Pepperpot 2015 03 01

The new state-of-the-art Teleperformance center at the corner of Camp and Robb Streets in Georgetown, Guyana

DR. DALE DAN

is Vice President of Teleperformance

Page XI

… will help state-of-the-art contact center hire nearly 1,500 employees

Dr. Dale Dan

WRITINGS, PUBLICATIONS AND GUYANA (Part XV1)

Dr Jagan’s

Page V

‘THE WEST ON TRIAL’ was written in exciting first person prose

DAVID ROOPWAH Page XIII

- Artisanal fisherman par excellence

- reminiscent of certain books by writers like Robert Penn Warren, Ernest Hemingway or John Dos Passos

Chateau Margot John Abraham returns with ‘Force’

Page XII

Page XXI

A king dethroned by his very own…

FACEBOOK Page Former Boxing Champion LAUNCHES XIV NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION TOOL

TERRENCE

Ali

still for h fig ting his ‘due ’ ion recognit

Produced and Edited by Mark Ramotar | Graphic and Layout Design by Duane Prince

Page VIII

‘I DREAM OF KRISHNA’

T

By Maureen Rampertab

he dark, godly prince whose divine smile so entranced Radha, the little girl sitting in the temple, her hands clasped in prayers, she uttered his name in reverence. She had been named after Radha, the companion who stands at Lord Krishna’s side and when she was just a baby, the first day her mother took her to the temple, she had crept to the altar, as worshippers chant his name, and sat at his feet looking up at him mesmerised. It was the god she would worship, the god she so admire, that in her dreams she called his name and as she grew, the beauty and simplicity of Radha was bestowed upon her, so her young life was filled with all that was wonderful, beautiful and true.

“Oh, Krishna, oh Krishna,” she sang to him in her innocent, childish voice, as celebration of the Spring festival began in the village and beyond, the colours, the music, the dancing and gaiety as joy and happiness filled the air.

“Radha,” her mother called from the temple steps, “Come outside and play with the other children.”

“I’m listening to Krishna,” she answered, softly, for so pure was the devotion in her heart, she could hear the soft, sweet melodious music from his flute, waltzing in the air.

Her mother sat down near to her and said quietly, “We celebrate Holi in his name, so he’s everywhere playing his beautiful music.”

Radha looked at her mother and smiled sweetly, “I sometimes feel like I’m there sitting by the stream, as he plays his flute. Will I ever see him?”

“For as long as the devotion in your heart is pure and true, you will feel his presence.”Radha kissed her on the cheek and taking her hand, she said, “Come, Ma, let’s go celebrate Holi.”

The air was filled with a rainbow of colours, water guns spraying coloured water and sweet delicacies shared to everyone as the celebration continued with joyful screams, laughter and fun.

Radha, her bare, nimble feet danced as the drums played, the dance of the gods, this wonderful, beautiful child, her heart so devoted, that often her mother would pray to the Lord to bless her daughter’s life, so when she becomes a woman she would be betrothed to one who would love her and hold her special in his heart.

Dusk approached and sitting under the old, oak tree near to the temple, to rest her feet tired from the dancing, Radha closed her eyes for a little moment and in that little moment, she heard the sweet sounds of the flute, drifting in the air. Her eyes flew open and she looked around, but no-one was playing a flute, yet she could still hear it as though it was calling her. She followed the sound, the tiredness of her feet gone, to the outskirts of the village and into the forested area, not afraid,

her mind filled with wonder. Her feet seemed not to touch the ground as she ran and she saw him, like an illusion, standing by the stream, dark and handsome, in princely attire, a flute in his hand. He smiled at her. A twinkle in his eyes and from his enchanted lips he played for her a sweet tune. Her young heart exulted and tears of infinite happiness filled her eyes, for her Krishna had come. Years went by and she grew into a very beautiful young woman, Krishna always in her dreams, in her heart. She danced, every year, on the spring festival of Holi and she would still hear the melodious sounds of the flute, though she never saw him again, embracing it in her heart, knowing he was there, an unseen presence. The time of her betrothal drew close and she had met no-one like her Krishna and she wondered, “Will he ever come?” The spring festival was drawing close and her mother, the one who understand her heart, her desire, fell very ill. Radha was sad, she did not want to lose her mother though the Swami had told her, ‘it’s all in god’s hands.’

She continued to pray, her devotion and love as deep and sincere as it always was, but her mother’s illness did not go away. That spring festival she did not dance, for there was no joy in her heart to celebrate Holi as she gave care to her mother. Dusk approached, once again and standing at the doorway she heard the sound of the flute calling her, but she could not leave.

“Radha,” her mother called weakly.

“Yes, Ma,” she answered.

“Can you hear the flute?”

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

II

“Yes, Ma, I always do.”

“It’s calling you.”

“I know, but I can’t leave you.”

“You won’t be leaving me, my child, a mother and child never parts. I want you to go, because I had asked of the lord something for you and now is the time.”

Radha obeyed her mother’s wishes, not quite understanding what she meant and as she neared the stream, the flute stopped playing. As a child, twelve years ago, she had seen her Krishna, an immortal being and today she was seeing, a dark and handsome young man, but a mortal being like herself. They stared at each other, both somewhat surprised, then he said, “I thought I heard the sound of a flute and I followed it, did you?”

She did not answer for a moment, then she smiled, understanding, now why her mother sent her.

The handsome stranger smiled and Radha knew in her heart, he was the one for.

“You’re very beautiful,” he said, “Almost divine, what’s your name?”

“Radha,” she said softly.

“My Radha,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Radha returned home with the stranger and her mother greeted her at the door, as though she was never ill.

“Ma,” she was totally surprised, hugging her as joy returned to her heart.

“It’s all god’s will, child,” her mother said, “Lord Krishna has answered my prayers and sent for you a groom.”

Radha smiled, tears in her eyes and the sound of the drums she heard, as the holi celebration continued into the night and this time, she danced, not alone, but with the Krishna of her dreams.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

III

Representations of Race in Guyanese Writing

A

Dr Juanita Cox

Vanda Radzik

FIVE-PART series titled ‘Race: A Guided Discussion’ staged at Moray House Trust has come to an end after weeks of engagement on the subject. The protracted period during which the event was staged allowed time and space for re-adjustments to positions, rebuttals and rejoinders.

At the end, it was like an opening engagement on the subject - so much ground was covered, so much said and too much left unsaid. That which was left unsaid will, sooner rather than later, come out as life goes on or, hopefully, when other such events are staged.

The event ‘Race: A Guided Discussion’was facilitated by Dr. Paloma Mohamed, a Social Psychologist on sabbatical from the University of Guyana. The third session, ‘Representations of Race in Guyanese Writing’, is of relevance to the objective of this column.

That third forum shocked, shamed, mortified, brought degrees of elucidation and levity to the subject, and raised more questions than answers. That third forum was a significant part of the whole.

The previous two sessions were important introduction to the subject via the showing of two films, the screening of the prize winning National Geographic film, ‘Journey of Man’, and ‘Race: The Power of An Illusion’, and resulting discussions after.

The fourth session was titled ‘Questions of Race in Other Spaces’ and the final session ‘Guyana: A Positive Example for the World’.

The theme for that third session on race was ‘Representation of Race in Guyanese writing’. The participants for that third session included academics, literary critics, poets, dramatists, graphic artists, and writers.

The session started with Dr Mark Tumbridge who concentrated on the novel, ‘Lutchmee and Dilloo’, written by John Edward Jenkins, first published in 1877. The author treated

Sonia Yarde Indians in sympathetic manner while other races like the ‘Negroes’- his word, Europeans, and Chinese were treated as peripheral characters.

There are many reasons for this. One of the main reasons was the fact (and the author made of note of this in his preface, ‘the field is a new one for fiction’) that it was the first time that Indians were a worthy subject of English literature.

Another reason could be found in the fact that Jenkins came to British Guiana in 1870 acting on behalf of the Anti-Slavery Society and the Aborigines Protection Society ‘to investigate the coolie condition’.

Tumbridge ended with the following verse from the poem ‘They came in ship’ by Mahadai Das. Commissioners came, capital spectacles in British frames consulting managers about costs of immigration.

The commissioners left, fifty-dollar bounty remained.

• Dr Joyce Jonas’ presentation was measured and flawless, as usual with her treatment of literary issues. Jonas focused on the novel, ‘Frangipani House’ by Beryl Gilroy and en passant made reference to ‘Palace of the Peacock’ by Wilson Harris. Jonas raised the issue on blurring of boundaries/ identities especially in the makeup of the crew members in Harris’ book.

• Sonia Yarde, teacher, actress and playwright, focus on her play, ‘The Colour of Race’, revealing some unsavory displays of racial bigotry. Her intent was to use drama to get home her message of taking the positive elements of race in order to mend, and fashion a better society.

• Vanda Radzik, a rights activist and a supporter of the arts, focused on Martin Carter in order the break the cycle of the race folly. Radzik also made reference to ‘The Hummingbird Tree’, a novel set in Trinidad, by Ian McDonald.

Dr Joyce Jonas • Petamber Persaud focused the autobiographical influence on all writing begging the question of truth, half-truths, and selected memory in such writing. Persaud touched on two novels of his, ‘And So What?’ and ‘Overtures’; the theme of both was respect for each other, tolerance and working together.

• Barrington Braithwaite - graphic artist, displayed advertisements of soaps and detergents used in the past which defined race (between Whites and Blacks) in such a manner leading to self hate (among Blacks).

• Ras Michael Jeune- dub poetry exponent, gave the audience a ride down the corridors of history in a sound performance of dub poetry.

• Mosa Telford, one of the bold new voices in drama, focused on her prizewinning play ‘Sauda’ which brought out the autobiographical treatment of race in literature and shed light on the preference for lighter shades people.

• Dr Juanita Cox, expert on Mittelholzer, looked at the prize-winning novel, ‘Timepiece’, by Janice Shinebourne, which also depicted how race and class are perceived from place to place – from a rural Guyana to an urban Guyana.

From the floor, the focus was on the usage of words like ‘Negro’, the other ‘n’ word, and ‘Collie’. In the end, like the whole issue of race, it was left open ended. However, it was of a general view the context will decide whether usage was denigrating or acceptable/vogue.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

Jumbie Jokes F

By Neil Primus RANCIS and Sunny were best friends since primary school. They grew up in the same village, went to the same school and now worked at the same Fishery. They partied together and drank rum together.

There was one unique quality about their friendship. They often made very rough practical jokes on each other. Onetried to outdo the other. After each attempt they would end up smiling and laughing.

Sunny would be celebrating his 25th birthday that weekend.What better way to do so than with a practical joke.

Francis got down to planning the event.

Sunny knew that his friend’s yard was bushy and unkempt.

No better place to spring his trap. That nighthe got a large white sheet and put it on.With a scissors he cut two holes for the eyes and was ready to scare the skin off his friend.

It was around nine thirty when Francis strolled down the dark passage-way to his house. He had taken a few drinks but was not drunk. Sunny was waiting for him, concealed by a large clump of bushes.

Boo!!!

Boo!!

Francis looked around him and continued on.

Wooo!

Wooo!

Francis stopped and peered all around him trying to locate the source of this strange noise. Just then Sunny rose to his full height and with arms outstretched walked robot-like toward Francis.

When the white creature popped out from behind the Blacksage bush, Francis went from curious to totally freaked.

He just stood looking at the slowly advancing menace. His mouth hung open and his eyes were round like marbles.

“A gon get yo now!”

“Run foyu life!”

Francis came to his senses when the figure in white double over laughing and pointing at him. It was Sunny trying to frighten him.

He felt embarrassed that he had fallen for the trick. Now whenever they were chatting or drinking he would have to face some heavy banter.

Sunny removed the sheet and continued laughing. He had caught his friend off guard and succeeded in frightening him.

Wait until he told their friends. There would be plenty more laughing to come.

Francis sat on a tree stump and tried to compose himself.

Sunny squatted nearby.

Woosh!

Something swift had just flown past them.

Groan!

The sound was loud and unmistakable.Sunny looked around in shock. His eyes locked onto a strange silvery figure rising out of the ground. Francis was facing Sunny and could not see what was happening behind him,neither did he care to know. He was convinced that it was another trick thought up by Sunny.

The silver specter raised to about eight feet, its eyes socket of fire. Sunny’s laughter and courage melted away before this new phenomenon.

With badly shaking hand and quivering voice he tried to warn his friend.

“A.a.aJ.J.Jumbie behindyo!”

Francis only smiled. He was not going to fall for the same thing twice in one night.

Sunny was becoming more agitated. He could not get his friend to take him seriously. The creature moved towards them in a menacing way.

Sunny got to his feet but both were shaking so badly that they could hardly support his weight. He could not even move towards his friend to warn him of the impending danger.

Francis solved the problem. He had seen enough of Sunny’s schemes and pranks. He was going home.

Getting up, he strode past a terrified and motionless Sunny and continued along the passage way to his house. When he

disappeared along the path things took a turn for the worse.

“Who dare to disturb me peaceful slumber?”

Sunny could not muster the voice to answer.

“I gon teach you a lesson tonight!”

With that the spirit closes on Sunny in the blink of an eye.

It was like Royal Rumble for the next five minutes Pax! Bam!

Crack!

Wax! Pow! Kick, cuff, butt and bite rain down on Sunny. It was a one way affair. Sunny found his voice half way in the rumble and started to bawl.

“Ow!” “Ahhh!”

“Oh me lawd!”

“Sorry for me nah!”

Lix continued. His mobility returned and he went racing out of there, sheet in hand blowing wildly in the wind. De man frighten a few people well and old Ms. Hobbard pelt he wid she false teeth.

Next day Sunny was black and blue and limping from all de blows. Francis hear about it and he started to laugh. Then he got serious. Dis thing happen in he passage-way. Dat same morning he and two friends weed the entire place. Theynice it up and made a seat out of the tree stump.

Dat night Francis dream a grey hair man smiling at he and telling he thanks fo cleaning up the place. After dat no bush could survive in the passage way.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

V

WRITINGS, PUBLICATIONS AND GUYANA (Part XV1)

Dr Jagan’s

‘THE WEST ON TRIAL’ was written in exciting first person prose

- reminiscent of certain books by writers like Robert Penn Warren, Ernest Hemingway or John Dos Passos

D

By Terence Roberts

ID writings and publications on Guyana after Independence mostly emphasise its religions?

Hardly. Though there was a popular tendency encouraged after Independence in 1966, to make ‘Culture’ a private value based on one’s original ethnicity and even religious beliefs.

This would become propagated by some, in contrast to an emphasis on 'culture' created by the broadest possible education.

In actuality, the diverse religions of Guyanese are a private, or personal matter, which have almost nothing to do with Guyanese Culture as a whole; though each religion can contribute humane values to such a culture.

THE WEST ON TRIAL It is significant that in 1966, the year of Independence, a book appeared by one of the leading politicians of Guyana who was interested in establishing both a national economy (based on equitable trade, commerce) and culture based on broad educational and intellectual values. ‘The West On Trial’

by DrCheddiJagan was written in exciting first person prose reminiscent of certain books by writers like Robert Penn Warren, Ernest Hemingway, or John Dos Passos.

And though its main interest was Guyana’s exploitive history, and the sad ideological (and subsequently racial) split from his political party the PPP, by his early Afro-Guyanese partner Forbes Burnham, there are other very important points in DrJagan’s book about his real life experiences, which prove that he was neither racially or religiously oriented towards the concept of Guyanese Culture as a whole; even though politically it was impossible for his party to achieve political power without the votes of his own East Indian ethnicity, who were the population’s majority. Emphasising his partisan and patriotic intellectual interests above those of religion or race, DrJagan in his book wrote: “Because the PPP was the most advanced ideologically, it began, after the 1957 election, to attract the more politically conscious, particularly youths, students, and intellectuals of all races.” In fact, Jagan’s ideas, especially as explained in his books, were accepted and shared by numerous European, North American, Canadian, and so called ‘Third World’ intellectuals and writers.

THE CHEDDI & JANET JAGAN LEGACY One of DrJagan’s merits, in personal character, public, and literary affairs, was the exposure of his personal life and ideas to public scrutiny. In Canada during the 1960s and 70s he appeared more than once on one of the best Canadian TV programmes of the era: ‘Under Attack’, in which 'controversial' artists, writers, thinkers, etc, faced from an auditorium’s podium, critical University students on various campuses. DrJagan’s intellectual, literary, political and cosmopolitan cultural interests were shared by his wife, Janet

Rosenberg, a North American who left her native Chicago in the late 1940s (he was a student Dentist there, she a nurse) and settled in British Guiana/Guyana for the rest of her life, throughout the country’s turbulent periods. Their interests were by no means ethnic oriented, or insular (it is said that Janet once refused to wear an Indian Sari offered by avid followers), but peasant workers, once the backbone of the economy, were central to their focus. They were known as Classic Hollywood film buffs, and there are newspaper photos of the couple leaving Georgetown cinemas in good humor, obviously glad to mingle with the cinema-going public.

Terence Roberts

LITERATURE AND NATIONAL EDUCATION The PPP headquarters, called ‘Freedom House’, had one of the best high-quality eclectic, bookstores in the capital of Georgetown, where British and American paperback editions of vitally important writers like Flaubert, Maupassant, Zola, Stendhal, Cocteau, Gide,Colette, Simone de Beauvoir, Sagan, Sartre, Camus, Malraux, St. Exupery, Montreland, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Turgenev, Pushkin, Chekov, Gorky, Pasternak, Voznesensky, D.H. Lawrence, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, G.B. Shaw, Allan Sillitoe, John Braine, Somerset Maughm, Grahame Greene,Thomas Mann, Tagore, Gibran, Faulkner, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Capote, Erskine Caldwell, James Baldwin, Chester Himes, Leroi Jones, etc, were all available. To offer such mental or intellectual values cheaply to citizens, speaks on an outstanding emphasis on cultivating a broad cultured and educated public by a political party.

During the late 1950s, early 60s period of Jagan’s govern-

One of Dr Jagan’s merits, in personal character, public, and literary affairs, was the exposure of his personal life and ideas to public scrutiny. In Canada during the 1960s and 70s he appeared more than once on one of the best Canadian TV programmes of the era: ‘Under Attack’, in which ‘controversial’ artists, writers, thinkers, etc, faced from an auditorium’s podium, critical University students on various campuses. ment, they hosted Princess Margaret, and though long banned in Anglo Caribbean islands and the USA, after the Cold War the American State saw their ideas with less paranoia.

DrCheddiJagan died in an American hospital, his wife Janet, after a brief period as President of Guyana in the 1990’s, died in Georgetown in the next decade.

DALY’S GUYANESE HISTORY Writings and publications on Guyana demonstrate literature’s ability to reveal or conceal, to choose or deny. After Independence, re-writing Guyana's history from a nationalist viewpoint often became an opportunity for biased reactions, rather than progressive thought. Vere.T. Daly's version of Guyana's history begins with an account of the ancestral roots of the population’s races ( local racial mixtures do not seem to be a bona fide subject), since such origins can be used to determine, emphasise, and define a backward looking local direction in aspects of one’s ‘true’ culture, which each ethnicity may regard as paramount to perpetuate. Daly’s book: ‘A Short History of the Guyanese People’, was first published locally in 1966 as well, then re-published in 1975 by the British-Caribbean branch of MacMillan publishers. The book was encouraged and praised by L.F.S. Burnham, whose government was in power between 66 and 75. It is not a bigoted book, but quite broad-minded in trying to grapple with as much historical data as possible, and its cover is a correct choice of the Aubrey Williams abstract airport mural. Its weakness lies in stressing the dominant will of various races and individuals, imposed on Guyana; rather than exploring the more original local value of Guyana’s distinct geographical and social identity, which can mold all its diverse inhabitants in a recognised and accepted collective direction, contrary to their divisive and antagonistic history. But this is a conceptual cultural direction that the mere reciting of historical facts, would probably never lead to.

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

A short story…

Sweet Sweet

Pepperpot T

By Neil Primus HEY say the best of friends must part. This story is about a group of friends who had one simple falling out. Even though it didn’t end their friendship, it certainly changed their respect for each other.

William worked Monday to Saturday, 7am to 4pm. He was always punctual at work and arriving home. He soon got the name 4 O’clock. At 4 every afternoon he would arrive home.

He lived in a Bachelor’s Quarters (BQ) and worked for a foreign logging company. He had many friends some of whom did not work. What they had in common was gambling. William loved to gamble and the best place was his place. So all the gambling took place there.

Because it was a big affair with plenty of money involved, he allowed them to use his quarters when he was at work. All they had to do was let him draw shorts. So every afternoon at 4pm he collected anything from fifteen hundred to five thousand dollars.

He was delighted with this arrangement.

Then things began to go wrong.

Each morning before he left for work, William would cook; take a little to work for his lunch and leave the reminder for when he arrived back home. Soon the gamblers discovered his food. Whenever they felt peckish they would help themselves.Pretty soon he was coming home to an empty pot. Something had to be done about this.

The next day when he arrived home and found that all his food been consumed he held a frank discussion with his friends.

“Listen fellas, yo all can’t eat out all me food.”

“We does feel hungry bro.”

“A don’t k!”

“Watch, we does pay you good money just cook mo.”

“No way! Just leave me food alone” William was done talking. His friends ignored his request and went

back to their old tricks. As soon as he cooked and left for work, they would full their empty bellies.

Fed up with talking,he decided to teach them a lesson.

The next day the gambling crew found the sweet smell of pepperpot in the house. They quickly moved to the kitchen.There on the stove was a large pot of pepperpot and a pot of rice. There were many smiles. William had listened and cooked more. Even though he had cooked more, the food was so tasty that they ate every scrap.When William arrived home and went into the kitchen he found all the food gone and the pot washed clean and turned down.

“Yo mean yo all aint leave none fo me.”

“Sorry bro…that food was too sweet.”

“We glad yo cook mo.”

“I can’t afford to cook mo.Datmeat yo don’t find in de market.”

“What yo mean by that William?”

William explained.The night before when they had all departed, he hunted down his neighbourscrawly dog, killed it, skinned it and made pepperpot with the meat. The head he stored in a bucket

as proof. He put the pepperpot and rice on the stove and went to work and the gamblers came and cleaned up. When William told them what he had done they all burst out laughing. He wasn’t going to fool them that easily.

When he went into his room and emerged with the bucket from which he showed them the dog’s head they believed.

Faces went from laughter to horror, normal to sickly white. Men were cursing running for the door and forcing their finger down their throat. The sound of vomiting and cursing could be heard a block away.

William calmly buried the dog’s head and went to bed. The next day he cooked as usual and left for work.When he arrived home he went straight to the kitchen and checked the pot. All the food he had cooked was still there. The gamblers had learned their lesson.

“Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!”

Aloud snore was heard coming from his bedroom. They had left the food and were now sleeping on his bed. He reminded himself to search for a cow itch plant.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

Convicted murderer sentenced to death by hanging in 2008

VII

- Appeal allowed in part; given 12 years for manslaughter

By George Barclay

B

ECAUSE of a miscarriage of justice, Mark Anthony Wong who was sentenced to death in 2008 appealed his sentence and had his appeal allowed in part, because the trial judge had left unexplained to the jury certain aspects of the

defence.

“Wong’s conviction of murder for the killing of Troy in 2008 was set aside, and he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on a conviction of manslaughter.

Justice of Appeal the Hon. Charles Ramson, S.C., who delivered the judgment of the Guyana Court of Appeal, began his judgment by saying: “Lord Buckmaster, former Lord Chancellor of England, in an address to the American Bar Association, captured the essence of the determination of this appeal.”

He went on to say: “Justice was a goddess whose symbols are known to all, a throne that tempests cannot shake, a pulse that passion cannot stir, eyes that are blind to a feeling of favour or ill-will, and the sword that falls on all offenders with equal certainty and with impartial strength.”

Justice of Appeal Ramson added, “Placed in charge of a jury of his peers, 12 ordinary Guyanese ladies and gentleman, the appellant Mark Anthony Wong was convicted of the capital offence of murder after two and one-half hours of deliberation.

“He was sentenced to death by hanging, in accordance with the mandatory provision of S. 100 of Criminal Law Offences Act, Chap 8:01.

“As we will see later, it would appear that the verdict of the

“Justice was a goddess whose symbols are known to all, a throne that tempests cannot shake, a pulse that passion cannot stir, eyes that are blind to a feeling of favour or ill-will, and the sword that falls on all offenders with equal certainty and with impartial strength.” jury was arrived at after they rejected his major defences - of the self-defence and accident, for which the aforementioned Act made provision in S.106, which expressly countenances that Common Law principle.

“No punishment or forfeiture shall be incurred by any person who kills another person by misfortune, or in his own defence, or in any other manner without felony.

“The evidence that emerged was without any undue measure of convolution or prolixity, nor was it stacked with divergent minutiae.

“Equally, it ought not to have presented the jury with a task that required an intelligence quotient beyond the average man in the street.

“In short compass, five relatively young Guyanese men met at a beer garden on the East Bank of Demerara River and, in the course of their rendezvous, they consumed ‘a large’, one half bottle of Vodka, with one of them drinking a Mackeson stout as well.

“To a libating sociophile, at a maximum, each one of them would have consumed a little more than seven ounces in volume, commonly called ‘shots’, in more than 5 hours.

“Thereafter, 1 o’ clock the following morning, invited by the accused, who was armed with a wooden bat, they went

into a nearby village, Diamond New Housing Scheme, in search of two girls.

“On the outskirts of that village, the accused advised them to arm themselves with pieces of wood in the event they encountered any dogs on their way. Two of them did, but the deceased, who was called ‘Troy’, did not.

“The dam along which they walked was unpaved, and it would appear (that) the deceased and the main witness, one Esau, were in the lead, followed by the accused and two others, Cheezy and Bulbar.

“On their approach to a building, which appeared to have been identified by the accused as the location they would meet with the girls, the deceased and he had an exchange of words followed by the infliction of the fatal injuries to the former at about 3am.

“This episode is captured in the Caution Statement given to the police within less than Hon. Charles Ramson hours of the incident, to which S.C. no objection was offered by Defence Counsel before the jury. That statement read: ‘When we reach the corner we stop, and de boy what dead start for talk up where we are going, and he lashed me with a bottle and I tek de bat and I put two lash

George Barclay

on he at he head. He run and fell down’.”

Continuing his judgment, Justice of Appeal Ramson added: “His statement from the dock at the close of the case for the Prosecution corroborates this, save (for) the minor emendations which, though they may have resulted in a diminished inculpatory effect, did not neutralize the admission contained therein.

“I set out the whole statement for the avoidance of any suggestion of conjecture or inappropriate interpretation”.

The set out statement read: “Whilst walking going in Diamond New Scheme, we walking and deh gaffing all the time.

Troy tell me I is a mad man, me ain’t know which part I am going. I told him (to) shut he mouth, I know which part I am going. He start to argue with me. He lash me with a bottle and burst my head. He go to lash me a second time, and I also lash him back. That’s all”.

Continuing, Justice of Appeal Ramson added: “A medical doctor testified for the defence and verified that the appellant had a ‘swelling to left temporal region’ when he examined him within 14 hours of the altercation in question.

“Before concluding this summary of the events, it is necessary to indicate that the main witness, Esau, testified that after the deceased was given the first lash in his head, he fell down and the appellant administered five to six more lashes in the region of his head. A pathologist also testified that there were several injuries consistent with Esau’s testimony, some of which could have resulted in his death.

“It was therefore hardly surprising that the jury reached the verdict that they did. But was the law relevant to their deliberations properly and adequately explained to them by the Trial Judge; and secondly, did she give them the amplitude of or the requisite assistance on the factual issues by an appropriate evaluation in resolving those issues that arose during the trial, so that the appellant could be said to have had a fair trial?

“We found it difficult, if not impossible, to infer from the evidence, taking the most favourable view of the defences, that the appellant’s life was ever seriously endangered as to justify or excuse the use of a wooden bat to inflict the fatal blows to the head of the deceased.

“However, we were concerned that the passage set out earlier and hereunder, left unexplained and without the clearest direction to the contrary by the learned trial judge, may have left the jury in a state of confusion and, perhaps, uncertainty, and thereby may have deprived him of the benefit of a verdict of manslaughter. The indefensible direction is now set out.

“The provocation depends on the fact that it may cause in a reasonable man a sudden and temporary loss of self-control, and the intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm is absent.

“This may have resulted in a miscarriage of justice, and would be inconsistent with Lord Buckmaster’s concept of justice embraced at the commencement of this judgment.

“As the High Priest assigned to grant relief, this court would be amiss in its responsibility if this cardinal directional deficiency was given our approbation.

“In these circumstances, and applying LEE CHUNCHUEN v. R. (1963) 1 ALL E.R. 73 in part, the conviction and sentence for murder are hereby set aside and a verdict of manslaughter is hereby substituted.

“The appellant is sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.

(Appeal allowed, in part.)

The Guyana Court of Appeal was constituted by Hon. Carl Singh, Chancellor (ag.) and Justices of Appeal the Hon. C. R. Ramson, S.C. and the Hon. B.S. Roy. Mr. B. De Santos, S.C., appeared with Mr. Huckumchand for the appellant. Ms. S. Ali-Hack, D.P.P., with Ms. Jo Ann Barlow, Deputy D.P.P., appeared for the State.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

A king dethroned by his very own…

Former Boxing Champion

TERRENCE

Ali

still for g n i t h g fi his ‘due ’ tion i n g o c e r

Terrence Ali

“I was totally crushed when villagers made me a ‘mocking stock’, calling me foul names as they taunted me…” – he lamented

By Alex Wayne

E

VER so often, we sit and wonder why in heaven’s name some of our very own talented sons of the soil are not accredited with the recognition they deserved, or celebrated for the fame they brought us through their many and diverse exploits.

I was simply reduced to tears when, just recently, I bumped into ‘legendary’ Guyanese boxer Terrence Ali, and listened to his story and his disappointment at returning home after bringing Guyana intense boxing fame, only to be laughed at and ridiculed by his very own.

During our conversation, Ali detailed that despite having put Guyana on the map in the boxing arena, he was never really rewarded or given the deserved respect from the relative authorities here in Guyana.

“Even though I was living overseas, I always fought for Guyana…I fought as a Guyanese and always kept the Golden Arrowhead flying.

When I would have retired a long time after and returned home, I never got the king’s welcome I expected. I am a humble man and wasn’t really looking for anything… but, come on, folks, in the other Caribbean countries, the athletes, beauty queens and so forth are given red carpet welcome, and even rewarded with motorcades…I got practically nothing; it was as if no one cared about me or what I had done for this country, and I think this is one of the reasons our very talented artistes and athletes migrate in search of deserved recognition.”

Catherineville is indeed

The former boxing champion as he is today - scorned by his very own the home to Guyanese international boxing icon Terrence Ali (Halley), whom villagers feel has never been deservedly acknowledged or celebrated by his own Guyanese.

When he retired from the Boxing profession, not so long ago, he was just left to wither on the sideline, with him lamenting that many fellow Guyanese does not seem to recognise the great contributions he made for Guyana in the sport, since he always fought under the emblem of the Golden Arrowhead.

We were lucky to bump into this long lost celebratory soul, and we had quite an interesting conversation.

In years gone by, the name Terrence Ali was synonymous with ‘boxing stardom’ and repeated victories on the international front, putting Guyana on the map amongst the elites in the sport of boxing.

His name was on the lips of almost every Guyanese, and he was indeed the icon that Guyanese depended on

to signal to the world that Guyana has talent and gifted personalities. His fame spiralled to great heights for many years as he performed miracles in the international Lightweight Boxing Division.

His still impressive record reads 52 winnings, (21 knockouts), 15 defeats and 2 draws, while he has boxed some 550 rounds in his career.

Then, in 1998, the boxer came back to his home village of Catherineville, Mahaicony, but not to receive the warm and refreshing tropical welcome he had expected.

On arrival in the village, Ali quickly became the focus of many idle Calcutta youths and adults alike, who began calling him names and sending him into fits of rage when they did. The once celebrated ‘king’ had now become the scorn and amusement of the village, and none seemed to remember his past accomplishments.

“When I returned home, I thought I would have at least been welcomed by my

villagers. But there I received a rude awakening…I mean, I could have tried to live (with the thought) that those in higher authority were too busy with other things and could not even look in my direction. But I was totally crushed when villagers made me a ‘mocking stock’, calling me foul names as they taunted me most ruthlessly in the most distasteful fashion”.

Ali was very elated that someone was actually paying interest in him, and related that since his fall from stardom, everyone seemed to have found him to be a ‘village amusement personality.’

He even mentioned that, as he travelled around Guyana, citizens just refused to believe that he was the once celebrated king of boxing.

“Everywhere I go people just seem to make fun of me. Nobody even seems to remember that I was once the boxing champion that was doing wonders for Guyana.

In some cases, persons would

‘THEN’: Terrence Ali during his days of boxing fame

laugh me to scorn when I tell them I am the legendary Terrence Ali”.

My finding during our interview was that the boxer now resides by himself in Catherineville, and is now a farmer by profession. His days are now spent hanging out with youths in the village, playing cards, or reminiscing on the good times he enjoyed when he was a star.

Ali left Guyana in 1982 to follow his intended career, and went first to Trinidad, where he invaded the boxing arena and soon made a name for himself. On arriving in Trinidad, he worked as a construction worker before going into the trade of boxing full time.

Soon after, he travelled to Canada and later the USA, and it was in these two states that he climbed the ladder of success and became one of the most celebrated boxers from the Caribbean.

The once talented boxer stopped boxing in 1997 and returned to Guyana in 1998.

Well, he is back in Guyana and is finished with boxing altogether, regardless of what circumstances have caused this to happen. On arrival here in Guyana, it was Ali’s intention to pass on his skills to the many youths in the Mahaicony district and even Berbice, but he is of the opinion that the youngsters are just not interested, nor are they ready to handle the dedication and discipline that attends the profession.

However, Ali will indeed take up the mantle of the youths who show genuine interest and teach them all he knows, since ‘a fire burns within him to impart his skills and knowledge’. He will reopen his gym and offer extensive training for youths, providing they pay a small entrance fee and monthly donations to keep the gym functional.

Alli is the father of five children, all of whom reside in the United States of America (USA).

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

IX

X

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

XI

T

… will help state-of-the-art contact center hire nearly 1,500 employees

ELEPERFORMANCE, the global leader in outsourced multichannel customer experience management, announces the addition of Dr. Dale Dan as Vice President of Operations for its new state-of-the-art contact center in Georgetown, Guyana.

Dr. Dan, a native of Guyana, will help to hire nearly 1,500 employees as she grows Teleperformance’s new location into a large-scale near shore hub that will provide high-quality customer care and technical support solutions to U.S.-based consumers.

She brings a strong background of education, management and development to Teleperformance.

Over the last four years, she helped launch a USA-accredited institution, Bakke Graduate University (BGU) in Guyana. Bakke University has an enrollment of around 850 students from 39 different countries, with masters and doctorate degree programmes across business, civic leadership and ministry disciplines. She created more than $3.5 million in scholarship funds annually to further the educational opportunities for students of high academic merit. She also established online education institutions that are currently available in more than 43 countries.

“I am fortunate to have worked alongside so many talented educators and students in Guyana,” Dr. Dan said. “I look forward to bringing the same level of hard-working and skilled individuals to Teleperformance for career opportunities servicing major international clients. Our company will create hundreds of new jobs in the community and I am proud to be a part of this development.”

Dale herself comes from a strong academic background. She received her primary education in Guyana and then pursued higher-level education opportunities in the U.S. and Spain, where she focused on public and business administration, leadership and human resource development at The Ohio State University and Nova Southeastern University. She achieved her doctorate finishing at the top of her class. Dr. Dan also received the Woman of Excellence and Technology Award from WIL (Women of Technology Association) and the Blue Ribbon Award for Latin and European Studies from Jose Ortega y Gassett Fundacion, Spain.

“I am honored and excited to pursue this opportunity with Teleperformance in my native country of Guyana,” said Dr. Dan. “I am proud to join a company that embraces transforming passion to excellence and that shares the same business values that I do. I believe in people serving people and this is what Teleperformance is all about.”

The new state-of-the-art Teleperformance center at the corner of Camp and Robb Streets in Georgetown, Guyana

Dr. Dale Dan

XII

Big Disaster: What if Salman Khan is found guilty?

WITH the Arms Act case verdict deferred until March 3 (Tuesday), Salman Khan has 200 crore (rupees) riding on his back with two films slated for release this year besides other signed projects.

The 49-year-old actor is currently in Gondal near Rajkot, Gujarat, for Sooraj Barjatya’s ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

His other film ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, being directed by ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ helmer Kabir Khan, has wrapped up shooting and is currently in post-production stage for a midyear release.

Bollywood trade analyst Komal Nahta said Salman Khan has approximately 150 crore (rupees) riding on him for these two films alone, besides another 50 crore (rupees) for the projects that he has signed.

"If you take 75 crore (rupees) each for these two films, it comes to a total of 150 crore (rupees). And then if you add another 50 crore (rupees) for the projects that he has signed, it comes to 200 crore (rupees). There is some amount of tension but the actor has the option to further appeal his case," Nahta told PTI. The Arms Act case against Salman is an offshoot of the Blackbuck poaching incident 16 years ago near Jodhpur. Salman was in the area to shoot for Barjatya's ‘Hum SaathSaath Hain’ in 1998. (santabanta.com)

Pavitra Rishta actor Ajay Wadhavkar passes away

Pavitra Rishta actor Ajay Wadhavkar passes away

VETERAN Hindi and Marathi actor Ajay Wadhavkar, who last played the role of Sushant Singh Rajput's father in the TV show Pavitra Rishta, passed away last week in Pune.

Ajay was suffering from throat cancer and diabetes and was under treatment at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai. The actor we hear was also facing a financial crisis and Bollywood's popular comic actor Johnny Lever lent him a helping hand.

Usha Nadkarni, who played his wife in Pavitra Rishta, confirmed the news and said, "Yes, I got the news today. He was not keeping well since quite some time. When we shot for the last episode of Pavitra Rishta, I enquired about him and got to know that he was unwell. Since then I was in constant touch with him and his family. But I got busy lately due to the outdoor shoots and today I got this news that he is no more."

May his soul rest in peace. (Times of India)

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

Anushka Sharma knew ‘NH10’ would get A-certificate BOLLYWOOD actress Anushka Sharma says she knew her debut movie production ‘NH10’ will be certified for an adult audience.

“When we made the film, we knew there is a possibility of getting A-certificate. We stayed true to the story, we stayed real to the subject... I think every film is not for everyone," Anushka Sharma said here.

Directed by Navdeep Singh, ‘NH10’ features Anushka and Neil Bhoopalam in lead roles.

Anushka is not taking too much pressure for the movie as she is confident that she's "backed by a good film".

"If actors start thinking that because of us, everything will work, then that's stupidity.

Audiences may come to watch a film because of your popularity, but after that, it's the script and content that matters. You are as good as your work you do," said the ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ actress. (santabanta.com)

Anushka Sharma

John Abraham returns with ‘Force’ Actor John Abraham will star in ‘Force 2’, a sequel to the 2011 movie ‘Force’. It will have an original script and will be directed by Abhinay Deo. While ‘Force’ was a remake of Tamil movie ‘Kaakha Kaakha’, ‘Force 2’ will have an original script and will be produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.

Shah, who has had a good run at the box office with ‘Commando’, ‘Force’ and ‘Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty’, is looking forward to reuniting with John and giving the audience a power-packed sequel, said a statement.

The film will go on the floors around September 2015 and will release in early 2016. (santabanta. com)

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

DAVID ROOPWAH

XIII

- Artisanal fisherman par excellence

David ‘Cuffie’ Roopwah

T

By Telesha Ramnarine HIRTY years ago, David Roopwah managed to secure a fishing boat that he could finally call his own. Prior to this, he had been working with his father, who also was a fisherman.

In fact, he began fishing as early as 12 years old when he came out of school to help his siblings get an education.

Now 53, Roopwah is well known on the island of Leguan, especially in Blenheim Village, by the name ‘Cuffie.’ Fishing is very dear to the offspring of Mr. and Mrs. John and Shirley Roopwah, and is something he enjoys doing.

“I been fishing my whole life. My father was a fisherman; my grandfather; my great grandfather,” he told the Chronicle a few days ago as he was preparing to go off for a catch.

As he wielded his sharp knife to mend one of his fishing nets, or patch it up, Roopwah recalled that, as a boy, he assisted his father in the fishing business. After his dad died, though, he and his seven brothers (two deceased) took over running the business.

He recalled that, as a child, the family was of little means and so he opted to leave school to help the family. As a result, his sisters were able to remain in school and further their education. He briefly attended the St. Peter’s School in Enterprise Village before it was burnt down.

“I come out of school from small because I had to work with my father. (We) were poor, and my sisters used to go to school. I was the second child, so I had to help them educate themselves,” he said.

NO FISH FOR CURRY Roopwah said he and two other men would usually go out to fish, and would, at times, manage to see Georgetown due to the distance they would cover.

They have no specific timing for fishing, as they would work along with the tide. “Sometimes it's early, sometimes it’s late. It could be 3 or 4 in the morning sometimes. We spend about three or four hours out there before coming in.

We don’t work on Sundays, but every other day of the week we out there,” said Roopwah.

Although a skilled fisherman, at times he encounters challenges that can make the job harder than it really is. For instance, Roopwah called attention to the Roopwah mending one of his nets fact that rain slows down their work, as the boat they before taking off to sea operate does not have a shed.

Heavy wind can also pose a problem to the team. At times, despite all the hard work and the costs incurred he and another looked after the seine. “She used to drive the to make a trip out to sea, Roopwah said they would return boat. Sometimes I go out alone, but going out with three home empty-handed. “Nuff times we come home with noth- persons is normal; two to pull out the seine and one to drive ing. Sometimes we don’t even get for curry. Sometimes when the boat,” he said. anyone seh ‘wuh yo got there boy?’ I does say I ain’t even get The team often comes back with coma-coma, basha, curry; nothing to cook even for myself,” he said with a laugh. low-low, cuirass, cat fish, gillbacker, trout, shad, and He recalled that his wife, Sandra, worked hard with him in shrimp, among other products. Only last week, Roopwah the fishing business. She previously operated the boat while helped construct a new fishing boat he named ‘Arianna’.

Roopwah and a friend in his newly built ‘Arianna’ boat

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

FACEBOOK LAUNCHES NEW SUICIDE PREVENTION TOOL

FACEBOOK has launched a new tool in the US and soon all over its network to help users who are worried about a friend's risk of suicide.

It will help people report posts which will trigger a message from the site.

"Often, friends and family who are the observers in this situation don't know what to do. In the past users have posted about taking their own lives, but no action was taken in time.This is how the new system will workThe person who flags the post will see a screen with links that allow them to message the potentially suicidal

person, contact another Facebook friend for support or connect with a trained professional at a suicide helpline for guidance," University of Washington researchers explain.

Facebook then reviews the post and if the person is thought to be in distress then suggestions for getting help will display when they next log on.

For example Forefront, the university organisation that has been working with Facebook, have created videos which are based on real-life accounts of coping with thoughts of suicide.

Mobile World Congress…It’s here again

Organised by mobile trade association the GSMA and Fira de Barcelona, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) trade show will celebrate its tenth anniversary in Barcelona this year. But what does it take to keep the biggest party in mobile running?

The show, known as the one must-attend event in the mobile calendar, will see over 100,000 square meters of exhibition space filled with representatives from more than 2,000 companies - including 167 Spanish firms.

Some 90,000 people from 201 countries are expected to descend on the show.

Behind the scenes, before the new flagships are unveiled, competing business models discussed, and mobile's hitherto unimaginable future shaped, MWC is an event planned and finely tuned to the last detail.

The staging of the congress, which formally starts in Barcelona on March 2, quietly began on February 18 with all the necessary security measures put in place to keep any information about those new products launches from leaking out. More than 10,000 people have been involved in the preparations for the event, including contractors, staff from the evens site the Fira de Barcelona, and drivers of the 1,800 trailer trucks carrying all kinds of sales collateral.

MONSTROUS ANCIENT BLACK HOLE IS 12 BILLION TIMES HEAVIER THAN THE SUN

The universe is a huge place, and the numbers used to describe just how mind-bogglingly large things are out there can be hard to grasp on their own. For example, astronomers have recently discovered a black hole in a far-away corner of the universe. This black hole isn’t just big — it’s monstrously large and almost impossibly bright. This object, some 12.8 billion light years away, is 420 trillion times more luminous and 12 billion times more massive than the sun.

The newly discovered black hole, dubbed SDSS J010013.02, is remarkable for several reasons, not least of which is its incredible size. However, coupled with its advanced age, the mass is even more unusual. Because it’s 12.8 billion light years away, the light coming from this object is 12.8 billion years old. That places it very early in the universe, less than 1 billion years after the ‘Big Bang’. It’s six times larger and brighter than any other black hole from that era ever discovered.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

XV

(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)

SHRINKING HOSTS (The Daily Chronicle April 2, 1938)

IN the bad old days when folks could proceed no further along the East Coast by train than Mahaica, passengers bound for Mahaicony and beyond found it convenient to drop in at Springhall for a “si” down and a mouthful of food with Mr. J.B.W. Clementson, the proprietor of the estate, there being a mahogany avenue leading from the house and joining the public road at a point immediately opposite the railway terminus.

When lean years came, and ‘Old Man’ as Mr. Clementson was called, could no longer afford to figure so extensively in the role of host, a barricade was erected at the road-end of the avenue.

It was a drastic ‘expedient’ and I recall the distress which the decayed sugar-planter manifested, but that it was necessary I knew only too well.

By many travelers that barricade was an ugly thing to contemplate and a gross violation of a once vaunted hospitality.

I knew another East Coast gentleman who betrayed far greater strategy in thinning down the number of unwanted visitors.

The Transport Department in more recent times ran excursion trains on stated afternoons and our friend, the strategist was provided with ample opportunity to figure as a generous dispenser of hospitality to scores of excursionists from Georgetown, who must have proved a nuisance, especially as some of them contrived to get left behind and had perforce to be entertained till the departure of the next train.

Behold the tactician mixing energetically with the newly-arrived excursionists on the railway platform, solemnly uplifting his voice to proclaim the fiction that the train would be off again in exactly two fifth’s of a minute without fail.

THE B.G./BRAZIL BOUNDARY COMMISSION (The Daily Chronicle April 10th 1934)

MEMBERS of the local section of the B.G.-Brazil Boundary Commission is now in its third field season and are working on the most interesting part of the hinterland.

Their principal objective is finding the source of the Essequibo River as the boundary with Brazil is formed by the hydrographic divide between the Essequibo and the Trombetas Rivers.

The Trombetas is an affluent of the Amazon.

Meanwhile, Captain Josiah Brotherson - a wellknown Captain, balata foreman and gold digger of Leeds Village, Corentyne, Berbice, has been appointed one of the Captains in the Boundary Commission under Mr. William Cunningham, Chief of the British Commission, which left last week for the Upper Corentyne and the Brazilian frontier.

SATYA HARISHCHANDRA

T

(Daily Argosy September 9th 1956)

HE story of ‘Satya Harischandra’ to be staged at Queens College on September 14th and 15th 1956, at 8:00 AM and 6:30 PM respectively has influenced the cultural life of Indians for thousands and thousands of years.

Whether Harishchandra is a historical figure or not is immaterial for one who wishes to tread the path of the spiritual world.

It was this very idea that inspired Mahatma Ghandi to write about ‘Harishchandra’ in his autobiography: “I tasked myself day and night to follow truth and to go through all the ordeals Harishchandra went through, this was the one idea that inspired me.”

Production of the play is proceeding satisfactorily and there is no doubt that something new will be added to the dramatic world of B.G. on the day of the presentation of the play.

TWENTY FOOT CHIMNEY AT CAVE

(The Guyana Chronicle August 17th 1980)

BRAFF AND FIGHTER DOING WELL ABROAD (Guyana Graphic October 4, 1970)

GUYANESE International Pop singer Johnny Braff popped in over the week on a business trip and had very good news about another Guyanese pop artiste abroad.

He said King Fighter is still King of the Virgin Islands where he has been living for the past five years.

Both Johnny and King Fighter have been entertaining fans in Martinique and other neighbouring islands. They have also made trips to Canada and the U.S.A. Johnny’s latest recording, a 45 RPM is titled “I’ll kiss the tears from your eyes,” coupled with “Suffer you fool.”

“Tears” has just entered the Windward Islands Top 100 at number 18.

King Fighter’s latest single is one called “Pluck Chicken.”

THE eight member exploration party which recently discovered one of four caves believed to have been used by Amerindians as a hideout from Spanish soldiers had a rough time during five hectic days According to reports, the one cave discovered has only two small entrances –one through a 20 foot chimney and the other through a narrow hole surrounded by huge boulders.

The explorers including one woman had to squeeze their way through the boulders.

The chimney, the Chronicle understands, might have been built by the Amerindians in order to let air and light into the cave.

It is however large enough for an average sized person to enter by using a length of rope.

The party headed by well-known Guyanese mountaineer Adrian Thompson returned to the city last Saturday after failing to find the other caves.

The National Science Research Council is now examining the information collected by the explorers on the caves believed to be in Ewentipu Mountains, now Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694 0913

XVI

Saliva is the body’s most important protection against tooth decay

M

ANY persons associate bacteria with disease which is obviously a bad thing. But some bacteria which reside naturally in the mouth are relatively harmless and in some cases even helpful. Others are more aggressive and troublesome, causing cavities and gum disease. One of the most troublesome ones is called Streptcoccos mutans ( S. mutans). It is the primary cause of the cavities in our teeth. This species, and others like it, thrive on sugar and refined carbohydrates. As part of the bacteria’s digestive process, sugar is converted into acid and released as a waste product.

This acid erodes the enamel of the teeth, weakening the protective covering on the teeth and initiating decay. This is why people who eat a lot of sweets generally have a lot of rotten teeth (caries). Now, no matter how often you brush your teeth, floss, and attempt to sterilise your mouth with oral disinfectants, the effect you have on the bacterial population is only minor. Most of these germs will survive the treatment and multiply and repopulate this ideal habitat. So the battle against these squatters will remain constant.

If it was not for your saliva, your teeth would rot and your mouth would be covered with infections regardless. A new product currently being introduced is the Kaboom Xero Stick which promotes salivation and is proven to clinically improve oral health. Readers may research this produce for themselves from: www.ImproveOralHealthNow.com. Saliva is essential for the digestion of food as well as keeping our mouth healthy. It contains a complex mixture of enzymes, buffers, antibodies and nutrients that fight off disease and keep the teeth and gums

in good working order.

Saliva is the body’s most important protection against tooth decay. Saliva lubricates the mouth, washes away food debris, acts as an anti-microbial and cleanser by breaking down bacterial cell walls and inhibiting growth. It contains bicarbonates, which acts as a buffer by neutralising acid production and controlling plaque pH, while at the same time protecting the enamel by using calcium and phosphates to help repair tooth decay.

Nothing cleans your teeth better than your own saliva as it is low in salt and anti-bacterial activity. Additionally, saliva is an excellent chemical buffer for the entire mouth, as it is supersaturated using the ions which make up the mineral content of the teeth (calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions).

In a healthy person the loss of mineral is naturally balanced by saliva. As long as the plaque pH (acidity) is above 5.5, the calcium and phosphate ions from the saliva can repair the damaged mineral crystals from the enamel.

However, when the pH level is below 5.5 the saliva and plaque are saturated and demineralisation occurs. This basically means that teeth softer and even dissolve.

We produce about two and a half pints of saliva each day and every teaspoon of that contains about two and a half billion bacteria. Now here is where the role of these bacteria comes in. Enzymes in the mouth begin the process of digesting the foods we eat. Carbohydrates (starches), the primary nutritional component of grains (in bread, etc.), fruits, and vegetables, are broken

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

down into smaller units and simple sugars by salivary enzymes. Bacteria in the mouth feed on these starches and sugars, producing potentially harmful acids. Saliva dilutes the acids and neutralises them with chemical buffers. This way, a more neutral pH ( degree of acidity) is maintained.

In addition, saliva contains unique antibodies and antimicrobial compounds that help control the growth of certain pathogenic organisms (disease causing germs). Unfortunately, these compounds do not kill all troublemakers, and the mouth and the saliva still harbour many potentially harmful germs. Saliva also contains a high concentration of certain mineral ions, particularly calcium and phosphate, the main ingredients of teeth. Microscopic damage to tooth enamel can be remineralised, and therefore repaired, by saliva. That is why artificial saliva is sold in pharmacies in the USA. Throughout the day saliva is produced.

At certain times, such as when a meal is being eaten, saliva excretion increases. At night, when you sleep, little or no saliva is produced. People who do not drink enough liquids during the day become chronically dehydrated or have medical conditions that reduce saliva output have a significantly greater amount of tooth decay and gum disease.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

XVII

Will The Undertaker return for WrestleMania?

Bray Wyatt has thrown down the gauntlet. After weeks of airing intense messages aimed at a mysterious figure, The Eater of Worlds rose from a coffin at WWE Fastlane to challenge The Undertaker to a monumental showdown at WrestleMania.

The challenge sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe and WWE’s locker room alike. Everyone wants to see The Deadman re-emerge to win the darkness back from The New Face of Fear on The Grandest Stage of Them All. However, the question still remains: Will The Phenom actually return?

WrestleMania 31 Tech Tour in Silicon Valley WrestleMania 31 is slated to be held later this month at Levi’s® Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area. And as part of the efforts to promote the mega event, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar John Cena, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon spent last Thursday touring the nearby campuses of Google, Twitter and Facebook as part of a WrestleMania Tech Tour.

Follow their journey through the Silicon Valley below, and be sure to watch WrestleMania 31 when it airs live on WWE Network on Sunday, March 29! (wwe.com)

Bray Wyatt says he's ready to finish off The Undertaker at WrestleMania Heading into WrestleMania 30 last year to battle Brock Lesnar, The Demon of Death Valley’s legendary Streak stood at an unspeakable 21-0, with triumphs over a virtual Who’s Who of WWE Legends, from HBK to Kane to Randy Orton to Edge to Triple H. No sports franchise – not the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball – can boast such an unprecedented feat. Nevertheless, that illustrious Streak has now been broken, leaving the celebrated Undertaker at a crossroads. Is it possible that he has taken his loss at the hands of Lesnar as a signal that it is time to put the urn back on the shelf and return from the depths from which he came?

Then again, even if the ominous Undertaker is willing, would he even be able to compete? As seen on a recent WWE Network special, the brutal contest against ‘The Beast Incarnate’ left him with potentially lasting effects. And since we haven’t seen him since in a WWE ring since that epic match, there is no telling whether or not he can answer such a call from Bray Wyatt.

O n the other hand, it is worth noting that if any Superstar could return, it is he who is immortal. Pundits and naysayers have asked this very question for years and, every time, The Deadman has proven his skeptics wrong.

It’s a constant in life that everything will eventually come to an end. And despite Bray Wyatt’s cries for a monumental clash on The Grandest Stage of Them All, he may have to look elsewhere for his WresleMania moment.

The WWE Universe will simply have to wait on the edge of its seat to see if The Undertaker’s WrestleMania reign is truly over. (wwe.com)

WWE Superstars John Cena and Hulk Hogan arrive at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California for the WrestleMania Tech Tour

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon at Google headquarters At Google headquarters, John Cena and Hulk Hogan trying out one of the ‘Nap Pods’

WWE superstar John Cena, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon at Google headquarters

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Profiling a young Engineer

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XXI

Chateau Margot - a peaceful East Coast Demerara community on the rise

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By Alex Wayne

STOOD there relishing the peals of happy laughter coming from jovial residents. That laughter was laced with the pleasant mutterings of still peppy grandmothers as they fussed around the many roadside stalls, arguing over the rising prices of kitchen items.

The constant hum of men engaged in pleasant conversations by the rum shops was soothing to the soul, and the bubbly chattering of students hopping about in the Chateau Margot Primary School compound caused me to marvel at the rich and yet humble existence of this village.

I was lucky to be visiting this enchanting East Coast Demerara village of Chateau Margot, located some eight miles from the capital city of Georgetown. The village is ensconced between the appealing locations of Success to the west and La Bonne Intention (LBI) to the east.

With an estimated population of 1,000 residents, this village is home of the historic Chateau Margot Chimney, which once was part of a nineteenth century sugar factory that was broken down or perhaps disintegrated.

All that remains now is the tall brick chimney which reaches into the sky and is something of a landmark on the lower East Coast Demerara.

ORIGINS Chateau Margot had once been a sugar estate, but the village, according to one resident, had its origins in the 1860s. The humble cottages from those days have been replaced over time with posh and, in some cases, stately buildings, creating a distinct indication that the village is rapidly evolving with time.

While the village is predominantly occupied by residents of East Indian ancestry, there are a few persons of African ancestry and some of mixed races who have taken up residence there over the years, and they all live as one big happy family, so to speak.

CHATEAU MARGOT CHIMNEY

functions during the time of sugar operations, the chimney served as a beacon to ships approaching Port Georgetown, Standing at the front of the village from which its name and this state of affairs continued even after the sugar factory is derived, Chateau Margot Chimney dates back to July 1, was demolished.

1889. It is the solitary remnant of a former sugar factory Still standing today, this site represents an aspect of our which, according to a description from the weekly Argo- nation’s industrial heritage, thus signifying a very important sy of 1883, ‘boasted the finest cane land in the colony of historical milestone. It reflects mankind’s dual power of creBritish Guiana during the nineteenth century, operating ation and destruction; the hope of a better life, and the ever successfully on the vacuum pan process for many years.’ greater power over matter.

The chimney was constructed of red bricks on a huge On completion of his task, when he saw the volume of concrete base by a brick layer named Anlemo Gordon who smoke that was being emitted from the chimney, Anlemo Gorhailed from Buxton, East Coast Demerara, and apart from its don exclaimed: “Had it not been for the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, I would Welcome to Chateau Margot have drowned the heavens with smoke!”

The chimney has been the theme for two Annandale poets -- Rooplal Monar, a national prizewinner, and ‘Guska,’ a poet and artist.

TOUCHING DOWN I arrived in the village at around 08:30 hours, just as mothers were ensuring their kids were rushing off to school before the sudden chiming of the 09:00 hour school bell.

Some mothers who sat under their homes still enjoying a breakfast of roti and salt fish, or bake and stewed pumpkin, looked up sharply at our entrance, and attempted to hide their stew bowls as they smilingly enquired of our presence.

At many houses, fathers looked up sharply, wiping beads of perspiration from their foreheads as they paused from their energetic chipping of soil or forking of the earth in their kitchen gardens.

I could not help marvelling at the simplicity of these people, and I wished that I had been living in a village with such a pleasant lifestyle.

Even the cows and sheep seemed to be at ease and docile as they grazed lazily in wide open spaces, chewing on lush, green and juicy looking grass and plant species made tastier by constant rainfall. Every now and then they seemed to roll their eyes

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Margot

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From page XXI

heavenward, and looked at us accusingly as if to ask, “How dare you people interrupt my pleasant morning meal?”

In some areas, pigs ran about squealing and grunting noisily, and how they ran off with shrill noises as enraged housewives chased after them with sticks and large bricks for daring to tumble amongst their flower plants, celery, or wellkept earthen beds of eschallot.

Young girls busied themselves at roadside stalls, trading polouri, egg balls, dhal puri and other snack items to hungry passersby and employees arriving all muddied and soiled from toiling at nearby sugar estates.

The village was a kaleidoscope of colours, made even more striking by brightly painted houses and shops, and several yards almost overflowing with flower plants that are associated with the tropics.

Mango and cashew trees were straining under the weight of ripened fruits, and young boys were just savouring the fruits of their choice, pausing to lick the delicious juices from their fingers.

Shabanie Ali, a young vendor and mother of one, lives in a small makeshift house by the roadside, and assists in fending for her family by selling vegetables and ground provisions.

She, too, was a reflection of the deep humility and contentment that appears to be strong points amongst the people of Chateau Margot.

This well spoken young woman smiled endearingly throughout our entire conversation.

“I have been doing this business for just about over one year now. The reason I started was because, as we know, more working hands in the home will certainly make things easier. It took a little time for my customer base to build up, but eventually it did, and so there are many happy faces that come to my stall these days.

“I try to keep my prices at a point where it meets the pockets of villagers and where I am able to make a profit to turn over my goods. Every day is not Christmas, and as such it does not surprise me when the demand for my goods goes

Feisty grandmothers brave the midday heat to accumulate the groceries does this to bring in an extra dollar and to help out her husband who works in the fields as a labourer.

“My husband is a very hard-wukking man, and taking care of a family these days is not easy; so I decided to do dis lil venture to help out in de home. My son would help me in getting dem wata coconuts together, and sometimes my daughter will help me to sell also.

“Dis kindah business pays off, and we always get a fast turn ovah. I bin doing dis fuh de past sixteen years, and meh customers does always be satisfied with meh price rating.”

Mrs. Seetaram would customarily set up her lush looking water coconuts at 06:00 hours, and would operate her small stall, sometimes till after 20:00 hours, depending on demand.

INTERACTING WITH VILLAGERS Intent on getting detailed information on the makings of the village, I made enquiries and was directed to 77-year-old Mohan Samaroo, who was more than ready to chat with us.

Realising we were media operatives, he quickly buttoned his shirt, fixed his cap, and mustered one of his most boyish smiles as he directed us to a seat under a rather shady mango tree in front of his residence.

Mr. Samaroo said he had lived all his life in the village, and he reminisced on his growing up years as a young boy. Though he wishes that the ‘good old days’ can return, he welcomes the vibrant changes of modern transformation.

“Bai, lang time was really good days. Ah we nah bin get prappa currant and good wata supply like today, but we bin always ah live in peace and harmony wid neighbours and friends, and everybady bin ah share with dem mattie. In dem time, people bin ah live in logies and mud houses, and only a few rich people bin get fancy buildings. Dem house bin deh far apart, and most ah de village was open pastures. Me can still remembah dem days when me mumma used to bake ah roti pon a big taawah pon de open fyahside, and how we used to sit down flat pon de well daubed battam house and eat we food wid we fingas. Dem days was real nice days, bai,” Samaroo reminisce.

Mr. Samaroo echoed the sentiments of many villagers that life was ‘bright and beautiful’ in Chateau Margot, and

Come bite into the ripe, juicy ‘country mangoes’ FEW MISGIVINGS

Mohan Samaroo reflected on the good old days when Chateau Margot was in the making up or down. But this is what I do for a living, and I have been getting by, if not excellently, really comfortably.

“At least it brings in an honest dollar, and it helps to make the cost of living a bit easier,” she said.

Ali said she wakes up at about 06:00 hours in the morning to prepare breakfast, and then she sets up her stall at 07:00 hours. She alternates between selling her customers and tending to her one-year-old daughter all day, before retiring, sometimes at 20:00 hours, to make dinner and later retire to bed.

Kalouttie Seetaram, a very kind and

he said he was thankful that the Government has ensured residents enjoy a good water considerate woman, sells water coconuts supply, electricity, and means of living. Chimney Thecomfortable famous Chateau Margot in a little stall in front of her home, and she

We searched the village high and low, but all the reports received suggest that all is well with the residents, who noted that they are ‘living reasonably well and always ‘looking out for each other.’

Villagers are, however, concerned about the state of some of the access roads which have begun to deteriorate in the area, and are of the view that, if those roads are ignored, they will eventually become intolerable.

Several housewives are, however, aghast at the manner in which some farmers are allowing their pigs to ‘stray

Continued on page XXVII

The Chateau Margot Primary School

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Chateau Margot

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From page XXII

Places of worship in Chateau Margot

Posh buildings now add a glitzy glamour to the village

about the village,’ romping in the drains around homes, and in many cases in kitchen gardens.

Babita Sooklall was forthright in voicing her disgust at the situation, and hopes that the authorities could have the animals impounded and their owners pay a fine.

There she was, a big buxom woman, with hands on her ample hips as she heaved and puffed with anger at the menace the pigs had become. “I can’t understand why dem stupid people this can’t keep dem pigs in dem pens! Like dem is some pigs themselves, because I can’t see why dem get dem suwah pigs all ovah de place, destroying we flowah plants and crops.”

Some residents declared that the garbage trucks would come to the village only once per month, and some inconsiderate residents are in the habit of throwing their refuse on dams in the village.

That aside, many were in high praise over the fact that the NDC body was looking into the welfare of villagers, and had recently begun to clean and desilt drains to prevent flooding.

With street lights present on the main road, some villagers are calling to have the same installed in every access road in the village.

ENTERTAINMENT The village has no big time night club or anything like that, but residents make the best of a few hangout bars and liquor shops there. So it is customary to see reasonable gatherings on weekends at such joints, or larger groups if Muntie’s Liquor Restaurant and Bar, or Anand’s Country Club and Karaoke Bar when it decides to host a major entertainment venture.

Apart from that, villagers are contented with hosting birthday and wedding celebrations, to which almost all of the village will attend upon invitation.

Stray pigs are indeed a nuisance to many residents

A section of the very quiet village With an almost non-exisCome take a trip to Chateau Margot and be caught up in tent threat of criminal elements, the village is normally festive a whirlpool of smiling faces, tropical laughter and warm and appealing with the feisty inhabitants living there. camaraderie that would leave lingering pleasant memories.

LIVELIHOOD Villagers all seem to possess the ‘get up and get attitude’, so there is really no unemployment problem there, like obtains in some other locations.

Residents are engaged as masons, carpenters, and fishermen, while a few qualified persons are employed at the Chateau Margot Primary School as teachers. A large number of residents seek work at the Enmore and other sugar estates, while many have chosen to be vegetable and fruit vendors.

Yes, there are a few taxi drivers around, and others earn a living by transporting items on horse-drawn carts.

Villagers are indeed thankful for the operations of the Richie’s Furniture Establishment, which has offered numerous employment opportunities to youths in the village.

CONCLUSION At the end of my visit, I was not only elated at being there, but sincerely regretted leaving. The warmth that exuded from the people had somehow found its way deep within my soul, and their infectious smiles and welcoming laughter kept flashing on my mind’s horizon.

Aside from that, the succulent juices of sapodilla, mangoes and juicy cashews were still lingering in my mouth. Of course I was saving a few in my bag for later, when I got home and can enjoy them with relish.

Come on, folks, this is an opportunity of a lifetime…

This little lass was quite ready to pose for our cameras

Some earn a living by selling vegetables and ground provision

Continued on page XXIV

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XXXI

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket as it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup." "No," replied the director.

"A normal person would pull the drain plug. Do you want a bed by the wall or near the window?"

• Late for Work • Cup of Tea A girl was given a tea set for her second birthday. It became one of her favorite toys, and when her mother went away for a few weeks to care for her sick aunt, the toddler loved to take her father a little cup of tea, which was just water really, while he was engrossed watching the news on TV. He sipped each "cup of tea" he was brought and lavished generous praise on the taste, leaving the little girl immensely proud.Eventually the mother returned home and the father couldn't wait to show her how his little princess had been looking after him. On cue, the girl took him his "cup of tea" and he sipped it before praising it to the heavens.The mother watched him drink it and said: "Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?"

• New Hearing Aid Having lost most of his hearing a number of years ago, this elderly man goes to the doctor to be fitted with hearing aids which promise to allow him to hear 100%. A month later, he returned to the doctor for a check up on his progress. The doctor tells him that his hearing is perfect and asks if his family is pleased.

The man says, "Oh, I haven't told them about the hearing aids yet. I just sit around and listen to them talk. I've changed my will three times!"

• Looking Back After 25 years of marriage, a husband took a long look at his wife one day and said: "Twenty-five years ago, we had a cheap apartment, a cheap car, and I slept on a sofa bed, but I got to sleep every night with a sexy twenty-six-year-old blonde. Now, we have a nice house, a nice car and a big bed, but I'm sleeping with a fifty-one-yearold woman. It seems that you're not pulling your weight."

She replied calmly: "Then why don't you go out and find a sexy twenty-six-year-old blonde?

And when you do, I'll make sure once again that you'll be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, and sleeping on a sofa bed."

• Mental Illness Test A visitor at an asylum asks the director what are the criteria for defining whether or not a patient should be institutionalised. "Well," said the doctor, we fill up a bathtub; then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

Jones came into the office an hour late for the third time in one week and found the boss waiting for him.

“What’s the story this time, Jones?” he asked sarcastically. “Let’s hear a good excuse for a change.”Jones sighed, “Everything went wrong this morning, Boss. The wife decided to drive me to the station. She got ready in ten minutes, but then the drawbridge got stuck. Rather than let you down, I swam across the river - look, my suit’s still damp - ran out to the airport, got a ride on Mr. Thompson’s helicopter, landed on top of Radio City Music Hall, and was carried here piggyback by one of the Rockettes.”

“You’ll have to do better than that, Jones,” said the boss, obviously disappointed. “No woman can get ready in ten minutes.”

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Scan reveals 1,000-year-old mummified Monk hidden in Buddha statue

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

GOLDEN statue of a sitting Buddha, smuggled from a temple in China to a market in the Netherlands, revealed an extraordinary secret - a 1,000-year-old mummified monk.

Researchers discovered the mummy, encased in a cavity in the statue when a private buyer brought it to the Drents Museum in the Netherlands for restoration.

But it wasn't until a team of researchers and scientists did a CT scan - a comprehensive three dimensional x-ray image -- last year, did they discover the mummy's organs were missing.

The mummy was found sitting on a bundle of cloth covered in Chinese inscriptions, revealing its identity as a Buddhist monk called Liuquan who may have practiced "self-mummification" to prepare for life after death.

The process of self-mummification is a known tradition in countries like Japan, China and Thailand, and was practiced over a thousand years ago.

The elaborate and arduous process includes eating a special diet and drinking a poisonous tea so the body would be too toxic to be eaten by maggots. The few monks that were able to successfully complete the process were highly revered.

It is suspected that for the first 200 years, the mummy was exposed and worshiped in a Buddhist temple in China...only in the 14th century did they do all the work to transform it into a nice statue. The team is still waiting on DNA analysis results in hopes to trace the mummy back to its exact location in China.

The statue is now housed in the National Museum of Natural History in Budapest and will move to Luxembourg in May as a part of an international tour. (CNN)

Photo by M. Elsevier Stokmans; Boeddhamummie (Drents Museum)

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

California couple, married 67 years, die holding hands (REUTERS) - A California couple, married 67 years, died hours apart while holding hands this month, their daughter said on Thursday.

Floyd Hartwig, 90, and wife Violet, 89, died on Feb. 11 in their home in Easton, California, outside Fresno, their family said.

The couple had known each other since they were children and married in 1947 while Floyd was on leave from the Navy, going on to settle in a ranch in Easton. Â "They enjoyed working side by side their entire lives," said daughter Donna Scharton. "They were very loving. Very hard-working. Not into materialistic things."

Each had battled illnesses in recent years. Violet had dementia and had suffered strokes. Floyd, who survived bladder and colon cancer, had been diagnosed with kidney failure, family said.

Floyd and Violet had been given hospice care in the last weeks of their lives, and with the end near, family members pushed their beds together, Scharton said.

Floyd died first, holding Violet's hand. She passed away five hours later, she said.

"They were very devoted to each other and had a lot of respect for each other," Scharton said of their long marriage.

The couple had three children, four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, family said.

Violet, known as "Vi," would wake up at 4 a.m. through much of her life to tend to her family and the ranch, "sewing, cooking, gardening, and volunteering for the PTA," according to her daughter and her obituary.

Floyd spent six years in the Navy and served in World War Two, his obituary said.

Floyd Hartwig and wife Violet are shown in this undated Hartwig family photo released to Reuters on February 26, 2015

Floyd Hartwig and wife Violet are shown in this undated Hartwig family photo released to Reuters February 26, 2015 (photo courtesy: Hartwig Family/ Handout via Reuters)

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Can an Australian superfood Plum help you lose weight?

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By Ian Lloyd Neubauer, Sydney HE rise of the superfood began in the 1990s and has grown to include a dizzying array of foods, everything from the Peruvian grain quinoa to the ancient European vegetable kale but not everyone agrees we really need

them.

A fruit that can make you thin? That is the gospel according to growers of Australia's Queen Garnet plum - a "freak" stone fruit with extraordinarily high levels of anthocyanin.

Anthocyanin is the pigment that gives plums, strawberries and blueberries their deep blush.

It is also a class of antioxidant - a compound that reduces oxidative stress in living cells, and which has been investigated for its role in preventing or helping fight disease.

The Queen Garnet came under the spotlight in February, 2015 when the fruit's praises were sung by popular ABC TV show ‘Landline’.

The programme detailed new research by the University

of Southern Queensland (USQ) that produced evidence of the berry's weight-loss potential.

A flurry of positive rural newspaper reports followed, prompting a rush of consumer interest in the Queen Garnet.

PRICEY PLUMS Superfood status can be measured in dollars. Western consumer demand for quinoa, for example, has sent export prices in Peru soaring.

Experts warn that no single food item is a panacea and that there has been a long line of supposed superfoods with health claims that have been found wanting.

Continued on page XXXVI

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Do I leave some food or clear my plate?

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Cultural Do’s and Taboos:

Manners Around the World – A Guide to Social Graces

AROUND the world, different cultures have different ideas about how to act in public. Here are 19 things to know to avoid embarrassing “Oh, I see” moments: • In China and Japan, gesture “come here,” with all of your fingers pointing down. Beckoning someone with a bent finger is considered impolite.

• In Vietnam, point with your whole hand, not just one finger.

• In South Korea, stay quiet on public transportation. Noisiness is considered very rude.

• In India, you are expected to refuse your host’s first offer of a drink or snack. You will be asked again!

• In Germany, use utensils, not your fingers, to eat - even with foods like pizza and fries. The one exception is bread. It can be eaten with your fingers.

• In Afghanistan and throughout the Muslim world, eat your food with your right hand, not your left. The left hand is reserved for bathroom hygiene so using it for eating is considered unclean.

• In Indonesia, while eating, keep both hands on the table at all times.

• As a dinner guest in Kenya or Germany, finish everything on your plate, or the host will be offended and think you didn’t like the food.

• In China, if you clean your plate, the host will be offended because it is a sign that you didn’t get enough food.

Likewise, in Afghanistan and India, leave a little food on your plate when you are full because an empty plate will be filled again!

• In Pakistan, arrive about 15 minutes after the scheduled start time of a meal, and up to one hour after the start time of a party.

• If you are invited to a Danish home, be punctual!

• In Kazakstan, you will be served tea, but only half of a cup. A full cup is a sign that the host wants you to leave!

Later in the meal, when you have had enough tea (or broth), turn your cup over to show that you are finished.

• A superstition in Azerbaijan is that spilled salt means you are about to quarrel. Sprinkle sugar on the salt to counter this.

• In Kuwait, when the host stands, the meal is over.

• In India, do not wink or whistle in public.

• In Vietnam, do not touch someone’s head or shoulder. Also, do not pass things over someone’s head.

• In Brazil, avoid purple lipstick as it is associated with funerals. Purple is fine for clothing and accessories, though.

• In numerous countries like Libya, Slovakia, and Norway, greet a colleague with a handshake.

But in Russia, do not shake hands or conduct business over a threshold - step all the way in or out of the doorway.

• In China, it is bad luck to let your date borrow your umbrella to go home. This is because the word for umbrella in Chinese sounds like the word for “to break apart.” Instead, take the time to walk your date, with your umbrella, to the door - a gesture that goes a long way in many cultures!

(Source: Janine Boylan at www.oh-i-see.com Photos: courtesy Thinkstock)

There is even proper etiquette about umbrellas!

Having culturally-appropriate manners can make all the difference!

XXXVI

Can an Australian superfood ...

From page XXXIV

The Maqui berry of Chile and the goji berry of China are textbook examples, with producers linking these ancient foods to myriad and sometimes dubious health claims.

The Queen Garnet plum story is a little different. It was accidentally created by plant breeders trying to make a disease-resistant version of the common Japanese plum for the Queensland government a decade ago.

Then researchers at USQ took a closer look at the plum's positive properties. They fed rats a diet high in fats and carbohydrates until they were obese.

Then they added a few drops of Queen Garnet plum juice to the rats' drinking water, while exercising the rats half an hour a day. Within eight weeks, the rats had shed most of their

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

excess weight.

That research, coupled with the Queen Garnet's reputedly deliciously sweet flesh proved a public relations masterstroke for farming co-op Nutrafruit, which paid the Queensland Government for the global license to commercialise the fruit.

But how much weight should be placed on scientific research conducted on rats? USQ Biomedical Sciences Professor Lindsay Brown, who led the research, says the results make a strong case for the Queen Garnet's health claims and for further funding for human trials.

"All the changes that rats experience with obesity - glucose levels, cardiovascular functions, inflammation - all those occur the same way in humans," Prof Brown told the BBC, adding: "The plums taste really nice."

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? However, others are more cautious.

Professor Manny Noakes, research director for nutrition and health at the Australian science agency CSIRO, says it is not a clear-cut case.

"It's very good research and very interesting research," says Prof Noakes.

"But when I last checked, humans and rodents were very different. You can feed rats an entire diet to test a hypothesis but that doesn't mean you'll get the same results in humans.

"To make a claim that the consumption of a food will make a difference to people's weight is a pretty long bow to cast.

"Unfortunately, this is something that happens a lot when it comes to promoting the health benefits of food. Similar claims have been made by research on animals using everyday grape seeds."

USQ's research on the Queen Garnet was partly funded by the Queensland government. However, consumers need to beware of food manufacturers who publish self-funded scientific research on the weight-loss properties of their products, says Charles Fisher, a principal at food regulatory specialist FoodLegal.

Mr Fisher says about 10 manufacturers have done so since Food Standards Australia New Zealand legalised the practice in 2013.

"From a legal perspective there is a big gap between what consumers understand when they hear the word 'antioxidant' and what the scientific reality may be." he notes.

Critics of cultivated fruit such as the Queen Garnet argue native fruits such as lemon myrtle can deliver even higher levels of anthocyanins.

But Nutrafruit director Hugh Macintosh says indigenous foods are extremely difficult to commercialise.

"There are many fruits out there with high levels of antioxidants but they have to be harvested in the wild so the supply is unreliable, whereas we've been growing plums for a long time so know how to do it consistently," says Mr Macintosh.

"Our plums may not be as sexy as something found in the Amazon but they're something most of us have been eating all our lives and they have a lot of potential," the Nutrafruit director adds.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 1, 2015

HEALTH ALERT:

Six-year-old boy succumbs to kidney failure

- beware of the ‘junk food’ trap

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By Shirley Thomas

HE life of a 6-year-old boy was on Wednesday last suddenly ended after renal failure.

The death of Mark Anthony Inniss of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara, has come amidst mounting concerns over what appears to be a steady increase recently in the prevalence of kidney-related deaths locally.

But pathetically, the child whose condition was detected last December, was being treated at a private hospital and it was not until all hope there had been lost, that he was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) - about three weeks ago. By then it was no longer just Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but his condition had advanced to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

According to the National Health Service (NHS) U.K: “The average age of a British person with the disease is 77. In the UK, health authorities report that people of South Asian, African and Afro-Caribbean descent are at a higher risk of developing the disease, compared to other people.”

But whether the local prevalence be nine or ninety, every kidney-related death is one too many, in our context, and Guyanese who mourn the loss of loved ones and friends to renal failure, and all who share in the desire for optimal health, are calling for this development to be made a national health emergency.

‘JUNK FOOD’ TRAP This is particularly so given that over time there has been a drastic shift in local lifestyle patterns and eating habits tending towards a worrying upsurge in the use of ‘junk foods’.

Such foods are laden with sodium, refined sugars, high carbs and trans fats and are known to fuel the development of diabetes, hypertension and kidney-related illnesses.

In the meantime, there is a marked inadequacy of existing health promotion and education strategies, as admitted in the “2013-2020 Strategic Plan: NCD Prevention and Control.”

“Chronic kidney failure, also known as chronic renal failure, chronic renal disease, or chronic kidney disease, is a slow progressive loss of kidney function over a period of several years. Eventually the patient has permanent kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure is much more common than people realise, and often goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and kidney failure is fairly imminent. It is not unusual for people to realise they have chronic kidney failure only when their kidney function is down to 25% of normal,” according to the MNT website.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in children is a progressive and intractable condition that may severely impair the child's growth, development and quality of life. And since it is important to detect CKD as early as possible, screening should be done early, and professional treatment commence soonest. If left untreated, Pediatric CKD eventually progresses into End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). So time is of the essence here.

The function of the kidneys is to purify or filter a

Please turn to page XLI

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WASTEWATER

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Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!!

What You Need to Know

parking lots, and rooftops and can be harmful to our rivers.

Treating wastewater is important to protect our health and that of the natural environment.

If wastewater is untreated and it is allowed to flow into rivers this can affect both people and the environment.

EFFECTS OFUNTREATED WASTEWATER IMPACTS FISHERIES

W

ater is as important as the air we breathe. Stop and think for a minute of fiveways that we use water. That was easy wasn’t it?I am sure you thought about drinking, bathing; washing, housecleaning, watering plants, cooking, but did you think about manufacturing food, medicines and cosmetics, running businesses such as restaurants and hotels; caring for the sick in hospitals, conducting tests in laboratories, cooling engines in cars and power plants? You see water is a strand that keeps our life as we know it together!

Yet as much as we need and use water, when we are done using it for whatever purpose we wish, it is no longer as clean as when we first got it from the tap.

Few fish can grow and breed in “dirty” or polluted water. Untreated wastewater entering rivers and canals can cause fish to die or become low in numbers because their eggs cannot hatch.

Plants also need clean water to survive. Harsh chemicals in wastewater can kill plants and as a result lower the amount of oxygen in water – since plants

habitats for hundreds of species of fish and other aquatic life. Migratory water birds use the areas for resting and feeding. Pollution of rivers can harm fish and wildlife populations.

IMPACTS RECREATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE The ocean and rivers provide many recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating. Many people around the world live along rivers because of the access to resources and quality of life they offer. When rivers are polluted this may result in beach closures and restriction on recreational water use. In some parts of the world, where beaches and the ocean are a big part of tourism, the economy of countries could be seriously affected.

IMPACTS HUMAN HEALTH If not properly treated, wastewater can carry many disease causing bacteria, which can result in outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Also, contaminated fish from polluted waters can be harmful if consumed.

WASTE WATER Since we use a lot of water, then of course we also produce a lot of unclean or “waste-water” afterwards. But how do we treat waste water and is it necessary to treat it? The answer is yes – it is absolutely necessary totreat waste water. If treated correctly, we can all be safe from the ills associated with untreated water.

As we may have already realised, wastewater is the water we dispose of from our homes, offices and industries. It comes from toilets, sinks, showers, washing machinesand industrial processes. Wastewater also includes storm runoff - rain water that collects harmful substances as it washes off roads,

release oxygen during photosynthesis. Many fish also eat algae – if these plants die then fish would have less food to eat.

Moreover, pollution from wastewater could have long-term effects – last for a long time.

Reduced plant and animal life in rivers and creeks would also affect food availability to people who depend on this source of protein. Also, it would affect livelihoods for people who catch and sell fish. People who fish for sport or recreation would also not be able to enjoy this pastime.

TREATING WASTEWATER Wastewater must be properly treated in order to avoid the possible consequences of its releaseinto the environment. Depending on the origin of the wastewater, treatments can vary from simple to complex and may use natural or artificial methods. In most modern societies wastewater is channelled through a sewerage system to be treated at sewage plants. However, in less advanced societies there can be a mix of methods, such as sewage systems, septic tanks, or natural systems that use plants to utilise and breakdown substances found wastewater.

Look out for next week’s article when we will take a closer look at some methods of treating waste water.

IMPACTS WILDLIFE HABITATS Our rivers and oceans are full of life that depends on shorelines, mangroves and marshes. These are critical

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN; or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

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Six-year-old boy succumbs to ...

From page XXXVII

person’s blood, ridding it of waste, excess salt and toxins.

Therefore, when the kidneys can no longer carry out this function, the patient is much more susceptible to fluid build-up and this results in swelling or puffiness.

LATE SYMPTOMS However, children with chronic kidney failure may not have any symptoms until about 80% of their kidney function is lost. At this stage, they may feel tired, have flu-like symptoms, nausea or vomiting, or experience mental confusion.

They may have difficulty concentrating and poor performance at school.

Other common symptoms for children include: * Swelling of the hands and feet and/or puffiness around the eyes caused by excess fluid build-up. * High blood pressure accompanied by headaches * Lack of or decrease in appetite * Decreased or increased frequency of urination and sometimes bed-wetting at nights * Changes in the color of the urine such as being unusually dark or red, which can indicate the presence of blood * The urine may appear extra foamy, an indication of the presence of protein * Their growth may appear stunted as compared to similar age group peers Parents need to be ever watchful and vigilant, since children will not always take notice of these developments or potential issues and may not always report them to parents.

As soon as a child starts displaying a combination of any of the above-listed symptoms, take him/her to the doctor right away. Your doctor will screen and place him/her on medication.

And your best bet would be to take your child to the GPHC which has very qualified and experienced doctors in the field, the required resources and the superior treatment modalities used in routine practice.

Once the condition of a person having CKD has progressed to End Stage Renal Disease, it means that the kidneys would have failed and can no longer carry out its filtering functions. The next step would be for the patient to be put on dialysis until such time as it is possible for him/her to have a kidney transplant.

DIALYSIS Haemodialysis is the filtering or purifying of the blood outside the body through a machine, since the kidney which performs that function is no longer capable of doing it. The process entails removing all of the person’s blood from his body by tubes (catheter), then passing it through an artificial kidney and back to the body.

COSTLY Dialysis sessions can be protracted, as long as three to four hours. It could also be very costly in the long term, especially since dialysis may need to be done as often as thrice per week and can only be discontinued after a kidney transplantation is done. The prevailing cost of dialysis in Guyana is between $9,000 to $15,000 per session.

Limiting fluids between dialysis treatments is very important, because most people on dialysis urinate very little. Without urination, fluid will build up in the body and cause too much fluid in the heart, lungs, and ankles.

And usually when the fluid builds up around the lungs, it results in death.

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ARIES - Giving in to sensual delights is possible, although you’d be better off channelling your energies into constructive projects. In fact, you get a chance to do just that from Tuesday on, when your focus will be stronger and you’ll be more determined to succeed. As the Sun is currently in Pisces, you’re in a natural phase in which it helps to relax and recharge your batteries. Try not to overdo it! Make time to reflect on life and reconnect with your heart’s desire. .

TAURUS - Domestic issues and communication around shared finances can bring opposing forces into the mix. Saturn’s presence in Sagittarius can be a constructive force for good, encouraging you to get sound advice, research options, and take a measured approach to doing what’s best. Social sparkles show up as the Sun glides through Pisces. But restless energies may show up in your dreams, encouraging you to take a leap of faith regarding an idea that’s been brewing for some time.

GEMINI - Your social life continues to flourish as Mars and Venus stir up opportunities to network, make new friends, and get into the dating loop.

There’s a lot more sizzle in the air, whether you’re going out with a love interest or long-term partner. Passions are quickly aroused, encouraging impulsive moves. However, they can just as quickly die down unless you take advantage of the moment. Though career goals may need attention, you could be persuaded to enjoy yourself instead.

CANCER - Concentration and well-directed energy can make this a successful week. In fact, there are many opportunities open to you to advance goals, research options, and meet with all the right people. In addition, you’ll have the desire and determination to succeed. You’ll also be open to learning and discovering. A creative idea midweek might be the catalyst for taking up a study course or getting a qualification. Romance shows up when you move outside your comfort zone.

LEO - This week your adventurous spirit encourages you forward, particularly if you’re eager to expand your horizons. Dynamic energies can be harnessed to develop creative ideas, particularly if they’re linked to publishing, teaching, or coaching. At the same time you may be ready to travel and eager to explore places you’ve never seen. This is one time when romance can show up, making for a perfect holiday encounter. Over the weekend, avoid impulsive moves that could be more trouble than they’re worth.

VIRGO - Though Monday could begin on a contentious note with obstacles showing up, you’ll quickly get into your stride as the week unfolds. You seem excited and somewhat high-spirited around finances or soul-mate relationships. It’s possible that you could suddenly do or say the wrong thing, so if you have important decisions to make or feel compelled to splurge, stop and think before you go ahead. Constructive plans concerning home and family matters can be a great use of time and energy.

LIBRA - Romantic encounters could be a little bit stressful unless you cooperate and compromise. Mars and Venus in Aries can be fun and dynamic, but they can also be disruptive, which could be reflected in the attitude of a mate or love interest. Though you may have to bend over backward to accommodate another early on, by midweek a more thoughtful influence can see you getting along much better. The weekend could bring one or two surprises your way, and perhaps a new experience.

SCORPIO - You may need to increase your exercise quotient in order to constructively channel high-powered energies that might otherwise make you restless. Working on a plan to accommodate this excess could leave you feeling toned and powerful. You’ll also get a chance to direct this force into plans and projects that need a determined attitude if you’re to reach completion. There’s also a strong possibility of a scintillating romance developing at work. However, though tempted, it’s best not to rush into anything!

SAGITTARIUS - Romantic desire peaks at this time, which can bring fresh delights to a long-term romance or encourage you to be bold regarding a love interest. If you’re hoping to date, a desire to commit to anything long term could be absent. For now it’s best to enjoy light-hearted fun and avoid getting too caught up in anything. Even so, you can use this creative energy to kick-start a personal project, especially if it gives you an opportunity to showcase your talents.

CAPRICORN - There’s plenty going on at home, which might involve remodelling, DIY projects, or other household jobs. While you’ll have great enthusiasm, research your options carefully before you jump into action on the spur of the moment. Doing so could save you a lot of hassle later. You could have a little financial luck, and it could come about through discreet advice or an insider tip. Avoid a desire to splurge over the weekend. Opt for small indulgences instead!

AQUARIUS - Your strength of feeling about an issue or subject could surprise you. However, you’re unlikely to hold back this week, as Mars and Venus encourage you to speak out. Saturn’s presence can temper your mood by midweek, leading to constructive conversation that brings positive results.

Meanwhile, you may be surrounded by the glow of personal popularity and lovely social prospects. With so much going on that’s positive, there are many reasons to feel happy.

PISCES - Any friction you experience this week could be associated with financial matters and the possibility of overspending. With Mars and Venus now in Aries, the temptation to buy on impulse could be stronger than ever.

If you can’t budget, try to limit your spending when you’re shopping at the mall or looking for bargains online. Wednesday could bring one of your better chances for a special date night. Whatever your relationship status, enjoy this opportunity for enhanced bonding.

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MULCH

Gardens take on many shapes, sizes and characteristics and using mulch is a good gardening habit

By Clifford Stanley FLOWER gardens add aesthetic appeal to any property and range from simple to elaborate.

Vegetable gardens, which can be very attractive in their own right, are regaining popularity with increasing food prices.

But all gardens, whether they are flower or vegetable, benefit from the use of mulch.

Using mulch is a good gardening habit. The process is used both in commercial crop production and in gardening, and when applied correctly can dramatically improve soil productivity It is not mandatory but the benefits, it is generally agreed, make it worth the effort.

Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of an area of soil.

Its purpose is any or all of the following: • to conserve soil moisture protecting your plants from drying out quickly • to improve the fertility and health of the soil; depending on what you use, adding a bit of welcome nutrition to your garden as it breaks down • to reduce/inhibit weed germination and growth • to enhance the visual appeal of the area Mulch is said to be the most important factor in preventing weed growth, since it deprives weeds of light.

Nearly any barrier that blocks light works as a mulch.

There are several mulch types available for a gardener.

They can, however, be broken down into two large groups namely: organic and inorganic.

ORGANIC Organic, or natural mulches, include such things as hard-

wood chips, wood bark, grass clippings, decaying leaves and crushed leaves.

INORGANIC Inorganic, or synthetic mulches, include pebbles, crushed rock, plastic or rubber mats or chips.

Organic mulch is economical since it costs less than synthetic mulch .

Organic mulches, in particular, can also actually host crickets and carabid beetles, which seek out and devour thousands of weed seeds The only drawback is that it has to be replaced more frequently due to deterioration.

Gravel, pebbles, or stones have a nice, neat, though not natural look; they are easy to apply; won't wash away easily and will last a long time and don't need to be replenished.

They however, provide no benefits to the soil.

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You can also cover the soil’s surface with a light-blocking sheet of cardboard, newspaper, or bio-degradable fabric and then spreading prettier mulch over it.

Mulch in whatever the preferred type, may be applied to bare soil, or around existing plants.

The "right" or "best" mulch to use depends on the part of the yard you're using it in. Experiment to find out what you and your plants prefer.

Mulches of manure or compost will be incorporated naturally into the soil by the activity of worms and other organisms.

It’s necessary to replenish the organic mulch as needed to keep it about 2 inches deep (more than 3 inches deep can deprive soil of oxygen).

So don’t give weeds the chance to see the light. Whether you choose wood chips, bark nuggets or dried grass, mulch will help to keep garden plants free of un-needed competition from weeds.

The Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel in Haiti

DIGICEL, MARRIOTT

open hotel in Haiti - to boost business travel, tourism and local economy

THE new Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel in Haiti checked in its first guests last week. The hotel employs some 200 Haitian workers, and Haitian-Americans who want to utilise their hospitality skills to boost Haiti’s tourism economy.

The journey to build the Marriott Port-au-Prince began four years ago when Marriott International reached out to the Clinton Foundation to propose a new hotel to help Haiti rebuild its tourism industry after the devastating 2010 earthquake. The company found an eager partner in Digicel Group, which has invested US$45 million to build the 175room hotel.

The Marriott Port-au-Prince, which will be located in the Haut Turgeau area of the city, will offer 170 rooms, including five suites with Marriott’s signature amenities and features, including premium bedding, high-speed Internet and flatscreen televisions.

Dining options will include La Sirene Restaurant, a casual restaurant and La Sirene Bar, a lobby bar and lounge and 24hour room service. The hotel will include about 6,501 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 1,614-square-foot fitness center, swimming pool, and sundries shop/marketplace.

The Clinton Foundation worked closely with the Marriott and Digicel Group to develop the hotel project. The Foundation visited proposed construction sites with the parties, facilitated introductions to the Haitian Government and the Haitian Tourism Association, and encouraged all parties to use the hotel as an opportunity to create an economic anchor for the community.

In addition to creating good, sustainable jobs for Haitians, the hotel incorporates Haitian art and artisan products into the hotel’s design and integrates green technologies such as solar

to reduce the hotel’s environmental footprint.

HAITIAN ENTREPRENEURS The Foundation also worked closely with Marriott and Digicel Group to identify and contract with Haitian entrepreneurs, small businesses and agricultural cooperatives that could provide goods and services to the hotel.

Digicel Guyana quoted former US President, Mr Bill Clinton as saying in a press The Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel was constructed through a partnership with statement: “The opening of Digicel Chairman and Founder Denis O’Brien, former US President Bill Clinton the Marriott Port-au-Prince is and Marriott International. an important milestone as the people of Haiti work to revitand has been instrumental in driving the activity of 80 support alise and diversify their economy.” organisations in Haiti to deliver on their commitments.

"I am grateful to Marriott and Digicel for their commitment to this project, and hope that its success will inspire OPEN FOR BUSINESS further investment and opportunity in Haiti,” Mr Clinton said.

“All along, we’ve said that we were committed to Haiti’s Digicel Group Chairman and Founder Denis O'Brien noted recovery and to delivering on its potential as a great place to that the company is committed to attracting foreign direct in- invest, and as such, we are thrilled to be opening the doors vestment to Haiti and to help the country rebuild in the wake of the Marriott Port-au-Prince,” said O’Brien. “We hope that of the earthquake. the opening of the hotel will signal that Haiti is truly open O’Brien is founder and patron of the Digicel Foundation, for business and is ready to welcome investors and travelers which to date has constructed 150 schools in Haiti, and rebuilt alike.” the iconic Iron Market in Port-au-Prince. He is also the ChairAccording to the release, the Marriott is collaborating man of the Clinton Global Initiative’s Haiti Action Network with Haiti’s Ministry of Tourism and World Central Kitchen to build the skills and training of Haiti’s hospitality workforce through newly-designed hospitality curriculum for local culinary students.

Marriott has provided funding to help support the innovative new programme, which is currently being delivered to its first culinary class of nearly 40 students in a school located near the Marriott Hotel Port-au-Prince. The programme will be expanded when a new Ecole Hotelier, currently under construction, is completed in 2015 Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 14 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over US$5 billion worldwide. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel also sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is the presenting partner of the Caribbean Premier League. In the Pacific, Digicel Haiti President Michel Martelly and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, join Digicel Group Founder and is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and Chairman Denis O’Brien and officials from Marriott International to open the Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel. also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.