Miss Congeniality.

Throughout 2017 up until the last pageant, she stood by her platform strongly and used her voice across Berbice to spread the message on the importance of good mental health. She also completed countless workshops and programmes that were done across Guyana.

STRENGTH AND BEAUTY Earlier this year, Denica cut her hair off and joined the many females who are now growing out their natural hair.

She stressed that she was always pressured to straighten her hair as a little girl because of standardised beauty standards.

Nonetheless, she uses her hair and story to help young Berbician girls feel confident in their natural state. Currently, the President of the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the assistant secretary of the Student’s Social Work Association at the University of Guyana, she upkeeps these position with much respect from her colleagues and youths from Berbice.

All Berbicians might not have seen her but I’m sure they heard of her or in this case; heard her voice because she is the host of Morning Spice on Rock 88.5 FM as well as a news reporter for the Little Rock television station. Self- confidence, girls in STEM, healthy eating, mental health, basic etiquettes are all just a small fraction of topics she has discussed on her radio show. Denica also features young Berbicians of interest every week on her programme.

“I believe our lives should always be a work in progress.

The hardest part about change and bettering yourself is quitting detrimental habits and focusing on things that will benefit you for the better in the long run. The fact that persons, things or habits have been a part of your life for a long time does not matter,” Denica said. “What really matters the most is what is best for us and our overall health. New beginnings are always difficult, take baby steps and you’ll get to your destination one day. I also believe in having a strong faith and having a relationship with a higher being as well as a strong support system of friends or family. I must thank my mother for being my number one supporter and I know we all have one or more person in mind that we can say the same for, so hold onto them.”

All the certifications would mean nothing unless you stay true to yourself is something she also believes. Denica will continue to use the endless amount of platforms she has to make enlighten Berbicians on the many topics that plague our country. The aspiring policymaker is an example that it matters not where we come from, its where we’re headed for.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019 ◄◄◄ From page XXXIII

He also alluded to the challenges faced by many members of the Mothers’ Union as they undertake their work of supporting the communities in which they live and serve. “In many places you will have to bear the cross of other people’s suffering. Whether it’s in Burundi, the DRC, Guyana, South Sudan, Nigeria or in towns and cities and slums, whether it is domestic violence, whether it is loneliness, whether it is spiritual emptiness, the Mothers’ Union is there bringing hope and a future. So, make yourselves known,” he remarked.

In her remarks of acceptance Mrs Harper said “I feel overjoyed and humbled by the outpouring of love and support I have received. I am so very grateful to everyone who travelled from far and wide for this special day in the history of Mothers’ Union. Thank you everyone who came and those who were unable to but were lifting me up in their prayers.

“I especially thank Archbishop Justin for his encouraging words. We are indeed a unique and extraordinary gift from God. Mothers’ Union is at a very important point in history when our Trustee Board now reflects the truly global nature of the movement. Our recent global conversations, with emerging themes are setting the tone for the future of our work which will be even stronger in meeting the needs of the communities we serve in a life-changing way,” she added.

Harper had said in an interview shortly after the appointment was announced last year “I am delighted to accept the role of Worldwide President for the new triennium,” Harper said in a report in the Anglican Communion News Service.

“I feel very excited and privileged and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members who voted to make this dream a reality.”

As the new president, Harper will represent and lead the 142 year-old movement of four million members in 84 countries, and which is regarded as the largest women’s organisation in the world with membership in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, the West Indies, Canada, England, Wales, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil and Seychelles among others.

Born in the United Kingdom, Harper grew up in Guyana where she studied at the University of the West Indies School of Physical Therapy. She undertook her Clinical Practice at Guy’s Hospital in London and then worked with the Ministry of Health in Guyana, where she opened and managed new physiotherapy departments in hospitals throughout the country and lectured on the rehabilitation therapists’ programme.

She stopped working in this area 17 years ago, to focus on her calling of serving Mothers’ Union. She has served as a volunteer at all levels from parish, diocese and province and is currently a Worldwide Trustee.

The Mothers’ Union is an international Christian, British registered charity that seeks to support families worldwide.

Its members are not all mothers or even all women, as there are many parents, men, widows, singles and grandparents involved in its work. Its main aim is to support monogamous marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity It was established through a Royal Charter – an ancient legal structure overseen by the Privy Council. The Privy Council, the highest level of the British Government responsible for matters reserved to the Monarch, approved the new constitution when it met in April this year, chaired by Queen Elizabeth.

Until recently, Harper was the worldwide parenting trainer where she rolled out Mothers’ Union parenting programmes in 23 countries across the globe. Her election was announced by MU’s Chief Executive, Bev Jullien during a Facebook Live session. “We are extremely excited with the results,” Jullien said. “Not only will Sheran bring her global expertise, but we have a Board that is rich in diversity with eight different nationalities and also, for the first time, includes a man.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

English

STUDY SUCCESS Dear student, Fact-finding for a research project sometimes demands that you heavily source personal observation or experience. This source is valuable but, like other sources it has both advantages and disadvantages. Individual impression can be misleading, especially when people observe other people; but otherwise it can be very reliable. One great advantage about using the personal observation and experience source is that your report is likely to be more vivid and interesting than one garnered entirely from books. Be wise.

Love you.

GOOD WRITING Narrative devices Reminder: A narrative device is a technique used by a story writer in telling a listener or reader about a series of events.

Narrative devices are used to manipulate the writing style or the content of the story to make it more complete, complicated, or interesting. Deliberately try to use whatever you can of these devices as you lift your writing prowess to a higher level.

Let us now look at some common techniques relevant to plot as authorities have defined them: flashback, flashforward, and foreshadowing. ? Flashback is a general term for altering time sequences, taking the characters back to the beginning of the tale, for instance….

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is what happens in a scene relating an event that happened The stage but echoes back the public voice. in the past…. It may deal with something important about a The drama’s laws the drama’s patrons give, character’s past.

For we that live to please, must please to live. ? Flashforward is a scene that SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) temporarily jumps the narrative Prologue at the Opening of the Theatre in forward in time…. FlashforDrury Lane, 1747 wards often represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future…. They share your excitement, fear, or sorrow. may also reveal significant parts of the story 4. Build a good conclusion about the that have not yet occurred, but soon will in thoughts and feelings you experienced. greater detail.

Then tell what the experience means to you. ? Foreshadowing is a device by which the author provides clues that hint at events SECOND PASSAGE to come…. Foreshadowing refers to the use “Well, still day-dreaming?” my uncle of words or phrases that set the stage for asked. the story to unfold…. Descriptive details “Yes…No…I…” such as storm clouds in the horizon, bits of “If you go on like this, we’ll lose the dialogue, and even names an author gives lead.” characters…. Foreshadowing gives a hint “I was thinking about Uncle Bo. Where of something that is going to happen with- is he now?” out revealing the story or spoiling the sus“God only knows! On his last visit, pense…. Sometimes a red herring is given he was … You see, I don’t know where he to throw the reader off the chase. is any more! He’s never in the same place: he’s like a bird: he can’t stay quietly on one FIRST PASSAGE tree, he needs the whole sky.”

“Mimi, wake up. You’re going to be “Will I, too, be like a bird some day?” late for school,” Mom’s voice cut through “What are you talking about?” my dream.

“Well, you’ve just told me that Uncle Bo I got slowly out of bed, dazed and is like a bird.” disoriented. For a few moments, I didn’t “Do you want to become like him?” even know where I was. Then I remem“I don’t know yet.” bered, and my dreams and memories came “Well, you have plenty of time to make flooding back. I remembered that long your mind up, anyhow. Meanwhile, take journey and the day after my cousin’s this sheaf.” death when we finally found land. We’d And he would go on reaping. Even landed on a Malaysian island and stayed for though his body was soaking wet, he always sixteen months before being sponsored by returned to his work with great vigour, as St. Mary’s Church in Ohio. The Lord had if he was only just beginning. But all the answered all our prayers! same, the heat was a burden; the air would Six years have passed, but I still occa- seem to weigh down upon us: and weariness sionally have dreams about my long journey would gradually begin to creep over us: to America. I feel so lucky and grateful that draughts of cold water were no longer any we found land and a new life in America. I good, and so we would begin to fight our learned that life should be appreciated and weariness with singing. loved. Above all, I learned never to give “Sing with us,” my uncle would say. up hope.

(Camara Laye’s “The African Child”) (Van Ngo, Thomas Jefferson High About the Passage School) Today’s second passage also is simply About the Passage: If you read again written. carefully, you’ll see that a strategy is used It is chosen moreso for its use of diwhere the writer provides information she alogue to portray characteristics of perhad deliberately omitted when the narration sons, feeling, conflict, and environment began. As she relates her personal experi- in building a story. Work out the author’s ence, the writer also states in the end that purpose(s) of using dialogue, with your the experience has more than one meaning study partners. for her. Then meanings are provided.

The skillful use of dialogue in the two passages used so far today should be of WHAT TO DO interest to those who find dialogue challengWrite a story in which you manipulate ing to employ, who have not yet quite recthe order of events. Share it with your ognised the great value of dialogue in story study partners and listen to their informed writing. It is our hope that you persist in the comments. overcoming of this barrier of fear and go on Personal Writing Guidelines to produce a better variety of good stories.

Follow the upcoming guidelines when doing a story on personal experience: SOMETHING TO DO 1. Maintain a first-person point of view 1. Write a short story based on any using the first-person pronoun “I.” interesting thing that has happened around 2. Make your narrative live by including you. Use some purposeful and sprightly specific facts and details. dialogue.

3. Use your language well using of vivid 2. Allow your study partners to offer adjectives, precise verbs and adverbs, and informed comments when you are sure concrete nouns. This strategy helps readers your writing is complete.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019

Boiled Channa

INGREDIENTS 1 lb black-eye or soybeans 2 tsp salt 1/4 pt cooking oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 small pepper, chopped INSTRUCTIONS Soak beans overnight.

Add the salt to 3 pints of boiling water, then add beans and cook until soft.

Remove from liquid. Heat oil.

Add chopped onion, pepper, beans, and some black pepper and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Serve hot.

Serves 10-12

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 3, 2019