Pepperpot e paper 10 15 2017

See inside: No Bra Day, the ► Page II controversy and the cause Ayodele Sampson’s tough but rewarding journey as a farmer

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Anjuli Beharry Strand, mother, wife, businesswoman, breast cancer survivor (Photo credit: John Greene)

‘fight’ Learning the meaning of

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III

A breast cancer survivor’s story

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Editor’s note Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues and so does our coverage of stories that delve into the lives of survivors as we believe that any bit of information can aid in the worthy cause of raising awareness. Our lead story gives a candid look at how one

woman has lived through her own battle and has contributed to helping other women on their journey. We also look at one creative way of raising awareness of Breast Cancer through the controversial ‘No Bra Day’ and how more persons are seeing it as a means

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

of offering symbolic support to the cause rather than sexualising women, as is often argued. Our other stories delve into a variety of areas, as usual, including the celebration of Internet Week, stories of women in Agriculture, in light of Agriculture Month which is also observed in October and many more. As always, we are honoured to be able to bring some enrichment to your Sunday reading!

No Bra Day the controversy and the cause

EVERY year, there are creative initiatives and activities during October to create breast cancer awareness in fun-like, educating and informative ways. The National No-Bra Day observed on October 13, is one of the recent campaigns that has been attracting its own fame, and even raising some contentions. But to cancer survivors, their relatives and advocates, No-Bra Day is exactly the kind of radical approach needed to draw attention to cancer.

On the occasion, women are encouraged to go bra-less on the day as a show of support for their fellow females who have lost their breasts to cancer, and/or who are troubled by the disease in some way or another. The observance is believed to have originated in Canada in 2011 and is intended to summon attention to the deadly phenomenon that is responsible for the deaths of more than 500, 000 women worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The activity has captivated media fame mostly in North America and also stimulated a lot of interest, especially on social media. However, it has incited some serious backlash with both men and women claiming that it only sexualises women’s bodies while simultaneously belittling a serious disease. Locally, the Guyana Cancer Foundation included National No-Bra Day in its 2017 schedule of awareness to bring awareness.

“I don’t see the No-Bra Day as contentious because I think it is creative and can really drive the level of awareness that we need to give more persons that reality check on cancer,” says Donald Joseph, an ardent cancer advocate, and one of three men who sits on the committee of the Cancer Foundation.

He became an advocate about 10 years ago while he worked at Avon, which spearheaded the Avon Cancer Foundation in Guyana.

At first, his participation in cancer awareness was mandated by his employment but he eventually developed a personal passion, after recognising the impact of such actions in saving lives through early detection and offering hope to survivors and those who had been diagnosed with the disease. Joseph has since contributed to various health fairs, workshops, seminars, symposiums, outreaches and walks to sensitise women, men and youth on cancer.

“I think it is very important for men to be part Francine Leitch, of the awareness too because we need to be that Cancer Survivor support for our wives, girlfriends and generally our female friends and acquaintances, to help them become more aware of the need to have their check-up,” Joseph told Pepperpot.

This year he is in full support of all awareness activities including the No-Bra Day, and he is so far pleased with the level of response and awareness the Cancer Foundation has been generating countrywide and the impact these activities have been making on women.

Meanwhile, for Francine Leitch, age 22, awareness is crucial.

“No-Bra Day I think is part of efforts to have more creative and innovative activities that bring attention to breast cancer in the most naked form, and I see no problem with it because breast cancer is real especially for the women who have lost their breasts to the disease,” Local the young woman related. entrepreneur A cancer survivor who Ashaka King is this month observing stands in her first year being cansolidarity with cer-free, Leitch was dibreast cancer survivors on agnosed in October 2015 No Bra Day and it was confirmed that she had cancer. Today, she is with one of the rarest types a third year medical science student at the University of of cancer, mediastinal dysGuyana, hoping to make a difference for others. germinoma. A mass was No Bra Day is also being observed by other secdiscovered behind her heart tions of society. On Friday, GTT took their Pinktober that propelled her into a Campaign to their Camp and Robb Street location in year of radical treatment, observance of No Bra Day. There, a number of male that caused a heavy toll on volunteers including GTT’s Chief Executive Officer, Leitch and her entire family Justin Nedd, Robbie Singh from Pulse Entertainment, as she struggled through local producer Drew Thoven, and Kerwin Bollers of weakness, severe bouts of Hits and Jams Entertainment, all donned pink brasvomiting, diarrhea, pains sieres while sharing cupcakes to customers. Nedd said and other side effects assothat the gesture helps to show that GTT is aware of the ciated with chemotherapy. importance of spreading awareness and in providing Leitch had seven cycles support to those affected by breast cancer. As such, the of chemotherapy which comprised treatment sessions seven days per week, four hours organisation is ready and willing to ‘Do More’ as their motto per day. She was hospitalized three times and received 14 says, in order to pledge their support to the cause.

Local entrepreneur Ashaka King also showed her support blood transfusions.

Last year, after several blood tests, Leitch was declared for No Bra Day, stating that for her, it is a symbol of liberation free of cancer cells. To her, early detection can make a big but also one of showing that there is a strong support system difference and she is therefore very supportive of awareness for breast cancer survivors.

“So much pressure goes into having breasts; they’re either activities.

A member of the Cancer Foundation, Leitch offers coun- too small, too long, too big- and we don’t take the time to selling to other cancer victims as well as their relatives and celebrate just having them. Complaining about our breasts or friends. Support, she noted, is a crucial aspect of the healing being ashamed of them is a bit of a like a slap in the face to process too, noting how her parents enhanced their medical the cancer survivor, who had to get rid of hers to save her life. and social knowledge to help their daughter through diagnosis They’re just breasts, we’re lucky to have them and be healthy and treatment. Today, both of her parents are cancer advocate with them. And if more people could relieve themselves of the sharing their experience to support other families and create self-absorbed nature of petty ridicule, maybe then we could empathise as a unit and rally even harder and stronger for awareness.

Before diagnosis, Leitch saw several doctors and endured prevention and cure,” Ashaka said.

The Guyana Cancer Foundation offers free sonogram, numerous tests and varying treatment that all went in vain, as the young woman got sicker. The situation even became frus- mammogram and pap-smear to women, as well as countrating to her family as they sought physician after physician selling and support network for patients and relatives. until a scan picks up Francine’s mass. A biopsy was later done October 20, will be observed as `Wear It Pink Day and awareness walk is schedule for October 21.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

III

Learning the meaning of 'fight' A breast cancer survivor’s story

By Gibron Rahim WE may not often consider the words ‘survival’ and ‘fight’ or what they mean to each of us. Yet, even as we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are women among us who have had those words foremost in their minds as they battled breast cancer. The stories of these survivors are valuable. They deserve to be told. Anjuli Beharry-Strand is one of these survivors.

In January 2013, after given birth to her daughter that past September, Anjuli noticed severe but occasional itching in her left breast.

She used Benadryl and it worked on what appeared to be a simple allergy at the time.

That February, she went up to New York and underwent a mammogram. The mammogram was clear. Then, that August, she felt a lump at the top of her left breast. It felt like a small and hard pea.

Anjuli was told that the lump was benign and to keep monitoring it but a doctor in Guyana told her to go and get it looked after. So, in September 2013, she visited her gynaecologist who performed a mammogram and a sonogram. Those results led to a biopsy being ordered right away. She would have the results in 24 hours.

She was with her cousins when she got the call. It was confirmed – she had triple negative, very aggressive breast cancer in the duct. “Nothing in this world could prepare you for hearing that,” Anjuli told the Pepperpot Magazine. She described it as the most terrifying moment of her life. Not only was her breast cancer the most aggressive form of the disease, it was also one that the least amount of research had been conducted on due to its rarity.

Triple negative breast cancer does not respond to hormonal therapies – chemotherapy was the only way.

She had been having drinks with her cousins but Anjuli begged them to take her home. “I heard nothing,” she said. “The world didn’t exist.” All she kept hearing in her head was that she was going to die. Her husband was back in Guyana with their children. It would take him two days to get there due to problems arranging a flight. Though she was terrified, she tried to stay strong for her children.

When her husband arrived the next day, she broke down. “I think I cried for hours,” she said. After she had done all her crying she decided it was time for her to fight. She had to live for her children. She made an appointment with a breast surgeon. After checking her, the surgeon ordered a procedure that allowed her lymph nodes to be mapped. “She told me she thought I was going to be okay because it was in the duct and it hadn’t spread anywhere else,” Anjuli related.

TOUGH DECISION Anjuli then had a decision to make. The

surgeon asked her if she wanted a lumpectomy to remove the lump or a mastectomy to remove the entire breast. She decided to undergo a double mastectomy to remove both breasts. After the seven-hour procedure, she woke up feeling really sick but happy.

Anjuli returned to Guyana for a few weeks to recover. At that point, she could not lift her arms above her head. “I lost all feeling from my arms, my back and my chest,” she said.

“I don’t have any feeling today as well. I’m completely numb.”

The fight was not yet over. Anjuli returned to New York after the few weeks had passed for chemotherapy. She underwent four months of chemotherapy. She said that 24 hours after chemotherapy she had to inject herself with Neulasta. The drug forces the body to produce white blood cells which causes a tremendous amount of pain.

“I would have pain from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes.” Though it was a difficult process, she maintained a good frame of mind. She had her daughter to take care of.

She laughed through it. She took her daughter

to the playground. She cooked. She continued to do everything as normal, even as she was losing her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. She returned home after her chemotherapy was complete, feeling elated.

ADJUSTING When she had started to lose her hair, Anjuli admitted to wondering how her husband would view her when he saw her without hair. She needed not to have worried. “He was wonderful,” she said.

Indeed, so were her family, friends and co-workers. “I had such an amazing support system,” Anjuli declared. “It really

made all the difference for me.”

The hardest part came when she went back for her breast construction in May 2014. After her reconstruction, she thought that she would look normal and feel normal again. It was devastating, she said, because that was not the way things went.

“It was difficult because a lot of women relate their femininity to having breasts and I didn’t have breasts anymore.” She allowed herself time to heal and time to grieve the loss.

While she recalled that she gave talks to women at Davis Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital when she initially returned, Anjuli is not currently actively involved in advocacy or charities for breast cancer. A large part of this is related to the loss of her mother to leukaemia, not long after her breast cancer.

However, other women have reached out to her and she has spoken to them privately and shared her story with them.

One of the concerns she has as it relates

of breast cancer. There is a stigma surrounding illness in Guyana. This was very telling in certain statements people made to her regarding her cancer. A colleague asked her if she believed in God and, when she affirmed that she did, she was told she should not speak about her cancer and should rely on God to heal her. She noted that there are people, not just in Guyana, but around the world who view illness as a punishment. “I feel that these things aren’t talked about,” she said. For this reason, it is important for her and other survivors to come forward with their stories.

There was no practice in Anjuli’s life that would have suggested she would have developed breast cancer. She has always eaten well. She has always exercised.

She never binged on junk food. “Breast cancer is not something you get if you’re an unhealthy person,” she expressed. “I was the epitome of health and I got breast cancer.” No one else in her family has ever had breast cancer. Nevertheless, she says that women need to be diligent about their health. “Learn to love and know your breasts,” she said.

“Check them every day.” And if they think something is wrong they should trust their instincts and seek help. “If you have to go to 10 doctors until you’re comfortable that nothing is wrong with you, do it.”

Breast cancer has undeniably changed Anjuli’s life. She has found that she is a kinder and more tolerant person now. And she wants other women to know that they are not alone. If she can just help one person she will be happy. There are many women who have similar stories. Anjuli noted that building a sense of community is important for women, especially if they receive the devastating news that they have cancer. Even survivors need support because the fear that breast cancer could return is real. Anjuli wants juli An of women who are currently living y es urt co oto (Ph with breast cancer to know that Beharry Strand) there is light at the end of the tunnel. Support is available. They to awareness of breast cancer and other just need to reach out and ask for it. “This cancers is what comes after health talks is a brief moment in your life. It feels like and screenings. She said that so many it’s forever and it feels unending but it will women she has spoken to have told her stop and you will get better,” she said. that they have breast cancer but do not A strong mind is an essential part even know that there are different types. of the fight. Anjuli said she had never And different types that require different understood the meaning of the word kinds of treatment at that. “That is some- ‘fight’ when a friend told her she had thing that we really need to focus on,” to fight. “How do you even know what she said. fight means?” she had asked. “And until I experienced it, now I know what it is.

ATTITUDES TOWARD BREAST The fight is your mind. Your mind has CANCER IN GUYANA to fight your body and say ‘I’m going Anjuli also noted that we need to fo- to be alright. I have a reason to live. I cus on how women are supported during have every reason to get up every single the process of diagnosis and treatment day.’”

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

FILES E S A C COURT

Passenger obstructs driver in ’61

Tried by Mag. Full Court & FSC IN the case of Leacock v.

Roopchand, the respondent was sitting as a passenger in the front seat of a motor car.

As the car approached a junction he said to the driver “this is the corner, turn here “.

He then struck the driver’s hands off the steering wheel, took hold of the wheel and turned it in the direction he had indicated.

The car in consequence ran into a traffic island and stopped. The respondent, Roopchand, as charged with dangerous driving and other related, offences, but the charges were dismissed by the magistrate without calling for a defence on the ground that the respondent could not be considered the driver.

On appeal to the Full Court, constituted by Chief Justice J.A Luckhoo and Justice Guya Persaud , that Court held : the respondent’s action in striking the driver’s hands off the steering

wheel and then himself turning the wheel provided prima facie evidence that he intended to assume and actually assumed control of the vehicle.

Appeal allowed; case remitted. {Editorial Note: Reversed on appeal to the Federal Supreme Court.} Justice Luckhoo delivering the judgment of the Full Court said: The respondent was charged by the appellant, a police constable, with driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the said vehicle, dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle when he was not the holder of a driver’s licence, and using a motor vehicle in respect of which, a policy of insurance was not in force in relation to the user thereof.

The first three offences are breaches of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 280, while the fourth offence is a breach of the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks), Ordinance, Cap. 281. The charges all flow from the same incident and they were taken together with the consent of the respondent. At the close of the case for the prosecution the learned magistrate took the view that there was not enough before him on which he could find that the respondent was the driver of the vehicle at the material time, and he dismissed the charges. It is against that decision that the appeal has been brought.

On the 12th June, 1961, the respondent engaged one Deonarine, the owner of the hire car, to drive him from place to place in the city.

The respondent spent some three hours and 20 minutes drinking with friends at various places. At about 02:00hrs on the 13th June Deonarine drove the car east along Regent Street at the request of the respondent. Earlier, according to Deonarine, he had observed that the respondent appeared to be under the influence of alcohol; Deonarine requested the respondent to sit in the back seat, but the respondent refused and

By George Barclay

took his seat in front and on Deonarine’s left. As the car approached the junction of Regent Street and King Streets, and at a point about 15 feet west of King Street, the respondent said to Deonarine “this is the corner, turn here”. The respondent struck the driver’s hands off the steering wheel, and he took hold of the steering wheel and turned it as if to turn right into King Street. As a result of the respondent’s act the car ran into a traffic island and stopped. Deonarine’s evidence which is unchallenged; is to the effect that he did not permit the respondent to turn the steering wheel, nor did he expect the respondent to strike his hands off, even though he was cautious because of the respondent’s drunken condition. From those facts the four charges referred to earlier were laid against the respondent.

The sole question to be determined is whether the respondent was a driver within the meaning of the Ordinance. In s. 2 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Ordinance, Cap. 280, there appears this definition – “driver” where a separate person acts as steersman of a motor vehicle, includes that person as well as any other person engaged in the driving of the vehicle and the expression “drive” shall be construed accordingly.”

Having regard to the facts in this case, and to the expression of opinion in Longman v. Valentine that there could be two drivers of one vehicle, we are of the opinion that the magistrate erred in holding that the respondent was not a driver of the vehicle.

The respondent’s action in striking Deonarine’s hands off the steering wheel and then himself turning the steering wheel provided prima facie evidence of the respondent intending to assume, and actually assuming, control of the vehicle.

We hear thereof by calling upon the respondent for a defence and to adjudicate thereon.

Appeal allowed: case remitted.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

V

#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

A Guyanese visits New Orleans WRITERS from all ovah de world, and de fuss ting all a we learn St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans ‘bout New Orleans is dat de hotel we staying at might be haunted.

Jumbie all ovah, dem seh. A lil ghost-boy name Maurice who don’ do nothing to nobody is one. He does be on de 14th floor. De 14th floor is not a real thing. Is actually de 13th floor, but dey calling it the 14th floor because like everybody friken fuh call de 13th floor de 13th floor. Anyway, de gyul from Singapore seh she hear knocking in de bathroom late in de night.

I smile when I hear dis, but den I stop smile when de American seh she hear de same thing in she room. Knocking. Not from de pipe in de bathroom, but like if somebody tek dem hand an’ go blam blam blam pon the wall or something. Jumbie. Noisy jumbie.

All ovah New Orleans. Jus’ like how jumbie deh all ovah Guyana. history stay, an’ we food – mix-up, mix-up like New Orleans; Kanaima in de forest. Fairmaid in de water. Baccoo in mix-up, mix-up like cook-up. bottle by the seawall. Yuh gon never run out a jumbie Jus’ outside New Orleans, it got a place name Whitney story in New Orleans. But jumbie story in Guyana like Plantation. To get there yuh got to pass a set a canefield. dey done dry up, bury, and long gone. Wham to Guyanese Yes. Canefield. in ‘Merica. You got to pass de canefield and jumbie story, man? de Mississippi River and de plantation house weh Quentin Every other shop yuh pass in New Orleans is a voodhoo Tarantino shoot a piece a “Django Unchained.” But when yuh shop. Duh is like obeah. Back in de day dey had a bad vood- done pass all dat, you gon reach Whitney Plantation. When hoo lady name Marie Laveau. Thousands a people – black we went, from de moment we set foot pon the ground – same people, white people, everybody – use to come fuh see she ground that enslaved people walk on hundreds of years before wuk. You can imagine duh? All a dem coming fuh see a mix- – was as if a great chill jus’ come ovah everybody. Everybody race lady do voodhoo in de 1800s? Me neither. But, like a feel cold, as if dem same enslaved was still there an’ whisperseh, she de bad. Who is we bad fuh days obeah lady? Wham, ing to all a we. The plantation itself is a monument to dem. nobody na gon write a story ‘bout she? Ah gon take a poem. Dem name carve pon rock tablets, so de people gon know Somebody do de research, man. an’ remember them. Hundred pon hundred a names. Peter, In New Orleans, people does pay money fuh visit grave- Lucie, Obe, Diachone, Banning, Petit Dion, Louis, Agathe, yard. Who gon pay fuh see Le Repentir wid de state it in? In New Orleans, people does pay money fuh go pon “ghost tour.”

Who gon pay fuh see we ghost dem? Who know weh dem deh? And who gon take de people there? Now, I not saying we must monetise we jumbie. I saying we could, if we want to – just like New Orleans.

The city was also haunted by something mo’ bad than ghost. New Orleans was haunted by memory, by history.

When you walk down de street, some that narrow and pack wid people like Regent Street pon Saturday, is bare history watching you when you think you watching for history. History that deh in de name of dem street that ring wid sexiness (because is a set a French names) an’ colonisation (because a de same French): Dauphine, Toulouse, Villere. Mo’ history deh in the buildings and the architecture that stan’ up, watching over you, reminding you of you own colonial history when you pass all dem place with Spanish and French design carve into window and terrace and doorway. It even got a big church name St. Louis Cathedral, that gon put in yuh mind de image of we own St. George’s Cathedral – but without the prostitute dem. They cathedral mo’ big and mo’ fancy, but still – church is church. How much a we does do more than see dem buildings in GT? How much a we does see dem and dey history?

Even de food in New Orleans does be dripping wid history.

De jambalaya, especially, remind everybody about something dey already know: the Mexican say is like paella, the Nigerian say is like jollof, and I think is like cook-up. Rice and beans and meat. Yuh see? Like cook-up. Yuh can taste de mix-up, mix-up New Orleans history in jambalaya. It taste good to me Guyanese tongue. I mussy recognise something in de jambalaya or it mussy recognise something in me. What we tasting when we taste Guyanese food? Yuh sure when we taste curry is Indian? An’ when we taste pepperpot is Indigenous?

Somebody else got to got something else in deh. Is so we

Vieux Gabriel, Claire, Paul, Babet, Lise, Alexandre, Denis, Fanny. Hundreds. And yet, these hundreds was de only set de records give life to. It got many more hundreds who name we don’ know; who name we might neva know. Whitney Plantation got a real colonial house – wey a real white man used to live wid he family.

De house big and nice. And two pen deh in de yard that dem used to use fuh raise baby-pigeon. Dey de like to eat baby pigeon back then, but de pen was more to show how dem de rich.

Baby-pigeon pen – a sign of nuff, nuff money.

Mo’ disturbing than the baby-pigeon pen was de actual shacks dat de enslaved people used to live in. We get to troop through the shack, an’ while walking through I get friken and think ‘bout de souls of all dem enslaved people who used to eat and sleep in these small house dem, watching me watching the space pon de floor where dey used to sit, or out de window dey used to stare through and think ‘bout freedom or god. I get real, real sad. I get mo’ sad when I think ‘bout how I had to come till to ‘Merica to find a kind a respect fuh de enslaved dat is not really the same in Guyana. I think about the young people who does be wining up pon de statue at the seawall or de people who tek selfie when de Umana Yana de bun down and I feel shame. Sometimes, I feel like in Guyana, we gon never know even some a de names a we fore parents, an’ wuss yet, is like nuff people don’ even waan know.

Dat is de thing wid New Orleans though, it close to de Caribbean belt. It close to we, an’ it got nuff in common wid we. So much so that when I was there, a even start remember back the Creolese a de friken a might fuhget.

Thank gawd.

23

VI

By Svetlana Marshall

MORE than 23 years after its establishment, the St. Rose’s Alumni Association USA Inc. remains a vibrant force – providing much-needed support to its alma mater.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

Years of continued support

St Rose’s Alumni Association stands strong During a recent interview with executive members of the Association in Queens, New York, President, Lorraine Croft-Farnell and Vice President, Pauline Roman-Willis discussed the work that the association has done over the

Seated L to R: Lorraine Croft-Farnell, President; Pauline Roman-Willis, Vice President; and the Consul General to New York, Barbara Atherly. Also standing, from left to right, are: Compton Grose, Asst. Secretary/Treasurer, Beverly D’Andrade-Waaldijk, Board Member; Ingrid Thomas-Clark; Sonny Susankar; and Cameil Dalgetty-Jarvis

years.

Cognisant of the challenges facing the St. Rose’s High School in Guyana, the president said that the association has been streamlining its plans and projects to address those issues, with the aim of raising the level of education offered at the school and providing a window of opportunities for the students.

“We know there are challenges, so we are going to work with the Headmistress and the Board of Governors as best as we could to help them with those challenges, and also to assist them to improve the overall success of the school,” Croft-Farnell told the Pepperpot Magazine, on the margins of a Guyanese Diaspora Conference at York College.

Though the St. Rose’s Alumni Association, USA, INC. had some concerns about the performance of the school at the regional examinations, it was satisfied with this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Council (CSEC) Examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results.

“We have seen an improvement in the overall performance of the students. So this is something that we will continue to work on,” the president said.

St. Rose’s High, Shawn Shewram, was named Guyana’s 2017 Top CAPE student after attaining eight grade ones in a single sitting. The school also gained some of the top spots when the 2017 CSEC results were released by the Education Ministry.

The president said St. Rose’s will continue to aggressively challenge Queen’s College and the Bishop’s High School.

LEADERSHIP The Vice President said the alumni had facilitated a leadership programme for the high school students, thus allowing them to apply the ‘Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.’

Those habits are: Be Proactive; Begin with the End in Mind; Put First Things First; Think Win-Win; Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood; Synergise and Sharpen the Saw. The leadership forum was held in tandem with a career day for the students.

Based on its overwhelming success, Roman-Willis noted that the alumni are considering making the leadership programme an annual feature on its calendar of events.

The second phase is being discussed with the headmistress of the St. Rose’s High School. “It’s about education, but it’s also about behaviour, social advancement; it’s about overall success, in addition to education,” the vice president said.

For 2017, the alumni have secured four crates of essential textbooks that have been shipped to Guyana for the school. A percentage of the books will also be donated to the East Ruimveldt Secondary School. It was explained that the donor is an alumnus of the secondary school.

But this is not the first time the alumni would be contributing books to the school. According to Roman-Willis such donations, which are not limited to books, have been a long-standing tradition.

“We have provided the students with computers and we developed a computer room. Last year, we did something with their language room – we sent home much-needed textbooks for Spanish, Portuguese and French students,” she explained.

The St. Rose’s Alumni Association USA Inc. also offers scholarships to students.

“We do a scholarship programme where we work with the Principal in Guyana to identify the students that have done well each year at the exams, and we provide funds to them to use to further their education. That is a programme that we do annually, so each year, we are represented at the prize giving and these awards go to the students,” the vice president further explained.

In addition to the scholarship programme, the association collaborates with the Canadian Chapter to pay the custodian.

“We found out that, I don’t know for what reason, there wasn’t a custodian paid on staff for the school, so we paid for that. We pay every other year, and Canada pays the alternate years,” the vice president explained.

Roman-Willis said the chapters strongly believe that it is important for students to learn in an environment that is clean.

Established in 1994, St. Rose’s Alumni Association USA Inc. has a membership of 50, however; it has more than 400 alumni listed on its mailing list. Currently, it is doing a membership drive as it seeks to connect alumni.

Compton Grose, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Beverly D’Andrade-Waaldijk, Board Member; Ingrid Thomas-Clark; Sonny Susankar; and Cameil Dalgetty-Jarvis were also present.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

VII

The pitfalls of home care FOR many dentists home-care efforts become vexing and frustrating for their patients who find out their activities are not working. That is because many people think that state-of-the-art home care is basically just brushing, well two or three times a day, and flossing at least once a day. Most people now know to brush and floss after every meal, three times a day, and to floss thoroughly at least once a day, probably because this message had been drummed into their heads over the years in toothpaste or mouthwash advertisements that induce them to buy and use certain products. Unfortunately, the public has been grievously misinformed about brushing, flossing, and using some advertised product; they all still fall short of what’s required for genuinely effective oral (systemic) health maintenance, by far, even though together they make up the current standard of oral care.

Let’s begin with the shortcomings of brushing. One has to obey the Rule of Thoroughness. This Rule states that the total time spent cleaning the mouth during every 24 hours

must be equal to the number of natural teeth in minutes. For example, if a person has 20 teeth they should spend at least 20 minutes every day brushing, flossing, etc.

Compounding the frequently ineffectual home-care regimen is the notion that flossing somehow cleans under the gums. It does, but only so far as the soft tissue on the tongue side and cheek of the tooth will let it. The depth below this level is where most of the disease occurs (gingivitis excepted). While flossing has definite benefits for many who perform this important task, it has been said that only two per cent of the population flosses every day. Even doubling that to four per cent still leaves 96 percent of the public not flossing even once a day. And those who do floss can’t clean the bacterial stew out from under the gums. In fact, although flossing does move the plaque and food debris that builds up between the teeth, and does dislodge some of it so it can be cleaned out of the mouth, the balance of the debris is forced into the sulcus (crevice between tooth and gum).

The pitfalls of home care can be made even worse if you use a toothpaste or mouthwash containing ingredients that carry warnings “seek professional help or contact a poison control centre immediately.” And these products that are supposed to help us get healthy? My professional advice is to stay away from them. Products containing ingredients that can kill people, induce oral cancer, cause allergic reactions, burning, itching, redness, and soft tissue sloughing, and degrade tooth-coloured fillings and cosmetic dental bonding agents not improving the health of the user. People with gum disease already have enough problems without adding toxic products to their oral health programme.

I am concerned, oral health can best be accomplished by exclusively using healthy products and techniques. I

would like to make it clear, just for the record, that I am all for brushing and flossing. Both of these activities are fundamental oral health procedures, and both offer benefits if they are done frequently (brushing and flossing have to be done often enough to keep plaque, and other debris removed by these activities, at sufficiently minimal levels to ensure that the gum tissue remains healthy). I especially want a patient’s brushing and flossing efforts to be effective and non-injurious, but unfortunately, I often see just the opposite. It is extremely common for dentists to see toothbrush abrasion from improper brushing or the effects of the wrong kind of brush. As I said in previous articles, hard and medium brushes should only be used for cleaning small motor parts and boots, not teeth. As far as flossing is concerned, gingival clefts (cuts) are also inflammatory injury to the gums not only allows microorganisms into the body but also causes gum and bone recession, even occasional tooth loss. (For some reason, I’ve seen moderate to severe flossing damage almost exclusively in women, some of it requiring surgery to repair the damage!) These are very poor rewards for such vigorous efforts intended only to improve health. Brushing and flossing can both be performed effectively and without injury.

The public’s perception of periodontal (gum) disease and its consequences is, unfortunately, still not yet in tune with the health consequences associated with what is, in fact, a systemic infection. Until those perceptions change on a widespread basis the medical and dental professions, as well as in the public domain, we will continue to lose the battle. However, perceptions and concepts can occasionally change almost overnight, and I am encouraged that the public and the health professions may soon start viewing periodontal disease and its potentially lethal toll in a totally new light. Only then will any meaningful improvement occur. I don’t know if a person’s cause of death will ever be listed as gum disease since it was perhaps a heart attack or stroke that will ultimately

be the cause of death, but I do know that it would certainly help elevate the public’s awareness of how serious this health problem is.

All life is interdependent

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

- protect the environment

LAST month, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was commemorated. The Ozone Layer is a thin layer of O3 gas in the lower atmosphere

which shields the Earth from the harmful effects of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ message reiterates the importance of the

Montreal Protocol which was signed 30 years ago with the intent to repair and preserve the Ozone Layer. Referring to the Montreal Protocol, Mr. Guterres said: “It rallies governments, companies, doctors, scientists and citizens to reverse the damage to the Ozone Layer, and this saves millions of people from skin cancer and cataracts each year and helps to combat poverty, addresses climate change and protects the food chain. It also creates new business opportunities and will save the global economy $20 trillion by 2050.”

Protection of the Ozone Layer is only one segment of the efforts being made by modern man to respect, restore and protect the environment. There are other areas of environmental protection such as protecting wildlife, the rivers and watercourses, the soil, plant life and so on, which are focused upon from time to time.

Modern Western Civilisation, from the time of the Renaissance, stressed material development and created technologies which in a very short time made available to the world the highest levels of material achievements ever attained by human beings.

But the price paid for this massive and speedy material development was very high. The price paid was the destruction of the environment putting human life under threat of slow extinction, and negatively affecting the health and material wealth of the population of large areas of the world.

Western Man is only now discovering that all life is interdependent and that if one destroys any part of the environment it will not only affect the welfare of one’s self but of human beings as a whole.

There are numerous examples of this syndrome in the modern world and it would be instructive to look at one or two of them: The Nile River in Egypt sustained the great Egyptian civilisation and provided the population with a fairly high standard of living for thousands of years. In addition to their productive agriculture, the Egyptians harvested a bountiful supply of fish from the waters at the mouth of the River. Then as part of “modern development”, the Government built the Assuan Dam which was to substantially increase agricultural land by irrigation as well as hydropower generation. But that dam upset the ecology of the area in unforeseen ways: The fishing grounds at the mouth of the River now became far less productive since the food which had been brought down by the river and deposited at its mouth was greatly curtailed by the dam and billions of snails began to take over the irrigated areas.

The rising waters of the dam destroyed some of the cultural heritage of Ancient Egypt.

One of the great treasures, the temple of Abu Simbel, was saved by international donations.

This avoidable destruction to the envi-

ronment caused by the Assuan Dam has been replicated in other parts of the world. In North America, because of the very insensitive, careless and greedy exploitation of hundreds of thousands of acres very fertile lands in the Mid-West, the famous “Dust Bowl” was created causing thousands to suffer the greatest privations.

Other well-known examples of the destruction of the environment are the Amazon Forests and the reckless killing of animals in Africa for economic gain.

It is only in the 20th Century that it was widely understood in Western Society that all life was one and that all life was interdependent and that if one wantonly destroys any life-form, it will ultimately have an effect on one’s self and on society as a whole. With this understanding, the realisation that destruction of the environment had caused life to be unsustainable in some areas and the quality of life to deteriorate in others, has become far more evident.

Western Societies have taken up environmental protection in all its forms with great enthusiasm and their efforts have been crowned with some success. Unfortunately, the successes so far achieved have been comparatively slow and this leads us to think of what other factors could be added to the Western efforts.

Older civilisations such as the Indian and Buddhist/Confusionist, as well as in many Indigenous cultures, they are probably more aware of the necessity of the balance of nature and the protection of the environment, but their protective measures are manifested by religious sanctions or by custom based on religion. For example, the Indigenous Amerindian culture of Guyana understood the necessity of maintaining a healthy equilibrial balance between man and nature and for millennia lived in harmony with the environment.

Now, with the introduction of mining into those areas where Amerindians have inhabited for thousands of years, the environment has suffered much destruction and cannot sustain the population which once lived there.

It would appear, therefore, that if religious and spiritual values were absorbed into the present rational and material assumptions in the effort to protect or repair the environment, greater success would be achieved.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

IX

The Hero of Tiger Bay

Christopher Stephenson

By Francis Quamina Farrier

THERE is a document on my desk as I write this feature which reads: “Co-Operative Republic of Guyana. CERTIFICATE OF DEATH No.0049177. Full name of Deceased: Christopher Stephenson. Date of Death: October 20, 1997”. However, 20 years after the heroic death of Christopher Stephenson, there are some citizens who feel that he must never be forgotten, and his heroic actions on October 20, 1997, must be officially recognised with a National Award.

Guyana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Hamley Case; Chairman of John Fernandes Ltd., Chris Fernandes; Retired General Manager of the Georgetown Water & Sewerage Commissioners, David Dewar; and Raymond Shaw, have all expressed interest in elevating Christopher Stephenson as a Guyanese hero. “His instinctive action was to save two lives,” says Raymond Shaw. “He was not a rich man, and he had the responsibilityof his children to look after. Yet, without hesitation, he responded to the need of his fellow man.”

SLOWLY FADING The story of the tragic, but heroic death of Christopher Stephenson, is fading from the Guyanese memory. But since on Friday, (October 20, 2017), it will be the 20th Anniversary of that land-mark incident and I thought it appropriate to tell that story again of true Guyanese heroism.

It has gripped my thoughts as well as the thoughts of other Guyanese from time to time, over the past two decades. It is a tragic yet great story of one of the greatest Guyanese heroes of our time. And I need to add, that two decades after his death, he remains an unsung hero. A truism of Dave Martin’s song, “Caribbean, where are your Heroes?”

About eight years ago, I decided to write a long poem which is entitled “The Ballad of Christopher Stephenson” in which I have related what took place that fateful day at the corner of Sussex and Hunter Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Christopher Stephenson died a hero. He saved the lives of two men he had never known - Gerald Rodie and Ossie Roberts both workers at the then Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners (GS&WC). A nomination for him to receive a Posthumous National Award of the Cacique Crown of Valor, which is a special award for bravery, was submitted to the Protocol Division of the Ministry of the Presidency in April last year, and signed by the well-known businessman, Christopher Fernandes, before Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

But so far, the nomination has not been entertained. Is it that Guyana does not recognise such bravery as being worthy of National acknowledgment? Or is it because Christopher Stephenson was a dray-cart operator and a resident of the “demonised” Tiger Bay area, in western Georgetown?

Paraphrasing the Book of John 1:46 from the Holy Bible, Raymond Shaw posed the question: “Can anything good come out of Tiger Bay?” His firm answer is, “Yes, here is an act worth showcasing. Tiger Bay is just as good as any other ward of the city, if not better, and some attention should be paid to that area”, Shaw concluded.

THAT FATEFUL DAY

On the morning of October 20, 1997, Christopher Stephenson, who was a single parent, (his wife was a guest of the State at the New Amsterdam Prison at the time), rose early before dawn in his humble Tiger Bay abode and prepared breakfast for his four young children, and later saw them off to school.

He then set out with his horse and dray cart to secure what work the city had to offer him that day. From Tiger Bay, he took a southern direction into the Avenue of the Republic, into High Street, then into Saffon Street and finally east along Sussex Street.

Approaching the Hunter Street junction, he observed a large crowd which had surrounded one of the GS&WC manholes. Something was amidst, and Christopher tied his horse to a post and went to investigate from a closer vantage point.

What Christopher discovered, made him take immediate action. Two workers of the GS&WC were at the bottom of the manhole in a state of unconsciousness, having inhaled poisonous gas from a leak in the pipeline.

No one was willing to go down into that filth and gas below to assist the men.

However, Christopher bravely went down into that manhole at the risk of his own life.

Down into the dark manhole below the surface of Sussex Street, he got to work, rescuing the first man, and bringing him to the surface on Sussex Street. Even though Christopher was small of stature, he was large of heart, demonstrating what love he had, even for two men who were strangers to him.

Preparing to go down for the second victim, many in the crowd were shouting to him not to go back into that poisonous pen.

But Christopher would have none of that; the second victim had to be rescued. So down he went again, caring little about his own safety; in fact, his very own life.

He secured the second man and brought him to the surface to loud applause from the crowd. However, Christopher had inhaled much of that poisonous gas and he collapsed onto the street. The three men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The two GS&WC workers survived, no doubt because they did not inhale as much of the poisonous gas as Christopher Stephenson did while he lifted not just one, but both men who were much bigger than he was.

And so, while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Christopher Stephenson passed away, leaving his wife and four small children widowed and fatherless.

FAREWELL I first saw Christopher - “THE HERO OF TIGER BAY”- lying dead in his coffin at the Merriman’s Funeral Home. His wife was released from the New Amsterdam Prison, and her sentence commuted, so that she could be present at the funeral, and be there with her four young children, who needed their mother at that tragic time. She was beside herself with grief. Christopher’s siblings and other close relatives and friends were also crying inconsolably. It was an extremely sad occasion.

Present at that funeral was then Minister of Labour, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, who, in making a speech to the mourners, handed over a cheque from the Ministry of Labour to the

widow, to take care of her immediate financial needs.

Her prison sentence was also commuted on humanitarian grounds.

In his address at the funeral, Minister Jeffrey also announced that Christopher Stephenson was accredited posthumously, the status of ‘Employee’ of the GS&WC, so that his widow and his fatherless children, could reap the tangible benefit of a pension, for his death in selflessly and bravely saving the lives of two GS&WC workers.

Scholarships for the children were also promised, as long as they qualified when the time came around.

That small

chats with the children there.

Guyanese Professor, author and Diplomat, Dr. David Dybadeen, also made tangible contributions to the children of Tiger Bay. He organised literary competitions and gave out substantive prizes to the winners. Those presentations were made at elaborate ceremonies at the neighbouring Hotel Tower on

Former CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Edwin Carrington, on a visit with the children in Tiger Bay, while he headed the CARICOM Secretariat

world of Christopher Stephenson’s Tiger Bay, The only photograph of while demonThe Hero of Tiger Bay, ised by so Christopher Stephenson many, is not altogether unrecognised. During his tenure as the Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Edwin Carrington paid annual visits at Christmas time and took goodies for, and had friendly

Main Street.

The question now is, will Christopher Stephenson be posthumously conferred with that National Award of the Cacique Crown of Valour, bringing closure to his widow and fatherless children, who lost their loved one because he dared to be “The Hero of Tiger Bay”? That depends on those who constitute the Guyana National Awards Committee, and in whose hands is that precious nomination which was submitted since April 2016.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

‘BackDoor’ Backlash

By Abdool A. Aziz

AT age 35, he had reached Quintessential Level economically and socially. Now that his ego agitated him to seek life abroad, he applied for a US visa but was denied. He didn’t show interest in Canada where he would end up eventually.

He visited a few Caribbean islands. Too limited for his expectation, he decided on Venezuela. And through some covert contact got a ‘Backdoor’ transmute VISA (Work Permit) RED CARPET WELCOME Quickly he boarded a flight at Piarco to Simon Bolivar International Airport. There he received a warm welcome – Professa Du Engleesh! In the 70’s this republic next to us welcomed Guyanese especially skilled ones, and the professor felt great at the Spanish reception. He would see their other side later. He spent the weekend touring Caracas, he loved this metropolis. So bright, busy with the gas guzzlers and the high rises. A regular modern city.

THE REJECTION One Monday he hurried down to an American Institute, they needed English teachers, but he wasn’t hired. He was versed in English, poor on Spanish. They needed both, he was inflated. He spent a few days looking for work. The ignorance of Spanish blocked his bids. Low on funds, he decided to return home. He would try some other destination.

BLACK CARPET EXIT Though disappointed, he was eager to return home. He boldly exited the taxi and headed to immigration this time, there was no smiling senor but a stern senorita. She had one look at his passport and snapped in Spanish: “Que Solvenciar”.

The professor looked bewildered. She shouted “Solvencia!” The professor panicked, she signalled to two guards (wellarmed) to take the professor away. He was dragged into an office. The pretty senorita spoke `good English. She explained he had to present a Solvencia (Tax Exit). That is necessary when you hold a work permit. To get a work permit you must provide proof of a valid job approved by the immigration authorities. The officer believed this procedure was followed, it was not. The professor went through the ‘Backdoor’ and now it was time for the ‘Backlash’. He tried to explain he didn’t work. The officer pressed a button and guards arrested the distraught man and dashed him in a holding cell. He spent the night starving and sleeping on the concrete floor.

THE LET-DOWN The next morning he faced a senior officer. He again pleaded his case and mentioned the name of the Minister of the Interior. The officer said, “You know my boss?”

“Yes, we had lunch together,” the professor said.

“Okay, I’ll call him, if he can verify you didn’t work, you’ll be free to go.”

The call was made. There was communication in deep Spanish, then he put the phone down, got up and said angrily, “You lie Guyanese – my boss says he doesn’t know you.” The professor was floored. It was true with a shameful letdown.

CONSULATE TO THE RESCUE Locked up all weekend, the professor was released on Monday to go to his consulate and seek help. The staff did their best to help and through the Ministry of Hacienda, got the tax exit. No more ‘Backdoor’ approach. Advice: Do the right thing.

The Professor is now a Canadian citizen.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

XI

Lend and have an ear I have focused on suicide, both facts and testimonials, over the last few weeks as a tribute to World Suicide Prevention Day and World Mental Health Day – both of which were in the last two to three weeks.

Today I would like to focus on one of the most preventative measures for suicide: having someone to talk to as well as listening to others. Simply being there for someone can actually save a life.

Deciding who to talk to is important.

I don’t believe you should talk to any and every one. It should be someone that you trust, someone who has your best interest at heart.

When you tell someone how you feel, it brings your thoughts to life and creates a clarity which opens doors for many possible solutions. It releases stress and the burden of carrying something around all on your own. Talking to an objective party (someone outside the situation) will result in fair advice. Loneliness is painful and you’re bound to feel lonely if you chose to confide in no one. Everyone feels loved, respected and appreciated when they feel others are listening to them.

Now, on the other hand, if all you do is talk, then you block opportunities to both expand your own knowledge and the chance to be there for someone else. We are very lucky when we are let into other people’s lives. When people chose to confide in us specifically – it’s an honour that should not be taken for granted- not a lot of people would hear what you just did or would have a chance to help this particular person.

Most importantly, sharing your feelings as well as listening will help you to understand that you are not alone. The other person may not have been through a similar situation but most likely has felt the same way at one point or another.

I have always believed that one of the most important things is to simply listen to what others have to say. Most of the time, people do not even need or want advice, they just want to vent to someone who is actually listening.

Below, Diane Mekdeci shares her view on the importance of this: “A few years ago my friend and I went to a fete. At some point during the night, I fell flat on my face - thanks to my friend, though she denies it to this day. Anyway, I had the mother of all bruises on my cheek and a semi-black eye. I went to work as usual but what I saw as a simple bruised face from an amazing fete had many others - mostly women - assuming I’d been abused. For some reason, I found this development interesting. When people asked what happened, I told them and received “yeah right” looks in response. When I went to buy lunch at McDonalds the cashier -who I knew from seeing her around the store - pulled me to the side and said “You don’t need to lie to me, if you’re in trouble I’d be willing to help. You should never let someone hurt you like this.” I REALLY had to work to convince her it was a party injury. I guess it was my ignorance

regarding abusive situations that led to my surprise at people’s reactions or maybe because I knew honestly it happened at a party. Still, I was moved by how many people had pulled me aside offering to help me get out of a bad situation. Some of them complete strangers - I only knew them because they shopped where I worked.

I have to say I’ve been blessed, throughout my life, no matter what was going on, I always had some kind of support. I’ve dealt with my fair share of obstacles, more than some and less than others and I’ve been in dark places throughout my life. However, no matter how bad situations got, there were certain things that never crossed my mind - suicide being one. It was simply never an option, even at my lowest point I never wanted to die; I wanted to feel better yet I never saw death as the answer.

I always had someone, a friend or a family member that would help, sometimes in ways unbeknownst to them.

Looking back, I’m not entirely certain how I would have dealt with things if I had no one to confide in. There is something so therapeutic about relaying issues to a confidant. Maybe it’s simply getting it off your chest, fully acknowledging your feelings by expressing yourself to another. Maybe it is knowing that someone is there, that you aren’t as alone as you may feel. Maybe it’s enough to know that someone cares. They care enough to inquire about your well-being or enough to listen to what’s going on and at times offer a solution or advice. I’ve always tried to be that person for other people because everyone goes through hard times and they shouldn’t have to do so alone. I’m so thankful for the people who did it for me, not only did they help me through my obstacles but they helped me to grow as a person.

It’s an indescribable feeling to look back at where you were, not knowing if things would get better, feeling stuck; to not feeling those burdens anymore and finding peace. It almost encourages you through your next obstacle because you have already surpassed an instance you didn’t think you could.

One of my favourite quotes is “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”

- Bob Marley. The only thing brother Bob missed was you don’t have to be strong on your own.

Are you not sure where to start? Simply ask a friend or family member to tell you something they have experienced lately.

Basically, whenever you get a chance, just listen to others.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiat-

ric Department: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays 4:15 Good mental health group meetingsWednesdays 4:15 Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 2230001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

#SupportCreativity

Ransford Simon

and the journey toward realism

RANSFORD Simon grew up carefully observing his older brother draw and paint his own portraits from a mirror. He described him as a naturally talented individual, who, despite having no formal art training, had the opportunity to attend the E.R. Burrowes School of Art but opted instead to pursue his studies in agriculture. For the younger Simon sibling, on the other hand, he knew that if given the opportunity to attend the art school, he simply would not be able to pass it up.

After completing his studies at the Annai Secondary School in Region Nine, Simon applied for and was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Education to be professionally trained at the art school. This award signalled the beginning of Simon’s two-year journey as an eager student of the visual arts.

“At secondary school, my art teacher inspired me. He saw the passion I had for art and he helped me. That’s how I got to Burrowes. I always wanted to go to the art school so I didn’t miss the chance. I went into the art school the same year I wrote CXC before I even got my results,” he said.

This eagerness to learn more about art and in the process hone his creative techniques, would become one of the major characteristics that would see him through

Ransford Simon

the difficult times when he wrestled with things like uncertainty and lack of materials. He makes no attempt to

disguise the fact that the confidence he now wields with his brush and pencil wasn’t always there. In fact, Simon describes a very awkward start to his journey at the art school.

“I always wanted to do painting. It was challenging at first but I got to like it eventually. The first painting class we had for watercolour was hard for me. I kept dropping paint all over. I felt like giving up because it was painting that I went for and I wasn’t getting it. But after that, I started to like it. I started experimenting.

It was different but I’m accustomed to it now. I got faster and better,” he said.

His love for painting was followed closely by an almost equal love for sculpture after he was introduced to the various materials and techniques associated with the subject.

“Before I went to the art school I used to make

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

XIII

Women in Agriculture Part Two

Oceana O’Dean helping to protect local crops from pests WOMEN’S roles have changed tremendously and this change is allowing women to make their greatest impact in our society today.

Many years ago, women’s contribution to society was limited and controlled by men.

Now, their contributions are standing tall and are playing a major role in many important areas such as politics, engineering, technology and medicine.

In recognition of the women in the agricultural sector, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will continue to highlight the female staffers who have been making a significant impact in developing the country.

In this week’s column, we are featuring an enthusiastic 26-year-old Research Scien-

something. “It may not be yours today, but it can be yours tomorrow.”

Initially, Oceana started out the University of Guyana, thinking that she would have been a medical doctor by now but even though her field of study took a different turn, she is determined to have that “Dr” in front of her name.

“My goal is to do my Ph.D. but I want to have some working years under my belt and as of now, I think I can make a significant impact where I am right now,” the 26-yearold said. She presently manages 10 staffers in her department—these are the people, she said, who made her work easier.

“At the beginning, it was challenging

tist, Oceana O’Dean. Currently, she heads NAREI’s Plant Pathology Anthology and Weeds Science Department. She also manages the Laboratory.

O’Dean was employed by NAREI in January 2016 to run the department that monitors pests and diseases affecting plants in Guyana. It was Oceana’s curiosity in butterflies that led her to work with NAREI where she is tasked with the duties of protecting our plants.

It was while studying Biology at the University of Guyana, her interest in insects and pests—their existence, lifecycle and everything they did while on earth – grew, and this led to her doing her thesis on butterflies for her Bachelors of Science in Biology.

“Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor and then I went into b iology thinking that I was going to become a doctor and by the end of my first year, I realised that it (biology) was very interesting. In my fourth year, I did my final paper on butterflies and it took off from there—I always liked insects,” O’Dean said.

She always knew she wanted to work with NAREI. In 2012, when she finished her Degree, she applied for a job at the institute but there was no vacancy—but this did not discourage her. In fact, she went onto furthering her study the following year by pursuing a Master’s of Science in Forest Biology.

“When I finished my Masters, I reapplied at NAREI and I was hired to run my department,” the 26-year-old said, while urging young men and women not to give up hope if they did not succeed the first time of trying

because I was never in a position to head a department and in this case, I had to come in and learn quickly but my staff was very helpful. They walked me through the process and they told me what the previous supervisors taught them,” Oceana recalled.

O’Dean deals with projects such as macro-propagating of planting, creating integrated pest management strategies to monitor the Black Sigatoka disease that affects banana and plantain suckers.

She also did work on the Red Palm mite disease. Since the world is “going green,” her department looks at bio-pesticides and bio-fungicides to control pest to eliminate the use of chemicals.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

Determined to succeed

Ayodele Sampson’s tough but rewarding journey as a farmer

By Wendella Davidson FROM being in an air-conditioned office where on a daily basis she donned fashionable clothing, Ayodele Sampson, a Wakenaam Island-born young single-mother said she felt ashamed when she eventually had to trade this for old clothing and venture into farming to make ends meet when the chips were down.

But cognisant of the fact that she has two children to provide for, she resolved herself to do whatever it took to ensure that she provided a good life for them and that they receive a proper education.

To this end, Ayodele, is today a proud and respected farmer whose produce of plantains, watermelons and pumpkin are widely sought after by farmers at Parika, she proudly declares. In addition, Ayodele was one of three women farmers who spoke of their challenges in the field, at a forum held recently at Herdmanston Lodge. The forum was hosted by the Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) Project which is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and is implemented by World University Service of Canada.

PROPEL has embarked on a mission aimed at creating the necessary avenues for women and youth who are in pursuit of entrepreneurial ventures in the field of agriculture.

In a one and one with the Pepperpot Magazine, Ayodele, who turns 40 years next month, took a walk down memory lane.

THE BEGINNING Born at Melville, Wakenaam, and the eldest of three children of the Reverend James Sampson and Margaret Sampson, Ayodele attended the Belle Plaine Nursery and then San Souci Primary School on the predominantly agricultural island. She later moved to the city to attend Christ Church Secondary School, after emerging as the island’s top student when she wrote the then Common Entrance Ayodele Samspon tending to her farm Examination.

She recalled that after completing her secondary schoolway and when things did not work out as ing at Christ Church and then St Joseph’s she wanted, after being on the island for five High, she landed her first job at the Esso Gas years, she decided it was time to pack up and Station on Regent Street, where she spent a return home. But, returning to the land and mere three months before moving on to the place of her birth wasn’t easy as she thought, Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life even with the support of her family. “Job Insurance Company (GTM). At GTM she opportunities were a no, no, on the island, spent nine years before migrating to the Ca- and not wanting to be too dependent on ribbean Island of Antigua. Ayodele said that my parents, I had no choice but to go into it was the valuable experience she gained in farming,” she said. Her father owned some the accounting field while working at GTM, 37 acres of land at Trollie Island, which is that led her to find a reasonable job after about an hour’s ride by boat from her home. migrating. There, she worked her way up to “At first I was ashamed, it was acting supervisor level. back-breaking work but I had to survive and RETURNING HOME However, she soon got into the family’s

I had my children. I worked, sometimes with tears streaming down my face, but then after a while, things started to look up for me,”

pushed around,” Ayodele recalled. “Just imagine, I worked honestly but the police were asking me if I was planting `weed’ because of the money I said I lost, and I was not being taken seriously. Then, I started to receive threats to my life, at one point I was told that the persons I suspected would rape myself and my daughter. That was the last straw, because at that point I realised I had no help, because even the police appeared to be on the side of the suspects. “ she said.

THREAT TO HEALTH “II lost it, for two weeks I knew nothing.

It was recommended that I be admitted to the psychiatric ward, but my father would have none of it, and instead would take me for treatment until I began to feel well again.”

Ayodele says she has started going back to the farm but states that because she is still recuperating from her illness, she is assisted by three permanent staff and when the situation warrants would employ an additional two `hands’.

And, while she has had cause to scale down the cultivation on some of her farmlands because of a drought that was experienced two years ago, coupled with the sinking of the largest of her two boats, this woman farmer declared that she is deter-

All in a day’s work, Ayodele on her farm

she said. “I moved to the city, in South, where I rented an apartment so my son and daughter can get a better education. I used to be between the city and Wakenaam and when I wasn’t there my father looked over things for me.”

On Ayodele’s first big payday, she said that her father brought home $300,000 and gave her which were proceeds from harvesting and selling the produce from her farm.

But soon after, she mentioned, her home was broken into and the perpetrators stole all the money, as well as Ayodele’s jewellery including a cherished wedding band that was given to her by an aunt. “ I had my suspicions so I went to the police at East La Penitence and Ruimveldt, but instead of being helped, maybe because of my being a woman and telling them I am farmer, I was subjected to ridicule and was

mined to succeed “even though farming is a challenge.”

At the PROPEL forum, she advocated for the removal of the stigma that farmers are uneducated people; that women farmers should not be taken for granted and be given a level playing field as their male counterparts, and for there to be more networking among farmers, among other things.

Ayodele is now ever-thankful that women farmers like herself are “getting a voice” and is grateful to the PROPEL project which has been giving them tremendous support. “We women farmers need encouragement, we have been going it alone for too long and it is a long and lonely road,” she said. “My children are my motivation and even though it can at times be quite a rocky path to tread, I am proud to say I am a farmer, moreso, a woman.”

folklore Walking with royalty Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

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By Neil Primus

LISA lay pale and limp on her mother’s bed. The 10-yearold had been sick for two weeks. She was taken to see the doctor then a specialist but neither could find out what was ailing the lass. She lived with her mother and father in a quaint wooden cottage at the end of the main road in the village of Discovery. Due to her illness, some of her aunts and cousins had come to lend support to her parents.

The sick child was unaware of their presence because she had been ravaged by a burning fever that had persisted for the last two days. Medication from the doctor was of no help.

The family had exhausted their meager financial savings on her visits to the hospital and so could not afford to take her back there. She lay in bed covered in perspiration and literally wasting away.

Annabelle and Christopher were sick with worry. They had both stayed home from work to attend to their only child.

Tears and prayers flowed freely as they kept vigil at her bedside.

Little Lisa drifted into a coma-like trance. In this dream world, she saw two men walking toward her on a field covered with all kinds of beautiful flowers. They were tall, handsome and royal. Both wore crowns of gold and precious stones. Each held a stout, beautifully covered stick and were bedecked with gold. They were African Kings and both were smiling at her.

She immediately felt at peace.

They each took one of her hands and led her toward a wide

river that lay smooth and glimmering in the bold sunlight. At the bank of the river, a boat waited. She was lifted aboard and they crossed the river with hardly a ripple.

When they arrived on the other side, they disembarked. She saw a red clay road with fields of flowers on each side. Along this long and winding road were beautiful houses all painted in white. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. She felt happy and content “This is the most beautiful place in the world!” her voice rang out across the landscape although she did not speak loudly.

“Do you know where you are?” this question came from the beaming king who had very long locks.

“No, But I think I am beginning to understand,” she replied.

“That is good. You are a smart girl and we don’t need to tell you anymore,” The second king said shaking his silver, afro head.

“I love it! I want to live here with you!” she was very excited.

The two royal men looked at each other then back at her. There was gentle love shining in their eyes.

“You are not ready for this place. This

is not your time.”

They said this in unison. She looked from one to the other and tears began to fall down her cheeks. She knew that they loved her; she felt it. She did not understand why they would not allow her to stay in their wonderful country.

Once again they took her hands and led her back to the river. They got into the beautifully decorated boat and sailed smoothly back to the other side. She got out of the boat and turned to say goodbye. The boat and her two kings had vanished.

Lisa wept softly. Then a gentle breeze seemed to rouse her.

She looked up at the sky and saw a handsome African face looking down at her. It was the face of a man. He was kind, loving and seemed to know her. He smiled and she felt sad no longer. He was dressed in white with a black flowing beard.

He reached down and touched her. She immediately felt she was healed. Only one name came into her little mind: Jesus.

The child sat up in bed and looked enquiringly around her. Her relatives and parents were in full mourning mode.

Screams and howls were ringing out through the neighbourhood. Two of her aunts were tossing around with grief on the floor.

“Mommy! Daddy!”

There was shocked silence. They all stood there staring at her as though they were seeing her for the first time. Then they changed their mode to rejoicing. Shouts, screams and howls rang out once more. When everyone had finished squeezing, kissing and wiping her down they settled down and explained what had taken place.

One hour earlier the doctor had examined her and pronounced her dead. They had wailed, prayed and bawled ever since.

“Child we had fo put yo cousin downstairs. Sara praying pon she!”

“Who mummy?”

“Denise. She was here when you died and sudden so de child shout out, she aint dead. Look two kings by de bed. Well we almost faint wid fright. We were sure she seeing Jumbie,” her mother said.

“Wait, mommy, call she!” Lisa demanded.

“Denise! Come here!”

The seven-year-old entered the room looking apprehensively at the adults. She kept quiet because she did not want to get whipped. When she saw Lisa beaming at her she forgot them and jumped onto the bed. The two hugged each other, tears flowing down their faces. From the window facing them a soft gentle breeze seemed to sweep through the room, then a glow, brighter than those entering from the other windows filled the room. All eyes were on the glow. Both girls were looking at the two kings and smiling. The men waved goodbye and the glow withdrew.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

THE CALL-A Prayer Movement THE last month seemed to have been full of enjoyable, empowering and memorable adventures. In the last week, I attended John Maxwell LIVE2LEAD in Atlanta, and THE CALL which is a prayer movement in Washington DC. I am a proud JMT member but at this event, my participation was as a volunteer for the first time and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The conference was simulcast to hundreds of hosts around the world and Guyana was one of them. We had various responsibilities for this seamless production and I was fortunate to be placed inside the event hall.

All their productions are mind-blowing and I was able to witness the high level of preparations before the event. I also got a chance to interact with these high-level speakers before and after the event. I know some people may ask why I was eager to volunteer. Leadership is about serving and I need do this. I can now say that I know what it feels like to sit in VIP and to sit people in VIP. We had to get there before

07:00hrs for briefing and positioning and the second I entered the room I knew this was a positive bunch of people from all races and backgrounds comprising some fellow JMT members, business owners, bankers, teachers etc. The line-up of renowned leadership experts included John C. Maxwell who is the # 1 leadership Guru in the world and my mentor, Dave Ramsey, a personal money-management expert and popular national radio personality. His seven best-selling books have sold more than 10 million copies combined.

It was great having the opportunity to chat with Warrick Dunn who had the most touching story that had most people in tears that day. Warrick Dunn was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 5, 1975, and lived in Baton Rouge for most of his childhood. He later travelled to the southeast to Tallahassee, and Tampa in Florida and then Atlanta, Georgia, and he calls all of these places home. Dunn’s mother, Betty Smothers, was a police officer who often worked

security shifts to provide for her family. Her goal was to one day realise the American dream of home-ownership.

She was killed in a robbery attempt in 1993, leaving young Warrick to raise his younger siblings.

He is much more than an accomplished athlete, though.

He is a brand that represents dignity, encouragement, hard work, and talent. Dunn’s brand is part of football, business and humanitarianism, but his actions are rooted in humility, work ethic and athleticism. Over the years ... Inspiring lives through fashion he has provided 152 mothers with homes. ment while talking about a racially divided Will I volunteer again in the future? Oh America. yes, especially when the choices for lunch The objective is to have one million includes lobster! The journey took me to people praying at the same time for all the THE CALL in Washington DC. It’s a fast, issues facing America and the world, in not a festival. The Call does not advertise particular, racial division, drug abuse, dobrands, nor promote speakers. The event is mestic violence and suicide. My prayer was not about the exaltation of human person- for the people of Guyana and I even wore a alities. We are about exalting the Lord and black headband with the fringes of the other Him alone. colours of our flag.

Our nation is in desperate need of the It was the first time I had experienced mercy of God and another great spiritual a feeling of love in the atmosphere within awakening, which will only come as the a predominantly white crowd. We were all Body of Christ gathers together in prayer. praying, crying, hugging and we all wantThe event had thousands of people although ed a better world. We need to continue to it was pouring for the first few hours. Dr. spread love no matter what. Remember to Alveda King, niece of civil rights activist exhibit love today where ever you go.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was one of the Send us a message to beyondtherunwomen on stage. She remembered that the way1@gmail.com and visit of FB page famous speech given by her uncle was in to Beyond The Runway, as we enjoy this the same vicinity where the event was held. because journey called life BEYOND She hugged one of the founders of the move- THE RUNWAY.

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

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Theatre is a great driver of tourism

By M Margaret Burke

THE influence of tourism on ‘culture’ is often investigated within the background of third world developing societies, such as Guyana. The fact is that tourism is seen as a significant aspect in the choice of the country and even within the city that a tourist uses for his or her destination.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication: The Impact of Culture on Tourism (2009), noted that cultural tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing global tourism markets. Culture and creative industries are increasingly being used to promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. Many locations are now actively developing their tangible and intangible cultural assets as a means of developing comparative advantages in an increasingly competitive tourism marketplace, and to create local distinctiveness in the face of globalisation.

Based on recent case studies that illustrate the different facets of the relationship between tourism, culture and regional attractiveness, and the policy interventions which can be taken to enhance the relationship, this publication shows how a strong link between tourism and culture can be fostered to help places become more attractive to tourists, as well as increasing their competitiveness as locations to live, visit, work and invest in.

THE GUYANA SITUATION Mr Ron Robinson, one of Guyana’s committed playwrights, who is also a seasoned producer and dramatist said: “Many people go to New York from all over the world and they make it a ‘must’ to go to Broadway or to an off-Broadway play, because they know they will see a very professional play and they are going to see good theatre and it attracts them.

“And it is certainly a big thing and so I think that in Guyana, we are getting - [and have been for some time]- good Guyanese plays... Francis Farrier has written so many plays and so we could use two of his as part of the Tourist Guide ...and theatre would play a very big part of tourism in Guyana,” Robinson said.

CONFERENCES Theatre would also play a big part when there are conferences and other serious businesses being held here. While a conference can be serious business and there are lots of discussions programmed throughout the day, a bit of theatre could make a whole lot of difference for the delegates – something (pleasant) that may linger on their minds for a long time, Robinson offered.

He said that the delegates may be able to see the St George’s Cathedral; the Kaieteur National Park and other places, “but what about the people?” he asked. “The best way to show those visitors, dignitaries and others a bit about Guyana is through a bit of theatre – about Guyanese people, through comedy or other types of plays,” he said.

Robinson, convinced that theatre would

make a lasting impression on the minds of tourists, as well as international and even local delegates,

gave an example, where Banks DIH hosted a Masters’ Brewers Convention here in Guyana many years ago, and he was asked by the late Peter D’Aguiar to do a dramatic piece at Dora, for people who had come from the USA, Germany and all over the world for this convention.

Robinson reported that just about a year ago he met a foreigner at the Masters’ Brewers Convention, which was held here and the foreigner remembered him from that convention so many years ago. “He told me that of all the conventions he attended (and he said he attended all), the one that has lingered in his mind was that same one, where I did the play at Dora. He said to me, ‘I would remember that [play] for the rest of my life; that was a fantastic play’,” Robinson told the Pepperpot Magazine.

REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL According to Dr. Keith Nurse of the University of the West Indies, while, “heritage tourism can benefit Caribbean destinations by increasing the local value-added generated by heritage attractions based on related visitor expenditures…research has shown that cultural tourists ‘tend to be [for the] older, better educated and [people who] earn more money than the travelling public as a whole’ and ‘generally spend more money on holiday, stay longer in a particular area and participate in more activities than other tourists’.” These can include culinary, sporting, musical, heritage, art and craft, shopping.

VisitBritain (an international publication) provides figures, which show that theatres in Britain is the driving force for millions of visitors from overseas who are seeking relaxation and pleasure.= It was further reported, “Some 14 per cent of all tourists on holiday in the British Isles went to a musical, play, ballet or spent a night at the opera,” according to figures revealed

by VisitBritain.

The VisitBritain.com added that the 2.8 million people who took in a play or show, such as during 2012, is more than double the number of tourists that go to a live sporting event, with musicals being the most popular choice- 64 percent- followed by a play.

In Canada, especially in the city of Toronto, among the entertainment offered tourists is a celebration of “the diverse cultural back-

ground of the population of more than 2.7 million…the city is enjoying a tourism high note. Its theatrical offerings are also noteworthy,” reported the National Geographic\Travel.

Forbes 2009, headlined American’s Cultural Tourism Capitals, reported: “Paris, London and Rome aren’t the only spots for tourism with a touch of culture. Even though we’re a couple millennia behind Europe on history, America’s major cities still manage to offer enough sophistication, style and arts to go around.”

In the United States, tourism is a desirable economic alternative because of its potential to provide jobs, stimulate entrepreneurial activity and generate tax revenues and other

incomes. “Tourism provides tens of thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars in tax revenue throughout the country each year…,” the Forbes 2009 posited.

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO (1993), and applied by the European Commission (1995), defined cultural tourism as: “the activities of persons during their travel and stay in a place outside their usual place of residence, for a continuous period of less than one year, for leisure, business or other purposes.” Others have defined culture as the process through which people make sense of themselves and their lives…the consumption of art, heritage, folklore and a whole range of cultural manifestations.

It can be clearly seen therefore that cultural tourism does make sense for the government, the private sector, and all the people involved - both the locals, as well as the tourists. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

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International Coastal Clean-up OVER the past two Saturdays, there was a hub of activity along two popular segments of our coast, namely the Kingston Seawall and No. 63 Beach.

Volunteers, mainly from Regions Four and Six, turned out in their numbers to support International Coastal Clean-up, 2017. Having its origin in the United States, this event has grown exponentially to nearly 12 million volunteers and has impacted the length and breadth of the globe. While the designated date for the event is the third Saturday in September, clean-up activities can be organised throughout the year. As such, the EPA assisted the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) to coordinate Coastal Cleanup activities in Guyana, on September 30 and October 06, 2017.

WHY CLEAN UP THE COAST? It’s important to note that while the primary aim of the clean-up event is ridding the coast of trash, its objective is also to collect vital information as to the types of trash that inhabit our coasts and beaches. This is so because the trash that accumulates along our coast is actually a representation of the trash that is generated inland (litter). This connection is made because of trash travels. The empty plastic bottle that is dropped carelessly on the ground doesn’t just stay there nor does it just magically disappear! More often than not, it is blown by the wind or carried by water to a drain, thereby beginning a journey that could take it to the other side of the globe!

It is likely that some items found along our coast originated from other countries.

This fact highlights the importance of the event being a global one.

MARINE LITTER HARMS MARINE LIFE

Another important reason for Coastal Clean-up activities is the fact that trash along our coasts can have negative effects on our marine ecosystems. Litter that makes its way into marine and coastal ecosystems reduce the quality of the environment that the animals and plants make their home.

Additionally, garbage, especially plastics, pose a threat to animals such as turtles, seabirds and sea mammals. These animals usually mistake pieces of trash for food, however, since they are not able to digest these materials, the animals suffer from loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and eventually death. Larger obstacles, such as abandoned fishing nets, can strangle animals and cause them to drown (yes, drown!)

MARINE LITTER IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH Marine litter can also be hazardous to human health.

Items such as broken glass and syringes can cause direct risks to persons who visit beaches; swimmers can also be entangled in submerged or floating debris. Discarded items can also block ship propellers or steering systems which can do direct damage to vessels.

MORE THAN JUST A CLEAN-UP As was highlighted earlier, Coastal Clean-up is more than just picking up garbage; it is also a data collection exercise. The data collected from this event can, therefore, be used to inform policies that will help countries to deal with the issue of improper waste management. Here in Guyana, we have the perfect example of our restriction on the importation of Styrofoam food containers, which was developed to rid the environment of materials that were not eco-friendly.

Based on initial results, the most common item found

during this year’s cleanup exercises was plastic bottles. Some unlikely items found include pesticide bottles, umbrellas, and footwear.

Be sure to check our social media platforms for the results of our efforts.

We say thank you to all volunteers who came out and supported

this venture! Hope to see you next year!

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

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XII

things like noses out of clay. I once tried to make an Arapaima out of wood. I didn’t have any tools and it didn’t come out good because I didn’t know anything about sculpture back then. But after I started carving at the art school I said, ‘This is what I came here for’,” Simon said.

Regardless of the medium he chooses to explore, Simon is much more interested in capturing the essence of his subjects realistically, even if the composition is leaning a bit more towards a surrealism as it tends to occasionally.

The umbrella theme for his works, “The beauty of nature in Guyana” has made room for his explorations into a topic he describes as being dear to him since he grew up in the interior. The intention for this body of work, he says, was to encourage viewers to visit those hinterland areas so that they can observe nature’s beauty for themselves and cultivate a deeper appreciation for it. His use of colour (particularly greens, blues and colours typically associated with nature) and his application of paint on the canvas work together, is to create exactly the kind of atmospheric qualities that would encourage travel to those regions.

“George Simon was my first inspiration. I saw his work for the first time at Castellani House. After that, I met Compton Babb, who was mentored by Carl Anderson. I had private classes with Compton every Saturday and we would draw in the gardens,” Simon said. “I practiced my style and learned to be patient. I also learned to go more realistic with colours and how to make the paintings look like photographs. After that, I went to a Jorge Bowen-Forbes exhibition and then I learned how to make things realistic without going too detailed.”

Despite his shaky start with some of the courses at the art school, Simon admits that he could have benefitted tremendously from a longer programme and longer daily working hours.

“It would be good if the school had longer programmes.

I don’t think it’s enough as it is. When classes finish at 16:00hrs you still have paint on your palette and you still feel like you could work more, even until night. It was only coming down to graduation that we got to work after hours,” he said.

Like so many others before, Simon reiterated the importance of drawing as a foundational component to every creative practice.

“Drawing should be done every day. That’s the key to everything. If you’re into textiles or ceramics you have to know how to draw. Some people go to Burrowes and they don’t know how to draw so they have a hard time. But I would say keep drawing and focus. Don’t give up.”

When asked about his plans for the future Simon expressed an interest in improving a few of his CSEC grades, before eventually moving on to the University of Guyana to continue his art education.

Simon and 10 others recently completed the certificate programme while three students completed the school’s diploma programme. The end of their studies was marked by an exhibition of their works at the Umana Yana Benab back in August of this year.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

The ‘Godfather’ and proud son of Peter’s Hall

Richard Ramlall

By Frederick Halley

HE’s referred to as the “Godfather of cricket in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and around other cricket circles in Canada. At 82, he doesn’t have the same vigour as an administrator but still finds the time to witness a few matches during the summer, since his love for the sunshine game hasn’t diminished.

Richard Ramlall was born at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, Guyana on March 6, 1935 and moved to Agricola where he attended Ruimveldt Anglican School under headmistress, Edna Millington, whom he described as one of the most “famous” teachers during that era.

A product of Queen’s College, where he was successful at both the Ordinary and Advanced Levels at the General Certificate (GCE) examinations, Ramlall gained employment at the then Public Works Department in Kingston, Georgetown before departing for England in 1956.

Ramlall left with the sole intention of studying medicine but after two years at King’s College London University had a change of heart since according to him he “couldn’t stand dead bodies.”

The youthful Ramlall competed for, and won a scholarship to Durham University in Newcastle where he studied for a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and due to his outstanding scholastic achievement, copped another scholarship to London University Imperial College, South Kensington. By then, he had already secured a BSC in Mechanical Engineering.

After deferring the second scholarship, Ramlall decided to return home to then British Guiana in 1962 where he took up an offer with Bookers Sugar Estates as a mechanical engineer at Enmore Estate.

Ramlall was promoted to senior engineer after just one year and transferred to Uitvlugt Estate where he worked for about five years. Despite the promise of further advancement and pleas by the management of Bookers Estate, Ramlall migrated to Canada in 1968.

Ramlall recalled being accosted by then Communications Adviser, Eddie Fredericks, who on his way back from Australia, stopped over in Canada urging him to return to Guyana to work for a salary that he (Ramlall) desired, since according to Fredericks, it was because of Ramlall’s initiative that sugar production had doubled at Enmore Estate.

Ramlall’s intention was to still take up the scholarship,which he had deferred, to do a Masters in Production Engineering but once again he had a change of heart and instead went to the University of Waterloo (Canada) where he completed his Masters in Nuclear Engineering in 1968/69.

According to the soft-spoken Ramlall, “I did not take up the offer in Guyana although it was tempting, but I wanted to do something more exciting and at that time, nuclear engineering was more exciting and I was among the first set of persons to work at the Pickering Engineering Station.”

Ramlall pointed out that despite being adequately qualified, he was still subjected to a rigorous eight-month training and examinations before being accepted.

His 30-year sojourn saw him traversing between Pickering, Darlington and Oshawa and despite his retirement in 2000, he was still contracted for a further eight years before finally “calling it a day.”

LOVE FOR CRICKET Touching on his cricketing skills, Ramlall disclosed that he had a brief stint as an all-rounder in Wight Cup tournaments in British Guiana but according to him, he was “spotted” by the secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who coincidentally was also an executive of the chemistry lab.

The executive opined that he was a “capable cricketer” and encouraged him “to go down to the ground for a looksee and they recognised that I was a reasonable all-arounder.”

Ramlall was immediately recruited into the MCC first division team, and after promising scores was promoted to the top team where he played under Mike Brearley, considered to be one of England’s finest captains.

According to Ramlall, he made his debut in the county side after just one year against his first opponents Surrey, champions from the previous season. Apart from Brearley, other well-known names in the MCC side were Fred Titmus and Dave Parfitt.

Bowling first change, Ramlall had the remarkable figures of nine wickets for 10 runs as Surrey were dismissed for a paltry 28.

Back in Canada, Ramlall concentrated mainly on the administrative aspects of the sport and was a long-standing executive of the SCA which is laying claim to be the first association to introduce T20 cricket on the global scene.

Having held the position of president for Victoria Park Cricket Club (VPCC) for 43 years, Ramlall stood down last year but according to him, cricket is still very much in his blood and he still finds the time to come out to a few matches during the summer, much to the chagrin of his wife, Zlata, with whom he has been married for 57 years, Ramlall was also instrumental in the popular Inter-city games, featuring Scarborough and Markham but lamented the fact that there was no follow-up and “the whole thing died a natural death, despite full support by the politicians.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

“Building the Inter

Internet Week Guyan

By Jamall Adams OVER the past week, members of the Caribbean Internet Community (CIC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications hosted the first annual Internet Week Guyana (IWG).

The aim of this initiative is to address local and regional Internet development issues and to provide solutions to these evolving problems. The high-level technology conference was held at the Pegasus Hotel from October 9 -13 2017, as part of celebrating International Internet Week 2017. Stakeholders from the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC), the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Caribbean Net-

Minister Cathy Hughes addressing the Conference (DPI Photo)

work Operators Group (CaribNOG), and the Internet Society (ISOC), were all part of the success of this event.

On the opening day which was dubbed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Awareness Day, the main focus was to introduce proposed topics which would be discussed extensively during the course of the remaining days of the event. In attendance were members from both the local and international Internet community, who were interested in educating themselves on Internet development issues. There was also a demand for information, which will enable them to provide solutions to these technological problems, which was given to them throughout the course of the day by different presenters.

Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes, who was also in attendance on the Gerard Best, (Third from left) talking with stakeholders opening day, in a brief address to the audience, stated, “Internet This aspect of IWG was j Week will aid in the country achieving ICANN, two companies t the ninth Sustainable Development drive toward technological Goal, which addresses the right to On October 11, CaribNO access the internet and broadband Day, which highlighted the connectivity.” She further stated that ribbean networks and techn the expertise and knowledge of the “It’s not a secret that th participating companies are vital to In- nerable when it comes to ternet development in Guyana. “They crime, so our job is to prev are essential keys to us being able to by any means necessary. A share the foundation of how this Inter- to raise awareness, be proa net works, I have been able to benefit ourselves on the new techni from a great relationship from these which will make our jobs organisations and from the Caribbean ing, Executive Director of Telecommunications Union.” Minister Outreach Liaison at the Am Hughes said. net Numbers.

On the second day of the conferLACNIC held an open ence, stakeholders were a part of Inter- benefits of IPv6 On Octobe net Governance Day, which focused on depletion of unallocated nu the establishment of Guyana’s National region and around the wor Internet Governance Forum, or IGF. Kevon Swift, Head of

Minister Hughes stands with organisers

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

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rnet Collectively”

na 2017 was a success

jointly lead by ISOC and that are steadfast in their l developments.

OG hosted a Cybersecurity e security threats facing Caniques for defending them. he Caribbean is more vulcyber-attacks and cybervent the above-mentioned And in doing this, we need active and keep educating ical capacity of the Internet easier,” said Bevil WoodCaribNOG and Caribbean merican Registry for Inter-

n forum and discussed the er 12, which addressed the umbering resources in the rld. f Strategic Relations and

Integration at LACNIC, an organisation that distributes and manages Internet number resources in the Caribbean and Latin America, during a brief interview, said, “LACNIC is privileged to be a part of this event and looks forward to participate in the upcoming years. He also stated that LACNIC’s obligation is to enhance knowledge about Internet numbering resources, so it’s important that the company takes part in events like these, which provides adequate information to Internet users.

IWG closed out on October 13 by celebrating Youth ICT Day, which was organised by the CTU. Youths in attendance had a chance to obtain several useful digital skills and information from experience professionals.

“Internet Week Guyana represents an invaluable opportunity for the Guyanese Internet stakeholders to benefit from the high level of collaboration among international Internet players such as the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, the Caribbean Network Operators Group, the Internet Society, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the American Registry for Internet Numbers and the Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry. Guyana, and by extension the Caribbean, is taking the lead in cooperation among major Internet actors, for the benefit of local communities,” Gerard Best, Communications Coordinator for Internet Week Guyana, told the Pepperpot Magazine.

Spectators and organisers were both pleased by the outcome of the conference at the closing date and are very optimistic when it comes to planning and preparing for next year’s event.

Bevil Wooding addressing the audience

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

Google Pixel 2: 8/10ths of an Apple-Killer Strategy What would it take to cause Apple to fail? While Steve Jobs was alive, the prevalent belief was that it would take his removal from the company. That has happened, but Apple's valuation and reserves are higher.

Although the foundational element was removed, no one really went after Apple hard until last week, when Google launched a comprehensive strategy that clearly targeted the company. It attacks Apple's products directly and flanks it as well.

While this is the most impressive attack on Apple since Microsoft launched Windows 95, it doesn't yet have all the elements it needs to be ensured success. That's in spite of reports that iPhones 8s have been breaking, iPhone Xs allegedly have been delayed due to product shortages, and iOS 11 has been breaking badly (partially due to forced obsolescence).

Apple is hardly invulnerable at the moment, though, so it's possible that Google's efforts might be enough.

I'll explore that possibility and, as always, end with my product of the week: the Lenovo 25th Anniversary Retro Mod ThinkPad. DEVELOPING AN APPLE-KILLER STRATEGY Killing a successful company hasn't happened often, but it has happened. Cisco took out 3Com by growing faster through acquisitions, being incredibly aggressive, acquiring key 3Com talent, and adopting a take-no-prisoners approach to competitive strategy.

Oracle took out PeopleSoft by executing a hostile takeover and shutting it down.

While Microsoft is credited with taking out Netscape, the antitrust trial against Microsoft largely showcased that Netscape committed suicide (which incidentally proved the saying "don't kick a dying man," because Microsoft was punished anyway).

Apple took out Palm, and it almost took out BlackBerry by getting the then-more-powerful smartphone companies to chase it, effectively flipping the market to one that gave Apple an unfair advantage.

It is interesting to note that Google effectively took out Yahoo the same way -- but, in that case, it wasn't even apparent that it was a goal. It seemed to happen more because of Yahoo's suicidal strategy than Google's competitive effort.

Over time, a company's failure to create and execute successful strategies has been a more powerful driver of doom than a competitor's efforts to remove it from the playing board. That said, Steve Jobs redesigned Apple to favor his unique set of skills, and the company's current problems largely are connected to the fact that those skills just don't exist there anymore.

It is my belief that a company in Apple's position, with strong financial performance, can't be hurt unless it first has been weakened from inside.

With an impressive number of product problems, Apple rolls into the end of the year obviously very exposed but still impressively protected by customer loyalty and a lock-in strategy that makes it very hard for unhappy customers to move. Hold that thought.

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Aries Imagine your surprise if a mild-mannered friend says something so outrageous you can barely catch your breath. Ironically, you’re often the one whose impulsive actions shock others, but today the tables are turned. Instead of trying to make sense of something that just doesn’t fit into your existing frame of reference, step through the opening and explore what’s on the other side.

Author Dan Brown wrote, “Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light.”

Taurus An unanticipated reversal of direction at work could shock your system at first, but you quickly readjust when you realise the potential of the new situation.

Or, perhaps, something else that you didn’t bargain for occurs today, eliciting a similar sense of surprise. In any event, you must acknowledge and accept the changes that are beyond your control or you’ll end up frustrated and angry.

Eckhart Tolle wrote, “To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease and lightness.”

Gemini You’re not one to suffer from boredom, and you’re anxious to supercharge your creativity now. Stagnating behind a dam can be disheartening, especially when you know what it’s like to ride the wild rapids on a free-flowing river. Thankfully, obstructions suddenly fall away today, awakening your ingenuity and clearing a path for your imagination to work its magic. Albert Einstein wrote, “Innovation is not the product of logical thought, even though the final product is tied to a logical structure.”

Cancer You want to clear the air by talking about a sensitive issue today.But your thoughts might not see the light of day if someone cuts you off with an inconsiderate retort before you even finish a sentence. Nevertheless, you don’t need to follow your self-protective instincts now and give up. This is a test to see if you can separate your current experience from the memories connected with old fears. The shadows of your past need not darken the doorway to your future.

Leo You may feel as if you’re in a tug of war with people who are disagreeing with your assessment of the current situation. However, it’s confusing when others use vague opinions and philosophical generalities to counter your specific points of concern. Unfortunately, you cannot participate in a fair debate unless both sides stick to the facts. Most likely, there is a deeper conflict that is contributing to the dissonance now -- and it’s there you must explore. President Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to the truth.”

Virgo It seems as if someone is deliberately pushing your buttons today, and you don’t like it. You might become overwhelmed by your feelings once the Moon shifts into your sign, but you have the ability to remain calm rather than being swept away in an emotional tidal wave. Allowing yourself to fall victim to your own fears won’t help the situation. Although it’s easy to control your thoughts, it’s not possible to simply turn off your emotions. Keeping your head above water is much easier now if you can maintain a rational perspective Libra You are preoccupied by an imbalance in relationship dynamics if someone suddenly behaves out of character today. You assume their unexplainable actions are symptomatic of an unexpressed issue, but you don’t yet know the details. In absence of the facts, your mind is likely to run wild now, filling in the picture with your own fears. Unfortunately, your thoughts could spin out of control unless you nip the problem in the bud. You cannot change what you refuse to confront.

Scorpio A startling turn of events can be precipitated by a friend’s sudden disclosure.

Your routine may be turned inside out as you ride to the rescue. Naturally, you will lend your support however you can, even though you might wish to stay at home. Mischievous Mercury in your 12th House of Invisibility encourages your reclusive needs now, but its opposition to wild Uranus in your 6th House of Service has a much different agenda for you. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, for your on a trajectory that is beyond your control. Let go and let live.

Sagittarius You are capable of singularly focusing your intentions on a specific chore today, even if distractions call from every direction. It’s as if your current penchant for concentrating on one task at a time is your defense against the urge to join your friends in a day of fun. Naturally, you want to play, but the Moons visit to hardworking Virgo and your 10th House of Responsibility reflects your need to do the right thing rather than the enjoyable thing. Sometimes delaying instant gratification enables you to experience long-term satisfaction.

Capricorn You think your words carry extra weight today, but your authority could disappear in a flash if others choose to ignore you anyway. You may find yourself in an unwinnable argument with a family member or, perhaps, your parenting skills might be called into question if you’re dealing with a difficult child. An autocratic approach only makes matters worse now, giving others good reason to rebel. The solution is to talk it out, but make sure you do more than your fair share of listening. It’s amazing what you can learn when you open your ears and close your mouth.

Aquarius Your friends’ irreverent ideas sound like music to your ears today. The further out of the box someone’s plan is, the more you are drawn to it. Thankfully, you haven’t lost all of your ability to reason now, prompting you to do your research.

Unconventional Uranus zaps logical Mercury in your 9th House of Adventure, inspiring you to think in a way that breaks the mould. Quantum physicist, Niels Bohr, once told a graduate student, “Your theory is crazy, but it’s not crazy enough to be true.”

Pisces Oddly enough, a disagreement over finances may actually be about something else. Although a disruptive Mercury-Uranus opposition triggers your money houses today, this particular conflict might stem from a clash of core values.

But rather than focusing on the differences, it’s more constructive to establish common ground now. You don’t have to be on the same side of every issue; you only need to be heading in the same direction.

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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I have been young, and now am old: and yet saw I never the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread.

PRAYER BOOK (1662), Psalm 37:25i STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Bullying is a factor that prevents a student from coping well in study. It appears in the secondary school classroom of all places, and especially affects students who need to get ahead. A bullied student should not allow frequent nasty name-calling or physical threats or ‘mobbing’ to go unnoticed. He should not allow its destructive existence. It is easier for him to report he is being bullied and have it remedied than to have it shake his self-confidence and good success at his examination. Be wise.

Love you GRAMMAR A) Subject-Verb Agreement Problems Reminder: A verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

1. When other parts of a sentence come between the subject and the verb, these parts do not change the person or the num-

ber of the verb.

The relatives who had a good time at the family reunion are now playing cricket.

The report about meetings and researches was distributed.

2. Inverting the order of the subject and verb does not affect agreement.

In the suitcase were piles of valuable coins. [Piles were . . . ] 3. Some nouns are plural in form but singular in meaning and therefore take singular verbs: news, measles, United Nations.

The news was shocking.

The United Nations is located in New York.

4. Some nouns are plural in form but can be either singular or plural, depending on their meaning in the sentence. Some of these nouns are economics, athletics, politics, ethics.

Athletics keep diabetics and other people in shape.

What is athletics if not a healthy way of life?

4. Two or more subjects joined by and take a plural verb.

The boy and his father love boating.

[They love . . .]

If the two subjects form a single idea or are thought of as a unit, they should take a singular verb.

Roti and curry is my favourite dish. [It is . . . ] 5. Singular subjects joined by or or nor take a singular verb.

Either the water or the juice is for free distribution.

If the subjects joined by or or nor differ in number or person, the verb agrees with the subject nearer the verb.

Neither the pressure cooker nor the juicers were working.

Either the ochroes or the pumpkin needs to be cooked.

6. A collective noun takes a singular verb when the group is regarded as a unit.

But a collective noun takes a plural verb when emphasis is placed on the individual members of the group.

The audience was applauding. [applauding together] The audience were arriving. [arriving separately] B) The Simple Sentence Although simple sentences are not necessarily short, here are three examples of very brief sentences. Pick out the subjects and the finite verbs. They are the two essentials of the simple sentence.

Everyone was sleeping.

The travellers arrived.

The parcel has been delivered.

These three sentences can be made longer, having additions to the subject and more information about the verb, but remain essentially simple sentences.

Nearly everyone in the great hall was sleeping soundly in the early morning.

The distressed sea-travellers thankfully arrived safely seven days later.

The important parcel has been finally delivered to its anxious owner.

It is very useful to be able to use simple sentences in order to create a good effect, for they can be direct, dramatic and make a point clearly.

You must know also not to overuse them as too many of them can lead to a

jerky style and reader disapproval. Look at the following example: Christmas is supposed to be a time of good-will. High expectations occur.

Children want presents. Relatives visit one another. Families need feeding. Consumption is high. Drink flows. Money disappears. The weather keeps people indoors.

The elderly tell many stories about the past. The incidence of increased divorce proceedings does not reflect goodwill.

You will notice that there are a number of ideas linked. We understand the author’s mood. We also understand his logical connection.

But the eleven single consecutive sentences stifle the flow of the passage. Do they irritate you, too? I am sure the jerkiness affects you.

Occurrences like this kind can be avoided, and will be explained next week.

THE BUSINESS LETTER Reminder: The business letter has many parts: the address, the salutation, the message, and the complementary closing, to mention a few. These parts must be arranged in a sequence that will make the letter meaningful and will contribute to attaining the purposes of the message.

Copy the following communication as a letter, using block form and open punctuation. Divide the letter into paragraphs if necessary.

Supply whatever abbreviations and symbols are necessary. Address the envelope, and fold and insert the letter.

6656 Cane View Ave., South Ruimveldt Park, Greater Georgetown, October 15, 2017. Smith and Smith, 578 Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown. Attention to Personal Shopping Service. Gentlemen: Shortly before last Christmas I placed an order with you for a Federal electric toaster-oven which was described in your catalogue, as indicated by the enclosed clipping. You then informed me that this article was out of stock, but that you would have a supply some time in January. Since I have had no further word from you, I am writing to enquire whether I may expect soon to receive the Federal toaster-oven. I shall appreciate hearing from you.

Sincerely, yours, Sandra Showoffton.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 15, 2017

By Shirley Thomas

Celebrating 56 years of

THE Central Assembly of God of Church God, last Sunday held a spirited `Celebration and Thanksgiving Service to God’, in recognition of the 56th Anniversary of its “Christ is the Answer” Broadcast brought to the nation and farther afield on a daily basis.

A constant reminder that “Christ is indeed the Answer,” such broadcasts, according to Special Guest Preacher, Pastor John Cummings, bring a message of Hope to remind persons that Jesus is alive; that he’s a miracle working God, and can allow the broadcast to continue to be aired until he comes back.

Emphasising that there’s hope in Jesus Christ, Pastor Cummings who has been preaching the gospel for the last 46 years, assured the congregation that, in the midst of hopelessness, doom and gloom, there’s hope in Jesus Christ.

“He will bring us peace that passeth all human understanding,”Pastor Cummings declared, as he admonished the enthusiastic congregation to be always steadfast and abundant in the work of the Lord.

could be heard in vehicles, offices and homes. Testimonies continue to flow, of the effect of this radio programme which is heard all over Guyana and even in neighbouring territories.

Rev. Dr. John Smith, on behalf of the Church, is thanking all those faithful persons who supported and continue to support the programme financially. “The aim is to get 365 persons, to each pay for one programme ($11,000) so as to cover our airtime each year,” he said.

The Christ is the Answer broadcast is now a 30 minute programme and is broadcast each day from 9:00 to 9:30 hrs and on Sundays from 08:15 to 8:30 hrs.

“Christ is the Answer” Broadcast Programme

A section of the gathering at the “Christ is the Answer” 56th Anniversary celebration

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, congratulated the Central Assembly of God on this remarkable achievement of bringing the Word of God to souls on a daily basis for 56 years non-stop. The minister acknowledged, not only being a regular listener to the “Christ is the Answer” broadcast, but an avid listener to the children’s broadcast on Saturdays as well.

“And I know that many hearts would have been touched by the broadcast,” said the minister who is a member of the sister church `First Assembly of God’.

Meanwhile, reacting to the disclosure by NCN’s Marcia Parker, in a tribute, that more radio stations are soon to be opened up in the hinterland of Guyana, Minister Ferguson was heartened that now that radio is going to be in these regions, more residents can benefit from the broadcasts.

And reports received by Rev. John Smith state, that the broadcast reaches as far as French Guiana, according to seamen working in the vicinity.

THE GENESIS OF THE ‘CITA’ BROADCAST The “Christ is the Answer” broadcast was birthed in August 1961, during the visit to the then British Guiana, by Dr. Morris Curello, President of the Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, to conduct a citywide salvation, healing, and deliverance crusade here. The venue was the G.B.C.C (British Guiana Cricket Club) ground, adjacent to the Queen’s College ground.

But coincidentally, the one now at the helm, and who continues to carry the broadcast in a very impacting way down through the years – Rev. John Smith was not at that crusade.

On his return he only heard accounts of people getting saved, healed and other miracles.

Explaining his absence, Rev. Smith recalls: At that time I was not saved. I was a member of the St. Stanislaus Cadet Corps at Queen’s College, and at that particular time, I was on my way to the Tacama Battle School with people like David Granger, Sam Hinds, Carl Morgan and others. So I was away from the scene of the crusade.”

The crusade was a double-header – conducted in conjunction with the “Christ is the Answer”. And as Rev. Dr. John

Smith now recalls, it lasted for about one week, but the end of it was by no means the end of the broadcast.

With the main radio station being Radio Demerara, the company was seeking to increase its coverage and radio audience for the Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS) which in time, became the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and eventually NCN. AN OUTREACH ARM TO CENTRAL ASSEMBLY The original role of the broadcast was to continue as a ministry of the Assemblies of God, but the programme became the outreach arm of Central Assembly, with each successive senior pastor being the radio speaker.

Initially, the Broadcast had four speakers: The late Rev. Paul Harvey Palser (19611965): Reverend David Noel Guenther (1965 – 1969) both missionaries, followed by Rev. Errol Beresford Bhola, the first national voice, followed by the current speaker – Rev. Dr. Oswald Smith.

And as though by divine intervention, Frederick Roy Benjamin, one of the leaders of the Church at Central, was the chief operator at Radio Demerara, so he became the announcer of the broadcast.

And of interest, of all other programmes aired, every Old Year’s Night, the final broadcast is always “Christ is the Answer.”

Providentially, under Pastor Paul Palser another feature was added. The broadcast had two special services on Sundays at 14:00hrs- first at the Astor Cinema and then at the Plaza Cinema. The services attracted a wide cross-section of listeners because among other things, it was a ‘neutral service’. These services ended when the Central Auditorium was built at Church and East Streets. However, the Deliverance Ministry or ‘Christ is the Answer’ Miracle Service continues each Friday at 10:00 hrs.

A BEACON OF INSPIRATION The Christ is the Answer Radio Broadcast has evolved over the years as a ‘beacon of inspiration” and has impacted the lives of all classes of people in the nation. The theme

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Rev. Dr. John O. Smith addresses the congregation

Entertainment

Jennifer Lopez Praises "Amazing" Alex Rodriguez for His Support With Hurricane Relief Efforts Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are there for each other 100 percent.

The couple reveals how they lean on each other for support in an exclusive new interview with E! News' Will Marfuggi for One Voice: Somos Live! A Concert for Disaster Relief. Lopez has been very active in hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico, donating $1 million to the cause last month.

The actress and singer made the do-

nation announcement during a September press conference alongside New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. During her speech, Lopez also talked about her family in Puerto Rico. At the time, she hadn't heard from them since the hurricane hit, but just days later she learned that her aunt and uncle were safe.

Now Lopez is opening up about speaking at the press conference and how Rodri-

guez joined in the relief efforts. While on her way to speak in New York, Lopez, who had just flown all night from her show in Las Vegas to be there, received a call from Rodriguez checking in on her.

During the conversation, Lopez told him about the donation she was about to make.

"He calls me on the way there when I'm going there and he's like, 'Baby I got the MLB and I got the head of the Yankees to donate

this much and you can announce that there too and say this and say that,'" she shares about the phone call with Rodriguez.

Lopez continues, "Just to have a partner like that...I didn't ask him, you know I'm from Puerto Rico, this is personal to me, it's my thing. But it was just like no it's your thing, it's my thing too."

She then shares, "So for me it was just like you know...amazing."

Bollywood news

Rumours of Maanayata Dutt repeatedly calling Ranbir Kapoor untrue!

Contrary to rumours Maanayata Dutt completely trusts Rajkumar Hirani's vision.

The Dutt duo, have entrusted Raju Hirani, who is a close family friend and the helmer of Munna Bhai franchise, with the responsibility to spear head the biopic.

Both Sanjay Dutt and Maanayata are akin to follow Rajkumar Hirani's view of the life story of Sanjay.

Spokesperson of the film denied the news and said, "When someone brought this to our notice it read like a bizarre piece of news. There is obviously no truth to it. She is not anxious about her portrayal in the movie. Both Sanjay Sir and Maanayata are excited about the film that Raju sir is making."

Rumour mills were abuzz with news of Maanayata Dutt dialing everyone present on the sets of Sanjay Dutt's untitled biopic. As reported, she was curious to learn about her role in 2018's most awaited film based on the life of

her husband.

Having roped in gen next star Ranbir Kapoor to slip into the shoes of Sanjay Dutt, Rajkumar Hirani's mega project will also feature actors like Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala in pivotal roles.

The biopic will feature Ranbir bring to life the life journey of Sanjay Dutt spanning across years and for the same he will be seen donning different avatars in sync with diverse avatars of Sanjay Dutt over the years.

The much awaited biopic will release on March 30, 2018.

Banana Bread INGREDIENTS 3 Ripe/Very Ripe Bananas 1/3 Cup Melted Butter 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda A Pinch of Salt 1 Cup Sugar (if you prefer less sweet you can simply use less sugar) 1 Large Egg 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract/Essence 1 1/2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour

METHOD Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) Butter and flour a 4×8-inch loaf pan (or any other pan you prefer to use) In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until it is smooth.

In the same bowl add all the wet ingredients: melted butter, vanilla essence, beaten egg, and mix together.

In a separate bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, and mix well.

Add both wet and dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour batter into your prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F (175°C), or until toothpick/tester comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Serves 4