Guyana Pepperpot E-Paper 04-08-2024 by Guyana Chronicle

The drive todo better

LookingatpioneerandbusinesswomanAyodeleDalgety-Dean

AyodeleDalgetyDean,wife,mother andinspiration

THINGSfromthehomeandenvironmentthatwouldhave otherwisegoneintothetrasharebeingrecycledintoart piecesintheformofup-cycledartbythetalentedAlvina Naughton.Theseincludeglassbottles,designsforclothing, andbookmarks.

Naughtonhasasafespaceforgirlsandwomentoexpress themselvesviaartsandcraft,andsheprovidesservicesincanvasart,bottleart,Guyaneseart:the592collection,wearable

artandcustomisedart.

Asasmall-businessownerwhodoesn’thavealargeincome,shesaidthatshemanagesthe“VillageNook”located ontheEastCoastofDemerara,anartsandwellnesscentre toassistpersonsinhealingfromtraumathroughcreativity.

ThemotheroftwotoldthePepperpotMagazinethatsheis originallyfromVictoria,EastCoastDemerara,butrelocated toCoveandJohnvillage.Aftersheattainedadegreeinvisual artsfromtheUniversityofGuyana(UG),shewantedtoassist peoplewhohavebeensuffering fromgender-basedviolence

andotherformsof trauma.

Naughtonworks withgirlsandwomenmostlyinanopen forumastheycome,anditprovidesasafespaceforthemto display/selltheirhand-madepiecesinartandcraftandpromotelocalproducts.

Sherelatedthatshewouldalsoassistthegirlsandwomen tobecomecreativethroughartsandcraft, andmakethingsfromscratchtoshowcase theirtalentandenhancetheirabilities.

ThepiecesproducedbyAlvinaNaughton(YohanSavoryphotos)

AlvinaNaughtonandherproducts,allhand-made

Adifferentsideof Emancipation

AspiritualjourneythroughAfricanroots

ByShaniyaHarding

Emancipationismany things:atruedisplayoftradition,culture,creativity, andanotheraspectthePepperpotMagazineexplored thisweek,spirituality.PelhamGranvilleisamong hundredsofAfro-Guyanese whoconsiderEmancipation morethanaholiday.For PelhamGranville,Emancipationmeansconnection tohisrootsinauniqueway.

ComingfromthecommunityofStanleytownonthe WestBankofDemerara,Pelhamhasdedicatedhimselfto learningabouttheintricacies ofmanydifferentcultures, butAfricanspiritualitywas ofuniqueinteresttohim. Today,heisareligiousleader inhiscommunity,andevery year,Emancipationpresents aone-of-a-kindopportunity forPelhamtoshare,experience,andeducateotherson thehistoryofhisancestors.

Thisyearisnodifferent; Pelhamandtherestofhis communityhopetobringtraditionalivewiththeiremancipationcelebration.Keeping truetohisroots,Pelham’s observationofEmancipation isasclosetohistoricallycorrectaspossible,withagrand displaycoupledwithvarious religiousactivities.

Describingthem,Pelham stated,“Onthe3rdofAugust, we’llbehavingourspiritual work.Somepeoplecallit spiritualworkorinvocation whereweinvokeourancestors.We’llstartwithalibationceremonyat6o’clock, usingpalm,grain,anddark water.Thenextday,weask MotherOya,theorishain chargeofthecemetery,to

releaseourancestorssothey canbeentertained.After thelibationceremony,we entertainthemwithgandha lightup,dance,andprayer, askingfortheirguidanceand healing.Ourancestorsare ourguidingangels.”

Everyonehasanappreciationfortheirpast.But Pelhamtakesastepfurther, seekingtobreakstereotypes andeducateothersonthe lesser-knowntopicofAfricangods.Ashestates,“The ancestralworkandtheorisha workaredifferent.WeentertainPapashangowithabonfirenearthewater,invoking MotherOcean,thegoddess ofwealth,forourneeds.We acknowledgeOlódùmarè,the supremegoddess,andsing spiritualsongs,astheBible instructs,because‘abody withoutthespiritcan’tfunction.’Ourcultureandspiritualityaredeeplyintertwined, andwemustcontinueour spiritualpracticestohonour ourancestorsandmaintain balance.”

Contrarytopopularbelief,Pelhamfirmlybelieves thatAfricanspiritualityand comparativereligioncannot onlycoexistbutcomplement eachother.Ashestated, “Beforeplantingorbuilding, wepourlibationtothank MotherEarth.Thepandemic isaremindertoreturntoour spiritualrootsandcelebrate inaspiritualway.Comparativereligionstudyshows thatwithoutdeepspirituality, ourcultureisincomplete.We mustuseourspiritualgifts forgood,loveourneighbours,andrememberour powerfulheritage.Blackis doublepower,notjustfor mourning.Wemustembrace

ourspiritualculture,honour ourancestors,andseekdeeperunderstanding.”

PelhambelievesthatAfricanspiritualityhasbeen lostthroughouttheyears.He explainedthat,likeallbelief systems,Africanreligions beganasawayforitspeople togainfreedom.However, thisintentionhasbeenlost overthecenturiesandisnow misunderstoodbymany.

Asheexplains,“Ourancestorsusedtodospiritual worktobefree.TheBible says,‘Faithwithoutworks isdead,’andourancestors didthespiritualworktogain freedom.Today,manylack knowledgeandfindthemselvesintroublebecause theydon’tcontinueancestral practices.Herbslikecannabis wereusedformedicineand invocation,notjustforsmoking.InAfricanculture,herbs havespiritualsignificance.”

However,therearesome partsofculturethatstill remain,drummingbeing amongthemostimportant.AsPelhamexplained, “Drummingisanessential partofourculture,usedto sendmessages.Drummers mustpreparethedrumspirituallysoitcansendtheright message.Ourancestorsused drumstocommunicatebetweenvillages,andthedrums playedacrucialroleinour culture.Preparingthedrum involvesspiritualritualsto ensureitcanconveythecorrectmessages.”

Emancipationhasbecomesynonymouswithvariousthings,withdances, music,andfoodbeingamong themostpopular.ButPelham believesthattheholiday shouldbemorethanthat,as

heshared,“Ourcultureis notjustaboutperformances; it’sdeeplyspiritual.Our ancestorsusedtocelebrate withdrumming,cooking, andgatheringtogether.The pandemichasreminded ustoreturntotheseroots andhonourourcultureina spiritualway.Comparative religionshowsthatspiritualityisessentialforcultural completeness.Christianity oftenmissesthedepthof

ourculture,leadingtoalack ofknowledgeandspiritual imbalance.”

Oneofthemostimportantandoftenoverlooked practices,inPelham’sopinion,islibation,thefoundationofAfricanspirituality. Asheexplains,“InAfrican culture,libationisanimportantritual.Beforeanysignificantactivity,likefarming orbuilding,wepourlibation tothankMotherEarth.This

practiceacknowledgesthe presenceandsupportofour ancestors.Thepandemichas highlightedtheimportance ofreturningtoourspiritual rootsandhonouringour cultureinameaningfulway.”

Butaboveallelse,PelhamsaysthatEmancipationisabouttogetherness; itisanopportunityforeveryGuyanese,regardlessof race,tolearnaboutoneof thenation’smanypeoples.

PelhamGranville(SamuelMaughnphotos)

-FirstGuyanesetoachievethisstatusintheaccountancyfield

ByMichelOutridge

ATage20whilesomearestilltryingtofindtheirway, ChiragChadwaniistheyoungestqualifiedcharteredaccountantinGuyanaandisrecognisedglobally.

Asanover-achieveracademically,hisparentsandfamily werenotsurprisedbecausetheyknewhehadthepotential andneededtofocus.

Whenhedevelopedaninterestinaccountingstudies,his parentsfullysupportedhimbyutilisingextralessonsata privateschool,whichtheypaidforandprovidedguidance.

Ashecontinuedtoexcelinschool,Chadwanihadhiseyes setongainingrecognitionintheaccountingfieldbyacquiring certificatesneededtoboosthiscurriculumvitae.

InAdvancedAuditandAssurancecertification,Chiragis rankednumberfourintheworld,numberoneintheCaribbean,andtheonlypersonlocallytoattainthisachievement.

HeisrecognisedgloballyintheACCAcommunityand isrecognisedin178countriesworldwide.

However,ChiragwasalsoaccreditedStrategicBusiness Leader(SBL),StrategicBusinessReporting(SBR)andAdvancedAuditandAssurance(AAA)bytheAssociationof CharteredAccountants.

ChandwaniisalsoACCAaccreditedEthicsandProfessionalSkillsmodule,anadvanceddiplomainAccountancy andBusiness.

AccordingtoDevidasChandwani,fatheroftheGuyanese scholar,hissonremainshumbleeventhoughhehasmade significantacademicstridesinaccountingamonghispeers.

TheIndianNational,whoimmigratedtoGuyana,isalocal businessmanwhotoldthePepperpotMagazinethathisyoungestoftwosonsisaveryenterprisingyoungmanwhohasdone amazinglywellinhiscareerinthefieldofaccountancy.

Hereportedthatatage12,ChandwaniwrotetheCaribbeanCouncilExamination(CXC),onesubject,Principleof Accounts,andpassedwithdistinction.

Thebusinessman,whocametoGuyanamorethan35years ago,statedthathissonwasinFormTwowhenhewroteexams inMathematicsandEnglishLanguageatage13andexcelled.

Guyana’syoungestaccountant,ChiragChandwaniposeswithPresidentIrfaanAliandhisfather,DevidasduringavisitatOfficeofthePresident

HeaddedthatChandwaniwrotetheCaribbeanAdvanced ProficiencyExamination(CAPE)inFormThreeandpassed, buthedidn’tdoaswellashedidpreviously.

ChandwaniwasapupilofMae’sUnder12Schoolbefore hewroteACCAinFormFour,alongwithhisregularschool workandpassed.

OnAugust3,2022,Chandwaniandhisfathervisitedthe OfficeofthePresidentandhadasuccessfulmeetingwith PresidentIrfaanAli.

Chandwaniplacednumber11globallyandisthetopperformerintheCaribbeanintheAuditandAssuranceExamination,writtenduringtheACCADecember2021examinations.

There,PresidentAlipraisedChandwaniforhisaccomplishmentsandencouragedhimtoensurehehadabalanced life.

HisfathertoldthePepperpotMagazinethathisson, fromchildhood,heendeavouredtobesuccessful,and heattendedSirMorgan’sprivatelessonswherehewas encouragedtodoevenmoreacademically,andhedidjust thatandsomemore.

Chandwanihasplacedamongthetop20personsinthe worldatthe“AuditandAssurance”examinationfromtheDecember2021sittingoftheAssociationofCharteredCertified Accountants(ACCA)exams.

Heplaced11thandlandedaGradeIintheCaribbean SecondaryEducationCertification’s(CSEC)Principlesof Accountsexaminationwhenhewasonly12.

TheformerstudentofMae’sSchoolswasthetopperformerfortheCaribbeaninthatparticularexaminationpaper,the ACCAconfirmedonitsFacebookpage.

“Ofthe119,688enteredfortheDecembersitting,which saw145,692examscompleted.Atotalof4,288students completedtheirfinalexamstobecomeACCAaffiliates.Inthe faceofthecontinuedpandemic,ACCAalsoofferedremotely invigilatedexamsto9,809studentsacrossnumerousjurisdictions,”theprofessionalbody(ACCA)saidonitswebsite. Today,heisarecognisedaccountantwithaprivate companyinGuyana,utilisinghisknowledgetoexpand hishorizonsinrelationtoon-the-jobexperienceinthe workplace.

WITHanalreadyestablishedtrackrecordofgood leadership,commitmentto socialequity,anddedicationtocommunityservice andvolunteerism,NeilBacchus,latelyelectedasthe firstconvenorofthenewly establishedCaribbeanCoalitionagainstTraffickingin Persons,continuestomake animpactonthelivesof many. CurrentlyChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheIndige-

nousPeoples’Commission inGuyana,Neil’scareeris markedbyprogressiveleadershiprolesutilisinghisexpertiseandcommitmentto socialjustice.Infact,his journeyishighlightedby contributionstovariousorganisationsandsectors,with aprimaryfocusonadvancing therightsandwelfareofIndigenouspeoples.

Hesaidthat,asthefirst andonlypersontodatein GuyanaandtheCaribbean

withaFellowshipinInterreligiousDialogueandCulture, itisanhonourtobeappointedthefirstConvenerofthe ‘CaribbeanCoalition.’

TheCaribbeanCoalition onTraffickinginPersonsisa private/publicpartnershipof countryagencies,nonprofit organisations,lawenforcement,civicgroups,academics/researchers,community leadersandsurvivors.

Theaimistounify,coordinate,encourage,promote

andcarryonactivitiesthat eliminatethebuying,selling andexploitationofpeople intheCaribbeanwhileempoweringandintegrating survivorsmeaningfullyinto society.

BornonOctober9,1976, Neilisavolunteerwithmore than25NGOsandiscurrentlyofferingfreeCSECMaths lessonsonline.

Havingcompletedhis earlyeducationatQueens College,hepursuednumerouscertificationsanddegrees fromprestigiousinstitutions worldwide.Heholdsadegree inPublicManagementfrom theUniversityofGuyana andhascompletedadvanced studiesinprojectmanagement,businessadministration,humanrights,and interculturaldialogue.His academiccredentialsinclude certificationsfromtheInstituteofIntegratedStudies, theUSInstituteofDiplomacyandHumanRights,and HarvardX.

NeilisacertifiedProject ManagementProfessional withmultipleMaster’sDegrees,includinganInterna-

tionalMasterofBusiness ManagementandaMaster inProjectManagement.His expertiseextendstospecialisedareassuchashuman traffickingprevention,cognitivebehaviouraltherapy, andIslamiceconomics.

Hebeganhis tenureattheIndigenous Peoples’Commissionin September2011asanAdministrativeAssistant.In thisrole,hemanagedoffice operations,advisedthepublic,andhandledfinancial transactions.Hisleadership potentialquicklybecame evident,leadingtohisappointmentasCEOinJune 2014.

AsCEO,Neiloversees theCommission’sSecretariat,ensuringtheeffective implementationofstrategic goalsandmanagingthe Commission’sbudget.His roleinvolvesliaisingwith

NeilBacchus

CommunityserviceandvolunteerismaresomeofNeil’skeyfocus areas

Outinthefields

Neilhasservedasaneducatorandtrainer

MorucaExpo2024didnotdisappoint!

RESIDENTSfromseveral ofthebeautifulvillagesin theMorucasub-region,RegionOne(Barima/Waini), werejoinedbythousands ofGuyanesefromacross thecountrytoexperience the18thannualMoruca Expowhichismorelike aculturalextravaganza thatshowcasedthevibrant heritageofthe‘Morucans.’

TheeventwasheldJuly 26-27andwasaroaring successwithrecord-breaking attendancesincethefirstone washosted.

DayOnefeaturedaroad race,aquaticsevents,anda beachvolleyballcompetition.Attendeesweretreated toperformancesbyGuyaneseartistsGrannyIvy,VicadiSingh,andTonyCuttz, whohadthecrowdlaughing, dancing,andsingingalong.

resentingvillagessuchas SantaRosa,Assakata,Kwebana,SantaCruz,Warapoka andSkyland.

Assakata’sDaciaThomaswascrownedthewinner withaninnovativeplatform focusedonsuicideprevention.Asthefirstrunnerup, MissSantaRosaRhianna Gildari’splatformfocused ondomesticviolence,while thethirdrunner-up,Miss KwebanaDestinyJose’s platform,focusedondrunk driving.

Liveperformancesby BrazilianartistPepeMoreno wereanothereventhighlight,whichlastedintothe weehoursofSundaymorning.DespitetheunfamiliarityofBrazilianmusicin thesub-region,attendees dancedandenjoyedthemselvesthroughoutthenight,

Thiswasthefirsttimethese entertainershadperformed inMoruca,thereforeadding totheevent’sexcitement.

DayTwoincludedacyclerace,noveltyevents,and entertainmentforchildren withabouncycastleand trampoline.Thecrab-catchingandfirewood-bursting competitionsweretwoofthe uniqueactivitiesondisplay.

Oneoftheexpo’shighlightswastheMissMoruca Pageant,withdelegatesrep-

HousingMinisterCollinCroal(firstfromleft) withthepageantwinnersandothers

CanoeingattheExpo

COMMUNITIESgrow, culturesevolve,andtraditionsarecarriedon.The villageofBagotvilleonthe WestBankofDemerara isavibrantplacewitha deephistoryandaninterestingwayoflife.A close-knitcommunityby nature,mostofthevillage’speoplearerelated, craftingauniquesenseof togetherness.

Amongthehundredsof menandwomenwhocall thecommunityhomeisTroy Isaacwhoholdsinteresting insightsintothecommunity’spast,currentwayoflife, andthepotentialfutureof thevillagehehasknownfor

overadecade.

Althoughitisamongthe oldestvillagesinthecountry,notmanyhaveheard aboutBagotville.Asmall villageontheWestBankof Demerara,itwasamongthe firstcommunitiesstartedby ex-slaves.Thevillagehas slowlybutsteadilydevelopedovertheyears,going fromabushyplotofland tuckedawaytoahubof buzzingentrepreneurship.

Troyhasknownthe communityformorethan adecade.Firstventuring intoBagotvillebecauseof hisfamily,hehasfallen inlovewiththevillage.

TalkingtothePepperpot

AVillagerichinhistoryandhope

Magazineaboutthechanges inthecommunity,Troyexpressedthatthecommunity haschangedtoresemblea calmresidentialarea.As heshared,“WhenIcame toBagotville,itwasalittle morebusytome,butto me,like,economicactivity sloweddownalittle.Like, forinstance,ithadmore businessplacesinfront… andwedon’treallyhave muchbusinessesnow.”

OneareathatTroywould liketoseedevelopment isinyouthprogrammes. Bagotvillehasmanyyoung people,manyofwhomhave norealafter-schoolactivities tooccupytheirtime.Thisis somethingTroywould liketoseechanged.As hestated,“Thevillage needssomemoresupportintermsofdevelopmentforyouth.In thevillage,weneedto

developyouthsandhave moretechnicalskills.Most ofthetime,youfindyouths justlyinginthehouse,don’t havemuchthingstodo.”

Bagotvillehasalways beenacommunitytorally arounditsyoungpeople. Troybelievesthatinvestmentintheyouthwouldgo alongwayindeveloping thevillageandregionona largerscale.Asheputsit, creatingmeaningfulpeople insociety,hestatedthat, “Theywon’tbeabletoget muchinputatayoungage, whentheygrowup,they won’tbemeaningfuladults, liketheyare,andcontribute meaningfullytothecommunityaswell.”

Mostdayscouldfind Troysellingcoconutwater

becausetheprice islow,andpeople losetheirwealth.”

athisBagotvillehome. Likesomanybusinesses nowupandrunning,Troy beganhisventureduring thepandemic.Sincethen, hehasbecomeastaple amongthepeopleofBagotville.

Talkingabouthisbusiness,hestated,“I’vebeen doingcoconutbusinessfor abouttwoyearsnow.After theyhadthisbigCOVID thing,andalotofpeople neededcoconutwater.That’s howIcameintoit.AndI finditprofitable.Butnow itisalittlelessprofitable

Apartfrombeingalucrativeventure,Troyisa championforthehealth benefitsofcoconutwater. Asheexplained,“Itiswhat youcalllivewater.Yeah,it’s verygoodfortheimmune system.It’sverygoodfor clean-outintermsofany ailments,internalailments. Itwillcleanitoutandthings likethat.”

Aftermorethan15years inthebusinessandinthe community,Troyhasbecomeapartofthecommunity’ssenseoftogetherness. Ashestated,“Peoplelive, basically,goodwithoneanotherbecauseyoufindmost ofthepeople,sinceI’min thevillage,they’rerelated. Right?So,youwouldn’tfind muchproblemwithpeople inthatarea.They’revery peaceful.”

Culturalactivitieshave alwaysbeenayearlyhighlightoflifeinthecommunityofBagotville.Throughout thevillage’shundred-year history,emancipationcelebrationshavealwaysbeen amajorpartoflifeinthe community.Inrecentyears, however,thecommunity hasbeenseeinglessofthese vibrantcelebrations.AsTroy explained,“Theyusedto

have,like,pageants.That wasabigthing.Thingslike that,youdon’thavethem now.Idon’tknowifit’s becausethecentrehasbeen brokendown.Theyneed thosepageantstocomeback andmorecultureshouldbe instilledintothecommunity.”

Troyemphasisestheimportanceofculturalcelebrationsandyouthdevelopment;hiswordsechothe sentimentsofmanyinBagotville.Thevillagestandsat acrossroads,balancingits richhistorywiththeneedfor economicandsocialprogress.Thereturnofcultural pageantsandemancipation celebrationscouldbethe sparkneededtoreignitethe community’sspiritandprovideasenseofdirectionfor itsyouth.

AsTroystated,“Itis veryimportantbecause peopleneedtoknowtheir own,theirnextofkin.And thingslikethat.Theirculture,wherethey’refrom. Sothattheycanknow wherethey’regoingin thefuture.So,itisvery important,Istressagain, thattheseactivitiesshould bereturnedtothiscommunity.”

TroyIsaacs

‘WhereEmancipationcelebrationsbegan’

Bagotvilleresidentssharebackgroundonthe‘birthplaceofEmancipationcelebrations’inGuyana

ByShaniyaHarding

BRIGHTcolours,the soundsofdrumsandthe voicesofancestralsongs, andthestoryofoneof Guyana’smanypeople. Everyyear,Afro-GuyanesecometogethertoobserveEmancipation,aswe witnessedthispastweek. ManywouldsaythatAugust1ismorethanaholiday;itisthecelebration ofapeople.Aswell-known andwidespreadtheevent’s festivitiesare,thereiscertainlymorethanmeets theeyewhenitcomesto

Emancipation. Thisweek,thePepperpotMagazinetookatripto thevillagewhereresidents considerthebirthplaceof Emancipationcelebrations, Bagotville.Hometoseveral hundredpeople,Bagotville isavillageontheWestof Demerarasaidtohavebeen builtbyfreedslaves.This year,thecommunityhopes toreignitethepassionfor traditionthattheysaywas startedtherebytheirancestorssomanyyearsago. Withraces,competitions, musicandgoodfood,the birthplaceofEmancipation

hopestocomealiveonce againwithtraditions,love andtheutmostunity.

Thebirthplaceof Emancipationcelebrations

Asubtlevibranceisone ofthebestwaystodescribe thecommunityofBagotville.Thevillage,located severalmilessouthofthe DemeraraHarbourBridge, hassomethingincredibly interestingtoboastabout. Residentssaythatthecommunityisknownbymanyas thebirthplaceoftheemancipationcelebrationswe

knowandlovetoday.Abold butexcitingclaim,Ashton CrawfordtoldthePepperpot Magazinethestoryofthe communityhehasknown andlovedsincehisbirth, ashestated,“Iwasbornin Bagotvilleintheyear1950, October2.Iwillbe74years oldthisyear,October.”

Formostofthoseyears, Crawfordhasdedicatedhimselftolearningandpreservingthehistoryofthe communityhecallshome. Sharingsomeofhisyears ofknowledgewiththePepperpotMagazine,Crawford retoldtheoriginofthecommunity.“Thisvillagewas startedin1848orsometime aroundthere.Itgotthename fromamannamedBagot, whogaveoverthelandsto somefreedslaves.Hegave overthelands,andthey calledtheplaceBagotvillein honourofhim.”SaidCrawford.Thepastandhistory ofthevillagearecommon knowledgeofthepeopleof thevillage,withthestory stillbeingtoldtochildrenof Bagotville.

FromGhanaDayto Emancipation:Birthofa celebration

However,adeeplycaptivatingandlesser-knownstoryishowthefamedEmancipationholidayweknownow wasdeveloped.Amonga fewothersources,Crawford sharedthatEmancipation beganasacelebrationcalled GhanaDay,amuchsmaller eventinBagotville.However,overtime,thepeopleof

Bagotvillesoughttocreate adaytocelebratetheirroots beyondfood,dancinganda fewsongs.Withtheinvolvementofnumerouspeople, ‘Emancipation’blossomed intoamonth-longaffair seekingtokeepcountless traditionsalive.“Theybuilt acommunitycentre.That communitycentrewasbuilt becauseyouhadamanfrom Africacamehere.Hewas namedKingEzi.KingEzi camehere.Youdidn’thave nocentreoranything.They builtashedwithcoconut branchandthesekindsof things,andbuiltit.Andfrom thatday,youcallitGhana Day,”Crawfordshared.

Initsearliestdays, GhanaDaywasnotwell knownandwasconsidereda communityoccasionrather thananationalholiday.As Crawfordexplained,itall beganwiththeBagotville SongCircle,asmallAfrican culturalgroup.“Wedidn’t haveEmancipationDayin Guyana.Butwestartedwith theBagotvilleSongCircle. Everyyear,weusedtokeep somethingatthecentre.We usedtogettheEmancipation Celebrationeveryyear.And wecontinuedandmorepeoplestartedtocomeout.But itwasn’tsowidelyknown, butthenitgrewandspread alloverthecountry.The Emancipationcelebrations startedhereinBagotville.”

OurRootsandthe Future:Harambee Emancipation,likeall ofourculturalholidays,is

morethanadaysetaside toremember.Itistheact ofreturningtoone’sroots andrememberingatime longgone.Andintheever-changingworldoftoday, thatissomethingunique. Bagotvilleknowsallabout change.Thevillagehasdevelopedfromacommunity boughtandbuiltbyslaves, intoalivelycommunitydrivenbyentrepreneurship.But aboveallelse,thepeopleof thevillagestrivetopreserve thepast,asCrawfordstates, appealingtootherstocherish theirculture.“Wedon’treallyappreciatewhatwehave. Weallowourcultureandtraditionstogo.Afterawhile, wemightrememberwhatwe usedtodoandbringitback; butthenitgoesagain.”

Thisyear,Bagotville residentshopetoreignitethenewgeneration’s enthusiasmwithvarious activitiesslatedforthe monthofAugust,witheverythingfromlibationto competition.AsBagotville celebratesmorethana hundredyearsofEmancipation,Crawfordisurging Guyaneseeverywhereto rememberoneofthemain principlesoftheoccasion. ThatisHarambee,aSwahiliwordwhichmeans pulltogether.AsCrawford stated,“IwouldsayHarambeeGuyanesepeople. Iwon’tsayBagotvilians, butIwouldsayGuyanese people,Harambee,pull together.”

AshtonCrawford(SamuelMaughnphotos)

CultureandyouthinBagotville

ABagotvilleWomansharesherviewsoncommunity,culture,andchange

ByShaniyaHarding.

GUYANAisuniqueon accountofvariousthings aboutournation.Ourlanguage,history,andbright futureallsetusapartfrom therestoftheworld.But whattrulyshapesusis ourpeople.Inalandofsix races,culturaleventsare nolongeradayforone raceandoneraceonly. InGuyana,ithasevolved intoacelebrationofour differences.

August1stmarksemancipation,buttheentire monthwillbefilledwith variouscelebrationsand eventshappeningallaround thecountry.Thisweek,the PepperpotMagazinelooked atthevillageofBagotville,a communitybuiltontogethernessandputtingtheyouth first.Communityleader, HazelWilliams,shareswhy theappreciationofeach otherisstillaliveandwell inthevillageofBagotville.

Afterbeingayouthofficerforoveradecade,HazelWilliamshascrafteda uniquewayofdealingwith children.Moreover,shehas

madeanameforherselfin thecommunity.Knownas MissHazel,shehasbeen supportingcommunity youthsforyearsandaims tocontinue.Asshestated,

“I’veworkedwithchildren formanyyears,alloverthe countryandinBagotville. Ilovetoseechildrenlearn andgrow.”

WhatalsomakesMiss Hazelstandoutisheradamancyoninclusivity. Throughouttheyears,Miss Hazelhasworkedwith countlesschildrenfrom differenthomesandbackgrounds.Andthroughoutit all,shehasalsomadeither missiontoformrelationshipswiththeirfamilies.As sheexplained,“Wewould organisecampsforchildren, andIwouldgotothehomes ofeverybodyandinvite themout,children,mothers, andfathers.Iwouldliketo seethemorsomebodycome alongwiththesechildren becausetheymustbeable toknowwhattheirchildren aredoing.”

Althoughsheretired fromherformalpostyears ago,Hazelisstillsetondevelopingtheyoungpeople ofhercommunity.Asshe explained,shehasstartedanewcampforyoung childrenofBagotvilleand surroundingcommunities. “Ihaveacampgoingon fromthe12thtothe16th ofAugust.Itisforchildren fromBagotvilleandwhoeverelsewouldliketocome.I amdoingregistrationright now,”sheexplained.The campisamongmanyongoinginitiativesandeffortsin thecommunity.

MissHazelhasalways

beenachampionfortogetherness.Shehasalsoalways beensomeonewhovalues traditionandthepreservationofthepast.Asshe explained,shewouldliketo seemoreyoungpeopleinvolvedintraditionalpractices,amongthem,drumming. “Westartedteachingdrumming,butnotmanyyoung peoplewereuptoit.But wehavetohavesomesort ofcoachingandgetthem todoworkandgetintoit.” Shefurtheradded,“InBagotville,weneedfacilities togetyoungpeoplemore involvedinthisculture.We needtounderstandourculturemore.”

Bagotvilleisalarge andstillgrowingcommunity.Asmorepeoplecall thevillagehome,more youngpeopleareseeking opportunities.Peoplelike MissHazelandafewothersaretakingthemantle toeducatethevillage’s youth.Thisshowsthata villageisindeedneededto raiseachild.Ofcourse,the villagerswouldliketosee moredone,especiallyin theareaofculture,wantingtoinstillanappreciationfortraditioninfuture generations.

Cultureiscomplex,havingbeenmadeupofbitsand piecesfromeveryone.Miss Hazelbelievesthatoneof thereasonswhyyoungpeoplehavenointerestintheir rootsisbecausetheydonot knowthem,butrathersim-

plyobservewhattheywere taught.Asshestated,“It’s notthatyoungpeopledonot appreciatetheirculture;they donotknowit.Theyonly celebratewhattheycame andmet.”

However,sheurgedpeopletohaveamoreconscious andhands-onapproachto celebratingculturalactivities,diggingdeeperand becomingmoreconnected. Asshestated,“Wearenot consciousaboutourculture becauseitwasnotshownto usbefore.Wearemovingin it.Ourculturemostlygoes intotheothersideinterms ofthetypeofmusic,the typeofclothing,andallthe thingsthatotherCaribbean peoplewouldbeabletodo. Butwhenitcomestoour culture,wereally,really needtobeconscious.”

MissHazel’svision extendsbeyondBagotville.Shehopesthattheir communitycanserveas amodelforothervillages acrossGuyana.Bagotville andMissHazel’stireless effortsserveasareminder thatculturalpreservation andunitygohandinhand. AsGuyanacontinuesto growandevolve,communitieslikeBagotvilleare leadingthewayinensuringthattherichtapestry ofGuyanesecultureisnot onlypreservedbutcelebratedforgenerationsto come.

HazelWilliams(SamuelMaughnphotos)

COMINGHOMETOPARASIDEISLAND

MADHUstoodontheParikaWharf,lookingacross themightyEssequiboRiver,thethirdlargestinSouth America.Aglintofexcitementshoneinhereyes,the soundoftherollingwaves,likemusicthatbroughta smiletoherlips.

Homewasononeofthethreehundredandsixty-five islandsthatmadeuptheEssequibo.Aplaceshewouldnot exchangeforanywhereelseintheworld,thoughshehad migratedtoAmericatwenty-twoyearsago,anditlivedin herhearteveryday,foronlyoneplacecouldbehome.

TheislandofWakenaam!

Thespeedboatoperatorcalledtosaytheywerereadyto leave,andshesteppedcautiouslydowntheramp.Shewas notthatyounggirlanymorewhomaderegulartripsacross theriveronspeedboats,sometimesbravingtherainand roughwaters.

Shewasnowamaturewomaninherearlyfortiesand motheroftwoyoungadultchildren.

“Timehasreallymovedon,”shemused,“Can’tbelieve mylasttripwassolongago.”

Herhearthadachedsodeeplythattearshadflowednonstopdownherface,butbecauseithadbeenrainingslightly, nooneknewhowmuchshecriedthatnightastheboatleft herislandhome.

Now,shesatbackandinhaleddeeplyastheboatsped acrosstheriver,ridingthewavesdeftly,theimpactasit liftedandhitthewater,sendingathrillthroughherbody.

“Gosh,Ireallymissthis!”shesaidtohercousinwho hadtravelledwithher.

“SodoI!”sheresponded.

Madhuhadneverreturnedsincesheleftbecauseofher husband’sregulartravelstoothercountriesduetohisjob, thenthechildrenwereborn,andherpart-timejobasalibrariandidnotgivehermuchfreetime.Butnow,withher responsibilitieseased,itwastimetovisithome.

Theboatreachedand,steppingoutontothewharf,she literallyranuptothetopandstretchedoutherarmswitha cryofjoy.

“Iamhomeagain,mysweetparadise!”

Asignalittlewayaheadreadboldly,‘Welcometo Wakenaam’.

Shestoodbythesign,whichwasaproudmomentfor her,andcalledtohercousin,“Thisiswherewestart,andI wantpicturesofeverything!”

“Sure,thiswillbefun.”

Onthedrive,alongtheway,sherecapturedinhermind thefarminglifeoftherice,coconutandplantainfarms.The modernhouseswerebeautiful,achangetothelandscape, buttheoldhousesinterestedher,forthosewouldtellstories ofherlifegrowingup.

Therichvegetationandnaturalbeautyoftheislandhad alwaysenthralledher.Inhermind,asalittlegirl,itwaslike aplaceinthefairytalestories.Shehadneverthoughtabout lifeanywhereelsebeyondthatuntilahandsomeyoungforeignersawheratawedding.

Hehadaskedforherhandinmarriage,butyoungasshe was,shehadn’tbeensure,notwantingtoleaveherlittle paradise.

Butoverhercanvas,hehaddrawnabeautifullifein brightcoloursindifferentpartsoftheworldtointeresther andmakeheraccepthisproposal.

Abeautiful,happylifeithadindeedbeen,butherheart wasneverwonbyalltheincrediblybeautiful,spectacular andsplendidplacesshesaw.

HereintheCinderellaCounty,onasmallislandinthe farmlands,washerlove.

Atthefamilyhome,awarmreceptionawaitedherwith hugsandkissesfromextendedfamilymembers,eventhe youngonesshedidn’tknow.

Thescrumptiousfood,authenticcountrystyle,laughter, andengagingconversationswereheartwarmingforher, bringingtearstohereyes.

Thatnight,shefellintoablissfulsleepinheroldroom, withthecoolwindblowinginfromthefarmlands.She awokeearlythenextmorningandstoodontheveranda, watchingtheglorioussunriseasitsgoldenraysspread acrossthericelandsandstreamedthroughthebranchesof thecoconutpalms.

Aserenescene,blushesofnature’sfinestmoments. Asthedayswentby,shevisitedsomeolderfamilies,old friends,heroldschool,andchurch,andshereconnectedwith thepeople.Oneday,shestoppedunderabig,oldtreeatthe sideoftheroadwheresheandherfriendswouldstoptorest sometimesontheirwayhomefromschool.Once,onarainy day,theirclotheswerehalfwet,andtheyhadcarvedtheir namesonthetreetrunkwithacaption,‘WakenaamGirls’. Madhupassedherhandslowlyalongthetreetrunkand

wassurprisedtoseethecarvednamesstillthere.

“Gosh!”sheexclaimedquietly,“Thisbringsbacksuch beautifulmemories.”

Hertwofriends,KamlaandPriya,hadleftforthecity, becamesuccessfulbusinesswomen,andgotmarried.

“Iwonderiftheyrememberthistree?”Madhuquestioned,smiling,“I’vegottogettogetherwithmyold friends.”

Time,sheknew,couldnotberewound,butshecould recapturesomethingsofthepastinthepresenttime.She walkedbarefootinthecoconutfarms,drankthecool,sweet coconutwaterandsatonatractorbehindthedriverasit ploughedthroughthericefields.Herrelativeslookedat her,bemusedbutconcerned,“Youshouldnotbedoingthese thingsatyourage.”

Madhulaughed,“Ageisjustanumber.There’saspirited younggirllivinginsideofme.”

Shewashavingawonderfultime,andasshelooked backatheryoungdays,justthesamewhenshegotolder, shewouldlookbackathertimenow.

Thetideandtimeoflife.

Thedaysweregoingbysofast.Madhuwashappyshe hadcomeforathree-monthvacation.Itwaslongoverdue, sosheenjoyedeverydayontheislandtothefullest.

Inthesecondmonthofhervacation,sheinvitedherold friendsforaget-together,andthatday,thejoyandlaughter, nosophisticationnortalkofwealthortravels,justplain simplecountrygirlsrelivingtheirbeautifulmemories,was somethingprecious.

Onthelastweekofhervacation,shetravelledallover theisland,sayingemotional‘goodbyes’tothepeopleand theplace,“UntilIvisitagain.”

Shedidnotcrythistimewhentheboatlefttheisland, thoughshefeltsad,fortherewasanoverwhelmingjoyinher heartofrecapturingherlifeonthatisland,hernamecarved ontheoldtree,herfootprintsnoterasedfromthefarmlands, thefairytaleplaceshelovedsomuch.

Shemadeapromisetoherselftovisitoftennowand thatshewouldtellherchildrenthatwhenhertimeisup, theymustbringherbackhometoherparadise,“The IslandofWakenaam.”

Thedrivetodobetter

LookingatPioneerandbusinesswoman

AyodeleDalgety-Dean

ByShaniyaHarding

OURpersonalitiesareourgiftstotheworld.Whetherit isyoursenseofhumor,brightsmileorloveforothers, weallhavearole.FamilyTherapist,FinanceAnalyst andCommunityVolunteer,AyodeleDalgety-Dean,left GuyanafortheUnitedKingdomin1990.There,shewas educatedandcompletedpost-graduateworkinSystemic PracticewithChildrenandFamilies.Sheworkedasa financeanalystforeightyearsbeforehavingacareer changeintofamilytherapyandprojectmanagement.

Asafamilytherapist,Ayodelemanagedprogrammes forfamiliesintheUK,recruited,trained,andsupervised staff,anddevelopedcareplans,services,andactivitiesfor serviceusers(childrenandfamilies)livingunderdifficult circumstances.Thisweek,thePepperpotMagainzespoketo Ayodeleaboutherpassions,familyandambitiousendeavoursasourPepperpotPersonality.

AFamilyWomanFirst

ForAyodele,businesswomanandvibrantpioneer,family stillcomesfirst.AsshetoldthePepperpotMagazine,“I’m atthatstageinmylifewhereI’mverycomfortableandhappywithme,”sheshareswithawarmththatradiatesthrough herwords.“Iamme,andthenI’mawife.I’mamotherof threefantasticchildren.”

Herjourneyasamotherhasbeenbothchallengingand

rewarding,particularlyasshenavigatestheworldofautismwithher youngestchild.“I’maproudautismmom,”Ayodeleshared.This experiencehasshapedherpersonal lifeandinformedherprofessional endeavours.

Thedynamicsofraisingafamily,especiallywithteenagedaughters,haveprovidedAyodelewitha uniqueperspective.“I’mraising teenagegirlsrightnow.Andyou know,whenweareteenagers… it’squitesomethingdifferent.IfI thoughtraisingchildrenwouldget easier,no,itgetshardertheolder theyget,”shelaughs.

Despitethechallenges,Ayodeleapproachesmotherhoodwith joyandenthusiasm.“I’vegottwo teenagegirls,theyare14and16, andthenIhaveaboywho’seight andhehasautism.So,overall,I thinkI’mgettingthefullmommy experience.”

Thiscontentmentinherpersonallife,Ayodelebelieves,isthe

AyodeleDalgetyDean,wife, motherandinspiration

foundationofhersuccessinotherareas.“Ithinkbecause Iamreallycontentandhappywithmyself,thedecisionsI make,andthethingsIdounapologetically,ithelpstomake me.”

Blossom:APassionforProtection

Whilefamilyisherfoundation,Ayodele’sprofessional lifeisequallyimportantandimpactful.Attheheartofher workisBlossomInc.,anon-profitorganisationthatshe foundedtosupportvictimsofsexualviolence.“Blossom ismypassionwhenitcomestowork,”Ayodeleexplains. BlossomInc’smissionisclearandwhilethework theydoiscrucial,asfounder,Ayodeleshared,“Blossom supportschildrenandfamiliesaffectedbysexualviolence andexploitation.Weprovideservicestothosechildren andtheirnon-offendingfamilies,butalsofurtherextendto supportingadultsofgender-basedviolence,mainly,again, sexualviolence.”

WhatsetsBlossomapartisitscomprehensiveapproach tosupportandinclusivity. Ayodeleexplainsthat“Forthe

ICOINEDEmancipation asthe‘GenisisofModern Guyana’duringoneof ACDA’sEmancipation festivals.Iprobablystand tobecorrected,butIhave exploredaspectsofits historyandmaintainthat itwasastrugglethatno formerenslavedperson couldhaveanticipated, whichfollowedthisAct, thattheycouldnothave foreseenthedepthofmalicewithinthecommunity ofthePlantocracy.

Maliceemergedfrom theverymanifestationof thelegalramificationsof theabolitionofslavery.The plantersinthecolonyand thoseintheoldcountrysaw theirman-madeeconomic heavenofslavelabourdiminishing,andsome300 yearsofenslavedwealth wasgrindingtoaclose.

FollowingtheAbolition Act,theplantocracydecidedthatanextendedperiod offreelabourmustbeimposedontheAfro-plantationcommunity,which wouldbemasqueradedunderthenonsensicaltitleof “Apprenticeship.”Immediately,thiswasrecognised, andDamon,aonce-enslavedmanontheEssequiboCoast,protestedthisAct byleadingaprotestwith some700formerslaves.He barricadedhimselfinside theTrinityChurchyardat LaBelleAlliance,raising asymbolicflagoffreedom toopposethemockeryof “Apprenticeship.”Forthis, thepresidingGovernorCarmichaelSmythhadDamon arrestedandtriedfordisobeyinghisdictate,andhe washungonOctober13, 1834,onthepremisesofthe

PublicBuildings. Abolitiondidnotentirelyemergeasanedict,exclusivelyofconscience.It wasaneconomicresponse tochangesinthedevelopmentofindustryandwhat wouldbeexpectedofthe Britishcolonies.Thefact, however,wasthatthemain skillsontheplantations weretheveryAfricanenslaved,whomanagedthe productionalsoofsugar. Theplanterswereincharge ofmanagementsystems. Theconclusionofthisfouryear“extension”ofslavery in1848wasfollowedby moreeffortstofrustratethe freedslavesfrompurchasinglands,whileamassive plottoextractextrataxes fromtheAfrocommunity washatchedonimported commoditiesthattheyused, whileimportsusedbythe

planterswereexemptedfrom taxes.TheAfrican-bought villagesweresufferingunder theallotmentoftaxesthat wentintotheinterestsofthe planters,withhelddrainage tothevillages,resultingin floods,lossofcrops,and sewagefluidsflowinginto trenches.Thisresultedinthe lossoflife,addedtothatof incomeandvictuals.This latterconsequenceshould beenquiredupontoadda numericalvaluetoposterity nolessuponthislossof incomeandlives.Thedark crusadebytheplantocracy thatplottedwiththePortugueseindenturedimmigrantstocircumventtheir serviceandretailbusinesses inGeorgetownwaslaterto beimposedonthevillages. Portugalwasnotacolonyof England,neitherdidtheEnglishseethemasequals,so asfarasrecordsallow,Gov-

ernorLightcommented,“Of thosewhoarrivedin1835, 236died.TheMadeiransin particularprovedvulnerable,”andGovernorLight admittedthat“theydiedso fastthatcommonhumanity wouldnotletusdoit.Their importationwasdiscontinued forawhile.”

However,itwasthePortuguesecitizen-immigrants whowereusedinthePlantocracy’splottoundermine themanumittedAfrican smallbusinessesinthehope thatthey,theAfricancolonialsubjects,wouldreturn totheplantationlabour force.

“In1847-48,thewithdrawaloflabourhad stemmedfromanevengreatersenseofoutrageandinjustice.TheAfro-labourers couldnotescapetheknowledgethatimmigrationwas financedbythetaxes,that

theywereforcedtopay, sensingthattheimmigrants werebroughttolessentheir incomes.ThePlanters,ina petitionofJanuary17,1848, notedthatseveralfireshad takenplaceofmegaslogies, wherebythesecostlyand indispensablebuildingshave, withtheirlargestockoffuel formanufacturingtheproductsofestates,beenentirely destroyed.”

Itwouldtakethestruggle intothenewcentury,withthe 1905riotsandthebirthofthe ‘UnionMovement’toenacta semblanceofsocialbalance, butnotofequitableopportunities.Itwouldtaketwo WorldWarstodiminish,but notexterminatetheghostsof theoldplantocracy. Referencetoexplore-see;THEMESIN African-GuyaneseHistory -FreePress

MorucaExpo2024did...

creatingamemorableexperience forall.

Throughhisinterpreter,Pepe Morenoexpressedhisgratitudeforthewarmreceptionand statedthathehadneverperformeduntilsunriseinGuyanabefore.HepraisedthebeautyofMorucaanditspeople,expressinghisdesiretoreturnforfutureshowsinthecommunity.

Attendeesdidnotholdbackfromexpressingthemselves

PepeMoreno’sliveperformanceattheKumakaRecreationalGround,

andwerehappythattheywerenotdisappointedbytheevent.SomefellowMorucanseven broughtfriendsandfamilyforthefirsttimetoSantaRosaVillage,wheretheeventswent down.

Overall,theMorucaExpo2024issaidtohavebeenahugesuccess,bringingtogether peoplefromallcornersofGuyana,suchasPortKaituma,Mabaruma,Charity,Pomeroon, Supenaam,Parika,Bartica,Georgetown,andevenfromtheRupununi.

Withrecord-breakingattendanceandalineupofexcitingactivities,theeventhasreportedlyleftalastingimpressiononallwhoattendedandsetthestageforfutureexpostocome.

Photos:

SantaRosaVillage

Beachvolleyballinprogress

UNTILthe18thcentury,wealthinallsocieties wascentredonlandownershipandtheincomes derivedfromagriculture. Themanufactureofcloth andotherhardwareused bysocietywasdoneby tradesmen.Then,about themiddleofthe18th century,cametheIndustrialRevolution,whereby scienceandmachineswere appliedtoagricultureand theproductionofgoods ofeverydayuse.Withthe

AgriculturalandIndustrialRevolutions,production becamequickerwithuniformqualityandcheaper. Thepersonswhoorganisedthesenewproduction techniquesandwereable tomobiliseandsupplythe

requisitecapitalforthese venturescametobeknown asentrepreneurs,andthe techniquestheyemployed becameknownasentrepreneurialtechniques.The adventoftheIndustrialand AgriculturalRevolutions wassolelyconfinedtothe effortsofprivateenterprise, andthestateplayednopart, butinthe20thand21st centuries,thestateadopted entrepreneurialtechniques invariousaspectsofgovernance.

Ifoneperusesthedaily newspapers,onewillencounterreportsofvarious MinistriesofGovernment makingeffortstostimulate andencouragetheadoptionofentrepreneurialtechniques.Theraisond’etre ofdoingthisispromoting self-employment,increasingincomes,raisingliving standards,andstrengthening thenon-oileconomy,so thatGuyanawouldavoid fallingintothesyndrome oftheDutchDisease.The DutchDiseaseoccurswhen anewoil-producingcountry focusesalmostwhollyon thelucrativeoilindustry, neglectingtheotherindustriesonwhichitseconomy formerlyrested.Theseindustriesfallintodeclineand becomeunprofitable,and whenoilreservescontract orpricesfluctuateorfall andrevenuefromoildiminishes,povertyanddistress overtakethatcountry,since itsformereconomicmainstayshavebeenlost.Venezuela’scollapsedeconomy andwidespreadpoverty demonstrateanexampleof acountrysufferingfromthe DutchDisease.

ThestateofGuyana,as anewoil-producingcountry,isdeterminedtoavoid thesyndromeoftheDutch Diseaseandiscommitted tomaintainingitspresent industries,whicharemostly agricultural,andextending

intonewones.Theaimis tohavethenon-oilsectors oftheeconomycontribute morethantheoilsectorin bothincomeandemployment:

Thesugarindustry, whichwasregardedasbeingonthevergeofexpiring fouryearsago,hasbegunto reviveitselfwiththeinjectionofcapital,technology andmodernmanagement techniques,andthecountry hassafelyavoidedbeinga sugarimporterandplansto satisfythesugarneedsof CARICOMinthenextthree orfouryears.

Thericeindustryhas beenincreasinginproductioneveryyearasaresult ofinputssuchasfertilisers, newspeciesofrice,improveddrainage,andeven plantingtechniques,andit expectstocontinueexpandingitsexports.

Livestockfarmingis radicallychanging:improvedpoultryspecieshave beenimportedfromthe UnitedStatesandpoultry farmersarenowhaving largerandhealthierbirds withimprovedeggproduction.Severalthousandsof Blackbellysheephavebeen importedfromBarbados, andHolsteinbreedingcattle havebeenimportedinthe formofactualanimalsand semenbanks.Improved speciesofpigshavebeen importedtoimprovethe qualityofthelocalstock.

Soyaandcornproductionhavealreadybegunin theIntermediateSavannahs, andGuyanawillsoonmeet itsneedsforanimalfodder. Experimentaltropicalwheat andmilletacreagehave beensuccessfullycultivatedwithgreatprospectsfor localandCaribbeanusage.

FishFarminghasbeen successfullyintroduced, deep-seafishinghasbeen expandingwithradar,and afewpolicingboatshave

beenintroducedtoprevent illegalfishinginGuyana’s waters.

Traininginvariousaspectsofmodernagriculture isbeingundertakencontinuouslywiththehelpof variousexternalagencies andlocalefforts.Thiswould includethethousandsof GoalScholarshipsawarded annually.Trainingintourismisalsobeingconducted methodicallytomeetthe needsofthegrowingtourismindustry.

Financialgrants,concessionaryloansandguaranteeshavebeenwidelydistributedamongthefarming communities.Forexample, in2023,2500grantsfora totalvalueof$680million tosmallandmedium-sized venturesweremade,andan agreementwasmadewith theSmallBusinessFinance Trustfor$100millionfor concessionarylendingto smallandmediumbusinesses.Aloan-guaranteeregime isalsooffered.

Extendingtheseandotherfacilitiestoyouthand womenisoneofthemeasuresthatarefocusedondevelopingthenon-oilsectors.

Anewentrepreneurial andself-employedclassis beingbirthedamongordinarycitizens,especially intheagriculturaland relatedindustriesandeven inthenon-agricultural industries.Whencheaper powerbecomesavailable withthegas-to-energy project,itisexpectedthat competitiveproductionof themoretraditionalindustrialproductsthatGuyana nowbuysfromTrinidad andotherforeignmarkets willtakeoff.Guyanaisenteringaphaseofself-generatingdevelopmentand hasbeenassessedtobeon thethresholdofbeinga first-worldcountryinfour tofiveyears.

DoIdecideormydentist?

IFthedentistasksthepatienttochoosebetweentwotypesoffillingmaterials,should thefinaldecisionrestsolelywiththedentist?Patientsshouldmakesomepractical choiceswhenitcomestorestorativedentistry.So,youmaysay,“Iflossproperly,andI willeatabalanceddiet.IwillevengiveupmynightlychocolatebarwhileIwatchTV. ButwhataboutthefivecavitiesInowhave?”Peoplesaythatdentistsareonlytrying tohelp,butwhenitcomesdowntothenitty-gritty,Ihavetogetintothatdentalchair, anditismymouththeywillbeshootingupwithlocalanaestheticandhowIhatethat needle!Well,patients,youdohaveachoice.

Startthinkinginatleastsemiprofessionalterms.Yourdentistdoesnotcalltheworkhe doesonyourcavity“fillings”.Hecallsit“restoring”.Hisjobistorestoreformandfunction. Anybodycanbetaughtrelativelyquicklytofillahole,eveninatooth,afterthedentistdrills itout,cleansitupanddressesitreadytobuild.However,onlyadentististaughthowto properlyrestoreformandfunction.

Askyourdentistabout“comfortlinings”.Theseareliningsorbases,usuallymedicated, placedunderrestorationstokeepteethfrombeingsensitivetocoldorhot,especiallycold.If therestorationismadefromsilveramalgam,itwillcertainlyconducttemperaturechangesin thetooth.Iftherestorationisquartzcomposite,thechemicalscanirritatethepulpornerve, asyoucallit.Thecomfortlineractsasaninsulatorcushionandmedicatedlayer,protecting againstpressure,chemicalirritation,ortemperaturechanges–allofwhichadduptocomfort.

Atyourintroductoryinterview,yourdentistknowsthatyouknowwhattoexpectand thatyoudoexpectitandwillnotsettleforless.Iftheoutcomeisnotright,youcanbesure thatheknowsit.Ifbothofyouknowbetter,surelyyoucantaketheopportunitytohavethe situationcorrected.

Itrulybelieveinthatoldwonder,thesilveramalgamrestoration.Ifthatareatoberestoredisnottooextensive,andifthepropertechniqueisemployed,theold“silverfilling”

isarealmarvel.Ihaveseensomeofthemgoingfineevenafter45years!Butoverthe years,therehasbeentremendousimprovementtotheextentthatamalgamfillingsnow havenoplaceinmyclinic.Thetooth-colouredcompositeresinisamongthebestforfront teeth.Unfortunately,itmaygetdiscolouredafterafewyearsandmayrequirechanging. Chemically,itmayirritatethetoothissue,solikeallrestorations,itshouldbeplacedover acover(tooth-protective)liner.

Importantpointstorememberarethefollowing:-

•Neverthinkaboutyourdentistlecturesextensively.Whenthathappens,restassured theydon’tdoitforfun.

•Learnabouttheproceduresyouanticipatethedentistswouldexecutesoyoucan understandand“level”withthem.

•Compositeresinsandsilveramalgamsarethemostcommonrestorationmaterialsbecausetheyhavestoodthetestoftimeandarerelativelycheap.

THEconceptortopicofraceisasocialconstruct.Itisa conceptinventedbyhumanbeings.Thiscontradictsthe beliefsandopinionsthatmostpeoplecurrentlyhold. Somepeoplebelievetheideaofraceisbiological,but manystudiesandscientificresearchsuggestthatthisis notthecase.Scientificallyspeaking,nospecificgeneor clusterofgeneshasracialmarkers.Theidentification andclassificationofpeopleaccordingtotheirracial grouphasneverbeenfluid.Themanydefinitionsof racearenotrootedinscience.Theywerenotobjectivelyproven,permanentorconsistent.

Howdoweclassifyindividualsaccordingtorace? Moreoftenthannot,itisaphysical“classification”.Some peopleevenwentasfarasassociatingcertainfacesas evil(unholy)andgood(of god).Itisdeterminedby

NaughtonisalsoanentrepreneurofRebrandzCollectionz,whereshemakesbookmarks,designsclaypots, upcyclesglassbottles,andcustomisedpersonalpieces,beit jewels,bags,clothing,caseforiPads,andsneakers,among otherthings,includinggraphicdesignsforbusinesscards, flyersetc.

Shepromoteshealingartsessions,freeofcostatthe“VillageNook,”andithasseenitsfairshareofparticipants,who comeandgo,formingasizeablegroupofgirlsandwomen frommanyEastCoastDemeraravillages.

Naughtonstatedthatherjourneyinartandcraftbegan afterherfatherencouragedhertopursuestudiesinvisual arts,sinceheknewshehadaknackforit.Herfatherpaidher tuitionfeesfortheyearssheneededtostudy,andshefound theartandcraftprocesstherapeuticandhealingforher.At thattime,shewasworkingwithclaypiecesandsculpturalart.

“Artandcrafthelpedmetoovercomedeeptraumatic experiences,andwhileIwascreatingaspaceformystudio, IrealisedIhadenoughroomtoprovideasafespaceforotherstocomeandhealwithartandcraft,soIwentaheadand establishedthat,”shesaid.

Naughtonthoughtaboutmakingherartandcraftintoa smallbusiness,birthingRebrandzCollectionz.Shebenefittedfromspecialisedtrainingandevenparticipatedinmany localandoverseasexpositionsshowcasinghertalentand Guyanese-themed-artsandcraft.

Herfirstsoloexpowasheldlocallyandsponsoredin 2023,openingopportunitiesforhertoexpressherselfvia artsandcraft.

ShehassincebeenendorsedbyFineArtGallery,an onlineoutfitforlocalartandcraftproducerstoshowcase theirproducts.

Naughton,42,reportedthatsincehersmallbusinessisstill new,sheoperatesitsingle-handedly,mostlywithadditional supportfromhertwoteenagedaughtersandpartneruntilshe iswell-establishedtoemployothers.

“AsabeneficiaryoftheCherieBlairFoundationfor Women‘RoadtoGrowth’trainingprogrammeforwomen entrepreneursamongthe150women,Ifeelitwasoneof thebesttransformativeplatformsforwomentobeableto beexposedtohands-onknowledgetogrowandovercome challengestokeeptheirbusinessesoperational,”shesaid.

Themulti-talentedNaughtonalsohasadegreeinInternationalRelations,andsheispresentlycollaboratingwithan overseas-basedGuyanese,TessWebb-Lewis,asavolunteer withtheannualsummerprogrammeforchildrenheldatthe VictoriaPrimarySchool.

FreeclassesareheldonMondaystoThursdays,which startedonJuly15andwillendonAugust9,2024,topromote inter-personallearninginMathematics,English,reading, health/family,lifeeducationandarts/craft.

Tessa-WebbLewisisaninternationalMathematicsEducatorwithagroupcalled“MotherstoMothers”andhosts onlinetutoringforwomenandtheirchildrenatbothprimary andsecondaryschoollevels.

Naughtonprovidesone-on-onevisualartslearningto alittleboywhowaspreviouslyunabletoreadandwhois aslowlearner.

governmentbodies,facilitatingcomplaint investigations,andpreparingannualreports fortheNationalAssembly.Hisstrategic visionandresourcemanagementskillshave beenpivotalinadvancingtheCommission’sobjectivesand promotingtherightsofindigenouspeoplesinGuyana. Neilhasalsocontributedsubstantiallytoeducation, servingasaneducatorandtraineracrossvariousinstitutions.Hehastaughtmathematicsatthesecondarylevel andprovidedqualitytuitioninnumerousprivateteaching jobs.Histrainingexpertiseishighlightedbyhisextensive involvementwiththeGuyanaElectionsCommission,where hehastrainedstaffforLocalGovernmentandGeneral& RegionalElections,ensuringtheefficientexecutionof electoralprocesses.

Beyondhisprofessionalcommitments,heisdeeply engagedincommunityserviceandvolunteerism.He holdsleadershippositionsinseveralorganisations, includingHeadoftheLeRepentirMuslimCemetery GroundProjectandExecutiveMemberoftheInter-ReligiousOrganisationsofGuyana.Hisvolunteerwork extendstomentalhealthinitiativeswiththeGuyana FoundationInc.,andhehasbeenactivelyinvolvedin addressinggender-basedviolenceandpromotingsocial cohesionthroughvariousprogrammes.

FROM PAGEV

skincomplexion,hairtextureortype,ancestryorfamily. Althoughthereisnostructureddefinition,theconcept ofracewassomehowdevelopedtoputhumanbeings intohugesocialgroups.Raceshouldnotbeconfused withethnicity,aswell.Theconceptof“race”isnarrow andbasedonphysicalorbiologicalcharacteristics.In contrast,ethnicityisrootedinculturalexperience,expressionandorigin.

Bothoftheseconceptsequallylackstructureintheir definitionandmeaning.Thesecategoriesarebasedon thecontextandevolution.Unfortunately,historyshows thatmostofthisseparationorclassificationwasrooted incolonialismandslavery.Wherethereisrace,therewill beracismthatexists.Thecolonisersgroupedtheracesof lowerclassesanddeliberatelyexcludedthemfromidentifyingasanythingelsebutthose“lowerclassesofrace”.

Haveyouevernoticedthatwhenamixed-raceAmericandescribestheirrace,they’dmostlikelymentionthat they’re“Afro-American”.Evenifthey’re50%European and50%African,theyautomaticallyassumetherace ofthe“lowerclass”.Theconceptofracereinforcesa socialhierarchyandstratificationofsocietybasedon thephysicalcharacteristicsofhumanbeings.It’sasif yourclassificationandstatuswerealreadydetermined foryouassoonasyou’reborn.Thisfurtherprovesthe pointofthedeep-rootedracismanddiscriminationthatis associatedwiththemisguideddefinitionsofrace.

Aperson’sracialidentitycanalsochangeovertime. Alight-skinnedHispanicpersonintheirhomecountry mightbeconsideredasa“white”,butiftheymigrate totheUnitedStates,theywillprobablybeclassified asa“Hispanic”.Infact,apersonwhoisconsideredas “White”inBrazilisconsideredas“Black”intheUnited States.Sometimes,siblingsfromthesameparentswant toidentifyasdifferentraces.Let’sconsiderthattheirparentsareofAfroandIndigenousGuyaneseraces.Perhaps onewantstoidentifywiththeAfro-Guyaneserace,and onewantstoidentifyasanIndigenous.Theycanifthey wanttobecausethatiswhattheywanttobeclassified as.Ifraceindeedhadafirmstructure,thatwouldhave neverbeenthecase.

DoyoualsoknowthatwhenyoutakeaDNAtest,it cannotdetermineyourrace?Itwillmostlikelytellyou aboutyourEthnic(cultural)makeup.TheseDNAtests willmostlikelyjusttellyouwhereyourancestorscame fromgeographically.However,itcannotdefineyour race.Iamwritingthiscolumntoremindyouthatthese definitionsofraceand,byextension—thisdiscrimination shouldnotlimityou.Howyoulookorwhoyourancestorsare—shouldnotbeatagthatseparatesyoufrom achievingandattainingallthatyouwanttodoinlife.

Raceisahumaninvention,and,assuch,itcanbe reinventedintomuchmoremeaningfuldefinitions andclassifications.ThedefinitionofwhoaEuropean, AsianorAfricanishaschangeddrasticallyoverthe decades.Iknowthisafterreadinghistorytextbooks foroneofmyUniversityclassesandseeingwhatdefined“Africans”asAfricans.Thedescriptionsmight varyfrom100yearsagotonow.However,Icansafely saythatdiscriminationandprejudicehaveremained thesame.Justashowhumanscreatedthesedisgustingconcepts,theycanberedefinedandadapted.I hopethesesocialconstructsarereconstructedmore positivelyinthenext100years.Humanitydepends onit.

Thedrivetodo...

childvictimsofrape,weprovideprofessionalservices,so expertservices,soforensicinterviewing.That’sadevelopmentallysoundwayofspeakingtoachildaboutwhathas happenedtothem.”

Theorganisation’sreachextendsbeyondthelocal community.“Weworkwithboththemigrantandthehost community,sothehostcommunitybeingGuyanese,but alsothemigrantpopulation,soVenezuelanmigrants,” Ayodeleexplains.Thisinclusiveapproachensuresthatno oneisleftbehindintheirmissiontoprotectandsupport victimsofsexualviolence.

SISPRO:AChallengeforChange

WhileBlossomrepresentsAyodele’spassion,herroleas chairwomanofSISPROpresentsanexcitingnewchallenge. SISPROisaGuyanesewomen-ledcompanycommittedto communitydevelopment,socialresponsibility,andgender andsocialequityintheoilandgasindustry.

Asshestated,“SISPROismychallenge…AswesteadilyprogresswithSISPRO,it’saboutbuildinggenerational wealthforGuyanese.Notjustformyfamilyandmychildren,butforallGuyanese,sothattheycanbenefitfromthe wealththatGuyanahas,”shesays.

Thisventureintothetraditionallymale-dominatedoil andgasindustryisnotjustaboutbusinessforAyodele. It’saboutcreatinglastingchangeandopportunitiesforher community.“It’snotjustaboutindividuals.It’saboutcommunityandensuringthatthathappens.Andwhatstepsdo weneedtotakeinordertomakethathappen,”sheexplains.

APassionforService

Adeep-seatedpassionforprovidingqualityservicesis atthecoreofallAyodele’sendeavours.“Whatdrivesmeis Iliketoprovideservices,goodservices,”sheemphasized. Thiscommitmenttoexcellenceisevidentineveryaspect ofherwork.“Wehavetobeabletoconnectthebestservice availabletoeveryonewhocomesintocontactwithBlossom.Forme,that’swhatdrivesme,providingeffective servicestopeople,”Ayodelestates.

Herdedicationalsoextendstoherpersonallife,particularlyinadvocatingforherautisticson.“I’mmostproud ofensuringthatItrackthecorrectservicesrequiredformy son,whoisautistic,intheGuyanacontextbecauseit’snot easy,”sheshares.“IhavespokentoeverymanJack,who canhelpsupportmeinthatjourneythatIcan.”

FutureEndeavours:APhDandBeyond

Asifherplatewasn’tfullenough,Ayodeleisonthe cuspofaddinganotherimpressiveachievementtoherresume-aPhD.“I’vejustsubmittedaPhDthesis.Ilooked atsuicideinGuyana,”shestated.

Lookingahead,Ayodele’sambitionsshownosignsof slowingdown.“YoucanexpectmetobuildoutCISPRO sothatwecanbecomeanE&Pcompany.Thatisanexplorationandproductioncompany,”shestates.

Lookingattheworkofthisremarkablewoman,one thingbecomesclear:AyodeleDalgety-Deanisnotjusta PepperpotPersonality;she’saforceofnature,working tirelesslytocreateabetterGuyanaforall.

FROM PAGEXII

STUDYSUCCESS

DearStudent, Welcomedearfriend. Sometimesyouareaskedtotiontoaproblemencasedin it.Thispurposeforreading

oftenleadstoachallengingand motivatingkindofactivitywhich requiresadetailedcomprehension ofthetext.Constantlyexaminethe text.Whatisitreallysaying?Perceivewhatproblemitpresentsand solution,itisproofthatthepassage hasbeenunderstood.Bewise.

Loveyou.

IMPROVINGWRITING

Reviewofcharacter,setting andplot

Attentiontolanguage:Agood shortstorycomesalivewithlanguageusedwell;languagethat doesnotpresentreaderswithmuch unravellingofunnecessarywords andphrases.Justwritesimplybut

Writeaboutwhatyoureally know;thisisthekeytoyourstory lifeintoyourcharacterstomake themcompelling;alsointoyour events,andpassions,andsharpen otheraspectsofyourshortstory.

Descriptionisessentialto provokeacrediblementalpicture andcompactwhatyoureallyknow intothemindofyourreader.

Attentiontoplot,setting,character,etc.:Plotiswhathappensin thestory.Thesettingisthetime andplaceofthestory’sevents.The charactersarethosewhoplayarole inthestory.

lemorchallengethemaincharacter mustface.Themeisthemainpoint ofthestory.Theexpositionintroducesthesetting(timeandplace), charactersandplotandmayinclude backgroundinformationonthese elements.

SomethingtoDo:Writeastory involvingcharactersandevents whichyouknowwell.Ofcourse, youwillnotusereal-lifenamesof charactersandsetting.Findother names.Also,impressyourreader youaresaying.

THEPASSAGE

ReadthefollowingAandB passagescarefullyandthenanswer thequestionsbeloweach.

A.HomeworkInterrupted Tabulookedupfromhisbook, madethenoise.Atanarm’slength awayfromhischair,something moved.Ashapeglidedsmoothly alongthewindowframe.Hesawa

Thesnakestoppedandlay withoutmovingItlookeddead Butitwastryingtosenseifany foodwasintheroom.Tabufelt trappedinhischair,yetheknew thathemustwarnhissister.He

thoughtofwhathisfatherhadtoldhimsooften.He wantedtowhisper,buthismouthandtongueweredry withshock.Hedarednotmove.Ifonlyshewouldthingstrangeaboutthesilence,andwhenshesawthe fearonhisface,sheswiftlyshiftedround,lookingat hisglazedeyes.Shemovedherheadtoseewhatthose hergaspofterror.

1.Whathadthesnakecomefor?2.Whywould itstopandliewithoutmoving?3.WhatmadeTabu fearhaveonhim?5.Whywouldhewishtowarnhis sister?WhatdoyouthinkthatTabuwantedtowarn hissistertodoornottodo?6.Whatdoyouthink thatTabu’sfatherhadtoldhimsooften?

7.WhatcausedMasyatolookatTabu?8.Why didshecoverhermouth?9.Whatwouldyouhave doneinTabu’splace?

B.Surrogateparentingisanotheroptionthathas beenexploredinthelastdecade,althoughthelegaland ethicalissuessurroundingthismethodhavenotbeen fullyresolved.Surrogateparentingcantakeseveral forms.Typically,aninfertilecouplewillmakecontact withawoman(thesurrogateparent),whowillthenbe father.Insomeinstances,thesurrogatewillreceivean embryofromthedonorparents.Thesurrogatecarries thefoetustoterm,andreturnsthenewborntotheparents.Insomecases,womenhaveservedassurrogates fortheircloserelatives.Becauseoftheconcernsabout true“ownership”ofthebaby,surrogateparentingmay notbeaparticularlyviableorlegaloptionformany couples.

1.Whatisthemeaningofthefollowingword groups:surrogate,decade,infertilecouple,conception,expectantfather,donorparents,foetus, legaloption.2.Whatisthetopicoftheparagraph? 3.Whatreasoningisthereintheclosingsentenceof theparagraph?4.Writeasummaryofwhatissaid inthepassage.

IMPROVINGWRITING

WritingaLovingStory

Herearesomeimportantpeoplethatyoumight havealreadymetalongtheway.Therearecluesto benoticedasyouread.Observehoweachcharacter plotineachofthecasessetoutbelow. ears,large,green,glassyeyes,andalong,snipnose, sothatitlookedlikeaweather-cockpercheduponhis spindlenecktotellwhichwaythewindblew.Tosee mighthavemistakenhimforthegeniusofFamine descendingupontheearthorsomescarecroweloped Whatphenomenonisbeingdescribed?Areyounoticingcluestolatchontoforagoodstoryofyours? (b)Aftersomemomentsofsilence,whichnotone ofusdreamedofbreaking,“Gentlemen,”hesaidina calmandpenetratingvoice,“IspeakFrench,English, is,thatIhavearighttospeakoftheseseas,under which,inlessthan10months,Ihavecrossed20,000 leaguesinthatsubmarinetouroftheworld,whichhas revealedsomanywonders.”Ifyourinterestismaritimetouring,trythisone,then.

WhattoDo:Chooseastimulusfromaboveand coinagoodstory,makinganyjuicyadditionsthat cometomind.Writewithoutstoppinguntilyou havenothingmoretosay,thenedit,proofread, andrewrite.