See inside: Love affair with ► Page II music
The beauty of IV tie-dye ► Page
Love A labour of
Guyanese-born Angela Grant awarded at the Caribbean American Health Care ► Page XI Awards for humanitarian work
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Love affair
music with
A saxophonist’s boundless passion for music By Vanessa Braithwaite
RICHARD McDonald is God’s gift to music; music that soothes your soul, takes away your headache, raises the hair on your skin and keeps making you want more. Most of all, for some people, he can even bring tears to their eyes when the instrument touches his lips and he blows so lustfully, so passionately and so surreal. Making this publicly known every time he visits Linden is President David Granger. It would now be remiss if President Granger visits Linden, even on the most official visit, and Reverend Richard Mc Donald is not rendering a national song; most popular, My Guyana Eldorado, which in a blink of an eye, makes one embrace patriotism and shun disparity. Reverend Richard McDonald is Linden’s renowned saxophonist, and one of the best in Guyana and by extension the Caribbean. One would think that a man with such musical finesse, who has perfected his skills over the years and is now in demand for an overwhelming number of events is well schooled in music. Surprisingly, however, what one experiences emotionally when they listen to McDonald play, is raw talent, everything self-taught. “I didn’t go to a school; I don’t know music; I don’t know to read music. Whatever I do with music was given to me by God; it was gifted when I was in my mother’s womb; it was God’s doing, I can’t take any credit for it, I have to give him the glory,” he said. Reflecting on how his love for music started, McDonald shared that he was just 12 years old when he started playing the guitar, which is actually his favourite instrument, but as he grew older, he gravitated to the saxophone. He literally taught himself to play all of the musical instruments and has realised his amazing talent in handling all. “I just naturally gravitated towards it. Whenever I saw an instrument- when I saw a guitar, I felt the instant connection. Every instrument that I played was self-taught, it was inborn,” he noted.
NEWFOUND LOVE In was only in his late 20s however, when he was already a titled guitarist in his church band that he picked up a saxophone for the first time. As the story goes, the original saxophonist for the band had migrated and McDonald one day just sat and stared at the instrument which belonged to the church, wondering what next was to become of it. “Must it go to waste?” he asked himself and he decided to give it a try. He never put it back down since, in fact, his beloved guitar became second fiddle. Persons now had to embrace the rapid change McDonald made as he was now the beloved saxophonist. The Reverend could not find words to fittingly describe what music means to him. The same effect his renditions have on his audiences is the same effect it has on him as well. Who would have thought so? “Any time I felt depressed or anything, I turn to the
Reverend Richard McDonald performing a stirring rendition
Saxophonist, the Reverend Richard McDonald
music. If I felt happy, I turn to the music; music balances off every emotion that I feel, so it is that emotion to me. Even though I am pastoring a church, I just cannot stop playing the music, because I have been playing the music since before I turned a Pastor. It is such an integral part of my life, it will be there with me until I can’t play anymore,” he noted. The humble McDonald, who was never bold enough to accept how good he is during the interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, has over the years recorded and produced two CDs which have seen overwhelming response. The two CDs is his repertoire of gospels, national songs and Christmas songs. He is currently working on a vintage gospel CD which will include hymns of yesteryear. PASSING ON THE TALENT Playing a saxophone calls for a lot of stamina; an energy base that goes hand in hand with youth. As the Reverend gets down in age,
though, he will always be young in spirit. He is cognisant that he will not be able to play the saxophone forever. He, however, does not want to take such rare and special talent to his grave and has made time and effort to teach the youths- those willing to learn- how to continue creating that impact in the lives of people through music. While confessing, that not many have shown the dedication and determination to learn, he is always willing to teach. The saxophone, however, is a very personal instrument and, therefore, anyone willing to learn has to bring their own. “It calls for dedication, it calls for love. You must really want to play music. A lot of people want to play music. They would like to see themselves playing, but they don’t want to pay the price. The price is practising, practising, practising- whether your fingers hurt; whether you are in pain.” Richard reminisced on having his fingers bleed while practising just to perfect the skill and believes that millennials do not want to possess that kind of determination. Until his time on earth has ended, however; until his fingers are not flexible enough to pull the strings of the saxophone and until his windpipe can no longer take it, he will be playing and will be making those tears roll down, not only from the eyes of the President but of all Guyanese.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
‘Farming is what we grew up in’
Farmer Deodat Ramratan holding a large bunch of plantains. Standing alongside him is farmer Karam Chand
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Wakenaam plantain farmers tell their stories
By Indrawattie Natram HAVING inherited the family tradition of farming from their parents, both Karam Chand and Deodat Ramratan from Wakenaam Islands, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) continue to carry on the tradition that earns them a livelihood. Both Chand and Ramratan are large scale sucker farmers from the Island of Wakenaam. Their faces are known to those visiting the Parika Stelling, especially on a Sunday morning. They were standing on the Parika wharf one Sunday morning with over 800 bunches of plantains waiting for their buyer to arrive when the Pepperpot Magazine approached them. Both farmers chose the path of diversification since the rice industry was becoming challenging. They currently cultivate acres of plantain and pumpkin as another crop. Forty-eight-year-old Karam Chand from Melville Wakenaam said he was introduced to farming when he was a child. Chand said his father Willi Bodlall taught him and his three brothers to farm in an effort to earn a livelihood. For years, he said, his family was in rice farming but for sometime the crop was not doing well, as such, they had decided to take the risk and invest in plantain suckers. “Today I have not regretted anything. I have 40 acres of land doing [plantain] suckers and in between I plant pumpkin. I have seen a better life with suckers as opposed to planting rice. Once you attend to your sucker properly, then your harvest will be a bumper one,” Chand said. When asked if the crop is usually threatened by diseases he recalled sometime back in 2016 he had invested $31 million Guyana dollars and only reaped $6 million due to the black siga toka disease. However, due to technical advice, the farmers are receiving from relevant ministries and authorities the disease is currently under control. Chand currently cultivates a large plot on the Troolie Two boatloads of the farmers’ plantains ready to offload
The bunches of plantains that were on the Parika Stelling last Sunday morning
Island and has 15 employees overlooking his farm. Although suckers are an annual crop, he said when harvesting time reaches, a farmer does not regret. He reaps close to 400 bunches weekly and visits his farm as early as 05:00hrs in the morning. Like Chand, Deodat Ramratan is also into the ‘sucker’ business. He cultivates 30 acres of plantain and pumpkin on the Troolie Island and Wakenaam areas. Ramratan, a father of two children, said that like Chand, he was introduced to farming since he was a small boy and that it is something that he won’t give up doing. His five other siblings are also into farming which has provided many opportunities to raise their standard of living. Ramratan said that his largest bunch of plantain weighs 140 pounds and it is of the creole variety. “I grow up in farming, I was taught to do so and this is what I do to provide for my family. I love farming and it makes me develop in life,” Ramratan said. MORE MARKETS
Both farmers are lobbying with relevant authorities to have a space at the Stabroek Market where they can take truckloads of plantain to sell. “At the moment, we are left at the mercy of our buyer’s. Whatever price they call is that because we already brought our plantain out to the stelling and we can’t keep it for long, but if we have a special area where we can be given as plantain farmers then we can go and take our produce and sell,” one of the farmers related. At the moment, they said plantain is retailed at the price of $70 per pound and often fluctuates due to an unstable market. The farmers recalled when the industry was booming and they were offered $90 per pound. To transport their produce to the Parika Stelling, it costs them as much as $31,000 in addition to the landing fee they pay. They both explained that they are using machinery on their farm as opposed to manual labour. Lack of supervision on the Parika wharf is one of the major challenges. COMMISSIONING OF PLANTAIN FACTORY Both farmers believe that if the plantain factory that was built on the Island can be commissioned it would be a boost to the sucker industry and the economy of the Island. At the moment, the factory is currently out of operation and the building is a “white elephant”. If the factory is in operation, the farmers believe that they will “be able to supply plantains in large quantities and also youths and other persons on the island can get employment.”
The beauty of tie-dye IV
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
You must appreciate it to understand it By Gibron Rahim
AS human beings, we appreciate beauty in all its forms. Even as we appreciate that beauty, we may fail to realise the thought
and dedication that goes into creating each piece of art. Tie-dye and fabric design artisans utilise their creativity to diligently produce wearable pieces of art. Patricia Helwig possesses numerous
(All photos courtesy of Patricia Helwig)
Patricia Helwig
artisanal skills and fabric design is among them. She related to the Pepperpot Magazine that she always loved tie-dye while she was growing up. Tie-dye would periodically feature among her pursuits as she grew older. However, it was in 1996 while she was in her final year at the University of Guyana that her interest really took off. Just after exams had wrapped up in May, she went to pursue a summer course in tie-dye with Myrna Lee (then Quamina). Helwig recalled that the course was hosted at the premises of Raphael’s Real Estate on Charlotte Street. After completing the course, Helwig continued to work on developing her skills in the technique. “Then, in 1999, I started teaching craft – florals, fabric design, cake decoration and so on,” Helwig said. She explained that tie-dye was included within fabric design. Helwig contacted a student from the E.R. Burrowes School of Art who taught her the advanced tie-dye techniques, such as batik and hand painting, which she subsequently taught her students. “To me, every time you teach, you develop yourself more,” she affirmed. “Every time you do it you get better.” Helwig has taught both elementary and advanced fabric design. “I don’t say tie-dye, I say fabric design,” she noted, explaining that the term includes tie-dye but also encompasses the more advanced techniques of batik and hand painting. In 2010, Helwig began designing tie-dyed fabrics for commercial sale. She also designs African-inspired clothing and creates African head wraps. Tie-dye, she related, sometimes ties into those endeavours. In fact, she has found herself increasingly producing more tie-dyed pieces. “For this year, persons have
said to me ‘tie-dye is coming in again’,” she related. Helwig has consequently invested in materials and is currently working on creating pieces whenever she has spare time. She folds, dyes and hangs pieces to dry on successive days. There are various methods of accomplishing the wide array of patterns that tie-dye is known for. Helwig noted that there are basic patterns, including swirls, stripes, triangles, diamonds, and circles, which are accomplished using their respective techniques. There are also techniques like clumping and ruching. “Those are the basics when you’re doing the elementary [tie-dye],” she said. Advanced tie-dye boasts even more techniques. “You have more advanced patterns that you can do and ones where you can use four or five different colours,” explained Helwig. These advanced methods include shibori, which originated in Japan and just by itself can be used to create numerous patterns. Helwig herself often uses multiple colours for the pieces she creates for sale, noting that the method allows for each individual’s work to stand out. The technique she uses to accomplish those patterns is a trade secret. When it comes to tie-dye, not just any type of fabric will do. “For tie-dying the best fabric is cotton,” said Helwig. Silk and linen can also be used since they, like cotton, are natural fibres. “The natural fibres, more or less, take the dye,” she related. The dye simply runs off synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon. “The best fabric [for tie dye] is 100 percent cotton.” Selecting the correct type of fabric is only part of the battle when tie-dying. It is advisable that persons attempting to tie-dye know how to distinguish between colours and understand which colour combinations lead to the desired result. The desired shade can be achieved, “Once you know the primary, the secondary and the tertiary colours,” said Helwig. She noted that it is important to know which colours should not be mixed to avoid mud-coloured results. There are two options when it comes to dye-hot water dye and cold water dye. “Lots of people use the hot water dye because it’s faster,” explained Helwig. “You tie but you can’t use rubber bands when you’re using the hot water dye.” Materials such as fabric or straw are instead used as ties. Proportions are used to determine how much dye must be used given the length of fabric being dyed. Proportions also dictate how much salt should be added. Once the fabric is added, “You boil it for half an hour or an hour.” A washing maTurn to page V ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Hard work and commitment
V Miss Guyana United Nations, Zena Bland
Zena Bland is determined to inspire young people through her work VIBRANT, down to earth and self-motivated, Zena Bland has an infectious and loving spirit, which touches everyone she comes in contact with, in a real meaningful way. She was born in the United Kingdom to Guyanese parents. Her family moved back to Guyana from the United Kingdom when she was three years old. They lived at Melanie, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. At the tender age of 10, her father, who was a headmaster and athlete, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and her family returned to the United Kingdom, in order for her father to receive medical treatment. Later, they once again relocated to Guyana where she attended President’s College. While there, Zena was highly involved i n athletics and dance; she represented both her school and Guyana at the regional athletics competition in Barbados. At 14 years of age, during school examinations, Zena’s father sadly succumbed to his illness. Though emotionally devastated, showing the kind of determination and resoluteness that has defined her character, Zena successfully took all of her examinations. Now, what Zena has achieved is beyond exceptional for a young woman who endured deep emotional loss. She is a proud graduate of La Retraite Roman Catholic Girls’ School in London, having obtained nine GCSEs. Coupled with her academic achievements, she was recognised as a ‘Gifted Student’ and received numerous certificates of distinctions and merits. She was also La Retraite’s first student to have represented their borough at the London School Games. Continuing her education at La Retraite Roman Catholic Sixth Form, she graduated with three A-LEVEL subjects. Having demonstrated her leadership skills through academic, extra-curricular, volunteer activities, Zena was also made a Youth Leader at Vinspired, a youth organisation attached to the institution. Zena then studied Journalism and Creative Writing at Middlesex University, London. She said every day she aspires to be a better version of herself and to be the woman that her late father would be proud of and a positive role model to young people. Using pageantry as her platform to make her contributions to young people, Zena competed in her first UK pageant, Miss Guyana UK 2012. She was adjudged Miss Guyana UK 2012, First Runner-Up. This new beauty queen took the opportunity to return to Guyana, for the first time since 2006, to raise awareness about Prostate Cancer. In 2014, Zena copped the Miss Guyana UK 2015 title. As Miss Guyana UK 2015, through motivational ◄◄◄ From page IV
chine can also be used. Helwig related that the washing machine is set to its warmest water setting, with the dye and fabric then added and the tumbling motion of the washing machine helping to set the dye. The use of cold water dye requires more patience. The pattern is folded and the fabric is left for at least six hours. “Or preferably 24 hours, preferably 48 – it depends on you,” said Helwig. “For me, the longer the fabric is in the cold dye, the longer the pattern keeps and your dye will not run.” It is important, she emphasised, to know how to properly dye the fabric but she said that not everybody
who attempts to tie-dye does so properly. “I have jerseys that I dyed since 1996 and if you see them you would think I just dyed them,” she related. Tie-dye allows artisans much creative freedom. It also grabs the attention of those with an eye for it. “It depends on how persons feel,” said Helwig. Individual people perceive different images in tie-dyed pieces. “Once you have an eye for craft and you look at it you might see a face, a sun, an animal, it depends.” Tie-dye, Helwig acknowledged, is not for everyone. “You have got to have a love for it and you have got to understand it,” she stated. “You must be appreciative of it to understand it.”
speeches, she raised awareness on the importance of education; volunteered in fundraising and opened the Ruimveldt’s Children’s Aid Centre in Georgetown, Guyana. She went on to compete in the Miss Universe Guyana 2016 pageant and won the Third Runner Up place. She then received the International Achiever Award ‘Young Role Model of the Year’ shortly thereafter on July 8th 2017. Zena is now the Ambassador of Carib Kids International; a Guyanese based charity that supports parentless children, financially, nutritionally and educationally. She has been volunteering at Carib Kid’s International for the past year. Due to Zena’s commitment and input to that charity, she received the appointment, Miss Guyana United Nations 2018. She will be representing our beautiful land of Guyana on July 28, 2018, in Jamaica. This gifted queen’s passion involves imparting knowledge that will be beneficial to a person’s future, welfare and state of mind. She stated that it makes her feel as though her purpose on earth is being fulfilled. Her message to young people is “believe in yourself, your journey and your mission. Think and act positively, for what you give out into the universe, will return to you.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Linden ICT graduates empowering youth with their skills
THIRTY-SEVEN Linden youths who recently graduated from the Information Communication Technology (ICT) five-week workshop hosted by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady Sandra Granger, are on a mission to empower their fellow youths in various communities, with the skills needed to become ICT savvy while making them
marketable for a job. The youths would have formed themselves into an NGO called the Linden Youth Network (LYN). Its mission is to play an integral role in enabling youths to develop the skills needed to function in a technological society. The youths testified that the ICT workshop was an overwhelming learning experience that significantly enriched their
Deron Adams (centre) with participants of the workshop
knowledge base in not only ICT but soft skills needed in the world of work. The workshop was conducted in a spanking new ICT laboratory located in the Linden Enterprise Network Business Centre. Region 10 was chosen as the first region where such a programme was rolled out and was geared towards youth development. The participants were presented with BIT-accredited certificates under the National Training Programme for Youth Development. The youths were trained in both soft and technical skills which include Communication Skills, Telephone Ethics, Interviewing tips and Time management, Mouse basics and keyboard references, Introduction to commuters, Microsoft office, Literacy and Numeracy, STEM Robotics and Sexual and Reproductive health.
Johanna Allicock, the valedictorian of the batch, told the Pepperpot Magazine that the workshop has been a great experience for her since it enhanced her knowledge on computers and the way it works. Allicock is an aspiring teacher and plans on using her training as she pursues her career path. “As an aspiring teacher, this training will prepare me for the field of work. Many things that I did not understand in school in relation to computers, I was able to get a better knowledge of it,” she attested. Selina Joseph, another graduate, said that the workshop benefitted her a lot because she is now certified and will be using that certificate to apply for jobs. She was appreciative of the knowledge gained Turn to page XXX ►►►
A labour of love Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
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Guyanese-born Angela Grant awarded at the Caribbean American Health Care Awards for humanitarian work By Shirley Thomas
GUYANESE-born humanitarian Angela Grant, of the Angela Grant Foundation was recently honoured in recognition of her humanitarian response to the health and educational needs of less fortunate children, as well as adults who are victims of natural public health diseases around Guyana and a few other Caribbean destinations. The occasion was the Caribbean Life 2018 Caribbean American Health Care Awards Gala hosted New York, New York on June 27, and Grant, also pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Medgar Evers College, was among 25 healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses and other specialists) honoured on the prestigious occasion. Saluting their tremendous contributions to the health and wellness of their patients and others targeted for care, Caribbean Life urged the honorees to continue their hard work, noting that commitment and dedication are tremendous sources of inspiration. Other words of (Front left) Dr. Suzette Reynolds, Head of South Road Antenatal Clinic and Humanitarian awardee, Ms. Angela encouragement on the occasion were that they Grant (at centre), along with other nursing staff at the (the honorees) would continue to bring health distribution of hampers to expectant mothers and healing to people everywhere through their tireless service. With a mission to bring joy to the hearts of the less fortunate children in Guyana and St. Lucia among other Caribbean countries, two days after the Award ceremony and buoyed by this new source of inspiration, Grant was bound for Guyana once more, where, doubly motivated, she embarked on her scheduled distribution of backpacks and school supplies for school children at some 10 locations in Georgetown and around the coastland. Beginning on July 2, villages and facilities benefitting from the distribution of supplies include Queenstown, Essequibo Pentecostal; Fruits of Calvary Assembly of God Linden; Artistes in Direct Support, headed by Desiree Edghill; South Road Full Gospel Church; AME Zion Church, West Ruimveldt and Grove, East Bank Demerara among others. This time around, Grant also incorporated the needs of expectant mothers and their babies in her programme. This she did through the distribution of hampers to both mothers and their babies at the South Road Ante-Natal clinic. She gratefully acknowledges the kind cooperation of D. Suzette Reynolds (Doctor in Charge) and nurses and other staff at the facility, without whose support the venture would not have been the success it was. While here, with the help of local volunteers, Grant also added joy to the hearts of the homeless street dwellers by providing them with meals outside the Bourda Market area and at the junction of High and Hadfield Streets during the second week. The Foundation also made Radio and Television appearances on NCN Radio and the Basil Bradshaw ‘Wake THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited up Guyana’ Show. (GBTI Ltd) on Friday concluded its Annual Summer Reflecting on her two-week trip to Guyana, Angela, Camp for members of its Early Savers Club at the Bank’s who utilises her annual leave to travel to meet beneficiaries Recreational Centre, Kaieteur Road, Bel Air Park. and get the job done, said, “Thank God I have accomplished The event, which was held from July 16 to 20, 2018 culwhat I set myself to do and am going back home with a sense minated with an exhibition of the art and craft pieces created of satisfaction, having brought smiles to the faces of the during the camp. The programme targeted two age groups. The morning little ones and older folk with different needs.” Grant, will be returning to Guyana in 2021. In 2019 she session, 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs, targeted the 7 to 10 years cateplans travelling to sister Caribbean country Jamaica and to gory, while the afternoon session, from 13:00hrs to 15:00hrs, targeted the 11 to 15 years group. the Philippines in 2020. The younger group of children were involved in Storytelling and Guyanese Folklore, Know your Country and other HUMANITARIAN BEGINNINGS Of warm and amazing personality, Grant, with no bio- literary sessions facilitated by renowned Guyanese literary activist Allan Fenty, while the senior group was more involved logical children of her own, continues to play a motherly in Arts and Craft sessions facilitated by Taneka Sanchara, role in the lives of thousands of less fortunate children, Head Teacher, Unique Play School and member of the Kids having been involved in humanitarian work ever since she Today Leaders Tomorrow Television Programme. was a youth. The bank for the second time, this year, partnered with the
Guyanese by birth, she spent her early years growing up with her grandparents in St. Lucia which she calls her second home, while her parents worked in Guyana. But in her early teens, she was forced to return to Guyana after floods hit St. Lucia and schools were inundated, forcing evacuation. Her passion for humanitarian work evident became evident at an early age and so, on leaving school, she joined the Red Cross as a Volunteer and later lectured as a Cadet Officer. Additionally, she provided services at the Children’s Convalescent Home in Georgetown, caring for children. Grant also had responsibility for the “Meals on Wheels”, a service through which meals were distributed to the sick and shut-ins at their homes. Recording profound appreciation to the donors in the United States who continue to financially support the work of the foundation, Grant wishes to thank those who continue to support the initiative. “But given that I am currently studying for my Degree and that in itself is very demanding, you will agree that it is no easy task. However, I view it all as a labour of love and am proud to say that I am doing it for the children’s sake directly and indirectly.”
GBTI hosts Annual Summer Programme for Early Savers KTLT Television Programme for the hosting of the Summer Camp which will be broadcast on TVG Channel 28 from Saturday. Robin St Marthe of TVG’s KTLT Television Programme lauded the bank for the initiative and for providing the opportunity to the kids of the KTLT to be exposed to the activities provided during the camp. Shawn Gurcharran, Senior Manager, Finance and Accounts, GBTI, said the event has become a part of GBTI as the bank understands the needs of its Early Savers Club members and its other customers. Musab Hassan and Jhonathan Boodram, two participants, sharing their experience also thanked the bank for adding to their “Summer Fun” and are excited for next year’s participants. The GBTI Annual Summer Camp is part of the perks members of its Early Savers Club enjoy. Other privileges include bursary awards, higher interest rates, and discounts at various retail outlets among others.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
The children who graduated from Maria’s Pleasure Wakenaam Islands
Big dreams!
Wakenaam’s top NGSA student aspires to be an Exxon Mobil Engineer By Indrawattie Natram WAKENAAM Island’s Top National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) performer 11-year-old Ethan Nevid Singh is aspiring to become an engineer at Exxon Mobil. Singh, of Marias Pleasure Wakenaam, Region Three, copped 502 marks and gained a space at St Rose’s High School in the city of Georgetown. The young boy is the eldest son for his parents and credited his success to extra lessons, as well as God’s guidance. He said he somehow expected to perform well at the examinations but it was never his intention to be the top performer although he is thankful. The lad explained that living on the Island of Wakenaam, there aren’t many opportunities for children- but he was thankful that he was exposed to extra lessons and internet access at his home. Leading up to the examinations, the 11-year-old said he burned the midnight oil studying and with the support of both his parents, he managed to retain what he revised. He said the examinations for him were not as challenging as he expected and he entered the exam room with confidence. He remembered riding to his school at Maria’s Pleasure, Wakenaam and would sometimes be early. He shared fond memories at the school and said that although the primary school is located in a remote area, the teachers’ dedication is quite remarkable. “I wasn’t always the high flyer in my class. I mostly got first but still there were many bright children in my class and I predicted that they would have done well also,” Singh said. He thanked his parents Marsh Singh and Cynthia Sue Singh for providing him with the necessary resources he needed. He also extended gratitude to his teacher Navita Seecharan, for the patience she gave him during his studies. At the moment, Singh is attending summer classes since he said that he prefers to be occupied, rather than be idle during the summer vacation. REQUEST FOR INTERNET AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS The young lad said that he would not be attending the school he attained at the examination, however, he would attend Wakenaam Island Secondary. His reason for not going to the school he was awarded is because of lack of accommodation. He, however, has a request where he desires for all the primary schools on the Island to be equipped with internet. “With the Internet, there are a lot of opportunities for
Ethan Singh standing next to the prizes he received during his graduation
young people. They can do research, they can keep abreast with the country’s current affairs,” Singh said. MARIA’S PLEASURE SCHOOL’S PERFORMANCE According to headmistress of the school Navita Seecharran, 17 children in that area sat the examinations with nine pupils awarded 50 per cent and over. Seecharran said the school continues to be understaffed and often times, two staff would be overlooking while others are attending college. The school’s curriculum continues to be based on the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education. Mathematics in Grade One and Two is taught mainly by radio, through the Interactive Radio Programme (IRI) while literacy hour is done among the pupils and teacher in Grade One and Two. Last year, the top performer was Justin Headley who had scored 440 marks. Wakenaam Island has four Primary schools; Zeelandia, Arthville, Maria’s Pleasure and San Souci Primary.
11-year-old Ethan Singh receiving his prize from a former headmistress of the Maria’s Pleasure Primary School, Miss Deanne Retimiah
A MAJOR
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
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CONCERN
Farm security and how it affects farmers throughout the Caribbean By M Margaret Burke IMPROVED security of farm labour is one of the defining features of family farming (FF) in countries throughout the Caribbean region. A study done by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) delegation in Guyana, reported that family members provide most of the labour needed for the farming operations and that this feature is critical, since limited access to productive labour has been a standard complaint of farmers in all countries in the Region. “Involving younger family members in farm operations not only mitigates the labour issue (shortage, cost and capacity) but also stimulates innovation in farm operation and management practices where labour-saving technologies are tried, adapted and introduced to reduce the drudgery, time and problems associated with manual operations. The study noted that family members committed to achieving farm productivity to boost profitability will be more inclined to adopt improved practices, innovation and technology, which are essential to transforming the farm into a commercially-run operation. It cited the Dolly and Ennis’ 2017 study, which described this benefit of the family farm (FF) business model as leading to ‘an improvement to the integrity of the farm labour force, e.g., greater commitment, trust, more structured family, improved efficiency and apparent modelling of purposeful work by family member, which may also minimise the pilfering of resources from the farm. RURAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC VITALITY According to the study, family farmers enhance the vitality of the rural economy and preserve traditional cultures. The global experiences provide sufficient evidence of stronger social linkages or ties of the family to the wider community. Further, it stated that as a result successful family farm units will lead to more dynamic and vibrant host communities, including as a source of employment for the growing business as well as spawning of other small-scale or artisan community enterprises that provide goods and services to the family farm unit. The study highlighted a practice in Argentina and Brazil, which it said is apparently to link family farm to community markets, such as school feeding and hospitals. This facilitates income growth based on peer pressure to ensure quality. BUSINESS-ORIENTATED FARMING The study disclosed that the traditional mindset of small farmers is to grow and sell. It said that good practices, adherence to standards as well as safety and quality issues have been introduced over decades, as studies will confirm. These, according to the study still present issues and challenges in the current period. The apparent slow uptake of regulations in a largely non-regulated farm sector is blamed
on the ‘lack of a business approach’ in farming. There is great potential for this constraint to be more effectively addressed and reversed through strong family farming units. “A farming family, intent on using the farming business to support the family and to diversify the economic opportunities from the farm, will employ the basic principles of good business; will be more inclined to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, and embrace business-enhancing practices and technologies. The incentive is to leave behind a healthy income-generating business, centred on the farm, to heirs and successive generations. If this inter-generational family dynamic is absent, then the drive to approach farming as a business will be less strong,” the study disclosed. MODERNISED FARMING – YOUTH INVOLVEMENT The study focused its attention on the Youth in Guyana, as well as in the other countries studied. It disclosed that the youth are more inclined to adopt innovation and to innovate. “Their [the youth’s] full involvement in the family farm business significantly increases the likelihood of a technology and innovation transition on the farm that leads to continuous productivity improvements and diversified farming operations,” the study revealed. ABILITY TO MEET NEEDS The study showed that a typical feature of the family farm is the way labour is distributed among family members within the business. It posited that families come with a range of skills across generations and should ensure that the family farm provides opportunities for the young members to acquire training and qualifications in skills and competencies that strengthen the business. “The capacity to significantly improve marketing and promotion of farm products will be a boost to the sector in general, particularly given the inclination of the youth to use of social media platforms and network marketing tools. This could revolutionise the traditional concept of ‘niche marketing’ driven by dynamic family farm units” the study documented. DIVERSIFY AND DEVELOP THE PRODUCT According to the study, experience has shown that promoting value-adding to farm output is an important avenue to maintain the dynamism of the farming enterprise across generations. It is now well appreciated that some form of value adding - even as simple as cutting and packaging fresh output for fresh, chilled, frozen market - becomes a logical extension to the farming operation to enhance income opportunities and reduce waste in operations. It has also been shown that female family members are more inclined to start and grow these linked value-adding operations. Therefore, enabling family farm as an agribusiness
model helps to mitigate the constraints of ‘marginalisation of women in agriculture’, ‘limited post-farm linkages, including production of value-added products’, and ‘limited integration of the local farm sector into value chains and the wider productive economy. SMART PRACTICES The strong culture of family farming within and throughout many generations “will ensure good stewardship of the core asset that must transition from generation to generation to sustain the farming enterprise. “Cultural attachment to farming and land, particularly on long-owned family holdings, also plays a major role in the sustainability of family farms. Maintaining the farm unit also removes the problem of land sub-divisions into smaller and less economic units, and or ‘selling-off’ of family land thus mitigating the
indefinite fragmentation of agricultural land,” the study informed. The study documented its findings after careful investigations on family farms in Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It discovered tremendous similarities in the patterns of family farming within all of these countries and recommended in part: “Developers and policy-makers should effectively synchronise developmental initiatives with the culture of the farm family to ensure that the intended development captures the norms and values of the FF system… A key and immediate recommendation is the inclusion of family farm (FF) data in future agricultural censuses within the Caribbean…”(mercilinburke2017@ gmail.com)
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
What you need to know about lemons - Part Six FOR weeks, NAREI in Focus has looked at the principal postharvest diseases that affect lemon crops. This week’s focus is being placed on postharvest disorders. Chilling Injury : Lemon fruit are susceptible to low-tem-
perature injury, commonly known as chilling injury (CI) if held at temperatures below 10”C (50’F). CI is a physiological disorder which adversely affects the appearance and quality of the fruit. Fruit symptoms include pitting and
sunken lesions on the peel surface, skin discolouration, staining of the membranes separating the segments, decay, and off-flavour of the pulp. Damage is a function of temperature and time, with more CI incurred at lower temperatures and longer exposure durations. The use of pre-harvest applications of the growth regulator gibberellic acid reduces susceptibility to CI, as does maintenance of a very high RH (>95%) storage environment. Preconditioning lemons by holding the fruit at ambient temperature for several days before storing at chilling temperatures will also reduce injury. Waxing the fruit and a postharvest fungicide application will lower the amount of damage and decay from CI. OLEOCELLOSIS Oleocellosis, or oil spotting, is a result of mechanical damage to the peel. The outer portion of the lemon fruit contains oil glands which are rich in oil and terpenes. When the oil glands are ruptured, the oil and terpenes leak out and are toxic to the surrounding cells. This results in death of the adjacent epidermis and the formation of irregularly shaped yellow, green, or brown spots in which the oil glands of the skin stand out prominently because of slight sinking of the tissues between them. Turgid fruits are most likely to have oleocellosis because their oil glands are more easily ruptured. Fruit turgidity is greatest in the early morning and under very humid, wet conditions. Harvesting under such conditions or while dew is on the fruit should be avoided. Fruit should be picked when the fruit surface is dry and should be handled carefully so that oil glands are not punctured or ruptured. Oleocellosis can be minimised by picking fruit in the afternoon of sunny days, waiting to harvest 2 or 3 days after a rain or irrigation, using padded harvest containers, and having pickers wear cotton gloves. Lemons may also be left in the field overnight in their harvest container to allow the turgor pressure to decline. The lower fruit turgor pressure permits safer transport to the packing area. PETECA Lemons may develop large sunken areas of the rind or pits soon after packing. Peteca is a type of rind pitting in which the edges of the depressions are gently rounded. The outer layer of the rind sinks, at first without losing its normal colour, but eventually, the oil glands begin to darken. Heavy brushing of the peel increases the incidence of peteca. Also, storage of lemons at l00Yo RH will significantly increase the amount of peteca. Although the cause of peteca is not known with certainty, it is thought that heavy oil sprays prior to harvest can increase the severity of this disorder. Lemons should not be subject to excessive brushing and should be waxed with a camauba based wax.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
XV
Grieving and Mental Health
I’VE been seeing a client who recently lost a loved one and naturally, is having a hard time coping with it. He asked me to write on the potential benefits of grieving; to possibly help others who may be going through a similar situation. The feeling of loss is supposed to be painful and may feel like it will never end but ‘time heals all wounds’ is a cliché for a reason. However, giving it time is not all that is needed. We must accept the new situation, the loss, and accept the full range of emotions that will come along with it. We need to adjust to a new life and saying goodbye. Accept that you are hurting and let yourself hurt as grief also has the power to heal. Many believe that grief is a sign of weakness- that one must always be composed in front of company and cry when every else is gone. We should never run from sadness. There is a measure of dishonesty in that- to yourself and those around you. Not to mention, the more you fight it, the longer you will feel it. Loss can be sudden or predictable, both being equally difficult as even though you know what’s going to happen, you are never prepared for how it feels. There is no right or wrong way to grieve but there is something known as healthy grieving. Grief is a process with multiple stages that allows us to feel the situation – really feel it- in order to move past our sadness over time. Without it, sadness is repressed and it is very difficult to get over the loss. Grief allows us to let go of the negative and sad energy we are feeling and put it into something else. Grief can be a roller coaster of emotions where you have good and bad days. This is normal and a completely natural response to any loss. There are five stages of grief which include 1. Denial: “This can’t/ isn’t happening to me.” 2. Anger: “Why is this happening to me?” 3. Bargaining: “If this doesn’t happen, in return I will…” 4. Depression: “I’m too low or lack the motivation to do anything.” 5. Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what is happening/ happened.” Denial initially helps us to deal with the loss. It is a protection mechanism that allows us to pace ourselves while grieving. Anger is a necessary stage as it’s an essential emotion for pain and healing. Feeling angry has never been the problem, it’s how we choose to express it. There are healthy ways to express anger. Aristotle once said “Anyone can become angry, that is easy. But be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not easy.” Bargaining encompasses a lot of ‘what ifs’, ‘if only’s’ and guilt. At the end of this stage is the realisation that what happened is not your fault and the beginning stages of acceptance of the situation. The depression stage will feel never-ending. We will feel intense sadness and withdraw from others. The final stage, acceptance, does not mean that you are no longer sad, it just means you accept that time will help to heal the pain and it’s a further understanding that you are not to blame for what happened. However, it is important to point
out that you do not need to go through all these stages in order to heal properly. We don’t just grieve death, there are many other situations that cause the common signs and symptoms of this. Some of my clients actually experience grief without actually knowing what it is. A few include shock and disbelief, physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches, pains and insomnia, prolonged crying and sadness, changes in eating and sleeping patterns as well as withdrawal from others. To healthily grieve, we take all the time we need. Do not let anyone tell you when you should be ‘over it’. Accept that you may have some low motivation and reduction in the want and need to do activities that you once loved. Knowing this, it’s okay to not take on any new responsibilities. Accept support when offered- there’s no need to put on a brave face. Talk regularly about the loss with those closest to you. There are things we can do for others who are grieving. We can ask about how they are doing, about their feelings
and be present – be good listeners. You can ask them to share good memories of the loss they experienced. Allow them to feel sad. If they do not want to speak, just sit with them. Of course, everyone is busy and have their own lives so if you can’t be with them daily, make simple phone calls. Everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. If you feel that your grief has surpassed your idea of normal and it may be leading to depression or any other mental illness, please go to your nearest health centre. Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs to 12:00hrs Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 2230009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
folklore FLOAT ON
XVI
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
By Neil Primus
MANUEL was drunk as usual. He had been an alcoholic from the tender age of 14. He worked as a handyman. Anything you wanted to be fixed he would be the man to call. He fixed toilets, septic tanks, broken furniture, clearing vegetation and
any and all other things when needed. When he started drinking he knew no bounds. He just drank and drank. The man had imbibed every known brand of liquor available in the country. His rum of choice, however, was El-Dorado.
That night he helped himself to a large quantity of liquor. He started off on vodka then finished off on rum. He was well and truly drunk by the time he decided to go home. Getting home that night would be a big challenge for him. Manuel started off for home bravely but unsteadily. He negotiated the busy public road by hugging the corner (shoulder) of the roadway. When he reached Jacksonville Plains he lurched onto the sideline dam.
His feet felt like a sponge and the road was constantly moving around. He lumbered on steadfastly. Up ahead someone was heading towards the back of the village. Company, he thought. Drunk and wobbly he hurried to catch up. His obstinate feet seemed unwilling to aid him in achieving his objective. The harder he tried the more difficult the task seemed. The person in front of him seemed always just out of reach. Pausing, he dug into his pocket and refuelled with a long swallow of rum. He put the bottle back into his pocket and tried once more to catch up. He failed again. Manuel looked with annoyance and suspicion at the moving figure. Something was not adding up. The woman-a fact he had just realised- moved slowly and smoothly. Her movement seemed effortless. Yet try as he may he could not reach her. When he drew within a few yards of her he made a rather big blunder.
“Hold up sweetie,” he cooed. The woman stopped but did not turn around. He caught up to her and stooped, hands on knees, trying to catch his breath. It was while he had his head down gulping in huge breaths of air that he noticed her feet or lack thereof. The woman had no feet. He looked with terror-filled eyes as she moved slowly forward. She was essentially floating on air. He had done the same on several occasions but even in those drunken moments he always had his feet to fall off of….. This was more than he was able to cope with sober or plastered. “He…H…Hey You!” he shouted. The moving creature stopped. Before he could curb his intoxicated tongue, he made an even bigger blunder. “Wait fo me na!” Zoom. The creature had vanished. He stared at the empty road ahead of him. Suddenly a cold jet of air caressed the nape of his neck. He spun around and fell backwards in horror. The mysterious figure was standing there, arms reaching for him. Her smile resembled that of a crocodile in one horrifying way. She had rows of spikey vicious looking teeth; big teeth. Manuel moved from a half-bent posture to a stumbling run then into overdrive. In his haste, he abandoned his old sneakers. He skipped, floated and flew away at top speed, feet barely touching the ground. There were pungent rum fumes in his wake as if he was using liquor to fuel his overworked engine. And he was. Manuel was moving so fast that he almost passed his home. He screamed in desperation for his wife. “Beverly! Beverly! Open de door, Jumbie out hey!” A tired looking Beverly flung the door open and declared in frustration. “Is only one Jumbie I see outside- a Rum Jumbie!” With that, she stormed back to bed locking the bedroom door behind her. Manuel was forced to sleep on the couch. There he dreamt of floating women and running rum bottles. When he awoke the next morning his sneakers were placed neatly beside the chair. Manuel shamelessly passed out cold.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
XVII
Synthesise older with newer methods of poverty elimination FROM time immemorial, poverty has been one of the greatest of human concerns. The ancient philosophers and religious teachers tried to deal with the scourge of poverty by redistribution of wealth informed by ethical imperative. This resulted in charity or in giving based on compassion. Lord Jesus enjoins Man to be his brother’s keeper, that is, one is responsible as far as one’s ability allows it to provide for those in need from one’s resources. Hinduism/Buddhism teaches compassion for the poor. Since life is one and all human beings are related and since one’s good actions are rewarded by good reactions, the more generous one is to the poor, the more generous one is to one’s self. In Islam, one’s Zakaat or charity is actually prescribed in the Holy Quran on a percentage basis of one’s wealth. These ancient forms of the redistribution of wealth based on ethical imperatives resulted in much personal charity as well as the provision of hospices and Dharamshalas to house the poor, hospitals where the sick could be tended and even the founding of educational institutions for the poor. Many of the oldest English public schools originally accommodated the poor and Oxford and Cambridge were non-fee paying when they were founded. Similarly, the famous Buddhist international University of Nalanda was free for poor students and monks. In later centuries, the world’s population multiplied at unprecedented rates, and there was the growth of urbanisation and the beginnings of industrialisation, the older methods of confronting poverty, though still very useful, became inadequate. Owing to globalisation and easier communication brought about by the ICT Revolution, the scourge of poverty is no longer thought of in terms of individuals or families, it is now thought of in terms of whole countries and even the whole world. Accordingly, the solutions for diminishing or eliminating poverty are therefore now thought of in macro terms. We tend to think of the nation’s food supply, health, sanitation, education, access to water, unemployment, social exclusion, high vulnerability to natural disasters and diseases and other factors which prevent people from being productive as macro problems requiring macro solutions. Macro solutions would involve the inputs of governments, the Private Sector and the Academic and Scientific communities. Governments could create the environment for generating job opportunities for the poor and marginalized, and fiscal policies that stimulate pro-poor growth and poverty reduction. Governments could also use social legislation in health, education and the provision of water, electricity and transport to assist the poor. The Private Sector, as “the engine of growth”, could provide economic opportunities for the poor, focusing on segments of the economy where the poor are active such as in small enterprises and the informal sector. The Academic and Scientific
community could increase public awareness of the negative impact of poverty. Science could provide new and sustainable solutions and technologies for reducing poverty. Not only are national governments involved in macro solutions to end poverty but also the United Nations and its loan agencies. The General Assembly itself adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is expected to transform the world by 2030. Most of these Goals have a poverty reduction orientation. Poverty reduction and elimination are of concern to everyone since the well-being of everyone is linked to the well-being of everyone else. This is a truth which the ancient religions taught. Growing inequality is detrimental to economic growth and undermines social cohesion leading to social and political tensions manifesting themselves in instability and conflict. Most of the literature on poverty elimination focus on the macro solutions and to a much lesser extent the micro. The poor are featured almost as an abstract object merely as recipients of benefits which may be brought to them. Almost none of the literature speak of how the poor have helped themselves and continue to help themselves. Guyanese people of the 19th century, as emancipated slaves and indentured labourers, never knew any other condition than poverty and the syndrome continued well into the 20th century. They, therefore, evolved ways of confronting poverty. Some of these ways included : Supplementing their food supply. Whatever land was available around their houses was planted with vegetables and root crops like sweet potatoes and even runners like squash. Everyone kept chickens or even ducks and turkeys which supplied them with eggs and a meat diet once or twice per week. Fish from the canals were caught, even by children and herbal teas and home-made drinks instead of aerated drinks were used. Even people who lived in rooms in tenement yards kept plant boxes and plant pots where they grew vegetables and herbs. The poor in those past generations did not spend much money on food. Allowing clothes to give their full service. Clothes were worn until they could not be
repaired and shoes were re-soled by shoe repairers. The poor spent very little on food and clothes.
Saving. They had the discipline of saving from their tiny and irregular money income. It was this discipline which made it possible for the emancipated slaves to purchase abandoned sugar estates and establish villages of their own and a new life. One last observation of how the Guyanese poor of past generations confronted social exclusiveness, unemployment and upward mobility: They understood that education was the key factor in their effort. They used the new school system and educated themselves in academic and technical skills and became equipped for the teaching profession and nursing and in the skilled trades. They therefore not only moved upwards socially but created employment for themselves. If the methods of struggling against poverty which were evolved by the Guyanese poor of past generations are resuscitated and synthesised with the modern macro methods, there is a good chance of achieving success in eliminating poverty.
XVIII
The little finger of the little Dutch boy
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018 The century-old koker of Canal No. 2, West Bank Demerara, Region Three
By Francis Quamina Farrier THERE are some lessons which we learnt either at home or at school, since our pre-teen years which we always remember. One such story which I clearly remember from my pre-teen school days is the story of “The Little Dutch Boy”. That memorable story, many of us of the colonial era read in one of our school books during our very early formal education. It is a story which is still appropriate in Independent Guyana and has not become obsolete from the colonial days. The story of the little Dutch boy is as follows: One day the little fellow went missing from his home in Holland and as night time fell, his parents and neighbours became very worried. So they went out and searched for him. He was found on the seawalls with his little finger stuck into it. When asked what he was doing with his little finger stuck into the wall, he explained that he saw a hole in that wall through which water was leaking into the lowland and he was afraid that if he did not plug it with his finger right away, the hole would become larger and flood the land. At school, Ms Edwards, our teacher, drilled it into the heads of her young pupils the importance of the country’s river and sea defences. She also drilled the following into our ears; “The coastlands of Guiana, are below sea level, at high tide”. That is a three-part statement. Unfortunately, many Guyanese often reduce it to, “Guyana is below sea level”, which is so inaccurate. At home in McDoom Village on the East Bank Demerara, my parents also taught me the importance of knowing about the value of the country’s drainage system, including the kokers and their importance to our daily existence, living on the low lying coastlands of Guy-
ana. There was that much smaller canal behind our home known as the “four foot”, which led into the larger koker canal, which took the excess rainwater into the Demerara River. So for us, it was very important to know what was expected of us as regards the drainage of our surroundings. The Meadow Bank koker, the Ruimveldt koker, the Sussex Street This pavement at the western end koker and the Princes of Robb Street frequently floods Street koker were all very well known to me, as well as the important functions of those vital pieces of the drainage system in British Guiana. There is no difference with the need for kokers in independent Guyana and more so with the increasing climate change of the past two decades and the increasingly heavy rainfall. We can recall the Great Flood of 2005 which resulted in extended areas of Guyana’s coastlands inundated and the great misery and loss of property and livestock. Ten years later, there was the massive 2015 clean-up campaign of the city of Georgetown after over two decades of neglect, during which the city drainage system deteriorated to a situation as never before. After that 2015 clean-up campaign, many youths for the first time in their lives saw the concrete in many drains which they thought were mud drains. The concrete in those city drains was also exposed to sunlight for the first time in over 20 years. There was a noticeable and welcome reduction of floods in Georgetown immediately after that 2015 clean-up campaign. However, there are now still some areas of the city which experience flooding after rainfall. One The clogged-up koker out-fall at the example is the area in downnorthern side of the John Fernandes Ltd. town Georgetown, west of wharf (Photos by F. Q. Farrier) the Avenue of the Republic. As a Koker observer for almost 70 years, I did checks, not only of the kokers and their functioning after the big 2015 clean-up campaign but I also paid close attention to the koker outfalls; that portion of the canal which is between the koker and the river or sea. What I realise is that many of the outfalls are in need of desilting. The worst of them is the outfall of the koker at the northern side of the John Fernandes Ltd. wharf in Georgetown, in which there are large trees growing in that out-fall, impeding about 70 per cent of the water from getting out into the Demerara River when the koker is open. I stood there on numerous occasions observing the water struggling to get past those tree roots and built-up silt and into the Demerara River. I have recorded video footage as well as photographs of that situation. Christmas 2018 is five months away and I am of the view that there will be a massive desilting project of all the koker out-falls in Georgetown and other areas of the coastlands, so that there will be little or no flooding at the end of the year and beyond. My feeling is that the Avenue of the Republic canal which goes pass the crumbling City Hall will also be desilted before Christmas 2018. While the patriotic little Dutch Boy of over a century ago was moved to plug a leak in the seawall in his native Holland with his little finger to prevent a flood, here in Guyana of the 21st century, there are those patriotic Guyanese with the power, responsibility and determination to rid the coastlands of floods. They will take, not just their little finger, but heavy-duty equipment and desilt the koker out-falls, in order to prevent the current floods we are experiencing. Like the little Dutch Boy, they will go above and beyond the call of duty to prevent future floods.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
XIX
The graduating class of the Mashabo Primary School
Mashabo Primary Shines at NGSA after 30 years By Indrawattie Natram MASHABO Primary located approximately five miles inland from the Essequibo Coast in Region Two managed to shine at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) after 30 years. The school, for the first time, attained a ‘List A’ Secondary School in the region and according to Regional Education Officer (REO) Miss Nicola Matthews, it is history for the community, as, since 1986 the school did not receive a ‘List A’ Secondary School. Attaining the highest mark for the school was Azayialia Charles who gained 438 marks while Candeo Fredricks gained 429 marks. Both of the pupils were awarded the Abram Zuil Secondary School. Three other pupils scored over 400 marks and 10 pupils will be attending ‘List B’ schools with the five-year programme. According to the headmaster Modi Ram Beepat, despite the various challenges faced at the school the children who sat the examinations excelled. He said out of 15 children who were prepared for the examination only 14 wrote. The headteacher Best graduating pupil, Azayialia Charles said that for the first time since the introduction of the six-year programme the school did not have grasped from YouTube. Beepat who has been any pupil for the remedial programme and this, he said, is in the teaching profession for over 20 years, commendable. said it was his desire for the hinterland chilLeading up to the examinations, Sir Beepat said the chil- dren to excel at the examinations given the dren were given extra lessons on the Essequibo Coast which extensive gap during which the school did not groomed them mentally. During the middays and evenings perform well. also, the children were involved in extra classes. He commended the efforts of Miss Fieana Best for the patience and REQUEST FOR INTERNET time spent with the children. The headmaster said that many The headteacher believes that if an ICT parents for the children were faced with financial difficulties Hub is established in the community it will since the community lacks jobs. Many of them could not create a positive environment for the children afford to purchase textbooks for their children to do research, where they can have access to the internet as such the headmaster said, he transported the children on and more so research can be conducted. He the Essequibo Coast where he could have gotten access to is, therefore, appealing on the school’s behalf the internet. to have internet in the community or at the Most of the knowledge he shared with the children were school. Apart from that, he said that parents in
the community are struggling to send their children to school due to financial difficulties, and often the children would stay home from school because they have to look after their siblings while their parents seek employment. The school, however, has a feeding programme which encourages attendance. The teachers who are attached to the school are also facing difficulties accessing the community, especially during the rainy season. On a daily basis, they have to be at the landing as early as 07:00hrs and whenever it rains they would be soaked and still have to teach for the entire day. Mashabo is an Amerindian community located approximately 10 miles from the Huist Diren Public Road. The Mashabo Primary School currently has a staff of eight teachers with a school population of 98 pupils.
Second best graduating pupil for Mashabo Primary, Candeo Fredericks
XX
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
THE PORK-KNOCKER AND HIS URBAN GOLD By Abdool A. Aziz A SCARY MOVE LIVING with his ageing mom and finding it difficult to get a job, Leroy Johnson decided to try his luck ‘Pork-Knocking’ with no experience. He scoured the abandoned creeks and streams for gold. It would not be too long before ‘lady luck’ smiled at him. He found a nugget. He raced out of the bush sold the gold and began to party. At his ‘free for all’, he met Lolita, a copper coloured beauty. He mined for the yellow metal now he found his real gold. He fondly called her ‘My Urban Gold’ and he fell for her. What he did not know was, she was a ‘gold-digger’. He rented an apartment, furnished it and enticed her to be his lover, putting all the amenities in her name. They adopted a lavish lifestyle. With the
‘bonanza’ drying up, Leroy decided to return to the bush. This was the opportunity Lolita was waiting for. She sold the furniture, embezzled the rent money and obtaining a U.S visitor VISA, she flew north. Leroy struck it rich again and he rushed back to his ‘Urban Gold’, but she was in New York. He pleaded with her mother for a contact number for her and she gave him out of pity. He called in desperation. A guy answered. “Is one Lolita Sampson there?” He asked. There was a pause and he said again after she answered, “Hello, is this Lolita? It’s me Leroy, your boyfriend. How are you, Baby?” “I’m fine… and you?” She said. “Great! I found more gold, come back and I will buy a house for you and lots of bling bling! Come back, sweetie. I love you.” “Leroy, this is now my home, I’m happy here. If you love me, then you come over,” she
said. “Okay! Okay! I will!” “Hoping to see you soon honey,” mumbled Lolita. Leroy wasted no time in applying for the visa but he was denied and he felt downtrodden. He called his lover again. She promised to come, requesting a passage. He sent lots of cash to her but the gold-digger deceived him. She had a rich real estate mogul over in Manhattan. She changed her phone and all contact ceased. Heart-broken, the pork-knocker returned to the hinterland. One day he saw a gallery of deportees in the newspapers. His Urban Gold was one of them. He hurried out of the bush and went to CID headquarters looking for her. Ashamed, she took refuge at a friend. He found her, much to his heart’s delight. He bought a house in her name and they lived in a conjugal relationship on a luxury level. The ‘bonanza’ dwindled. Leroy returned to his
mining. Again Lolita deserted him. This time she left with a lumber magnate to Brazil. Riding high on ‘cloud nine’ he raced to his residence only to find a new owner there. He turned to her mom for answers as to her whereabouts. Dejected, he turned to substances abuse and alcohol. He walked the streets of GT a pauper. One morning his mother found him dead on his cot. A photo of his beloved Lolita was in his hand and a note that said, “Please tell her I love her and I died for her.” Lolita had beauty and charm to seduce any man. But she was only interested in wealth. Leroy saw her as a Goddess. Rumour has it that her rich paramour found her in a relationship with one of his crew and she lost her life at the jealous lover’s hands. Her mom was silent on the matter. To poor Leroy, the yellow metal was no match in value to the Urban Gold –Lolita.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
XXI
THE PLIGHT OF THE
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
THIS past week the National Toshaos Council (NTC) held their 12th Annual NTC Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. A new governing body was elected and as per the norm, the grievances of the Indigenous Peoples were highlighted so that they may be addressed. It would have been hard to miss the issues raised at the conference because they were well reported upon. If you did, however, of great importance to the Indigenous Peoples are the matters of land and demarcation and the use of the environment. The newly-elected chairman of the NTC, Nicholas Fredericks, during his presentation singled out the importance of land rights and preservation to the Indigenous Peoples. “The land is one of the most important assets we have in our lives,” he said. Historically, the first peoples moved into the hinterland regions where they established their occupancy over time. To date, much of their culture and livelihoods are tied to the hinterland regions. And so it is clear why there is the pervasive impetus for their land rights. The Amerindian Land Titling Project was created to address their grievances and provide redress to the people. Earlier this year, however, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, sadly informed that only 26 per cent of the work under the Amerindian Land Titling Project was complete, even though the project is slated to conclude in October of 2018. Understandably, this was not good news for Guyana’s first peoples and the matter of land titling was Shania Alliyah Wilson
Shania
YOGA has, in the past few years, become increasingly popular and one Guyanese teen used this form of meditation as a coping mechanism for her physical and emotional distress. Nineteen-year-old Shania Alliyah Wilson, a third-year student
high on the conference’s agenda. I have a fair amount of knowledge on bureaucracy and the long processes of getting things to happen. As such, I understand why it takes so long to get stuff done, especially when it is this important. From what I’ve read, communities have not been able to acquire titles for their lands because progress vis a vis the land titling project has been decelerated due to a myriad of constraints, most notably- manpower. At the same time, I also understand people’s frustration when they have been lobbying for something they believe belongs to them for so long to no apparent avail. Fredericks in his presentation also highlighted that land titles were granted since 1976 by the then government, and related, “They were not given out with free, prior and informed consent. These titles were not presented to a village meeting. The Toshaos at that time made huge mistakes in accepting those titles”. What happens too, is that with these boundary issues, economic activity is hindered and villages may find it difficult to engage in their livelihoods. Orealla, for example, has had trouble engaging in logging activities because of issues with their boundaries. Manager of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) secretariat, Durwin Humphrey, shared with the Toshaos from across the country during the conference, that there are many issues surrounding lands here while adding that the existing issues are not new but have existed for decades. For him, many legal and procedural challenges and flaws are preventing the commission from effectively conducting its
land titling exercises. He also noted that there is some friction between the Amerindian Act of 2006 and the State Lands Act, with respect to ownership and occupancy of lands. So what is being corrected now, or at least attempted to be corrected, is providing the people with titles to the land they occupy and in some cases, demarcate and effectively extend their control of the areas. But even as this bugbear prevails, there is still much to appreciate. One standout presentation for me was one made by the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido- Lowe. She detailed the progress made over the recent years with respect to bridging the divide that exists between the coastal and hinterland areas. Chief among these were, the establishment of five radio stations in Mabaruma, Mahdia, Orealla, Lethem and Aishalton; the provision of 566 Government scholarships; 1332 assisted small businesses; $200M in heritage grants; $93M towards preserving indigenous heritage and $10M each for the resuscitation of the coffee industry in Santa Rosa, the cassava flour business in Quibana and jewelry and craft businesses at Monkey Mountain. What I will contend at this juncture is that progress is being made. It is my humble opinion that though there are great issues with land demarcation and titling, and even other issues, there is something to appreciate. And what I am most happy about is that the indigenous leaders from across the country came together and directed their collective efforts towards championing their cause.
‘Not defined by my scars, but by how I wear my scars’
Wilson
at the University of Guyana pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies, said she is not defined by the scars that she has, but in actuality, is defined by how she wears them. A native of Bartica, Shania came to Georgetown in 2011 to further her studies. During her years away from home, Shania experienced quite a few unfortunate events which resulted in both physical and emotional scars. Figuring out how to deal with these “scars” took quite a while, but
Shania eventually found the answer in yoga, and is no longer saddened by her experiences, but has found peace of mind and a sense of acceptance to embrace her in every possible way. “Yoga became my passion and my method of relaxation. It helped me to let go and accept,” Shania said. She added that apart from the physical benefits such as increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, weight reduction and improved athletic performance, yoga allows you to find an inner peace that is not ruffled and riled by the endless stresses and struggles of life. Guyana is plagued with societal ills that affect many young people and Shania believes that she can be a voice to encourage young people to take up the challenge of yoga to help them cope with the many hurdles they may face, using her own testimonies. “I aspire to be a person that can teach yoga. I aspire to be a person that can encourage young people
to practice yoga. I believe that if more of our young people, or rather, people in general, practice yoga, our country and the world at large can be transformed to a more peaceful state. And of course, I also aspire to be an Environmental Consultant,” she said, smiling. As a start to her aspirations, Shania has created a Facebook page and an Instagram account where she shares yoga videos to help young people. She also shares some of her experiences. She admonishes young people to think of yoga as not just a repetition of a few postures, but as the exploration of subtle energies of life to find your inner peace, to find your way. She also urges them to be persistent, since, persistence is the key that will open doors to unthinkable opportunities. Persons interested in following her
journey can follow @ Yoginia on both Facebook and Instagram.
Shania Wilson demonstrating her yoga abilities
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Bridging the gap between the Hinterland and the Coastland
A better life for the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana EQUITY in the delivery of public services and access to the country’s resources is a part of the process of achieving social cohesion. This continues to be a key focus of the current administration, with Government emphasising empowerment, equality, employment, access to social services and education as the key means of ensuring the good life for all Guyanese. From the revival of local democracy through local government elections, which allows citizens to take the lead in the decision-making process within their communities, to the introduction of several initiatives that encourage education and entrepreneurship, to the completion of infrastructural projects aimed at equitably improving the lives of citizens across the country, regardless of ethnicity, geographic location, gender, political affiliation or sexual orientation, this administration continues to work to ensure that every Guyanese has an equal stake in the nation’s development. It was upon the longing of a nation to eschew divisions for once and for all and the need for national unity, harmony and a unified destiny that the coalition Government was founded. Since its assumption of office, a critical area of focus for the government has been building a socially cohesive society where every Guyanese has a sense of belonging and more so, an enhanced quality of life. BRIDGING THE GAP President Granger has said that his Government is serious about the development of all regions in Guyana, whether Hinterland or Coastland and will ensure that all Guyanese are able to benefit from projects, programmes and services, which can improve their lives. At the commissioning of a new bridge in Ykinipa, Pomeroon-Supenaam on December 17, 2017, the President said no village or resident, regardless of geographic location, would be left behind under this administration. “I am President of all Guyana. I know what you need and President David Granger listens as Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs reads out the inscription on the plaque, which he had just unveiled to officially commission the Paramakatoi Tomato Project Facility
as long as God gives me the strength, I will ensure that I deliver what you need. Every Guyanese must have access to public services. I don’t believe in bush. I believe in people and whether you are living in Akawini or Orealla or Kwakwani, you deserve access to public services. As far as President Granger is concerned, I treat all citizens equal,” the President said.
Flashback: President David Granger and the Toshao of Aishalton commissioning Radio Aishalton
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT While resources are limited, the Government has committed itself to improving the infrastructural landscape of the country. Decisions on infrastructural development work are not based on perceived political affiliation in various communities but on Government policy aimed at linking the Hinterland to the Coastland and the development of a world-class road and bridge network to spur economic activity. In order for residents to function effectively in their communities, it is important that each community is equipped with basic services. These services include the required infrastructure to provide ease of access to and from the communities as well as access to health, education and other facilities that aid in improving one’s quality of living. In three years, the coalition government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on infrastructural development in order to provide equal access, particularly in previously neglected areas. The President has said that ensuring that residents have access to these facilities is part of ensuring that Guyanese enjoy the good life. “We do not believe that your roads should be inferior, [that] your transportation should be inferior, that your schools should be inferior. That is why we are spending millions of dollars on sea defence and improving transportation on this island so that you must be able to move about so that you
must be able to get your paddy from the farms. You must be able to sell your produce in other parts of the island, the Region and the country. And we will continue working for you because every Guyanese is entitled to equal access to education, equal access to employment, equal access to good infrastructure,” he said. As the Government bolsters its effort to bridge the gap between the hinterland and the coastland, it announced in the 2018 National Budget that the terms of reference for the design and feasibility of the Linden-Mabura road upgrade, the river crossing at Kurupukari, and the coastal river and infrastructure project have been granted approval. Also, $250 million has been set aside to improve airstrips and aerodromes across the country, of which, $140 million will be used to commence the rehabilitation of airstrips at Bemichi and Kamana. Another 12 airstrips across the hinterland regions will be rehabilitated at a cost of $110.3 million. Government is also in negotiation with a multilateral donor to secure a US$15 million loan, to finance a project for further aerodrome and airstrip development across the hinterland. Under that programme, the Lethem airstrip will be upgraded to a regional hub and international aerodrome, in order to receive flights originating from Brazil and other Latin American neighbours. At his Post Cabinet Press briefing held on June 5, 2018, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced that the government, in keeping with its promise to promote hinterland development, will be rehabilitating and constructing a number of urban roads in Barima Waini (Region One). A total of $90.5 million has been awarded to this project. “$59.9M was awarded to International Imports and Supplies for the rehabilitation of the Barabina Swamp Road, also in Region One. The stretch of road from Wanaina to Yarakita Land-
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018 ing will also be rehabilitated, using some $46.3M. Meanwhile, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), $75.8M was awarded to R&B Investment Incorporated for the rehabilitation of the Bartica/Potaro Roads. Mekdeci Machinery Construction Incorporated was awarded $52.2M for the rehabilitation of the Bartica/ Potaro Road in the vicinity of the St. Mary’s Quarry. Mekdeci was also awarded another contract to the tune of $126.080M for the rehabilitation and construction of the Issano Road (Phase II) from White Hill to Issano Landing,” he said. Over in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), H. Nauth and Sons Civil Engineering Contractors were awarded a contract to the tune of $76.6M for the rehabilitation of Lethem’s road network, particularly within the confines of the town. EDUCATION President Granger has vowed to make Guyana the ‘education nation’. The President’s Five B’s Initiative which provides boats, buses, bicycles, breakfast and books to schoolchildren, has made it easier for children to go to and remain in school. Riverine, hinterland and coastal communities have been able to benefit, as the President believes that education plays a critical role in eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and providing opportunities to all of Guyana’s children. With this in mind, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA), Ms. Valeria Garrido- Lowe said that the Ministry has been working assiduously over the past three years to ensure that every child in the hinterland is afforded similar opportunities as those on the coast. “We have a President who places much emphasis on education and the 2018 Budget reflects that. In order to develop our communities, we must educate Road construction ongoing Mabaruma, Barima-Waini our people, and this is what your Government has in (Region One) been doing for the past three years. To date, we have more Indigenous and hinterland persons attending different way. They now realise that they have a future ahead of University of Guyana, Georgetown Technical Institute, the them and that they have to be a part in creating that wonderful Guyana School of Agriculture, Carnegie School of Home future for themselves … and they have been given the tools Economics and Burrowes School of Art, than ever before – and to do so. No more handouts! In Santa Rosa, we are working they are all being assisted by Government scholarships, thus, together to resuscitate the coffee industry where 15 dedicated taking away some of the worry from the parents. Four reading farmers will be planting 15 acres of coffee for which Govbooks in Wapishana, Macushi, Patamona and Akawaio will ernment has invested the sum of $10M for 2018 and another be introduced in our Primary school reading time - for the first $10M has been invested in the people of Kwebana, who are time ever. Through the MoIPA we have provided scholarships absolutely excited in producing and selling their cassava flour for 566 students in all, 73 tertiary students and 493 secondary to the Guyanese nation,” she said. students. We have a 90.1 % pass rate overall. We are now caShe also noted that residents of Smith Creek, Mabaruma tering for more tertiary level students with the construction of a will also be venturing into crab and fish processing in the comdormitory that will be able to accommodate 120 students. This ing months while the tomato processing facility in Paramakatoi dorm should be completed by September,” she said. continues to be a success. Hinterland students have also been able to benefit under First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger’s ‘Shoes that grow’ pro- ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION gramme. Under this programme, more than 3000 children were President Granger has said that the Regional Public Broadgiven shoes to attend school. casting Services are intended to empower citizens at the grassroots level through the creation of a more informed populace, EMPLOYMENT the removal of inequality, encouraging greater participation and While training and vocational education will no doubt em- inclusivity in decision making on important national matters power a generation of talented young people, this administration and improving village economies by giving residents a conduit has demonstrated that it is interested in inculcating a culture of through which they can promote their product and services to industry and entrepreneurship. In this regard, programmes have attract wider markets. He has also made it clear that public been developed to provide the necessary support for budding information is the right of every Guyanese, regardless of their entrepreneurs, while others focus on skills training to aid in geographic location, to access public services, particularly employment ability. public information, which will ensure that they are equipped to One such initiative, which looks at vocational training is make informed choices and decisions and to have their voices the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS), which heard. was launched in October 2016. This is an exchange programme It is in this vein that the Government has embarked on a where persons teach, discuss, learn and exchange experiences mission of establishing regional and community radio stations. and knowledge in order to improve their standard of living and Thus far, Radio Mabaruma, Radio Orealla, Radio Mahdia, contribute positively to the development of their communities. Radio Bartica, Radio Lethem and Radio Aishalton and Radio It targets 2000 youth in 106 communities across the hinterland Piwomak have been commissioned within the last two years. regions and is in keeping with President Granger’s promise of Before unveiling the plaque to officially mark the commisimproving lifestyles and standards of living for youth and young sioning of Radio Aishalton on February 17, 2018, the Head of adults who reside in the hinterland. Minister Garrido-Lowe State said that the Constitution of Guyana mandates that every said that it has become a flagship programme for her Ministry. Guyanese should be given the freedom of expression and as “HEYS can be termed a success, turning out to date, 1,302 President, he will ensure that every citizen has a voice. successful small businesses and we have not added in Baramita “Your Government is concerned that as far as the delivery yet. Yes, the Indigenous People of Baramita are beginning to of public information services is concerned, just like public feel what it means to be young entrepreneurs. As a matter of health and public education, you should not be wanting for fact, almost 4,000 young Indigenous and hinterland persons, public information and this radio station is going to assist not in 215 villages across Guyana, are looking at their future in a just in education alone but in democracy in Government. When
XXIII I speak of public information, I speak of a public good. A public good is something that everyone can take away but it will not diminish or deprive someone else and the radio station is a public good. Everyone can benefit and no one can lose. You have a right to public information,” he said. Village Toshao, Mr. Douglas Casimero, in his remarks, said that the community is pleased with the initiative and committed to working with the Government to ensure that the President’s plan to bridge the developmental gap between the hinterland and the coastland is achieved. “Today is a truly historical day for Aishalton and the other villages of South Rupununi. I thank you for Radio Aishalton. We would like to be treated as people with equal rights. I am really thankful and I am humbled. Today the seat of Government is at Aishalton. Thank you and indeed we are now going to bridge the gap between the coastland and the hinterland. Aishalton welcomes this. I would like to say that we are with you, Your Excellency, on the road to development that will help us to realise our potential,” he said. The residents too, expressed their elation with the set-up of the radio station, noting that they can now feel more connected to the events and news from the coastland. Ms. Rena LaRose said, “Having this radio is really exciting for me. Before you had been sitting and wondering what to do but this here has brought excitement and joy to my heart and our community where we can now have a way of learning. I think this would benefit the community a lot, the young people and the children.” Mr. Rudolph George, a resident of Aishalton, said that he is particularly pleased with the decision to involve youths from the villages in the work of the new radio station. He said that the initiative signals Government’s commitment to inclusivity. “We are very happy to get this radio station brought here because we can now listen to the news from around the country and know what is happening. This is a great improvement for us and we can listen to our radio from our homes. The persons who will be trained to work at the radio station is also great and we want to thank the Government for this. We feel very proud about this because now we can listen to news, educational and religious programmes. I feel that Deep South can be proud of this. Today I feel like we are not left behind but we are being uplifted,” Mr. George said. ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES The Government has embarked on the process of decentralising critical services such as the issuance of birth certificates, passports and other related public services. The Ministry of Citizenship is expected to commence construction for passport offices in Lethem and Bartica. The Ministry of Communities through the Central Housing and Planning Authority has also commenced works aimed at creating a better standard of living for hinterland residents. To date, 93 houses are earmarked for the Barima-Waini (Region One), 224 houses are earmarked for the Upper Essequibo-Upper Takatu (Region Nine) and 22 houses are earmarked for the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region (Region Seven). The Ministry of Public Health has also undertaken works to improve access to health services in these regions. Currently, there are 74 doctors serving in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine with more expected to be added before the end of the year. The Ministry of Communities through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has already installed safe drinking water systems in 13 Indigenous communities, where they are most needed while the Ministry of Public Telecommunications has rolled out internet service to 19 Indigenous communities to date including Mabaruma, Santa Rosa, Paramakatoi, Masekenari, Karasabai, Matthew’s Ridge, Waramadong, Annai, Sand Creek, Aishalton, St. Ignatius, Port Kaituma, Bartica and Mainstay/ Whyaka. The Government, therefore, continues to work to ensure that the gaps between the Coastland and the hinterland are not only bridged but that a good life, boosted by high-quality health care, access to education, proper infrastructural developments and overall access to efficient public services are enjoyed by all Guyanese.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
FILES E S A C COURT
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PPP won 1953 General Elections
Suffered loss of candidate at elections petition THE victorious People’s Progressive Party (PPP) headed by Cheddi Jagan won the 1953 General Elections but suffered the loss of a candidate through an election petition. The petition was brought by James Graham, a registered voter in respect of the election of Frank Obermuller Van Sertima for the Georgetown North Electoral District. The hearing by Chief Justice, Edward Peter Stubbs Bell, lasted 18 days after which the court found in favour of Graham, to the effect that the election was not conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Ordinance, 1953, relating to the secrecy of the ballot and as a result thereof the result of the election was affected. In his decision the Chief Justice had said “In the result I feel obliged to declare the election held in that district on the 27th April, 1953, to be void and I declare accordingly. I will certify that declaration to the Governor as required by the law. “This is no victory for any political party. This Court is not concerned with the struggles of political parties , but is only concerned to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with the law.” At the hearing the Petitioner was represented by Mr. H.C. Humphreys, Q.C., C R. Browne with Amina Sankar. Appearing for the Respondent, were, Mr. J. O.F. Haynes, Mr. L. F. S. Burnham, Clinton Wong and Rudy Luck. It was proved at the trial: (a) That at each of four polling stations in the area the arrangements for voting were faulty and lent themselves to the secrecy of the ballot being violated. (b) At all the Polling Stations it was possible for the Polling Agents to have seen each voter as he went through the acting of voting as distinct from seeing for whom he voted. (c) 295 ballot tickets were marked by Presiding Officers. Knowledge of that fact became known in the Electoral District and some voters expressed the fear that it afforded a means of its becoming known for whom a voter had voted. Section 82 of the Legislative Council (Elections) Ordinance 1945 reads as follows: 82 (1) The election of a candidate as a member of the Council (Member of the House of Assembly) shall be declared void in an election petition if any of the following grounds be proved:(a) that by reason of general bribery, general treating, or general intimidation or other misconduct or other circumstances whether similar to those before enumerated or not the majority of voters were or might have been prevented from electing the candidate whom they preferred. (b) If it appears that the election was not conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in this Ordinance and that such non-compliance affected the result of the election; (c) That a corrupt or illegal practice was committed in connection with the election ;by the Candidate or with his knowledge or consent , or by any agent of the candidate; (d) That the candidate was at the time of his election a person not qualified or a person disqualified for election as a Member.” The Chief Justice held that the contrivance used at the election was not a compartment of the kind contemplated by the Ordinance and Regulations. In addition the principles
of the representation of the People Ordinance, 1953 and the mode thereunder were infringed and the election was not really conducted under the existing election laws and such non-compliance affected the result of the election. Delivering his judgment, Chief Justice Bell said, “This petition is presented by Mr. James Graham, a registered voter against the return of the respondent Frank Obermuller
Van Sertima, a member of the House of AsBy George Barclay sembly for the Electoral District No. 13 (Georgetown North) at the General Elections held on the 27th April, Turn to page XXXI ►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Pregnancy and oral care PROBABLY at no time in a woman’s life do her teeth need more conscientious care than during pregnancy. This will not only help reduce dental disorders that are exaggerated during pregnancy, but it will also ensure that the unborn child has good general and dental health. Good oral health is achieved by regular brushing, flossing, eating a balanced diet, and professional checkups.
Studies show most pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis, a condition that causes red, inflamed, and bleeding gingival (gums) during pregnancy. It occurs because dental plaque, a bacterial build-up associated with tooth decay, accumulates on the teeth and irritates the gingival tissues. It occurs more frequently during pregnancy because there is an increased level of hormones in a pregnant woman’s body. The higher levels of hormones
exaggerate the way the gum tissue reacts to the increased hormone level, which is the major cause of gum disease. Keeping your teeth particularly clean during pregnancy, especially near the gum line, will help dramatically to reduce or even prevent gingivitis during pregnancy. One myth I have heard mothers repeat is that during pregnancy their teeth get ‘soft’ and are more prone to decay. What really happens is these mothers get pregnancy gingivitis. Since the decay progress begins with plaque, their teeth are more susceptible to decay. It is normal for pregnant women to want to snack frequently between meals, which in turn exposes their teeth to repeated acid attacks on the tooth enamel. Many people do not realise that each time they eat, acid attacks the tooth enamel for 20 minutes. The increased hormone levels of a pregnant woman cause plaque to become more of a gum irritant. This is a really good reason to be particularly concerned about keeping your teeth brushed with a fluoride and plaque retardant toothpaste and flossed. Concern for your child’s teeth should begin when he/ she is still in the womb. Your baby’s teeth begin development as early as six weeks into the pregnancy and start to calcify between the third and sixth month of pregnancy. These developing teeth need vitamins A, C, and D, minerals, calcium, and phosphorus. Expectant mothers have a responsibility not only to their own health but also to the health of their unborn baby. If you are an expectant mother, you should be aware of the special needs of both your own and your child’s teeth. This means you need to eat the right foods. The simplest way to assure good nutrition is to eat a well-balanced diet, with foods from each of the four major food groups. These major food groups are bread and cereal; fruits and vegetables, dairy products; and meat or fish. The recommended diet for pregnant women usually includes three servings of dairy products, two to three servings of meat, poultry, or fish, six or more servings of bread, grains or cereals, three or more servings of vegetables, and at least two servings of fruit. Food cravings frequently include sugary snacks. Soft, sticky, sweet foods such as cakes, candies, and dried fruit are especially harmful because they stick to teeth, which prolong the acid attack. Substitute for sweets more wholesome foods such as cheese, fresh fruits, or vegetables. They are better for your teeth and provide more of the nutrients your baby needs. Another myth believed by many people is that calcium is lost from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy. This is not true. The calcium your baby needs comes from your diet, not your teeth. It is true, however, that if your calcium intake is inadequate your body will provide this mineral by taking it from your bones. Since the primary source of calcium is either dairy products or supplements it is important for you to consult with your physician to be sure you are getting enough calcium during pregnancy. It is best to schedule your dental visit during the fourth to sixth month of pregnancy. Be sure to let your dentist know you are pregnant when you see him for your regular checkup (which should not be neglected because of pregnancy). Most dentists include a question about pregnancy on their health history forms. If it is necessary to see him for an emergency be sure to let him know you are pregnant when you call to make an appointment. Many dentists will want to consult with your physician before any treatment is started. Stress, past miscarriages, or the use of certain drugs can all have an influence on the approach and timing your dentist chooses to take in attending to your dental needs. The first three months of pregnancy are thought to be of greatest importance in the unborn child’s development. For this reason, X-rays, dental anaesthetics, pain medications, and antibiotics are usually not prescribed during the first trimester, unless absolutely necessary. Most antibiotics, pain medications, and anaesthetics come with a standard warning that the drug should not be used during pregnancy without the advice of a physician. Tetracycline is a drug that will cause the unborn baby’s teeth to be grey in colour. Women who could possibly be pregnant or who are in early pregnancy should consider this fact carefully before taking such a drug.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
Tomi Adeyemi’s ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ DIVERSITY in science fiction and fantasy literature has long been an existing phenomenon, as well as one that has garnered controversy for its appearance in literature. While many cultures and religions, not rooted in the dominant white and Western faction, present elements of what can be regarded as science fiction and definite elements of fantasy as part of their entire construct (various African culture
that she is a person of colour. Another recent example involves the way in which Rowling has claimed that Albus Dumbledore is gay, but has not included any evidence of this in the books or movies. The point being made here is that people of colour and other groups are marginalised in the popular literature. However, very recently, there has been a sudden increase in the attention given to the issue and there has been a rise in the production of work by people of colour, for people of colour. There is also a notable increase in LGBTQ+ writers, as well as writers from other groups that have long been marginalised. This is not to say that the problem has been resolved, but rather that there is an awakening of sorts that is unfolding, that will eventually, hopefully, solve the problems that plague us. Regarding the canon of fantasy, the most notable example that expresses the rise in POC works by POC writers is reflected in the Nigerian-American writer, Tomi Adeyemi, and her novel, “Children of Blood and Bone” which became a New York Times Bestseller and was optioned for a film adaptation even before the book got published. Adeyemi’s writing is outstanding and on par with anything J.K. Rowling has ever written, creating a work of fantasy that is at once reminiscent of other works of fantasy that are dear to our heart, Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi, Henry Holt while also being a creation Books for Younger Readers, 2018 that is filled with originality and imagination. Most and the Hindu religion, for example) for importantly are the messages in “Children of thousands of years, the problem becomes Blood and Bone” – with themes obviously noticeable when we observe the lack of meant to address race and oppression, as well minorities in science fiction and fantasy as feminism and women in African societies, within mainstream literature. and colonisation. It is an awe-inspiring work While this may be linked to the lack of op- that should be made essential reading for any portunities throughout the years for writers of child of colour (all children actually, but escolour, there is no doubt that people of colour pecially children of colour), especially those (POC) are not represented in the ways they who are growing up in the contemporary should be represented in literature. A good world where #BlackLivesMatter, #Oscarsexample to observe all this has to do with the SoWhite, #PermitPatty, #BBQBecky, are Harry Potter franchise, particularly the con- still essential to the daily experiences of black troversies that have emerged over the years, people and other people of colour. such as when the author, J.K. Rowling, used The novel is set in the land of Orïsha, Native American beliefs and culture as part where King Saran has committed an act of of the origins for animagi (people who can genocide, murdering all the adult Maji (gifted turn themselves into animals) in the world of human beings with supernatural powers), and, her movies, which further led to accusations therefore, effectively wiping all the magic out of cultural appropriation against the author. of the land. Zélie is the child of a Maji and A second example has to do with Harry Pot- when she discovers a powerful scroll, brought ter and the Cursed Child, a play and sequel to her by Amari, a Princess of Orïsha, Zélie to the series, where the casting of a black and her brother, Tzain, along with the prinactress, Noma Dumezweni, as Hermione cess must make a perilous journey, avoiding Granger, generated controversy from fans of the soldiers sent by the king and trying to stay the series, despite the fact that the character is alive in a strange and harsh land as they try described in ways that can be taken to mean to restore magic and peace to all of Orïsha.
Adeyemi is a brilliant writer, forging the land in which her story is set in with clarity and rules that are essential as any created by the mythical worlds of J. K. Rowling or even George R. R. Martin. She relies on African culture and religion and incorporates these themes in a way that is reminiscent of how
C.S. Lewis included Christian mythology into his “Narnia” books. However, it might be argued that Adeyemi’s portrayal of the gods and goddesses, each one standing as a ruler over a particular faction of the Maji, are exTurn to page XXX ►►►
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Overcoming our fears WE all have some fear we would love to overcome. Sometimes people cling to their fears because it’s part of who they are. Before you can begin overcoming fear, you have to be aware that your fears are causing havoc in your life. It’s easy to get so attached to your thoughts and feelings that you think they are all that exist, which couldn’t be further from the truth. You are not your fears. You are the awareness that
experiences it. Below is an excerpt from my first book LIVING WITH INTENTION: “To let my passion to succeed and overpower my fear to fail became my mantra. For, even if we fail at something, it does not make us failures. And it is not a matter of if we will fail but when we will fail. Overcoming failure, that’s the crux of the matter! Fear can paralyse us but we need to turn it around
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
and make it our fuel. I love this definition someone shared about FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. Adversity motivates me. There are always positives and benefits in encountering bad experiences and we can find them if we look hard enough.” I love this quote from Rosa Parks: “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” A few weeks ago my friend Hilda Bournes invited me to go zip lining and wild water rafting. Without hesitation, I said YES because I promised myself to do new things every year. I would ... Inspiring lives through fashion say I am partially acrophobic because I don’t feel totally comfortable with heights. We in their lifetime. had 10 lines and each was higher than the othWe were driving over the bridge in New er. I found myself asking myself ‘WHY ARE Orleans when I realised why my friend Hilda YOU HERE?’ The platforms could barely fit wanted to do it. She said out loud “Yes! It the 10 persons and the operator. I dared not worked!” look down while on the platform or zipping I said, “What are you talking about?” across. My stomach started feeling upset and She then explained that for years she was
Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel
it was from anxiety rather than something I ate. I knew I was not the only one feeling that way, but looking at me you could not tell. I was determined to complete it no matter what and I did. It was a relief after the last, longest and highest line. Hours later it was Wild Water Rafting which was magnificent. I did not know my paddling skills were so good. The thrill and energy that were generated from 16 rapids placed you on a natural high. Would I do this again? Just every day if I could! I think everyone should do it at least once
petrified to drive over long bridges but now she is relaxed and enjoying the scenery while driving. The adventurous activities in Tennessee did it for her. I was happy for her after seeing the look on her face when realising she had conquered one of her fears. She was intentional about doing something about it and she achieved the results. What is your greatest fear and what are you going to do about it? Send us a message to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com as we continue to celebrate life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
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The Importance of Compliance Monitoring complying with the Agency’s Act and Regulations and being vigilant towards the environment. You can share your WHENEVER you notice the staff of the Environmental Protection Agency go into the field with their cameras, notepads, noise meter and other equipment, you might be wondering, why are they there? Well, most times they are there to ensure the compliance of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05, Laws of Guyana and its Regulations by observing and collecting information about the environment. Specifically, they are there to MONITOR how development projects are impacting the environment. They are there to fulfill what they are mandated to do by the Act, i.e., “to establish, monitor and enforce environmental regulations.” Compliance monitoring is a critical part of environmental management. Once conducted properly, compliance monitoring will lead to early detection of environmental issues and non-compliance to prevent any long-term damage to the environment. Additionally, monitoring ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of activities of businesses and
developmental project. This is so since information is gathered which can be used to track changes occurring in the environment as a project progresses. Therefore, developers and persons responsible for the changes occurring are notified in a timely manner if something is going wrong and therefore, they will be able to address the issue, improving their quality of work. Before any activity that is likely to have an impact on the environment commences, an authorisation from the EPA has to be issued in the form of an Environmental Permit. In order to have this, the Agency must be provid-
ed with a description of the project including the foreseen impacts and the mitigation measures to address them. Once a project is issued a permit, compliance monitoring is scheduled by the EPA to ensure that these measures are implemented, and, of course, to determine how effective and efficient they are. Some of the parameters that are monitored include air and water quality, noise levels, waste and land management techniques. There are specific parameter limits that need to be followed to ensure that there is little environmental impact. The tests and observations conducted by the EPA in the field will reveal the level of compliance with these limits. To ensure that our natural resources are kept unharmed, the EPA conducts REGULAR compliance visits. The authorisation given to conduct economic and developmental activities can be granted for various periods of time, with the maximum being five years, after which it would have to be renewed. However, before it is renewed, the EPA is required to carry out compliance monitoring to ensure the projects’ site is in order. It should be noted that developmental projects will carry out self-monitoring yearly and submit an annual report of their findings to the agency. The importance of compliance monitoring cannot be emphasised enough. Through this process, businesses and other developmental projects are able to benefit along with the environment. The EPA ensures that compliance monitoring is carried out for every activity in Guyana that can pose a threat to our environment. Remember, that while the EPA is the main regulatory body for environmental management in Guyana, you also have a part to play by
ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection
Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXVII
tremely beautiful in their imagery and artistry the writer uses to present them. Two examples of the 10 gods and goddesses who guide the Maji include Yemoja, goddess of the ocean, who watches over the Omi clan, Maji who can control water, and Oxosi, who watches over the Eranko clan, Maji who have power over animals. The scenes in which the Maji actually use their magic are among the most exciting to read and reminds me of the fight scenes from the important and iconic TV show, “Avatar: the Last Airbender,” if they were put to prose. There is also the emotional element to consider. Not only has Adeyemi created an astounding fantasy saga, but she has also created a world where POC characters are allowed to be fully-fleshed out and multidimensional. “Children of Blood and Bone” gives us a heroine who is a warrior through and through, gliding with her white hair and dark skin throughout the novel in a way that is so strong and emotionally complex that she would put both Katniss Everdeen and Hermione Granger to shame. The book offers to us a young black boy who plays a prince, conflicted by his love for his sister and his fear of his father and another young black boy who would do whatever it takes to protect his family. We have an old black woman, a secret Maji who can bend time, telling the history of her people in secret, while training her band of female warriors to fight and protecting them from the king’s soldiers. Adeyemi offers a compelling villain in Saran whose own story leading to his rise to power and darkness is one of tragedy and bloodshed, while also showing us Amari, a black princess who rebels against the confines of the castle, ultimately betraying her family and her evil father as she sets out on her own journey to restore harmony to the world and to find the strength that exists within her. There are so many wonderfully crafted characters and moments that it is impossible to isolate only a few. In the end, to sum up, everything that came before, all that really needs to be said is that “Children of Blood and Bone” is a novel that MUST be read. However, I must also warn you that you will cry at multiple points in the novel – so be prepared for that. ◄◄◄ From page X
in computer programming but more so, the knowledge to adapt to the world of work. “I learned a lot of things in ICT such as mouse basics, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and so forth, but most importantly, I learned to enhance my business ethics and so forth for when I am applying for a job.” KNOWLEDGE MUST BE SHARED For these 37 youths, now that they are equipped with this knowledge and are ICT certified, as many youths in Linden as possible must be ICT certified as well. LYN is partnering with Deron Adams, an entrepreneur in Linden who played an integral role in organising the workshop, to see that similar workshops are established. The youths have already prepared forms to be sent into the various communities, for youths to sign up to participate in the first ICT workshop that will be done at the ICT hub located at LEN. After this 12-week centralised workshop is completed, LYN will be going into the various communities to conduct ICT training. Several communities in Linden including Cinderella City, Block 22, Wisroc, Victory Valley, Bamia and Coomacka all have ICT hubs. Allicock said that it is her hope that all members come on board, to ensure that these hubs are utilised by youths who are ICT trained. This will increase the aim of the hubs and these youths can further train even the children and older ones in the communities. “It must be an ongoing process. The entire community must benefit because technology is growing faster and faster and we want to empower the youths. We want to prepare their minds,” she said. Joseph related that in addition to training youths, LYN will also be giving back through various charitable ventures, such as back to school drives etc. The face behind the youth group, Deron Adams, who is seeking support and sponsorship for the youth group, said that the recently concluded ICT workshop which exposed young people to the global world of technology. LYN was subsequently formed and the graduates are not the only ones welcome, but it is opened to all youths in Region 10. “It is my hope that youths will seize this opportunity and recognise ICT as more than a means for social media, but as a tool for ICT enabled innovations such as the internet and how its strategic use may transform the way we work, live, form relationships, communicate and entertain ourselves,” he said. LYN has already gained sponsorship of three computers to pursue their community ICT training.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXV
1953 in the Colony. “The General Election of the 27th April, 1953, from which this petition has arisen, was the first General Election under the New Constitution recently granted to British Guiana by Her Majesty’s British Guiana (Constitution) Order in Council 1953. The election presented the law Officers and the Registration Officer ( Mr. H.R. Harewood) who was responsible for the general conduct of the election, with a number of difficult decisions to make both as regards the content of the law regulating the election and the administrative arrangements which were necessary to carry out the law. “The election was the first one to be held with full adult suffrage and not the least of their problems was to devise satisfactory for the casting of votes by a population very many of whom had never voted in their lives before, and very many of whom could not read and write. “The existence of such illiteracy is established by what Mr. Harewood, the Registration Officer said in evidence, namely that he had no reason to doubt that the illiteracy rate amongst East Indians in British Guiana was still over 40 per cent. He went on to say: “When we set up the election machinery we did not contemplate ballot tickets being left outside ballot boxes and between them and on the floor. It was quite a surprise .The fact that we had such a high rate of illiteracy controlled the type; of mechanical arrangements we had to make. About two thirds of the total number of voters had not voted before at any election. “It did not occur to us to have the Poll Clerk come to the compartment and see that the vote had been put into the box. We did contemplate having the vote cast behind a screen with a Poll Clerk within the screen, but we abandoned that as it would lead to the many difficulties”. The Chief Justice went on to state that the election authorities had reproduced as accurately as possible the conditions as they were on election day, for inspection by the court and lawyers on both sides. The Chief Justice who along with lawyers and other court officials visited the four Polling Stations, added, “I am of the opinion that at each of those four Polling Stations it could have been possible for Polling Agents (either by accident or of set purpose) to have seen how the ballot boxes were grouped together; behind the screen; what position each had occupied in relation to its fellow; what was the position occupied by each box in relation to the length of the screen behind which they were placed. “My reason for holding those views, are these: each of the four rooms in which the actual voting compartment was placed was quite small, with the result that when seated in their places, the Polling Agents were in no case at any greater distance than say an average of 20 feet from the voting compartment. It shows (at least in my view) that the arrangements were faulty and lent themselves to the possibility of the secrecy of the ballot being violated at those four stations. I accept it as proved”, the C.J. had said. The Chief Justice also pointed out that it has been established beyond any doubt, that 295 ballot tickets were marked by Presiding Officers in Electoral District No. 13 on Polling Day, the 27th April, 1953 with the registered number of the voter or some other mark whereby the voter might have been identified. I have no reason to believe, however that as a result of that irregularity it became known during polling hours for whom any voter had cast his vote. I am, however quite satisfied that knowledge of the fact that tickets were being so irregulary marked became known in Electoral District No. 13 (Georgetown, North) from early in the morning of Polling Day, and that a number of persons in that district were openly talking about that irregularity and expressing fears that it afforded a means of its becoming known for whom a voter had cast his vote. After viewing all the circumstances including the various irregularities the Chief Justice declared the North Georgetown election void.
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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
STUDY SUCCESS Dear Students, Certain procedures enhance reading time. Read your text quickly once to get its gist, and then slowly. Pay attention to visual and verbal signposts which are the author’s devices to emphasise important points. Visual Signposts include words in italics, underlined, in bold face, or different type faces; also, the numbering or lettering of points; and tables, graphs, pictures, diagrams and charts. Verbal Signposts include words and phrases that give details, contradict a point, and draw conclusions. Be wise. Love you IMPROVING WRITING A. Using link-words This exercise is specifically aimed at training you to recognise the value of link words. To be successful at it, you need to understand the relations between parts of the text using logical connectors. In the following passage, most of the connective words are missing. Rewrite the text, adding link-words where necessary. Be careful! Many structures will have to be changed and you will probably not keep the same number of sentences. Here are some of the link words you may find useful: Then
However The only result And But Although When Yet S That’s how Instead Television was invented by John Logie Baird. When he was young he built an aeroplane. He tried to fly in it. It crashed down below. Baird was fortunate not to be killed. It did not discourage him. When he was older he tried to make diamonds from coal. There was an enormous explosion. He was not injured. He became a businessman. His business failed. He thought of working at television. His family advised him not to. He did not listen to them. He rented an attic. He bought the apparatus he needed. He started working. He worked for a long time. He was not successful. One day he saw a picture on his screen. He rushed out to get someone he could ‘televise’. He found an office boy. He took him ack to his room. No image of the boy appeared on his screen. The boy terrified, had to put his head down. He put it up again. His picture appeared on the screen. Television had been discovered. B. Finding out the main idea of a passage Distinguish the main idea from supporting details in this passage. The Hotel Taft was on a hill in one of the better sections of town. A wide street curved up past large expensive homes until it neared the top of the hill, then there was an archway over the street with a sign on the archway reading Taft Hotel and as it
Against the beautiful and the clever and the successful, one can wage a pitiless war, but not against the unattractive. GRAHAM GREENE (1904-?), The Heart of the Matter
passed under the archway the street turned into the entrance of the hotel. Benjamin drove slowly under the archway, then up along the driveway until he came to the building itself. He had to slow his car and wait in a line with other cars, most of them driven by chauffeurs, stopped by the entrance of the building for a doorman to open the door for their passengers. When Benjamin was beside the entrance an attendant appeared at his car and pulled open the door. (From C. Webb: The Graduate (Penguin, 1968)) The main idea of this passage is that a. Benjamin was going to stay in the Taft Hotel. b. The hotel Benjamin went to was a luxurious one. c. There was an attendant waiting for Benjamin in the hotel. d. Benjamin was impressed by the quality of the hotel. GRAMMAR The use of commas In this section impress your study partners in your use of commas. The following sentences cover all the uses of commas you have studied. Supply commas where they are needed. Exchange papers with your study partners. 1. Each man woman and child in the community is asked to contribute ideas for the development project. 2. He spoke of a forest project “of the settlement by the settlement and for the settlement.” 3. This new message by the way arrived at seven did it not? 4. The stage lighting under the huge tarpaulin was brilliant and the coloured costumes were shimmering. 5. “I doubt” her lawyer replied gravely “that there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.” 6. Long after leaving Guyana land of his birth he remembered the riverside with nostalgia a deep intense but unreasonable longing. C. Narrating a personal experience When you write a personal narrative, you allow yourself to focus on important events of your life and their significance. Read the model below and try one for yourself. When I was five we went to Yosemite for our first vacation. As my mother and father sat outside our cabin in Tuolumne Meadows reading the newspaper I played near the river with Bear, dipping his furry feet into the icy water. He was my best friend; I took him everywhere, could not fall asleep at night without him. Suddenly the current swept him out of my hands. I ram screaming and crying to my father, “Daddy, hurry, Bear’s gone down the river. In a matter of seconds, he’d tossed his newspaper aside and followed me to the place where I last saw Bear. Leaping from bolder to bolder he seemed to be flying down the creek, his red flannel shirt billowing like a flag, finally disappearing. When he returned an hour later, drenched and disheveled, he had Bear in his hands. Until that moment I had never been conscious of loving my father. I wonder if he realised than just how thoroughly Bear had taken his place. And if he knew what a disaster it would be for both of us if he’d returned empty-handed. LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS GRAMMAR - A.. The correct capital letters: 1. The President of the United States chooses the members of his cabinet, but the Senate must confirm his choices. 2. Although this learned young fellow quotes extensively from the Talmud and the Koran, he seems to have little knowledge of the Bible. 3. The Cape of Good Hope received its name from King John of Portugal. It was first named “Cape of Storms” by Bartolomeu Dias, the first European to sail around it. 4. Because Caricom Day was a school holiday, several classes from Latoya’s school visited the Kaieteur Falls. 5. The letter began, “My dear Sandra,” and closed with the words, “Your sincere friend.” 6. Her grandmother, by the way, has the habit of prefacing every conversation with these words, “When I was your age.” B.. Correcting wordiness: 1. Collect together the left-over bread and biscuits. 2. Did you ever in your life meet up with such a comedian before? 3. A strange sound was audible to the ear of to everyone in the balcony. 4. He was drinking water frequently at numerous intervals. 5. Be sure to endorse this cheque on the back.
Chronicle Pepperpot July 22, 2018
Fufu Ingredients 2 lb Plantains 1 lb cassava
Instructions Wash, peel and boil the vegetables until tender. When cooked, leave in boiling water. Remove the central fibrous “string” from the cassava, and pound the Plantains and yams separately. Combine the mashed Plantains and yams, and pound to a fine texture until completely mixed — smooth and firm but not too stiff. Tip: use some of the same warm water as a dip to wet the mortar stick while pounding the foo-foo, to bring it to the right consistency Dip a spoon or ice cream scoop in some clean warm water and remove the foo-foo in ‘balls’ from the mortar. Cover and keep warm, serving in soup or with Pepperpot. Note: A food processor can be used instead of a mortar, since the objective is to get the smooth, creamy but firm consistency that foo-foo requires.
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