Pepperpot epaper 02 04 2018

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VII

First Guyanese Priest ordained to the Diocese in 32 years

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‘Steel pan is in our blood’

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Editor’s note The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day which is being observed today is “We Can, I Can” and it certainly speaks of the importance of collective strength, as well as strength of self, particularly for cancer survivors, or even those who may have

lost a loved one due to the disease.

This week’s edition of the Pepperpot Magazine shines some light on the work of the Guyana Cancer Foundation as it seeks to spread awareness of all types of cancer, today and all year round. Our other stories also

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

touch on other areas of health such as diabetes and leprosy and shine some light on some of the things that we can do in our everyday lives to help prevent these diseases or how to treat them. Of course, we also bring you lighter stories that are aimed at pure intrigue and entertainment, and we hope you enjoy the ensemble overall!

Brothers of Steel

‘Steel pan is in our blood’

By Michel Outridge

THE Johnson brothers are a force to be reckoned with as it relates to their capabilities of playing steel pan since they are considered to be ‘best’ and, they have proven themselves so far by representing Guyana overseas on several occasions.

Jamal Johnson and Don Johnson are

members of the National Steel Orchestra which is under the stewardship of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Culture.

The duo has been into steel pan since 2010 when they began playing in church then after they realised they actually liked steel pan, there was no stopping them.

Jamal, 25, told the Pepperpot Magazine

The quiet and reserved, Jamal Johnson, on stage doing his thing

This Information and Communications Technology (ICT) technician who has a daytime job at Qualfon, is very passionate about steel pan and from the way he talks about it, one can easily distinguish his true feelings about the art.

“When I started playing steel pan I had no idea what to do but after I got guidance from the church brother, I realised it was interesting and was something that I can explore,”

that he started playing with the youth in the church group since it was something to do and a good way to pass time and he is happy he did.

Then, after they were told at church that the ministry needs youth to try out to become members of the National Steel Orchestra, they both did and were accepted and from then on they gradually developed into professionals.

The brothers at the National School of Music, on Brickdam, at practice (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Jamal said.

He related that steel pan kept him out of trouble and it was time well spent because it was the foundation he relied Turn to page VI ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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World Cancer Day 2018

Early detection remains essential

By Gibron Rahim

tection helps save lives.

Last year also marked the TODAY is World Cancer foundation’s first collaboraDay. This international day tion with GTT for the Pinkwas established on February tober campaign that focused 4, 2000 to raise awareness of on breast cancer. The camcancer as well as to encourpaign was marked by a month age prevention, detection of activities aimed at raising and treatment of the disease. awareness and providing early The observance continues to detection. The culmination of commemorate the ongoing the month’s activities was the struggle to reduce suffering 5K/10K Walk/Run. By Pinkand death from cancer that is GCF President tober’s conclusion, GTT was occurring worldwide. World Bibi Hassan able to hand over a $4.7 million Cancer Day is a reminder contribution to the GCF. that the constant fight against cancer is our This past January marked Cervical Cancer collective responsibility.

Awareness Month. As part of the activities The Pepperpot Magazine interviewed for the month, GCF held free cervical cancer Bibi Hassan, President of the Guyana Cancer screenings from January 13, 20 and 27. In Foundation (GCF), about the organisation’s total, about 150 women were screened over activities, not just for World Cancer Day the three consecutive Saturdays, with 61 on but year-round. She gave some background January 27, on World Cancer Day. The observance was alone. A free health seminar was also offounded by the Union for International Can- fered on January 27, hosted by Massy Stores. cer Control (UICC). Hassan explained that In addition to the cervical cancer screening the body had contacted her last year to partner and seminar, clinical breast examinations with them and make a commitment to host were also offered and medical practitioners events for World Cancer Day. She agreed were onsite to offer free counselling and medand she and the GCF began hosting events ical advice. The process of screening itself for them, including a screening programme, requires a conducive environment. Hassan since then. explained that the screening room needs to be Hassan related that affiliate membership private and allow patients to feel comfortable. of UICC has also been offered. She noted that Yesterday, the GCF hosted a health fair there are several organisations worldwide that at Giftland Mall in observance of World are affiliate members of the body. Affiliate Cancer Day. Held on the mall’s second membership has already been approved with floor, the event offered free clinical breast only the membership dues left to be paid. The examinations, free blood pressure testing and organisation has committed to the UICC to education and awareness of breast and cervihold screening programmes from February cal cancers. Hassan explained that the breast 13 to 17. GCF firmly believes that early de- examinations were done to determine if there

were any abnormalities in the form of lumps.

If such abnormalities were present, referrals to the Cancer Institute of Guyana were given so that the affected women could get the actual screening in the form of, depending on their ages, mammograms or ultrasounds.

Referring to the Cancer Institute of Guyana, Hassan said, “We always partner with and do the screening with them.” The cost for the screenings was paid for by the funds the GCF would have raised.

IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP The work of the Guyana Cancer Foundation is assisted a great deal by its numerous sponsors. GTT is the major corporate sponsor of the organisation’s work. ExxonMobil, Scotia Bank Guyana, GBTI, Medicare Pharmacy, Shopper’s Pharmacy and Twins Manufacturing, among others, have also sponsored the GCF, especially in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The foundation is currently in the process of relocating its office. A new site has already been identified and the office is currently being set up. Hassan related that the new space will allow the GCF to offer onsite counselling. This is a crucial part of helping those who are diagnosed and living with cancer.

She also noted that one of the first steps in the process of helping those who are diagnosed is, referring them so that they can access the medical care they need. GCF, she said, always first refers diagnosees to the Oncology Unit of the GPHC for treatment, though they are also free to choose where they would like to pursue their care.

As part of its continued commitment, the GCF will also be hosting a health fair at N&S Mattai and Co. at Water and Hope Streets,

on February 17 from 11:00hrs to 17:00hrs.

Education and awareness of breast and cervical cancers will be available to visitors to the store on that day, as will free counselling. And the GCF’s work does not stop there. “We will continue our screening,” Hassan noted. “This is a continuous programme that we have run during last year for the entire year and we will continue the programme for the rest of this year.”

The continuing work of the Guyana Cancer Foundation can be followed at guyanacf.com and facebook.com/GuyanaCancerFoundation and on Instagram at guyanacancerf.

A scene from one of the breast and cervical cancer screenings held at Massy Stores in January (All photos courtesy of Bibi Hassan)

Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) can be eradicated THE last Sunday of January was commemorated worldwide as World Leprosy Day. Leprosy was a disease known from very ancient times and was much feared.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition it was regarded as a curse from God and this resulted in those affected by the disease being ostracised from society and to generally suffer inhuman treatment.

In the Middle Ages, that is from about 1100 AD to about 1400 AD, sufferers had to go about with clappers and bells to alert others of their presence. At this time also, asylums, that is, places where the poor and leprosy sufferers could be housed were established all over Europe by the Catholic Church. In these asylums there was always a priest or monk who was devoted to helping lepers. These men of God administered whatever medicines they had and fed them.

In addition to the belief that the disease was a curse from God, there grew up a large number of superstitions around the disease. Among these were that the disease was highly infectious, that it was incurable and that it was hereditary. This body of su-

perstitions resulted in irrational prejudices.

For example, in choosing a marriage partner, the marriage would never take place if it was rumoured that an ancestor of either of the parties was infected with the disease.

Over the millenia, many treatments had been put forward, some of them grotesque.

For example, in ancient Egypt, it was believed that smearing the skin with the blood of children or a virgin was a cure.

Strangely, this belief continued until the 18th century. In Roman times, it was believed that snake venom was a cure. In the 19th century, British doctors and scientists went to India and began researching into Indian medicine. In the ancient Ayurvedic writings, they found that Chaulmoogra oil was described as an effective treatment.

After doing their experiments, they found that Chaulmoogra was indeed effective in many cases. In 1854 it was adopted in Western medicine and for a century until the 1940’s it was the main treatment.

In the 1940’s sulphur drugs replaced it. In the 1960’s and 1970’s a combination of Clofazimine, Rifampicin and Dapsone

became the main treatment. So far, no conclusive cure has been discovered. Though no final cure has been discovered, modern treatments have generally stabilised the disease and if treated early enough, a cure may be effected.

Since Dr Gerhardt Hansen, the Norwegian scientist, discovered in 1873 the germ which causes leprosy, the myths and superstitions surrounding the disease have been dying away. To-day, for example, no one believes that the disease was a curse from God. Since the terms “leper” and “leprosy” are burdened with so many negative undertones, the term ‘Hansen’s Disease’ has replaced them.

In Guyana, the Colonial Administration extended the same levels of basic treatment as obtained in Britain. A special leprosy hospital was established at Mahaica and for decades the legendary Dr. Rose served as medical superintendent. For some years now, the Mahaica Hospital had been closed and the clinic transferred to the Palms in Brickdam, Georgetown with Dr Heather Morris-Wilson as Director, In addition to treating sufferers from the disease, the Clinic has the responsibility of educating the public on various aspects of the disease and intensify their efforts on World Leprosy Day. In their Education Programme, they use both print

and electronic media as well as visiting the schools and speaking with the children and teachers.

The schools and other members of the public are instructed how to identify the first symptoms of the disease. Dr Morris-Wilson describes the first symptoms: “The first clinical signs that indicate leprosy is a noticeable rash on the skin when there is loss of feeling or sensation.

The rash can develop on any part of the body. In addition to skin rashes, there could also be a tingling sensation in the hands and feet and a burning sensation of the skin because the disease affects nerves.”

If the condition is allowed to go on without timely treatment, one’s body becomes weaker, the hands and feet may be paralysed and one may begin to go blind.

Since leprosy tends to be more prevalent among those who live in poor housing and generally insanitary conditions with polluted water supply, people who live in such conditions should try to relocate, but in any case, they must try to clean their homes and surroundings.

The Clinic recorded 67 cases of leprosy last year. Many countries have completely eradicated the disease and with persistent effort, Guyana could well achieve this desirable goal.

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

– but commitment guarantees success

By M. Margaret Burke DIABETES is one of the leading non-communicable diseases across the globe and studies have confirmed that it disturbs the lives of many women and men. It is the kind of disease that can affect every part of the human body – from the eyes to the feet.

GUYANA DIABETIC ASSOCIATION ‘Managing your diabetes’, the term used in some quarters is the only way out. Diabetes is a serious disease – there is no room for joking around with it.

In last weekend's issue on the topic: ‘Living a happy, productive life with diabetes’ we saw how Glynis Olonzo-Beaton, who was first diagnosed at the age of 22, has been living with Type 1 diabetes for the past 27 years. Alonzo-Beaton can be described as a great fighter – not only for herself but others as well. She has been the President of the Guyana Diabetic Association for a number of years; representative on the Board

so that they can have it. We can’t just go and willy-nilly do it because of the charges and expenses associated with it.”

To become a registered member of the Guyana Diabetic Association (GDA) costs G$1500 and G$500 for the monthly dues, after which members are given some needed products free, Alonzo-Beaton said.

The insulin is all of a high-ending quality. “So you have Lantus, Trulicity, Tresiba, Levemir – those are very expensive types of insulin, but the advantage to expensive insulin is that it manages your condition and you have complications and as such it is a cheaper insulin – it’s going to be initially expensive, but it is going to be cheaper in the long-term,” she said.

of the Caribbean Diabetic Association; and the Chair of the North American Caribbean Region (NAC) for the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), which is the voice of diabetes internationally.

The IDF has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950, representing the interests of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories the growing number of people with diabetes within its ambit.

According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas Eighth Edition, an estimated 45.9 million adults aged 20-29 years were living with diabetes in the IDF NAC region in 2017, representing a regional prevalence of 13 per cent, the highest of all IDF regions. Over one-third (37.6 per cent) of adults living with diabetes are undiagnosed. The vast majority (83.2 per cent) of adults with diabetes in the region live in urban areas.

GDA YOUNG LEADERS The Young Leaders in Diabetes Guyana

(Part 2)

Diabetes is a word – not a sentence

Ms. Glynis Alonzo-Beaton, President of the Guyana Diabetic Association

was formed in January 2016 with the aim of helping type one diabetics to better manage their illness. So far the youth arm has been taking great measures to educate the general public on this autoimmune disease known as Type 1diabetes. They have ventured out into numerous health reach programmes and exhibitions through the country helping to inform people.

WOMEN AND DIABETES World Diabetes Day 2017, with its theme being ‘Women and Diabetes,’ brought out statistics that one out of 10 women are living with diabetes today, with the disease being the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing some 2.1 million deaths each year. In other words, studies have been indicating that more women than men are now more at risk of acquiring this disease.

Not surprising, women are at the forefront of this battle against diabetes, like with some other diseases in Guyana. Alonzo-Beaton, at the helm of the Guyana Diabetic Association (GDA), is seen by many as a mighty woman in the fight against diabetes, especially for her women folk, but also for men. She said of herself: “…so for me, I live and eat, sleep and dream diabetes.”

PUTTING UP AN ‘EDUCATED’ FIGHT “I talk it means that I have got to do it, so that’s the impetus to keep on full management,” says Alonzo-Beaton of the GDA, as she explained that her talking about diabetes helps her a lot because the more she has to talk about it the more committed she feels to do what she advises. At this stage, she cautioned that while exercise is very important, people must be careful not to over-exercise since it can turn out to be very dangerous – “your heart can give out,” she said.

Alonzo-Beaton said that as head of the GDA she has partnered with other international diabetic associations, “and so I get insulin free; I get strips free and I get machines free, so I always give machines and strips to members of the GDA. “We encourage people to come and join

TYPE 1 CHILDREN The GDA ensures that strips and insulin are given to the Type 1 children free. There are doctors and pharmacists associated to the GDA, as well as Ansa McAl, GPC, there are constant exhibitions – “We do everything to help a diabetic because a diabetic is not like a cancer patient who can easily say, ‘I am a cancer-survivor’, we will never be survivors, we will die of the complications…you cannot be a diabetic survivor; It is not associated with diabetes,” she said.

She, however, said that people can live a happy, healthy life by keeping away from excess sweet, alcohol and smoking, which is a sure contributory factor for diabetes.

Alonzo-Beaton said that diabetes is burdensome to manage by itself, but the complications are always much more burdensome to manage. She insisted that every diabetic should have a glucometer (to measure diabetes /sugar level) at home.

CAN DIABETES BE REVERSED? However, studies have shown that with a fervent commitment to manage diabetes individuals can begin to see improvements in their health and a receding of the diabetic condition. Efforts are worth the while and patients are encouraged to put up a fight – with their healthcare provider(s), which may include the doctor, diabetic nurse, diabetic educator, and dietitian, along with the support of family and friends.= Additionally, patients with Type 1 diabetes, who are carefully managed, may also be able to greatly reduce drug and insulin dosages while lowering blood sugar.

Keeping the blood pressure and cholesterol under control; eating a healthy, reduced-fat diet and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as the blood sugar.

In the effective management of diabetes, regularly scheduled physicals and eye exams – possibly four per year, in addition to yearly physical and routine eye exams should be part of the plan.

Vaccines for tetanus, flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B and other vaccines should always be up-to-date, according to recommendations in studies done for diabetics. It is said that people with diabetes are more likely to get certain illnesses, which also include gum and feet infections, these routine vaccines and checks can help prevent. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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Help for Broadcasters Canadian professional eager to lend support A LEADING Canadian International broadcaster with a passion for broadcasting and more than 30 years in the business is eager to share his expertise with Guyanese broadcasters, with the aim of strengthening broadcasting locally.

This is particularly in the light that licenses are being granted and more radio stations are tipped to come on the air locally, in the near future.

Nada Rajkumar, Founder-President and Chief Executive Officer of East FM Radio of Toronto, Canada, a Tamil Sri Lankan by birth who has lived in Canada for more than 40 years, is willing and ready to take up the challenge of working to strengthen the talents of local broadcasters.

Awash with knowledge and experience in broadcasting, he is brimming with enthusiasm about sharing his experience with new kids on the block and even experienced broadcasters.

“It is my first trip to Guyana and I love it. I am very pleased and very, very happy to be here in Guyana. I feel like I’m at home. I want to come back and build those radio stations for them,” the broadcasting professional said.

Rajkumar has three radio stations in Canada, each of which is worth more than CDN$30 million. “They were built by professional engineers who have been working for government and private sectors in Canada for many years,” he said, “They are among the ‘best of the best’.”

In broadcasting for 30 years, he says he also has a passion for journalism and wrote a book about Radio Journalism which was welcomed by the Universities of Canada.

“I have also done many conferences on Radio Broadcasting around the world. I’ve been to South Africa very recently, training the broadcasters there in their radio stations. I have been to India many times through this project. And I love to do the project so that the standard of broadcasting by the beneficiaries would be strengthened,” he affirmed.

Community-minded, and a man of humble personality, the broadcasting icon said he was trained by Canadian super broadcasters in the broadcasting industry, adding, “So I am spreading that knowledge all over the world.” He is also a Peace Messenger and a founder of Peace Vision Canada, and also works with fellow Canadians who are interested in charity work. Widely travelled, he is multi-lingual and also broadcasts in 19 multi-cultural languages.

Rajkumar said he is very proud of Guyana’s Prime Minister, the Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, who he understands has roots in Tamil, Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Bashkar Sharma, Editor/Director of Equality News of Toronto Canada, added that Toronto has a community of 500,000 willing to meet with him (Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo) in Canada.

Rajkumar is winding up a one-week trip to Guyana, in the company of Bashkar Sharma, who is also Editor/Director of Equality Radio in Canada. “The reason I brought Mr. Rajkumar to Guyana this time, is that I know there are many radio stations here now and there are even some new kids on the block and, I thought about this because Equality Radio even broadcasts with him. He owns radio stations in Toronto. His expertise and the quality of broadcast that we have in Ontario is almost matchless around the world,” Sharma said.

“When I told him this is the time to come and lend some support in making this thing work, he was excited. And I believe that those decision-makers should take the opportunity to meet with Mr. Rajkumar. If this materialises, it will certainly be a gift to this country at this time,” Sharma said.

Seated at left is Mr. Bashkar Sharma and at right is Canadian Broadcasting icon, Mr. Nada Rajkumar

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page II

on to become the person he is today.

STEEL PAN IS ADDICTIVE “Steel pan is one of those things that you have to experience to feel it and once you understand it, it becomes addictive,” Jamal said.

He noted that steel pan is an art which requires some skill but he did it without any formal training from the onset and he encourages others to 'come out and experience steel pan, listen to it to have a better understanding of it’.

This vocal but yet reserved young man told the Pepperpot Magazine that since he and his brother became members of the National Steel Orchestra, they have participated at every CARIFESTA event since 2008.

He explained that the group has about 30 pannists and they have become like a large extended ‘family’. The members practice three days per week at the National School of Music on Brickdam, for the upcoming Mashramani events.

Jamal said they will be participating in the Panorama Competition for Mashramani and they are preparing to win again like they did last year.

He added that the entire group normally participates in the various segments of the competition including the duet and Seven-A-Side competitions.

Jamal explained that some people have the wrong idea about steel pan because you cannot come into something that is new to you and expect to be a professional, so he advised that one must start slow and eventually you will get there.

LESS TALK MORE ACTION As for Don, he is a 'less talk and more action' kind of guy who takes steel pan seriously and whenever he is playing one can see why, because he is intense.

During his brief with the Pepperpot Magazine, the 20-year-old said that it feels really good knowing that he came up playing steel pan in church and is now doing it professionally.

He feels pleased with the way he has managed to enhance his skills and for him, every day is a learning experience for which he has an open mind.

Don, who has successfully completed his mechanical engineering studies at Guyana Technical Institute (GTI), is taking a break before he pursues higher studies and is staying focused on steel pan in the meantime.

He stated that when he was selected from the group to represent Guyana it was a really good feeling for him, and that it served as a motivator for him to become even better at the steel pan art form.

Don said that being Jamal’s brother is actually an asset to the group because they usually combine their efforts to the betterment of the group, and that has worked well for them.

The brothers who have since represented Guyana in Suriname, Haiti, French Guiana and Barbados, noted that there is no competition between the siblings, but on stage they ‘give it their best’ as a group.

The Johnsons told the Pepperpot Magazine that when they lost their mother a few years ago it was difficult to cope, but are thankful that they have their father, “James”, who is a source of constant encouragement and strength for them.

Don said that his preference includes up-tempo music but he also likes jazz, classical and originals compositions.

The Johnson brothers admitted that even though the journey wasn’t easy, they were determined to learn and still have an open mind about steel pan and with practice it makes perfect.

The National Steel Orchestra won four large band competitions and apart from playing solely for the Ministry, they do private’ bookings for special events.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

VII

Called to serve

First Guyanese Priest ordained to the Diocese in 32 years

By Shirley Thomas ANOINTED to share in the Priesthood of Christ, Guyanese Deacon Carl Philadelphia, 36, was on Sunday, January 28, ordained a Priest into the local Roman Catholic Diocese by Head of the Diocese of Georgetown, His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne.

It was a watershed moment for the young deacon, who was the first local priest to have been ordained to the Diocese of Georgetown in the last 32 years. He has followed in the footsteps of Rev. John Persaud, ordained in Guyana in 1986.

The ordination took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam, Georgetown, where there was a ‘mighty anointing’. It was witnessed by a packed congregation which included proud representatives of the Guyana Diocese and others from the United States of America, Liberia, Canada, and sister Caribbean countries: Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Included among representatives of the clergy were: Bishop Frances Alleyne, Head of the Diocese of Guyana; Bishop of Georgetown (Rtd), Emeritus Benedict Singh; the Archbishop of Port of Spain, Estabrol Kross, the Vicar General of Suriname; Alan Venture, Director of the Seminary of Trinidad; Monsignor Terrence Montrose of the Guyana Diocese; and Monsignor Paul Jarvis (Guyanese) serving in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Among the Chief celebrants was Rev. John Persaud (Guyanese) who travelled from Trinidad specially to officiate at the auspicious occasion.

Also in the congregation were Fathers’Bert and Joel who hail from India, but were ordained here in Guyana last September by Bishop Frances Alleyne.

Meanwhile, also joining the thousands present to lend moral support and celebrate the grand occasion with praise and thanksgiving, were Father Philadelphia’s parents, Patricia Anne and Kenneth Mitchell; First Lady of Guy-

ana, Sandra Granger and wait another 32 years to Seeta Nagamootoo, wife get another Guyanese of the Prime Minister of priest.”

Guyana, Moses NagaCarl Anthony Philmootoo. adelphia was born on The programme was September 21, 1981. He amazing - well planned is the only son of his and executed, richly mother, Patricia Anne spiced with the singing Mitchel. of hymns of praise and He grew up in Robb thanksgiving magnifStreet, Georgetown, icently rendered by a attended Our Lady of combined Youth CathFatima Parish and later olic Choir, specially moved to Holy Spirit trained for the occasion.

Church, North RuimThere was also a choreoveldt. He was educated Father Carl Philadelphia and parents graphed dance sequence at St. Agnes Primary, Kenneth and Patricia Anne Mitchell by youths of the DioAlleyne’s High School cese and delivered with and furthered his educharm and elegance. cation at the University Then came the Rites of Ordination during which the of the West Indies. He joined the Diocesan Clergy in 2016.

Candidate for Priesthood was presented, took the solemn In his young adult life, Carl had aspired to become a Oath among other things, followed by a Sung Mass at which Social Worker and did in fact volunteer at Lifeline Counthe Sacrifice of the Eucharist was observed. selling Services in 1990, where he did HIV/AIDS education Leading to the close of the ceremony, the newly ordained and testing. This, he said, helped to affirm his calling to the priest, Father Carl Philadelphia extended thanks to all those priesthood. From 2003 to 2007 he did an attachment with who accompanied him on his journey through their prayers the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital where he gained hands-on and support. He especially asked that they continue to pray experience doing such work. for priests and for vocations to the priesthood. He also took Father Carl Philadelphia was scheduled to conduct his the opportunity to meet and greet members of the congre- first Mass at Our Lady of Fatima on Monday – the day after gation and other well-wishers. his Ordination, at 17:00 hrs.

Admitting that it is a great accomplishment, the priest Having lived and worked in other countries of the nonetheless threw out a challenge, in which he urged more Caribbean, he is nonetheless excited about returning to man-servants to dedicate their lives to enter the priesthood. serve in his homeland Guyana, where he was ‘formed’ Noting that the harvest is ripe, but the labourers are few, Faand where his vocation flourished. ther Philadelphia admonished the congregation: “We cannot

From left, Mrs. Seeta Nagamootoo, wife of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and First Lady of Guyana, Mrs Sandra Granger

Rev. Carl Philadelphia giving Holy Communion following his ordination

A section of the congregation at the Ordination of Father Carl Philadelphia

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Lions Club of Bel Air observes 45th Charter THE Lions Club of Bel Air is currently observing its 45th Charter Anniversary and launched this activity on January 21, 2018, with a ‘Project-a-Day’ initiative, which culminated at the end of January.

The club has to its credit, thousands of Projects in Service to the people of Guyana, and among its activities are: Work in the fields of sight conservation, education, the environment; health: diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases; regular medical clinics at its own Civic Centre where, in collaboration with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, they diagnose and fill prescriptions free of cost.

The Lions Club of Bel Air has been responsible for donating several items much needed by the public, among them being: a tractor for agricultural farms; bus sheds at the roadsides, and garbage bins for schools and institutions, among other things.

The Lions Club of Bel Air also presently has to its credit, the distinction of being rated among the best in the Commonwealth Caribbean, British and U.S, Virgin Islands.

The International Association of Lions Clubs, with Bel Air as one of its Chartered Clubs, is operating within its Centenary of 100 years in over 218 countries and spending billions of dollars to alleviate the sufferings of mankind.

The Lions Club of Bel Air was organised and founded by the present Past District Governor 3-Star S.M.V Nasseer and among its distinguished membership were men of great leadership qualities including, businessmen, professionals, Law and Medicine. Its Honorary Members were: The Late Sir Lionel Luckhoo Q.C; Chancellor J.O.F Haynes and Associate Chancellor Sir Kenneth Stoby.

The club operates from its own Civic Centre building in Enachu Street, Georgetown.

Its junior arm, the Leos Club of Bel Air is also serving in the same fields with some distinguished youths.

Within the past six months, the club was engaged in the following: ENVIRONMENTAL • Two modern bus sheds were completed and handed over. One erected on Duncan Street was handed over to the Mayor of Georgetown

by Immediate Past President, Ln. Bob Corlew on behalf of the Bel Air club by Lions International and the other on Vlissingen Road, opposite the Zoological Park. The other was

handed over to the Hon. Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, by President of the Bel Air Lions Club, Ln. Tara Naraine.

• An International Coastal Clean-up was conducted on October 1, 2017, in which Lions Club members participated by removing for disposal, 350 pounds of garbage.

• Several tree-planting exercises were done at schools around the city, aimed at encouraging youths to care for their environment.

blood sugar, blood pressure testing and foot care on Aug 12th. It also participated in the Ministry of Public Health’s Diabetes Awareness Walk in November 2017.

To commemorate World Diabetes Day on November 14, the Big Blue Saturday, a Diabetes Awareness and Health Clinic was held at the Stabroek Market Square, hosted by the Lions Club of Bel Air, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health; The Guyana Diabetic Association, the Young Leaders in Diabetes; St. Joseph Mercy Hospital; the Guyana Football Federation; Ansa Mc Al and the New GPC. FREE testing of BMI, RBS, Pressure, Dental Health Care, Foot Care, Disability and Rehabilitation Services and also Eye Screening were done by Lion Club members. The project impacted over 600 persons.

LEOS COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP Garbage bins were distributed to Campbellville Post Office, Tucville Secondary School; the Juvenile Holding Centre and the Guyana Society for the Blind. A new sign board was also installed at the Guyana Society for the Blind.

SENIOR CITIZENS HOMES AND ORPHANAGES The Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre receives a monthly monetary contribution from the Bel Air Lions Club. Donations of cash and/or kind were made to various Senior Homes, namely St. Thomas Moore Men’s Home, the Archer’s Home, Uncle Eddie’s Home; the Plaisance Boys Orphanage; the Shaheed’s Boys & Girls Orphanage; the Cheshire Home, Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre; the Red Cross Convalescent Home and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, received donations of personal care items and also gifts from the Leos for the Christmas season.

DIABETICS AND HEALTH Diabetic Clinics in collaboration with the St Joseph Mercy Hospital are held at the Bel Air Lions’ Civic Centre every other month.

Regular clinics were held between July and November 2017 and one in January 2018.

Residents of St.Vincent De Paul and The Archer's Home attended, as well as members of the public. Patients are attended by medical staff of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and given free medication.

Additionally, a Diabetes Clinic was held at Ln Ramchand’s residence on Sheriff Street, in collaboration with the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where 102 persons received free

EDUCATION AND YOUTH Other projects held included: a Back-toSchool project during the month of August, when 100 children from the Tavel Foundation, the Giving Hope Foundation and also those living in the Albouystown area were given book bags containing stationery supplies. A Literacy project was done with the children of the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre; also at the National Library and Joshua House and to commemorate International Literacy Day at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Cheer was also spread at the Smith Memorial Primary; St Stephen’s Primary and Tavel Foundation and the Lancers Youth Group, as

they were given footballs.

CONSERVATION Other major activities included: Sight Conservation which involved the receipt of a kind donation of eyeglasses from Dr Jeff Chapman, a member of the Bedford Township Lions Club of Temperance, Michigan, U.S.A. The eyeglasses were then distributed to other Lions Club Presidents in Guyana to conduct Sight Conservation Projects.

A total of 260 students were screened from three schools: Campbellville Secondary, Redeemer Primary and Bel Air Primary school. Sixty students were shortlisted and received a full eye examination from Dr. Yohan DaSilva from Modern Optical Service on Middle Street. The presentation was done by the Lions International Immediate Past President Ln Bob Corlew at the Civic Centre, where 48 students received eyeglasses on July 24.

Further eye-screening exercises were conducted at the Shaheed's Boys Orphanage, where the boys and girls were screened to commemorate World Sight Day, Oct 12. Additional screenings were done at the Diabetic Health Clinic at Stabroek Market and at the Archer’s Home.

The Visually Impaired Cultural Association of Guyana held their Annual Christmas Concert and the Lions of Bel-Air assisted at the food bar on December 3.

RESPONSE TO HUNGER The Bel Air Lions Club has also engaged in feeding projects throughout the year, serving lunches, breakfasts and snacks at several institutions and orphanages around Georgetown.

OTHER PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN The Passing of the Queen’s Torch, August 8 A Cancer Awareness Candle Light Vigil Friday evening, October 27, held by the Giving Hope Foundation.

The Cancer Awareness Walk led by the Giving Hope Foundation, Sunday October 29.

The Lions Club of Bel Air wishes to thank all sponsors, fellow Lions Clubs and the general public for their kind support.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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Be independent!

– Capoey resident urges other women to explore entrepreneurship

By Indrawattie Natram GRACE Edwards is a 42- year-old resident of the Capoey Amerindian Community, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and she believes that independence is important for any woman, and as such she is encouraging others to become entrepreneurs. Edwards is into wood craft and according to her, it provides her with much opportunities and avenues to contribute to her home.

Edwards has dabbled in the craft business for over 26 years and explained that it provides a means of earning for her family. She said that other women should also get into a small business so that they can earn a living for themselves and make contributions to their households as well.

The mother of three makes cricket bats, boat paddles, spoons and other wood-related craft for the local markets. After obtaining lumber, mainly Simarupa from the dense forest, she and her husband Morris Edwards would sit together and craft the items manually with a knife.

The process begins immediately after the lumber is obtained from the forest. It includes carving, sandpapering, then spoke-shaving into the desired craft items. This is done manually either by cutlass or knife without the use of a mould.

On a daily basis, over 10 dozen bats are crafted by the couple. Grace related that she adopted the skill from her husband- something she is thankful for. She said collectively they work to make ends meet for the family and even though her business stems from a strong partnership, she believes that women serving in any form of entrepreneurship can help them to gain a sense of independence.

The making of the items is conducted at the bottom of their home in Capoey. When finished, they would sell their craft to local supermarkets or make house to house sales. Some of their work is usually made based on orders received.

The bats are usually made into different sizes based on orders. Grace said that the business is the only source of income for the family and that it helps to support her children to go school. On a weekly basis she would journey to the coast via boat to sell the items. She stated that sales fluctuate but she remains positive that one day she would

expand her business and open her own small shop. Anyone desirous of purchasing the bats or other items can contact Grace on 592651-4042.

Grace poses with one of her hand-crafted bats

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

The Importance of Titles ARE you the kind of writer who comes up with the title of the work last, when all the writing and editing is finished? Are you the kind of writer who starts with the title first – fully formed in your mind – and then use that as the starting point from which the rest of the story develops? Maybe you’re the writer who lets his/ her friends and colleagues decide on the title? Maybe the title of the work changes a good four or five times before one is decided upon. Whatever one’s relationship with titles is, there is no doubt that the names we give to our literary works are among the most important words that any writer can write.

On the most fundamental level, a title is a marker, your personal stamp (besides your name) that you attach to your work. The naming process is very important (as any parent can tell you) and deciding on what you want your work to forever be known as is a powerful thing – that comes with very vital consequences. A title that is insensitive, misleading or inartistically crude can attach those same descriptions to the author. We are, in a sense, what we create.

So, a brilliant poem or novel can be painstakingly written, but with the wrong title, it might never find its way to a publisher’s desk. A title is an invitation for someone to take a look at not only your work but also, to observe and get to know, the creator of the work.

The title lets your reader know what the work is all about. Titles are supposed to capture, whether in essence or in summary, the entirety of the work that you are presenting to the world. For this reason alone, titles need to be carefully thought out. In addition to this, the writer also needs to consider a title that will appeal to the readers. How will the title capture the reader’s attention? How do I ensure that the title is not boring? How can the title be used as a marketing tool? What title can I use that’s fresh, original and does not bear resemblance to another that already exists? These and more are the sorts of questions writers and other artists are meant to ask themselves as they contemplate ending a piece of work and readying it for the rest of the world. However, while there is merit to these questions, there is often one important aspect of title-creation that is often ignored, especially by younger and newer writers: how can the title add to the artistic depth of the work?

first place? Both of these questions can be boiled down to artistry and artistic vision.

It is possible that the director feminised the title because he wanted his film to be about the heroine, the woman at the centre of it all. Perhaps he wanted to try and tell the story of this fabled queen and changed the title to make it fully hers. In this way, the title is as much a part of the film (the text) as any of the dialogue or actors. The title of the film would have aided in the creation and development of the director’s artistic vision and the artistic content of the film by allowing the viewers to understand whose film it is, whose story is being told, and why there is a need to put so much focus on the woman. However, the change in title and the going back to the ancient title of the source material might be interpreted as an attempt to shift attention away from the queen – and one

“Padmaavat, 2017 (Bhansali Productions) (Image via: Wikipedia)

Titles do not exist in isolation from the work they introduce. They are, in fact, very much a part of the body of text that is created. The important thing to consider here is how to formulate a label for your creative work that not only complements the work but also adds to the artistry of it. The title itself might be considered a work of art. How does “A Thousand Years of Solitude” lend itself in the analysis of the book? What about Derek Walcott’s “Dream on Monkey Mountain” or Martin Carter’s “Poems of Resistance”? Let us take a more recent example: the recently released “Padmaavat” – a Bollywood film, based on a historical poem of the same name, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor. “Padmaavat” was first titled “Padmavati” and had garnered much controversy prior to its release from Hindu fundamentalist groups who took offence at the thought of a Rajput queen engaging in a romance with a Muslim emperor. No such thing happens in the movie, apparently, but the controversy and threats of violence probably contributed to the change in the name of the film from “Padmavati” to “Padmaavat.” By shifting the focus from the director’s choice of feminine “Padmavati” to the original title, “Padmaavat”, one can interpret the clear change of focus from the queen back to the poetic source material. Why would this change pacify the rioters and protesters? And, more importantly, why didn’t the director use the original title in the

of the side effects of this is the depletion of the added artistic content that came with the original title chosen for the film.

In this example, we do see how titles, like all other forms of art, can be controversial in themselves, but we also see how much a title can add to a piece of work.

It is strange to think that titles, which many people pay little or no attention to, can add artistic value to a work – but to think that titles only exist as a way by which one can refer to a poem or story or book is almost the same as suggesting that we give our children names so they have something to answer to when we call them. Names and titles are important. They add depth, value, and meaning and, more often than not, reflect our own hopes, desires, needs, and artistry.

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Implants versus bridges THE newest speciality of dentistry is called implantology.

In recent times there has been an unprecedented appearance of frequent advertisements in the local print media from dentists soliciting patients for dental implants. But my experience tells me that a large percentage of those patients may very well require a bridge instead. I consider it my obvious responsibility to provide the public with a clear understanding about the fundamentals of implant dentistry, especially bearing in mind the very high cost

of the procedure and the comparative circumstance of substituting for a bridge.

Implants are posts (usually made of a metal called titanium) that are surgically placed beneath your gums to act as artificial tooth roots once they have become integrated with the surrounding bone. The process of osteointegration may take as long as six months. These implants offer stable support to artificial teeth, whether in the form of a single crown, a fixed bridge, or beneath a removable denture.

A conventional fixed bridge still remains an excellent treatment option. However, many individuals who have lost or who will be losing a single tooth may be hesitant to grind down their intact adjacent teeth, especially when the adjacent teeth are free of cavities or restorations. For this reason, I will personally recommend a Maryland bridge which does not require such.

As with any medical or dental procedure, the placement of implants may have a compromised success rate in certain individuals. Some of the reasons to exclude dental implants as a treatment option include: insufficient bone quantity, poor bone quality, inadequate amount of space between your upper and lower teeth, vital anatomical structure in close proximity to the proposed implant site, unrealistic expectations about the aesthetic outcome, or a still growing mouth and face (patients who are too young for this procedure).

Certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis or chronic sinus troubles can have the potential to interfere with the integration of bone to

these implants. Individuals who smoke regularly will usually have a poorer prognosis (expected post-treatment status) for the implants in the long run. However, with proper treatment planning, placement selection, and by utilising the appropriate style of implant, the level of success has been tremendous.

To find out if implants are the right choice for you, your dentist will need to evaluate your health history, take impressions of your mouth for planning models, and take the necessary dental x-rays. Your dentist will most likely refer you to have a CAT scan performed to help establish the quality and quantity of your bone, along with determining the best placement and the number of implants that will be required for long-term success.

Implants are more successful in different areas of the mouth because of the various qualities of bone. For example, the front segment of the lower jaw has the densest bone, while the back portion of the upper jaw usually has a bone that is softer and more porous. Implants will have a better chance of success in an area of denser bone.

If it is discovered that you do not have enough bone in certain areas, do not give up hope. Recent studies have proven that implants can be quite successful in bone that has been augmented by either natural or synthetic bone grafts.

The degree to which new bone will form within the grafted site differs from one individual to another depending on the type of graft used and the overall health of the patient. This fact alone should make a patient seriously consider opting for a bridge.

The long-term success of implants is, in part, determined by meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Although you cannot develop cavities or gum disease with implants, it is possible to develop what is called peri-implantitis, which is inflammation of the tissues around the implants. The most famous case of this was the American superstar singer, James Brown, who had 15 of his dental implants fall out completely during his imprisonment for the illegal possession of a firearm. To prevent such inflammation keep brushing and flossing as you normally would your own teeth, and do not forget to schedule your regular check-ups.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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Caribbean LGBT Women’s Forum surpasses Historic 5th Year – SASOD Women’s Arm plugs Community Work

home country but also their growing involvement in the conference as presenters and organisers.

This year’s sixth annual conference will be held in Belize, and incidentally, SWAG will mark its one-year

By Shunza Samuels the first time with so many amazing, talented and strong women, who were trying to uplift and empower each anniversary later this year as the arm of SASOD led by THE Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimi- other. Personally and professionally, it really helped in and focused on women.

The organisation has big things planned for this grand nation (SASOD) has been championing the rights of strengthening my drive to be a better advocate and also the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) to improve in my area of interest, which is public health," celebration and chief among these would be its’ feminine Guyanese since its establishment. They continue to she said. "Also, coming out of that engagement, we re- hygiene drive. The project will culminate on International Women’s Day (March 8) to exert every effort to ensure commemorate SWAG’s first that their voices are heard year of existence. as far as possible, where the This will see the distriburights of these marginalised tion of feminine hygiene and communities are concerned. toiletry hampers to homeless Last March, their efforts and poor Guyanese women. took on another dimension as SWAG is currently soSASOD’s women members liciting the contributions of launched a group, which is companies, organisations and intended to empower lesbiindividuals in donating items an, bisexual and transgender such as sanitary napkins and women. SASOD Women’s pads, tampons, deodorant, Arm Guyana (SWAG), gained toothbrushes, toothpaste, immediate prominence in the soap and other personal-care work that the organisation items. does, and in October 2017, it Persons, agencies and participated in the Fifth Anbusinesses desirous of donatnual Caribbean Women and ing to this cause can contact Sexual Diversity Conference SASOD’s office at 203 Dun(CWSDC) in St. Lucia. can Street, Lamaha Gardens, At the conference, Guyana The Guyanese delegation at the 2017 Caribbean Women's Conference in St. Lucia (left to right): Devanand Georgetown or by Telephone was represented by SWAG Milton, Twinkle Bissoon, Terianna Bisnauth, Tameka McEwan and Dr Nastassia Rambarran on 225-7283 or 623-5155.

Chairwoman, Terianna BisnThe women’s group beauth, as well as SASOD memlieves that by reaching out ber, Dr. Nastassia Rambarran , SASOD board member, alised that there is a pressing need for an online space, Twinkle Bissoon, and Devanand Milton, both also from where the health needs of LGBTQ women are addressed. and providing these underserved women with these the Guyana Trans United (GTU), and Tameka McEwan Currently, there is no such space in the Caribbean and essential items, they are providing a humanitarian from the Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow). this sometimes poses a challenge. However, there are service.

These Guyanese ladies joined over 50 activists and a few such spaces in North presenters from 20 countries, including the Bahamas, America but it is not very Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and Suriname. structured."

Their participation in such a major event was an Dr Rambarran continued, experience like no other and of course, it even brought "Therefore, there is a need greater value to the work they do here in Guyana. This for such a space where all ground-breaking, pre-eminent networking event was con- types of health information vened under the theme, ‘Self-Development for Communi- can be accessed. We actuty Empowerment’ and was held from October 5 to 9, 2017. ally got the idea to develop Bisnauth described the event as a revolutionary and a website for LBTQ women life-changing experience. “The opportunity to learn, and I am currently trying to participate and work together with fellow participants get funding for that. I have and facilitators, even when it was uncomfortable and shared this idea with the shakes our very foundations was amazing," she said. "We conference organisers and demonstrated maturity, respect and understanding which we will collaborate shortly certainly created a space for persons to be comfortable. to try and brainstorm donors Our fluid identities allowed us to talk about our differ- that can support this work," ences and challenges within our political spaces, whilst she said. "Also, coming out being conscious of our vulnerability of our shifting selves of the conference, I found and using creativity and self-love to embrace our lives.” that the lessons learnt can McEwan said her participation has allowed her to have help to improve my work a greater appreciation for the work she does and her con- that I am doing in Barbados tributions to this cause. “The presentations on topics like and Guyana as well with ‘Gender and Grant Writing’ were the most outstanding LBTQ women. I am curlearning experiences for me. Consequently, I acknowledge rently doing a study on body COC Netherlands for making this possible. Every lecture image: issues and experiencimparted by women leaders and every experience shared es for LGBQ women in Barby Caribbean peers brought me to the realisation that my bados. It was really exciting country’s struggle for the attainment of equal opportu- and I hope we can attend this nities is by no means isolated," she said. " Inspired by year’s conference as well.” the challenges and successes that CWSDC5 sisters were According to Kenita both living daily or striving to accomplish, I’m now more Placide, one of the CWSDC motivated to step up the level of my advocacy towards organisers, over the years the the benefit of lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women conference has focused on in Guyana. Through CWSDC5, my thought process and empowering activists to betlearning experiences will see me adopting strategies in ter serve their communities calibration with similar groups in and out of Guyana, to and region. increase the visibility of women and obtain the rights that She went on to state that belong to every human being.” this empowerment is reflectFor Dr. Rambarran, the experience at this conference ed not only in the work that was second to none. “It was awesome being in a space for these activists do in their

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

FILES E S A C COURT

Jury convicted aggravated robber

Appellate Court freed appellant after hearing ‘acting in concert evidence’

By George Barclay

THE appellant Sahadeo Satoopersaud was convicted of robbery with aggravation, consisting in the fact that he acted together with two other persons unknown.

The evidence showed that while the appellant was robbing C. B. two other persons were robbing her daughter L. B. The trial judge told the jury that it was ‘quite permissible to charge (the appellant) in the present manner as having acted together with certain other persons unknown”, but did not direct the jury that it was necessary to find that the appellant and the unknown men were acting in concert.

On appeal Held: The jury should have been directed that before they could find the appellant guilty of the offence charged, they must find that he was acting together or in concert with the two unknown men with the common purpose or design, of robbing both C.B. and I. B. The omission so to direct the jury, might well have left them with the impression that the mere presence of the two unknown men with the appellant at the particular time, would have been sufficient for them to conclude that they had been all acting in concert.

Appeal allowed.

K. Prashad for the Appellant.

G. Pompey for the Crown.

The Court of Appeal was constituted by Luckhoo J. A., Persaud and Cummings JJ.A. Justice Luckhoo delivered the judgment of the court. He said: The appellant was convicted of the offence of robbery with aggravation contrary to s. 222 (b) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Ordinance, Cap.10. and was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and ordered to receive a whipping of six strokes.

“Sahadeo Satoopersaud on the 22nd day of August … together with certain other persons unknown robbed Chinma Baburam and Iris Baburam of two pairs of bangles.”

The case for the prosecution was that the appellant during a dark night, forcibly removed a pair of bangles from the hand of Chinma Baburam and that two other unknown persons at the same time and place forcibly removed a pair of bangles from the hand of Iris Baburam, the daughter of Chinma Baburam.

The particulars of the offence charged related them to two robberies, and the circumstances of aggravation consisted of the presence of two other persons unknown, acting together with the appellant when Chinma Baburam and Iris Baburam

were robbed.

In general an indictment must not be double; that is to say, no one count of an indictment should charge the prisoner with having committed two or more separate offences; but an indictment may charge the prisoner, in the same count, with felonious acts with respect to several persons if it was all one transaction.

Counsel for the appellant raised as his main objection to the summing-up, the failure of the trial judge to direct the jury as to what in law constituted acting in concert, in as much as the aggravating circumstances.

Circumstances in the particulars of an offence required the appellant to be acting in concert with persons unknown, if he was to be found guilty of the offence for which he was charged.

All that the trial judge told the jury on this aspect was – “The aggravation alleged by the Crown is that the accused person acted with certain other persons unknown…..

The case for the Crown is that the accused acted in concert with other men who are not known to the Crown. If they were known, naturally, as you might expect, they would have been in the dock alongside of the accused. But that does not make any difference to the offence charged against the accused, for it is quite permissible to charge him in the present manner as having acted together with certain other persons unknown.

That should not give you any difficulty to understand.”

There was no direction of any kind to indicate what in law is meant by acting in concert (and the Crown concedes this to be the case) and, consequently the facts of the case were never considered in the light of such a direction which should have been given.

On the evidence, the two unknown men in no way interfered with Chinma Baburam and the appellant in no way interfered with Iris Baburam. The jury were never told that if they found that the two unknown men were acting independently of the appellant when he removed the bangles from Chinma Baburam and when they (the unknown men) removed the bangles from Iris Baburam, then the appellant could not be convicted of the offence as laid.

The jury should have been directed that before they could find the appellant guilty of the offence charged, they must find that he was acting together or in concert with the two unknown men with the common purpose or design of robbing both Chinma Baburam and Iris Baburam.

The omission so to direct the jury may well have left them with the impression that the mere presence of the two unknown men with the appellant at the particular time, would have been sufficient for them to conclude that they had been all acting in concert.

Justice Luckhoo concluded: I am unable to say that the jury would inevitably have come to the same conclusion if they had received the directions which in law should have been given.

I am not unmindful of the fact that the jury having convicted the appellant on the indictment must have accepted the evidence of the prosecution, but to have convicted the appellant as they did, they had to find that he was acting in concert with others both in respect of Chinma Baburam and Iris Baburum, and in the absence of a proper direction on this aspect, it is not known what verdict they would have reached and so it would be unsafe to allow any part of the conviction to stand.

For the above reasons the appeal is allowed and the conviction and sentenced quashed.

Appeal allowed.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Young Doctor leaves her mark at home and abroad

Dr. Tanisha Jerrick AT ONLY 25 years old, Dr. Tanisha Toni Jerrick is set on making a name for herself.

Just last year, Dr. Jerrick completed the first part of her studies at the American International School of Medicine (AISM) in Georgetown before travelling to Atlanta in the United States where she finished her programme, then graduated.

She remained in the US where she is currently preparing for the U.S Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Upon successfully completing this, she’ll have her medical license which qualifies her to work as a doctor in the US and after receiving this, she would be able to specialise in a particular field.

“Because of my love for patient education, advocacy, preventative medicine and women empowerment I am aiming to specialise in Family Medicine or Internal Medicine,” Dr. Jerrick said.

She decided to pursue these because she found it difficult while in medical school to decide on only one speciality, but family medicine or internal medicine, according to her, “gives me a taste of everything.” Moreover, it supports her love for community medicine. Tanisha also yearns for an opportunity to work with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), as she is interested in Global Health.

But she has not shunned her home country, Guyana, because of her pursuits abroad.

“I do intend on returning to 'good ole' GT. I do want to get specialised because that way I think I can be able to give much more of my knowledge to the healthcare system” Dr. Jerrick explained and added earnestly, “I’m Guyanese at heart, that's who I am. I will always represent Guyana and will give my bit in improving medical care there.”

As part of a public health programme she did, she screened individuals from three clinics on the East Coast for hypertension, to determine if they were aware of their blood pressure readings and if they are consuming a proper diet.

She also designed and developed a research project in 2016, due to her passion for community medicine and patient advocacy. It was called “Assessing the socioeconomic impact of Lymphatic Filariasis in Guyana”, which indicated that patients with Chronic Lymphatic Filariasis face a considerable burden, which should be addressed as part of the elimination programme being conducted at the time.

Amazingly, the research study was submitted to a panel of researchers in the Caribbean where it was selected and given permission to be presented at the third Caribbean Medical Providers Practicing Abroad (CMPPA) conference 2016 in Grenada.

A poster presentation was later prepared by the team and it won an award at the Iona Pierre Research Symposium held at the CMPPA 4th Annual Medical Conference in Barbados June 2017.

Extending to Barbados, Dr. Jerrick worked with citizens about their blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, their Body Mass Index (BMI) and did healthy lifestyle counselling.

And finally, in Atlanta for the past two years, she provided healthy lifestyle counselling, blood pressure checks and glucose readings and assisted with a health fair hosted by the Stewart Foundation.

Currently, Dr. Jerrick along with fellow Guyanese doctors, is engaged on a three-year follow-up study project entitled “The Effectiveness of the Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) Project, education deliverables and advocacy design to address the socio-economic impact and the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Guyana”.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that any financial assistance in this regard would be appreciated.

“I entered Medical School with the mission of achieving my goal as a doctor and I am happy to say that I did accomplish that along with improving my confidence, self-esteem, discovering who I am whilst challenging myself to be an example for young people and those who also have dreams," she said.

While the road has been bumpy and filled with palpitations, the doctor said, “I am proud of the young lady I am today and I will continue to better myself.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

The time is here!

Test your artistic skills by colouring your History and Heroes.

Get your parents involved, colour the picture below and try to guess who this historical Guyanese hero is! We will give you a clue and you must do the rest!

Here’s the clue: He’s a Guyanese poet, educator and activist.

Good luck!

Entries must be submitted to the following address by Thursday, February 2018.: Editor Guyana Chronicle Sunday Magazine Guyana Chronicle Lama Avenue, Georgetown, Guyana.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

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Anger Management ONE OF my avid readers wrote in to tell me that not only does he become angry quickly but that he sees a lot of anger around him daily. He asked me to talk about anger and its possible management- which I am happy to do.

The truth is, anger is a normal and healthy emotion to feel; the problem is usually how we choose to deal with it. Since it is an essential emotion that we cannot escape, it would be beneficial for us to know how to properly cope with it.

Simply put, anger allows us to know what we like or don’t like. It allows us to find our own personal boundaries as well as allows others to truly know and understand these limits. It is a primary, natural emotion that doesn’t discriminate against age, gender or ethnicity. It has evolved as a survival and protection mechanism from what we consider to be wrong-doings.

However, it’s those that irrationally and unhealthily express their anger that gives it the bad reputation of being a “negative emotion.”

Everyone gets angry so how do we stop ourselves from going overboard and (worse case) committing crimes of passion? - that are very common in Guyana- especially among domestic partners.

There are different levels of anger. Mild anger is the stress and irritability typically caused when our basic human needs (food, shelter, sleep, sex etc.) are not met. More intense anger happens when we are reacting to other people’s frustration, criticism or threats. Anger can be expressed verbally and non-verbally; it’s usually clear to us when someone is truly heated.

Anger leads to aggression, typically leading to aggressive behaviours such as shouting/ cursing, insults/ name-calling, verbal threats or physical gestures.

Anger is generally individualistic which means what angers one person may not anger another but there are universal factors that may lead to anger. These range from anything from rudeness to being a victim of a crime.

When we don’t know how to healthily express our anger, it has the power to reduce our inhibitions, make us act inappropriately and say or do things we later regret. It’s first important to be able to quickly identify when we are angry. It may sound like an easy thing to do but symptoms can be similar for different emotions. Some typical signs of being angry include shallow breathing or breathlessness, increased heart rate, sweaty palms, clenched fists, grinding teeth or clenched jaw, trembling /shaking or maybe even self-injury. If you recognise these symptoms as they happen to you, you are more able to control them and therefore your anger.

DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH ANGER? ARE YOU UNSURE? IF SO, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1. Do you often have issues breathing when you feel upset?

2. Do you feel this way more than three times per week?

3. Do you have frequent arguments with those close to you?

4. Do you often verbally threaten people?

5. Are you physically violent towards your partner, children or other people?

6. Do you have violent outbursts which involve the destruction of property?

7. Has your behaviour caused any criminal or lawful issues?

If you’ve answered yes to more than 3 of these questions, I would advise you seek professional help to manage your anger.

WHAT CAN WE DO ON OUR OWN TO BETTER MANAGE OUR ANGER? There are multiple breathing techniques that are very good for calming both the mind and body. I’m going to write on one but feel free to research any others if you find this one does not help.

These will reverse the physical symptoms that come with anger such as increased heart rate, blood pressure and tensed muscles.

Isolate yourself for about 10-15 minutes to try the following.

• Inhale and exhale deeply 3 or 4 times in a row.

• Count slowly to four as you inhale through the nose.

• Count slowly to eight as you exhale through the mouth.

• Focus on feeling the air move in and out of your lungs.

• Concentrate and feel your ribs slowly rise and fall as you repeat the exercise.

Stop and revert to normal breathing if you start to feel dizzy at any time.

When we choose to work on our anger, it does not mean we are internalising or suppressing it. It means we are finding a healthy way to express/ communicate it.

BELOW ARE MOSTLY PREVENTATIVE TIPS: 1. Get regular exercise and keep fit. We release cortisol and adrenaline hormones when we become angry. When we work out, our body learns to regulate these hormones while producing optimum levels of endorphins which makes us feel good and less likely to be stressed and angry.

2. Get better sleep. When we sleep, the body and mind rest and rebuild damaged cells. Good quality sleep- which is more than seven hours a night- will reduce physical, mental and emotional problems, including anger.

3. Plan difficult conversations. If you know you get upset easily and you have to have a hard/uncomfortable conversation ahead, plan it beforehand. Make notes on the right things to say. This will make you more in control of the situation. It also makes way for better communication.

4. Try not to hold grudges. We all need to accept that everybody is different and that we cannot control the feelings, beliefs or behaviours of others. I, myself have difficulty with this one. Try to be realistic and accept that people are the way they are, not how we would like them to be. Being resentful or holding a grudge against somebody will increase your

anger and make it more difficult to control.

5. Identify what made you angry in the first place- your triggers. Was it a particular person, place or thing? Was it something that you could have avoided?

6. Ask yourself the following questions. ‘Is this situation as bad as it feels right now?’, ‘What concrete evidence do I have?’, ‘Can I refocus my attention on what I like about this situation or individual?’, ‘Is it possible that I misunderstood or was misunderstood?’, ‘Am I taking the other person’s situation/ point of view into consideration?’

Overall, it is important to remember that holding on to or unhealthily expressing anger destroys our peace of mind. It makes our bod-

ies/mind tense and uncomfortable. With less anger in life, we will be less stressed, more relaxed and of course happier. We humans are lucky enough to be able to choose how to feel and behave; choose healthier ways of expressing our feelings, always!

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm 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 February 4, 2018

Bioenergy from Sugar Production AS Guyana moves to become a green state, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is seeking to expand bioenergy opportunities in Guyana to advance sustainable development. The agency has been conducting research to ascertain technologies that could provide Guyanese, particularly those in the agriculture sector, with clean alternative energy.

One area of study is the transformation of sugarcane by-products such as molasses and bagasse into alternative energy. Sugarcane is one of the most promising agricultural bioenergy sources in Guyana. The sugar industry cultivates about 50,000 hectares of the 1.74 million hectares of land being used for agriculture (Thomas, 2015).

As of June 2016, cane sugar is being produced and processed on six estates (Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont, Enmore and Uitvlugt) along Guyana’s coastal region that produced 227,727 tonnes of sugar in 2015 (Ministry of Agriculture, 2015). The four major by-products of the sugarcane industry are cane tops, bagasse, filter mud and molasses. The bioenergy potential derived from molasses and bagasse are of interest.

(I) MOLASSES Molasses is a dark coloured, viscous liquid remaining after the crystallisation of sugarcane juice. It can be used to produce ethanol through the two-stage process of fermentation and distillation. Ethanol is a colourless volatile flammable liquid, which is produced by the natural fermentation of sugars; alcohol.

The purity of the ethanol can be enhanced by further dehydration as exemplified at Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)’s Bioethanol Plant located at Albion Sugar Estate, East Berbice-Corentyne.

It was built that for every 10 tonnes of sugar produced, approximately four tonnes of molasses is generated (Yadav and Solomon, 2006). Annual sugar production stood at 227,727 tonnes with approximately 91,090 tonnes of molasses in 2015.

Using the parameters of the existing bioethanol plant at Albion that has the capacity to produce 1,000 liters of ethanol per day at a rate of 250 litres per tonne of molasses, if all 91,090 tonnes of molasses from annual sugar production is utilised a total of 143,234 barrels of ethanol can be generated annually. Pimentel and Patzek (2005) explained that ethanol has about two-thirds the energy of gasoline therefore 1.52 gallons of ethanol is needed to replace the energy in one gallon of gasoline, hence maximum ethanol production can save Guyana 94,233 barrels of gasoline annually.

BAGASSE Bagasse is the fibrous remains of the cane stalk after crushing and extraction of the juice. It is made up of fibres, water and small quantities of sugar. Mill-run bagasse contains 50.0 per cent fibre, 48.0 per cent moisture and 2.0 per cent soluble solids (Ramjeawon, 2008). For every tonne of sugarcane crushed, a sugar factory produces 0.1 tonnes of sugar and nearly 0.3 tonnes of wet bagasse (Yadav and

Solomon, 2006).

Bagasse is usually burnt to heat boilers for the generation of steam and power to operate the sugar factory. If gasified, the net calorific value of the mill-run bagasse is around 8,000 kJ /kg (Ramjeawon, 2008). Guyana’s annual sugar production of 227,727 tonnes generates approximately 683,181 tonnes of bagasse. This can produce approximately 5,465,448,000MJ (5.18x1012 BTU) of energy annually. Such plants can capture between 75 and 80 per cent of the energy in the biomass with an average of 77.5 per cent efficiency (Akay and Jordan, 2011) consequently 4.0147x1012 BTU of energy will be harnessed, hence approximately 695,787 barrels of diesel could be replaced.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES In an interview with GuySuCo’s Operations Manager and Chief Research Scientist, it was found that ethanol is not being produced at a maximum since the commissioning of the Bioethanol Plant in Albion, Berbice.

The major challenges limiting production are the small capacity of the plant and the small percentage of molasses used for ethanol production. Currently, only about five per cent molasses is generated by the Albion Estate that is being used to produce ethanol.

A major challenge is that molasses is more profitable being sold as is than utilised in ethanol production and this must be factored into the feasibility. GuySuCo has binding agreements with the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and other regional markets for the supply of molasses. There is not enough molasses to expand ethanol production after fulfilling these contractual agreements, hence there has been no plans to have ethanol available to consumers. With moves being made to diversify the sugar industry, ethanol production will remain stagnated, since GuySuCo’s plan is to continue to operate only three estates.

The bioethanol demonstration plant serves to prove the applicability of this technology in Guyana. However, there are ongoing collaborations with neighbouring Brazil to obtain ethanol-powered engines for GuySuCo vehicles.

Upon the agreement of all stakeholders, ethanol production can be boosted at the demonstration plant and be used to power GuySuCo’s vehicles with 100 per cent ethanol.

All the ethanol currently produced is used within GuySuCo labs for sanitation purposes and in gasoline blends for the Ministry of Agriculture vehicles. With the sugar industry being diversified to include aquaculture, there is the expectation that ethanol would be used to power the production cycle.

Using GuySuCo’s lands for the cultivation of energy crops is an option, there are long-term (17 years) research projects in progress to experiment on energy canes which are low in sugar, high in biomass and fast growing. Accompanying these research projects are plans for cogeneration using the bagasse. The use of bagasse in the sugar industry is sustainable since it is used in cogeneration to produce steam for the boilers.

The Skeldon Sugar Factory houses a cogeneration plant which supplies 10 MW of power to the national grid during the crop cycle.

folklore

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

FORBIDDEN ROMANCE

By Neil Primus

IT WAS love at first sight. Ganesh had never felt this way before. And this was only the first time he had laid eyes on her.

At age 26, he had been in and out of a number of relationships. There had never been any serious commitment on his part so they were easy to terminate.

But all that had now changed. He had seen the woman of his dreams. She was perfect in every imaginable way. Beautiful and beyond description. This Portuguese chick was also the livewire of the party. She was easy to chat with. Everyone laughed at her jokes. All the guys had their eyes on her. Even the happily married men cast quick, furtive glances her way. Trying their best to catch her eyes and avoid their spouse’s molten glares.

Ganesh approached her and they began to chat. It was immediately obvious that they liked each other; a lot. They danced and chatted and only became aware of others when the music ceased. He offered to take her home. She accepted. They both walked slowly toward her home.

Celia was charming and chatted happily as they walked along the Coconut Grove Public Road. As they passed the village of Pinefield, she held his hand and pulled him to a stop.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet before we go home,” she said.

Electric current surged through Ganesh.

He loved this new development. She had verbalised what he had been thinking all along.

Things were going better than he had anticipated. He nodded his approval vigorously afraid that if he opened his mouth he would put his foot right in it.

The beautiful young woman steered him deftly down a narrow street and into total darkness. It was as if she had done this many times before. He knew what her motive was and readily accepted. She turned into a small pathway that led directly into the local burial ground. Strangely, this was not enough to deter him. He marched bravely on.

“Let’s sit over there,” she said.

He looked in the direction to which she was pointing and saw a fairly new tomb.

“Right here!”

She sat down on it and pulled him down beside her. He began to feel uneasy for the first time. This was the only time he had ever entered a cemetery at night. This was also the first time he had ever sat on a tomb; in the dead of night; with a beautiful woman in his arms. Ganesh banished all his misgivings to the back of his brain and started to make out. As he kissed and caressed her he began to feel strangely cold. He knew that was odd

because he was heating up rapidly from this romantic encounter.

She held him tightly almost possessively, and he felt chills running up and down his spine. He decided to pause and take stock of the situation. Something was not going right.

He pulled himself gently apart and looked at her. She seemed to have aged slightly. What started out to look like 20 now looked like 30. She was still very beautiful and he did not resist when she pulled him into her intimate embrace.

The chills were now all over his body.

He pulled away puzzled that he was feeling colder now. His hands and legs were trembling. He decided to call it a night and take her home. He stood up and smiled.

“Let’s go home Celia, it’s getting late,” he said.

“Just a little more time please Ganesh.”

He surrendered again but not before noticing there were now grey streaks in her long, beautiful black hair which he had not noticed before. Ganesh struggled to stay focused.

He was cold and puzzled. This was quickly quashing his romantic plans. Enough! Things were getting too weird for him. His girl was changing faster than the weather. He stood up abruptly.

“Time to go!”

“NO!” “WHAT?!”

Ganesh was astonished that she was refusing to leave this spooky place and go home. The woman he was now staring at had changed considerably. There were now visible wrinkles on her face and a more than generous amount of grey and white hair. He stared hard at her trying to remember what she had looked like back at the party. It seemed that too many beers and whiskey had clouded his brain making it difficult for him to concentrate. Things had somehow gone seriously wrong and he wanted to bring the night to a swift end.

“Let’s go home, Celia. I feeling real cold.”

She shook her head angrily, not budging.

“I staying right here!” she said.

Ganesh changed tactics. He gently rubbed her face and whispered encouragingly.

“Time to go home now baby.”

“I reach where I want to go!” she said.

He was disturbed by this and said angrily, “Look girl get yo backside up an let's go home!”

She sat with her head down cradled in her two hands.

“I reach home already Ganesh. Stay wid me na?”

He felt a cold fist hit him in the stomach taking the wind out of his lungs. His gaze rested on the tombstone and his eyes bulged

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By Neil Primus

as he read the name. It began: ‘Here lies Celia Vieira…’

Ganesh looked down at the woman who had captured his heart only hours ago. She looked old enough to be his mother. She raised her head and he stared into two bright-

ly flashing eyes.

“If yo stay wid me a gon mek yo happy.”

Ganesh’s feet took off before his brain got into gear. He was running at Olympic speed leaving in his wake a shoe, his precious Kangol cap and vomit everywhere.

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Using traditional knowledge to foster conservation efforts

GUYANA, known as the ‘Land of Many Waters’, can be aptly described as a 'water-rich country'. A bird's eye view would show a vast network of many rivers and creeks which spreads throughout the country. Further, it is not only the aesthetics of our waterways we can boast of but the intricate link to unique ecosystems and the diversity of life they support. One such ecosystem is the wetland ecosystem.

In last week’s article, we looked at the importance of wetlands to urban areas, however, wetlands ecosystems are also beneficial to

Indigenous communities, who have a long-standing connection with these ecosystems.

WETLANDS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF GUYANA Indigenous communities are very much dependent on the natural environment to meet their local needs.The rainforest, river, creeks and associated wetlands have been key to the lives of indigenous people throughout the centuries. Our Indigenous peoples have strong cultural and traditional ties to the lands they occupy. Moreover, it has long been recognised that they have played a vital

role in protecting and managing these ecosystems, way before the implementation of conventional conservation measures such as National Protected Areas Systems.

WETLANDS IN GUYANA Here in Guyana, there are many wetlands, however, the North Rupununi Wetlands are noteworthy.This mega wetland area is associated with the Rupununi, Essequibo and Rewa Rivers along with many lakes and ponds. During the rainy season, what is usually open dry savannahs, soundly becomes a part of a massive floodplain. Associated with these wetlands of the North Rupununi are the Indigenous

communities of primarily the Macushi tribe. They depend heavily on these wetlands for clean water, food, materials to make craft, housing material and traditional medicine.

What is notable, is that their harvesting techniques are for the most part sustainable and promote protection and conservation of these resources in the long-term.

IMPORTANCE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands encourages the integration of traditional knowledge in the wise use and management of wetlands.

To that extent, it has been observed that Indigenous communities, by means of traditional fishing, hunting and harvesting practices, have naturally engaged in the respectful use and protection of these wetlands. Many of these traditional practices are passed from generation to generation, children being

taught by adults in the community through a process of learning by doing. Other traditional knowledge may see the transfer of information through dance or stories.

Today, due to changing dynamics within many Indigenous communities, where the youth are otherwise occupied with school and sports, there is the threat of many of these traditional knowledge being lost.

Other international treaties also emphasise the important role that traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples can play in the protection and conservation efforts, e.g., under the United Nations Convention for Biological Diversity (UNCBD), to which Guyana is a signatory, there are specific goals and target which call for increased efforts of countries to recognise and incorporate traditional knowledge into national policies to promote sustainable resources management.

Guyana is working towards those very goals through the implementation of a UK-funded ‘Darwin Initiative project’ entitled “Integrating Traditional Knowledge into National Policies and Practices". This project will see the collaboration of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in efforts to work with Indigenous communities associated with Protected Areas and relevant policymakers to facilitate dialogue and, as a main output, develop a relevant National Action Plan for Guyana.

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.

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

XXI

His loss was another's gain

By Abdool A. Aziz AT the age of 14, he stood by the roadside and saw the school bus go by. In it were privileged students going to the only secondary school on the Essequibo Coast. He should have been on the bus that September morn. But due to abject poverty, he could not afford the 23 cents bus fare (it was 1967). With a heavy heart, he went back to his small dilapidated room in the logie (communal dwelling). With his secondary education lost, he turned his attention to find work in order to support his siblings. He did menial jobs here and there. It was tough on his young, frail body.

THE PROMISE The anguish he felt on not furthering his

studies made him make a solemn promise.

Should he be able, he would rescue children out of poverty and provide them with education from primary to tertiary. No child must be denied the right and privilege to an education. That salient oath became a reality, following his success in business.

FROM ‘SUITCASE TO CONTAINER’ He was not physically fit for labour intensive work. And since he lacked secondary education he tapped on his God-given resources, common sense. He began to engage in business on the streets of Georgetown as a huckster, selling out of an old suitcase. He had a sharp brain – he was very intelligent and business savvy. He always wore a smile, and was quiet, humble and kind. He was my pet student (when he went to school in 1964).

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST All through his business deals, he displayed modesty and humility. He was very patient and resilient. His business boomed and he remembered his promise. He wasted no time in building schools, paying the staff, providing books and free tuition to the children of the impoverished families. He even provided transportation, especially to the riverine kids.

PROMOTING EDUCATION His primary concern is to see a child gain a full education. To this end, he generously offered scholarships to the quintessential level of Doctorate. Some holders are serving our country, others are doing well overseas.

The beneficiaries are grateful. I met Roshana, a pharmacist from Dartmouth, Essequibo

Coast. She had the ‘brain’ but could not afford to further her studies. He, this ‘golden boy’ from J.C., paid for her boarding, tuition and she became a UG grad. She said “I knew I was bright, but I was sad about the reality. I came from a poor family. But Mr Mohamed came as an ‘Angel of Mercy’ and funded my studies. I am so grateful. No ‘strings’ attached to his generosity. He simply felt great and honoured when a poor kid can climb the ladder of success. He shared their agony when they see no hope for further studies. But he is proud and happy when he awards them scholarships. The schools are efficiently managed by trained staff and modern equipment. Sound training and education are available for the underprivileged.

He is Guyana’s Number One Philanthropist – Nazar Mohamed.

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

True Calling

Following in the footsteps of her grandparents

By Clifford Stanley THERAPY is the treatment of disease or disorders by some remedial, rehabilitating, or curative process.

Massage is the act of kneading, rubbing or tapping parts of the human body to promote circulation, suppleness, or relaxation.

Massage therapy, a combination of the two terms, is therefore a treatment which involves the manual manipulation of soft body

tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being.

Samantha Thuknauth is a Massage Therapist, one of a number of local health care professionals who specialises in this form of service now being often described as a form of alternative medicine.

Unlike many such professionals who are based in the townships, the young professional provides her service in the rural

ers in providing relief for a variety of aches and pains, not so long ago.

Samantha Thuknauth, Massage Therapist from Region Five

environment of Huntley Village, Mahaicony in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) following in the footsteps of her grandparents. The grandparents were not professionally trained, massage therapists but nevertheless provided yeoman and free service to their fellow villag-

EARLY INFLUENCE Even though as a child she saw people visiting the family home with problems like “nara” / wind pain, back pain, shoulder pains and stiff neck and being cheerfully helped by her grandparents Cyril and Gladys, it took her a while to realise that this also was her true calling.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine she said: “It was while working overseas in the Turks and Caicos Islands and watching a professional massage therapist at work that my girlhood days memories of the voluntary work of my grandparents for their fellow villagers, came flooding back and then I suddenly realised that this was my true calling too. This is where I wanted to/had to go. So I returned home; got trained and certified a few years ago and here I am doing what I like doing best: Turn to page XXIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018 Five Chambers of Industry and Commerce: Focus on Five.

At her Body Relaxation Massage Spa, customers can expect two scientific types of massage: Relaxation massage - also known as Swedish massage and Rehabilitative massage – also known as deep tissue, medical, or clinical massage which basically assists the body in healing itself.

Relaxation massage or Swedish Massage, she explained, is a gentle form of massage that uses long gliding strokes, kneading, friction, vibration and tapping generally in the direction of blood flow towards the heart to help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle

◄◄◄ From page XXII

helping people to heal.”

She added with a smile: “Every now and then, one or two of the older folks who would come to me for massage for one reason or another would say ‘hey, so you take after your grandfather, Cyril’ or ‘you take after you grandmother, Gladys girl? Eh but look nah!’”

She continued: “I love being a Massage Therapist. It is my passion. I am proud to say that I am following in their footsteps.”

BUSINESS OPERATIONS The Body Relaxation Massage Spa and Salon where she works is located along the Georgetown/Rosignol Highway, at Lot 5 Huntley, Mahaicony, about a mile or two east of the Mahaicony River bridge.

Samantha was recently featured in the pages of the Business Magazine of the Region

Samantha at work in the Spa

XXIII tension and relax and energise the beneficiary.

In this type, there is aromatherapy which is a combination of Swedish massage and essential oils and also the hot stone massage, both which induce relaxation.

Her hot stone massage is a speciality massage where she uses smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of her own hands or by placing them on the body while massaging other parts of the body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles, so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly Turn to page XXX ►►►

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XXV

Guyana’s future lies in youth and tech GLOBALLY, technology is seen as the vehicle to usher in change and transformation. While Guyana may have taken some time to hop on this vehicle for change, the country’s young people are ensuring that lost time is made up for.

One might have heard the song: “Youth are important to Guyana”, growing up. As the country develops, more and more young Guyanese rise up and illustrate how vital they are in this transformative process.

Perhaps the most illustrative of the lot would be the field of robotics. There has been a buzz in Guyana for some time now, that brought no fleeting excitement, but rather a never-ending surge of curiosity, excitement and undiscovered adventure.The proponents go by the names: Karen Abrams (an overseas-based Guyanese) and Sandra Granger (the First Lady of Guyana).

There was news of robotics workshops being launched in 2016 and youth were able to test out their skills on some LEGO Robotic kits brought by Abrams through support from the diaspora. That was only the honey dripping out of the hive because there was much, much more in store.

Abrams, through indelible support from the First Lady, began initiating robotics ‘camps’ in several schools and communities across Guyana seeking to cultivate a passion for this field or expose what was already there.

Eventually, this wave spread far and wide (oh, but not nearly far enough) and in a few months, participants from these camps would have been selected to represent Guyana internationally. In July 2017, a group of talented Guyanese youth aged 15- 18, made history at the First Global Robotics competition hosted in Washington D.C. There, they competed against some 809 youth from 157 countries.

Team Guyana was led by Captain Ryan Benschop and included Anthony Frank, Arianna Mahase, Christopher Nelson, Sahief Poese and Vevekean and Ramnarace, alongside Team Manager Farnaz Baksh.

During this two-day 'battle of the bots' competition, Guyana had the highest total at the end of Day One and then placed 10th overall at the competition’s culmination. Their performance was truly laudable, however, after examining several features, any admiration for this team must be increased ten-fold.

Let’s consider their training in robotics. These teenagers had only been exposed to the field of robotics for just about a year at the time of the competition. Compared to other youth who had been delving into this field for years, the team indeed fared well.

Take a look at the sole robot they worked tirelessly to build, train and then finally compete with. It is called ‘Megathurium’. This robot was designed to participate in the game for the competition called H2O FLow, where it had to collect balls (representing stored water) and deposit it into a laboratory on the playing field. Its design, however, happens to be quite symbolic, since it integrated the mechanisms of a koker door and rice combine. Clearly, this shows that youth have an ingrained sense of innovation.

What I’m trying to explain here is that with just a little prodding, Guyanese youth were able to advance themselves as world-class tech players. But the strides made in robotics are not exhaustive of the degree youth have contributed to tech development in Guyana.

Take 22-year-old, Farnaz Baksh, for example. Not only was she the adult mentor for Team Guyana during the Robotics competition, but she has also been engaging in outreach activities vis a vis robotics and ICT, seeking to initiate that spark in other young people, as was set alight in her.

Then there’s Team Innosys (Innovative Systems), a gang of young tech whizzes, who developed the best online e-agriculture platform that connects buyers and sellers for fresh produce and agro-processed items, and the best rates and tax management and reporting tool for local Neighbourhood Dem-

ocratic Councils (NDCs) and residents through the Ministry of Public Telecommunications (MoPT)’s CODESPRINT and Hackathon competitions. Both of these applications are now with the Ministry, at the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) for refining and will be implemented sooner or later as tools for the Guyanese populace.

Guyanese youth have been able to pave the way for resounding impact- with just a little investment. But think just for a second where would all these ideas and talent be if they weren’t facilitated by these events. Before 2016, robotics in

Guyana was a mere afterthought; a wisp of someone’s imagination. And before the creation of the MoPT forums for youth, how many of them would be able to create tools of their own design for national development? The chances are pretty low.

The wealth of a country is dependent upon how its people can harness and manage its resources. Human resources are therefore the most important resources; no amount of oil, gold or sugar can change that. Investing in Guyana’s tech-savvy youth is a guaranteed way to facilitate development.

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Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018

Protecting our sovereignty The Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy (Part One) JANUARY 30, 2018, will go down as a major turning point in Guyana’s history. After three years of resolute leadership and advocacy by President David Granger, along with excellence in Foreign Affairs practice by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Greenidge and his team, the United Nations’ Secretary General has referred the Guyana Venezuela Border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While this is the result Guyanese have been hoping for, it is understood that this is not the time to pause for celebration. While it is an established fact that the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was permanently and definitively delimited by the international arbitration on October 3, 1899, the legal battle has only just begun.

This week on Government in Action, the first in a twopart series, we will look at how the 1899 Arbitral Award is the binding agreement and strong foundation on which the case for securing our national patrimony is built.

VENEZUELA’S AGGRESSION The treasured Essequibo, home to Guyana’s abundant mineral resources, world-class flora and fauna and the famed Kaieteur Falls, has been the heart of an age-old unsubstantiated claim on Guyana’s sovereign territory by Venezuela, spanning over 170 years. This claim has its genesis in 1840 when the British Government moved to demarcate then British Guiana's borders.

The Venezuelan claim was and remains the territory west of the Essequibo River. Venezuela requested the help of the United States of America to intervene in 1895 and an International Arbitration Tribunal was formed. In 1899,

President David Granger pleads Guyana's case at the United Nation's General Assembly

the Arbitral Award established the borders between Eastern Venezuela and Western British Guiana. Former Guyanese Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr. Odeen Ishmael said that Venezuela willingly accepted this Award and fully honoured it until 1962. In that year, Venezuela declared that the 1899 border agreement was null and void, and again resuscitated the claim that all the land west of the Essequibo River - an area of about 50,000 square miles representing nearly two-thirds of the territory of British Guiana - was the territory of the Spanish-speaking republic.

In order to resolve the controversy arising out of Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Award was invalid, the Governments of Venezuela, Great Britain and British Guiana in February 1966 signed an agreement in Geneva, Switzerland, by which a Mixed Commission was appointed to seek satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention of the nullity of the 1899 Award.

In 1970 under The Protocol of Port of Spain, both Venezuela and Guyana agreed to shelve the dispute for a period of at least 12 years. This Protocol came to an end in 1982 when Venezuela refused to renew it. Subsequent discussions by the two governments, under the terms of the Geneva Agreement, eventually led to both governments agreeing to request that the Secretary General of the United Nations find a method for bringing about a settlement. The UN Secretary General in 1990 appointed a "Good Officer" to meet with representatives of Guyana and Venezuela to examine various proposals. Over the years meetings were convened but the Good Officer process failed to produce any results.

This year will mark 52 years since the signing of the Geneva Agreement. Venezuela remains relentless in its claims, having shown blatant signs of disregard for Guyana’s territorial integrity and stifling its economic growth.

Since 1966, the Venezuelan Army has been occupying Guyana’s portion of Ankoko Island, located in the Cuyuni Mazaruni area. In addition to this, in 2013, the region again became a subject of particular interest to its western neighbour. The Venezuelan navy entered Guyana’s waters and seized but subsequently released the MV Teknik Perdana, a seismic vessel, which was hired at the time by the United States oil company, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.

Following this, in 2015, one week after oil giant ExxonMobil announced the discovery of significant quantities of oil in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and on the occasion of Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro issued Decree 1787, claiming ownership of Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off of the Essequibo region. On July 7, 2015, President Maduro issued a second Decree 1859 reiterating its claims. As if that provocation wasn’t enough, in October of the same year, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Canada issued a warning letter to Guyana Goldfields Incorporated, a Canadian mining company operating in Guyana, informing that its operations are “infringing on the territorial

Chronicle Pepperpot February 4, 2018 sovereignty of Venezuela.”

Just one month before, as President David Granger stood to deliver his first address as Head of State at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, the Spanish-speaking nation deployed gunboats and troops along Guyana’s Borders.

It is in this context that President Granger decided that Guyana would seek a legal settlement to the dispute. The first step the President took was to appeal to the Secretary General of the United Nations at the time, Mr Ban Ki-Moon for a judicial settlement of the matter.

During the 70th United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, New

President David Granger and new Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. António Guterres

sembly that Guyana rejects the backhanded attempts being made by Venezuela to despoil Guyana of her rights. “Venezuela’s behaviour towards Guyana is a festering wound to peace and development in our region and an affront to the rule of law in the world. It must be healed by a process of law,” he said.

DIPLOMATIC ADVOCACY In his address at the opening of the 11th Parliament in June 2015, President Granger pledged the Government’s determination in securing Guyana’s borders and the strengthening of friendly relaPresident Granger exchanges a handshake with the former tions with the Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki Moon neighbouring states of Brazil, Suriname York in 2015, the Guyanese Head of State met with the and Venezuela. He stated that Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro and Secretary-Gen- the security of their borders is eral of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon to facilitate dis- important to the stability of the cussions on the controversy. President Granger said he took continent and to the success of the opportunity to lay out the facts, none of which President the Union of the South AmeriMaduro could deny. can Nations.

"I pointed out that Venezuela in 1899 received 1300 “We will seek effective square kilometres of Guyanese territory and he could not international collaboration deny that. All we said tonight was factual; about the ter- to sustain economic growth ritory, about the Venezuela aggression, the obstruction of and to preserve international Guyanese development," President Granger said. peace. Your Government will During a Foreign Policy Panel Discussion regarding the continue to work towards the Border Controversy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Carl adherence to agreements that Greenidge explained that after years of no results, it is time respect our territorial integrity for International Law to take its course. He noted that the on all three frontiers: BraGeneva Convention allows the Secretary General to take zil, Venezuela and Suriname. this course of action.

We insist on the full imple“The Secretary General has the power to choose a means mentation of agreements that to resolve a matter if the two sides can’t agree. What Sec- guarantee sovereignty,” the retaries General have been doing since 1982 is to identify President said. persons as representatives of the Secretary General to faAs Guyana continued to cilitate dialogue and cooperation and mechanisms that can pursue peaceful solutions to eventually eliminate the controversy, in fact, all of those the controversy, in May 2016, have failed… nothing has come out of it… Venezuela’s a boat carrying officers of the claims are so arbitrary that they go beyond any recognised Guyana Geology and Mines boundaries that Venezuela endures,” Minister Greenidge Commission came under fire said. from the Venezuelan Army The Minister reiterated Guyana’s position in February in the area of Eteringbang on 2016, while addressing the National Assembly during the the Cuyuni River. Following budget debates. Minister Greenidge told the National As- the reports, President David

XXVII Granger said that Guyana had sought clarity on the events that transpired. The President had said that a complaint was made to Venezuela but no formal response was received.

In December 2016, after Guyana’s advocacy at the United Nations, the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and at home in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the UN announced that the Secretary-General had decided that the Good Offices process to find a solution to the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela will be given one more year and if by the end of 2017 “significant progress” has not been made, the case will move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

In April 2017, President Granger met with the United Nations (UN) Secretary General’s Personal Representative in the Good Offices Process on the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, Ambassador Dag Havland Nylander.

In his address to the 72nd UNGA in September 2017, President Granger said that peace in the Caribbean Region is at stake if justice does not prevail in the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

“Guyana looks to the international community to ensure that Venezuela is not allowed to thwart the processes of judicial settlement which is the clear and agreed path to peace and justice…Four UN Secretaries-General have been seized of the Venezuelan claims. The choice has become one between just and peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, and a Venezuelan posture of attrition that is increasingly more blustering and militaristic. In this matter, protraction is the enemy of resolution and the ally of sustained conflict,” he said on that occasion.

The Secretary General of the United Nations has now ruled that the controversy is referred to the International Court of Justice.

In next week’s edition of Government in Action, we will take a look at President Granger’s commitment to ensuring that the Caribbean and South America remains a zone of peace, the overwhelming support Guyana has received from the international community on the border controversy, the recent decision by the United Nations to send the matter to the International Court of Justice and what the future looks like as we pursue a legal settlement.

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The hot stones are usually made of basalt, a type of rock that is rich in iron, so they retain heat. River rocks are normally used because they are so smooth - they have been smoothed over time by the river’s current.

The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes.

The warmth of the hot stones improves circulation and calms the nervous system.

Sports Massage and Trigger Point Massage are two subtypes which fall under Rehabilitative Massage and which are also provided on request.

Her Sports massage helps people involved in sports activities to either prevent or treat injuries.

TECHNIQUE At work here, she uses techniques that are similar to Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue/ Rehabilitative Massage but are specially adapted to deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training performing and recovering from injury.

Trigger Point Massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibres that can form in anyone’s muscles after injuries or overuse.

People who do house painting are potential beneficiaries of the Trigger Point Massage because of discomfort which may arise from the constant movement of their hands required by that profession.

“I have helped people with chronic shoulder and wrist pains related to certain types of trades,” she said.

The length of the massages vary from a minimum of one hour for a full body massage to 30 minutes for a partial body massage: feet; wrists etc.

The costs vary but information can be obtained beforehand, since she treats patients only after they have secured an appointment.

“The one benefit I give customers is privacy. The service is for both males and females and I don’t want a male receiving a full body or partial body massage in a clinic full with other customers or vice versa. People can become self-conscious; feel embarrassed etc., so treatment is by appointment and is private.”

CHALLENGES She says that an occasional challenge has been that there are occasionally some males who have misconceptions about massages, but says that she makes it quite clear to male customers that her service is professional and they should ditch their misconceptions before they can receive either relaxation or rehabilitative massage.

She also does home visits to provide therapy for persons recovering from strokes.

The salon provides customers with pedicures, facials, body waxing, eyebrow arching, hair and scalp treatments, hair cutting and colouring- all by appointment.

With this aspect of her work, she says that she decries the use of chemicals by women.

NATURAL BEAUTY She remembers during her training, a lecturer saying that Guyanese women are very beautiful but they destroy their natural beauty with chemicals.

“We put a whole lot of different chemicals in our hair; put false nails on our nails and eventually we damage our hair; our natural nails; why not grow your own nails?”

She stressed that she has taken a vow never to use chemicals for short-term effects but which would eventually be of damage to the natural beauty of the person.

“I love to see the natural beauty in our women. The ideal for me is that when they walk out of here they should be satisfied with the service; if the customer is not satisfied then I am not satisfied,” she said. “I also love what I am doing generally because I get the chance to practice my skills and interact with many different people. Some people come for a massage every once in a while just to relax, and others come regularly as part of their treatment for ongoing physical problems they may be experiencing. Studying each client’s needs and customising my techniques for them is a rewarding part of what I do.

Each person has a different body and receives the benefits of massage in different ways, and it’s my privilege as a certified massage therapist to figure out how I can help them best.”

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Women Across Borders – Fulfilling Purpose with a mission

I TOOK time of planning for my official launch of LIVING WITH INTENTION at the National Library to write this week’s column. The feeling was priceless going to the space with Diane Innis to decide on the décor for another significant day of my journey. I actually wrote and published a book! The boxes arrived from the US for the launch through Trans Caribbean Cargo International - and I must thank Larry London for getting the package here on time. I took a few minutes to touch the books when they arrived and thank God again for making this possible. I would not consider myself someone who likes

writing so it is hard to believe that I write every week for this newspaper, for my second book and two anthologies (Women Across Borders –Fulfilling Purpose and Women Across Borders – with a mission) WOMEN ACROSS BORDERS is an anthology featuring captivating and empowering stories from women residing in different parts of the world. It depicts that no matter where you are from, we all encounter challenges.

These amazing women are from various backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities and careers but have a common fibre which is love for people.

These women have expressed how their passion for fulfilling purpose in their respective lives led them to contribute significantly to humanity.

It will feature inspiring journeys of eight phenomenal women from across borders.

We meet on the Zoom Hotel every Friday for stimulating and motivating discussions. I will share one of the most memorable evenings with these amazing women. At the end of our call, I suggested someone close in prayers and, Ediclia, from Venezuela, said she would and that reminded me that the book will be in three languages so it made sense to close in prayers in all three.

Then it dawned on me that we had, Chan Tale, on the call from Suriname. So we closed with prayer in French, Spanish, English and Dutch. What a moment this was for us. I sensed during all the prayers that even if we did not understand the language we felt it, and that was confirmed when the call was over. My phone and messenger were going crazy because they all wanted to share their experience. The feedback was priceless and we all experienced something special that established a bond with these Women from Across Borders.

They were thanking me for initiating such a project that

is adding value their lives. I will be foolish to think this is all me because this is bigger than all of us. When God opens doors, no one can shut them and my test over the years has strengthened my faith.

The talented Compton Babb captured the cover in a magnificent artistic expression and we love it.

I appreciate all you people who read this column so you are the first to read the dedication for Women Across Borders DEDICATION This anthology is dedicated to women and girls across the seven continents of the world. I can assure you that you have a story to tell that will inspire someone who is waiting to flip through those pages. Maybe you are saying to yourself that no one will want to read or listen to your story but get rid of those limiting beliefs. No story is insignificant and I hope one day you will get the courage to write yours for the world to see. Don’t go to your final resting place with another great untold story. Let us continue to be bold for change as we press for progress.

You can visit out FB to page to interact with these women and I can assure you that you will go away with some nuggets and may even guide you in finding your purpose. https:// www.facebook.com/womenacrossborders/?ref=bookmarks.

Instagram is WOMENACROSSBORDERS 2018.

Sharing one of my favourite quotes with you as we celebrate the first Sunday in February.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion are born and the day you find out why.”

Mark Twain Send us a message to beyondtherunway3@gmail. com and visit our FB page as we continue this beautiful journey.

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Home away from home UK-based Guyanese talks of life abroad, returning home

By Anthony Layne MANY Guyanese in the diaspora have carved niches for

themselves in numerous fields of endeavour. This they have done by dint of hard work, perseverance, discipline and commitment.

Dawn De Peazer in relaxed mood is flanked by partner Lindon Philander (right) and brother, Clive, left

One such person is Dawn De Peazer, who has been residing in the United Kingdom (UK) for the past 56 years. Dawn was recently home for her first Guyanese Christmas in over a decade and took time out from her busy schedule to chat with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Dawn, who was born and bred in Georgetown – Fort Street, Kingston, to be precise – is one of five children for her parents, Lynette and Alfred De Peazer; her last two siblings, Donna and Colin –the latter now deceased -- were born in the UK. Dawn departed what was then British Guiana in 1961, at age nine with her two brothers, Clive and Robert.

Their departure was preceded by that of their parents, the previous year. According to Dawn, “We were brought up in a stable home environment, both here and in the UK. We were taught to be disciplined, respectful, contented, and honest," she said. "I honestly cannot recall hearing our parents quarrelling or raising their voices at each other. So strong was the bond between them that when our paternal uncle in the UK proposed sending first for my father, he [father] refused to leave without mom.”

So what was it like growing up in a predominantly white society? Said she: “ When one talks about growing up in a predominantly white society, what invariably comes to mind is the question of racial discrimination. But to say that I have ever been the victim of racial discrimination at any time in the UK would be very dishonest. And even if I had, I would’ve been able to deal with it, compliments of a sound education - education empowers one to deal with adverse situations.”

It was while she was receiving such an education at college, that she got her first exposure to the world of work – a part-time secretarial job with the French multinational banking and financial services company, Societe Generale. She would eventually secure full-time employment with the company as a Bank Trader or Foreign Exchange Trader; this appointment, entailing as it did, doing daily trades on the Stock Exchange led her into a male-dominated domain.

Her sojourn with Société Générale lasted for five years before she was “head-hunted” – to identify and approach (a suitable person employed elsewhere) to fill a business position for another French company, Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP). This company provides a full range of banking services to individuals, businesses and associations. It offers savings and current accounts, consumer credit, mortgages, insurance, securities services, asset management, etc. To have been “identified and approached” to join such a reputable and Turn to page XXXIII ►►►

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prestigious company meant much to Dawn. As she stated, “Even though I knew that I was competent, being 'head-hunted' made me feel extremely proud anyway. I saw it for what it was: recognition of my ability. There are so many people who have ability, but they do not always gain recognition.”

Dawn worked with BNP for nearly 15 years, during which period she was promoted to supervisor/team leader of the admin team.

After leaving BNP, she also held senior positions at Guardian Royal Exchange (GRE) -an insurance companyand Citibank. She said that she remembers her sojourn with Citibank very fondly, because it was there that she became pregnant with the first of her two sons who is now 46, the other is 41.

Dawn is now a Wealth Manager with a wealth management company, where she is one of only three women and the only black woman, holding that position. As a wealth manager, Dawn helps clients to make sound investment decisions; whether, for example, they should invest in stocks and shares, or to simply invest in pension plans.

She considers this her ultimate achievement and that she is, simultaneously, at the zenith and in the twilight of her career. Accordingly, Dawn said she has initiated negotiations to minimise her involvement with the company, as she prepares to head into retirement.

As regards Guyana’s level of development, she acknowledged that there is much room for improvement, but on the other hand, she knows that improvements will not happen overnight. She alluded to a discussion she had with President Granger while he was visiting the UK and said that left her in absolutely no doubt about his unwavering commitment to take Guyana to its next level of development.

Does she plan to remigrate? Not immediately, she said, but for now, she definitely will be spending a lot more time here. Toward this end, she and her partner, who is also Guyanese, have started building their home in a gated community.

Finally, Dawn believes that with Guyana on the cusp of becoming a major oil producer, and with the expected increase in personal incomes, there could be a role for her here, given her wealth of experience in the world of finance and in wealth management in particular.

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Mammy Patricia, Teacher Sita and Fr. Carl

By Francis Quamina Farrier

THE format of this feature article of mine is somewhat unusual, as I have injected one of my favourite poems, which was written by an author Unknown. The poem is entitled, “UNITY”. The first stanza is as follows; “I dreamt I stood in a studio, And watched two sculptors there.

The clay they used was a young child’s mind, and they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher, the tools he used Were books, music and art.

One a parent with guiding hand And a gentle, loving heart.”

As regards the inclusion and message of this poem, I need to let you know that the parent is Patricia Matthews-Mitchell, the mother of the recently ordained Guyanese Catholic priest.

The teacher is Sita Nagamootoo, the wife of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Take note that these two women were partners in a piece of the contemporary history of Guyana,

Mother of Fr. Carl, Ms Patricia Matthews-Mitchell.

(Photo by F.Q. Farrier)

some decades ago.

Now for the second stanza of the poem, “Unity”: “Day after day, the teacher toiled, With a touch that was deft and sure While the parent laboured by his side, And polished and smooth it o’re,” The child in reference here is now a 36-year-old adult, Carl Philadelphia of Georgetown, Guyana, who is a fine example of being a young child fortunate to have been moulded into a productive, law-abiding and respected adult Guyanese citizen, by two important women in his younger life.

And so we move on to the third stanza of the poem; “And when at last, their work was done, They were proud of what they had wrought.

For the things they had moulded into the child, Could neither be sold or bought.”

Attending the priestly Ordination of that child - Carl Anthony Philadelphia - now an adult, the two women ‘Sculptors’ - Mother sat together in the awesome Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam in Georgetown, last Sunday and witnessed the inspiring ordination ceremony which was attended by Bishops, Monsignors, Priests, Nuns, Deacons and a packed cathedral of Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Some of those in attendance travelled from all over Guyana, as well as from neighbouring Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Others came from even as far away as the United States of America to be present at the Ordination Service.

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The Eduro Challenge Organisers find slithery surprise during prep

By Michel Outridge

THE Savannah Drive under the guidance of organiser, Shane D’Andrade has embarked on the Max Enduro Team Challenge which will be held on February 24, 2018 at Moraikobai Village.

The event is in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and it is a one-day event.

D’Andrade said the Max Enduro Team Challenge is not a race but is an endurance ride which comprises of 10 teams, three persons per team with a total of 30 motorcycles.

Coincidentally, when Shane and his team went last week to mark the trails to map out the route for the endurance ride, they stumbled on an almost 25-foot anaconda which they captured without injuring the animal.

The group took the snake to Moraikobai Village and they allowed the children to pet it after which they released the anaconda back into its natural habitat.

Shane D’Andrade said the find was really exciting for the team and more so, the children who had the opportunity see and touch the snake before they released it back into the wild.

Meanwhile, Savannah Drive continues to make strides with their charity drive in which they recently made a donation of fuel (gasoline) for the generator, toys and groceries to the Sanctuary Orphanage at Yarrowkabra, Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

The team of go-cart drivers was on hand to present the toys to the children of the community after which they had a lively interaction.

In 2017 Savannah Drive was officially launched taking to the Savannahs to expose participants to Guyana’s natural beauty while building lasting relationships between Amerindian villages and visitors.

The event, which was first launched three years ago by Shane D’ Andrade follows ancient Amerindian tracks, along changing terrain from sandy to muddy in the beautiful Savannah.

Vehicles and dirt bikes pass ruins, creeks and several Amerindian villages, including Swan, Laluni and St Cuthbert’s Mission and is still an ongoing adventure. ◄◄◄ From page XXXIV

Three Guyanese Catholic priests; (from left) Fr. Carl Philadelphia, New York-based; Msgr. Paul Jervis, and from Enmore, ECD, Fr Godfrey Veerasammy, SJ (Photograph by Francis Quamina Farrier)

And now for the final stanza of that favourite poem of mine entitled “UNITY”.

“And each agreed they would have failed If each had worked alone, For behind the parent stood the school And behind the teacher the home.”

At that Ordination Ceremony, lots of accolades were rightly bestowed on the Mother and the Teacher of the new priest.

Fr. Carl himself spoke glowingly about what he was taught by his mother, Patricia, and his teacher, Ms Sita Nagamootoo, when he was a boy. Those two wonderful Guyanese women working together in “UNITY” as Parent and Teacher three decades ago, saw the result of their ‘sculpting’ last Sunday, as hundreds were present and welcomed another Catholic priest into the Diocese of Guyana, in this the 52nd year of Guyana’s Independence.

It is an excellent example of the many positive achievements which can happen in a country when citizens work together in “LOVE and UNITY”.

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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A little still she strove, and much repented,And whispering ‘I will ne’er consent’ – consented.

LORD BYRON (1788-1824) English Bards and Scotch Reviewers st. 117 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Some sentences are written for the specific purpose of concluding a paragraph. A concluding sentence should not “let the reader down”. It either rings the thought to a climax, clinches the argument, or skillfully summarises the facts. Any one of these techniques leaves the reader’s interest satisfied.

Pay particular attention to the closing sentence that lends force to a paragraph, practise using it, and soon you’ll be skillful at formulating it. Be wise.

Love you GRAMMAR Time should never be measured whenever you practise finding and correcting common mistakes in grammar. Here are two sets of verbs to dwell on. Take your time now.

A.. Using Verbs Correctly Today’s language usage tends to make little distinction

between shall and will, between should and would, between may and can (in asking permission); anyhow, most careful writers and speakers, still make a distinction between the word pairs, especially shall and will.

Shall, will With first person, use (1) shall to show simple future and (2) will to show determination or a promise. For second and third persons, reverse the rule.

(1) I shall be leaving.

(2) I will try harder.

(1) They will expect great changes. (2) She shall not leave!

Should, would Use should like shall and would like will except as follows: (a) Use would in all persons, both singular and plural, to indicate habitual action.

They would stand there gambling for hours! (b) Use should in all persons, both singular and plural,

to express an obligation or a duty.

You should have called the riot squad.

May, can Use may in asking permission; use can for indicating ability to do.

May we cease watching those vagabonds now?

Can she lift those huge baskets?

Something to Do Assume that the following sentences are to be used in business letters. Make any corrections or improvements as suggested above.

1. We will contact you when the plans are complete and the money collected.

2. If you like, you can return the unused part.

3. I would appreciate hearing about what you have to suggest.

4. Our dealers have been moved about this product.

5. By the end of the week, I will be done with this project.

I would have been through sooner if I hadn’t gotten under the weather.

6. The value of this product may be proven by trying it.

B.. Making Verbs Agree with Their Subjects Use a singular verb with a collective-noun subject when you think of the group as a unit.

Our team has won fifteen games.

Use a plural verb with a collective-noun subject when you mean the individual members of a group.

Our team have been arguing about the board’s decision.

Use a singular verb with compound subjects modified by a singular indefinite adjective.

Each minute and hour is important.

Every man and woman was there.

Something to Do Choose the correct verb for each the three sentences that follow. Read the sentences correctly aloud to yourself. Explain to a study partner why you chose each verb.

1. The team (has, have) been selected.

2. Each jacket and suit (is, are) neatly tailored.

3. The team (is, are) unable to agree on the Kingston issue.

4. No skirts and bandages (is, are) of the same material.

COMPOSITION WRITING The Overloaded Sentence Some people are in the habit of writing without checking their sentences for length and meaning. A sentence is not like a train. It must not be dragging very many words along. It must not leave anyone breathless and mixed up. It must have only one primary thought, and all its parts must relate to that thought.

Break down the overloaded sentence into compound, complex, or compound-complex, but whatever the resulting structures, each must have unity. [It is suggested that a sentence of not more than 25 words can be made acceptable and effective.]

To get a clear idea of what an overloaded sentence looks and sounds like, there are three sentences made available below. Do not follow suit.

1. Cecilia knew then that she was in love with the idea, so much in love that she could think of no one or nothing else and she resolved to visit the project site even though it would cost a great deal and her father had frequently warned her against such ventures, which had been one of her chief weaknesses in college.

2. Mathematics is a very difficult subject, at least it is for Mavis, and she had hoped she would not have to take it, but the handsome, young lecturer to whom she went for counselling told her she would need it if she wanted to take a degree, and of course she does want a degree because her parents have their hearts set on her getting one.

3. When the plane landed at the Piarco International Airport, weather conditions became very bad, but Sandra soon insisted on taking a special taxi because she was eager to see the dog show, since her aunt’s dog was participating, the first one since Sandra returned from Venezuela, she had been very proud of the terrier.

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Entertainment

Jeremy London Arrested for Domestic Violence JEREMY London has been arrested for domestic violence.

E! News can confirm the actor, known for his roles on 7th Heaven, Party of Five and in 1995 comedy Mallrats, was taken into custody Friday in Jackson County, Miss. on one count of domestic violence simple assault.

There's little information as to who else the alleged incident involved, though according to TMZ (who was first to report the news) he was reportedly arrested outside the home of his wife of four years, Juliet Reeves.

London, 45, has not commented publicly on the arrest. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment.

This isn’t the first time London has faced domestic violence allegations. In 2012, he was charged with domestic battery after an alleged altercation with his estranged wife,

Zendaya Says Goodbye to Her Disney Days: Inside Her Career Evolution Zendaya is bidding farewell to one of the most formative chapters of her life.

The 21-year-old actress reflected on her final KC Undercover episode, tweeting Friday, "Tonight is the last episode of KC, and therefore my last episode on Disney channel...."

Without a doubt an emotional moment for Zendaya, who landed her first on-screen role on Disney Channel eight years ago.

She's one of the few (if not the only) products of Disney to emerge as a bonafide movie star whilst still acting on the family-friendly cable network, no small feet given the career trajectories of her predecessors in the child acting world.

Zendaya's time in the spotlight is subject, but not limited to, her status in the fashion and beauty industries and activism work, not to mention a budding music repertoire and all those music video cameos.

At 14, Zendaya was cast opposite Bella Thorne on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up. A rising star from the get-go, Zendaya’s charm led to even more roles on Good Luck Charlie, A.N.T. Farm as well as Disney TV movies Frenemies and Zapped.

Zendaya’s self-titled debut album dropped in 2013; her platinum single “Replay” became an instant hit and peaked at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, the 16-year-old signed on to compete alongside professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy on season 16 of Dancing With the Stars. As the youngest person to participate in ABC’s dance competition series, Zendaya and Val tangoed their way to second place behind Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough.

Melissa Cunningham. A rep for London denied the claims at the time, and the charges were dismissed one year later.

London has two children, son Lyrik with Cunningham and another son named Wyatt with Reeves.

Chicken Foot Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1 tbsp curry powder 1 tsp cumin powder or geera pinch of cayenne powder salt to taste 1 cup water 3 cups canola oil for frying Directions: In a small bowl combine all the dry ingredient.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add water.

Knead together water and dry ingredients to make a stiff dough.

Roll dough out on a floured surface until really thin.

Divide dough into two halves. Roll half out until it doubles in size, then cut in two halves.

Cut halves into squares, then using a sharp knife cut into strips.

Repeat process for other half of dough.

Fry strips of dough in hot oil (about 250 degrees Fahrenheit) until golden brown.

Remove from heat and drain on paper towel.

Let cool and enjoy with some mango sour.