Pepperpot epaper 22 10 2017

See inside:

A teardrop on the cheek of time ► Page

II

I’ll rise again

Curtain call

► Page VI

Donna Ramsammy-James bids farewell to the big stage

► Centre Pages

II

Editor’s note This week, we celebrate many things; a woman who revels in the rich cultural beauty of Africa and uses that inspiration to create beautiful pieces of Guyanese art; a young man who, due to one closed door found an

amazing opportunity to follow his dreams elsewhere; another man’s struggle to rise above his addiction and rid his life of drugs; and the work of a group of young persons who are working to revive a beloved ritual in

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Hindu culture, much to the joy of an enthused local audience. It is the celebrations highlighted in these and other stories in this week’s Pepperpot that often instil in us bits of inspiration so that we too can strive to achieve our own dreams. As such, we hope that these stories help you to celebrate as well.

A teardrop Aonvisitthe cheek of time to the

By Tajeram Mohabir

Taj Mahal

IT is a story rooted in undying love, carved in a white marble structure, so grand in scale and glorious in architecture, that many years after it was built, it became one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Taj Mahal is a major unequivocally agreed. tourist attraction in India and is visited by at At the time of her death, Shah Jahan was least 20,000 tourists every day, the majority in the midst of a military campaign in the of whom are local Indians, who journey from Deccan Plateau and her body was temporarthe near and far corners of India to see the ily interred at Burhanpur, on the bank of the magnificent superstructure.

Considered to be the greatest architectural achievement Visitors taking photographs with in Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal in the background the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (1593-1631).

Mumtaz died while giving birth to their fourteenth child.

As the legend goes, in great sorrow, Lady Mumtaz in her final moments, looked to the emperor who was enveloped in grief, and in great economy of words, made three wishes.

Her first wish was for the great emperor to never remarry, the second was for him to take care of their children, and the third was for a monument or symbol be built in honour of their love; all of which he The gate to the Taj Mahal complex, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Tapti River.

A year after, work on the magnificent marble mausoleum began and it was finally completed after 22 years of labour of some 22, 000 workers and all told, 1,000 elephants.

Thereupon, the body of the empress was

relocated to its final resting place.

A team of Latin American and Caribbean journalists recently journeyed to the site in Agra from the world-class ITC Mourya Hotel, nestled in the garden city of Delhi, the capital of India.

The journey to the Taj Mahal by bus was a four-hour drive, crossing a network of neatly constructed highways. Even though it was quite a long journey, it was hardly a boring one.

The Latin American journalists began to sing and everyone formally introduced themselves, saying their names, the country they are from and a little about their country, the media house they work with and their observations of India.

It was a very lively exercise followed by many friendly exchanges. Those who were not locked in conversation gazed through the windows of the 40-seater bus, absorbing the beautiful countryside of Utter Pradesh, Vrindavan and Agra.

COUNTRYSIDE SIMILAR There, villagers cultivate thousands upon thousands of acres of wheat and other crops; the view is not far different from the rural ricegrowing areas on the Essequibo Coast and in Regions Five and Six. Next to the cultivated lands, jopries (Indian thatched roof house) are erected. These small houses are similar to logies - houses built by the Indian indentured who came to Guyana to work on the sugar plantation.

Rural Indians, apart from language and variation in cultural practices, are very much the same like their Guyanese counterparts.

Driving through the countryside, rural residents were seen busy tending to their fields, children playing in the streets, pockets of men and boys chillaxing on the roadside and shopping areas were abuzz with activities.

After a long drive, roadside shops appear in great numbers with vendors hawking from food to hardware, and rickshaw drivers in the hundreds skillfully maneuvering their way in busy traffic.

A huge crowd carefully watched as scores of security officers were in sight and within minutes, the team of journalists was in front the gate of the Taj Mahal.

Many were awestruck by the sight of the huge, beautifully designed red brick gate before them that was built more than 350 years ago. The imposing structure was guarded by armed military officers at several checkpoints.

On gaining approval of entry from the guards, the team of journalists entered the gate to the view of a beautiful garden laid out before them with well-paved roads connecting different parts of the 17-hectare complex.

Along the way are several other mausoleums built in honour of the emperor’s other wives, as well as, one dedicated to one of Mumtaz’s favourite servants.

A five-minute walk and a right turn led the team of journalists to the Darwaza-i-rauza, (the Great Gate), which is the main entrance of the majestic Taj Mahal.

Entering that gate, another beautiful and well-laid-out and maintained garden dazzled Turn to page VII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

III

Reviving Ramleela Young Guyanese reviving traditional Hindu art form in Guyana

By Ravena Gildharie HUNDREDS of Guyanese were left mesmerised after this year’s grand showing of the traditional Hindu artform, Ramleela, which was staged during separate displays on October 13, 14 and 15, 2017 at the Lusignan Gopaal Mandir, Lusignan Golf Ground Road, East Coast Demerara.

Each night saw a different gathering of patrons who were eager to witness the rich cultural display leading up to Diwali observances on October 18. Young children especially were enchanted by the talented performances, which depicted religious and cultural stories based on the Hindu scripture in a fun, in-

A battle from the play

teractive and creative form.

The shows were organised by the Guyana Ramleela Sangh, a group comprising over 40 young Guyanese including professionals and students attending local university and secondary schools, and who are all focused on revitalising the Ramleela tradition in Guyana. Though the festivities were staged last year, this is the first time it was held on such a large scale with months of ardent planning, preparation and grand performances.

Ramleela or Ramlila

was celebrated prior to Diwali and presented in a “makeshift open-air theatre at nights.”

It included singers and musicians, men and women, elderly and youth who played different parts, sang verses to music, and recited dialogues. The recitations and the narrative of the play were mostly based on Ramacharitamanas, while the dialogue was improvised and responsive to audience reactions.

AUDIENCE INVOLVEMENT “A Ramlila is not a simple play acted out in a drama theatre, but it is structured to encourage and allow the audience to participate,” Persaud explained, adding: “in major productions, the audience walk with the actors from one site to another, they chant or co-recite passages, they immerse themselves as minor or significant characters in the play, while the major roles are played by a troupe of artists.”

He continued: “the audience cheers when the good gets the upper hand, they are sorrowful when a wrong happens, such as the kidnapping of Sita and her imprisonment against her

A battle from the play

Rama and Sita in the garden

Rama and Lakshmana preparing for battle

Part of the Ramleela cast in Guyana

conceptualises any dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana or secondary literature based on it such as the Ramcharitmanas.

The dramatic displays were once very prevalent across Guyana’s Hindu community, as well as those in the Caribbean, but the tradition lost some momentum over time.

In 2008, UNESCO declared the Ramlila festivities as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”

The Guyana Ramleela Sangh was formed in 2013 and members subsequently received training out of Trinidad and India to revive the Hindu artform here.

The group’s Public Relations Officer, Aditya Persaud, explained that the festival is both a religious and cultural event that seeks to promote unity among the Guyanese society. This year, the festival

will by the demon Ravana. They participate in the burning of the effigies, and the community welcomes the return of Rama back to Ayodhya. It is theologically an immersion experience.”

The group started active preparations for the shows over one month ago and had to do a lot of work designing their costumes, building the necessary stage props while readying their minds and bodies for each performance. Rehearsals took place regularly during 19:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs.

Like a family, the young members combined their efforts and talents to continue Ramleela.

“Together, due to the efforts and the love for the story of Rama, we have become so motivated and surely, we will carry on this tradition for as long as we can and will welcome youths with open arms to be a part of our team,” Persaud said.

“This, by itself, is a discipline and provides excellent moral and ethical values for an individual and make them connect with their history and Dharma,” he added.

Ramleela is based on the story of the Hindu God, Rama, from his birth and includes recitals of his childhood, as well as others who played major characters such as Sita, Lakshmana and Ravana. The story includes chapters with the marriage of Sita and Rama, the exile of Rama because Dharma requires him to give up his throne, Sita and Lakshmana joining him in the exile, and their journeys through India.

There are highlights of them meeting revered Rishis of Hinduism; the abduction of Sita by demon Ravana; the sorrow of Rama and Lakshmana; their hopelessness; how they creatively built an army from other living beings in the forest, such as Vanaras (forest men); their journey to Lanka to confront Ravana; the battle between the good and evil; the destruction of Ravana; the return of Rama to Ayodhya as King and the life thereafter.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

FILES E S A C COURT

Conflicted medical testimony, 1963

Remitted to Magistrate for reference to a Medical referee PLN. VERSAILLES Estate worker, Agnes Butters, who suffered a broken hand on duty and received medical and physiotherapeutic treatment was pronounced fit by a magistrate, without consulting a medical referee although the medical testimony was conflicting.

On appeal, the Full Court constituted by Chief Justice Bollers and Justice Akbar Khan, dismissed the appeal. The matter was remitted to the magistrate with directions to refer same to a medical referee under s. 34 (2) (1) of the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, cap. 111, and on receipt of the certifi-

cate of the said medical referee, to determine and adjudicate on the same according to law.

The facts of the case disclosed that on the 3rd September, 1963 the respondent fractured her hand as a result of an accident while in the appellants’ employ . She received medical and physiotherapeutic treatment and was pronounced fit on the 13th February, 1964.

She complained of continued pain and swelling in the hand and a further course of physiotherapy was ordered by the medical doctor, who in August again pronounced her fit.

In April, 1965, she again returned to the doctor with

the same complaint, and further physiotherapy was administered.

In the meanwhile, on the 16th January she had consulted another doctor who eventually concluded that her condition had become chronic and that she had suffered a 50 per centum permanent /partial disability. In August 1965, she was examined by another doctor who concluded that she was not suffering from any physical abnormality.

The magistrate concluded that she was 50 per centum permanently partially disabled.

HELD: In view of the magistrate’s failure to give any reasons for

his conclusion and having regard to the conflict in the medical testimony, his omission to refer the matter to a medical referee, amounted to a failure to exercise judicially, the discretion vested in him under s. 34 of the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, Cap, 111.

Appeal allowed. Matter remitted for reference to a medical referee.

G.M. Farnum, Q.C., or the appellants.

B. O. Adams, Q. C., for the respondent.

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT: This is an appeal against a decision of a Magistrate of the West Demerara Judicial District, who made an award of compensation in favour of the respondent (the workman) under the provisions of the Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance, Cap. 111, in respect of an injury to her right wrist sustained on the 3rd September, 1963, when she went to dip water in a trench and fell on her right wrist in an accident which arose out of and in the course of her employment by the appellants (the employers) as a water fetcher.

The respondent’s monthly earnings at the time of the accident was $65.08, and she received compensation in the form of periodic payments in the sum of $414.80 covering a period from the 3rd September, 1963, up to 3rd September 1964.

The appellants admitted that there was an accident which arose out of and in the course of her employment.

The evidence which was led in the Magistrate’s Court disclosed that the respondent, on the day in question, while working with the appellants as a fetcher of water at Pln. Versailles, Pouderoyen Section, went to

dip water in a trench and fell on her right wrist and injured it.

The hand became swollen and painful. She was sent to the dispenser at Pln. Versailles who treated the hand with lotion. On the following day she was referred to the estate doctor, a doctor Gunn, who ordered an X-ray and later placed the hand in plaster of paris.

On the 21st of November, 1963 the respondent was referred to Dr. Stracey, a surgeon specialist at the P.H.G., who examined the hand and ordered another X-ray. As a result, the respondent’s hand was again placed in plaster of paris and on the 16th January, 1964, a course of physiotherapy treatment was ordered.

On the 13th February, 1964, the respondent was discharged by Dr. Stracey and informed that she had regained excellent function of the hand. The hand continued to pain her and on the 13th April, 1964, the respondent returned to Dr. Stracey with a complaint that the hand was swollen and extremely painful. Dr Stracey treated the hand and ordered a further course of physiotherapy after which he strapped her wrist and discharged her. She was referred to the estate doctor, a Dr. Gunn, who ordered an X-ray and later placed the hand in plaster of paris. On the 20thAugust, 1964, she was found to be fit for work.

The respondent’s hand again started to swell and the pain continued. She returned to Dr. Stracey on April 1st 1965, who ordered another course of physiotherapy treatment.

On the 29th April, 1965, the respondent was seen by another doctor as Dr. Stracey was not available, and he ordered a leather strap for the respondent’s

By George Barclay

wrist.

It is the respondent’s evidence that her hand did not improve and on the 9th August, 1965, she saw Dr. Bender who did not examine her and discharged her.

The respondent had also consulted other doctors and there was conflict in the medical testimony.

On this evidence, the magistrate found inter alia that the respondent’s pain and incapacity were due to the accident and as a result she was 50 % permanently incapacitated.

He therefore entered judgment in favour of the respondent in the sum of $2,160, plus a further sum as periodic payment with costs.

The Full Court judgment concluded: In the result, we are of the view that the learned magistrate did not properly exercise his judicial discretion when he failed and/or refused to refer the matter to a medical referee on the application of counsel And, for the appellants (employers) in the court below at the close of the employers’ case. This being a fit and proper case for such a reference, the conflict of medical opinion being of such a nature that only a medical expert would be able to appreciate and assess.

For these reasons the appeal is allowed and the order of the magistrate is set aside. The matter is remitted to the magistrate with directions to refer same to a medical referee under s,34 (2) (1) of the workmen’s Compensation Ordinance , Cap. 111 and, on receipt of the certificate of the said medical referee, to determine and adjudicate on the matter according to law. Appeal allowed.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

V

#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Dance as an Act of Translation AS this year’s International Writing Programme begins to count down the days to the end of its Fall Residency, I find myself more tired than ever before. I rush to be a part of everything: readings, panel-discussions, class sessions, parties, performances, café chats, etc. I find myself doing this, despite being tired, because I know that I will miss all of it when it is gone.

‘Have I fallen in love with the United States?’ is what I ask myself constantly.

Like so many other Guyanese people (I will be visiting “Little Guyana” when I get to New York in a few days), have I been seduced by America as well, even after a long time of trying to be the exception to that by [ignorantly] protesting that I never would be taken in by the country? The truth is that even though I am aware that my limited time here is not reflective of the experiences in the daily lives of the typical American, I still have lost myself to this place. No, I have not been taken in only by the beautiful buildings or the many shades of red that the autumn brings with it. It is certainly not the food that makes me like the place so much. Nor is it the prospect of indulging in that fanciful and ambiguous myth of “an easier life” that people say one can find in the USA. I do think I enjoy being here because of the amazing people I have met, and because of the overwhelming response people have towards literature and the arts in general. There is a level of respect, genuine appreciation, and a commitment to the development of the arts that is truly mindboggling to me.

Recently I went to an event called “Moving Words – Dance Artists and Writers in Collaboration” that got me thinking even more about art and the way it is shaped and accepted in the USA. As the title of the performance indicates, dancers and choreographers used pieces of literature – poetry and short stories – to inspire dance performances which were performed to a packed house.

This performance made quite an impression on me and it was quite interesting because I had never really contemplated the merging of dance and literature, nor had I ever really thought that, beyond my own use of dance in staging my plays, that there could be a true artistic connection between dance and literature – where one is not only able to inspire the other, but the two forms merge in such a way that the themes and ideas in the literature can become even more emphasised or highlighted. Watching the dancers perform at “Moving Words”, I quickly realised that dance, relying on the body and sound as the main modes of expression, was an ideal method for bringing literature that was written in a foreign language to an audience.

The language of the body and music itself are universal. If a piece written in Korean, Arabic, or Italian is danced to an English-speaking audience, then the chances of

A Scene from “Moving Words” with dancers from the University of Iowa’s Department of Dance ( Fatena Al Ghorra photo)

them being understood are obviously much higher than attempting to read the piece to the audience in the original language the work was written in.

DANCE IS AN ACT OF TRANSLATION. Of course, dance has always been an important part of the Guyanese stage and while many groups aim towards the entertainment aspect of dance, there are several instances that come to mind (particularly when one thinks of (Kreative Arts and the National Dance Company of Guyana) where interpretation and translation [of stories and ideas] successfully merge with entertainment.

I do wish that more dancers in Guyana were able to occupy that space of fusion that can exist when dance and literature come together. The opportunity for experimentation, for creating new and innovative forms of dance, for giving new life to old literature, for bringing Guyanese literature to new audiences, and to continue to be on the cutting edge, to continue pushing the boundaries, of what is happening on the global stage.

Sometimes, we do get instances where dance meets literature – as seen in the occasional spoken word performance that is accompanied by dance. But even this, sometimes, is not taken seriously because spoken word poetry often falls into the category of “entertainment” only rather than “literary education/entertainment.” This is unfortunate because there is so much that can be accomplished by bringing the two forms together; and I’m not even talking about using the rhythms and musical qualities of certain forms of literature, such as poetry, as fuel for the performative and physical aspects of dance – though that is certainly important.

I am very concerned with an approach to dance that totally embraces the “literariness” of what has been written. How does one reflect a metaphor or symbol from a poem in dance? How does a dancer use his/her body to convey the overall mood (tragic or comic, desperate or free, etc.) of a story in a dance performance? How can a group of dancers

tell the story through their formations? How are literary themes and ideas transmitted through dance to an audience?

Sure, it is one thing for dancers and choreographers to create a concept and story and then use dance to tell that story, but much more difficult, and more

interesting, at least to me, is translating an existing, written piece of literature, whether new or canonical, through dance.

Can Martin Carter’s “This is the Dark Time My Love” be danced in such a way that what is written in the poem can be captured in the performance? Can Wilson Harris’ stories be danced as a form of telling those stories? Can the symbol of the peacock in `Palace of the Peacock’ be represented in dance in such a way that everything the image symbolises becomes clear to the audience? Can dance capture the very essence of a piece of literary work? The answer to all of these questions is “yes.” All of it is possible, but they become impossible without people who try, without people who are willing to invest the time and resources, without people who can teach and train, without people who are willing to go all the way, and without an audience willing to appreciate all the forms of art that Guyanese artists, including dancers, are constantly offering to them.

VI

I’ll rise again

Falling into drug addiction, but getting back up

By Shirley Thomas DICK was just 16 years old when he had his first exposure to drugs – an experience he said he will eternally regret.

He recalls it was right after Summer and he had just returned to his home in Brooklyn, New York, after spending the holidays with his aunt in Queens.

Right out of having completed his first Summer job, he claims, he was walking down the road, thinking of how good it is to be earning your own money and contemplating his next move after finishing school.

It was then that he ran into an ‘associate’ from his school. They had a brief exchange and the other guy told him that he was not returning to school.

Dick shared with him his thoughts about looking for a job. Just at that point, they were approached by a grown man. They stopped and the two made eye contact, whereupon, the lad reached into his crotch. “He pulled out a bag and handed two tiny packets over to the older guy, but he had a whole lot more. The man paid him $10 and walked away,” Dick recalled.

Dick said that from his associate’s body language, he could tell that the two were up to some-

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

thing illegal.Then Dick’s friend pushed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a wad of money, ensuring that Dick saw it.

“Immediately, I said this was not right, but then again, it was like all these thoughts coming to my head - that I could make so much money; I could buy a house and do all these things before age catch up with me, but I never thought about the consequences,” the man admitted. What he did not know was that this guy (his friend) used to smoke the ‘stuff’ as well.

“A couple days later, I hooked up with the ‘big guy’ and I began selling narcotics,” Dick admitted.

Then one day Dick saw his friend rolling his ‘stuff’ up in the marijuana joint. “Shocked, I said to myself: ‘You mean you putting that stuff in the joint? I don’t smoke that stuff’’.” However, he did not say anything to him, for fear his friend would feel that Dick was snobbish.

Then he said he thought that if it was something harmful (to his health) his friend would not have been doing it.

INSTANTLY HOOKED “But nevertheless, I tried it. And after I tried this stuff, it was like a ‘peace’ came over me … a joyful feeling and from that moment, it was difficult for me to turn back. My life changed and I just kept going back for more,” he related with a somber look as he re-examined the stark vicissitudes of his life.

“By using this stuff, it really destroyed my life. School wasn’t important anymore. I used to be a well- dressed decent guy. That started changing. I start getting deeper into the stuff and eventually it overpowered me. I couldn’t keep a job.

“When I became of age and had a relationship, I made a mess of it. Eventually, I stopped going home. As a result of that, I got children who were born in the United States, but because of my addiction, we can’t be together and now I can’t even see them. By then, I had this compulsion for drugs. My life was hooked on drugs,” Dick said.

ABANDONMENT Later, Dick’s son was born and, with drugs being his priority, he felt that this development pressured him. “I left him and his mother and went away and looked for drugs, hoping it would bring me comfort.That was when it seemed like I was heading over the abyss and that there appeared to be no turning back. I was even deported,” he said.

“But what was even more devastating was that because I was not the father I should have been, and was not around to instill moral values in my son, …I was not there to tell him ‘Don’t do drugs!’. Instead, he followed the wrong path.

“And so, I must painfully admit that today, he’s 24 and in jail for doing drugs. Then I ask myself, ‘Why did I walk away from such a good family?’ You see, my son’s mother, she is a very nice person and I couldn’t appreciate that because of the state I was in. Now I want desperately to see my son, but that is not possible,” Dick said.

RETURN, REHABILITATION Since being in Guyana, he had attempted breaking off the habit but fell back into it. Then he heard about the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme and how it has changed people’s lives, bringing them new hope and helping them lead positive and productive lives.

“At that moment, I knew that I wanted to be a part of that programme more than anything else.

Now here I am, starting all over again. I am awake because when I look back, I ask myself what the heck I really was thinking. I should have been there for my son. Now he is in prison,” Dick said.

Dick has purposed in his heart to put his best foot forward. To do all that is expected of him co-operate, obey the system and be a shining example to younger clients on the programme. He has purposed in his heart that he will not relapse again and that he will continue the programme to the end and come out with flying colours.

“So here am I, trying to start all over again. I am grateful to the Salvation Army, the Major because he thought me different. When I first came here, I was praying that things go well with me. But instead of relying on my own strength, I learned that I can pray. There is a God. He loves me and I pray every morning when I get up, something I never used to do. When someone reaches out to me, I am thankful,” Dick said gratefully.

He said he entered training in March 2017 and has completed the six months ‘In-House Treatment’ and is now in the ‘Half Way House’ – the second phase of the programme and has never had any problems with clients nor the administration and its sweeter and sweeter every day.

“When I came here, I was meagre looking. I couldn’t look at you in your face. Now I feel different...When a new client comes in, we really wonder: ‘How did he get started?’ And we really reach out to them. I really thought in the past that getting high and taking these short cuts and so forth in life was cool. What I’ve come to realise, is that when I cut short from doing something constructive and positive in society, someone else got to pay for that. I would have shortened something from somebody else and that is not right. So I am grateful for what I have learned here and I feel stronger.” Dick said he is also disposed to sharing with others, what he has learned.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page II

the visitors and on looking up, the grand, elegant, white marble structure was visible in all its glory in the brilliant sunny afternoon.

The building is an architectural wonder.

The Taj Mahal has a rhythmic combination of solids and voids, concave and convex and light shadow; such as arches and domes which increases its aesthetic aspect, as was very early noted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The colour combination of the lush green scape reddish pathway and blue sky over it showcases the monument in ever-changing tints and moods. The relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi-precious stones makes it a monument apart.

AWESTRUCK The thousands of visitors inside the square took family pictures and selfies while others

met the beautiful Arjumand Banu Begum, the granddaughter of a Persian noble, who was 14 at the time.

Since then, they were inseparable until death. The emperor’s love and admiration for his wife were so great that he conferred upon on her the title Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace).

Outside and aback the burial chamber, the holy Yamuna River flows with great life and the Agra Fort, the main residence of emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, was also noticeable.

In his latter days, karma was taking its course. Shah Jahan in his younger days had rebelled again his father and in old age, his third son Aurangzeb rebelled and overthrew him, ascending to the Peacock Throne.

In 1658, the great emperor was imprisoned in the Agra Fort reportedly in a white marble room which gave him full view of the splendid white Taj Mahal.

A section of the garden inside the area that houses the Taj Mahal

A mausoleum built next to the Taj Mahal

lined up patiently in the hot sun to get a tour of the building.

The tour was supervised by a guide and inside the Taj Mahal, soldiers kept a careful watch on the tourists. Tourists are banned from taking photographs or filming inside the beautiful mausoleum. The tour party was led to the chamber of the emperor and his beloved wife who were entombed next to each other.

Many gazed at the sight; others tried to take pictures of the intricately decorated marble tombs but a burly Sikh guard who seemed to appear from nowhere, yelled at the visitors to stop.

FAMILY HISTORY At 15, the young prince, son of Emperor Jahangir and grandson of Akbar the Great,

There, he remained for eight years until his death; his body was interred in the Taj Mahal, next to his beloved Mumtaz -- where they were united again -- this time in death.

The Taj Mahal is a celebration of love, and from a distance, it appears to be rising above the Yamuna River. Renowned Indian poet Rabindranauth Tagore describes it as “… a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.”

It was late in the afternoon when the tour was completed. The sky was beginning to darken and the sun was ready to retire on the horizon and say goodbye to us.

We said goodbye to the Taj Mahal and thank you to the Indian Government for making the journey possible and a memorable one.

One of the many buildings inside the Taj Mahal complex

VII

VIII

TOWARD the end of last week, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) took action to clear their Sophia property of squatters. Large numbers of these squatters had taken up residence on the Reserve which had been set aside in the original land surveys to accommodate drainage and services such as water and electricity supply.

The presence of squatters on the Reserve impeded the CH&PA from developing the district in an orderly fashion, to have it drained and to allow for electricity and water services to be supplied. Squatting was responsible for parts of the areas to be overgrown with high bush.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Exorcising the culture of squatting from Guyanese society

Squatting, therefore, created an ambience of disorderliness which negatively affected the health of the community and the general quality of life. Squatting is an illegal activity and provides a platform on which criminality of various kinds, including drug vending and usage, could flourish. It also breeds a mentality of violence where squatters are quick to threaten or attack others with cutlasses and other weapons.

From the media reports on the Sophia squatters, it could be gleaned that many of them have house lots or houses which they rent out. Several members of the same family stakeout house lots which they expect to sell later. Squatters of this kind are in

it for economic gain. Others believe that if they squat on Government land, the authorities would quickly find them a house lot and give them material help in building a house. In this way, they would be better off than those who try to acquire their own house lots and build their houses by their own sacrifice. Granting such facilities to squatters stimulates the growth of squatting.

The Guyana Chronicle reported on Tuesday last (17/10/17) that several Sophia squatters were now willing to purchase their own house lots and build their houses. If these squatters were able to acquire their own properties in the first place, then it is quite likely that they took to squatting to acquire a house lot without paying anything.

Squatters, not only in Sophia but everywhere in Guyana seem to be under the impression that they could occupy with impunity Government’s or private land. They feel they have a right to squat and if any attempt is made to remove them, they turn to violence as had happened in Bed `B’ in Sophia. If they are ejected, they organise street demonstrations to embarrass the Government and the Ministry of Housing.

Squatting, as a culture, made its appearance during the political disturbances in the 1960’s and continued after Independence. It is widely believed that certain politicians condoned squatting. The culture of squatting is harmful to the development and progress of the Guyanese society and must be exorcised.

HOW COULD THIS BE DONE? In the first place, the public should be educated as to the illegality and unacceptability of squatting. It should be known that if squatters build houses and structures on someone else’s land the houses and structures belong to the landowner whenever he/she recovers his/her land. The media and school system could assist in such education.

Secondly, if the CH&PA and the various Local Authorities intend to take action to eject squatters, they must do so with resolution since if the squatters ever suspect that these authorities do not have the will to eject them, they will become more aggressive and recalcitrant. In the recent exercise in Sophia, the CH&PA personnel withdrew in the face of the threat of violence from Bed `B’ residents though they had Police protection. Dealing with Bed `B’ residents will be more difficult when CH&PA continues the clearing of the Reserve.

Whenever action against squatting commences, it should be pursued to finality for if there is a lull, that lull would often stretch into months and this will make the situation worse. For example, some time ago, the M&CC began clearing the Mandela Avenue Reserve of squatters and after a brisk much-publicised effort, they desisted. Now, many more squatters have come into the area and have built more permanent structures and have publicly said that M&CC could never displace them.

And lastly, wherever CH&PA and other authorities have land which could tempt squatters, they should employ rangers who would be able to warn off intended squatters and to inform the authorities so that they could invoke the help of the Police.

The Laws affecting Squatting need to be strengthened. A few years ago, the law was amended to make it impossible for anyone to have prescriptive rights against State Lands but no protection was accorded to private land which remained still subject to the 12-year occupancy rule. This was an unfortunate omission when the law was being amended.

The 12-year occupancy rule was adopted from English Legislation during the time when Sir Joseph Luckhoo was Chief Justice. England is a highly urbanised country and the 12-year rule used there was appropriate and served social interests. This contrasted with Guyana which was still a comparatively rural country and where the 12-year rule copied from England did not serve the social or economic interest of the country. Indeed, there was never any justification for the removal of the 33-year rule which had served the country well up to then. The abolition of the 12-year rule and the reinstatement of the 33-year rule has now become more urgent owing to the heavy emigration which has overtaken Guyanese society. When people emigrate, they often leave relatives or close friends to have surveillance over their property but these soon themselves emigrate or become old and disabled without the owners’ knowledge. When the owners become aware of the situation and appoint someone else, it is often too late since the property would have claimed by prescriptive rights.

The abolition of the 12-year rule and the restoration of the 33-year rule to acquire prescriptive title to private property would be one of the greatest forces exorcising the rampant squatting affecting Guyanese Society.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

IX

Kollis Smith and the Russian experience

From small town boy to trained Geologist

By Svetlana Marshall “I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted to become, I was thinking about Geology, but still wasn’t sure.

What I was very sure about was what I didn’t want to become. I didn’t want to live an ordinary life, I didn’t want to just exist, I didn’t want to be what I would call a ‘wondering generality’, but rather a ‘meaningful specific’ in life,” 27-year-old Kollis Smith said as he sat down for an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

For a moment, he thought about becoming a geologist, but his hopes of securing a scholarship from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) came crashing down when his application was rejected, but as Alexander Graham Bell once said, “when one door closes, another opens.”

It was not long after that Kollis, a village boy from the Upper Demerara-Berbice District, managed to secure a scholarship to study Geology in Russia from RUSAL Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI).

Six years after, Kollis has returned to his homeland with a mission to help children realise their dreams despite how “crazy” or “unrealistic” they may seem.

WHO IS KOLLIS SMITH? But who is Kollis Smith? For starters, he was delivered in the Kwakwani Public Hospital in Region 10( Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), to Neomi Smith, a retired headteacher, and Terrence Smith, a logger, and the fourth of six children. But he actually grew up in a small community of about 12 families called Maria Henrietta.

“I attended Maria Henrietta’s Primary. It was a school of 22 students at the time I attended. My class

Kollis Smith and his colleagues representing Guyana at the Caribbean Food Festival in Russia

ident’s College, but unfortunately, he did not acquire sufficient marks to go to the prestigious educational institution. “But I did get enough marks to attend MHS [Mackenzie High School] by gaining the exact marks (463) for the year 2002.”

His acceptance to Mackenzie High School meant that he had to part from his family and friends to attend school in the mining town of Linden. His parents, at the time, had decided to relocate to Aroaima – a bauxite mining community located further up the Berbice River, in the said district.

“Moving away from my family was extremely difficult for me emotionally, and I cried a lot. Eventually, I got used to living away, but the larger challenge for me was coping in an environment of which I was not socially equipped to handle. I felt more or less a bit of an outcast,” Kollis said.

His inability to cope caused him to repeat Second Form and was on the verge of being “kicked out of high school” when he decided to be transferred to the Kwakwani Secondary School.

His mother initially objected but respected his decision in the end. For Kollis, that period of transition was a defining period, and he had come to the realisation that there was no need for him to limit himself.

“I spent about 18 months at Kwakwani Secondary, where I was among the top students in my class. I then told my mom that I wanted to go back to MHS. At that time I was supposed to enter Fourth Form, but Miss McDonald (HM), said I had to repeat Third Form because of the difference in standards of the two schools. In that moment I had to choose whether to stay in a higher school in a lower form or go back to a lower school and be in a higher form. With an eye on the future I chose to go back to Third Form,” he explained.

CSEC In 2009 when Kollis wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination, he secured passes in all eight subjects, gaining three Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and two Grade Threes.

It was at this stage; Kollis was not too sure which career path to take. Eventually, he decided that he A humble Kollis Smith, receiving his certificate on graduation day after studying in Russia for wanted to become a geologist. “Around that same time, six years. He is now a Specialist in Geological I started working with RUSAL, BCGI, as a warehouse Engineering distribution clerk. I didn’t plan to stay there permanently. had only three students. The social status of our school So I decided to apply to Guyana Geology and Mines was that of which everyone went to school barefoot- Commission (GGMC) for a scholarship, fortunately or unfored.... At times I went to school by foot, other times by tunately, I was turned down,” he recalled. canoe,” Kollis said, as he was walked down memory A few weeks later, his supervisor, Ms. Arleen Hunter, lane. brought his attention to a notice published by RUSAL. The Attributing the “bulk” of his educational success bauxite company was awarding scholarships to five ‘children to his mom, Kollis recalled that six months before of workers’ attached to RUSAL. the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE) “Unfortunately I was not a ‘child of a worker, since none commonly called “Common Entrance” his mother took of my parents were employed with the company,” he said. But him under her wings. despite this requirement, it did not deter him. Kollis submitted “She had a vision for me of which I couldn’t see,” his application with the belief that he was going to get through he posited, while reflecting on the many days he had one way or another. “People were saying that there was no little choice than to sacrifice his play time to study. way I would be applicable for the scholarship, yet I kept the “Honestly it was the worst experience of my life. faith,” he said.

I thought she was punishing me unnecessarily. One With the help of RUSAL workers like Motilal Ramjag, Friday afternoon she had me studying at the school Arline Hunter, and the Russian personnel officer, Elena Gorshwindow. As was the custom, Fridays were ‘games kova, Kollis’ new found dream of studying was made a reality. day’. So I sat there with my books in front of me, my From a batch of about 35 candidates, Kollis was among the mom on my back and tears in my eyes,” he said. five selected to study geological engineering at the People’s It was his mother’s desire for him to attend PresTurn to page XXII ►►►

X

Kathleen Headley makes it to

By Shirley Thomas

At left is Deacon Vanda Farley of Smith Memorial Church, and at extreme right is, Asst. Pastor Eunice Alleyne, seated next to Nen

ON Sunday last, Mrs. Kathleen Headley nee Norton, familiarly called ‘Nen’ of 34 Norton Street, Work-en-Rust, turned a proud 103 and spent the day in praise and thanksgiving for spared life and for God’s continued mercies.

Winsome and dandily dressed, she was the center of attraction at a Thanksgiving Service at her home where she was literally encircled by relatives, friends and members of her place of worship - Smith Memorial Church. Also with the gathering was her cousin, Pastor Timothy and members of his congregation - God’s Cathedral of Praise of Lamaha Park. They all entreated God’s blessings upon her and joined in showering her with gifts and cards. She was also presented with a beautiful birthday cake and observed the traditional cake sticking.

Nen was born on October 15, 1914 to Lionel Theophalus Norton, a farmer and Rebecca Elizabeth Arthur, a housewife, of New Supply on the Eastern Bank of the Demerara River. She is the first of six siblings.

Even after reaching 100, Nen continued

103

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

to be very active. But on this occasion, she woke up complaining of a `head swing’ and as a result was unable to attend church as planned. This gave the family cause for some concern since she’s always active, full of verve and dubbed by most to be ‘Fit-as-a-Fiddle.’ However, by midday she was much better and busy answering phone calls - both local and overseas.

A housekeeper for the greater part of her life, Nen, had at the age of 21, served a period of attachment at the Guyana Pegasus in the housekeeping department.

Nen has never had children of her own, but knows the joys of caring and providing for children, having fostered many of them.

Of affable disposition, loving, caring and compassionate, she is all you could ask for in a mother.

It was when she was at the prime age of 21 that she met the man of her dreams, and they got married on December 11, 1940, after an exciting five-year period of courtship. It was also, the first of the two times she walked up the aisle to seal the `I do’ vow.

Having gotten married just before Christmas, Nen still has vivid memories of shopping for the festive season - sewing curtains for the home; cooking the traditional Christmas pepper pot; cow heel soup; baking black cake, and brewing Nen sticks her birthday cake assisted by a cousin, Eunice Alleyne, as Deacon Chalmers-King of her favourite mauby, sorSmith Memorial Church looks on rel drink and ginger beer.

CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH Boasting a clean bill of health, she is free of such chronic diseases as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis and heart complications.

Her ability to read even fine prints with the aid of her spectacles is incredible. On her special occasion, she was able to read the greetings on every card she received on that day. Her hearing is also good and she has a good appetite. She moves about the home unattended and insists on doing her own laundry, even though she has a caregiver.

Nen places a high premium on eating right and credits her long life, essentially to her good diet: A good diet she says, is rich in fruits and vegetables; whole grains and legumes and not loaded with salt, sugar, transfats, refined cereals and processed foods.

For breakfast, she opts to use a slice of bread with butter, two spoons of raw oats (no sugar), an orange and a glass of water.

For lunch, her favourite dish is metemgee, along with a serving of fish, carrots and peas which are paired with lots of water of course.

She is doing fairly well - physically and mentally, her caregiver says, and has an equally prodigious memory. Without flinching, she would rattle off the names and dates of birth of her five siblings, all of whom except for her youngest sister, Lynette Francis, who resides between Barbados and England, have all passed on.

Nen, who has become well known and equally respected in her community, continues to age gracefully, not for one moment looking 103. She is intelligent, alert, active and very vocal. Her mental faculties are perfect and she possesses amazing critical thinking skills.

Twice married, she outlived both husbands: James Ford, whom she married in 1940, and Alban Headley, to whom she tied the knot in 1955. Her second marriage lasted for 40 years.

CHICKEN- FOUR CENTS PER POUND Browsing down memory lane, she’d often marvel at the astronomical cost of food items today, compared to her time. She would smilingly recall just how much her princely pay packet of $30 per month could have bought. “In those days, that money could have bought plenty things, and I still had enough to ‘throw box’,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine.

“Oranges were five for eight cents; condensed milk – five tins for 40 cents; chicken, four cents per pound; five eggs for eight cents and rice was 16 cents for one gallon,” she mused with a chuckle.

Nen loved cooking and made a Sunday feast of peas or barley soup, with ‘loud cow heel.’ She also loved cooking what was called ‘resource’ (dhal and rice with mince balls) which she regularly prepared, much to the delight of her husband and adopted children.

The couple lived happily until her husband’s passing in the mid-1940s. Following his death, she remarried in 1955 to Alban Headley who initially worked at Gun Fernandes Betting House. Life began blooming once more, and they lived a wonderful life until the destruction of their home at Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust , by fire in 1992.

But through it all, Kathleen remained trusting and demonstrated strong faith in God, as her deliverer and the source of her supply. Being a prudent and industrious woman, she had savings with the New Buildings Society and was a member of a self-help group. Hence she was able to acquire a new home after their home was destroyed by fire.

Within six months their dream was realised and they became the proud owners of a new home, built on the same Norton Street, Werk-en-Rust site , which they enjoyed for the remainder of their marriage, until Alban’s death in August 1995.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XI

Self-Esteem and Mental Health THIS week I would like to talk about self-esteem and how it relates to our overall mental health and wellbeing.

I don’t think much attention is paid to self-esteem itself but rather what it causes. For example, people may be receiving help for their depression and anxiety without even knowing the cause of it in the first place- which very often is a lack of self-esteem.

They are treating the symptoms but not the cause.

Even worse, there is no medication that one can take to increase their self-esteem- it must be done through counselling and practising new behavioural techniques.

I want to start out by acknowledging the difference between self- esteem and self-confidence.

Self-esteem refers to how we feel about ourselves. Do we like, care, value or respect ourselves? What is the overall view of ourselves? Is it positive or negative?

Self-confidence refers to how we feel about our abilities. How do we think we can handle a particular situation? Can we do anything well or right?

You can have one without the other as they actually have little influence on each other. Someone can have very high self-confidence but very low self-esteem and vice versa. Obvious examples of this would be celebrities that perform in front of millions of people but use a lot of drugs or do so many inappropriate things. They definitely have high self-confidence but low self-esteem. It is much easier to develop and build self-confidence which is why I would like to focus on self-esteem.

When one has high self-esteem, they not only like themselves but care, respect and value themselves. They like themselves just as they are without making huge efforts to change who they are. They do not associate their happiness to any external factors such as money, houses, new phones etc. They have healthy coping skills to deal with their stress and most importantly setbacks and hardships do not diminish them; they are resilient and forgiving to themselves and others.

Low self-esteem is not a mental illness in itself but it should be. When one has low self-esteem, they dislike or even hate themselves. Feeling not good enough or sometimes even worthless, it is difficult to make decisions (as questioning yourself is common), blame yourself for all your setbacks and believe no one likes you (simply because you don’t like yourself). These people are unable to recognise their strengths, focusing only on their negatives while constantly thinking or saying self-deprecating things. They compare themselves to others often, always believing they are lower than others.

It goes without saying that they often feel sad, irritated and angry. Low self-esteem can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Worst of all (I think), it leads to a life of mediocrity. Imagine all the things we have missed out on simply because we thought we couldn’t do it or we were feeling badly about ourselves.

The bottom line is if you feel a certain way about yourself, you believe that is how the whole world sees you and nothing could be further from the truth.

WHAT CAN CAUSE LOW SELF-ESTEEM? A wide range of biological, environmental or situational factors can cause low self-esteem. A person with mental illness in their family (especially if it is passed on) has high chances of developing low self-esteem. Growing up in an abusive household, seeing the use of or personally using drugs/ alcohol, having low grades or unemployment, having a physical illness or just ongoing stress can all cause low self-esteem.

I believe one of (if not the biggest) reason for low self-esteem is social media. I think it is one of the biggest issues within our generation. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything wrong with having a social media account (I do)

but there is if you don’t take the benefits out of it but rather only the negatives. Social media causes self-comparison, jealousy, envy and extreme and unprompted mood swings. It makes many people feel as though they aren’t pretty enough or rich enough or not travelling enough and millions of other self-deprecating things. On social media, we see everyone having good days and doing fun things, assuming that we may be the only ones struggling that day or any day. Again, incorrect.

HOW CAN WE INCREASE OUR SELF-ESTEEM? The first thing you need to know is what makes you feel good in the first place. The quickest way to find out is to ask yourself what compliment you would like to hear the most. Is it that you are smart, pretty, a good person? When you figure that out- then you know which area of your life you need to more focus on.

Body image is highly associated with self-esteem and a negative body image is the biggest cause of low self-esteem. It is important to remember that self-esteem starts in the mind and not in the mirror. Having a healthy body image doesn’t mean that we love everything about ourselves, it means we accept what we look like without doing anything drastic to change the way we look to suit how we think we should look or worse- how others make us feel we should look. It means that we recognise our individual strengths far beyond our height, weight, skin colour and size or nose, eyes etc. If you don’t like the way you look, it is going to be much harder to like anything else about you.

How to start liking yourself more? Take basic care of yourself- eat, sleep and exercise right. It makes a huge difference in how you feel.

Avoid negative self-talk. For most of us, no one can be meaner to us than we are to ourselves which is a real shame. The rule of thumb is – if you wouldn’t say it to anyone else, do not say it to yourself.

Set realistic goals for yourself. I often see people set unrealistic goals and feel like failures when they cannot accomplish them. If you have big goals, that is fantastic but do it in baby steps- give yourself a realistic time frame to get it done.

Focus on your positives and reward yourself for them.

You did a good job at work? Did you get an A in school? Did

you clean your entire house today? These are things you should feel good about. Celebrate any and every success.

Everyone who reads my columns knows how much I like writing lists so make a list of everything you like about yourself. Add in something new every day.

Do things you enjoy doing and spend more time with people who make you feel good about yourself.

Do not compare yourself to anyone. You are separate from your thoughts of other people. Also, there will always be someone better and worse off than you.

Most importantly, forget what people think. This is the fastest way of being self-conscious and unhappy. Not everyone is going to think nice things about you. Most people don’t even think nice things about themselves- hence why I’m even writing this piece.

Keep in mind that even if you do everything that I recommend, you still won’t feel happy all the time and that is fine- no one does. Embrace your bad days when you have them. Don’t beat yourself up over

them.

I have come to understand that in life, we don’t get what we want. We get what we think we deserve so believe that you deserve all the good in the world.

Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also please remember when you can come see me.

Georgetown Public Hospital: Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs -12:00hrs Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays

16:00hrs Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 16:00hrs Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

#SupportCreativity

Carving out his niche

Wilkie George and his passion for sculpture LIKE most persons coming out of secondary school, Wilkie George had a very limited perception of what fine art entailed. He never imagined the range of courses he would be exposed to at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art and the wealth of knowledge he stood to gain in the process. This perception, which reflects less on him as an individual but rather more on how art is being taught at the secondary level, resulted in a kind of shock as he prepared himself to work through the school’s two-year certificate program.

“I did cartoon drawings at the primary level. Then at

the secondary level, I learned a bit more about art. I did art from form three and continued until I found an art teacher in form four where I learned the basics. Although I did art for CXC I didn’t know about the art school. It was my art teacher, Godfrey Alexander, who told me that there’s an art school in Georgetown,” George said. “My experience at the art school was great! I learned a lot about art. At first, I thought art was about just drawing and graphics alone but when I got to the art school I did everything including drawing, graphics, photography, sculpture, leather, basic design, textiles, painting, colour theory and more. It was a great experience doing all of those subjects because I learned a lot.”

George, who chose to specialise in the areas of sculpture and leather, recalled making small objects as a young boy, completely unaware that he was in fact sculpting.

This natural inclination to carve and his deep love for the Rupununi inspired him to combine the two in a way that not only complement each other but also encourage viewers to observe the materials and techniques used to make the objects while recognising the beauty of our local interior landscape that influenced the production of those sculptural pieces.

The decision to develop this particular body of work under a nature theme was driven by his desire to showcase the beauty of the Ru-

Wilkie George

pununi, which according to him, more persons are discovering and rediscovering in some cases. With the boom in tour packages making those interior locations more accessible to tourists, George explained that there has been a significant increase in visitors to the area, with most persons going to fish or look for crabs etc. He admitted that although he too is an avid hunter and fisher, those activities were curtailed whenever he was in town, as he didn’t have access to any areas that allowed such. Nevertheless, he remained hopeful

that they would resume once he returned home.

As in the case of most of his art school colleagues, George had a few words of wisdom to share with persons considering joining the art school.

“I would say to keep focused. Art seems easy but it’s not easy. It’s a lot of time, patience and money. Many students come to the art school and don’t make it. But it’s about trying again and not giving up. If you do something and it’s not good, do it over.

That’s what I learned.”

When asked about his plans for the future he admitted that his first impulse is to go back to the Rupununi to continue producing art and various craft items. With the knowledge he gained during the two years spent training as an art professional, he hopes to start teaching art at the secondary level in the Rupununi. At the core of his practice is the desire to share with others all of the lessons he would have learned and would have been fortunate enough to overcome along his creative journey.

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

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XIII

Latecia Frank

W o m e n i n A g r i c u l t u r e P a r t T h r e e

ONE hundred years ago, the things that women were allowed to do were very limited. They were not allowed to vote, own their own homes, have their own credit cards or work while pregnant.

Their scope of jobs included simply housewives and teachers!

They never held positions of what the men considered important. Now, their roles have changed tremendously and they are making a significant impact in society simply due to the fact that they are educating themselves and are now concerned with how they can improve Frank during a the world around them.

In highlighting how the roles of women have changed in the agriculture sector—an area that was mostly populated by men, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is recognising its Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Latecia Frank in this week’s column.

Frank is an economist who started working with NAREI in 2016 after graduating with her Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. She completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics at the University of Guyana.

At NAREI, Frank is tasked with recording the various projects the institute is involved in and detailing the areas in which it (NAREI) would have excelled or whether any improvements are needed.

“By its very nature my job entails a lot of data collection and analyses which form the basis for recommendations on the allocation of the Institute’s resources,”

– The economist who swaps heels and long boots

to work with NAREI because food is one commodity that is a necessity to all living being.

“I think it is even more important now for those of us who chose agriculture, continue to choose it even as Guyana discovered oil. I see the oil as a catalyst to the growth and

a pair of each in the office because the job is as such that it requires both infield execution and verification likewise some days in the office.”

As an economist, Frank said she was taught to maximise the use of limited resources. “My academic training in economics and experience as a Monitoring and Evaluation officer helps to bring together the bigger picture of resource allocation and this result in evaluation at the institutional (micro) level.”

Her theoretical knowledge and experience at NAREI contribute to the improvement of farmers’ lives and the continuous process of economic development in Guyana.

field visit Frank said.

She explained that the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit is akin to the Finance and Human Resource Departments since it entails interaction with all the Units and Departments of NAREI in all 10 Administrative Regions.

The unit was established to streamline all efforts of the Research and Extension functions of the agency to ensure that work programmes and projects are drafted and executed in accordance with NAREI’s overall mandate and strategic objectives.

“This means that as the Monitoring and Evaluation officer, I need to ensure as far as practicable that the proposed deliverables and/or results are attained in line with the allocated resources. In some cases given whatever constraint may arise, I would flag areas of poor execution and suggest avenues for intervention,” Frank said.

The 29-year-old, who always had a liking for economic growth and development by way of agriculture, said that she chose

innovation in the agricultural sector. I am enthused by what the future of Agriculture in Guyana holds and I choose to stay in the sector and help in the realisation of this future,” Latecia said.

She noted that one of the peculiar pleasures of her job is the choice she has between long boots and heels. “I keep

The economist posing for a picture

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

‘Farming is no bluff’

Dextor Southwell and his newfound love

By Wendella Davidson AT 33, Dextor Earl Southwell, a former policeman and private sector employee, has already envisioned himself being a well-established farmer, in terms of the production of regular cash crops and value-added products, in another five years.

A resident of Sandvoort Village, West Canje, Berbice, Dextor says he works in collaboration with an uncle, and together they are currently cultivating approximately 60 percent of a 90-acres of leased land in the Sandvoort backlands, with a diverse array of cash crops, inclusive of calaloo, corn, ochroes, watermelons, along with a variety of peppers.

In addition, they are into aquatics the rearing of the `hassar’ fish in commercial quantities, the rearing of poultry, and the production of virgin coconut oil and honey. Of the latter, to date, they have on hand 12 hives with the Africanised bees

Young farmer Dextor Southwell uses one of his equipment to aid him in the land preparation process

and they have plans to expand to about 100 by next year. Dextor explained too, that of the portion of land currently being used, one section is for the planting of grass for grazing several cows and sheep they have on hand.

The young farmer said he has also been successful in the production of eggs from the rearing of quail birds that are imported from the United States and Canada. The eggs, he added, he retails to shops and supermarkets in his community and some of eggs are Dextor attends to some plant seedlings

also available in supermarkets in the city.

Dextor, in a telephone interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, disclosed that he acquired his formative education at the Sandvoort Primary School before moving on to the Berbice High School, where he gained Dextor hard at work tilling the land using a tractor

five subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination.

Born as the second of six children (five boys and one girl) to Jerrick and Yonette Southwell, the young man said he landed his first job as a policeman and remained in the force for five years before calling it quits. He subsequently joined the staff of Fix-It Hardware, Black & Decker which initially had a business in Barrack Street, Kingston and has now expanded to Main Street. Dextor said he left that place of employment in July 2015 as an Inventory Manager and has since been self-employed.

He added that he has no regrets whatsoever about his decision to venture into agriculture, as according to him, the field activity has helped him to build his self-esteem while the farm has afforded him his independence.

He reasoned that “as long as you work a regular job, be it in the public or private sector, it is either you leave the job or the job leaves you.”

He stated too that for various reasons `the bossman’ can come up with reasons to terminate your services, be it for downsizing purposes or because the business is not making enough profit.

“On the other hand when you work for yourself, there’s no one to tell you you’re fired, so you have to be motivated and always be eager to build on what you have,” Turn to page XX ►►►

folklore PRETEND MOON GAZER Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XV

By Neil Primus

I know about pretend in order to frighten someone. Keith and Jenny once used that tactic to scare Uncle Compton.

You see, Uncle Compton loved to frighten other people. One evening, when everybody was sitting on the stairs talking about old times, out of nowhere suddenly, there was chaos.

“Whooooooaaah!”

The horrible sound was coming from the dark backyard.

Everybody scattered screaming for 'Jumbie'. It was only when he started to laugh uncontrollably that everyone realised that Compton was up to his usual pranks.

Well, Jenny and Keith decided to get some revenge. They hid in the back of the school yard late one night knowing that Compton must cross that yard and make his way into his own yard. They were both armed with white sheets and had practiced weird frightening noises all day. Late that night Compton came sauntering into the yard. He had a few beers under his belt but was far from drunk. As he headed for the house, two white objects floated toward him from the back of the yard.

“Yeeooow!”

“Bhoooooaah!”

Compton dropped the grocery, his transistor radio and his shoes and sped away bawling like a child. He forgot home and exited the front via a high jump over the locked front gate. He disappeared down the dark street waking the neighbourhood as he went.

I once heard about pretend Baccoo, just to get revenge on a nosy neighbour. This was a classic. Neighbour Beryl was a gossip. She was always minding other people’s business. Once she snitched on Balram when the boy stole a chicken to make a bush cook with his friends. His father rained fire on his butt with a whip cut from a tamarind tree. Ever since then poor Beryl had problems with Baccoo. A few broken windows, bricks on her roof at night, garbage spilled all over the front of her yard and even hit her as well; these were some of the trials she faced.

She never saw anyone and came to the conclusion that the neighbourhood was being attacked by a baccoo. She spread this gossip thickly. This saved Balram because no one really looked into the source of her distress.

A man once tried to pretend to be Old Higue. That was a big mistake. He ended up with second-degree burns to a large portion of his body.

But in all my life I have never heard of anything about pretend Moon Gazer. As far as I am concerned that would be the most stupid, totally dotish thing anybody would attempt.

But what is stupid for everybody else made plenty of sense to Markie. Markie is a specialist. He specialises in doing absolutely nothing and being good at just that. He was an average student in school and never bothered to further his education after departing high school. As a matter of fact, he was eager for the days of school to end. Both his parents worked at the senior executive level so money was no problem. He made little effort to find a job. When his parents found jobs for him he would work until the first or second payday then quit. He became an alcoholic and wasted his life away.

This is how Markie got himself into a pickle. Late Friday night after a long drinking session he decided to go home. He staggered this way and that, nearly doubling the distance it normally takes him to reach home.

Some nights in similar states of inebriation, he made it home.

Other nights he made do with wherever he laid his drunken head.

Early mornings would often find him sleeping it off in the most unusual places; the cemetery, trench corner, road corner, under people’s bridge and even halfway up a 'plimpla' (thorn) tree. One of his most memorable feats was when he was found hanging by both armpits on neighbour Beryl’s clotheslines. That time he made the news. The paper's headline read “Markie’s Hangout”.

The picture in the papers showed him sound asleep and drooling.

On that memorable night, Markie wobbled and stumbled trying to stay on the shifting road. It was a full moon night and the street was shimmering in silver splendor. Shadows came to life and nocturnal creatures were in their true element. Markie negotiated the corner near the Silk Cotton Tree and walked right into trouble.

Like a Titan of long long ago, a gigantic creature was standing there. Its gaze was fixed on the moon and its legs straddled the road. A large cow walked leisurely home. It passed between

the feet of the monster.

“Crunch!”

The cow became instant cow paste as the legs of the giant came together like continental plates.

Markie was too drunk to attempt an escape. He decided to be creative. With the aid of fear and doltishness, his solution to the problem was to pretend to be a moon gazer. The truth was that his body froze in terror so he had little choice in the matter.

The terror-stricken drunk knew that his only chance of survival lay in being patient. He must wait until the moon goes down or a cloud cover the moonlight before making his move.

Unfortunately for him, it was a night of few clouds so there was still a lot of time to kill. Markie stood shakily still. He looked like

a miniature Moon Gazer under the influence. He gazed upwards and his heart sank. There was not a cloud to be seen. This was when Markie was sure that he might not make it home tonight.

He wished that he could be pretend Dry Bones. At least someone would rescue him and take him home with them.

“Hick!”

“Burp!”

Sway!

Blam!

Markie fell flat on his face. He took instant knock-out, and guess what happened next?

Well, that is another story. He! He! He! He!

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

The man behind the camera

Kawise Wishart, his work and his life

By Jamall Adams

KAWISE Wishart is a living example of a young man of many ambitions who is striving for greatness. This Linden native is doing it all; from being a full-time committed father and participating in charitable events, to capturing memorable and iconic moments of government officials on camera.

had instilled a certain life principle within me which I still live by today, which is to approach anything I’m doing with a 110 percent attitude, so if I were to ever fall short, I would always land at a 100 percent.” He added that another principle he still lives by today is one that his father had instilled in him about not allowing the sun to rise on you while you’re still asleep because that would mean you’re a lazy man.”

CHILDHOOD As a child, Kawise was raised in an extended family home, which was headed by his grandmother. “My grandmother was my greatest inspiration, she taught me so much about life and how to love and for the most part how to take on responsibilities,” Kawise told the Pepperpot Magazine. “Though my mother was always very supportive of me, my grandmother

SCHOOL DAYS Kawise attended Amelia’s Ward Primary School in Linden and was granted a place at Richard Ishmael Secondary School after writing Common Entrance. He would spend the next few years attending Richard Ishmael, where he began aspiring to become a detective, because of his love for his favourite TV show Law & Order. Sadly, those dreams changed

after Kawise transferred to the Business School and was introduced to computers. His interest grew more and more as he began exploring the functions and capabilities of the computer and he became more enthusiastic and would take the necessary steps to learning more about computers, to fulfill his curiosity.

After leaving the Business School, Kawise became a part of the President Youth Award Program (PYAP) and began shaping his future. “I had a few jobs after leaving school, I worked at an Internet cafe as an attendant, I did some construc- Kawise and his daughter tion work and lastly, I worked at the Georgetown Reading and Supervisor of the Camera Department, at the Research Centre (GRRC), but even though I Department of Public Information (DPI) forwas making a living, I knew in my heart those merly GINA. “I’m so happy I took my friend’s jobs were not what I was meant to be doing,” advice and applied for this job, which is more Kawise said. He added that it while he was than just a job to me now. I’ve always had a working at GRRC that he was approached by passion for computers and technology, and a unit leader of the PYAP - who also happened [working] within this field made that passion to be a close friend- about a job at the then a reality. I’ve learned how to properly shoot Government Information Agency (GINA). and edit pictures and videos; I’ve learned about “They thought that working in a career- based different software and how to utilise them for environment suited me, because of the quali- work and most importantly, I’ve been able ties I would have shown them, while I was a to pass on some of my knowledge to new employees, which is something I love doing,” part of PYAP,” Kawise said.

Kawise said. Today, Kawise has taken some of the most iconic and memorable photographs WORK Kawise began working at GINA as a of government officials, both from the present trainee cameraman in 2010. He is now the

Turn to page XXXVIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XVII

The state of theatre and culture in Guyana

By M Margaret Burke “HAVING been in theatre now just over 60 years, I remember the theatre of years ago – the Theatre Guild, in particular, where many of the Caribbean’s leading performers such as Wilbert Holder, Ken Corsbie, Clairmont Tait, and so many others got their start-Maggie Lawrence, myself - so many,” said Mr Ron Robinson.

The renowned local director and actor went on to say that as he looked back at Theatre Guild and theatre in those days, it certainly was of a very, very high standard and yet people were not paid like they are today, but the standards were very high, the dedication was there and certainly there was a theatre

Margaret Lawrence and Ron Robinson in 'Driving Miss Daisy'

Ron Robinson and Angela Rose in 'Same Time Next Year'

that could have gone anywhere in the world and was heralded or accepted. However, today the standards, in many respects, have dropped. He stated that some still try to maintain a standard, but unfortunately, what has also happened is the type of theatre; the type of play that we have today is one which attracts a particular audience and that is what is spilling theatre nowadays.

“So if you try to do like I tried to do two years ago at the drama festival with a terrific world-renowned South African plan, by the time the play was finished most of the audience had gotten up and walked out and that

Ron Robinson as Pa Ben in 'Old Story Time'

kind of theatre is suffering and producers are afraid to produce the strong, tried and proven, tested, good plays, because people are not going to come,” Ron said.

“Those who would appreciate it [theatre] have gotten so accustomed over the years to ‘slap-stick’, and theatre that is not quite of a standard that it was before. I am not saying all, there are some directors who are very, very good and produce very good work.

However, I am afraid I have to say that theatre today has lost some of its lustre and profesTurn to page XIX ►►►

XVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Resilience despite challenges in farming

By Gibron Rahim AGRICULTURE feeds the nation. The idea may seem simple but it also underscores how profoundly essential farmers are to a country’s well-being. In an increasingly industrialised world, the disconnect between farm and table becomes ever wider, meaning that the role these humble men and women play in our lives often goes unnoticed. Yet, in Guyana, our dedicated farmers continue to produce and nourish our country. Among these farmers is Mr. Jagdeo Badray.

The soil on the Pomeroon River’s banks is arguably amongst the most fertile in Guyana. It is there that Badray’s home and farm are located. Badray, known in the community as ‘Daado’, inherited the farm from his father. Indeed, farming

in the area tends to span generations with children working alongside their parents and then inheriting after their passing.

Badray told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been farming for a living since he was 18 years old. Now 55, his career in farming spans almost four decades.

Badray currently has 11 acres of farmland under cultivation. Among the crops cultivated are avocados, coffee, citrus fruits – tangerines, oranges and limes, coconuts and ground provisions such as plantains and cassava. He noted that avocados and coconuts are the farm’s biggest earners. The avocados, being a seasonal crop, are sold when they are in season. They are sold in Georgetown every year when their season comes around. On the other hand, the coconuts are harvested and sold every fortnight. The coconut harvest at that time can range from around five hundred coconuts to a thousand.

In addition to farming crops, Badray’s eldest son had at one time raised chickens for sale in the community. The young man no longer does so, though his father indicated that he might be considering a return to poultry farming for the Christmas season, a period when the demand for chicken is notably high.

Coffee cultivation was at one time Jagdeo ‘Daado’ Badray with widely practiced in some of his avocado trees the Pomeroon and (Photo credit: Ravi Badray) the neighbouring areas of Moruca and Wakapoa. However, Badrey acknowledged that there was difficulty finding a market for the crop. And farming coffee itself is a very intensive process. Badray is among the few Pomeroon farmers who still cultivate coffee.

He took some time to explain the processing that occurs before the beans are sold to manufacturers. The ripe coffee cherries are picked and pulped to get the coffee beans. The beans are then laid out to dry. Once dried, they are hulled – a process whereby the outer skin is removed from the beans. They are sold to the manufacturer at this point and it is the manufacturer who handles parching and grinding the coffee beans for sale.

It was not the labour and cost intensive nature of coffee cultivation that killed it, however. The death knell for the widespread practice of coffee cultivation in the Pomeroon came from flooding. Flood waters over time killed many coffee trees and caused farmers to turn elsewhere. Farmers rely at present on crops whose cultivation is not as demanding as coffee while turning a decent profit at the same time. In the case of coconuts, it counts in their favour that they are quite hardy and more resistant to flood waters than many of their other crop counterparts.

The issue of flooding is one of major concern to Badray and his fellow farmers. The 2005 floods are marked in the memories of all Guyanese. The farmers in the Pomeroon were among those hardest hit. There is undoubtedly now a greater awareness among the farmers concerning drainage and irrigation, an awareness that every good farmer already has. This especially holds true for farming next to a river, as Pomeroon farmers do. Farm drainage and irrigation are inherently built around the ebb and flow of the waters flowing directly into the river from the Atlantic. Every farm along the river has at least one koker to transport water to and from the trenches and drains that traverse the land.

There are a few solutions that Badray and his family have formulated to handle assault from the Pomeroon’s high tides and heavy rains. “What we try to do is to make big dams to keep away all the water,” he said. Implementing that strategy has helped a lot in protecting crops that are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Flood waters, he explained, rots cassava and stunts plantain shrubs from bearing fruit.

The solution of bigger dams is not a foolproof one. Dams make no difference if water is not drawn off from the farmland, which is again dependent on the tides. This is a serious problem during periods of heavy rain when accumulated waters from the nearby lakes on the Essequibo Coast are released into the river to ease flooding. Water from rice fields on the coast is also sometimes drained into the river. Badray also indicated that the mouth of the Pomeroon River itself has become silted over the years. While this has been argued to prevent flooding at high tides, it also prevents greater drainage at low tides.

Despite the challenges he faces though, Badray remains dedicated to farming and continues to rely on it as his primary source of income. Farming is something he grew up with and he personally finds it financially worthwhile.

More importantly, he and his family enjoy farming. In fact, his eldest and youngest sons have followed him into the career path. The resilience of Mr. Badray and his family is a testament to the resilience of Guyanese farmers. As he affirmed, “No matter what happens, you go right back and start fresh again.”

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XVII

sionalism.”

RATING THE ACTORS Mr. Robinson expressed the view that, “there are actors and there are actors, and there are actors.” He said that there is a handful of actors that Guyana can be proud of, and that this handful of actors and actresses give their all whenever they go on stage. They really are professionals; they are serious and they do give good performances.

He further advanced the view that there are a couple of directors who are also very good and in saying this, he said that he had to single out Sharon Cadogan-Taylor. “I think Sharon is very, very strong as a director; she continues to be directing plays of a very high standard, so we do have in that mix some very professional, strong directors and performers, yes we do!” Ron said.

NATIONAL SCHOOL FOR THEATRE, ARTS AND DRAMA (NSTAD) It is Mr Robinson’s view that the National School for Theatre, Arts and Drama (NSTAD) has brought a lot of people out of the ‘wood-work’. There are more Guyanese-written plays, Guyanese playwrights, and even Guyanese actors coming out as a result of the school, which, Ron said, is a good sign and something he is very pleased with.

He added, that in the years to come, if NSTAD is given the support, which he said it doesn’t have at this time, then the school would move culture in this country to a very high level.

“Because there is a need for the authorities; whatever government is in power, there is a need for them to recognise that culture is an amazingly important- very, very important part of any country’s development,” Mr Robinson stressed.

CUBA, JAMAICA, OUR CULTURE He said that the culture in Cuba glows, as well as the culture in Jamaica, in which they really have powerful movements and believes that if that were to be taken away from these countries, they could die. At the same time, Ron believes that Guyana is not yet putting enough effort into theatre and drama and culture on the whole.

Mr Robinson said that the children for example – from primary to secondary school do not know about the culture of Guyana. “Oh, they know we had Indigenous peoples here, the first thousandsof years ago and so on, but they don’t know about the mari, mari dance; some of them don’t know what a matapee is; they don’t know what makes the Indigenous person click…how come they have been here for centuries and centuries and they are still very powerful, strong people –they have their culture,” he said.

He went on to question how many children know about the Legend of Kaieteur; about the Kanaima; how many of them know even about our own Cuffy; how many of them know about Smith and who saved the slaves; how many of them know about Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa, where our ancestors came from – how many of them really understand; how much of that is taught in the schools. How many teachers know about that culture, because if they don’t, they can’t teach it, he asserted.

STRONGEST CULTURE IN THE REGION Mr Robinson declared that Guyanese, as a people, are not brave enough, as yet, to be able to go anywhere in the world and say, “I am a Guyanese, from a country with a massive culture, where there are so many different ethnic groups making up our people.” He affirmed that this country should possess one of the strongest cultures in the region because of the make-up of the people – our six races – now about 10, because of the various mixed races, he said.

He contended that while a certain amount of the Indian culture has been kept alive and a little of the others, there is much more to be done to keep the culture alive in Guyana, while noting that different games; special dishes; the teaching on slavery, and much more should be taught to the young people so that they may have a greater understanding of their culture. (mercilinburke2017@gmail. com)

XIX

XX ◄◄◄ From page XIV

he added.

With the knowledge that farming is a time-consuming and tedious work, and having decided to make it a career, Dextor has to date acquired several pieces of equipment which he uses to aid in his land preparation activities.

And according to him,” once you know you have access to land and the requisite infrastructure is in place, farming can become very viable. He is, however, urging that farmers should as much as possible, minimise the use of fertilisers. “People the world over are becoming more and more health conscious and are embracing organic foods, hence the need to stay away from fertilisers,” he said.

FARMING IS NO BLUFF A firm bit advice from this soon-to-be-fa-

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

ther, to other young men and woman who are contemplating going into farming is: “You cannot bluff farming. Once you put in the hard work in terms of your land preparation and take proper care of your plants you are bound to succeed.

“Do not allow persons to distract you from making your vision become a reality.

Always strive to go the extra mile and have the determination and willingness and you will succeed. And never underestimate the value of education, it is a necessity, it is the basis on which you will succeed, always seek to put your best foot forward in whatever you do, even if it is farming.”

Dextor, who says there are about 10 youth farmers in his area, says they share ideas. He has expressed gratitude to PROPEL for the invaluable input they have extended in the areas of technical support and other assistance including follow-ups and visitations.

Here he checks on the `quail’ birds from which he gets the eggs that are sold in supermarkets (Photos courtesy of PROPEL)

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XXI

The Father’s Demise

By: Abdool A. Aziz

THOUGH he was born in the squalor of the sugar estate in 1900, Sheik Khan, by way of self-study rose to live a middle-class life as an Urdu interpreter. He was a fine gentleman who raised twin daughters, Afira and Shafira. Their mom died when they were five.

At age 16, according to the strict Muslim culture, he married them off to a well-to-do family who had twin sons. He felt good that his prized assets would be happy, but he was wrong. The boys’ father died, and with no patriarch, the fellas went rogue. They began treating these well-cultured spouses as maids.

They didn’t like marriage, they were more fond of the society ladies. Their father’s passing was the key to their freedom. On many occasions, the girls escaped to their dad, but the old man would implore them to keep the marriage sacred and bear up. One day he saw bruises on their soft skins, he was heartbroken. He had to do something,but what?

The police in those days didn’t get involved in domestic marital affairs and with no social work agency, he went into meditation and came up with a plan.

THE STRATEGY He decided that he would sell his house in

Saving daughters from cruel husbands

the city and send the girls off to their mother country, England. It was 1951, in the dead of night, he walked his battered angels up the gangway to the deck of a cargo vessel heading for London. All his savings went on their passage, he promised to join them later. That solemn promise was never kept. His life was cut short by his angry sons – in- law when they discovered he sent their wives to a far-off place of no return.

THE COVER – UP After selling his ‘castle’ he moved to a humble dwelling in the country. The fellas hunted him down. One night they pounced upon him and killed him. The killers had money and the crime was covered up. An innocent father died trying to save his beloved children.

SUCCESS IN LONDON England was a ‘Boiling Cauldron’ with race riots and was no ‘Bedof Roses’ for two ‘alien’ girls trying to cope with foreign culture, but they stuck together in love and prayer and their father’s inspiration. Afira became a professional social worker, Shafira qualified as a lawyer.

THE PAINFUL SHOCK After not hearing from their dad for some time [because there were just letters in those days] they decide to return in secret to British Guiana and take their dad to their new British home. The murder of their father tore their hearts in pieces. They were devastated to learn of the injustices meted out to their beloved dad and that the killers were roaming free. They knew that the killers must pay for their dastardly crime.

JUSTICE – FINALLY The two British – trained professionals began their campaign to root out CORRUPTION. The criminal justice system ‘kicked’ into gear and charges were laid on the criminals. They were tried and convicted and they had a date with the hangman. The two girls continued to live and work in Guiana. Afira championed the cause of rights to women and children, she opened a social work agency, especially for battered wives, and her sister kept the judiciary on its toes and she represented many of her clients for free.

In tribute on their father’s headstone read: ‘Your Death is not in Vain And your Heroic blood still Runs in our veins.

Forever grateful Love Afie and Shafie’

XXII ◄◄◄ From page IX

Friendship University of Russia (PFUR).

SETTLING IN “We left Guyana on September 25, 2011.

We were provided with a monthly stipend, as well as two clothing allowances within our six years stay. Moving to Moscow was an exciting experience but I must admit that there were challenges, which included getting used to the culture, language, food, climate and new roommates, who didn’t even speak English,” he said.

During their first year in Moscow, Kollis and his colleagues studied the Russian language along with additional subjects relevant to their speciality.

By November of that year, the Guyanese

team was super excited to have their first snow experience but little did they know that it was not all fun.

“I remembered playing in the snow the first night it came, but then things got serious as the temperature went down to around -30 degrees Celsius. It was hard to breathe, blood came from our noses, and if you were to stay too long in the streets your toes and fingers were frozen,” he recalled.

After successfully completing their first year, he and his colleagues were placed in groups with Russians and other foreigners.

“All subjects were taught in the Russian language. Honestly, the first course was the toughest, imagine dealing with a language that you haven’t fully grasped then having to learn technical stuff in that language. I remembered being up all night studying, then drinking cof-

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Kollis Smith with his trophy after being voted the 'MVP' of the Russian Cricket League in which he represented the West Indian Cricket Team

fee just to stay awake next day, ” Kollis said.

In addition to participating in educational activities which included exploration projects, Kollis was a “sportsman” and he used every opportunity to display his Guyanese talent.

He played basketball, football and did bodybuilding and track and field, but cricket was his favourite.

“During the summer I spent a great deal of my time playing semi-professional cricket for different clubs in Russia. Most notably of which was the Russian Cricket Club. The first year in which I took part, I helped my club to First day on the job, win both 20 overs and 30 after returning overs championships. I from Russia must say that I forged quite – Kollis Smith is ready for a successful side career in his next cricket there and won many challenge medals and trophies. But the one memory which I cherish most, is definitely when our West Indian Cricket Team, which I co-founded and managed, won the university competition for the first time in five years,” Kollis said, with a sense of accomplishment.

During that tournament, he was voted the `MVP’ ( Most Valuable Player ), as well as, `Best Batsman’ making 192 runs in six games, one of which I made a century.

Then there were the many cultural events and with the support of his colleagues, when Kollis promoted Guyana’s traditions and foods.

For him, the annual May Day picnic, which saw as much as over 100 people from various Caribbean countries and around the world, was his favourite. “We also exhibited Guyanese culture on a day called `Planet Yugo-Zapad’. There we showcased our cultural diversity, as well as foods.”

After six years of dedicated studying with

the support of family, friends and his professors, Kollis in 2017 graduated as a Specialist in Geological Engineering.

LESSONS LEARNED “My time in Russia has thought me many lessons, mainly that everything is not as you hear or see on the news.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity of meeting and interacting with many people of different religions, race, colour and creed, and what I’ve found is that they’re a lot of really amazing people in this world,” he surmised.

He returned to Guyana on

August 23, 2017.

Even as he works diligently to serve RUSAL,as a token of appreciation for granting him an opportunity of a lifetime, Kollis says he will spend days and nights working with the youths of his community and region.

“I want them to see themselves and life for more than just existing, but that they have the power to go out there and live their dreams, despite however crazy or unrealistic as it might seem to others.”

Additionally, he plans to build a gymnasium in Aroaima where everyone can be involved in health and fitness.

Currently, he is attached to RUSAL BCGI as a trainee geologist, along with doing a bit of translating for Russians who do not speak English.

“I’ve been working for just over a month so far, and I must say the work experience has been unbelievable.”

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

XXIII

A Guyanese Catholic Tradition in New York City

By Francis Quamina Farrier ON Sunday, October 8, 2017, New York based Guyanese and friends, turned up in their numbers to attend the Twenty Eighth Annual Guyanese Mass, which was held at the St. Clare Catholic Church, in Rosedale, Queens, New York. This annual tradition has been on-going for almost three decades and is always well attended by Catholics and their friends based in New York, as well Fr. Godfrey Veersammy, SJ, gives a special as some from out of State, blessing to one of the faithful who attended the from Canada and even a few Mass (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier) visiting from Guyana.

This Annual Guyanese Mass in New York City was established by Guyanese-Born Monsignor, Paul Jervis, in 1989. The former altar boy of St. Pius X Catholic Parish at La Penitence, Georgetown, had migrated to New York while in his teens to advance his education. He later had a calling to the priesthood and was ordained in New York, where he has been serving ever since. However, Monsignor Jervis has always kept in close touch with his homeland, Guyana, and visits every year and celebrates Mass not only at his former Saint Pius X in La Penitence but also at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam and at Sacred Heart, Main Street in Georgetown.

During the turbulent years of Guyana’s recent history, the then young priest was moved with compassion for his fellow Guyanese back home, and took action in organising a special Mass at which New York-based Guyanese Catholics and friends would attend, pray for their country, and make financial offerings to send to Guyana for various identified New York-based Guyanese Deacon, Joseph Dass; Fr. Mark Bristol and Msgr. Paul Jervis projects. It is also an occasion when folks reunite with relat the end of the Mass atives and friends, sometimes with those who they have not seen in many years.

In previous years the Chief Celebrants at the Guyanese One such project over the years has been the financing New York Mass included, Bishop Francis Alleyne, OSB; of the ongoing Brickdam Parish Soup Kitchen which feeds Monsignor Terrance Montrose; Fr. Andrew Morrison SJ; Fr. hundreds of the needy every month on a daily basis in Oliver Farnum; Fr. John Persaud; Fr. Malcolm Rodrigues, SJ; Georgetown. Other projects include financial assistance for Fr. Harold Wong, SJ; Fr. Hildebrand Greene, OBS; Fr. Floyd the repairs or rebuilding of Catholic churches in various areas Grace; Fr. Andrew Chan-A-Sue; and Fr. Marlon Innis, SJ. It of the country. would be appropriate to mention that three of these priests One of the traditions of this event is that of inviting a Guy- come from La Penitence; Monsignor Terrence Montrose, anese priest, especially one who is based in Guyana, to be the Monsignor Paul Jervis and the late Fr. Floyd Grace. chief celebrant, and this year it was Fr. Godfrey Veersammy, Here is an area of Georgetown which has been so demonSJ, who hails from Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara. ised, yet has produced three priests of the Catholic Church, After serving as a Deacon for some years, he was ordained to two of whom have been elevated to the higher office of Monthe priesthood on November 23, 2013.

signor. In fact, Msgr. Montrose and Msgr. Jervis, are the first two Guyanese Catholic Monsignors. Also of note, is that the first Guyanese Catholic Bishop, in the person of Bishop Benedict Singh, is a native of Buxton, which is another demonised community in Guyana.

One of the notable aspects of the Guyanese Mass in New York over the years is the presence of the widest representation of Guyanese, which Monsignor Paul Jervis has pointed out time and again. All of Guyana’s races are there, as a popular Catholic hymn of the past states, “Let us mingle together...”. There are the young, the matured as well as the elderly. There are those from all 10 Administrative Regions of the country - all mingling together joyfully in peace and love.

It must also be noted that some who attend these annual Guyanese Masses in New York City are non-Catholic. One such person is Lorna Welshman-Neblett who is a Baptist, but has been very actively involved with the Guyanese Catholic Mass in New York over the past decade. So involved is she, that she was one of the Recipients of an Award in 2013.

Awards are presented annually by the Mass Committee, to those who have given sterling support over a period of time.

For Fr. Godfrey Veresammy, SJ, on this his very first visit to New York, it was “an occasion of joyous emotions, having met so many persons who I had known back in Guyana, including relatives, and who I have not seen for many years,” the priest said. During the traditional reception which followed the Mass, Fr. Godfrey took the opportunity to mingle with the congregation and also gave special blessings to those who made that request of him.

Among the traditions of the Guyanese Mass in New York, is accountability. For even as the traditional Post Mass Reception was in progress, the amount of money received from the offering during the Mass was announced. The winners, as well as the money garnered from a raffle run off during the reception, were also announced.

As usual, that money has been sent to Guyana for specified projects, including the Brickdam Soup Kitchen, which has been a beneficiary for over two decades. Some Catholic churches in Guyana have also been given financial assistance with repairs and rebuilding. They include the Sacred Heart Church on Main Street in Georgetown and the St. Anthony Church on First Avenue at Bartica.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Donna Ramsammy-James bids farewell to the big stage

By Jasmaine Payne FOR more than 18 years, renowned fashion designer Donna Ramsammy-James has wowed audiences with her rich, culturally infused designs that have hit the runway year after year at her annual fashion show. And now, as this fashion icon prepares to host her final runway showcase next Sunday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, Ramsammy-James is certain that her audience will be blown away by ‘My Heart Beats in Africa’- a display of almost 150 pieces that will incorporate the “softness of Asia, the depth of Africa and the colour of the Caribbean”.

In an exclusive interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Ramsammy-James hinted that this collection is quite unlike her others, in that it is the first showcase that was conceptualised around an exquisite collection of jewellery that she had accumulated during a recent trip to East Africa.

“Even though I lived in East Africa for 14 years, it was a reawakening of my love for that continent

and the beauty in nature and naturalness that they have and as a result. I bought in markets all over East Africa bits of authentic jewellery that’s all been made with love,” she said.

Before she knew it, Ramsammy-James had accumulated quite the collection, and it immediately became her inspiration. “I looked at it and said, ‘well obviously this is my new line’ so the line is called ‘My Heart beats in Africa’ because it really does for several reasons - just the beauty of the place,” she said.

After returning to Guyana, the seasoned designer set out to sketching and planning her 2018 line to match The Shape 2018 perfectly with l Collection wil the authentic the te ora orp inc pieces of art ia, As “softness of ica that she had Afr of pth de the and the colour of the purchased. “I also invested Caribbean” fabrics heavily in a (Photo by Amanda Richards) lot of handmade fabric which I brought back

contributed to her decisions include her wish to spend more time in Europe with her grandson as well as the fact that many of the Shape models, who have become like family, are now grown and fully employed which has made rehearsals- which are crucial for the models to learn this designer’s signature choreographed routines- increasingly difficult.

“So the combination of the four reasons makes it very, very difficult for me to do a collection because this takes months and months of work and months and months of designing,” she said. But loyal customers need not fear because this is not the end for Donna Ramsammy-James. It just means that she has scaled down, some. “I have decided, I will have collections every year but much, much smaller and less intense where I don’t need as many models. I don’t need to be doing choreography; I don’t need to be rehearsing for months before; I don’t need to be expending money on labour, paints and fabrics for 140 pieces. [Instead] I could do 30 pieces,” she said.

with me as well, so between the jewellery and the natural fabric I decided this was it and so I put the jewellery down and designed around the jewellery and that’s what you will see come Sunday, 29,” she said.

Added to her rich cultural flair, Ramsammy-James has been known to incorporate a vibrant soundtrack that matches perfectly with the tone of her designs. As such, this year will incorporate myriad genres of African music which she has managed to collect throughout her travels.

“We go from South Africa to Central Africa to East Africa and when I had all my music together it suddenly dawned on me that I haven’t touched North Africa and North Africa … so we put in a haunting piece from Morocco (North Africa). And now we are covering all four sections of the continent,” she said.

THE SHAPE JOURNEY Upon reflection, Ramsammy-James admits that her journey to grow her line has been exciting, frustrating and emotional, but she has gotten some priceless memories to take with her. “Some of the highlights have been working with young people and seeing those young people develop ‘My heart beats in into model citiAfrica’ incorporates zens of Guyana. authentic African Some other highJewellery, head lights have been wraps, fabrics (Photo

by Amanda Richards taking the show ) on the road. We’ve toured Barbados, Jamaica, Florida, London, Kenya we have been to many, many places with this show and seeing people’s reactions and hearing ‘I didn’t know Guyana did anything of this standard’ was very fulfilling,” she said.

She admitted, though, that there have been some disappointing times, among which includes the animosity among local designers. “I haven’t been able to put designers together in Guyana. There is too much backbiting... It’s been a hope that the younger batch of designers in Guyana can get their act together,” she said. “There’s been too much backbiting and too much folly and too many things that are not pleasant. The creditability of some of the designers is questionable but I must say just in May this year I worked with three younger designers and it was a joy. It was great so I have great hope for the future of designing and designers in Guyana because we have a lot of talent.”

THE FINAL YEAR But it is said that all good things must come to an end, and, touching on why she chose to have her final fashion showcase this year, Ramsammy-James said that a combination of factors influenced her decision. “It is because of four main reasons; one- the aging process. I’m not as young as I was 20 years ago and putting a collection together of this magnitude… is a lot of work,” she said. The designer added that the event is also quite expensive and is usually undertaken with just the help of family rather than sponsors. Other reasons that

SHAPE FAMILY Ramsammy-James says that while she will miss the shows, she will still be close to her models; all of whom have become part of what she calls the “Shape Family”. “We have a family of Shapers through the years of about 60 people, male and female and it’s so nice to see them. Some of the first group of people live in other countries now but they always stay in touch…they will always say: ‘Aunty Donna wherever we go people always think we are a cut above the rest’,” she said.

However, it is her ability to influence their lives positively that

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017 she is most grateful for. “I think mentoring is a very important part of why are born and why we’ve been given talent,” she said. She recalled being invited to a recent event hosted by the Bishop’s Old Student Association (Tri-State Chapter in New York) to do a presentation on etiquette and small business and recalled being able to provide young students with worthwhile advice. “It was amazing, the spaces that they had and the things that kids were crying out for mentoring the areas that we in our age growing up in the 50s and 60s in Guyana took for granted because there were things we learned at home and there were things we learned at school. Obviously there are big vacuums now that children do not know on basic things that any person should know about, so I think if each artist over 40 – whether music, dance, drama, fashion, culinary skills, should take two or three young people and mentor them and teach them all the things that have been lost along the way that we need as global young people, we will be representing Guyana in various areas and these are bits of information that we need to know,” she said.

As with previous years, part of the proceeds from next week’s fashion show will go toward a non-governmental organisation. This year, the Guyana Relief Council has been chosen to receive that donation.

As she prepares to close the curtains on her annual fashion show, Ramsammy-James describes it as a “hell of a journey” but admits that she has enjoyed every aspect of it- the ups and the downs.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ALL around there are many activities being hosted in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everyone is affected directly or indirectly by some form of cancer, which is tragic. It seems every other funeral is because the person succumbed to cancer and the age does not matter. We all need to continue the fight together. Over the years, Guyana Fashion Week has incorporated the awareness of cancer in fashion events.

Last weekend, I was invited to Connecticut for the Annual Pretty in Pink Gala to raise awareness and funds for Gardner’s House, by the phenomenal Maggie Garner, who is a two-time

cancer survivor and the founder of Gardner’s House. Gardner’s House is a place for cancer survivors and their families to go for respite, a place to help them relieve some stress, for children to get counselling in private, but most of all to help those who are dying in silence. To fill the void that is left by this disease, a home away from home, a place of peace and quiet, a safe haven, an oasis in the desert for survivors and family, a place to heal body, soul and mind and to get away from the hospital and hospice atmosphere as far as possible.

It was truly an honour to be the Guest Speaker at this meaningful prestigious event. The keynote speaker was the brilliant

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion Dr. Jonathan Jackson, who is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School. The audience was very excited to bid on a Sonia Noel Original to raise money for the cause.

I shared part of my story when my aunt discovered that she had this dreadful disease. I will never forget the day my Aunt Avis requested that I accompany her to the doctor to check the lump she discovered in her breast, and the doctor recommended a biopsy. I was also with her when the results came back. A chill ran through my body as we entered the doctor’s office and

I looked across at her as she took her seat, and she was looking down to prevent making eye contact with the doctor. After a few minutes of small talk, he got to the results of the biopsy.

He started speaking the words no one wanted to hear, “Ms Gibson, unfortunately your results do not look good and I recommend an immediate mastectomy.” I could not look at her and after a few minutes she said, “Can I have some time to think about it and pray about it?” He reluctantly said okay in front of her but contacted her later stating that time is not on her side. The cancer progressed so rapidly that even the doctor was surprised.

I can vividly remember when her only daughter and my cousin Clemencio visited the doctor for him to advise her on what she should not eat. His answer was to give her anything she wants because very soon she will not be able to eat anything.

I can still remember the long, flounce- bottom, flowered dress she bought when I was about five years old.

I left Connecticut early the next morning to join H.E.R.O.C (Health & Education Relief Organisation for Cancer) in NY for the cancer walk. It was great to see survivors like, Ms Patricia Jordon Langford, and the young, Priyadarshani Gordon, joining the team and supporters. I am very honoured to be one of the patrons for H.E.R.O.C. I must congratulate the team for the work they are doing for cancer patients in Guyana. Lorna Neblette and team are preparing for their Guyana outreach later in the month.

I challenge us to reach out to more survivors and others who are affected by any form of Cancer.

Send us a comment of story about someone you have lost or who is affected by cancer to beyondtherunway1@gmail. com and visit our FB Page, as we continue this journey call life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Aries You’re itching to take off into the wild blue yonder but you can’t file a flight plan yet because you’re unsure of your specific destination. It’s difficult to choose one when there are several directions that appeal to your wanderlust. Nevertheless, you are resigned, even excited, by the notion of flying by the seat of your pants and a lack of details won’t hold you back. Unfortunately, once you’re on your way, you will wish you took the time to decide where you wanted to land. Remember, follow your heart but bring along a map and your common sense to be safe.

Taurus You may be so concerned about your health today that you take specific steps to modify your lifestyle. Although you can research all the dietary options in the world, you won’t improve your physical well-being unless you make tangible changes to your eating habits. But embarking on a new regimen is tricky business; making small adjustments that last is better than turning your life upside down for a short period of time. Virgil wrote, “The greatest wealth is health.”

Gemini You can think of a hundred reasons to fall in love today; however, there’s one good reason why you shouldn’t. Feisty Mars flirts with sensual Venus and the radiant Sun in your 5th House of Romance, feeding your thoughts with lovely desires. However, stern Saturn is standing in the shadows, registering his opposition to your amorous intentions. Ultimately, you are responsible for your actions, no matter what anyone else does. Fortunately, you can navigate your way toward pleasure as long as you play by the rules.

Cancer Revisiting a past experience by tripping back through your memories can help to settle an old score now. You have the ability to see a situation from a different vantage point, which radically alters your judgment of the situation. The key to your current breakthrough is to avoid being attached to your previous assumptions and conclusions. A fresh perspective opens the door to new possibilities.

Billionaire J.P. Morgan said, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”

Leo You might think you can evade your obligations today, but your carefree attitude could backfire on you pretty fast. You’re in a playful mood and you’re searching for a sweet distraction. Nevertheless, you will have to face some unpleasant music later on if you don’t keep your priorities straight. Thankfully, nothing will prevent you from enjoying yourself if you plan your schedule in advance. Author Jack Canfield wrote, “I believe that people make their own luck by great preparation and good strategy.”

Virgo It’s as if your cerebral engine ran out of gas today, but the quiet is just a sign that assertive Mars has left your industrious sign for the peaceful fields of Libra.

Thankfully, you can finally take a few deep breaths and slow down. There’s no need to pretend you’re busier than you are. Instead of working extra hours to finish all your chores, claim your well-earned downtime to recharge your batteries. As Meher Baba taught, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Libra Laziness is not in your vocabulary now. You are highly motivated to accomplish your goals while superhero Mars is reactivating your 1st House of Self.

However, you don’t need to finish everything you start immediately since the action planet continues to energise your sign until December 9. But there is no excuse for procrastination; the more you do today, the more time you will have to enjoy the fruits of your labour down the road. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Scorpio You can’t make up your mind about whether you want to be with people now or spend the day on your own. Your key planet Mars sinks into your 12th House of Invisibility, compelling you to slip out of sight. Retreating into your inner sanctuary seems natural as you embark on a spiritual journey that follows a path meant for your steps alone. However, you are not trying to escape the real world forever; you’re preparing to re-enter it refreshed and revitalized. Author Paulo Coelho wrote, “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.”

Sagittarius It’s nearly impossible to hide your emotions today, but the good news is that you actually want others to see your vulnerable side. The moody Moons return to idealistic Sagittarius encourages you to share your inner process with your friends. Nevertheless, you still might plan on withholding a part of your story if you think it could upset someone. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to spill all the beans once you start talking. Author Annie M.G. Schmidt wrote, “Every story has a happy ending; you just need to know when to stop.”

Capricorn You might finally give yourself a day off; no doubt, you deserve it. Nevertheless, militant Mars marches into your 10th House of Career, pushing you to work harder to get ahead. Ironically, there may be little you can do that’s job-related today. Although you’re content to relax and count your blessings now, you could be simultaneously obsessing over your plan to achieve success in your profession. Author Lee Bolman wrote, “A vision without strategy remains an illusion.”

Aquarius It’s natural for Aquarians to look toward the future with anticipation. Your dreams grow even more vivid after the Moon shifts into your 11th House of Long-Term Goals. You’re fascinated by how many different paths there are before you now, and you imagine taking each of them, one at a time. Unfortunately, it requires extra effort to stay focused on the present moment today, and you could easily miss an amazing opportunity that’s right in front of your nose if you allow yourself to get distracted. Eckhart Tolle wrote, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.”

Pisces Although your friends and family appreciate your presence at social gatherings, you also hope to be recognised for all the wonderful ideas you bring to the party. Nevertheless,you may refrain from saying too much about your feelings because you don’t want your subjectivity to hinder your message. Unfortunately, your detachment could make you seem uncaring or insensitive, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Thankfully, it’s not an all-or-nothing situation; sharing your emotions at the right time conveys your compassion. Drop your ego at the door and let your heart lead the way.

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Fighting Filariasis XXVIII

By Vanessa Braithwaite

“ I use to be ashamed of my mother to be honest, God forgive me for this.” These are the words of a remorseful Randolph Braithwaite, a now 64-year-old man, who was brave enough to tell the horrid tales of growing up with a mother and a grandmother who had both contracted the mosquito-borne disease, lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as ‘big foot’. Randolph grew up in a small village located on the West Bank of Demerara called Bagotville and while poverty and other social issues engulfed his childhood, what drove the nail to the hammer of sorrow, was seeing both his mother and grandmother suffer from filariasis, and thinking that he too may get it one day, after concluding that it must be hereditary.

The entire village, he said, looked down on the sickness as a family curse and it was not too long ago that Braithwaite learned that it was actually a medical condition caused by a mosquito bite. “When a family member got a sick, it does be like a curse, they would curse the person and say carry your big foot self. In society it was a curse and I use to be ashamed.

I use to run and hide, that ought not to happen but at that time I saw it as a stigma; a shame. Your friends would curse and say ‘your mother get big foot’ and then when you start getting girlfriend and so, I use to feel very very ashamed,” a visibly saddened Randolph confessed.

He was the last of 10 children and his mother Janet Allen, he recalled, had no knowledge back then of what the disease was, and likened it to a cold in the feet. She also suffered regularly from a very hot fever which they all thought was

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

correlated with her swollen feet.

LACK OF SENSITISATION Back then, Randolph said that there were hardly any medication available or sensitisation of the disease and if steps were taken to educate the populace on how to prevent contraction, his mother, he said, would not have had to suffer the same fate as her mother did, and he would not have had to live his life thinking that he too would get it once he turned an adult.

But most importantly, he wishes that he knew better so that he would not have had to live with the guilt of knowing that he shunned his mother for a condition, she had no control over.

“Only recently I knew that it was due to a mosquito bite, even the term ‘Goadie’ which is the same disease that affects men in their genitals- only recently I knew it is the same filaria.

In our time, I don’t think people were sensitised that it came from a mosquito bite,” Braithwaite said.

Speaking more on the lack of sensitisation back then, he said that steps would have been taken to be more careful and hygienic, especially as it relates to water storage. “Long time, people use to keep a lot of drums because the water system was poor, and that is where the mosquito use to breed because it was stagnant... you didn’t had these health centres and campaigns and so forth,” he said.

A DREADFUL DISEASE Lymphatic Filariasis also known as elephantiasis is called “Big Foot” or “Goadie” in our society and is said to be one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is caused by three species of thread-like nematode worms, known as filariae – Wuchereria Bancrofti, Brugia Malayi and Brugia Timori.

These worms can proliferate resulting in lymphedema of the limbs, genital disease (hydrocele, chylocele, and swelling of the scrotum and penis) and recurrent acute attacks, which are extremely painful and are accompanied by fever, as was the case with Randolph’s mother, Janet.

While an infected person may have contracted the disease during their childhood, physical symptoms causing permanent disability are most times experienced during their adult life, however, almost all of them have subclinical lymphatic damage while as many as 40 percent have kidney damage.

DISCRIMINATION Like leprosy, Filariasis can be considered a neglected disease, since persons showing signs of the infection are neglected and most likely treated with scorn. There is no cure for the disease, but treatment and ‘preventables’ are put in place by health agencies worldwide.

As related by Randolph, during the late 70s and 80s when the disease became prevalent, persons were unaware of what it was, as a result of a lax in the medical system. In fact, it was only in 1997 that the WHO classified the disease as eradicable or potentially eradicable. According to the Coordinator of the Neglected Infectious Disease Programme and the National Coordinator for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis Campaign, Dr. Fabu Moses, in 1997, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA 50.29, which called on member states to initiate steps to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis as a public health problem. In response, WHO launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in 2000. Guyana, he said, signed onto the resolution that same year and what would have been the grand ‘DEC SALT’ campaign commenced.

“By 2001, we had mapped the entire country, and this is how we know that more than 90 percent of the Guyanese population is at risk of developing Lymphatic Filariasis because of the mapping that we did,” Moses had told the Pepperpot Magazine. It was further explained that following that mapping exercise, the country initiated the diethylcarbamazine (DEC) salt campaign through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) in keeping with GPELF. A catchy jingle was used to capture the attention of Guyanese and many persons gravitated toward the use of DEC salt since many now became cognisant that filariasis is now a medical sickness, rather than a family curse or caused by the common cold in the feet.

Randolph did not hesitate to use DEC SALT. In fact, he too went on a massive campaign, advocating for its use, especially in his immediate and extended family circle. “I started using the DEC salt to avoid at least getting ‘goadie’, because Turn to page XXXVIII ►►►

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knowing that your family had it, your grandmother, then it pass on to the other generation, you know I felt relieved, that they came up with a solution to the issue and I started pursuing all avenues to get this DEC salt, because who want to get a big goadie or a big foot?” Randolph asked.

Dr. Moses, however, mentioned that the DEC Salt Campaign had proven to be a difficult one since the Public Health Ministry was unable to determine the number of persons using it as against the regular salt.

A BETTER PLAN The Ministry of Public Health in an effort to fully eradicate the disease, collaborated with the WHO and Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to launch a Lymphatic Filariasis Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign in 2003. The MDA aims to treat an entire population within a country through administering a curative dose of medication to vulnerable citizens without first testing for infection since the aim is to prevent, noting that there is no cure. In 2009, it was rolled out in Regions Two, Six and Five and has been an annual exercise.

Not only is distribution the key, but public health agents have the mandate of sensitising the public of the importance of taking the pills and to encourage them to practice other forms of preventative measures.

These include practicing clean water storage when it is necessary, getting rid of all stagnant water, wearing long clothing at nights and sleeping under treated bed nets.

The 2017 campaign was launched some weeks ago under the theme, “Let’s Prevent Filaria” and emphasises that chronic manifestations cannot be reversed, and as such, prevention is the best cure.

This year, Regions Three, Four, Five and 10 are targeted for the MDA, since these regions have been identified with the most filariasis cases. Deworming treatment will also be distributed to children and adults and the campaign targets homes, schools, clinics, and places of employment, among others. The pills must be taken every year,

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for at least five years to be effective.

According to Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Representative to Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Krow, the pills cost about US $1 million. Public Health officials revealed that actual campaign costs an additional US$250,000 to US$400,000.

At the launch of the 2017 campaign, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, said that the campaign plays a pertinent part in the battle against the disease because since it was launched it helped to significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease.

It was further revealed by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, that from the more than 150 patients that were being treated, in the mid-2000s, this has drastically scaled down to about 15 patients who have to be actively managed Randolph Braithwaite at the clinic. Last year there were only 82 surgeries for hydrocele as compared to 447 in 2005. Statistics show that for 2017, there were 15 new recorded cases.

CONTINUE THE FIGHT Despite being among four countries in the Americas that are yet to eliminate Filariasis, the PAHO/WHO, as well as, the MoPH and other partnering organisations have pledged to continue to fight against lymphatic filariasis. Every man, woman and child are being urged to drink the pill. The public health agents are clad in purple jerseys as a colour of hope.

Despite not being a first-hand victim, Randolph Braithwaite has applauded the PAHO/WHO and well as the MoPH for taking the initiative in rolling out such a campaign. He described it as ‘freedom from fear” and said that what is more heart-warming is to note that everyone in society despite your economic or social status, can benefit from that freedom and prevent themselves from falling victim to filariasis. ◄◄◄ From page XVI

and past administration. He has also been fortunate to travel to every region in Guyana and to a few international countries to provide coverage for government officials, including H.E President David Granger on numerous occasions.

CHARITY Whenever Kawise is not at the office editing or in the field providing coverage, he’s either spending quality time with his daughter or is involved in some kind of charity exercise, within his community. “I began doing different charitable works while I was a part of the PYAP and the love for helping others has remained within my heart to date. Though I may not get as much time these days to do as much charity as I want to, I would still provide whatever assistance I can to people in need of the help,” Kawise said. He further stated that he’s actively involved in teaching residents in his community how to operate digital cameras for photography and videography purposes.

FATHERHOOD Kawise became a father when he was twenty-one years old, and describes it as one of the greatest blessings God has placed upon his life. “I had never planned on becoming a father at twenty-one years old, but after it happened, it was a blessing. The birth of my daughter Makayla Wishart saved my life. Her birth gave me a new outlook on life and how to deal with responsibilities; it made me a better man,” Kawise said.

He added that since the birth of his daughter, he’s more focused than ever. He’s more focused in all the areas of his existence, since it’s no longer about him looking good, but about setting the right example for her to follow, just has his parents did for him. Kawise said that he’s extremely thankful for the support from his mother and sister, who both play an important role in helping to raise his daughter, because of the nature of his job.

Kawise is currently focused on bettering his talents, in order to improve his production quality within the media arena. He is also getting the necessary teaching from experienced friends and family members, on the approach he needs to take to enhance his parental skills. He would like to advise parents out there, especially parents who have daughters, to pay very close attention to their daughters and to become their best friend at an early age.

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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To keep my hands from picking and stealing, and my tongue from evil-speaking, lying, and slandering; . . .

PRAYER BOOK (1662), Catechism STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, If you want to experience success put concentration first; put learning how to cope with and eliminating distractions first, among other useful things. Use creative visual ways to rid yourself of irrelevant thoughts, daydreams, and negative feelings. Visualise yourself actively studying hard and learning your work effectively. Regularly psyche yourself up to the study task. Nothing else will focus your concentration powers than the prospect of your forthcoming examination. Be wise.

Love you GRAMMAR A) Vocabulary NOTE: A good vocabulary is essential for both social success and personal life. Taking it at another level vocabulary study can be fascinating. a) These words are often confused: decent, descent, dissent; imitate, intimate. Use each in a sentence that illustrates its meaning.

b) From each pair of words within brackets, select the one that correctly completes the sentence.

1. A city (ordnance, ordinance) prohibits parking in this area.

2. I have no (illusions, allusions) about my capabilities.

3. The (aisles, isles) in that hall must be kept clear at all times.

4. The marketing people will (canvas, canvass) the food stores for customer preferences.

5. Its expense is the (loan, lone) reason for rejecting your plan.

B) Spelling NOTE: One of the keys to successful communication is correct spelling. Your aim should be to master the skills needed to spell correctly as you write. a) A letter is missing from each of the following words. Spell the words correctly.

1. remitance 4. prefered 2. misaprehension 5. transmited 3. knowledgable 6. embarass b) In which of the following words should an e appear in the blank space?

1. d—scriminate 3. d—sease 5. restaur—nt 2. d—scribe 4. exist—nce 6. bull—tin C) Use Verbs Correctly Even vivid verbs will not be effective if you do not use them correctly.

Remember to use the past form without a helping verb (I rode) and the past participle form with a helping verb (I have ridden). Remember also to use the correct verb in confusing pairs like lie and lay.

Rewrite each sentence below, inserting the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. Tom (grew, grown) up reading Caribbean writer Jennifer Smith.

2. She (wrote, written) several excellent poems about Guyana’s countryside.

3. Occasionally, Smith’s scenery descriptions have (drove, driven) many readers crazy.

4. They often seem to have (fell, fallen) into mysterious disturbing states.

5. Parents were (tell, told) that a fairer way of judging the effectiveness of schools is necessary and possible.

6. The study has (find, found) that questions asked in a classroom mostly related to task supervision and factual recall and very few were ‘open questions’ requiring thought and analysis.

7. Some researchers have (argue, argued) that children attending some form of pre-school provision are at an advantage on starting ‘real’ school.

8. Other researchers (chosen, chose) to be interested to see whether this effect continues, and whether there is a reversion to the mean.

9. At the PTA meeting parents were (tell, told) that the fact that children who were admitted to a particular school some years ago have (performed, perform) well on examinations or tests does not mean that their child will necessarily perform equally well.

10. I have (began, begun) the shabby chic ribbon plaque several times.

11. Each time I have (lain, laid) the craft work down without finishing it.

READING Main Idea The main idea of a passage is its central thought or message. To make it clearer to you, understand that the topic of a passage refers to the subject under discussion; and the main idea of a passage refers to the point or thought being expressed about the topic.

Now read the passage.

Last summer, my baseball team had a losing season. I am a reasonably good player, but my teammates did not have much experience.

When I pitched, the other team usually didn’t score, but the rules said that I could pitch only six innings a week. It was hard to watch the opposing team drive in runs, after the coach had taken me out.

Still, I made a lot of friends on the team, and it was great to help and encourage the younger players.

1. Which best states two important details about the narrator?

A A pitcher who does not pitch well.

B A pitcher whose team has a losing season.

C He does not like baseball and never wants to play again.

D He is angry with his coach and with his father.

2. What are two good experiences the narrator describes?

A He makes friends and helps the younger players.

B He helps his team win games and pleases his father.

C He improves his skills and admires his coach.

D He pitches and wins games.

3. Which statement restates a frustrating experience the narrator describes?

A He argues with his coach.

B He pitches poorly.

C He gets taken out of the game.

D He argues with his teammates.

4. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of the selection?

A Playing sports is always a difficult, frustrating experience.

B Good players are never treated fairly.

C Even a frustrating, disappointing sports season can have its rewards.

D Organised sports put too much pressure on young people and too much emphasis on winning.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 22, 2017

Entertainment

Britney Spears Is Giving Us Major "Baby One More Time" Schoolgirl Vibes Nearly 20 Years Later Nearly 20 years later and Britney Spears proves she can still rock the sexy schoolgirl look.

In an Instagram video the popstar shared with her followers, she models a variety of outfits including the famous schoolgirl uniform from her 1998 song "Baby One More Time."

The star is proof that

age is only a number as she showed off her rock hard abs while strutting for the camera—minus the pigtail braids.

The mother of two didn't stop the fashion show at the classic ensemble, she also posed in her daisy dukes and a white cropped bustier and twirled in two white dresses.

Mango Fool Ingredients 1 lb ripe but firm mangoes 2-3 tbsp water small piece of cinnamon stick 1/4 pt milk 1 egg yolk sugar to taste vanilla essence 2 tbsp cream or evaporated milk

Method 1 Peel and slice mangoes and stew with water and cinnamon.

Rub through sieve.

2 Make custard, using milk, egg yolk, sugar to taste, and vanilla essence.

Leave to cool.

3 Add the custard to mango puree.

Sweeten to taste.

4 Half whip the cream and to it add the fruit and custard mixture.

5 Pour into one bowl or individual bowls. Chill and serve.

Serves 6 Note: Any soft fruit may be used and water may be added where necessary.

Lemon juice and lemon rind may be added to give flavor.

Color should be used when necessary.

XLVII

Taylor Swift Fans Think Blake Lively's Daughter Is the One Saying "Gorgeous" in New Song

Taylor Swift has set off yet another round of speculation with the release of her song "Gorgeous."

This time, however, fans are scrambling to find out who the baby could be behind the song.

The catchy track from her upcoming album reputation starts off with a young child saying, "Gorgeous," before Swift starts singing about a "gorgeous" yet unattainable man.

With many people claiming that the case is closed as to who this unnamed man could be—it's her beau Joe Alwyn, duh!—fans are left investigating who this mysterious voice could belong to.

Bollywood news

Secret Superstar

IT'S ALL ABOUT MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS SECRET SUPERSTAR STORY: Insia Malik (Zaira) is a talented 15-year-old school girl from Baroda whose spirit is ripped because her mother is in a troubled and violent marriage. Of course she still dares to pursue her dream of becoming a singer and she also valiantly attempts to free her mother from her conservative, cold father.

SECRET SUPERSTAR REVIEW: When Aamir Khan backs a film, you expect quality. The actor who plays an obnoxious music director, Shakti Kumaarr, in this outing, doesn't let you down on that count. Debutant director Advait Chandan, who schooled under Aamir gives you a simple heartfelt film (slightly `fairytalish' at times) but one in which you run the entire gamut of emotions — joy, tears, excitement and ebullience.

Nothing is new here. Whether it is batting for the girl child or freeing a battered housewife from the shackles of a loveless marriage, the material at hand has been touched on earlier. But what makes 'Secret Superstar' stand out is the adventurous narrative that keeps you rooted and guessing. You can feel the frustration of the Malik household in which not just people, even emotions are trapped. When the protagonist breaks free, you find yourself simultaneously wiping your tears and doing a victory lap.

Aamir is the scene-stealer. His character — a cross between the brash American Idol judge Simon Cowell and your crass Bollywood music directors from the 80-90s — appears like a caricature at the start. But you invest in him eventually because of the nuances he brings. It is also commendable that he never really attempts to steal the limelight from young Zaira, who is an absolute delight to watch. Najma (Meher) as the submissive wife says so much without spelling it out. And others like — Chintan (Tirth Sharma) and child-actor Guddu (Kabir) are adorable.

Amit Trivedi's music is pleasing but the score doesn't have the winning quality needed for a film like this. The lyrics by Kausar Munir just about pass muster.

If you world revolves around your mother, you're going to root for this film. Go for it girls.