Pepperpot 04 23 2017

Miss World Guyana semi-finalists (Photos compliments of Miss World Guyana)

â–ş Page

II

Ashana Carrington Ariell Ghanie Alieca James Crystal Wills

Delisha Wright

Hemwantie Seodat

Joelly Valentine Manisha Mai-Lee Wong Maria Fletcher

Nikesia Hussain Nitifah Thompson Sharda Pramdeo Thamesha Watson

Vena Mookram

II

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Miss World Guyana semi-finalists

By Shauna Jemmott

MISS World Guyana has progressed…and with Guyana being one of the strongest supporters of Julia Morley’s international Miss World contest, franchis- holder Natasha Martindale dreams of a big win in December 2017.

The pageant’s queens have returned from Miss World with much more than they had carried into the competition; and even as the investment in participating is extraordinary, Martindale is seeking to achieve some day, the extraordinary again.

This year some 57 delegates had applied for a spot in the competition and even as the selection process has ended, semi-finalists are preparing to battle for the crown, and a place in Queen’s Row at the oldest and most admired international beauty pageant.

The 14 semi-finalists vying for the Miss Guyana 2017 title in June and a

golden opportunity to compete with over 80 other international queens and represent Guyana at Miss World, are: Ashana Carrington, Nitifah Thompson, Alieca James, Sharda Pramdeo, Hemwantie Seodat, Ariell Ghanie, Nikesia Hussain, Thamesha Watson, Maria Fletcher, Vena Mookram, Manisha Mai-Lee Wong, Crystal Wills, Delisha Wright, & Joelly Valentine.

“More eyes are on Guyana than ever before,” Martindale told the Pepperpot Magazine Tuesday.

She said with queens displaying more dedication to their purpose and striving harder to reach the crown, with emphasis on self-discipline, Miss World Guyana is doing better as the years go by. Judging has specific guidelines set out by Miss World, and so queens are no longer selected on the basis of a particular look. In fact, Miss World itself does not look for a particular look, but seeks an all-round beauty who is passionate about changing the world positively.

One thing is common among the

Miss World franchise holder Natasha Martindale 2017 delegates – beauty – and the local franchise-holder said, ‘’If we were to just judge on looks, we wouldn’t have a competition.”

Even as winning the competition has been made easier by Miss World with the winner of each sequence of the competition being pushed automatically in the spot of semi-finalists, Miss World Guyana gets better and more competitive. “… Every year it gets better and more competitive and I believe it is because we have done enough work to exclude ourselves from the tinge that pageantry has -- in face, we prefer not to… refer to what we do as pageantry -- we are more of a movement that incorporates a

series of challenges that allow a young woman to compete against the best version of herself. We put them on a path of self-exploration and as such we refer to them as Super Gs -- all positive elements of what G is -- gratitude, graciousness, Guyanese, great!” Martindale explained.

And as the international contests begin to assess each queen from her arrival in contest, judging has already begun and each delegate is encouraged to be herself.

“We are judging where she started off from to where she ends up -- at the end of this period, she must be awakened -- she must become the BEST version of herself in every aspect.”

And while each girl is encouraged to present her best self, Martindale admitted that at this stage of the competition there is no particular girl who can be deemed “outstanding,” since each is beautiful with her own personality and judges are now becoming familiar with delegates.

Spending time with the committee and among judges, each other and the general public will ensure the selection of the queen who is fittest for the Miss World Guyana crown. Among semi-finalists so far are girls who are consistent, as well as those who excel in a particular field of contest.

“The only time you really get a sense of outstanding is when the final competition comes around and nerves take a disappointed turn or some surprise you so much you have to take a second or third look. I remember saying to one of our 2016 finalists last year, that [sometimes] on paper and in presentation you think a finalist is a superstar, but somehow they fall short in the competition -- similar to standardised tests where some of the [smart] people fail,” Martindale explained to Pepperpot Magazine.

What poses a greater challenge however is topping introductory and other presentations from the previous years for the Miss World international competition, but according to Martindale, a touch of “creativity” saves.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

III

I had a magnificent time in Bartica

My Easter week-end in my hometown Bartica, was nothing short of MAGNIFICENT. Precious moments with my mom, foster dad, brothers, sister, nephews, nieces, other family members and friends. Waking up in the morning to the smell of lemon grass tea and mom making bake and dad's delicious curry fish for lunch, and walking bare-footed in the yard does something to you when you are home. Reminiscing about fun times years ago with the few people who are still around to talk about those times. Stopping in the streets to speak to an old student who called me to tell me how proud he is of the work I am doing to Lionel, who still fixes bicycles for people in the community and stopping

by Mr Scarder who is my favorite local butcher.

The icing on the cake was the first and last person I visited before leaving my beautiful hometown Bartica. She is dear to me and she knows how much I love her. She celebrated her 98th birthday in February and has an amazing memory and sense of humor.

The first thing she said to me was: "Where is the hair?"

Very rarely do I visit Bartica without seeing Aunt Lou. We chatted about fashion, my grandma who was her very good friend and for the first time she told me how she met the love of her life.

Her parting words to me

inauthentic. Say to yourself, "I am what I am, and it is okay as long as I am not hurting anyone else in the process.

Reflect today on what is really important to you and be honest with you.

Remember to check our FB page and send us a comment to beyondtherunway1@gmail. com as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

reminded me so much of something my grandma (I still miss her so much) said to me a few days before she died. "You are a good woman with a good heart and you work so hard and will find a husband that will treat you real good".

I love people, especially my seniors, who have paid their dues to society, but are most times neglected.

We should not ever forget that this journey will take some of us there one day if we are lucky.

Spending time with her always reminds me how much I miss my grandmother Winifred Gibson I aspire to be as sharp as her at 98 years old. I have no doubt if I continue to do good and with the teaching from mentors like John Maxwell, Les Brown and the late

Wayne Dyer I will be.

I was listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer's recording and I share some of what I learnt.

Release everything you have been told is not possible or unrealistic and allow yourself the freedom to have your own contract with God as what is possible for you. Examine all the doubts you have about miracle and miracle workers. Replace the doubt with openness. Release everything you hate.

Keep in mind that grievances bring turmoil, while communication brings peace. If you are angry at someone in your life, work at communicating with that person about your aggrieved feelings -- no matter how difficult it may be.

One of the things that destroys relationships is the unwillingness to talk.

Talking is a way to release the energy that is built up causing the turmoil that we live with to destroy our relationships.

The less attracted you are to possessions the more you will be willing to share them with others unconditionally and the more peaceful your life will be.

See how many things you can give away that you no longer use and don’t ask anything for it in return.

I love nice things but have never allow material things to control me. In a twinkle of an eye it can go but when you have that inner contented feeling you will forever feel at peace.

Work at being content with whom you are, rather than pleasing others by being

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion

IV

Judge ordered judgment with costs in default

Judgment for Respondent, stay of execution refused A LEGAL battle in 2006 between Le Resouvenir Manufactaring Inc v. Laparkan Trading Company (Guyana) Ltd ended with judgment for the Respondents and a stay of execution being refused.

According to the facts, the trial judge ordered

judgment and costs against the Appellant as result of default.

After the Respondent obtained and attempted to execute a writ of execution, the Appellant filed an appeal against the order and applied by summons under Order Rule 16( c ) of the Court of Appeal

Rules for a stay of execution.

Additionally ,in an effort to stay the levy proceedings , the Appellant paid the Respondent $200, 000 and issued three post-dated cheques to fully satisfy the judgment debt.

But, on the advice of

his attorney-at-law, he stopped payment on those cheques.

In this current Court of Appeal matter – Civil Appeal No. 114 of 201 was decided on by Justice of Appeal Ian Chang in Chambers, November 16, 2006 and October 31, 2007.

That Judge Held: A stay of execution cannot be granted. Contrary to section 6(5)(d) of the Court of Appeal Act, the Appellant has appealed to the Court of Appeal from a default judgment , and is therefore unlikely to succeed in getting the Full Bench to set aside the default order of the trial

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Court Case Files

By George Barclay judge at the hearing of the substantive appeal.

Moreover, the payment of $200, 000 and the issue of the cheques constituted a clearly implied representation to the Respondent by the Appellant that he would satisfy the judgment debt.

On the basis of this representation, the Appellant acted and caused the execution of the levy to be stopped only to find that the implied representation is not being

honoured.

JUDGMENT FOR THE RESPONDENTS. Application dismissed, a stay of execution is refused.

S. Datadin for the Appellant.

R . Poonai for the Respondent.

In delivering his judgment Justice of Appeal Chang said: On the 23rd October , 2001 the Honourable Justice La Bennett ordered judgment

Turn to page V ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Judgment for Respondent, stay ... ◄◄◄ From page IV

against the Appellant, in the sum of $3, 275.22 (US) and costs in the sum of $10, 000 against the Applicant . The Respondent had obtained this judgment by default.

On the 30th October, 2001, The applicant filed an appeal against the said order of Justice La Bennett to this Court of Appeal and on the 24th December, ap-

Bench and while I as a judge in Chambers sitting in an interlocutory application to determine the legal validity of this appeal, having regard to section 6 (5) (d) of the Court of Appeal Act , I find it unlikely that the Full Bench in asking itself whether it has jurisdiction to hear the appeal will determine this point in favour of the Applicant..

plied by Summons under Order 2 Rule 16( c ) of the Court of Appeal Rules for a Stay of Execution.

Order 2 rule 16 (1) states that in any cause or matter pending before the Court , a single judge of the Court may on application make orders for ( c ) a Stay of execution on any judgment appealed from pending the determination of such appeal.

An application under Order 2 Rule 16 is premised on a valid pending appeal.

It is not my function as a single judge of the Court sitting in an interlocutory jurisdiction to determine the validity of the appeal filed.

Therefore, I refrain from making any legal finding as to whether the Appellant has a valid appeal pending hearing before the Full Bench.

However, I cannot completely close my eyes to the fact that Section 6 (5)(d) of the Court of Appeal Act provides as follows : “No appeal shall lie under this section (…) (d) from any order obtained by default.”

In paragraph 6 ( c ) of the Affidavit in support of the Summons , the Applicant stated : “That on the 12th February 2001, the Respondent obtained judgment in default.”

The Applicant has therefore stated that the judgment was a default judgment and it is clear that he has appealed to the Court of Appeal from a default judgment.

While there is presumptively a valid appeal pending hearing before the Full

Therefore, I am of the view that the Applicant is unlikely to succeed in getting the Full Bench to set aside the default order of Justice La Bennett at the hearing of the substantive appeal. I therefore did not see it fit to exercise my discretion to grant a stay of execution.

Moreover, it was only after the Respondent had obtained a Writ of Execution against the Applicant and had attempted to execute that Writ of Execution that an application for a stay of execution of the judgment of Justice La Bennett was made.

Additionally , in an effort to stay the levy proceedings, the Appellant paid the Respondent $200, 000 and issued three post-dated cheques to fully satisfy judgment debt.

But, on the advice of his attorney-at-law, he stopped payment on those cheques.

In my view, the payment of $200, 000 and the issue of the said three cheques constituted a clearly implied representation to the Respondent by the Appellant that he (the Appellant) would satisfy the judgment debt.

On the basis of this representation, the Appellant acted and caused the execution of the levy to be stopped only to find that the implied representation is not being honoured.

I also did not see it fit to exercise my discretion to order a stay of execution, Justice Chang concluded.

V

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

literature (Signet Classics)

By Subraj Singh

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (Part II) (Oxford University Press)

WHILE politics and power might seem like the most obvious themes that are expressed in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, there are several others that are worthy of note – par-

tense are some of the other connected themes that are important to the plot and conflicts that Shakespeare presents to us.

Perhaps the figure who wears one of the most pronounced masks

sesses some Machiavellian characteristics and yet, is also different from Iago because, to an extent, the audience knows what is in his heart and mind and we can understand his motives for

ticularly to the CSEC students who will be answering questions on the play as part of their Literature exam which is due in a few short weeks.

Duality, masks, and pre-

of all in the play is Cassius – who, in a manner similar to another Shakespearean villain, Iago from Othello, pos-

wanting to be rid of Caesar. Cassius wears the figurative mask when he convinces Brutus to be a part of the plan, not only

Turn to page VII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

VII

William Shakespeare’s Julius ... ◄◄◄ From page VI

influencing Brutus in such a way that he loses sight of his friendship with Caesar, but also going to great lengths, such as distributing false letters to Brutus which also contribute to swaying his opinion and convinces him to join the other conspirators. The very fact that Cassius emerges as one of the leaders of the faction who plan to kill Caesar, and the way in which he functions as one of the main parts of this machinery that seeks to murder Caesar, highlights his duplicity, his deviousness and his liar’s mask.

Several critics have written about Brutus’ own duality throughout the play and, without a doubt, this is one of the most fascinating aspects of Shakespeare’s writing to come out of Julius Caesar. Brutus’ reluctance to let anyone, including the other conspirators, his servants and his wife, Portia, know about his inner feelings and the psychological turmoil that he battles within himself when faced with the prospect of murdering Caesar as well as dealing with the repercussions that come after, is wonderful to behold. Note the way Brutus speaks when he is alone: “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar / I have not slept. / Between the act of the dreadful thing / And the first motion, all the interim is / Like a phantasma or a hideous dream.” When these moments of Brutus’ uncertainty about the moral dilemma presented

to him by Cassius are revealed in his private moments are compared with Brutus speaking in public, the mask Brutus wears becomes more evident. Not long after that particular snippet of monologue, Brutus interacts with the conspirators and immediately shifts and reveals the side of his personality he can bear to them, and uses his eloquent speech to mobilize the conspirators to further commit the deed he was so unsure about just a few lines earlier: “But if these [conspirators] / (As I am sure they do) bear fire enough / To kindle cowards and to steel with valour / The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, / What need we any spur but our own cause / To prick us to redress?”

Even the Plebians (the common people) are used

by Shakespeare to exhibit this whole complex idea of duality, masks and pretense. Note how Brutus uses the side of his personality that is geared towards the commoners in order to win them over.

By the time Brutus has finished speaking to people, explaining why he killed Caesar, they are all fully won over by him, despite appearing loyal to Caesar in the opening of the play when they are reprimanded by Murellus and Flavius for celebrating Caesar’s return to the city. Not only do the fickle Plebians shift loyalty from Caesar to Brutus, but they also reject Brutus and later turn to Anthony, who riles them up to seek vengeance

against the conspirators.

This constant changing of loyalty by the Plebians is a comment that mirrors not only loyalty within political factions, but also the kinds of loyalty that can be

bought and loyalty that can be shifted based on who is seeking such loyalty, and the side of themselves that they present in order to gain loyalty.

Clearly, the many

sides of the self and the way these can be used to achieve one’s goals is an important aspect of Julius Caesar, and Shakespeare ensures that this idea is manifested not

only in the presentation of his major characters, but he also includes the common folk, knowing full well the role they have to play in politics and the shifting of power.

Turn to page X ►►►

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Environmental protection and animal rights need to be assimilated in the guyanese ethos EVERY year in June, World Environmental Day (WED) is commemorated worldwide and wildlife has always featured as an area of concern.

Last June, for instance. the focus was on eradicating "The International illegal Trade in Wildlife." CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna, is in the forefront of limiting the international trade in those species which are still sustainable. On the other hand, international trade is completely banned on those which are in danger of extinction such as the jaguar.

This concern with limiting the trade in endangered species is driven by the growing realisation worldwide that if the biodiversity of the world is destroyed, then life on the Planet would become poorer, if not unsustainable.

Nature, despite the vast and innumerable flora and fauna of the world, has developed a remarkable balance between them all and if this balance is destroyed or gravely altered, all life forms will be negatively affected, including humans. We very often do not know nor could we really predict how we, as human beings would be affected.

A small example illustrating how upsetting the balance of nature could affect human beings is gleaned from the following story: Some years ago, in New England in the North-eastern United States, the apple orchards were assailed by a plague of troublesome insects.

The farmers succeeded in eradicating the insects. The next year, however, the apple crop became very poor and it was only then that the farmers realised that there were no bees and other insects to pollinate the blossoms.

Nature, over the millennia, had evolved its own methodologies of maintaining the balance. If for example, certain animals multiplied so fast, predators and other means of control could emerge. In the modern world, Turn to page IX â–şâ–şâ–ş

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Environmental protection and animal rights need ... ◄◄◄ From page VIII

with its chemicals which seem to quietly impinge on all, its firearms, it ingenious animal traps, its huge ships and aircraft's which could quickly move large amount of flora and fauna, its criminals and large modern machines capable of destroying whole forests in a very short time; with these and more, man has been able to upset the balance of nature in an extremely short time as compared with the centuries or even millennia it took in the past, but always resulting in an equilibrium. Modern man's destruction of the words biodiversity eventually negatively affects himself. The illegal international trade in flora and fauna is an example of man’s self -destructiveness.

Another reason why the illegal international trade in wildlife should be quickly eliminated is that it is destroying the basis of Guyana's tourist industry. In the Caribbean islands, tourism is based on sun and sand while in Guyana it is our varied wildlife, forests and mountains which provide more lucrative attractions than sun and sand.

If the illegal wildlife trade is not ended, it would affect the means of survival of the Indigenous people and destroy their most valuable economic resource - the basis of a lucrative tourist industry.

The Guyanese public, though they may have some idea of the results, of the destruction of the bio-diversity and the balance of nature, they certainly need to learn more.

Unfortunately, the media and the statements of public figures on protection of biodiversity and stamping out the illegal wildlife trade treat these issues as if they were concerns of government and State only and did not affect the lives of the ordinary folk. Ordinary folk, as individuals, need to be more involved.

How could we have a successful program? In the first place, the legislation has to be strengthened and particularly, in respect of the mining and forest industries such as lumbering. The legislation must also protect the environment in general and the habitat of endangered species, as well as the hunting and farming areas of the Indigenous people.

Just as important, the education system should be oriented to socialize children about the importance of Environmental Protection and to love and respect for animals. In the 19th Century, European countries did this, and it was a great civilising force.

The three national religions of Guyana, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, all teach respect for man, animals, and environment and such teaching should be brought to the fore.

IX

X

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

The saga of an American visa: one woman’s persistence pays off

By Hubert Williams BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 16, 2017 -- THERE is a lot of news these days about immigration problems in Donald Trump's America, including obtaining visas even for a visit. But this is not news for citizens of at least one small country. My cousin Mrs. Velma Gaskin of Guyana was rejected five times over at least the past two decades.

“Every time I applied for a U.S. visitor’s visa, there was hope, but then disappointment and despair – until next time, when hope sprung anew,” she once said.

In her earlier years, Mrs. Gaskin was very close to an elderly cousin, my mother, Mrs. Audrey Williams. Indeed, for a while, she and her family shared our residence in Georgetown but over time, family members emigrated to the United Kingdom and to the U.S. Family celebrations in both countries are held periodically and she always receives invitations. She visited England and did not abscond, returning to Guyana as per her airline schedule. But not so for the U.S. Her repeated rejection for an American visa included one occasion when she wanted to attend my Mom’s 100th birthday celebrations in January 2010. On the death of my Mom in 2012 in her 103rd year, Mrs. Gaskin was again rejected for a visitor’s visa to be able to attend the funeral in New York, the apparent message being, “The more determined you are to seek to gain entry, the more determined we are to refuse.”

Awestruck by her experiences, she asked, “Why me?” She is peaceable and law-abiding, has no problems within the home, no political affiliations, no problems with the law and was never taken to court, lives in peace with all her neighbours and is a deeply committed Christian and conscientious community worker within the congregation of an Anglican church in Georgetown. And it is through her faith and Christian beliefs that she persisted in repeatedly applying for a visa, each time losing her application fee of US$160 (G$32,000).

Her prayers and persistence finally paid off when she was granted a visa and arrived in the U.S.A. two weeks ago - on April 4.

"It was difficult and costly over the years,” Mrs. Gaskin said from New York, “but I always felt that once the Consular officials were convinced of my honesty and integrity, I would be allowed to visit the United States. I am a deeply committed Christian and I understood that , with so many people applying for visas every day, it is not easy for the American officials to decide who is who. I believed that truth would win out in the end. That's why I kept repeating the application."

Granted, Guyana is a very difficult environment -- for both the Consular personnel in Georgetown and genuine, honest visa applicants such as Mrs. Gaskin.

In recent years, because of the country’s perplexing political, social, economic and cultural conditions (with much of its serious criminal activity linked to U.S. deportees), its rate of emigration outstrips those of just about all other jurisdictions in the Caribbean (except Haiti).

Therefore, the suspicion of official America seems to be that almost all Guyanese are anxious to get out of the country and into the U.S.A. by hook or by crook and are not above using guile, subterfuge and any other means to succeed. That is understandable. In a society where moral standards have degenerated from the second half of the 1900s and dishonesty, crime and violence during the 2000s reaching unprecedented levels, it is a considerable challenge for Consular officials to separate the wheat from the chaff among visa applicants.

There is this other likely contentious element to what is a very complex problem: Some Guyanese are coming to the view that because of the high rate of rejection of honest-to-goodness applicants for short-term visitors’ visas and the policy of always forfeiting the application fee, the United States, despite being very rich and very powerful, is deliberately skimming members of the relatively impoverished Guyanese public of what is for them a hefty portion of scant financial resources.

Obviously, something needs to be done. It is difficult to accept that there are not systems within today’s technological advances that can resolve the current seemingly glaring inadequacies in the assessment skills of America’s Consular staff in Georgetown, including perhaps the installation of some kind of in-office lie detector equipment.

Public evidence of lie detectors operating in other circumstances show them to be virtually fail-proof (eventually they might be utilized to transform the global justice system, accurately determining truth and levels of guilt and thereby freeing jurors everywhere for productive work away from the courtrooms).

Consular personnel should still have the prerogative of saying “No” to any applicant for just and sufficient reason, but not merely because there is suspicion that the applicant is lying about the intention to abscond and remain in the United States as an undocumented immigrant.

The interview and its outcome must accord both with the national security and safety requirements for entering the United States and the need to minimize the extent of disappointment and loss of monetary resources suffered by genuine and honest visa applicants.

Except the current system and practices are adjusted in order to ensure justice and fair-play to all, the Guyanese public would likely conclude that “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark.”

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Save big on your electricity bill by switching to solar power – GEA GUYANA usually receives abundant sunshine, and has for many years been using solar photovoltaic panels for a number of applications, primarily in remote areas without access to a grid. As such the Guyana Energy Agency is encouraging consumers to use solar photovoltaic panels to convert the sun’s energy into DC electrical energy which is then converted to AC voltage by a grid tie inverter system.

The grid tie inverter is the interface between the solar panel, the building’s load and supply from the grid or Guyana Power and Light.

The GEA in giving an example noted that the power supplied from the solar panels can be about 20% of the power demand of the load from a building, so during a regular business day, the grid tie inverter senses the amount of energy coming from the solar panels; measures the amount of energy being consumed by the building and then takes the difference from the grid.

On holidays and weekends when the load of the building is less than the power supplied from the solar panels, most of the energy is supplied to the grid.

A system made up of 36 panels, each rated at 235 watts mounted on the shed in the compound of the GEA, for a total installed capacity of 8.46kW should generate approximately 13,895 kWh of renewable energy per year and would result

in savings of G$914,429 per year.

While the total cost of such a project was G$7.4 million, if one were to remove the costs associated with demonstration, monitoring and education, the simple payback for the project, based on a capital cost of G$6.3 million would be just under 7 years.

The Energy Agency noted that solar panels usually have a lifetime of between 15 to 25 years depending on care and maintenance. For those who would like to size their own systems, this translates into an average cost of G$745 per watt installed.

The estimated energy production of 13,895 kWh per year from renewable energy would result in the reduction of 11,116 kg carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Currently, the system is operating on a net metering arrangement with GPL using the existing itron meter. A module upgrade was sourced and installed, allowing the existing meter to now read energy received from the grid, energy supplied to the grid and net energy.

To assist in achieving the project objectives, the system was complemented with a forty inch monitor that displays the operational data, including actual power production in kW, accumulated energy production in kWh and avoided carbon dioxide emissions in kg.

Real time power generation and energy consumption can be viewed from the GEA website www.gea.gov.gy. The benefits of this display are valued in terms of promoting awareness to the public and understanding the accumulated savings over time in a reader friendly format.

GEA has been working closely with a number of key stakeholders to explore the opportunities and gain experience related to the operation of the grid tie system.

Since September 2011, the GEA commenced dialogue with Guyana Power and Light Inc., Public Utilities Commission, Government Electrical Inspectorate, Office of the Prime MinisterHinterland Electrification Unit, Environmental Protection Agency and University of Guyana Faculty of Technology.

GEA would like to encourage private sector to seriously consider the incorporation of similar systems and would be more than willing to provide advice to interested parties.

XI

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XIII

Intraoral abnormalities

THERE are individuals who may observe a fleshy growth on either the gums or tongue, or even a scaly lesion anywhere on the soft tissues of the mouth.

I would immediately say that the good news is that most tumours ( growths) of the gums and tongue are benign ( non-cancerous). The most common tumour is an irritation fibroma, which appears as a smooth-surfaced, pink mushroom suspended by a small stalk attached to the lip, tongue or inner cheek The papilloma is also mushroom-shaped but with an irregular, white surface.

Irritation fibromas are caused by lip, tongue, or cheek biting or sucking. Frequently the growth occurs opposite a small space between the teeth where the tissue can be sucked in. On

the other hand a papilloma is a benign growth that occurs of its own accord. The patient first becomes aware of the fibroma or papilloma by feeling or observing the irregularity or by frequent accidental biting of the outgrowth of tissue.

Treatment by excision ( cutting out) is the usual cure.

Since the diagnosis is obvious and the entire growth is removed without difficulty, biopsy to check for cancer is not necessary. Avoidance of lip or tongue “doodling� usually prevents recurrence.

If recurrence is due to a space between the teeth, then closure of the space with a small fixed bridge may be indicated. However, once the growth is removed it seldom recurs, and no further treatment is necessary.

Then there are bony

growths, quite common in adults, in the middle of the palate or on the inside lateral or tongue side of the lower jaw. They are called tori and consist of normal bone substance that in the palate appears as an irregular oval protuberance and in the mandible more or less as a small single or multiple marbles beneath the mucosa. The cause is unknown and are completely symptomless.

Occasionally, they grow so large as to be traumatized by chewing or interfere with the wearing of dentures. Most people are unaware of their presence until a dentist points them out. Unless tori cause a problem, there is no reason to have them removed. If their size becomes annoying or interferes with the placement of a denture, they are removed by simple surgery. Once re-

moved, tori do not recur.

Hairy tongue is a harmless elongation of the hairlike filiform papillae on the top surface of the tongue. The surface usually appears white but may be stained brown or black by tobacco or pigments in food. The condition occurs only in adults. A white-coated tongue is common during a dehydration illness, but what causes hairy tongue in the absence of systemic illness is unknown. The condition is painless and noted only for its abnormal colour.

Since food particles can collect in the hairy filaments, the tongue may emit an unpleasant smell. Both treatment and prevention consist of daily brushing or scraping of the tongue to keep its surface clean.

Leukoplakia, meanwhile, should be considered more

seriously. This is observed more frequently among older males, and in persons using tobacco. Although most lesions remain benign, the condition can be viewed as pre-cancerous. Lesions vary in size from a few millimeters to many centimeters ( an inch or more) across.

It may be flat, fissured, or ulcerated with a somewhat rough and scaly surface, and whitish yellow, pearly white, or grayish white in colour.

Leuoplakia is usually found behind and to the outside of the lower molars, on the inside of the cheeks, and on the floor of the mouth or the side of the tongue.

Leukoplakia occurs spontaneously or may be caused by irritation from heavy smoking, chewing tobacco, jagged teeth, ill-fitting dentures, and poor oral hygiene.

The disease develops slowly and painlessly and most times is discovered by a dentist with the patient unaware of the condition.

When leukoplakia appears on the tongue or floor of the mouth there is a very high risk of it developing into invasive cancer and so complete excision is recommended with mandatory biopsy. Constant monitoring by the dentist is required.

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

On family and friends of substance abusers Hello Everyone, I HOPE this week has treated you well.

Today I would like to speak about the family and friends of substance abusers.

I have written about what alcohol and illegal drugs do to the individual but have never specifically addressed the family members. This was a bit absent-minded on my part as the family/friends of substance abusers are equally affected. The drug might not physically harm them as it does the user but they are definitely mentally, socially, emotionally and financially affected.

I thought of this topic as many of my clients didn’t show up for our regular, scheduled appointments this week. The most obvious reason (to me) would be that they relapsed (started back using) during Easter and they are having a hard time finding the motivation to quit again.

Strangely, rather than thinking about the individual, my mind immediately wandered to the families and what they must be going through. I then realised that I have never spoken about this specifically. If you are a substance abuser and do not want to seek help for yourself, I hope this article gives you the motivation to stop using for the ones you love. If you are the family/friend of an abuser/addict, I hope you find comfort in this piece and seek the help that is available within our community.

It has long been said that addiction is a family disease. It affects spouses, children, parents, siblings and even friends. This is for a multitude of reasons. The abuser spends most of his/her time obsessing, obtaining and using the drug, they spend most of their money on the drug, often have issues with the law, and are often unemployed. Additionally, they tend to be unreliable, unkind, and abusive or absent. All of these cause many issues within the family, many arguments, much shame, divorce and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

In a typical family unit, each individual has specific role/s. This helps the family successfully function and maintains order.

When even one of those individual gets addicted to drugs, it throws the whole balance off as roles have to be shifted between the other members of the family. Additionally, new roles are developed in order to deal with the negative effects of substance abuse. When there is drug abuse within the family, there are specific roles taken up by each member.

Each role forces one to neglect their own needs and cater to others. Below are the possible roles.

THE HERO Often the eldest, most responsible and hard- working person in the family.

They are over-achievers and perfectionists that take on responsibility that they are not responsible for.

They want to make no mistakes to make up for all the errors that the substance-abuser makes. This makes failure particularly difficult for them to deal with and often leads to insecurity and low self-esteem.

THE SCAPEGOAT This is the one that typically gets into trouble (mostly a child).

They are blamed for all wrongdoings in the home and are labelled troublesome or rebellious. Everyone is so distracted by their behaviour that they sometimes fail to see the real problem at hand.

This behaviour can be due to a parent being an addict and mostly leads to addiction itself. Mostly, this person/child feels unheard, neglected and lonely.

THE MASCOT This is the individual who assumes the role of a comic.

They are often full of energy, jokes, and smiles- whether or not they truly feel that way on the inside. They use humour as a coping mechanism and are charming and fun to be around. They typically feel that this is an important distraction for the rest of the family- laugh to forget the worries.

They get hurt like anyone else but mostly hide it for the benefit of others.

THE LOST CHILD This one seems quiet, distant, isolated but yet content.

He/she makes sure to remain invisible as to not cause any additional problems within the family. They do not personally get involved with any issues.

They have trouble socialising and developing relationships in general. On the inside, they typically feel hurt, unheard and lonely.

THE ENABLER This individual is usually the spouse or eldest child of an addict. They pick up the slack and do all the tasks that the addict can no longer do.

They become the breadwinners, do Turn to page XV ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XV

On family and friends of substance ...

From page XIV ►►►

the housework, and take care of other family members- pretty much everything. They provide the time and money the addict needs to obtain the drug.

Most importantly, they make excuses for the addict, especially in social situations. This, while helpful and kind to the others, has the opposite effect on the addict. An addict is much less likely to seek treatment if they have an enabler in their lives.

Do you recognise any of these roles?

Have you adopted them?

HOW DOES SUBSTANCE USE AFFECT CHILDREN? Children are particularly affected by substance abuse within a home.

Children raised by a substance abuser are basically being raised by a single parent. The non-using parent often has to do all the cooking, cleaning, school work, and make the financial living for the family.

The children tend to grow up in a home without structure or order.

A child of an addict is more likely to have issues socialising, have issues at school, problems with the law and is more vulnerable to general issues of mental health (any type).

Addicts are particularly violent and may be so to their children, starting a cycle of abuse. Please remember that children who are abused (physically, emotionally or sexually) are more likely to abuse their spouses and their own children. Children of addicts are more likely to drop out of school than children of non-addicts. Children of addicts are more likely to become addicts themselves, especially alcoholics. Children of alcoholics are four times more likely to develop alcoholism. If the addict is using illicit substances, children are unfairly exposed to illegal activities. Being raised by an addict and experiencing all of the above results in low self-confidence and self-esteem, loneliness, guilt, anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. It results in a fear of abandonment and a lack of respect for the parents; the one for using and the other for staying.

Very often, because of parental drug abuse, children are raised by extended family such as grandparents.

HOW DOES SUBSTANCE USE AFFECT A SPOUSE/PARTNER? It is very difficult to live with someone who often uses alcohol/ drugs.

As mentioned, it causes a multitude of issues such as fear, lack of trust and resentment. The non-using partner often starts to doubt and even blame themselves for their partners use. They habitually believe that they are unloved as if their partner loved them, they would stop using. They feel guilty for not leaving the situation but instead exposing their children to it. They feel sad, angry and embarrassed; they feel helpless and hopeless.

The lack of trust stems from the persistent lying and stealing done by the drug user. They often lie about their use or where they have been. Often, the non-using partner has to hide valuables as the user steals in order to fund their habit. Sadly, the closest things available go first which means they begin to steal from their fami-

lies before anyone else.

One using partner also increases the possibility of two using partners. This situation is harder on both partners as well as children. That household would be very dysfunctional and children would be particularly neglected. When both partners are users, there is a less chance of divorce but a high rate of enabling and co-dependency.

This means they feed off each other’s habits and unknowingly encourage each other to keep using.

HOW DOES SUBSTANCE USE AFFECT PARENTS? I am not yet a parent but the popular consensus is that you will never love another human being the way you love your child.

This obviously means that you want nothing but the best for them; that their pain is your pain. It is incredibly difficult to watch your child struggle- in any capacity.

A child’s drug use causes a lot of issues between the parents. They begin to neglect each other and spend most of their energy and resources on the child. Some even have to stop working due to the guilt, stress, anxiety and depression that the situation may cause. Many arguments happen due to a difference of opinion of how to handle the situation.

Everyone has different opinions which usually becomes hard to respect when in difficult situations. Many parents blame each other and tend to separate or get divorced over hardships caused by children.

If you are a family member/friend of an addict, the most important thing to remember is that it is not your fault, even if they say that it is. It is a very common characteristic of an addict to blame any and everyone else for their habit. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do either. An addict needs to want to get help. The only thing you can do is keep educated on the pattern so you can pass on information- both to the addict and anyone else in the family.

Try not to be an enabler. Seek help for yourself.

There are Al-Anon meetings available in Guyana. These are specific support groups for the family and friends of substance abusers.

For adults (age 30+): Thursdays – 5:15pm-6:15pm Location: Brickdam Presbytery (opposite Brickdam Church) For adolescents/ young adults (ages 14-30): Thursdays – 6:30pm- 7:30pm Location: Brickdam Presbytery (opposite Brickdam Church) Keep in mind that there are ways to educate your partner on the harms of addiction as well as encourage them to seek help.

With the whole family involved, it usually starts with an intervention- which I will speak about next week. In the meantime, if you have someone close to you who is an addict, spend the next week researching all you can about addiction, their specific drug of choice and the harms it does to the mind and body. You will need that to be able to conduct an intervention.

Thanking 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 4:00pm Good mental health group meetingsWednesdays 4:00pm Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs!

Always

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XVII

Let's use certain four letter words more often

By Francis Quamina Farrier

THE term "Four-letter word", usually takes on a negative thought process in the minds of most people who speak the English Language. But this missive is to point out that there are those four-letter words which need to be used much more often, such as, "LOVE" and "SOME" - and even "HATE".

Used in a positive context, the four-letter word, "Hate", can be positive.

For example, if someone says, "I hate to see people drink and drive!" Or "I hate it when I judge someone else, without first knowing him or her, or having the facts about what they are accused of doing wrong".

So, there are those times when "hate" can be good.

"Good" - another four-letter word. Indeed, we need to use certain four-letter words much more often. Now, just reread that immediate past sentence, and note the number of four-letter words in American President Jimmy it; "need", "some", "much", and "more"; all in that very Carter visited Guyana many times, and is credited with short sentence!

Let's continue to think assisting in the movement on this idea - "idea" - also to have Guyana return to a four-letter word, and let's democracy. gain - "gain" - yet another good four-letter word, which we as a country classified as being poor, should be going after. With all the many natural resources which we are blessed with as a nation, we ought to aim to gain more wealth which is ours in abundance, in this our elegant El Dorado, but which, for the better part, is underutilized, including our human resources.

At this very time, many of us are focused on what we will personally gain from the up-coming oil wealth. So many of our brilliant, patriotic Guyanese citizens are not utilized as they should, either because they are not of the right political or racial group. Many Guyanese have migrated because they were treated almost as strangers in this their own country, and have prospered in their adopted countries.

Then there are some of our citizens who are still very productive, but are shunted aside because their age is of a certain number. When one studies the developed countries, and how the elderly with health and talent are embraced, we realize that they seem to be welcoming of all of their human resources; we note how many airline pilots, for example, sport silver hair.

We can recall that elder pilot, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who in 2014, piloted the stricken US Air Flight #1549, when all four engines failed after birds flew into them.

That elderly pilot flew that large aircraft without engine power, safely into the Hudson River without resulting in a single fatality. There is that saying, "Experience never gets old". Here in Guyana Capt. Sullenberger would likely be regarded as an old man who should be sent off to pasture. Even a former President of Guyana went on record expressing how fed-up he was with older Guyanese, and that "they should go one side".

As an Elderly Gentleman and Senior Journalist writing this feature article, I'm feeling fine. Yes, "FINE" is another inspiring four-letter word which should be used more in our vocabulary. Many years ago, when I was in my early 20s, I was going up the stairs of the General Post Office at the Robb Street entrance.

The great Guyanese Jurist Sir Donald Jackson, who once served as the Speaker of the House in Parliament, was coming down the stairs. I was in awe of that gentleman, and greeted him excitedly. "And, how are you, young man?" he asked with a warm smile on his dignified face. "Not bad, Sir Donald", was my response. "No, no, no", Sir Donald chided me. "Never say "not bad, rather say, "I'm fine." Words of wisdom from an Elder Statesman which I have always remembered. "I'm fine".

Today, many people say, "I'm good", when asked, "How are you." "GOOD" is such an inspiring and wonderful four-letter

word in the English Language.

"He's cool", or "She's cool" is now very much in vogue, used especially by younger people when describing the personality of someone whom they admire. For sure, "cool" is a cool four-letter word. Well, we have to agree that even"WORD" is a four-letter word. So let's make use more often of those pleasant and positive four-letter words in the English Language.

Let's say "I LOVE you", much more often to those who we love - and sometimes, even to those who we really have no reason to love. And whereas, the statement "I'm done" used to have a very positive meaning back in the day; for example, it would usually mean, "I've done my assignment". It also meant Turn to page XIX ►►►

XVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Let's use certain four letter ... ◄◄◄ From page XVII

that I am finished doing something which is wrong. In more recent times,"I'm done", usually means, "I'm done with this job; "Ah fiya de wok". Or "Ah leffin' meh husban'; Ah done wid he."

Five months after his inauguration as Guyana's eighth Executive President on Saturday, May 16, 2015, David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger, paid an official visit to President Barack Obama and the American First Lady Michelle Obama. The meeting was very cordial from all reports, and the 44th.

President of the United States and First Lady, were a charming Host and Hostess. A beautiful photograph of the two Presidents and First Ladies together, was published, and when I first saw it, I began to think in a certain creative way.

My thoughts were as follows: suppose our dignified President David Granger were to use a four-letter word to the American President! I'm serious. That thought came to me. I would have liked our president to tell his American counterpart about our Beautiful Guyana; about the good relations our two countries have shared and enjoyed over the decades. I thought that it would be nice to hear that President David Granger apologized to the American President in person, for that infamous 'feral blast' which American Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Brent Hardt, received at his official Residence, during his Farewell Cocktail reception.

I thought that it would have been good for us to hear that our President immediately and emphatically said a four letter word to President Obama, right there and then.

"Mr President", I thought of President David Granger saying to President Barack Obama; "Mr President, "COME", to Guyana and enjoy the hospitality for which we are well-known internationally. "Yes, Mr President, "COME", as soon as it is mutually convenient."

With that US$60 million book deal that President Barack Omama and his dear Michelle have recently signed, and with their recent holiday aboard that Billionaire's yacht "Rising Sun" in the South Pacific Ocean, on which Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey were also guests, President David Granger could still extend an invitation to the Obamas, to "COME" to Guyana, and go to the peaceful and beautiful Guyana hinterland - to our world-famous Iwokrama Rain Forest Project, and complete the writing of your two books, in that tranquil and pristine rain forest sanctuary." I dreamed a dream that President Granger could tell President and Michelle Obama, - "TELL"; such a Firm four-letter word - about the many Peace Corps Volunteers who have served in Guyana over the decades, and who are in Guyana even at this very time. There was also my thought of Guyana's president telling President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, of those two great American aviators, Art Williams and Harry Wendt, who pioneered aviation into the hinterland of British Guiana, back in the 1940s and 1950s. The visits to Guyana by President Jimmy Carter and other well-known Americans such as Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Mohammed Ali, Andrew Young, Louis Farrakan, Sydney Poitier and others, should also be mentioned to the Obamas, I thought. However, no mention must be made of Jim Jones, whatsoever. That "Ugly" American - that evil man, who led over nine hundred of his followers in a mass murder-suicide horror in Guyana on November 18, 1978. That should never be mentioned in such a pleasant circumstance.

There are those four-letter words which challenge us to make a choice one way or the other; one can be "nice" to others, or "ugly" in our behavour. We can speak with a "soft" and pleasant tone of voice, endearing ourselves to others or be "loud" and annoying.

In the scheme of things, there has been a perennial battle between two four-letter words - "good" and "evil" - and it is our duty, as best as we can, to do whatever it takes, to ensure that "GOOD" always wins over "evil". Well, I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this read; and that's SIX four-letter words in that final and very short sentence.

XIX

XX

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Malia Obama Is Really Into Shirts as Dresses for Spring

Malia Obama spotted leaving Harvey Weinstein’s office in Tribeca in a chic outfit as she headed to her her car in New York City. (Photo: Splash)

JUST because she’s a former first daughter doesn’t mean that her spring style isn’t eminently relatable: Malia Obama is striding into the season with a little shirtdress swagger.

A leg-barring Malia was spotted leaving her internship at The Weinstein Company in New York on Tuesday wearing a thigh-grazing, lumberjack-red, plaid shirtdress. Topped with a basic black bomber jacket, the simple yet daring look was way more city streets than White House — and way on trend. If blazers, sweatshirts, and graphic tees can be turned into minidresses, so too can button-ups… which, on the extremely tall former first daughter, inevitably run super short. And super stylish.

Last week, Malia garnered attention for sporting a similar look out and about in NYC. The teenager, who is taking a gap year before enrolling in her parents’ alma mater, Harvard University, wore a daring denim shirtdress to work on a day in which city temperatures finally warmed into the 80s. Then and now, she kept the look clean, pairing both button-down

XXI

dresses with classic black Chuck Taylor Converse, a backpack, and nothing more. (Well, except for the iPhone reliably clutched in her right hand — a girl’s gotta keep connected, after all.)

While the casual warm-weather look may be quite a departure from the more staid summer style that both she and sister Sasha sported last year when their father was still in office, it’s only the latest in a line of edgier post-POTUS fashion choices the elder Obama daughter has recently made, including the high-waisted jeans she rocked on her first day of work and the colorful beanies she sported at Sundance.

Also on Tuesday, agents in Malia’s secret service detail reported to the New York Police Department that Jair Nilton Cardosa, 30, was harassing her, CBS reports.

Following multiple incidents, including one marriage proposal, Cardosa is now undergoing a a psychiatric evaluation. Law enforcement is still deciding whether or not to file stalking and harassment charges Malia Obama enjoying the warm against him. weather. (Photo: Splash News)

XXII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXIII

Week-long festivity and crappo meat as the last supper

By Abdool A. Aziz THE incident occurred in 1948 in the Upper Pomeroon River. It was the last night of a week- long wedding. The groom had departed his West Coast, Demerara residence on a Friday. He would leave at about 8:30 am and reach his final destination by 8:00pm, nearly a day’s travel by car, ferry and launch.

DELINQUENT GROOM The wedding ceremony should have taken place on the Sunday, allowing the couple to return on Monday but the groom went missing. He went with his former lumber-jack buddies for piwari and cassirie and sleepy tonic.

LUST NOT LOVE He was not marrying because he loved the blue eyed ‘buck’ but the big dowry he would collect. Her parents were very rich.

He didn’t care for the ceremony to go on. She at age 18 was doting on this wayward suitor. Hers was love his-lust.

THE DOWRY First the host killed one huge bull. But the meat ran out.

Then he slaughtered another. And this was about to diminish MEAT SHORTAGE On the last night the weary cook dug into the cauldron for the last few pounds. As he watched the meat swim around in the boiling water, he saw two toads jumping in. He quickly ran to the giant iron pot to dip them out-but it was too late. He couldn’t tell beef from toad. He was bewildered.

CRAPPO IN POT Should he spill the beans? Or keep quiet? If he disclosed this unusual event he could get fired and the guests would go hungry. So the invitees dined on a mixed diet. One of them said : “Boss Man short of beef, we now get chicken, but dis chicken nah gah meat.”

A few moments later, for insubordination, the cook got fired.

Whenever I reminded my father of the last supper of ‘chicken’ he too vomits. He had enjoyed the feet and head.

DEPORTED The groom, my wicked brother, lived a year with the maiden. He impregnated her and deserted her. It would be 14 years before he turned up, deported from England for a capital crime.

BEAUTIFUL ‘BUCK’ She remained faithful all those years. My brother was her prince charming –a true love. She was 18 when she joined our family. I was four and she cared for us and we loved to call her Buck. Following the reunion the couple migrated to New York.

They lived for 30 more years. My brother died of alcoholic poison with no love in his heart. Buck still lives now - an octogenarian. A lady of loyal love, great faith in God, and so simply kind and practical. She was a mother figure to us. I adore her.

She didn’t eat toady, she was in her chambers on honeymoon with her lusting husband. Many still remembered the night they feasted on crappo meat. I guess the old saying is true: “Wah nah kill, ah fatten!”

But don’t tell that to my dad. He wishes he can replace his stomach. Crappo meat?

XXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

New programme to assist sexual, domestic violence survivors

GINA, GUYANA - The Ministry of Social Protection’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit is providing a new Temporary Assistance Programme for Domestic and Sexual Violence Survivors.

Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA) Manager, of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, Akilah Dorris explained that the programme goes beyond providing psycho-social support and shelter services for survivors and their dependents.

Dorris noted that the programme is designed to provide financial assistance and temporary accommodation to families affected by sexual and domestic violence. “The programme is designed for those most in need of assistance; those who have made a conscious and well informed decision to escape their abusive situation, and may not have a place to live or a job to sustain themselves,” Dorris asserted.

She further emphasised that the Government remains committed to taking a strong leadership position and working in partnership with all stakeholders to increase the response to the domestic and sexual violence, and has allocated significant resources for Manager, Sexual and this programme.

Domestic Violence Unit, The programme will MOSP, Akilah Dorris facilitate the provision of temporary accommodation for a specific period of time; and will focus on the rehabilitation of survivors and their dependents for successful reintegration into society.

The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Manager explained that survivors will also benefit from skills training programmes offered under the Board of Industrial Training and the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute, in anticipation of securing jobs through the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.

The programme is means tested and all survivors will be subjected to a rigorous screening process to shortlist and enroll those most in need, Dorris explained.

The screening process will be conducted by a panel of professionals from the Ministry of Social Protection.

However, those survivors who may not qualify for the temporary assistance programme can also utilise additional social programmes offered by the Ministry of Social Protection such as the public assistance programme for single parent mothers.

Dorris urged victims to be bold and speak out against all forms of sexual and domestic violence, and report all cases to any nearby police station.

Dorris highlighted that, “violence could occur at any time; and therefore the first point of contact should be the police station. We know that where you live you may not have a police station in close proximity, therefore it is important for everyone to equip themselves with the numbers of the various police stations and quick response units.”

She emphasised that the police are mandated to treat every case seriously; and follow required protocols; especially when it comes to accompanying the victim to a medical institution to obtain a medical examination certificate. (By: Ranetta La Fleur)

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXV

#SupportCreativity

Jennifer Gibson A successful fusion of creative and business practices

A FEW weeks ago I sat down with the artist and designer, Jennifer Gibson, to discuss her journey as a creative entrepreneur in the thirty plus years that she has been actively producing work. Hers is an interesting story that started in the country of her birth (Barbados) and led to her eventually moving to Guyana to continue the pursuit of her passion for art and business.

Her previous work experience with the Barbados Batik Export company was, in many ways, her first real introduction to the business component of creative production.

“I had heard about the Barbados Batik Export and decided to send in an application. After that I got a call and they told me to go for the interview.

They asked me if I could start the next day and I said yes. So that was how I got started there.

While there I started making work on the side and displaying them with a prominent Barbadian artist who had a gallery in Pelican Village at the time.

I remember I had done some silk wraps and the response to the work was really good. Then it just so happened that some of us got retrenched from the Barbados Batik Export company. I saw that as my cue to start my business.”

Gibson got to work immediately and started production from her apartment, one that was big enough to provide the space she needed to work. It wasn’t long after that opportunities came for her to participate in creative showcases in Barbados and then further afield in Jamaica, Antigua and St. Lucia.

“The Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) had a program called Steps to Success where they would select certain businesspersons so that people could see how you could use art and design as business. I was one of the persons they selected. They compiled footage of me working and then it was shown on television. I got a lot of good feedback and from that they began to sponsor me to go to trade fairs in the Caribbean.”

Like many others in business, Gibson has faced her share of challenges. But in spite of it all, she has managed to find ways to sustain her creative business ventures for more than thirty years.

“Finance was the number one challenge, as it is for most people. As my work sold I would reinvest that money. I tried to cut down on overheads by working from home. I never ventured out to have a separate studio or an outlet. I worked from home and that worked for me. But the cost of raw materials and certain equipment in Barbados was very expensive. I remember I would travel to Trinidad to get fabrics and dyes. It wasn’t that Barbados didn’t have those things but they

Jennifer Gibson, known for her intricate batik work, has also made a successful business of utilizing upcycled materials in her work. Pictured here is one of the many purses made by incorporating those materials.

Jewelry made using upcycled materials by Jennifer Gibson

were expensive. In order to be competitive it was better for me to go to Trinidad, source my fabrics and dyes to maintain that competitive edge cost-wise.

Another challenge was employees. You have to be making a certain amount of people to be able to pay people to work with you. At one point I had gotten a contract to do lots of t-shirts. I had about four girls working with me. There were some times where I paid my staff and I didn’t pay myself a salary. I had to sacrifice a lot to ensure the persons working with me were paid. So I had my challenges but I’m not the kind of person to give up easily.”

When she eventually relocated to Guyana a new set of opportunities to create and expand her business were presented to her, although they too did not come without challenges.

“I see me being here in Guyana as the place where God wants me to be. I came here with the intention of starting my business and I did that for a while. But I was diverted a bit because I started teaching classes. People liked my style of teaching because it was different.

I started with morning classes and because the response was so overwhelming I had to have an afternoon class as well. I also taught at the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry. Then I started doing work for designers. So my work was put on hold for a while. Eventually I joined the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA) after I heard about them and started exhibiting in their annual exhibitions.

It’s even more difficult to source the fabrics and the quality dyes and paints. There are different brands of paints that I would get in Barbados that I don’t get here. I don’t get the kind of silk that I would love to paint on and do my batik. Another problem is getting staff. People come for two mornings and they think they have it covered and run off to do it on their own. So I have to keep training new people all the time. It sets me back and interferes with my production, especially if I have a big order to fill.”

Despite those challenges, Gibson remains positive about her future as a creative business owner. She feels strongly about educating herself on professional business practices and has recently completed a number of workshops that provide training for entrepreneurs. In addition to identifying more areas of business that have potential for development within her current practice, she now also has a better understanding of export markets and how she can ready herself to be a better competitor.

“My art has made a way for me. I’ve met prime ministers, presidents through my work.

My work has opened doors and allowed me to go to places that I don’t think I would’ve gone otherwise. My gifts have caused me to be sought after.

I’ve been blessed to be a part of several training workshops sponsored by the George-

Jennifer Gibson, artist, designer and businesswoman town Chamber of Commerce and Industry, partly sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank. I’ve also been a part of the Master Class as well as the Wealth Creation Summit and the Entrepreneurship Master Class held

by Dr. Rosh Khan.

So I would encourage persons who want to get into business as artists to go for it.

There are things being put in place by the GCCI and different associations to help.”

Reflecting on her extensive history in this kind of creative business field, Gibson had quite a few tips that she was willing share with persons considering a career in similar fields.

“Research is important. You should really know the area of business you want to get into.

Try to maintain a competitive edge by finding your niche. Attend as many workshops about business as you can. Talk to artisans who are already in business to get their advice. Know the different funding agencies that are out there. Keep your overheads down as much as possible. You don’t want to incur too many overheads in the inception because that can frustrate you if you’re not making any money.

Don’t try to be an overnight success.

It takes time. A business is like a child.

It’s your baby and you have to nurture it.

When you start making money don’t spend it on partying. Put what you make back into your business and keep working at it because you won’t see any real profit in the first two to three years.”

XXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Development through infr

IN 2015, upon assuming Office, this Administration, having seen a significant decline in the quality of life for Guyanese, pledged to place Guyana on a development trajectory. This resulted in a holistic plan to fast-

will ultimately impact the cost of production in the manufacturing sector and help to improve security and the provision of key services to citizens.

Infrastructural development is transformative and

roads in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10, under the Miscellaneous and Urban Roads Programme were completed and these works will continue with increased budgetary allocations for these two programmes for the year 2017.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson, said that much focus has also been placed on previously neglected areas but that these works extend beyond roadworks and include electricity, water and other works where necessary.

In February this year, the Ministry completed the construction of a new ringroad between the ‘C’ and ‘D’ fields in Sophia, as well as the installation of a water

distribution system. President David Granger, at the commissioning ceremony, said that these works were a representation of Government’s commitment to not leaving communities like Sophia behind.

“Sophia did not have the services that it needed - the health centres, the schools, the markets, the transportation, the sanitation, street lights, parks, playgrounds, fire hydrants - all of these utilities and services that are necessary if Sophia is to catch up with the other wards in Georgetown… I want you to feel part of a community.

But this community cannot be transformed by Government alone. We need the support of all of the residents; all of the

This is a Conceptual Design from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure displaying a section of what the waterfront beautification project would look like track Guyana’s economic development by placing as a paramount goal the transformation of the country through several initiatives.

Within this framework, is a robust infrastructural development policy, which includes sustainable urban, rural and hinterland renewal.

The intended link of the hinterland to the coastland would make accessible Guyana’s most resource rich regions, improve road, and bridge networks and the overall means of transportation, and

can spur economic activity but in the short term it also provides much-needed jobs.

This Administration has executed a number of large-scale infrastructural projects particularly in the area of road infrastructure, while many other projects are expected to begin this year. Among these projects includes the rehabilitation of roads, which has been a noticeable endeavour of the Ministry in the past 20 months. In 2016, the construction and rehabilitation of numerous urban

Construction being conducted on a bridge in Sophia

citizens; we need the support of civil society; we need the support of the municipality.

So all four of us working together…can transform Sophia and make this a destination that people want to come to.” The President said.

Minister Patterson said that over $825 million were spent on roads in Sophia and that in the coming months an additional $60 million will be expended to infrastructural work in the area. He added that similar works were also conducted in other communities such as Leguan and that the Ministry has a long list of other communities it intends to visit in the near future, including: Pigeon Island, in Region Three; communities in Region Five, including Angoy’s Avenue, Agricola, in Region Four; communities in Region 10 and other areas.

The Minister said that at every location, the Ministry ensures that it utilises the services of local residents to create employment, and that the excess material is donated to worthy causes – such as being donated to churches and hospitals - after completion of the works.

Linking the Hinterland to the Coastland Creating linkages from the coast to the hinterland is a commitment, which was outlined in the Government’s 2015 Manifesto, and which has therefore remained a top priority on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s man-

date. The 2017 Budget has made available some $2.5 billion for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of hinterland roads and bridges. Minister Patterson said that this project is an expansive one, which, by the end of its expected 24 month timeframe, will see Guyanese having access to areas such as Bartica, Goshen, Iwokrama and Brazil.

Programme Manager for the Ministry’s Hinterland Programme, Mr. Jeffrey Walcott, said that the Ministry is focusing on four main areas in order to efficiently execute this massive project. These areas are: improvement of both air and road transport through the use of better construction and technology, ensuring more consistent maintenance is conducted, reduction of costs in construction and greater visibility by sharing with the public the progress of the work being conducted.

President Granger has pushed for the development of hinterland infrastructure since taking up office. In August 2015, at the opening ceremony of the National Toshao’s Council, the President announced a ten- point Hinterland Development Plan, among which included the Hinterland Infrastructure Extension Programme. “We want economic development for you. We want to see rapid economic conversion between the two zones; the

Part of the waterfront beautification project involves transforming the waterfront from the Marriott to Ogle into Boardwalk. Photo by Alva Solomon.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXVII

rastructural enhancements hinterland and the coastland.

In order to achieve this conversion, we must improve the physical infrastructure within the hinterland, where the vast majority of our indigenous people reside,” the President said. This step of the programme included plans to pave the road between Linden and Lethem, followed by better bridges, aerodromes, stellings, roads, ferries and other forms of transportation.

Other expansion works on the Ministry’s agenda will take place on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara Highways within which includes works on sea defences, the development of major roads and bridges in these areas. With increased road traffic, the need for the expansion of the two major highways has become an imperative force over the years.

Works for the expansion of the East Bank Demerara fourlane project funded by the International Development Bank started in 2011 and were completed in September 2016 under this administration at a total cost of US$17.7 million, but the Minister said that more work in this area is set to begin shortly.

Additionally, the Minister said that a feasibility study was recently completed with regard to the expansion of the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the location of a new river crossing to alleviate traffic.

The Minister said that negotiations with contractors on this project are expected to begin in July.

BEAUTIFICATION OF THE WATERFRONT Guyana’s northern most waterfront, has for years, served as a means of recreation through social and sport activities; a convergence which in turn developed the opportunity for vendors to capitalise.

Seeing the massive tourism and commercial potential of this area, government sought to create a more welcoming environment, thus bringing to fruition the Georgetown to Ogle Waterfront development and enhancement project, which government proposes to complete through partnership with the UK – Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (DFID).

The project will see the

strengthening of sea defences along the Kingston to Ogle waterfront, while converting the area into a commercial space with recreational facilities and organised vending.

The other part of the project includes the transformation of the Demerara river bank and the wharves at the Stabroek Market and Vreed en Hoop.

“Seventeen thousand people use the speedboat between Vreed en Hoop and Stabroek every day, so we will be upgrading, making it into a proper waterfront facility, floating ramps, commercial activities; and it will be covered like you would see in any first-world country. And from the Marriott to the Kitty Pump Station we will be doing a boardwalk with similar facilities,” the Minister said.

Senior Engineer within the Sea and River Defence Division, Mr. Jermaine Braithwaite, said that the project is in its very early stages but that the overall project is aimed to be completed by the year 2020. He said that the project holds several commercial and infrastructural benefits for the Guyanese people. “You can promote, enhance or increase commercial act – the overall social benefits for families and visitors, but the sea defence infrastructural works is of course of great importance…the importance of having the flood protection structures improved is tremendous because that protects whatever is on the landward side of the defences and speaks to other infrastructural assets and state-owned facilities as well.

The importance at the Stabroek and Vreed en Hoop river transit facilities will also benefit the public tremendously and the enhancement of transport and harbour facilities and possibly aspects of the Stabroek Market will allow for greater commercial activity as well,” he said.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION Guyana is on the pathway to becoming a ‘green’ State, much of which involves the transition toward renewable forms of Energy.

Government believes that an energy mix from such sources is the best option in

order to decentralise the provision of renewable energy to various parts of Guyana and this is in keeping with the country’s commitment to increasing its renewable energy use to 100 percent by 2025.

The Department of the Environment, earlier this month, released its Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), within which sets out several targets, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These targets include: the removal of tax barriers for the importation of renewable energy equipment and other related material, conducting public education and awareness programmes to provide consumers with information and tools to reduce energy consumption and expenditure, the aim to power all of the six newly established townships, starting by using renewable energy sources and other related targets.

The Guyana Power and Light Limited, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, is a major stakeholder in the achievement of the vision of Guyana’s green economy.

As such, several initiatives have been established and will continue to be established in this sector to achieve this goal.

These include the commencement of preparatory steps for the introduction of renewable energy from intermittent and non-intermittent sources, including wind, solar, biomass and hydro power. Moreover, the Minister said that the utility company will look to procure new equipment in an aim to address the issue of frequent power outages.

The Minister said that even outside of these projects, several others, including the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are on stream, as the Ministry endeavours to improve the overall infrastructure of the country.

As the year progresses, Minister Patterson said that his Ministry will continue to work in order to provide better access for people all across the country; to improve the productivity of its people, and to contribute to the overall development of Guyana.

The Sophia residents also received a water distribution system installed by the Guyana Water Incorporated

XXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Getting old is a must –– If one wants to continue living past youthfulness

By M Margaret Burke

UNLESS people die young, they will live to get old. Do you need to stop and think about which is preferred? Even though many people, if given a choice, would prefer to remain young through the years, yet they would rather live to an old age than die young. Therefore, since living to a ‘ripe’ old age is preferred to dying young – by most, then what is there to be feared, since

Nurse Princess said.

This petite lady, stated that her husband died many years ago and that she has no children of her own. However, she shared about caring for many of her nieces and nephews, who are now, “big men and women, having their own families, with lots of children of their own… Some of them really made plenty children,” she said, even as she smiled broadly.

An elderly woman is being fed a meal old age is the inevitable that lies ahead and must be encountered.

Nurse Joycelyn, sometimes called Nurse Princess is proud to call herself an “old nurse”, who worked in the nursing profession for more than 50 years, even though she officially retired from serving the government after 37 years. “I started working as a nurse-trainee at the age of 18 and then passed many, many exams to retire as a senior nurse at 55. But I never stopped working as a nurse and taking care of people – both privately and publicly. I am now 73 years old and still going strong,” she said.

A shy lady, who is said to be very friendly and helpful in her little village of Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara, she stated that for all her years of working as a nurse, “I have learnt so much…but on the topic of taking care of the elderly, this is a situation that I feel should really be looked into with much more seriousness; I have a special interest in this,”

A NEW APPROACH Nurse Joycelyn said that having been exposed to so much with so many people and then retired from public life, as a nurse, she is now prepared to do much more work in an area where she feels that the skills as a retired nurse can do very well.

She stated that as a nurse she was exposed to all five stages of life: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. She explained that the latter can be looked at as that stage in life, which is mostly undesirable for some; one that can be riddled with many adversities, yet an unavoidable stage of life, once people begin to live way beyond that retirement age.

“I feel as if our skills are being wasted, just because we are getting down in age; at the same time people do not recognise how helpful we can be to the elders in their families, who are in need of special attention,” Nurse

A caregiver and her charge share a joke

Princess said, adding that this can be a new approach to ‘Care for the Elderly’ in Guyana, where people who go searching for someone, with some amount of expertise to do the job of taking good care of their loved ones, whether they are sick or enjoying fairly good health in their old age, can get that needed special attention and care.

“There are so many elderly people living in villages across Guyana, as well as in the towns, who need special help…children of a lot of these old people are trying to get help for their old fathers and mothers, or even grandparents and we (the retired nurses) can be of much help if given the chance,” the nurse said.

“In every village and town you can find a large number of retired nurses; some of us doing nothing; we get our pensions because we worked long and hard for those, but that is about it. Some [nurses] live well, others not so well. But many of us are still healthy and strong and have a lot of skills, which we can adequately use to help the elderly in the villages.

NOT ABOUT MONEY The nurse stated that it is not just about money. “A nurse is always a nurse – retired or not. However, this that I am talking about is not just about money, even though

This aged and feeble hand reaches out give me ‘something’ for the help I give them for their elders in the family. Some of the big people I have helped are now overseas with their children, but sometimes when they call home to Guyana they would still remember to ask for me,” Nurse Joycelyn proudly said.

She explained that from the little she has seen and also experienced so far with helping the elderly, “mostly around her neighbourhood” she is very certain that utilising the expertise of people like her would go a very far way in making the lives of more of the elderly in Guyana better-off.

Taking care to position this elderly woman in her wheelchair it can’t be free service every time, but what I am talking about is the skill that we have to help the elderly like ourselves, whether they are mobile or immobile.

“Also, there are some basic care-giving skills, which does not require a doctor, but demand some amount of ‘know-how’ that we can do… from sleeping to being awake; eating; bathing; exercising and more, which we are equipped to do,” she said.

WE ARE NOT DOCTORS The nurse offered that regardless of how much they can do to help, in this case, the elderly, “It must be made clear that we are not doctors, but while in hospitals we work as a team, with a clear line drawn as to how far we are allowed to go.

Some people did not like this, but I always respected the doctors and followed their instructions – all in the interest of the patients.

“Now, I do some voluntary work to help people here and there; sometimes people even

GOVERNMENT’S INTERVENTION “So, for people who are now looking for someone to take care of their elderly relative, this should be a new approach… once the senior nurse is able-bodied and willing to take on the task, then consideration should be favourably given to them.”

She went on to say that this is not to say that younger people looking for employment should not be allowed to take care of the elderly too – once they have the interest and necessary skills they should also be given a chance. “After all, young people who need jobs in this field must always be considered,” Nurse Joycelyn posited, even as she underlined her idea of the usefulness of many of the nurses who are now retired.

“Maybe the government should also look at this notion – something good may come out of it because our elderly deserve the very best,” the nurse submitted. mercilinburke2017@gmail.com

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXIX

Naomi Smith …

Oldest surviving Mabaruma pioneer turns 90

MRS. NAOMI Smith, the oldest surviving female pioneer in the development of Mabaruma (Region One) recently turned 90, joining the ranks of Guyana’s celebrated nonagenarians, though not for one moment looking her age.

The lone daughter born to Marie Small of the North West District, in March 1927,

by March 4, this year, had chalked up 1,080 months or 32,850 days. She is the proud matriarch of a pedigree of 11 children; (one deceased); 50 grandchildren; 69 great-grand children and eight great-great grandchildren.

Elegantly seated amidst family members and guests at a ‘90th birthday party held in her honour at the home of her

Regional Executive Officer (REO) for the North West Region and Henry Smith – the first Mayor of Mabaruma, which has progressed from a ‘Township’ to a ‘Municipal Town’.

PIONEERS IN DEVELOPMENT In retrospect, some of the elders recalled, the period between the 50s and early 60s, was a rather bumpy road to development, and characterised by the lack of certain basic essential services. But defying the odds, Mother Smith and other like-minded residents of pioneering spirit, teamed up to overcome the challenges and make life comfortable for their families.

Mrs. Naomi Smith at her 90th Birth Anniversary Party late daughter, Eileen Peters nee Smith, at Lamaha Springs, Georgetown looked dapper.

It turned out to be a pleasant evening of reflection, appreciation and literally a journey down memory lane, as many of the younger folk, who are from Mabaruma, were hearing these bits of their history for the first time.

However, Mother Smith, as she is fondly called, has never regretted having settled in Mabaruma and lived through the diverse fortunes of the colonial era preceding 1966. It is said, ‘the race is not for the swift, but for those who can endure…,’ and endure she did, and today she’s reaping the rewards of her labour. For difficult though it has been, bringing up eleven children, since the death of her husband, she has worked really hard and today can proudly measure their accomplishments.

Among them are Yvonne Hercules – a lifetime teacher, who was the only female

And these pioneers were invariably housewives, since the jobs available to most husbands in those days, took them to other parts of the region, then known as North West District, with scheduled week-ends off to be with their families.

The latter half of the 1950’s towards the early 1960s – when families were beginning to expand and a great majority of the children in the neighbourhood were beginning to mature – those were seen as the defining days.

It was then that the lack of certain essential services such as potable water; electricity, a good all-weather road; an air strip and community centre began to bite hard.

But memories of the water woes facing the community will be etched indelibly on the minds of the first residents of Mabaruma, whose only reliable source of water was from the rain - collected in a huge underground concrete reservoir at the back of their

homes. Water had to be handpumped from the reservoir into a 45-gallon drum, which was the day’s quota for each household – regardless of

how much laundering had to be done.

In dry weather it was grief, but yet out of hearts of love, residents were always

ready to help another family having run out of water, with a few buckets and the Roman

Catholic nuns were always willing to help out with water from a huge vat in the school

Turn to page XXX ►►►

XXX

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Oldest surviving Mabaruma pioneer... ◄◄◄ From page XXIX

yard.

But generally, it was a community where love abounded and where it took a community to bring up a child, so that it was allowed for an elder to upbraid or scold any child seen misbehaving. It was through those days, that Naomi made her mark, as a mother with eleven children, subject to intense water woes.

WATER BREAK THROUGH It is said that ‘Necessity is the Mother of Invention’, and this holds true for that community. A few residents began a desper-

ate search for an additional source of water and one day, matriarch Iona Allen, whose labourers were weeding in preparation for starting a farm on the hillside behind her house, had a pleasant surprise. About half a mile behind the housing scheme, she stumbled upon an almost choked fresh-water stream.

Excited, she hastened to her friend Naomi and broke the good news. The following day, she instructed the men to cut a path from the stream to the top of the hill to allow for public access. It was a welcome move and in dry weather, parents would have their children fetch

water uphill by the buckets and fill up water drums. If kids didn’t do it before school in the morning, they would have to descend into the valley at lunchtime and fill up before returning to school.

Later residents dug a pond alongside the stream to make way for community laundering.

In time Mrs. Smith pitched in her lot and weeders developed upon the first track cut, so as to accommodate a greater flow of users. Others involved in this initiative included: Iona Allen; Theresa Gibbs; Christina Persaud; Alice Paton and Letitae Williams.

Eventually the Water Works Unit visited the site, surveyed and excavated, then being assured of a continuous flow, initially ran water mains up hill, bringing temporary relief to the residents. Within a few years a pump house was constructed and an extensive water supply programme embarked upon, taking water into every household and public place.

As for electricity, even though it was not until in the 70s that the housing scheme of Mabaruma Township was powered by the Guyana Electricity Corporation, residents of the housing scheme benefitted as early as the 1950s, from electric power generated by the Chan-a-Sues’ a thriving business concern, with the only private generator. The lights were switched off around 9:00 p.m. each night.

Mother Smith, for her part, had a reputation for many firsts in the scheme:

• First in the village to establish a dairy farm, starting with two cows: Blanka and Pedigree, Pedigree, which indeed yielded her a ‘Pedigree’.

• The first to market delicious homemade ice-cream, which she hand-churned and walked around the village selling - and for which there was always a demand.

• The first village-baker to make and virtually ‘sell out’ at a flash, fresh tasty brown bread and hot salara (red cake) to the delight of all the children of the neighbourhood.

• First butcher – butchering cows at Christmastime for the preparation of hot and tasty pepper pot, which ideally complemented the fresh, brown bread (in those days referred to as ‘sal’ bread’.

• She was also the longest serving Parish Lay Assistant (PLA) at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, vice Mrs. Iona Allen (now deceased).

Mother Smith, the pride of Mabaruma has seen the community progress from what was known for years, as ‘Mabaruma Township’ to ‘Mabaruma Municipal Town’ with her son Henry Smith as first Mayor and a grandson as one of the first Cuban-trained doctors in the region.

Mrs. Naomi Smith, who unfortunately lost her vision a few years ago, has expressed gratitude to God for granting her health and strength and for permitting her to see a ripe old age of 90.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXXI

XXXII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXXIII

XXXIV

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Single mother Anitha Sankar educating children through craft work

By Vanessa Braithwaite LOOKING at her two small children under her care, and no one to turn to, Anitha Sankar decided that once there is life within her, there is hope. That spasm of strength jolted the palm of her hands and realising that the answer may be between those palms, Anitha got up and immediately manifested that talent.

Despite not receiving any prior training or not realising that she had the potential, her only teacher of art and craft was the innate desire to provide for her young and because she followed her motherly intuition, she is now the proud owner of her very own craft shop located in the WD’s shopping mall in Charity, Essequibo.

Anitha, who is now 45 years old,

mastered the art of creating beautiful craft products from the tibisiri and nibbi straw. This range from furniture, accessories, handbags, hats, baskets, clothing, ornaments and so much more. When asked how she moved from making a simple necklace to beautiful tibisiri chairs and furniture, Anitha said, “I just realised that I had the skill from one thing to the next and I keep going and going.”

Speaking of the process from sourcing the raw materials to knotting the final straw on her products, Anitha said that it is very tedious, but it has to be done. “You get the tibisiri from the etea tree and the nibbi comes from a tree that grows on the ground and you cut it, peel it, soak it, dry it, split it, it’s very hard work, it takes time, but you have to do what you have to do,” she explained. De-

spite this she said that she loves her job and everything relating to it. This love even motivated her to try sewing and knitting which she has also mastered and now produces beautiful clothing and household décor.

Since she started 10 years ago, her business has expanded and to satisfy the demand on the market, Anitha sometimes purchases craft from other persons as well as the raw materials as it is too time-consuming to do everything on her own. With this expansion, several persons now benefit and can also feed their children, she highlighted.

Looking back on the many challenges and stumbling blocks she overcame and the things she achieved, Anitha is proud to say that her two children were never hungry and most importantly are educated.

Her older daughter is now a teacher while the youngest is still in secondary school. While education was a priority, she also taught them the skills of craft and they are able to assist her when she is in need of help.

“Once I need money to get something, before the day is out, I get it, once I need money to send my children off to school, I get it, that is the hope and encouragement I get from my business,” she said. She encourages other single mothers and anyone experiencing financial challenges to seek out their potentials and create avenues to earn.

“I encourage people who interested in doing something to make their living whatever they choose to do, just go for it, don’t sit down and wait on someone, you can be independent,” she said.

Anitha Sankar to be captioned Anitha Sankar shows off some of her wonderfully made craft out of tibisiri and nibbi

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXXV

Annai Central a peaceful village rich in culture and hospitality

DURING the visit, two children passed by and as they chatted, the peculiarity was evident in the language they spoke.

Later it was noted that the children spoke the indigenous Macushi language, one of several aspects of the culture of

is connected to several satellite villages including Ruperte , Kwatamang,Aranaputa,Wowetta and Surama.

The village is governed by a Toshao who also overlooks the five satellite villages, each of which is governed by senior coun-

Last weekend, George and his friends relaxed under a tree as his family busied themselves in preparation for a day of sports on Easter Sunday.

Mike Williams, a prominent resident and former Toshao, noted that while the village com-

the villages in the North Rupununi. He said that the research focused on planting, hunting and the language and according to him, the language was also taught in the schools.

In addition, Radio Paimowak , the country’s first community radio station which lies three miles away from Annai Central, also broadcasts in English and also the two indigenous languages. He said that the local programmes aired on the radio foster agriculture, culture and current affairs at Annai.

Most residents of Annai Central are engaged in farming, including cassava and peanut cultivation, the latter which is planted on a large scale to supplement food programmes in the area. In addition, residents also rear cows to supplement their livelihoods while others operate small

Baby “Chaz” was being taken by his mother Amanda to their relatives at Annai Central where he would spend the day while his mother tend to the family’s farm.

The benab which was rebuilt at 70 feet high and with seating for dozens of persons.

Annai Central which has been preserved by the village.

Annai Central lies approximately 72 miles (or 115 KM) north of the township of Lethem, the regional administrative capital of the Rupununi.

The village, which is home to a government compound, has a population of approximately 550 persons. The village

cillors.

During a recent visit, Toshao Mark George told the Guyana Chronicle that the village is known for its peaceful, hospitable people who are always willing to assist. This was evident when the village provided assistance to this reporter in the form of bicycles to travel within and outside of the village to the satellite areas.

prises predominantly Macushi people, there are families of the Wapishiana indigenous group within the village.

“Residents still speak the language and this is passed on to the children” Williams said noting that the village played an integral role in the work of the Macushi Research Unit, which was implemented to preserve the culture of

Three different types of material used in the making of houses. At right , a home made of mud, while the house at left was made of clay-brick and concrete.

The Anglican Church at Annai Central. fish pond projects.

Recently, works were undertaken to empolder a wide area where water was being contained on the outskirts of the village.

Williams said that the project has its origins in the creation of additional option as a water source for the village in light of El Nini dry weather conditions which baked the country from mid-2015 for several months. It will eventually be transformed into a fish poind.

The village receives water from a well in the government compound;

the water runs through pipes which are located in front of homes in sections of the village. Some residents utilise wells dug in their yards as another source of water.

The village was once powered by a generator which was based in the government compound and residents received electricity starting at $3000 per month at the time. Later, the generator malfunctioned and was taken to Lethem for repairs but was never fixed.

Then, residents of the vil-

lage received solar panels under a government initiative and that remains the primary means of electricity supply.

Several years ago, a fire caused by flying cinders of a resident’s garbage heap, caught onto the roof of the villages’ benab . Within minutes, the structure was reduced to ashes, but according to Williams the incident provided an opportunity to rebuild a stronger benab, which he noted signifies the strength and tempera-

Turn to page XXXVI ►►►

XXXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Annai Central a peaceful village ... ◄◄◄ From page XXXV

ment of the residents.

The benab , which stands at 70 feet tall and said to be one of the largest in Guyana , was rebuilt at a cost of $4.5M . The structure is 95% complete and there are minor works which remain. “When we built this benab first I ensured that its width is four feet wider than the one in Georgetown {Umana Yana}”, Williams said,

ed to the Coastland via the Linden/Lethem road and most persons utilize the public transportation services offered by the minibus services which charge persons $9000 per seat one way.

The village receives mobile phone and data service from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT). The famous Rock View Lodge is located

A mother and daughter ride out from the village At Annai Central, most persons travel by use of bikes. with a smile, noting that he was village captain at the time when the rebuilding was undertaken.

Beyond the benab’s compound are other noticeable buildings including two Christian churches one of which is home to the Anglicans.

Residents noted that the villages’ origin is tied to the Anglican Church and as such the denomination is a key aspect of the religious characteristic of the village.

In the distance, an aircraft could be heard as low clouds hovered over the Aranaputa Mountains west of Annai Central.

The airstrip is currently undergoing an upgrade and this will see larger sized aircraft such as the Beechcraft1900 being able to land there.

So how does one reach Annai?

The village is connect-

within the village while the Oasis restaurant, a stop-off point on the way to Lethem for travellers, is located within the village. Another eatery, the D&D Restaurant located a few hundred metres away from the Oasis is also another option for food and beverages. For visitors , the regional guest house provides a reliable service at cost starting at $3000 per night per person.

The village is home to a police station, health centre as well as several other government agencies including a unit which falls under the purview of the National Agricultural Research Extension Institute (NAREI) as well as an office of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Most residents travel outside and around the village on Honda 125 motorcycles and similar off-road bikes, a feature which is observed throughout the Rupununi and whether they are in a hurry or not, residents would not hesitate to greet the first-time visitor, a characteristic of the hospitable people of Annai Central.

Toshao of Annai , Mark George , right and his wife Gloria pose alongside their granddaughter.

The government compound at Annai.

Children playing within the village of Annai Central on Easter Sunday.

Boys will be boys.Two lads enjoy the moments of Easter Sunday on a stump.

Annai Police Station in the foreground.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXXVII

Aranaputa peanut–butter factory trying to stay afloat –– Award-winning group seeks financial aid to remain in business AT the end of March 2017, the Aranaputa Processors Friendly Society in the North Rupununi had approximately $243,000 on hand. Its expenditure outweighed its earnings for that month, a trend which the group of women who manage the project says has been ongoing for several years.

While there is a ready supply of peanuts on hand, lack of markets coupled with a reduction in demand from the group’s major supporter, the Ministry of Education, has seen the agro-processing group grapple to remain afloat.

According to Sonia Sears, head of the group, the agro-processing facility is in “survival mode”. She told the Guyana Chronicle during a visit to the Aranaputa Valley facility recently that the body’s survival is being affected mainly by a change in policy of the regional educational authorities.

At the end of March

this year, the facility had approximately 292 pounds of packaged peanut butter on hand. In addition, the group had a total 4,417 pounds of peanuts in its storage rooms. Sears said the situation has led to two persons earning monthly from the project on a rotational basis, producing peanut butter only on order. In the past, the product

was being produced on a larger scale, she said, noting that as much as 100,000 pounds of peanut butter was being processed per week and sold to merchants.

These days, that figure has dropped to almost 20,000 pounds, a figure which sees the group almost exhausting all its probable means to remain

Peanut butter which is processed by the factory and retailed at $600 per container.

in business.

In March 2010, residents participated in the formal opening of the modern peanut processing factory in the village.

The project was successfully completed by the Government of Canada in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) at the time.

Its chairman, Kenneth Forde, told the Guyana Chronicle at the time that the cultivation of peanuts was the main source of income in the village and that the electrically-driven factory served as a major asset for the economic development of the community.

The plant, capable of producing 100 pounds of peanut butter per day, has been managed by members of a Council under the umbrella of the Aranaputa Processors Friendly Society Peanut Butter Factory.

The Aranaputa Processors Friendly Society building which houses the peanut –butter factory.

Sonia Sears of the society, holds an award which the group won in 2012 . That year the group was awarded the Tourism Ministry award for most outstanding community project.

Since its establishment, 2017, the factory noted the school-feeding pro- that the Education Ministry gramme in the Region owed the entity $983,200. was the main market for This sum is likely to climb the peanut butter, and the this month since the minVillage Council had signed istry has not honoured its a Memorandum of Under- debt. standing (MOU) with the According to Sears, Ministry of Education with the group is seeking the respect to the quantities intervention of the governrequired and the price at ment or any organisation the time. which can provide a grant B u t t i m e s h a v e in order for the agro-prochanged. The Ministry of cessing group to remain Education no longer pur- in business. She said that chases the quota it usually the group once approached procured and instead, Sears the Small Business Bureau noted that schools utilise (SBB) seeking financial the imported Peter Pan and aid, however she noted that other foreign-made peanut the requirements set-out butter. She said that the were “too much”. facility also provides packResidents of the vilaged cassava bread to the lage told the Guyana schools in the area but the Chronicle that the factoquantities requested by the ry was the main image of Ministry of Education has Aranaputa . They noted also dropped significantly. that most farmers in the Since September 2016, area sold their peanuts to the ministry has been in- the factory and as such debted to the factory. In its its closure would spell financial report of March bad news for the farmers.

XXXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Rupununi Rodeo at Lethem IT’S a hot Good Friday afternoon at Ruperte Village, North Rupununi. In the distance one can see bright lights approaching along the dusty, red roadway; vehicles fitted with customized roofs which are built to carry fuel and supplies. Their destination, the annual Rupununi Rodeo at Lethem.

The event is termed the most popular attraction in the Rupununi each year at Easter time. This is evidenced by the dozens of persons who travel to the savannah region from all parts of the country, mainly the Coastland.

On Holy Thursday , two days before the rodeo begun , the bus services in the city which ply the Lethem-Georgetown route were overwhelmed with passengers. Outside Carly’s Bus Service in Robb Street, per-

sonnel at the service were busy trying to determine which buses persons would travel with. At the same time , several restless passengers , including families with children , were anticipating their departure for the Rupununi.

Later, the buses pulledoff from the city and as the night progressed, the bumpy ride to south-west Guyana begun.

Fast Forward to Holy Saturday. Its 9hrs at Annai Central and the village is quiet even though the roadway is busy with vehicles passing to and from Lethem. Ryan, a bus operator who operates his bus within the North Rupununi , pulls-up . His bus is almost filled to capacity and his passenger list is still incomplete. Nevertheless, Ryan pulls off for Lethem, a two hours trip which is contrastingly smooth as com-

pared to the rocky-ride north from Linden to Annai.

This year, the rodeo was threatened by the rains which began pouring intermittingly several days earlier. As the bus entered Lethem, dozens of shoppers can be seen outside the stores at Lethem’s commercial zone , even as the rains poured once more.

Fortunately for rodeo fans, around 1300hrs, the bright skies could be seen and it was time to prepare for the most-anticipated Region nine events. At 1400hrs, Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock declared the rodeo open and it was time for the action to commence inside the arena at the Triple R Rodeo ground outside the town of Lethem.

The events commenced with the wild-cow milking competition, the best-dressed vaquero and steer roping.

This rider was adjudged best male dressed vaquero.

Then the excitement of the rodeo climaxed as the more anticipated events such as the bare back bronco and dangerous bull-riding competition commenced. These events drew many “ooo” and “ahhs” from the spectators who filled the bleachers at the venue to capacity. But the rodeo isn’t always about cows, horses and vaqueros.

Outside the arena, a family-like atmosphere enveloped the venue as the evening progressed. Children and their parents ate and perused the many foot stalls where ven-

These dancers entertained the crowd with their dance moves.

One of several participants in the best dressed female vaquero competition.

dors sold a variety of foods including roast corn , beef and chicken kebabs, hot-dogs and a variety of finger-foods.

In addition a play-park fitted with attractions such as a Ferris wheel ignited the atmosphere, even as persons continued to pour into the venue as twilight stretched.

This year Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Vice-President Allicock committed a $1M sum to support the rodeo and the facilities at the ground.

The event, according to most Rupununi residents

Turn to page XXXIX ►►►

Action in the wild-cow milking competition .The two-member team aimed to tie the cow and milk her within a short time period.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XXXIX

Rupununi Rodeo ... ◄◄◄ From page XXXVIII

is the most popular on the calendar in that part of the country. This was evident on Easter Monday when convoys of minibuses, SUVs and even a few cars hurried to the Essequibo River Crossing at Kurupukari to make the first pontoon crossing on the way back to Georgetown.

Along the way to the capital city, the food stops at Mabura were characterized by hungry travellers and the cooks there were back in the kitchen by midday, since many more persons were expected to converge there in search of food on their way from the Rupununi rodeo.

Children enjoy the moment at the rodeo.

The poney-ride was part of the side attraction at the rodeo.

This vendor mixed and sold his popcorn at the venue .

A variety of foods were on sale , including kebabs.

XL

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Riding for Humanity – Sonic Hunters embark on Hinterland Outreach

IT was midday on Easter Sunday. Their bikes could be heard in the distance, humming along the dusty North Rupununi roadway.

Then, they rode into the compound of the Oasis Restaurant at Annai, several men on their big bikes, donning what one resident termed “robot” apparel; protective gear is usually seen in the movies.

They are members of the Sonic Hunters Motorcycle Club, a group which has been in existence almost a decade to date. At Oasis, while some ate and rested, others within the 20-member contingent were busy attending to their motorcycles, off-road machines of which each were fitted with 600cc engines or

larger in size.

Coordinator of the group, John Bennet, told the Guyana Chronicle that the bikers have been undertaking on and off- road riding as a group for years.

He said that the group rode from the coastland to the Hinterland as part of the annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari earlier in April. The days-long riding culminated onward to the Lethem rodeo.

“Each year our main drive is to Orinduik,“ he said, noting that the group would assemble at the mining town of Linden, where they would offload before heading into the mountainous areas in Region Eight.

This year the group’s reputation grew as off-road

John Bennet (without helmet) and some members of the 20 man-contingent.

Members of the Sonic Hunters Motorcycle depart from Annai, North Rupununi for the capital city.

specialists on bikes, since motorcycle movie stuntman from MotoCross America, Clint Esposito contacted and joined the group on their recent trip.

“It takes about five days into the mountains and down back”, Bennet said, noting the bikers rode for eight days onward to Lethem.

But the club is not only about riding. In recent years, the Sonic Hunters decided to explore its humanitarian side. “Annually we do this ride but we also do an outreach to homes,” Bennet said, noting that members of the club would visit homes of the less fortunate or depressed communities and

assist those in need with hampers and gifts.

On its Easter trip, Bennet said the club donated mainly school supplies to families in several hinterland villages.

He said several sponsors, mainly from corporate Guyana assisted the group on its most recent assignment. “It’s an outreach we [have] now started and we have one main sponsor “, he said, noting the group has one support ve-

hicle which carries supplies such as food and fuel for the contingent.

Currently there are 35 members in the club and the group’s future plans include other regional assignments, as well as taking their bikes across international boundaries. As such, the group plans to ride to French Guiana via Lethem and through Brazil.

HOW CAN ONE JOIN THE SONIC HUNTERS? Bennet said with a chuckle, that one has to own a bike which has an engine that is above 600cc. And while there are not many women who ride the big bikes, he said the females are also encouraged to join the Sonic Hunters and partake in their plans of “not only riding but also assisting those in need”.

Popular tinsmith

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

By Shirley Thomas HAVING ventured into the manufacture of aluminum items, even before he was a teen, Raymond Cambridge, now 40 and a tinsmith by profession, would have already made literally tens of thousands of such items.

The items he produces, and for which there is

father now being deceased.

However, it was the elder’s expressed wish that it should live on in the family.

David Jnr, taking pride in his hand-crafted items down through the years, shared the art with his six sons, and taught them a lifetime skill, which would provide sustenance for themselves and families.

And so, loyal to the

Raymond Cambridge at work on a consignment of chick cages great demand, include: chick-feeders, macaw cages, fire-buckets, mail boxes, scale pans and a variety of cake pans.

And having stamped his niche, and won the support and confidence of his customers across coastal Guyana, he is now exploring the possibility of capturing export market for what he considers an economically viable trade.

It’s a trade he’s inherited from his grandfather, David Davson Snr and father David Davson Jnr - owners of the popular ‘Davson and Davson’ Aluminum Craft shop, located on Lombard Street, opposite the Charlestown Post Office. The origin of the business dates back to the 1960s, with his grand-

cause, Raymond and his five brothers stuck by his father’s side and ensured they ‘soaked up’ everything they needed to learn to pursue what he now refers to as a virtual ‘family trade. They saw it as an assured source of income, provided that they put their shoulders to the wheel and ‘put out the works’. And this they did.

With business being what it is at this time, he produces on average, ten chick-feeders or 300 in a fortnight.

Initially the emphasis was on macaw cages and to a lesser extent cake pans.

Then as the macaw trade with the North West District became popular, there was a demand, hence the focus was on that item.

And with the emergence

of widespread cake shops and fast food businesses, cake-making took on more than a ‘Christmas feature’, with cake being sold on a daily basis, came a greatly increased demand fo0r cake pans.

Then came the sophisticated mail boxes, a departure from the use of 5-lb milk tins, cut, painted and placed on fences as mail boxes, as was the norm in in less sophisticated neighbourhoods in the 60s and 70s.

But as buildings became more vulnerable to fires, the need was created for fire-buckets in which to store sand in public and government buildings in the event a fire should break out. That saw the emergence of fire buckets as an item in the trade.

But the chicken-feeders, Raymond admits, has become the fastest selling item in the business. Chicken has now emerged about the fastest selling meat product in Guyana. There is demand for it in in hotels, restaurants, for use in the home, canteens, tuck shops and places of entertainment, in hospitals and even the prison. And today, with the sale of Bar-B-Cue Chicken having become a regular feature and being sold indoors, at workplaces and even in the streets – chicken has become big business.

Hence, with the manufacture of chicken feeders, Raymond is sure he can’t go wrong, since it is now public knowledge that the rearing of chickens has now become a quick source of income-generation, and more and more people are becoming involved.

So for tinsmiths such as Raymond Cambridge and family, it will be a business they will never regret pursuing.

Now proudly married and living with his wife and 8-year old son Samuel at Lamaha Park, East La Penitence, he operates his trade across the road from where he lives.

Raymond, a simple and law abiding citizen, is dedicated to his work and daily can be seen engaged in producing these items which he churns out manually, using a simple machine to cut and bend the aluminum in shapes and sizes as the items demand.

XLI

chick cages in the initial stages

XLII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Back by popular demand…

What were the earth day jeopardy clues?

YESTERDAY, April 22, was Earth Day. Guyana, together with 192 other countries around the world, celebrated this international observance.

Among the activities to celebrate Earth Day in Guyana, were a tree planting exercise organised by the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of the Presidency and a “March for Science” organised by the Iwokrama Centre for Rainforest Conservation. Both of these activities aimed to raise awareness of the

Here are some additional categories and clues from the semi-finals of Earth Day Jeopardy.

Category: Keep Your Waste Line in Line 1. Reduce your waste - buy products enclosed in less of this (plastics, paper, aluminum etc.)

2. Composting is also referred to as nature’s way of practicing this “R”.

Category: Biodiversity 1. The natural home of an animal or

vehicle can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Category: Feeling Hot Hot! Hot! (about Climate Change) 1. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, water vapour and ozone fall in this group for their ability to trap heat.

2. The year the most catastrophic flooding occurred in Guyana’s history.

3. A term meaning changes caused by human activity.

Category: Rivers 1. This river runs through 7 South American countries, and is home to piranhas and anacondas.

2. This African river, the longest in the world, runs through 10 countries including Egypt and Ethiopia.

3. Rivers can be found in outer space; the moon of this ringed planet has a river of methane.

Category: Mineral Wealth 1. Finer than gravel, coarser than

more about our environment, our country and our world. Look back over the clues and see how many small changes we all can make in our lifestyles that will add up to big benefits for ourselves and the environment in the long term. Remember everyone, has a role to play in the protection of the Earth. The

silt, used in glass making and building construction.

2. If it wasn’t for me, no aluminum for you.

Category: Protected Areas 1. The first national park in Guyana.

2. 360,000 hectares of protected land located in the middle of Guyana.

How did you do? See the answers below (don’t peek until you’ve tried to answer them all!) In Jeopardy, the students answered in the form of a question, but to save space just the answers are listed here.

Earth Day Jeopardy is fun, but hopefully everyone will also learn

Earth is our home, let’s cherish and care for it, poor environmental practices will only lead to our detriment.

For further information contact EPA, Environmental Communication, Education and Awareness Programme at 225-5471-2/225-5467-9 ext. 235 and like our facebook page, Environmental Protection Agency Guyana or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. If you would like to have educational programmes in your school, organisation or community, do not hesitate to give us a call and let us share how you can help.

Leonora Secondary - Region 3 semi-finalists theme of Earth Day: “Environmental and Climate Literacy.”

The EPA organised an Earth Day Jeopardy Competition involving nine secondary schools from Regions 3, 4 and 10. Two rounds of the competition have been completed and the winners of each round will compete in the finals on April 28 at the National Centre for Educational Research and Development (NCERD). It would be fun and may the best team win!

Answer to last week’s questions Last week we shared 5 questions from the Earth Day Jeopardy semi-finals. How did you do? Here are the correct responses underlined:

1. Use sunlight to eliminate some light bulbs. It’s free!

2. Expel up to 7 gallons of water after each use of an (old fashioned) toilet.

3. More frequent and intense storms, increased temperatures, rising sea levels, floods and drought are some impacts of climate change.

4. The Blue Whale is the largest animal that ever existed.

5. The mosquito is the most dangerous species in the world.

plant.

2. A plant or animal that is not native to a particular area and competes with native species.

3. Trees do this to reduce global warming.

Category: Walk the Walk (Things we should be doing for the environment) 1. The colour of environmentally friendly actions.

2. Save your business this amount for not littering in a public place.

Category: It Wasn’t Me (Things we try to blame on something or somebody else!)

1. This problem is worse when drains are clogged with trash but people blame it on the rain.

2. If this utility bill is too high we blame the VAT instead of our own failure to turn off the lights.

3. These chemicals can be blamed for the reduction of pollinators in and around farms.

Category: Up and About (travel-related) 1. This two-wheeler burns fat and saves you money.

2. This practice involving different persons choosing to ride together in one

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XLIII

XLIV

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XLV

XLVI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XLVII

XLVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

XLIX

L

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

Non-chemical control of Black Sigatoka Disease THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) intends to use a fungus and botanicals and biological fungicides to assess its efficacy in the control of the Black Sigatoka Disease (BSD).

Black Sigatoka disease is caused by the fungus, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, is a disease which affects banana and plantain plants and is responsible for widespread damage to crop vegetative material and reductions

materials in the control of diseases, making crop production cheaper, healthier, and safer for consumption by the general population.

Plantains are normally grown on a large scale in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and 10. In the past six years BSD has led to a decline in plantain exported from Guyana. Prior to the outbreak of Black Sigatoka in 2009, about 1,457 Mt of plantain was exported between 2004 and

in plant yields. The disease contaminates neighbouring healthy plants and as it progresses to advanced stages, destroys large green areas of the leaf resulting in premature falling of leaves and ripening of fruits.

The fungus currently being used in these experiments has been very effective in controlling other harmful fungal outbreaks on crops, particularly on sugar cane. This fungus was tested on BSD in Brazil and was found to be effective in the control of the disease. As such, tests are being done to assess its success in Guyana.

Biological fungicides are also showing positive results in the control of this disease.

Experiments have shown that there was a lower disease incidence and higher bunch weight for those plants treated with the biological fungicides compared to those treated with the chemical fungicides.

Integrated Pest Management methods have also been used as a way to decrease BSD in plantain and banana suckers. Proper sanitation, fertilization, nutrition, irrigation, and rotation of fungicide work together to achieve a lower disease index and increased bunch weight.

NAREI is working towards the utilization of less chemicals and more organic

2008. In 2009 to 2011 only 501Mt was exported. However, within the last three years the export market started to grow from zero export to about 31 Mt, mainly due to good management practices that were employed during this period. Last year’s production was in excess of 130 000 tons.

In addition, the Food and Agriculture Organization reported a 100% decline in exports of bananas from Guyana in 2012 owing to affected plants bearing smaller bunches and underweight fruit which ripen prematurely, making them unsuitable for export.

Management of the disease is usually done through the application of available contact and systemic fungicides several times a year. This is not only expensive but has environmental and food safety implications due to the contamination and residual effects the chemicals have on food and water sources. It is imperative to adopt an integrated approach to managing Black Sigatoka disease, which can possibly entail reducing the frequency of chemical fungicide applications and replacing them with non-chemical alternatives.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 23, 2017

LI

Grilled Spicy Mango Chicken Wings INGREDIENTS 3 lbs chicken wings 1/2 lime 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus a pinch for the sauce) 2 scallions 2 cups mango puree 1 scotch bonnet pepper 2 tablespoon melted butter 1 table spoon corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon fresh thyme NOTES: If you can’t get scotch bonnet peppers, you can use Habanero pepper or use hot sauce. If you want you can replace the corn syrup with honey and be sure to add more scotch bonnet if you like HEAT! METHOD Trim off the wing tips (or leave – it’s up to you) and cut the wings into pieces, wash and drain. Then season with the salt, black pepper, chopped scallion and finely chopped thyme. Mix well and let it marinate for a couple of hours in the fridge.

In a sauce pan on medium heat, bring the mango nectar to a gentle simmer and go in with a pinch of salt and finely diced scotch bonnet pepper. If you cannot get scotch bonnet, Habanero pepper will give it a wicked kick with a fruity undertone or you can reach for a bottle hot sauce. Let that reduce for about 8 minutes, then go in with the melted butter, corn syrup and lime juice. Cook on the gentle bubble for about 4 minutes then remove it off the heat.

Oven Method: Line a baking tray with parchment paper or if using tin foil. Drizzle on some vegetable oil or cooking spray so the wings don’t stick. Place on the middle rack at about 375F for about 1/2hr (depending on the size of your wings) and remember to flip them so they brown evenly.

When fully cooked, toss in 3/4 of the sauce (leave back some to dip the wings in while eating) and put them back in the oven on the broil setting to caramelise (just a couple minutes).

On the grill! On a medium heated grill (about 350-375) grill as you would normally grill chicken wings for about 25-30 minutes – flipping a few times during the grilling process. Then removed from the grill and give them a bath in the spicy mango sauce and back on the grill to get more flavours as the flame do its thing with the sugars in the sauce.

Serve warm. Top with some chopped scallion and wedges of lime or lemon and it’s always nice to have the reserved mango sauce on the side for those who like to dip their hot wings.