PepperPot_E-Paper_7-15-2018

See inside: Growth and Success ► Page

II

The fight against leprosy X ► Page

A paradise hidden away ► Page

Scenes of serenity from Black Bush Polder, Berbice. (Photos by Vishani Ragobeer)

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

Growth and Success

Region Two Education Department records improvements at NGSA

By Indrawattie Natram THE Pomeroon-Supenaam Region (Region Two) has been known to produce stellar remarks at national examinations and according to Regional Education Officer (REDO), Nicola Matthews, the Region is continuing along this path due to Government’s prudent investments.

Matthews, during an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, said that the Region has recorded improvements in students’ performance in the recently held National Grade Six Assessment Assessment (NGSA).

Speaking on the region’s success, the REDO said that 29 children who sat the NGSA copped over 500 marks and secured spots at Georgetown schools. She also said that for the first time the region secured a top performer from the Hinterland schools. Last year only 24 children passed to go to city schools. She added that performance in Mathematics and English has improved significantly which is also a win for the Region.

Matthews said that based on the results, children performed well across the region and credited this success to the recent “Mathemat-

Region was Samera Persaud from Taymonth Manor Primary. She thanked the efforts of the teachers at her school and the Department of Education for the resources that were provided for her to excel.

Persaud secured 515 marks at the examinations.

Essequibo Top Performer Alex Muntaz from C V Nunes Primary School

ics” camps that were hosted by the Department through the Ministry of Education. “I believe because of the camps and the networking amongst the teachers and children, Region Two was able to excel at the examinations. The Region has seen 50 percent improvement in English Language and 32.2 percent in Mathematics,” Matthews said.

HINTERLAND SCHOOLS Despite the geographic locations of the hinterland schools, the Region has seen tremendous improvements in performance.

The regional education officer explained that schools that never produced results for ‘List A’ schools at the examinations were able to do so this year and that the department is very proud of that.

Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson Schools presenting a backpack to a top performer such as LiberMuneshwar Beepat on behalf of the Region at ty, Tapakuma, a recent honouring ceremony

Essequibo 2nd Top performer Sumera Persaud from Taymonth Manor Primary School

Mashabo and Siriki Primary have shown marvellous improvements at the examinations. Since 1986, students from Mashabo Primary have not attained a ‘List A’ secondary school and this year, two of its students, Candeo Federicks and Azayalia Charles gained marks fit for the Abram Zuil Secondary School. There have also been improvements in the number of children that were placed in transition schools as compared to 2017. This year, only 88 children felll under the transition category and that is for the Charity Secondary.

Due to schools being placed in various catchment areas, Better Hope, Good Hope and Aurora Primary performed better this year.

Two hundred and ninety-three children from the Region will be attending ‘List A’ secondary schools while 192 will be attending ‘List B’ schools, with 336 for ‘List C’ and 88 for ‘List E’ Secondary schools. Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School and the Abram Zuil Secondary Schools fall under ‘List A’ schools while Aurora and Charity Secondary fall under ‘List B’. ‘List C and E’ Schools include are Wakapoa, 8th May, Cotton Field and Johanna Cecelia Secondary Schools.

TOP PERFORMER VIEWS Top performer for the Region, Alex Muntaz who gained 516 marks, thanked the department for

Top Hinterland Performer for Guyana, Anasie Fredericks

GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT Region Two Regional Executive Officer, Rupert Hopkinson, said the Government of Guyana is committed to ensuring that a learning environment is provided for the children at the school. He was impressed with the region’s results as compared to last year. Hopkinson said that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is committed to providing resources and incentives towards the nurturing of the children.

Currently, the Region has school

the Mathematics camps that were held. Muntaz said during the camp he was able to meet and work with more children leading up to the examinations. He encouraged those sitting next year’s examinations to remain focused.

Anasie Fredericks from Tapakuma Lake Primary copped the Best Hinterland Performer for Guyana.

Fredericks also attended the Mathematics camps at the C V Nunes Primary. She secured a spot at Bishops High School and will be attending the city school come September.

Her mother, Donett Fredericks, said although it will be challenging financially for her family to send Fredericks to school in Georgetown, they Regional Education Officer, will still do so since Miss Nicola Matthews it’s her heart’s debuses, boats and dormitories sire. Fredericks said her teachers at providing conducive conditions the Tapakuma Lake Primary were for children. Special Hinterland very dedicated and disciplined with Scholarships are also given to the students and she believed that parents in those areas to assist pushed her to do well. them in sending their children Securing second place for the to school.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

III The sunset over the ‘trench’ (or canal) in Black Bush Polder

A paradise hidden away

By Vishani Ragobeer

IT SEEMS as though every time I travel somewhere new in Guyana, I am left awestruck at the pure beauty of my country. And everywhere I travel becomes my new favourite place.

I’ve travelled to Berbice a few times before, but never as far as Black Bush Polder and obviously since I was practically familiar with the Ancient county, I expected Black Bush to be just like the rest of Romeo ‘Mystic’ Nermal Berbice. giving us a boat ride Getting to Berbice was no hassle at all. I you’re in this community. It is so quiet and just got in a taxi that was at the bus park and peaceful that you can hear all of the coconut it was one smooth drive that lasted about trees rustling and every now and then, you two hours. Though I will concede, my driver might hear the sound of a speedboat engine Jason had to entertain a lot of questions from or a motorbike or a tractor, but it would never me- especially about the huge silk cotton bother you. The only way I can describe this tree that is in the middle of the road at some serenity is that it is one that makes you perpetpoint along the journey- and well, my terrible ually sleepy, because of how at peace you are. singing (but it was his fault for playing good And though I was a bit busy during my music). time in Berbice, I felt as though I had thorWhen you cross over the Berbice Bridge oughly enjoyed myself during the few days. and head into New Amsterdam you might Visiting the Amazonia rice mill is an say it is just like Georgetown. But out of excellent choice if you want to understand New Amsterdam and heading down south to the livelihood of the people. Word of caution Black Bush is an entirely different setting. though, if you are planning to head to Black The crowded streets littered with big build- Bush Polder and you want to see the mill in ings slowly transformed to endless fields action, don’t go after the harvesting season. of coconut trees, rice fields and sugarcane The only workings you’ll be seeing then is plantations. Somewhere along this journey, the maintenance ongoing unless of course, you’ll find a signboard that signals you’re in the person at the front office is nice enough to the Black Bush area but even here, the scen- show you the process of making the rice with ery barely changes from the greenery you’ve the model machines in the office. gotten familiar with.

Another stellar choice is going for a boat It is quite easy to believe that you are far ride along the canal that cuts through the enaway from the busy, fast-paced lifestyle when tire community and is seemingly never-end-

ing. But this is one adventure that is not for the faint at heart because the speedboats you’re travelling in don’t have seats- that space is needed when transporting things like manure to the fields. Sitting on the narrow edge of the boat (or should I say tray) is generally accepted, you can stand if

Excitement over a cute kid (baby goat) (Photos by Vishani Ragobeer)

you’re feeling daring or sit flat if you’re too scared. It’s really up to you.

If you’re truly adventurous, like I am, you’d find that sitting on the bow of the boat is quite the experience. But hazards include hitting your head on any and all of the bridges that are built across the canal. My advice is to lay low during these times.

In the absolute authentic Berbice fashion, Romeo ‘Mystic’ Nermal, aka the ‘Coolie Boy’ was the one who took me and my friends on this boat ride. When we first heard we would meet the local celebrity, of course, we were excited but imagine how over-theTurn to page IX ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

‘Set goals early; work hard to achieve them’ Former Top CSEC performer urges graduates

By Indrawattie Natram IN 2012, young Sarah Hakh, a student

of the Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two, emerged the top performing student at that year’s Caribbean Sec-

ondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations.

Now, the young woman has some sage advice for children her age and younger: to set meaningful goals which will help to pave the way as they pursue higher education.

Hakh was at the time delivering the feature address at the Fisher Primary School’s Graduation and Prize Giving exercise. She travelled from the United States of America where she is currently pursuing her tertiary education, to attend the event and explained that it was important that she was present to deliver the feature address to the children of the primary school that helped to nurture her into the young lady she is today. She said while many adolescents at the age of 12 do not really know what they want to achieve in life, it is important for them to aspire toward a particular career path. She told the students that secondary education is the second step in a child’s life and as such, it is important to set a foundation and goals and work towards achieving them.

“At your age, I was also wondering what I wanted to become. I was unsure which path to take, but if I had known what I know now then life would have been different, so I am advising you to set your goals; ask yourself what you would like to become in the future and then go and achieve them, don’t get confused,” Hakh told the graduating class.

Taking example from the adage ‘experience is the best teacher’, Hakh went on to advise the children on the way forward, stating that later on, these tips will work out Sarah Hakh speaking with the headmistress of the school, Miss Artie Gangoo, flanked by parents and teachers of the school

Sarah Hakh speaking at the Fisher Primary School Graduation and Prize Giving.

She was once at student at this school

for the best.

“Adjust your life to suit the demand of your goals. If you do this, life would be much easier. You’re probably wondering what I am saying but when you reach 22 years old like I am, everything will make sense,” she said.

During her address, she also recited a poem from American poet Hunter Thompson and took the opportunity to ask the children, “Are you ready to float with the tides, or swim with a purpose?” She urged the children of the school to remain focused and to continue to study. She also urged parents who were present to guide their children and assist them in unlocking their potential.

“You may not reap the benefit now, but you will in the future. Don’t give up, you will be proud in the end. Continue to study in the nights and also continue to make your school, your community and your parents proud,” Hakh further charged the children.

She said that Thompson’s poem explained that man’s real mission is to understand the deeper purpose of his existence and to commit to making choices and seeking out paths that help them live their purpose.

At the end of the graduation, she also used the opportunity to interact with the children and take photographs. She also presented several prizes to those who performed well at the school. The best graduating student for Fisher Primary is Poolan Seemangal who attained 506 marks.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

V

A visit to

Pakuri Village

A budding community built on hard work and strong partnerships A nation’s communities are its building blocks. In that same vein, as a community develops so does the nation. The development currently taking place in St Cuthbert’s Mission (Pakuri Villag)e is a direct result of the efforts of the members of the community and community development initiatives being undertaken.

Benedict Kattow

Pakuri Village, formerly St. Cuthbert’s Mission, was recently renamed. “Pakuri” refers to the Platonia trees that were once common in the area and was the original name given to the village when it was founded in the late 1800s by Joseph Ferguson. Pakuri, with its 200 households, has been regarded as a “cultural capital” for Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. The village comes alive during Indigenous Heritage Month when visitors numbering in the thousands travel

to the village, which is located off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, to celebrate Heritage Day. Beverley Clenkian was recently elected Pakuri’s first female Toshao after winning the village’s elections this past May. She, along with the 11 other members of the Village Council, are continuing the work begun by the previous council in de-

(AGM). She recalled that, years ago, logging opportunities took the community’s men far away.

The employment opportunities that have been available to them since the company began hiring in the community have allowed the men

to stay closer to home, while still earning for their families.

The development in the community is clearly evident. “You can see the difference,” she said, relating that the residents are building houses and owning motor vehicles.

Toshao Beverley Clenkian

veloping the community and further improving the lives of the villagers.

A teacher by profession, Clenkian is Senior Mistress at the St. Cuthbert’s Primary School.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE VILLAGE Logging is the main economic activity in Pakuri Village. Some villagers also engage in farming.

In an interview, Clenkian related that most of the village’s men are employed by Aurora Gold Mines

The soon to be completed Eco-Lodge

Their overall lifestyle has improved.

“I think [the company] plays a great role in our community development,” related Clenkian. “Without work or money we are nowhere.”

Turn to page VII ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

Against all odds

One young girl’s battle to emerge on top

By Gabriella Chapman AMESHA Persaud of St Anthony’s Primary School in Bartica emerged third in Region Seven and first for her school at the recently-concluded National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

It is Amesha’s story that struck the hearts of persons in her community.

At just the tender age of two, Amesha was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome and her mother was forced to move to Brazil for her to receive treatment. The treat-

ment lasted for seven months and weakened her immune system.

Amesha was often sick as a result of her ordeal and soon after developed asthma. This disease stuck with her to date and has denied her of living to her fullest potential.

Amesha’s class teacher, Estiva Lake, stated that her medical condition took a toll on her attendance at school and her participation in physical activities, but she is a very persistent and determined pupil and was never daunted by her condition. “Amesha’s attendance was very poor because she often gets sick to the point where she has to be admitted in the hospital for days, sometimes weeks. Naturally, I thought that would have caused her not to perform well at her exams, but Amesha is very persistent and determined and I admire her for that. She remained focused even through her sickness,” Estiva said, adding that up to just two days before the exam, Amesha was admitted in the hospital.

Monevia Rahaman, the mother of this special child, stated that she is a single parent of four and Amesha is her second child. She expressed how sad and difficult her journey was in raising Amesha with her ailments, but she forever showered her with all the love and support she needed.

“Amesha would miss school two to three times a week - sometimes a whole month she’s at home because she’s not well enough to sit through the day at school. But I love all my children and with the help of God and my parents, I stay strong to be the support system they need, especially Amesha,” the mother said.

Amesha, herself, was very vocal and expressed that she was

filled with mixed emotions when she got her results. “I felt very happy with my performance but I was a bit angry because I know I could have done so much better, if I was fortunate enough to attend school regularly. But in everything I give thanks. So thanks to God for his sustenance in my life; my mother and father, grandparents who stayed up many sleepless nights with me,” she said. “I’m just happy to be alive to share my story today and encourage others.”

GRADUAL SUCCESS The star pupil shared that she didn’t start off as a high flyer.

She was an underperformer who worked her way up the chain. “I started off at getting eighth place in my class, worked my way up to fourth then first, now topping my school even with my many challenges. If I can do it, anyone can. It is important for a pupil to know not to amount their self to their peers.

It is important that they know, the person who learns the most is the person who moves from 39 per cent to 55 per cent and not the person who moves from 93 to 95 percent,” she said. “Learning has to do with desire, curiosity and effort. The person who gains the most value is the person who comes from the farthest. So don’t worry yourself about how others do better than you, but look at yourself and see how far you have come. That’s how we should judge all our achievements. I love telling stories and this is a fraction of mine so thank you for giving me the opportunity to share.”

Amesha Persaud attained 498 marks and was awarded a place at the St. Joseph High School. She and her family have already moved from Bartica to prepare her for her new journey.

However, the family resides in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Amesha would have to travel every day to Georgetown to attend school. This is, therefore, a concern for her mother, given the young girl’s condition and the distance she’d have to travel should anything happen at school. Nonetheless, they are both committed to remaining positive and hopes that she emerges successful in this new journey.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page V

Pakuri’s development is affecting its residents in real and meaningful ways. Mr. Benedict Kattow is a former employee of AGM. He was initially employed as part of an exploration team in the earlier days. He initially worked as a carpenter and spent a long period of time with the carpentry team.

However, “I was actually an all-rounder with the company,” Kattow related, explaining that he would perform multiple tasks set to him. He was part of the team that prepared the company’s first airstrip in the area. After taking a break for a period of time, he applied for a position in camp administration where he was employed for two years. It was his wife’s illness that led to Kattow’s resignation from his position.

According to the village’s former Toshao Lenox Shuman, the partnership between Guyana Goldfields/AGM has imparted nu-

merous gains. “We found a partner in Guyana Goldfields as a community and I think it has benefitted Guyana Goldfields in their mission in Guyana and it has also benefitted our community,” he said. “It has provided a significant degree of stability.” Additionally, from a community perspective, he related that such stability had been lacking for a long time. He noted that the company has also more directly contributed to Pakuri’s economic development by contributing to the village developing a small tourism product that it hopes to grow, which he ventured is still on the current council’s agenda.

STRONG FAMILIES A community’s youths are at its heart and this is no exception in Pakuri. Clenkian observed that the community’s fathers are investing in their children’s education and enrollment has increased. She noted that the support of the village’s parents is in-

strumental to the continued role of the community’s schools. One of Clenkian’s aims, as both Toshao and teacher, is to see her community’s youths educated. “I always try to encourage the youths, to motivate them.”

The Toshao acknowledged that there are still ongoing challenges that the community is working to address. She related that alcohol abuse continues to pose a problem, especially among the village’s young people. Clenkian and the other older members of Pakuri are making efforts to sensitise youths regarding the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. There are also the usual conflicts that arise in communities when there are disagreements. However, “at the end of the day, we are one,” the Toshao said.

Pakuri Village is working toward taking its development even further by encouraging ecotourism. At the heart of the initiative is the community’s Eco-Lodge. It is hoped that the lodge project, which is benefitting

VII from a donation by Guyana Goldfields/ AGM, will encourage tourists to visit and enjoy the rich biodiversity that surrounds Pakuri. The contribution joins other sustainable partnerships that the company has entered into with past village councils, as part of its community development initiatives.

The Toshao also noted that safeguards will be put in place to ensure that the community and environment are protected. Additionally, of the project she said, “We’re starting it small, giving it a try to see the outcome.” She noted that the Council’s Tourism Councillor is in charge and is very passionate about tourism. “Because of that we support him in that way, all of us,” affirmed Clenkian, pointing out that the village’s close proximity to Georgetown gives it an advantage as a tourist destination. “I think it will be good.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

Thoughts on the demolition of the St. Rose’s High School

By Francis Quamina Farrier THE demolition of the St. Rose’s High School on Church Street, South Cummingsburg in Georgetown, began last Monday after it was decided by the Board of Governors, that the structure had reached a state of disrepair. So, the current demolition was inevitable due to its terminal condition. But that does not ease the pain of many present and former students of the St. Rose’s High School, as well as for

many who have never been students of that institution of higher learning.

The fact, however, is that there are some in our society who shed no tears for wooden structures which are being pulled down all around us; and there are quite a few along Church Street in Georgetown which have gone the way of the demolition block. The Astor Cinema, a cottage at the corner of Church and Thomas Streets just east of St. Rose’s, another cottage mid-way between Thomas and East Streets, which was once the

Farrier with past student of the St. Rose’s High School, Minister of Public Telecommunications Hon. Cathy Hughes

Evening News TV studio and is now Steve’s Jewellery. Further east, along Church Street there have been some wooden structures between Cummings and Light Streets which have also been pulled down. One of the oldest wooden buildings on Church Street which was demolished some years ago was the Queenstown Mosque; the first Mosque which was constructed in Georgetown. A new concrete structure has been a work-in-progress for a St. Rose of Lima (Peru, South America) after whom the few years now.

It must be mentioned school was named that the former Chronicle stage of the St. Rose’s High School wwas building which was located at the corner of Main and Church Streets in used for concerts and plays, as well as other Georgetown, was lost to a fire many years events such as seminars and recitals. Many of ago. The location which is just north of Guy- the Guyfesta sessions of the 1970s and 1980s ana Stores remains empty at this time. But were held there. School plays as well as other back to the St. Rose’s High School. It was productions were staged in that vast auditoriconstructed almost a century ago and named um. I was involved with some of them acting in honour of St. Rose of Lima (Peru, South in plays as well as poetry and storytelling America), the first person in the Americas performances. My most recent performance at to be elevated to sainthood by the Catholic the St. Rose’s High School was a free Poetry Church. In the early years, many Catholic and Storytelling session in June 2016, as part nuns, expatriates and locals, taught at St. of the Jubilee Year celebrations. That was the Rose’s. Guyanese Sister Hazel Campayne last time I was in that auditorium.

With the run-up to the commencement of was one who served as Headmistress of the school.

Turn to page IX ►►► In its heyday, the large auditorium and

Farrier (at centre) with students at St. Rose’s auditorium after his Poetry and Storytelling Session in June 2016

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

IX

Retiree fulfills dream of being a farmer NOW that Mr. Giles La Rose is retired he has gotten the opportunity to pursue his dreams. Daily, for the past three years the 64-year-old pensioner has been caring for crops grown on his three-acre farm. Yes, his life’s dream was to be a farmer.

A young La Rose left the Region One community of Kamwatta in search of his own path. He ended up in a community named Bunbury several miles away. There he fell in love with a beautiful young lady, Jacintha. The duo has been married for 31 years. Their bond resulted in seven children.

Even though, La Rose had his own land he opted to be a public servant to provide for his family. Nonetheless, he found a job that was satisfying. He was employed with the Regional Education Department as a farmhand of the North West Secondary School. There, he gained knowledge about different crops and techniques in farming.

Following retirement, La Rose grabbed the opportunity to pursue his dream. He plants cassava, plantains, bananas, coconuts, bora and citrus. Every day between 07:30hrs and 11:30hrs and late afternoon

La Rose and his wife are busy nurturing their crops. He believes that a clean farm equals good harvest.

“When I was a little boy I used to plant but didn’t follow it up after I leave my village. But I love farming. I feel good to see the plants grow. You care for these plants and they grow right before your eyes,” La Rose said.

While farming is an enjoyable hobby for the farmer, it also provides additional income for his household. Once weather conditions are favourable, La Rose could reap crops daily. Depending on the quantity, he either sells at home or at Kumaka Market on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Only recently, La Rose tried a new crop- cabbage- a decision which proved profitable. He recalled that in January last, an Extension Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) engaged him in planting cabbage.

He took a positive approach to the request.

“I had already cleared my land for bora but I decided to go with the cabbage. That crop come good. I reaped 284 pounds of cabbage and sold a pound for $300 and that is a relatively good price. I will plant

◄◄◄ From page VIII

Let’s hope function is following form in the new building.” L-Jay: “That’s the outcome when a nation has not been taught to value nor build upon its heritage.” Walter: “Just look at our beloved Town Hall, think they care?” John: “That’s sad that a school is being demolished.” Colin: “Maybe they could use the good wood from there on City Hall.”

Meanwhile, the demolition process of the St. Rose’s High School will continue for another three weeks. The new school will be constructed in concrete by Guyanese Courtney Benn Contracting Ltd. That is scheduled to last for a two-year period. In a release by the Board of Governors, it was stated that “The agreed final design would take into full account the aesthetics in keeping with the expectations of the stakeholders”. No doubt, St. Rose of Lima, will be looking on with quiet dignity and praying for all-round success of this project.

the demolition of this iconic school building, I garnered the following comments from past students…

Here now are some comments extracted from my Facebook page; Gege: “This is sad to hear”. Deborah: “The wooden white buildings reflected heat and light and there was a natural cooling effect.” Yeon: “The new structure (preferably concrete) is required to ensure safety.” Albert: “The monstrosities should never happen.” Carris: “Should do some Heritage Preservation Guyana”. Lillian: “Sad”. Ashford: “It is very sad”. Mohabeer: “The character of the city, in many ways, is changing”. Denzil: “I wish we could have kept part of our history so much of that we are losing it’s so sad.” Dmitri: “Great history and a tragedy not to preserve it.” George: “It is much easier to destroy and replace than it is to preserve it.” Albert: “Change must come. ◄◄◄ From page III

moon we were when he offered to take us on an adventure.

And if the entire situation wasn’t already perfect, imagine being on this boat ride and being able to witness the afternoon sun set behind the coconut trees. Truly, there are few things that can compare to the feeling of sitting on the bow of a boat, traversing a canal with the wind gently brushing against the face, and seeing the golden sun over the water descend behind coconut trees. It is literally one of the most mind-blowing scenes you will ever see.

Hands down though, the best part of Black Bush Polder is the people. Everyone in the community acts as though they are one, big happy family. Whether it was Romeo taking us on a boat ride; cooking to feed practically the entire village; or

stopping some car that’s passing by to ask from a drop to and from the rice mill, the people all had this ingrained sense of camaraderie.

Sometimes though, they might laugh at your wonder at the place they have grown accustomed to. My friend laughed at my amazement when I related my adventures and said to me, “I love when y’all town people come to Black Bush.”

Here’s why she found my sentiments funny; we didn’t travel in a river or even a canal, it was a trench- by Black Bush standards, at least. And when I shared the story of my fellow GT friend going crazy for a baby goat (even to the point of kissing it), my Black Bush Polder friends found it absolutely ludicrous.

If you are looking for a peaceful yet adventurous time, Black Bush Polder is definitely the place for you.

Mr. Giles La Rose in conversation with a staff of NAREI

it again and make it one my main crops,” he added.

But, while La Rose tries to make a profit he ensures that the costs for his produce are affordable. “I know that not everyone in the community can afford the high cost for some food items

so I try to sell cheap. My prices are oftentimes cheaper than the shops so that my neighbours could get to buy food and feed their children. Not everything is about making a huge profit, sometimes it is best to grow food to help feed people,” La Rose said.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

The fight against leprosy Making steps to eradicate the disease in Guyana FOR generations, persons with leprosy have been isolated and ostracised. In fact, in January the United Nations reported that “More than 20 countries still have laws in place which discriminate against persons affected by the disease Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease.”

Thankfully, Guyana is not included in that list and is actually working to eliminate the disease locally. Dr. Heather Morris-Wilson, a Cuban-trained medical doctor employed with the Ministry of Public Health has a crucial role to play in this regard. She is the Director of the Public Health Skin Clinic situated in the

Palms Compound and also the Director of the National Leprosy Programme.

Even with such an important portfolio that demands careful planning and sharp management skills, Dr. Morris-Wilson enjoys working in the fields. When not personally assisting patients, she sensitises medical personnel from all regions about issues of leprosy.

“We indeed hope that the knowledge that they gained would be shared and propagated to many others. Leprosy should not be looked on as a curse anymore. We need to understand this disease does not require isolation. A patient that unfortunately has visible defor-

with dark skin in ways of good skin health and to broach and correct myths on sensitive topics relating to Skin Bleaching, Skin Cancer in Dark skin, the use of Sun Protection, how to manage your itchy children; and the correct management of Psoriasis; the proper use of creams containing steroids like Fourderm and Dermovate,” she noted.

Dr. Morris-Wilson added, “I always liked the skin as an organ and how to treat its various pathologies. Also, I decided to continue with the leprosy programme because someone needed to do it and I became attached to and sympathetic to these patients that seemed disenfranchised and discriminated against. I think that my mentor Dr. Alexander had a lot to do with me continuing the work in the field of Dermatology and Leprology. She is a great physician who always looked out for the best Dr. Heather Morris-Wilson

mities from the disease should have the necessary social and familial support so that they would not feel isolated. We are steadily making headway in terms of this.

We are also sensitising the children of Guyana in an effort for the younger generation to realise that Leprosy exists but it should not be like a mystery or secret. We need to have everyone talking about and not have this issue on the back-burner because even though Leprosy may seem rare, if you contract this disease the long-term complications may not be easy to deal with. So anyone with a long-standing rash, that has numbness or a rash that is not improving with creams you buy from the pharmacy should always be checked,” Dr. Morris-Wilson said.

Dr. Morris-Wilson and her family

NEW CAREER This burning desire within Heather to eliminate this disease or even be a medical doctor was not a childhood calling. It may seem unbelievable, as during her twenties Heather was a bank clerk and even that was a step away from her childhood dream.

She related that “I had no idea that I would have pursued and become established in Medicine, especially dealing with persons suffering from Leprosy. My childhood dream was to become a Pianist or a Marine Biologist.”

However, there was another journey awaiting young Heather. In 2009, she graduated with her MD and started working at the Skin Clinic in 2011. That was the start of a fulfilling career, well at least thus far.

“I was always aware of the prestige associated with Medicine and after being given an opportunity to benefit from a Cuban scholarship I just fell into the role. The art of Medicine is something that you always have to practice daily, and in so doing it with diligent study and preparation you will become astute. That is my goal daily; to become an astute dermatologist who not only would treat patients for their skin disease but to also share important practical pearls with medical students and doctors who may be interested in the field of Dermatology. I am also very interested in sensitising our ethnic population

interests of patients and I soaked up that over a period of two years when I worked along with her. When Dr. Alexander announced that she was retiring from Public Service she invited me to take over and I am here to this day.”

She later pursued in-depth studies in Dermatology and became a student of the renown Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom from 2015 t0 2017. This was one of the most memorable moments for the doctor.

She said that the completion of her Masters gave the feeling of empowerment to deal with dermatological issues for the benefit of the Guyanese populace.

And, while the achievements of the programme may form the conclusion that all is well there are still some challenges that Dr. Morris-Wilson and team are working to correct.

She stated, “Challenges are many but I have two in the upper part of my mind: firstly, patients are not used to certain things like a doctor emphasising sun protection, to avoid using certain skin creams to bleach and skin cancer. We have a population that has now gotten used to doing their “own thing” and not listening attentively. While this could be for many reasons/factors we have to persevere in having conversations Turn to page XVII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

XI

The limitations of family farming Here farmers can begin to feel a sense of achievement as they start to see the ‘fruits’ of their labour

M Margaret Burke THE Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) under its flagship project ‘Family Agriculture’ contracted the services of a consultation team to engage in a research study on family farming. This study was conducted in Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Heading the study was Dr. David Dolly and Mr. Glenroy, with logistical and technical support being provided by IICA. Wilmot Garnett, IICA’s Representative in Guyana told the Pepperpot Magazine, “The study, Characterisation of Family Farming in Guyana is important and necessary as it helps to outline the features of the family farmer and farming. It has been found that approximately 75 per cent of the farmers in Guyana are ‘family farmers’.

“Thus, the study has identified the constraints and challenges that they as farmers face in their production. The results can be used to plan appropriate agricultural and other support policies that can improve the lives of the farm families and family farming.”

He explained that family farm refers to usually rural, small family-owned farms which may be small scaled that mainly depend on family labour and produce a signifi-

The result of hard labour is a set of nutritious sweet potatoes harvested from a farm

cant share of their produce for their own food; the surplus sold.

The study targeted Region Five – Mahaicony, Region Two – Tapakuma, Region Nine – Aranaputa, Wowetta, Moco Moca and Region 10 – West Watooka.

CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES Discussing the report, Mr. Garnett pointed to situations such as an aging farm population and the abandonment or conversion of some farms into non-agriculture use when the farmer becomes too aged to farm as some real challenges; the challenge of the youth not being attracted to or being discouraged from agriculture, coupled with increased migration of youth from rural to urban areas that also pose a challenge to the continuity of family farming. Added to this, he said, is the poor image of farming and agriculture, relative to other economic activities also contribute to the Mr. Wilmot Garnett, IICA’s challenges faced.

T h e s t u d y Representative in Guyana

Farmers on a long and labourious task of preparing the field for planting

showed women as being marginalised, having limited productive resources while, at the same time, there is the declining vitality of rural areas and high rural to urban drift.

Furthermore, according to findings of the study, farming is not seen or approached as a business; on the other hand, there is limited access to financing and investment, use or adoption of new and improved technologies and with these, limited access to productive labour has been a major challenge in all countries.

“Inadequate marketing and promotion of local products; inconsistent or declining supply and quality of farm products; limit-

ed integration of ‘small farmers’ into value chains, (including processing) and inter-sectorial linkages, added to low consideration for good environmental practices and stewardship,” all pose serious challenges to the farmer, as well as farming families.

BENEFITS OF FAMILY FARMING Speaking on the study, Mr. Garnett said that with succession planning and farming supported by a strong family unit fully involved and invested in the farming enterprise, the issue of ageing farmers will become less acute since successive generations will maintain and build on the farming business leading to continuity of farming through inter-generational family ties and involvement.

He indicated that global experiences suggest an improvement in the integrity of the farm labour force (e.g., greater commitment, trust, improved efficiency). The use of family labour may also minimise the pilfering of resources and output from the farm.

YOUTH The report showed how young family members will have good reason for wanting to Turn to page XIII ►►►

XII

Horse Racing can Boost Tourism

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

12th Annual Running of the Guyana Cup Horse Meet to kick of August 19

By Lisa Hamilton THE Jum-bo-Jet Thoroughbred Committee strongly believes that horse racing can help to boost Guyana’s tourism even as the body prepares to host the12th Annual Running of the Guyana Cup Horse Meet come August 19, 2018.

This Horse Meet, which is the highest level of horse racing in the country, is being predicted as the largest-ever to be hosted in Guyana with over 60 entries thus far, and 60 more expected within the next five weeks.

Up to $20 million will be up for grabs in prizes while the event is catering for up to 6,000 local and international visitors from North America, Europe and the Caribbean to the Rising Sun Turf Club in West Coast Berbice.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Guyana’s leading horse racing commentator Compton Sancho said that

it from there,” he recalled humorously.

However, the journey from the very beginning to times standing has not been easy, Sancho told the newspaper saying: “It was very much challenging in those days. You had to know how to read and write but the most exciting part is when the horses straighten up during the final [leg of the race] where you have to step up on the commentary and there is where all the excitement comes in.”

He noted some of the popular figures he remembers who have visited the horse races such as Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry, junior Minister of Public Infrastructure Anette Ferguson, as well as a senior member of the Santa Rosa Turf Club in Trinidad.

The average racehorse weighs only 1,000 pounds or 453.5923 kg, can race at a top speed of some 40 mph and based on their performance can go up the highest which is the ‘A’ class.

Speaking on the care that

there are ongoing talks with the Government for the passing of legislation which can see horses travelling back and forth to Guyana to compete.

“Horse racing puts aside a package for a lot of people in Guyana in terms of job creation, entertainment and it can boost the tourism drive. We’re working right now to get the legislation passed whereby they can bring the horse, race it in Guyana and take it back out. That would mean a lot. It would take the tourism drive right up to the max,” Sancho said.

Even as the matter is being put forward to the Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport and other senior Government officials, Sancho thanked those involved for their support towards the development of Horse Racing in Guyana over the years.

FOND MEMORIES

The commentator, also a committee member, has been in the business for some 45 years and first began commenting on horse racing at just 15 years old in the village of Port Mourant.

He recalled his much younger days at the age of seven when his older brother would take him to the racing tracks which is where he developed a love for the way commentators would narrate the excitement of the sport.

“He used to put me across his neck and carry me to the track and then, off my own, I used to get a piece of paper with a pen and I used to listen to the races at D’Urban Park being broadcast from Trinidad.

I used to get the names of the horses, write them down and then get a nutshell, a pointer, dry stem- anything…and name them and put them in my hands and using the big canal.

I would ‘jook’ five pointers in the gutter and start commenting based on the names I have on the paper and I took

Guyana’s leading Horse Racing commentator Compton Sancho (Adrian Narine photo)

needs to be provided to the thoroughbred racehorse Sancho said: “You have to train them, feed them well and get the vet to look at them.”

Meanwhile, as he described his love for the sport he said that the activity can help to unite all classes of society.

“Horse racing is full of excitement, plenty excitement.

From the smallest child, as soon as they go through that Main Entry gate they just begin to feel the vibes and the excitement.

I like this and I love the sport. It is a family-oriented sport and through this we assist the tourism industry in Guyana.”

For the first place prizes of the races, C-Class and lower (1600m) will contest for the $2 million; Three-year-old Guyana Bred (1100m) will compete for a $1million; G1 and Lower (1400m) will contest for $800,000; H3 and Lower (1100m) for $600,000; Two-year-old Guyana Bred (1100m) will contest for $350,000.

There will also be cash prizes for I1 and Lower (1400m) of $300,000; J3 Non-winners (1400m) for $250,000; L Class Colts and Gelding (1400m) for $200,000; L Class Fillies and Mares (1400m) of $200,000 and L and Lower Non-winners (1100m) of $150,000.

Cash prizes will also be given to the second, third, fourth and fifth place winners. The gates to the 12th Annual Running of the Guyana Cup Horse Meet will open at 10:00hrs on August 19, 2018.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

XIII

The benefits of being multilingual Spanglish GY founders Charlie Tokeley (left), Christian Vargas Yaconi (centre) and Gordon Roberts (right) (All photos courtesy of Spanglish GY)

A scene from Spanglish Night this past week at YMCA

By Gibron Rahim “LEARNING another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things.”

The above words, spoken by the late American journalist Flora Lewis, are a reminder of how truly powerful learning another language is. Though the ongoing process of acquiring a language other than our mother tongue can prove challenging, it is undoubtedly a worthwhile endeavour. Indeed, learning another language is beneficial in numerous ways.

Spanglish GY exemplifies the difference that learning at least one other language can make. It was founded by Christian Vargas Yaconi from Chile, Charlie Tokeley from the United Kingdom and Gordon Roberts from Guyana.

Christian told the Pepperpot Magazine that Spanglish GY started hosting events this past February. He explained that their focus from the beginning has been on language exchange for those looking to learn a second language, such as Spanish. “The idea when we started was to have meetings where people could exchange language skills through conversation.”

The meetings are designed to last about two hours. The language of conversation switches between Spanish and English during that two-hour period. The idea, Christian related, is to change languages at every 15-minute interval. That switching between the languages is a fixture of Spanglish GY’s Spanglish Nights, which are currently being held in the evenings on the first Wednesday of every month at YMCA on Thomas Lands.

The event has proven to be very popular.

“At the moment we are hosting more or less 80 people per event, mainly people that study Spanish,” said Christian. They have hosted groups from various government ministries, including a group from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Venezuelan Institute.

Christian noted that there are also many attendees who study Spanish at school or university. “I think for them it’s a good opportunity to use it,” he said and pointed out that, though there are chances to write and read in the classroom when learning a second language, opportunities to practise speaking are rarer.

Learning another language is not without its challenges. One of the main challenges is

confidence according to Charlie. “You can’t speak another language without confidence,” he stated plainly. “It’s kind of a block but at the same time it can be almost a wind in your sails when you put it behind you.” An additional difficulty is the fact that speaking another language is about more than learning new vocabulary and grammar. “It’s a process of getting into the minds of people from that culture,” said Charlie. “People see things in different ways in different cultures.”

As an example to illustrate his point, Charlie related that, while in English we might say “I am embarrassed”, in Spanish the equivalent phrase is “Me da vergüenza” which translates literally to English as “It gives me embarrassment”. The difference he said is not just grammatical but rather, reflects a difference in viewpoints across cultures.

“This is something which I think people find very difficult, not only learning the grammar but also trying to understand the cultural perspective behind different languages.”

One of the ways Spanglish GY addresses the difficulty of understanding different cultural perspectives in the Spanish language is by assigning a theme to each Spanglish Night.

Each month, a different Spanish-speaking country is the theme of the evening’s discussion. “We know that it is important to speak the second language in a cultural context,” explained Christian.

The country chosen for this past Wednesday’s Spanglish Night was Argentina with the evening’s discussion focused on different topics related to the culture of that country.

Christian pointed out that setting up the event in that way allows participants to become more immersed in the culture chosen. He said, “Through this immersion people can realise more about the language,” while also starting to have a little more confidence and becoming more comfortable with the language.

The challenges and the benefits of learning another language are related according to Charlie. “When you kind of get inside the head of a different culture it’s a really enriching experience,” he related. Learning another language grants access to the literature, art, films and music of the culture that speaks that language. “Most of the world doesn’t speak English so you’re cutting off your ability to have basic conversation and human relations with most of the world if you don’t speak another language.”

Charlie noted that learning Spanish alone makes travel across most of South America

possible with opportunities to meet people, make friends and learn new things. Besides the professional and workplace benefits of knowing another language, “I think it also helps you, from a personal standpoint, in terms of being humble in lots of different situations,” Charlie affirmed. “You know what it’s like to be someone who’s not understood, you know what it’s like to be someone who can’t get their point across.” He added, “I think it helps you to listen to people a little bit more and be a little bit more understanding.”

Notable as well, as Christian explained, is the fact that Guyana maintains close ties with countries that speak other languages such as Brazil and Cuba. Citizens of these countries visit and, in some cases, live and work in Guyana. “From this point of view, it provides the opportunity to integrate them into Guyana but also it gives opportunities for Guyanese people to work in these languages.”

Portuguese, for example, could currently be very useful to someone living and working in Lethem and for developing a business in the area of tourism. Additionally, he said, some organisations such as the United Nations re-

quires their staff to know a second language.

The benefits cannot be overstated. “It gives the opportunity to open your mind to being informed about different perspectives of the world,” said Christian. He recalled that when he was learning to speak English he would read newspapers in English. He found that the points of view were completely different. Knowing another language, especially with the internet at our disposal, provides us with the opportunity to be globally informed.

To further its goals Spanglish GY has recently created another event – Language Lounge. The event focuses on more than one language. The first Language Lounge had Spanish, French and Portuguese tables. The Portuguese table was hosted by the Centro Cultural Brasil-Guyana (CCBG) while the French table was hosted by the Alliance Francaise du Guyana.

“We are hoping to do this kind of collaboration with other cultural centres and other language centres in Georgetown and Guyana and our perspective for the future is to reach more organisations.”

◄◄◄ From page XI

family member within the family farm unit will mitigate the challenges which marginalise women’s access to productive resources.

“This is important to the Caribbean given the extent of female-headed households and the greater tendency for women to be involved in farming and small food processing activities associated with farm output.”

The study posited that women will be assured of a fair share in the family farms assets and returns and will also be afforded the opportunities for continuous self-improvement and empowerment.

“An empowered and positive female farmer will be more inclined to encourage young family members to get involved and continue the family business,” the study assured.

The global experiences, according to the study, will provide sufficient evidence that indicates the strong likelihood that the farm family will be better stewards of sustainable development than other farmers and make better use of resources.

Additionally through the generational influence, ‘family farms’ may be able to sustain cultural traditions and take care of the rural landscape in which they exist according to standards which they may set.

The family may also provide a better platform for natural resource management, including best management practice for climate change. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

become involved in family farming even as, “…an incentive system built on incentivising each member of the family farm (FF) unit, will improve the perspective and situation of the household head, which will make him or her less likely to steer children away from the farming business and will encourage the children to view the farm as a business entity capable of generating acceptable earnings and status over time.

“Retaining youth through a strong family farming foundation and value system will be a vehicle for real transformation of the sector and for inter-generational development of agriculture,” the study emphasised.

It stated that the expansion of the family farm unit is also facilitated in the same manner as expansion of the family, provided that grown children desirous of starting their own family farming business has access to additional land outside of that which is locked into the family farm WOMEN FARMERS According to the study, strong and recognised family farming business structures will go a long way in addressing the issue of barriers to female farmers’ capacity to own assets and leverage same to access financing. It will strengthen the situation for women without necessarily depending on the lengthy legal reform.

Recognition of the importance of each

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

What you need to know about lemons Pt5 THIS week NAREI in Focus continues to look at post-harvest diseases that affect

lemons.

ANTHRACNOSE Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, usually appears on lemons previously injured or held too long in storage. Also, fruit which need a higher concentration of ethylene to de-green the peel will have a higher incidence of anthracnose. Ethylene triggers the growth of the dormant fungus and it also increases the susceptibility of the rind to further invasion.

Anthracnose lesions associated with uninjured rind of de-greened fruit are initially silvery grey and leathery and retain the same degree of firmness and elevation as the adjacent healthy rind. As the decay advances, the rind becomes brown to greyish black, and eventually, a soft rot occurs. Lesions may develop on any area of the fruit surface. Lesions may also form immediately around the button where the fungus colonises the senescent button before spreading into the adjacent healthy rind. Anthracnose lesions associated with injured rind appear as brown to reddish brown or black spots that may be firm and dry, or if sufficiently advanced, the rind becomes softened. Under humid conditions, the masses of spores on the lesion surface appear pink or salmon-coloured. The disease does not spread from infected to healthy fruit in packed containers.

Control of anthracnose is obtained by pre-harvest sprays of benomyl and postharvest dips in thiabendazole or imazalil (1000 ppm active ingredient) before de-greening, and holding the fruit at 1OoC to 12�C. STEM-END ROT Stem-end rot, caused by the fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Phomopsis citri, is widely prevalent and results in serious losses in humid growing areas such as Guyana.

Fungal spores enter calyx tissues or lodge beneath the calyx at the time of flowering and remain dormant until the fruits are harvested.

Symptoms appear as water-soaked spots near the stem end of the fruit, which generally turn light to dark brown. The brownish decay proceeds down the rind of the fruit. In the case of Lasiodiplodia, the advancing margin of the rot progresses in lobes or a finger-like pattern. The advancing margin of Phomopsis stem-end rot progresses evenly. Decayed tissue is initially firm, but later becomes wet and mushy and gives off a sour, fermented odour.

The decay does not spread from infected to healthy fruit in packed containers.

Control of stem-end rot is obtained by pre-harvest fungicide sprays, postharvest application of imazalil (1000 ppm), and storage at l0oC. Also, a postharvest application of 2,4-D (500 ppm) helps control stem-end rot by delaying button abscission. Susceptibility to stem-end rot increases with increasing age

of the fruit at harvest.

SOUR ROT Sour rot, caused by the fungus Geotrichum citri-auranfii, is the most objectionable and unpleasant of all the lemon decays.

The organism invades the rind through injuries made by insects, mechanical injury, or other pathogens. Ripe or over-mature fruit are more susceptible to sour rot than green or immature fruit. The disease is also more severe during and after prolonged wet seasons. It is especially problematic on lemons that have been stored for long periods.

Sour rot is frequently associated with green and blue mould infections. The initial symptoms of sour rot are similar to those of the Penicillium moulds. Highly active extra-cellular enzymes produced by the sour rot fungus degrade the rind, segment walls, and juice vesicles, causing the fruit to disintegrate into a slimy, watery mass (Figure 10).

Under high RH, the lesion may be covered with a yeasty, sometimes wrinkled layer of white or cream-coloured fungal growth. The fungus requires a high water content of the peel and storage at a high RH. The sour odour associated with advanced stages of disease development attracts fruit flies, which can spread the fungus to infect other injured fruit.

Postharvest treatment with sodium ophenylphenate provides some control of sour rot.

Immediate storage of lemon fruit at 10�C also will delay disease development. The benzimidazole fungicides are not effective against sour rot.

COTTONY ROT Cottony rot, caused by the fungi Sclerotinia, is not a common postharvest citrus disease, but it can occasionally cause heavy losses of lemons. The infected area of the fruit is at first firm and brown, but subsequently, the peel tissue softens and fluid is released. As the fungus grows it results in a white cottony look to the surface of the fruit. Decay spreads by contact of an infected fruit to all surrounding healthy fruit in the container.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

Investigating Complaints of Pollution In our last feature we looked at how you can be a steward of the environment by reporting pollution and other environmental violations to the Environmental Protection Agency. You should now have an understanding of the EPA’s complaint process; including where you can file the complaint and the information that will be required from you. It was also highlighted that some environmental complaints are dealt with by other organisations and that the Agency will help guide you to them if necessary.

As promised, this week’s article will focus on how the EPA addresses complaints so that you can have a better understanding of the importance of this process and be confident enough not to turn a blind eye to any environmental violations.

SCREENING OF COMPLAINTS When a complaint has been received and recorded, the matter then goes through a prescribed screening process to ensure that it can be addressed by the Agency, to identify the Programme Area (PA) of the EPA which will assume responsibility for investigating the complaint, and to determine the urgency of the matter. The complaint is also inputted into a database by the Field and Data Management Technician who will also categorise it as either a new or reoccurring issue. This will help in the decision-making procedure on the best way to address the complaint.

If another regulatory body is better suited to investigate the complaint, the complainant is notified and is provided with the relevant contact details.

ASSIGNMENT OF COMPLAINTS TO THE RELEVANT PROGRAMME AREAS There are several technical PAs at the Agency which are designed to manage authorisation, compliance monitoring, and enforcement for activities that would impact different aspects of the environment. For example, a complaint regarding fumes from spray painting activities or noise form the construction or operation of a facility is likely to be assigned to the Air Quality and Noise Management PA. Once the complaint has been entered into the database, it is then forwarded to the Senior Environmental Officer (SEO) of the PA identified to investigate the matter. The complaint will further be categorized based on the location of the reported pollution. It is more economically feasible and time-efficient to group investigations for complaints occurring in the same geographical area. The SEO supervises the Environmental Officers of the PA to ensure that investigations are done in a timely manner.

FIELD INSPECTIONS AND REPORTING Inspections are scheduled based on the urgency of the matter, location of the activity or facility, and the current workload of the PA. Depending on the nature of the reported pollution, PAs may be required to jointly address the issue. Inspections are always conducted in a professional manner. As such, the identity of complainants is always kept confidential.

Additionally, it is not compulsory that either the complainant or the alleged polluter is informed prior to the investigation of the activity or facility. During the course of the investigation it is not unusual that the inspecting Officers will also interview nearby residents, business operators, etc., who are likely to be impacted by the reported pollution. Based

on the nature of the complaint, several environmental tests may be performed, e.g., water and/or soil sampling, air quality tests, noise level readings. Once the investigation is completed, an inspection report is prepared with the findings of the inspection as well as recommendations of measures needed to mitigate any pollution that was observed or to prevent further pollution. The inspection report is reviewed by senior Officers who will determine the final measures that are to be implemented by the polluter. All of the EPA’s decisions are evidence-based.

TAKING ACTION The actions taken by the EPA to resolve the complaint may differ based on the nature of the complaint. Generally, for new matters, the Agency writes to the polluters, clearly outlining the mitigation measures the polluter needs implement within a specific deadline. The complainant is also updated at this stage on actions that have been taken by the Agency.

For reoccurring complaints, any inspections after the initial inspection will be considered as a ‘follow-up inspection’. Follow-up inspections are carried out after the deadline has passed for the implementation of mitigation measures which were given based on a previous inspection. If the polluter has complied with the recommendations provided by the Agency and the complainant is no longer being affected, the complaint may be closed.

It must be noted that the EPA can close a complaint even if the complainant claims to be affected, as long as it is observed that adequate measures have been put in place to mitigate and prevent pollution.

NON-COMPLIANCE BY POLLUTERS If there is non-compliance with the measures recommended, the polluter will be warned and more follow-up inspections will be done. If the Agency is satisfied that enough time has been granted for the pollution to be addressed, legal proceedings may be initiated which can result in a Prohibition Notice or Court Injunction against the polluting activity. Non-compliance with a Prohibition Notice is an offence and violators will be liable to a fine of not less than three hundred thousand dollars nor more than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars and imprisonment for one year. Non-compliance with a Court Ordered Injunction is Contempt of Court and violators will be liable to be brought before the Court and punished accordingly. Contravening the Environmental Protection Act, makes an offender liable to fines of up to two million dollars and imprisonment for five years, with corporations up to four million dollars and, where the offender is liable to serve time, imprisonment for ten years, but this will vary depending on the nature of the contravention.

Note that all activities, whether authorised or not, are subject to the EP Act and regulations.

As can be seen, the EPA takes complaints about environmental violations very seriously and will do what is necessary to ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap 20:05, Laws of Guyana and its Regulations. However, be reminded that in order to do this, the Agency needs you participation and support!

You can share your 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.

XV

folklore FIREBALL CHALLENGE XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

By Neil Primus

IT SEEMED that many of the weird encounters related by people take place in the dead of night. Most of them happen to unsuspecting travellers. The rest happens to people who just don’t care about the many warnings and stories about pecu-

liar encounters.

Pablo was one of those unconcerned citizens. The only thing that truly concerned him was rum. He had a good relationship with all three rum parlours in the village of Alexander. The owners allowed him to

drink and pay later when he received his salary. He never failed to do this, so rum flowed every time he visited. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays were his designated spirits days. Nothing else mattered.

During one of these binges, stories surfaced about attacks on villagers by ‘Jumbie’ and ‘Old Higue’. He paid little attention to this. As far as he was concerned Alexander should fix the roads, water and electricity.

If they did that there would be less time for gossips and superstitions.

Saturday night was always his big night.

He drank and drank sharing lude jokes with his buddies. Sometime after 01:00hrs, the rain began to pour. As was his luck, it happened while he was staggering home along a long, lonely dark stretch of road.

He looked around for shelter but none was available. He lumbered on.

The rain stopped, but by that time he was soaked. His clothes felt as though they weighed a ton and his shoes had water in them.

Squish!

Slosh!

His journey became that much harder and louder. Then the wind picked up. This brought a chill that caused him to tremble as it bit into his skinny body. As he walked up ahead he saw a light. Someone was riding or walking toward him with a bright light to show the way. As the light drew nearer it became bigger and brighter. Soon it took on proportions, unlike any light he had ever seen except the sun and full moon. Then the light vanished.

As he approached the spot where he had last seen the light he looked suspiciously around. Off to his right was an old, abandoned building. It had housed a small abattoir that had been closed for many years now. His eyes honed in on the bright body of light moving around in the usually dark structure.

Rum mixed with curiosity and topped with stupidity got the better of him. Pablo decided to investigate. He made a determined zigzag march towards the building trying to move as quietly as he could. As he neared the open doorway he stepped on a beer can.

Crunch!

The light went out immediately. Puzzled and intrigued, his next move was what he later said was direct intervention.

“Is who in dey!?” His drunken words were slightly slurred.

Silence.

“Yo is man or spirit?” he demanded, growing more and more brazen by the silence that greeted him.

Again stillness and darkness “You is either a jackass or one frighten Jumbie!”

With that, he bellowed in laughter and headed down the dark road for home.

Some basic instinct warned him that something was wrong. Whirling around,

he saw a large body of light or what looked like fire, moving towards him, fast.

It was much bigger than before. It glowed menacingly and sent waves of fear through his body. Pablo began to quake.

The terrifying thing about the strange approaching light was that it was growing quickly as it approached.

From the depth of the fireball, a deep horrifying sound reached his ears.

“Mmmmmmmmm…!”

Pablo lost his struggle to stay strong and brave. He let out a howl that matched that of the mysterious being and ran screaming down the dark roadway.

“Aaaaaah!”

As drunk as he was, he made good headway. Pablo ended up borrowed under an old wooden bridge that stretched lazily across a wide trench. The trembling man realised too late that he was not alone under the structure. There in the darkest recess of the bridge was an ominous dark shape.

Pablo felt as if he was about to pass out. He grabbed a nearby supporting log and clung to it, entirely dependent on it to keep upright, as much as it did for the bridge itself.

“Who is dat?” The grating voice was loud with laced with malice.

“Is m…m…me P-P-Pablo,” The quiver of terror was unmistakable.

“Wat yo doing in dis place? Why yo disturbing me peace?”

“Sarry Uncle. Ah just sheltering.”

There was not a cloud in the sky so Pablo’s fib was having no impact.

“Liar! Nobody disturbed me fo hundreds of years. Now you come fo harass me dis good night.”

The dark form moved threateningly towards the man who turned and got ready to flee. He saw the ball of fire approaching fast and decided to take his chances under the bridge. Death by fireball or death by dark and deadly ‘jumbie’ did not give him much of a choice. In utter panic, he dived for the darkest corner and tried to force himself as deep as he could go.

“Ow Gad help me!” he implored. He squeezed his eyes shut expecting to be killed by either the dark form or the ball of fire.

The light made straight for the bridge glowing in rage. From below the structure, the dark form advanced growing as it moved forward.

Its eyes flashed and its claws twinkled wickedly in the light. The ball of fire stopped abruptly. It then turned around and retreated as quickly as it had arrived. Pablo watched all this in astonishment. The dark form returning to its dwelling place.

“Yo lucky ah save yo. Batter ketch home fast. Rememba Old Hiue frighten water,” it said.

Pablo took the advice in the only way he knew how. He plunged headlong into the thick, black, muddy water and swam for home, clothes and all.

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SPORT GENERATES NATIONAL UNITY

WITH the advent of the World Football Cup, a massive wave of interest has been generated, not only in football but in sports in general.

In ancient times, as for example, among the Romans, Sport was regarded as a pastime to develop the body and mind, a concept which was captured in the well-known Latin phrase: "Mens sana in corpore sano".

Roman sport included athletics, boxing and wrestling, but the gladiatorial contests were not regarded as sport but rather theatre.

In the modern world, numerous more sports have made their appearance and modern Man has realised that Sport has many positive social, physical and mental dimensions. An example of this could be seen in West Indian Cricket. In 1950 when England was defeated for the first time by the West Indies, the West Indies victory broke the mystique of colonial dominance.

The inferiority complexes which had been engendered by slavery and indenture began to fall away and a new sense of dignity and equality was manifested in West Indians.

Owing to cricket and the formation of a West Indies Team, a sense of West Indian identity grew up and this was strengthened when West Indian teams played against foreign adversaries. The teams being multi-racial, this led to greater racial integration in the society as a whole since the nation identified with them. In addition to breaking down racial barriers leading to greater racial integration, cricket helped to weaken class exclusiveness when players of all classes were teammates. Breaking down of class prejudices was clearly evident in Barbados more than in other West Indian territories.

In Europe, Sport was shown to be an amazing integrating force and morale builder. For over two centuries, the nations of Europe fought bloody civil wars all over the continent. These culminated in World Wars I and II where the cream of European youth were killed off, where their cities and economies were destroyed and their worldwide Empires lost and the Continent lay in prostrate ruin. Western and European

civilisation was very nearly destroyed. The Europeans discovered two things which would save their continent from destructive wars. The first was the Movement for European Unity and the other was the stimulation of Sport.

The main sport which swept over the continent was football or soccer which dwarfed every other including lawn tennis.

Football allowed the clash of competing nationalities to be fought out on the football field rather than the battlefield. Competitive and adversarial feelings were released not only in the playing teams but in the nations which they represented and normality returned when the matches ended. Football teams became friendlier and so were their nations. Later, players were employed to play in other national teams than their own.

Football could share in the honour of preventing war and bringing European nations closer and helping them to better understand each other.

Another country where Sport, and in particular cricket, is playing a remarkably striking role of unification and integration is India. India is probably the country with the greatest diversities. It is multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual and numerous competing political units. All these different groups are more often than not adversarial to each other and present the Indian State with the constant challenge of dealing with these fissiparous tendencies.

Cricket has proved itself to be a great unifier and integrator and this role of the game is fully recognised and respected.

This accounts for the fact that India spends far more money on cricket than any other country in the world. There have been many writers and films in many languages celebrating and analysing the positive role of the game.

Guyana, like India, is a country of diversity but it is only its racial differences which challenge national unity and the integration of the society. Sports could play an important role in unifying the country.

Cricket, as the most widely played game

◄◄◄ From page X

MOTHER AND WIFE Meanwhile, whoever says that a successfully-driven woman cannot have a family has never met Dr. Morris-Wilson. When she is not fighting leprosy the doctor wears her mommy and wife caps gladly.

“One step at a time is the key and always praying and asking Jehovah for help and comfort when you have difficult days.

I always say a little bit every day and I never let my work pile-up (at home and at work). My husband is super supportive even though he has a busy schedule as an Emergency Medicine doctor. Balancing work and family is very difficult but with Jehovah’s help and not forsaking spiritual activities you do pretty well,” she said smiling.

with our patients (educated or uneducated).

My personal experience has been noting that patients are not very compliant in using their “rub on” treatment or their oral medications.

You may have to encourage them continuously for them to understand why you want to do it your way. It indeed takes a lot of time and energy to sensitise/educate persons especially with burgeoning crowds that flock to the skin clinic. But, I must say, it is worth it.

Secondly, patients still have a habit of having the pharmacist diagnose what they have and using the treatment purchased. The majority of the times the treatment used will further complicate matters and so you would have to be the one to try and correct it.”

in Guyana, has always had the potential of breaking down racial and cultural barriers.

In the schools, for instance, children of all racial and cultural backgrounds are members of the school cricket teams. Children of all races become friends and begin to appreciate different cultures and discover a sense of unity when they play as teams against each other. The same kinds of unification and integration are reflected in the adult world's sports activities.

Though politicians and the public do have some understanding of the social value of sport, the Ministry of Sport, the clubs and even NGO's with an involvement in sport, have never adumbrated a philosophy which could guide and inspire their activities. Those who are responsible for organising sports activities must have a philosophy of action to guide them. The governmental authorities need to subsidise and spend more money on Sport.

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The ESSENCE of black celebration THE ESSENCE FESTIVAL delivered high value again. Last year was my first time at Essence Festival in New Orleans and I knew I would be attending many in the future. It is hard not to remember the devastating hurricane Katrina while visiting.

People travelled by all means of transportation from various parts of the US and beyond to be a part of this empowering festival. Initially, it was four of us going but only my soul sister Hilda and I made it.

We arrived on Thursday evening and were greeted with a hot bowl of Gumbo which is very popular in Louisiana.

It was good but not as good as the gumbo at my friend Gwen’s house in Mississippi.

The energy was high from day one at the Convention Centre. From the singers to beauty shows, exhibition spaces, food court, empowerment centre etc. There wasn’t a dull moment and there was so much to take in one day. I felt special with the attention my

hair and outfit received. That day I was wearing an African head wrap with matching shoes and an army green layered outfit. I did mention in one of my columns last year that if I had collected one dollar from everyone who asked about my hair or outfit I would have returned to Guyana with a few millions.

This was even more of a confirmation that my design concept has an international ... Inspiring lives through fashion appeal. I even got some serious clients who have followed up interact with her at Essence and this year she after the festival. A guy came up to me and requested the outfit I am wear- spoke on purpose and perspective. There was ing for his wife. I told him I am a designer lots of food for the soul on day two.

Last year one of my best days was the and will organise one or more for her and they were elated. We visited the festival bookstore gospel show on Sunday and I wanted to take because both of our books will be in there some spiritual food in. The lineup is always next year, God’s willing. The empowerment impressive with the like of Tamela Mann and centre featured Mary J Blige, founders of the Tasha Cobbs. Unfortunately, we could not Me Too Movement, Trayvon Martin’s mom stay the duration because we had our private and more accomplished black women. I had event, an Evening of Inspiration, Fashion and registered for an exclusive event in the E Book Signing to host. The positive energy Suite with some phenomenal black women continued from the festival to our event and I who are blazing the trail, including one of my mentors Lisa Nichols.

Lisa remembered me from Atlanta when I attended her event. I had the opportunity to have her inspire my journey and assist with my first book LIVING WITH INTENTION. I will be joining her early next year in Barcelona for a private retreat. E Suites created a very intimate atmosphere so you were up close with the presenters.

I loved joining the executives to relax with a glass of wine while networking.

I was chatting with Kim Coles in the lounge and she was so excited when she heard that I was from Guyana. She said, “Give me another hug because my favourite teacher was from Guyana.” Kimberly Coles is an will expand on that next week.

The skydome had some amazing super American actress, comedian and game show concerts from what I heard and the perforhost. Kim is most known for her role as a cast member on the Fox sketch comedy, In mances were first class. Doug E Fresh, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Fantasia and many othLiving Colour.

The E suite was rocking with great energy er well-known names. Janet Jackson brought but I needed to hear one of my ladies who was the curtains down on Sunday evening from closing the empowerment stage on day two. all reports Networking at an event of this magnitude Persons who are familiar with my designs know that you can wear them in many ways can birth many meaningful future collaboraso I ventured into the washroom and came tions and I intend to capitalise on some.

Join me next week as I share some in with a different concept and the ladies details of the events on the Living with were freaking out. I left with something to talk about as I got ready to absorb from Ms. Intention Motivational Mission and Book Vanzant. Last year I had the opportunity to Tour. Let’s continue to celebrate this journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

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“Towards a digital state”

THE Caribbean Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Roadshow kicked off for the first time ever in Guyana this past week and while opening the event, President David Granger hailed Guyana as a nation that was being transformed into a digital state.

For our President, despite Guyana’s unique geographical challenges, the government will not relinquish efforts to ensuring that every community receives equal access to ICT opportunities. And as a citizen of Guyana, it isn’t difficult to infer what he is referring to.

It is known that residents of indigenous communities have to travel long distances to access public services but ICT can be a boon that can be harnessed to mitigate the disparities that exist due to the country’s geography. And that is why moves are afoot to transform the country into this digital state.

But, what is a digital state? And why is it important?

The physical world as we know it and the digital world as we are coming to know better are enmeshed; they represent the coalition of all the information in life we possibly know. You want a recipe? Google

it. You want to pay a bill? The internet has your back. Surely, when it is said that we are entering into a digital age- or a digital state - the world as we know it is fully embracing the parallel world with which it coexists.

In this new world, which encompasses the two worlds, the possibilities are endless (if they aren’t already). It’s strange that one can connect with someone a few continents over, but it is much more difficult to communicate with someone in Region One. But in this digital state, that communication will become much easier.

And more than that, opportunities for disadvantaged persons will arise. With the advent of technology, the visually and hearing impaired will be faced with fewer restrictions to their livelihood. So here, the creation of this digital state is one that creates a more enabling and accommodating environment. It seems futuristic but it is happening presently.

I read a Huffington Post blog recently about what it means to be inevitably absorbed into this digital state and what the word ‘state’ connotes. Explained by the author, Faris Yakob, the word has a double meaning; it may be a place defined by a gov-

erning structure, and it is a condition- which is, the state we’re in.

Transforming into a digital state presents a whole new world to explore, literally.

But it does also come with its fair set of challenges. With information being placed online, there is the threat of information being misused and abused.

It is all good and well-meaning to provide services for someone residing as far as Region Nine but consider that person transmitting personal information for- let’s say- tax returns or medical records, what happens if someone with ill intentions gets hold of that? Herein, the transformation of Guyana into a digital state is confronted by the huge challenge of security.

The question of people being tech savvy also arises. Are persons who have been majorly isolated from technology all these years able to adopt the new order? And are all of them willing to embrace it? Can they use it correctly and efficiently? I think here, these persons would be more susceptible to those who seek to misuse the boon.

Nevertheless, I think people will embrace technology. Or at least try to. Look at STEM Guyana for example. Two years ago,

robotics was a fleeting idea for Guyanese youth and now communities have come together to create clubs and purchase robot kits so that the children can be exposed to the field. So the huge challenge confronting us will be security.

What I love, in as much as I am almost always talking about developing ICT, is that there is tangible evidence to show that the field has penetrated Guyana and is working to reduce the spatial disparities that exist among communities. And I have seen the merits of the ICT hubs in communities for myself and I have seen how these hubs will be able to benefit communities when they are outfitted with the hubs.

The geographical dimensions, the 214,000 square kilometres that make up beautiful Guyana, can all be connected and these inherent disparities will be diminished. Amidst whatever unfavourable things may be happening in Guyana right now- from the brutal murders to the political faux pas- ICT development remains that one shining light that illustrates that better will come. Due diligence must be taken to ensure that this shining light isn’t dulled.

‘I basically live and breathe sports’

Shot Put champion and aspiring Olympian “GROWING up in high school, I always found a love for football but there wasn’t a sport that my teacher could have named that I wasn’t competent in,” 28-year-old Osafo DosSantos recalled.

Even in his younger days, he knew without a doubt that he had a talent and he was determined to hone it. This talent, according to him, was his prowess in sports. And to this day, he has not let that prowess dwindle.

“Sport is my passion,” Dos Santos said.

“I basically live and breathe sport.”

But though he could perform in every sport, he was more inclined to football, volleyball and the field events. While he kept these close to his heart, he eventually had to decide which ones were more important to him or which he could “make it big in”, as he says. That’s why he let go of football and after entering the University of Guyana (UG) more recently, volleyball.

He explained, “I had to choose one sport because of the intensity of training [required] and I chose field events.” And

perhaps, that was his best bet because he has been performing better than he once even imagined- especially with the shot put.

Over the past few years, he highlighted that he has been the champion athlete for the inter-schools and inter-faculty championships. In 2017, for example, Dos Santos earned 33 points with wins in the Discus and Shotput; second in the Javelin and fourth in the High Jump at UG’s Inter-Faculty Athletics Championships. This attested to his prowess in the field events.

Osafo is also currently the Shot Put champion for Guyana after scoring his new personal best 15.85M at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) National Senior Athletics Championships on June 23.

“It was really stiff competition,” he disclosed and added, “There were likes of persons from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and very strong athletes coming out from Linden- who are very competitive when it Turn to page XXIV ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

50 years of solid friendship and cooperation between Brazil and Guyana REGIONAL and international cooperation and friendly and cordial bilateral relations with the countries in the various hemispheres have always been priority issues for President Granger. He believes and has made it known that Guyana will endeavour to build bridges for economic, social, and cultural cooperation so that all involved can benefit.

Over the years Guyana has established and maintained cordial relations with neighbouring Brazil.

This year 2018, will mark 50 years of friendship and bilateral ties between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil, which has seen cooperation in the areas of defence, health, education and public infrastructure programmes among others.

In this week’s Government in Action, we will take a look at the 50-year-old relationship, the partnerships built in the areas of health, education, public infrastructure, tourism, defence and the oil and gas sector as well as the predictions for future collaboration.

RENEWING TIES In observance of this milestone, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira and a high-level delegation paid a State Visit on July 12, 2018. Following this visit, President Granger said that the friendship and cooperation between Guyana and Brazil, which has been characterised by peace, respect for territorial integrity and mutual interests are set to be further strengthened in the coming months as the two South American nations work to build more solidly on 50 years of bilateral ties. He noted that while the two countries have enjoyed cooperation in a number of areas, they must now take the opportunity to build on the solid foundation, which exists.

“The cooperation has been very wide. As I pointed out, I was one of the first two (Army) officers to be trained in Brazil 49 years ago, so we had defence cooperation since 1969. It has gone into fields of education, the fields of agriculture, infrastructure development, and you would be surprised at the amount of interaction that has taken place at the level of ordinary residents moving to and from the two countries. Many residents from the Rupununi would go across to Brazil for medical treatment, so there are many areas of cooperation but what we are looking at now is the future. We are not looking at the past and we feel that the relations now between these two mature nations should be put on a sounder footing,” the Head of State said.

President Granger noted that the visit comes at a time not only when the two countries are celebrating this milestone but at a time when there is a changing strategic scenario in Northern South America and the world, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union. In this regard, he noted that it is important that the two states renew their relationship as well as seek to build on new ground while formulating a coordinated approach where needed.

“We have not been able to fulfil our dreams of infrastructural integration but there are several other areas of concern.

One, of course, is the situation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. As you know thousands of refugees have gone south into Brazil, many more in Colombia, some have come into Guyana and into Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, we need to have a common push to deal with this humanitarian crisis. The situation was also changing in the hemisphere and the world. As you know, the US Government, the UK Government, the EU have all been affected by some economic changes and it will eventually have an impact on Guyana and in that way, it is necessary for two neighbouring states to coordinate their positions so that there is some convergence of views. We have always had cordial relations with Brazil at a strategic level,” he said.

President David Granger exchanges a hand shake with the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira at State House as his Guyanese counterpart, Mr. Carl Greenidge and the Governor of the State of Roraima, Brazil look on

GUYANA/VENEZUELA BORDER CONTROVERSY As Guyana continues to make its case for the resolution of the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it has been assured of the support for all diplomatic measures including a judicial settlement from the world court by its southern neighbour, Brazil, which has time and time again indicated that it has no interest in changing settled and established boundaries on the continent. Guyana continues to enjoy friendly relations with Brazil and in a tangible demonstration of this commitment, the two countries, in November 2017, undertook a project to remark the borders they share. This exercise solidified the friendship between the two countries and was a demonstration of mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Head of State also noted that the preservation of South America as a ‘zone of peace’ is essential to Guyana’s existence.

Brazil, he said, has remained resolute in its commitment to peace on the continent and Guyana is grateful for Brazil’s consistent and unwavering support, over the past 50 years, for the peaceful settlement of the territorial controversy with Venezuela.

“Brazil is the largest state on the continent of South America, and from the start of the controversy Brazil has made it clear that it had no interests in redrawing the borders with any state. Brazil has borders with almost every state on the continent except two, so once people start tinkering with borders it will be an enormous headache for Brazil. Brazil put its foot down from the start and I think that was an important factor in convincing our neighbours that there will be no land grabbing on this continent. So, we are very grateful to Brazil and the Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs has always been known for taking a principled position and it has never varied. They have been a guarantor of Guyana’s territorial integrity,” he said.

INFRASTRUCTURE After paying a courtesy call on President Granger, the

Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with Guyana’s Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge. At the conclusion of those meetings, it was announced that the first phase of the Linden- Lethem highway, which will connect Guyana and Brazil would commence later this year.

Minister Greenidge said technical teams from both countries would meet to examine terms of reference for consultancies to do the final design of the road. “You have to have a final design and that is the work of consultants that the two sides will decide on and they have to be given terms of reference,” he said.

Construction of Phase One-Linden to Mabura, Greenidge said, would begin during the last quarter of 2018 and would be financed by the United Kingdom to the amount of 150 million pounds sterling. Funds for Phase Two- Kurupukari to Lethemwould be provided by either the Inter-American Development Bank or China. Construction, he said, might begin in late 2019.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said that the terms of reference for the Linden to Lethem road project will be ready by August of this month.

“One of the main purposes of the meeting is to ensure it remains a priority for both states. Therefore, by bringing such a large delegation, Brazil shows that they are as committed as we are to see this project through,” Minister Patterson said.

This infrastructural development is as a result of President Granger’s state visit to Brazil in December 2017, where he met with President Michel Temer. During that meeting, the two countries inked two Agreements in the form of the Complementary Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil, which creates the “Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission to Develop Infrastructure Projects” and the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Im-

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plementation of the Project communities; commence “Technologies to Reduce cooperation in the area of the Effects of the Drought geo-technology applied in Region 9 of Guyana.” to defence and security, The construction of the through the training of long-awaited Linden-Leofficials from Guyana at them road was one of the the SIVAM (Brazilian key projects under this Amazon Surveillance Inagreement. tegrated System) facility In an interview at the in Manaus, Brazil and conclusion of that meetsend a military mission ing, President Granger said from Brazil to prepare that for decades both sides an assessment of techenvisaged a route through nical expertise that can Guyana, which will probe provided to advise vide better development and/or, work within the prospects for investors to Guyana Defence Force come from the Caribbean to increase expertise in into Brazil and from Brazil deficient areas. into the Caribbean. “This The Guyana Defence is something that has been Force (GDF) has benlong discussed and in fact, efitted significantly in in some parts of the Rua number of areas due pununi, roads were actually to the friendly ties and aligned but we never had cooperation between the funding to complete it. The two countries. Chief of The two sides in discussion yesterday at the preliminary meeting held at State House infrastructure agreement we Staff, Brigadier Patrick are entering will be focused West, in an invited comIn 2012, during a visit to Guyana, Ambassador Celso Amon fulfilling that obligation to building a road between Lethem ment, said that the administration of the Force is pleased with orim held a working meeting with Dr. Roger Luncheon, former and Linden. Brazil has done its part; Brazil has built a bridge the partnership between the Brazilian Government through its Secretary to the Defence Board of Guyana at the Ministry of under President Luiz DaSilva and the road literally comes Military and the GDF. Numerous officers of the GDF have Foreign Affairs, where the two sides reiterated their desire to right out to the bridge. We need to do our part so that is a very benefitted from training opportunities in Brazil, some spanintensify bilateral defence cooperation. They reviewed the eximportant agreement that was signed,” he said. ning for a year. “We collaborate…where there are gaps, those isting programme of cooperation between Guyana and Brazil Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge explained gaps are likely to be filled with our collaborations with our in the area of defence and agreed to the implementation of a that in July 2017, he and Minister of Public Infrastructure, bilateral partners. Brazil did some work with us and they are number of measures aimed at expanding and strengthening Mr. David Patterson met with their respective counterparts still doing...,” he said. collaboration not only at the bilateral but also at the regional to discuss moving the project forward. At that forum, it was level within the context of existing initiatives of the Union of agreed that both countries will provide financial resources for HEALTH South American Nations. the engineering and design of the road. Minister Greenidge On January 19, 2018, President Granger received a courIn this regard, they agreed to adopt the decision to create a explained at that time that this road link is a critical piece of tesy call from Brazil’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jose Guyana/Brazil Bilateral Defence Working Group (BDWG), in infrastructure that holds great potential in Magalh?es Barros and a delegation from terms of integrating the two countries and that country who were currently in Guyimproving trade. ana on an official visit to discuss areas in In terms of the second agreement, the which the two states can strengthen coopBrazilian Army will be working closely eration, particularly in the health sector. with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) The visiting minister’s delegation to develop its Engineering Corps. This included the Vice-Governor of Paran?, collaboration will see the drilling of arMs. Maria Aparecida Borghetti and the tesian wells in Indigenous communities Federal Deputy of São Paulo, Ms. Bruna in villages such as Para Bara, Achiwib, Dias Furlan. During that meeting, the Karaudarnau, Aishalton, Awarewanau, President also noted that while Guyana Shea and Mururanau. welcomes cooperation in the health “As we know Rupununi is susceptible sector, it looks forward to deepening to droughts and floods so we want to recooperation in other areas such as oil move that uncertainty and have a system and gas, infrastructure and environmental under which the communities, there are security. over 50 villages in the Rupununi, that could be supplied with fresh water continuously TOURISM during the year and Brazilian terrain across In July 2016, a two-day Tourism the border is similar in many respects. So Conference was held in Boa Vista, there is not only going to be a supply of Brazil, for tour operators who are operphysical infrastructure but there’s also ating between Guyana and Brazil. The going to be a transfer of technology,” Presevent was organised by Visit Rupununi ident Granger said.

(VR) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Roraima and ConserNEW EMBASSY vation International – Guyana (CI-G).

During their visit to Brazil in July 2017, Tour agencies and officials regarded Minister Greenidge and Minister Patterson the collaborative effort as a timely and also turned the sod to mark the construction significant step in developing the tourof a permanent building for the Guyana ism sectors in Guyana’s Upper TakutuEmbassy in Brazil. This was done in an efUpper Essequibo- Region Nine and the President David Granger and his Brazilian counterpart, President Michel Temer during his fort to further solidify the relations between Brazilian state of Roraima. state visit to Brasilia in December 2017 the two nations.

OIL AND GAS DEFENCE The Brazilian Petroleum Corporation (Petrobras) has order to provide oversight and follow-up to the defence agenda In the field of Defence, Guyana and Brazil have always expressed a keen interest in entering Guyana’s burgeoning between Guyana and Brazil, through annual meetings of Joint enjoyed excellent bilateral military cooperation. For almost oil and gas sector. During his meeting with the Brazilian Chiefs-of-Staff level or their equivalent, and three sub-groups fifty years, GDF ranks have been afforded the opportunity to President in December 2017, this interest was communidedicated to issues relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force, train and study with the Brazilian Army and Brazilian soldier cated to President Granger. The President explained that to increase cooperation in the area of military training and have been afforded the same opportunities here. Only recently, this is by no means a new offer, since they (Brazil) were education at Brazilian military institutions, through the prothe Brazilian Government donated $26M in equipment for engaged with Guyana in the 80s and in the early 2000s, vision of additional offers to military personnel from Guyana the GDF’s Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training but indicated that Guyana welcomes investments from its and to promote the coordination of military operations in their School at Makouria. neighbour in that sector. respective border areas, in order to ensure more effective results On February 9, 2018, Brazilian Minister of Defence, Mr. “Brazil has a well-established petroleum industry, and to enhance the integration and stability of the respective Raul Jungmann Pinto, paid a state visit to Guyana, which they have experience, they have expertise and Brazil is communities. resulted in a commitment by both countries to review the an important strategic partner, an economic partner It was also agreed that the two countries will intensify September 2012 Joint Communiqué, which followed the and we extended an invitation to them, we extended an collaboration in the area of defence procurement through the official visit to Guyana by Ambassador Celso Amorim, then invitation to the entire world to examine the prospects exchange of information and expertise, promote collaboration Minister of Defence of Brazil. The review is intended to update of petroleum exploration and production in Guyana and with civil society through the development of joint projects the agreements in that document and bring them in line with Brazil certainly is one of those and will be welcomed,” in the border areas aimed at the delivery of services to those present-day realities, as well as, to deepen defence cooperation. he said.

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XXIV ◄◄◄ From page XIX

comes to field events.”

But even as National Champion, he isn’t satisfied. If nothing else describes Osafo, it would be the Tim Nokte quote that he embraces: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

And he is hoping that his daily training regime- training three times a day- coupled with his prowess, would ensure that he is well positioned to take part in the 2020 Olympics being held in Tokyo, Japan.

In the meantime, he is hoping to best the national shot put record which is held

by Julion Sinclair at 17.20M and then make the 18M qualifying mark needed for the Olympics.

To this end, he attested that in training he is able to throw between 16.90M and 17M. And better yet, he is being trained by Sinclair, whose record he seeks to best, and South American silver medalist and National Record holder, Leslain Baird.

Baird especially has been a huge source

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

of inspiration for Dos Santos; he has given different training sessions and mental talks to the shot putter. The shot put champion also related that Baird was also instrumental in deciding his training and nutrition plans.

He is grateful to his coaches Mark Scott and Wilson and the “strong women” in his life: his mother, and UG members Lavern Fraser and Camille Robertson.

Aside from being a sportsman, September will mark 10 years since Dos Santos has been a teacher. He is a qualified English teacher and will also be receiving his Bachelor’s in English in November from UG. As evidenced however, his mind is set on sports and he has been teaching Physical Education and Sport at Queen’s College.

But more than being a sportsperson or teaching sport, he also wants to learn the intricacies of sport- all in attempt to be the best. His recent acceptance into the premier sport institution in the Caribbean, the G.C. Foster college of Physical Education and Sport is yet another stepping stone for him on his Olympic journey, since he believes that the individualised training and exposure will be crucial to his development.

CHALLENGES Despite all that is going well for him, Dos Santos bemoaned that field events aren’t given much importance in Guyana and that could hinder his journey and the journey of others like him.

“Field has been a sore area of neglect,” Dos Santos opined, “When you hear about Track and Field meets, people only focus on the track and not field.” Added to that, there

are limited national events for field event athletes to participate in, according to him.

But to this end, he said, “Field event athletes are as equally equipped and prepared to make Guyana proud as these international meets.” He also reminded of the feats accomplished by Baird and Commonwealth Triple Jump gold medalist, Troy Doris.

With a lack of meets, Dos Santos stated that the potential of field event athletes are being limited and the athletes are not being given regional exposure to gauge external competition.

Despite all of this though, the aspiring Olympian remained optimistic that better will come and he will make the 2020 Olympics. And after that, he assured that his patriotism knows no bounds and he will give back to his country.

He shared that he wants to see the creation of a tertiary level curriculum at UG that will guide a programme for persons who are passionate about sport and pursuing the field.

Dos Santos noted that from being in the field, he knows that Guyana lacks the resource persons: those who are afforded the opportunity to learn overseas but do not contribute back home. But he strives to be different and stressed that he will bring back the knowledge he garnered from the G.C. Foster College.

But until then, his road to the Olympics beckons and he left a bit of advice for other persons: “We run away with the perception that our talents should take us places, but it is our hard work that pushes us beyond.”

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Dismissed Cop claimed reinstatement Got nine months’ salary and $100,000 for false imprisonment

IN 1988 PC Orwin Williams who was unlawfully dismissed by the Commissioner of Police in the Public Interest, challenged the decision by the Commissioner in two courts, which ended in his favour in 2001.

The first court awarded him $100, 000.00 as damages for false imprisonment and six months’ salary as damages for wrongful dismissal. He was told that reinstatement was not of right.

Dissatisfied with certain aspects of the judgment Williams appealed to the Guyana Court of Appeal in relation to damages and reinstatement.

That court constituted by Justices of Appeal Miss Claudette Singh, Mr. Nandram Kissoon and Mr. Ian Chang, S.C., allowed the appeal. The damages granted by the trial judge of six months salary were varied to nine months salary.

In relation to reinstatement the appellant was told that the law did not allow for specific performance of a contract for personal services.

Attorney-at-law Benjamin Gibson represented the appellant while Senior Counsel Mr. Doodnauth Singh appeared for the respondent.

The facts of the case disclosed that the appellant served in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as a constable for three years and four months. He was discharged by the Commissioner of Police. The letter of discharge read that the appellant discharge was desirable in the public interests in accordance with Section 35 (1) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01.

The appellant challenged his removal on the ground, inter alia, that it was wrong in law and claimed compensation and damages for loss of office. He also sought an order for reinstatement.

The trial judge awarded the appellant six months’ salary as damages for wrongful dismissal. The appellant appealed.

The Court of Appeal held: (1) In the instant case, the Commissioner of Police had not afforded the constable an opportunity to offer an explanation, neither was he charged, and the appellant had not known the reason which had prompted the Commissioner to terminate his service.

Natural justice would require that the constable should have been aware of the evidence on which the Commissioner had acted.

Although Section 35 of the Police Act did not specifically state that a hearing was required, the justice of the common law would supply the omission in the section and it would be implied as a deprivation of office by discharge of dismissal would result in loss of property .

(2) Whilst there was a duty to mitigate loss, in the special circumstances of the instant case, the trial judge’s order would be varied in awarding the appellant salary for a period of nine months as that time would be ample for a person with the background of the appellant to have secured suitable employment.

(3) Reinstatement was not as of right in that the law did not allow for the granting of specific performance of a contract for personal services. It followed that the appeal would be allowed and the order of the trial judge varied in relation to the question of damages.

The appellant, Orwin Williams, appealed from that part of the order of the trial judge awarding him six months’ salary as damages for wrongful dismissal by the Commissioner of Police.

Delivering the judgment of the Guyana Court of Appeal, Justice of Appeal Singh noted that the appellant Orwin Williams served in the police force as a constable from 15th October 1984 to 19th February 1988 – a period of three years and four months.

He was discharged by the Commissioner of Police purporting to act under Section 35 (1) of the Police Act,

Chapter 16:01. The letter of discharge dated l7th February 1988 reads as follows: “You are hereby notified that you are discharged from the Guyana Police Force with effect from January 19TH, 1988 on the grounds that having regard to the conditions of the Force and its usefulness thereto, your discharge is desirable in the public interests in accordance with section 35 (1) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01. Please hand in all

Government property issued to you.”

According to the

By George Barclay judgment, the Attorney General had also appealed on the ground that the award of $100, 000 for false Turn to page XXIX ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

The devastation of gum disease A FEW weeks ago I extracted 14 teeth from a patient at one sitting and installed an immediate total denture. He literally walked into the clinic with a jaw filled with condemned teeth and left with a perfect denture installed. His problem was severe gum disease which is the most commonly devastating condition in dentistry. And it all starts with gingivitis. This is the most common disease that involves the gum while caries is the most common affecting the teeth. Characterised by red or inflamed gum (gingival) tissue, it is experienced

by just about everyone with teeth from time to time and in varying degrees. Sometimes the inflammation appears as a thin red or bluish red line – marginal gingivitis – around all or a few teeth. Depending on whether the condition is generalised or localised.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene.

If teeth are not brushed, gingivitis develops within a week as bacteria-infested plaque deposits from around and just beneath the gum. If there is gingivitis although the person has good

oral hygiene then HIV infection should be investigated.

Some systemic diseases induce or exaggerate gingivitis.

Spontaneous haemorrhaging may indicate a serious disease such as leukaemia. In fact, any disease that interferes with the blood’s normal clotting mechanism, including haemophilia, uremia, and liver disease, is likely to cause hemorrhagic gingivitis.

These include taking drugs such as heparin sodium (heparin is a component of normal blood). Heart attack or stroke from clots forming in blood vessels narrowed by cholesterol deposits (a completely different type of plaque) can also cause bleeding of gums.

Many people with no heart disease take low doses of aspirin for its blood-thinning quality, which reduces the risk of heart attack. Millions of arthritis victims are on high doses of aspirin, which can also contribute to bleeding gums.

With chronic gingivitis, gums bleed easily to touch and pressure with little or no pain, although some patients complain of slight soreness. In more severe cases, gums bleed when eating as food presses against the tissue. The toothbrush and dental floss turn pink, and saliva and rinse water are red with blood as one spits out after brushing.

Early gingivitis can be cured by self-treatment thorough daily brushing and flossing to remove irritating food debris and soft plaque deposits. A soft nylon brush should be directed at a 45-degree angle and jiggled in a massaging motion directly on the gum. Special rubber cup massagers are also available.

If gums are not firm or appear puffy, the rubber tip attached to a brush should be inserted between the teeth to a massage the gum tissue called the interdental papilla. Stimudents or toothpicks are also effective. Oral irrigation removes debris but is ineffective against plaque deposits. Irrigation is a supplement, not a substitute, for brushing and flossing. If inflammation and bleeding do not clear up after one or two weeks of conscientious oral hygiene, a dental construction is in order. Once plaque and tartar are firmly established on the teeth and beneath the gum, professional prophylaxis, including subgingival scaling is necessary to remove these deposits.

Around the third month of pregnancy and during menstruation, some women experience minor gum inflammation, including swelling and enlargement of the interdental papilla.

Occasionally, a large overgrowth of the gums takes place at the border of a few teeth. This so-called pregnancy tumour is not a neoplasm but rather a response of the gum to local irritation.

Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menstruation particularly in the presence of poor oral hygiene, are the cause of this gingivitis.

The condition is painless and notable mainly for an increase in the size of gum papilla and minor bleeding on brushing. The gums also appear bluish or bright red.

Careful brushing and flossing reduce inflammation and swelling. Hard calculus must be removed by a dental prophylaxis. If a growth on the gum becomes annoyingly large, it can be removed surgically. However, most symptoms disappear after pregnancy and the cessation of menstruation.

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Kevin Kwan’s ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

“CRAZY Rich Asians” by Kevin Kwan is being adapted into a feature-length film, starring some of the best Asian actors in the world: Michelle Yeoh, Constance Wu, Gemma Chan, and others. The adaptation is an example of how a film can help to bring recognisance to a work of literature by appealing to a demographic that would have remained unaware of the existence of the book, were it not for the film. This is not an unusual phenomenon, as many people, for example, started reading the “Harry Potter” series after the movies began to emerge. Kwan’s book is interesting for me, because it is the first novel I have ever read by a Singaporean writer, and it is also the first book I have read

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, Doubleday, 2013

that is essentially about Singapore, even if it does focus on only a small contingent of people (the filthy rich) who live on the island-state in Southeast Asia.

The story fluctuates between several characters, but mainly focuses on Rachel Chu who goes to Singapore on a trip with her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to meet his family and to attend the wedding of his best friend. When in Singapore, she discovers that Nick belongs to one of the richest families in Asia, therefore making him one of the most sought-after bachelors, and Rachel a woman who suddenly finds herself in a world of glamour and envy, where she is forced to go up against Nick’s formidable mother, Eleanor, and his grandmother, Shang Su Yi, as well as Nick’s wealthy and vain ex-girlfriend, Francesca. In one sudden shift, Rachel finds her normal life upturned into a display of people filled with secrets, narcissism, pride, traditions, and, of course, lots and lots of money.

Although Kwan’s take on the rich people of Singapore is satirical, the novel still manages to encapsulate the awe that comes when confronted with the kind of wealth that does not come with any sort of humility. It is hard not to be enthralled by people who travel around on private jets to have weekend holidays on exotic islands, or people who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on clothes in a single shopping trip in Paris

(the way Nick’s cousin, Astrid, does), or people who can buy an entire hotel on a whim, or people who associate with supermodels and princes and princesses from various royal families across the globe. There’s an almost voyeuristic pleasure that one gets while reading the novel – perhaps, similar (although this is a far-fetched example), to the way that people can be fascinated by fantasy, like when we read of a knight slaying a dragon, for example. I suppose that the chances of ever being

confronted by so much wealth can be likened well to a fantasy, in that it might never happen to us normal folk, and so, the allure of “Crazy Rich Asians” is definitely understandable and explainable.

The humour in the novel is reminiscent of the works of Oscar Wilde and even Jane Austen that often poked fun at Turn to page XXIX ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

A RUNAWAY CAR ON MARKET DAY

By Abdool A. Aziz

I COULDN’T do without a car and when my car was in the workshop I borrowed my friend’s vintage 1930 Morris Minor I 32. It was a ‘match-box’ vehicle that was 50 years old but in good working condition. I felt so uncomfortable. I was a giant inside a toy vehicle.

All the gadgets were faded and malfunctioned and while on the road, the drivers shouted: “Get that junk into the corner!” Yes, she was going at 25 miles per hour – top speed. It felt odd driving it as my car was a modern machine.

Upon approaching the La Penitence bridge hump, I floored the accelerator to increase the speed to enable her to climb. She did ride over smoothly, but then she kept going at top speed. I slammed on the brakes. No brakes!

I pulled up the hand brakes – no response. My God, she was out of control and heading straight to some shoppers.

It was a Saturday – market day at La Penitence. I began blowing my horn, no horn. I put my head out the window and hollered for people to clear the way while I worked the brakes. I cut the engine but the Minor kept rolling.

I realised that this runaway motor will kill someone.

To my horror, I saw a mother and her two children directly in the path of this killer weapon. I tried shouting for her to cross the street quickly, but they didn’t hear me. “Slow that car, are you crazy you’ll kill people!” someone said.

I prayed and prayed. “Oh God! Stop this car.”

Just a few more feet and that family would have been mowed down. Just then to the right, I saw a dray – cart with its long shafts on the ground. There were no horses so I turned the steering to the left and drove her straight up those shafts. She got hung up. The shoppers were shocked to see me do that, some looked on very puzzled.

Now the dray – craft owner came up to me. Angry, he challenged me to a fight. “You bruk up me cart, you go buy he back. Come down Mad Max, leh me dash dis pan you.”

I was scared. Thank God, the police arrived. “Driving a car on a cart? You head gone?” asked the burly corporal from the Traffic Department. The car being light and small, was pushed down. I was detained and later charged for dangerous driving. I tried to explain the mishap. “All ah you does claim mechanical faults. Did fail, I’ll be lenient, here call the owner.” And he came, I told him what happened. He looked shocked, “Dis car failed you? Never yet since I bought it, let me see,” he said. He sat in the car and operated the brakes. They worked, so too did all the gadgets. I was amazed.

No one believed my story of brake failure. My friend said, “Something wrong hey.” He giggled “Dis car didn’t like you. He spirit didn’t didn’t tek you.” He stepped in and drove off with ease. “See you later,” he said. The police took me into the station. The cart owner said, “Wha abot me cart?” I said, “I’ll buy you a new one.” And I did.

Though the car was workable, I will always advise: never borrow a car, especially a car with spirit.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXVII

the upper echelons of society. Kwan’s target is, of course, the richest of the rich in the contemporary Singaporean upper class, which is a group that is sometimes so foreign, it feels alien, and at other times the people and their concerns and needs are way too familiar. Humour has a lot to do with this, and the writer’s use of humour is built on the universality that connects us all, regardless of our own traditions, values, and bank accounts.

Regardless of the difference in class, gossipy aunts will always be gossipy aunts, jealous ex-girlfriends will always be jealous ex-girlfriends, and overprotective mothers will always be overprotective mothers.

There is an emotional core at the centre of novel, found in the way that Rachel, despite her pure love for Nick (and not his money) is not enough for his mother and grandmother. Rachel, despite her good upbringing, her education, and her career, still does not fit the idea of the kind of woman that is worthy of Nick. Rachel’s lack of desire to smarm up to these people, her desire to not go drastically out of her way to make sure they like her, makes her a compelling heroine, and a bit of an underdog, that we have no problem rooting for. The scenes where she is bullied by the spoiled rich girls or when Nick’s mother brings up her marred family lineage only serve to make Rachel more likeable to the reader – after all, being a normal, middle-class woman, makes her the most relatable character in the novel.

“Crazy Rich Asians” is a lot of fun, but the ending is a letdown because rather than successfully wrapping up all the loose plot threads, many of them are left dangling in a way that is geared towards ensuring that we are left wanting more in the sequels that came after. It leaves the reader feeling a bit slighted and the story a bit incomplete.

Nevertheless, the book is sufficiently funny and interesting to keep us hooked until the end. ◄◄◄ From page XXV

imprisonment was excessive. However, he advanced no argument against the award. In the circumstances the award stands. The cross-appeal is accordingly dismissed, Justice of Appeal Singh declared.

The Justice of Appeal went on to say that in the present case the Commissioner, undoubtedly discharged the constable for cause since dismissal at pleasure had long ceased to exist in this country.

Section 35 provides the circumstances under which a constable can be discharged. The Commissioner of Police did not afford the constable an opportunity to proffer an explanation neither was he charged.

It is obvious that even if he had been given such an opportunity he might not have been in a position to offer an explanation when he did not know the reasons which prompted the Commissioner to so act, the Justice of Appeal explained.

Natural justice would require that the constable should be aware of the evidence on which the Commissioner acted.

The Justice of Appeal went on to state in her judgment that the learned trial judge was quite correct in finding not only that the appellant was unlawfully dismissed but also that he had a duty to mitigate his loses. The appellant testified that he earned as a barber during the first three years, that is, from 1988 to 1991, but there is no evidence on record in relation to the earnings.

The appellant was able to obtain employment as a guard in the Linmine Constabulary where his experience and background in the police force would have stood him in good stead.

According to Justice of Appeal Singh, “There is no legal reason for me to differ from holding as the trial judge that the respondent had a duty to mitigate.

“However, in the special circumstances of this case , I would vary the trial judge’s order in awarding the appellant salary for a period of nine months as I am of the view that this would be ample time for a person with the background of the appellant to secure suitable employment.. As regards the appellant’s eligibilityto be awarded a pension, Section 55 of the Police Act makes it pellucidly clear that a person can only be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Pensions Act. “It is important to mention that the appellant was not discharged in the public interest but for cause ,and therefore is not eligible to receive a pension since he is not qualified under Section 8 of the Act in that he did not attain the age of 55 years and neither did he have a minimum of 10 years’ pensionable service to his credit.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 15, 2018

English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

STUDY SUCCESS Dear Students, Since all proficiency examinations highlight the importance of written and presentation skills, all students should endeavour to respond to examination questions using solid measures.

Prominent among them are: effective arrangement and presentation; clarity of explanation; logical argument; clear and concise English; and legible handwriting. The importance of all-round written and presentation quality cannot be overemphasised for in some professional examinations as much as 20 per cent of marks is awarded for presentation quality. Be wise.

Love you GRAMMAR A.. Today we look at capitalisation.

Although it is noticeable that many writers sometimes do not follow all the rules of capitalisation, this should not deter students from wanting to know rules and skillfully applying them.

We now deal with some important ones for your improvement. Please note the bold print.

1. We capitalise days of the week, months of the year (but not the seasons).

The Henny’s in Georgia moved last summer, on the first Friday in July.

2. We capitalise brand or trade names.

Anchor bread Gooey mints Colours dress establishment 3. We capitalise words denoting family relationship only when they are used as a person’s name or as a part of it.

My grandmother was named after her Aunt Hilda.

Is Grandmother coming for August, Mother?

Your mother is Sybil’s aunt, isn’t she?

4. We do not capitalise a common noun used with a proper noun unless that common noun actually is a part of the specific name.

The loud laugh that spoke the vacant

Santa Rosa High School is mind. located between Cinnamon and OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1730-1774), The Brennon streets.

Deserted Village (Streets here is not part of either name; the names are Cinnamon Street and Brennon Street.)

Our new high school is on Cinnamon Street near Fifth Avenue.

5. We capitalise the first word and any nouns in the salutation of a letter, but capitalise only the first word of the complementary close.

Dear Mother, My dear Son and Daughter, Your newly found sister, For Practice and Application In the following exercise supply 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.. We look now at wordiness.

If you want to write effectively, you need to be as economical as possible. Beware of unnecessary repetitions, roundabout expressions, unimportant details, or general wordiness – these obscure the thought of the sentence.

The three terms that follow are closely related types of wordiness.

Tautology or redundancy is the unnecessary repetition of the same idea in different words. Pay attention to these examples: few in number join together repeat over square in shape descend down return back visible to the sight joint partnership Circumlocution is talking around the point. Look at this example: “The man to whom he looked for instruction at college in the advanced study of manipulation of numbers was Mr Isaacs.”

That sentence is merely a wordy way of saying, “Mr Isaacs was his college mathematics instructor.”

Verbosity is excessive wordiness. “It is often the case that pretty girls do foolish things before marriage,” could be better stated, “Pretty girls often do foolish things before marriage.”

For practice and application A.. Eliminate the wordiness from the following sentences. Proofread for careless mistakes in spelling or punctuation. Discuss your sentences with study partners.

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 everyone in the balcony.

4. He was drinking water frequently at numerous intervals.

5. Be sure to endorse this cheque on the back.

B.. Bring to a study time a class paper that you are now preparing for another class. Let your study partners check it carefully for wordiness. You can also discuss sentence construction to see whether the group can affect greater economy in diction.

WRITING To help you consider structure and coherence in each of the following passages, underline the sentence which does not belong.

1. In 1816, when she was 19, Mary Wollestonecraft was staying in Switzerland with her future husband – Shelly – and Lord Byron. They had read German short stories and decided to try to write their own. The result was a tale written by Mary and called “Frankenstein”. It is the story of a scientist who creates a monster which will eventually destroy its creator. It was probably one of the first works of science-fiction. Mary’s mother, Mary Godwin, had been one of the first feminists.

2. Mandrakes are plants that grow in Southern Europe.

People used to associate them with magic and witchcraft.

Mandrake juice was used by witches in lotions supposed to cause hallucinations. The flowers of the mandrake are white and the berries bright yellow. According to popular belief mandrake roots induced fertility in women and also grew under the gallows after a man had been hanged.

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Entertainment

Ariana Grande Shows Off New Tattoo of Pete Davidson's Name on Ring Finger as She Nurses Him Post-Op Ariana Grande just got another tattoo in honor of her fiancé Pete Davidson!

The singer’s manicurist showed off the latest Chanel-inspired nail art on Instagram Thursday, but all fans could notice was how the Saturday Night Live star’s first name was tattooed across Grande’s left-hand ring finger in cursive — just above her $93,000, 3-carat engagement ring.

Meanwhile Grande was in full fiancée mode on Friday, as she nursed him back to health following the removal of his wisdom teeth. “Why did my doctor put this thing around my face like it’s the 20s?” he captioned a selfie of himself and the “God Is a Woman” singer, who pouted her lips at the camera.

Grande also shared Davidson’s post-op recovery on social media with videos of herself kissing his bandaged head.

This isn’t the first time the couple has gotten permanent body art to show their dedication to their whirlwind relationship and engagement.

Earlier this month, Grande chose to keep the memory of her fiancé’s late father alive when she got “8418” tattooed on her left foot. The badge number was worn by firefighter Scott Davidson, who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City. (Pete has same numbers inked on his left forearm.)

In June, the comedian got a tattoo of a black bunny mask, which looks similar to an accessory Grande wore on the cover art for her last album Dangerous Woman, and the initials “AG” on his hand.

Others include a set of matching cloud tattoos she and Davidson got on their left-hand middle fingers as well as “REBORN” and “H2GKMO” (one of Grande’s favorite acronyms meaning “Honest to God, knock me out”) which they got on their right hands.

Also, the “always” tattoo across her ribcage appears to be in Davidson’s handwriting.

Jennifer Garner Admits She 'Could Cry' Over Scrutiny About Her Marriage to Ben Affleck

Jennifer Garner is opening up about life in the public eye.

As she reveals in an upcoming interview, intense tabloid scrutiny took a toll on the actress during the time she was married to Ben Affleck.

Garner, 46, explains in an interview set to air this weekend on CBS Sunday Morning, that for a decade there would be up to five or six cars trying to get the scoop on her family during their marriage.

“And looking back on that, I really feel the stress of it,” she says. “I really – I could cry talking about it.”

“But to be honest, public scrutiny, everyone says, ‘Oh, you’ve had to go through this in public.’ The public isn’t what’s hard,” she adds. “What’s hard is going through it.”

The duo filed to end their 10-year marriage on April 13, 2016, nearly two years after they originally announced their split.

Since then, they have continued to happily co-parent their three children, Violet, 12, Seraphina, 9, and Samuel, 6.

Her split from Affleck, 45, continues to play a huge role in her life as she continues to deal with the public’s perception of her.

“What I think I’ve learned is that the scrutiny in your private life puts a pressure to make something happen,” the actress

adds. “You feel a pressure to hurry up and get married, ‘cause you think that’ll end the – ‘Are they engaged? Are they not?’ And that’s true in the reverse, as well. If you are – if you know, if there is any inkling of trouble, or if the tabloids decide there’s trouble, it can create trouble.”

Recently, Garner is spending her days focusing on her children, being a mother and maintaining her family farm in Oklahoma for the fresh baby food company she co-founded, Once Upon a Farm.

Affleck has been spending his days with Saturday Night Live producer, Lindsay Shookus, after the two made their relationship public one year ago.

Bunjal Giblets Ingredients 2 lbs giblets 1 small lime/lemon 4 tbsp of vegetable oil 2 tbsp minced/chopped garlic 1 small onion chopped 1 small pepper chopped (optional) 1 tbsp of complete seasoning 1 tbsp tomato paste 4 tbsp Curry powder 2 tbsp masala 1.5 tbsp salt

Method Cut giblets and heart into small pieces, and wash with water and juice of lime/lemon Add 4 tbsp vegetable oil in pressure cooker, let hot for about 2 minutes

Add minced/chopped garlic, onion, pepper and tomato paste to hot oil, and let cook for 1 minute Add curry powder and masala and let cook for about 2 minute with constant turning If needed, add 4 to 8 tbsp water to loosen up mixture, and cook/turn for about another 4 minutes Add chicken giblets and heart, and salt then mix well, now leave to cook for about another 20 minutes with occasional checking and turning Now Add 1 cup of water and cover to pressure for about 15 to 20 minutes using electric power cooker, now if you are not using a power cooker cook until meat is to your liking which usually takes a lot long.

Finally, after cooking in pressure cooker, take off lid and let cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until liquid had evaporated.

Now serve with Dhal and Rice or Roti.

Serves 6 to 8