Pepper Pot 25 03 2018

See inside: Empowering independent female entrepreneurs ► Page II

‘If I can do it, so can you’ Award-winning Guyanese-born journalist, Sherry Ann Dixon tells her story

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Image of a Black Woman on the new Canadian $10 bill

Empowering independent female entrepreneurs The Mahaica Women’s Group II

By Gibron Rahim THE importance of business ownership among women cannot be underscored. Guyanese women excel in all areas to which they devote themselves, as demonstrated most recently by the 2018 Women in Business Expo. It is vital then that opportunities be created for women to create and manage their own businesses. The Mahaica Women’s Group is one association that is making entrepreneurship possible for the women of the community of Mahaica.

The Mahaica Women’s Group grew out of the Dynamic Youth Sport and Culture Club. The Group’s President, Debbie Argyle, explained to the Pepperpot Magazine that the group was reformed from that youth group and renamed the Mahaica Women’s Group. This was necessary as some of the youth group’s members had grown older. “We divided it,” she said. “The youths stayed in Dynamic Youth Sport and Culture Club and the older ones are in Mahaica Women’s Group.” After its formation, the Group joined the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVCC) where its members learnt various skills including cake and pastry making, cake decoration, interior decoration, hairstyling and nail design.

After training at IVCC, some of the women in the Group returned to Mahaica and taught other women the skills they had learnt. Argyle related that having been part of the Women’s Group, many of the women have used the skills they were trained in to branch off into their own businesses.

“The Mahaica Women’s Group was formed to empower mostly single women,” she explained. She noted that this aim has been fulfilled in many instances over the years as establishing their own businesses have allowed women to support their families.

Arygle noted that, to date, the Group has about 30 members.

Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. stepped in to offer assistance to the Mahaica Women’s Group in 2004. The organisation supports the Group with monthly donations of foodstuffs, decorations and sometimes clothing. Argyle noted that Food for the Poor also assigns projects from time to time. These projects are another form of assistance to the Mahaica Women’s Group’s efforts. One of their current projects has been in existence since 2010. The project involves Food for the Poor providing wax that members then place in moulds, bottle and label to create scented candles. Argyle explained that all of the members have a part in the candle project. The Group currently supplies the Guyana Shop, the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s consumer outlet, with scented candles.

Scented candles are not the only products in the Group’s repertoire. Besides the Guyana Shop, the Group also has other local markets for its products. Argyle explained that they supply these markets with craftwork, decorative bottles and scented candles for weddings, birthdays, baby showers and other occasions.

Other than the items previously mentioned, the Group also produces decorative dolls, mats, cushions, bags, knitting and brooms. Argyle noted too that the Group is always looking forward to expanding its market.

Even before they were members of the Mahaica Women’s Group, the women are accustomed to working with their hands as farmers.

The Group is attached to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and PROPEL (Promotion of Regional Com-

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Scented candles made by the Mahaica Women’s Group

munities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages).

Through those two bodies, they have been given an onion growing project. Additionally, all of the Group’s women plant their own kitchen gardens or sell produce.

The Mahaica Women’s Group was among the exhibitors at the recently concluded Women in Business Expo 2018. Its participation this year and in 2017 was due to a stroke of fortune. Argyle, in her capacity as president and chairperson of the Group, attended an event that was held for International Women’s Day. At that event, she encountered Dr. Sonia Noel. Noting that she had always wanted the Group to be a part of the Expo, she related that she spoke to Noel about the possibility of participation. Once Argyle explained that they specialise in scented candles and creative craftwork, she and the Group were invited to participate in the Expo. The Group was able to participate in both days of the Women in Business Expos of 2017 and 2018, both held at the Pegasus Hotel.

Argyle noted that the Mahaica Women’s Group is registered with the Small Business Bureau (SBB) of Guyana. Due to this status, the Group is sometimes present at expos and fairs. They can also sometimes be found at the Giftland Mall.

The Mahaica Women’s Group always keeps its aim of empowering women close in mind. “It is important for our women to become entrepreneurs because an independent woman is a goal,” Argyle said. An independent woman, Argyle explained, is able to earn her own money without having to depend on anyone. “Most of our women are not dependent because they can make money with their hands,” she noted.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

III

‘If I can do it, so can you’ Award-winning Guyanese-born journalist, Sherry Ann Dixon tells her story

By Lisa Hamilton HOW DOES a young girl growing up in the face of racism and with the loss of loved ones emerge to become an award-winning journalist and one of today’s most sought-after multi-award motivational speakers?

Guyanese-born Sherry Ann Dixon sat down with the Pepperpot Magazine to tell of how she came to interview the likes of Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelo, Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston simply because she learned how to believe in herself.

She has written for publications such as The Guardian, the New York Times and the Washington Observer and has her own consultancy, the Sherry Dixon Consultancy as well as a Marketing and Public Relations company.

In Guyana working on the final touches of her first book, Award-winning Journalist and Multi-Award International Motivational Speaker, Sherry Ann Dixon Dixon hopes to teach youths (Photo by Samuel Maughn) locally and around the world about the power of self-love work there. When they went there the people and self-confidence.

The book will tell the story of how Dix- didn’t like them. They treated them almost as on’s journey took her from Forshaw Street if they were second-class citizens…I faced in the bustling capital of Georgetown, all challenges as a young girl walking to school the way to the city of London and how her where young people would be calling me experiences fashioned her into the woman ‘golliwog’,” she said.

The golliwog is a black skinned, red-lip she is today.

“The book is really an insight to leaving and frizzy-haired fictional rag doll characGuyana from the age of 10. My parents put ter created by Florence Kate Upton which me on a plane and I went on to live in England appeared in children’s books in the late 19th dealing with the prejudices of growing up in century.

It later fell out of fashion during the the United Kingdom… it’s also nuggets of the 1960s when it became largely associated highs and lows of my life as I climbed the ladwith racism. der so that I can share with other people to say “As much as in Guyana people talked ‘If I can do it, so can you’,” Dixon explained.

Giving us a glimpse of her early life, she about light skin and dark skin, there was no said that her parents, desiring a better life for such thing as that there. You’re black no mattheir daughter, arranged for her to move to ter what shade you are.”

“So all those who grew up thinking England to live with her relatives. they’re ‘better than’ that was certainly not the However, when Dixon arrived in England case when they got to England because you in the 1960s she soon realised that while the were treated as if you’re not white, if you’re grass was indeed greener on the other side, a hint of anything else, you’re coloured,” her race would be a major game changer to Dixon told. how she was welcomed into the region.

RUDE WELCOME After World War II, a large influx of immigrants from the Caribbean and elsewhere were welcomed into the British territory with an aim to strengthen the economy which, at the time, was experiencing great labour shortage.

Although the Britons invited the immigrants, Dixon says it was a time where the saying ‘No blacks, no Irish, no dogs’ was a common mantra and Africans and all forms of Caribbean people were living together to support each other.

“Our ancestors were asked to come and

BATTLING LOSS Coupled with these challenges, not long after moving to England, Dixon’s mother died after losing the battle to cancer, a disease the young girl was unaware her mother was struggling with at the time.

“My sister was born of that cancer of the womb and she had leukaemia. So in having leukaemia, she died first and then my mom died a year after so I lost two family members in two years of going to England,” she recounted. “It occurred to me when I started writing the book that when I said ‘bye’ to my mother at the airport, I was actually saying

‘goodbye’, so it was very difficult.”

REMEMBERING WHAT WAS IMPORTANT But what later led Dixon to where she stands today, was birthed in the positive nature of her grandmother who encouraged her before she left Guyana, to become the best version of herself.

“She was a motivator; she didn’t actually say to me anything negative she would say ‘you can do anything you want to do cause you’re special’, so I grew up with that,” Dixon explained.

When she later obtained her first job as a Legal Secretary, her boss, at the point of his retirement insisted that she follow her childhood passion to become a cosmetologist and even paid for Dixon to study the course.

Soon, the young woman became a top celebrity makeup artist and would learn that through her interaction with the famous people she came into contact with and her inquisitive personality, she was able to experience their opening up to her on a different level.

“The celebrities would ask for me and from being a celebrity make-up artist, while I was interviewing them, I would ask questions because I just had that need to ask a bit more and know a bit more. So, I would ask them ‘what do you read when you’re home?’, ‘what’s on your ipod?’. They felt at ease with me to talk,” she said.

MOVING ON UP Dixon would later move on to become the editor of Pride Magazine and SHE Caribbean magazine which further propelled her into a life of motivational speaking, encouraging people and groups she realised needed to believe in themselves the same way her grandmother had taught her how to.

Today, one of the top women empowerment speakers in the United Kingdom, Dixon is in Guyana participating in several motivational tours around the country speaking at the National Culture Centre, her past school St. Ambrose Primary, at Bina Hill in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and more.

Dixon laments that there are not enough positive and youthful motivators in Guyana, and said that more persons need to begin understanding the inner qualities of the people around them rather than lingering on external features.

She says, in the Caribbean region where many are losing their lives to suicide, selflove is even more important than ever before.

Dixon hopes to write more than one book and to create a ripple effect of motivation wherever she goes as persons begin to realise that they do not need the acclamation or approval of someone else to perform at their best.

“My next goal is to create a sea of motivators. Because if I can help you to be a motivator or a mentor, then I can help to bring in another generation of people that will do better because we can’t stay the way that we are.”

Dixon’s book is expected to be released in time for Black History Month which is observed in England in October and will then be released in the United States, Barbados and Guyana by Christmas.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Touching lives through volunteerism

By Indrawattie Natram

THERE IS a popular saying that youths have the power to change the world by what they do or say. Whether through social media, even hashtag activism or other means, they can be influential and they can bring about tremendous changes in the societies they reside.

‘The Climbers’ Humanitarian club which was recently formed in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been making marvelous strides through volunteerism work in this regard.

The Climbers President of the Club, Devendra Persaud, making a hamper donation. He is flanked by other members

by the end of 2018 and as such he is calling on persons between the age of 18 years and who are of good repute to get registered as a member.

In an effort to expand the Club, members intend to form sub-clubs in various regions of Guyana offering its services hence getting more youths involve in volunteerism.

Funding for the club’s projects comes mainly from fundraising events and donations from service-minded citizens.

“Through our planned collaborations, we hope to create a network list where, if the Climbers are not in a position to offer immediate assistance, then there should be an organisation/entity on our list that we can refer them to for immediate assistance.

Already we have the full support of the Regional Administration and we are indeed thankful to them for recognising our efforts as a youth group,” Persaud expressed.

The Climbers Humanitarian Youth Group is a Non-Profit Organisation registered under the Friendly Societies Act

vices, however, are not limited to these six areas, the president further explained, adding that once there is a need that exists the Climbers are happy to try to help.

ACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS In just about seven months A child receiving a gift at last year’s since its existence, the ClimbChristmas party which was sponsored by ers have provided exemplary the Climbers Humanitarian Youth Group services to the Essequibo community. Some of the projects The 15-member youth group has to date completed to date include, participating in a given the true definition of volunteerism as candlelight vigil to commemorate World Suithey are actively involved in transforming cide Prevention Day, donation of food hamand touching lives throughout Region Two. pers to needy individuals and families along According to President of the Club, De- the Essequibo Coast, children’s Christmas vendra Persaud, the club’s main purpose is parties, adoption of the Paediatric Ward of the to promote service activities throughout its Suddie Public Hospital, honouring women on community while Creating Lasting Impres- the Essequibo Coast with the Club’s Women sions, Meaningful Bonds and Encouraging a of Distinction award, donations to 100 chilResponsible Society (CLIMBERS). dren for the Easter season, as well as, making Persaud said with the motto of working a donation to the Kitty family in Georgetown in unity for the betterment of communities, who lost everything to fire. the club focuses on six core areas: Health services, youth empowerment, vision, food UPCOMING PROJECTS security, environment and education. Its serSome of the club’s upcoming projects in-

Members of the group with Region Two Chairman, Devanand Ramdatt, at the launch of their club in September

President of the Club, Devendra Persaud, making a donation to the Paediatric Ward at the Suddie Public Hospital

clude blood drive, Inter-Primary & Secondary School Poster and Essay Competitions, tree planting, distribution of backpacks with stationery items, distribution of life jackets to residents in the Pomeroon, medical outreach, hosting a youth symposium, dental outreach and a children Christmas party in December.

According to Persaud, one of the club’s primary goal is to double its membership

Members at their recent candlelight vigil held in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day

of Guyana. The club came into existence in September 2017 after it was recognised that not much is being done to promote youths and youth-related/humanitarian activities on the Essequibo Coast. To date, the club has plans to collaborate with other NGOs, NPOs, public or private entities to conduct projects that are in keeping with the Climbers purpose.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

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Image of a Black Woman on the new Canadian $10 bill

By Francis Quamina Farrier ON INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day, another piece of Canada’s history was unveiled; jumbo size images of the country’s new $10 Bank Note were unveiled in the presence of Canada’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Bill Morneau; the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz; and a distinguished audience. The unveiling was done by Wanda Robson, an African-Canadian and Viola Davis Desmond, the sister of the person whose image graces the new Canadian $10 Bank Note.

You may wonder why I am writing about this (import- The unveiling of a jumbo image of the new Canadian $10 ant) milestone which occurred banknote. From left , Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau; in Canada earlier this month. Wanda Robson, sister of Viola Desmond who did the Let me explain. First, Canada unveiling and Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz is a country in which tens of thousands of Guyanese reside his word, that took place on March 8, 2018. and who will be handling this new Canadian In his feature address at the launch cere$10 bill over the coming years. No doubt, that mony, Canada’s Finance Minister said, “Viola new Canadian currency will also be in the is just one of millions of stories from women commercial Banks here in Guyana as well, who’ve helped shape, build and influence our and Guyanese at home will be looking and country.” It is noteworthy to mention how that marvelling at its unique composition. heroic act by Viola Desmond has benefited At the front is the image of Viola Des- Guyanese who have made Canada their adoptmond, a Black woman and at the back is the ed country. Guyanese of colour can now go to image of the Canadian Museum for Human cinemas in Canada with dignity and occupy Rights. In a previous feature article of mine any available seat of their choice. This is somein the Pepperpot Magazine of April 2017, and thing which should never be taken for granted with the headline, “Introspective Poetry and by those who have benefited, myself included.

Powerful Women”, three paragraphs revealed At this time in Canada, the movie “BLACK the then upcoming release of this new Canadi- PANTHER”, with a strong cast of black charan $10 bill, and the story behind it. acters, including two played by Guyanese, is On November 8, 1946, an African-Canadi- at the top of the movie Box Office chart, as is an, Viola Desmond, a beautician and entrepre- the case in neighbouring America and many neur and a woman of means, bought a ticket other countries around the world including and entered the “WHITES ONLY” section of Guyana, and Guyanese are as proud as ever a movie theatre in the Provence of Nova Sco- that Guyanese are playing major roles in that tia, in Canada. Although there was no official record-breaking movie. Today, Canada-based law preventing non-whites from sitting in the Guyanese and those visiting, can sit anywhere “Whites-Only” sections of Canadian cinemas, in a cinema in Canada and enjoy this powerful, Viola was dragged from the theatre by police, history-making, afro-centric movie. arrested, charged and thrown into jail where Unlike the majority of my fellow Guyashe spent 12 hours. She was charged with tax nese who went to Canada, my first visit to that evasion; the tax on her ticket was proved to country which was in 1969, was on a flight be ONE CENT short, and so, through no fault from Bermuda to the city of Halifax in Nova of her own, Viola Desmond was found guilty Scotia. That is the very city and province and fined $20. where Viola Davis Desmond was born and Her husband Jack had told her to “let it where she made her heroic mark on Canada’s go” when she expressed her desire to appeal contemporary history. the conviction, but encouraged by members of My first experience of Canadian kindness her church she secured the service of Frederick was as follows: just after my wife and I got off Bissett, a white lawyer, and the matter went to the bus from the Halifax International Airport court. It proved to be very complicated with and were crossing the street to the hotel, a many twists and turns, but in the end cinemas strong wind was making it somewhat difficult in Canada changed their unwritten “Whites for both of us carrying our suitcases. There Only” policy, and Viola Desmond became were no coasters or wheels on suitcases back a Canadian celebrity, much in the same way then, so one had to lift one’s luggage. A white as Rosa Parks did in the United States of gentleman approached us and offered to assist America. my wife with her suitcase, taking it all the way Many years later, the image of Viola into the hotel lobby. A great first impression Desmond was put on a Postage stamp and at by a Canadian was made way back in 1969. this time, there is a movement to have streets Since the release of the new $10 bill, I took in Montreal and Halifax named after her. In a a survey via email and telephone, with Canastatement to the citizens of Canada on Inter- da-based Guyanese regarding the image of an national Women’s Day 2017, Canada’s Prime African-Canadian being placed on that new Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the $10 bill. Here is a sample from that survey: new Canadian $10 bill, which would have the Former Bishops’ High School student, image of Viola Desmond, would be launched Dr Joy Agard-Mighty who is based in Ottaon International Woman’s Day 2018. True to wa, stated, “I am truly delighted that Viola

Desmond’s courageous act of defiance against systemic discrimination, has been recognised in this public and enduring fashion.”

Toronto-based educator Peter Jailall responded, “I feel Viola deserves that honour”.

Former GBC Technical Operator, Lawrence Blackmore, now based in Toronto, expressed the view that, “This gesture was simply inspiring to say the least.”

Meanwhile, the former United States First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, who is scheduled to visit Canada later this year, tweeted, “This is beyond lovely.”

The two sides of the new bill. Who in Guyana will be the first to get one of them?

Decades after her passing, Viola Desmond continues to make history in Canada. At present, a Canadian law firm has invited artists to submit paintings which will be displayed on the exterior of the cinema where Viola Desmond made her legendary stand for civil rights. Plans are also afoot to have streets in Montreal and Halifax bear her name. Canada is moving away from a history of slavery and segregation, to a country in which all men and women are treated with respect and human dignity.

Like Rosa Parks in neighbouring America, who started a movement against non-whites having to sit at the back of the bus, Viola Desmond has, by her brave actions, made life and living that much better for the tens of thousands of Guyanese who have made Canada and America their adopted countries. Bravo to two Women of African Heritage - Rosa Parks of the USA and Viola Desmond of Canada.

Also of note, is that although Canada had slavery of its Indigenous and African peoples for over 200 years, the country’s third woman Governor General, the Rt. Hon. Michelle Jean, who was born in Haiti, is of African Heritage.

She served in that post from 2005 to 2010.

It’s been a long and steep climb to the top for black people in Canada, but more and more, like Viola Desmond, have already reached the top of the proverbial ladder.

In closing, it would be appropriate to mention that Viola Desmond is the first singular woman other than Queen Elizabeth ll, featured on a Canadian currency. Also, that some 63 years after her death, a posthumous apology and pardon was officially handed down for her arrest and conviction.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

A walk in his shoes

Joseph Osborne reflects on his last 30 years as a cobbler

By Michel Outridge

BACK in the day, a cobbler was regarded as being of high status with the profession itself dating back hundreds of years, but in today’s world, including in Guyana, the profession is slowly fading away.

Today there is a sprinkle of cobblers around the local markets since most folks prefer to buy a new pair of shoes rather than repair the damaged ones.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with 60-year-old Joseph Osborne who plies his trade at Bourda Market among 13 other cobblers who operate in their little shops.

For this East Coast Demerara resident, the profession is one that chose him, not one that he chose. It all started when he showed up at the spot to assist a friend with repairing shoes. He ended up staying there for work and has been there ever since.

Many years ago, Osborne said he did a crash-course in leather craft and that has helped him along the way as a cobbler but back then, he had the desire to become a driver with one of the ministries but that dream was short-lived when he got accustomed to working at his own pace.

The father of five related that he never intended to become a cobbler, in fact, he had a great-uncle who was a cobbler and he used to laugh at him, not knowing he would have that job later on.

He stated that back then, they had their way of repairing shoes where they would put wax on the hem, and while sewing is still done by hand today, there are tools to assist in this regard.

Osborne told the Pepperpot Magazine that being a cobbler isn’t an easy job because often it is a difficult task to please some customers - both men and women. He pointed

out too, some customers would bring several pairs of shoes to be repaired and would never show up to retrieve it.

This cobbler said after at least one year, he would discard those unclaimed shoes. He explained that at times he would only start

The 60-year-old cobbler at his Bourda Market stall

repairing a pair of shoes when the customer returned for them.

He regards the experience as good in many aspects because his aims is to please the customer by doing a good job.

“It is not what you do, it is how you do it,” Osbourne said, referencing the old adage- a motto he used as a guide to being a cobbler.

The job has provided for his family over the years even though it did not bring in a lump sum of cash but at the end of the day, he had money in his pockets.

Joseph Osborne repairing a boot at his shop

HONEST LIVING This grandfather of seven told the Pepperpot Magazine that on a regular day a cobbler may or may not earn a lot but it is an honest job. It entails great patience and sometimes there is little to do even when the stall is full of shoes to be fixed.

Osborne admits that most people do not

repair shoes unless it is their favourite pair and mostly women would show up with sandals, slippers and high heel shoes to be re-soled, affixed with new heels or stitched.

He added that men would require their boots and shoes be repaired at the earliest and the term “the customer is always right” is a misinterpreted concept because some people know they are wrong and want to be right.

Osborne said a pair of shoes cost GY$300, $400 or $600 to be stitched and some folks don’t even want to pay that amount for his service. He also regards the job as a learning process in which one can never fully master.

Osborne noted that a cobbler operates from as early as 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs on any given day and sometimes he would stay late if it is required of him.

He added that he prefers to work with himself even though it is a slow business because he cannot work with a boss or wants to be told what to do and as is, he works at his own pace and in relative ease.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 Gabriel Alexzander Moore

A salad setting done by Alex at the Carnival Casino

Young chef aspires to open his own restaurant

By Telesha Ramnarine GABRIEL Alexzander Moore, called ‘Alex,’ at first thought that his dream was to become a veterinarian because he loved animals so much.

But, he decided to switch career paths after taking a course at Carnegie and realising that becoming a chef was his new passion.

Born and raised in Georgetown, the 22-year- Vegetable rice and old attended St. Peter’s chicken balls by Alex Nursery, Gamaliel Acading the Government Technical Institute (GTI) emy, and Chase’s Academic Foundation and pursuing an ordinary Diploma in Science.

Secondary.

“I didn’t complete it because I realised that I Leaving school, with his original dream didn’t want to become a lab assistant because job in mind, he took up work with the Out- that’s the area of work that this was leading door Pet Store as a pet assistant. Later, he got to; either that or attend university, and I was into the hotel industry and worked with his not up for that,” Alex expressed during an aunt at the Ocean Spray Hotel on Vlissengen interview with the Pepperpot Magazine.

Road.

At this point, he recalled that he liked But still believing that he was destined to cooking also, and decided to go to Carnepursue a veterinary career, Alex began attend- gie School of Home Economics with some

With Raul Jaisingh, former Head Chef at Duke Lodge

encouragement from a relative. He did a two-year programme in catering and management before graduating.

Alex has been cooking professionally for the past three years having obtained basic training in the field and working with a number of seasoned chefs, whose enthusiasm he says has remained with him and motivated him to do better.

He has credited the Turkish chef at the Carnival Casino; ‘Billy’ from Maggie’s Snackette who has some 30 years’ experience; and Raul Jaisingh from Duke Lodge who enTurn to page X ►►►

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VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Edna Denny turns 100

By Shirley Thomas AT AGE 100 she sings like a nightingale, recites her favourite Psalms in the Holy Bible and throughout the day is preoccupied with giving God thanks and praises for his mercies.

And just who is this remarkable woman? Edna Denny also called ‘Aunt Edna’ or ‘Gran Denny’ of course. Edna celebrated her 100th birth anniversary on Wednesday, proudly joining the list of Guyana’s treasured centenarians and expressing the fact that she feels ‘overjoyed’ and happy to live for as long as the Creator wants her to.

Gran Danny lives with her niece, Barbara Longhorne at Culdesac Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt in a home where love abounds.

When asked by the Pepperpot Magazine how she feels about being 100, at first she appeared a little hesitant and paused for a while to take it all in, then asked, “Me, 100?”

Soon, the apparent shock had turned into excitement and she enthusiastically responded, “Fine, fine, I feeling fine and I am an Aries,” then spontaneously began reciting the Psalm, “Bless the Lord, Oh, my soul and let all that is within me bless His holy name.”

Widow of Percy Denny, she was the mother of Wallace

Edna Denny, 100

and Patrick Denny, both now deceased. Patrick was the Executive Secretary (International Relations) of the People’s National Congress and former Managing Editor of Stabroek News. She is also the adopted mother of Roy Spooner of Washington D.C. But even though she never had a daughter of her own, Edna, who loves children, recalls having ‘mothered’ many girl children whom she took care of as though they were her own and so, for her, there was never a dull moment.

Edna who hails from New Amsterdam Berbice, while in her teens relocated to Georgetown to live with an aunt, but spent long enough time living in Berbice to develop a full primary education at the New Amsterdam Methodist School, and got firmly grounded in the principles of christianity at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the town.

As she grew older she took a liking to dressmaking and was taught the art by her aunt’s friend, Anita Jones. In time, she mastered the art of dressmaking and developed a reputation for being, perhaps, one of the most, accomplished seamstresses in her time.

As Barbara recalls, she ‘put out’ countless brides and sewed the fanciest dresses, uniforms and even shrouds. At Christmas time, it was as though she “didn’t have hands” to meet up with the demands of dressmaking. She’d sew for long hours into the night- many times with customers waiting to collect their clothing to head off to a Christmas Eve Night or an Old Year’s Night Party.

And as for Christmas, it was always a good time for her for she loved cooking delicious dishes especially pepperpot, black cake, and to this day she still loves roti and curry with rice and has a passion for ice-cream, cake and all sweetmeats.

Gran Denny has never had health complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a heart condition. The most she suffered was the common flu and she was always active around the house. Previously, every morning she’d get up and go to the market to get her buttons covered and buy sequins and the like.

Unfortunately, about two years ago, she was doing something in the kitchen and had a fall, resulting in her suffering a fractured hip and other fractures. She is now confined to a wheelchair but continues to be the same caring and compassionate, pleasant and soft-spoken Gran Denny.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

IX

Intricate Creations

By Shirley Thomas

ONE OF the newest admissions to the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts “Women in Business Expo” is the Chief Executive Officer and Craft Designer of the Berbice-based ‘Intricate Creations’ Guyanese, Melba La Gadoue. Melba joined this initiative through her fascinating floral creations, which use waste material from the coconut palm to make a powerful statement, concerning the value of the Green Concept and the recycling/up-cycling initiative.

And more and more, the roses and other items produced by that entity continue to exert a magnetic pull on the viewers who are absolutely intrigued by the creativity of the manufacturer and the elegance of the

spectacular showing of some 26 pieces of floral pieces, wowing shoppers and viewers alike with exquisite pieces.

By 2017, she was declared Winner

finished product.

She has since been involved in many such exhibitions, making her debut at the “Women in Business Expo” in March 2015, where she hit the spotlight with a

for the Best Display in the Large Booth category at that year’s “Women in BusiTurn to page X ►►►

X

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page IX

ness Expo”.

And continuing to demonstrate an interest in the collaboration, La Gadoue who is a Science teacher at Vryman’s Ervin Secondary School in Berbice, uses her knowledge of science to promote for the people of Berbice, a better understanding and appreciation of the Green Concept or Green Economy Initiative.

“When you take those unwanted products and upgrade them, you come up with interesting creations.

Such items include coconut palm leaves, pointers, beverage bottles, and other versatile pieces of non-traditional fabric among other things,” La Gadoue said.

Intricate Creations again featured recently at the Women in Business Expo at the Pegasus Hotel on March 10 and 11. Her booth exhibited a wide variety of florals, including photo frames, centrepieces; vases made from recycled bottles; beautifully designed pieces that say “Thank You” or emit other emotions, as well as creations suited for enhancing interior home and office décor.

La Gadoue’s inventions are all part of the Up-cycle Recycle Management, a process whereby unwanted or discarded products such as parts of the coconut fruit or palm are reused to create useful items.

The florals are custom made, utilising mainly coconut fibre and palm, and attractively spray-painted with earth-tone colours as requested.

La Gadoue says she finds her job of producing items of craft for her business to be extremely exciting, especially when she reflects on what she has created, using her talent and the impact it would have made on other people.

“My best moment is on completion of a creation, the positive responses it it generates from viewers … then I say to myself, ‘It was worth it all’,” she said.

Additionally, La Gadoue shares her skills twice weekly with students from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Drop-In Centre at Smythfield, New Amsterdam and Corentyne. ◄◄◄ From page VII

couraged him to further his studies at the hotel institution in Trinidad.

While studying at Carnegie, Alex worked part-time at the Marriott Hotel which afforded him the opportunity to serve both the President and Prime Minister. “In order to hit that level, you know you have to have it right,” he said, adding that while there, he had a chance to learn from some of the most seasoned persons in the industry.

He started his work attachment at Hot and Spicy in Alberttown where he learned to cook in bulk, and finished off at Maggie’s Catering Services.

Alex has since registered his own food business called “Alma’s Cuisines and Catering Services,” named after his grandmother.

For now, he is doing lunch specials every day and uses social media to advertise his menus, but his ultimate goal is to open his own restaurant. “I want to have an established restaurant and from there, I want to further my studies in food sciences and restaurant management in Trinidad,” he said.

Alex sees all this happening for him by next year. “I am confident I will achieve all of this,” he said. “You have to push yourself at times because you can’t just lie there and have your dreams come through. You have to work towards your dreams.”

Alex while training at Carnegie School of Home Economics

Career Risks ‘Take a chance, you’ll be glad you did’- Avery Trim Jr. Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

By Svetlana Marshall “ACCEPTING failure doesn’t mean being proud of it. Acceptance is understanding that you hit an obstacle and now need to figure a way around it – by shaking off the negative feedback, absorbing constructive criticism, and moving ahead in an innovative, exciting way.” This is the belief of Avery Trim Jr, a 29-year-old, U.S-based Guyanese who, from experience, has learnt that taking career gifts can often times lead to a lifetime of happiness.

Underscoring the importance of tak-

Avery Trim, Jr

ing career risks, Trim, who hails from the mining town of Linden, said often times persons are afraid to take such risks but like the famous quote, he believes that “it is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all.”

After graduating from the Mackenzie High School, it was as though success followed him. He had made his mark while working at the Hand in Hand Insurance Company, Toucan Call Centre and on the Celebrity Cruises before migrating to the USA in January of 2016.

When Trim learned of an opening at TD Bank, he thought long and hard. It was outside of his comfort zone but he soon came to the realisation that when making career choices there are risks that ought to be taken.

“I wasn’t the best candidate for my initial role at TD Bank, but the person that hired me saw my potential and decided to take a chance hiring me. If it wasn’t for the person taking that risk I would not have had the opportunity to build my career,” Trim told the Pepperpot Magazine, as he shared his life’s experiences.

Like any profession, there were many challenges and disappointments, but for this father of one, it was important for him to get up and try again.

“Having no knowledge or background in banking, I took a risk. I was offered a position and was provided with limited training.

I spent a considerable amount of time trying to complete a certain task, only to find out

Avery Trim, Jr and his colleagues volunteering for the Food Bank of South Jersey

that it wasn’t good enough. What I thought was excellent was actually “failure” in the eyes of others. I was faced with the harsh reality that I was not a SME (Subject Matter Expert),” he said.

Today, he is a Customer Support Analyst at TD Bank and wants young men and women like himself to know that it is okay to take career risks.

“If you took a risk and failed, at least you took the risk, it may not have gone as planned, but you don’t have to let one mistake, failure or negative feedback steer you from your ultimate goal which is success,” he posited. “We consciously take risks every day, so why do we often over think or maybe even under think the role risk-taking plays when it comes to the advancement of our careers? It may seem counterproductive to actively seek risk. But by not searching for opportunities that challenge our abilities, how do we expect to grow and stand out from the crowd?”

He continued, “There’s a lot more to success than salary and title, and the road to the top isn’t always linear. A successful career is about taking the opportunities that provide benefit in the long run, even if there’s no immediate return. It’s about finding the right challenges that strengthen our abilities, give exposure to new environments and connect us with the right people.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHANGE He is a strong believer that accepting

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and adapting to change will set people apart.

“Taking chances isn’t just for when you’re looking for a new opportunity; risk-taking is just as important when you’re happy in a role and have no desire of leaving. At some point, you’ll be asked to take on tasks that differ from what you signed up for and doing so will give you the opportunity to get noticed and ultimately, get ahead,” he added.

Trim said that taking the easy way out is not always the best option while arguing that it is often when people act outside of the box, that they advance, even beyond their expectations. These risks, he believes, also help in overcoming fears.

“If you are willing to be challenged, that implies that you are also willing to accept failure. Risks aren’t easy, they’re challenging and failure can be a probable outcome of taking one. Not many people realise just how many careers have been created from failure,” the US-based Guyanese pointed out, as he sought to prove his case.

“Next time you’re offered a task, a role or an opportunity that makes you think twice, take a chance – you’ll be happy you did.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

A look at Athleisure Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

By Clinton Duncan

ATHLEISURE is a trend in fashion in which clothing designed for workouts and other athletic activities is worn in other settings, such as in the workplace, at school, or at other casual or social occasions. Athleisure outfits include several essential pieces like yoga pants, tights and leggings that “look like athletic wear” and are characterised as “fashionable, dressed up sweats and exercise clothing”.

The idea is that gym clothes are supposedly making their way out of the gym and becoming a larger part of people’s everyday wardrobes, which for a couch potato like me makes absolute sense. I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to go from the gym to the movies without having to make a one-hour outfit change?

However, financial gurus around the world have started to ask whether the prosperous athleisure trend is on its last run around the track.

Recently, retail analysts have been dissecting the revenues of various sporting-goods stores and athleisure makers whose fortunes have risen with the tsunami wave of growth in everything that comes in stretchy fabric. And some are starting to sound the alarm that the athleisure trend is nearing its end.

After Dick’s Sporting Goods reported its same-store sales were up a weak 0.1 percent in the second quarter, retail analysts blamed slowing athleisure sales as one culprit contributing to the fall-off.

That analysis was loudly voiced by John Zolidis, President of Quo Vadis Capital, who blamed Dick’s lacklustre results on dipping athleisure sales. “The largest issue, in our opinion, is the end of the fashion athletic trends, or ‘athleisure’ as it has been called,” he wrote in a report. “This is an industry-wide trend.”

We can trace the birth of the athleisure trend back to

the early Noughties when Neil Barrett became one of the first high-end designers to team up with a sportswear brand. Made in collaboration with Puma, the 96 Hours collection dropped in 2003 in the form of a fashion-leisure line, designed with technical elements that made garments both functional and adaptable for any eventuality. Inspired by the fact that people were starting to want more out of their Athleisure wear clothes, Barrett was (Photos by Clinton Duncan) motivated to make versatile pieces that would work with consumers’ busy lives, helping them make the transition from home to commute to work to meetings to drinks and so on with ease.

The year 2003 was also the same year that saw the birth of the Y-3 label (Yohji Yamamoto x Adidas), which shows at Paris Fashion Week each season, while the following year, the hugely popular Stella McCartney for Adidas range was launched.

Today, athleisure-inspired collections are much

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more commonplace, partly fuelled by sportswear giants like Nike catching onto the trend and making athletic looks more fashionable. Directional colours, fabrications and slim-fit shapes have been introduced to Nike sports shoes, making them more acceptable to wear outside of the gym.

Other key athleisure collections have included Puma

by Rihanna (My absolute fave!), NikeLab and Sacai and Alexander Wang and H&M, while Adidas regularly collaborates with influential fashion designers like Raf Simons, Rick Owens, Jeremy Scott and Mary Katrantzou.

Recently, Beyoncé even teamed up with high street brand Topshop on a brand new – and permanent – athleisure label, named Parkwood Topshop Athletic, which has been selling like hotcakes since its initial release. So, this now begs the question, is the athleisure trend on its last lap around the fashion circuit? Or, will it find a way to reinvent itself to balance the needs of the consumer with the needs of the profitable business model? I guess we’ll just have to keep our eyes opened and follow closely in our breathable leggings and our fashionable printed sweater vests.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Farmers’ Clinic An important extension services tool THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has been servicing other crops farmers in every Region of Guyana. Thanks to our Extension Officers and Agents who work tirelessly, regardless of environmental elements, to take technologies or provide technical advice to farmers.

One approach utilised by NAREI’s Crop Development and Support Services Department to meet our valued customers is Farmers’ Clinic. This tool enables farmers easy access to agricultural services aimed at improving their livelihoods.

A farmers’ clinic could either be conducted in the field or in office. It provides the opportunity for Extension Officers to have one-on-one sessions with farmers. Some of the matters usually discussed include pest and disease identification, dissemination of general agricultural information, agrochemical application recommendation and demonstration session.

It is intended to capture farmers who:

• May not be present on their farm during a routine farm visit by the Extension Officer or Agent and has an agriculturally-related issue; and • Are limited by time and other factors to visit the main station in their respective Regions and have agriculturally-related issue.

Some benefits of the farmers’ clinic: 1. Improves knowledge of farmers 2. Facilitates farmers in situation analysis 3. Helps farmers in problems identification by themselves 4. Fills gaps in local knowledge 5. Assists farmers in imple-

menting their decisions 6. Builds confidence in farming community; and 7. Cost effective in nature to the farmers.

The following are farmers’ clinic site in the Coastal Region:

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

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Breaking the taboo and removing the shame Encouraging girls to be more comfortable with their bodies

By M Margaret Burke

SRHR Adventurers, standing in background, with the ladies of the Beacon Foundation after receiving their gifts and sharing their experiences with cervical cancer

THE Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Adventures team, headed

by Dr. Patricee Douglas, has said that they are committed to pressing for progress in removing the shame and scourge surrounding a woman’s menstrual cycle while promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights for all females.

The team said that they have successfully completed their first quarterly Sanitary Pad Drive, captioned ‘#ComfortWithEveryDrop’ that was launched in February and stated that they were extremely thankful to the public for their monetary and sanitary pad contributions. In so doing, they made special mention to Christpen Bobb-Semple, Director

of Cooperate Management System of Massy Group of Companies and Dionne Browne Health Promotion Officer of the Ministry of Education Health Promotion Programme Puberty and Personal Hygiene Management Initiative, for their generous donations to the cause.

The distributions took place at three organisations namely: The St. Ann’s Girls Orphanage, Beacon Foundation and Women Across Differences (WAD).

POSSIBILITY OF LIFE Studies have shown that every human being came about because of the menstrual cycle. There can be no pregnancy without ovulation ( the release of eggs from the ovaries), and this happens about two weeks Turn to page XVII ►►►

SRHR Adventurer Dr.Watson facilitating a session on family planning and menstruation

Shanon Toney facilitating a session on family planning and menstruation

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Healthy preoccupation

Art and craft keeps Louis busy during his spare time

By Telesha Ramnarine LOUIS Jordan, a sculptor and electrical contractor by profession, finds himself spending more of his time these days behind art and craft, saying that it keeps him

occupied and more equipped to deal with negative behaviour.

Jordan, of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, is the owner of “Demerara Journey” which produces various types of bags, including shoulder and crossbody bags and backpacks.

Making these items calls for a lot of patience

Together with his wife, Maylene, they have been operating the business for in excess of 20 years, Louis told the Pepperpot Magazine during an interview.

“We do requested art, craft, sewing, jewellery, different types of bags; we sew and we do handmade ones too,” he explained.

Growing up, Jordan saw his mom, a seamstress, working and would assist her from time to time. He also did art and craft in school, and despite starting to work in a different field, never forgot his talent.

While the art calls for a lot of patience and can be challenging at times, Jordan said he does it to keep himself active during his spare time. “And it also helps me avoid negative behaviour,” he said, adding that he would usually showcase his items at various exhibitions.

Jordan uses mostly “repurposed” fabric, although he would use new materials as well.

This, he said, is in keeping with the country’s vision of ‘going green’ and reducing the use of plastic.

“I once went to a store and saw there was an article posted on the wall with the title

Louis Jordan

‘Black plastic bags threaten the life of a nation.’ And then seeing how the environment is negatively affected by a lot of plastic, I decided to make a change although it is in a small way,” he said.

Jordan said customers are also more interested when they hear of the materials that are being used.

On one occasion, well-known fashion designer, Sonia Noel, wore one of the bags made by Jordan from sugarcane.

Jordan believes in using ‘repurposed’ materials to help save the environment

Demerara Journey produces a number of different handmade bags

Jordan mainly showcases his items at different exhibitions

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

XVII

EXTENDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS REQUIRES SUSTAINED ACTIVISM

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day (IWD) was commemorated worldwide on March 8. Women had long been suffering discrimination and oppression in all cultures and civilisations but the first group protest against these conditions arose in the West at the beginning of the 20th century. In non-Western countries, following the lead of the West, women’s rights movements grew up everywhere and by the end of the century, their presence and demands could not be ignored or suppressed. Even in Saudi Arabia, though women’s rights activism was not overt, it kept fermenting and influencing the male-dominated and patriarchal society and to-day, Saudi women have more rights than 20 years ago.

Women in the West and moreso in non-Western countries, even today, suffer social, political and economic discrimination and oppression. They often could not own property, and even in families, property was generally willed to the males. They received less pay than men for the same work and in some societies, slave-like, they did all the hard, back-breaking work in addition to having to bear and bring up children. For instance, in the less developed parts of Asia, Africa and Central and South America, women do most of the agricultural work, have to fetch wood and water for miles to their homes, have to do the household chores and are often ritualistically beaten.

In all societies, males are regarded as socially more prominent than women and this result in all kinds of discrimination such as in economic and political advancement. For example, males could network with greater effectiveness while female net-working for their benefit is generally weak. In the important social institution of marriage, they have to wait on men to propose or in common-law relationships, they could never ask for the legalisation of such relationships without invoking serious crises.

For centuries, women had no political rights or political representation. Even when Democracy began to replace Absolutism towards the end of the 19th century, women were not part of the equation. Democracy was confined to men. It was only in the 20th century that women won the right to vote and it was many years after, they were elected to Parliaments.

The advent of World War II caused a shortage of manpower throughout the West and women had to assume jobs and fill roles which were unthinkable for them just a decade before. After the War, women’s liberation continued and all states in the West and in non-Western countries, especially the colonies of former European empires, adopted the equality of women and men as unchallenged state policy.

Despite the general acceptance by almost all states of the policy of gender equality, discrimination has still continued and rural women, in particular, are more oppressed than their urban sisters. For example, less than 20 per cent of landholders worldwide are women and the global pay gap between men and women stand at 23 per cent and in the rural areas it is as high as 40 percent. Women have never adequately shared in power and political office worldwide. There is therefore need for strong women’s activism for equality and liberation.

In Guyana, on International Women’s Day, the media tended to concentrate on the achievements of women and their success in economic ventures. The total impression conveyed was that there was gender equality and that Guyanese women were on a continuous upswing.

The reality is far more sombre. There is still room for gender equality and parity.

Women in common-law relationships are still beaten up, starved and have to struggle to bring up children. There are gruesome

◄◄◄ From page XV

women and girls right in our beautiful land whose periods can translate into health issues. Due to a lack of access to proper, safe products, menstruating women face considerable sanitary issues,” Dr Douglas explained.

The team, therefore, saw it as a necessary part of their voluntary work to assist women and girls in acquiring these proper and safe sanitary products, which they need quite regularly.

In addition to giving out the sanitary pads, a session on menstruation and menstrual hygiene management was conducted at St.Ann’s Girls Orphanage and at WAD. The girls of St. Ann’s also signed a pledge to never be afraid of their ‘amazing flow’!

While at WAD’s comprehensive programme for adolescent mothers family planning was also done.

“On the other hand, at Beacon Foundation, the cancer patients were engaged in a conversation about their experiences with cervical cancer. The women of Beacon were more of a blessing to us than we were to them,” Dr. Douglas said.

This project will recommence in May and will seek to target Indigenous women along with other women who may not be able to afford pads on a monthly. The public is encouraged to continue to support this venture. #MenstruationMatters #MyAmazingFlow #StopTabooingMyFlow (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

before the menstrual cycle; once there is an egg-semen encounter conception is likely to take place.

The story of the menstrual cycle and getting pregnant tells how complex human reproduction really is – and how most people go through life not fully grasping what goes on “beneath the hood”. The entire menstrual cycle is a dynamic and intricate dance of hormonal surges and corresponding bodily changes that prepare women for pregnancy.

If a pregnancy does not take place during a given cycle, the body simply starts the dance over – and this entire process is repeated each month starting with the onset of puberty and lasting until the onset of menopause.

During this lengthy process, the SRHR says that for most women access to feminine hygiene products is a matter of timing and convenience. “If we’re in a period bind, it’s because we forgot to put a pad in our purse or stock up on tampons. But we have so many options; we can even have pads and tampons delivered to our doors monthly,” Dr. Douglas said in an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine. She added that for many women around the globe, this is not the case and the lack of access to feminine hygiene products (or disposable products) is a major problem.

“While for many women in Guyana, getting your period is a nuisance; there are

killings of women by husbands and partners.

Far more women are unemployed than men.

In the rural areas, girls have less of a chance of education than boys while education can be used as a vehicle for upward mobility; and women in work situations and elsewhere are victims of sexual harassment and exploitation.

Women’s activism, in addition to building women’s morale, must have an agenda. That agenda must set out those areas which must be addressed to bring about gender equality.

For example, the economic and educational advancement of rural women or the methods of extirpating sexual harassment and exploitation in the workplace. Such an agenda must always concentrate on specifics.

Religion and the priests and teachers must play a more important part in achieving gender equality. In several religious traditions women either are assigned a secondary role or are even depicted as wicked or unclean.

In such cases as with Eve, Delilah, Jezebel,

Salome and others, women are portrayed as being evil. Priests and teachers must interpret religion to remove this dangerous prejudice and stigma.

Another prejudice that has to be explained is the thinking of God as masculine. Many early women’s rights advocates spoke of God as She and Her and not as He and Him, since belief in God as masculine was the basis or justification of patriarchalism which led to so much oppression and suffering of women over the ages.

In this vein, Hinduism, though insisting that God (Parabrahm) is genderless, does advocate that when God is manifested in the world, it is in both male and female form. At the moment, Navratri is being celebrated and these nine nights are devoted to worshipping God in female manifestation. It may be useful for women’s rights advocates to explore the ways ancient civilisations and philosophers dealt with the question of a masculine God.

folklore NOT TOO FAR XVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

By Neil Primus

CAMERON married Fay when he was only 22 years old. The couple never had any children. After a few years of faithful marriage, Cameron went on the wild side.

He became a playboy- literally. He had numerous affairs and after a time never tried to conceal them.

Fay, on the other hand, was a faithful, loving wife. She had gotten married at the early age of 19. She loved her husband. As far as she was concerned, he was the only man in her universe. She was hopelessly devoted to him. After realising that he had become

unfaithful and blatantly so, she became depressed.

While his wife was devastated by his behaviour, Cameron continued his carnage of the flesh. He went after any woman that would have him, and many did. He was handsome and a good catch for many of them.

Fay got sicker and sicker, her body suffered as much as her mind. She stopped eating and soon after began to pine away. She eventually died of a broken heart.

As soon as she was buried, Cameron returned to his merry ways. He now became

a party animal. Every weekend he attended several parties. Friday and Saturday nights were reserved for the major fetes. Sunday was set aside for the minor dance.

Cameron was never a big drinker. He only drank beers and in moderation. He never used hard drugs, just a joint or so. Sometimes he was guilty of ignoring the moderation rule.

That Saturday night he left his home village of Venice and travelled to Clayville, some three villages away. He was accustomed to roaming and had no qualms about it. He arrived at the dance and found that it was well populated. There were dozens of people having a ball. His eyes were for the ladies only.

He moved around scouting for prospects.

Every time he made his move he discovered that the lady was already spoken for.

After numerous attempts, he gave up in frustration. Any persistence would end up in conflict, something that he detested. As he told a friend once, “I’m a lover, not a warrior.”

On the stroke of midnight, just when he was about to abandon the fete a magnificent creature entered the hall. She literally left everyone spellbound. All eyes were on her especially the men. Those already taken were no exceptions. But she was not interested in any of them. Like Giuseppe in the famous poem who had eyes only for Carlotta, she had eyes only for him.

He perked up immediately and made his silky advance. Soon he was wooing her off her feet. The two hit it off immediately. It was love at first sight. As the partying progressed he tried to find out about her. All he received were dazzling smiles and playful girly giggles.

They danced well into the morning. People began leaving. They were so wrapped up in each other that they were oblivious to all that was taking place around them. They soon discovered that they were the last couple on the floor. It was past 03:00hrs and Cameron decided to make his move.

“Let me drive you home,” he offered “I hate cars,” was her immediate response.

“That’s cool,” he purred. He put his car keys away in his pocket and walked beside

her along the dark roadway.

“Where do you live?”

“Not far.”

They continued walking hand in hand.

After a while, he asked again.

“How far?”

“Not too far. They continued on “Are we there yet?”

“It’s not too far.”

Much later he tried again. He was now becoming suspicious.

“Look how far we walk and we ain’t reach yo house yet?”

“We’re nearly there.”

Cameron lost his cool.

“Look girl stop playing stupid where we going?” he shouted.

“THAT’S FAR ENOUGH!” The voice and tone were evil and Cameron realised that he was in serious trouble.

“You just like me husband, unfaithful and disrespectful.”

“What?” he asked.

“Yo wife does tell me all about you.

Well hear dis, I got a cure fo you! Yo like nuff woman? Well, all dis is for you!”

She immediately embraced him, her features transforming from one of radiant beauty to that of a hideous monster. Her beautiful hands became talons of terror and her teeth changed to those of a wolverine.

She scratched, clouted and pummelled him.

That night for the first time in his love life, Cameron was convinced that he had more woman than he could handle. That was his last thoughts when he passed out.

That morning he awoke in bed fully clothed, shoes and all. He was bloodied and beaten and barely able to call for help.

He spent two weeks in the hospital before he was well enough to be discharged.

When Cameron left the hospital, he did so as a changed man. The next day he visited Fay’s tomb for the first time after the funeral. He stopped his wild ways and kept off of the road late at night. He had no intention of encountering that female devil again.

FILES E S A C T COUR

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

XIX

Inadequate penalties meted out to ‘fraud convicts’ since ‘71

Appellate Court stressed need for stiffer penalties

SINCE 1971 the Guyana Court of Appeal, led by Chancellor Edward Luckhoo noted that judges in Guyana were imposing inadequate sentences against offenders of serious fraud cases and called for stiffer penalties to be imposed on such offenders.

Current cases show that the situation has not changed considerably from what it had been in 1971.

In 1971, Chancellor Edward Luckhoo and Justices of Appeal, Guya Persaud and Victor Crane, made the above comments at

the hearing of an application by a postmaster who was convicted and sentenced for fraud.

In his application, the postmaster was seeking an extension of time within which to appeal against his conviction and sentence.

The Appellate Court held there was no merit in the appeal as the evidence had clearly proved the applicant guilty of the offence and the summing up by the judge was fair.

The facts of the case disclosed that the case for the State was that the applicant, a

postmaster, had falsified certain accounts being a record of stamps which he, as postmaster, had received from time to time from the General Post Office.

The evidence was clear that the stamps had been received by the applicant and taken into stock by him. He did not sign the two orders for the stamps and did not return them to the General Post Office as he was requested to do. When his books were checked it was found that the entries relating to the two quantities of stamps had not been

made by

By George Barclay him as he was required to do.

On conviction for falsification of accounts he made an application to the court for an extension of time within which to appeal.

At the hearing of the application for extension of time within which to appeal, Turn to page XXXI ►►►

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

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XXI

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

XXIII

Juvenile Justice Reform is overdue

YOUNG people are vulnerable. So vulnerable yet so full of limitless potential. They can easily succumb to their circumstances or they can soar to great heights. It is beyond me why anyone would seek to deny them their right to shine.

The juvenile justice system in Guyana, presently, is ludicrous and archaic. Two features that are truly astonishing to me are the age of criminal responsibility and wandering as an offence.

Currently, the age of criminal responsibility is pegged at 10 years. That’s right, somebody who should be preparing for their National Grade Six Assessment can be placed before the courts. A small child, not yet mature, can be imprisoned in a juvenile holding centre at this young age.

Detailed in the Juvenile Offenders Act, wandering is another offence children can be charged for. And a number of activities constitute ‘wandering’, but the common factor is that it involves a child being away from where they should be (e.g. at home with their family) and doing something they should not be (e.g. roaming the streets and possibly engaging in deviant/ criminal activities).

For months I have been ral- l y i n g

around the highly anticipated Juvenile Justice Bill. My wait finally came to an end recently when Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, tabled the bill in Parliament.

My knowledge of the bill stemmed from my preparation to tackle the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene at the sidelines of a Ministry of Social Protection event for National Child Protection week last year. I will concede, I knew nothing of the bill until then.

After a chat with Ms. Greene however, it was evident that the local justice system- vis a vis juvenile laws- was in an archaic state and the creation of this bill was long overdue. This particular bill takes aim at the archaic laws governing juvenile offenders and seeks to modernise these, which provides some leeway for the modernisation of juvenile justice.

One particular provision that piqued my interest was the abolition of wandering as a criminal offence.

According to the United Nations Situation Analysis (2016) for Guyana, between the years 2011- 2014, 99 boys or 17 per cent of young males at the juvenile holding centre had wandering as their main alleged crime while 164 girls or 64 per cent of the young

females at the same place fell into the same category.

Eschewing wandering places the responsibility of the children on the parents, rather than penalising children first.

But it doesn’t stop there. The bill calls for the repeal of the Juvenile Offenders Act and the Training Schools Act which presently govern the justice system and are comprised of these archaic laws.

As its first principle, the Juvenile Justice act advances: “The juvenile justice system is intended to further the well-being of juveniles; encourage and facilitate juveniles having a meaningful life in the community by rehabilitation, education, reintegration and proportionate and appropriate accountability to victims and society.”

Additionally, the bill proposes that no juvenile shall be subjected to imprisonment but rather sentenced to a secured residential facility or subjected to alternative sentencing such as community service, fines or restitution, to name a few.

As sociologist Edwin Sutherland posited through his theory of ‘Differential Association’, criminal behaviour is learned and it is learned through a process of communication.

Thus, any juvenile imprisoned is privy to further criminal behaviour and this may have lasting psychological effects. This practically exacerbates criminal behaviour; it’s mere feeding grounds.

With these simple provisions in mind (which in no way effectively detail the magnitude of the bill), it is evident that there has been a shift from penalising juveniles to seeking to develop them.

Perhaps this is why the bill would have garnered the staunch support of Ms. Greene.

Committed to her portfolio, her interests lie first with childcare and protection and this bill emphasises the same, instead of criminalisation.

These current laws are equally as ridiculous as the ‘ganja laws’ or those laws which criminalise suicide attempts. At least the tabling of the juvenile justice bill is a step in the right direction.

Ms. Greene related that she was confident that the bill would withstand scrutiny and would not garner much opposition, perhaps only as much that was needed to make the bill better in favour of the nation’s children. I’m anticipating how this plays out. Better must come.

Nazmoon Badal - A mother for all

SHE became part of President’s College when her daughter scored a spot there in 1991.

Naturally, she joined the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and in 1993, she won the ‘Parent of the Year’ award.

Fast-forward to a decade later, in 2003, Nazmoon Badal joined the college again- this time as an employee. She was only supposed to stay for just a year, but perhaps she felt a higher calling and stayed there until now.

“I met some wonderful people,” Badal recalled. “It was just exciting.”

Exciting might just be the word

to describe the 15 long years she spent at the college as a house warden/parent and eventually her current position as the Administrator for the school’s house service.

More than half of the students at the college live on campus and persons like Badal are the ones who are responsible for taking care of the students during their stay there.

“Being a house parent is a challenging task,” she stated. “You’re not only the parent, you’re the nurse, you’re the CID.” Despite this, however, being a house parent is one of most fulfilling things one can do, according to Badal, because you get to nurture scores of children at once.

“Each child has a story to tell and to be a successful houseparent, you have to build a relationship with the children,” she said.

Being a house parent demands that you go beyond managerial duties. It requires you to take an active role in the affairs of the students and for Badal, this can be anything from dancing or modelling at their concerts/ shows, chaperoning them on out-of-country trips or testing malfunctioning swings.

At all times, she noted, “We try to keep it as a home away from home.”

You might even say that Badal has invested herself into the school so much so that it is her own home.

It’s not an eight-to-five job, she says, it requires you to be there 24 hours a day.

But, in a few short months- in

May- she will depart the institution she has invested so much of herself into because the time has come for her to retire. With tears threatening to spill as she spoke, she remarked, “I have so many memories to take back with me.”

Some of these may be bitter, but a great majority of them are fond memories and if she could redo the time spent at President’s College, she would do it again and again.

“The best part is to deal with the children and know that they’re excelling,” she affirmed. “Satisfaction is knowing that you’ve nurtured them, that they’re disciplined and they excel at the school level and all-round.”

Her advice to any person placed in a position that requires you to nurture impressionable minds is to

“give it your all.”

And especially for house parents (even more for someone who may be desirous of filling her position), she said, “This job is very easy if you understand the children. Rules are important or else there would be lawlessness, but sometimes you must flex.”

As she prepares to leave, she remains grateful to all the persons who she would have encountered along her journey- each student, teacher and even parent.

“This is my home for the last 15 years, and leaving it now… I’ll definitely miss it,” she said.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

On the road to Gender Parity

Women of the Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop, conducted in Triumph, East Coast Demerara, showcase the 'Six P's of Business' during an interactive session

GENDER equality must become a lived reality. Guyana’s recent observance of International Women’s Day celebrated the achievements of women in Guyana, recognising those who work the farmlands, those who mould minds in the classrooms, those doling out justice in the courtrooms, and those who formulate policies in Government. Although women have made significant strides at every level of society, they are still the most likely to be victimised by domestic violence, the primary caregivers at home, and under-represented in positions of power.

GENDER EQUALITY AT THE POLICY LEVEL President David Granger, shortly after taking office in 2015, announced gender equality as a top priority for his Administration. President Granger said that his administration will build on the programmes already in place to promote women’s rights and empowerment to see the development of a comprehensive long-term gender policy. “The proposed National Gender Policy should aim to eradicate discrimination against women, to safeguard the emotional and mental integrity and physical safety of women. It should result in women having a greater say in decision making at all levels of society… Your government will work more assiduously with Women organisations to ensure that there is greater compliance. We must do more to ensure greater equality, to eradicate poverty, to enforce the law and enable everyone to be treated as equal, under the law,” the Head of State said.

President Granger has made good on his administration’s pro-gender parity position by appointing women to one-third of the ministerial positions in his Cabinet. In May 2017, on the occasion of the 51st year of Guyana’s Independence, the Ministry of the Presidency announced that 31 out of 69 National Awardees would be women. The highest honour awarded that year, The Order of Roraima, was bestowed on Madam Justice Yonette Decina Cummings-Edwards.

Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Amna Ally, during the Ministry of Social Protection’s ‘I Am Woman’ celebration on International Women’s Day 2018, named gender equality as a national priority and said that the observance

of Women’s Day provides much needed time for reflection on our strides toward the realisation of gender equality. “Today, we honour the women who have tirelessly fought and dedicated their lives towards advancing gender equality in Guyana. Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women in all spheres of life remains a national priority of the Government of Guyana and this global event provides us with the opportunity to assess the progress made in keeping with national priorities, international obligations.

It allows us to examine the challenges, face and seek measures in which we can First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger presenting a certificate that is recognised by overcome these challenges the Small Business Bureau of the Ministry of Business, to this Self-Reliance and to achieve gender parity,” the Success in Business Workshop participant Minister said. a strategy that would achieve this objective, which is to In 2017, the Ministry of Social Protection completed have that 50/50 partnership in terms of gender equality and The Costed Strategic Plan for Women Development and participation of women in the decision-making processes of Addressing Under-Achievement of Boys. The strategic the country,” he said. plan targets three areas; equality and non-discrimination to Mr. Lilly also said that gender bias is an institutionalised overcome gaps in development, human rights recognition phenomenon because women could not offer input when and warranty, and special provisions, to foster equal oppor- some of the systems and codes for certain fields were written tunities for women. and implemented. As a result, he also stressed that the fight During an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency, for gender parity is highly dependent on the participation Senior Gender Specialist, Mr. Adel Lilly explained the im- of men. “We have to realise also that gender equality is portance and potential impact of the strategic plan. [strongly] weighted on the contribution of men because “The strategy seeks to address the 2030 [Sustainable men control the resources as necessary for transforming and Development Goals (SDG)] agenda and also seek to address implementing [women’s] equality. Men hold the resources the plan of 50/50 Initiative, which speaks to gender equali- and one of the things that men will have to do is use the ty… The Government of Guyana seeks, therefore, to create resources available to them, whether it is material or their

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 institutional positions to bring about change and reform. Men are the enablers of gender equality,” the Gender Manager said.

The Strategic Plan will roll out a number of initiatives in the coming years. Among them is the emergence of at least ten protection and shelter facilities for women and child victims of domestic violence and child care facilities in all administrative regions of Guyana, gender mainstreaming training for public sector providers, annual participation in nation-wide community activities that promote equality and non-discrimination, the implementation of at least 30 entrepreneurial initiatives by women, and the launch of a gender-based National Budget.

FIRST LADY IN ACTION First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger has used her office to target the most vulnerable sectors of the Guyanese society, adolescents and women. She has aligned herself with many local and international organisations that prioritise women’s rights and is a Champion of the Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) Every Caribbean Woman, Every Caribbean Child Initiative, the mandates of which are the reduction of adolescent pregnancy within the Region and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV as well as the elimination of domestic abuse, to name a few. The First Lady is also the patron of Women Across Differences (WAD) and the Guyana Girl Guides Association. She is a recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award from Celebrating Women International.

Additionally, for an initiative of her own, the First Lady has partnered with the Ministry of Social Protection and Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated to conduct the Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop. This workshop targets women who are prospective business owners and, upon completion, grants them a certificate of participation that is recPresident David Granger conferring Justice Yonette ognised by the Small Business Bureau of the Cummings-Edwards with the insignia of the Order of Roraima Ministry of Business.

“The idea is to have a national group of programme has been conducted in various locations across women who are trained to succeed in business… This is an Guyana since 2015, it is still a necessary and relevant iniintensive programme and the certificate you receive at the tiative for the women of Guyana. “This programme has to end is something you could take to the small business unit do with the First Lady’s visions for women empowerment of the Ministry of Business, any micro-finance organisation across the country. The main motivator behind the proand get funding for a loan of a grant. They recognise this gramme is Her Excellency’s vision to see women in Guycertificate as saying you know how to run a business,” the ana, particularly women living in vulnerable communities, First Lady said. benefiting from empowerment programmes such as these.

Director at Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorpo- So, to stop the programme now is to suggest that women rated, Mr. Sanjay Yohann Pooran said that although the empowerment should come to an end, at least from the eco-

Coordinator of Women Across Differences, Ms. Clonel Samuels-Boston teaches teen mothers about the importance of self-esteem

XXV nomic aspect and to say that we’ve addressed all of the issues, which we have not,” he said.

Knowing the potential impact that self-reliant female business owners could have on Guyana, Mr. Pooran said that to avoid targeting women for training in the management of microenterprises would be limiting to the country’s economy. “Remember [that] women are the largest section of the population. Think about it in economic terms. I’m not suggesting that real empowerment only comes through economic means, but certainly, it’s a major factor. So, if you have people from the largest segment of the population empowered economically, that’s a transformative influence for the economy in and of itself,” he said.

With the Self-Reliance workshops having trained over 1000 women, and some men, across Guyana, it is evident that the First Lady has been zealous in her pursuit of women empowerment, prompting Mr. Pooran to bestow upon her the title of ‘Champion of Women in Guyana’.

ON THE GROUND: EMPOWERING WOMEN ACROSS GUYANA Women Across Differences (WAD) is a non-governmental organisation that enables women and girls to empower themselves by providing access to social and economic opportunities. Over the years, this organisation has offered programmes like the Personal Development, Community Facilitation, Positive Parenting, Gender Development, Leadership Development and Disaster Preparedness programmes, as well as the Comprehensive Empowerment Programme for adolescent mothers.

During an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency, Coordinator of Women Across Differences, Ms. Clonel Samuels-Boston explained the ways in which the programmes affect the lives of the participants.

“We see the difference in the individuals.

We see the difference in families and honestly, we strongly feel that that very difference in the individual, and [that individual’s difference] in the families will really impact the communities and, at large, will also impact our society… WAD feels [that] if you invest, for example, in one girl, that will be investing in an entire generation… These girls not only empower themselves but these girls form themselves into a group to be their own advocate for change,” the Coordinator said.

Ms. Samuels-Boston said that while a great deal has been done in the past, in terms of programmes, Guyana really needs consistency to ensure that these changes take root.

That will ensure the women and girls of Guyana always have access to the social and economic structures that foster success. “What is critical is the first step [which] is empowering of the individual to let that individual understand who she is. That’s the first step. That needs to continue. The programme needs to be ongoing… I think resources need to be allocated to the different programmes so it would be ongoing and so that it could be sustained,” she said.

At the beginning of every class, the class participants recite a motto, “I am strong. I can take care of myself. I can reach out to others. I know when to let go”. Ms. Adriana Chappelle benefited from the Life Skills Programme Women Across Differences offered in 2009. Now, she has returned to teach Spanish lessons to the young women who are currently participating.

“Programmes like these are important because not many people take the interest to know what is happening in someone’s life, especially in a young lady’s life… I came back here last year to teach them because I think I can give back to them. You know, I can help them be empowered,” she said.

Governments, organisations, and women across the world are creating policies, programmes, and standards that bring women to the forefront and Guyana is not lagging behind. Our Government will continue to encourage and empower women to be influencers and activists for gender parity as we work toward a future that is female.

XXVI

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Making a difference abroad and at home

By M Margaret Burke

KAREN Wharton currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, James Blain, and their daughter, Kali but she has Guyana at heart and continues to visit her homeland at every opportune time to make a difference.

Born to Alvin and Norma Wharton, Karen spent her formative years in Nabaclis Village, on the East Coast Demerara, Guyana, where she was first schooled.

“My father died when I was 15 months old, leaving my mother with four children, including me. She focused almost all of her energy on raising her children and on making our lives better. In order to do so, she left us for a year with our aunt and grandmother, while she pursued a professional certificate at UWI Mona,” she said. “That was a seminal moment for me, as I look back. It impressed upon me that sacrifices are necessary in order to progress. We were a bit better off financially when she returned. But the lesson I learned then was that my life will be determined by the effort I made and that I needed to take a longer view. I passed Common Entrance and went to Queen’s College.”

initiative that engaged students from Bina Hill Institute in North Rupununi and Queen’s College in Georgetown and resulted in the publishing of a book in 2015.

Under her leadership, QCAANY celebrated the works of artists of Guyanese heritage; volunteered with Calvary’s Mission Food Pantry, the second largest private food pantry in NYC; and hosted a showcase of Guyanese films.

Karen Wharton and her mother in a loving moment (Photos by Ms Karen Wharton)

MIGRATING TO THE UNITED STATES After gaining a place at Queen’s College she spent the next five years (1976-1981) there and completed sec- FIRST TIME FOR A ondary school up to that level. Ms. Wharton said that she WOMAN Karen Wharton is now the President of the Queen’s worked and played hard while at QC and migrated to the United States with her mother and siblings shortly after College of Guyana Alumni Association (NY), Inc. Her election in 2016 marked the first time a woman was selectwriting the ‘O’ Level examination.

Ms.Wharton said that soon after migrating she was ed to lead a QC alumni chapter. Prior to her election, she successful in gaining a place at the Boston University served on QCAANY’s Executive Committee in different and subsequently graduated with a BS in Mechanical capacities and on a variety of projects. Most recently, she Engineering. She also pursued studies at Pace University, helped to organise the QC Summer Math Institute in 2016 New York, where she graduated with an MS in Telecom- and 2017; and the annual Student Conferences of 2014, 2015, 2018. munications.

She also facilitated “This is Ours”, a visual literacy Ms. Wharton said that the sacrifices continued even in the U.S.A. “My mother worked one job to maintain the family and another to put me through school. Her last day of working two jobs was the week after I graduated from college... although I was in the country (U.S.A.) for many years, my first new winter coat was the one I purchased for myself once I graduated from college,” she said.

She said that she worked for several years as a thermal engineer, designing heat sinks for mid-range computers, before moving into Unix-based systems and sales engineering.

“As a trained technologist, I worked for many years in a media company managing data centre systems and working with developers to help them get their products out earlier.

I derive satisfaction from helping others whether in my paid work or in my volunteering Karen Wharton (centre in black) with members activities. I’m very motivated of the QCAANY ‘s Executive Committee to help others achieve their goals,” Ms.Wharton said.

UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA NY SUPPORT GROUP Karen’s activism in her community is also varied and vibrant. She is a member of the University of Guyana’s New York Support Group, specifically serving as an Education Resource Ambassador, supporting the University’s Renaissance.

Earlier in 2016, she served on the Symposium Sub-Committee of the organisers of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations, New York. With that group, she organised The National Symposium Series that were held during Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in Georgetown and New York.

Additionally, she is a Founding Member of the Queen’s-based Guyana-Jamaica Friendship Association, where she served as its first Public Relations Officer.

PARENT AND ADVOCATE Ms. Wharton is also a committed parent and education advocate. She served as a board member of the Parent Association of Packer Collegiate Institute, a K-12 independent school in Brooklyn. As the chair of its Diversity Committee, she supported and sponsored programs that explored issues that included socio-economics, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, adoption including transracial adoption.

As chair of the board’s Grade and Class Rep Committee, she coordinated school-wide communications to parents.

Ms.Wharton has served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Brooklyn Child and Family Services, a not for profit organisation that provided social services for under-served families in Brooklyn.

“I am mostly self-made, having made a number of mistakes and having learned as I went along. I did not have the advantage of many mentors and advocates. I’d like to lessen the chances so that others would not make the same mistakes that I made. I am passionate about creating opportunities for people like myself to share their life experiences with young people,” Ms.Wharton said.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that now she spends her time and her money to visit Guyana because she feels strongly that the free primary and secondary education she received in Guyana has set her on the path that she is on today.

“I feel obligated to pay that back,” she said.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

XXVII

#SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Being Happy About Trinidad’s 2018 NGC Bocas Lit Fest OVER the past few years, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest has emerged as one of the most innovative literature festivals, keeping Caribbean literature in all its forms at the forefront of its aims and goals, even as it utilises and reaches out to acknowledge and learn from the spread of literature that shapes the world.

This festival is an important mechanism for the survival of Ca-

ribbean literature, and I try my best to talk about it as much as I can; I tell my writer-friends abroad to check it out, and I tell Guyanese writers who have the means to try to attend. I have never been to the Bocas festival, which is perhaps ironic, considering how much I plug it year round. The truth is that I am very happy for writers and people who love writing in Trinidad. They are a part of the Caribbean family and the literary tradition of this part of the world, and any success they may

One of the official posters for the NGC Bocas Lit Fest 2018 (Image via Facebook – Bocas Lit Fest)

have is a win for regional literature.

I am particularly proud of the fact that Trinidad has emerged from the same colonial history as Guyana to establish itself as one of the countries as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to things literary.

However, Trinidad’s successes also forces me to contemplate the fact that Guyana has failed and is continuing to fail within the artistic sector, especially Turn to page XXXIII ►►►

XXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Encouraging the population to live healthier lifestyles

The work of the ‘Live ProActive Club’

By M Margaret Burke

A GROUP of young professionals are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to help Guyanese live healthier lives.

This group, calling themselves the ‘Live ProActive Club’ believes that they are a catalyst for transformation and empower-

ment through facilitating holistic, healthy lifestyle changes.

Founder and Co-Leader of the club, Keiba Murray, who is an accountant by profession, told the Pepperpot Magazine, “When I returned home from England in November 2014 after living there for seven years I volunteered at a Children’s Centre

in Ruimveldt helping with numeracy, literacy, social skills, etc. I realised that there was a need for a holistic approach to wellness if, we as a people, were going to take a unified stand against non-communicable illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, hypertension, etc. and social problems such as suicide, poverty and violence. According to PAHO, Non-communicable Diseases

and various change management sessions to benefit individuals, organisations and communities nationwide,” she said, adding that their approach to development is simple and that the group is a team of professionals with the insight into holistic lifestyle changes aimed at improving the overall well-being of people. In so doing, she said that they create a tailored approach to suit lifestyle changes. Further, she informed that the group also offers on-going support in the form of life clubs to assist individuals to achieve their goals, utilising modern resources to monitor and evaluate the individual’s process to progress.

“We contribute to eight of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals,” she said, while stating that the process for progress is one of consultation, where the individual need to ascertain where he or she is in your process to progress and where that person want to go (S.M.A.R.T goals); imTurn to page XXIX ►►►

represent 60 to 70 per cent of Guyana’s mortality rate.

That was when the idea of Live ProActive was born and my team of professionals was willing and eager to help.”

DEVELOPED PLAN “We specialise in effective training, mentoring

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXVIII

plementation of an action plan to achieve the goals; putting the plans into action by choosing an appropriate life club and working along with the life club leader to realise the goals within that life club; and assessing the progress made within the chosen life club with the trained social worker.

Murray said that the persons to benefit have the option of deciding whether they would continue to work along with their mentor; continue in the same life club or switch to another life club based on the results.

The group’s co-leader pointed out that they have a training package to help Guyanese achieve wellness in every aspect of their lives, such as in the area of finances, life skills, psychological and social, which would include emotional intelligence, social skills, time, stress and conflict management. They also focus on the physical wellness and this includes nutritional needs, especially in cases of diabetics and hypertension, also for athletes, among others.

Consideration has also been given to the wellness of children as it relates to all aspects of the programme.

OVERALL BENEFITS According to Murray, the intended goal of this programme is to be able to produce healthy students with proactive attitudes to work and community building and sustained improved organisational development and increased productivity. The programme is also designed to assist persons to experience reduced stress levels and non-communicable diseases; have fewer conflicts and more effective resolution of disagreements in the personal lives, as well as in their workplaces.

She added that part of the desired benefit of this proactive programme is to ensure effective collaboration, communication and use of social skills; also team-building and efficient execution of organisational projects for positive change.

For the youth, the programme is expected to help students to become more actively engaged in self-development and healthy lifestyle practices, as well as experience a reduction in social problems such as suicide, poverty, substance abuse and violence. Further, that there is an increased awareness of financial literacy and its benefits to increased income as the country transition into a green economy.

TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS Other than Murray, the club has a strong team of professional physical trainers, which include Tyson English who was trained by the British Sports Trust/Sapodilla Learning with a Certificate in Community Sports Leadership. He has gained several other certificates in Mass Casualty Management, Psychological Management and Evaluation. He is also a football referee, and a basketball and volleyball coach.

On board too is Seon Erskine, the Physical Wellness Life Club Leader. He holds a MSc. in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching. As a vegan, Erskine encourages healthy nutrition and positive lifestyle practices.

Dr. Nazim Yassim is a member of the team as a Self Defence Instructor. He has training in black belt in Shinkai-ryu system of Martial Arts.

Annie Gomes, on the other hand, is a Yoga Instructor – Ashtanga, Hatha and Yin disciplines.

Added to the team is Dr. Gerald Forde, a young medical doctor who enjoys giving back to his community using the wealth of knowledge gained from his experience in the fields. He is accompanied by Ismay Murray who is a First Aid and CPR Instructor. Ismay is a professional Nurse and Midwife by profession.

Mesesdjehuti, is a qualified social worker who dedicates his time towards working with underprivileged communities, while focusing on youth development. He has previously collaborated with UN AIDS, UNFPA, PAHO/WHO and many other international organisations.= There is also a young Scientist on board, Sheri Garraway; a young Environmentalist, Godfrey Scott and Kadija Murray, who is a Mathematician. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Dental office fainting IT IS not unusual for a patient to faint in the dental office. Also known as syncope, there are a number of other clinical conditions which can mimic temporary unconsciousness, thereby complicating and confusing the diagnosis and treatment. These may include shock, spells, epileptic attacks, hysteria, and coma.

Faints can be classified into three broad groups depending on their cause, (1) episodes occurring secondary

to decrease in the quantity of blood reaching the brain (2) episodes arising from a change in the quality of blood to the brain and, (3) episodes that occur secondary to disturbances within the brain structure itself.

The cause of the most common type of faint varies but usually, it happens in normal health following a strong emotional experience, particularly under conditions that favour vasodilatation (expansion of blood vessels) such as

hot, crowded rooms. Persons that are tired, hungry, or ill are more prone to faint. Recent studies indicate that young males, less than 35 years of age, are at slightly higher risk of fainting. Physical and emotional stress, the receipt of unwelcome news, anxiety, fear, pain, the sight of blood, or minor procedures may precipitate syncope. All can and do occur in the dental office.

The fainting attack usually occurs with the patient in the upright position. It develops rapidly, but unconsciousness suddenness of am an epileptic seizure. The patient typically has a warning of impending faint manifested by a sense of “feeling bad�. This is why falls associated with fainting seldom is injurious.

When unconsciousness is profound with complete lack of awareness or ability to respond, the state should last for a few seconds to several minutes. If the faint persists for more that8 to 10 minutes, or if complete recovery has not occurred in 15 to 20 minutes, then other mechanisms or disease states must be considered.

Sometimes convulsive movements occur after the onset of unconsciousness associated with syncope. These are rarely generalised, but more commonly consist of chronic jerks of the arms and twitching of the face. There is no loss of bowel or bladder control. Pulse is weak or imperceptible, blood pressure is low, and respirations are quite shallow. The alterations in vital signs, along with pallor and unconsciousness, simulate death.

Fainting mostly comes from inadequate blood supply to the brain. Once the patient assumes the horizontal position, either by having fallen or by being reclined with assistance, gravity no longer hinders blood flow to the brain. In addition, the physical or emotional stress which precipitated the faint is relieved by the loss of consciousness. The pulse increases in rate and amplitude, the colour returns to the face, and breathing becomes quicker and deeper. Consciousness quickly returns with the patient having a correct perception of events and his surroundings.

Most of the persons who I have seen fainting in dental clinics have done so as a result of not having taken a proper meal prior to attention. Their blood sugar clearly went down too much in conjunction to fear and anxiety.

A combination of leg crossing and muscle tensing may help prevent fainting, providing a simple solution for people prone to fainting during emotional stress or prolonged standing before having an extraction, according to a recent study reported in a recent publication of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

This is the first study of its kind to document the effectiveness of a simple manoeuvre to prevent or delay loss of consciousness.

The standard approach for preventing fainting includes educating the patients about the causes of the condition, instructing them how to avoid situations that trigger fainting, and maintaining adequate salt and fluid intake.

If blood flow to the brain is interrupted for three to four seconds fainting results. It becomes readily apparent when reviewing these mechanisms that a person could have irreversible brain damage or even die if supported in an upright position, such as in a dental chair, during syncope. Treatment of fainting thus consists of placing the victim horizontally; loosening tight clothing around the neck and having them inhale ammonia salts.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XIX

Senior Counsel Mr. Fred Wills, appeared for the applicant while Mr. George Pompey, the then Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), represented the State.

Refusing the application, Chancellor Luckhoo, noting the prevalence of the fraud cases, said that he would like to support what had been said by his brothers, Persaud and Crane, in relation to the matter.

He added, “It has become all too evident, from the cases of reported fraud, especially within relatively recent times that its prevalence calls for serious attention. Too many people seem to be on the look out to dip their hands in the public coffers and line their pockets with ill-gotten gains.

“This disposition to get rich quickly is a plague on our young nation, which should be provided with a better example on the part of those who like the appellant, occupy positions of trust.

“As my brother Crane has pointed out, the sum involved is not an insignificant one. In two transactions alone it was sought to create a loss to this country of over $10, 000. This is shocking and disgraceful. In my view, on the facts, the plan was not only daring, but revealed a certain measure of disquieting neglect in the operation of the system employed.

“What my brother Crane has said on the question of punishment should be noted by judges who have to deal with situations of this kind. Clemency could be sometimes misplaced by the imposition of inadequate sentences in cases of serious fraud. If the appellant had appealed against his sentence and this appeal was properly before the Court, I might, on the facts before me (and subject to what was said), have found it difficult to restrain myself from increasing the sentence; for not only is the offence of a heinous nature, but the prevalence of such like offences involving public offices and servants in a position of trust is not a matter to be lightly glossed over. And, moreover, the device used indicated a great deal of premeditation.

“I would like at this stage to repeat what I said in a similar case of falsification of accounts – the case of the Queen v. Peter Richard Osborne (Criminal Appeal No. 55 of 1968) – in the hope that those responsible for looking after the systems which operate in the various departments of revenue, might exercise a greater vigilance to ensure as my brother Persaud pointed out, that they are faithfully operated and not be allowed to break down through carelessness of improper motivations. In the case of Osborne, I said these words: “It does not concern this Court that others, in one way or another may not have been implicated in the daring fraud.

But the observation cannot be resisted that something must have been rotten in the state of safeguarding public funds, in that particular sector, which permitted an ‘unknown’ person who was not a workman and never earned any money, to receive payments week after week for over 40 weeks in one year, sometimes twice above that of the other legitimate workmen, by a process of concoction.

“The net result of this was that over $3, 000 was paid out for a period of less than one year to a non-existent workman. One shudders to think, if there are other instances, to what extent the public coffers may not have been otherwise impoverished!

“Eleven months after this fraud had been in progress, a clerk in charge of the Yard Office of the Ministry, at the commencement of his duties as such, checked to see that the names of persons who actually worked were names of persons which were put on the pay list for payment. He checked the time slips of workers against what was recorded on the pay lists. He was not detailed to do this job, but he felt it should be done and did so. This was what led to the discovery of the particular fraud, and demonstrates that vigilance and honesty of purpose will reveal what indolence and connivance will suppress.

“It is for the authority concerned, and other similar authorities, not only to be satisfied with the system in use, but to use that it is honoured in thought, word and deed, if public funds are not to be scandalously squandered” Chan-

cellor Luckhoo declared as he agreed with his brothers to refuse the applicant leave to appeal.

The conviction and sentence were affirmed.

In his presentation Justice of Appeal Persaud said,“This court has, for some time now, viewed with a great deal of alarm the number of convictions and accusations made against public officers, of fraud committed in the course of their employment.

“This court, and we are sure others will agree with us is of opinion that the State is entitled to expect honest and conscientious service from its employees, and we feel that any employee of the State who is guilty of fraud commits not only a breach of trust against his office or department, as the case may be, but against the entire country; for he is employed in a position of trust , and he is expected to so conduct himself that the State would have implicit faith in him ,“ Persaud declared.

Justice of Appeal Guya Persaud added, “The way things seem to be moving would indicate that there are less and

XXXI less people in the public service on whom the State can rely.

We hope this state of affairs can be remedied and public officers, in whatever station they are employed - whether as postmasters, or civil servants, or policemen – will come to appreciate that it is of no avail to them to perpetrate fraud on the country, because they must know that in proper cases the courts will see to it that they receive punishment appropriate to their crime.

“In this case the appellant was a postmaster employed in a certain post office in the country and, very simply, the case for the State was that he had falsified certain accounts, the accounts being a record of stamps which he, as postmaster, received from time to time from the General Post Office (GPO). These two counts relate to two instances; one where he is said to have received stamps to the value of $2, 200, and the other where he is said to have received stamps to the value of $8, 040 – quite substantial sums of money, in our opinion”, Justice Persaud declared.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

For the love of Melba

By Abdool A. Aziz

AFTER over a decade in New York, he returned to Guyana on a summer vacation, and he attended the 2010 Rupununi Rodeo. It would change his life. A dream came through but at a price. Certain decisions had to be made. His life was turned upside down. But he would do it all for the love of Melba.

He emigrated to the USA since he was 30. He was a civil engineer. He lived in a penthouse apartment in downtown Manhattan. He had money, a Trans AM Posh car and job security. He loved New York, especially at night. But when all the fun was over, he slept alone. He searched around for Miss Right. No one qualified. The women were all pretty and flamboyant but not sincere with love. He wanted a wife – a soulmate. He promised to scout for one in Guyana. And he found her – Melba, the only daughter of the village Tashao He had a front seat on the viewing pavilion. He happened to sit beside a pretty woman all bedecked in Amerindian costume. She sat near to her dad, who was in traditional garb as well. He was the patron of the rodeo which was their prized gymkhana of the year. At the end of the games, he invited the captain to a drink while Melba went home with some friends.

He told the head man about his love for his pretty daughter and asked for her hand in marriage. The man burst into a guffaw. He then said “My daughter is a mascot of the tribe, only a brave can marry her when I approve. No marriage yet, and she will remain in the tribe.”

The captain enjoyed the vodka and stumbled out the bar.

He grumbled, “Not my daughter, New Yorker, she is my pride and joy.”

The next day Rohan went to the trading post and bought gifts for the captain. He was warmly received by the tribe, the Toshao said something in his native tongue and they all laughed looking at Melba who smiled modestly.

It was decided that Rohan must live in the village and prove his love for the maiden. He must adhere to the Indigenous culture. He must show proof that he will live near the homestead. For the love of Melba, he accepted all. The captain agreed to the marriage as the tribe loved Rohan’s social and humble attitude, even assuming the name Tamaka.

He went back to New York and gave back his posh apartment, sold his cars, withdrew his bank account, gave up his lucrative job and said farewell to the Big Apple.

He was not sad. In fact, he was eager to return to Lethem to his loved one. He felt born again.

He established a troolie hut, got married started a cattle ranch and enjoyed life with the woman he always dreamt of. He had no regrets in re-migration because the concrete jungle was now replaced by nature and happiness engulfed his life. And he did it for the love of Melba.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXVII

with regards to giving young people opportunities and the required attention and training that are necessary to foster the arts within our country. It is difficult, at times, to navigate my feelings of happiness for the tiny island of Trinidad that is doing so much for literature, and the feelings of bitterness at my own country that will unable to pull off an iota of what Trinidad has done with the Bocas Lit Fest.

This year the festival will run from April 25th – 29th and as I observe from afar the many events and activities that are beginning to take place in anticipation of Bocas 2018, it is hard to not become disillusioned with the barren artistic landscape that Guyana is slowly becoming. A cursory glance at the Bocas Lit Fest will unfold a series of marvels that are enough to make any reader dizzy and breathless with excitement. For example, this year the featured writers include wonders such as Lorna Goodison (who recently won a well-earned Windham-Campbell Prize for her poetry) and Eleanor Catton (the youngest ever winner of the Man Booker Prize). Those are just two names from the scores of authors who will be attending the festival to host workshops, give readings, or to engage with audience in numerous other ways.

Guyana currently has no plan of action in place to bring in international authors of the same caliber as Goodison and Catton to even give a reading to the local populace, much less more intricate and necessary artistic interaction, such as a workshop or even a simple discussion on the art of writing. It is truly a shame. Shame, indeed, is one of the feelings; linked to the bitterness I feel when I compare the strides Trinidad has taken, far into the literary future, leaving Guyana behind in the dust. This is not to say that there is no representation of Guyana at Bocas.

Last year, three young writers were able to attend, and I note this year that Imam Baksh is there representing Guyana. The problem, I must admit – in fact, we must all admit – lies not merely in the low representation of Guyana at the Bocas Lit Fest, but rather that in our own country, writers are not given the opportunities and training that are necessary for any of them to make a truly regional or international impact on the literary scene.

Guyana itself holds us back from attaining anything close to Bocas – whether it is through the failure to cultivate an appreciation for books and literature, the failure of the government to foster this sense of the honing of local talent by implementing writing programmes at UG and countrywide workshops, or whether it is the general atmosphere of depression, fed by corruption, racial insecurities, human rights violations, and poor education system. Ironically, those are often the same factors that give rise to the best writing in an oppressive society.

Again, I am happy for Trinidad and for everyone there who gets to experience everything it offers, from its MFA in Creative Writing at UWI, to its poetry slams, to its New Play Festival, to, most importantly, the Bocas Lit Fest – which was voted by Penguin Random House as “one of the world’s best literary festivals.” If you are Guyanese, especially if you are a writer, and you can afford it, go to Bocas and cheer as the writers win awards, learn as much as you can from workshops, network with as many people as possible, and remember that those opportunities do not exist back home.

For those who cannot afford it, it is highly improbable that the government will fund you a trip, even if you do deserve it. So, in the meantime, keep working, keep writing, and keep aiming towards that dream of doing so well as a writer that you can fund your own trip to Bocas one year, where you will proudly represent Guyana – the country of your birth that you both love and dislike; the country that rips your soul right down the middle as it sends a hundred aches your way, while also sending a hundred pleasures.

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

China gives Baidu go-ahead for self-driving tests after U.S. crash

CHINA’S capital city has given the green light to tech giant Baidu Inc to test self-driving cars on city streets, indicating strong support for the budding sector even as the industry reels from a fatal accident in the United States.

Beijing’s move is an important step as China looks to bolster its position in the global race for autonomous vehicles, where regulatory concerns have come into the spotlight since the crash earlier this month.

The accident in Tempe, Arizona, involving an Uber self-driving car, was the first death attributed to a self-driving car operating in autonomous mode, and has ramped up pressure on the industry to prove its software and sensors are safe.

Beijing has given Baidu, best known as China’s version of search engine Google, a permit to test its autonomous vehicles on 33 roads spanning around 105 kilometers (65 miles) in the city’s less-populated suburbs, the firm said in a statement.

Baidu is leading China’s push in driverless technology, with Beijing keen to keep up with global rivals such as Waymo, the self-driving arm of Google parent Alphabet and Tesla.

It has a major self-driving project called Apollo.

“With supportive policies, we believe that Beijing will become a rising hub for the autonomous driving industry,” Baidu Vice-President Zhao Cheng said in the statement.

Two people close to DiDi Chuxing, China’s dominant ride-hailing company which is also working on self-driving, said earlier this week firms developing autonomous vehicles were not likely to slow down plans for testing and developing “I am quite positive on the potential of the technology because autonomous technology makes vehicles far less prone to accidents than human drivers,” one of the people said.

Didi declined to comment.

Earlier this month China issued licenses to auto makers allowing self-driving vehicles to be road tested in Shanghai, which included Shanghai-based SAIC Motor Corp Ltd and electric vehicle start-up NIO. Regulations in the sector are, however, still catching up with fast growth and increasing numbers of firms wanting to carry out tests on public roads.

Baidu Chief Executive Robin Li tested his firm’s driverless car on Beijing’s roads last July, stirring controversy as there were no rules for such a test at the time. The firm hopes to get self-driving cars onto the roads in China by 2019.

Baidu said that before conducting tests on public roads, autonomous vehicles using its Apollo system would go through simulation tests as well as trials on closed courses.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

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Animals help us heal!

MANY people believe that one must take drastic and serious measures to improve mental health. Fortunately for us, there are also fun and light-hearted things that we can do. For example, simply having a pet or caring for an animal is a protective factor against mental illness and even suicide. This means that someone with a pet is less likely to obtain a mental illness or attempt sui-

cide; some studies show up to four times less likely. It also means that if you are already suffering from a mental illness, caring for a pet can alleviate some of your symptoms.

The companionship of a pet does so much good for our mental health. Caring for something other than ourselves gives us a sense of purpose and pride; it allows us to feel valued and needed. This, in turn, increases our self-es-

teem, self-confidence and self-love.

Not only is it a great source of comfort but it also provides us with encouragement, motivation, productivity and efficiency. It is a healthy distraction as you must actively take care of an animal; you must stick to a schedule, be responsible and even socialise at times. Depending on the animal, we have to bathe them, take them on walks, and just spend

more time outside which promotes exercise, fresh air and Vitamin D – the nutrients we get from the sun.

Pets are also widely entertaining; constantly making us smile or laugh which increases happiness and positivity. Of course, there is also the sense of security; many people feel Turn to page XXXVII ►►►

XXXVI

AWESOME March THE ENTIRE March was AWESOME. I achieved something every day and also added value to someone every day which is a big blessing. I think because it is Women’s History Month that added extra adrenaline. My recent trip to Suriname confirmed I am headed in the right direction and I am thankful.

The LIVING WITH INTENTION Caribbean tour was launched in one of my favourite countries, Suriname. I have been visiting Suriname for over 15 years and have developed some great relationships. I visited the Ballroom at the Torarica Hotel where I had my first big show 15 years ago. First Lady Elizabeth Venetian was the Patron and all proceeds went to House of Pearls who cared for kids living with HIV/AIDS. My first stop this time was the AlphaMax Academy private school. On entering the lobby I realised this school valued culture and I love that.

AlphaMax Academy is a values-based institution of education with an international curriculum that is delivered in English. The academic programme ranges from Kindergarten

through High School.

Mr. Sean Taylor is an amazing leader and it was reflected in this institution. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the school and taking pics at the Rabindranath Tagore statue and reading the profound message on the statue. Sharing one of his quotes below: “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

It is the first school I visited where most of the questions come from the boys and they were interesting questions. It was very flattering. When will the world see the life of Sonia Noel in a movie?

I asked them if they think I should and they all said a resounding YES. I promised the boy who asked that he will be at the premiere.

Friday evening the Embassy of Guyana in Suriname hosted a lovely reception and book signing. I must thank Mr Keith George and staff for their kindness.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion Jomax restaurant hosted a Book Signing and fashion display. I met Don Visbeen who is an author of 14 books and loves discussing history. That is one of the things I love about travelling and meeting people.

I am so looking forward to this tour taking me to places in and out of Guyana and adding value.

I must express my appreciation for Suriname Marriott, one of my partners for this trip.

“We have always supported the work of Sonia Noel, but also because of her book ‘Living with Intention’ it is the thought that supports the hotel, and we also want to do our part in the work she does in empowering women and adolescents. ‘Women across Borders’ we also stand for that, namely from every country we come together here at the Marriott, and that fits in perfectly with our theme,” said Natascha de Randamie of the Marriott Hotel.

The pace of the tour is dependent on the resources available and we are anticipating a grand time at the fundraising Tea Party and Fashion Show featuring not only my collection but also from Vanda Allicock, Lorane Sears and hats by Melba La Goude. I must thank Aleem and the Lusignan Golf Club for their support, Party Castle and Supplies, Country Style, Beacon Snackette, Pizza Hut, Natural Flavours, Delights Treats, Tropical Paradise and New Thriving.

People constantly message me complimenting me on the work of the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts. Here is your chance to contribute by buying a ticket or otherwise.

You can email us at livingwithintention11@gmail.com or call 6848129 if you are desirous of contributing to such a meaningful project.

Remember to check our FB page beyond the runway as we continue to enjoy this jouney called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXXV

safer with animals in the home. They simply provide a platform for mutual affection, loyalty and consistency.

I believe that all pets can do this (as I have had various types) but I have never experienced more unconditional love than I have with dogs- they love you no matter what. They are basically just a non-judgemental, calming company that always listens. If you’ve ever had a dog, you know what it feels like. They can sense your mood by tone of voice and body language and actually become loving and empathetic.

Research also shows that simply petting an animal can lower stress, heart rate, physical pain and blood pressure while increasing cardiovascular and respiratory health.

Pets are even included in some treatment plans for mental illnesses. These service dogs are not much different than those who are trained to help the blind community. Some medical professionals actually prescribe emotional support animals in cases they feel would benefit from it. These can be any animals but are typically dogs.

Some studies have even identified which animals/activity best helps specific disorders.

For example, dogs are known to highly reduce symptoms of depression, horse grooming most helps people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and people with anxiety and Alzheimer’s disease find deep relaxation with fish.

However, a variety of other diagnoses such

as severe stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD etc. can benefit from animal therapy.

Before deciding to adopt a pet, I want you all to keep something in mind. Firstly, it is fantastic that you are willing to make new efforts to improve your mental health. However, you must keep in mind that a pet is a serious responsibility that requires care, financial resources and consistent commitment; this means you must be committed to your recovery. If you feel you are ready for such a step, start deciding on what kind of animal best suits you and your environment. If you like the idea but don’t think you are ready, share, borrow or offer to look after other’s pets at times. You will still see some of the benefits.

A dear friend of mine has an emotional support dog named James and I’ve asked her to share her story below.

“Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are a great way to combat depression and anxiety depending on your needs and wants in a domesticated pet. Now, I know animals are not for everyone, but if you are willing to give it a try, an ESA might just help you along the way.

If you are animal-friendly, have the time and you are suffering from loneliness, depression, anxiety or even PTSD, a pet companion may not be such a bad idea! With training and a

bit of love, you get in return much more than you give.

For myself, I chose a high-energy, outgoing rescue dog (I will ALWAYS recommend a rescue over a puppy whenever possible), who came along with a whirlwind of emotions of his own and strict training guidelines, although Emotional Support Animals (ESA) do not have to be trained professionally, it is always good to have a well-mannered animal when out in public, especially if you plan on traveling with your pet. Because my depression and anxiety kept/keeps me from participating in normal daily activities such as exercise, daily walks, greeting people, daily errands and

XXXVII simply even getting out of bed on some days, I chose to go with a dog that was the exact opposite of me on my worse days. Having a high-energy pet forces you to exercise (also makes exercising and cardio 100 times more fun!).

My dog has helped me explore nature, explore social settings and much more, even on my bad days. Pets can sense your mood and act accordingly. My personal favourite training trick is my dog forcing me out of bed with a gentle nudge. When that doesn’t work, he burrows under my blankets, and if that doesn’t work, I can often feel his wet nose trying to push me upwards and out of bed! Now if that isn’t a sure way to combat depression I don’t know what is! What’s the best part of owning an ESA Dog? Someone is ALWAYS happy to see you! – Love from Makyla and James!”

Thanks for sharing Kyla! X 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

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Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

English THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet …

Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.

STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, A real study problem may very well be study reading, which is a ‘can’t do without’ set of skills for procuring higher education. You see, much more reading is expected ahead at university level, which is not called ‘reading for a degree’ for nothing. Five tips can immediately improve reading for study: improve your styles of reading; improve your active reading; speed up your active reading; spot authors’ navigation aids; and master words and vocabulary. Be wise.

Love you.

THE EXCERPT Mr Minnenick turned and saw Miss Thea Pewsley tapping on his window. He went reluctantly to the door, feeling vaguely aggrieved that the sun should still be shining. Miss Thea peered in at him. She looked absurdly gay, and there was a bright mauve bow at her neck, but when she saw Mr Minnenick’s sunken jaws and his vague eyes, she was immediately concerned.

“Why, Mr Minnenick – are you ill?”

He felt a little warmed by her anxiety. “No, I’m just tired.”

“And you’ve been asleep?”

“I’ve been sitting there, dozing and thinking, for the last couple of hours or so,” he said sadly.

“Then you haven’t heard the news!”

Miss Thea came closer to Mr Minnenick; her cheeks pink with excitement.

He looked at her distastefully, “What news?”

“Why, Mr Chamberlain has an agreement with Hitler, they’ve made an arrangement, a – what do you call it – a pact!”

Mr Minnenick’s eyes stopped being vague, his mouth opened soundlessly.

“Isn’t it wonderful!” exulted Miss Thea. “It’s all settled. Mr Chamberlain has arranged

everything. There isn’t going to be any horrible war after all! When they gave it out on the wireless we didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!”

Mr Minnenick’s voice was a mere croak. “You mean it’s all over – it’s not going to happen?”

“It’s never going to happen,” vowed Miss Thea. “You were right. You said it was an empty threat, didn’t you, Mr Minnenick? You told us it would never happen.”

(A.L. Barker’s “Mr Minnenick”) About the Excerpt Members of Miss Thea’s family and Mr Minnenick had earlier that day been looking at the ramification of war on England. Unaware to them, Mr Minnenick was inwardly not kindly disposed to the salvation of his country and its “cowards with it” and did not spare himself in his thinking. Now in his home he decided that for sanity’s sake “he must concentrate on himself” and thus fell asleep.

Something to Do From an understanding of the background to this excerpt, respond to the following questions: 1. Miss Thea “looked absurdly gay.” Why did she look like this in Mr Minnenick’s eyes?

2. Find the single line which communicates Mr Minnenick’s thoughts truthfully. What could he have said otherwise, do you think?

3. Study the passage again. Now think about terms suited to Mr Minnenick’s character; and then Miss Thea’s character. Is trusting one term you have thought about for one of them?

4. Would it be correct to say that Mr Minnenick was ‘smothered’ by Miss Thea’s relentless chatter? Examine the interaction more carefully to verify your response.

5. Write a short story which includes a character like Miss Thea’s.

MAKING WRITING BETTER Mastery Tests 1. Spelling i. Add a suffix pronounced shun to each of the following. ii. Make a list of the different spelling of word endings you have used.

1. pen____ 2. exten____ 3. politi____ 4. explo____ 5. satisfac____ 6. mo____ 7. electri____ 8. transfu____ 9. dic____ 10. asser____ 11. asper____ 12. depreca____ 13. physi____ 14. exclu____ 15. musi____ 16. miss___ 2. Grammar a. Pronoun Select from among the pronouns within the brackets the one that is correct in each sentence.

1. Is Dotty as qualified as (she, her)?

2. The production officer was (he, him).

3. Invitations will be issued to (whosoever, whomsoever) is willing to go to see the “Blue Danube” next week.

4. Cicely asked that the sensitive documents be sent only to (myself, me) and the Wharton’s clique.

5. Everyone recognised the gist of it but (they, them). b. Preposition Indicate the prepositions that should be used in these sentences.

1. Our allowance increases are retroactive ….. January 1.

2. The Mayor of Georgetown’s official residence lies adjacent ….. Nancy’s New Water World.

3. Are you sure that these specific statements are identical ….. those in the official document?

4. Did Mrs. Ramses give her approval ….. the new training programme?

5. Trousers are synonymous …… ancient drawers.

3. Description a) Combine the cluster of sentences into one or more sentences. i. The truck smelled dead. ii. It was now home to mice. iii. It was now home to birds. iv. It was now home to seasons. v. The seasons changed. b) What thoughts does the old car prompt bout forgotten lives – or about recycling? Compare the text you create with that of your partners’.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS The Comma and Semicolon: 1. Several well-known speakers are in the programme tomorrow, including Marcia D. Stephenson, director of marketing for Panorama Tours; Gregory H. Atlantis, publisher of several magazines; and Kinley O. Prince, senior designer for Gains & Sundance Clothing. (Series of items that contain internal commas) 2. Yuri Erskine is our representative in Jamaica; he has been selling dog food products for our firm since 2016. (A semi-colon is needed to join these two independent clauses; a comma is not strong enough to hold them together.)

Chronicle Pepperpot March 25, 2018

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Bollywood news

Filmmakers need freedom to tell stories, says studio behind ‘Padmaavat’ As “Padmaavat” completes 50 days in theatres, the studio that produced the controversial Bollywood film called for an environment where filmmakers are free to tell stories based on Indian history and mythology.

The epic was the target of right-wing fringe groups which claimed it distorted history by portraying a Muslim ruler as the lover of Queen Padmavati of the Hindu Rajput warrior clan. The film’s release dates had to be changed twice before it finally screened for the public on January 25 amid violent protests. The film has gone on to earn more 3 billion rupees ($46 million) at the box office.

“We have a treasure trove of such subjects and it will be unfortunate if we have to be so apprehensive when we approach these sub-

“Our concern was how to quell this controversy because it was very disturbing. We wanted to show it to everyone who was debating this on TV because they were doing it without having watched the film. But what happened is…. people thought we are seeking approval from them, or seeking validation, which was not the case,” he said.

Viacom held several screenings for top anchors in December before the film had received its censor certificate. In January, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also watched the film and called it a tribute to the valour of the Rajputs.

“This (screenings) upset several people, because they thought this is selective showing or that it is trying to undermine the established norms, which it was certainly not. What was

preme Court to overturn a ban on the film in four states, and put out full-page disclaimers in newspapers stating that there was nothing in the film that was offensive to the Rajputs.

None of this did anything to placate the Karni Sena, whose members attacked movie theatres and ransacked a school which played a song from the film. But two weeks after the film

released, it did an about-turn, saying the film in fact glorified Rajputs.

Andhare refused to indict the government for failing to stop the violence, maintaining that they had received all possible assistance from the law and order machinery. He, however, said he “hoped nobody goes through any of this again.”

Tropical Delight Pudding Ingredients 4 large bananas 2 oz brown sugar juice of 1 orange 1 1/2 oz freshly grated coconut

Method 1 Peel the bananas and cut in half lengthwise.

jects. We have to think about how we can make a more enabling environment,” Ajit Andhare, Chief Operating Officer of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, said in an interview.

The Rajput Karni Sena, a group that claims to represent the Rajputs, assaulted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the sets of “Padmaavat” in January 2017. Later, the group threatened to “cut off” the nose of actress Deepika Padukone, who played the role of Hindu queen Padmavati.

Andhare also said some of the studio’s actions in the days leading up to the film’s release, such as showing it to TV anchors and prominent spiritual leaders, were misconstrued.

happening to us was so unusual that we had to do something different and something to clear the air,” Andhare said.

Dealing with threats and misconceptions about the content, while gearing up to release what was a very expensive film by Bollywood standards was an unprecedented problem that no one had anticipated, he said.

“It is like you are going to a massive war and you have to realign troops at every occasion. This is not how you do film launches. It was releasing in 80 countries worldwide, so you are talking multiple distributors and censor boards in several countries.”

The studio also had to approach the Su-

2 Arrange in a greased pie dish.

3 Add sugar to orange juice and stir, then pour over the bananas.

4 Sprinkle quickly with coconut and bake in a moderately hot oven, 400 degrees, for about 20-25 minutes until the fruit is soft and coconut is brown.

Serves 4-6

Entertainment

Family of 'Star Trek' actor settles with Fiat Chrysler over fatal accident THE family of late “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV over the rollaway crash of a Jeep Grand Cherokee that killed the up-andcoming actor almost two years ago.

Terms of the settlement, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, were not disclosed.

The lawsuit filed by Yelchin’s parents, celebrated Russian figure skaters Victor and Irina Yelchin, is believed to be the first wrongful death complaint filed over Fiat Chrysler’s April 2016 recall of more than 1.1 million vehicles due to a roll away risk.

Yelchin, 27, best known for playing navigator Pavel Chekov in the “Star Trek” movie reboot, died in June 2016 when his 2015 Grand Cherokee rolled backward

in the steep driveway of his Los Angeles home, pinning the actor against a brick wall and fence.

In a statement, Fiat Chrysler said on Thursday the company is “pleased that we’ve reached an amicable resolution in this matter. ... We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the Yelchin family for their tragic loss.”

Messages left with Yelchin family attorney Gary Dordick seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Yelchin’s final role was in indie film “Thoroughbreds” that was released this month.

The lawsuit also accused Fiat Chrysler of negligence, product liability and breach of warranty.

Dordick said when he filed the lawsuit

that Fiat Chrysler had mailed a recall letter to Yelchin that was received seven days after his death.

Final recall notices were sent during that time, but interim notices had been mailed at least 17 days before Yelchin’s accident, Fiat Chrysler said.

At the time of Yelchin’s death, the roll away problem had been tied to at least 68 injuries, 266 crashes and 308 reports of property damage.

Drivers complained they would exit vehicles with the engine running falsely believing the vehicle was in park.

Fiat Chrysler furnished a software upgrade to the affected 2014-2015 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle as well as 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans.

Marvin Gaye family prevails in 'Sound of Music,' 'Rumours' 'Blurred Lines' plagiarism case albums deemed U.S.

national treasures

A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a $5.3 million judgment against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for copying a Marvin Gaye song to create their 2013 smash “Blurred Lines.”

By a 2-1 vote, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up” deserved “broad” copyright protection, and the March 2015 jury verdict in favor of Gaye’s three children could stand because there was “not an absolute absence of evidence” of similarity between the two songs.

Circuit Judge Milan Smith also upheld an award of 50 percent of future royalties from “Blurred Lines” to the Gayes. He restored the jury finding that the Interscope record label, part of Vivendi SA, and Clifford Harris, the rapper known as T.I. who added a verse to “Blurred Lines,” should not be liable.

Jurors had awarded the Gayes $7.4 million, but U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt reduced the sum to $5.3 million, while adding royalties. Kronstadt also said T.I. and

Interscope should be liable, but the appeals court disagreed.

The “Blurred Lines” case has transfixed the music industry, prompting debate over the line between plagiarism and honoring works by popular artists like Gaye, whose songs also include “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “What’s Going On.” Gaye was fatally shot by his father in 1984 at age 44.

Wednesday’s decision prompted a strong dissent from Circuit Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, who said the decision let the Gayes “accomplish what no one has before: copyright a musical style,” and expanded the potential for further copyright litigation.

“That is the consequence of the majority’s uncritical deference to music experts,” she wrote.

Howard King, a lawyer for Thicke and Williams, said the dissent “enhances the prospects” his clients may prevail in an appeal. “These are two entirely different songs,” he said.

The soundtrack from “The Sound of Music,” Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album “Rumours” and the 1984 song “Footloose” were among 25 recordings deemed national treasures on Wednesday and worthy of preserving by the U.S. Library of Congress.

Tony Bennett’s signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets, and the Temptations’ 1964 classic “My Girl” were also among the titles selected for their cultural and historical significance and admitted to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement that the recordings, spanning 1911-1996, reflected “landmark moments, diverse cultures and shared memories” in U.S. culture.

The titles announced on Wednesday bring the total number on the registry to 500. Each year, 25 recordings that are at least 10 years old are selected.

“The Sound of Music” soundtrack from the 1965 Oscar-winning movie musical was deemed a “beloved, multi-generational, cornerstone” of American life.

Bennett’s 1962 recording of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was originally released as the B side of another song but became popular on radio and was later adopted as one of the official themes of San Francisco, the National Recording Registry said.

The opening bass line of “My Girl,” a classic of the Motown era, “has become so iconic that the song is instantly recognizable from just those three notes.”

“Rumours” was forged by the crumbling romantic relationships of every member of the folk-rock group Fleetwood Mac but produced multiple hit songs.

“Footloose,” the title track from the 1984 movie, “remains today deeply emblematic of the 1980s - fun, invigorating and, in its way, a little rebellious,” the registry said.

Other recordings joining the National Registry for preservation include Run-DMC’s 1986 album “Raising Hell,” 1978 disco hit “Le Freak” by Chic, Gloria Estefan’s 1987 single “Rhythm is Gonna Get You” and Groucho Marx’s 1972 concert album “An Evening with Groucho.”