The Guyana Chronicle Pepperpot

The ‘go-getters’ of Nottinghamshire

Marcia Simmons is a resident of Nottinghamshire Village, Linden and holds many hats to earn a living and contribute to her home. She is known as “the black pudding lady” but also specializes in many other tasty treats. She is also a cash crop farmer and works part-time as a Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) worker in her community. In this photo, Simmons is going about her daily activities with the help of her children (Carl Croker photo)

Sunday August 15, 2021

II

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Now 36 Years since Forbes Burnham transitioned

By Francis Quamina Farrier

WHEN someone we know dies, especially suddenly, we always reflect on the last time we saw them alive. In this article which is about the 36th death anniversary of President Forbes Burnham, I will reflect not only on what was the last time I saw him alive but comments I recently garnered from Guyanese over three decades later.

I last saw President Burnham alive on Saturday, August 4, 1985. It was a special occasion for me and scores of other citizens of Georgetown, those with a special interest in the history of our beautiful Garden city.

Murray Street in the city ward of South Cummingsburg, was having that name changed from honoring the colonial governor, Sir John Murray, who owned slaves

in the colony, to that of the enslaved African, Deacon Quamina an enslaved African of the Bethel Congregational church at Le Resouviner on the lower East Coast, Demerara. He was from Ghana in West Africa and a carpenter by trade. History and Burnham had decided that Governor Murray was not the kind of person to have his name perpetuated on a street. He was known to be exceedingly cruel to the non-whites and he had actually owned slaves. And so, at a special ceremony which was held at the corner of Carmichael and (then) Murray Streets in the South Cummingsburg ward of the city, the name “Murray” was officially removed and replaced with the name “Quamina.”

At the event, I was taking very close attention to the president as I observed that he was not in the very best of health. He was im-

President Forbes Burnham with members of the PSU Drama Group (Farrier at the left of Burnham)

maculately dressed as usual for the event. However, there were two things which I had observed on that Saturday afternoon as the street name-change ceremony progressed. It was the highly polished boots which the president wore. Also, the beautiful smoke rings which he made as he puffed away with satisfaction on what I believed was a Cuban cigar.

In a survey which I recently took, nurse by profession, former Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase Green in a comment stated, “I thank him for the opportunity to serve in the Guyana National Service.”

Leroy Nelson pointed out that “He installed in us a sense of individual and collective self. Today, some are still struggling to discover who they are. The national project is still incomplete.”

Theresa Arifa stated that “He did many good things, but the bad cast a shadow on the good he did. Especially bankrupting our country.”

Joycelyn Morian shared the view that “He was unable to get more Guyanese to understand that if Foreigners have to come to develop Guyana, whatsoever is developed will not be for ordinary citizens.

He had a vision to convert all of the National Service Centres to Sustainable towns.”

Earle Lambert had this to say; “The good things he

did outweighed the bad. For example, the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the paving of the East Coast Demerara highway, the construction of the Canje Bridge, the construction of the National Cultural Centre, and I can go on and on. He also taught us self reliance - that is, that we can use locally grown fruits in many ways such as making cakes. Most of all, I love listening to his speeches. He was an eloquent speaker, one who spoke off the cuff, and his pronunciation was great.” “I was too young to love or hate him,” said Chabi Gajadar, “However, I do appreciate that he was a visionary...in his attempt to make us self-sufficient. I watched my mother lead her circle of women during that time with good, strong spirit.” Though he never judged politicians by their accomplishments, Rick Solar said of Burnham, “Was always awed by the speeches and political savvy of LFSB.” A recommendation by Errol Brewster is that “We should establish libraries to elucidate all their regimes. Be a tremendous benefit to maturing the political culture of the nation.” Although a political adversity of President Burnham, Wazir Mohamed said that “At the moment of his death, we placed our adversarial relationship aside,

and Kwayana, Roopnarine, and myself walked past his coffin as he lay in state at the National Cultural Centre.”

As Guyana’s history continues to unfold, and many of those who knew President Forbes Burnham personally continue to follow him into eternity, there will remain only those who will learn of him only by books and whatever is written or recorded.

One such item of Burnham history should have been the film documentary entitled, “A man of the people” which I worked very hard on - writing the script, interviewing President Burnham at the residence and publishing a film documentary with a bright and talented team of producers. My understanding is that in late 1992, that film documentary was allegedly dispatched from the archives of the Ministry of Information and sent to the incinerator on Princes Street in Georgetown and allegedly burnt, along with many other film and audio documentaries and periodicals. That was the period before video. As such, that Burnham film documentary and so many others containing aspects of our country’s history are lost forever.

III

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

‘Personal care items are a necessity not luxury!’

– says Director of new women and girls foundation

NEW YORK-based Guyanese Shameeza Ally is ever closer to realising her dream of launching a foundation that caters to the needs of women and girls, especially in the ideal social and political climate that has been present in Guyana recently.

The mother of four has been living overseas since leaving her Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara residence in 2001. She has been working in finance for the past 16 years, which she believes has allowed her to connect with her community a personal and professional level.

Having a passion for giving back to her community, especially in her country of origin, she started ‘Get Real with Shameeza,’ a live show featuring hot and outstanding personalities that are willing to share their inspiring stories through life so far.

While interviewing these personalities, Shameeza thought to herself that she could do so much more to reach out to those in need.

“We have a lot of smart girls and women in Guyana and to see what’s happening to them….the stories that were shared and the photos

and videos sent to me; it’s just devastating. I had to do something and that’s why I started the foundation,” she told Pepperpot Magazine on Friday.

Taking three letters each from her two daughters’ names, Shameeza named the foundation ‘SafAri for Hope,’ which will be officially launched later this month and will be based in New York.

“We’ve had guests sharing so much information on the show about women and girls, about trafficking, abuse, molestation, etc. My foundation’s aim is to help

New York-based Guyanese Shameeza Ally

The SafAri for Hope Foundation was named after Ally’s two daughters

women in these circumstances and to bring awareness to others.”

Shameeza is making it her duty to come to Guyana later this month to speak with government and other officials about ways her foundation can support the work that they are doing.

She has observed that owing to the amount of work that has to be done in these areas, the government needs all the help it can get through organisations like hers.

O n c e launched, Shameeza said the intention is to create and distribute care packages to the women and girls. “I want to be able to deliver personal care items like sanitary pads, deodorant, lotions and moisturisers to help them to care for themselves. No little girl should feel that having these things is a luxury because they’re necessities. This can help them grow their confidence and wellbeing,”

she expressed.

She added: “We will try our best to tackle some of the issues in Guyana to help women. That’s my focus for this foundation. To be here today and be given that opportunity to help and give back…that is just powerful.

I am happy I have been chosen to be the one to do this.”

Meanwhile, through her show, Shameeza enjoys open discussions on women’s SEE PAGE IV

IV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

‘A week in the Life of a CEO’ Local organisation training children in essential business skills

By Dillon Goring C E R U L E A N Incorporated, an entrepreneurial company will begin an entrepreneurial programme for young children between the ages of nine and fifteen on August 16 -20, 2021.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with the Coordinator of this programme, Michelle Gentle to talk about the programme, its purpose and its future.

“The programme was basically created to involve children with entrepreneurship from an early age. It is to teach them the important life skills they can apply to any career choice,” Gentle explained. “It is an online programme because of the

pandemic, and it is built upon real-world concepts that they aren’t taught in school.”

According to Gentle, the programme also helps children to learn business concepts and ideas and also learn the value of money through an experimental process. During her interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Gentle mentioned that Cerulean Incorporated also teaches and exposes the children to certain important ideas and activities.

“Part of the programme allows them to bring what business idea they have, after we would have brainstormed and went through certain things of launching a business. Then they would have the idea of what busi-

ness is like,” Gentle mentioned during her interview.

She also noted that children are being taught to utilise what resources they have around them According to her, the children are given vouchers to help start a business of their own.

The Marketing Executive says that the idea behind this concept is to guide young people through a professional mantra to materialise their business ideas and concepts.

“When we introduced that programme, we had younger children reaching out to us to join, but they aren’t of the age to make their business idea a reality.

Hence we came up with the idea of a week in the

Michelle Gentle

life of a CEO,” Gentle told Pepperpot.

The executive believes that the programme has a long future and sustainability because of the overwhelming response of the children involved.

Approximately 25 children are expected to be registered for the programme.

When the programme begins on August 16th, the children are expected to be taught different aspects of the business, including sales,

marketing, etc.

Gentle added that children’s accessibility is not limited by Regions. She made it clear that once the child has internet access to join, they can.

‘Personal care items ...

FROM PAGE III roles in society, and allows her guests to express their struggles and how they have been supported and uplifted.

Her goal is to have men and women open up about the struggles that prevent them from living their best life and to this end, she plans on inviting counsellors and therapists to assist. Her plan also includes arranging for women-focused groups in the community to meet and

discuss ways they can support each other.

Therefore, the foundation will provide care items like clothing and essentials necessary for women to restart their lives and take charge of their future. It will allow them to restore their confidence and go out in the world with new hope, Ally said.

She believes that every woman is beautiful in her own way and sometimes just need to be reminded

of it. “I want our new generation to live in a world where they can openly speak of their feelings and not be afraid of having to suppress their feelings because of what society thinks of them,” she had said, adding, “It is crazy enough that we live in a world where we have to struggle so much; if we can be more open and care less about judgment, we can all have more successful and happy lives.”

V

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

The importance of boosting the skills of local agro-processors it was more of that for me today, on the hygiene a lot of it was just reinforced,” Washington commented during his interview.

Where it concerns food safety and hygiene, Washington noted that a lot was covered in the training session organised by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.

More importantly, according to him, the recall of bad products from the market is harder to fix than ensuring that food safety and good

By Dillon Goring IN recent times, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) has invested in ensuring that the country’s agro-processors increase their skills to ensure greater productivity.

Against this backdrop, the Pepperpot Magazine sat down with Carlton Washington to get a perspective on how agro-processors like himself are utilising the enhancement received.

“From previous training, we have implemented a lot of SOPs [Standard Operations Procedures] that we have now in terms of sterling, or waste disposal, or recording of batches and the like, this training was beyond anything that I have had so far,” Washington told Pepperpot

Magazine.

He stated that a mobile application that was made accessible to small, medium and large scale agro-processors earlier this year was received by many producers, including Washington.

However, he said that the implementation of some of the things discussed on the app will be shortly put into implementation.

Washington added that there is a need for better organisation of sanistation of products and facilities in general.

According to him, a Peas Producer, agro-processors have made it where it concerns “warehousing”, that is, basic storage facilities for producers of Agri foods.

He believes that there needs to be more work on

ensuring that there is correct packaging, disclaimers and so forth.

Producers need to ensure that it is well fitted and together so that there aren’t any issues with wllergens that would affect the customers, according to Washington.

Looking ahead, Washington noted that one of the benefits to him as a result of the training is to definitely have a discussion with his team to, first of all, make sure that everyone is on the same page, hence not repeating the mistakes of the past by ensuring that the changes are implemented.

“For me, the training was just an eye-opener; a reminder that it is very important to record…record everything that you are doing from your sanitising to your batches, so

hygiene in one’s operations.

Washington made mention of the fact that the issue of exportation was not dealt with as a topical issue at the recent training session, but since his company was in the process of preparing for export, he did specify that there was a standard procedure for agro–processors.

He believes that producers need to be on the ball with pest control practices, cleansing of their products and sanitising; however, much emphasis was placed on what needs to be done on a batch

being recalled from the market and a customer as well as distribution.

Wa s h i n g t o n m a d e i t clear that the training of all agro-processors should be a top priority.

“The fact that when you come into the business of agro-processing, you learn things over a period should not continue, there should be systems in place that doesn’t demand class session for everyone, but everyone should still have that access,” Washington said.

VI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Nottinghamshire Village

Nottinghamshire Village (Carl Croker photos)

By Michel Outridge THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited Nottinghamshire Village, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a rustic, picturesque village with lots of trees and a long red loam road leading throughout the small community.

This village is bordered by Watooka Riverside and Old England (Sibernia) and it was once a very thriving place in the bauxite days when the railway and train ran through the community and the bauxite company had a poultry farm and other facilities in this village.

During the 1970s, this village was developed when people from all over decided to settle there and constructed houses

after clearing parts of the land overgrown by trees and vegetation.

Now the village is home to farmers, a few skilled professionals and employees attached to both the private and public sectors and it is a quiet, peaceful place houses are scattered.

Nottinghamshire has about 50 houses and the population is about 250, this community has a lot of children and even though there is a playfield there is nothing else for the children to do with schools closed due to the pandemic.

Internet access is an added expense most parents cannot afford and online learning is a luxury but some utilise the worksheets provided by the Ministry of Education.

Nottinghamshire Village is managed by a Community Development Council (CDC) and has a Chairman, Derick Narine, who was not available.

The village has electricity, potable water supply, landline services in some sections, no internet and the

Focus on the Village

road is in a bad state with very large potholes.

The villagers would access services from the Watooka Day Nursery and Primary schools, the Linden Hospital Complex and others in McKenzie including the market and supermarkets.

Nottinghamshire has a church which sits on a piece of land as you enter the village, beside a small road leading into the community which has a bus shed.

There is also a weathered signboard with the name of the village at the entrance.

The people of this community are simple, really welcoming folk who use their yard space to grow food and rear chickens, rear cattle and do other things that bring in an income.

There is a shop in the village that sells groceries and beverages and it has a few wooden tables and chairs for customers and one can enjoy the scenic sandhills that is in plain view, a short distance away.

The village has a sawmill, and some locals are employed there, but most people have to leave the village for work.

SEE PAGE XVIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

The people of Nottinghamshire

By Michel Outridge I N April 2021, Naresh Nandlall left a densely populated village and his once thriving spray-paint vehicle workshop at Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara and relocated to Nottinghamshire Village, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

He has more than 40 years of work experience in his field so walking away from a good location and a thriving small business was not easy.

In this small village he has a lovely wooden ranchstyle house which was newly built and is slowly re-starting his small business as a vehicle spray-paint mechanic.

“I did two cars from town already so people are now learning I am here and I have no doubt they will come for the service,” he said.

Nandlall stated that he had been constructing his house for some time and became familiar with the village after he brought a neighbour home in his car.

He explained that he had dropped her home a few times and he became enchanted with the village and decided to relocate there.

“I just like this place and I applied for a plot and got through, so I started to build and I moved in in April this year and I feel so at peace and safe,” he said.

Nandlall added that he

his small business is gradually picking up because a lot of people do not know he relocated to Nottinghamshire Village.

He added that the best part about living in the community is you can leave everything unattended and nothing would go missing because the people do not engage in pilfering.

The 51-year-old pointed out that he is trying to fill his yard and bring it to an acceptable standard because it is swampy and it needs to be upgraded to prevent flooding.

He has some cash crops, most of which was under flood water due to heavy rainfall that day.

Nandlall told the Pepperpot Magazine that the people are struggling be-

VII

cause there are no real jobs except for farming and it needs some attention since there isn’t much to do.

“This place quiet and nice but the road is a mess and we need internet and landline phone because the cell phone service is very unreliable, other than that we good,” he said.

Meanwhile, his wife, Rosaline Charles, who hails from Potaro disclosed that she is adjusting to the place and feels safe so far because the people have been very cooperative and nothing but good to them since they moved.

A few houses away is Taramattie FrederNaresh Nandlall

Taramattie Fredericks in her yard

icks, the neighbour who Naresh Nandlall dropped home when he first found out about the community.

Better known as “Tara”, she is a humble and very conservative woman who keeps her yard well planted with flowers and plants of all colours, which she has lining the walkway to her house.

She relocated form home village of La Grange, West Bank Demerara 20 years ago to Nottinghamshire,

Linden.

“I didn’t have my own place and I came to Linden because my husband is from here and that’s how I ended up living here and because the place is quiet and there is a lot of space too,” she said.

The mother of 10, eight of whom are still alive, told the Pepperpot Magazine that her husband is from Old England and she got to like the village a lot and saw herself living a good life in that section of the mining town.

She reported that because it is a very bushy place, it is hard to maintain the yard because the grass would grow very quickly, but she would have it weeded regularly and it is a place where the rain doesn’t miss.

F re d e r i c k s h a s t h e company of some grandchildren with her to keep her busy and she would only leave her home for

work. She would go to the city or La Grange to do some cleaning for relatives and she would earn, a few times per week.

She has a daughter who resides nearby and the grandchildren are always around to assist her. Fredricks has 24 grandchildren.

She has her yard well-maintained and has shady trees under which she has a wooden bench in front of her yard and she has converted her yard into a kitchen garden.

Fredericks added that life is good, except she needs a job within the village because commuting is tiresome and there aren’t any job opportunities in Nottinghamshire Village.

She related that for the lives of the people to be enhanced, they need a better road, internet and landline services and an ICT hub for the many children that reside there.

“We trying but we need facilities and a bit of help to have a better life here,” she said.

Focus on the Village

Naresh Nandlall in his workshop at his home (Carl Croker photos)

VIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

The teacher and the cook The ‘go-getters’ of the village

By Michel Outridge PAT R I C E Simeon is a teacher attached to the Aroarima Primary School and has spent many waking hours at the school preparing pupils to write the recently held Grade Six Assessment examination.

She is a resident of Nottinghamshire Village, Linden and has a way with children, which makes her ideal for a teacher.

“It was good to be back in the actual classroom after being away from it for so long and it felt good because I was able to connect with the pupils better rather than virtual classes, which has its own challenges,” she said.

Simeon reported that none of the Grade Six pupils had an internet connection so they had no choice but to return to the classroom to prepare them to sit the exam.

Having fulfilled her mandate as a teacher and with the Grade Six Assessment exams out of the way, she is at home relaxing, awaiting the new school term with the fervent hope that schools will be re-opened.

“I am ready to return to the classroom so we have to wait and see what’s going to happen because being home

is rather boring and I want to be in a classroom where I belong,” she said.

For Simeon being a teacher is what she always dreamed of so when it happened she was very happy and said that it is a fulfilling job.

“If you are passionate about teaching like me, it is easy as a job and I really like being around the children imparting knowledge, preparing them for a bright future in the workforce,” she said.

Simeon began her teaching career eight years ago and said it feels like yesterday because it is not a burden for her at all.

Even though teachers, like many others, have been tried and tested during this pandemic, they went beyond the call of duty to deliver education to the children that depend on them.

The mother of one reported that she has been residing in Nottinghamshire Village for six years, and she is originally from Kwakwani.

She resides with family members and she would assist her aunt, who has the only shop in the village.

Simeon is a spritely young woman who loves

Marcia Simmons on the go in her village

what she does for a job and is looking forward to the re-opening of schools.

The village cook and black pudding lady Meanwhile, Marcia Simmons called “Shondel” is said to be the best cook in the village. She is the “black pudding lady” who makes very tasty foods and other things.

The mother of seven was

Marcia Simmons

Teacher, Patrice Simeon (Carl Croker photos)

Focus on the Village

unable to get a job so she decided to utilise her cooking skills and started to make white and black pudding, egg ball, pholourie, cassava ball, fried rice with fried chicken, baked fish macaroni and cheese every Saturday.

Residents support her because they get what they expect- deliciousness and her small business helps to buy groceries to put food on the table in the home.

Simmons told the Pepperpot Magazine that she would prepare the dishes early at her home and would get help from her children to get out house to house and

sell in the community.

She is well-known in the small, close-knit village of Nottinghamshire and people look forward to her dishes every Saturday.

Of her seven children, only four are at home with her and they are a blessing to her life because they would often lend a helping hand in doing things in the home, she testified.

Simmons also has a parttime job as a Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) worker attached to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 and would clean

drains and parapets 16 days per month and get an income for that job.

This Nottinghamshire resident is also a small scale cash crop farmer and has utilised her yard space to cultivate crops which she would sell to bring in a dollar to the home.

“In life, if you want to be able to have a comfortable life or have many children like I do, you have to ‘hustle’ honestly and do more than one job to earn and I am trying to do to make ends meet financially,” she said.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Taking life day by day

IX

Determined to make a living amidst trials

By Michel Outridge THE 58-year-old is the wife of a farmer whose daily life includes spending waking hours tending to crops in their spacious yard in Nottinghamshire Village, Linden is no other than Kamlawattie Harpaul.

She is the mother of one with two grandchildren and is from Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River and relocated to Nottinghamshire Village 15 years ago when she wanted a better life.

Harpaul has crops of tomatoes bora, pak choi, and citrus, most of which were recently destroyed by flood waters.

She recalled when they first came to the place, it was like a jungle with thick wild eddoes plants and they had to cut it down to have it cleared before they could build a small house to dwell in.

Harpaul stated that the place was littered by garbage and they had to clean up the place before they were comfortable and spent a lot of years preparing the land for farming.

dard it is today but despite that, within recent times, they have been inauduated with water.

“We bought five truckloads of hard stuff from the bauxite company at $5,000 per load and filled the yard because the bottom house was a pond,” she said.

She stated that they depend heavily on their crops to sell to bring in money to the home but they haven’t been able to do so lately due to the rains and the loss of crops.

Meanwhile, her husband, Narine Jadoo told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is a cash crop farmer and also has a plot of farmland in the backdam which is an hour walking to get there from the village.

The 57-year-old added that presently he cannot harvest his crops because they are infested with pests that have destroyed the leaves and are no good to sell.

To get to the farmland is a challenge since floodwaters caused it to be waistdeep with water and it is difficult to access presently,” he said.

Kamlawattie Harpaul and her husband, Narine Jadoo (Carl Croker photos)

where the 100-carriage train transported the locals and their supplies to and from

other crops, but there is little he can do as is.

The farmer is waiting to

their farm to the plant in Two Friends village.

Jadoo added that he is trying to save his citrus and

see if the weather gets better and will have to start over his planting when the sun is out and the land is dried up of flood waters.

“It is not like I am not trying, but I cannot earn right now, so getting a capital to buy chemicals to spray the plants is out of the question and I will have to start all over again if I want to con-

tinue farming,” he said.

Jadoo reported that he is out of options because farming is his ‘daily bread’ and he will to continue doing it regardless of the challenges.

He pointed out that he is originally from Essequibo Coast and he comes from a long line of farmers; using his hands was instilled in him as

ably,” he said.

Jadoo does what they can to earn within the village and even if they have to trek through rough terrain and floodwaters to get to their farms, they do it for a living.

He is one of many small scale farmers of Nottinghamshire Village who are determined to make a living amidst trials.

Farmer Narine Jadoo on his flooded farm.

She added that the place was swampy and had to be filled with dirt and they managed to fix it up to the stan-

He explained that the village was nice when the train used to pass through and they had a lot of activities

Focus on the Village

Kamlawattie Harpaul

a boy and he is doing what he knows to earn honestly.

“I never feel afraid to live here despite the bushes. It is a good place to be just needs a bit of development and job opportunities to live comfort-

Jadoo reported that they have cooperation and they would support each other in whatever they are doing to keep going because they need each other to survive.

X

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

The CDC is developing the community through self-help projects

Ronald Narine on his farm (Carl Croker photos)

By Michel Outridge D E R I C K Narine is the Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) and made Nottinghamshire Village, Linden his home in 1989 and is playing his part to develop the village through community-based self-help projects.

He has been living in Nottinghamshire Village for more than 30 years and is also a small scale farmer.

The CDC was formed in 2003 and he was recently elected the Chairman by the people.

He reported that the Wesleyan Church began utilising the building that was once the caretaker’s home, who was attached to bauxite company Furatana Farm.

Through a self-help initiative with residents, a bus shed was constructed at the head of the village where they have the village name hanging on a piece of board.

He disclosed too, that it was villagers, who came together to build the road in the village and today that road is in a deplorable state.

Narine stated that the people would cooperate for such projects to develop the village and through the CDC, he is embarking on a new project where a building for the Resource Centre will be constructed and the government has promised to equip it with a computer to

make it an ICT hub for the children in the village.

The building will be built at the ball fieled in the community which is a sizable plot just as you enter the village.

He reported that the first settler in Nottinghamshire is Ramnarine Jettoo, who was given a plot and he started his sawmilling business, that place is still in operation and is standing.

Narine reported that the CDC through the Local Government will look at having the playground fenced and built a pavilion.

The CDC Chairman recalled that the Furatana Farm was operated by Guymine, the bauxite company and it was located in Nottinghamshire Village and when the company folded the operations ceased.

He stated that they had a poultry farm, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and Guymine workers used to go there to make purchases with the company’s identification card and get eggs, meats, and vegetables. That money would be deducted from their salary at month end.

The Furatana Farm has a hatchery, and they planted their own fruits and vegetables.

Narine added that the railway ran through that village and the train used to pass to go to the farm and they used to assist people in transportation, back then.

Ronald Narine’s home

He pointed out that was about 25 years ago and all remnants of the railway have since disappeared and it is replaced by a loam road that has huge potholes.

As for the farm site it is abandoned and overgrown with bushes and parts of the buildings that were once in tip-top shape are in a state of disrepair.

The farmer

Ronald Narine is a farmer and his backyard has cash crops and fruits but it was flooded and he lost 12 beds of bora, 2000 ochro plants, 3000 roots of cabbage and

many other crops.

The father of five told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been in Nottinghamshire Village for the past 25 years

and he is making a living by farming.

He has spent a significant part of his life there and describes life as good until

SEE PAGE XXVI

Focus on the Village

CHRONICLE 28,2021 2021 CHRONICLEPEPPERPOT PEPPERPOT――Sunday, Sunday,February August 15,

SLAVERY AND THE BIBLE

XIII XI

ON THE AWARENESS OF THE AESTHETIC AND THE ‘BEING’ OF OUR YOUNG NATION Part II - AN EXPLORATION ON EMANCIPATION, TOO LONG AVOIDED I grew up hearing of how the “White man’s Bible” enslaved us. I was guided into a stream of study that shocked me awake from the local church statues

compounds the confusion and presents a tremendous effort to seek clarity on the origins of the ideas, metaphors, and interpretations of old-world expe-

IN concluding this discussion, which is intended to raise questions within the reader and inspire responsible actions among those that acquire decision making positions or are already there, we cannot arrive at a sensible without considerations in retrospect. So in a brief flashback, we must recognise, what we have lost to our physical memory reference archive, and use this as inspiration, to be able to raise a natural alarm, a connection to the aesthetic sensitivity alerting us to the fact that we need to have a historical memory in respect to our surroundings, as buildings, landscapes and architecture are inherent of memories in both the conscious and subconscious awareness. We have to become other than people who occupy a geographic space on this planet, and relate to what is the necessary thinking that will enable us to address from the now onward what is significant to telling our stories, especially stories important to our timelines. When we became independent, the euphoria of self-governed nationhood intoxicated us, it had its grounds for intoxication alongside sober examination. We did not make the observation that all around us within the borders of countries we still held controlled admiration for, had retained the edifices of past times.

Our own coloniser England never dismantled Hadrian’s Wall. In more ways than one, from previous colonisers and also from despised local leaders, they kept the memory for reflection, in our Caribbean, Christophe’s spectacular fortress of defence in Haiti will remain, regardless of his history. Europe with the obvious white supremacy that emerged with colonisation did not destroy the sculptures of Afro-European Knights, artworks and literature that spoke of, or alluded to the African presence in a much older Europe, of course, they didn’t in-depth celebrate them either, and also hid their identities with new portraits and in movies.

Where we erred in Guyana was not to use the structures that became available with the decline of trademark services like the Trains, to build museums dedicated to that part of our historical memory. Why preserve the physical imagery of the past? Simple, our ancestors lived it, for the historian, the creative mind, the investigative journalist, the physical location beautiful retold dramatic is and important.

The renaissance development ofriences museums was in a continuous peeve of the late Dr. Dennis Williams, whoFor had instance, identified paintings in children’s storylines.

Five Museums to be built, he insisted that a marine museum books and movie stories there are many narratives would have been a must. I can now imagine a display of the on Biblical times, from of ship’s kitchen on Lady which Northcourt withdiverse its cook,peoples the portrait not ceased, thefrom Biblical there ofhave indifference ‘John’, that ‘keepIaway John’sflood, kitchen, and why?’ caption should read before thislikely rude faced ship’s cook hadAdigested from my was a global rise of made of papier máché beneath enough a toilet, earliest years of–“whose cog- kitchen waters, lay traumatic from which water dripped or so we were made heroes and nisance, which withcontinuously, a to generate

sea in the north-west of Guyana was miles inland a few thousand years ago.

Rome’s adaptation of the faithist movement that emerged from the

teachings of the ‘Christ’ and titled it ‘Christianity’ on the order of emperor Constantine, supported by the Roman Legions. I must infer that race is not entirely the imperative to establish colonisation of the mind, culture, and body. The yoke of secular Christian imposition began on the backs of pagan Europe, and those who

See Pagedoctrines.

XIX Locally, the lack of geography would place the Biblical world archaeologist Denis Wilin Europe. There are two liams in finding shellfish worlds of theories and im- remains of seafood miles agery available in respect inland, theorised that the to the African presence in SEE PAGE XIX the Biblical spaces. That

XII XII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT PEPPERPOT ― ― Sunday, Sunday, August August 8, 15,2021 2021 CHRONICLE

A HAND TO HOLD LIKE PEBBLES IN A STREAM

For tiredness lies On my lids My body like a Broken goblet The Earth can feel No more my feet “Nurse.”

“So I must come home, dear Lord,” was the hoarse plea looked upwoman, from the science journal on shethe was readfrom Shauna the lips of the old lying in a recliner patio. ing, recognising the nurse small,aid scared voice of the The middle-aged sitting close by young readingpatient the in the maternity ward. newspaper inquired of the old woman, “Whatis does she want now?” the nurse sitting next to “What it, Sharda?”

Shauna grumbled sleepily, “She’s She did not answer, looking upnot at in thelabour clear yet.” blue sky, “Shenot probably Shauna verysee young.” her eyes so dim,scared,” her hearing stillsaid, fine.“She’s She could the too young though lovely“Not flowers bloom and hearto---” the sweet songs of the birds in her garden, but her love and passion for nature were slowly fading away.

How does one continue to embrace life when the body has become aged and feeble, memory sometimes floating into nothingness, when you need a young, strong hand to hold and there was none?

“How did this happen?” she asked herself, tears misting in her eyes, “Why did this happen?”

The loneliness was a deep ache in her heart, craving for the children she loved and missed so much just to hear their voices. But they were gone, now matured adults pursuing careers and sharing their lives with new loves and interests.

The mother now lived alone in the home where they had shared a beautiful family life. She had moulded and guided

them, her hard work and sacrifices laying a foundation for the successes they had achieved in their lives. But after reaching great heights in the business world, their

rich lifestyles made them forget where they came from, and for the aged mother, there was no time.

A lone tear trickled down her wrinkled face, a face still beautiful never mind her age

she had walked away from her matrimonial home with her four children into the throes of an unknown world.

She had worked long hours every day to build a nice little home with comfort

and she lifted a trembling for them and today, instead hand to wipe it. A hand that of holding her hand, like was once strong, that held her she had held theirs, they children’s small ones every turned their backs, leaving her alone. step of the way.

A choked sob escaped A wry smile crossed her face and a faraway look her lips and once again she shone in her eyes as her whispered, “It’s time for me thoughts took her back to a to come home, dear Lord, time when she was a young there’s nothing left here.”

The nurse aid gother up and woman.

She was of She checked pres“Don’t say so it,”full Shauna life, like a butterfly sureher andhand, made urging sure sheher was interrupted her in with a mild took “Come on, Sharda, amazing sim- gently, comfortable, wrapping her tone, colours though and not apleased timehair for your and ple,with little home with to it’slong that meal had fallen what she filled was going love, father loose into a bun on her say.then Sheher went overgave to the medication.”

She sighed and looking hergirl’s handbed. in marriage to a head.

She inquired, rice farmer’s life up at the Shenurse. was only fifteen, an “What son; is it,a new Sabrina?”

“Whogirl, are you?” as ashe bride and later, Indigenous having run asked with aayoung patient puzzled, “I’m Jeanette,” the wommother.

Paths she had walked away from an abused life smile. answered paved with love, know, compassion, home atpatiently, the handsasofshe her “I don’t nurse,” an at her to her tears of assisted step-father.

Shefeet, had“Your moved theand girlpain, said, episodes fear flickering aid.” herin lifeher written from one family to the next, eyes,on“ the I’mleaves feeling nurse “Oh,” exclaimed softof time. seekingshe little domestic jobs restless.” a momentary Then one day, fourteen and there,lapse until in sheher met “Don’t worry,” Shauna ly, here years when she could a young miner and became saidlater, comfortingly, “Those memory.

The friends kind woman have borne no more of her close with him.had things happen in pregnancy, been with her for pastto husband’s arrogance and abu“Andre hasn’tthe come you’ll be fine.” sive behaviour towards her, three years, financed by the

children to provide care and companionship for they hardly found any time in their daily schedules to spend with their mother.

That night as she laid in bed, she looked at the paint-

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 me portrait see yet,”that she captured said with a tears simple and a“Why beautiful in life her eyes, isn’t family. he visiting me? He wanted “You have so long me to have theleft baby.” ago, mother,” sheShauna said in asa “He will,” weak voice, can’t rememsured her, “I “Maybe he’s as ber much scared as for you now are.” I have grownShe too didn’t old.” want her to The Andre brotherhas andbeen sister know deplaying with had also tained by the her police because left, shetheir wasnames belownow thewritten age of onconsent. tombstones whilst she, the youngest, stillstop alone.

“Youwaited have to wor“ W h iand s p e rthink m y of nam e, rying your mother,” shesweet said,she’ll “Andbe.”

I baby, how shall come, so we can be SEE PAGE XV SEE PAGE XXIX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XIII

XIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

LIKE PEBBLES...

FROM PAGE XII Sabrina smiled and relaxed a little, “You’re so patient and nice to me. Will you be with me when it’s time?”

“Once I’m on that shift, I will be. Now try to relax and go to sleep.”

Shauna stayed by Sabrina’s bedside for a little while longer, sorry for her being at that stage in her young life. The bad situations that intrude in some children’s lives do interrupt their childhood, denying them a good and rewarding life. As a caregiver, Shauna knew patience and kind words were great comforts for expectant mothers and Sabrina especially needed that comfort.

That night at home as she kissed her sleeping sons and said a prayer for them, she also said a prayer for Sabrina, a child bearing a child.

She closed her eyes but not drifting off to sleep

though tired from a full day’s work of being a nurse and a single mother. The burden of her broken marriage and the betrayal of the one she had given her heart to were still deep in her mind, like pebbles in a stream. There were at times, quiet moments when she felt deeply the loneliness and the heartache. He had walked away not long after their twin babies were born.L Life was not too kind to her as the babies grew because of the struggles and stress of being a single parent.

But she knew she had to stay strong for her sons, the only beautiful thing in her life. And after four years she managed to create a comfortable life for them though she still had a long way to go.

The next night at the hospital, twenty minutes away from the end of Shauna’s shift, Sabrina went into labour and she held unto Shauna’s hand crying, “Please

don’t leave, stay with me please.”

The two other nurses attending to her could not get her to calm down, so to avoid her pressure rising Shauna stayed with her.

She talked with her gently, guiding her through the spasms of pain until an hour later a baby girl was born.

The young mother, tired and tearful, smiled upon hearing the baby’s cries.

“Thank you, nurse,” she said a little breathless.

On the way home Shauna smiled to herself, happy for the young mother who now had to take life one step at a time with the promised help from two charities and a few private citizens.

She closed her eyes and relaxed a little in her seat, a cool wind blowing in from the bus’s open window.

A little while later she opened her eyes with a start as a passenger exclaimed loudly, “Oh lord, look at that!”

The bus had slowed down in traffic by an exclusive housing area with its impressive landscape and splendid houses. A new structure, a stunning piece of architecture, was what caught the passengers’ attention.

“Now that’s money! The rich live like kings,” were the sentiments expressed in the bus as it drove on.

Shauna smiled wryly, never fascinated with big houses nor luxuries of the wealthy.

“I like the cozy comfort of a small house,” she said to herself, “Warm and relaxing with a touch of intimacy.”

She hoped that one day once her application for a house lot and loan from the bank were approved, she

would own her dream house.

She had planned a good future or her sons and she had lived and worked each day to reach that goal, sacrificing a lot of things in life she wanted.

Her social life had literally come to a halt but two months later, another birthday came around. It was her good friend Rachel’s birthday and she invited her to a ladies night out to celebrate with her. Shauna felt she shouldn’t say no again so she asked her mother to babysit the boys. Two other friends were invited and Rachel decided that club hopping would be fun and exciting.

So it was five beautiful ladies and a birthnight to remember from the Pegasus poolside, Bistro, Kosmos Grill and The Strip at Giftland Mall.

By that time, two ladies had gone home, leaving Rachel, Shauna and Nandani.

The Strip was crowded but they managed to find a good table and the birth night celebrations continued. A while later as they were having a last drink, a smooth voice with a foreign accent greeted them, “Hello ladies.”

The three of them turned

XV toward the voice and Rachel almost choked on her drink.

They were speechless for a moment, stunned by his incredible good look and sculpted body.

“Can I buy you ladies a drink?”

To be continued…

XVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Books and mental health

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 overwhelmingrequire sadness would be felt if they were to lose their mental exercise for decline in over 300 elderly also found that reading reI HAVE received lots of but finding the motivation “well - read” as its recognisgoing sleep phone. emails to regarding my is col-check to do somy herself.

I don’t Iable that reading improves phone today. our brain/mind and yes, the participants determined that duces stress levels by up to easiest way to do that may those who did not read expe- 68 per cent. umn on the benefits of think it’s fair or even a vocabulary and writing healthy and something It language seems harmless, right? Caring so much about a healthily watching mov- goodmust idea forbe me done. to ar- skills, enhances ies. One in particular gue whichwere may be betterbuilds imagination and found thatthatwomen moreskills, phone?

Well, this week I’ve been really paying attention stood out was a mother but I’m definitely willing and provides knowledge asked me to write to discuss the benefits of on an abundance of topics d towho their phones simply because men to the importance that I and others around me give to a about books, as she has books in general and throw that would be difficult to a hard time notapps. only get-Also, in someolder comparisons.

Just as we ocial media peopleget elsewhere. phone, rather than what’s actually going on around them. ting her children to (stop There’s a reason why require physical exercise watching TV ) Iand read, people respect who are for ourOur body’s phones health, we e addicted. believe this isthose because -- whether we are speaking to other people, use smartphones (My father actually using social media or playing games -- can be addictive as they alter our moods, beliefs and trigger enjoyable y colleagues and friends how bad and unenjoyable feelings. Apart from obviously being my main source of communication, my phone is my newspaper, watch, alarm, map, recorder, day planner, calendar, camera, music player, calculator, a weapon (sometimes) and my friend when I’m bored or lonely- basically everything. However, it is also my constant interrupter and distractor. I (I imagine much like most of you out there) have a deep desire to know everything that is going on.

I believe that is human nature. But when does it become too much?

Well, I believe it’s too much when it has a name. ‘Nomophobia’ is the term coined to describe the fear of being without a mobile phone. Seriously, what have we come to?

It becomes an addiction when the object begins to control your life and interferes with your daily activities, work, and relationships. I read somewhere that “The biggest obstacle just be rienced but a 48 per cent faster All of affect the above actually to productivity isreading. connectivity,” overuse can a There have been scien- memory decline rate than suggests that reading inlot more than tific ourstudies productivity.

The truth of our that show the those who did read. is, overuse creases our overall life span. physical and mental health Reading continuously The type of book doesn’t phones can harm usof reading. psychologically, socially physically. benefits Reading improves not only our vo-and matter in regards to the genonly 30 minutes a day has cabulary and general knowl- eral benefits of reading. My With regard affecting ouredge social how many beento shown to prevent, manbut alsoskills, our critical research showsof thatus people age, as well as treat some and analytical thinking, and in high positions (globally) miss out on a mental jokehealth orandgood conversation as we were on our neurolog- concentration skills. This mainly recommend non- ficdisorders. greatly improves books such as autobiogphones? How ical many times havemeans weitannoyed ourtiongood friend Reading has been shown our confidence and self-es- raphies of other successful to lower symptoms of stress, whileposting aiding in buildor books that generor family member because we teem, were on people social media anxiety and depression, as ing relationships, as well as ally promote education and as reduce the risk of with obtaining and maintaining emotional intelligence how much funwellwe are having them?

It truly affects ourover serious illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

One researcher in particular who studied memory

employment.

Some researchers have

entertainment.

However, in regards to

SEE PAGE XX

21

XVII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Aren’t we bothered by our garbage situation?

XXVII CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, February 28, 2021

XX THE Baracara falls is a

Aye or no for A year of parliamentary decorum?

COVID-19

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, March 7, 2021

snack wrappers, and food small waterfall near the boxes at the side of the waMazaruni and Essequibo terfalls and higher up, near rivers, perfect for lounging the landing. The few bins around the rocks while the there were overrun, and it water cascades on you. In appeared as though people 2016, when I first visited decided to create their own the falls, I was pleasantly garbage heaps- except that surprised to find this gem those heaps were all over that was so easily accessi- and a terrible eyesore (not to DURING this past week’s edition of ‘In the National ON March 11Parliamentarians last year, COVID-19 became a stark real- tracing, and treat patients to get ahead of the pandemic. But, Assembly,’ debated the 2021 National training of Parliamentarians so that a semblance of decorum ityBudget, in Guyana. it had earlier alreadyinbegun spreading was not unusual; all countries across the globe had to whichThough was presented the month

by Se- that could be maintained in the National Assembly. It is enviacross the globe a few months before, this novel coronaadapt quickly and contend with the pandemic. What was nior Minister in the Office of the President with responsi- sioned that such training sessions would also help to guide virus a great for Guyana and many of unique about Guyana was its unfolding elections quagmire. bilitybecame for finance, Dr.concern Ashni Singh.

The debate, however, the officials on proper parliamentary procedures. the Caribbean countries only during From the It is not unreasonable to assume--because there is no spotlighted a lack of decorum in the March.

Parliament.

But also, these events should force us to reconsider what very It beginning, Guyana was and exposed to thefor stark empirical evidence--that the protracted elections’ peis both understandable acceptable the reality different real we accept from our encompassed--distracted elected officials -- all of because the local health authoritiessides dis--- riod--expect and alland of the shenanigans sides ofthe thefirst houseperson -- the government and opposition them-while they discharge their responsibilities towards covered infected, died. from this pandemic. While the pandemic ragedus. to have was opposing views on the budget. After all, the national Guyanese Are they the articulating our collective values when they make Guyana’s story of the pandemic, at least in the beginning, on during first few months, and we were embroiled in budget illustrates the government’s vision, priority areas, racist, sexist, homophobic, and other derogatory statements? isand a truly unique one.

Certainly, the country was not as preour post-elections drama, it was not uncommon for there to general policy direction, since it points towards what pared as it should have been to conduct testing, do contact be large gatherings and we had not yet developed an underpolicies, programmes and plans the government intends to use Guyana’s money to fund.

It would be strange for each member to agree on every single thing, since various individuals have different priorities and views and perhaps different sides of the house have different plans, projects, or policies that would guide Guyana’s developments; and, that is completely fine.

It is neither understandable nor remotely acceptable, however, for elected officials, sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs), to openly hurl insults at each other and make racist, sexist, homophobic remarks. It is not acceptable for this level of disrespect to be entertained in the National Assembly.

The normalisation of racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks in our common, social spaces might be a conversation for another day, but for crying out loud, this is our National Assembly! Or, our Parliament, as it is more commonly called. It is not touting at the bus park!

Imagine the astonishment one would experience, years from now, if they were to revisit the hansards. Instead of only well-articulated, thorough analyses of the $383.1 billion budget that was presented for the year 2021, there would be remarks signalling homophobia or thinly veiled insults of an MP’s reproductive capabilities.

To be fair, however, there were a few salient presentations. On the first day of the debate, it is a point of pride that two women -- MPs Susan Rodrigues and Amanza Walton-Desir who are also new Parliamentarians -- made good presentations that one would expect at this forum.

Though this absence of decorum from many of the MPs,is perhaps, not a new occurrence in the local context, it begs us to ask ourselves: what valuable contributions are our elected officials making at this forum?

One would hope that the leaders elected by the people of Guyana, whether in government or opposition, would maintain a certain level of decorum in the house. In discharging their duties towards the people of the nation, at the very least, it is expected that they would engage in critical analyses of the budget. The budget debate should attempt to pinpoint deficiencies in allocations, or indicate what other areas of priority should be focused on.

This is how you operate in a democracy, where transparency and accountability are underpinning tenets. This is how you respect the sanctity of Parliament. And above all else, is this how you adequately represent the people of the nation you committed to serve? Parliamentary affairs -- every single aspect-- should be geared towards enhancing the development of the nation and its citizenry.

Admittedly, clever innuendos and witty remarks have long been part of parliamentary presentations, not only in Guyana, but around the world. The addition of clever satire from the Aruwai H2O rehaswhen its usefulness in communication, no doubt. Much sort, of which is a beautiful ble. But, I returned mention quite unsanitary). what we saw last week, however, appeared to be a common resort that occupies one of last week, I was taken This particular waterbottom house or that rumshop debacle, repletejust withacross “props” and the islands on the Essequibo aback by the garbage fall is located all, that much to be desired. surrounded theleft area.

PAGE XXX Last December, Assembly, There were beer bottles, Clerk of the National SEE Sherlock Isaacs, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Parliament Office would arrange and conduct training

standing the need forrepresenting the face masks, so cluster spreading Are theyofadequately us and our best interests was very possible. We owe our gratitude to all the frontline at all times? workers who were trying to keep the nation safe then, and who continue to do so even now.

I hope we can do better.

Aside from the political occurrences, however, it is wellknown that the pandemic also impacted every other sector.

If you would like discussschools this column or anyand of Business productivity wastostymied, were closed my previous writings, please feel free to contact me the tourism sector took the hardest hit with the closure via of vish14ragobeer@gmail.com borders and email: the constraints to leisure activities. The closure of schools eventually prompted a shift to virtual learning— ‘Zoom school’—which has been fraught with challenges due to inherent inequalities and disparities.

Social services, too, have been constrained, which has been particularly worrisome since the pandemic has disproportionately impacted the vulnerable groups in our society. With the slowdown in business directly contributing to a reduction or loss of income, social safety nets were necessary to support persons. Moreover, it has been found that the pandemic— perhaps due to the ‘stay-at-home’ focus— has contributed to a rise in abuse and domestic violence. These present even greater concerns over the construction of social services. As time and the pandemic progressed, however, efforts would be made to ensure that these disproportionate effects were mitigated, on all fronts.

To a large extent, nevertheless, we’re still navigating the complexities of this pandemic and trying to manage ourselves better. Now, however, we’re also contending with the emergence of newer, modified forms of the virus -- the variants, or strains as they are commonly called. The scientific and medical communities expected these variants would arrive at some point or the other, since viruses do mutate.

The variants that have emerged so far — the United Kingdom(UK), Brazil, and South African variants — all have the ability to infect more persons. If we’re not careful, their increased transmissibility could lead to a sharp rise in our cases, additional deaths, and an overwhelmed healthcare system. Guyana has not been able to identify whether we do any of these variants without our borders. We have been sending a few COVID-19 samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing, but those few samples were not variants. That is not enough to rule out the possibility that we have variants.

On the other hand, we’ve been able to secure a number of the COVID-19 vaccines and we have been vaccinating our frontline healthcare workers. Soon, other frontline workers, the elderly, and persons with comorbidities (underlying and undetected health conditions, such as diabetes) will be vaccinated too. The importance of vaccines is that they allow the body to create an immune response to the virus, thereby fighting off infection. And Guyana, incredibly, has been able to secure several vaccines in a short period amid global concerns of vaccine nationalism, where larger, wealthier countries are hoarding these vaccines for themselves.

But, even so, vaccines are not necessarily the ‘magic bullet’ for the population and there are, understandably, many concerns. Due to the perceived short period during which the vaccines were developed and granted emergency-use authorisation, concerns about the long-term benefits and impact of the vaccines linger. Additionally, the efficacy of the vaccines on the variants is still evolving. In Guyana, these concerns may contribute to the vaccine-acceptance rates unless greater efforts are made (or continued) to promote greater education, communication, and trust.

Despite this, we are still unsure when this pandemic may be over. Reasonable estimates project that we should return to a greater sense of normalcy by 2023 when all countries are finally expected to receive their vaccines and immunise

XVIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Nottinghamshire Village...

The locals describe life as difficult since jobs are scarce and they have to become small scale farmers to earn.

They have suffered a lot recently due to heavy rainfall, which caused flooding and destroyed their crops.

Nottinghamshire is a green village, and it is a place where doors are left unlocked, and valuables are left unattended, and nothing would go missing since the people are familiar with each other and they co-exist in their own space.

The village needs development and at least an ICT hub for the many children that reside there and a facility such as, a Resource Centre for the youths and a pavilion where locals and sit to watch games being played on the existing ball field that is unfenced and without infrastructure.

Nottinghamshire is a farming community, and people from across the country have settled there. They said it is a place when you visit, you never leave and it may be true to some, who left populated areas and relocated there.

The community has no facilities and the closet town is McKenzie where the banks and the central business hub is located.

The locals hardly ever visit the city and said they are contented and at peace in the village but are hopeful for some more community development and jobs.

Residents would sell their produce at the McKenzie Market or by the Linden Hospital Complex where there are a few stalls, selling foods and other things.

FROM PAGE VI

The Church.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

SLAVERY AND...

FROM PAGE XI

pointed to misrepresentations of the Christ (or Kheru-Khemetic name describing the nature of the Christ) teachings. But from the ancient world up to the 1900’s the human imagination was captured and instructed to, by deciding authorities, with harsh penalties for individuals and populations in vulnerable positions who dared defy, thus a collaboration of narratives from Rabbis and officials and Saints of Christendom convoluted texts to remove Africa from having a historical memory pertaining to Antiquity; to empower the post-Moorish-era European’s justification of the slave -trade of non-Islamic Moors, thus the fiction of the ‘Noah curse’ see ‘NOAH’S CURSE’ by Stephen R. Haynes to explore what I cannot do in this article.

The Bible in content is a collaborative work of the ages, Gary Greenberg President of the Bible Archaeology Society of New York gave us two study texts: “The Moses Mystery-the African origin of the Jewish people” In which historical and scientific methods are used to evolve the Biblical narrative, exposing Biblical similarity to the Khemetic text.

Next, Mr. Greenberg, a Senior Trial Attorney, among other achievements, also wrote ‘Myths of the Bible. How ancient scribes invented Biblical History”. It must be noted that no religious Book has been exempt from the accusation of myth-making and converting previous events into their own, though some religions are savagely violent of questioners who summon doubts. Joseph Williams wrote “Hebrewisms of West Africa. Both the Caribbean and African references made this publication most relevant, bringing a new perspective to evaluating the concept of ‘The White man’s Bible’ .

Thus, these books and the fact of a current awareness of the Biblical geography, places the Biblical events on the continent of Africa, Kush-Sudan, Punt- possibly old Uganda, Egypt-same, Ethiopia same, Elam,-Susa the African kingdoms who joined with nomadic Aryan tribes to create ‘Persia’ and Babylon and Canaan. All are located on the African continent.

Terms like middle-East, Mesopotamia are more colonising political constructs. Thus, the principles and values and creeds of inter-human relationships across cultures and tribes, rather than the Genocides of the Prophets, resonate Biblical relevance. The Bible is still a profound narrative of summoning the familiar innate “ I’ve heard that somewhere” , and the residue customary similarities that the West Africans and the minority of Southern Africans whom the slave trade brought to these lands could identify with, in their historical memory, that allowed engagement and manipulation by slavers, with the European.

His cultural history of tribal gods differed drastically to the ideas identified as wholesome in the narratives of the Bible. In the theatre of slavery in our Demerara of old, the church, especially the congregational church, was seen as an enemy by most of the planters, while other churches condoned the racist manipulations necessary for the functioning of a slave society and sanctified the transgressors.

Emancipation must place in context the impact of religion and its duel impact especially on the consciousness of the Amerindian and Afro-Guyanese in comparison with the Europeans of the time from the beginnings of our nation; to recognise the detractions and contributions where existing, based on our current interpretations of religion, related to the pagan disguised as Christian and the Heathen with principles and creeds that can be valued as Christian. A great example is the man Jesus called the Christ, when he spoke to his religious leaders about a Kingdom of God and they imagined their roles of office in this King-

dom, and he disappointed them, by informing them that the Kingdom ‘like Emancipation’, must manifest within them. Was it this that caused the fatal falling out? Likewise, we must interpret emancipation, the

XIX

sustaining tenets that preserved our survival then, and how our founding fathers envisioned within the first hundred years, our enhanced continuance.

XX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Books and mental ...

FROM PAGE XVI reducing symptoms of mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, self-help books have been shown to be the most effective.

Self-help books are those that are written with the sole intention to educate and instruct readers on how to solve their personal and individual problems. There are self-help books related to any specific problem or

you can get one that generally describes types of therapy that overall changes thinking and behaviour.

An example of this is, any book which describes and provides exercises relating to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which focuses on changing patterns of negative thinking and behaviour that may improve your life.

You can order some online

or check your local bookstore for a self-help section.

There are some advantages to reading over watching movies.

Books more aid in memory improvement because it takes more brain power to remember characters, situations etc. in a book than it would in a movie, mainly because it is not from visual memory. You simply have to remember descriptions that you personally

have enhanced. We have all had that experience when watching a movie where you remember a character by simply his face, even though he/she didn’t play a big role. This is not an option in books and can make our minds lazy.

I think the most important is that reading takes you into your own imaginative world. With television, a person, place, situation – an entire world is built for you. However, when reading, you envision your own world – what people and places look or act like beyond the description. An example is certain disappointments I experienced when reading

the Harry Potter books and then watching the movies.

Not that the movies were bad, but some aspects were actually better in the world that I had built for them through reading. I know many of you can relate to that one.

Finally, the wider majority of books are accessible and free compared to movies. Books are available for free in your school, at work (some places) and at your local library.

For those of you who dislike reading, just like movies, there is a book genre for everyone. Whether you like adventure, mystery, romance, horror etc., there are millions of options

in every category.

If you still do not like reading, the worst that can happen is that it can put you to sleep and you have a good night’s rest. At least you never have to worry about your book having a poor connection or running out of battery.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@ gmail.com Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 2230001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXI

sharing their journeys XXII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

seven amazing women from the Women Anthologies. t of Watch Radio NY requested an interasked him if it was okay for me to invite oin 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 ugh this journey, I experienced a divorce, e and got displaced education administrator’s position. Coupled were two major eclipses One week later I completed y life. An eclipse happens when you can my assignment with CTO calling becomes greater than your current and was now ready to move hrough this process, you can transcend to a on to my next career move. hinking where you can connect with your I called Monique to let her urself as one with nature. know I was available as we lett – born in Guyana and living in NY TH E Rthe E real is so much to was fun listening to she some of so members of the create comagreed and was hapgan to have experience of dreamwriteworld on love andI compasthe persons who have py to have me interstart mypelling first stories club and this my dream alive. was immediately sionwith thatthe I decided to dothey a tested viewed me at a breakfast to week, temporary assignment with we will feature two nterview agency where part two. celebrate my golden jubilee. more.

Deutsche Bank.

My first using Microsoft Office and typing speed.

My 50th is today but the I even prepared one of the celebration started on the dishes to show my appreAlicia Daniels who pubfirst and continues until the ciation for the support for lished a book of poetry on end of the month. I am feel- over two decades. Sharing a Amazon submitted this story ing the love every day from moment with Leroy Phillips highlighting the quote. people around the world. from NCN. Over the years, I felt the love We featured two stories To gain clarity on this from the media also and it that were submitted from profound quote, it’s import-

Love and compassion Pt. II assignment lasted two weeks, covering someone’s vacation.

Due to my work ethic and desire to go the extra mile, I landed another assignment in the same department for six months, then another for three months, which finally led to my permanent position, allowing me to live a dream.

Dr. Safeeya Mohamed – Trinidad We received the updates that the accident was horrific and that the victim was stuck in the car.

The vehicle had to be cut open to get to the victim. It never occurred to me that my brother could be remotely involved. The next thing I remember, I was looking at the body of my brother covered in blood in a hearse. The strident, agonising scream of my mother in the A&E that early morning has not escaped my mind almost 17 years later as she howled “my son died, my son died, nobody’s helping us!” But nobody could, as his spirit departed at the point of impact. Up to this day, I ponder where the strength came from to navigate that night.

Shanon Paar – Arizona

especially when involving great expense. e) Humanity - Human beings collectively f) Survive - Continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.

on the moon was pressed out in form. Love has led us to accomplish great feats, but it’s our compassion that leads us further and deeper to making life better for ourselves and others.

Necessities and luxuries The reason why you have long been part of the nor I are the only individ- human experience. Many uals living on this planet equate necessities to life, is that we need others to a sufficient supply of food, make certain levels of vi- clean air, adequate shelter sion possible. Take, for for both humans and aniinstance, the tower of IBabel mals, I knew that would be in freedom of expression When I was six years in the book of Genesis, The among countless others. old I started school in Mesa, big trouble if I told my dad Mayanwhat temples or the mis-It was Thus had happened. a the need to develop Arizona, so I began staying sion tosecret: the moon. the In order laws and regulations to with my mom for this vision bonding such necessities kind that couldtoget safeguard me and her husband routineoccur, into we need elements ensuring that they can be bigthe trouble.

I didn’t ly. It was like going from of love and compassion. fully and equally know how much trouble,enjoyed but heaven to hell. It was a horror There I must a mutual by each person irrespective wasn’tbe willing to story that’s yet to be writfeeling oftake affection of ethnicity, gender, social a chance.and “Shhhh... ten. While at grandma’s I for tell the anyone.” vision and class, religious beliefs or was filled with the loveconcern of Don’t the issue(s) that will be reIn defence of Maybe it’s the traumanationality. of a grandma and Jesus daily. once the visionbut goes such necessities, many wars experience, for some On the other hand, at solved my my to execution Everyrememwere fought and martyrreason Imode. still cannot mother’s house, I was filled member the team must dom became engraved in beron how with Rock ‘N Roll, drugs often happened, when and inappropriate, wild feel sex a sense of itimportance the human narrative. One it started, to or the evenvi-when it example would be parties. Ultimately, from and connection such ended such an environment you sion. can Each must realise that the rebellions that arose in imagine the kinds of abuse every part is integral. In the opposition to slavery on Penny that mom’s house provided. story of the towerPhakahi of Babel–South various plantations in not Africa When I was 11 years old, (Genesis 11:1-9) the people only Guyana, but many have ahad my to shareother of places in the world. grandma Shirley died anddecided my toI build tower turmoil and Ithis strongly stepdad left. My mom had heaven.

Though wasbelieve It is the desire of many not is these stints tur- to survive this life but an emotional breakdown,short-lived, so that it they were all of just moil that brought me thrive to the level of movI ran away! I couldn’t take working towards a common thishad far an in intense my life. I ing wasbeyond basic necessities any more. purpose and and perhaps is still in Andrea Edwards – born desire to make the impos- tomyenjoying the freedom of refinery process. in Guyana, living in Florida sible possible.

The Mayan luxuries only beneficial on As aasyoung girl, I grew As I sat in the backtemples of stand testimony this physical plane of life. up with one main ambition, my dad’s Nissan Bluebird, I of a people’s desire to preLuxuries can mean different wanting to get far to different people. peered through the windows serve their heritage foraway, as things away from the system of at the images on long as humanly possible. For some, luxuries mean thinking or the box that the fence of the GuyWith the expanse and ad- expensive cars, mansions, ana Botanical Gardens and we often find ourselves in. vances in technology, the Zoological Park. The radio Apart from understanding SEE PAGE XXIII idea ofmyself puttingI the firstdared man to always blasted the popular

ant for us to highlight some keywords and their meaning. a) Love - An intense feeling of deep affection b) Compassion - Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. c) Necessities - The state or fact of being required. d) Luxuries - A state of great comfort or elegance,

calypso song “1985” by a then-popular calypsonian.

I would have just celebrated my sixth birthday, quite oblivious to the concept of time, but that song would not allow me to forget that it was 1985.

be different, which was a constant struggle when surrounded by my situations. I grew up under a strict Christian family with my grandfather and step granny, as my mother lost her mom SEE PAGE XXV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Love and compassion...

FROM PAGE XXII

jewellery, and designer bags.

For others, luxury can be having the ability to vote, the choice of who they want to marry, or influencing millions of people worldwide.

Yet for others, their luxuries have paved the way to create improvements in both the physical and social aspects of their environments, hence the birth of many charitable missions and non-profit organisations.

From the Dalai Lama’s perspective, humanity cannot survive without the integral elements of love and compassion. These are considered foundational aspects to any vision or mission. We are all unique and possess qualities that can be effectively deployed to advance both ourselves and others.

It’s the love and compassion that will fuel us to create and maintain the good that is necessary for us all to live a full and meaningful life on this earth. Our compassion in acknowledging the plight of others and doing all that is within our power to rectify it is ingrained in

XXIII

our DNA if only we would give life to it. In consideration of the Dalai Lama’s quote we must ask ourselves the question, “have we used our love and compassion enough to make a positive difference in the lives of others?”

Dr Megan Gravesandy who is publishing her first book soon contributed the story below: Love is a substance. It is an antidote that is often skipped over! It carries a force like no other substance! If we were to activate love in most circumstances, we would bring healing to ourselves and the globe at large.

Love, coupled with compassion, remains undefeated.

These might be a necessity to a person but a luxury for another. However, love and compassion still remain within the scope that spells out exemption because these are languages of need. The rich, poor, young, old, sick or healthy equally yearns for the need for love and compassion. You cannot do

enough to deserve love or do so little that you are unworthy of it. The amount of love you earn in this world is not an indication of your worth.

So yes, everybody deserves love, so love without expecting anything in return except to feel good. Love and compassion shouldn’t be too expensive on your list

that the young kid and poor woman on the street cannot receive from you. Stretch the bowels of your compassion and be affectionate to all and sundry.

There has never been, nor is there currently, a fancy store that sells love. Freely was the love of God poured in our hearts that we would

be able to minister effortlessly to the needs of others.

There are countless orphans, widows and needy folks dying of hunger and being troubled daily on every side.

The resources to communicate care and affection to their need may come with a price but the effort and attitude that makes it happen are not price dependent. A cup

of water can make a difference, for it is a need and not a luxury.

They are many ways we can show our love and compassion, and I invite to check the others events and join the celebration as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

XXIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

MINING

MINING is the extraction (removal) of minerals and metals from earth.

Minerals that are mined include manganese, tantalum, cassiterite, copper, tin, nickel, bauxite (aluminum ore), iron ore, gold, silver, and diamonds. Other natural resources that are mined include coal, sand, and petroleum.

Mining has proven to be

a very lucrative enterprise as minerals and metals are valuable resources that have extremely high market values and are used in our daily lives.

43,000 years old. At this site paleolithic humans mined hematite to make the red pigment ochre.

Fast fact about mining * The oldest known mine on archaeological record is the “Lion Cave” in Swaziland, which radiocarbon dating shows to be about

1. Dredging This is a high-volume mining technique for low-value products near a plentiful source of water.

Scoops/buckets are used to

Types of mining

extract material from shallow water (often man-made lagoons). A high-tech variation of this is undersea mining, where the material is sucked from the seafloor (although the only successful application of this to date has been for gem diamonds in shallow waters).

2. Surface-Mining Called ‘Open-cast’ if soft-rock mining (e.g. coal or limestone) and ‘Open-pit’ if hard-rock mining (e.g. copper and diamonds). The mining process is fundamentally different between these soft and hard-rock operations.

The former operations are usually rectangular in general shape (and advance along the seam, with waste infill behind as they advance) while the latter are oval.

Surface mines normally only extend to a depth of about 200 m, below which it is usually cheaper to extract the metal from underground.

Hard-rock surface mining is dominated by drilling/ blasting and then lifting the broken ore into trucks or onto conveyors for transportation to the processing plant. This lifting is usually

by an excavator (electric or hydraulic; with a shovel or backhoe configuration) or front-end loader. The softer rocks can be recovered directly by using very powerful excavators (including the huge bucket-wheel machines).

3. Underground Mining Access is via vertical shafts or inclined roadways (adits). There are usually two access routes (one for men and materials, and one for the ore) for safety and for ease of ventilation (fresh air comes in one and is then exhausted out of the other).

Once at the correct depth, horizontal tunnels

are driven to reach the ore deposit. These are permanent structures so they require strong roof supports (often including ‘bolts’ into the rock to tie the layers together for strength).

4. Insitu Mining There are two main types of insitu mining; solution and thermal. * Solution - Involves the injection of water down drill holes into soluble deposits (most commonly salt). The mineral-rich solution is then pumped back to the surface. * Thermal - Although only still at the research SEE PAGE XXV

XXV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

MINING...

FROM PAGE XXIV stage, it is theoretically possible to burn coal insitu (by creating cracks, then injecting oxygen and a heat source), and recovering the

ticularly in India) but the difficulty has always come in controlling the burning process.

Mining and the environment

order to mine, trees and vegetation are cleared and burned.

With the ground completely bare, large scale mining operations use huge bulldozers and excavators to extract the metals and minerals from the

Photo compliments of Conservation International

resultant heat (in effect, an underground power station without going to the trouble of extracting the coal). This has happened spontaneously in numerous areas (par-

The Bad Mining is generally very destructive to the environment. It is one of the main causes of deforestation. In

soil. To amalgamate (cluster) the extractions, they use chemicals such as cyanide, mercury, or methylmercury.

These chemicals go through tailings (pipes) and are of-

ten discharged into rivers, streams, bays, and oceans.

This pollution contaminates all living organisms within the body of water and ultimately the people who depend on the fish for their main source of protein and their economic livelihood.

Small Scale Mining is equally devastating to the environment, if not more.

Groups of 5-6 men migrate from one mining site to another in search of precious metals, usually gold.

There are two types of small scale mining: land dredging and river dredging: * Land dredging involves miners using a generator to dig a large hole in the ground. They use a high-pressure hose

to expose the gold-bearing layer of sand and clay.

The gold-bearing slurry is pumped into a sluice box, which collects gold particles, while mine tailings flow into either an abandoned mining pit or adjacent forest.

When the mining pits fill with water from the tailings, SEE PAGE XXVII

XXVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

The CDC is developing ...

FROM PAGE X they are flooded.

The 60-year-old and his wife had two and half acres of farmland in their backyard and they earn from farming.

Narine reported that this season he suffered a loss because of the heavy rainfall. He lost his crops to floodwaters and all the plants he bought are gone.

“I have to start over because what can I do? Farming is my life and it is my sole income generator so I must find a way to continue,” he said.

Narine stated that it is hard to recoup his losses but all his celery, sweet peppers and basically most of his crops are gone.

The floodwaters were evident on the farm and it worries Narine about his future because he would sell his produce at the McKenzie Market when he makes a good harvest.

He, like most farmers, is hard hit by the heavy rains and floodwaters that flooded many parts of Guyana that never saw any flooding before.

Ronald Narine

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

MINING...

FROM PAGE XXV

they become stagnant water pools. These pools create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other water-borne insects. Malaria and other water-bourne diseases increase significantly whenever open pools of water are nearby. * River dredging involves moving along a river on a platform or boat.

The miners use a hydraulic suction hose and suction the gravel and mud as they move along the river. The gravel, mud, and rocks go through the tailings (pipes) and any gold fragments are collected on felt mats. The remaining gravel, mud, and rocks go back into the river but in a different location than where it was originally suctioned. This creates problems for the river. The displaced gravel and mud disrupt the natural flow of the river. Fish and other living organisms often die and fishermen can no longer navigate in the obstructed rivers.

the natural flow of the river.

As a result, fish and other organisms die.

The Good 1. Provides employment, both directly in the mining industry & also elsewhere as the mine employees spend their income.

2. Provides minerals/ metals that can be either exported or avoids the import of these minerals/metals from other countries.

3. Provides infrastructure (roads, electricity, telephone etc.) to remote areas of the country where mines are located, which are needed by the mines. When the mines are exhausted, the infrastructure remains others can use that.

Although, there are negative environmental effects, these can be minimised if proper environmental guidelines/ practices and technologies are adapted and rigidly enforced. Mining companies in most countries are required to follow strinHow does mining gent environmental and affect people?

1. The people who are rehabilitation codes to exposed to the toxic waste minimise environmental from the tailings become impact and avoid impacts sick. They develop skin on human health. These rashes, headaches, vomit- codes and regulations all ing, diarrhoea, etc. In fact, require the common steps the symptoms of mercury of Environmental Impact poisoning are very similar Assessment, development to the symptoms of malaria. of Environmental ManageMany people who cannot ment Plans, Mine Closure afford to go to a doctor or planning (which must be who live in a village where done before the start of a doctor is not accessible are mining operations), and often not treated for their environmental monitoring during operation and illnesses.

2. If the water is con- after closure.

If you would like to find taminated, it cannot be used out more about mining, for domestic purposes.

3. Displacement of the you can log on to http:// family unit by miners who kids.mongabay.com/lesleave their families to seek son_plans/lisa_algee/mining.html, http://ggmc.gov. employment.

4. Theft, drugs/alco- gy/mines.html, http://www. hol, prostitution, rape, and searchmining.net/miningsexual abuse are, unfortu- info/mining101/mining.asp You can share your nately some of the effects ideas and questions by of mining.

5. Cultural degradation sending letters to: “Our also occurs in mining villag- Earth, Our Environment”, es. For example, mining of- C/O ECEA Programme, ten destroys sacred sites and Environmental Protection cemeteries. Unfortunately, Agency, Ganges Street, in Guyana, a special fishing Sophia, GEORGETOWN, event called Haiari Fish- or email us at: eit.epaguying cannot take place if the ana@gmail.com. Follow river has been dredged for us on Facebook and Instagold. The displacement of gram and subscribe to our the gravel and mud obstruct YouTube channel.

XXVII

XX XIV XXVIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, 28, 2021 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT Sunday,February January 2021 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ―― Sunday, August 15,10, 2021

THE SEAWALLS FOREVER!

REVISITING THE GUYANA/ VENEZUELA CONTROVERSY SOON TO COME BEFORE THE ICJ

THE Guyana/Venezuela controversy will again shortly and discussions where factual bases invariably become come up before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). blurred.

In Guyana, most oflie thedeep writings the controversy have In thisisoffering, we will depart this with normseashells and try to THE Seawalls in theon consciousness of Guyanese today rather muddy was oncefrom covered and beenpeople, of a historical and factual nature and this a good questions have been asking theup the sun had risen. but especially Georgetowners.

Yet itis has rarelyanswer theretwo would alwaysthat be many children exploring and since picking is the Venezuelan public sowere convinced they On moonlit nights the Seawalls always athat crowded thing, since the Guyanese of theoftwo Guyanese fishing boats inthey Guyana’s terribeen noticed by the newspublic mediaare andnot the encouraged last time it wasseizure seashells different colours; sometimes may find large is, why have a valid claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and promenade.

Many went to socialise with friends, but all went mentioned as an item into of national concern was five or sixtorial conch shells. to move their attention the realms of arguments waters by a Venezuelan navy ship. The first question why their politicians are so bellicose and aggressive about to enjoy the beauty of the moon rising from the sea and the years ago when the Ocean overtopped the wall and flooded The foreshore or continental shelf gradually rises and falls claim? moonlight And the second is, why did there President blue-green whichquestion was brighter, since were the yards parallel to the Public Road. This was the first every 20 years and today, the foreshore land between Camp this Venezuela this time seizethe thevarious boats no road of lights to dilutechoose it. Others wouldtoenjoy time in living memory that there was such an occurrence Street and the Pegasus Hotel has almost risen to the height of Maduro when he knew he would alienate the Guyanese population and it led to great panic. The authorities hurriedly con- the wall and coconut trees and other vegetation grow on it. phases of the New Moon with the background of purple skies and cause embellished the international community to condemn or with thousands of stars which appear structed a barrier of standing concrete disapprove of his action, leaving Venezuela isolated interbrighter since there were no city lights.

Others slabs on the Walls to counter such overtopnationally on the issue. would go to the Seawalls in the late afternoons to ping. In the last few weeks, the Seawalls The answer to the sunsets first question began during theinto Cold admire gradually transforming the have again featured in the news, but in a light ofof dusk.

War: At theblue beginning the 1960s Britain had decided to happier vein. joysthe of colony the Seawalls were the withdraw fromAnother Guyana of andthe grant independence, From Camp Street to the Demerara River, earlylikely evening concerts givenof bythe the newly Militia but it was very thatSunday the Prime Minister the wall had become disfigured by an accuMANGROVES have always been an important part and the Police Band at the Bandstand which independentBand state would be Dr Cheddi Jagan, an avowed mulation of unsightly garbage and no one of Marxist. the Guyanese Ecosystem. value as repertoire a waterattracted hundreds of Its people.

Their conU.S. Cold War interests tried to persuade Britain assumed the responsibility of cleaning it. A break against the ocean was immediately recognised byand sisted ofindependence, light classical music as Strauss’ to delay Guyana’s but allsuch that Britain could homeless man, Carl Melville, who sometimes thepromise early Dutch settlers ofballet the 16th and 17th waltzes, music such Delibes’ pizzicato slept there was noticed by Dwayne Hackett wasother that she would hand over power tocenturies a non-Comsince they had come from a country that waged a con-this and Sylvia, at least one English patriotic song such trying to clean the garbage and immediately munist Prime Minister. American Intelligence felt that tinuous struggle to keep the sea from inundating theirand “This royal throne of Kings” volunteered to help him. Hackett placed the British offerasneeded further insurance andand so Guyanese they devised land.

Subsequent colonisers and settlers, though they to Caribbean folk songs.

The concerts were arranged incident on social media and immediately a plan whereby their client Venezuela would threaten recognised the value of mangroves, were rather nonfor early evening so that children could attend; numbers of persons volunteered their services. chalant about them, and sometimes villagers who lived many Guyanese in later life have admitted that their First Lady Arya Ali was one of the first to on the coast would cut down for was firewood, first exposure to mangroves classical music from these volunteer and the Ministry of Public Works, With the increasing Bandstandknowledge concerts. of ecology over the last the Director of Solid Waste Department of the two or three decades, the population becomeofaware of On Easter Monday has thousands kite-flyers Georgetown City Council and the Fire Service turned out from five o’clock in the morning.

Kites became involved with her. The Fire Service were all hand-made and were in a variety of shapes cleaned the bandstand and in a few days all the such as boxes, birds and snakes, but the predomgarbage was removed and Seawalls appeared inant shape was the Guyanese octagon and in a as if they had always been maintained! Many variety of colours. Singing engines, a kite which have been high in their praises of this example of civic responsibility.

Likewise, the sea has reclaimed the land along the Kitty Sea- made a loud droning sound, was one of the most popular.

The Seawalls had always been the promenade and park for wall where houses once stood. Indeed, a substantial building Kite-flying was always combined with picnicking. The Easter the people of Georgetown and the surrounding villages from is still standing close to the wall near the Kitty Pump Station, kite-flying today is a pale reminiscence of the heyday.

As mentioned above, the political tensions and criminality 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 kept people away from the Seawalls in the 1960s. By the the 1960s when the country became plagued with political ten- the foreshore sea could vividly describe the cyclical rise and invade Guyana if theremore wasstable any possibility of a Marxist 1990s life had become and people again began to sion and there were robberies on the Seawalls. For most of the fall of the beach. government being installed in Guyana. frequent the Seawalls, but the ambience had changed.

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

The Seawalls provided a favourite place for health enThe 1899 Arbitral Award had settled the boundaries of In its heyday, the Seawalls were the most delightful place thusiasts. Many would go there to practise deep breathing of grew up stalls lining the parapet of the Public Road from the Guyana and Venezuela and these boundaries were fully in Georgetown. The vast openness of the seascape and the the clean and fresh sea breezes. Others would be cycling or Kitty Pump Station to the Pegasus, selling refreshments and bystalls bothwere parties and the communiall of these well-lit.

TheInternational character of the Seawalls surrounding landscape, the blue skies and silver clouds, the even training for cycle races. Probably the most notable were accepted ty.

One of the junior lawyers representing Venezuela had changed from a peaceful promenade to a lively fair. at ever-present seagulls and the steady flow of the health-giving the ones who went for physical culture. Many of this group MalletPrevost, left ais letter was not Now that the tourism industry beingthat revived, the trade winds and the enveloping peace and quietude attracted would go to the Seawalls by either jogging to get there or by the arbitration, to have been opened until after his death.

In that letter, hundreds of people at all times of the day. The beach which cycle and they would arrive there at 5 o’clock, long before Seawalls 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 From Page III and this continued after the Cold War, the raison d’etre for the claim, had ended. timate for that area and zone in the village. “So we several short documentaries Most lawyers and historians who took any notice in the space of 18 months, will work with the villagers called the “Secret Life of of Mallet-Prevost’s letter dismissed it as a historical some 33 Giant Anteaters to create certain rules and Giant Anteaters” and each curiosity or very flimsy evidence on which to attempt to were identified. help them to know what they episode focuses on different upset a long-accepted Arbitral Award. But the Venezuelan According to Millar, re- should and should not do. For aspects of the work being politicians and the Venezuelan public gave credence and searching the animals includ- example, no one is allowed done. Two more episodes are importance to Mallet-Prevost’s posthumous letter, which ed going out on horseback to kill them, keep them as a expected to be released this would have been dismissed in the modern world. But and following them from a pet, destroy their habitat, and month. the the value and importance of mangroves.

But oddly, Venezuelan politicians and public still live in itthewas 19th distance to be able to stock light a fire in certain places, The team also does a lot onlycentury withinNapoleonic the last twoworld years where when the issue became polititerritorial conquests were up on more scientific infor- so that we can further protect of awareness work, including cised that theaspopulation emotionally to regarded acceptablebecame and even heroic. Incommitted today’s world, mation. One of the things the population.” environmental education. saving mangroves: Thehas pipeline that would rejected. be bringing this the 19th-century ethic been completely they discovered is that the The SRCS has been They have another project for gas from offshore oil wellscontroversy to the installations onan West ThetheGuyana/Venezuela has been albaanimals love to climb trees. granted two years of addi- which they have designed an Bank Demerara would necessitate thepoliticians, clearing away of tross around the necks of Venezuelan since they “Everyone across the tional funding from the Small environmental education cursome mangrove, and thisand opened the wayhas for the Opposition use it on each other their public them imprisoned Rupununi assumed it was Grants Programme Guyana riculum that has so far been parties by it.to raise an outcry against the destruction of manjaguars when they saw huge to expand the project to three implemented in four schools groves.

AllVenezuelan the politicalseizure partiesofcommitted themselves to The the two Guyanese fishing scratch marks on trees, but more communities, namely in the Rupununi and come protect mangroves and their supporters learnt how valuable boats and President Maduro’s threatening words to Guyana now we know that it could’ve Shulinab Village, Wariwau this September, depending these were. wastrees meant to create a national issue which the opposition been the anteaters, because Outstation, and Sawariwau on the coronavirus pandemic, Mangroves are trees and shrubs which grow along the has to support. The opposition is thus brought under Madour research shows that they Village. will be implemented to 12 SEE PAGE XXIX uro’s umbrella and is temporarily neutralised. love to climb trees,” Millar The SRCS uses the fund- other schools.

A decision by the ICJ would be in both countries’ disclosed.

“The wildlife is there. ing to pay the local rangers interests.

It would remove a perpetual threat to Guyana The final stage of the stipends and in some cases, Guyana is so fortunate to

IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES BEING RECOGNISED

Research work helping curb...

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES BEING...

FROM PAGE XXVIII

coastline. Their long roots go deep into the earth and, as such, are not easily uprooted. They, therefore, provide a natural sea defence, prevent soil erosion and facilitate soil deposits from the sea that eventually create land. In addition, they provide convenient nesting places for fish and crabs, flowers on which the beekeepers’ bees could feed and are an ecotourist attraction.

The Minister of Agriculture Hon Zulfikar Mustapha in his message on the occasion of International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems on July 26 last, sums up the value of mangroves to Guyana: “Mangrove Ecosystems play an important role in the flood protection of vulnerable coastal communities. They also provide important ecosystem services such as maintenance of fisheries, coastal biodiversity, livelihoods and food security.

In Guyana, the mangrove ecosystem provides a range of services to local communities. These include fisherfolk, farmers, beekeepers, coastal ecotourism operators and indigenous communities”.

Mangrove plays an important role in combating climate change since they lessen the effects of rising sea levels and reduce the effects of global warming by removing carbon from the atmosphere, linking them with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

In 2010, the Government entrusted the Mangrove Restoration Project to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) with Ms Kene Moseley as Project Coordinator. So far, the Project has been responsible for the restoration of 500 hectares of mangrove.

This year $51. millions have been committed to the capital programme to support the construction of rock and geotextile tube groynes and completion of topographic surveys to monitor the shoreline elevation of Regions two and four.

The mangrove protection and restoration programme will be a success since the Government is fully committed to it and the population are more aware than formerly of its importance.

XXIX

XXX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Aren’t we bothered by our ...

FROM PAGE XVII River. And when I think about our local tourism, Aruwai and these falls- which go hand in hand- are one of the spots I think about.

But, when I was confronted by the garbage situation, I could not imagine this anymore. The stark contrast between a beautiful waterfall and the ugly garbage was enough to make me abstain from that location until I am guaranteed that the situation no longer exists.

The tour guide who accompanied my group and I explained that the resort managers would often try to clear out the garbage to keep the environment attractive, but there is a challenge with visitors who come on their own. According to him, there is little else that can be done.

Granted, there were garbage bins at the site, but those were filled, signalling that there was either a need for more bins or more frequent emptying of these bins.

Even so, however, how can we simply toss our garbage on the ground? Do we have such little regard for our environment, or at least, this beautiful tourism site? The responsibility should not only fall on the hands of the resort managers and the tour operators but also on each of us, individually.

It’s really just the decent, clean thing to do.

I also believe that our improper garbage disposal habits are not confined to the ugly, nasty site near the falls. I also see it in our capital city, Georgetown- which, many years ago, was dubbed the Garden City.

If I was a betting person, I would bet my last dollar that there would be piles of garbage near our markets and in many of the drains around the city. This is not to say that there is not an ugly garbage situation in other parts of Guyana, but it is very prominent in the city.

And, while I do believe that the local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that the avenues for proper disposal are well-maintained (providing adequate bins and collecting these on time), I do not believe that this absolves any of us from the responsibility of disposing of our garbage better.

Just for a bit of context, a 2019 study on improper garbage disposal was conducted in Nepal, by Rajesh Kumar Rai, Mani Nepal, Madan Singh Khadayat, and Bishal Bhardwaj.

According to their research, municipal solid waste is a critical environmental issue in urban areas, that is, in the more infrastructurally developed cities and towns.

While the issue of proper garbage disposal, or the lack thereof, is an eyesore, these researchers argued that the waste leads to pollution of the environment, resulting in public health effects. The unsanitary conditions may attract disease-spreading rodents (such as rats) and could also lead to the development of skin and breathing issues.

Additionally, the researchers found that unmanaged waste could clog the drainage systems, which could contribute to flooding and waterlogging in urban areas during the rainy season. The contribution of this improper disposal of garbage to flooding is evident in Georgetown.

This research did not focus on the impact of improper waste management in more rural communities or in less developed spaces. As such, it would be difficult to extrapolate any considerations on the harm the garbage disposal could cause to our burgeoning eco-tourism sector.

Despite this, however, it can be argued that the improper disposal of garbage anywhere is not merely an eyesore and a turn-off, but it is also potentially an unsanitary breathing ground for health problems. As such, we have to be bothered by the garbage situation and we have to want to practise better habits.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXXI

XXXII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXXIII

XXXIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXXV

XXXVI

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXXVII

XXXVIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XXXIX

XL

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

XLI

XLII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

THOUGHT FOR TODAY I

wish either my mother or my father, or indeed both of them, as they were in duty both equally bound to it, had minded what th ey were about whe n they begot me.

LAURENCE STER NE (1713-1768) Tristram Shandy

August 15, 2021 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Welcome, dear friend.

Revise continually. Use note-taking which aids remembering but does not substitute for listening to grasp the heart of the teaching.

Improve note-taking with

labeling for easy identification later. Note cues such as: “first,” “second,” and “third”; “another important consideration”; “on the other hand”; “in summary”; as well as questions posed. Use brackets, underscores, arrows, and indentations. Peruse your notes promptly after the lesson to fix the major points more promptly in your mind.

Be focused.

Love you.

IMPROVING WRITING: Begin to polish your writing It is time you become a polished writer with mastery over the following: (1) select and place words carefully, and (2) arrange ideas so they flow smoothly.

Pay attention to good quality advertisements for example. See how they first appeal to your interest. Then watch how they take you smoothly from one idea to the next. Notice how each idea is building upon and growing out of the previous one. This technique is called continuity which provides the polish for easier to understand and accepted writing.

There are principles you must have mastery of to become a polished writer. Some of it is revision and others are now being brought to your attention. Look at “bridging.”

You need more practice in using transitional, or “bridging,” words and phrases. You bridge sentences with conjunctive adverbs and introductory expressions. You know them already but be reminded still. Look at some examples to clarify understanding: accordingly, after all, at the same time, consequently, meanwhile, yet.

Example to make sentences flow smoothly: The BVD meat merchants have five strategically located meat shops; delivery delays are a problem.

Use the transitional word nevertheless: The BVD meat merchants have five strategically located meat shops; nevertheless, delivery delays are common.

We see that the word nevertheless bridges the meaning of the second clause to the meaning of the first clause.

Do not forget to add a comma which usually follows an introductory transitional, or bridging, expression that contains more than one syllable.

Nevertheless introduces the second clause.

Another point to master is to desist using the conjunction and too often in your writing.

Do not write sentence after sentence containing two or more clauses joined by and.

A good writer uses these sparkling strategies: (1) using many synonyms and (2) varying sentence structure Let us consider this sentence: “The wise families will control their careless expenses, and bank savings will improve greatly. Now look at these polished sentences.

GOOD: After the wise families control their careless expenses, their bank savings will improve greatly.

BETTER: The control of the wise families’ careless expenses will allow them to improve bank savings greatly.

BEST: Bank savings will improve greatly when the wise families’ careless expenses are controlled.

The and construction has a good place in writing, but its constant use in sentences makes a paragraph result in monotonous writing.

(See more areas next week.)

Something to Do Look at this paragraph. It is part of a report. Note its many uses of and. Rewrite it, paying attention to the use of synonyms and varying sentence structure.

Last month our ten new service technicians completed their training, and they began working on July 31. Customer response to these added people has been tremendous, and the better service should lead to more sales. Current sales are already far ahead of budget, and we had better think about adding more service personnel. We are developing a fine product reputation, and we cannot afford to damage it through poor service.

THE PASSAGE Reading the printed word again and again When I was a boy, there was an old German merchant, who lived in a little cottage in our town. On Sundays, he used to go out and knock chips off the limestone ledges along the Mississippi, and he had a great tonnage of these chips, all labeled, and catalogued. The chips contained little fossil stems of some defunct water creatures called crinoids. The townspeople regarded this gentle fellow as

just a little bit abnormal, but harmless. One day the newspaper reported the arrival of certain titled strangers. It was whispered that these visitors were great scientists. Some of them were from foreign lands, and some among the world’s leading paleontologists. They came to visit the harmless old man and hear his pronouncements on crinoids, and they accepted these pronouncements as law. When the old German died, the town awoke to the fact that he was a world authority on his subject, a creator of knowledge, a maker of scientific history.

He was a great man – a man beside whom the local captains of industry were mere bushwhackers. His collection went to a national museum, and his name is known in all the nations of the earth.

(Aldo Leopold, Sand County Almanac) Something to Do Read the passage from Sand County Almanac, and then do the following exercises: (i) Compare and contrast what the German merchant was like with that which the people in the town thought he was like. (ii) Summarise Leopold’s main point(s) in telling this story GRAMMAR Understanding relationship between different parts of text In the passage below, the link-words have been taken out and you are required to choose between four possibilities to fill each blank.

A colour consultant from Toronto explained to the Inger-Society Colour Council in New York an ingenious scheme which a client company had conceived for increasing the sale of potato peelers. He began by pointing out a puzzling fact ...... potato peelers “never wear out,” enough are sold in two years in his country to put one in every home. What happens to them? He gave this answer.

“Investigation reveals that they get thrown away with the potato peelings.” One of his colleagues, he added, had come up with a dazzling plan for helping along the throwaway process. He proposed that their company paint their peelers “as much like a potato peeling as possible.”

Make one choice to fill the blank from the four listed: a) because..... b) although c) for example.....d) since

XLIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021

Stopping toothache permanently WHO would not want a toothache to disappear from a tooth for good? The solution is root canal treatment. It seems that root canal treatment is one of the mysteries of dentistry from the point of view of the average person.

Let’s try to unravel that mystery if indeed it is.

Now, what is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment (also called Endontics) is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through decay or injury. The end result is that the tooth becomes literally lifeless and therefore incapable of eliciting pain.

Why is root canal treatment needed?

If the pulp becomes infected, the infection will spread through the root canal system of the tooth, which may eventually lead to an abscess.

If root canal treatment is not carried out, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out .

Does it hurt?

No. A local anaesthetic is used and the whole procedure should feel no different from having an ordinary filling done.

What does it involve?

The aim of the treatment is to remove all infection from the root canal.

The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.

Root Canal Treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits to your dentist. At the first appointment, the infected pulp is removed. Any abcesses, which may be present, can also be drained at this time. The root canal is then cleaned and shaped, ready for filling. A temporary filling is inserted and the tooth is left to “settle”. The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared the tooth is permanently filled.

What will my tooth look like after treatment?

In the past, a root-filled tooth will often darken after treatment. However, with modern techniques, this does not usually happen. If any discolouration should take place, there are several treatments available to restore the natural appearance.

What if the disease re-occurs?

Root Canal Treatment is usually very successful. However, if there should be a re-occurrence of infection, the treatment can be repeated.

Is it expensive?

Yes. Root Canal Treatment generally is among the more costly dental procedures due to the length of time required and the skill and material needed. However, it is worth it

when one considers that it’s the only way to save a tooth in very poor health.

What if I don’t have the treatment?

The alternative to RCT is the removal of the tooth. Once the pulp is destroyed, it can’t heal and it is not recommended to leave an infected tooth in the mouth. While some people would prefer an extraction, it is usually advisable to keep as many natural teeth as possible.

Will the tooth be safe after treatment?

Yes. However, it is advisable to restore the tooth with a crown to provide it with extra support, strength and natural appearance.

Also, You should have it checked regularly by your dentist.

XLIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 15, 2021