Pepperpot 01 22 2017

Oneeka Williams M.D.

Author and Surgeon ► Page

II

See inside:

Down Albouystown ► Page III Way

Samuel Medas just can’t wait for the Awards next monthVIII ► Page

The biggest search for a XXIII fugitive in Guiana ► Page

Oneeka Williams II

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Author and Surgeon

Dr. Oneeka Williams, her 10-year-old son, her husband Charles and father of the surgeon, Hubert Williams

M.D.

DR. ONEEKA is a urologic surgeon who made her way from a childhood in Guyana and Barbados to an education at Johns Hopkins and Harvard. As one of the less than five per cent of urologic surgeons in the United States who are female, Dr. Williams has lived through the challenges of pursuing a dream in a field where very few people looked like her. In fact, the most common response that she encounters when she enters the exam room is, “You don’t look like a surgeon.” She is even more distressed that many elementary school children believe that scientists are “old white men in spectacles,” and that fewer than three per cent of published children’s books feature characters of color. Never one to let a problem slip by unchallenged, Dr. Williams began writing books that provide a strong positive and powerful multicultural image for all children but especially girls and kids of color. Enter Dee Dee Dynamo, a nineyear-old girl super surgeon who jets around the universe fixing problems with her gifted hands. Now after four Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo publications, Dr. Williams continues practicing medicine, sharing her love of science with groups of eager elementary-schoolers and dreaming up new adventures for Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo. Dr. Williams is a distinguished urologic surgeon at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts Medical School, and on the Board of Overseers at the Museum of Science. She lives in Newtown with her husband Charles Anderson and their 10year son.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

III

Down Albouystown Way This piece was first written in October 2015 and shared again this Sunday

By Godfrey Wray WHEN ONE OF MY old-time buddies in New York heard that I was bitten by the remigration bug and would soon be domiciled in Georgetown, he asked me to deliver an envelope with a ‘small piece’ to his grandmother (Mama Muriel). A’ long yard’ in Hunter Street was where my buddy and I grew up (25 years) and where his grandmother still lived. But I had not paid a social visit to anyone in the South Georgetown ward of Albouystown in almost three decades, so I accepted the assignment as a sort of penance. One day after arriving in GT I set out to deliver Mama Muriel’s envelope but I instructed the taxi driver to drive from Callender Street slowly westwards along James Street. The 12- block stretch which was once so sterile is now an amalgam of bread trays, closet-sized boutiques, nail polishing salons and mobile beer gardens. Young men gambled (played dice) at every street corner; music blared incessantly; and school-aged kids frolicked, parents applauding their bare-footed efforts. I clearly remembered Albouystown (now being referred to as Al-Man-Town) for its curious mix of ethnicities, each distinct in skin tone, hair texture and cuisine; the epicenter of social deprivation that has its parallel in every capital of the world; a tough neighborhood where one had to have an overpowering reason to pay an unscheduled visit. But the transformation I saw that day constituted the depths of hopelessness and depravity. And it is not difficult to face the blunt truth that the once proud neighborhood has been broadsided by official neglect, and the resultant carnage

is now being seen in the lost generation that continues to prance and parade in flagrant ignorance. I exited the taxi at the address I knew so well and the driver shot off, preferring not to wait for his tip. A young man wearing an enormous pair of dark glasses looked me over, and in answer to my query, said there were no dogs. As I took a closer look at his face (what was visible) I saw a road map of disaster. An old wound that must have required a dozen stitches dominated his forehead. Another, obviously inflicted not long ago, adorned his left cheek. And a bulbous nose also displayed scattered marks of violence. He whipped off the eye-wear to peer at the name on the envelope. I saw eyes swimming in indifference but he surprised me by pointing backwards and saying, “De back house.” He moved off with an exaggerated swagger, a singlet over his shoulder and his trousers sagging and bunching at the ankles.

Multi-colored underpants were prominently on display throughout the hitching exercise. Just then a precocious half-naked girl came sprinting from the rear of the yard, delightfully sucking away on her comforting right thumb. She took my hand with the envelope and with a pleading statement/question uttered, “You must be Mr. Godfrey. We hear you come and we looking out for you since yesterday.” It took all my resolve not to burst into laughter. However Mama saved me the indignity. Her infectious chuckle was as tantalizing as yester year and she bounded down the steps with an agility that belied her age. The warm motherly hug, the coconut oil body fragrance and the bonhomie that welded poor people together…they were all there. Then she got my full attention when she said, “You look the same like when you left.” Fibber! Fibber! But it was nice hearing those words.

The news had spread. Blinds were clandestinely being drawn and more than a dozen persons had suddenly arrived at the standpipe, in no hurry to fill buckets. Even a minacious canine had joined the burgeoning group eager to let me know of its lineage. I stayed with Mama half-anhour, sitting on the cleanest treaders I have ever stepped on. By the time I said my goodbyes and reached the gate, I was like the Pied Piper without music. I didn’t want to be judgmental but it was far beyond time to leave the breeding ground of despair. Poverty was indeed ingrained having become part of the natural fabric. Proud and happy men and women I had looked up to now seemed old and sad, no longer strangers to hunger, drifting aimlessly about the fog of existence like restless ghosts. During the quarter century I lived in that very yard I had felt a close kinship to poor, yet proud people. Now seeing so many young ones

squandering their lives in the ghetto fuelled a fear of what would most likely happen in the not-too-distant future. Albouystown is now a simmering cauldron ready to blow. The narrow streets accustomed to dray carts and no-fender bicycles now accommodate the most expensive scooters, cars and SUVs – a parking lot of depreciating metal. On the other hand, the neighborhood stinks of garbage and dilapidation – everything horrible about the rot and decay of generations of accepted poverty. The ward had always presented a contrasting two-dimensional picture of a community of enormous will and fading hopes. One could always see the older generation clinging obstinately to dignity while the younger people seemed caught up in a cyclone of hopelessness. In the past, the area produced countless scholars and leaders, but now the paucity of children in school uniforms is testimony that education, as a symbol of hope, is no longer an imperative. Many ambitious persons have risen from humble roots to heights of power and wealth. Many have found success through a relentless work ethic. And many, first in their families to go to college, have led the way out of the quagmire that tenuously clings to those without ambition. I flagged down a taxi with tires that had seen better days. “Let’s move driver,” I said authoritatively. He needed no further urging, the despair in my instruction was enough motivation. As I left the area behind, once again I noted the changes and differences. I could still feel a close kinship to the ward and its curious history, but I knew I could never live in that environment again.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

COURT CASE Files Appeal dismissed in kitchen pen construction A BUILDING contractor constructed a 22’ x 13’ kitchen pen (building) without permission by the local sanitary authority, in accordance with the Ordinance and was convicted by a magistrate. But on appeal, his counsel, Mr. Ashton Chase submitted to the Full Court that the Ordinance did not classify a kitchen pen as a building and as such his client was not at fault. As a consequence, the Full Court constituted by Chief Justice Joseph Luckhoo and Justice Guya Persaud dismissed the appeal. But in its judgment the Full Court said: “We are grateful to Mr. Shahabuddeen for his assistance in this matter, but we will not award costs to the respondent who did not appear at the hearing of this appeal, and who, as far as we are aware made no arrangements to brief counsel. Appeal dismissed.” Mr. M. Shahabuddeen, Crown Counsel, had appeared amicus curiae, (friend of the court). According to the Judgment of the Court: “The facts as found by the magistrate in this matter were that the appellant erected a new structure measuring 22 feet by 13 feet 6 inches, with a roof sloping from 7 feet to 6 feet 6 inches at lot 630 East Ruimveldt and that he used that structure as a chicken pen. The evidence was that the structure had been erected

over a new concrete floor and stood on new uprights. It was accepted that the permission of the local sanitary authority was not obtained for its erection. As a result the appellant Graham was prosecuted for erecting a building without approval, contrary to s.136 of the Public Health Ordinance, Cap.145, whereupon he was convicted, and an order was made for the structure to be taken down. It was against the conviction and order that the appeal was brought. The short point to be decided was whether the structure fell within the definition of the term ‘building’ as set out in s 2 of Chapter 145. There “building” is defined to include “any house, kitchen, storeroom, garage or other out-house, or part thereof being part of any premises, whether permanent or temporary. Counsel for the appellant argued that Part XII of the Ordinance of which ss. 136 and 141 formed part, was devoted to housing and district planning. He submitted that although the appellant might have committed some other offence, there was no contravention of s. 136. He contends that s. 141 authorised the making of regulations relating to buildings intended for human habitation only, and that this was to be gathered from the scheme of Part XII as a whole…. For the purpose of the case reference could be made to para. (d) of s,141 “The Board may make regulations with respect to the erection and sanitary control of buildings and in particular with regard to …. the keeping of domestic animals, and the distance of any stable, pen, byre, sty or manure heap from any building. ….” “We are of the opinion

By George Barclay that para (d) of s. 141 contemplates a structure such as the one which is the subject matter of this appeal, and that such a structure falls within the definition of the word “building” in s, 2 of the Ordinance. “The Public Health Ordinance is an Ordinance to make provision for promoting the public health of the Colony, and we feel, as was said in Super Sites Ltd. v Keen [1938] 2 All E. R. 471, that in making his decision the magistrate was entitled to take into consideration the mischief against which the section in which the word was used was directed. “As indicated above, we are of the view that the decision of the magistrate should stand undisturbed. The appeal is dismissed and the conviction and order affirmed. We are grateful to Mr. Shahabuddeen for his assistance in this matter, but we will not award costs to the respondent who did not appear at the hearing of this appeal, and who, as far as we are aware, made no arrangements to brief counsel. Appeal dismissed.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Literature By Subraj Singh

Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha IF books are meant to transport you to different worlds and offer you new experiences that you can never experience because of the time and space you exist in, then Arthur Golden’s novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, gives you the chance to enter a period in Japanese history that you would be grateful to see come to life before your very eyes as you read, even if you would not want to actually live in such a space. Memoirs of a Geisha, on which the movie of the same name is based, is a novel that has generated some controversy; in particular, the notion that Golden, as a Westerner writing about (Vintage Books, 2005) the East, employs district of Japan, while her sister is sold as a Orientalist tropes in his depiction of geishas and their lives, prostitute to a brothel. After a long period and also because of the lawsuit Golden of many trials, Chiyo, renamed Sayuri in faced when one of the geishas he inter- a symbolic attempt to emphasize the great viewed when he was writing the book, the change in her life and in her as an individonce popular Mineko Iwasaki, sued him ual herself, eventually becomes a geisha – a for breach of contract. However, despite Japanese dancer, entertainer, and courtesan. its flaws and all the controversy surround- She trains under the tutelage of a renowned ing the novel, at its heart, there is a good geisha named Mameha and because of her story here; one that, no matter where the great beauty and sensitivity to her world, reader is from, will surely resonate with Sayuri eventually becomes one of the most people from all sorts of differing back- popular geisha in the district, attracting the hatred and envy of her beautiful and wrathful grounds. An interpretation of the main prem- rival, Hatsumomo. Soon Sayuri, wrapped in ise of the novel itself is one that has been fine clothes, and dancing for powerful men, evoked throughout the years in countless falls in love and this becomes one of several other stories: that of the heroine who comes incidents that complicate the life of the girl from humble beginnings only to rise up and who once lived in a hut by sea with her ailing become an important figure in her world. mother, her sister and her fisherman father. The best thing about the novel is undoubtPerhaps there is some euphemism there, considering that Chiyo, the novel’s protag- edly the writer’s ability to recreate the geisha onist, after the death of her poor mother, is world of pre-World War II. Golden painstaktaken and sold to a Geisha house in the Kyoto ingly recreates the scenes in the okiya (the

house where geisha live), the costumes, the subtle interactions the geisha had with men, and the many rituals that were performed by a geisha. The world of the geisha is so heavily guarded that reading Memoirs of a Geisha is almost like being introduced to a whole new world. It is a place filled with secrets and forbidden love, with vengeful women in beautiful clothes, in a time where being a woman means to be bound by tradition, expectations, rules and honour. If presenting the traditions of geisha and writing realistically about the period in which

V geisha were most active can be attributed to good research, then can the same be said about Golden, a white American man, being able to create the nuanced and careful presentations of the Japanese women, and their lives, relationships and emotions, in the novel? However he does it, it is obvious that Golden’s rendition of the women in the novel is precise and suitably emotionally rooted. Overall, Memoirs of a Geisha is a ravishing book, with a heroine that invokes pain and sadness, but also very much highlights the enduring power of love and hope.

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

The Walter Rodney Writing Awards and the Rise of New Authors (Part 1)

Differently Coloured Stars AS I sit in the café and wait for the three writers to arrive, I notice that at various intervals along the ceiling are strung star-shaped lanterns in a variety of colours: red, blue, amber, green, etc. The light from each lantern is muted, some might even say feeble, and yet these beautiful lanterns are a major part of what gives the environment its special charm. Writers, and all artists, are like those star-shaped lanterns. They give whatever they can to make our world a more beau-

tiful and well-lit place. They each exist in their own space, filling it with their individual light, but when they come together they are even more striking to behold. The three writer/winners of the 2016 Walter Rodney Writing Awards troop in one after the other, on time and mere seconds behind each other, as if strung along by some invisible line that pulls them all together. I observe them walking under the star-shaped lanterns and I think that they too, the writers themselves, are stars, rising stars, not only as writers who have

just begun their careers in writing but also as people who might, in some way, aim to achieve some sort of important cultural impact on the Guyanese social/cultural landscape. The Walter Rodney Writing Awards, hosted by the Walter Rodney Foundation, may or may not have had this particular aim of the Competition in mind when it was first started, but there is no doubt that previous awardees (including a popular rock singer/ songwriter, a columnist in one of the leading dailies, a young blogger and political activist, and a Guyana Prize winner) have tended to be people who went on to attempt to create some impact in society and on local culture. So, as I watch them enter, I become fully aware that these are the writers who will perhaps go on to do important things for Guyanese culture and society. Introductions are made and it quickly becomes evident that they are as different from each other as a pink lantern is from a green lantern. While they are all the same – all writers, all lanterns – they are also different from each other: different colours, different ambitions, and different pursuits. Gabrielle Mohamed, a recent University of Guyana graduate, having studied English, now works as a scribe for the visually-impaired students at the university. She won the Walter Rodney Award for her poem, “Hell that Springs from the Memory of the Dead.” Andrew Hutson is a medical doctor and is now a two-time winner of the Walter Rodney Award, winning most recently for his non-fiction piece entitled “Guyana’s Evolution: Ebb and Flow.” Nicholas Peters, winner of the Fiction category for his short story, “The Centuries Old Flame”, is a University of Guyana stuL-R: Gabrielle Mohamed, Nicholas Peters, Andrew Hutson

Gabrielle Mohamed, Winner of the Walter Rodney Award for Creative Writing – Poetry

dent, studying English. He works with the Amerindian People’s Association. As I observe the three writers, all young, educated, mixed-race Guyanese, representing three major different literary styles with varying areas of interest, I think about the theme of the 2016 Walter Rodney Writing Competition – “Guyana in the Next 50 Years” – no doubt meant to commemorate our recently concluded Jubilee Anniversary and to also ask the future of Guyana to tell us the future they Turn to page VIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

VII

The fearful patient THE FEAR patients experience with a visit to the dentist is traditional as well as the fact that the mouth is really a special organ. Most people would not mind an injection on the hip/buttock area but expressions of anxiety and apprehension are always present when the injection is to be given in the mouth. This fact amplifies the neurological and psychological sensitivity of the oral cavity. In addition, the supine position in the dental chair gives a feeling of vulnerability. Notwithstanding, in reality, the mouth and face are richly innervated and heavily invested with emotional significance. Although avoidance of regular dental care is often attributed to economic limitations, removal of these financial concerns usually exposes them as mere rationalizations for the patient’s fear and anxiety. A variety of helpful approaches is available to the dentist to help overcome his patient’s apprehensions. These range from honest expressions of empathy to suggestion, hypnosis, adjunctive medications, local and general anesthesia. Dentists have become increasingly aware of the need for something to influence the psyche of the patient while the local anesthetic blocks the pain. Fortunately, the old, punitive, “sit still and take it” attitude is quickly fading from the practitioner’s routine. While general anesthesia has been developed to a high degree primarily by oral surgeons in the US who have had advanced education and training in its use, they constitute a

small percentage of practicing dentists and are obviously limited by their specializations to surgical procedures. For most dentists and for most patients, dentistry under general anesthesia would be ill advised and unnecessary. Nevertheless, some things are needed to enhance patient acceptance of dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen psycho sedation has been widely employed as a helpful modality for managing the conscious patient. Expanding the dentist’s scope of patient management has also included the use of oral and intramuscular premedication. Both of these routes are subject to considerable variation in patient response, take longer to exert their effect and to wear off, and require, at best, an approximation of the appropriate dosage. The most reliable way to achieve the desired effect with a drug is to feed it slowly, directly in to the blood stream, anticipating objective signs and symptoms in the conscious, responding patient. The ultimate aim in intravenous sedations is to achieve a level of relaxation and cooperation without oblivion and compromise of vital functions. It must be emphasized that there is no predetermined dosage and that each patient must be individually titrated to his or her own effect. The smallest dose administered which achieves relaxation and cooperation is the proper dose for that patient. Local anesthetic must be administered for any anticipated painful procedure. It will

be more profound in its effect because of the control of the patient’s anxiety by the intravenous agent. But incidentally, I’m still perplexed by a female patient who has extensive visible tattoos, and who has admitted to me she has a ring pierced through her clitoris but yet exhibited morbid fear of me numbing a molar for her extraction. Is it the fear of dental procedures or the fear of pain? I am not aware of any local dentist who routinely uses general anesthesia in his office. All over the world such procedure is only permitted after specific Laws have been enacted. So then, how do we dispel the fear of the dental chair in local context? This is done by education, pre-medication or obligation. Through education, which ideally should begin in early childhood, the individual must understand that dentistry is

essential to health and wellbeing and that everything the dental practitioner does is in pursuit of this objective. Pre-medication involves the patient taking anti-anxiety drugs a few hours before visiting the dentist. Finally, in some countries, (and I can vouch for Cuba where I spent three years), a requirement by Law is that persons to be employed, to enter educational institutions, etc. must present a report from a dentist certifying a good oral health status. The State therefore forces the individual to restore his/her oral health. Should we do this here in Guyana?

VIII ◄◄◄ From page VI

see themselves in. As the conversation begins and glasses begin to tinkle and low music and laughter begin to waft around all of us in the low evening light, I listen to these storytellers as they tell me the stories of their stories, of what they have written, and the stories of their lives, and how they use writing to illuminate the many dark corners of the Guyanese experience. White, With a Streak of Red Gabrielle Mohamed’s poem, “Hell that Springs from the Memory of the Dead”, is one of those that, through its mere existence, reminds readers and critics to never confuse the persona of a poem with the poet. The voice in Gabrielle’s poem, born from the poet’s bitter experiences of life in Guyana, is one that is loud, harsh, angry, rebellious, crude and unapologetic. Yet, the poet herself could not be further removed from the voice that she expertly presents in the work. The persona rants against patriarchy, colonialism and the racial disharmony that is promoted against various sections of Guyanese society and even attacks the country itself, claiming that if our society continues to be what it is then it is unlikely that she, the persona, will even be alive in fifty years and that

this death of the persona would be one that the entire country, in failing to address the issues that plague our young Guyanese women, will be responsible for. The poem’s voice is a snarling beast of a woman, cursing, rippling with rage and wrath, and yet, when Gabrielle arrived on the night of the interview, it was impossible to associate her with the poem simply based on the way she looked. Gabrielle, wafting into the café, almost as if she had wandered into the place by chance; Gabrielle, in her pure white dress and glasses, her haired pulled back; Gabrielle, with her hands clasped together, her gentle demeanor and soft-spoken nature had managed to create a persona who appeared to be so different from who she appeared to be and it made you think, and it made you wonder. Who else do we pass by in the streets of Georgetown and automatically assume what their stories are and what their stories will be? Perhaps, as with Gabrielle, if we were to look more closely and pay more attention, we would see the symbols, slight and barely there, that are the true indicators of who a person is. Perhaps, there was something in the slim piece of black lace that the poet wore tightly around her neck, or perhaps there was something hidden in the bright,

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

red lipstick she wore on the night of the interview that stood, like a pretty stain, against her fair skin and pure white dress. Perhaps there was something else that I overlooked that stood, as wide as a symbol or as subtle as hint, as an indicator of that little streak of rebellion and wildness that exists within the poet and manifested itself within the poem. The poem’s scathing attack on a society who forces people to conform to certain norms and identities was something that emerged from Gabrielle’s own life. As a mixed-race woman, she describes herself as being fractured and forced to swing between Indian, African and Amerindian identities because of the way our society’s structure is not as yet wholly able to facilitate the identities of mixed race peoples. The red burns a bit brighter when she speaks of the pain and struggles of Guyanese people who suffer because of racial differences. Her voice becomes a bit louder, her tone becomes a bit sharper, and the words pour out of her. For a fleeting moment, you see the persona of the poem baring itself to everyone present, but then, quick as a glance, it is gone and only Gabrielle is before you once more, eyes wide and waiting for the next question.

During the conversation, she also pointed out that Guyanese appear to take pride in our multicultural identity, but it becomes a whole other scenario when multiculturalism, when the reality of it, presents itself to people in the form of, as an example, an interracial relationship. Creole, perhaps another expression of multiculturalism, is used a lot in the poem and it is obvious that Gabrielle feels that Creolese and our shared Guyanese history are two areas that help to define us as a people, and without them our identities would be quite truncated. Gabrielle’s prediction of Guyana’s future is a bleak one. Her vision of the future is built on the darkness that clouds the minds of contemporary Guyanese people. This darkness is made up of patriarchy, the continued existence of colonial mindsets, and racial disunity. To curb this vision particular vision of our future, we must take action now. Such a future can be prevented and we must act quickly or soon all the lights will go out and Guyana will truly be covered in darkness, like a January midnight in a lamp-filled garden with all the lanterns blown out. (To be continued next Sunday).

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 TRUST you are having a super Sunday. Maybe you just did a good deed that made someone smile. You should feel proud of yourself. Last week we started the discussion on Growth and it was clear that it has to be intentional. No one improves by accident. Personal and or professional growth don't just happen. You can start today and stop waiting on what you think is the perfect moment. Like maybe when you lose weight or start a new job or a new relationship. As Nike says: "LET'S DO IT." As we implement changes for the better not everyone will be happy for you and you may lose some people along the way. It is a good time to ask ourselves questions: Who are the people in your immediate circle? Do they care about you? Can they assist you to grow? I have learnt so much through the 15 invaluable laws of growth by John Maxwell, which I will share with you over time. Years ago I knew I had to improve my life not just for me but for my first daughter Mariska. Just a couple months ago the memories came back like a flood as if it was yesterday. I made a decision that no matter where in the world I am to visit a hospital. Recently I visited the children's ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital to check on the kids. Some people have no visitors and it is comforting sometimes just to chat with

IX

Inspiring lives through fashion someone and hear their words of encouragement. It is sad to see so many kids suffering from cancer, diabetes, heart, and kidney failure. I was chatting with one of the moms and was looking at her son Gavin who was coloring a book and smiling, even though he was obviously very ill. I went close to him and started chatting about colors and he got so excited. I looked at this innocent boy not knowing that his kidney was failing and how sick he really was. I talked with over a dozen moms and tried to be encouraging even though the odds seemed against them. As mothers, we worry about our children and try not to let them know how anxious and concerned we really are . I encouraged them to keep praying because everything is possible with GOD. As I walked out of the

hospital with tears running down my face, some memories of the past flooded my mind. A feeling of deja vu . A little over 23 years ago I was walking out of the same children's ward with tears running down my face as my daughter was crying and screaming: "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY." I walked down those stairs and into the yard and that's when the floodgates opened. I can still hear her crying because her crib was at the window and she was watching me. I looked back at the innocent, tiny face staring at her mommy leaving her with people she has never seen. She seemed perplexed since it was always the two of us everywhere I went. For a few years I seldomly went places that I could not take my baby. I remembered at the time they were many kids hospitalized with gastroenteritis so two children were placed

in one small crib. I felt helpless sitting there for hours waiting for someone to look at her. As ‘gastro’ was threatening my daughter's life all I could do was pray that God would spare her life. I had promised Mariska and myself while she was in my womb to be a great mom but now I felt like a failure. I was living in Bartica but because she was so ill she needed to get to the city ASAP. I traveled from Bartica

to Georgetown with very little funds available to me. Her dad was not a part of her life financially or otherwise. I returned the next morning to find my daughter and the other baby playing in their feces. It broke my heart that I could not take her to a private hospital with better facilities but that was not an option. Two days later the beautiful little girl sharing the crib with my daughter died. I panicked as I looked at her alone in the crib, very

weak but very happy to see me. I vowed then without knowing how, that I would put a plan in place, so as to never again be in this position. I knew my WHY. "What is your why? As Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner says: "You're more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself in action." Sometimes we just need to believe it is possible and to take that leap and grow our wings on the way down. It feels great to invent yourself and sometimes even reinvent yourself. Remember it is your story. Trust MY story motivated someone. You cannot change your destination overnight but you can change your direction, overnight --- Jim Rohn. I am inviting you to join me every morning from Monday to Friday on Radio Guyana 89.5 and weekly in the Pepperpot as we continue this beautiful Journey called Life Beyond The Runway.

X

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

folklore By Neil Primus

Fruits of someone else’s labour By Neil Primus DARREN was a thief. He began stealing in his early teens. His father died when he was 14 and after that he seemed to have gone wild. His mother tried to keep him in school but failed. Eventually he took to stealing. There is one important fact to note about this. Darren was a specialist. He specialized in agricultural products only. When fruits are in season he sells fruits. When vegetables are in abundance he sells that. Farmers in the surrounding communities were plagued by this skillful thief. After years of losses on their farms, they held a meeting and agreed to employ guards for their farms. Not security guards, jumbie guards. An unknown substance was buried in each farm. A spiritualist came and performed a simple ceremony. After that each farm had adequate protection. Darren decided that he would be moving water coconuts one night. It was a moonless night and visibility was reduced to a few yards. The wind was nippy and energetic and the trees swayed and bowed to its will. Night creatures were out taking care of their needs. All except one.

Darren had a well thought out method of operation. He would creep into the farm, skim up the tree and settle at the top. He would then attach a rope to a thrush of coconuts, cut it and lower it to the ground. It was a perfect working plan and one he had employed over and over. When he had collected all that he desired he would exit with the booty. The next day he would have fresh items for sale. It worked like a charm. That is, until the guards took over the farms. Darren moved from shadow to shadow cleverly concealing his presence. He arrived at the coconut trees and immediately skimmed up the trunk of a fully loaded tree. This feat was accomplished without the use of a belt or a rope on his feet to assist him with the climb. He had become an expert climber. Swiftly he attached his rope

to a thrush of nuts then cut the thrush. He lowered the booty quietly to the ground. He slid down to retrieve the rope and repeat the operation. When he got to the bottom of the tree an unpleasant surprised was waiting for him. There was nothing attached to the end of the rope. The thrush with about sixteen coconuts was gone. Shock, fear and confusion assailed him. He struggled to keep his nerve. He was a seasoned thief so he knew there must be some logical explanation, or so he thought. Darren picked up the rope and climbed the tree once more. He repeated the operation this time keeping an eye on his precious cargo. When he hit the ground for the second time he met an empty rope. Logic was receding and anger bubbling up. He suspected that another thief was at work and a lazy one at that. He mounted the tree again his adrenalin surging. No two-bit thief would out-do him. He focused on the thrush from the tree to ground. His eyes never left the dark shape on the ground as he slid down to collect it. When he alighted on the ground it had vanished much to his amazement. Darren lost his temper. It was enough

that the thief had stolen one thrush, but three, that was too much. He began to cuss at the top of his voice. “Who is de thiefing dawg dat tek me coconuts?” Silence. “Wat yo frighten? Boy if I ketch you is madness tonight!” Only the breeze tugging at the leaves answered him with cynical rustling and hissing. Then he made a big mistake. He challenged the thief to a war - a decision he would regret for a very long time. After the loud challenge he gloated about the thief not having guts and being afraid of him. “Come out na! I would mess you up boy!” When Darren turned around to go back to his picking he found himself looking into the coldest, meanest pair eyes he had ever seen. Pure evil was written over the face of the creature and the thief sensed that it was about to take up his challenge. It then dawned on him that this was not the work of another thief-man. “Sorry uncle.” He tried to withdraw. The jumbie stood in his way. He ran for his life heading for the trench. The jumbie stood there waiting on him. He spun around and raced away in the opposite direction. His effort got him the same results. Panic and desperation caused him to make the second mistake of the night. He tried to run past the spirit in order to flee the farm. Pow! When Darren opened his eyes he was lying under the coconut tree. Pain was shooting from his broken jaw and tears streamed down his petrified face. A sinister booming voice made things clear for him. “IF YO TRY FO LEAVE DIS FARM YO DEAD!” “Ow uncle a very sarry!” “YO GOT FO WUK TILL YO GET RELEASE!” Believe it or not, Darren is still working hard… for free.

killing him!

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

The excitement’s Samuel Medas just can’t wait for the Awards next month

By Tamica Garnett THERE’S nothing better than feeling rewarded after hard work, more so if you’re in the Guyana music industry where recognition and reward for your work is often few and far between. This is exactly why Guyana’s Samuel Medas is so excited about his seven nominations at the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, where he is pitted against some of the biggest names in Caribbean gospel music. The Marlin Award is the most coveted, and considered the highest honour in Caribbean gospel music. The nominations all stem from his two albums, ‘Ink of Intimacy’ (2016), and ‘This

saw my name pop up again, and again, and again,” Samuel said. “It’s unreal, too, because some of the artists I’m contending against are well known and established, and have been around much longer than I have,” he told The Buzz. So, following his performance at the “Love Over Violence!” gospel concert on Mash Night next month, Sammy, as he’s popularly called, is scheduled to wing out to The Bahamas for the awards ceremony on February 25, in Nassau. Sammy is one of Guyana’s most accomplished gospel singer. He’s performed multiple times around the Caribbean, the USA and British territories, and collaborated with Caribbean music icons like Jamaica’s DJ Nicholas. Sammy had heard of the Marlin Awards before, but never really had any idea what it entailed, or how to be a part of it. But it was last year, after performing in Trinidad, that someone suggested to him that he submit his work for consideration.

XI

“I almost didn’t, though; reluctantly, I did,” he joked, as he reflected on how his efforts paid off.

Peculiar Journey’ (2014). The nominations include ‘Album of the Year’, where he’s going up against Papa San’s 2014 album, ‘One Blood’. The other nominations are ‘Song of the Year’ (Love Letter from Heaven), ‘New Artist of the Year’, ‘Calypso Vocal Performance of the Year Duo/Group’ (They Don’t Know, feat. Positive), ‘Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year, Male’ (Love Letter from Heaven), ‘Praise & Worship Recording of the Year’ (Never Leave) and ‘Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year, Male’ (The Truth). Following his win as ‘Best Male Gospel Artist’ at the Guyana International Music Awards early last year, Medas found out last September that his nominations to the Marlin Awards were being considered. This being the case, it made him the first Guyanese to be nominated for an award at the event, much less seven of them. And it’s been an almost dreamlike experience for the 28-year-old ever since. AN HONOUR IN ITSELF For Samuel, hearing that he is being considered among some of the leading names in Caribbean gospel music is sweet music to his ears; and whether he wins or not, just being considered in the same category as them is an honour in itself. “It was surreal! I felt so honoured! I woke up to the email saying nominations are out, so I started to browse through the categories, and

‘A VERY PERSONAL PLACE’ ‘Ink of Intimacy’ is Sammy’s third album, following ‘Heart to Heart’ (2013). The album comprises 12 songs and, according to Sammy, was written from a very personal place. “You can tell when you listen to songs like “In Transit”, “Love Letter from Heaven” and “Never Leave”,” the Psalmist said, adding: “Ink of Intimacy” was written from the depths of my truth; talking about not knowing where I’m going on this Christ walk sometimes; being constantly bombarded by memo-

‘It was surreal! I felt so honoured! I woke up to the email saying nominations are out, so I started to browse through the categories and saw my name pop up again, and again, and again’ – Gospel singer, Samuel Medas ries of bad experiences and decisions; wanting to give up. “But it’s also about songs of strength and hope and forgiveness; it captures God’s thoughts towards me, and in a broader sense, all of us who find ourselves in unchartered territory sometimes and start second guessing purpose.” The Marlin Awards were established to recognise and honour outstanding achievement in Caribbean Gospel Music. Over 30 categories of awards will be up for grabs at the Awards ceremong, where hundreds of recording artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, media and other industry professionals will all gather to celebrate their work.

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

National Drama Festival By Francis Quamina Farrier

EVERYONE who has an interest in Theatre, and the National Drama Festival of recent vintage, is hoping that the many problems which surfaced during the 2016 festival, will be sorted out well in advance of the 2017 National Drama Festival. It is known that Drama Festivals of the pre-independence and immediate post-independence era, never experienced such turmoil, as was the case last year, with all sorts of charges and counter-charges flying all over the place. The new vintage of National Drama Festivals commenced in 2012. They had the added element of very attractive monetary prizes, for the winners, unlike the Drama Festivals of yore. Back in those early festivals, an attractive trophy was the singular prize. National Drama Festivals were held in British Guiana since the early 1950s. There were also the Sugar Estates Drama Festivals as well, which were sponsored by the two flourishing Sugar Companies of the day, Bookers and Sandbach Parker. Following the dramatic resignation of the 2016 National Drama Festival Chief Judge, Al Creighton, after serious allegations of wrong-doing were leveled

at him by some of the players, there has already been a meeting held by the Minister of Culture, Nicolette Henry, with the judges, discussing the way forward. The judges themselves will also meet later this month, to further discuss the many areas which need to be addressed. It is possible that Creighton may consider ligation against his accusers who used Face Book to besmirch his character. Some of the areas to be discussed at the up-coming meeting by the judges, is how many productions any one individual will be permitted to be involved with. Another area for discussion and decision, is the con-

tents of plays, since that was an area which brought much criticism my a large segment of the audiences. Some members of the audiences expressed the view that there was just too much unbridled violence in many of the plays; especially Domestic Violence, in which women were the victims of very aggressive men all played out on the stage. Some scenes displayed lots of gun-play, murder and suicides; the raw under-belly of the society, with no reference to the better and glorious aspects of the Guyana society; and that proved to be very offensive to the deserting theatre goers who attended. Let's now take a brief backward glance

to some of the earliest theatre in this country, since some of the younger players tend to be of the view that theatre commenced with the 2012 National Drama Festival. To begin, one wonders how many of the younger theatre practitioners know that there was lots of theatre activity at the Assembly Rooms in Georgetown, from the 1890s and for many years after, until that building was destroyed by fire in 1945. That beautifully designed wooden building, was located where the Bank of Guyana now stands, and was the venue for many of the international classical plays. There were also theatre Companies such as the Georgetown Dramatic Club which was housed at a small building where the Critchlow Labour College is located. Actors and actress, directors and stage staff of that colonial era, were all very serious about making their contributions to drama without receiving any financial rewards. They loved what they were doing and brought pleasure to theatre-goers by producing plays which generally displayed stories which entertained and informed, void of vulgarity. Generally, there was always a positive message for the audience. It must be said that some of the plays which were staged at the 2016 National Drama Festival, were of the better category, which kept the high standards known at the Theatre Guild Playhouse and the National Cultural Centre over the decades. The vintage "Miriamy" by Frank Pilgrim and the new play "The Healing" by the group from the St. Cuthbert's Mission on the upper Mahaica river, being prime examples. As the Village Chairman, Mr Chambers, in the Frank Pilgrim play "Miriamy", says, "We discuss and discard", so, too, the organizers of the 2017 National Drama Festival will have to discuss and discard all the negative elements which be-dogged the 2016 festival. And as one of the judges of last year's festival has been saying, "Long Live the National Drama Festival".

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XIII

Cigars and quitting HELLO everyone, I hope this week has treated you well. Last week I wrote about harms of smoking cigarettes and how to quit. I mentioned that if anyone would like to speak about any other harmful habits, they should write in. I so gratefully received many topics which I will get into over the next few weeks. One of the requests was a one word email asking “cigars?” Just because I liked your abruptness and find charm in people who do not like to waste time, I will address yours first. So, are you aware of what you are smoking? What is a cigar? It is rolled with tobacco leaf, contains nicotine and comes in many types and sizes. Cigars are significantly more popular among men than both women and children. They are portrayed as an accessory for the rich and powerful. They are portrayed as being important for special occasions such as a job promotion or the birth of a child. This is basically peer pressure for the elder and wealthier community. The most recent study on cigars determined that Cigar smoking caused 9000 premature deaths in the United States in 2014. Let’s do a comparison between cigarettes and cigars. Firstly and most importantly, the harms of cigars are severely overlooked. Cigarettes come with a warning label while cigars come in an extravagant box. Of course this automatically makes cigars more expensive. Cigars contain more tobacco as it is wrapped with a tobacco leaf while cigarettes are not. Cigars are larger and therefore take longer to smokethe average cigarettes takes about five minutes to smoke while a good cigar can take up to an hour. Cigars contain much higher levels of Nicotine than cigarettes- a full sized cigar contains (on average) as much nicotine as an entire large pack of cigarettes. As mentioned when speaking about cigarettes, nicotine is the substance found in cigarettes and cigars that causes addiction. Unlike cigarettes, most cigar smoke should not be inhaled, although some people still do. It is quite dangerous to do this. I hear you are only supposed savour the taste of the cigar smoke. Considering that cigars do not have the filters that cigarettes do, inhaling would be a bad idea. However, it needs to be mentioned that whether there is inhalation or not, nicotine will still be absorbed through the lining of the mouth when smoking cigars. Overall, cigar smoke has a higher level of cancer-causing substances, more tar, and more toxins than cigarette smoke. So, what are some physical harms caused by cigar smoking? Many studies have determined that due to all the above, cigar smoking causes more injury than cigarette smoking. Yes, there is a decreased risk of lung cancer as cigars smokers do not typically inhale but there is an increase in the risk of mouth and throat cancer. Cigar smoking increases the risk of heart disease, oral diseases such as gum disease and tooth loss/ decay as well as COPD diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema. Some studies show that cigars have also been linked to erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual appetite in men. While it is a myth that second hand smoke is worse than actually smoking, being around someone who is smoking either cigars or cigarettes is harmful to you. This means that smoking either in front of children is not a good idea as it increases risk of asthma and infection. Finally, the chances of becoming addicted to cigars are the same as cigarettes. So, how can we lower or quit cigar use? My advice for this will not be much different than that of cigarettes. First, pick a quit date and tell everyone around you. This will increase your level of support and basically shame you into success. No one likes to fail in other people’s eyes.

I’ve both read and been told that it is easier to quit cigars than cigarettes- mostly because of situational reasons however, such as they are harder to obtain or too expensive. To start with, if you are a cigar inhaler, do your best to stop this. If you lower your tobacco intake in the beginning, you can still smoke the same amount of cigars. After you have successfully done this, then you can lower the actual amount of cigars you smoke per day/ week. Write a list of all the benefits of quitting and keep it nearby. Read it every day. Examples- better lungs, more money at the end of the month etc. Similarly to quitting cigarettes, cigar smokers can also use substitutes. This is possible because either way, it is the nicotine the smoker is trying to come off of. This means that Nicotine replacement gum and E-cigarettes are also good replacements for cigars. These substitutes will help with both withdrawal symptoms and cravings. These usually include irritability, head and neck aches, increased appetite, trouble sleeping etc. If the withdrawal sympt o m s are severely inter-

fering and interrupting daily routines, please go to your nearest health centre. There are prescription pills that can make quitting easier. You do not need to feel as frustrated as you are. Make sure to keep busy- get more active and stick to a healthy diet. Avoid triggers- the people, places or situations that increased your smoking. For example alcohol or smoking bars. Do activities that do not trigger smoke cravings such as movie or swimming. Do deep breathing exercises. This is useful as most people relapse due to stress. Take a few minutes to yourself- breathe in through the nose for 4 seconds and out through the mouth for 8 secondsrepeat as many times needed. Finally, when faced with cravings, delay them. Drink a glass of water and wait 10 minutes before giving in to smoke- I promise this will make a difference. My take away message is that there is no healthy way of smoking tobacco- one is not better than the other and it is best to stop either. Thank you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays 4:15 Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 4:15 Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 2230009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Notes from the Vermont Studio Center Residency

Things come together, as they always do The next day it snowed for hours

I HADN’T envisioned that particular start to my residency here in Vermont. In fact, I hadn’t allowed myself to envision much at all, for fear of being told it was all a dream. So when I found myself sleeping in the lobby of the Red Mill after such an absolutely grueling journey, I still couldn’t be too sure I was actually there. The extreme cold that pierced through my extremities coupled with the unrelenting hunger and exhaustion had a strange effect on my perception of reality. I spent the moments I could manage to muster a few coherent thoughts trying to recall anything I had said or done to warrant that level of karmic retribution. Surely the universe must’ve been mistaken. When the lobby door burst open and my eyes finally convinced my brain (or was it the other way around) that I wasn’t imagining someone standing in the doorway, I was both dumbfounded and ecstatic. Everything at that point seemed scripted. There was no way things could unfold the way they did in The sun came out for a few hours one day and we didn’t know what to do with ourselves

anyone’s life. But they did for me. I struggle now to remember the conversation I had with the person in the doorway. Two things seemed to echo loudest from that night: her name was Kelly and in a “truth is stranger than fiction” way, we realized that of all the resident houses in the area we were both assigned rooms in the same house. I might’ve screamed “Praise Jesus!” in my head or out loud. Again, I can’t be quite sure. Either way Kelly, my savior, walked me back to our house where I passed out until noon the same day. Kelly, I later found out, is a writer and it was her insomnia that led her to me that night. More specifically, it was her search for a hot cup of tea. Ironically, after escorting me to the house and walking back for said tea, she got lost herself. We later laughed at the silliness of it all once we realized how impossible it was to get lost, having seen the area in daylight. For a little while I was known as the girl who had a terrible time getting here. It seemed

everyone I met had heard about my nightmarish journey. I didn’t mind. It made for an interesting icebreaker, cheesy pun intended. It’s difficult sometimes to not feel like I’m being pushed further back than the next person. In those moments I try to let go and remind myself that these challenges are merely preparatory training for what’s to come (it’s incredibly cliché but also very true). It’s also important for me to remember that it’s not just about enduring. I don’t want to be the person who, when asked, describes their life as one they had to “endure.” Like any good foundation, those challenges should be there but they shouldn’t be the first/only things someone notices. And I feel like that should be the take away for everyone reading this. In our downtime we made some pretty awful Yes your struggles make looking snow renderings of the 25,000 year you stronger but be mindful old Venus of Willendorf sculpture not to give them too much power by glorifying them. of changing the clothes I’d been stuck in for Otherwise you would always find yourself experiencing those types three days. Even better was finally being able of situations. No one wants to live a life where to have a real shower. I felt human again. We also survived the dreaded day one their struggles outweigh their successes so make a habit of practicing speaking only good jitters that were to be expected when meeting everyone for the first time. I had secretly things into your life. Having said all of that, things have taken wished Issa Rae was there to hold my hand a really good turn in my residency. The air- and help me wade through the sea of social line found my suitcase and had it delivered Turn to page XV ►►► to VSC. It was quite nice to have the option

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XV

Telephone users alertness prevents exploitation THE motto of the Guyana Consumers Association is "Value For Money." The meaning of this motto is that in buying goods and services, consumers must make the best choice which they could only arrive at by comparison. In other words consumers need to shop around, comparing prices and quality before making a choice. The other meaning of "Value For Money" is that consumers have to be on the alert that they are not exploited or overcharged, especially by the Public Utilities. In this offering we will alert consumers of a few of the snares the Telephone industry has quietly placed in their path:- 1) Wrongly charged for calls. Most consumers are unaware that the telephone must ring a minimum of eight times. To telephones which have voicemail, as soon as the voicemail is activated, then the person making the call is charged for a call. If the voicemail is activated before eight rings, then by PUC ruling, the caller should not be charged for a call. But the companies ignore this ruling and illegally charge consumers for such calls. Numerous consumers have told us that oftentimes they make a phone call, voicemail is activated long before eight rings and they are billed for such calls. We have raised this issue with the telephone companies and they have promised to put themselves in order but have never done so. Consumers could protect themselves from such exploitation by making a note of the date and number telephoned where voicemail is activated before eight rings and write the companies requesting such credit and the companies usually comply. One could do this on a monthly basis. Consumers are urged to ask for their money. 2.) Internet overcharge. Several consumers have complained that the Internet service they have paid for is not supplied for many hours per week, oftentimes amounting to several days per month. Consumers should make a note of the time and date such service was not supplied and claim a rebate from the company. In case the Company is being recalcitrant, bring your complaint to

the Public Utilities Commission or the Guyana Consumers Association. Also when the telephone was out-of-order and your Internet was not working, you could also claim a rebate for these hours and days. Consumers could be reimbursed quite substantial sums. Former Government Minister, Bishop Juan Edgehill, a few days ago, made a bitter complaint in the press about this failing of GTT. 3.) Unacceptable demand for payment for replacing defective telephone instruments. Some consumers have informed us that GTT are now demanding that consumers pay them for replacing defective telephone instruments, a service which obtained without charge for the last 25 years. From our perspective, GTT are acting wrongly since they are contractually obligated to replace such defective telephone instruments without charge. Further, when a consumer contracted with GTT to supply a telephone service, the only way such service could have been supplied is with the instrument. GTT are claiming that they rented the consumer a line but this is a spurious position since consumers cannot speak through or receive messages through a piece of wire. The GCA has taken up this matter with the PUC and are confident the consumer would be treated justly. If any consumers have had this kind of problem, they may contact the PUC or the GCA. The GCA emails are at the end of this article. 4.) GTT are planning to insert voicemail in all landline phones so that they could collect more money from telephone users. At present, if one makes a call and the party to whom the call is made is not present, the caller pays nothing since the call was not completed. By GTT's new and surreptitious strategy, by inserting voicemail in the landline, every caller will have to pay. In addition to the extra financial burden to be placed on the consumer, there are other serious implications: For once a message is left on one's voicemail, one becomes obligated to act on it. Some messages could have legal implications and the recipient of the voicemail becomes liable. Further, people will have to spend time and energy

◄◄◄ From page XIV

Brazil” the confused look lingered a bit longer before dissolving into a version of “Oooh.” Even so, I was just happy to finally be settled and living with such a dynamic group of creative individuals. I was excited to learn about everyone’s practice but more importantly I was anxious to see how my own work would develop over the course of the month since I decided not to come into this residency with a plan. This was my way of challenging myself to be more receptive to the possibilities this new environment could present. I was about to find out if that was a smart decision. In September of last year I was nominated for a Vermont Studio Center residency fellowship and sponsored by the Reed Foundation. Notes from the Vermont Studio Center Residency is intended to be a series of articles chronicling my experiences at the U.S. residency starting from the issuance of the fellowship award until the conclusion of the month-long program in February, 2017.

awkwardness that filled the dining room of about sixty persons. Because I made such a late entrance, it seemed as though everyone had already made connections and had their “person.” The seats were all filled. Everyone was chatting and laughing, and then there was me, standing awkwardly, plate in hand. My bloodshot eyes searched the crowded room for an empty chair until I finally found one. Of course the awkwardness didn’t last very long. But for a while it was difficult to keep track of everyone’s names and faces. I don’t recall ever identifying as South American first and Guyanese second but here it came instinctively (cue the Ghana/Guyana mix up). No one had made the Jim Jones connection either and for that I was grateful. I really didn’t and still don’t want to unpack the burden of that particular history. They were, for the most part, completely unaware of Guyana. Even after I said, “We’re right next to

listening to voicemails at the end of every day, a burden which they do not have to bear now. This free insertion of voicemail in landline phones will not only collect large sums of money from consumers which they do not now pay, but could also open them to lawsuits, and time-wasting checking of voicemails at the end of each day. GTT should insert such voicemail in the

landline only if the customer requests it; they should not illegally trespass into customers' telephones, invading their privacy, and inserting voicemail without their permission. Customers must begin to make their position known before GTT stealthily inserts this voicemail. There are such telephone matters we will address in future articles. E-mail: jainarined2001@ yahoo.com; patdial26@gmail.com

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

For the sake of seven children A struggle with hard times and ‘Obeah’ By Neil Primus ALL over the world mothers work and sacrifice for their children. Guyana is no exception. Even though there are bad mothers around, the overwhelming majority are good - mothers who would make sacrifices over and over to ensure that their offspring receive every opportunity available in order to develop. Natasha Richardson is a 38- year old mother of six. She and five of her children live in a tiny shack in Riverview, Ruimveldt. For her it’s a daily struggle to ade-

quately provide for her kids. This is compounded by the fact that she is unemployed. With no qualifications or marketable skill she has found it extremely difficult to make ends meet. This has unfortunately forced her to find other unorthodox and risky means of employment in order to feed her dependents. Her six boys and one girl range in age from three to 21. The eldest boy has already left home and is a victim to the lure of drugs and petty crime. Natasha grew up in rather difficult circumstances. During her childhood her mother moved several times due to the

change in husbands/boyfriends. These unpredictable circumstances caused this little girl to fall victim to abuse. She remembers living in Cemetery Road, Leopold Street and Riverview. She attended West Ruimveldt Primary and later Houston Community High. After the first term at Houston she was removed from school so that she could do the cooking, cleaning and caring for her niece and nephew. Her memories of small days are primarily of hard work. Her mother was a security guard so it was up to Natasha to manage most of the housework.

She remembers not being allowed to go out very often because there was just too much to do at home. She liked the school holidays because it brought temporary relief from some of the adult responsibilities and burdens. She remembers once during her teen years she was allowed to attend a fair at the St George’s Cathedral. She and her best friend left the fair early and sneaked into a nearby party. Somehow the news reached her home and soon her mother and aunt were searching the party in order to Turn to page XVII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XVI

locate her. Needless to say, she was rudely deported from the party and had the added humiliation of being verbally accosted all the way home, this to the amusement of all who they came into contact with, or who came out to see what all the ruckus was about. Even when family parties were held, Natasha found herself working very hard at these events.

When Natasha was 17 she got her first child. The others came at regular intervals. She began her working life at the Oriental Restaurant and later moved to Survival Supermarket. It was while working on Sheriff Street that she began smoking and drinking alcohol. Her partying also took off. This soon escalated to life on the ‘fast lane.’ After working for quite a while in this very risky profession she decided to take a chance and headed into the backdam. Her luck was no better there. She got a few bouts of malaria and was viciously assaulted on more than one occasion. Desperate to escape this environment she accepted an offer to work as a cook at a camp in the Goldbush. Her Amerindian friend came and escorted her to the camp. It was a trip she would never forget. Initially she was told that the camp was not too far away. Two hours later they were still walking. It was dark and three and a half hours later that she staggered into the camp exhausted and stressed out. During her Backdam days the children were left with her sister. Natasha worked as a cook for a while then decided to return to the city. Although she found the Backdam a change from an otherwise mundane life, she knew it was far too risky to continue. She has had her struggles in Georgetown as well. According to her, someone with evil intentions has begun to do their dark and sinister work to negatively affect

her and children. When asked what kind of work Natasha quickly replied, “Obeah!” She explained that the names of her and all her children was put inside of a cucumber and placed in a fridge. Apparently the intention is that as the vegetable deteriorates so would she and family. Natasha has presently returned to the highly risky profession. She has started a small business at home making snacks (fried plantain and sausage, fish or eggs). She also sells drinks. Her fries are sold cheaply and the business is still in its infancy. She has hopes of some day fixing up the ‘house’ and increasing the fledging business. “I don’t get to do all that I want to because of lack of finances. “I cannot even save

XVII any money. I would like to someday own my own house and land. I want to develop my business and ensure that all my children complete their education. I also wish that they would be more obedient,” she lamented. Natasha continues to rely on the very small business she has started but necessity has compelled her to venture back into the business she is seeking to avoid.

XVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XIX

Biracial Actress Meghan Markle Recounts Her Family’s History With Racism: ‘It Still Haunts Me’ Dave Quinn, People MEGHAN MARKLE is opening up about her family’s history with racism and the discrimination she has experienced being biracial. The 35-year-old actress, whose mother is African-American and father is Caucasian, penned a candid essay in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for TheTig.com — the “inspirational lifestyle” website she founded and serves as Editor-in-Chief. The piece was first written in 2015, and shared again on Monday. In the editorial, Markle remembers a story told to her by her maternal grandfather when she was just 11 years old — at a time when “road trips to me were a collection of ‘Are we there yet?’ the license plate game, the drivethroughs for filler food (where McDonalds was less of a treat and more of the norm), photo ops by signs welcoming you from one state to the next, and stops at local restaurants to stretch your legs.” Her grandfather, Alvin, had a different experience when he and his wife decided to pack up their car and move the family from Ohio to California. Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, was around seven when it happened

in the parking lot. That’s just what it was.” The story left a lasting impression on the Suits star. “That story still haunts me,” she explained. “It reminds me of how young our country is. How far we’ve come and how far we still have to come.” It also reminded Markle of her own experiences with discrimination, including an experience she had with her mother and the “countless black jokes” told in front of her by people who don’t realize she is “mixed” — those unaware of her status as “the ethnically ambiguous fly on the wall.” “It makes me wonder what my parents experienced as a mixed race couple,” she

— and eating fast food on a road trip wasn’t as easy. “Meggie, on our road trip, when we went to Kentucky Fried Chicken, we had to go to the back for ‘coloreds,'” Markle remembers Alvin telling her. “The kitchen staff handed me the chicken from the back door and we ate

wrote. “It echoes the time my mom and I were leaving a concert at The Hollywood Bowl, and a woman called her the ‘N’ word because she was taking too long to pull out of the parking spot. I remember how hot my skin felt. How it scorched the air around me.” Markle ended her note by thanking those who have paved the way before her. “To Martin Luther King Jr., to Harvey Milk, to Gloria Steinem and Cesar Chavez, to my mom and dad for choosing each other not for the ‘color of their skin, but the content of their character,’ to all of you champions of change: Thank you,” she said.

XX

Guyana in

By WWF Guianas Staff

RECENT and not so recent events open the question of the way forward for Guyana's economy. The traditional major employer, sugar, continues to suffer huge deficits; the forest sector is not as open to foreign direct investment as it would seem, given national and international concerns about the export of unprocessed and uncertified logs and lumber (Barama recently walked away from 1.6 million hectares of timber concessions, announcing it wasn’t profitable). Green Guyana provides a mean to address the current economic challenges, and an op-

portunity to ensure an economic future that we have more control of because it benefits from our strategic advantages in a changing world. Green Guyana can provide the impetus to pivot from commodities that are subject to international price fluctuations, like sugar- to branded, high-value green products that serve regional or niche markets. It’s clear that Green Guyana must promote a renewable power supply that includes a diverse mix of solar, hydro, wind and biofuels (including energy conservation) to reduce the cost of our power supply and spur our manufacturing and transportation sectors. Likewise we can all agree it makes

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Elements of a Green Guyana

Rethinking and retooling our economy for the 21st century

sense to bring more efficiency and responsible environmental stewardship to our mining industries. We believe Green Guyana can also help us address the challenges in traditional sectors like sugar and timber. And we want to suggest a few other elements… Guyana’s 18.5 million hectares of forest are a world-class carbon storage resource (6.6 billion tons of carbon, or 8,800 tons/capita – the second highest rate in the world) that can

be monetized through ecosystem service payments like REDD+ under the Guyana Norway Agreement (GNA). The previous GNA was already delivering significantly more benefits from our forests (US $45 million annually) than the timber industry. And REDD+ is just the first of many benefits which should accrue to Guyana for our outsized role in limiting Turn to page XXII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XXI

XXII ◄◄◄ From page XX

climate change, producing freshwater and maintaining globally important ecological processes, ecosystems, and biodiversity. To make the highest use of our standing forests, we must negotiate a new multi-year REDD+ agreement with Norway, while we continue to derive economic benefits from the forest that benefits Guyanese – including low impact logging for local markets and value added products, non-timber forest products like nibbi, crabwood oil, balata and brazil nuts – and nature-based tourism. We should also look for opportunities to develop the economic value of our abundant freshwater resources. The current struggles of unprofitable sugar provides us with a great opportunity to retool to climate smart agriculture. Instead of

trying to encourage industrial agriculture (and more commodities) in the highly biodiverse but poor soils of the Rupununi, we have the chance to focus on increasing the productivity of Guyana’s best agricultural lands – our sugar estates – by diversifying and producing more valuable ‘climate-smart’ crops – brackish water aquaculture, like shrimp, in coastal areas subject to tidal flooding and paku and armored catfish and in the backdam. Whole Foods Markets in Washington DC are selling farm-raised Arapaima steaks from Peru for $12/lb. We have a remarkable resource along the coast with our networks of water conservancies, canals and kokers that could be producing a whole new range of products and high value vegetables for domestic, Caribbean and niche North American markets. This will

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

also mean the opportunity to replace jobs lost in sugar with these higher value agricultural pursuits. And limit agricultural development to already human impacted lands, as the Green Guyana suggests. We are not just thinking about production and agriculture. Another area we should focus on implementing is that of expanding our Protected Area Network and use it to spur the growth of our nature-based tourism industry. It will also help us brand and market Green Guyana specialty products. Moreover, the idea of benefiting from the nature that surrounds us in a sustainable way must also be sustained and matched with a focused ecosystem restoration practice. Especially since this also has the potential

of becoming a new leading industry, that could help replace timber jobs – experiment and devise means to restore forest on tens of thousand of hectares of old mine (gold, bauxite and others) sites that sit barren in order to combat forest loss and increase REDD+ payments. To us putting Green Guyana into practice can create thousands of new jobs in mine restoration, reforestation, sustainable aquaculture and agriculture, and nature-based tourism to replace those lost in sugar and timber. Most importantly, Green Guyana should also provide the means to prepare Guyanese to contribute, participate in and benefit from green development with training, education, and skills development.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XXIII

Cuffy Manhunt The biggest search for a fugitive in Guiana

By Abdool A. Aziz THE STILL dawn of a Sunday morning was shattered by loud shouts of “murder, murder dey kill Baba and rape he wife…” We all ran out of our houses. I was still in pajamas and we bolted down the red brick road bare-footed to Baba’s residence. Many villagers were already crying loudly and beating their chests. Some fainted. I cried too. BELOVED Baba, a fond name for the victim, was our beloved village boy. Quiet and demure, he led a simple life. Always with a smile, every Saturday afternoon he would stop at our parlour to partake in a soda. I would sell him and we would chat, a real friendly guy. Sometimes he leaves the change for kids. That Saturday before his demise was no exception and I’ll never forget his joke about catching a “bundarie crab.” HOUSE OF HORROR: The police did not arrive on the scene for some time and a few folks ventured into the house of horror. Many could not believe what they saw. Baba’s head was split open with an axe. His wife lay in trauma bleeding and their baby was stuffed between the mattress and the boards. POLICE ON THE SCENE Up to the time I was there that child was wailing. I saw blood dripping on the floor. It was agonizing…so sad. The police came and cordoned off the area; an ambulance took the battered wife to the hospital, and a hearse transported the dead man. It was a pitiful sight - lots of tears and hollering. I couldn’t eat that day. A cloud of sorrow hung over us. It was a Black Sunday and to add insult to injury, Baba’s death was one of mistaken identity. MISTAKEN IDENTITY Baba’s brother-in –law King who lived next door

was sitting on Baba’s front step having a cigarette. From a distance evil eyes were watching him. He was a prime witness in a case involving the owner of those devil eyes. He was an ex-policeman involved in a robbery. Now he set his plan in motion how he would eliminate King for good. And he entered that house after midnight to murder King, but he got the wrong man. King was asleep in his father’s house nearby. This horrible act of vengeance on an innocent man and his family consumed the community and they demanded swift justice.

hardware store did brisk business with the rush for lumber, bolts, bars and locks. Security was beefed up in every home. And a self–imposed curfew was instituted where no one came out of their houses after 6pm.

WANTED CUFFY Within days the police put out a wanted bulletin for a suspect named ‘Cuffy’ and they learned that he was armed and dangerous. The community was petrified. The

RECRUITS AS HUNTERS We were scared for my brother’s life. He was just one month in training and he had been handed a rifle. My mother used to weep a lot and prayed continuously for his safety.

CUFFY EVERYWHERE The village became a ghost town and police increased their patrol even during the day. Persons hardly ventured out. Night and Day truckloads of armed police traveled up and down the roadways. Young recruits, such as my brother, were thrown into the hunt.

Some young cops quit the Force rather than risk their lives. For days the search for the fugitive continued. The villagers prayed for his capture. And on a tip the police went to a place called Naamrick in the Parika backlands. There they ambushed ‘Cuffy,’ but he opened up with his machine gun. A fire power fight ensued. Cuffy was shot but managed to escape in the bushes. FIRE FIGHT CASUALTY A policeman was killed and a few others injured…even the Crime Chief who was David Rose (later Sir David Rose) was injured. The fiasco drove greater fear in the hearts of the people but for ‘Cuffy’ he faced a more intense search from law enforcement. Regular truckloads of police up and down made the area look like an entire army on the move. Now the bulletins read: Wanted ‘Cuffy –Dead or Alive.’ SOCIAL PARALYSIS Most of the estate workers refused to go to work. A few went under police escort. The farmers abandoned their farms, businesses closed their doors, no one travelled, houses were locked up during the day, lights were out at nights, the curfew extended and schools were closed. Only the police were on the move and the tips kept coming in. The Police responded to all but no success. Now a reward was being offered. FACING CUFFY An old farmer worried about his crops and the shortage of food at home decided to visit his farm. His family begged him not to go but he was adamant. Just as he entered his farm house, he came face to face with the killer. He dropped down on his knees and begged for his life. Cuffy yanked his lunch saucepan from his hand and gulped down the food QUEST FOR FOOD He then ordered the trembling man to return and bring more. That hardy farmer launched on a marathon once he was in the open he headed to the nearest police lookout. The Police later descended in full force. It was night and

‘Cuffy’ was asleep. They drew no gun. He did put up a fight but they dragged him out like a wild animal and on the way to the city you could hear the jubilation: “We got him, wake up, open your house, we got him, ‘Cuffy’ is dead” JUBILATION The lights went up. The windows and doors flew open, villagers ran to the roadway as a fleet of military vehicles rushed by. The police celebrated. Joy and peace returned to the depressed residents. A nightmare was over. CUFFY CAPTURED - MANHUNT OVER. But in their exuberance the police sat on ‘Cuffy’ in the tray of the truck. He suffocated. The next day the villagers saw their nemesis - a burly figure wearing a cut-out jute bag. For some villagers, it was of pity scene. Some said he shouldn’t have died that way and from evidence subsequently uncovered, he had not participated in the actual murder of Baba. Yes, he was an accomplice and yes he had killed a policeman at the ambush, but he had acted in self-defense. WHO WAS ‘CUFFY?’ Some theorized that during the manhunt he had hurt no civilian. They say he could’ve killed that farmer or held him captive. To many, ‘Cuffy’ turned fugitive because of the accusation by law enforcement. He was scared of them. He chose to run sparking the biggest man-hunt in Guyana’s history. THAT REWARD As to the farmer and the reward no one knows what happened. The farmer insisted he did not even think of It when he went to his farm. And he was glad to be alive. But he says he will never forget staring at a giant with an AK-47. Fear still grips me when I recall those moment of terror. I was just 16 and I still mourn for Baba. INDELIBLE MEMORY As for ‘Cuffy’ I pass no bad judgment’ happy that my brother was saved. The obnoxious experience made him a brave cop. The ‘Cuffy’ saga will forever remain one of the Nation’s biggest para-military exercises.

XXIV

Budget 2017: AN education nation, a nation in which each child has access to the highest quality education, is the vision of President David Granger. Coupled with this is the need to ensure that Guyana is one in which its citizens have an equal stake in the resources of the nation and the services offered by the state and live in national unity. These are two major tenets that significantly shape this administration’s mandate. President David Granger has said that education, under the Constitution, is an entitlement for every Guyanese. Moreover, it has been the aim of this administration to ensure that that each child has access to this basic right. At the launch of Education Month in September, last year, the President said that Government is committed to ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. “We want to provide not just more schools, but better schools, more teachers, but better teachers. We want to ensure that the school becomes an attractive and a pleasant place. We want children to want to go to school,” he said. In keeping with this vision for an education nation, Budget 2017 reflected Government’s vested interest with an allocation of 17.2 percent (over $43 billion) to advancements in education. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, in his address, during the Budget Debates, said that the administration’s main objective is to improve access to and

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Towards an educated and socially cohesive nation

President Granger launched the One Laptop Per Teacher Initiative on World Teacher's Day. The President said that

quality of Education across all regions of Guyana in an effort to graduate technology-driven professionals. In fact, the increased use of technology in the delivery of education and the Ministry has mandated that all secondary schools are adequately equipped for the teaching of Information and Communications Technology related subjects. Additionally, the Ministry is working with the eGovernment Agency to improve connectivity in schools by equipping these institutions with Internet access and new or upgraded computer laboratories. This collaboration has seen 82 Secondary schools, eight Technical Vocational institutions and six Departments of Education being provided with Internet and network connectivity, while 33 additional secondary schools and seven the Cyril Potter College for Education (CPCE) sites are in the process of being

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 connected. On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, in October last year, President Granger launched the One Laptop Per Teacher Initiative as part of the ICT education thrust, given that teachers are those responsible for the passing on of knowledge. He said that the future of education requires teachers to have a fuller knowledge of Information Communications Technology (ICT). “The world has entered the ‘Information Age.’ Information, information technology and innovation are transforming almost every facet of human existence. ICT is revolutionising education. It is transforming the manner in which information is Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Rupert assembled, organised and disseminatRoopnaraine said that the administration’s ed. It is changing the way education is main objective is to improve access to and delivered in the classroom,” the Presiquality of Education dent said. Transforming the University of Guyana into an institution that has the capacity to churn out graduates, who are equipped to move Guyana faster along the ‘green’ development pathway is also a top priority for the Government. Minister Roopnaraine said that the University has seen the reformation of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, which has become an official Faculty. As a Faculty, students and lecturers will now have more access to resources. Technical Facilitator to the Ministry of Education, Mr. Vincent Alexander said that this move was an important one by

and enjoyment of the good life. Over the past 18 months, the Ministry has had a packed agenda, where it has sought to raise awareness about the concept of social cohesion in the development framework and provided the opportunity for national contributions to the development of its work programme. With a mandate, which spans the improvement of cooperation across ethnic, religious political and geographic divides; the Ministry has focused the concept of equity. The Ministry of Social Cohesion first fell under the responsibility of then Minister Amna Ally. At the beginning of this year, the Social Cohesion Ministry came under new direction, following adjustments made by President Granger. It is now headed by former Minister of Public Health

Former Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally played an integral role in the 5 Bs Initiative. In January 2016, President Granger commissioned the first to buses in the programme in Region Five and was accompanied by Minister Ally

which will continue to aim its focus on the improvement of Mathematics in Guyana. In 2015, it was reported that students’ performance rates in English and Mathematics were on the decline, with 62 percent of students, who sat Mathematics at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations failing to obtain a minimum of a Grade 3 pass in 2014. Overall, the Minister said that the Ministry will continue in its commitment to improving manNewly appointed Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton said agement of the education sector. that he is committed to ensuring that there “Some of the key objectives of the is continuity and that the Ministry’s upcoming year will be to improve mandate is further advanced teacher training, in keeping with our priority areas for education, the Ministry because of the subject matter. increased instructional time for students, “It has the largest in number of postgradu- improve upon monitoring and evaluation, ate programmes so it is producing a lot of better monitoring supervision of capital people who will be specialists in the area, projects and enhancing the internal efficienbecause this is a very critical area in keep- cy of the Ministry,” he said. ing with the Government’s thrust,” he said. Outside of these major areas, the Ministry is also involved in other aspects of ensuring a rounded education system. These include providing increased support to music and the introduction of counselling services for students. The Minister said that focus must be placed on ensuring children are equipped to deal with societal issues and have embarked on the setting up of counselling rooms in 10 secondary schools across the country. An allocation of $3.74 million has also been made for the Programme for Emergency and Education Reform (PEER),

ADVANCING THE SOCIAL COHESION AGENDA Entering office on a wave of support for the Coalition’s vision for national unity, President Granger, true to his word, made social cohesion a central tenet of the nation’s development programme and established the Ministry of Social Cohesion. Minister Winston Jordan, during his budget 2017 presentation said that government is committed to creating a society characterised by mutual respect, tolerance and acceptance. He said that a cohesive society is key to improving quality of life

XXV Dr. George Norton, who, since his reassignment, has said that he looks forward to advancing the agenda of the Ministry in an aim to achieve government’s goal of national unity. With an allocation of $90.1 million toward the Ministry of Social Cohesion for the year 2017, the Former Minister of Social Cohesion said that this commitment is evident in numerous programmes that the Ministry has been pursuing. Minister Norton is committed to ensuring that there is continuity and that the Ministry’s mandate is further advanced. “It gives me an opportunity of demonstrating my commitment to national unity and the nation can rest assured that I will make every effort- leave no stone unturned to get this nation on that keel of working toward national unity,” he said. The new social cohesion Minister has much to build upon. Chief among these is the preparation of a 20172021 National Strategic Plan on Social Cohesion in Guyana. The plan incorporates the input from a wide cross section of stakeholders on matters affecting social cohesion in their communities. Countrywide consultations were held and encouraged citizens to share their ideas and expectations of social cohesion in Guyana. Minister Ally, while still holding the portfolio, Turn to page XXVII ►►►

XXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Green Infrastructure for a Sustainable Guyana WITH Guyana on the path to realising a green economy, the country’s infrastructure will have to be improved to become more efficient and effective. Infrastructure encompasses basic physical and organisational structure and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Infrastructural development plays a pivotal role in creating systems to foster a green economy. Nature provides us with fresh water, clean air, food and materials to make our shelters. As our global human population grows, we have a greater and greater need to compensate for decreasing natural areas by building our own infrastructures that can assist the natural infrastructures. WHAT IS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE? What comes to mind when you think of green infrastructure? I bet some of you thought of human engineered systems which incorporate natural systems. If that was your thinking you are correct! This week we will focus on the function of some natural infrastructure as well as engineered green infrastructure as we explore this green developmental path. UNDERSTANDING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE People often don’t think of forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other natural ecosystems as forms of infrastructure, but they are. Forests, for instance, can prevent silt and pollutants from entering streams that supply freshwater to downstream. They can act as natural water filtration factories. Natural systems which perform services for us include biodiversity-rich natural areas such as woodlands, ponds or wild flower meadows. These perform important functions and can even enhance man-made structures. Semi-natural spaces such as parks, private gardens, hedges or agricultural fields also fall into the Green Infrastructure category. These places have been changed by humans to serve specific purposes such as food production, property delineation, and provision of beauty and tranquility. Human buildings and roads have traditionally blocked out nature and even worked against it. At the same time we have spent countless dollars paying for clean water, fresh air and energy. In these modern times, we have realised the value of letting nature supply free, renewable and abundant services. New technologies are being developed to bridge the human-environment gap and embrace the potential for welcoming nature into our lives. This is Green Infrastructure. Techniques used in Green Infrastructure include artificial features built to support ecosystem services or assist wildlife movement, such as green roofs and walls or eco-bridges and fish ladders. Architects have developed way to incorporate solar collectors, wind power, water collection and purification and even small parks into their urban designs. Individual gestures are also important. What can we do at our homes? We can collect rain water, use natural sunlight and cool naturally with the wind, keep plants around the house and leave parts of a garden untouched to provide a home for wildlife and protect biodiversity. The focus of Green Infrastructure is on creatively integrating nature into modern society enabling us to garner multiple valuable ecosystem goods and services. One of the key attractions of Green In-

frastructure is its ability to perform several functions in the same spatial area. In contrast to most ‘grey’ or man-made infrastructures, which usually have only one single objective, Green Infrastructure encourages more sustainable and resource-efficient development. It also requires healthy ecosystems to be effective. BENEFITS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Green Infrastructure acts as a catalyst to

economic growth by attracting investments and generating employment, reducing environmental costs and providing health benefits amongst others. Europe and the United Kingdom are practical examples where the use of Green Infrastructure contributed to the recovery their economies by creating new green businesses and improving environmental conditions of valuable ecosystems. Similar to Europe and other developed parts of the world, Green Infrastructure can also be used to support different national and regional policies, programs and action plans especially for those in the fields of agriculture and rural development, forestry, biodiversity, water, climate change, transport, energy, sustainable urban development and health. Green Infrastructure networks are not only multifunction purposes, the benefits are also multidisciplinary. With a green infrastructure strategy, communities work to preserve and connect open spaces, watersheds, wildlife habitats, parks, and other critical landscapes. Some other benefits include; PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT Green infrastructure protects the health and diversity of wildlife and maintains natural systems that deliver critical, life-sustaining

services. HELP THE ECONOMY THRIVE Green infrastructure benefits property values, lowers health care costs, and helps communities make smarter investments in grey infrastructure.It also supports a green economy and creates job opportunities. ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE Green infrastructure ensures that people connect with nature; have access to clean air and water; and live healthier, happier lives. C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com Sources https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/ what-green-infrastructure http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ ecosystems/docs/green_infrastructure_broc. pdf http://www.esri.com/about-esri/greeninfrastructure

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 during the recent budget debates spoke on the importance of those consultations. The consultations focused on five thematic areas: Economic equity and opportunities, Citizens’ safety and security, Social inclusion and tolerance, Inclusive and participatory governance and Harmonious ethnic and race relations. Over 30 consultations were held, and after being concluded in November, the Ministry reported that the response received was overwhelming. “Persons were eager and willing to make valuable contributions to the proposed social cohesion strategic plan. Therefore, I must applaud their efforts for not only participating but doing so effectively and efficiently during the consultation process,” she said. Another major project for the Ministry is the Five Bs Programme, which aims at providing Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast and Books to school children countrywide in order to support the improvement of access to education. Minister Ally, who was instrumental in the management of the programme, said that the initiative serves as one of the victories for the Social Cohesion Ministry. This programme, the Minister said is all about equity and ensuring that all children are able to benefit from the same opportunities for a good education. “Access to education is fundamental to the development of our human capital. It is an essential criteria to effectively participate in any democratic society such as ours. Everyone has the right to education, regardless of where they live, their race, culture or geographic location,” she said. Taking over from Minister Ally, Minister Norton acknowledged that social cohesion is important to Guyana’s development and is enshrined in the country’s motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. “What I want to promote is dialogue. Communication and it does not have to be confrontational. I would try as much as possible to increase the communication between the different groups,” Minister Norton said. Much of his focus will also be placed on looking at remote communities and helping to include them on the ongoing dialogue of social cohesion. But more importantly, the Minister has also adopted responsibility for the major projects of the Ministry, including the completion of the Strategic Plan. The plan is currently being finalised with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is expected to be completed by month end. Once complete, the Plan will serve to guide much of the Ministry’s work plan

going forward. Minister Norton said the Ministry of Social Cohesion directly reflects this administration’s commitment to national unity. His work, will therefore seek to ensure that the Government’s goal is achieved. The new Social Cohesion Minister will

now also undertake other planned initiatives of the Ministry for the new year, including the continuation of the Regional Training in Diversity Education and inclusion, which began in October last year, the creation of a booklet on civic education which is to be distributed among children

XXVII in all primary schools countrywide, the continuation of Face the Community initiatives and the hosting of Social Cohesion day, culture day and a week of activities designed to encourage a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance for diversities.

XXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Healthy New Year’s Resolutions By M Margaret Burke “I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.”

GOOD health is always high at the top of most New Year’s resolutions people decide on each year and there are many research data to confirm this fact. Many people start the year thinking and planning how

– Simple tips on healthy living

they will focus on better eating and drinking habits… also that they will drink more water and consume more fruits and vegetables; that they will exercise – join a gym, jog around the park, neighbourhood or some other place and loose some weight in the process. However, many of them have serious struggles, which end up with them being in breach of these resolutions very early in the year. Of course, there are other plans that people put as priority on their list of New Year’s resolutions. These include, climbing and/or maintaining a place on the economic and social

ladder. Having wealth, also sustaining a steady flow of it is always an important resolution as well. One Faith-based speaker, Joyce Meyer once said, “I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you.” On the other hand, A J Reb Materi lamented, “So many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.” So many people are guilty of the latter but don’t know how to change this scenario. ‘MOUTHING’ YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUR BODY There is an old saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach – literally talking about good food. However, food has to enter through the mouth and obviously a mouth that is not kept clean can cause some problems right away. There are always talks / lectures about good oral hygiene… offering free dental care at schools, community health centers, medical outreaches, toothpaste manufacturers and other programmes – all help to support the idea of good health in this regard. It is so prevalent that many people take this simple, ‘regular’ advice to practice good oral hygiene for granted. Studies done by many reputable organisations have all confirmed the fact that the mouth is a gate-way to the rest of the body. That the healthy mouth provides for healthy lungs because where there may be bacteria and other problems of the mouth, these when swallowed or breathed in can cause respiratory infections such as pneumonia and other medical problems. However, the solution is (or should be) simply – keeping your mouth clean. Yes, this is a simple process which can help ensure that a healthy new year’s resolution is kept. For those who want to follow a healthy pathway during 2017, physicians have, for a while now being viewing the problems of health in a more rounded manner. Studies have discovered that people with chronic teeth and gum disorders are more than likely to have other lingering diseases affecting them. Turn to page XXIX ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XXVIII

Periodontitis, (i.e. inflammation in the gum and around the teeth) can turn out to be, not only a serious oral hygiene situation if left unattended, but also a more general medical problem. Medical research has shown that periodontitis can result in other problems such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, pregnancy disorders… under-weight babies, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis. While bad oral hygiene is not always the reason for some of these problems, studies continue to prove that there are some contributory factors, which directly links to mouth-body connection in relation to many diseases and are even more acute in persons who smoke. INSEPARABLE The facts are clear… the mouth and the body are inseparable. While from the physical point of view there can hardly be a body without a mouth or a mouth without a body, so it is that the mouth must be seen as playing a crucial role in the lives of everyone. The ability to taste or eat, to drink or simply swallow… to regularly receive direct nutrients for the body, which can make it strong and healthy, are just some of the roles of the mouth. It is the mouth that is used to speak, to smile or laugh, or to show other emotions… it is the major communication station of the body. In addition to all this, the mouth helps to make a good presentation for the rest of the body. The mouth being on the face, contributes towards an acceptable appearance of the rest of the body; and so it must look and feel in good condition… pleasant odor, fine looking teeth – clean mouth! It therefore stands to reason that when a Healthy New Year’s resolution is being concocted, consideration must be given to the very early, most common, but pervasive stage of health, i.e. oral health or oral hygiene. But, it does not and should not end with this alone. EXERCISE Throughout the year and especially after the mouth has had its full share of work on all the holiday foods, “I am too fat” becomes the major cry. So, the New Year’s resolutions almost always include losing weight and so exercise is at the top of the list also. However, studies have shown that this is one other resolution that ends up being dumped very early in the year. It has been concluded that the problem arises when people set unrealistic goals – planning to exercise every day for an hour or so. Not unreasonable, but not smart. Studies suggest that working out for 2 or 3 days per week for about half an hour (at least as a start) will not only do the body well, but serve to encourage a continued plan. WATER, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Water, water, water! Instead of some of the favourite sodas and others… a drink of some water is recommended; it is recommended that a daily intake be about 2 liters or 8, eightounce glasses. As part of the healthy New Year’s resolution, water should be used as the preferred drink. it may not take long before it (the water) becomes the more likeable drink. People have to sometimes ‘will’ themselves to do some things above others and then begin to see the benefits. Medical research shows that drinking some amount of water each day, while hydrating the body, can also work as a filter – doing some amount of detoxification and may even serve to discourage some illnesses from attacking the body. The consumption of fruits and vegetables are also recommended as healthy New Year’s resolution. Instead of some of the past-time snacks, the use of some fruits can become your healthy ‘favourites’. Then, as a ‘quick meal’, a healthy 2017 alternative such as a try at some tossed-fried, steamed or otherwise cooked vegetables used alone or added to other meals will also do the body well. TOILET / BATHROOM HABIT Assuming that the good oral hygiene, along with all the other ideas are included in the New Year’s resolutions, then another important step should be the confirming of the body to a consistent bowel movement regimen. There is a medical view that the colon is most ready to empty itself soon after waking up, and especially after an early meal and therefore if the body is trained to actually perform this function around this time, it is not difficult for it to comply. This ‘freeing-up of the body’, studies have shown, truly serves to make the body feel well throughout the day, thus functioning better. Therefore start the 2017 Healthy New Year’s resolution literally from your mouth, to the rest of your body. In this way ensure that you observe good hygiene, eat right, exercise right, sleep better, order your body to confirm to good habits and strive to kick every bad one.

XXIX

XXX

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Guyanese /American Singer wows judges on Indian Reality Singing Competition

By Nafeeza Yahya TALENT in the West Indies / Caribbean Community has often been overlooked but that is about to change with the rise of artists such as Ben Parag. He is quickly becoming a household name thanks to the Indian Hit Reality Singing Television Show Dil Hai Hindustani. The show which recently premiered has

taken the airwaves by storm and features up and coming singers and is similar to the popular American Idol where contestants audition before a panel of celebrity judges with a chance to sign a record label and headline their own show. The judges include renowed Director/ Producer /Actor Karan Johar, Musician / Rapper Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia popularly called Badshah ,Singer /Composer

Shekhar Ravjiani and Playback Singer Shalmali Kholgade . So you might be wondering what this has to do with Ben Parag and the Guyanese public. Ben Parag fondly called Benny is the son of Guyanese Kumar and Savi Parag and he has auditioned for the show in India and instantly became a favourite of the judges after mesmerizing them with his melodious voice.

Ben's performance earned him a standing ovation from the judges with Karan Johar even commenting he sang "better than the original singer" noting that while he is American and speaks hindi his “connection to his country of origin” Guyana is the real reason for his amazing ability . He performed the song Mitwa from the movie Khabi Alveh Naa KehNa starring Shar Turn to page XXXI ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XXX

Rukh Khan , Rani Mukherjee, Priety Zinta and Abisheik Bachan and Amitabh Bachan. Benn’s parents Kumar and Savi were both from Mibicuri Black Bush Polder in East Berbice Corentyne before migrating to the Queens Borough of New York City several years ago. Even though he was born in the United States Ben say he tries to visit Guyana shores every 6 months. The 19 year old who hails from a family of singers started singing at the age of 6 and has grown from strength the strength having secured the services of two musical Gurus from the early age of 10. The gurus according to Ben provides guidance and inspiration to help hone his singing ability to realise his true potential. A fluent speaker of Hindi, Benny’s journey to stardom began when his family ,friends, relatives and acquaintances saw the ad for the Dil Hai Hindustani Show and they all encouraged him to fill an application and try out

Benny Parag during his performance on the Indian Show Dil Hai Hindustani

for the show. Benny packed his bags and took the trip to India, becoming the first person from his family to ever take set foot on Indian soil after his fore parents left the shores of India for Guyana to work as indentured labourers on the sugar plantation many years ago. His parents Kumar and Savi said Ben has always had a love for music growing up and has a passion for Classical Indian music but is very versatile and can sing any genre of music. Ben’s entrance to the stage was very nervous and the judges recognized it instantly however as he sung the first note of his song the judges were left with their mouths open. At the end of his amazing performance he was hoisted by one of the judges and paraded around the stage in appreciation of his superb performance. As the judges keep pouring accolades and the chanting of the crowd kept getting louder the humble young man was moved to tears. His performance earned him a Golden Record which automatically qualifies him for the next round. The video of his audition was shared on social media thousand of times within the past week and his fan base has immediately sprung up with many saying they were moved to tears by his performance. The Show airs in Star Plus on Saturday and Sundays at 8 PM and everyone is asked to tune in to support this son of the soil.

XXXI

XXXII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Production of coconut seedlings in polyethylene bags (polybags) LAST year, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) started a series on coconut production to provide pertinent information on coconut production to help resuscitate the local coconut industry. Previous articles featured coconut varieties, germination, and nursery management. This week focus will be placed on seedling production in polybags. Coconut seedlings can also be produced in polybags. The advantages of using polybags instead of field plots are as follows: ● Producing more vigorous seedling with better root system; ● Better establishment and early bearing; ● Transplanting shock is greatly minimized since there is no root damage, thereby promoting early establishment of transplanted seedlings; ● Seedlings can be retained longer in the nursery when conditions for field planting are not favourable;

● And, weeding, watering and elimination of unwanted seedlings as well as seedling selection for planting out to field are more easily accomplished. However, in the Caribbean, a polybag nursery can be quite expensive (cost of media, bags, labour, and transport of bags with seedlings). This type of nursery comprises polybags (preferably black), UV resistant for durability and measuring 40 - 45 cm wide with 8 - 10 holes at bottom. The sides are half-filled with soil and compost mixed at a 50:50 ratio. Decomposed sawdust, corncobs, rice hull and other organic materials can be used so as to reduce the weight of the halffilled polybag and improve drainage and soil fertility. In the Polybag planting method, the seednuts are pared at the top to facilitate emergence of the sprout. The nut is then placed in the half-filled bag in the upright position in the centre of the bag. Next, the bag is filled with soil with the sides slightly pressed to keep the nut firm until it is almost covered. As the soil settles, it will cover up to 2/3 of the nut. In this method, there is no pre-nursery since the seednuts are placed directly into the polybag before they are germinated. The germinated seedlings are later picked out from the nursery once 80% of the nuts have germinated or about five months from sowing, whichever is earlier, and then laid out in the nursery. Another method of planting in polybag requires the nuts to be sown in a pre-nursery bed. When the sprouts are 5 - 6 cm long (about 4 months after sowing), each seedling is then placed in the half-filled polybag with the sprout in an upright position in the centre of the bag. The bag is filled with soil with the sides slightly pressed to keep the nut firm until it is almost covered. In both methods, the size of a polybag nursery could Turn to page XXXIII ►►► be 3m x 6m

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Production of coconut seedlings... ◄◄◄ From page XXXII

with about 1.5 m spaces between plots. Each plot will easily accommodate about 115 seedlings. At 5 - 6 months after sowing, the polybagged seedlings are laid out in a larger polybag nursery. Equal setting of the seedlings at optimum distance allows them more space to grow and develop rapidly. The technique follows a triangular system with equal spacing of 60 cm. The polybagged seedlings are set in the same order as they germinated with the earliest germinating seedlings being placed in the first row in the eastern side of the area. The last ones to germinate are placed in the western section of the area. This practice reduces the competition for sunlight from among the earliest

and latest germinating seedlings. Most importantly, selection of vigorous seedlings is facilitated and since the first pricked seedlings are placed in rows, culling or judging by age is easily accomplished. MAINTENANCE OF POLYBAG NURSERY The same practices of watering, weeding and inspection for pest and disease incidence used in pre-nursery and field plot nursery production of seedlings are recommended. Apply 30g per bag per month of granular fertiliser (mix 1 unit urea + 2 units TSP + 2 units KCl + 1 unit MgSO4) directly to the soil mix, in a ring around the seed nut. Afterwards, the soil is lightly cultivated to promote faster dissolution and absorption of fertiliser. Topping up the surface of the soil mix with coir can prevent weed growth and reduce evapotranspiration.

XXXIII

XXXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XXXV

XXXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XXXVII

XXXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Shonta won’t waste her blessings By Shauna Jemmott SHONTA NOEL is a peculiar kind of girl - one who understands that her dreams are big and bound to take her to a place of no limitations, even as those dreams are not restricted to the accomplishments of others! She is the girl who swept the Caribbean’s CAPE Business awards in 2015 lifting the standards of Guyana’s education sector one level higher. Now she is sweeping craft by storm with her unique creativity and excellence in design lifting the standard of the industry with her amazing talent. Ruling her destiny is what she believes in, and that is why she said, “My dream is really to finish anything I start and I have started reading for my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Economics so I’m in pursuit of completing that. I don’t plan

to stop there. I’ll go as long as life permits.” Pepperpot Magazine decided to take a look into this side of Shonta Noel, bringing to the public’s eye this week, a young woman who is certainly on an intentional climb. At age 20 and a year after CAPE, she admitted that the pace was hectic but committed herself to being a winner. “It’s much more hectic since the workload has increased but like during CAPE, I am doing my best to make everything work. Knowing that I am an investment and there are expectations of me, I have always felt that I had no choice. I never gave myself a choice because I know that what I’ve been blessed with is not something to waste or be taken for granted,” Noel told the Pepperpot. Her love for creating things and educating people is what has inspired her to try new things and venturing into different

areas. She has worked with students of the David Rose School for the Special Needs on a project (G/50) which was manned by her mom, designer and humanitarian Dr. Sonia Noel. She taught the girls of the institution about developing stenciling patterns for fashion and other art designs. “I find joy in the simpler things in life and I am (a) person who goes after what she wants. I want to be in a position where I can influence and bring about change especially in the education sector. I am very passionate about this field and I think that everyone deserves to have an equal and fair opportunity to learn,” Noel told the Magazine. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Crafted by Chey, and a volunteer for humanitarian projects, she visited several schools in Georgetown, Bartica and even in Barbados to deliver educational talks and training to students. Through volunteering, she has not only healed the hearts of those who needed her for a particular reason, but her actions have spoken to her own heart and made her “more appreciative of the things I have even though they might seem little to me but I always try to remember that there’s someone who wishes they had it,” the entrepreneur said. Growing up was not a walk in the park, but the love of mom and grandma had kept her spirit in a place of appreciation. And careful observation would tell her that fashion

Some of the products of Crafted by Chey

designing was not yet the emphasis to make with the path she has decided to take in education. But it was nature, tranquility and art that united to reveal that other side of Shonta Noel. With a mom who created much even while she was tucked comfortably in her womb, and being raised in a natural serene environment in Bartica, the encore of such creativity is not really a surprise. “I enjoyed my childhood even though it was spent drawing, painting, reading, playing with my dolls or attempting to sell everything I got whether I received it as a gift or picked it from a tree.” Before now, her business carried the name tag “Khaleesi’s” but this has been changed to “Crafted by Chey” to give a clearer definition of what it is about. Crafted by Chey makes customized greeting cards and invitations, party supplies, custom packaging (favour boxes and bags) and accessories. Everything is handmade and made to order. Though the local craft industry has its challenges, she is determined to make a significant change. “I’d like to see more appreciation for persons’ crafts. People tend to undervalue your time, creativity and efforts and don’t seem to comprehend how something could be valued at a specific asking price. Persons need to realize that most items in the industry are handmade and can take hours or days depending on the product,” Shonta Noel said. Email: craftedbychey@gmail.com

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XXXIX

XL

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XLI

XLII

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XLIII

XLIV

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XLV

XLVI

English STUDY SUCCESS Dear Students, You need to pay much attention to your use of punctuation marks as you quicken pace in composition writing. One noted feature in a set of essays was the careless, almost abandon, with which commas were used. This threatened to bring to naught the new and potent ideas used both in the letters and short stories. There are rules to employ with the use of the comma as with any other punctuation mark. Be wise. Love you COMPOSITION Developing a paragraph by supporting details An expository paragraph starts with a controlling idea or clear claim, which the writer seeks to explain, develop, or support with evidence. It begins with a topic sentence (which should be specifically stated). Its clear claim is good for quality control especially in good paragraph management for young writers, who sometimes get carried away and begin to sprawl. Once your paragraph begins to sprawl, it is in trouble. Stick to relevant details suited to the immediate paragraph under construction. Pay no attention to the very many details suitable for the larger general topic (they have other paragraphs to fit into). The body of your paragraph should explain, develop or support with evidence the topic sentence's main idea or claim. Let your paragraph be focused, shiftless and unified. You may find some paragraphs with the topic sentence which may come, for example, after a transition sentence; it may even come at the end of the paragraph. Do not be confused by either of the strategies. Read the two paragraphs below which start out with a clear claim in the first sentence. First Paragraph Soon after the spraying had ended there were unmistakable signs that all was not well. Within two days dead and dying fish, including many young salmon, were found along the banks of the stream. Brook trout also appeared among the dead fish, and along the roads and in the woods birds were dying. All the life of the stream was stilled. Before the spraying there had been a rich assortment of the water life that forms the food of salmon and trout — caddis fly larvae, living

2017-01-22

in loosely fitting protective cases of leaves, stems or gravel cemented together with saliva, stonefly nymphs clinging to rocks in the swirling currents, and the wormlike larvae of blackflies edging the stones under riffles or where the stream spills over steeply slanting rocks. But now the stream insects were dead, killed by DDT, and there was nothing for a young salmon to eat. (Rachel Carson, Silent Spring) About the Paragraph The first sentence, which is Carson’s topic sentence, has two parts: the first part — Soon after the spraying had ended — is a transitional clause that looks back to the previous topic: DDT spraying. Some topic sentences often begin with transitional clauses referring to the previous paragraph. The second part of Carson’s topic sentence — there were unmistakable signs that all was not well — shapes and controls what is to be found within the paragraph. Second Paragraph In prewar days, half the people on earth subsisted on less than 2250 calories a day. These people lived, for the most part, in Asia, – although there are some substandard countries in the Western Hemisphere, such as Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. People in these areas present much the same picture – small farms, poor land, primitive agriculture. To each family head the problem is the same how to scratch enough nourishment from his land to feed his family. Contrast this with the U.S. where the average farmer feeds his own family and

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Lovely it is, when the winds are churning up the waves on the great sea, to gaze out from the land on the great efforts of someone else. LUCRETIUS (94?-55 B.C.), De Rerum Natura, ii. 1

four others. (J.D. Ratcliff, “The World’s Food”) About the Paragraph Read how the paragraph stuck to relevant details suited to the immediate paragraph under construction. What to Do Write two linked paragraphs that exemplify development by supporting details. GRAMMAR Some uses of the comma 1. Use a comma whenever possible to prevent misreading. Although a real black pearl, mine is a very big one. 2. Use a comma after any of the word groups below when they are used in an introductory way. i) Adverbial clauses,

Amazing Facts

ii) Phrases containing verbals (infinitive, participles, or gerunds), iii) Long prepositional phrases, or iv) Two or more consecutive prepositional phrases. i) As I was underlining, we are pleased with your daughter’s work. ii) (a) To reach Mahdia by noon, the tourists should leave here at once. (b) Having lost our keys, we stopped to purchase new locks. iii) During those long-ago childhood days, time seemed to pass very slowly. iv) At the entrance of the hospital ward, puzzled doctors held a council. What to Do Copy the following sentences. Supply missing punctuation marks and state why you have used them. 1. Although many people say that Moore is outdated I find novels like “The Sandpit” and “Simon’s Silence” highly interesting. 2. After all different people have different points of view on what is best to eat these days. 3. Well to be frank with you I never liked that black coat. 4. Considered from every angle Joseph’s plan seems worthwhile trying. 5. To tell the truth we women had forgotten the password. Agreement at your Fingertips Subject and Verb 1. Yvonne and Gerry (is, are) absent. (Was, Were) either here last Sunday? 2. Shirley, as well as her husband, (has, have) an increase in allowances. 3. One of the band players (has, have) been awarded a high form of commendation. 4. Their first choice (is, are) those highly scented flowers. 5. Some teachers usually (helps, help) with the cleaning up of classrooms.

Chronicle Pepperpot January 22, 2017

XLVII

Entertainment

Meek Mill rufutes ‘take back’ rumours – despite evidence to the contrary

DID Meek Mill take back the engagement ring that he gave to Nicki Minaj? The Philly rapper is calling the reports false, despite the evidence against him. A photo of Meek wearing a ring that looks exactly like the one he gave to Nicki Minaj last year has been circulating on social media. But the Philly rapper commented on one of the posts, denying the reports. So it seems Meek is not about to take another ‘L’ for this one. “Y’all gota let me breathe a lil bit with all these made up stores lol,” he wrote in the comments. “Who’s paying ya’ll?” In 2015, Meek and Nicki sparked engagement rumours after they posted photos of a pair of diamond rings. A few months after that, the Dreamchasers rapper gave his lady another giant diamond ring. According to the “Truffle Butter” rapper, he will need to give her three rings before she agrees to marry him. We don’t know if the third one came, but now their relationship is over, and Minaj announced that she is single. Nicki Minaj broke up with Meek Mill on her 34th

Rihanna ‘shades’ Drake – Calls him ‘a male groupie’ IT’S sour grapes season for Rihanna, especially since her ‘ex’, Drake, is now dating her former friend, Jennifer Lopez. Fans on social media think that she is shading Drake, calling him “a male groupie”. Now this wouldn’t be the first time Drizzy is being accused of being a groupie; fans have in the past criticised him for being an “athlete groupie”. There is a lot of talk that Rihanna is furious that Drake started smashing Jlo, and she even unfollowed her on Instagram. This latest round of drama started when Rihanna’s BFF, Melissa Forde posted a cryptic message after both Drizzy and JLo posted a photo of themselves cuddling up on a couch. “Your #MCM be knocking over girls in the VIP to stand next to rappers,” the message read. Rihanna quickly commented on it, posting, “And athletes LMAO.” Fans have been hammering Drake, aka male groupie, on social media since last weekend, thanks to this bit of trolling from Rihanna and her homies. Drake was also once roommates with NFL star, Odell Beckham Jr.

birthday in December while on a getaway in Turks and Caicos. The two have not spoken to each other ever since,

and the Young Money rapper told fans that she is focusing on her music going forward.

Entertainment

‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ Owen Granger dies of cancer MIGUEL Ferrer, who played Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles since 2012, and co-starred with Jill Hennessy on CBS’ Crossing Jordan, died Thursday of cancer. He was 61. The son of the late actor, Jose Ferrer, he also was to reprise his role as FBI Agent Albert Rosenfeld on David Lynch’s revival Twin Peaks on Showtime. Ferrer launched his career in the early 1980s with small guest shots on such series as Magnum, P.I., CHiPS and Cagney & Lacey, and features such as Heartbreaker, RoboCop, The Man Who Wasn’t There, and Star Trek: III: The Search for Spock. He would go on to focus mostly on TV throughout that decade, before landing the Twin Peaks role in 1990. The Santa Monica native toplined the short-lived Stephen J. Cannell-creator cop drama, Broken Badges in 1991, and also starred in Lynch’s 1950s romp, On the Air the following year. He appeared in a number of features during the 1990s, but continued to star on short-run TV series, including Fallen Angels and Al Franken’s LateLine.

with Ally Walker and Tisha Campbell-Martin in the LAPD drama, The Protector in 2011. But his next role would be his biggest. In 2012, Ferrer joined the cast of CBS’ popular spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles, opposite Chris O’Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt and others. He came in early on as the assistant director of NCIS, and at first was a hard-asnails unpleasant sort to the team. But during the course of the ensuing seasons, his Owen

Granger warmed up to the team and became a friend. There has been an ongoing mole-hunt storyline in the current eighth season of NCIS: LA, and Granger was stabbed while in police custody in the most recent episode that aired last Sunday. Ferrer is survived by his wife Lori, sons Lukas and Rafi, and his brothers and sisters.

KimK to ‘cameo’ in Ocean's Eight

In 2001, Ferrer landed a role in the NBC drama, Crossing Jordan, starring opposite Hennessy’s Boston medical examiner. The show was among the top 20 in the year-end ratings for 2001-02, and remained on the air until 2007. After that series wrapped, Ferrer starred opposite Michelle Ryan in Bionic Woman, which lasted nine episodes, and co-starred

Bajan Sweet Bread

KimK to ‘cameo’ in Ocean's Eight THE reality TV star and her half-sister, Kendall Jenner will make cameo appearances in the film. It will be the fourth movie in the Ocean's franchise in 17 years, confusingly coming after Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen. Kardashian and Jenner were photographed in New York on Monday, after reportedly filming their cameos. The pair will apparently appear in scenes set at a fictional gala being held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. One scene in the film features a jewel robbery at New York's annual Met Gala, an event packed with celebrities. The news comes three months after Kardashian was held at gunpoint during a robbery in Paris. She took a break from social media and public appearances as a result, but has recently returned to Twitter, and visited Dubai last week. Rihanna, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway are due to take some of the main roles in Ocean's Eight. Vogue editor, Anna Wintour and fashion designer Zac Posen have also recently been spotted near the set. Could they be making

cameos in the same scenes? We'll find out when the film hits cinemas in June 2018. The original Ocean's 11 was released in 1960, and starred Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and was remade as Ocean's Eleven in 2001, with Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Unlike Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, the new film won't have major roles for Pitt and Clooney. Matt Damon will reprise his role for a brief appearance, and James Corden and Damian Lewis will also have cameos.

INGREDIENTS: 2½ cups grated coconut ½ cup melted butter or margarine 4 cups flour 1 tbsp shortening 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tsp salt ¾ cup sugar 1 cup raisins 1 egg - beaten 1¼ cup evaporated milk 1 tsp almond essence METHOD: Grease loaf pans with shortening and pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Faren-

heit. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, coconut, sugar and the raisins together in a bowl. Add egg, evaporated milk, margarine and almond essence and mix together well until you have a firm dough. Divide dough in half and fill loaf pans. Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of hot water and brush mixture over the loaves. Bake in center of oven for about 1 hour or until skewer inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in the pans before removing and serving.