See inside: How to turn your life around III ► Page
Passion for the ‘Pan’ IV ► Page
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peaceful place A rare view of the Parika Stelling, Parika, East Bank Essequibo ( Photo by Delano Williams)
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
For the sore and the wounded
Leading wounded athletes along the road to recovery MANY ‘moons’ ago, under Guyana’s late President Forbes Burnham, a sports clinic which catered specifically to the needs of injured athletes was built in the compound of the Castellani House. Due to a great exodus of physiotherapists there, however, the facility eventually closed. A little over two years now, however, it was reopened to offer the same services and now sees approximately 40 patients a Dr. Victor Allen is on hand week on its two opening every Tuesday. He is also on days, Tuesdays and Thurs- call on Thursdays in the case of emergencies days. Physiotherapist within the Ministry of Public Health and Coordinator of the National Sports Clinic, Beverly Nelson, told the Pepperpot Magazine that anyone can benefit from the facility, free of charge, once they suffered a sports-related injury. From the very popular athletes to school children to the group of young men playing football on the street corner – everyone is welcome at the facility. “Once someone has an injury playing a sport, they can come into us. We’re at that level where we can be first contact for those persons,” Nelson explained. Fortunately, a doctor, Victor Allen, is present at the facility every Tuesday and is also on hand on Thursdays in case of emergencies. Along with Nelson, another physiotherapist, Vanessa Wickham, also works at the facility together with a rehabilitation assistant. While the clinic really caters to the needs of sports-related injuries, Nelson said they make considerations to accommodate anyone with an injury. Explaining why a facility of this sort is needed, she said: “Sportsmen with an injury are not sick people and for them to leave to go to the hospital with their injury and be among persons who have a cold, flu and all that; you find that the sportsman would not want to do that. “When they have to go to the hospital and wait with other people in long lines, they don’t do that. So they keep going along and their injury gets worse until when they do decide to seek medical attention, they may need surgery and that sort of thing. So this facility has the capacity to help the athlete very early on.” Even school children who play sports visit the clinic before
Patients can also benefit from hydrotherapy at the facility
school and during their lunch break. “And they don’t have to wait because they have to get back to school. So the facility is needed so that sportsmen and women don’t have to join a long line or [visit] a hospital to seek medical attention.” Furthermore, Nelson said that in visiting the hospital, the most that would be ordered are tablets and other medicine. “Here, we work on the muscle, ligament; the weak muscles. So we work on the actual problem and not just give medication.” With the clinic closed for a number of years due to a shortage of staff, Nelson said they realised the importance of re-opening the clinic for the country’s sportsmen and women, elite or not. In the near future, they are hoping to have a nutritionist at the facility so that the needs of the athletes can be catered for holistically, she said. Some of the popular and well-loved athletes who have
passed through the facility include Veerasammy Permaul, Leon Johnson, Narayan Ramdhani and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, among many others. Dr. Allen told this publication that his job includes providing a diagnosis and helping the athletes to get back on the field as soon as possible. “I diagnose, do all further referrals and
Coordinator of the National Sports Clinic, Beverly Nelson assisting a patient on his way to recovery
Dr. Allen assisting a patient with a leg injury
treatment plans with the physiotherapist. My job is basically to diagnose and to see if they are getting better. If I think that they are not progressing well, I intervene and say maybe we need to consult with internal medicine, or with surgery to straighten out any problem that I think is there, and then we can continue with more physiotherapy,” he explained. Explaining what the facility can do for a patient, he said: “We put you back to normal functioning. For instance, if a cricketer comes in with injuries to his finger, he may not be able to function for months on a normal basis. But once he’s here early, within a period of about eight sessions, we can get him back on his feet. We also advise the coaches how to go about with the training and what to avoid. So the athletes are back in the field at a faster pace.”
Physiotherapists Beverly Nelson (left) and Vanessa Wickham
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 By Telesha Ramnarine
How to
AT 15 years old, Lonsdale O’Ryan Joseph can still remember what life in a juvenile jail was like. Apart from being among some of the ‘wildest’ young people he knew, Lonsdale was cut off from any association with his mother and other family members. He was an ordinary child who was born in Guyana but left around age five. He grew up between Barbados, Guyana and New York, USA. But he wouldn’t listen to his mother, Paulette Abrams, when she tried to warn him about his confederates. Though not himself, a gang member, Lonsdale was close friends with those who were. On one occasion, a group of young men drove up and started firing shots at his friends. In anger, the gang Lonsdale was affiliated with went looking for the culprits in an effort to retaliate. But Lonsdale and his ‘I tell children: Look at where I came from friends did not manage to get away from the police who and where I am today!’ – Lonsdale Joseph turned up in time to find them on the scene. With his mother already tired of warning Lonsdale over and over again, she dehimself in a situation which seemed impossible to get out. cided to let him feel the consequences of hanging out with And it caused him to think deeply about what it was that he the wrong crowd. After he was put in a Juvenile Detention really wanted out of life. Centre, she allowed him to remain there for close to three “I sat down and thought about life. Is this what I really months and cut off all family ties with him. Abrams, at that want? Is this where I want to be? I read a lot of books and time working in the military, was very stern with her childid a lot of soul-searching. I thought I was cut off from evdren and adopted a no-nonsense approach when it came to erything. I was by myself,” he recalls. raising them. But by no means does he regret passing through that “That’s what made me wake up…She got tired of me to experience, for he now feels that it saved his life. “My life the point where she said I would either end up dead or in jail. turned completely around; I went to college and my misAnd she kept all family contact at zero,” Lonsdale expressed sion is now to help my fellow Guyanese people become in an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine. stronger.” To this day, Lonsdale is not angry at the ‘tough love’ he received from his mother. “We have a good relationship VOLUNTEERING today although she is very stern. I’m thankful for all she For the past few years, Lonsdale, now 36, spends some did. I couldn’t see the bigger picture then but I love her to of his time volunteering at the Sophia Juvenile Holding this day and I thank her for allowing me to spend that time Centre and at the Ruimveldt Aide Centre, mentoring chilin there,” he related. dren. Because of having gone through similar circumstances Lonsdale, now a father of three girls, compared his and therefore understanding them, he feels he is now in a experience to that of the bible character Jonah, who found position to positively influence them. “I tell them my story; look where I came from and where I am now.” Lonsdale partnered with Brian Backer, Director of EPIC Guyana (Enhancing Potential to Inspire Change), a local non-profit organisation and has been going to the Sophia Centre to chat with the children. “He always makes himself available to speak with the children at Sophia and is real passionate about youth empowerment. He really should be recognised for his contributions. He’s a legit hero,” Backer told this publication about Lonsdale.
III Lonsdale O’Ryan Joseph
turn your
life around
Lonsdale started up an ‘elderly fitness’ class where he works with persons over 50 years old
PERSONAL TRAINER Lonsdale wanted to pursue a football career but it soon was over when he severely injured his leg. His circumstances now led him down a new path to becoming a personal trainer. “I was depressed and I started to exercise and that’s when I really got into it.” He has since registered his business here under the name “O’Ryan Fitness” and has been working with some ‘high profile’ clients. He ran the ‘Tower Hotel’ gym when it was in existence back in 2012
Lonsdale is now a personal trainer, having worked at several gyms in the past
and also worked as a Physical Education teacher at the New Guyana School. He later worked at the Space Gym located in the Status Hotel before leaving to begin personal training. “I am a certified personal trainer and did my training in Barbados. I still work out of Space Gym where I take my clients sometimes. But I train at people’s homes or elsewhere,” he explained. Lonsdale works at the ‘Fitness Paradise’ and has also started an ‘Elderly Fitness’ class where he helps persons who are older than 50 years old. He is doing this every Saturday between 13:00hrs and 14:00hrs. Because 95 per cent of his clientele are females, Lonsdale is hoping to be able to open an ‘all-female gym’ in the near future. “I work better with females because I can relate more with them. All the females I work with are like my sisters; they become my sisters. Some trainers have a bad reputation with women but I’m trying to raise the bar. I respect women. I believe women are stronger than men in more ways than one. I grew up with my mother, a strong woman. She had her issues to deal with but she was very strong.” Lonsdale’s main dream is to be able to work more with children and to even start a ‘big brother’ organisation. “Give me the worst kids and I will work with them. I like to work with them because, in my time, I didn’t have someone like me to talk to.” Lonsdale served in the U.S. Military for more than six years and left AWOL (Absent without leave). This resulted in a court case which lasted for years until he was discharged last year. During his military stint, he was deployed to Afghanistan and did three tours.
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Archibald Webb’s love affair with steel pan music By M Margaret Burke MORE than 66 years after Archibald Samuel Allan Webb started training people to play the steel pan, he is still very much involved in the music. Born on January 1, 1932, 86-year-old Webb told the Pepperpot Magazine that he started training people to play the steel pan from the year 1952 and for the last 25 years, he has been concentrating his efforts to train persons within the church to play the instrument. “I moved from church to church, including the Salvation Army, training mostly young people to play the steel pan and I love what I do,” he said. VERGE OF SUICIDE Webb, who was an electrical engineer by profession, said he worked at the University of Guyana for the last 10 years – responsible for electrical works there; he also worked at the City Engineer’s department, as well as at William Fogarty’s for maintenance. During that time, he noted that he fell in love with a “beautiful lady” who eventually broke his heart; a heartbreak that left him feeling so wronged, he admitted to being on the brink of committing suicide, having turned the thought over and over in his mind. “Then one day as I was walking through DaSilva Street, Newtown Kitty, I heard the sound of sweet steel pan music coming from a yard. I did not hesitate to stop and eventually made friends with the gentleman who was training the young people. His name was Winston,” he said. “We started exchanging views and I offered to start to help him instruct the folks. He asked me if I know steel pan and I told him no, but explained to him that because of my experience taking part and understanding the church choirs over the years I know that it would not be difficult. The rest is history because he allowed me to
Slowly now! Archibald Webb apparently leading a soothing music encounter here
be a part of the team and I never failed him. In fact, that was the opening for me until today.” MUSIC IS HEAVENLY According to Webb, music enriches the brain and helps people to retain. Further, he said, music is a gift from God and believes that music came straight from heaven. “It is a very powerful instrument,” he offered. Therefore, he told this newspaper, that it was through music he found a way to help him hold on – to keep him going in the difficult times. Webb expressed happiness in
gaged in the Centipede Masquerade Band and danced on many occasions for them. “I got some good licks for this but it did not stop me,” he said.
Steel pan instructor, Archibald Webb
Archibald Webb instructing some members of his band
MOTHER’S LETTER “I had a young man’s mother who wrote me and told me that I am wasting my time with her son because he is doomed for prison. She asked me: ‘Why are you wasting your time with him?’ I wrote back and said to her, ‘You will live to see this child make a success of his life,” he said, adding that the young man could not be too bad for him because he understood the child. He reported that the young man was correct and the mother was pleasantly surprised. He added that the ‘Breakthrough band’ that he managed some years ago had some similar challenges, where some of the young men were sometimes difficult to manage. “I persevered,” he stated, adding that in the end, he managed to turn them around by taking some of the seemingly worse members to give responsibilities in the band, such as being in-charge, becoming the treasurer, secretary and the like. This, he posited ,was the turning point for them as the results were all good. He said too that in the world of sports, men like Andrew Murray, who became an outstanding boxer; as well as the late Andrew ‘ Six-Head’ Lewis, were both once members of his steel pan.
having the ability not only to teach the steelpan but also to be able to transform the lives of many young men. “I have taught many who believed they were lost – whose parents also felt that there was no hope for them: drug addicts; crimiIn a posture of being truly engaged in nals; people who are bringing the music out is Archibald depressed and many Webb on the floor others,” he pointed out. He emphasised that steel TRANSCEND TO ANOTHER WORLD pan changes people; their “When I begin to direct a show – instruct the players brain becomes quick – very in music with the steel pan, I am not there anymore. I am quick; it can even bring out captivated – I would cry and all when I am getting the music the aggressor in people, where out; when the words are expressed in the playing of the steel they learn to fight – not phys- pan it really makes me cry,” Webb said, visibly emotional. ically, but for the things in He stated that it is not only the pan (steel pan); it depends life; it also keeps a person on who is teaching; it must be applied to your life – the melphysically fit, he assured. ody, rhythm; harmony – your life has the same composition; One of the founders of I must be able to bring out of you – I believe you have to the Burrowes School of Art want it,” he mused. (1958), Webb, a true an artist, Webb stated that pan, in a way, saved his life and has being involved in paint- helped him to turn away from an undesirable life. Moreing, poetry, drama, singing, over, seeing the benefit of steel pan in the lives of the playing the flute, doing art young people he teaches, he has an even deeper appreciand craft. He was also en- ation and love for it.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Modern Medicine Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre’s work with prosthetics ONE of the greatest benefits of modern technology is its ability to improve the lives of people. In Guyana, this positive impact of modern technology is especially evident in the field of medical rehabilitation, particularly in the areas of orthotics and prosthetics. Access to more technologically advanced assisted devices is aiding the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in providing better care and in helping patients to return to their normal lives. The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC) celebrated its 50th Anniversary just last year. Administrator, Cynthia Massay explained that it has grown greatly since its founding in 1967. She noted that the Centre is officially known as the National Rehabilitation Complex. “But, over the years, we still trade under the name of the Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre because that’s how we’re known,” she said. Massay explained that PRRC was initially founded at another location as a polio rehabilitation centre. The current location was named the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre when it was set up by the then Minister of Health. All that existed at that time was a single building which contained a physiotherapy department, a dormitory, three small classrooms and the administrative department. Today, contained within the complex are
AGM Inc. CSR Manager (l) and PRRC Administrator, Cynthia Massay discuss their partnership project
separate buildings housing the Harvey B. Davis Special School, the National Orthotic and Prosthetic Appliance Workshop (O&P Workshop) and the vocational/technical training unit, in addition to the rehabilitation centre housed within the original building and a daycare that has been in operation for almost 10 years. WORK WITH PROSTHETICS The National Orthotic and Prosthetic Appliance Workshop, the only one of its kind in the country, has its roots in PRCC’s beginnings. In the days of the Polio Centre a small unit was established to build braces for children with polio. Collin Charles, Chief Prosthetic Technician, explained that both orthotics and prosthetic appliances are manufactured at the Workshop. He explained that orthotics are devices which are used to control voluntary movement while prosthetics are used to replace missing body parts. “We work in conjunction with the [physio] therapy department,” he noted. Individuals are sent to undergo rehabilitation in the physiotherapy department before they are fitted with a prosthesis. Then, after the fitting of the prosthesis, they are once more sent to the physiotherapy department for continued rehabilitation. The types of prosthetics the Workshop is able to create have been expanded as a result of a recent visit by ProsthetiKa, a California based non-profit corporation which aims to provide assistance to disabled
people in developing countries. Charles related that ProsthetiKa introduced the Workshop personnel to different socket designs, namely the Ischial-Ramal Containment (IRC) socket which is an above-the-knee design. “We used to do mainly the quadrilateral socket for our above knee patients and now we do both,” he explained. He noted that the objective is to move away from exoskeletal type prostheses toward more modular
is by far much better,” he said. “It’s more comfortable for the patient, it has a more natural appearance when they walk in comparison to the quadrilateral socket.” Additionally, Charles related that the Workshop technicians once used mainly resin to create sockets. Having the backing of ProsthetiKa, he said, they can go directly to using polypropylene, a thermosetting plastic which makes the socket design lighter in comparison to the resin. He noted that the components are the same but the weight has shifted. ProsthetiKa’s team also worked with the Centre’s technicians in the area of orthotics. Charles related that they worked with two-stroke patients. They were taught the method of taking impressions or negative moulds. “They also went ahead and taught us the fabrication of the AFO, the ankle-foot orthosis,” he said. “We also did gait training which is something I think we haven’t been practising [as much as] the technician there.” He opined that it is necessary to have the physiotherapist present when the AFO is being fitted to observe how it fits and how the patient is able to move using it. Massay noted too that the Centre’s technicians learnt to be more careful with their alignment when fitting assisted devices. The ProsthetiKa team, which included Founder and President Jon Batzdorff, was From left, Devi Beepat, a teacher at the Harold B. Davis in Guyana from April 9 to 13. Massay Special School, Administrator Cynthia Massay and Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence on a recent related that Guyana Goldfields/Aurora visit (All photos courtesy of PRRC) Gold Mine (AGM), one of the Centre’s sponsors and supporters, helped make the visit possible. “For the last seven years or endoskeletal prostheses. they have been supporting the work of the Centre,” she said. There are numerous benefits to utilising new She explained that the ProsthetiKa team paid its own travel technology in orthotics and prosthetics. Referring expenses while the Centre was able to, with the aid of AGM, to leg prostheses, Charles noted that the IRC cover the team’s local expenses, including the cost of accomsocket hugs more closely to the skin. The ischium modation and transportation. Massay pointed out that without (lower and back part of the hip bone), fits inside the collaboration there was a possibility that the Centre would the IRC socket, in contrast to the quadrilateral not have been able to facilitate the ProsthetiKa team’s visit. socket where it fits outside the socket. He explained that sitting while wearing a socket like ENDGAME the quadrilateral creates a lot of pressure on the The ultimate goal of the use of new technology, as Massay ischium seat. “The gait with the [IRC] prosthesis noted, is for persons with disabilities who have to use assisted devices to become more independent. The use of prostheses makes it possible for individuals to return to their normal lives and careers or facilitates retraining for other occupations. “But basically you can become independent, you can live quite a full life which is the whole goal,” she related. There was another added benefit to the visit – ProsthetiKa’s team was also able to impart some of its knowledge to the Centre’s physiotherapists. “[In] fitting a prosthesis there is a team,” noted Charles. This team he said comprises a doctor, prosthetist, social worker and physiotherapist working together. After a prosthesis is fitted by the prosthetist, the physiotherapist takes over and trains the patient to use their new assisted device. Since the visit, “Our methodologies have improved,” said Massay. “And that was just by one week’s visit.” She related that in that one week they were able to note ways in which they could improve the service they offer at PRRC. They have already begun to implement some of the practices they learnt from the ProsthetiKa team. The importance of the access to new technology in prosthetics and the knowledge gained cannot be underscored. “It is very meaningful,” Massay said emphatically. She related that, in the past, many persons fitted with prosthetic devices would not use them because of their inability to adjust due to the type of prosthesis. “But, with this new type of technology they’re using, the prosthesis is far more natural and easier to manipulate,” she said. Modern Orthotic and Prosthetic (O&P) technology has enabled the gait when walking with Technician Junior Whyte (left) leg prostheses to become more natural. “It has made and O&P trainee Marlon Andres (right) working on a prosthesis a difference and will continue to do that so that persons with prostheses will now be much happier.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Half a century of hospitable service Essequibo businessman reflects By Indrawattie Natram
it was not paying so I quit,” Lord explained.
BY now, the name “Sunny” Lord is a household one in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region as families still remember the good works of the businessman. William Alexander Lord hails from Maria’s Lodge Village and is responsible for several significant
Lord and his now deceased wife, Hilda Ferreira, when their daughter, Maria, graduated in Venezuela
97-year-old William Alexander Lord
contributions to Region Two. He was the first to establish a hotel, restaurant and bar in the Suddie area, and was also responsible for introducing gas from the Demerera Oxygen Company Ltd (DOCOL) in the region. He was also the first to establish the “Chicken in Ruffles” establishment, as well as, a taxi service in the agricultural region. Although of his many ventures, only the Lord’s Hotel, Restaurant and Bar at Maria Lodge is still in existence, the businessman has many tales to tell on how he attained his business status. Born on November 13, 1921,
he is the father of 13 children. During an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, the businessman related that he started from humble beginnings and over the years, has managed to take many risks which he is proud of. At the age of 97, he still remembers how he started off by trading and selling cows and bulls to farmers. “In order for you to gain in a business, you need to start from somewhere. I remember I started off with a herd of cattle which I purchased for $5, 000,” Lord said. From managing his cattle, he said he then ventured into the honey business which was very fruitful for him. From his first apiculture business, he reaped three drums of honey from which he said he earned a lot of profit. From the money he earned, he re-invested in purchasing tractors and trailers which he rented to farmers. This was in the late 60s and it was then that his business started to prosper. “I was the only son for my mother. She struggled to upkeep me but even [when] I was attending school I used to think of ways to make money and I am glad I did. I was working for government and then I realised
used the money to support his children’s education. Some of his children graduated in Venezuela. In 1996 he returned to Guyana. He said that during those days business prospered and allowed businessmen to reinvest in other sectors. During his time, he had invested heavily in his children’s education and travelled to many countries. He remembered travelling to Canada, United States of America and England, where he has fond memories. Some of his children also opted to remain in England where they still reside.
TURNING TO BUSINESS When he first started working, Lord served for six years as an employee for the “Mosquito Control Services”, after which he served 20 years as an ambulance driver for the Suddie Public Hospital. He recalled that in 1966 he sat down one day and reminisced on his achievements during his time as a public servant, and said that to his surprise he hadn’t The late Hilda Ferreira gained much and then is when he decided to venture off on his own. “Being self-employed pays more. You PASSING ON THE LEGACY work at your own pace and you be your own Lord said that as time wore on and after boss- from owning cows to ploughs to a ho- several years in the business, old age began tel and restaurant, I was a proud son for my to creep up on him so he decided to gift his mother, Leony Da Silva,” Lord recalled. properties and businesses to his children. His In 1966, Lord then decided to purchase business is now managed by his daughter, gas from DOCOL to bring to Region Two. He Maria Lord Lewis. He said he prefers to retire started off with four bottles and then eventu- in his room where he spends time reading and ally the business grew. He said, he then heard reminiscing about his productive life. that the estates were selling land at various “I sit quietly in my room and I remember places and he capitalised on the opportunity things. I remember the good olden days. I am by purchasing some land on which he built glad to live to 97, but I would have been glad and opened his hotel business in 1970. In the 80s he opened a second branch in if my wife was around. She died a few years ago, but my daughter, Maria, takes good care Anna Regina. of me,” Lord said. The businessman said he would like TRAVELS Lord then journeyed to Venezuela, where to advise those who have the intention of he spent some time with his wife, Hilda Fer- starting a business to continue with good reira. He said that while there he would re- faith, and advised that the profits may not ceive his profits from the hotels, which were be much at the beginning but it will surely being managed by a hired manager and he prosper in the end.
Local farmer aids resuscitation of spice industry THERE are many unsung heroes across the length and breadth of Guyana. They live simply- seemingly unaware of their contribution to society. This is the story of 89-year-old Borchel Clarke, whose first encounter with 12 nutmeg seedlings in 1965, has contributed to the resuscitation of the local spice industry decades later. Clarke, originally from the coastland, ventured into Guyana’s hinterland in 1960 to earn a living as a carpenter. Like most men who travel to that part of the country, Clarke did not return to the hustle and bustle of city life. Instead, he settled in the small community of Hosororo, Region One- home to tall stretching trees, proud hills and fertile valleys. He later married a young woman from that community and eventually became father to eight children, four of whom are adopted. By 1965, Clarke had become a seasoned hinterland man. He had learned the way of life. While being a skilled worker proved helpful, to earn a decent living he became involved in farming. As such, gaining knowledge about various crops was important. Through the agricultural Hill Station situated in Hosororo, a young Clarke accessed technical support and planting materials.
Clarke recalled that in those days the Hill Station was managed by a European and the foreman was a Grenadian. The foreman was knowledgeable about the various spices; after all, he came from the Spice Isle. It was during one of his visits that the foreman gave him 12 nutmeg seedlings oblivious to impact this simple act would have decades later. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, Family: Myristicaceae) is an evergreen tree producing two spices, namely nutmeg or the kernel and mace or aril, surrounding the kernel. Those seedlings grew into bearing trees that still stand among the 35 nutmeg trees cultivated on half of an acre of Clarke’s five-acre farm. The lifespan of a nutmeg tree is approximately 70 to 80 years. And, in 2008 those elite trees allowed the farmer to play a major role in the resuscitation to the country’s spice industry by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). The institute was able to acquire nutmeg seedlings from Clarke. In fact, in a brochure prepared by NAREI Clarke is recognised. “At present no improved varieties are available in Guyana. However, an elite tree is there with Mr. Borchel Clarke, 26, Hosororo, Region One, the scions of which may be used for produc-
Farmer, Borchel Clarke, 89, is said to have contributed to the resuscitation of the local spice industry
ing grafts,” the brochure stated. Thanks to Clarke approximately 500 seedlings were distributed to farmers in Hosororo and neighbouring communities. Today, about seven acres of land are under nutmeg cultivation in Region One. While many farmers are now starting their nutmeg farms, Clarke has somewhat retired from farming. Though, he is a vibrant elderly man, navigating down the slope to visit his farm is a challenge. His grandchildren currently maintain the farm comprising of nutmegs, fruits and vegetables. He sells his produce at the Kumaka Market. Another farmer, Winifred Innis, who started planting nutmegs a few years before Clarke also, has a vibrant farm. A portion of Clarke’s and her harvests normally reach Georgetown. There is a demand for this spice. According to the Guyana’s Bureau of Statistics, on an annual basis about 10,000kg of nutmegs is imported. Clarke is also known as the community politician. He keeps up-to-date with current events and even engages government officials during their visits to Hosororo. He believes that agriculture could contribute to the development of the region. However, to facilitate this, each community should be connected via road.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Building a legacy of fun teaching Teacher on a mission to educate the nation in a fun way By Navendra Seoraj A BORING class is never favourable for students, especially those who are going through emotional and physical changes during their teenage years. Keeping their attention is mostly difficult but Mathematics teacher, Giddel Thompson, has a way of doing so by inculcating his subject in a fun way. Having an attentive class of students is every teacher’s dream and while some teachers use a strict approach to achieve that dream, Thompson tries to have a balanced class by promoting smiles and laughter during his teaching sessions. “I am trying to build a legacy of fun teaching,” said the owner of Giddel’s All Momentous Intellectuals (GIDAMI) during a recent interview with the Giddel Thompson (centre) flanked Pepperpot magazine. by students who won a debating The fun and learning happen in a fairly spacious competition and comfortable environment at Lot 35 Gordon Street, Kitty. This is expected to grow and expand well received and attended by students of the in the coming years but it was not always where it is today. Cummings Lodge Secondary. On the first day, Thompson, who grew up in Sophia, was never influenced he had close to 24 students but like every good by the negative attention that the community received back thing, there were always challenges. in those days. The challenges were not caused by the stu“I had my fair time of trials. I was never spoon-fed and dents but by his neighbours in Sophia. On sevI certainly never allowed the community to influence who I eral occasions, they called the police because wanted to become,” said the teacher, adding that he started of the noise level and also because of dust that teaching right after school, at the age of 17 years old. blew up when he would sweep the yard. Thompson had his first student during his Fifth Form days “Learning is fun, so at times we would at Apex Education. Ironically, his first student was his high crack jokes and so but the residents would school sweetheart who influenced the name of the lesson. Her complain and call the police; the continuous name was Amanda and his, Giddel so their colleagues merged trend brought me out of Sophia and into Datheir names and called them GIDAMI. vid Street, Kitty; at that time the lesson took Although the relationship didn’t last after high school, the a name change to MarDel because my friend name lived on and was later given new meaning. His ability joined in but that only lasted for a year and the name was to help Amanda get a Grade Two at the then Caribbean Ex- reverted,” Thompson said. amination Council (CXC) exam, gave him the motivation to After-school lessons are hard to build, since the teachers go on and become a teacher. would usually have to build a name for themselves but a lot of “If I could make Amanda pass I should start teaching; af- times people give up because they would have to wait a while ter-school work was hard to get, so I started the lessons right to actually see progress. in Sophia where my mother lives,” he said, noting that his Parents would obviously look at the lesson’s pass rate mother took on the expense of concreting the place, putting before they send their child, so aside from having a fun class in a shed, building benches, desks and installing a blackboard. Thompson has been working on producing quality students Her efforts never went in vain, since the classes were
21st Century Art By Vanessa Braithwaite
designing. Her motto is be nothing close to mediocre THE art of ‘doing nails’ and so she goes above and is no longer about apbeyond to make her clients plying artificial nails to satisfied. Since she estabone’s fingers as a means lished her nail salon in the of adding to a woman’s Wismar Municipal Market confidence and style. in Linden in 2015, she has For Tataum Grenville, captured an overwhelma 25-year-old young and ing clientele, even from upcoming nail technician the diaspora. Not even a in Linden, who has taken plane ticket was too much social media by storm to have one’s nails done by with her unique, creative, Grenville. “I am a perfecartistic and theme trendtionist, so the shape has to ing nails; doing nails is be perfect; the polishing has practising art, it is taking to perfect; the design has to your creative skills to be perfect; the colour coorthe next level. In fact, dination has to be perfect; she described herself as everything has to be perfect a perfectionist; someone because I love, love what I Tataum Grenville, Nail Technician who puts everything into do,” she said. getting every aspect of While there are internail application on her national nail technicians clients perfectly done, so that when they whom she gains inspiration from, she never step out of her nail salon, necks must be duplicates their designs since it is her motto turning from afar. to have her very own signature. “ I believe Grenville has exerted a lot of time and my designs are far from the ordinary because energies into studying nail application and I seek inspiration from basically anything:
who perform well at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). Apart from Mathematics, Thompson has hired other teachers to teach subjects like Social Studies, English, Accounts and so forth. Unlike teachers in the public and sometimes private system, they are tasked with ensuring that children pass because the parents rarely blame the main institution for their child’s failure at an exam. This is his eighth year of teaching and he believes that he has come a far way, but there is still more room for improvement and growth. The classes currently have 34 students. “We have very good pass rates here; I want the
Students paying keen attention during one of the after-school class sessions
lesson to be known as a place where you would want to send your child when the school says they cannot pass…there have been instances where parents come to me and say their child cannot pass but we took them in and made them pass,” he said. Over the next five years, he hopes to increase the capacity of the venture and be among the well-known tutors like Morgan, Leon and Sir Lee. His words of advice to people is to keep trying, even if they do not get it right or achieve their goal, they will find comfort in trying to achieve it.
Being a nail technician is more than polishing
fashion, food, a country- because I don’t like my work to be basic. I don’t want it to look like anyone else. I want when people see nails on one of my clients they must be like ‘Oh, Ebony did that’. I want my work to always have a signature,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine. What makes Tataum so different is that she puts a lot into being creative. She studies nail artistry and applies it in her own way. She has been designing nails according to trends, fashion, fruits, season, food and even countries. Wakanda, Gucci, Mama Africa and Christmas are just some of her theme designs that were well received on social media. Ebony has mastered the art of bringing the nails alive with three-dimensional flowers, animals and other artistry with the acrylic; so it’s no longer used only in the application stage but the designing stage as well. She revealed that she puts everything into her work; time, patience, effort and concentration and also invests a lot of money to make sure her clients are satisfied every time. Tataum not only does nails for a living, but posits that she enjoys tremendously what she does and that is why she is so good at it. While many may have preferred she pursued a traditional career where she would have sat in
an office, she has no regrets in following her calling. “It’s a hobby that I get paid for, six days a week. I get up and go and be creative. I don’t feel like I am working. It is so much fun. I don’t have any regrets going down this path,” she said. She encourages other youths to find their calling and follow it, as this would make life much easier and also so much fun.
One of Tataum Grenville’s designs
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
The ‘afterbirth’ of Father’s Day 2018 By Francis Quamina Farrier A PREGNANT woman goes into labour. She delivers a baby or two; sometimes three or four, and on very rare occasions even five or six. The latter usually attracts hordes of media reporters as was the principal plot of the prize-winning play “Miriamy” by Frank Pilgrim. However, what is never discussed, be it of a single baby or more, is the afterbirth which is extracted after the birth of the child or children. A mother of two told me that there is some pain with the extraction of the afterbirth. In movies and documentaries, they would show the delivery and the jubilation that follows after the arrival of the baby/babies, but never anything about the afterbirth. Somehow, just after the recent Father’s Day, I got to thinking about that and asked a number of mothers about that important but totally ignored aspect of babies coming into the world. Although the title of this feature article is about “afterbirth”, the deeper focus is on the role of mothers in the upbringing of their young boy children. I am wondering why there is no focus on the role of mothers in helping to shape the minds of their male children from a very early age ? I pose that question because of the role my own mother, Stella, did in shaping the minds of her children as regards interpersonal violence. We know that at Christmas time, young girls are
Stella Fisher Farrier, mother of Francis Quamina Farrier
Francis Quamina Farrier with older brother, Michael, and father, Franklyn, on the Hadfield Street pavement behind the Public Buildings
usually given dolls as gifts, while many young boys are given guns. Let’s think about that. In more recent years, toy guns have been manufactured to look like real guns and that could be the cause of injury and even death of a youngster while playing with one, since some policemen, we have to admit, are over aggressive in their task of policing. Father’s Day 2018 is now gone, and whatever was done or not done will remain history. I am very pleased to say that from the feedback which I have received to date, that there was a dramatic turnaround from recent years, when the day was being misused for merciless male bashing by some otherwise nice folks. Father’s Day became the day on which the good fathers were totally ignored by many influential individuals. In fact, the good fathers were treated as though they are invisible. Nothing was mentioned about their role as good fathers by those who have the opportunity and privilege to address large audiences on Father’s Day. These good fathers were for the better part, the products of good mothers, like my own mother Stella, who instilled moral values into her sons from a very young age. I have always wondered why it is that those who pontificate about domestic violence, never take the journey back in time to when those men who brutalise women, were young boys who were tutored by mothers like my mommy, Stella. There is usually lots of talk about the absentee fathers. That certainly is one of the causes, but mothers can have a great influence on the way their
young sons treat girls and women when they become men. So here we are with Father’s Day 2018 behind us, and now to deal with the serious problem of absentee fathers and all the other horrible misdeeds by delinquent men who have fathered children. But I submit that it should be done with the objective of finding solutions, not just to gawk in tactics which really is not the way to end this scourge in our society. There are now over 300 days at our disposal before Father’s Day 2019 rolls around. This is the afterbirth referred to in the headline of this feature article. So let’s commence the conversation. Let’s start by throwing the spotlight on mothers of young boys. Some of you may know of the American pop group which has the name “Boyz ll Men”, (Boys to Men) and that’s exactly where I invite you to commence this afterbirth conversation; to find out what road the boys of yesteryear took to arrive at the men who they are now. Men were not born adults; they were boys for many years and were influenced by the society
A father with his wife and newborn baby, awaiting the taxi to take them home from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)
in which they grew up. What role did their mothers play? (We hear quite a lot of the role which absentee fathers DO NOT play). That has brought me to the saying, “The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world”, which is in reference to the power of mothers in shaping the morals of their growing sons - and daughters as well. As we continue this conversation (one-sided, so far) I am obliged to say something about my own dear mother, Stella, and how she influenced her children not to be physical abusers or victims of domestic abuse. What is pellucidly clear is that there is no focus on what is known as, “bend the tree while it is young”, in Guyana’s national efforts to reduce and end domestic violence. There needs to be a time frame and programme to make domestic violence greatly reduced in our country; let’s say by the year 2038. So let the conversation continue. Please have your say. I would welcome all comments about this burning issue of domestic violence and how mothers can be educated on how to train their young boy children not to be abusers. I start by recommending my Mommy Stella’s Blue Book on mothering. Please contact me on my email fquaminaf@ hotmail.com. Let’s examine the Father’s Day afterbirth and what we could do with it scientifically.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Death in the dental chair I HAVE no doubt in my mind that like myself, all dentists, especially those who do private practice would agree that the thing they fear most in this profession is someone dying while undergoing treatment in their dental chair. Although dentists have been taught not to dread the occurrence of either a serious medical emergency or patient mortality during dental treatment, 10 per cent of all non-accidental deaths in the general population are sudden, unexpected and frequently occur among a rather young age group. Moreover, as our lifespan increases the exposure of aged individuals to routine dental care will no doubt increase. This is of considerable importance as individuals over the age of 50 not only have a large proportion of serious incapacitating and chronic non-communicable diseases, but also appear less able to tolerate various stresses and trauma inflicted upon them. Although not always appreciated as such, the practice of dentistry involves considerable psychologic and physiologic (physical) stress for many patients. For instance, it has been recently demonstrated that as many as 40 per cent of patients subjected to local anaesthesia and multiple dental extractions will have cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Obviously, the bodies of most individuals tolerate such insult very well. However, this is not always so and it poses a serious problem in patients with certain recognised diseases, the aged, and in persons taking certain types of medication. Some form of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) disease is found in a very large segment of the population with an increasing incidence in the older patient. In fact, various types of cardiovascular disorders represent
the leading cause of death, thus making it by far the most important health problem in Guyana. How is all this directly relevant to a classical visit to the dentist? This is how. Dental patients frequently are required to receive local anaesthesia prior to most regular procedures. Every unit of local anaesthetic contains a substance whose purpose is to ensure that the principal drug remains as long as possible on the site where the anaesthetic was deposited. If this does not happen the numb effect would only last for a few minutes. This substance called a vasoconstrictor is also capable of elevating the patient’s blood pressure. The sudden elevation of blood pressure can result in a stroke. The second highest cause of death by vascular (vessel) diseases is stroke. Ischaemic heart disease, which includes myocardial infarction and angina pectoris are simply conditions in which the heart does not get sufficient blood to circulate between the cells of its muscular walls. Although unanticipated myocardial infarction, collapse, and death are always a potential occurrence, the practicalities of day to day practice indicate that certain types of patients are especially sensitive to the stress of dental treatment. These include individuals with congestive heart failure, angina pectoris and recent myocardial infarction. All these conditions come under the heading of ischaemic heart disease, the main cause of death from vascular disease. Some major factors which make a patient a prospective candidate for death in the dental chair are physical inactivity (“white collar workers�), obesity (excessive body fat), stress or aggression and inveterate smoking. These facilitate heart disease. Patients who know they suffer from
a cardiovascular disease which includes high blood pressure or are on medication for any other illness should inform their
dentist of these conditions before beginning treatment. Their life may literally depend on it.
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ONE of the greatest concerns of consumers is their health and well-being and accordingly, this column has from time to time touched on this subject. This week we will touch on Yoga, the great value of which Western Medicine and other health promoters have discovered only comparatively, recently. On June 21, International Yoga Day was promoted worldwide under the auspices of the United Nations. Some four years ago, the international community became conscious of the value of Yoga and the UN General Assembly resolved to recognise June 21, the Summer Solstice of the Northern Hemisphere where most of the world’s population live, as World Yoga Day. From pre-historic times, the Summer Solstice had always had a spiritual significance; for example, the Stonehenge in England, a pre-historic temple, is associated with the Summer Solstice. Though Yoga has its roots in India, many of the most well-known gurus (teachers) are from the West. In other words, Yoga is becoming like the number system we use: Though it originated in India, it belongs to the world. Western Medicine tends to concentrate on curing ailments of either the body or the mind;
Yoga deals with both mind and body simultaneously since its approach is holistic. The human mind often oscillates between the past and the future and this result in anticipation and worry, desires, fears, cravings and aversions. These worries and stresses come about because neither past nor future exist and are illusory; only the present exists and Yoga brings the mind to the present moment. In this process of bringing the mind to the present, Yoga cleanses the mind and body of accumulated stress and negative impressions. With regular Yoga practice, the mind achieves clarity and balance, flexibility and alertness, and the strength of the body improves. The practitioner’s day to day life will reflect yogic gains. A very simple example of the holistic way in which Yoga acts on the mind and body is the practitioner being able to breathe through difficult physical postures, and this results in the mind being capable of overcoming the most difficult pressures and problems. Or physical flexibility leads to mental flexibility and equally, mental flexibility leads to physical flexibility. One of the great advantages of Yoga is that
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
YOGA PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
it makes meditation easier. One could then begin to meditate and one’s meditation would bring peace and happiness. But Yogic meditation could move deeper into the mind and psyche where one’s Being tastes the Infinite and one experiences Oneness with all Creation. In other words, one becomes all and differences disappear and with the disappearance of differences comes the end of all tensions. People of Religion describe such a state of being as “realising God.” In Yoga practice, Sanskrit words are used because they encapsulate concepts which would require several English words or phrases to describe or explain. The Sanskrit expressions are therefore a shortcut and in any case, have been absorbed into English. The practice consists of many asanas or postures leading to deeper spiritual dimensions. One of the first asanas which could be done without the help of a teacher is merely sitting comfortably on a mat with legs crossed, spine erect, gaze on a wall or some object in front and bringing one’s palms together in the middle of one’s chest. This placing of the hands together is called the “Anjali Mudra” or Salutation Seal. The Anjali Mudra is symbolic of the bal-
ance and harmony of the left and right united in the centre and also the balance and unity of the physical, mental and emotional. With that asana or posture and mudra, it is easy to begin contemplation and meditation. Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes, speaking at the World Yoga Day event which was held at the Everest Sports Club last Sunday, observed that more Guyanese were embracing Yoga, which not only helped to cleanse the mind but because diligent practitioners could be a light in a world of darkness. She felt it a very positive thing for one’s development if one took an hour out of one’s schedule to do Yoga. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, a few months after the UN General Assembly had declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga gave a good description of it: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being. It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature”.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Exciting future in agro-processing envisaged Producing some of the best tasting brews in the Pomeroon
Coffee trees, Jacklow, Pomeroon
By M Margaret Burke AMY’S Pomeroon Foods Inc. (APFI) was conceived in 2013 after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Louis Holder, who has some interests in the Pomeroon region, witnessed farmers cutting down their 75-year old coffee trees due to lack of demand from the few artisan coffee processors in the area. Holder told the Pepperpot Magazine that his research had revealed that coffee grown in Guyana was the oldest cultivar, named Typica of the Arabica variety, in the New World having been introduced by the Dutch in their Colonies of Dutch Guiana, Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo in 1721. “It was coffee beans from the Pomeroon region in the Essequibo which started the industry in Columbia. By 1810, then British Guiana was one of the largest exporters of coffee in the world. In that year, it exported 22 million pounds. But because the Dutch, and later the British agriculturalists, planted this coffee on low elevations, instead of its preferred high elevations, the plant yields started to decrease,” he said, adding that farmers and plantation owners found it more rewarding to switch cultivation to other crops such as sugar, except for the Pomeroon, where the cultivation of coffee continued. Holder said that he quickly realised that few Guyanese knew the rich history of coffee in Guyana and the need to change that. In addition, he stated it seemed sacrilegious to him that this history could disappear, lost to the nation forever. Because of this situation, he formed APFI to keep coffee and other “pedigree” crops grown in the Pomeroon alive and viable.
Louis Holder, Chief Executive Officer, Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc.
ries from farmers, its factory in the Pomeroon removes 90 per cent of the weight through a five-step process of washing (to remove defective cherries), pulping (to remove the cherry thick exocarp and mesocarp), fermenting (to remove the sticky mucilage), drying and hulling (to remove the endoThe Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc. factory building
PRODUCTS PROVIDED BY APFI Since October 2015 when operations began at APFI, the company has concentrated on coffee – Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee. Holder said that he met with Pomeroon farmers and made two guarantees. First, the farmers would be paid a price for its coffee cherries, 25 per cent higher than the going price, and that the company would buy all they could grow during the growing season. These were intended to be incentives to grow the industry in the river and to give the farmer an increase in income and as a result, supplies have been expanding steadily, he added. He explained that after APFI acquires coffee cher-
carp). He added that although costly, this method, known as the wet process, produces the best tasting brews compared to processors who use a dry process (drying and hulling), or semi-dry process (pulping, drying and hulling). “The resulting output from the wet process is coffee green beans. These are sent to Georgetown where they are roasted, ground and packaged. The problem with coffee is that its shelf-life starts deteriorating after roasting unless stored in an air-tight container to avoid contact with oxygen and moisture. APC is stored in triple-layered (Al/PET/PE) containers with one-way air valves to allow air and carbon dioxide to escape without reciprocating. The result is a high-quality deserving of its history,” Holder remarked. CHALLENGES TO MANUFACTURING LOCAL COFFEE The challenges are two-fold – branding a new product and weaning consumers off the inferior but convenient instant coffee. Holder explained that initially, the company used conventional advertising methods, but after several months found little recognition of the brand – Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee. At Turn to page XIII ►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XI
this stage, he said, he quickly realised the business had to have a more personal approach, so he included operations to involve organising ‘Taste Events’. These, he said, were organised at Trade Expos, government ministries, corporations and retail outlets. After just over two years of doing taste events, where potential consumers can sample the brewed coffee, the brand is becoming better known and popular with those who had the opportunity to sample. This effort is ongoing, he stated. In enlightening the Pepperpot Magazine on the process of weaning off instant coffee, he stated that this type of coffee is popular in Guyana due to its convenience in preparation, but that it is known for its inferiority. “In Coffee Houses, such as Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Banks DIH Quik Serv, Java Coffee, Petite Four, etc., it’s not even considered to be real coffee and therefore, not served. But because Guyanese consumers have used it for so long, they associate that taste to that of what coffee should taste like,” he posited, stating that the challenge is to introduce a new taste to consumers which takes a little longer to prepare and requires a machine to prepare the brew. He noted that the company addressed this by giving away French Presses, a passive brewing machine that takes about four minutes to brew a cup of coffee, with the purchase of a product. Further, he said that for commercial customers, it has given them, free-of-cost, a much larger brewing machine, a 40-cup electric percolator. With the means to prepare brews from ground coffee, it is hoped that consumers will abandon instant coffee, he said. LOBBYING FOR LOCAL CONTENT Holder said that the APFI is also lobbying through its manufacturing association – GMSA, to introduce local laws requiring taxpayers’ funds to be used to support local products, like the USA Buy-Local Law of 1933. This, he said, is the least the country expects from its government as countries worldwide adopt more protectionist trade measures and trade wars loom. The government and private sector should follow-up on
Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee brewers at the Expo
this wave of protectionism by devising a sustainable campaign to influence consumer preferences for local production. Then, the third pillar in a buy-local campaign lies in the retail outlets where supermarkets and other outlets reserve the preferred shelf space for foreign products. Pressure should be placed on these outlets to provide local products shelf-space no less than foreign substitutes, he pointed out. APC SUCCESS STORIES “Perhaps, the major success story is getting Banks DIH to distribute APC to the retail outlets. That company is the largest private manufacturer and distributor in the country with an enviable distribution network. But in the end, it turned out to be a straightforward business decision for Banks DIH as it recognised the quality of APC’s production and presentation,” Holder stated. He added that the company has also made a breakthrough with the supply of APC to major hotel and restaurant chains such as Marriott, Ramada Princess, Quik Serv, Java Coffee and Café Bellvana, Royal Castle and Woodlands Hospital, to name a few. APFI FUTURE PLANS Holder said that the company’s short-term plans are to introduce a local chocolate by year-end. It will be dark (85 per cent to 90 per cent cocoa) and healthy with honey substituted for refined sugars. Cocoa also has an interesting history for Guyanese. There is research, which suggests that cocoa
XIII originated in the Amazon and specifically in the Orinoco basin. New DNA research has cocoa being grouped into 10 germplasm clusters of which “Guiana” is one such cluster. This, Holder said, is exciting as it is indicative of Guyana having its own cultivation of cocoa, “Food of the Gods”, he stated. He said that the company plans to make a healthy product using between 85 per cent to 90 per cent cocoa, adding that the more cocoa content, the healthier is the chocolate as cocoa is packed with antioxidants. Further, he said that instead of refined sugars, the company intends to substitute honey as sugary foods, which are now viewed as a health risk, causing obesity in people. According to Holder, next year, APFI will commence tests on its “Coffee Mate” with the use of coconut milk powder and local nut butter like Nutella, but with coconut butter substituted for hazelnut butter. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com) Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee display – Guyana booth
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa OVER the next few weeks, I would like to talk about the various types of eating disorders- those that are very common within our community. While they may seem trivial to some, eating disorders are very serious mental illnesses that can cause a wide variety of physical and mental health issues. More importantly, they tend to go unnoticed, by our most loved ones and sometimes even ourselves. Eating disorders are unhealthy and abnormal attitudes towards food and exercise
which result in severe changes in behaviour and eating patterns. There is a constant focus and obsession with food, weight and overall physical appearance. The illness has a lot to do with our self-esteem, self-confidence and just an overall distorted view of ourselves. These types of disorders are particularly difficult as food obviously plays a crucial role in our life - it’s a necessity and not like other drug addictions where we can cut the vice out of our life completely. A balance and control of the drug need to be there, something that is
quite difficult. There are three major types of eating disorders which are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder. Today I would like to start with Anorexia Nervosa as it is the most dangerous of the three. This disorder is caused by many factorsonly one being the blatant social pressure to be thin which has drastically increased in the last few years due to the popularity of social media. There were many times where I had a piece of chocolate in my hand, decided to scroll through social media such as Facebook or Instagram, and I almost immediately felt forced to throw away the chocolate. During those times, I often feel tremendous guilt but when does it get too serious? When does it become unhealthy? Anorexia Nervosa usually develops from the anxiety, intense and irrational fear of being overweight or the desire to be thin. The majority of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa have a distorted view of themselves in the sense that they believe to be overweight when they are actually underweight. They believe their personal value is directly related to their weight and physical appearance. Both men and women suffer from Anorexia Nervosa (although it is more common in women) and the onset is usually around ages 16-17. It is basically self-starvation where the individual refuses to eat anything until they absolutely have to. When they do decide to eat, they constantly count calories and rarely eat in public settings. They repetitively complain about their weight and continuously weigh themselves. They may resort to excessive exercise or taking supplements such as diet pills or laxatives. This all means that they may experience rapid and frequent changes in weight, often experience headaches or dizziness and generally have low energy. Anorexia Nervosa affects individuals in many physical, emotional and social ways. It causes a range of physical health problems such as malnutrition, hair loss, Osteoporosis (fragile bones), sexual issues such as loss of periods/ infertility in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Issues with blood circulation, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, seizures and kidney damage are also common. Drug abuse is very common as many people resort to using drugs like cocaine to decrease appetite and therefore lose weight. This makes addiction very common in individuals with Anorexia. If the individual is pregnant, miscarriages, premature births and low birth weight are common. In some cases, the condition can even be fatal. Actually, Anorexia Nervosa has the highest mortality rate than any other mental illness. Anorexia can cause a
range of psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, self-harm and even suicide. These side effects subsequently affect school and job performance as well as many other daily activities. Social harms such as withdrawal from relationships and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are also common. Anorexia Nervosa can be the result of many things such as genetics (family history of eating disorders), bullying/ criticism, substance abuse, abusive relationships, low self-esteem and self-confidence, stress or being in a particular job/field that requires low body weight such as dancers or models. Sadly, people with Anorexia Nervosa rarely seek help – a lot of intervention is needed. If left untreated, anorexia nervosa will likely remain a lifelong condition. The difficulty is that the first step of recovery is admitting there is a problem, which is also very rare in this case. Most individuals can be treated in an outpatient setting but in severe cases, hospital admission is necessary. Successful treatment usually involves a combination of things. The first is to make a food plan to return to a healthy weight. The next step is to identify the underlying psychological issues that may have caused the disorder in the first place - for example, low self- esteem or stress. It is important to pay attention to your thinking/reasoning. People tend to believe that if they feel a certain way it must be true. “I feel fat so I am fat” is common. However, try to be reasonable, realistic and positive in your thinking. It will go a long way. Finally, behavioural changes such as staying away from places or activities that trigger the obsession of being thin may be necessary. For example - throw away your scale! A recovering Anorexic keeping a scale is like a recovering crack addict keeping his pipe. Start basing your value on how you feel daily instead. It is a lot of responsibility to take on so I’d suggest reaching out for help; to either a professional or a loved one. They can definitely help you with a realistic plan. I would like to encourage those who are currently trying to overcome Anorexia. It can take some time to fully recover and relapses are common but don’t lose hope, you are not alone. Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Plastic conversations continue
Dear Readers, WE’RE now at the end of June which has historically been a special month for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Not only are three environmental days, including arguably the grandest in World Environment Day (WED), celebrated in June, but the EPA also celebrates its anniversary in June. Moreover, this year, with the WED theme being ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, the EPA continued to influence our country transforming to a green, sustainable society. As the theme highlighted the dangers of single-use plastics, the EPA executed a National Conversation on Single-use Plastics which attracted representatives
from the government, private sector, manufacturing entities, non-governmental organisations, conservation societies and entrepreneurs creating the opportunity to share views on how Guyana can put an end to plastic pollution. This event was a success evidenced by the many ideas that emerged to nurture the movement against plastic pollution and to find solutions to this pesky issue.
According to a study by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council in 2016, 10 per cent of the waste stream from Georgetown comprises single-use plastic products. What this essentially amounts to, is more than 7,000 tonnes of single-use plastic products being taken to the Haags Bosch landfill annually. Considering that these figures only relate to Georgetown, we can only imagine what the figures for the entire country would be and where those plastic products are ending up. The improper disposal of plastic products has varying effects; drains are clogged, marine life and human health are endangered, and the economy is affected. It is against this backdrop that the Department of Environment and the EPA will continue to host conversations on single-use plastics. As such, the plastic conversation will continue in Bartica, Region Seven
and Linden, Region 10 as listed in the table below: June 26, 2018- Region Seven - Bartica Town Council Boardroom at 10:00hrs July 5, 2018 - Region 10 - RDC Boardroom, Linden at 10:00hrs. Through these conversations we aim to garner as many comments from the public as possible so that an effective solution (s) can be found. As such, we invite all interested parties to participate in these events. There is also the opportu-
nity to submit comments to the agency via the EPA’s social media pages, email and letter. We look forward to hearing from you! You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail. com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
folklore ‘BACKDAM’ ROLL CALL XVI
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
By Neil Primus
SYDNEY and Karl were lifelong buddies. They grew up together in Rockliffe. They went to school together and got married within weeks of each other. There were very little business opportunities in the small rural village so the two friends decided to go into the ‘gold bush’. They spent a year there working together and dividing the gold they found. After a 12 month period of hard work as pork-knockers, they returned to their homes to enjoy a little rest and relaxation.
One form of ‘R & R’ for the friends was drinking. Every evening they could be found sipping beers or drinking El-Dorado rum. Both were accustomed to heavy drinking so a few beers had no serious effect on them. The buddies would drink for hours and after their session, they walked together to the junction of the village then they went their separate ways home. Rockliffe was a tiny village compared to its neighbours. There were 42 homes, one small church and a bottom-house
school. Most of the economic activity in the village was agriculture. There was always a good supply of these products available at a reasonable price. The villagers lived simple lives and used rum and cigarettes as two major sources of recreation. The two men had made up their minds to seek prosperity outside of the village. Their choice of becoming pork-knockers was influenced by another friend who had worked in the ‘gold bush’ for many years. It was he who had encouraged them to venture into gold digging. They did not regret this move. In the one year, they had spent there, both were able to renovate their small homes and leave substantial savings with their families. Tonight, the mood at Bristol’s Rum Shop was quite festive. It was their last night of enjoyment before returning to their small gold claims in the bush. They drank and joked with friends telling all sorts of strange stories of adventures in the ‘gold bush’. They agreed on travel time to the interior before leaving for home. At 05:00 hrs, Karl would pass by Sydney and collect him then they would both head for the interior. After agreeing on this the two went home drunk. It was 03:30hrs when Sydney was rudely awakened. Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound sent noise waves through the small wooden house. He jumped out of bed still a little high and feeling unsteady on his feet. “Who is dat?” “Is Karl, leh we go!” The voice answered. “What!” Sydney was shocked. It was only 03:30hrs. He tried to remember what time they had agreed on. Was he that drunk to have gotten the time wrong? “Is only 03:30hrs now. We got till 05:00hrs.” “Look pack yo traps an let’s go. Time wasting!” Sydney hurriedly collected his backpack, tools and a snack and headed out into the dark. It was cold and a light mist hung low over the village. Karl was walking a short distance ahead of him. Sydney increased his stride and tried to catch up with his friend. He made three attempts but still lagged behind. “Karl! Wait up, man!” His friend kept going at a steady pace. “YO! Wait for me buddy!” The man did not slow down. Sydney made a quick decision. He dropped his bag and tools and sprinted towards Karl. Even though he was running, he seemed not to have moved any closer to his buddy. He put on a sharp sprint and kept it up for a while. The distance between them remained the same. Sydney stopped to catch his breath. “Hurry up Sydney!” His friend’s voice rang clearly through the misty dark. He looked up and saw Karl waiting in the distance. He walked quickly towards him. He wanted to find out why the chap was acting weirdly. As soon as he moved off so did Karl. Some inner instinct warned him that this was not normal. He stopped and Karl stopped too. During the time that they had moved from his home to this point, Karl had never turned around to face him. Sydney knew it was time to find out what was going on. He turned and returned to retrieve his backpack and tools. His friend followed him. “Where you going Sydney? Yo change yo mind?” Sydney ignored him and hurried to the home of his friend which lay deeper within the village. As he walked he kept glancing back. Karl was keeping pace with him but also keeping his distance. He put on a sprint- backpack and all - and arrived at the home of his buddy. Knock! Knock! Knock! “What? Who out there?” “Sydney! Open de door!” Karl opened the door and glared angrily at him. “Wat de hell you doing hey so early. Is only 4 o’clock !” Sydney quickly blurted out the story and pointed to the figure moving steadily towards them. It looked like Karl; backTurn to page XXVII ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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What you need to know about lemons - Part Three
Principal Postharvest Disease LEMONS are susceptible to a number of postharvest fungal diseases. Some of the pathogens attack the fruit prior to harvest, but exist in a resting state until the conditions are right for infection. Others infect the fruit only after harvest. Lemons should be harvested and handled gently to avoid bruising and skin injury, which greatly accelerates postharvest microbial decay. Reduction of postharvest decay is also achieved by the use of appropriate pre-harvest and postharvest fungicides, proper sanitation of the wash water, and prompt cooling to l2”C (54”F). In addition, adequate ventilation during storage is necessary to remove ethylene, which increases the severity of many postharvest diseases. Small pads treated
with the fungistat diphenyl (at the rate of 4.7 gml23 kg fruit) are beneficial in retarding decay development when placed inside export cartons. The main postharvest lemon diseases in Guyana are various moulds, black rot, brown rot, anthracnose, stem-end rot, sour rot, and cottony rot. GREEN MOULD Green mould, caused by the fungus Penicillium digitatum, is typically the worst postharvest disease of lemons. It attacks injured areas of the peel and first appears as a soft, watery, slightly discoloured spot on the rind. The spot enlarges to several centimetres in diameter within a day at ambient temperature, and the rot soon penetrates the juice vesicles.
White fungal growth appears on the fruit surface and, soon after, olive-green spores are produced. The sporulating area is surrounded by a broad zone of white fungal growth and an outer zone of the softened rind. The spores are easily dispersed if the fruit is moved. If the storage RH is low, the whole fruit shrinks to a wrinkled, dry mummy. If the RH is high, the fruit collapses into a soft, decomposing mass. This disease develops most rapidly at about 24”C (75”F). It can be minimised by using good pre-harvest sanitation practices; careful harvesting and handling to avoid injuries to the peel; a postharvest dip or spray with a benzimTurn to page XXV ►►►
FILES E S A C COURT
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Duplicate of Will admitted in absence of original
Daughter’s appeal dismissed – Injunctive orders varied IN a case where a duplicate of a Will had been submitted for probate in the absence of the original, which had been kept by the testatrix, the court was satisfied that the presumption of the destruction of the Will animo revocandi had been rebutted. The court held that this was due to the fact that the beneficiary under the Will, had lived with the testatrix for most of her life, the Will had been made soon after the return of the beneficiary to the testatrix’s home, and some five months before her death the testatrix had shown the respondent the Will. The testatrix, only child, ( a daughter) had estranged herself from the testatrix and although claiming a good relationship with her mother in her later years had not been told about the Will. The testatrix would have been aware that if she had died intestate her daughter would succeed to her estate, and although the testatrix would have been aware of the existence of the duplicate Will, she took no steps to destroy or cancel it. The Will had not been kept in a very secure place, and several persons had had access to the room in which it had been kept after the testatrix’s death, and the daughter had admitted going through the testatrix’s papers after her death. Daughter, Hapijan Sattar, appealed to the Court of Appeal of Guyana against an order of a judge of the High Court, admitting a duplicate of her deceased mother’s Will to probate on the application of Sarogni Dass (the respondent) and also against an injunc-
tion restraining the appellant from entering or remaining in the property forming part of the deceased’s estate. The facts are set out in the judgment of the Court delivered by Chancellor Kenneth George. Attorney-at-Law R.E.O. Moriah appeared for the appellant, while Mr. R. Gajraj represented the respondent. According to Chancellor George, “In the court below the respondent had sought to prove in solemn form a duplicate original will purported to have been executed by Biphni Abdulsatar (also known s Bibi Sattaur), deceased , on 22nd August 1985. The respondent sought an injunction to restrain the appellant from entering or remaining in the property of the deceased’s s estate situate at Lot 57, Blygezight, or interfering with her possession of it. The deceased, whose husband had predeceased her, died on 14th May 1986, less than one year after making the will. The respondent was her niece and the appellant her only child. The respondent was 35 years old at the time that she gave evidence in July 1988, and the appellant 44. Except for a four-year period between 1980 and 1984, the respondent had lived with the deceased continuously from infancy or early childhood, until her death. Their relationship was more that of mother and child than aunt and niece. Except for the making of the will, all the above facts were admitted by the appellant in her statement
of defence and counterclaim. The will itself, which was made after the respondent had returned to live with the deceased, is an uncomplicated document. The respondent was named executrix and, except for a bequest of $50 to the appellant, the deceased left the residue of her estate to the respondent. The last time that the respondent said she had seen the will was in December 1985, some four months after it was made and some five months before her aunt’s death. The deceased had shown it to her at their home at 57 Blygezight. She kept the Will in a vanity, along with other documents. After her death a search was made for the will. It was not found. The appellant who at the time of her mother’s death was living with a paramour at Mahaicony, on being informed of the death, travelled to the home at Blygezight and has been living there ever since. She admitted that she had searched among the mother’s papers but said that she did not find a will. The circumstances surrounding the making of the will were given by Mr. Dabi Dyal, an attorney at law of over 30 years’ experience. The respondent admitted that she was once employed by him as a typist for about eight months. Thereafter she obtained other employment but did not relinquish all connections with the office which she would visit from time to time. Mr. Dyal said that he had known the deceased through a mutual friend, Mrs. Allan Singh, at whose home he had met her on a few occasions. She intimated to him her desire to make a will and had made an appointment to attend at his office for that purpose on 22nd August, 1985. After receiving instructions he drafted a will which he caused to be typed in duplicate. Thereafter he called her into his inner office where he read the typed copy. The testatrix agreed that its contents accorded with her wishes, and he called his secretary and a typist who signed both copies of the will in the deceased’s presence, after themselves, seeing her affix her signature. Also present was the mutual friend, Mrs. Allan Singh. After signing he noticed that there was need to initial certain typing changes and this was done no doubt at his request, by the testatrix and the witnesses in that order. The original was handed to the deceased whilst he kept the duplicate original in his office. Also giving evidence was Mr. Dyal’s secretary. His typist had by then left his employ. However, it was the secretary who had typed the Will. She corroborated Mr. Dyal’s evidence as regards what transpired in his inner office. In her evidence the appellant said that the property at Blygezight was owned by both her parents, with whom she grew up. Unfortunately, the fact of their joint ownership was not pleaded, but from the transport tendered it is clear that it was owned in common by both her parents. The appellant married in April 1967 after eloping with her husband to be. She said that she lived away from her parents for about four months and then returned to the home, but lived a separate existence from
them. She was still livBy George Barclay ing there in 1980 when her father died. She did not say when she again left her parents home but she admitted that she was living at Mahaicony when her mother died, although she would visit her at week-ends. As for the respondent, she said that she returned to Blygezight in 1984 but it was intended to be temporary. However, she remained on. She received the news of her mother’s death at Mahaicony, and immediately journeyed to Blyg ezight where the respondent showed her some papers, but no Will. She denied removing a will from her mother’s home and asserted that there were no differences between herself and her mother .Both parties agreed that the deceased was at all times possessed of her full faculties. The trial judge found that the will had been properly executed and that there were no suspicious s circumstances surrounding its making. He also held that the presumption of the revocation OF THE WILL, which had last been seen in the testatrix’s possession, due to the fact of its absence after death, had been rebutted. Accordingly, he admitted the duplicate original Will to probate and also granted the other reliefs sought, viz. a mandatory injunction restraining the appellant from remaining in the premises at 59 Blygezight or interfering with the respondent’s occupation. It is against these orders that the appellant now appeals to this court. The trial judge’s decision is challenged on two main grounds. These are (i) the decision was against the weight of the evidence in that the presumption of the destruction of the will animo revocandi had not been rebutted and (ii) the evidence disclosed circumstances of suspicion surrounding the making of the will and those had not been dissipated by the evidence. Chancellor George in the judgment added, “In my opinion the above facts and circumstances were sufficient to rebut the presumption that would otherwise have arisen. Accordingly I agree with the trial judge’s decision in so far as it pronounced for the force and validity of the deceased’s will. “However, having regard to the fact that the appellant’s father was the owner of one half share in the property at Blygezigh, and to the uncontradicted evidence of the appellant that he had died intestate, she would be entitled to a two-thirds share in his estate. It was therefore inappropriate for the judge to have granted the other reliefs sought by the respondent. “Accordingly the trial judge’s decision must be amended to delete the injunctive reliefs that he had ordered; ‘Having regard to the grounds filed and argued I have no other alternative than to dismiss the appeal. But the order of the trial judge must be varied to delete any reference to injunctive reliefs in favour of the respondent. “In the circumstances each party will bear his own costs of the appeal. Appeal dismissed.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
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Are LGBT rights Human Rights? RECENTLY, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has been receiving much attention locally as it seeks to advance the call for the natural, inalienable rights of individuals. What are these natural and inalienable rights? As far I know, the concept of these was birthed from the 16th century European enlightenment ideals. It is based on the premise that every human being - regardless of their inherent differencesare born with certain fundamental rights- like the right to life and freedom. These ideals spawned from the intellectual awakening of people, who sought to question how they were governed. And, they were made more popular by Thomas Jefferson who included the concept in the USA’s Declaration of Independence in 1776. Arguably, to this day, not every human has these fundamental rights. And LGBT individuals are among those denied of their human rights in Guyana. Researchers from the Georgetown Law Human Rights Institute recently conducted a study in Guyana and published as: “Trapped: Cycles of Violence and Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender persons in Guyana”. The study addressed the myriad issues plaguing the community, from violence to discrimination, integrating qualitative information from LGBT individuals. It aimed to document their struggles and seeks to amplify their voices in protesting the violations meted out to them. One section focused on discrimination in the workplace; an ill but an issue where much progress has been made nevertheless. According to this study, “While many Guyanese struggle to find employment and earn a living wage, these challenges are exacerbated for LGBT individuals who encounter a toxic
mix of discriminatory laws and prejudice that further hinders their right to work.” The general challenge is first finding employment; this is fostered by the inability to complete secondary education due to discrimination in the home and school and later the intolerance by employers. This was found to be particularly true for individuals who are openly LGBT, regardless of their skills. Furthermore, the study unearthed that part of the unwillingness to hire LGBT persons stem from the broader discriminatory attitudes in the Guyanese society. Twinkle Bissoon, a transgender woman said, “Some persons think, especially when dealing with customers, [that] you put them at risk for not having business.” Many of the other LGBT interviewees noted they could only find work in situations where they did not have to interact with the general public or in the informal sector, such as call centres, domestic work, or sex work. Then comes discrimination in the workplace. When LGBT individuals are able to secure jobs, the study showed that those who disclose their non-normative (or presumed) Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) in the workplace, risk being harassed, bullied, and fired. And nondiscrimination policies are critical yet majorly absent from workplaces, but more importantly is the need for the revision of the 1997 Prevention Discrimination Act. For some time, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) has been working on the revision of this act to include “sexual orientation” and will legally protect persons identified as lesbians, gays and bi-sexuals, while “gender identity” will offer protection to transgender persons. In its current form, the act only prohibits discrimination in the
workplace based only on “race, sex, religion, colour, ethnic origin, indigenous population, national extraction, social origin, economic status, political opinion, disability, family responsibilities, pregnancy, marital status or age…” This issue of discrimination in the workplace presents an illustration of the discrimination against LGBT individuals without being too controversial. It also shows seemingly simple changes that can have a great impact on improving the lives of people. But, this discrimination is but one instance of this occurring, however. Discrimination has a ripple effect; it may lead to loss of livelihood and even violence and abuse. And, it is pervasive because there is the strongly supported argument, often from religious bodies, that homosexuality is immoral. In my opinion, while individuals have the right to their opinion, they don’t have the right to marginalise people and encroach on their human rights by enforcing their views on other people and on the state of affairs. What’s worse, is that the constitution of Guyana deems Guyana as a secular state, one which isn’t dictated by any religion and supports all Guyanese. Guyana also ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the first five articles alone guarantee: The right to Equality; Freedom from Discrimination; Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security; Freedom from Slavery and Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment. Therefore, under International Law, Guyana is legally obligated to safeguard the human rights of LGBT people. It may not be all black and white and it might not be pleasing to many, but it is the right thing to do. LGBT individuals are humans and all humans have their natural and inalienable rights. Better must come.
A “Jill” of many trades
Shivanie Rampersaud
SHIVANIE Rampersaud is a young professional in the fields of Communications, Entrepreneurship and Leadership. Coming from a single parent home, she spent most of her childhood with her mother and grandmother at their Canal Number Two, Polder home. She describes the atmosphere and memories of her childhood as very warm. “My family lives very lovingly, every weekend my mom’s brothers and their families would visit us so it was always a full house, despite being the only child in the home I always had company,” she said. “Also growing up in ‘Canal’, I
would say was one of the best parts of my life; it is a true enactment of the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. Everyone was so loving and would always look out for me.” After excelling at the Kawall Primary School, Shivanie went on to attend the Saint Stanislaus College, and has since furthered her studies in undergraduate courses in many areas including, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Leadership, Communications and Hospitality & Tourism Management, among several others. She was also privileged to be part of several international training programmes and projects from many reputable organisations including the Commonwealth and the Pan American Health Organisation/
World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) in both capacities as a lecturer, mentor, as well as a participant. Further, Shivanie has had the privilege to work with several broadcasting entities including the Government of Guyana’s Communications arm, where she gained years of experience in the various sectors. She is also the recipient of several prestigious awards for her writing and contributions to journalism. These include the Pan American Health Award for Best Health Journalism Coverage, three consecutive years along with the United Nations (UN) Award for the Best UN story coverage. Additionally, Rampersaud has a special interest in the Health Sector and has been a volunteer and mentor since the age of 14. She is the Founder of Young Pioneers, a charitable organisation in Guyana that focuses on Youth Development and Community Work.
The organisation aims to expose youths to capacity building opportunities while reminding them of their duties towards society by engaging them in charitable projects.The organisation was founded in 2013 and has conducted numerous online awareness campaigns in areas of suicide prevention, body shaming, importance of Sustainable Development Goals, Gender Equality etc, along with food, clothing and books distributions, training sessions and workshops, visits to Elderly Homes & Orphanages, fundraisers for patients in need of medical care & surgeries among others. The group is segregated in various districts to expand its reach. There are currently groups in three locations, namely, West BankWest Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara-Georgetown and Berbice with approximately 22 members. She explained that her drive comes from her passion for helping others.
“Despite the challenges in our home financially, my mom and grandmother never failed to help anyone. I grew up watching them and assisting them in doing charity. It became my passion from a young age.There is an overwhelming amount of joy that comes from being able to help someone. It gives me a feeling that cannot be compared to any other. Also my religion, Hinduism teaches us that there is no better service than service to mankind.” Turn to page XXVII ►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
The Civil Defence Commission
Making strides in Disaster Preparedness and Response in Guyana NATURAL disasters are unpredictable and they are devastating. Every year, millions of people are displaced and Governments are forced to face the economic consequences; directing scarce resources to relief and rebuilding efforts that would have otherwise been spent on improving social services and raising standards of living. This stark reality necessitates that countries develop comprehensive disaster pre- The practical exercise of the Oil paredness plans that Spill Response Workshop, which are designed to provide was conducted in April urgent humanitarian assistance and to lessen conduct operations to deal with all types of disasters in the impacts of a disaster. The adverse impact of natural Guyana. By 1985, a comprehensive National Disaster disasters often cannot be fully prevented, but their scale Preparedness Plan was documented and implemented. In or severity can be substantially lessened, by various September 2001, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for strategies and actions. the National Emergency Operations Centre were upgraded In this edition of Government in Action, we will take a to meet new challenges posed by worsening domestic and look at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); its mandate international disasters. for disaster preparedness and management in Guyana and Today, the CDC’s mandate is to coordinate and monitor how it has been working to develop local capacity to handle Disaster Risk Management and Comprehensive Disaster disasters, both natural and man-made. Management in Guyana; identify, analyse and map hazards and conduct related research into their effects and THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMISSION develop appropriate responses; collaborate with Ministries The CDC was established in 1982 to create plans and and Departments of Government, national and Regional Democratic Councils, local communities, statutory bodies, private sector entities, non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations having functions related to, or having aims or objectives related to those of the Commission; develop and maintain a database on disaster-related information including climate change and other new and emerging threats and to ensure access to the database by stakeholders In the context of its mandate, the CDC’ s mission is, to reduce loss of life, damage to property and improve the quality of Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, life in Guyana by leading, Director General of the Civil coordinating and supporting Defence Commission hands over the nation in the developcleaning supplies to a resident of ment and enhancement of Wakenaam, who was affected by a comprehensive disaster flooding risk management system,
involving preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. PLANNING AND PREPARATION Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for the CDC and disaster risk management, speaking at the closing ceremony of a one-week Mass Casualty Management (MCM) and Incident Command Systems (ICS) workshop on February 14, 2018, said that for a small nation with limited resources like Guyana, planning and preparation are key. “There is no doubt of this Government’s commitment to building resilience to disaster risks for all Guyanese. We have worked and will continue to strive to ensure that we are better prepared and able to deal with the increased risks expected from climate change and manmade hazards. Disaster Risk Management is everyone’s business, and we intend to do all that we can to create a better, safer Guyana. I wish to assure you that the Government of Guyana will continue to invest in the development of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Guyana. We will never be caught in a situation where we do not have a plan. We must plan for all eventualities. It is only by planning and preparing that we will be in a position where we can respond positively. We have limited resources and if we are to have optimum use of those resources, we have to plan carefully and apply the resources we have in a practical and efficient way,” Minister Harmon said. The State Minister noted that with the recent spate of hurricanes in the Region and the increasing effects of global warming and climate change, it is important for Guyana to take note of its geographic location and move towards strengthening and building capacity to protect itself from the effects of the phenomena. In this regard, Minister Harmon said that measures must be immediately taken in Guyana beginning with an intensification of the education programmes to inform citizens about ways in which they can safeguard themselves when disasters occur, and to devise the most conducive and cohesive strategy to protect themselves and their livelihood. Secondly, he noted that the development of new building codes and specifications to make building structures and infrastructures disaster resilient must now become a norm. “Thirdly, I want to suggest that we improve and expand our communication networks such as the establishment of radio stations in our regions, towns and rural communities to keep our citizens informed about disaster preparedness, mitigation consequences and actions to be taken in the face of occurrences. Additionally, we have to increase our efforts to institutionalise disaster preparedness in all regions of Guyana. Ours must be continuing and continuous effort
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 to address disaster issues especially disaster reduction,” the State Minister noted. With this in mind, Government, since its assumption to office in 2015, has been working closely with the CDC to adopt a comprehensive reform process to modernise the Commission and to bring it in line as much as practicable with the policies of CARICOM’s umbrella agency for disaster management, the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The reform process has involved among other measures, the revising of the outdated National Disaster Preparedness Plan to make the CDC compliant with global and regional systems such as United Nation International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency’s Comprehensive Disaster Management Framework. Implementing disaster preparedness legislation and upgrading infrastructural facilities are also ongoing. Through these efforts, the CDC has been able to expand its reach, improve its response times and help local and regional authorities to develop regional disaster management committees to reduce dependence on the central office. OIL SPILL RESPONSE As Government moves to build and strengthen its capacity to deal with the potential hazards associated with the development of an oil and gas sector, the CDC has been undertaking efforts to ensure that Guyana puts a sound disaster risk reduction and management system in place so that it is prepared to prevent an oil spill or respond effectively should there be an accident in that regard. On March 24, 2018, at the first of a series of national consultations on the drafting of the National Oil Spill Response Contingency Plan at the CDC’s headquarters, Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman noted that with every new find, the importance of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan grows exponentially as it will not only deal with the development of the oil wells being drilled by ExxonMobil but the other wells that come in tandem with it. He said that while the Government recognises the potential risks, which come with developing this new-found petroleum resource, it remains equally committed to the protection of the environment. Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig said that even as the country recognises the voluminous natural resources it possesses, which can contribute significantly to positive social and economic growth and development, stakeholders must also reflect on how proactive and targeted Disaster Risk Reduction and Management measures can play an integral role in reducing negative environmental impacts during the utilization and exploitation of these resources. “Today’s consultation is yet another step in the right direction, where our key stakeholders will be able to critically review the first draft of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. The intent of this plan is to implement a framework, which would cater for a coordinated response action to potential onshore and offshore oil spills. As such, the plan needs to be simple but comprehensive, accessible, readily updatable and reflective of not only the working culture of Guyana but also in line with international standards and best practices,” Colonel Craig noted. He said that the Government and other stakeholders involved must not only be prepared for the opportunities but for the accompanying challenges such as environmental pollution and oil spills. “As we are all aware, without preparation, no amount of expertise, manpower or equipment can be effectively organised on the spot in the chaotic situation that prevails after an oil spill. The scope of a contingency plan is based on what is known as a “tiered response” framework. This helps to ensure that the planned response reflects the scale of the particular spill. The mere existence of a plan is not sufficient to ensure preparedness for responding to an oil spill. The planning process itself is as important as it serves to raise issues that will likely arise in response while raising awareness on roles and responsibilities of every stakeholder,” the Director General said. On April 26, 2018, the Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the CDC and Exxon Mobil, certified a total of 37 participants, who undertook a one-week Oil Spill
Response Workshop at the Splashmin’s Resort.
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age Assessment training for 45 persons from that region, as well as, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three), MASS CASUALTY MANAGEMENT Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Mahaica-Berbice (ReIn an effort to strengthen Mass Casualty Management gion Five), East-Berbice Corentyne (Region Six) and the and Disaster Response Systems, CDC in collaboration CDC’s Volunteer Corps. with the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Colonel Craig noted that regional officials and volOrganisation (PAHO/WHO), the Ministry of Public Health unteers, who have been trained are required to form the and the Canadian High Commission in Guyana, on February Regional Rapid Assessment Teams and will be required to 14, 2018 concluded a one-week Mass Casualty Management conduct assessments immediately after a hazard impact to (MCM) and Incident Command Systems (ICS) workshop, inform the process of determining the appropriate response. with 86 participants from 20 organisations, each of whom is In keeping with the Regional Disaster Risk Management now internationally accredited in mass gatherings manage- Mechanism, the CDC should only take the lead in the rement techniques. Forty-two of the participants completed sponse operations if the situation overwhelms the Region’s the ICS and 39 the MCM between February 5-7, 2018 and capacity. As Guyana and the Caribbean grapples with the February 8-14, respectively. Additionally, five instructors impact of climate change, the Director General said that the completed their MCM evaluation. country must work to enhance its collective capacity to be Minister of State Joseph Harmon noted that MCM and able to provide an effective response system to emergencies ICS systems are integral in the preservation of public safety and disasters at all levels. and security during emergencies and disasters, as they fa“As you all know, Guyana is susceptible to both natucilitate the provision of prompt medical response, effective ral and manmade hazards that can impact the society, our vulnerable Regions, their communities and the residents. Flooding, as a result of heavy rainfall, or breaches in the sea defence or from other sources, droughts, fires, spillage of petroleum caused by an overturned transport vehicle on a roadway, and now, the probability of an offshore oil spill, all have the potential to disrupt our lives and our communities. As such, Disaster Risk Management becomes everybody’s business,” the Director General noted. The Government, through the CDC, has embarked on the path to ensuring that across Guyana’s ten Regions, citizens as well as private and public sector stakeholders, gain the relevant knowledge and skills necessary to positively impact decision-making and operational readiness in the event that people are impacted by hazards and/or disasters. In this regard, the Regional Disaster Risk Management System is being implemented in all the Regions and Community-Based Disaster Risk Management at the community level in an effort to decentralise Disaster Risk Management and enhance disaster response. This has proven beneficial as the CDC, on June 17, 2018, was only required to provide supplies and conduct an assessment of the island of Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands- West Demerara (Region Three) after residents experienced flooding due to high tides and a breach in the sea defence at Melville and Members of the Brazilian Army and Sans Souci. the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) The Director General of the CDC noted conducting tests in South Rupununi, that the rapid response by the regional adminUpper Takutu-Upper Essequibo istration was due to the Regional Multi-Haz(Region Nine) in March. The CDC ard Preparedness and Response Plan, which coordinated this effort the CDC had helped the region to formulate. The RDC was able to activate its Disaster and efficient resource mobilisation and management, and Risk Management Committee and actively respond to the strengthened inter-agency coordination during Mass Casu- affected areas. alty Incidents (MCI). “Through this system we were not only able to provide DROUGHT RESPONSE appropriate medical care but were also able to effectively Drought has also been a challenge for Guyanese, particularly manage the flow of patients to the Emergency Department residents in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Following President David Granger’s State Visit to Brazil in Dethereby, averting a surge situation at the GPHC and saving cember 2017, where the Complementary Agreement to the Basic lives. Given these positive results, it is imperative that Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government mass casualty management systems are implemented at all of the Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil mass gatherings, both at the national and regional levels. for the Implementation of the Project Technologies to Reduce Response capacity is not only being built at the national the Effects of the Drought in Region Nine of Guyana, was inked, level but we are engaging the Regional Democratic Councils the CDC has been tasked with coordinating the project. through the Regional Disaster Risk Management Systems The Project will pave the way for the drilling of eight wells that are being institutionalised in the administrative regions, in eight villages. This will assist in the storage of water for the to ensure that persons are similarly trained and Mass Casu- dry season (El Nino). The drilling of the wells is expected to alty and Incident Command Systems are integrated into the commence in October and will last for a period of 60 days. Upon regional mechanism,” Minister Harmon said. completion of the wells, the Commission will undertake the task of monitoring and evaluating of the project to determine how it DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND DISASTER MANAGE- has impacted the communities. MENT Emergency and disaster planning involves a coordinated, Damage Assessment is a critical component of Disaster co-operative process of preparing to match urgent needs Risk Management. It provides critical information that with available resources. Government has recognised this aids in guiding decision-making relative to operational and the need for a proactive approach as the climate change responses. It also defines, for response personnel, various and global warming phenomena continues to wreak havoc parameters for logistics requirements, while providing the on the Caribbean and other Small Island Developing States. roadmap to aid in sourcing the resources needed to bring As the Government continues to play its part, so too must relief to the affected persons and communities. citizens who must recognise their role and contribute to On April 14, the Commission concluded an initial Dam- the process.
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
From Cinema to Sanctuary Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
By Shirley Thomas
THE transformation of the former Hollywood Cinema in Thomas Street, Kitty from a cinema to a sanctuary, shedding worldly pleasures and winning thousands of souls for the kingdom, is an amazing demonstration of what hard work and faith can achieve. Jesus Deliverance Ministry International (JDMI), founded by the late Apostle Oliver Smith and his wife Apostle Coreen Smith, on June 5, 1986, celebrated its 32nd Anniversary as a Pentecostal Church earlier this month. On this momentous occasion, the church under the mantle of Apostle Coreen Smith held three evenings of celebration, beginning on June 3 and culminating in an awesome Praise and Worship Thanksgiving Service on June 12.
The history of JDMI was read by a pastor of the church, Allison Albert and told of how the church became the strong religious institution it is today. JDMI has emerged from humble beginnings, in the home of Apostle Oliver Smith, who was at the time employed as a policeman, but he also had a vision and therefore wholeheartedly answered the call of God to begin a ministry, the historic reading reported. Together with his wife and their four children, on June 5, 1986 the family started a church with 15 persons; a congregation that
Apostle Coreen Smith, Founder of JDMI is flanked by Armour bearers
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grew progressively over time. Word that an evangelist had risen up dynamically preaching the gospel and doing prophecy, miracle healing and deliverance, spread around Guyana like wildfire and the response was phenomenal. People came from across the length and breadth of Guyana. From the inception, the services at JDMI overflowed with people. JDMI saw persons from all over Guyana turning up early for seats to worship and fellowship. Members reportedly received healing from all types of Turn to page XXVII ►►►
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Curiosity almost cost him his life By Abdool A. Aziz EVERY Sunday, the workers sail out in their `balahoo’ to mind-steam in the creek. They anchor and plunge over-board almost naked. Their dangerous mission: to locate and retrieve sunken logs belonging to the local sawmill. On this day, the sawmiller’s nine-year-old son was on board. He stayed ‘top-side’ as the brave men disappeared in the brown murky waters. He spent the time watching the riverine waders and crabs on parade on the mud flat. Then their heads would pop-up and
the scramble to the boat. All wet, they sprawled on deck basking in the sun and drinking from a large bottle called ‘XM rum’. They gulped down the substance, sighed, beat their chests and licked their lips. They nodded for a while, stretched a bit and drank again from the bottle then they slipped overboard. The little boy eyed the bottle of rum. What is rum? It had to taste good. They loved it. Perhaps he would enjoy too. Prompted by the devil, he reached for the bottle. He poured some in the bottle cap and instead of tasting it, he poured all down his gullet –
big mistake! His stomach blazed. His throat locked off. His mouth became bitter and dry. He was on fire. He got scared. He panicked. He hollered for help. No one could hear him. He yearned for water. Water was all around but nasty and salty. He knew it was not fit to drink but he was forced to lean over the gunwale and ‘lap up’ mouthfuls. Salt water is proved dangerous to health. We should never drink this ‘brine’. Now his trachea almost seized up. He panted for air. He cried out for help. He looked constantly over-board to see if the divers would surface. All he saw was the dead leaves drifting with the tide. Then his tummy began to gripe. Diarrhoea took command. He hung over the stern. He suffered a great deal from intestinal upheaval and when the men surfaced they saw his condition. There was no ‘playing
around’ with the boss’s son. They weighed anchor and took him ashore and to the closest medical centre. He admitted to drinking salt water but not the rum. He was saved in the nick of time. He became a teetotaller (abstinence from alcohol). He still wonders how people can drink that ‘peppered’ stuff called ‘rum’ and feel so good. He met a gang of teenagers ‘pumping’ cigarettes. How manly! They were inhaling the smoke and piping it out the nostrils. He admired them. Could he do that? That is an unanswered question to this day. He was never so curious again. Let the smokers do their ‘ting’. Not him. Curiosity nearly killed him. He learned the hard way. He’ll never forget, the rum, water and the diarrhoea. His message: ‘Let sleeping dog, lie’. The secret is now out after years.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XVII
idazole fungicide (i.e. 500 ppm benomyl, or 1000 ppm thiabendazole or imazalil); and holding the fruit at l2”C (54”F). BLUE MOULD Blue mould, caused by the fungus Penicillium italicum, is another common postharvest disease of lemons but is usually less prevalent than green mould. Early symptoms are similar to green mould. Diseased tissue becomes soft, watery, and slightly discoloured and is easily punctured. The lesions enlarge more slowly than those of the green mould. A white, powdery fungal growth develops on the lesion surface, and blue spore mass forms, leaving only a narrow white fringe of fungal growth surrounding the lesion. A pronounced halo of water-soaked, faded tissue surrounds the lesion between
the fringe of fungal growth and the sound tissue. The blue spores covering the fruit may become brownish-olive with age. Healthy fruit in packed containers become soiled by spores shed from the diseased fruit. Unlike green mould, blue mould spreads in packed containers and results in nests or pockets of diseased fruit (Figure 6). Like green mould, blue mould develops most rapidly at about 24”C (75”F). However, blue mould grows better than green mould at cool temperatures and may predominate over green mould in yellow coloured lemons stored at 10”C (50”F). Immediate cooling after packing significantly delays development of blue mould especially if the fruit storage temperature can be maintained at l2”C (54”F). Additional disease control recommendations are identical to those listed for green mould.
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Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXIII
sicknesses and diseases. By the mid-1990s, the church purchased what was formerly the Hollywood Cinema on Thomas Street, Kitty and refurbished it into a magnificent edifice, now standing resplendent on Thomas Street and overlooking that part of Kitty. Like every successful story, JDMI has had its fair share of challenges and adversities. Not least, three attempts were made by arsonists to burn the building down, but the church continues to overcome. Following the passing of Apostle Oliver Smith in 1994, his wife took over the mantle of leadership. From January 1994 to present, Apostle Smith has shepherded the membership of JDMI to greater heights and deeper depths. Meanwhile, four years ago, the church’s third branch at Lethem, Region Nine was founded. Apostle Smith has also formed a number of departments including - the Evangelists, Intercessors, Worshippers, Ushers, Hospitality, Door Keepers, Cleaners, Sunday School and Young Ambassadors for Christ under the leadership of its President Brother Kevon Bess. In January 2018, the Men’s department was established. She was also instrumental in launching the church’s television programme, “Christ for the Nation” is televised on Channel 14, Cable 65, every Sunday between 08:00 hrs -0 8:30 hrs. Meanwhile, Apostle Smith in gratefully acknowledging the support and words of commendation from the membership of the church and others commented: “It hasn’t been easy, but I surrendered myself to the Will of God.” She noted that she has a five-fold ministry including: Prophecy, Healing, Deliverance, Counselling and Teaching. Apostle Smith said, “But it does not come just like that. You have to be called and I engaged in intense prayer and fasting before God, waited on him, listened to his voice and was directed by the Holy Spirit. Another word of caution is that you will have trials and testing and the Bible says, it will come from within your own household – those close to you. And why? Because [in your state] the devil cannot get you, so he gets them to distract you.” ◄◄◄ From page XIX
Going forward, Shivanie aspires to become a successful businesswoman in the corporate world and envisions Young PioneerS as one of the largest local NGOs in Guyana, serving as many people as possible. On the lighter side, Shivanie is an Indian filmy dancer who uses her talent to raise funds for charities and social events. She is also very fond of children and art. Her message to young people who aspire to be like her is “Never give up, believe in yourself and your dreams even when no one else does and always embrace failures. If you don’t fail you can’t succeed. Remember that life is never going to be as you planned. Things will happen in their own time and what is in your destiny will become yours even if it’s not what you wanted,” she said. “Live your life with love, forgiveness and respect for everyone despite their ethnicity, sexual preference, age or religion and most of all always remain humble no matter what position you reach in life. Remain thankful to your parents and teachers or anyone who stood by you because if it wasn’t for them you couldn’t have done it.” ◄◄◄ From page XVI
pack and all. When it was a short distance away it stopped then they were able to see the face. There was no face, only a skeleton smiling wickedly at them. The two tumbled into the house and slammed the door shut. Knock! Knock! Knock! The small house vibrated under the onslaught. “Go away!” Karl shouted “Go to hell!” Sydney offered. “You lucky you didn’t follow me to the cemetery Sydney. If yo had a woulda bruk you damn neck! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! See yo all in de backdam!” Then there was silence. Karl immediately started unpacking. Sydney curled up on the couch and went to sleep. In the morning he returned home and followed Karl’s example. NO MORE GOLD BUSH! They are jointly managing a farm. Working hours are 07:00hrs to 17:00hrs sharp!
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It was an honour to present on Capitol Hill WE ARE winding down the celebration for Caribbean Heritage Month and we are going out with a bang. I must thank Mr. Westley Kirton who extended an invitation on behalf of the Institute of Caribbean Studies to be on a panel on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. I presented on “Creative Industries as a pillar of Cultural and Economic Development in the Caribbean”. It is important to note that there is an emerging global brand, Caribbean style. It is part of a wider Caribbean aesthetic from Jamaica in
the north to Guyana in the south. Progress has been made at the regional level to develop a comprehensive policy framework to guide the continued development of this sector, but we are still far from maximising our potential. Cultural and creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in world trade and the Caribbean is ready for our share of the pie. We have to be committed and consistent to get this sector up to par because it is essential to economic diversification; creating new income generation, establishing
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel
... Inspiring lives through fashion new markets, integrating stakeholder interest, networking strategic alliances, positioning sustainable opportunity for social cohesion. The feedback from my presentation was positive and I have been receiving emails from people who are showing interest in future collaborations. Collaborative effects are the future, and I noticed most of the presenters placed emphasis on that. My fellow panelist, Ms. Gisette Seferina, Member of Parliament, Curacao, reiterated the efforts of Curacao to be more connected to the Caribbean because they feel like an outsider. Businessman Gerry Gouveia made a very impressive presentation. Technology and cyber security were discussed in detail by some experts and it is scary hearing some of the things that can possibly happen in the future. Several issues in the Caribbean/US relations and within the Diaspora in the US were discussed. This was a great opportunity to contribute to the deliberations on future US/ Caribbean relations, especially against the backdrop of the new US/Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act. The list of amazing speakers included: H.E. Dr. Riyad Insanally, Ambassador of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the U.S.A. and Permanent Representative to the OAS; Simone Williams; Esq. Amelia Estwick, PhD; Cyber-Security Expert, Special Agent Wilfred Rattigan (retired FBI ); Earl Harris; Asst. Director, CARICOM IMPACS, Mignon Cardentey; Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for the Office of Caribbean Affairs Hon. Marie Levens, PhD; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname, Mark Kissel; Department Deputy of the Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination, State, Maria Apud; Energy Officer, State, Davis Wolf; Manager, International Business, Gillian Nanton; City Manager, Burlington, VT; Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (DPA 13th District); Brad Freden, Director, Office of Caribbean Affairs, US State Department; H.E Selwin Hart, Ambassador of Barbados; H.E Anton Edmunds, Ambassador of St. Lucia to the U.S.A. During the day, lots of congressmen passed through and made contributions and engaged in questions from the public. The evening ended with a beautiful reception and politicians dropping in to bring greetings. The most memorable was Congresswoman Maxine Waters. She is so fiery and threw some shots at President Trump! I must congratulate Dr. Claire Nelson and team for their determination and consistency in pushing for better things for the Caribbean people in the US. We are fashionable by nature. I love this quote by Caribbean Fashion Guru Richard Young: “Columbus accidentally found us on his way to the east looking for silk now we are luring people to come to us because we have something to offer the world. We are aware of our style and out power in this new to the global style. “ Send us your comments to beyondtherunway1@ gmail.com and visit our FB page beyond the runway as we continue the celebrate journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake” THE first time I heard of Jhumpa Lahiri, she was described in terms that imparted her superstar status within the literary world, and with the superstar status of writers being such an extremely rare thing, I immediately made it my mission to find her work and to start reading her as soon as I could. I borrowed a copy of “The Namesake” from the National Library and I set about reading the novel. Unfortunately, I only got to about 50 pages in when I decided I could not go on anymore. I decided that the book
was simply not interesting enough for me – that it was drab and devoid of truly dramatic and stimulating material. I returned the book to the library and I did not read anything by Lahiri for many years. Recently, however, about seven years since I first tried to read “The Namesake”, I encountered the book once more. It was a part of the syllabus that I was teaching to my 12th Grade English Class. This meant that there was no avoiding the book. If I was supposed to teach it to the students, then I definitely had to read it. My second
effort at the novel was markedly different from my first encounter. I devoured it in an extremely short span on time, hungrily taking in every word, every paragraph, every chapter, and then when I reached the end, still looked around, desperate for more to read. I ask myself now, why I enjoyed the book so much the second time when the first time was such a disaster, and the answer I end up with has to do with my own growth and development. We are not now the same people we were 10 years ago, and so, we must also be aware that our tastes and inclinations also change as the years go by. Therefore, “The Namesake”, a novel about identity, family, the immigrant experience and relationships appeals more to me now than it would have to me at 20 years old. This, perhaps, serves as a reminder to constantly to return to works that we initially discard, simply because there might be so much to be gained that we might not even be aware of when we reject, for whatever reason, certain types of literature. Another reason why I think I enjoy
the novel more now has to do with my awareness of how I have learned to accept and enjoy a wide variety of literature. At one point in my life, I was mostly drawn to literature that, to use an art metaphor, highlighted its themes and ideas in broad brushstrokes. I needed literature for the spectacle and drama; for the exaggeration and bigger than life plots, that certain writers were able to make believable to the reader. Lahiri’s prose seems to be the exact opposite of this. She writes of normal people, living normal lives, and experiencing normal conflicts and emotions. There are no monsters or magic or murders. Her focus is everyday life and the beauty in that. Her gift, it seems, as represented particularly well in “The Namesake” has to do with highlighting how that which we perceive as normal actually has a lot of value to literature and to human lives, in much the same way other, ‘grander’ forms of fiction has value. Turn to page XXXI ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXX
The opening lines of “The Namesake,” for example, open with an Indian woman cooking in her kitchen, rather than with some explosive lines. In a way that only Lahiri can capture, this expression of normalness – of an everyday scenario – carries a weight and beauty, perhaps because of its very familiarity and universality that is as powerful as horror scene in a Stephen King novel or a scene with dragons that has been written by George R. R. Martin. Lahiri’s novel with its focus on the norm forces us to re-examine our own lives and to observe the beauty and sorrow, the
Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake’, published 2003 by Houghton Mifflin
harshness and the warmth, that can be found in our own existence because her characters represent the common man – a category into which most readers fall – and this is enough to emphasise the power of Lahiri’s writing. “The Namesake” has a plot riddled with simple
moments that are magnified and filled with meaning and magic. Take, for example, Ashima, sent to live in America with the husband her parents have found for her. Ashima’s married life and her relationships with her husband and children serve as a potent and beautiful reminder of the struggles of mothers and the burdens they bear. Ashima growth as a girl who is unable to leave her new home, to an old movie who decides to live her own life finally ensures that the reader to think about all the women similar to Ashima that he/she knows, and sees that these ‘normal’ women are in fact so much more. Similarly, Ashima’s son, Gogol and his deep-hatred of his name and, perhaps, by extension, his Bengali heritage, reflect all
XXXI the insecurities that have plagued every person in this world. Who has not had some aspect of themselves, mostly ignored by society but magnified in our minds, that we believe to be the source of our problems and the reason we are constantly held back? Gogol’s relationship with his name, his family, and the various women in his life, are sure to make us observe our own relationships and query the meaning behind our attitudes towards those closest to us. Overall, “The Namesake” stands out because it highlights how a work of literature can be simple, yet earth-shaking and powerful. I am sure that it is only the first on the list of books I have rejected in the past that needs to be revisited.
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English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
STUDY SUCCESS Dear Students, Motivation originates from your inside as well as from outside, but commitment only comes from you. Maybe you are aiming to be qualified as a member of the agricultural professional body with its wide-ranging and excellent occupational opportunities. Even your parents and numerous colleagues highly commend this pathway. But as motivation comes hand in glove with commitment, so does successful qualification come with real obligation to study. Be wise. Love you THE PASSAGE The Happening A funny thing happened on my way to Aunt Grace’s house yesterday. While waiting for the traffic light at Grant and Pine, I saw a man drop a small package into the mailbox on the opposite corner. Even from that distance, I saw a look of sudden panic on his face. By the time I had crossed the street, he was trying desperately to get the package back. All of one hand and part of his arm were jammed into the narrow opening. Not only was he unable to retrieve his package; now his hand was stuck. Naturally, a crowd had gathered. Everyone was shouting advice at the poor man; but before he could free himself, a policeman came along. The officer suggested that we continue about our business. As we left, I could hear him explaining to the man the proper procedure for reclaiming items mailed
But bacon’s not the only thing
by mistake. On my way That’s cured by hanging from a string. home later that afternoon, HUGH KINGSMILL (1889-1949), Two I passed the same corner. Poems after A.E. House The mailbox was still there, but the man was not. Something to Do 1. Note the beginning, middle and end of the above account. Note also how simply it is written for anyone interested to understand. This kind of writing is very useful if you master it well. As you live on, an opportunity can come calling for you to produce an account of a happening you’ve witnessed. 2. Write an account of a thought-provoking incident you witnessed. Include the presence of police, ambulance, willing persons and other interest-points. Follow the easy pattern of the account above. Give your effort a title. Allow your study partners to give their views about how you have measured-up to the task. NOTE: One way of writing well is to imitate or follow a pattern. Another way is to pay attention to constructive comments from partners, teachers and other qualified persons who care. GRAMMAR Careful Word Usage: Idiomatic Usage Idiomatic expressions are those terminologies that come naturally to native speakers of a language. Often, we find there is no logical guide to idiomatic English – we simply accept the prevailing practices to produce correct expressions. We now draw your attention to certain words which require different prepositions to express different meanings. agree to a proposal; agree on a plan; agree with a person aim at a target; aim to please compare to to represent as similar; compare with to discover likenesses or differences: I’d compare him to an alligator! Compared with Anna, I am not very pessimistic differ from something else; differ about or over a question; differ with someone good at singing; good for him impatient with someone else; impatient of restraint; impatient at someone’s conduct overrun by an army; overrun with scorpions Something to Do 1. Go over the preceding lists to be sure that they are clear to you; then use the idiomatic expressions in oral sentences. 2. Improve the wording of the following sentences so that each conforms to current English idiom. Exchange papers for checking within your study group. a. Thompson differed from Henry in his opinions. b. After working in the sun for an hour, Sandy had a strong desire of resting awhile. c. What do you call the tendency to be frightened at loud noises? d. Heedless for our safety, Kanhaninni increased his speed. e. This compartment is independent from the rest of the ground floor. f. More than one man lost his life in search for the rumoured treasure. g. With practice anyone can become proficient at the art. NOTE: We get usage right by following ground rules. We also follow customary practices of native speakers of that language. GOOD WRITING The Order of Details in Writing NOTE: a) The effective use of details, and the organisation of those details into meaningful patterns create good description. b) Spatial order – that is, left to right, front to back, near to far, clockwise, or counterclockwise – is one natural way to arrange descriptive details. c) Other kinds of special order where each has its own strengths in the different genres of writing are: chronological, importance, cause and effect, and compare and contrast. d) The use of prepositional phrases is one way to establish spatial relationships. Some writers are skillful at using details of spatial order as is exemplified in the passage below where details are arranged according to order of importance. Try learning from this famous writer. When I think of the hometown of my youth, all that I seem to remember is dust the brown, crumbly dust of late summer – arid, sterile dust that gets into the eyes and makes them water, gets into the throat and between the toes of bare brown feet. I don’t know why I should only remember the dust. Surely there must have been lush green lawns and paved streets under leafy shade trees somewhere in town; but memory is an abstract painting – it does not present things as they are, but rather as they feel. And so, when I think of that time and that place, I remember only the dry September of the dirt roads and grassless yards of the shanty-town where I lived. And one other thing I remember, another incongruency of memory – a brilliant splash of sunny yellow against the dust – Miss Lottie’s marigolds. (Eugenia Collier’s “Marigolds”) What to Do Take a good assessment of Collier’s deft hand at ordering details of importance. Write down the ideas, and then examine each to see how she graded what was passing through her mind at the time of writing.
Chronicle Pepperpot June 24, 2018
Bollywood news
'Race 3' box-office collection Week 1: Salman Khan's multi-starrer film continues its good run
Salman Khan, who joined the Race franchise this year, released the third instalment of the franchise ' Race 3' on Eid and it's turned out to be a massive hit in spite of the mixed reviews that it garnered from the critics as well as
the audience. The high octane action flick is helmed by Remo D'Souza and also stars Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah and Saqib Saleem in significant roles. 'Race 3' has managed to rake in an astounding figure of Rs 138.69 crore in just a week which has made it the twelfth highest first-week grossing film according to BoxOfficeIndia.com.
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Entertainment
Jackson family patriarch Joe reported gravely ill in hospital Joe Jackson, patriarch of the singing Jackson family, of the family had been barred from their father’s hospital was reported on Friday to be hospitalized with a serious, room. possibly terminal illness. Joe Jackson, who fathered 11 children and now lives Celebrity website TMZ.com, citing family sources, in Las Vegas, has been in bad health for years and sufreported that Jackson, 89, has terminal cancer and was in fered a stroke in 2015. But he has continued to make apthe end stages of life. Hollywood publication Variety said a pearances at celebrity and fan events around the world. source close to the situation had confirmed the report, while In March he released a pictorial book of memories called DailyMail.com, citing family members and other unspeci- “Precious Moments: 60 Years in Show Business.” fied sources, said Jackson had stage four pancreatic cancer. Jermaine Jackson, one of the remaining nine Jackson siblings, said on Twitter that his father was in ill health but denied reports he was dying. “My father’s health is not good, but ‘dying’ is a harsh word chosen by headline writers, not me. For however long he has left, my mother, siblings, and relatives want to be with him, without hindrance,” Jermaine Jackson tweeted late Ingredients on Thursday. 12 oz fish (or fish head) Joe Jackson’s manager, 1 onion Charles Coupet, and repre- eschalot celery sentatives of singers Janet 2 tbsp butter Jackson, Jermaine Jackson 2 pt cold water and La Toya Jackson did not 1/2 tsp salt 1 lb root vegetables respond to requests for com- 1/4 tsp black pepper ment on Friday. 1 clove In the 1960s, Jackson chopped parsley to garnish strictly trained his young children as singers and danc- Method ers and led The Jackson 5 to 1 Chop onion, eschalot global pop music success. and celery and fry lightly in the butter. Avoid Michael Jackson later went browning, use a cover if solo and became one of the necessary. best known celebrities in the 2 Clean fish or fish head, and add to the pan with the water and salt. world before his death at age Heat to boiling point. 50 in 2009 from an overdose 3 Skim, then add the root vegetables, peeled, washed and diced. Add of the powerful anesthetic black pepper and clove. Reduce heat. 4 Simmer to 30-40 minutes. propofol. 5 Remove fish, separate flesh from bones, return flesh to the soup and Joe Jackson also managed reheat. Or, remove fish head if used, and serve separately if liked. the early careers of daughters 6 Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot. La Toya, Janet and Rebbie Serves 12 Jackson. The Jackson family clan has been riven for decades by internal strife, legal battles, jealousies, arguments over money and estrangements. DailyMail.com said some
Fish Broth