Pepperpot E-Papaer 12-09-2021

Warapoka Village, Region One A haven for tourism

Jaremy Boyal is the Toshao for Warapoka Village and is leading the way to make his community a tourism destination. He has been working with the GTA to have a local team trained and given resources to achieve this goal.

In this photo, Boyal is seen Tarpon fishing in the village; a common practice and possible attraction for tourists ( Photo courtesy of Jaremy Boyal)

Sunday September 12, 2021

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Two Decades since 9/11

By Francis Quamina Farrier

TIMES does fly, and yesterday, September 11, 2021 was 20 years since the horrific tragedy of 9/11 in New York city in which- among the hundreds killed- 23 Guyanese perished when terrorists hijacked two commercial airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center Twin Towers in lower Manhattan, New York city. Another Guyanese lost his life when another hijacked plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Virginia. With that number of victims and with the small population of Guyana, our country actually lost the highest number of citizens per capita. The total number of victims that day was officially recorded as 2,977. The percentage of the Guyana loss on that fateful day is something most Guyanese are unaware of, and certainly most of the rest of the world.

Sister Commonwealth country, Canada, also lost 24 citizens as Guyana did in that horrific incident; however, Canada had a population of 31 million at the time of the 9/11 terrorists attacks, while Guyana had a population of only about 740,000.

Arriving in the USA just four days after the tragedy, I got a first-hand feel of the tragedy and how Americans - especially Guyanese-Americans - were affected by the worst tragedy in modern history, with the loss of so many lives, including their fellow Guyanese who were all going about their law-abiding activities on that day.

The Sunday immediately after the tragedy, I was present at a memorial gathering at a private home where fellow Guyanese sang hymns and said prayers for those who were killed in the terrorist attacks on America. Members of the gathering were all still in a state of semi-shock and trying to make sense of what had happened and the deaths of Guyanese, who were innocent victims. A few days later, I attended another memorial service which was organised by the Guyana Consulate in New York, and attended by hundreds of Guyanese mourners and their American friends.

That terrorism tragedy brought a dramatic change in aviation security which has since become tighter and tighter

Farrier at the World Trade Center as an overseas guest at a senior citizens event in New York cityin 1991.

over the years. It is the general view that flying still remains the safest means of travel. People with evil intentions to sabotage and bring down aircraft from the skies now find it virtually impossible.

There is now extremely tight security around aeroplanes that are about to take-off on flights and those parked on the ground and in hangers. International, as well as national flights in all countries, are now carefully monitored by well-trained security personnel. Here in Guyana, passengers on domestic flights are also checked to some extent by security to ensure that there is no security issue posed by any passenger. All airline companies keep the tragedy of 9/11 foremost in their security plans and operations. Passengers are routinely checked for offensive weapons and other banned items and substances from getting on to aircraft which are about to take to the skies.

Since this is the 20th anniversary of 9/11, one can assume that a fairly high percentage of the present Guyana population was yet unborn when

the tragedy occurred back in 2001. As such, it would be interesting to know what are they being told of that tragic event and how they feel about the high price Guyana paid in terms of lives lost. As it is already established, Guyanese can be found in all corners of the world; from countries such as Australia and New Zealand in the far south-east, and Japan and Thailand in the north-east. Derrick John Jeffrey is a Guyanese who has been resident in Thailand for over 15 years. Originally a member of staff of the History and Arts Council in Georgetown, he later joined the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a staffer.

On his retirement, he travelled with his Thai wife to Thailand where he wrote a novel entitled “East River” which is a story about international espionage. Some years later, his wife passed away and Jeffrey decided to remain in Thailand, a country which he says is similar to Guyana in terms of the variety of fruits that are grown there and which enjoys a similar weather pattern as Guyana. With more modern and reliable means of communication Guyanese keep in touch with each other regularly. We share our daily experiences with other Guyanese all the time.

It is also well established that for the better part most Guyanese give of their very best wherever they are in foreign countries. They make sterling contributions in every field of human endevour, including construction.

As such, it is no surprise to know that Guyanese were among the construction workers of the World Trade Center Twin Towers. I met two of them some years ago and interviewed them for VCT Evening News television here in Guyana. Twenty years since 9/11, the scars remain on many hearts of those who have lost loved ones. Guyana as a nation, and so many other nations around the globe, also bears the scars of 9/11 some 20 years later. The cry by many is “We will never forget.”

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Warapoka Village, Region One A haven for tourism JAREMY Boyal, a relative-

would pursue it,” Boyal told

have a three-day package for

Tarpon fishing at Warapoka

ly young Toshao in Region One, is quite passionate about using tourism to boost the advancement of his village and its residents so far as employment and preserving the indigenous life and culture are concerned.

For some reason or the other, Boyal, 38, has always been looked up to as the leader whenever he was in a group. Perhaps he possessed the sort of charismatic qualities needed to get things done in his village, and so it came as no surprise when he was appointed Toshao of the Warapoka Village in the Moruca sub-district.

Born and raised there, the father of two attended school in the nearby villages of Kwebana and Santa Rosa and started working with the then Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society at Shell Beach.

It was during this time that he developed a real appreciation for the environment and saw firsthand the importance of conservation and the role that tourism played in contributing toward livelihood and preserving the environment.

“During all this time, people looked up to me as a leader and I realised that maybe one day I would be placed in a leadership role. I had the interest as well, and I knew if given a chance, I

Pepperpot Magazine.

He was one of the persons who started to talk about tourism just before the pandemic hit, after which a group was formed in his village that got in touch with the relevant authorities in 2017. “I think we’re the only village in Region One involved in tourism. We now

bird watching, canoeing, and tarpon fishing,” he related.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has been helping him and others in the village with training and other resources. “We do a lot of traditional activities like cassava processing, craft, Children of Warapoka Village doing a traditional dance coffee processing, all done in the traditional ways. We also do wildlife night spotting for those guests interested.

We have a lot of tarpons here, which are usually about 12/13 pounds. So families can relax and enjoy a nice catch,” he shared.

Boyal believes that there have been activities ongoing in his village for thousands of years. He views the granite rocks in the Warapoka creek as evidence of grinding stone activities to make tools centuries ago.

“Tourism is one of the things I am really passionate about because of the opportunities it offers. It contributes in a large way to reviving and maintaining our culture while providing jobs and income for residents. It also helps us protect the environment,” Boyal expressed.

So when the village receives guests, they would also do cultural presentations that include singing, dancing, reciting poems, etc. However, Boyal feels that ‘heritage month’ celebrations should not be restricted to just these

Visitors to the village are usually treated to cultural performances

SEE PAGE IV

Toshao of Warapoka Village, Jaremy Boyal

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Managers, get to know people, their dreams and aspirations

WORKPLACE experiences had a profound effect on Roianne Nedd, who left Guyana for London in 1998 to pursue big dreams.

She had no idea of the sort

world of work.

“The ‘Trusted Black Girl’ book that I wrote about the experiences of women of colour at work had a great impact, especially in

- Says Guyanese based woman of colour in London

them,” she said.

All her writings are inspired by her own personal and professional experienc-

Roianne runs a network focused on creating opportunities for women and men of all ethnicities and cultures

of challenges that were ahead of her, but she did not allow them to dampen her outlook on life or keep her back from strengthening her abilities in the fields that she knew she was capable in.

Now a Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging for Strategy Consultancy Firm Oliver Wyman, the mother of two has written several books that all had inspiration from what she had to endure in the

the wake of George Floyd’s murder. It started conversations and opened people’s eyes of all ethnicities about how different the world of work can be for women of colour,” Nedd shared.

While doing research for her books, though, it dawned on her that simply writing books aimed at women of colour was “pointless.” “I needed to educate and inspire changed behaviours by telling our stories to people who don’t routinely hear

es. “I write from a place of knowledge which means I always write authentically and from the heart. Women of colour are usually seen as a largely homogenous group held to invisible and differing standards,” she said.

“These are usually underpinned by stereotypes such as ‘quiet Asian women’ and ‘angry black women’. And once we have been typecast, all the decisions relating to our professional development are usually impacted by those assumptions and

Roianne Nedd

biases,” she continued.

Roianne can still remember when she was first promoted into a senior leadership team, being relatively young compared to other people at the level. She was among the handful of women of colour and was excited to go to the first leadership training session and meet all her peers from around the country.

“I saw an empty chair and walked over thinking I’d be able to meet new people and do some networking, but as I went to pull the chair out, the woman in the adjacent chair pulled it back and said to me ‘this session is only for managers’. I was perplexed and said, ‘I know’ and she said, ‘not acting managers- people who are really managers’.

Then she asked me my

level and when I got promoted,” Roianne reflected.

“I answered her confidently and probably somewhat angrily. Although she conceded the chair so I could sit down, my feeling of elation about being in the room was gone and I found myself feeling sad, ashamed and angry as well as nervous and isolated.”

Roianne was convinced that this had to do with the above-mentioned biases because she could not see anyone else being questioned.

“Although I’ll never know her intentions, I will forever remember how she made me feel. She made me feel like I didn’t belong there.”

Roianne feels that to help curb this problem, organisations need to facilitate open conversations about bias and how to challenge them. They also would need

to take an individual approach to career development and managers ought to “truly get to know people, their dreams and aspirations,” Roianne feels.

She also runs a network focused on interactions with others and creating opportunities for women and men of all ethnicities and cultures to build positive professional relationships and connections. Anyone, according to her, can join and there’s a LinkedIn group to create a virtual community. Once conditions have improved in London, she said they will resume their pre-pandemic calendar of face to face events.

Roianne is currently working on her fourth novel, Seven Sisters, and the follow up to the Trusted Black Girl book.

Warapoka Village in Region ...

FROM PAGE III activities. “This is just a small part of our culture.

There is a lot more to the way we survive. Our wellbeing and the environment are very important,” he noted.

He is encouraging everyone, especially those who live in the interior, to take the vaccine against Coronavirus.

“Let’s protect the older peo-

ple because if the virus takes them over, a lot of our heritage would be lost with no knowledge and skills there to be passed on,” he observed.

While the older residents of the village share in teaching the younger ones, Boyal said they are struggling to preserve their indigenous language; most of the younger folks are unable to speak it. “So we’re hoping that our tourism efforts will con-

tribute to the reviving of the language and preserving our heritage,” he said.

Recently, the village saw the presence of a filming team that was on a mission to complete a documentary, along with other notable visitors. And the GTA has been helping Warapoka to network with other villages so that they can learn from each other.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Committed to professional development

By Dillon Goring

W I T H a unique focus for his business in mind, Adrian Clarke, Managing Director of Clarke‘s Production, sat down with the Pepperpot Magazine to talk about how his company has impacted the lives of many Guyanese.

Through their defensive driving programme, the company trains persons how to be more responsible on the roadways. Clarke stated that it is remarkable noticing the number of road deaths that have occurred over the years.

“We [also do] community-based projects [many of which were] in our 2023 plan, but we are doing it in 2021. Hence we have fasttracked,” Clarke told the Pepperpot Magazine during an interview.

Additionally, the company has been able to train several persons in personal development, time management, life skills and record management.

Facing challenges and challenging times Clarke made it clear that both he and his company faced hard times, but he preserved because of his resilience as an entrepreneur.

“Since COVID hit, we have lost some of our biggest contracts, but it is more within me that I stand strong, since quitting is not an option,” Clarke told the Pepperpot Magazine.

According to Clarke, motivation is one of the key elements for further propulsion, but the company has embarked on training followers as leaders for sustainability.

“So, what we do at this juncture is lead leaders.

We have very few followers and the followers that are there follow the leaders within Clarke’s Production; we have been able to create lots more leaders for the company”, Clarke noted.

During the interview, Clarke added that trainers

would go through a sixmonth training exercise aimed at life skills to begin

a new set of training programmes. These will include critical thinking, mental

health, situation analysis.

In Guyana, there are a number of companies which are contributing to the development of leadership skills. Clarke stated that his company prides itself in being different from all, because of its programmes are tailored to meet the specific needs of the people that they mentor. Clarke’s Production reaches persons of all ages within the working class of Guyana.

According to Clarke, imbedded in all of the company’s courses is programmes for mental health, but they address an attitudinal issue that has arisen from time to time. “Information is one the elements that mobilise society. Our knowledge and understanding of events and phenomena are all embodied in this vital component, which determines much in our complex world. Therefore, it is important that information shared must provide a positive impact to our audience.It is in this

light that Clarke’s Productions (CP) seeks to embrace the principles that will ensure positive dispensation of information.”

During our interview, Clarke noted that training in the various facets of information delivery is the particular specialisation of Clarke’s outfit. He says he is prepared to work with both the public and private sectors to offer both training and direct media support to local institutions.

In the areas of the services and product promotion, he said Clarke’s is equipped to offer marketing support by working with entities to produce well thought out advertising pitches and documentaries, public awareness messages and motivational media initiatives for both governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Kirk Clarke has been trained and worked in media for several years, but Clarke’s Production conceptualisation began in the early 90s.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Parika Façade, an upcoming village Parika Façade Village (Carl Croker photos)

By Michel Outridge

Focus on the Village

THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo, a community that has many back alleys with one access road where the façade (canal) is and dozens of families reside on both sides of that drainage canal.

Parika Façade is part of Parika, a large area that has many sections and a central hub for businesses.

Parika Façade is located at Barns Avenue and this village is between Hyde Park and Hydronie communities.

The village has four streets with one long access

road which is being upgraded and many mud dams and back alleys.

The village itself doesn’t have any schools or other facilities, but the neighbouring villages have nursery, primary and secondary schools, Health centres and at the Parika Junction there is a Post Office, a Police Station, the ferry service, the speed boat service, Guyana Revenue Authority office, the Mora/Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), three commercial banks, fast food outlets, a lot of large supermarkets, hardware stores, shopping malls, shops, eating houses, sawmills, restaurants, gas

stations and the Market.

The population is just about 1,500 people which comprises mixed people of all races including East Indians, Afro Guyanese, Amerindians and some Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Parika Façade is a farming community of poultry, cash crops, citrus, ground provisions and rice.

The village has some small shops and some people are self-employed while others work outside the village in both the private and public sector.

Some families have poultry businesses rearing meat birds and have kitchen garSEE PAGE XIII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

The people of Parika Façade

Cepheil Johnson

By Michel Outridge CEPHEIL Johnson is a poultry farmer and has converted his backyard into a mini-farm where he is rearing more than 200 meat birds, his only source of income.

He is a resident of Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo and the father of three, who is originally from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The 42-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been living in the village for the past 12 years and he ended up there because he was seeking a better life and then he got married and had Lovern Couchman children.

Life for Johnson and his mother of seven and she has family is quiet and peaceful one of the small shops in because they all have dif- the village and is a full-time ferent roles in the home and security guard who works on his wife works at a poultry a shift system. business at Barnwell, a few She is originally from villages away and his chil- Supenaam, Essequibo but dren are employed and also came with her parents to live of school-age. at Parika Façade when she “Life here is good once was just two years old. you work and can earn but The 44-year-old reportwe need a little development ed that she has been living to enhance the lives of the in the village for 40 years, people here,” he said. and six months ago, her bed-ridden mother passed The shop owner/secuaway after battling illness for rity guard many years.

Lovern Couchman is the

Her father is alive but is wheelchair-bound, and he is not in good health, and he is 76 years old and is in her care.

She recalled when they first relocated to Parika Façade, the place didn’t have houses back then and it was overgrown with bushes and there was a small muddy track.

The mother of seven stated that more people began occupying the land over the years, the bushes were cleared, and the place be-

came populated.

Couchman recently got married and has a child for her new husband and four other children for her first husband, who passed away and two other children from a previous common law relationship.

She lives in an extended family setting and her four daughters are of age and are gainfully employed.

One of her four daughters is a teacher, another is in training as a 911 operator, and one works at Shondell Gibson a supermarket in Parika, said. and another is employed The CIIP worker at a pharmacy while her Meanwhile, another eldest son is a miner and neighbour, Shondell Gibson, lives in Bartica.

Couchman is a grand- is employed at the Mora/ mother of two and is living Parika NDC as a CIIP worka good life at Parika Façade er.

She is the mother of four and stated that life would be even better if she can benefit and has been living in Parifrom electricity and potable ka Façade for the past eight years. water supply.

The 47-year-old added “Life here is okay except we don’t have light that she lived at another and water and music is a section in the village but real problem here, all day relocated to Parika Façade and night but otherwise it eight years ago, hoping for a is a good place that needs a better life.

“I used to buy and sell bit of development because we have a lot of school ground provisions but it children living here,” she is perishable and when

sales are bad it does leave on me and spoil and there are no returns with such a job so I had to quit and 11 months now I gained employment with the Parika/ Mora NDC,” she said.

The Parika Façade resident related that if they get water and light, life will be enhanced for them because they need it in every aspect of their live.

Gibson noted that buying water to drink and cook is very expensive and as a mother of four it is difficult to have many things since she is not financially capable.

Focus on the Village

Home of Lovern Couchman (Carl Croker photos)

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Life in Parika Façade

By Michel Outridge HAVING a pet is a comfort to many children in the world. It takes many f o r m s : c h i l d re n h a v e stuffed toys and others prefer an animal which is often domesticated.

For Malinda Narine, who is three years old, her pet is a small iguana and she would have it with her all the time.

Within a short space of time, she has grown quite attached to the endangered species and would allow it to go on a tree to feed on leaves.

The pet iguana is quite tame, doesn’t bite the child, and seems very comfortable in her company.

Mikey Narine, her father, told the Pepperpot Magazine that Malinda’s mother gave birth to her in the interior, so she got accustomed to the bush and animals from a tender age she knows many things.

She took a liking to iguanas when he started to rear them and she wasn’t afraid or timid in any way and one

daughter to have it as a pet after he tamed it.

The 26-year-old related that he has been in contact with iguanas since he was 12 years old. He is very familiar with their behaviour and was afraid it would bite his child but relented after seeing how comfortable she was with it.

The father of three added that he is originally from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and was spending some time at his in-laws living at Parika Façade.

“My daughter, Malinda doesn’t like to stay at one place for long so we would come here and stay for a bit because she grew up in the bush she likes the outdoor and living in nature,” he said.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that Malinda is so attached to her pet she would take it to bed and everywhere she goes.

“I am not worried that she will ill-treat the iguana because she was taught to take care of it as her own and I will be around to ensure that happens,” she said.

Home of Christine Rampersaud

children.

Having the pet for just five days, Narine stated that

The shady tree under which has a bench for the perfect lime at Parika Façade where Mikey Narine’s in-laws reside Mikey Narine and his daughter, Malinda with her pet Christine Rampersaud

day asked if she could have a pet iguana.

He hesitated and later decided to get her one. Five days ago, he acquired a small iguana and allowed his

Narine has been rearing iguanas for the past 14 years and is versed in it and isn’t surprised that his daughter wanted such a pet rather than have a dog like most

Malinda would have to find a name for it soon and he is confident his daughter will.

Narine, his daughter, Malinda and a friend were SEE PAGE XIII

Focus on the Village

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Living a simple life at Parika Façade

By Michel Outridge

VERONICA Harrinarine is a resident of Parika Façade, East Bank Essequibo and she is the mother of four, whose house is on the government reserve.

That land has since been identified as the site for a new well to be drilled and she will have to relocate to another plot within the village.

She reported that she has been at the spot in her small cottage for the past eight years and she is a housewife.

At the time, she was preparing a pot of cook-up-rice, a favourite of her children, all of whom were at home.

Harrinarine is originally from Salem Parika and was residing in the backdam section of Parika Façade but due to flooding she had to move to the location she is living presently.

The 30-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that they do not have potable water or electricity and she

else to go and they build a small house and began living there out of need.

She noted that most of the lands are privately-owned and the rest is government reserve, but many people began occupying the land many years ago and some have been there for 40 years.

Her husband, Deonarine Harrinarine called “Boyo” is a manual push-cart operator at Parika Junction and he would leave home for work before 04:000hrs daily, return home for lunch at 11:30hrs and then again at 18:00hrs.

She pointed out that he was a seaman but when she got her first child, a daughter 12 years ago he quit that job and began the manual pushcart work.

“He wanted to be closer to home and he started that job working with himself and he was earn and we are okay,” she said.

When Harrinarine is not doing chores she is a part-

zil, a father of one reported

time hairdresser and nail technician, who would take a few clients in her neighbourhood.

She describes life in Parika Façade as good except they need development such as potable water, electricity, internet and landline phone since all her children are of school-age and they need to utilise technology.

The ‘jack of all trades’ Meanwhile, her nextdoor neighbour, Ameer Fa-

the basic necessities such

we can be regularised and

as potable water supply and electricity since they have a lot of small children in the community and there have been incidents of crimes.

“At night this place is very dark and a lot of snatching and break-ins happen here so it would be good if

get the infrastructure we need to have a better standard of life here,” he said.

Fazil like many others echoed the same concerns and they are of the hope they will get the facilities they need.

Veronica Harrinarine’s children

Ameer Fazil

Veronica Harrinarine (Carl Croker photos)

would use water from the nearby canal for chores and buy drinking water.

As for electricity, she would use a lamp at night to illuminate the house.

“We have been given notice to relocate because this land is the site where GWI well will be and we will go to the plot in the same village when the house is completed,” she said.

Harrinarine stated that she knew it was a squatting area but she had nowhere

sava and he supplies whole-

that he is a farmer and ‘jack of all trades’ meaning whatever work is available and in season he would do.

The 28-year-old added that the road needs upgrading and the internal streets are mud dams and when it rains it is not accessible like the one he is residing at.

Fazil told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has a plot of farmland at Parika Back where he has only cas-

sale buyers from the city and Berbice.

When there is enough he would sell at the nearby Parika Market.

He has been in the village for many years and haven’t seen much development but would like to benefit from

Focus on the Village

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021 XII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 8, 2021

A HAND TO HOLD WITHERING BLOOM

For tiredness lies On my lids My body like a Broken goblet The Earth can feel No knew more my feet not be an easy task but in his mind he HE it would “Sodetermined I must cometohome, deartruth.

Lord,” was the hoarse pleahe was find the His mother’s family from the lips of theand old woman, lying family in a recliner the patio. to hardly knew his father’s wereonreluctant The middle-aged nurse aid sitting close by reading the answer his questions. newspaper So heinquired ran an of adthe in old the woman, newspaper his mother used to “What is it, Sharda?”information on her whereabouts. The work for, requesting She did not answer, up at thewere cleargood, blue talking sky, responses from friendslooking and colleagues herabout eyes not her hearing still fine. could days, see thebut her so in dim, glowing terms during herShe younger lovely flowers bloom and hear the songs state. of theOne birdsfriend in no one had any information on sweet her current herkindly garden, but herhim lovetoand passion for nature wereitslowly advised check the asylum because was the fading away.she had been. last place How doeshad onevisited continue embrace the body Chris the to asylum the life verywhen first day he had hasarrived becomeback agedhome and feeble, into but shememory was longsometimes gone. Thefloating administrator nothingness, when you young, strong hand andhad had told him that noneed one aknew where she wastoorhold what there was none? become of her. He had looked at the woman in total disbelief “How thiswith happen?” she asked and haddid asked controlled anger.herself, tears misting in her “How eyes, “Why this happen?” could did something like this happen? What kind of a The system loneliness was have a deep ache in her heart, craving for poor do you here?” the children she loved andmy missed so much just to hearhad their “It happened before appointment,” the admin said voices.

But they were gone, now matured adults pursuing in defence. careersChris and sharing theirhis lives withunable new loves and interests. had shaken head, to fathom such negliThe mother alone in thestood home they hadthe gence from a now healthlived institution and upwhere to leave when shared a beautiful family life. She andknow guided admin said to him, “Before you had go, moulded you should from one of the reports in her file, she walks around with a little bag and keeps saying, “All the children gone.”

Since that first night he had been awoken by the song, Chris knew in his heart she was somewhere longing to see her children, and as his eyes closed in sleep, he said quietly, “Your son is here, Mother, I will find you.”

Days became weeks with no success but in the meanwhile, he opened a soup kitchen and shelter for those he had found living on the streets, and in his mind he wished, “I hope someone is also reaching out a helping hand to my mother, wherever she is.”

He was sitting alone at the hotel bar one night, contemplating where else to continue his search, when a tall and well-built man with greying hair approached him.

“Christopher Daniels?”

“Yes,” Christ answered, not sure who the stranger was.

“I’m Leroy King, former Guyanese cricketer,” the man introduced himself, “I knew your father and mother.”

That statement immediately aroused Chris’s interest and he stood up shaking the man’s hand.

“Good to know, I’m interested in speaking to anyone who

PART II

knew my mother.” father had tampered with her medication.”

He ordered a few drinks and after allowing a moment to “Why?” Chris asked, holding his breath as he listened to relapse, asked anxiously, intriguing had walked story. away from children to provide care and them, her he hard work and rich lifestyles made them shethis “How do you know my parents?”

“She had had enough told him she was with forleaving they hardhome withand companionship sacrifices laying a foundation forget where they came from, her matrimonial was in thethey samehad cricketand clubfor withthe your father and your herthefour children.

He couldn’t thatfound happen so time he secretly deany in their children into thelet ly aged mother, for the “I successes motherinbeing sportsBut journalist, close friends with throes visedofaan plan to destroy her mind.” daily schedules to spend with unknown world. thereI became was no time. achieved theira lives. until…” he paused, on his face, down “Things Thehad shocking revelation Chris’s mind and for a their mother.

She worked long stunned A regret lone tear trickled afterthem reaching great heightsa look of started to go wrong.” long tense moent, he said nothing, as the truth he had That night as she laidbeen in in the business world, their her wrinkled face, a face still hours every day to build a “What things?” searching for with sunkcomfort in his mind. bed, she looked at the paintlittle home beautiful never mind her age nice The ex-cricketer took a long drink before answering, That night he could not sleep, so angry that the man he “Your father was a very good pace bowler but somehow he had called father all his life was so evil and heartless, causing started to stumble through drinking and women when on his family such pain and trauma. He searched for his mother tours thus, he lost favour with the selectors.” many more days, then one late afternoon as he drove along “And my mother?” Chris asked, his mind grasping every a desolate area and was passing an old abandoned church, word spoken by Mr. King, “How did she take all of that?” something caught his attention.

“Her career was rising but she turned down overseas It was the statue of the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus assignments because of the children and it hurt her deeply cradled in her arms, partially hidden by wild, clinging shrubs. when she heard of his betrayal.”

Somewhere at the back of his mind, he knew the place “Why didn’t she walk away?” and walking through the open gateway, he stood at the en“Because she didn’t want her children to grow up in a trance of the church but saw nothing in the dim interior. Chris broken home so she forgave him but his continued betrayal sighed deeply with growing frustration and he whispered, put her under a lot of stress.”

“Where are you, mother?”

“Is that why she turned to drugs?”

He turned to leave then stopped at the sound of a soft Mr. King shook his head, a disturbing look on his face, humming of a song he knew so well. An overwhelming feeland he answered the young man quietly. ing of anxiety filled his heart and he stepped into the church.

“Your mother was never on drugs, she had been using To be continued… anti-anxiety medication for stress but years later, I heard your

and she lifted a trembling hand to wipe it. A hand that was once strong, that held her children’s small ones every step of the way.

A wry smile crossed her face and a faraway look shone in her eyes as her thoughts took her back to a time when she was a young woman. She was so full of life, like a butterfly with amazing colours and a simple, little home filled with love, then her father gave her hand in marriage to a rice farmer’s son; a new life as a bride and later, a young mother. Paths she had walked paved with love, compassion, tears and pain, episodes of her life written on the leaves of time.

Then one day, fourteen years later, when she could have borne no more of her husband’s arrogance and abusive behaviour towards her,

for them and today, instead of holding her hand, like she had held theirs, they turned their backs, leaving her alone.

A choked sob escaped her lips and once again she whispered, “It’s time for me to come home, dear Lord, there’s nothing left here.”

The nurse aid got up and took her hand, urging her gently, “Come on, Sharda, it’s time for your meal and medication.”

She sighed and looking up at the nurse. She inquired, puzzled, “Who are you?”

“I’m Jeanette,” the woman answered patiently, as she assisted her to her feet, “Your nurse aid.”

“Oh,” she exclaimed softly, a momentary lapse in her memory.

The kind woman had been with her for the past three years, financed by the

ing on the wall facing her and a smile touched her lips, lessening the pain in her heart.

It was the picture of three children, her father working in the garden and her mother standing not far off with a bucket of fresh vegetables on her arm, smiling warmly as she watched her children.

A portrait that captured a simple life and a beautiful family.

“You have left so long ago, mother,” she said in a weak voice, “I can’t remember much for now I have grown too old.”

The brother and sister playing with her had also left, their names now written on tombstones whilst she, the youngest, waited still alone.

“Whisper my name, mother,” she said, “And I shall come, so we can be SEE PAGE XXIX

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

The taboo subject of Sexual Abuse

o not always know what I’m looking losing your phone would be on a scale of 1-10. 98 percent y phone is such a normal part of my said 10 and 2 percent said 9. They all claimed that it would my hand that I cannot count the numbe the worst material possession that they could ever lose. hed for it, while it was actually in my They continued to say that feelings of anxiety, irritation and o when I get up in the morning and overwhelming sadness would be felt if they were to lose their going to sleep is check my phone. I phone today. healthy and something must be done. helpful. I hopeItyouseems THIS column can be trig- abuse. take the harmless, right? Caring so much about a gering for some, but I beThis is a topic that message at its core. andlievefound that more will bring hope women to not manywere are comfortable phone? Well, this week I’ve been really paying attention many more. An avid read- speaking about for many “Sexual abuse is a sword d to ertheir simply because to the importance that I and others around me give to a of thisphones column reached different reasons. Theymen may that pierces the heart of its out and wanted to brief- be victims, perpetrators, victims. As someone who ocially media apps. Also, older people phone, than what’s actually going on around them. share her experiences friends of either or just plain was sexually abusedrather a few with sexual abuse and even uncomfortable.

However, times at an extremely young e addicted.

I believe this is because more positive, how she considering how common it age, I Our am now phones very proud -- whether we are speaking to other people, her trauma. (My is, itfather needs to beactually addressed. of being able to say I am no useovercome smartphones First, I would like to be Below is a true testimo- longer using a victim butsocial a victor. media or playing games -- can be addictive clear on what constitutes nial from a reader who want- I would like to share as they some alter our moods, beliefs and trigger enjoyable sexual abuse. This is any ed to share her story to bring of my good and bad expeunwanted sexual activity y colleagues andon friends how hope to others who bad may riencesand duringunenjoyable the many, feelings. Apart from obviously being my to another person. Exam- be recovering from sexual many years of my struggles ples could be harassment, abuse. I would like to say to overcome the source effects of main of communication, my phone is my newsparefusing to wear protection, that not everyone handles my traumatic experience. active rape/penetration; it situations the same; some As per, someone who was alarm, map, recorder, day planner, calendar, watch, is so broad that we under- may turn to things other abused by two different player, calculator, a weapon (sometimes) stand that anything sexual people may not believe in, men, I camera, would like to saymusic the that was unwanted is sexual that doesn’t mean it can’t be aftereffects were not easy to and my friend when I’m bored or lonely- basically everything. However, it is also my constant interrupter and face or overcome. I was af- me a while but I eventually then, at an early age that I fected in so many ways, but sought any most help I could will bear pain and push distractor. I (I imagine much like ofgetyou outthethere) I would like to share several and took every opportunity on, even though it was ten have a deep ofdesire to all.know Ieverything thattimes is going on.physthem with you got to change my reality. worse than any ical ailment I had ever had.

I believe that is human nature. But when does become Whenit I felt overwhelmed, I cried- crying helps a lot so too much? let it flow.

So, what did I do to overWell, I believe it’s too much when it has acome name.

‘Nothese feelings?

Firstly, I am catholic, so mophobia’ is the term coined to describe the fear of being I turned to my God for hope I turned to my without a mobile phone. Seriously, what have and wehelp. come to? family, friends, and community ato lot for support – and It becomes an addiction when the object begins control they were very helpful. I’m not sure I would and have been your life and interferes with your daily activities, work, here today without their relationships. I read somewhere that “The biggest constant obstacle support. Though I knew I wasn’t perfect, I also to productivity is connectivity,” but overuse tried can a as to doaffect as much good Firstly, I constantly felt Being in that situation can I can with volunteering and lot more thanlikeour truth is, overuse ofanyone ourthat I wasproductivity. in prison and for leadThe a person into suicidal trying to help many years, separated from thoughts and attempts. Even needed it. phones can harm usI psychologically, the world. suffered sexual though I wassocially affected in soand I physically. often thought writing scorn, I was stripped from many ways, including psymy feelings journal With regard to affecting our social skills, how many inofa us my whole human dignity, chologically, physically, and was a big help- sometimes in fear all my emotionally, did not want to I shared miss out on alived joke oralmost good conversation as we weretheseonfeelings ourwith life, my laughter and speech go down that path. loved ones and sometimes taken away from have me, Every annoyed time I thought of – butfriend either way it phones? Howwere many times we ourI didn’t good and I suffered from clinical suicide, I thought of how still helped. depression.

Since I was ten would affect my loved I soughtmedia professional or family member because weitwere posting on social years old, I began longing ones – friends, family, and help with both a counselhow much funfor we having them?

It truly affects ourand death are and starting suf- with community.

Then I realised, or and a psychiatrist fering from this depression.

I, who was traumatised, had to keep fighting against these strong feelings. It took

what about me? Do not I love and care for myself the same? Yes, I do and I didn’t, I should. I believed

was prescribed medication for clinical depression. The SEE PAGE XXVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Parika Façade, an... dens.

The people of Parika Façade are friendly and welcome some development within the village to enjoy a better standard of life.

FROM PAGE VI

Mora/Parika NDC Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Mora/Parika NDC, Jagdeo Sookhoo told the Pepperpot Magazine that the NDC comprises seven villages and within the villages the population is about 13,000.

He reported that Parika is very populated, and it is a central hub for many businesses and one of the largest villages on that corridor.

Sookhoo related that at Parika Junction under which the NDC falls there are several

Life in Parika...

Malinda Narine with her pet iguana (Carl Croker photos)

outside, under a shady tree with the pet iguana, when the Pepperpot Magazine visited Parika Façade that day.

The group seemed very comfortable with the outdoor setting and was basking in the bright sunshine of that day when it did not rain at all.

Narine reported that they have a wooden bench under that tree and they would have a cook-out and barbeque at weekends.

FROM PAGE VIII

Renting Further down the same street is the home of Christine Rampersaud, a mother of two, who is renting a small wooden unfenced cottage.

The home is well-kept and very tidy, and she moved from Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River two years ago to Parika Façade.

The 25-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that the place is relatively safe during the day, but it is very dark at night since they do not have electricity and water.

Rampersaud added that the road is also in a bad state and at lot of times the cars do not want to go there and walking out takes a while, since it is a good distance on foot to the public road.

The housewife stated that life is not always as she wanted it but she is trying to cope with the hurdles along the way.

Her husband works on a fuel truck and he is a local of Parika.

XIII

government buildings such as the police station, GRA, the NDC, the Post Office, the Parika Health Centre and many others.

He reported that most areas in Parika are agricultural-based and they have a ferry service that goes to Bartica, Supenaam, Leguan and Wakenaam.

The Mora/Parika NDC Chairman stated that they also have the speed boat service and Stelling on the beach area at Parika near the Parika Ferry Stelling and there is the market area with both hire cars and minibus parks.

Sookhoo added that the area is a busy place for business and a lot of people pass through daily to go to the interior and other places which are accessible via Parika.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that in Parika itself, they have three ball fields, many schools, and public facilities.

Sookhoo pointed out that in Barns Avenue, that is, Parika Façade the main access road was recently upgraded but the four internal streets are yet to be paved.

He stated that a plot of land has since been identified for Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to drill a new well for the area but a family is occupying the land and efforts are being made to have that family relocated.

The NDC has since assisted that family with $25,000 cash and transportation of their tractor to have their belongings moved to another plot they were allocated.

Sookhoo reported that the lands between Naamyrck and Vergeongen belongs to the Water User’s Association.

The Mora/Parika NDC has 10 CIIP workers who maintain the drains and parapets in the seven villages they oversee.

The NDC is headed by the Chairman Jadgeo Sookhoo, the Vice Chair, the assistant overseer, one office assistant, a public health officer and 13 councillors. Two councillors have since passed away.

Sookhoo disclosed that the NDC has equipment such as backhoe, a tractor/trailer, a mini excavator, spray cans, weeder machines, and other things for the general upkeep of the villages that comes under their jurisdiction.

XIV sharing their journeys

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

g seven amazing women from the Women Anthologies. st of Watch Radio NY requested an interasked him if it was okay for me to invite join me. I am sharing some excerpts from

van Phillips -- born in St Lucia, living in

owards being a Midwife of Purpose came being broken, displaced, and ough this journey, I experienced a divorce, e and got displaced education administrator’s position. Coupled were two major eclipses my life. An eclipse happens when you can calling becomes greater than your current hrough this process, you can transcend to a hinking where you can connect with your ourself as one with nature. blett – born in Guyana and living in NY egan to have the real experience of dreammy dream world alive. I was immediately interview with the agency where they tested n using Microsoft Office and typing speed.

Awesome Thanksgiving service

THANK you to all the persons who sent greetings and very inspiring messages during August.

The positive energies carried me with great enthusiasm in September to celebrate Amerindian Heritage month.

My heart was filled with joy and satisfaction after I concluded the last event, an awesome virtual thanksgiving service. It is only natural this will be the fitting end to a month that was super impactful. The mighty men of God who shared all have a history in my hometown Bartica.

Hardat and I have been friends for decades. Our friendship began as fellow teachers in Bartica, my hometown. He is loved and respected by my entire extended family, especially by my mom and many in Bartica, because he added value to so many lives.

He is a graduate of UG, UWI and Caribbean Mission Bible Seminary, Guyana’s University Debating Champion for three years, and the Caribbean’s top university debater in 1997.

He is a communicator, musician, singer, poet, public speaker/ debater, etc.

He is the Godfather of my older daughter Mariska.

His daughter Anna is gifted with a singing Ministry, and his song Elijah plays the drums. It was a blessing to have him and an extra blessing to have both of his children and his band part of this significant event.

It was an honour to have these three mighty men of God who knew more for more than three decades.

Pastor Ivor Melville is

One week later I completed my assignment with CTO and was now ready to move on to my next career move.

I called Monique to let her know I was available as we agreed and she was so happy to have me start my first temporary assignment with Deutsche Bank. My first

a Bartician and the pastor of Faith Prophetic Ministries. I grew up seeing him and his dad living on Second Avenue, not far from where I lived years ago. His deceased dad was fondly called “Papa” by the people in our community and was a master joiner and great storyteller. Pastor Ivor and his dad are both respected members of our society.

I visited his church many times and he hosted my first book launch in Bartica.

I have visited Apostle Jones’ family house many times as a teenager because his sister Nerlene and I were in the same class. He is the leader of Faith Renewed Tabernacle Church. I have also visited his church many times and am good friends with his wife, Monica.

All three of these mighty men of God shared profound messages that resonated with the audience.

I am sharing some of the comments we received.

“Thank you so much.

The service was really refreshing and reviving. As pastor Hardat Singh said, you are a leader by nature Bartica and Guyana by extension, is proud of you.”

“The programmme was beautifully put together.

If God is not a part of the plan, then it is of no value.

Your exaltation is secured in your humility and your impact is felt in the many leaders you activate through the use of your God-given endowments; you have the right attitude and a gentle spirit. Blessings” “This service was a big blessing at this time in my life. So much was shared that I look at it more than

once not to miss anything.”

Ms N e b i o l a lasted two weeks, I knew that I would be in When I was six years assignment Toppin, who par-someone’s vacation. old I started school in Mesa, big trouble if I told my dad covering to my work ethic and Arizona, so I began staying what had happened. It was a ticipated Due in EXPO secret: the desire to go the extra mile, with my mom 50, sang one of my kind that could get me and her husband routinefavouriteI landed songs.another assignment in the same department for ly. It was like going from into big trouble. I didn’t Most days, she months, then another for heaven to hell. It was a horror know how much trouble, but sends mesix a song three months, which finally story that’s yet to be writ- I wasn’t willing to and she is great take a chance. “Shhhh... led to my permanent posi- ten. While at grandma’s I at selecting. me to live a was filled with the love of Don’t tell anyone.”

G o d tion, h aallowing s Maybe it’s the trauma of a grandma and Jesus daily. sent somedream. awesome peopleDr. to Safeeya Mohamed – On the other hand, at my my experience, but for some mother’s house, I was filled reason I still cannot rememTrinidad be part of my We received the updates with Rock ‘N Roll, drugs ber how journey and he often it happened, when that the accident was horrific and inappropriate, wild sex also directed it started, or even when it parties.

Ultimately, from and that the victim was stuck me to be part ended such an environment you can in the car. of many peop l e ’s j o u r The - vehicle had to be cut imagine the kinds of abuse Penny Phakahi –South open to get to the victim. It that mom’s house provided. neys. I was never occurred to me that When I was 11 years old, Africa looking at I have had my share of grandma Shirley died and my my brother the group could be remotely in- stepdad left. My mom had turmoil and I strongly believe shot I took volved. The next thing I an emotional breakdown, so that it is these stints of turwith Nickremember, I was looking at I ran away! I couldn’t take moil that brought me ey, Raquel,this far in my life. I was any more. the body of my brother S a b a n t o covered in blood in a Andrea Edwards – born and perhaps is still in my and Cheryl hearse. The strident, agonis- in Guyana, living in Florida refinery process. and thought As a young girl, I grew As I sat in the back of ing scream of my mother in how great my dad’s Nissan Bluebird, I up with one main ambition, theitA&E that is to have love early morning has not peered through the windows wanting to get away, far a n d r e s pescaped e c t f omy r emind a c halmost 17 at the images on away from the system of other. Theyears entirelater celebration thinking or the box that the fence of the Guyas she howled reminded“my me of imporana Botanical Gardens and we often find ourselves in. sonthe died, my tance of great sonfriendship. died, nobody’s help- Zoological Park. The radio Apart from understanding had in ablasted restaurant in years. which was good.

Can dared you toTuma King and his sister I am stilling going dinners myself I always the popular us!”toBut nobody could, not onlysong looked although wewhich did was Yvette and lunches be different, a is strong competition “1985”imagine by as hiswith spiritfriends departed atThe the meal calypso like Kraft macaroni from not consume the struggle meal it was and colleagues, constant when for sur-him lol. a then-popular calypsonian. point of although a few of on the bill?

Even I don’t August is over.

My Up friend rounded byifmy situations. IIt was delicious with would havestrips just celebrated impact. to this the day,boxIwith chickenmy onsixth top, but it tasted go back, it isup notunder a biga deal, Pamela Nauth who is algrew strict Cassava bread and ferine I ponder where the strength like Pamela’s reacbut PamelaChristian said shefamily is notwithprepared

by Raquel. The my birthday, quite oblivious came from me to navigate thatthat too. ways good, invited for grandfather and goes step granny, to the concept time,going but back night. tion confirmed that sheoffelt and she fly wine by Calvin Roberts lunch at Hardrock Cafe to as least my mother lost her mom thatway. song would not the same I decided to allow often. At the company complimented this dish well celebrate and it reminded mewine to forget Shanon Paar – Arizona sip some and give it and cheesecake were good.XXVand we had a blast. We will me how terrible the service SEE PAGE that it was 1985. another shot and the verdict We need to provide better be celebrating for the entire in most places in Guyana is. was the same. We expressed service in the hospitality month of September and I I love pasta, so when our disappointment to the industry. am inviting you to join us.

I saw chicken Fettuccine waitress who alerted the I had a totally different Many blessings and Alfredo was my first choice manager. She was making experience at my friend thank you to our indigand Pamela who is a regular all these silly excuses which Raquel’s house. I love my enous brothers and sisthere, decided to order the were pathetic. She never indigenous food, especially ter as we celebrate this same. You know when you once asked if we wanted to tuma and it does not have to beautiful journey called like a particular meal you order something else. She be Heritage month for me to life BEYOND THE RUNwait anxiously while sipdid not eat the meal and have some.

WAY. ping wine. This is by far the decided to order dessert, Rickey Caesar is the biggest disappointment I

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021

ON THE AWARENESSANXIETIES OF THE AESTHETIC AND THE PROFOUND OF LIFE THE ‘BEING’ OF OURCLICKING YOUNG NATION Part II AND NATURE’S CLOCK

The relationship and gender crisis discourse

I conceptualised a repeating scene of a male standing stoic with a halfsmile on his face before a burning building where he and his family used to occupy while his wife was screaming and rending her hair and garments. The question in the summary of this depressing scene is, which member of the relationship will survive and who by gender will suffer most? I remember the which is intended to raise INthe concluding this discussion, questions the reader incident within on Princes Streetand inspire responsible actions among that acquire decision making positions or are at the those former popular ‘Lualready there, we burned cannot arrive at a sensible without concas’ place that in siderations retrospect.

So in a brief flashback, we must 2019 and in a male resident recognise, haveupon lost to our physical memory refercollapsedwhat andwe died ence archive, and use this as inspiration, to be able to raise arriving on the scene. Do a pent natural alarm, apose connection up feelings more to the aesthetic sensitivity alerting us to than the fact that we need to have a historical of a threat a vocal memory in respect to our surroundings, as buildings, landexpression of grief? I was scapes and architecture are somewhat uneasy with this inherent of memories in both the consciousI and awareness. We have to definition. havesubconscious known become other than people who occupy a geographic space men who in circumstances on this planet, and relate to what is the necessary thinking of extreme loss who have that will enable us to address from the now onward what not recovered easily. My is significant to telling our stories, especially stories imcolleague, and National portant to our timelines.

When we became independent, ArtistAngold Thompson the euphoria of self-governed nationhood intoxicated us, in the fire the it perished had its grounds for of intoxication alongside sober examfamily home in Campination. We did not make the observation that all around only last of week usbellville within the borders countries we still held controlled because after getting ev- the edifices of past times. admiration for, had retained eryone of the England burning never dismantled Hadrian’s Our ownout coloniser building, heways turned Wall.

In more thanand one, from previous colonisers and went back into thelocal buildalso from despised leaders, they kept the memory ing and never came back for reflection, in our Caribbean, Christophe’s spectacular out. Whatever wentwill remain, regardless of his fortress of defence he in Haiti back for triumphed over history.

Europe with the obvious white supremacy that emerged with fatal colonisation the obvious dangersdid not destroy the sculptures ofthat Afro-European faced his finalKnights, actions. artworks and literature that spoke or aalluded to the African presence in a much So, I of, had conversation older of course, they didn’t in-depth celebrate with Europe, my wife and youngest them either,because and alsoI hid their identities with new portraits daughter, cannot and in movies. presume on their gender Where we in Guyana priorities in erred the said con- was not to use the structures that became available with the decline of trademark services text that the article was like the Trains,They to build museums dedicated to that part of our addressing. provided historical memory.

Why preserve the physical imagery of the a profound narrative that past?

Simple, our ancestors lived it, for the historian, the creconstructs.

Considerations even transcended the issue ative mind, the investigative journalist, the pay physical location most men scant attenthat Involved my main is important. The development oftion museums wasreminded a continuous to. I was of objectives. They pointed to peeve of the late Dr. Dennis Williams, who had identified a child support case involvthe “timeframe” consciousFive Museums to be built, he insisted marine ing mythat sona and his museum (almost ness that would have predominate been a must. Ithe can now imagine a display of the instant) estranged wife. group conversations of ship’s kitchen on Lady Northcourt with its cook, the portrait There was a case brought women, they‘keep em- away ofmany indifference ‘John’, John’s kitchen, and by afrom young woman against phasised close and trusting why?’ A caption should read before this rude faced ship’s cook a gentleman of 73 years to each other”children, made of papier máché –“whose kitchen lay beneath a toilet, old who had fathered her financial companfrom whichsecurity, water dripped continuously, or so we were made ionship, all aspiring possi- child. This brother could Pagepass XIXfor an early 50-somebilities within specificSee time

thing. The young lady was no more than earlier 30s.

She seemed to have been prompted by friends or relatives concerning the man’s life worth. In the end she was rewarded a quarter of what he was already giving her by the law for their child.

But even that evidence does not embody how people

act in aftertimes of crisis.

By experience in the male context, one would have had to have conceived of specific goals at least by mid-20s to rise above unforeseen challenges at 55 and continue to move forward, inspired by ground covered and the fact that men repeat among each other, “suppose you don’t die at three score and ten, but

you’ve stopped getting the ball moving, updating yourself on changes, then you’re still standing at ninety, who do you blame?” The downside is the men who’ve been conditioned and guided to lean on charitable family structures, and smile and open arms to anyone who is a seem-alike with praises and promises. Also the wom-

en who became qualified and adopt attitudes that fit into the text of the 2010 classic “Over schooled but Undereducated” towards their sisters, the very homemakers who have always been the foundations of society and the knowledge bearers of our healing botanicals.

People are schooled towards ambitions and the overplay of social gratifications, but never towards the ‘Legion’ of disappointment. We learn to roll over and get up on the simple parables repeated as warnings to never expect without your efforts, “ Bridge naw build fuh crass river by ‘E’ self, fuh you, you got fuh cut wood and dig de dutty first” the reality is, that no one can be fooled if you pay attention, I’ve always been advised in going to a function, to eat a lil something before yuh go, because the old folks never went into explanations you learn from experience, that sometimes the good expectations of a host can stumble before internal conflict or a drunk cook.

On returning to the stress context between genders, the initial upbringing and in-house philosophical schooling will play a part either way, to counter the unprepared harsh lessons that life, will at times inflict. But nothing can prepare a perfect student to determine the response to hard trials. I’ve witnessed that failure to learn from precedents with one of my children, and another to a point, as new work in science enlightens us, that genes and culture beyond parents replicate that impact on inherent human behaviour, that go back further than parents can imagine, we, both sexes can just continue to persevere, shaping the cultural norms to overcome without losing self, rather than to be overcome.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

XVII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

Influencing the shape of the face middle and lower sections of the face.

When a child who is more than three years old habitually sucks his/her fingers, it can give rise to 12 different harmful effects that eventually lead to a disfigurement of the entire dentition, upper and lower jaws, upper and lower lips, and palate. The aftermath, which depends on the habit’s frequency, intensity, and duration, is invariably an adul-

HABITS can affect the orofacial structures and can influence the facial growth, oral function, occlusal (bite) relationships, and facial aesthetics of a person. A multitude of factors influences the early growth and development of the facial region. In other words, a child may even grow not resembling his or her parents because of certain deleterious habits extant during the formation years.

The main functions of the oral cavity are respiration, swallowing, mastication and speech. Newborn infants are obligatory nasal breathers, but the lower jaw and tongue must be positioned away from the throat for the airway to be patent.

If nasal breathing becomes obstructed, oral breathing must commence. Respira-

tory needs, therefore, can be a primary determinant of lower-jaw posture and tongue position in the later years. Respiratory and swallowing movements are activities, which have been noted in utero. In fact, it is not unusual to detect a foetus sucking its thumb even four months before being born. At birth, the infant exhibits two reflexes that are related to sucking. The root reflex, which lasts until the child is approximately seven months of age, is the movement of an infant’s head and tongue toward a stimulus touching the infant’s cheek.

The sucking reflex, active movements of the infant’s muscles surrounding the mouth, expresses milk from the nipple and lasts for approximately 12 months.

To obtain milk from the

mother’s breast, the infant does not need to suck but instead stimulate the smooth muscle in the breast to contract and express milk onto the tongue; this is called suckling. The milk is carried to the throat and gullet by the tongue. The infantile swallow does not occur the same way as in the case of the adult. It is characterised by the infant placing the tongue beneath the nipples, contracting the lower lip, and swallowing with the lips together and jaws apart.

On the other hand, the adult swallow is characterised by a teeth-together swallow, with the tongue against the palate and lips relaxed. The transition from the infantile way of sucking to the adult way is gradual and disruption of its normal process can result in abnormal physical changes in the

teration of the child’s beauty. The term adenoid facies has been used to describe the facial appearance of patients with a long face and anterior open bite. This comes from habitual mouth-breathing.

More specifically, these patients demonstrate a downward and backward rotation of their lower jaws during growth, excess eruption of posterior teeth, upper jaw constriction, anterior open bite and increased anterior

(especially lower) facial length.

The instances whereby harmful habits during a person’s tender years can modify their facial appearances are too numerous to mention here. However, the advice given is that professional intervention should be sought whenever a young child is observed to be practising abnormal habits with the mouth.

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‘MONTREAL PROTOCOL KEEPING US, OUR FOOD AND VACCINES COOL’ ON December 19,1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed September 16 the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date, in 1987,

on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed. This year’s theme is ‘MONTREAL PROTOCOL - KEEPING US, OUR FOOD AND

VACCINES COOL.’ The theme is very fitting since the Montreal Protocol started life as a global agreement to protect the ozone layer, a job it has done well, making it one of the most

successful environmental agreements to date. A united global effort to phase out ozone-depleting substances means that today, the hole in the ozone layer is healing, in turn protecting human health, economies and ecosystems. As this year’s World Ozone Day seeks to highlight, the Montreal

drofluorocarbons (HFCs).

While HFCs don’t damage the ozone layer, these coolants are powerful greenhouse gases. Reducing their use, as agreed, is expected to avoid up to 0.4°C of global tem-

Protocol does so much more – slowing climate change and helping to boost energy efficiency in the cooling sector, which contributes to food security.

Many ozone-depleting substances warm the climate, so the agreement has already slowed climate change. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is set to deliver even stronger climate benefits. Under the Amendment, nations have committed to phasing down hy-

perature rise by the end of the century while protecting the ozone layer.

The Kigali Amendment also provides an opportunity for improved energy efficiency in the cooling sector.

New innovation replacing HFCs offers an opportunity to redesign air conditioning and refrigeration to use less power, allowing expansion of comfort cooling and cold chain efficiencies without increasing climate impacts. The combination of

reducing HFC consumption and improved cold chain efficiencies, particularly in developing economies, will also combat food loss.

Around one-third of all food produced globally for human consumption is either lost or wasted each year, largely due to a lack of access to cold chains. Food loss and waste amount to billions of US dollars annually, wasting precious resources such as land, water, and energy and generating an estimated 8 percent of total greenhouse gases per year globally.

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Bridging the ‘COVID’ divide with increasing engagements XXVII XX CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021

Aye or no for A year of parliamentary decorum?

COVID-19

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 7, 2021

I T is a few days short understood the benefits of of it being a year since I the vaccines have already could leave ‘lockdown’ in gotten vaccinated. As such, Trinidad and come back the challenge ahead is to home. Since then, I have engage the hesitant and those spent more time reading, in opposition. researching, and reporting My use of the word ‘enon COVID-19 than I have gage’ instead of ‘educate’ done anything else. And at was intentional. You see, I this point, I feel saturated believeedition it is easy DURING this past week’s of to ‘Ingive theasNational ON March lastbit year,surances COVID-19 a stark realtracing, and treat patients to get the But, importance standing theCOVID-19 need forrepresenting the face masks, so cluster spreading brain on the new and, honestly, a 11 tad that became the COVID-19 Assembly,’ Parliamentarians debated the 2021 National COVID-19, this column, or the science ofpandemic.

COVID-19 of training ofCOVID-19 Parliamentarians soahead that aof semblance of decorum Are theyofadequately us and our best interests ityBudget, in Guyana. it had earlier already spreading was not unusual; countries across the had to was verytopossible.

We owe gratitude all the frontline published in theall frustrated. whichThough was presented inbegun the bymeasures Se- that vaccines are good andmonth safe; of my to previous works, the globe protective help them ad- ourany at all times? could be maintained in thevaccines Nationaland Assembly.

It is envi-vaccines the globe fewOffice months before, thisthese novel coronaadapt quickly and contend with the pandemic. What was workers who were trying to keep nation safe then, Official Gazette. expectinaall the of the withasresponsiPart across ofnior me Minister wishes that it is easy toPresident back free to email meand at measures being instituted, I dress their concerns and feel the sioned thatAs such training sessions would also help to guide virus became a great for Guyana and remany of that unique about Guyana was its unfolding elections quagmire. who continue to do so even now. ed, conversation venbilityget forvaccinated finance, Dr.concern Ashni Singh.

The debate, however, people would sertions with scientific the officials on proper parliamentary procedures.

I hope we can do better. vish14ragobeer@gmail. urge you all to find ways of fears. the Caribbean countries only published during From the It is not to assume--because there is no Aside from the political occurrences, however, it is welltured towards the unreasonable effectivespotlighted a lack in the March.

Parliament. and reduce their chances of of decorum search in repuBut also, these events should forcepeople us to reconsider what If you would like to com engaging around and very It beginning, Guyana was and exposed to thefor stark reality real empirical evidence--that the protracted elections’ peknown that the pandemic also impacted every other sector. is both understandable acceptable the different ness of the vaccines and becoming seriously or se- table scientific journals. It we expect and accept from our encompassed--distracted elected officials --the all ofconnect If you would like discussschools this column or anyand of helping them understand with me to discuss because the first person the local health authorities disriod-and all of the shenanigans Business productivity wastostymied, were closed the house -- theisgovernment and to opposition sides -- them-whether everyone becoming verely ill sides after of experiencing good and well tell this my previous writings, please feel free to contact me while they discharge their responsibilities towards us. covered infected, died.

Guyanese from thisend pandemic. While the pandemic raged the tourism sector took the hardest hit with the closure via of to worse have was opposing views onpeople the budget.

After all, the national vaccinated would put an some of the symptoms topandemic, because it the is trueAre they the articulating our collective values when they make vish14ragobeer@gmail.com Guyana’s story of the at least in beginning, on during first few months, and we were embroiled in borders and email: the constraints to leisure activities. The closure budget illustrates the government’s vision, priority areas, to the spread of thehomophobic, novel of COVID-19.

But, part the COVID-19 vaccines areas preracist, sexist, and not other derogatoryfor statements? isand a truly unique one. direction, Certainly, the country wastowards not our post-elections drama, it was uncommon there to of schools eventually prompted a shift to virtual learning— general policy since it they points what coronavirus. of me appreciates healthy good tobecause do help pared as it should have been conduct testing, do contact be large gatherings and we had not yet developed an under‘Zoom school’—which has been fraught with challenges policies, programmes and plans thehospitalisations government intends toHe did not believe me skepticism. to prevent due to inherent inequalities and disparities. usepast Guyana’s money toand fund.

Over the few weeks, deaths. And these vac- when I told him about the Social services, too, have been constrained, which It wouldslightbe strange agreemerits on of getting vaccinated, what has become cinesforareeach safemember because to they has been particularly worrisome since the pandemic every single thing, since various individuals have difly frustrating has been the have gone through requisite and so, I encouraged him has disproportionately impacted the vulnerable groups ferent priorities and clinical views and perhaps to think about how polio is sea of misinformation that trials before different getting sides in our society. With the slowdown in business directly the house have different plans, or policies prevented with vaccines, confrontsof and sometimes emergency use projects, authorisation. contributing to a reduction or loss of income, social thatsound would guide Guyana’s developments; and, that andis I encouraged him to opposes the reporting Making people believe safety nets were necessary to support persons. Moreover, completely fine. on COVID-19.

The converit has been found that the pandemic— perhaps due to those assurances, as opposed think about why we take all It is neitherhas understandable nor remotely the ‘stay-at-home’ focus— has contributed to a rise in sation on COVID-19 to misinformation that acceptable, ap- those childhood vaccines however, for elected officials, sworn in as Members of we can even start abuse and domestic violence. These present even greater also become inundated with peals to their skepticism before Parliament (MPs), to openly hurl insults at each other and concerns over the construction of social services. As time concerns over the newer vac- and draws out their fears, is nursery school. At the end make racist, sexist, homophobic remarks. It is not acceptable and the pandemic progressed, however, efforts would be cination mandates locally. much, much harder. Let us of that conversation, he still for this level of disrespect to be entertained in the National made to ensure that these disproportionate effects were was not convinced that the Both of those things, in my be practical, you can spend Assembly. mitigated, on all fronts.

COVID-19 vaccines are our opinion, have contributed all day encouraging people The normalisation of racist, sexist, and homophobic reTo a large extent, nevertheless, we’re still navigating saviours to end this pandemto growing anti-vaccination to double-check these assurmarks in our common, social spaces might be a conversation the complexities of this pandemic and trying to manage ic; he did acknowledge that (anti-COVIDvaccination, sources” for another day, but forances crying“reputable out loud, this is our National ourselves better. Now, however, we’re also contending vaccines have their merits. specifically) sentiment. such as the PanAmerican Assembly! Or, our Parliament, as it is more commonly with the emergence of newer, modified forms of the virus And I genuinely believe However, letItme hasten Organization (PAHO) called. is not toutingHealth at the bus park!

-- the variants, or strains as they are commonly called. The this is the sort of engagement to add that I Imagine understand or the World Healthexperience, Organi- years the and astonishment one would scientific and medical communities expected these variants that will help people to conaccept that many people zation (WHO), or to read scifrom now, if they were to revisit the hansards. Instead of would arrive at some point or the other, since viruses do have valid and thorough entific journals likeofthe onlyconcerns well-articulated, analyses theLan$383.1front bil- their fears and navigate mutate. their fears about COVID-19, feelings about both the cet butfor they would lion budget thatcorowas presented the simply year 2021, there would The variants that have emerged so far — the United andofmaybe, it may help pronavirus and the COVID-19 not. Who has time to go be remarks signalling homophobia or the thinly veiled insults Kingdom(UK), Brazil, and South African variants — all vaccines. an And, I believe it is capabilities. through the highly technical mote vaccination.

MP’s reproductive have the ability to infect more persons. If we’re not careful, the responsibility people orthere scientific To be of fair, however, wereinformation a few salientand presenta-I get it, this pandemic their increased transmissibility could lead to a sharp rise in has been overwhelming, like myself to listen anddaygoogle don’tof pride tions.

On thetofirst of the everything debate, it isthey a point our cases, additional deaths, and an overwhelmed healthand it has made many of us try to address those con--- MPs understand? that two women Susan Rodrigues and Amanza care system. Guyana has not been able to identify whether skeptics. During the earlier cerns- whether by providing is why it be--- made Walton-Desir who are alsoAnd newthat Parliamentarians we do any of these variants without our borders. We have months of the pandemic, I information contextu- that comes important, my forum. goodor presentations one would expect in at this been sending a few COVID-19 samples to the Caribbean alising information being opinion, to engage Though this absence of decorum frompeople. many ofrecall the that information was Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing, but those few constantly evolving and unsamples were not variants. That is not enough to rule out provided.MPs,is perhaps, not a This new occurrence in thetolocal means listening theircontext, the possibility that we have variants. begs us to ask ourselves: whatand valuable areyou diligently followed This isit why I wanted to concerns fears, contributions showing less On the other hand, we’ve been able to secure a elected forum? also talk our about the officials impor- making them at thethis information, and the forthcoming research, number of the COVID-19 vaccines and we have been you would easily be conOne would hope that the leaders by rethe people tance of good communicaproviding themelected with the vaccinating our frontline healthcare workers. Soon, of crucial Guyana,point whether government or opposition, fused. And now, with vaction at this of insources to interrogate those would other frontline workers, the elderly, and persons with maintain a certain level of decorum in the house.

In discines, a lot is going on. the pandemic. I believe that and think for themselves. comorbidities (underlying and undetected health concharging theireager duties towards people of athefriend nation, at theFor those of you who the people who were Justtherecently, ditions, such as diabetes) will be vaccinated too. The very least,and it iswho expected wouldtoengage in critical understand and believe in to get vaccinated of that minethey wanted pick my importance of vaccines is that they allow the body to analyses of the budget. The budget debate should attempt to create an immune response to the virus, thereby fighting pinpoint deficiencies in allocations, or indicate what other off infection. And Guyana, incredibly, has been able to areas of priority should be focused on. secure several vaccines in a short period amid global This is how you operate in a democracy, where transconcerns of vaccine nationalism, where larger, wealthier parency and accountability are underpinning tenets. This is countries are hoarding these vaccines for themselves. how you respect the sanctity of Parliament. And above all But, even so, vaccines are not necessarily the ‘magic else, is this how you adequately represent the people of the bullet’ for the population and there are, understandably, nation you committed to serve? Parliamentary affairs -- evmany concerns. Due to the perceived short period during ery single aspect-- should be geared towards enhancing the which the vaccines were developed and granted emergendevelopment of the nation and its citizenry. cy-use authorisation, concerns about the long-term benefits Admittedly, clever innuendos and witty remarks have and impact of the vaccines linger. Additionally, the efficacy long been part of parliamentary presentations, not only in of the vaccines on the variants is still evolving. In Guyana, Guyana, but around the world. The addition of clever satire these concerns may contribute to the vaccine-acceptance has its usefulness in communication, no doubt. Much of rates unless greater efforts are made (or continued) to prowhat we saw last week, however, appeared to be a common mote greater education, communication, and trust. bottom house or rumshop debacle, replete with “props” and Despite this, we are still unsure when this pandemic may all, that left much to be desired. be over. Reasonable estimates project that we should return Last December, Clerk of the National Assembly, to a greater sense of normalcy by 2023 when all countries Sherlock Isaacs, told the Guyana Chronicle that the are finally expected to receive their vaccines and immunise Parliament Office would arrange and conduct training their populations. We don’t yet know for certain, so this sessions for MPs. Training, the clerk said, is essential means that as we approach our ‘COVID anniversary’ we

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Guyanese Digital Natives and how we can help put our country on the map

AS a young child, I was privileged enough to have access to technology in Guyana from a very young age. I learned and accessed a wide array of information from the internet and even educational offline software. While I’m aware that some of my peers won’t

be able to say the same, I also know that many from generation Z can relate to this. With that in mind, I will be considered as a “digital native”. I heard of this term for the first time while attending a training session last week. The facilitator used it to describe

the group of young people in the room. As I researched the term and what it means, I came across a plethora of information on it and other related terms.

I eventually asked myself, “Who are Guyana’s digital natives?” “How will these digital natives be able to

help our country transition with technological advancements?”.

The term, “Digital native” was coined by Marc Prensky in 2001. He used it to describe the generation of people who grew up in the era of widespread technology. This includes the use of computers and the internet.

Digital Natives in Guyana will be people who see technology as a necessary aspect of daily life. Digital Natives use technology to communicate and learn and it’s “comfortable” for them to use technology.

This group of people has recently become the centre of modernity. The majority of the country’s advancement plans (both private and public) aim at engaging and recruiting Digital Natives.

This is why many businesses, governmental agencies, NGOs and even mass media news agencies are active on social media or on the internet to reach this ever-growing group of technological progressives.

I can say with certainty

that Native Digitals will transform Guyana for the better, but that can only happen if we’re allowed to.

There’s been a gap- a tug of war between digital natives and those who refuse to understand or learn through technology. Many ideas from Digital Natives are being declined and pushed aside because it’s not “standard”.

Is it because Digital Natives are a threat to traditional cultures? Or, is it because our technology in Guyana isn’t reliable enough to get jobs done? What kind of country will we be in global competing markets without the use of technology? I’ve heard demotivating statements around the clock about how “technology ruined the world” or “young people can’t think for themselves”.

These kinds of sentiments will not encourage growth amongst Native Digitals.

As our country navigates its way through a new oil and gas industry, we have to improve how we conduct business, marketing strategies, and even information

dissemination.

The internet allows us to access and share information across the world and with the help of Digital Natives, Guyana can globally leave its mark. When Guyanese ‘Tik Tokers’ go viral with a positive message, it promotes our country. When an online skin care business starts to sell its product to international customers, it promises our country. When entrepreneurs pin businesses to Guyana on Google Maps, it promotes our country.

These small yet significant acts are mostly accomplished by Digital Natives.

These small acts ultimately add up and they will collectively boost our country’s economy, internet footprint and global reach.

The next time someone tries to degrade or demotivate you as a “Digital Native”, you can let them read this article. We must understand how the world is changing and how we can help Guyana to keep up with the times.

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REVOLUTION IN THE TRADITIONAL XX XIV IMAGE OF REVISITING THE SNAKES GUYANA/

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―― Sunday, CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday,February January 28, 10, 2021 2021

THE SEAWALLS FOREVER!

VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY SOON TO COME BEFORE THE ICJ

IT is believed that snakes and Man evolved about the Snakes, though not an endangered species, are declining same time and this could have accounted for the mutual in numbers owing to deforestation and climate change. competition and distrust with which they regard each othThe almost atavistic fear and hatred that humans er. However, in many ancient cultures and civilisations, felt for snakes are disappearing and with the spread of snakes were regarded with awe and endowed with mystic knowledge of snakes and the ecological realisation that qualities. Among the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, the survival of the snake has an ultimate linkage with husnakes were regarded with respect and replicas of snakes man well-being, a revolution is occurring in the attitude E Guyana/Venezuela controversy will again shortly and discussions where factual bases invariably become were worn in the headdresses of the Pharaohs and among of Man to snakes.

The celebration of World Snake Day me up before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). blurred. the Greeks they were associated with the deities and in on 16th July each year is a manifestation of this changing Guyana, most oflie the were writings thesymbolic controversy have For today In attitude. thisisoffering, we will depart from this norm and try to THEday-to-day Seawalls inused theon consciousness of Guyanese rather lifedeep with meanings. muddy was once covered with seashells and npeople, of ainstance, historical and factual nature and this is a good answer two questions that have been asking theup but especially Georgetowners.

Yet it has rarely there would always be many children exploring and since picking a snake intertwining a rod, associated with the ng, since the Guyanese public are not encouraged seizure of the two Guyanese fishing boats in Guyana’s terribeen noticed by the news media and the last time it was seashells of different colours; sometimes they may find large deity Mercury, was used by doctors and other healers as mentioned as an and itemtoday, of national concern was or sixtorial shells. move theirsymbol attention into the realms of arguments waters by a Venezuelan navy ship. The first question their the same symbol has five continued in conch yearsuse agobywhen the Ocean overtopped the wall and flooded The foreshore or continental shelf gradually rises and falls the medical profession.

In Indian civilisation, from the yards parallel times, to the snakes Public Road.

This waswith the mystic first every 20 years and today, the foreshore land between Camp very ancient were endowed paintings of them are still used Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to the height of time qualities in living and memory that and therestatues was such an occurrence Hindu temples, an example of whichhurriedly could be seen and itinled to great panic.

The authorities con- at the wall and coconut trees and other vegetation grow on it. the temple at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown. structed a barrier of standing concrete other pre-Columbian slabsIn onthe theAztec Wallsand to counter such overtop- cultures, snakes played a prominent role. ping. In the last few weeks, the Seawalls In the West, however, with the dominance of the Abrahave again featured in the news, but in a hamic religions, the story of Adam and Eve and their temphappier vein. tation by the evil snake was fully accepted and believed From Camp Street theancestral Demerara River,of Man to be killed and snakes becametothe enemy the wall had become disfigured an accuwhenever encountered.

Butby even in this story, there is a mulation ofmystic unsightly garbage and notheone hidden element that credits snake with bringing assumed the responsibility ofand cleaning it. A knowledge into the world being responsible for humanity with all its Carl imperfections, but nevertheless, homeless man, Melville, who sometimes being responsible us all! slept for there was noticed by Dwayne Hackett today’s by the culture of science, trying toInclean the world, garbagedominated and immediately the story of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve and the evil volunteered to help him. Hackett placed the snake has been rejected or at best, placed incident on social media and immediately in the realm of myth. widespread acceptance of the Theory of Evolution numbers of The persons volunteered their services. and the comparatively new science of Ecology now perceive First snakes Lady Arya Ali was one of the first to as sharing a common life with Man and all other volunteer and the Public living beings, Ministry includingoftrees.

AllWorks, living creatures form an the Director of Solidchain WasteofDepartment of the helping to make interdependent Being, ultimately Georgetown Council and the Fire Service Human City life richer. became involved with The Fire Snakes play an her. important part Service in the world’s ecosystems cleaned bandstand in aand fewadays all theAs a prey, smaller andthe they are bothand a prey predator. snakes eaten by hawks, eagles, weasels, foxes and other garbage wasare removed and Seawalls appeared animals as a been predator, they eat Many insects of every sort and as if they hadand always maintained! which make human have rodents been high in their praises oflife thisunpleasant; example ground rats, for example, damage growing crops such as sugar cane and even Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land along the Kitty Seaof civic responsibility. invade homes. eatpromenade rodents who The Seawalls had When alwayssnakes been the andhave park eaten for wall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial building various fruits, they disperse the seeds, giving new places the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, for plants to grow. Snakes, therefore, help to control pest the last quarter of the 19th century and continued to be so until but the sea is under it. Old fishermen who set their nets on populations and are of value to humans. the 1960sWith whentheir the country became plagued with political tencolourful skins and their regular and unique the foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and sion and there were robberies onand thebeauty Seawalls.

For most of the designs, they bring variety to nature.

Their skins fall of the beach.

1960s, therefore, fewer and fewer people visited the Seawalls.

The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enare so attractive that they are used to produce expensive Inhandmade its heyday,clothing the Seawalls were the most delightful place thusiasts.

Many would go there to practise deep breathing of such as shoes and ladies handbags for in Georgetown. openness ofsnakes the seascape andused the to the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or the wealthy. The The vast venom of certain are being produce landscape, medications, research developing surrounding the and blue fruitful skies and silver is clouds, the even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were in this field. ever-present seagulls and the steady flow of the health-giving the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group There than 4,000peace species snakes inattracted the world would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by trade winds andaretheless enveloping andofquietude and they are found everyofclimate terrain hundreds of people at allintimes the day.andThe beachexcept whichthe cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before Arctic regions. Of these, only 600 are regarded as venomous and of these, only 200 are dangerously so. This fact may be surprising since most people tend to believe that all snakes are venomous and this accounts in part for the fear with which snakes are generally regarded.

Research work helping curb...

From Page III

timate for that area and in the space of 18 months, some 33 Giant Anteaters were identified.

According to Millar, researching the animals included going out on horseback and following them from a distance to be able to stock up on more scientific infor-

zone in the village. “So we will work with the villagers to create certain rules and help them to know what they should and should not do. For example, no one is allowed to kill them, keep them as a pet, destroy their habitat, and light a fire in certain places, so that we can further protect

several short documentaries called the “Secret Life of Giant Anteaters” and each episode focuses on different aspects of the work being done. Two more episodes are expected to be released this month.

The team also does a lot of awareness work, including

the sun had risen. is, why is the Venezuelan public sowere convinced they On moonlit nights the Seawalls always athat crowded have a valid claim two-thirds of with Guyana’s territory and promenade.

Many to went to socialise friends, but all went why theirthe politicians bellicose aggressive about to enjoy beauty ofarethesomoon risingand from the sea and the this claim? moonlight And the second is, why did there President blue-green whichquestion was brighter, since were Maduro Venezuela this time seizethe thevarious boats no road of lights to dilutechoose it. Others wouldtoenjoy when he would the Guyanese phasesheofknew the New Moon alienate with the background of population purple skies and cause embellished the international community to condemn or with thousands of stars which appear disapprove brighter of his action, Venezuela intersince leaving there were no cityisolated lights. Others nationally on the issue. would go to the Seawalls in the late afternoons to The answer to the sunsets first question began during theinto Cold admire gradually transforming the light ofof dusk.

War: At theblue beginning the 1960s Britain had decided to joysthe of colony the Seawalls were the withdraw fromAnother Guyana of andthe grant independence, earlylikely evening concerts givenof bythe the newly Militia but it was very thatSunday the Prime Minister Band and the Police Band at the Bandstand which independent state would be Dr Cheddi Jagan, an avowed attracted hundreds of people.

Their repertoire conMarxist. U.S. Cold War interests tried to persuade Britain sisted of light classical music such as Strauss’ and to delay Guyana’s independence, but all that Britain could other waltzes, ballet music such Delibes’ pizzicato promise was that she would hand over power to a non-ComandMinister.

Sylvia, atAmerican least one English patriotic such munist Prime Intelligence feltsong that this as “This royal throne of Kings” and Guyanese and British offer needed further insurance and so they devised Caribbean folk songs.

The concerts were arranged a plan whereby their client Venezuela would threaten to for early evening so that children could attend; many Guyanese in later life have admitted that their first exposure to classical music was from these Bandstand concerts.

On Easter Monday thousands of kite-flyers turned out from five o’clock in the morning. Kites were all hand-made and were in a variety of shapes such as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predominant shape was the Guyanese octagon and in a variety of colours. Singing engines, a kite which made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular.

Kite-flying was always combined with picnicking. The Easter kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday.

As mentioned above, the political tensions and criminality kept people away from the Seawalls in the 1960s. By the invade Guyana if theremore wasstable any possibility of a Marxist 1990s life had become and people again began to government being installed in Guyana. frequent the Seawalls, but the ambience had changed. There Theup1899 Award hadofsettled the boundaries of grew stallsArbitral lining the parapet the Public Road from the Guyana and Venezuela and these boundaries were fully Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and accepted bystalls bothwere parties and the communiall of these well-lit.

TheInternational character of the Seawalls ty.

One of the junior lawyers representing Venezuela had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. at the arbitration, MalletPrevost, left ais letter was not Now that the tourism industry beingthat revived, the toSeawalls have been opened until after his death.

In that letter, still offer an attractive attraction. he claimed that the Arbitral Award was the result of an arrangement between Britain and the Russian arbitrator to deprive Venezuela of its rights. After more than half a century, Venezuela, based on Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, now rejected the Arbitral Award and claimed twothirds of Guyana’s territory. Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter was the causus Venezuela used to threaten Guyana and this continued after the Cold War, the raison d’etre for the claim, had ended.

Most lawyers and historians who took any notice of Mallet-Prevost’s letter dismissed it as a historical curiosity or very flimsy evidence on which to attempt to upset a long-accepted Arbitral Award. But the Venezuelan politicians and the Venezuelan public gave credence and importance to Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, which would have been dismissed in the modern world. But the Venezuelan politicians and public still live in the 19th century Napoleonic world where territorial conquests were regarded as acceptable and even heroic. In today’s world,

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, September 12, 2021

The taboo subject ...

FROM PAGE XII medication along with the homework activities my counselor gave me were a big help, especially when put together.

I also did research and other places that do counselling, and I used them as much as possible. Some of the places were Help and shelter, the Ministry of Health Mental health unit

and Georgetown public hospital’s psychiatric department as there are counsellors, social workers, and doctors always available there.

I would like to advise people to stop being shy or embarrassed about getting professional help as I don’t know what I would have done without it. Knowledge about this help should be sought from people whether they have a mental health illness or not.

Clinical depression to me was like being in a cage with a lion. It’s very scary, very horrifying, tears were my steady diet- everything I drank tasted like vinegar, my food tasted like poison. Doing all the above helped me to come out of that cage and not being eaten alive- which I equate to suicide.

I’ve grown to realise that no matter how bad it is, it did happen for a reason and there is always something positive to learn from the situation.

It’s been 48 years since I’ve been struggling with this and I’m doing much better as I can finally say I can stand on my own. However, I still have to remember that if I do not continuously lean on my various support systems, I may not be.

I wish to say thank you to everyone who have helped stay alive.

I am very happy with sharing my experience with all of you especially those who are trying to help themselves and those who are even trying to help others. If you have been through similar situations and need a listening ear, please do call me anytime on 683 3990.

Maybe I can help you to become a Victor too!

Sincerely Marietta Campbell” Thank you for reading everyone, please remember to continue sending in topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. If you’d like to share a story like this one- anonymously or not, please do reach out!

‘MONTREAL PROTOCOL KEEPING ...

By developing cold chain solutions that are more efficient, more climate-friendly, and cheaper to buy and operate, cold chains will become more effective and widely available. This will provide producers such as farmers and pharmaceutical providers with access to pre-cooling, refrigerated storage and refrigerated transport – ensuring products such as food and vaccines reach people in safe and good condition.

On this Ozone Day, we celebrate and acknowledge the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment in its wider efforts to keep us, our food, and vaccines cool!

For more information, visit https://www.unep. org/ozonaction/who-we-are/about-montreal-protoc o l ? _ g a = 2 . 2 0 4 6 8 2 7 6 8 . 1 8 5 1 2 6 4 7 5 3 . 1 6 3 11 2 6 2 3 9 930946714.1627583544 FROM PAGE XVIII

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. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I never resist te mptation, becaus eI have found that things that are bad for me do not te mpt me.

GEORGE BERN ARD SHAW (186 51950) The Apple Cart (1929), Act ii

September 12, 2021 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, WELCOME, dear friend.

Please remember that revision means looking up again using revision methodologies. Revise

two to three hours each day to cover much in a week. To prepare for a multiple-choice examination, use old examination papers. Read the passage well then deal with each question individually.

Cover up the set of possible responses with a card while you read its stem or body.

Anticipate the correct response, expose the options and then choose the best one. Be wise.

Love you.

GRAMMAR Balancing verbs in sentences Reminder: A verb phrase combines one or more auxiliary, or helping, verbs with a verb of action or condition.

You will find that some sentences contain verb phrases such as will make, have sent, was washed, will be going, will have been approved, and so on. You will find also that other sentences may contain two verb phrases, as does this sentence: Jason and I will go to the grocery and (will) take a taxi to Aunt Lucy’s.

Note that the will is omitted from before take, because the will in the first verb phrase serves correctly for the second part of the compound verb phrase.

Verbs will not balance, however, if your sentence has two verb phrases and any part of one of them is omitted or if the tense or number of both is not the same.

Poor: Your successful tenders were received last week, and the contract (were) approved yesterday.

These two verb phrases do not balance because the were that is correct for received is not correct for approved. Tenders requires a plural verb; contract requires a singular verb. The corrected sentence is: Your successful tenders were received last week, and the contract was approved yesterday.

Let us now consider balance in relation to a compound verb.

Reminder: A compound verb is made up of two or more words that function as a single verb. Example: The spotlight shone brightly and gave the lead singers new

courage.

Poor: I never have, and never will, see a better family portrait.

Only one form of the main verb phrase, will see, is expressed by this writer, and the two forms are not the same. By adding the unexpressed see to the first part of the compound, it would give this awkward construction: “I have never see.”

When there is an omission of part of a verb phrase it destroys verb balance.

The sentence should have been written thus: I never have seen, and never will see, a better family portrait.

Let us look now at balancing prepositions in sentences.

Balancing Prepositions.

Different words call for different prepositions to go with them. For instance, you would say abide by (a decision), abide with (a person), but in compliance with. There are times when we use angry with (a person), angry at (a machine), angry about (the mess). Balancing prepositions means that if different prepositions are required to accompany words used in a compound, each preposition must be stated. See how the preposition in is used the following sentence: Our family members have respect and belief in the family’s aspirations.

Respect and belief in means respect in and belief in. But respect in does not make sense. Omission of a preposition, therefore, caused a mismatch; the sentence should have been written like this: Our family members have respect for and belief in the family’s aspirations.

Here is a second illustration: I can’t figure out why some of our family members have no appreciation or interest in our mutual problems.

Can you see the problem in sentence construction? Can you see that appreciation (in) or interest in is not balanced? The sentence must be written like this: I can’t figure out why some of our family members have no appreciation

of or interest in our mutual problems.

Application Exercises With the principle of balance in mind, rewrite the following sentences wherever it is necessary.

1. I never have, and never will, see a successful disorganised physician.

2. A congregation has little faith and respect for a pastor who is always late.

3. Ms. Jackson called the supermarket in Georgetown, made an order, and she has driven to the collecting outpost in her village.

4. We will go to the city park and take a taxi to Barrington Village.

5. The successful regional students were enrolled last week, and their complete package of school regulations issued today.

6. The teenaged children have no respect and belief in the village system anymore.

GRAMMAR (keys from last week) Finding and correcting errors in the following sentences. OK if there are no errors.

1. The small, flower garden will cost the mother seventy-seven hundred fifty dollars after the sum borrowed has been repaid.

2. The three children hope to visit their father in Australia.

3. Sixty boys earned enough to pay eighty percent/ per cent of their school expenses.

4. Ms. Sandra Beaton lives at 70 Bacon Ave. with her grandmother, Dr. Sheila Willis.

5. Yes, I’ll be able to meet with you to discuss this at 15:30. (O.K.) 6. If you would like three or four more copies of the brochure, just call Sandra.

7. The board members discussed the issue until 00:15. (O.K.) 8. According to newspaper reports, the estimated cost of manufacturing each helicopter will exceed $10.7 million / 10.7 million dollars.

9. Of course, we realise that there is more than one way to solve this kind of problem.

10. The new interior schools have, respectively, 9, 27, 84, and 107 teachers.

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WhatsApp End-to-End Encrypted Cloud Backups to Roll Out Soon for Android, iOS Users

FACEBOOK CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Friday announced through a post on the platform that WhatsApp has completed building end-to-end encrypted backups and will soon begin rolling out the new layer of privacy and security protection to users.

The end-to-end encrypted backups will be available as an optional feature that users need to manually enable on the app. It will be rolled out to both Android and iOS devices in the coming weeks, the Facebook-owned company said.

Users will be able to enable end-to-end encryption for their chat backups on WhatsApp by creating a password that they will be required to restore their backup in the future. Alternatively, WhatsApp will also be able to use their 64-digit encryption key for authentication.

By enabling end-to-end encryption for backups, users will be able to protect their chat history from being accessed by any third parties. The company claims that neither WhatsApp nor the backup service provider including Apple and Google will have access to the end-to-end encrypted key and backups of users.

WhatsApp has been allowing users to keep their chat backups on Apple iCloud in case of iPhones and on Google Drive in case of Android phones. But in both cases, the backups stored in the cloud are not protected by an end-to-end encryption from the WhatsApp side. This means that the data could be read by a third party. It has brought some instances in which third parties including law-enforcement agencies might have gained user data access. This is where the new end-to-end encrypted backups could be helpful.

The level of security through the new feature will be identical to how WhatsApp messages are protected under end-to-end encryption. However, WhatsApp engineers need to work hard to implement the advancement — particularly considering the fact that there are more than two billion users on the app who send over 100 billion messages a day and most of them use cloud backups to protect their chat history.

With end-to-end encrypted backups, WhatsApp will encrypt the chat messages and all the existing messaging data including text, photos, and videos that is being backed up using a random key that will be generated on the device.

WhatsApp has built a Hardware Security Module (HSM) based Backup Key Vault that will come into effect when a user is opting for a personal password to protect their chat backups. This Vault service will save encryption keys for user backups on a per-user basis and work as a physical locker in your bank to store the keys that help keep backups secured with a user-provided password. It returns the key after validating your password each time when you need to restore your end-to-end encrypted backup. The service also

ensures that the encryption key won’t be provided after a certain number of unsuccessful attempts.

To avoid data centre outage issues, WhatsApp says that it is keeping the Backup Key Vault service geographically-distributed across multiple data centres.

“Because the backups are encrypted with a key not known to Google or Apple, the cloud provider is incapable of reading them,” WhatsApp said in a whitepaper.

It is important to note that if a user forgets their password and loses access to their phone, they will not be able to recover their encrypted backup.

In case a user is not opting for the password option for

their end-to-end encrypted backups and are using a 64-digit key instead, they will be required to manually enter the key on the app to decrypt and access their backups.

WhatsApp was initially spotted bringing end-to-end encrypted backups on its platform in July. Last month, the app was also found to be working on extending end-to-end encryption to local backups, though there is no official word on its rollout.

That said, the end-to-end encrypted backups feature will initially reach beta testers on Android and iOS in the coming days — before reaching end users.

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