Pepperpot 06 18 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Charran with an official of Business Investment Development, after receiving the ‘International Star for Quality’ Award in Geneva, Switzerland in September 2015

Taking care of children in need – Exemplary father, Dennis Charran and his School feeding programme

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Perseverance pays off – QC student relates sacrifices to complete school

By Modesty Hossanah MUCH to the surprise of many Guyanese, there is a multitude of students who commute to the capital city on a daily basis for schooling from far-flung areas, such as Linden.

This is the case of 16-year-old Shirley Temple [not her real name], who attained a spot at Queen’s College (QC) after sitting the National Grade Six Assessment. She was overzealous about attending one of the region’s most prestigious institutions. However, Shirley resided in Linden, thus making it difficult for her to attend her dream school. Her mother could not allow her to waste such a great opportunity, so it was decided that the young lady would travel from Linden every day to attend school.

While Shirley’s dream was becoming a reality, it was nightmarish. With her decision came challenges. Shirley’s life was changed drastically to accommodate her education.

There was tremendous difficulty with settling into a new school, especially since it was an entirely different environment; she felt like an outsider.

Every morning she woke up at 05:00hrs, while her siblings slept peacefully. She quietly and hastily prepared for the school day. Waking up late was never ideal, as she would miss her contract bus and be forced to find alternative transportation. This usually resulted in her arriving at school late, often missing the first period.

to participate in co-curricular activities. More so, she missed outings with her friends and classmates. To some extent, this hindered her friendships and even made her feel exiled. This After spending 12 hours away from home, four of which feeling eventually went away and she managed to adjust to her were spent on a bus, Shirley would return home around 18:00hrs. new lifestyle.

When she got home, she often felt exhausted – physically and This situation was challenging not only for Shirley, but also emotionally. Despite this, she did her homework and assign- for her parents, both of whom sacrificed immensely to put her through school. Oftentimes, due to the expense Queen’s College of travelling daily, she had to borrow textbooks to have them photocopied. There were many persons who loaned her textbooks and printed her assignments for her without gratuity.

In her final year, things became increasingly difficult. There was the added stress of School Based Assessments (SBAs) and practicals and all things CSEC. Even worse, Shirley had limited time to study. It was only with assistance from friends, family and teachers that Shirley did not collapse under all the pressure.

Today, Shirley is now set to graduate from Queen’s College and ready to pursue tertiary education. She strongly believes that nothing is impossible with God. She is adamant that humans have to sacrifice to accomplish their goals. Her advice to persons in similar situations is to “never give up,” as cliché as it sounds. Shirley insists that any goal can be achieved with faith, consistency and hard work.

The 16-year-old does not regret the dements and prepared for the next day. Within all the hassle, she cision she made five years ago to attend Queen’s College, as miraculously still found time to chat with her family and friends the experience was truly worth it. Her decision has resulted and browse social media. in her attaining a level of maturity that is uncommon for For Shirley, the weekends were not long enough. Due to her persons her age. She is now more disciplined as a result of constant state of sheer exhaustion, she often fell asleep in her the challenges that came with travelling those 65 miles five classes. Because of her distant residence, she often did not get days per week.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

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Taking care of children in need

– Exemplary father, Dennis Charran and his School feeding programme

By Shirley Thomas TODAY is Father’s Day, and the Pepperpot Magazine would like to extend Father’s Day greetings to all deserving fathers in Guyana, as well as acknowledge , those mothers who for whatever reason, as are tasked with performing the dual function of both mother and father in the home.

Today is the day when fathers around the world are remembered and honoured for their support (financial and otherwise) to their families; the love, care, sacrifice, discipline guidance and attention; being the paternal role model; stamping their authority when situations seem to be getting out of hand; and for generally being the stabilizing force in the family. But there are also many fathers who go beyond their fatherly duties and contribute in a meaningful way to many causes.

Indeed, such, exemplary fathers are all around us. Take Dennis Charran, for example. He is the Managing Director of Comfort Sleep, Manufacturers and Distributors of Foam Mattress and Pillows. He is exemplary, not only for admirably executing his paternal duties as head of his home, while running a successful family business, but for reaching

Fun with the children at Eclipse

Mr and Mrs Charran assist in serving the children boxes of lunch during one of their Christmas parties

Gifts for Christmas in Berbice

out to help the less fortunate children, ensuring they do not go hungry.

Studies have shown that when children go to school hungry and are in financial distress, they are prone to poor school performance by virtue of developing a low attention span, low self-esteem, behaviourial problems and therefore become at risk for depression and other psychiatric problems.

Going above and beyond what is required of him, over the last ten years, Mr. Charran has continued to inspire and make considerable impact on the health and welfare of

the less fortunate children without regard to ethnicity or creed.

Charran is happily married to his wonderful wife Sabita, and the proud father of three daughters one grand-daughter and one grand-son, His natural love for children and concern for the less fortunate, over the last

ten years or so, has led to him developing an unbroken and unsurpassed record of giving back to society through conducting schools feeding programmes.

He finances the cost of providing a hot Turn to page X ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

FILES E S A C COURT

Lawyer moved Court to quash DPP murder indictment 1967 Motion to quash indictment dismissed MURDER accused Compton Alfred was committed by a magistrate to stand trial for murder and was indicted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for murder.

At the trial, counsel for the accused moved the court to quash the indictment on the ground that the DPP had no authority to prefer an indictment because, on the evidence as shown in the deposition, the offence of murder was not disclosed as there was no evidence of the cause of death and, further, the only evidence upon which the committal was based was the unsworn and uncorroborated evidence of a child, and, under Section 71 of the Criminal

Law (Procedure) Act,Cap.10:01), the accused could only have been properly convicted of murder if the evidence had established a case of murder.

HELD:- that the DPP was acting within his jurisdiction when he indicted the accused for the same offence for which the magistrate had committed and it was not competent for a court to go beyond the indictment and look at the evidence in the deposition to see whether in fact the evidence had established a case of murder.

Motion to quash indictment dismissed.

G.A.G. Pompey Senior Crown Counsel, for the Crown.

C.A. Massiah for the accused.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Arthur Chung said: In the present case, the accused has been committed by the magistrate to stand trial for the offence of murder, and has been indicted by the DPP for the offence of murder.

Counsel for the accused now moves to the court to quash the indictment on the ground that the DPP has no authority to prefer an indictment against the accused for murder , as under Section 71, Chapter 11, the accused could only have been prop-

erly committed for murder if the evidence establishes a case of

By George Barclay murder.

He is alleging that the evidence as shown in the deposition does not disclose the offence of murder, as there is no evidence of the cause of death. Therefore, the committal was improper.

He also contends that the only evidence upon which the committal was based was the evidence of an unsworn witness -- Grace Alfred -- and that under Cap 25 as amended by Ordinance 29 of 1961,Section 5 (b), no person can be convicted upon the uncorroborated and unsworn evidence of a child.

He argues that if there was no evidence to commit for murder, then the DPP has no jurisdiction to prefer an indictment, as Cap. 11,Section 113(1) reads – “On receipt of the documents relating to the preliminary inquiry, the DPP, if he sees fit to do so, shall at any time institute those criminal proceedings in the court against the accused person which to him seem legal and proper.”

He submitted that the words “if he sees fit to do so” and “which to him seem legal and proper,” mean that the DPP must exercise a judicial mind.

Counsel for the Crown in answer to the motion says that the court cannot go beyond the indictment and look at the evidence in the deposition to see if the evidence in the deposition supports the charge where a person has been indicted for the same offence for which he has been committed. He admits that where the person has been indicted for another offence other than that for which he has been committed, the Court can look at the deposition to see whether the evidence establishes the offence for which he has not been committed.

In conclusion, Justice Chung declared, “ The arguments put forward by counsel for the accused seem impressive, but in view of the above, I have no doubt that once a magistrate has exercised his discretion in committing a person to stand trial for an offence and the DPP has indicted a person for the same offence of which he has been committed , the DPP is acting within his jurisdiction and the court cannot go beyond the indictment and look at the evidence in the deposition to see if an offence has been established.

“The motion is therefore dismissed.”

Motion to quash indictment dismissed.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

#SupportCreativity

For the love of the arts

Damian Marcano’s ONE of my favourite films that were streamed at the recently concluded Timehri Film Festival has to be Damian Marcano’s beautifully rendered Heart of a Monster. It is Caribbean in terms of its director (Trinidadian), its cast (Curacao), its language (Papiamento), the locales used for shooting and the way it utilises the tribal and the ritualistic that are reminiscent of various aspects of a variety of cultures in Caribbean society. However, the things that make it universal, as all good art should be,

Heart of a Monster

bring one of the major themes to the forefront, that of humanness and appearance.

Are we human because we look human?

Is a monster a monster because he/she looks like a monster? This is the idea that is echoed in the voice-over that begins the film: “All they knew was that as far back as the most far- reaching memory could stretch, they had fought the monster because it was hideous, and surely anything that hideous only wishes to do harm.”

Without truly even knowing the motivations of the Monster, or what it really

Image via: Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival (web)

regardless of how confined in terms of style and expression the work might be, are the themes that seek to address the very concept of being human. What makes us human? The fact that we can think and use our minds to create? Our sense of self? Our sense of community?

Our ability to love and shield? Our emotions? These are the kinds of questions that Heart of a Monster asks, in a style that is vibrant with colour and truly visually stunning.

The film is set in an ambiguous time period (very early in human history or very much in the future of human history –- even the film’s soundtrack is a lovely blend between the ritualistic and modern techno/pop music), inhabited by tribal men and women in a harsh and desolate landscape –- beautifully shot and rendered in hues and tones that only add to the ancient and otherworldly nature of the setting –- where they live in fear of the Monster. The first spoken lines in the film

By Subraj Singh

was, the people of the tribe select the strongest man in the tribe to go out to the place far away where the Monster lives, where that man will attempt to kill it. Several men fail at the task, and then Guengu is selected to go forth and try his luck against the Monster, subsequent to a series of dreams that are both prophetic and symbolic –- dreams in which he is alone and everyone else is gone. Guengu encounters the Monster and thus marks the beginning of another layer of the story that divulges much about the hearts of humans and monsters and how they are not so different from each other.

The costumes and make-up are truly well done. In particular, the design of the Monster and Guengu’s transformation throughout the film are disturbing and achieve the desired effect upon the audience, and this make-up and tribal costuming, along with the landscape shots and the distinctive style of the director are definitely what an audience member

will most remember after seeing the film.

There are also some strong performances, particularly by Aithel Antonius as Guengu and Mila Palm as Elder Sun. The film is a short, but it is so packed

V with the rules and mythologies of its fictional world that it is the rare short film that may actually benefit from an expansion into a feature-length production.

There is enough story and memorable characters and symbols and pure entertainment that the film is enjoyable enough to make the audience yearn for more. It really does give the audience a sense of what Caribbean actors, writers and directors are capable of accomplishing –- which is work that is on par with that of film-makers around the world. Thankfully, Heart of a Monster is easily available online, on YouTube, which means that its lessons and entertainment value can be easily accessed. The Timehri Film Festival is an important step in bringing regional cinema to people in Guyana and it must be applauded for its endeavours in giving movie-lovers in Guyana access to those Caribbean films that are not so easily accessible.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

The more you read…

Communities using reading to encourage self-discipline among children

By Ravena Gildharie FAMED American novelist George R. Martin once said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” This is a rather motivating quote to promote reading, but with advances of the internet age, keeping children of today’s society interested in reading and occupied with the use of printed books and magazines can be challenging.

Several communities have recognised this issue and embarked on innovative programmes to maintain libraries and encourage the children to read in interactive and contemporary environments.

At Sophia, children and youths of all ages turn out in their numbers every weekend to be part of the interactive reading sessions organised by the Sophia

Sparkle Youth Group. There is a mini library that offers to the children a wide array of text books, novels, short stories, children’s stories and magazines, among others. The

group received books from several individuals, some based overseas and a few local non-governmental organisations such as Food for the Poor Guyana. Most of the materials are distributed to the children but the textbooks are stored at the mini library to help the children with their research and other school work.

“We see reading as very, very important and we put a lot of work into helping the children in our area who couldn’t even spell or read their own names although they were in primary school…and now you should see those very children standing up and reading so well,” said Doris Shelto-Mclennon, the group’s founder.

She explained that the reading exercises always begin with a prayer followed by an interactive session where the children reflect on their activities over the past week and identify some of their learning

weaknesses at school. There is also a public speaking session where each child is encouraged to participate by standing up to talk or read in front of the gathering. The sessions, Mclennon said, attracts approximately 60-70 children each week including those at the nursery level who enjoy listening to the older children read the storybooks.

READING AS A TOOL TO STEM DELINQUENCY Mclennon’s sons and other volunteers from the community conduct the sessions and also help the children with their homework and school projects. It forms part of the group’s wider agenda to promote moral values in a somewhat depressed community where majority of the children are prone to delinquent behaviours.

“We had some parents came to us crying and complaining that they can’t handle their children’s behaviour at home and after the children start coming to our sessions, the parents reach us back and ask what have we done because they have seen a change in their children,” Mclennon related.

During the school holidays, the group organises recreational day camps where the children are also taught various life skills such Turn to page VIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Wearing dentures

HOW would you like to have an artificial leg rather than your natural leg? Obviously, no one would want that simply because adequate substitution is impossible. Similarly, most persons do not realise that there are problems often arising after dentures are placed. So, replacing your natural teeth with either a full or partial denture is about as desirable as having an artificial leg.

Dentures allow you to chew; an artificial leg allows you to walk. The problem in both instances is the performance quality of the artificial replacement in comparison to what nature originally provided. Quite simply, the artificial replacement will never function as well as your natural teeth -- no matter how good it looks.

Dentures are not maintenance-free; they need adjustments. It is not that the denture changes; it is the tissues under the dentures that change. A denture adjustment is necessary when the denture material must be removed from the denture to relieve pressure at pressure spots that occur when bone and tissue shrink.

Since tissue shrinks as it heals, dentures that are placed immediately after the teeth are extracted sometimes need to be relined as soon as the tissue has healed. All dentures need relining periodically to adjust for normal tissue changes. So a denture is not a one-shot cure. It is very important to see your dentist once a year so the tissue under the denture can be monitored.

With this overview, let me offer a word of caution. Your dentist may offer you options on types of tooth replacements possible in your case. Offering you treatment options is part of your dentist’s obligation. This is where you need to become a wise, informed dental

consumer, so you can discuss with him the best decision for your situation.

As a general rule of thumb, fixed prosthodontics (crowns and bridges) are more expensive than removable prosthodontics (full or partial dentures). However, fixed prosthodontics are usually a more desirable replacement.

Dentures also vary in cost, depending on the type of teeth, the material used to make the denture base, and the number of steps followed to construct the prosthetic device. If you find a place that claims to be able to make your denture in one day for much less than the fee being charged in the area by most other dentists, you will probably get exactly what you pay for.

Let the buyer beware! They are no bargains in healthcare!

The name ‘immediate dentures’ sound like something produced by a fast-food version of a dental office. However, ‘immediate’ in this context means that the denture is placed immediately after the dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon extracts the teeth.

Here is a typical example of what happens in preparation for an immediate denture. The first phase is the removal of all teeth posterior to (behind) the cuspid teeth. These ridges are then allowed to heal and act as a stable base for the future denture. After the healing has occurred, the denture is constructed. Then, the natural teeth are extracted and the dentures are immediately placed in the mouth. This keeps the patient from having to be without his or her anterior (front) teeth at any time.

There are many advantages to immediate dentures, besides the immediate aesthetic considerations. They protect sensitive extraction sites, help control bleeding from the

tooth sockets, and protect the surgical area by covering it, thus keeping food and debris out of the extraction sockets.

An additional advantage that you might consider worth the extra expense of the immediate denture is that your dentist knows how your “natural” teeth appeared. Thus, he is likely to be able to construct dentures that more closely resemble your natural teeth. This makes the transition easier when you see your friends and family because your appearance is minimally changed. The other option is that it is possible, if you want, to change your appearance with new dentures.

Finally, an immediate denture gives the dentist a better idea of how your natural teeth were biting. He can construct a denture that

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better stimulates the bite you had before extractions.

Aesthetically, immediate dentures are a better way to have dentures inserted than having dentures made after going through a period of being toothless. However, they do present more problems.

More denture adjustments are needed when immediate dentures are placed, and these dentures sometimes need to be relined a short time after they are seated. The reason is that the tissue, including the bone in the area, shrinks during the healing process after the teeth are removed. The healing process lasts about six months. This shrinking causes the denture to become loose, and the fit is altered. Relining is not needed as soon for conventional dentures fitted on ridges where time has lapsed after the teeth are extracted.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

ICT – The way to wider knowledge, education and prosperity

THE Ministry of Public Telecommunications recently held its mid-year press conference in which it adumbrated its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes.

Minister Catherine Hughes, assisted by her Adviser Lance Hinds, Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA); Floyd Levi and Director of Communications and Social Management of the NDMA, Philip Walcott, outlined what is to be achieved in the near future.

One of the themes of the press conference was that Guyana has to catch up with the rest of the world in ICT, because Guyanese society cannot be fully functional and productive except it is computer literate and masters ICT. Guyana had long recognised this need and, five or six years ago, moved from identifying the problem and planning into doing.

At this time a revolutionary scheme was launched to give one free laptop for every family and to provide training in computer

use and care to all laptop recipients. Thousands of people, including schoolchildren, were exposed to computers for the first time and this drive was bolstered by the secondary schools offering ICT as a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subject.

Knowledge of computer use is now fairly widespread, especially among the youth and provides a good launching pad for the successful achievement of the Ministry of Telecommunication’s programmes.

In setting out its programmes, the ministry did underline that the various activities will have to be undertaken almost simultaneously if they were going to be impacting and successful.

In the first place, all communities throughout the country must be connected.

This is important in unifying the country and preventing communities from being isolated and neglected. In helping communities to be connected, Wi-Fi hot spots would be set up in public places such as libraries, NIS offices, post offices and parks. Such hot spots

would in effect be information and education centres.

The Government ministries and other government agencies would be computerised and there would be interconnectivity among them. The computerisation and interconnection of Government ministries were planned a few years ago and an office was established to accomplish this, but it did not achieve much. It is now confidently felt that with the new team, computerisation of the Government offices would be achieved. The full computerisation of Government offices would improve their administrative efficiency and would be using less staff. The public visiting such offices would have waiting time eliminated.

When Government offices are interconnected, they would regularly and quickly know what each is doing and if for example, they are dealing with the same matter, they could co-relate and save themselves and the public much time.

The development of an ICT strategy and connectivity in the education sector would advance the intellectual strength of the country. Both learning and teaching would become easier and more thorough and students would be able to do their research without depending on teachers. In a system where there is teacher absenteeism, the use of the computer could help to fill the breach.

The ministry's programmes also make provision for computer training of all schoolchildren during the long August holidays.

Such training will inevitably bring to the fore such skills as coders, web developers, programmers and animators, among others.

ICT in the modern world is linked with

economic development from many standpoints. For example, the availability of an ICT-skilled workforce would attract industries such as offshore hubs. The availability of such a workforce would allow local industry to computerise and become more efficient and productive.

In his presentation, one of the minister's team members felt that there may be some resistance to the ICT drive, because some districts and communities may perceive it as a government or partisan programme or project and may be lukewarm to it. We think such a fear is unfounded as people are very pragmatic and go for what is in their interest.

In addition to training the schoolchildren during the August holiday, the ministry has a much more ambitious plan to train the adult population and even those who are elderly.

Training of the elderly would be a great achievement. When this is achieved, the last pocket of resistance would have been eliminated.

Computer devices are not affordable to many people. Thought should be given to assembling computers in Guyana. One commercial firm --- Starr Computers --- actually assembles most of the computers it sells more cheaply than the brand names. This also makes it easier to effect repairs. It is quite likely that if computers are assembled on a large scale, the unit cost may come within the means of most people.

ICT has brought development and prosperity to several countries such as India and China. Guyana, though not in the league of India or China, does have some special advantages such as being an English-speaking country and being located close to North America and Latin America.

◄◄◄ From page VI

been adding to the centre. Recently, the Greenheart Trust donated some 220 books on science, the environment, personal development, biography, and classic novels as well as nature DVDS and modern films.

During the donation, Ferreira stressed the importance of educational and recreational space for children as a means of developing self-discipline.

In the Moruca sub-district of Region One, the Kamwatta Village Council has undertaken a similar initiative, spearheaded

by Senior Councillor Camilla Francis.

“I was a teacher for several years and long before I joined the village council, I saw a need for the community to have a library so I pitched the idea to the Council and they support it for us to convert the community’s centre into a library and IT hub,” Francis explained.

She said the centre was built several years ago to accommodate a computer laboratory but it was never equipped and the facility had become abandoned. The Council utilised the government-allocated 2016 Jubilee Grant and purchased three computers and books to launch the library and IT hub last April. Giftland and Austin’s Book Store along with a few other individuals also donated some books and reading materials.

The facility is opened daily, Francis highlighted and it is usually crowded during the school’s lunchbreak and in the afternoons after classes. According to Francis, the idea is to encourage the children to read even while developing their information technology skills.

as sewing, tie-dye and handicraft.

Mclennon plans to expand and upgrade the library and will be seeking the help of government and others to do so.

Meanwhile, at Albouystown/Charlestown, Councillor Malcom Ferreira has been spearheading other ventures to encourage and support reading among children in the community. In partnership with the Rotaract Club, the community recently staged a massive health fair and reading workshop which, according to Ferreira, attracted some 175 children to the reading session.

Also, last December Ferreira worked with the Florida-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) The First International Library to launch the Charlestown Library and Reading Centre at the Carmel Secondary School. The centre is dedicated to the memory of Justin Monkhouse, a young man who was killed in an accident while on his way home from the library in Daytona Beach, Florida. The NGO is founded by the uncle of the deceased who had already established a similar reading facility in Linden.

At Charlestown, students of the Carmel Secondary School and the Ambitious Future Leaders Youth Club use the reading room daily. The students are allowed to borrow books of all genres such as novels and academic materials while only certain dictionaries are offered for use on the premises.

RECREATIONAL SPACE FOR CHILDREN The initiative has since attracted support from other individuals and NGOs who have

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

IX

Father’s Day for the Good Fathers

By Francis Quamina Farrier

a farmer on the lower Essequibo Coast. It was BE it books, tough work, but songs, movies, very rewarding business estabemotionally and lishments, telefinancially for vision or radio this special Guyprogrammes, I anese father. Like am always fasciGladstone Mack, nated with titles. there are many Take, for examGuyanese fathers ple, the title of who can be clasthe book ‘To Sir, sified as unsung With Love’ by heroes. They live ER Braithwaite, their lives doing which went on the right things to be the title of at all times, proa song and later viding for their the title of a movfamilies with ie. It is the type hard and honest of title which faslabour. And so, on cinates me. Anoccasions such as Likely the oldest Father in Guyana, a recent other title which Father's Day, they photograph of 106-year-old Gladstone Mack aka really attracts Uncle Mackie, at his South Sophia home holding are to be thanked. me, is that of an On this Father's one of his many trophies. (Photo by Francis informative RaDay 2017, many Quamina Farrier) dio programme grateful and lovby Dr Rovin Deing children and odat, ‘Have You ever Wondered?’ I am grandchildren will be doing all they can, to extremely fascinated with that programme show how much they love their dad. And this title, and of course, its content, since one will be so, in many countries all around the is almost always learning something new world. for the better part, when listening to that It must be noted that Father's Day is inparticular radio programme. tended to recognise and celebrate the good Now let me pose the following question, fathers and father figures in our lives. Unforwhich is part of the focus of this feature on tunately, at the turn of the century, I began to Father's Day. Have you ever wondered who is realise that a growing number of influential the oldest father now, here in Guyana? Subject individuals here in Guyana, some pastors to correction, he is 106-year-old Gladstone included, were putting their focus more on Mack of South Sophia, Georgetown. To be the bad fathers, and in many cases, totally more precise, ‘Uncle Mackie’, as he is fa- ignoring the good fathers, and what Father's miliarly called, is originally from Aurora on Day should be all about; that it is the day the lower Essequibo Coast, in Region Two. to give words of encouragement and praise He is the father of 10 children and scores to those fathers who continue to struggle to of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and be even better fathers, even in the face of great-great-grandchildren, who all love and so many obstacles and distractions. Many adore the patriarch of their family. Even as a of these fathers are in work environments centenarian, ‘Uncle Mackie’ is as alert as ever which are sometimes very cruel to them. They and someone who, with whom, one can have sometimes suffer greatly at the hands of cruel a lively conversation. The subjects can range bosses who belittle them seemingly just for from his years growing up on the Essequibo the heck of it. It is very painful for such men, Coast; the way in which the many ethnic but they "grin and bear," because they realise groups interacted beautifully with each other a that they have a responsibility to their families. century ago; to his many years working in the These men do not take out their frustrations hinterland or his years of experience working on their wives and children. They are men of as a farmer. honour; men of purpose.

Although I visit with him very rarely, it is It has already been established that there always a pleasure to converse with someone are just too many bad fathers, not only in who can be so engaging in conversation, Guyana, but in many countries around the touching on a variety of topics, especially on world, but Father's Day should be the day that his two principal means of livelihood during the good fathers should be lifted up. There his working years. ‘Uncle Mackie’ is, most are 52 Sundays in a year, with just one Sunimportantly, a patriotic Guyanese and a man day set aside to recognise and honour fathers of faith who believes in God and has passed on -- Father's Day; and so there should be no his moral and religious beliefs to his children mention of bad fathers on Father's Day. The and grandchildren. good fathers must be celebrated on this special During his younger years, Gladstone day set aside for them.

Mack worked in the goldfields. He was a Some of the principal contributions of pork-knocker -- those men who travelled up good fathers to the development of a nation the rough, fast-flowing rivers of western Brit- are multi-dimensional; from setting a good ish Guiana, into the deep hinterland, crossing example and being good role models to the rapids and skirting waterfalls to reach the rich upcoming fathers, to not being a strain on the goldfields. Those pork-knockers of yore, ‘Un- law-enforcement, health and judicial systems cle Mackie’ told me, sometimes experienced in the country. Just consider how many mantragedies when their boats capsized and lives hours of police, doctors, nurses, magistrates were lost in the waters of the swift-flowing and judges are saved because of the many rivers. However, in those early days of gold good men (fathers) who live law-abiding and mining, the pork-knockers always looked out productive lives in our society! Consider, too, for each other, he told me, especially with food the fathers who bring so much joy to their and accommodation when necessary. children by being there for them all the time Later on, in his long and productive life, -- from taking them to and from school, giving Gladstone Mack earned his livelihood as them good advice, being kind and loving to the

mothers of their children, and generally just being good guys. For over 10 years, I have taken periods of time to stand in front of many schools and observe fathers dropping off and picking up their children. It is wonderful to behold. I have sometimes spoken to some of those fathers; even taking photos of some of them with their children.

Over the past 15 years, I have held discussions with a number of professionals and received excellent information and insight into fathers and fathering in Guyana. The former Head of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, the late Frederick Cox, is one such individual with whom I held discussions.

I also did on-camera interviews with him, which were aired on the Evening News in the mid-1990s. The same occurred with his successor, Ms Beverley Braithwaite-Chan, who gave me a woman's perspective of what Father's Day should be all about. I've also received some very useful information from

Pastor John O Smith of the Central Assembly of God Church on Church Street, Georgetown, as well as from Pastor Raphael Massiah of the First Assembly of God Church on Durban Street in Georgetown. In fact, after our very pleasant meeting, Pastor Massiah wished me all success with what he termed my "Crusade."

Prior to that elevation of my mission, I was referring to it as my "campaign," to have Father's Day void of the mention of bad fathers.

On this Father's Day 2017, let us extend hearty congratulations to our good fathers and thank them for being who they are and give them kind words of encouragement and praise. Many of them do need it. Let us not take these good men for granted and effectively make them invisible citizens.

With all the modern distractions, it is not easy in this day and age to be a good father.

To ‘Uncle Mackie’ and all the other good Guyanese fathers and father figures, let us extend Happy Father's Day Greetings.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page III

meal thrice per week for more than 500 children from about seven schools around coastal Guyana. This remarkable gesture, Mr. Charran says, is being financed single handedly. But despite this, he is calling on other busineses to do likewise for the sake of the less fortunate children in our midst.

That apart, the businessman, has also been hosting annual Christmas parties for these children in West Demerara and Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne and at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown for more than 10 years.

At Easter time, he prepares and distributes food hampers for the children to take home during the Easter and August holidays.

But the greatest treat he ever gave the children, would have been a day at the Ramada Princess Hotel ‘Fun City’ where they were given a great treat to food, music, a tour of the facility and tickets which allowed them to enjoy any of the games they chose to play; view movies at their discretion and pose for a free photo with Santa Claus - all at the expense of Comfort Sleep which transported them to Fun City and back home.

Over the last few years, his business went up in flames twice, with the second fire consuming the entire factory and offices, but resilient as he is, Charran, never once suspended the children’s hot meals programme. The exercise continued throughout the school terms at its usual time three times weekly. “The school feeding programme has to go on. It must go on,” Charran said.

In recognition of his production of superior quality mattresses and pillows and for being a good corporate citizen, on September 25, 2015, Charran was given an award by Business Initiative Development (BID) in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the only manufacturer from the Caribbean to have been conferred with that award.

Comfort Sleep gives more than 500 children from its schools’ feeding programme a treat for Christmas 2014

Mr. Dennis Charran, Managing Director of ‘Comfort Sleep’, Guyana, flanked by Executives of ‘Business Investment Development’ after receiving their International Star for Quality Award in Geneva Switzerland in September, 2015

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Down syndrome

TODAY, I’m going to continue to speak about prevalent disorders in Guyana that may be overlooked or misunderstood. Down syndrome is another common one that I believe should be addressed. I hope this information ensures better understanding and empathy from the community as a whole.

WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME? Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by chromosome abnormalities. It is characterised by physical deformities and illnesses, intellectual disabilities and overall developmental delays. An individual with Down Syndrome has a lower IQ than the general population.They also have a shorter life span due to many physical issues that come with the illness.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DOWN SYNDROME? People with Down syndrome (DS) have distinctive facial deformities such as flat faces, thinned noses, slanting or far-apart eyes, small ears and mouth and a protruding tongue. They have short necks, arms and legs and suffer from low muscle tone. All of the above result in issues pertaining to sleeping and eating, but yet increased risk of obesity.

Down syndrome can be detected from even before birth through pre-natal screening.

If the screening is not done, it is usually apparent right after birth. A large number of babies born with DS are also born with heart, stomach or lung problems. They are more at risk for seizures, thyroid problems and various types of cancers such as leukaemia.

Vision and hearing are usually impaired, especially due to chronic ear infections. Gingivitis, tooth loss and decay are also common. It is difficult for someone with Down

structures called chromosomes, are responsible for inherited traits from our birth parents. There are usually 23 pairs of chromosomes. Down syndrome occurs if the baby develops an extra copy of a chromosome, particularly chromosome 21. The extra material causes deformities in development.

The chances of developing DS are also increased if the birthing mother is over the age of 35. Additionally, those who have already birthed a child with DS are more likely to birth another with DS than the general population.

Syndrome to have children. Males will have issues with sperm development, while females have poor fertility and early menopause.

The mental abilities of a DS adult are typically that of an eight or nine-year-old. Over time, some individuals with DS lose their already limited ability to speak. However, they do display better social skills than those with other disorders, such as Autism.

All the previously mentioned

symptoms also increase their chances of mental health issues. People with DS are usually happy, but depression and anxiety may develop if they have a higher IQ. Who is at risk for developing Down Syndrome?

Issues with personal or family genetics is the number one cause of DS. Basically, our genetic material is stored in a nucleus within our genes. The genes, grouped along

HOW IS DOWN SYNDROME TREATED? There is no cure for DS, but like anything else, it can be correctly managed and treated. Medication is not always required in patients with Down syndrome. You must visit your nearest health centre to have a physician guide you along your treatment plan. Some may require speech, occupational or physical therapy.

Individuals with DS may learn better with visuals. Therefore, use pictures of different faces to teach

emotions, of weather to teach seasons and so on. Having the DS individual draw or paint also improves their overall communication ability.

With proper treatment, those with DS can live very normal lives -- go to school, have friends and even become employed.

Of course, if you are raising someone who has DS, you can never have too much patience or empathy. Please write in if there are any disorders to which you would like to draw attention and awareness.

Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also please remember when you can come see me.

Georgetown Public Hospital :Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays 4:00pm Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 4:00pm Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001. 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

#SupportCreativity

‘Bijoux Josette’

comes to Guyana

Vincentian artist Josette Norris thrills in debut local exhibition

ABOUT two weeks ago, Vincentian artist, photographer and goldsmith Josette Norris mounted a five-day exhibition of paintings and mixed media works in the converted office space of a Waterloo Street building. Despite being a space not typically known for hosting such events (and with no markings or identifying signs), it seemed as though art lovers had no trouble finding the exhibition. On the two occasions I visited, there was a slow but steady flow of visitors stopping by to escape the noise of the Georgetown hustle. And it was indeed a cozy oasis that offered relief in the form of art.

This was an exhibition with something for everyone. There were simple but evocative flower studies, more complex and sometimes jarring compositions that seemed to celebrate a kind of non-linear format of storytelling and a section which featured one of a kind jewellery made from indigenous materials, copper, silver, nickel silver, brass, semi-precious stones and found objects. The audio/visual experience (which

Flora and Fungi (Polyptych)

Aquarius (from the artist’s personal collection)

couldn’t be ignored) was an unexpected but interesting twist to say the least. The juxtaposition of blaring horns, loud music and the gang of parrots creating a ruckus in someone’s tree poured in from the windows and was in sharp contrast to the tranquility most of Norris’s works inspired. I had wondered if anyone else stopped to consider that: this meeting place where two conflicting worlds rubbed against each other-- the raw and unfiltered reality of our country’s heart, and a quieter but no less intense collection of curated moments housed within that same heart.

During a conversation with the artist, it was clear that her formal art training provided her with the necessary knowledge of materials and technical skills to explore and develop an expansive portfolio of work over the years. Speaking on the way the exhibition was conceptualised, Norris explained that it was only after an invitation from her son-in-law, Ronald Burch-Smith,

Oh Jamaica! Self-portrait (from the artist’s personal collection)

that she began to seriously contemplate what her debut exhibition in Guyana could look like.

“This was a show without a theme really. I’ve been coming to Guyana since my daughter has been married to Ronald, so it’s been about seven years. He invited me to have an exhibition here and I thought, ‘Why shouldn’t I have an exhibition here?’ And to be quite honest, I got tired of people calling me ‘Moms’ or ‘Sam’s mom,’ I have an identity. I’ve been an artist long before I had my daughter. So I thought, ‘Maybe I need to show them who I am.’”

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fessed that the constant shifts do create temporary moments of anxiety and doubt.

“I don’t think there’s a smooth transition between the two. Whenever I’m painting and I finish what I’m doing and have to go back to jewellery, I always go into a panic attack. I always feel as if I’ve lost it and I won’t know how to do anything. But within two seconds it’s over.

I go right back into it and I forget what I went through [with] that drama.”

Norris works from her home studio in Pembroke, St. Vincent, painting and producing one-of-a-kind jewellery and craft under the trade name Bijoux Josette. She also makes and designs fashion jewellery for presentations staged by designer, Kimya Glasgow. She has shown works in major exhibitions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and farther afield in Jamaica (1984), Trinidad and Tobago (1984), UNESCO Paris (1999) and OAS Washington, D.C., (2004).

She has also illustrated the cover of the second edition of Ruler in Hairouna (2003), a classic novel on Caribbean politics written by the late George C.H. Thomas.

Jewellery by Bijoux Josette

And she did just that with an impressive collection of works spanning more than 20 years of her creative practice.

Norris completed her formal art education in 1984 at the Jamaica School of Art and Crafts (now the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts), where she majored in goldsmithing, with subsidiaries in ceramics, sculpture, basic design, graphics and painting. She recalled fondly the four years she spent finding community with kindred spirits there.

“It was wonderful. I always tell people it was blood, sweat and tears but it was worth it in the long run. I went to Canada first to go to art school and they didn’t accept me in Ontario College of Art. But I’m in good company, because they didn’t accept David Hockney either.

So I went back to St. Vincent. At the time I didn’t know we had an art school in Jamaica until a top jeweller told me.

I wasn’t even thinking of doing jewellery. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do. It just turned out in the end that because I couldn’t do sculpture I did jewellery instead.

It was non-stop, but I loved it. I didn’t do art in high

school. I didn’t fit into schools, but when I went to Jamaica I think for the first time [I realised] there were people like me.”

During our conversation, Norris went on to describe her affinity for designing and making bold jewellery. From my observation, that boldness was not limited to that medium only, it was a recurring marker in all her various bodies of work.

There is a kind of willingness and ease with which she embraces experimentation.

Her choice of materials and techniques (and often several combinations of the two) often result in a seamless merger of what some might be tempted to label ‘disparate elements.’ But perhaps they are not so disparate. The manner in which she molds the material (whether organic or otherwise) on the support surface makes for a cohesive final piece, regardless of the medium.

“I tried to give people a picture of the difference in my style of work. People never believe I do the same work because I tend to move along in my style. The common denominator in my style is the textural quality which gets more and more exaggerated. I find the more I paint, the more I want it to jump out of the canvas. I’m not interested in doing anything flat anymore. I really wanted to be a sculptor, but I’m a goldsmith so it’s all tactile.”

She explained that even after all the years that have passed, there is still no easy way of shifting gears between painting and jewellery-making. While they’re both equally important and demanding components of her creative practice, she con-

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Fire Bird (triptych, from the Casa Jocesa Estate)

Griselda

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Is Feminism responsible for the lack of Chivalry?

By Kate Grey MOST people usually think I need my head examined when I explain that I support the feminist movement. However, I also appreciate when a guy opens the door or pulls out a chair for me.

For some reason, people have this absurd notion that feminism is the reason that chivalry is non-existent. It is my opinion

that the feminist movement is being used as an excuse for the boorish behaviour of some men.

Chivalry simply means courtesy towards women. I was once told that women cannot have it both ways. It’s either special treatment (chivalrous behaviour) or equality in every way. My response to that was why should I have to choose between my right to equal opportunity and compensation and being treated with common courtesy?

Firstly, I think there is a lot of misconception where feminism is concerned and exactly what it is. Many women have absolutely no idea what it is and what the founders hoped to achieve with this movement. In a nutshell, the Women’s Liberation Movement hopes to achieve universal education, equal legislation, promoting political participation, equal rights, eradication of domestic and sexual violence and reproductive rights, which all fall under the feminist movement which started in the 19th and 20th Century. A few goals can be ticked off the list, but there is still a great deal more to be done.

There is an article I came across comparing the behaviours of men on two separate sinking vessels -- the RMS Titanic of April 14th, 1910 and the Costa Concordia of January 13, 2012.

In the case of the Titanic, the death toll reflected that more men perished due to the sacrifice they made so that the women and children could survive, with the death tally being 1,517 with 80% being men and the other 20% being women.

However, in the case of the Costa Concordia, it was every man/woman for himself/herself. One survivor had recalled that men were pushing women out of the way and even out of the life boats to save themselves. Pregnant women were no exception.

Where was the instinct of men to protect? Well my guess is that it was replaced with the instinct to save themselves (fight or flight).

Men are genuinely either confused or afraid in some instances, not wanting to be labelled sexist.

And yes, I am aware that radical feminism exists, but this should not stop you from doing something should you see a woman either struggling to get into a car or bus. Offer to give up your seat when you notice her standing without a place to sit. Open the door and let a woman out before you enter the building or even leave the door open so the person after you can easily pass. There have been a few instances where I almost got hit in the face with a door because the person in front of me did not bother to check to see if someone was close on his or her heel.

You can see the lack of consciousness among men in mini-buses. On one occasion recently, a man just sat down in a bus and allowed a woman to struggle with a number of shopping bags in one hand and a baby in the other. Two frisky schoolchildren hung on to her skirt as if it was their last lifeline.

In the meantime, Mr ‘No Manners’ was beating rhythmically on the side of the bus and singing in a jarring falsetto. The man sat comfortably until he reached the junction of Orange Walk and Croal Street. His “Have a good morning, ladies” was met with a chorus of disapproval.

Imagine this man just sat there looking at the woman and children in their discomfiture and did not offer to alleviate the situation. It was a picture of crass insensitivity and ignorance of the norms of natural behaviour.

And this is not limited to strangers: I have noticed many men entering vehicles before women they were clutching or walking arm in arm with. Sometimes they leave the woman in the rain and climb into the bus before them. Personally, after disembarking, he would be on his own.

But that’s another story.

I have dropped the seat and left doors open for persons behind me countless times. For me it is simply the polite thing to do. So, to that end feminists are not women out to set men on fire or to completely remove men from the earth. What we are pushing for is the mutual respect between the sexes.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Second Chances

NOC is more than just a correctional facility for juveniles

By Ravena Gildharie DESPITE the stigma it has fetched for years, the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, has evolved as a correctional facility that not only instills discipline and moral values in its students, but also empowers and equips them with life skills to help them become well-rounded individuals in society.

Though it is generally known that the facility has not yielded 100 percent success of social rehabilitation of all deviant adolescents who have passed through the system, there are some success stories and several young people who remain grateful for the reform they secured at NOC. Sergeant-in-Charge of the Anna Regina Police Station, Deon Parris, now age 35, spent three of his teenage years at NOC during 1995-1998. Back then,the police had charged him with wandering when Essequibo ranks found him skipping school and loitering with mischievous motives late in the evenings.

“Coming from a broken home, I was wayward and used to skip school a lot and follow bad influences. My grandfather got fed up and then the police found me wandering, charged me and I became institutionalised at NOC,” Sergeant Parris recalled.

Originally from Anna Regina, he grew up with his single-parent mother, two younger siblings and his grandpar-

ents. Due to financial hardships, the teenager found himself working many days, fetching loads around the Anna Regina Market to get money to assist his family. At NOC however, Parris completed his education at the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School where he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and secured passes in five subjects.

“NOC is all about discipline and back then, it was under the (Guyana) National Service. You had to adhere to the high discipline or be scolded severely and punished.

I remember one of the punishments where they would bald your head and put you to weed in the hot sun,” Parris recollected.

He noted that it was a difficult environment where so many delinquents were housed together and there was a lot of bullying and fighting.

MENTORING OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE After NOC, Parris pursued training at the Felix Austin Police College in Georgetown and was later stationed at Suddie, where he served until 2012, when he was transferred to Georgetown. After three years in the city, Parris returned to Essequibo and was subsequently promoted to Station Sergeant in July, 2016. Today, Sergeant Parris oversees the daily functioning of the Anna Regina Police Station which is staffed by over 40 ranks.

He also supervises youth groups established across Essequibo through the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) social programme. At Capoey, Parris is the group leader of more than 100 members, and spends much time mentoring young people. He also captains the 'G’ Division police’s cricket team.

“My advice to young people is not to give up when faced with challenges, because life is not a smooth road.

There will be ups and downs, but you have to keep the faith and trust in God,” the police sergeant advised.

Since NOC, he has advanced his education through the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) and participated in numerous training courses facilitated by the police force. Last year, Parris joined a delegation of 20 Guyanese ranks who participated in Public Order Maintenance training in China.

He remains convinced that NOC helped to transform his life and is satisfied with the corrections.

To this date, there are scores of young men and women like Parris, who after being reformed at NOC, have joined the GPF and the army. Some of them who developed athletic ability and other talents such as playing the steelpan and drumming, advanced their capacities through the law-enforcement service.

SKILLS TRAINING An official affiliated to the NOC observed that the majority of male students have joined the GPF and army although there have been some females too. Some of the students have been noted to pursue tertiary education at institutions such as the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College and the Government Technical Institute, where they advanced the skills acquired at NOC. A few of them -- including those who are in the law-enforcement service -- have enhanced their education at the University of Guyana too, but the NOC staff noted that there is no specific system that follows up with the students after they depart the facility.

As part of its programme, residents at NOC are exposed to a variety of training programmes such as electrical installation, welding, joinery, carpentry, handicraft, catering and home management. All students are taught information technology, as there is a well-equipped computer laboratory. Some of the younger residents are facilitated to complete secondary education at the Johanna Cecilia Secondary School.

The facility currently houses residents within the ages of 11 to 17 years, who have been committed for varying periods and offences.

According to the NOC official, there is a staff of close to 60, including the technical skills’ teachers who have been conducting instruction at the facility for several years.

The official observed that it is a challenging task to reform the juveniles, some of whom are hard bent in their wrong ways, but the NOC staff remain very committed and make the best effort to help the young offenders get on the right path, and there have been some positive outcomes.

Nineteen-year-old Police Constable Daniel Isles was once committed to NOC for three years in 2011 after being charged with larceny.

“NOC was tough, but it helped to instill a lot of discipline. Those in there now would call it punishment, but to me, as I look back now, I am very, very grateful and I see it in a positive way because the staff was trying to reform me and without NOC, I might have ended up bad,” Isles said.

He had dropped out of school at Form Two and admitted to following “bad company” some of whom, the Constable observed, have since graduated from their misdemeanours.

At NOC, Isles took a liking to playing the steelpan and became the band leader. After he departed the institution, he became an apprentice in the GPF steelband and practised his pan skills up until the time he commenced police training in Berbice. After graduating from the Police College, he was transferred to Charity and subsequently Anna Regina. His working hours do not permit him time to conduct his steelpan music, much to his dismay.

Isles also related that while some of his NOC peers were not rehabilitated, he had at least one close friend that made good use of the corrections and had taken up farming in the Pomeroon.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

The happy hangman faces the gallows By: Abdool A. Aziz

CRUELTY IN HIS BLOOD As a boy, I loved to wander in the bush.

One day I came across a shack with cats hanging from the roof. This was a hideout for a fugitive from Cayenne named ‘Fischer’.

They took him into custody, but just before deporting him, he saw the long-outstanding vacancy for a hangman.

He offered himself. He enjoyed the awful thrill of hanging those cats. He got the job, he did so well in this despicable job that the government offered him domicile status.

Whenever he traveled to the prisons to carry out a hanging he would yell, “Wan gon dance today in the air, boy ah gon laugh!”

On return he would stagger and shout ,“See the fellow fight! But ah got he neck.

Wen dey cut he down, dem eyes pop out and he tongue hang out. Me name Fischer, the hangman from Cayenne!”

No one shared his dirty boast. No one liked him for ‘springing’ those pets. How cruel! He loved to spend his dirty money at the ‘chinee’ gambling shop. One day he lost his bet to an ordinary fisherman. The winner refused to give in. Fischer knifed him to

death, in a fit of rage. He was charged, placed before the court, found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. He laughed, the thought there was no one to hang him, but he was mistaken.

One of the victim’s sons begged to pull the lever. Before dawn on a Monday, Fischer was pulled out of death row. He was the sole inmate. He had cleaned up the back-log. He ranted and raved. Kicked and swung, cursing and spitting. All the way to the gallows. “You can’t hang me, you ain’t got a hang-man!” he said.

The guards had a difficult time to get him up the short stairs to the trap-door.

This diminutive Hang-man put up a fight.

Finally the hood went over his wrinkled face.

Then the noose. He cried out, “God have mercy!” then the special hangman bawled, “Did you show mercy to those innocent cats?” with that he wrenched the lever. The door fell. Fischer Dangled for a while and swung still. He was like one of the cats on the steel hood.

When they brought him down and removed the hood his eyes bulged out their sockets, and his tongue clenched between his teeth. His body was still warm.

The doctor ensured he was dead by cutting the ankle tendons.

Had Fischer not been a naturalised citizen he would have been sent back to the French Guiana to serve a life sentence, but fate had it other-wise. With him gone, no hanging took place. The capital death penalty is still on the books but not enforced due to cries from the public to ban it. No one is willing to do the scum job. The villagers burnt his evil shack down. But the dam he lived on, still bore his name –Fischer Dam. To this day, I get ‘goose bumps’ when I visit my native place and walk on that dam I still recall the horrible sight of those creatures dangling in mid-air. What

kind of man was Fischer? Some saw him as a cold-hearted villain. Others, as a hero who served justice by ‘springing’ the guilty of those murders. Without Fischer many could have left the ‘pen’ after a while.

I have no pity for the criminals.

But those cats – Oh!

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World Sickle Cell Day

By Shirley Thomas

World Sickle Cell Aware-

ness Day will be observed on Monday June 19, 2017, under the theme; “Living

Well with Sickle Cell”.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) describes the inherit-

ed group of disorders of the haemoglobin (red part) of the blood. Sickle cell anaemia

refers to the presence of the sickle haemoglobin which can cause red blood cells to assume a sickle/ crescent shape.

It affects millions of people around the world, including both adults and children. It is a potentially fatal disease and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is one of the main causes of premature death amongst children under the age of five in various African countries. However, it must be emphasised that sickle cell disease may affect persons of all ethnicities due to migration and inter-racial marriage.

INCREASED COLLABORATION The observance comes at a time when there is increased collaboration between the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and key partners and stakeholders as it relates to making for improved standards of care in departments providing care for persons with Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassaemia at the institution.

Entities lending strong support to the GPHC in this regard include: the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals (AGNAP) in the United Kingdom; the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association and other key stakeholders.

Already there are indications that much is being done to raise awareness and improve the standard of care at both adult and paediatric wards and clinics. Other aspects soon to be addressed include sharing the information in schools and at clinics nationally.

Meanwhile, PAHO/ WHO on Tuesday, in a classic demonstration of its unwavering commitment to the advancement of health care in Guyana, donated two computers and two printers to the GPHC - one each for the medical clinic and the paediatric clinic at the institution.

Dr. Grace Waldron-White, Senior Registrar who, along with Senior Registrar in the Paediatric Medicine Department, Dr. Sherelyn Stanton, earlier had dialogue with PAHO Resident Representative, Dr. William Adu Krow in relation to the collaboration, said that the donation of the computers was facilitate the development of a data base for adult and paediatric Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia patients.

More recently PAHO has partnered with the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Organization, as well as a few appropriate stakeholders (including the Sickle Cell non-governmental Organization called ‘FACES’), to

improve the knowledge of Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia in Guyana.

“The aim is not just to improve the knowledge of the public, but to ensure that the medical personnel are well trained and know a lot about the disease; that they know how to manage it, so that our standard of care would be on par with that of the developed countries,” Dr. Stanton said.

“There are lots of things you can do that are not very costly, but would go a far way towards improving what the standard of care is,” the Pediatric Registrar said.

KUDOS FOR AGNAP Meanwhile, management and staff of the GPHC, as well as the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association, Dr. Stanton and others, gratefully acknowledge the ongoing co-operation the Paediatric Department continues to receive from the AGNAP. GPHC lauds the selfless contribution of the AGNAP in the United Kingdom to health care in Guyana, in the area of training for their staff.

AGNAP just recently, was instrumental in securing a Commonwealth Professional Fellowship in London, UK for Dr. Stanton to receive training in Sickle Cell Anemia and Thalassaemia. The Fellowship focused on the identification and management of the two diseases. Dr. Stanton was the eighth staf of the GPHC to have undergone the training and the health care professionals are making an impact in diverse ways.

Dr. Stanton reiterates her gratitude to Dr. Bowman and the management and departmental staff of the GPHC’s Pediatric Department for their support in enabling her release, and essentially to AGNAP, the staff at the Central Middlesex Hospital and others for providing her with the training and other support, which can only redound to the good of the medical and paediatric wards of the GPHC. The association (AGNAP) has been in existence for the last 29 years, and celebrated its Silver Jubilee (25 years) in 2013. It is kept going through dedicated fund raising efforts in the United Kingdom.

During their Silver Jubilee celebrations, then Director of Nursing Services, (GPHC), Sr. Audrey Corry in her greetings to AGNAP on behalf of the GPHC said: “We are immensely grateful and forever indebted to you for your unstinting support over the years, particularly in the areas of Education and Training for those nurses who continue to serve in Guyana. May our future generations of nurses continue the rich legacy of these past 25 years (as at 2013).”

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The Independent Traveler Pt Three

Wrapping up our wonderful adventure in Guyana!

By Kerry Nicholas

THIS is the final installment of our threepart series. British tourists Kerry and David Nicholas wrap up their exciting adventure in Guyana, a place which they quickly realised holds extreme beauty and magical wonder.

We checked back in to the SleepIn Guest house on Church Street. Bliss. Good Wi-Fi, great air conditioning and friendly faces.

We met up with our friend Akash from the Guyana Chronicle at Nicky's Fish Shop. We told him about our adventures.

"So you guys have already been to Regions Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10," he calculated. "Only One, Two, Seven and Eight to go. I bet you could get to all the regions in Guyana before you leave next week. Not many foreigners have achieved that. In fact, probably not many Guyanese either."

The challenge was on.

We thought we had Region Eight covered already. In the first week, we had put our names on the waiting list with Air Services Ltd to go on the day trip to both Kaieteur Falls and Orinduik Falls. The helpful lady on the phone told us we were eighth and ninth on the list and the plane would only go if it had a full complement of 13 people.

We told her we were going out of signal for a few days, but would definitely be there and would call in Friday to see if they had enough people. But on our return, we called to find out that, yes, it was definitely going, but not with us on it. They had bumped us off again. The same nice lady cheerfully told us that she couldn't get hold of us so she had sold the tickets to somebody else.

After a couple of consolatory rums and Canada Dry sodas at the Palm Court (great Wi-Fi), we realised what we kept doing wrong. We needed to stop trying to save four percent! We booked our plane tickets for the next Kaieteur Falls trip by credit card that evening.

Luckily, this time around, we didn’t have to wait for the plane to be filled. The plane to Kaieteur Falls goes even when it is not full.

There were six tourists on the plane that day to see Guyana's biggest tourist attraction: the highest single-drop waterfall in the whole world. Kaieteur Falls has about the same number of tourists in one year as Macchu Picchu has in one day. And unlike Niagara Falls in the USA or Iguassu Falls in Brazil with their barriers and huge hotels and tourist boats - there was absolutely nothing except nature for miles and miles -- as far as the eye could see. We could walk right to the edge of the canyon -- trembling knees for me -- and watch the water chasing itself over the edge of the cliff till it splashed in a billowing circle into the plunge pool 741 feet below. How lucky are we to have found it now! This gem of Guyana is isolated in the remote, pristine forest. But how long will it stay that way?

According to the Guyana Tourism Authority, visitor numbers have increased by 11.6 percent in the first nine months of this year. We had a taste of how Guyana is trying to carve out a niche as an eco-tourism destination, but there was also a record 102 percent increase in visitors in May for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebration, which might distort the figures. Last year 206,800 people visited Guyana, spending enough to represent eight percent of Guyana's Gross

Domestic Product. Only about 2,500 tourists were from the UK which, to me, seems staggering as Guyana is the only country in South America where English is the first language. It’s a shame that London doesn't have direct flights to Georgetown like Paris has to Cayenne in French Guiana.

But back to our regional challenge. We knew that Akash's colleague, and Guyana Chronicle reporter, Alva Solomon was from Mabaruma in Region One in the north-west of the country. Alva had interviewed us for an article he wrote for the Chronicle two weeks earlier. We picked his brains on buses and speed boats and places to visit and then we were off. In order not to miss out on Region Seven, we took a detour to the mining town of Bartica, which is just inside the zone.

BARTICA THEN ESSEQUIBO! Dinner was simple, but delicious. A sinuous street vendor with a bright blue wooden cart served lumps of fresh-floured fish, succulent peppered chicken and newly-cut chips straight from a wok of boiling oil to a line of waiting customers. He replenished our plates with extras when we thought that we had finished. I thought his name was Dr Woody, as he had hand-written the words on his cart. David thought it was a Guyanese brand. It’s easy to get things wrong when you're just passing through.

We finished our evening with a quick drink at the Morroco hotel bar. We had fun trying to understand three men and a woman who were talking fast and excitedly, but had trouble standing up. "Leave that poor couple alone," sighed the bar lady. "They've only come in for a quiet drink. They don't need you leaning over them like that."

We didn't mind.

We passed by the Morroco on the way to catch the first boat to Parika at 06:15hrs and it was still open. Customers looked up at the rising sun with milky eyes.

The speedboat did not leave the dock until it was full at 08.30hrs. It sped on up through the Essequibo islands, past what we were told was Eddy Grant's mansion on two connecting rocks (an odd place to get some privacy) and on to Parika. Then we took another speedboat across the Essequibo to Region Two. The taxi drivers at Supenaam fought noisily for our trade, all the time pulling at our ‘racksacks’: "$2000, two people!"

"Charity, $2000!"

"Taxi ready to go. Come now!"

We chose badly. As he turned his engine on, the driver announced it would cost us $4000 because he didn't have any other passengers. We told him we'd wait.

The boat ride from Charity to Kanuka was exhilarating, then magical. We dutifully put on our lifejackets as we passed through the checkpoint into Region One. Once past the mouth of the river, we skimmed along thin avenues of mangroves and eased through creeks heavy with floating vegetation.

We clambered onto the tiny wharf and checked in at the Acquero Guest House. We were the only guests. They weren't expecting us, so they had no food. We got talking to locals over cook-up back in town and asked about what we could visit. We heard about the Santa Rosa Mission and an Arawak village with a harpy eagle's nest and blue

A view of part of Warapoka Village

butterflies. Captain Johnnie, who runs Chelsea's boats and his wife were at the wharf.

They didn't know where the harpy eagle was, but Johnnie told us about his father spearing fish from huge rocks in the lake. He gave us numbers for a road trip to Kwebanna.

"Hey, were you in the Guyana Chronicle last weekend?" His wife asked. "The British couple?"

Fame at last.

ON TO WARAPOKA We decided against getting into a bus to Kwebanna and opted to hire a boat deeper into the Moruka and Waini rivers. We negotiated with Neal Norton on the quayside and he kindly cancelled his other plans to take us to Baramani lake and Warapoka village. We entered a shady creek lined with huge trees bending together over it.

"Ninety-nine turns," he said. We didn't bother counting. We just enjoyed the sway of the boat and the peace and isolation as the outboard twisted through the creek.

The approach to Warapoka is like an enchanted scene from a fairy tale. The sign at the entrance says: "WARAPOKA The village of huge rocks and beautiful sand".

The creek meanders darkly. Huge interconnecting roots rise up out of the water to guard its banks. The forest looks impenetrable. Then, the creek ends abruptly and there is the little wooden dock, the village houses laid out on a sunny hill and those enormous, smooth boulders rising out of the soil.

The Toshao, Mr Newton Wilson, came to meet us at the dock. We shared lunch together and he told us that his ancestors had lived here for 5,000 years. I could see why.

I told him it looked totally idyllic.

Newton agreed. He then said Mr Sydney Allicock, Jacquie's father, and the Minister of Indigenous People's Affairs, had visited only three days earlier.

"He told us that our village has everything that would make it a perfect place for eco-tourismm," Newton said. I asked him what he meant.

"Well he thinks that people would pay to come and see our beautiful village; the strange rocks here, the roots in the creek,

the cave, the vast area of forest, and the harpy eagle. You want to see the harpy eagles? They have been nesting here for 15 years. My neighbour saw them nesting when he was building his farm, so he didn't cut the tree. And we have a wild pig that the children play with. Would you like to see the pig?"

I certainly did, but first I asked if the whole village was enthusiastic about inviting tourists in.

"Oh yes, we have all talked a lot and we all agreed that we should explore this more. We are getting ready. We have built this guesthouse, already. You are most welcome to come and stay. Mr Allicock suggested ways we could improve it, and we will do it."

Yes please.

Newton introduced me to his family and took me to meet "Piggy" and the children. It was a bit too far for David to walk to see the harpy eagle, but I was sure that bird-watchers the world over would be happy to crawl on hands and knees to see these birds at close proximity. They just need to find out, I suppose. And it sounds like Mr Allicock and his ministry are going to find a way to tell them.

WHAT WE LEARNED It seems to me that the great advantage of Guyana is that it still has two tourism development pathways open to it. It does not have to "re-wild" as many countries do.

Nature and traditional communities are still here for people to experience and admire.

The first few tentative steps are being made to develop payments for ecosystem services, and conservation-linked businesses.

Guyana must be congratulated. Its Government has recognised the global shift towards understanding and maintaining ecosystems, and is actively putting its country in the forefront of this global movement.

The Guyanese people are some of the most warm and welcoming we have ever met on our travels.

Let's hope all parties will be able to keep their independence as this beautiful country's tourism develops.

XXII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Protecting the vulnerable and providing equitable social services The wealth of a nation is its people. The Government of Guyana, cognisant of this has mandated the Ministry of Social Protection and provided it with the necessary funding to ensure that basic social services and assistance are consistently and effectively delivered to all Guyanese, through an equitable approach of ensuring over time that every citizen can access the support they need. The Ministry, as its name suggests aims to ensure that the most vulnerable among us are protected and rescued from difficult circumstances.

The Ministry of Social Protection deals with a plethora of social issues from domestic violence to child abuse to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and provides critical services to citizens, such as old age pension and public assistance for persons in vulnerable situations. This year the Ministry was allocated $16.6 billion to complete its programme of work geared at improving the lives of Guyanese in the ten administrative regions. Minister of Social of Protection, Ms. Amna Ally said that her ministry will continue to work with partnering agencies and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to identify policy oriented goals and the required resources to enhance the development of citizens. Special emphasis, the Minister noted will be placed on children and young people to equip them for the future.

Expanded access to high quality early childhood education was listed as an important investment by the Government of Guyana. Another important aspect of the ministry’s work is the reintegration of persons, who were once part of vulnerable groups into society by providing capacity training, which is done collaboratively with several organisations such as Women Across Differences (WAD) and aligning ministries. In this regard, Minister Ally said that for 2017 her ministry will be focusing its attention on projects that encourage self-sufficiency, making reference to 30 “Shade House” projects which will be rolled out. “Now these programmes are like organisation of groups of people, young people in particular, to look at probably supplying flowers to the flower shop, gainful employment, cultivation of seasoning for homes, hospitals, etc. and we are doing a number of projects in concert with IAST [Institute of Applied Science and Technology] and these will

President David Granger addressing stakeholders on January 18, 2017 at the launching of the National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons 2017-2018

come under the Sustainable Livelihood Programmes,” Minister Ally disclosed.

CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION The Minister of Social Protection has assured that the Government of Guyana will continue to invest in programmes and policies that will seek to empower citizens and create the conditions in which strong cohesive families can blossom, noting that strong families are the building blocks of strong communities, and strong communities the building blocks of a strong nation. She pledged “to support families in parenting, and in imparting core values, the significance of education, and advocacy with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), communities, and members of the private sector to recognise the importance of maintaining the family unit while promoting a safe, stable and nurturing family environment for all members.”

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) is empow-

ered to ensure that all Guyanese children have access to the best care and support aimed at promoting their healthy development, thus enabling them to reach their full potential.

This Agency is within the Ministry of Social Protection, and was formally created by an Act of Parliament, the Childcare and Protection Agency Act 2009. Its mission is “to prevent, reduce and alleviate the effects of the abuse and neglect of children by the provision of effective services that their rights entitle them to, in their communities and in their family setting.” Responsibilities of the CPA include but are not limited to, providing psychosocial support and other assistance to vulnerable families, responding to child abuse reports and providing safe places and recovery for victims.

Head of the Agency, Ms. Ann Greene, during an interview with Government in Action on June 12, 2017, said that it is focusing its attention on public awareness to prevent child abuse in the country, given the devastating effects it has on children. Ms. Greene believes strongly that this approach will develop what is described as the “bystander approach” rather than the “bystander effect”. Explaining this concept, she said that with “the bystander effect you just look; playing you didn’t hear, playing you didn’t see, hoping that somebody else would talk about it, hoping that somebody else would fix it and so on and you know you just walk away. But we want the bystanders approach and that is; if you see something you would really have to say something. You’re going to have to do something, so we are pushing the awareness.”

As part of the mass awareness campaign, the CPA is establishing Community Watch Groups in its quest to create a child friendly society, which is serious about stamping out the societal ill of child abuse and neglect. The Head of the Agency expressed confidence that with the involvement of the community and with the religious groups playing a proactive role, children would be better protected. “What we’re going to do, is to decrease those situations which put the child at risk and we’re going to increase the protective factors to protect children, but to do that we want to link the state systems with the community systems, so together we’re going to ensure the safety of children,” she said.

Building the capacity of parents through training programmes conducted by specially trained facilitators, drawn from the communities, is another measure being taken by the Childcare and Protection Agency to ensure the well-being of

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017 children all across Guyana. Ms. Green acknowledged that there is no blue print for parenting and many of them need help with raising their children, therefore in keeping with its mandate the agency will endeavour to assist as many parents as it can.

The Agency is working to reduce the number of children held in institutional care and, contrary to the popularly held notion that officials want to remove the children from their families, Ms. Greene said children are not just removed from their homes but from vulnerable situations and placed temporarily in an institution. “Institutions are lifesavers for children but it’s not the best place. The best place for children is a family-life setting… So we want to return as many of the children we have in the institutions to the biological parents if they can and to provide support for their continued well-being,” Ms. Greene said. In this regard, the CPA has partnered with the NGO, Blossom Incorporated to conduct a case review of all the children in residential care, which totals over 600, to determine how many of them can be returned to the care of their biological parents. Ms. Greene said when a child is removed from the home, the family undergoes counselling and an evaluation to ensure that the child or children can return to their homes in the shortest possible time. Factors such as parental drug and alcohol abuse hinders the process and in some extreme cases the child or children are unable to return to those homes and foster care or guardianship is sought.

She noted that “it’s challenging because some of the vulnerability will take quite a lot of resources to fix and what we have found is that parental substance abuse is a factor that creates vulnerability for children. So it means we have to get that parent into rehabilitation and to sustain it to be able to provide that parenting role.” The CPA is extending its Foster Care Programme and is calling on suitable persons to come forward and foster a child, particularly the older children.

Early Childhood Development also falls under the purview of the CPA and with over 300 day care facilities on record, the agency is working to have all such facilities registered and licensed this year, with emphasis on ensuring conducive environments for the development of children, who are at that very critical stage.

In addition, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Empowerment Programme, which is a collaborative effort with the agency and several NGOs is moving apace and is geared at sensitising teens on the implications of early pregnancy and risky sexual behaviour. The 12-week programme also focuses on Sexual Reproductive Health and the participants, the majority of whom are drawn from the school system, are assessed over a one-year period following the completion of the programme.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a problem worldwide and Guyana is not exempt from the challenges wrought by the scourge. However, with a Task Force comprising several agencies and the officials of the Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection, there have been more convictions and several persons being saved from the grips of traffickers.

President David Granger speaking on January 18, 2017 at the launch of the National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons 2017-2018 said that his Government is committed to reversing the indifference shown by the previous administration towards the incidence of Trafficking in Persons by enhancing education and strengthening enforcement in order to eliminate the scourge entirely.

The Head of State reminded that Guyana is signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Transitional Organised Crime and to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

The National Plan of Action against Human Trafficking, he noted, is the Government of Guyana’s response to the need for the effective enforcement of the laws prohibiting TIP. “Human trafficking must be confronted fearlessly, frontally and fully. The legal proscript against human trafficking must be backed by a plan of action aimed at eventually eliminating trafficking from our homeland. The previous administration’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons often reflected the notorious indifference of indecisiveness to the crime. The seriousness of the crime was de-emphasised. Few efforts were made to combat trafficking in a systematic way” President Granger said. The President emphasised that “public education, therefore, is important since human trafficking is usually an underground activity and it seems to be more pronounced in some of the hinterland areas, which are difficult to police simply because the police force does not have the resources.”

TIP is high on the Social Protection Ministry’s agenda and Minister Ally has assured that the Ministry is working relentlessly to stamp out this scourge that has afflicted Guyana. “Since then [launch of National Action Plan] we have

had raids, people have been arrested and they have to appear before the Court and so on, but we are very serious with Trafficking in Persons. We believe that it must be stamped out and so we are making every effort to ensure that the programme is very successful,” Minister Ally said. Over $12M is allocated this year to counter TIP and the Government of Guyana has promised that it will continue to invest in the TIP unit.

While, successful prosecutions are important, the cycle of trafficking, Minister Ally noted, cannot be broken without protecting the rights of trafficked persons and introducing effective strategies to tackle the problem.

Meanwhile, Director of Social Services, Mr. Whentworth Tanner, speaking with Government in Action, said that the Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit has been working around the clock to raise awareness and to provide support services to survivors of TIP. He said that “due to the work of not only that department but the Task Force in general, and all the members of the Task Force, they are responsible for Guyana making significant improvements and being taken off the watch list last year and we are hoping that with the work we are continuing to do… we will continue to move in the right direction.”

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL OFFENCES Domestic violence and sexual offences are two areas that the Ministry of Social Protection is placing a lot of emphasis on, given the continued reported prevalence in a wide range of communities across the country. As part of the ministry’s efforts to provide support to victims of domestic violence and sexual crimes, Minister Ally said that plans are afoot to construct a home at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. With assistance from the Islamic Development Bank some 20 families or one hundred persons who have been in domestic violence and or sexual abuse situations would have a place to find solace, while they get back on their feet. She said too that the Ministry is in the process of sorting out the necessary project documents and the project is anticipated to begin this year and conclude in 2018.

Public awareness and training of relevant stakeholders across various ministries and agencies are two major measures being undertaken by the Social Protection Ministry to tackle domestic violence and sexual offences A National Plan of Action was developed with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and is guided by the Sexual Offences Act of 2010 and the Domestic Violence Act of 1996. During the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Training on Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence held in February Minister Ally described it as another step in ensuring that Law Enforcement Officers are equipped with the necessary skills to handle sensitive cases of victims who would have been violated and traumatised by these experiences.

The Director of Social Services said the “Cut it Out” radio programme is part of this campaign to counter the phenomenon. He acknowledged that it is a challenging area for the department. “We have a lot of work to do and we recognise that but with the assistance of the department and the commitment, I have no doubt that we would be making significant inroads when it comes to reducing this nasty scourge in our society,” Mr. Tanner highlighted.

The National Task Force for the Prevention of Sexual Violence which includes various stakeholders is also working to reduce the prevalence and ultimately the eradication of sexual violence in Guyana. The body was revived in December, 2016 to address the eradication of all forms of violence. The Ministers of Social Protection (at that time Ms. Volda Lawrence), Public Security, Public Health (at that time Dr. George Norton) and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs signed on to the protocol to have the Task Force operational.

XXIII Manager of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Mr. Akeelo Doris said its mandate is to develop policies for the eradication of all forms of violence. He had pointed out that it has been working closely with its partners to brainstorm ways and ideas to tackle domestic violence from the root. “Collaboration is key to addressing this phenomenon and we plan to increase our sensitisation and awareness efforts countrywide. We recognise that Guyana does not know that there is a Unit specifically developed to tackle this issue, so we have a lot of information and we need info from our partners out there,” he said.

OLD AGE PENSION AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE President Granger has pledged his Government’s commitment to doing all that is necessary to ensure that senior citizens in Guyana enjoy a good life. He said that the steady increase in old age pension since 2015 is a demonstration of this commitment. In 2015, when the Administration took Office, the old age pension was $13,125 and with the passage of the 2017 budget, the amount now stands at $19,000 per month.

Every Guyanese citizen, who has attains the age 65 and is living in Guyana is eligible for old age pension and currently some 51,000 persons benefit from this service, which is provided by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Social Protection.

The Government of Guyana also provides public assistance to those persons who are permanently disabled and those in economically strenuous circumstances. Mr. Tanner, providing an update on the programme, said a substantial number of children in the care of their grandparents, who because of illness and age are unable to work and adequately meet their needs, currently benefit from public assistance.

This assistance, which totals $7500 per child monthly, is provided to persons deemed suitable following an evaluation process undertaken by officials from the Ministry and involves home visits and budget assessments. He said, “We have a real focus on trying to assist as best as we can to provide those children with whatever we can do to enable them to go to school on a regular basis.”

The Ministry of Social Protection has a huge task with various social ills confronting officials on a daily basis but with the support of the relevant agencies and the commitment by the Government of Guyana to providing the necessary resources, Guyanese are assured of better lives and quality services.

XXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Ready to make his mark – in the world of fashion

“BEING an up-and-coming designer in Guyana is really hard, especially if you don’t have any means of income to pursue this dream.

“And if you don’t associate yourself with the right set of people, you will run into problems,” advises 22-year-old Mark Junor.

A designer, model, makeup artist and dancer, Junor is among those creative minds who auditioned to be a part of Guyana’s delegation to this year’s CARIFESTA celebrations in Barbados.

Starting out since 2013, Junor has already released five collections, beginning with a small five-piece one called “Power of A Woman”. Junor had designed this collection while taking part in the Kross Kolor fashion competition, “Center Stage”, which saw him ending in third place.

Since then, there was “Black Poison”, which he showcased at the Guyana Police Force’s Hat and Fashion Show in 2014, as well “Sexes Fantasy”, also done in 2014, and “Sparkle Paradise”, which was designed for a mother-and-daughter pageant last year.

His clients went on to win the junior category of that pageant, wowing in the creations.

However, his latest collection, “Epiphany of Mark” that he debuted at the Guyana Fashion Week last November really turned some heads.

And really said, Mark Junor has arrived, Guyana!

Mark himself saw the collection as the epitome of what he is all about.

“I was going to just sketch 15 pieces without any storyline, being it was when my mentor said that’s not the way to get your mood board. So I had to do my research,” Mark recollected about the genesis of the collection.

“This collection,” he said, “was the birth of a big change in my life. Because of this collection, I’m open to using any colour and making my manic pop. The cultural part was me saying thank you to

my gold sponsor, MAKEDA, for sponsoring the collection.

“The “Epiphany of Mark” covered a lot of things for me: Family togetherness, my relationship with the people around me, and the world of fashion that I see.”

Despite only starting his collections in 2013, Mark had been around fashion for some time now.

“I would have been

Mark’s pieces that he submitted for the CARIFESTA audition

An outfit from Mark’s “Epiphany of Mark” collection

doing work long before then, sketching for friends and family, doing my own twists on clothing,” Mark sair.

All that aside, however, this talent to design, to be creative and expressive, is one that Mark has carried pretty much all his life.

“I was born with this talent,” the former Freeburg Secondary student boldly asserts. It actually all came together for Mark during his journey of strengthening his self-esteem, even as he came to grips with the fact that he was just born to always stand out.

“Being that I was chubby growing up, I was ashamed of my body in secondary school. But then I realised that I was gifted; I started wearing things that some would say it’s not for the body type. But I did not care; I was building

that confidence level to 100. After that, I started helping out relatives and friends, and I realised that dressing people actually makes me feel comfortable; a joy comes over me when I see clients comfortable in their skin.”

Though talented, Mark admits that at first the skill needed some honing, and that it took time for him to sharpen his skills.

“I started out learning the hard way,” he said, “wasting fabric, choosing the wrong fabrics until I was told by a good friend and well known designer, Mwanza Glenn that I need to learn the characteristics of different materials; what goes with what, and what your finishing should look like: Neat at all times, even if it’s a pattern!

“I gained a lot from him, and I hope now that some day, I will share what I learned from him and more to someone else.”

As time went by and he started becoming more confident in himself and his skills, Mark started sourcing his motivation for his designs from his surroundings, watching it go from concept to creation.

“My inspiration for my designs comes from all over: My mood, events around me, nature, by sitting and having a conversation with someone and ideas flow. My inspiration also comes from research,” he pointed out.

But now, Mark is ready to break out of just the local market and showcase what he has to offer beyond Guyana’s borders.

He knows his participation at CARIFESTA will be the perfect start, as he looks to gradually move up to the regional scene, and then perhaps one day conquer the international arena.

He’s getting the ball rolling with two pieces that he submitted to CARIFESTA. “CARIFESTA gives one the opportunity to showcase their country in different ways, and I said to myself that showing my creative skills from sketches to reality, and having the opportunity to represent my country, I was going to go all out. My friends assisted me in this journey; I was even sponsored by MAKEDA and Dr. Kari Munroe to make the audition.

“Being motivated and appreciated by the people around me made me audition for CARIFESTA,” Mark said in closing.

CERVICAL CANCER

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

XXV

– Highly treatable when detected early

By M Margaret Burke THE second leading cause of cancer mortality in women in Guyana is cervical cancer. And this type of cancer mostly affects women in their prime reproductive and productive ages – between the ages of 18 and 35, even though it can and does affect women who are much older and also younger women too.

Many times when women are diagnosed as having cervical cancer there is a certain amount of panic and confusion – for them, as well as their family members; people choose to be doubtful; they question, “How can this be?”, then there is a certain amount of indignation – the blaming of a significant other, and the like.

However, studies done by numerous international organisations, including the PAHO/WHO and CDC have shown that

Dr Latoya Gooding

the main barriers to the use of protective measures by women against cervical cancer is their very level of knowledge about this health issue and how it can be preventive.

100 PER CENT PREVENTABLE AND TREATABLE In a recent interview with Dr Latoya Gooding, President of the Giving Hope Foundation, she told the Guyana Chronicle, “Cervical cancer is 100 per cent preventable and treatable.”

She noted that the women who are most affected are women below the age of 35 years; our Amerindian women; women that are having unprotected sex; women that are immune compromised or immune suppressed (such as HIV/AIDS positive patients or diabetic persons); also persons that are infected with the HPV virus.

“We find women older than 35 with cervical cancer; we find women much younger, 18 or so with cervical cancer.

“According to statistics, what we’ve been seeing is women below 35, but it can come in both age ranges. And while it is not a sexual transmitted virus, it is transmitted, because of the HPV virus – this is the virus that is transmitted sexually; and out of all of the HPV strains, there are two that can cause cervical cancer.

“So basically what Guyana had been doing is that they are offering the HPV vaccine to our young women – age nine to 25 years old that are not sexually active. But ideally we should be giving it to both boys and girls because while it can cause cervical cancer in women, in men it can cause oral cavity cancer,” she said

NATIONAL CANCER SCREENING PROGRAMME Dr Gooding explained that through a national cancer screening programme the government is doing the VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid), through which they will know whether it is cancerous, pre-cancerous and then they will do further treatment.

“The VIA is a one-stop shop approach, where they do the VIA and if it is positive right there and then they can do cryotherapy (there is where they freeze the cervix and they just remove it) – right there and then.

“There is also the Pap smear, where you can go looking for the cervical cancer, but that is not a one-stop shop. As you do the Pap smear today, you wait about three weeks to get back results and then you take it from there.”

She said that through her foundation (Giving Hope Foundation) they suggest that persons do the Pap smear every three years, “but only if you have likely risk factors; that someone close to you, like your sister died from cervical cancer then you can do it every year; or if we found that there is inflammaTurn to page XXIX ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

“I just want to be the best dad!”

By Shauna Jemmott

THIS is the main goal of 33-year-old Tulsiram Seulall, a first-time dad of a 10-month-old boy.

He appears humble, but one impressive thing about Seulall is that he understands what he wants, and prepares to accomplish his goals as a family man.

After getting married to Padmini Bissessar at the age of

27, this man received the best surprise of his life on his 32nd birthday. It was a short love note from his beautiful wife, saying: ‘Happy Birthday, Daddy!’

“My birthday is actually in November, so it was actually a birthday present. I got home from work one day and she wrote the note telling me ‘Happy Birthday Daddy,’ so right away that gave me the indication that she’s pregnant.

It’s excitement, but it’s also thinking about the challenges.

First time dad Tulsiram Seulall Padmini Bissessar and son Kian Seulall

I’ve never raised a child before, so you’re wondering ‘Am I going be a good father?’”

Fond memories of his own childhood days with his father were like a blueprint on his face and he seemed confident that the keys to life were already in his hands.

Kian Seulall, his son, is now 10 months old and things are going great! There is hardly a moment when he does not cross his father’s mind, and as many opportunities as he gets, he would make it a moment to bond with his child.

“This Father’s Day will be great for me,” he told Pepperpot Magazine, as the reporter sat comfortably in a living room setting at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate Conference Hall.

With smiles in between, he reminisced on the times he prepared for his first child.

“I wanted to establish myself first before I started a family, because when you start having children you want to be able to provide for them. To get married at 27 and not really settle it becomes really difficult,” he said.

His dad had been his role model, and he followed in his footsteps, getting married at the age of 27. But while he became dad at 32, he came into his own father’s life when the man was 30. His parents have two children and he also is planning on adding just one more child to the family.

“Looking at what my parents did with me I was confident that, let’s take it one step at a time. He’s 10 months now and I think we’ve done a pretty good job with him so far.

My wife is a student, but as soon as she is finished studying then we will decide on having the second, because there is so much risk when she reaches that age of 30. It’s not just about going out there and having children, it’s also about health,” he said.

When he thought his life had changed for the better as he felt the movements of his son while the boy was tucked secure in the womb of his wife, the best was yet to come.

“It was exciting. We used to sing to him actually. We’d sing the Barney song – I love you. We wanted him to learn something, so in the evening, we’d just lie back in bed and we would always sing, read good books, whilst he was in the womb. When he hears our voice you would see him move,” the proud dad smiled as he spoke.

The moments seemed divine when his wife would rest Turn to page XXVIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

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WHEN DARKNESS FALLS – And men do not possess their own beds

By M Margaret Burke

out here.”

HAPPY, happy father’s day to all men, regardless…

How do we find you? Are all men at home and being a part of all that should rightfully take place today? Those who are not at home and might be somewhere on the streets may never see this.

The Guyana Chronicle tried, with some success to make contact with men who live on the streets, especially because of this special occasion that is being celebrated today – father’s day.

It was interesting. The men who were willing to speak,

IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH Another group of men interviewed expressed similar views as the group before, except for one man who said that he cry

In unity there is strength, as these men sleep in one place

but did not want to be recognised, even if their photographs were taken, decided to lead a conversation, on a few matters, including sleep. This may have been because, though it was day, it was a rainy day and these men were more interested in sleeping, while others worked and moved around briskly, attending to their own business.

“Me family call me Burt, but that is not me real name. I did not want to be on the streets and at first I used to find it very hard; hard, hard! Sometimes I used to go home late when I know that all of them inside and lie down under the house, but then one and two times I sleep late and they wake up and find me there. Big story would happen and so I stop going there.”

When asked why all the big story, instead of his family being happy to see him at home, he replied: “I was a terrible man. First it was a lot of women and my friends. Then I started smoking and you know, the money would finish…big story when I go home; one thing after the other and it just went on and on. Then I get knock off from the job and at that stage I just started staying away. Without no money I ended up on the street and then it was one thing after another.

“I went through the works…until I started accepting that the road is where I have to be.”

SHAME OUT WE SHAME A group of men hanging out together told this newspapers: “Nah, we can’t give out names, but we comfortable here,” one representing the group said, with nods of confirmation from the others.

“We all come from reasonable family, some better than some. Out of the five of us four have children and when we see men dress up on father’s day we does feel lil bad, but we getting accustom to that.

“I went to jail a few times and then after some story with me family them start acting funny when I go round so I cuss them up and just keep out. Now and then I does pass round, but just fuh see me mother and give she something. She would take what I give her, cry, hug me up and tell me how much she love me, but I really can’t stay by them no more. I deh good out here and the rest quickly said, ‘all ah we deh good Turn to page XXVIII ►►►

every time father’s day, birthdays of his children and “me queen” come around. He also said that he is still grieving for his mother because he believes that his going away from the home and ended up in many stories and then living on the streets that caused her death.

However, they all said that if they do not cling together all sorts of advantage is taken of them and that a few ended up dead because of that.

XXVIII ◄◄◄ From page XXVII

“My friend did not die right away, but he decided one night that he would stay by himself and late the night some men went on him, did him all sorts of things and then beat him bad when they done.

“We told, boy go to the hospital, but he did not want to go.

Anyway, he made sure he stayed with the group when night

come, but after a while he keep saying how he not feeling well; pain here, pain there. Then he did not make it. The man just dead out on we,” reported one member of a group.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017 A group of homeless men sleeping in safety

SLEEP LIKE WARRIORS The general feeling among the men interviewed is that sleeping is their biggest problem.

“Sleep is sweet! But, we gat problems out here. Listen, you have to make you do not sleep as if you in your bed; you can’t sleep careless.

“You find them man does sleep like if they fold up in deh mother belly. Then you gat to get something near – on you or near to you, like a weapon, you know.

“People does take it for granted when they deh home throwback in bed, with nothing to worry about, except if a thief man come, but we can’t rest like that, we have to sleep like warriors; armed to the teeth.

However, when the street is the place where sleep must take place then there is a different order of the day or night, one of the homeless men stressed.

“When the place start to get dark and a man ain’t gat no real place to lay a man head, when he get no real bed, then you understand what street life is like. Thanks for the happy father’s day wish and I salute all men too; all who deserve it,” the man said smilingly. (mercilinburke2017@ gmail.com) ◄◄◄ From page XXVI

the palms of her hands on her expanded tummy and as the two together sang the child would move. They recorded several of the moments from pre-natal stages so the boy, when he grows, can have a video demonstration on parenting for his own benefit.

During the final stages of the pregnancy, his wife took a year’s leave of absence from university and stayed with their child for nine months. Upon her return, Seulall spent his own annual leave bonding with his son and instilling values at an early age.

“I took my five weeks annual leave to spend with him so we could bond. So she went to school since 7:30 a.m. and for the entire day it’s just him and me. The world is changing and I was brought up in a proper way to be a gentleman.

I want to do the same for my son [and] teach him the right, not just remember generally how to treat people, but to be polite. If I am introducing him to you, if I remember your name I‘d say ‘this is “uncle” or “aunty” so and so’.”

Seulall grew up as a ‘country boy’ at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, and being a gentleman is a signature in his family. He now lives at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara and works at Guysuco’s LaBonne Intention (LBI) office, just villages away.

The close distance between home and work would allow him the additional opportunity to return home at noon to have lunch with his son, whose babysitter is Seulall’s mom.

He never wanted to miss a moment, but being a provider in the home while his wife finishes off medical school, Seulall enjoys every stage, from watching the toddler actually rolling over, to creeping and now holding on, walking around the house. “And you’d see him from time to time let go for a couple of seconds trying to balance, it’s all exciting to see him moving from one step to another.”

Every stage is a refreshing and exciting moment! And what is the best part of being a dad?

“Just taking care of him and seeing that smile on his face. Seeing that smile gives me the best feeling. I just want to be the best dad! I just want to continue to nurture him because (in) three and a half years he’s going to be going to school. So you want to teach him what to expect when he goes out there,” Seulall told Pepperpot Magazine.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XXV

tory cells or metaplastic cells we tell you to repeat it in three months, but it depends.”

FIRST WORLD COUNTRIES Dr Gooding explained that in first world countries they are using the HPV testing that is not here in Guyana as yet, which is another way of detecting cervical cancer.

“Basically the treatment available here in Guyana are the radiotherapy and the brachytherapy, which is done at the Cancer Institute and there is the public/private partnership; also there is chemotherapy, which is done at the Georgetown Public Hospital oncology department and there is surgery.

“Through the Giving Hope Foundation, what we do is free cancer screening monthly; we screen for breast cancer; we screen for cervical cancer; we screen for prostate cancer and we do blood pressure; blood sugar; eye testing and others.

“We offer both VIA and Pap smear and then we do the follow-up. Depending on what the result is, that how we approach it. If the Pap smear is positive, then we do an immediate referral to the Georgetown Public Hospital; if it’s The speculum is the instrument used to carry out the Pap smear test

negative, well then we just monitor you, if it is yearly or every two years,” she offered.

HPV VACCINE FDA APPROVED Dr Gooding said that so far what they have been finding is that a large percentage of the female population have never had a Pap smear done in their lifetime.

“Basically, that’s what we are trying to advocate the HPV vaccination, where we are trying to vaccinate our young ladies so that they could prevent cervical cancer.’

When quizzed by Guyana Chronicle, she said that while there are side effects for everything, “but on the whole in Guyana right now many people feel that the drug is not FDA approved, but it is FDA approved and it is not a trial-run Guyana is doing, it is the real thing. The same that they are using in the USA, is the same thing they are using right here. So while most women say that they are not taking their daughters to be guinea pigs, it’s the real thing,” Dr Gooding assured.

She emphasised, “Pap smear is for screening or testing; how to prevent it [cervical cancer] would be the vaccine – the HPV vaccine and using a condom; abstaining from sex, if you want to say that; not having more than one sexual partner; bit is basically protection with a condom.”

PUBLIC EDUCATION The general conclusion seems to be that there is not as high a level of awareness by women in Guyana about cervical cancer, Pap smear testing and the HPV vaccine; Thus a serious need for these women to receive more public education and be informed about these procedures, in an effort to improve their health by way of preventive measures.

The fact is that cervical cancer is in fact one of the few cancers that can be prevented, but that its prevention is hinged on diagnosis of the precancerous lesions, which makes the emergence of cancer almost impossible; the mortality rate of women, especially in Third world countries where it is still far too high. (mercilinburke2017@ gmail.com)

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Be proactive & begin with the end in mind I SAT on a Caribbean Airlines flight bound for New York a few days ago admiring the sunset. It was so beautiful that I could not restrain myself from taking a picture. After putting away my phone, my mind drifted to the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr Steven Covey. He may have died since 2012, but his teaching is still relevant today. All of the habits are important, but my two favourites are habit number one -- be proactive and habit number two -- begin with the end in mind.

Proactivity means more than merely taking the initiative.

It means that as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behaviour is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make

things happen.

“Response-ability” –- the ability to choose your response.

Highly proactive people recognise that responsibility. They do not blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behaviour. Their behaviour is a product of their own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on feelings.

We are, by nature, proactive. If our lives are a function of conditioning, it is because we have, by conscious decision or by default, chosen to empower those things to control us. In making such a choice, we become reactive. Reactive people are often affected by their physical environment. If the weather is good, they feel good. And if it isn’t, it affects their attitude and

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion their performance. Proactive people can carry their own weather with them. Whether it rains or shines makes no difference to them. They are value-driven; and if their value is to produce good quality work, it isn’t a function of whether the weather is conducive to it or not.

Habit number two –- Begin with the end in mind.

To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. To know where you’re going so that you better understand where you are now. And so that the steps you take are always in the right direction. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in an activity trap. It is possible to be busy –- very busy –- without being very effective.

“Begin with the end in mind” is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. It determines whether or not you are able to create a successful enterprise.

Most business failures begin in the first creation, with problems such as undercapitalisation, misunderstanding of the market, or lack of a business plan.

The unique human capacities of self-awareness, imagination, and conscience enable us to examine first creations and to make it possible for us to take charge of our own first creation, to write our own scripts.

Habit two is based on principles of personal leadership, which means that leadership is the first creation. Leadership is not management. Management is the second creation. But leadership has to come first. Management is a bottom-line focus: How can I best accomplish certain things? Leadership deals with the top line: What are the things I want to accomplish?

That is a question we all ask ourselves many times.

A few days ago, I agreed to meet with five young ladies I met during my Beyond the Runway School Tour.

They are smart, determined, talented and beautiful young ladies and I admire them very much.

They asked me that day at their schools if I could meet with them after CSEC was completed and I agreed without hesitation.

They messaged me during the exam period and called minutes after the last exam.

I was so impressed with the determination I agreed to meet them the next day and they were early for that meeting and they scored points just by that gesture.

The reason I mentioned these two habits is because some of the things we discussed were centred on my two favourite habits .

Moweisa, Sashamani, Fonda, Darnisha and Kikilla are anxious for me to be a mentor to them and I am looking forward to learning more about their future plans during their summer internship with Makin’ Style.

It made my day when I received this message from one of the parents: “Thank you for taking time out to see and speak to the girls yesterday. The minds of teenagers are so fickle that we the adults don’t know or understand what they are going through sometimes. So it is inputs like five or 10 minutes that you dedicate that helps prevent suicide/teenage pregnancy/drug abuse etc.

From a mother and a woman I appreciate all that you have done so far for these young ladies. It’s because you care….care is more valuable than cash. Thank you. “ “A mission statement is not something you write overnight...

But fundamentally, your mission statement becomes your constitution, the solid expression of your vision and values. It becomes the criterion by which you measure everything else in your life.”

Stephen Covey= Let’s ask ourselves, what is our mission statement?

Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

Guyana featured in Tourism and Hospitality Investment Guide Chronicle Pepperpot June 18, 2017

There are investment opportunities for new restaurants and cafes, sports tourism facilities and new convention centres, yachting and marine services, new attractions, river and land transportation services, and to develop the creative industries,” Baptiste said in the editorial.

The Investment Guide will be distributed at the 2017 Ca-

Editor of the Caribbean Investment Guide, Sandra Ann Baptiste, hands over a copy of the publication to Guyana’s Consul-General in New York, Barbara Atherly

GUYANA is one of 23 Caribbean countries featured in the new edition of the Caribbean Tourism & Hospitality Investment Guide, a publication of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).

The publication showcases a wide range of investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector in CTO member states, and lists incentives that Caribbean Governments are offering to attract new business.

Tourism Ministers from across the region attending CTO business meetings during the recent Caribbean Week events in New York, received copies of the publication.

Guyana’s Consul-General in New York, Barbara Atherly, and Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, were presented with copies of the publication.

The Investment Guide includes information on the performance of the region’s tourism industry with highlights from the CTO Secretary-General, Hugh Riley, and Acting Director of Research, Ryan Skeete. It also provides an outlook for the region’s hotel sector.

The publication features new investments in the region’s tourism and hospitality sector. New properties in The Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Turks and Caicos Islands and The Cayman Islands, are showcased.

“The Caribbean has a strong competitive advantage due to our natural and physical resources, and is ripe for new hotel and tourism infrastructure projects. There are opportunities for investments in airports, seaports and shopping centres, as well as unique tourism products such as outfitting heritage sites with modern technology and clean energy sources,” CTO Secretary-General Hugh Riley said.

The Investment Guide, published every two years, is produced by Marketing, Communications and Investment Promotion Specialist, Sandra Ann Baptiste.

“CTO member countries are also seeking investment to expand the medical tourism and health and wellness sectors.

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ribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS) to be held in Bermuda and hosted by HVS, and at the Miami Conference on the Caribbean and Central America, organised by Caribbean Central America Action (CCAA).

The guide is one of the projects of the New York-based CTO,USA Inc. office headed by Sylma Brown-Bramble.

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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Never trust the artist. Trust the tale.

D.H. LAWRENCE (1885-1930) Studies of Classic American Literature (1924), ch. 1 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Have you always been able to distinguish between fact and opinion? Well, a fact is a piece of information that can be proved, and an opinion is a person’s own belief about something. An opinion may be held by just one person in a group or it may be accepted by most of its members. Some positions are based on facts and some others are just trumped up. Anyway, both facts and opinions await your prying eyes in magazines and newspapers. Be wise.

Love you.

WRITING LETTERS OF OPINION Letter writing is one way in a democracy to make others know your personal or professional views and wishes. Whether you write to government agencies or the editors

of newspapers or magazines or any other entities, even though all letters are read, it takes the most effective letters to get the most attention.

For explain better, a letter of opinion intended for the editor of a magazine, disputing the content of an article is personal in nature.

This is mostly criticism of an article or news story printed by the editor whether or not he has asked for a feedback.

Then, a letter of opinion more formally sent by a professional boat-builder stating the best sites for constructing a certain type of boat is professional in nature. He has the professional expertise on such matters and is qualified to give an opinion.

Example of a letter personal in nature: Dear Mr. Johnson, I recently read your column on the Stanleytown Champs. I am stating my displeasure

with the way you described their situation this season.

It is obvious that they are not excelling, but they are in a tight season. Obvious too, the more enthusiastic Berbice supporters expect them to win the Jones-Bishop Cup every year, but with the new faces during this external examinations season, right-thinking fans know the likely outcome. I feel that you should have been more sympathetic towards them. Their manager plainly said on television that they are trying their best; I support him. We Berbicians should say more things to boost their morale for splendid wins ahead.

Yours sincerely, Sandra King Look at the following guides to writing letters of opinion.

1. Keep the letter as brief as possible.

2. State your subject clearly from the outset.

3. Explain your stand on the question that you are discussing.

4. Advance in an orderly fashion the arguments supporting your opinion.

5. Avoid abusive terms or violent language.

Keep the general tone good-tempered. Be forceful but not tactless.

6. Avoid writing from a prejudiced viewpoint; do your best to be fair.

7. Be as ready to write letters of praise as of criticism or condemnation.

8. Avoid attacking the writer of the letter.

9. Hold a letter of criticism or disagreement a day or so before mailing it. Once you have “cooled off,” you may wish to destroy the letter or at least to change it. 10. Let your letter of opinion be professional if you want to be taken seriously.

Something to Do 1. Examine recent issues of a newspaper for letters from readers. Read the letters thoughtfully and then discuss them. What kinds of subjects do they deal with? Is the correspondence section an interesting forum on significant topics? Are the letters thoughtful, tactful, interesting? Do they deal with matters worth writing about? Give reasons for your answers.

2. Have each member of your study group, speaking for the group, write a letter to some newspaper columnist about an opinion expressed by him with which the group strongly agrees. Check all the letters and from the best ones choose one letter to send. Make it clear that the letter expresses the opinion of the group rather than the individual.

3. Write a letter to a radio or television commentator with whom you strongly disagree on a matter. Be courteous. Check your information carefully before you express your ideas.

READING: Main Idea Last summer, my baseball team had a los-

ing season. I am a reasonably good player, but my teammates did not have much experience.

When I pitched, the other team usually didn’t score, but the rules said that I could pitch only six innings a week. It was hard to watch the opposing team drive in runs, after the coach had taken me out. Still, I made a lot of friends on the team, and it was great to help and encourage the younger players.

1. Which best states two important details about the narrator?

A A pitcher who does not pitch well.

B He does not like baseball and never wants to play again.

C He is angry with his coach and with his father.

D A pitcher whose team has a losing season.

2. What are two good experiences the narrator describes?

A He helps his team win games and pleases his father.

B He improves his skills and admires his coach.

C He makes friends and helps the younger players.

D He pitches and wins games.

3. Which statement restates a frustrating experience the narrator describes?

A He gets taken out of the game.

B He argues with his teammates.

C He pitches poorly.

D He argues with his coach.

4. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of the selection?

A Playing sports is always a difficult, frustrating experience.

B Good players are never treated fairly.

C Even a frustrating, disappointing sports season can have its rewards.

D Organised sports put too much pressure on young people and too much emphasis on winning.

A Learning Log Now that you have one year ahead to prepare for your examination, we suggest you keep a handy Learning Log. This is where you use a decent and strong note book to write up any aspect(s) of your study. You can keep entries going for a week, at the end of which you re-read the entries with an eye to see what you have been doing to shore up your study journey. You then think about how the jottings have helped you understand your recent class/ study sessions. Also, notice the variety of note forms you used in your record-keeping.

Have you used tables, graphs (line, bar, picto., circle), sketches, pictures, and so on? Now you can write about your experience up-keeping your log. Mostly you can enter a brief summary of the session in question, note any idea or concept that you find puzzling/interesting, say how things went after that. The main purpose of this writing activity is to clarify concepts discussed in the classroom.

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Amazing BBQ Ribs In The Oven

Ingredients 1 rack of ribs 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1 heaping table-

spoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon hot smoked paprika 1 cup bbq sauce

Method The first step is to remove the thin membrane on the underside of the rack of ribs (pull with a paper towel for traction). Now this is optional, but for the rub to really get into contact with the open flesh and do it’s magic.. yea remove the thin membrane.

Then is just a matter of placing all the ingredients (except the bbq sauce) in a bowl and give it a good mix. Now coat the ribs with this amazing rub you just made, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least a couple hours to marinate. Try to really rub it into the meat with your hands.

Set your oven @ 300 F and then get 2 large pieces of tin foil and wrap each piece of seasoned ribs (make sure you keep all that lovely rub on the ribs) and seal them into 2 packages. Place then on a baking tray (so if they leak you won’t have a mess in your oven) and set them on the middle rack of your oven. Have then go for about 2 hours and 15 minutes. By sealing the packages they will retain it’s moisture as they cook.

Remove from the oven (and tin foil) and place on a rack (if you have one) or a lined tray and hit them with a coat of your favorite bbq sauce.

Set the oven on “BROIL” (basically high heat – above 450 F) and place the ribs back into the oven. NOTE: You will have to keep a close eye on these as the high heat will cause the sugars in the bbq sauce to burn. Give it about 3-5 minutes, then remove from the oven, turn over and slap on some bbq sauce and back in the oven for 3 minutes. Please repeat this 2 times so you get that lovely glaze combined with that sticky goodness of the bbq sauce.