Sunday, October 28, 2018
The sign welcoming visitors to the town of Mahdia, ‘The heart of Guyana’. (DPI photo)
‘The heart of Guyana’ becomes a town
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Guyana now part of Caribbean network tackling spinal cord injuries
By Telesha Ramnarine AS Guyana continues to step up its efforts to look into the issues associated with persons living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), authorities are now saying that SCI must be looked at as a chronic disease and should be given the same amount of advocacy and prominence as other diseases. The Ministry of Public Health, through its Rehabilitation Department, does not yet have a database on how many persons in Guyana are suffering from the disease, and because the advocacy level is so low, authorities are not even sure if those persons know that a variety of life-changing services are available to them, free of cost! Not too long ago, the ‘Rehab’ Department located in the compound of the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, picked up the scourge and has been making every effort to better understand SCI and reach out to survivors. In fact, a few weeks ago, three health officers attended, for the first time ever, the third SCI Congress in Curacao, with the aim of exchanging ideas and information and fostering a collaborative effort to provide a more inclusive society for those who are suffering from the ailment. In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, at the Physiotherapy Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Physiotherapist Jana Edghill, one of the persons who attended the Congress, disclosed that during a pre-congress workshop, discussions were held with representatives of other countries about forming a Caribbean network for SCI, and using that network as
Representatives of various Caribbean countries at the Congress in Curacao recently.
a platform for discussing challenges being faced. Edghill, along with Dr. Victor Allen who also attended the forum, believes that with the formation of such a network, SCI advocacy in Guyana will improve.
From left are, Senior Physiotherapist Barbara Lawrence, Founder of the Alton Pass Foundation Alton Pass, and Physiotherapist Jana Edghill, at the Congress in Curacao.
“A good point that came up at the Congress is that we have to start treating SCI as a chronic disease because it can happen at any time. We’re working hard to build this network because we really want to get on board. We have to work together to get that support to give these patients the care that they deserve,” Edghill expressed. In the meantime, she is of the view that the ‘Rehab’ Department is doing a good job with the resources that it currently has available to it. One of the main challenges that have been identified, Edghill said, is the patients’ accessibility to services, especially those from the far-flung regions of Guyana, who are forced to deal with poverty and woeful transportation services. “That has hindered them from receiving the care that they need. We have to bridge that gap. The care is there, and the human resources are there; it’s just to have that access, that pathway to accessing the services,” she posited. While more equipment might be needed so that services can be expanded, Edghill offered that the general public ought to get on board with simple things like ramps, elevators, and lifts that can aid SCI patients in going about the activities of daily living, such as going to the bank, school, the supermarket, or even to move about on pavements and use public transportation. SOCIETY’S VIEW OF SCI SURVIVORS Dr. Allen made reference to the wrong view that society holds of SCI patients and called for such thinking to be transformed. “Most of our problems are exclusion. After you get a spinal cord inquiry, society thinks you can’t work, function normally, have a family, raise children. In other countries,
SCI survivor Uttamkumar Isurdeen.
though, persons with SCI live to their fullest. They come to school, they have families, children, good jobs; some of them are even doctors and lawyers after they would have suffered their injury. So the educational system facilitated structure system; the teaching 111system met their needs because their brain is still functioning,” he expressed. Turn to page XXXVIII►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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Having her community’s support in her fight against
breast cancer
Hazel Chase, breast cancer survivor (Photo courtesy of Hazel Chase)
By Gibron Rahim FIGHTING cancer can feel like a lonely battle at times. Nevertheless, those going through the struggle often have the support of those around them to bolster them as they fight for their lives. That support can come from friends and family. In some cases that support may even extend beyond close loved ones to include the sufferer’s entire community. This was the case for Hazel Chase. Hazel told the Pepperpot Magazine that it was Christmas Day in 2011 when she first realised something was wrong. She was at a family gathering at her daughter’s house when she began feeling a strange stinging sensation on the right side of her breast that travelled up her arm. “I know it felt funny but I didn’t give much thought to it,” she said. The following day, Boxing Day, she again felt the same sensation. Hazel has numerous sisters in the medical field. After the holiday season had passed she discussed the matter with one of her sisters. Her sister advised her to go for a medical check at the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA). Her visit to the GRPA and subsequent examination showed a lump in her breast. She recalled that she had previously had an abscess in the same breast when gave birth to her last daughter in 1982. “I was always worried about it and there it was,” she said. Hazel subsequently went to get a mammogram done at Woodlands Hospital. After receiving confirmation of the lump, Hazel’s sister helped her to book an appointment with Dr. Persaud at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Dr. Persaud admitted her for one day where he extracted a specimen to send up for testing. The biopsy was performed on January 17 but Hazel did not collect her results until that May. “I was reluctant, I was saying that nothing is wrong,” she recalled.
It was not until her sister in England firmly insisted that she go back for the results that she returned to the hospital. She took her results back to Dr. Persaud. All of her doctors conferred and it was confirmed that Hazel had stage one breast cancer. She related that, though she can calmly tell her story now, it was not an easy time for her by any means. “They said it was more [due to] menopausal hormone imbalance and it was the slow, aggressive type of breast cancer,” Hazel recalled. She was admitted into the hospital for surgery on June 3. The surgery was a success. That was not the end of Hazel’s struggle, however. “It was a journey,” she confirmed. “The chemotherapy was even worse than the diagnosis for me because that licked me up and knocked me down so bad, that a lot of times I had to be rushed back to the Mercy Hospital emergency department.” Despite the challenges, the journey to recovery was worth it, according to Hazel. “Even though it was very traumatising for me to go through it because nobody wants to hear that word ‘cancer’,” she related, “I can safely say to people out there who are going through the same thing like me [that] there is hope.” It is important, she said, to listen to one’s doctor and to be determined to survive. “And don’t listen to people,” she advised. She pointed out that, from her own experience, many people come forward to give advice on what to do and which herbal medicines to drink. “The people who haven’t crossed the bridge are the ones who give you a lot of advice and those don’t always work in the best interest for you.” Hazel has lost multiple family members to cancer since her own diagnosis and treatment. Both, her sister and her brother-in-law died from lung cancer. Her niece, who was diagnosed the same year as her, lost her fight and left her five young children behind. She,
herself, could have never imagined that she would have developed breast cancer. “In the family, I was the very first that was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she explained. None of Hazel’s grandparents, as far as she is aware, had cancer. Medical personnel play an invaluable role in a patient’s treatment and recovery. Hazel expressed gratitude to some of those who helped her during her time in the Oncology Department at GPHC. Notable for her was Nurse Singh, who she said was a standout person for her. She also acknowledged Dr. Gooding. “Hats off to those who have changed and transformed the whole Oncology section and made it more friendly, not so scary like in my time,” she said. “A lot more needs to be done but so far, so good for what they’re trying to do.” The support she received helped Hazel to cope during her treatment and recovery. She noted that her partner, Leroy, was very supportive of her during that period. “I’ll never, ever forget him for that,” she said emphatically. Leroy came out of the interior to help one of Hazel’s sons to take care of her. “He and my son used to do a shift system,” she recalled. They had to be on guard to ensure that she did not leave the house as one of the side effects of her chemotherapy was delusions. “It was very, very stiff on the family,” Hazel related. “For some of them they couldn’t see me lying there knowing that I’m an active mother, always up and around,” she said. Hazel’s family and friends were there
for her the entire time. She noted the importance of having, “people that would help you through that time, and would be there for you and encourage you.” She added, “And then with your own spirit, you have to be a person who is willing to fight, you have to be willing to fight for yourself.” Hazel’s community supported her as well. She acknowledged that she is a person who keeps to herself. “But I was surprised to see the number of people that came from around the neighbourhood and would say that they came to see me,” she related. She noted that, though she does not mix too much in the community, she is very kind-hearted and does whatever she can to help out the young people in the area. “It was very, very comforting in a way to know that so many people were concerned and were looking out for you,” Hazel stated. The support she received has inspired her to reach out to others who are suffering and lend a helping hand and a comforting shoulder. After going through treatment, Hazel went to the United Kingdom to get a breast prosthesis fitted. Presently, she normally orders her prosthetic bra online. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is really hoping to rally the cause, of having stores right in Guyana where women can purchase breast prostheses, noting that not everyone has access to online ordering. “That’s one of the areas I wish they could look into and help people to get that kind of assistance.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
‘I never allow my age to hinder my performance’ The achievements of a young youth activist Twenty-six-year-old Devendra Persaud
By Indrawattie Natram AGE has never been a barrier or a hindrance for 26-year-old Devendra Persaud of La Union, Region Two, when it came to achieving his goals in life. Instead, he turned his energies into making a positive impact on the Region Two community. Persaud is currently the Bank Manager of Demerara Bank at Anna Regina. He has a Degree in Finance and is a certified Accounting Technician and an Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate, but is also an active volunteer and advocate for youth empowerment.
to bed till after 22:00hrs. At the end of it though, I didn’t regret it,” Persaud said. After successfully completing his Secondary School Entrance Exam (SSEE) he gained a place at Queen’s College. He was among the Top 10 performers for Region Two, and in the Top 100 for Guyana. He then pursued his tertiary education online at the Florida International University and Penn Foster. During his studies, Persaud was forced to end many friendships and to make his circle small, “Not everybody is a friend and not everyone will be ready to pick you up when
ACADEMIC SUCCESS Although his career path took a twist from what he actually wanted to become in life he is satisfied. During an interview with Pepperpot Magazine young and energetic Persaud said that as a child he always wanted to become a pilot, but as he grew older he started to lean towards a profession where he can give back to society. His thoughts were then on becoming a doctor but that immediately changed after he graduated from the Anna Regina MultiPersaud volunteering during lateral Secondary School the Easter holidays (ARMS) in 2009. After his graduation from ARMS, he was confronted by several chal- you fall. Trust yourself and be confident with lenges which prevented him from pursuing who you are,” he said. his dreams in medicine. Having achieved 15 subjects at CSEC, he CHALLENGES opted to send applications to various agenHaving achieved so much at a tender age cies and organisations with the intention of Persaud said his biggest challenge was being getting a job. In November of 2009, he start- told he was too young for certain positions. ed his first job as a bank clerk at Demerara “Did this hamper me? No. It motivated Bank. Nine years, later with dedication and me to prove them wrong. And I did on every commitment he was appointed as the bank’s occasion. Through my personal achieveBranch Manager. ments at a young age, I would have proven His early education began at the Reliance that our youths are not to be underestimated. Nursery School where he graduated as the We have ideas, we have potential but we just best student. He then completed his Primary need the support. I am an advocate of youth Education at the C.V. Nunes Primary School. empowerment,” Persaud further explained. “These were tough times, many days I felt like giving up because the work was so VOLUNTEERISM much, when I landed in Grade Five, we had At an early age, Persaud had developed a to go into school for 07:00hrs and we would passion for selfless service and volunteering leave school at 19:00hrs. Then I went home and in 2012, he became a member of the and would have loads of homework, going Lions Club of Essequibo Coast. During his
Persaud receiving an award when he served as a Lions Club member
time with the Lions, he held several Board positions, defying the odds, and creating history when he was elected to serve as the Club’s Youngest President in 2014 and was then re-elected to a second term. He was also appointed to several district-level positions, overseeing committees in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
away from traditional activities that have gone obsolete, to more major action-oriented activities that would have rippling effects. This stifled my performance and my zest to do more and I resigned in 2016,” Persaud explained. His passion for humanitarian service did not end after his resignation, however. He moved on towards gathering a few young people and formed a youth humanitarian organisaReaching out to an elder as a volunteer tion known as the “The Climbers”, which is registered under the Friendly Societies Act of Guyana. Persaud currently serves as the club’s president. He is also a senior executive member of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve never allowed my age to hinder my performance. I used it to my advantage, to turn my energy into making a positive impact. My time in the Lions organisation, however, was a struggle, being one of three young members in my club, at that time, it was difficult to get senior members to move
ADVICE FOR YOUTHS Using his life as an example to many youths, Persaud said that an education and determination is important for anyone to achieve their goals. “Nothing in life comes easy. We must be prepared to work hard, make sacrifices and deal with criticisms if we want to succeed. Never give up hope, set goals and never lose sight of them. Not many will believe in your strength and your capabilities and I say this from experience, but continue to persevere and you will climb mountains. As a youth, use your energy and passion as your driving force to making a positive impact in your community,” Persaud said. Persaud lives by the words of Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”. He hopes of one day attaining his PhD and is also desirous of becoming a World Traveller.
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
The benefits of pet ownership
By Gibron Rahim
OUR pets make us happy. At the same time, we cannot help but acknowledge that there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with owning a pet. They need to be fed, given adequate time and attention and oftentimes require some amount of financial investment to meet all their needs. Still, many of us would affirm that the pros outweigh the cons. Indeed, pet ownership imparts numerous benefits. The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Luana Pierre, owner and head groomer of Pawsome Pets, to learn about the responsibilities and benefits of owning a pet. The business is equipped to provide a wide variety of services to pet owners. According to Pierre, “We can deal with any animal but for now, it’s mainly dogs and cats of any size and breed.” The services provided at Pawsome Pets include grooming, haircuts and baths. Additional
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factors, are also dependent on the type of pet one chooses to own. She related that more exotic pets require more finances for their upkeep. And different pets understandably have different attention and space requirements. Despite the challenges, the benefits of pet ownership are undeniable. The benefits outweigh the challenges, according to Pierre. Speaking about dogs, she noted that the phrase stating that dogs are man’s best friend is actually true. “You can lay all your burdens on these pets and they will love you the same,” she said. Noting that we have been observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this past month, she related that she has read several articles about animals and the way that they can help with recovery and depression in patients with cancer. There are new findings from research on our relationships with our pets every day. Pierre explained that new research on dogs seems to suggest that they are able to detect
Luana Pierre, Owner and Head Groomer of Pawsome Pets (All photos courtesy of Pawsome Pets)
a miraculous change in her behaviour towards the dog,” according to Pierre, “She loved him with all her heart and he became her dog and no more the kids’ dog.” Owning a pet is clearly a great responsibility. Pets require love, care and attention. The responsibility cannot be taken lightly. However, referring to the stories of her
services Pierre noted, include deworming, vaccinations, microchipping, teeth cleaning, application of tick control medication and ear cleaning. All of these services are aimed at helping pet owners to meet their responsibilities to their pets. Pet ownership requires investments in space and time. “Unless you have the time don’t invest in a pet,” affirmed Pierre. “If they can have all of your attention it’s a happier pet.” The need for space also cannot be overemphasised. Pierre pointed out that pets must have the required space to move around, noting that even animals reared for meat purposes require a reasonable amount of space. “The spacing also depends on the type of breed,” she said. She added, “If you’re prepared to exercise the pet daily, take them for walks to the seawall, park, etc. to exercise then they may not require excess space at home.” There is also a financial aspect of pet ownership. Pierre pointed out that it is similar to having a child. Just like with children she said, “You have money set aside for boarding and medical expenses, it’s basically the same [with pets].” She was also sure to add that, just as children are not financial burdens, neither are pets. The financial expenses incurred by pet ownership, as well as the time and space
cancer cells before symptoms are apparent or visible. Dogs, she said, are currently being used to help children with autism and to detect when epileptic patients are about to have seizures. The suitability of dogs as service animals has been well established. Additionally, “Pets, on the whole, are described as being very supportive in persons with depression and terminal illnesses,” Pierre noted. Pierre herself has seen real-life examples of the way a pet can change its owner’s life. She recalled that one of her clients has named his dog after his wife who he had lost to illness. “It is helping him recover from his loss and some depression,” she said. “He loves her with all his heart.” Another of her clients is a local radio personality who had suffered through cancer. “She used cats as her therapy to recovery and the last time we visited she had 17 cats,” related Pierre. “She loves all of them and talks about them with great pride.” Affection for pets can even develop in the most unexpected way. Pierre recalled that one of her clients originally had no great love for dogs. Nevertheless, the woman decided to get one for her children. Unfortunately, the animal became ill and she took him to the clinic. She is now faced with the task of nursing the dog back to health. But, most surprisingly, “It was
three clients, Pierre noted that it is worth it to own a dog. “Nothing beats the excitement and joy that happens on your return, even if you just go down the road for five minutes, they put a smile on your face every time,” she said. Other pet owners can undoubtedly relate similar experiences with their own animals.
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Knowing more about Ghana By Francis Quamina Farrier
MY recent odyssey in Ghana was my third visit to that West African Republic. It’s a country which I have come to love to visit. The prior visit was when the country was celebrating its 55th Independence anniversary on March 6, 2012. There were some pleasant surprises for me on this September/October 2018 visit. While the country remained 95,000 square miles in area, the population has increased from 25 million to 27 million over the past decade. There have also been two very peaceful General
President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana
Elections during that period, which resulted in a change of government. General Elections are held every four years during early December. The very first surprise for me as I arrived in the country on September 28, 2018, was at the Kotoka International Airport. As I walked from that South African Airlines jet after a 10-hour flight from the USA, I entered the Terminal Building of the Kotoka International Airport, Accra and wondered whether I was in the right country! It was a spanking, brand new terminal building. I had no previous knowledge that there was a new terminal building at Kotoka, and so I was really pleasantly surprised. The floor space of that new terminal building is much larger than the previous building and is almost twice the floor space of the Stabroek Market in Georgetown and with two floors to boot! The lower level is for arrivals and the upper level for departures. Interesting thing, but that impressive new terminal building at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, was commissioned at the very same time that the brand new extension at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, here in Guyana, was commissioned. That was obviously a case of the two sister Commonwealth countries, making a similar step forward at the very same time. I need to mention a difference between the Kotoka International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in terms of their locations. While Guyana’s main International airport at Timehri is about 25 miles from the capital, Georgetown, the Kotoka International Airport is within relative walking distance (at least for me) from the capital city Accra, in Ghana. My main purpose for this 2018 visit, to Ghana, was to see more of that beautiful and historic African country than I did during my two previous visits. I set out to go to some of the towns which I did not get to visit previously; my travels out of Accra, took me to Ada and Cape Coast on the Atlantic Coast, which for the better part is about 20 to 30
feet above sea level. I also got to the inland towns; Kumasi, Sunyani, Techiman and Tamale and a few smaller rural communities, way up north into the country’s hinterland. They include Dangme, Saltpond, East Akim, Offinso, Abufoa, Kintampo, Kpinkambaya, West Gonja, Nyawrupe and Yapel. There are hundreds of miles of well-paved roads away from the coastland, winding through beautiful hills and magnificent mountains, and crisscrossing the country to many bustling towns and cute little villages and communities, all steeped in Ghanaian culture. Those paved roads also lead into neighbouring countries, such as Burkina Faso at the north, Togo at the east and Cote d’Ivoire to the west. All of the hundreds of miles of streets and roads which I have traversed in Ghana are littered with speed humps, especially where there are schools. “That is to reduce speeding which has taken many lives, here in Ghana,” a senior police officer told me when I paid a courtesy call at the police headquarters in Accra. Crisscrossing the country for hundreds of miles, I observed many police check-points. Ghana is very security conscious. However, I did not see any evidence of police harassment of drivers. Every stop which was made of the vehicle I was travelling in (both private and public) was done in a professional way. The Motto of the Ghana Police Service is, “Service with Integrity.” There are a few choices getting to Ghana’s hinterland towns and communities. There are minibuses; both the regular size and those somewhat larger. Then there are the large coaches with plush seats, air conditioning and with a large flat screen up front on which is shown a movie; usually produced in Ghana or Nigeria. There was absolutely no boom-
Farrier at the spanking new terminal building of the Kotoka International Airport, in Accra, Ghana
also be done by air as there are fleets of small aircraft serving the far-flung hinterland towns. Ghana is a country of jumbo billboards on which are all sorts of messages; from advertising of products and services, including education and politics, to death announcements. On the latter, there would be a large image of the deceased person; in some cases of the elderly, two images, one of the deceased at a younger age and another of a more recent image. Funerals usually take place a month or even longer after the person has passed. The actual funeral service sometimes takes over three days with various services. I witnessed the funeral of a lady who had died on
Farrier in discussion with a police commissioner during a courtesy call at the Police Headquarters in Accra, Ghana, on October 8, 2018.
boom box in any of the many minibuses in which I travelled in Ghana, neither was there any over-loading. What I found somewhat amusing, is the way the conductors stick their bodies from waist up out of the bus as they call out to passengers waiting further up the road. Also, how they shake their hand as they hail out perspective passengers. Also of note, is that all minibuses pull right off the road and on to the parapet, to take on or let off passengers. There is no blocking of the flow of traffic. That’s all part of the culture of the Ghanaian minibus operations. Passengers also pay their fare immediately upon entering the minibus, or as soon as possible thereafter. I forgot that at times, only to receive a gentle tap on my shoulder from the conductor. Travelling to some of the up-country locations can
September 13, 2018 - the funeral ceremonies were held on October 5 and 6. She was 72 years of age and formally of the Ghana Health Service and a Catholic. Among those I saw at that funeral were some Muslims. I mention that because, in Nigeria, Muslims are persecuting Catholics, killing many with impunity, including priests and burning down Catholic churches. In Ghana, Muslims and Catholics coexist in peace and harmony. There is also a range of Christian denominations; Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Jehovah Witnesses, Adventists, Assemblies of God and others, including some indigenous Ghanaian religions. At official events which commence with prayers, both Christian and Muslim prayers are said. After coups and counter-coups in Gha-
na during the 1960s and 1970s, Ghana has marched boldly into the realm of a working democracy, and in more recent years has set itself a national policy of establishing Ghana as, “The Most Peaceful country in Africa.” That was demonstrated, when at the December 2012 General Elections, the then Opposition Leader Nana Akufo-Addo, claimed that his party, The New Patriotic Party, was cheated at the polls. He instructed his party members and supporters not to go on any public demonstration or engage in any act of violence. His instructions were obeyed. He took his case of the elections to the High Court but lost. Emerging from the courthouse at the end of the case, he responded to a media query as to what would be his reaction, his response was. “I do not agree with the decision of the Court, but I will abide by it.” After four years as the Leader of the Opposition, Nana Akufo-Addo won the recent General Elections and is now the President of the Republic of Ghana. Ghana remains a peaceful country and continues to attract many tourists. While I was still in Ghana, former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings, made a public statement of support for President Nana Akufo-Addo, describing the current president as a “Cultured Leader”, and that, “We must all help him.” It will be recalled that the former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, paid a visit to Guyana some years ago. President Akufo-Addo had, just two weeks previously, made a very impressive address at the United Nations 73rd General Assembly in New York, in which he stated, “We in Ghana and other parts of the African continent are determined to pull our countries out of poverty and into prosperity. We do not think that a nation needs to remain poor, or become poor, for others to become prosperous.” Continuing, the Ghanaian president stated, “We believe that there’s room and enough resources on this planet for all of us to be prosperous.” Because of the alphabetical order of seating, representatives from Guyana and Ghana are usually very close to each other at United Nations and other similar international events. One of the national objectives I’ve noticed when visiting Ghana is the focus on Education, and jobs for young people. As a small example, all of the three boutiques which I patronised while in Ghana were manned by pleasant, professional salespersons, under age 30. There is so much more for me to share from this 2018 visit to Ghana that it is necessary for me to continue next week.
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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Kamalita
By Dominique Hunter
WHETHER you choose to call it luck or fate or divine intervention, one thing is certain: Kamalita Heralall’s story is a remarkable account of an undeniable talent that blossomed in spite of the threats presented by less than ideal circumstances. Hers is a story filled with many twists and turns but, more importantly, a core group of supportive individuals, all of whom would’ve recognised the untapped potential of a young woman long before she recognised it herself. The former Charlestown Secondary School student was incredibly transparent about the difficult journey that led to a rather unexpected start as a creative practitioner. She explained that she had dropped out of school as a second form student and was home for about two years. Immediately after this period of inactivity, she decided that it was time for a change and took it upon herself to enter various youth groups as a way of rekindling the drive she seemed to have lost during those years. It was then that she discovered the Carnegie School of Home Economics and ultimately shifted the trajectory of her life. “They sent me to the Craft Production and Design Division that was located in the compound. After that I graduated with two distinctions, one in visual art and another in garment construction,” she stated. Having successfully completed the programme, Heralall explained that she was urged to enroll at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art by Michelle Damon, someone who would remain a constant source of encouragement along her creative journey in the upcoming years. She admitted
Connecting with Heralall nature through art
me gaining my distinction in visual art and garment construction. She was the person who was pushing me all along to get where I am today,” she explained. Speaking on her experience at the art school, Heralall said that her decision to enroll at the institution marked a significant shift in the course of her life. It was there that she “found” herself, as she described it. She admitted that at the time of her enrolment at the art institution she had no knowledge of the technical aspects of most subjects offered by the school. In fact, after listening to her story some might even say that she caught a lucky break. On the day of her interview, the staff and students were busy making costumes and building floats for the annual Mashramani parade. As a result, she did not get a chance to sit the drawing exam, as is usually required
Heralall’s major task, which was on display at the Umana Yana last month
work, which she describes as being a “carrier of knowledge and truth,” with specific references to the connectedness of its root system, is likened to the human body. Heralall insists that we must not allow the advancement of technology to overshadow the organic ways we initially used to commune with nature and each other. Instead, she describes the two as working in a complementary manner rather than existing as mutually exclusive entities. Ultimately, she says, it is our duty as conscious beings to ensure the sustainability of our environment, even as we continue to make advancements in technology. She went on to describe, in great detail, her preference for working with simple elements like wood chips, and the dust produced from skiving and sanding leather, and other things that people tend to discard as A relief sculpture titled Life
A detailed view of Heralall’s major task showing some of the techniques and textures employed by her.
that although pursuing art, it was not an option that she had ever considered, since she never thought herself to be an artistic person but, she heeded the advice of her mentor. “It was her continued belief in me and my ability that contributed significantly to
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
of every applicant. “If I had to draw before I got in there I don’t think I would’ve made it because I didn’t have any idea about drawing,” she said. Initially, Heralall had enrolled in the certificate programme. However, upon completion, she was encouraged by the school’s administrator to pursue the diploma programme even though she did not have the CSEC requirements at the time. She quickly came to the realisation that the opportunity might not be available again any time in the near future and agreed to return, doing so under the condition that she maintained a certain grade and attendance record. “If he [the school’s administrator] didn’t see my potential and push me to do it then I don’t think I would’ve gotten this far. I didn’t know I could do these things, and it amazes me to see how far I’ve come because I was just home doing nothing.” Elaborating on the theme of her most recent body of work, which was on display at the Umana Yana back in September, she disclosed that her decision to use “Connecting with nature” as the conceptual framework was the result of wanting to see a more harmonious relationship between people and their respective environments. “My work is more or less about awareness. It’s not just about me; it’s also about the public. The concept behind my major task was to create art that would encourage both [parties] to look at the simple aspects of nature that often go unnoticed,” she explained. The repeated use of the tree motif in her
would present quite a few challenges on occasions, since some materials are flexible and others are not. But after carefully studying and testing the unique characteristics of each material, she is usually able to find ways of working around any limitations that might pop up, in order to produce a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing final piece. When asked about any words of wisdom she might have for art school hopefuls who might be considering pursuing a formal education in the field, Heralall emphasised the importance of being exposed to as many creative disciplines as possible. This, she explained, would be crucial in the moulding of any talent and, more importantly, inspire new possibilities for making interesting works of art. “Go and expose yourself to everything because there’s a lot that the school offers.
A section of her booth with two mixed media works of art
having little to no value to the finished piece. By utilising those overlooked and unconventional types of material in her work, she is hopeful that it would encourage persons to be more cognisant of their environment and the endless creative possibilities of working with organic materials. “I was exposed to patchwork in my textile class and I’ve branched off into so many areas since then. Patchwork allowed me to freely create a new type of base coverage because of the materials I work with. It allowed me to create something from it because I can place anything anywhere in order to cover a surface,” she explained. Heralall noted that, in her experience, working with natural materials and fibres
See which one you want to do and don’t let anyone change your mind. Be yourself, stand your ground and do what you want to do. Don’t allow anyone to break your spirit,” she insisted. Recognising that she might not be as fortunate to receive a similar opportunity to pursue her studies without having the relevant academic qualifications, Heralall explained that she is hopeful about writing a few CSEC subjects sometime in the near future. In addition to writing those subjects, she is also hopeful about introducing several crash courses of her own in textile design and construction for persons who might be interested in working under her guidance.
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Breast Cancer Survivors Define Their Own Femininity By Dr Faqueeda Watson AS women, we should define our own femininity as opposed to having it defined by the perceptions of culture and society. In many cultures, the breasts are a symbol of womanhood, nurturing and sexuality, and it is a sad reality especially when we consider our cancer survivors who would have had a mastectomy. Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing two breast cancer survivors, who are strong advocates to other survivors. They believe that their lives are their stories; stories that deserve to be written in stone and not in the sand to be washed away by the sea. Marcel Bourne, 54, spent most of her childhood on the East Coast Demerara village of Beterverwagting, and cared for and attended to by a loving grandmother who was a firm believer in God. Marcel reflected on her childhood and described herself as a “hot girl”, while reliving happy memories of being a “spoiled” grandchild. When her grandmother passed away, she moved on to live with her mother and was forced to adjust to a changed lifestyle. Marcel always wanted to be in the medical profession and was able to achieve this dream for a period but due to unforeseen circumstances, she couldn’t continue. Anna De Morias, like Marcel, is also 54 years of age and a proud Berbician, spending most of her childhood years with a grandmother who was a strong believer in God. At the age of eight, Anna had to live with her mother and due to circumstances; she later dropped out of school in the Second Form to be the breadwinner of the family. Both women had seemingly normal lives until a shocking discovery would change their lives forever. Knowing that your family is plagued with a history of cancer, discovering a lump on your breast after a workout in the gym or while taking a bath is definitely not something we look forward to. Unfortunately, this was exactly the case, for both Anna and Marcel respectively. In these situations, what is most important is the way they dealt with it, the great support system they have and just having hope and believing in God, even when there is no money available for the numerous treatments. These women have encountered an emotional roller coaster in their life but the best decision they have made is to have a mastectomy. Marcel said “I never regretted having a mastectomy to my left breast in 2015 and when I told my children I had to do it, my daughter was so concerned that her mother will lose her breast but my son said if I have to do it, its best I do it. Persons will never know that I have one breast,” she said as she showed me her silicone breast. She then proceeded to say that she lives life to the fullest, and she doesn’t miss having a partner even though in her old age she might need someone to cuddle with, but right now she gives praise and thanks to God Meanwhile, Anna who had a bilateral mastectomy said she thanks God each day for giving her the strength, because most times we only praise God for our achievements and forget to tell God thanks for our bad days. Our bad days should be life’s lesson, she believes. These women are a true definition of femininity and are not ashamed of a scar, but are warriors of their health, and are proud to say that their doctor can call upon them any time to speak to other survivors who are in dire need of treatment or support. “They are the broken crayons that can still colour”-Ihadcancer.com Dr. Faqueeda Watson Coordinator of SRHR Adventures 2018 Women Deliver Young Leader
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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‘The highlight is when a patient can comb their hair’ The Department of Public Information (DPI) recently sat down with four locally trained occupational therapists to hear how it has been working in the profession for less than one year. In observance of World Occupational Therapy Day 2018, Calvin Lawrie, Errika Canterbury, Deoranie Babulall and Afeeza Khan reflected on how they got into the profession in the first place and how it has been so far. Here is what they had to say. The occupational therapists graduated from the University of Guyana in 2017,
obtaining a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Medical Rehabilitation-Occupational Therapy. They are currently working in various settings at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Rehabilitation Department, West Demerara Regional Hospital and The Palms Geriatric Home. HOW DID YOU BECOME AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST? Calvin: “My Dad has always been the Headmaster
of a special needs school, so growing up right here in Georgetown, after my school ended I would always go over to his school. So, I would have been exposed to children with disabilities and it was there my passion to help them developed.” Errika: “The truth is I had no idea what occupational therapy was. I was going to UG to do biology and my mother said let us go through this list and see what else is there…I Googled what occupational therapy was and just by reading the information I realised that I really liked
Afeeza Khan while she was at the GPHC with an Orthopedic patient, she has recently been transferred to the Palms Rehabilitation Centre.
it. I found it to be really fun and that is where my journey started.”
Deoranie: “When I started to study in the rehabilitation field I actually began in phys-
ical therapy then I was given Turn to page XXXIV►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Catering to the needs of children living with disabilities REdO calls for a Special Needs Centre in Region Two
NCERD’s National SEN Officer, Ms. Savvie Hopkinson
By Indrawattie Natram OFTENTIMES parents or relatives with children living with disabilities may feel embarrassed to go out in public, but this feeling should be shunned since those children are special in every way according to National Special Education Needs (SEN) Officer Ms. Savvie Hopkinson. Hopkinson during an interview with Pepperpot Magazine said that parents of such children should be proud and also make it a priority to send them to school. With that, Hopkinson optimistically said, that there is hope and help available through the Ministry of Education and NCERD, for children living
Children involved in games during the clinic
with disabilities and in the school system. The Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit within the Ministry of Education is there to assist with such children. The unit which falls within the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), was formed with the mission to understand, translate, interpret and support policies and plans of the Ministry of Education, relative to Special Needs Education as outlined in the National Education Strategic Plan. Its primary role is to catalyse those policies and plans, in order to accelerate the realisation of national education goals. “The SEN Unit aims to improve the quality of teaching and SEN services offered throughout the national education system through professional development programmes, teacher training and the production of teaching materials developed in conjunction with other departments involved in the common pursuit of excellence in education. It is concerned with ensuring that the school system graduates the best-prepared students to further their endeavours and become productive citizens leading satisfactory personal lives and contributing to their communities,” Hopkinson said. During a SEN clinic held recently in Region Two at the Department of Education boardroom, the National SEN Officer in her remarks said, the most common types of learners with special education needs are encountered within the mainstream classrooms of the schools. She said they display learning exceptionalities, which require special educational provision. “Learners with special education needs can benefit from screening assessments, the assessment is an integral part of instruction, as it determines whether or not the goals of education are being met. We can, therefore, say that the primary purpose of the assessment is to improve students’ learning and teachers’ teaching as both respond to the
The gathering that attended the SEN clinic in Region Two at the Department of Education building
information provides,” Hopkinson said. The SEN clinic is geared at recommending strategies that are concomitant with students’ learning styles. Teachers and parents, she said, will be provided with information
region. “I am thankful [that] for the first time in Region Two a SEN clinic is available to the children. I want to let you know that children with special needs are special, they may be
Regional Education Officer Nicola Matthews, speaking to the audience
on the skills to manage the child and provide the best home environment for the child’s development. At the moment, Region Two has 28 children living with disabilities from various Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools. The SEN clinic was held under the theme, “Embracing the Special Educational Needs Paradigm” and aims at identifying and accessing children who are suspected to have special education needs or those that are at risk. Meanwhile, Region Two Education Officer (REdO), Nicola Matthews is calling on the government and the Region Two administration to consider establishing a Special Needs Centre in the Region. She was at the time speaking at a Special Education Needs Unit (SEN) clinic which was hosted by the Ministry of Education NCERD in the Region. Addressing parents, teachers and education officers on the need for such a centre, in the department’s boardroom, Ms. Matthews said that such centre will be an asset for the
living with some form of disabilities but those very children have hidden skills that can be developed such as Art. We as educators need to work with them and provide a positive environment for them to dwell in,” Matthews said. She called on parents not to be embarrassed if they have children who are challenged or suffering from any form of disability – rather, they must be supporters. She said that many of the children that are suffering from various forms of disabilities are blessed with talents, and as such those talents can be developed once the resources are available. With the establishment of the centre, she said, special teachers will be allocated to work with the children in helping to unlock their hidden potentials. When asked if there is any available place or land in the region for the establishment of the centre, the REdO said there are buildings that are available but permission must be given by the regional administration for such use.
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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Green development is the new approach to development GUYANA is going green. That is something repeatedly said in the country as it strives towards greater development, and it is really becoming an irrefutable fact. If you live in Guyana, green development is not a new topic. It is literally everywhere. But really, what is green development? Green development involves the balancing of sustainable development with economic development, which allows for the sustainable use of natural resources to advance development. But development itself is a multi-faceted term. For years, the accepted definition of development is what is now termed ‘economic development’. This type of development is measured by indicators such as a nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)- which is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a period of time, or its Human Development Index (HDI)- which encompasses per capita income, health and education. And perhaps the route towards achieving this type of development relied primarily on industrialisation. At a recent presentation by Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), Dr. Suresh Narine, he called this
approach to development “monotonic” and questioned where exactly has this type of development brought the world. Well, the world is in a state where it is adversely affected by global warming because its green resources have been replaced by grey, industrial structures. The earth is in a place where it breathes heavily. Guyana, in this context, is only a developing nation. True development is yet to reach the shores of this small nation which relies extensively on its agrarian and mining economy. At the same time, however, Guyana finds itself home to an environment which is in a pristine state and can breathe easily. So is this development, really development? It is at this juncture that the concept of green development shows its brilliance. It’s not green in the sense of physical appearances (though, that is happening as well) but green in the sense of marrying sustainable use of the natural patrimony to economic development. And Dr. Narine believes that Guyana can lead the narrative of modern development- and that is by really achieving green development. The vision of President David Granger is to transform Guyana into a Green state, built
upon the green economy. This involves the transformation of all sectors- from agriculture to manufacturing- into sectors that are sustainably managed. And sustainably managed sectors are ones which have environmental responsiveness, resource efficiency, and community and cultural sensitivity. It really is more than just using solar energy in place of ‘brown-powered’ (fuel-powered) electricity. But, it must be acknowledged that green development is something ambitious also-very ambitious. And the pursuit of this will require astute leadership because tough decisions will be taken and it may sometimes seem as though the pursuit of (economic) development is being abandoned or at the very least, brushed aside. Now, Dr. Narine’s remarks were made at the inaugural Green Guyana Expo and International Small Business Expo held recently. This was a grand forum that sought to illustrate what exactly green development advances and how Guyana’s transformation into in a Green State is envisioned. The talk of the emerging petroleum sector was unavoidable. And in truth, the talk of Guyana’s prospects because of this oil is unavoidable. But what is important is that
Guyana intends on using the revenues from this sector to fund green development and the transformation into a green state. Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Leo Heileman, was one who lauded Guyana’s ambition to use oil revenues to facilitate its transformation into the green state. He said: “Guyana has a unique opportunity. If managed correctly, oil revenues can relieve constraints to economic growth, boost social development and safeguard environment assets of the future.” He, however, reaffirmed that this plan is not a guaranteed one but should it be guided by sound fiscal and monetary policies, benefits will reach the entire population. Heileman also posited: “This is the direction the world needs to take in order to have a planet that is safe for all of us in the future.” With this in mind, and through the forum, it could easily be garnered that Guyana’s attempts to go green is very audacious, but if done right, this could concretely establish Guyana as a global leader.
The world through his eyes Taariq Clarke OVER the past few years, w e have seen the emergence of quite a number of photographers, whose work we see on a daily basis on our social media platforms. But recently, some exceptional captures have created a buzz on social media and interestingly enough, these photos were taken by 18-year-old Taariq Clarke, who quite frankly, has an amazing artistic eye. Clarke began taking photos since he was six years old. He shared that he was on vacation in London to attend his uncle’s wedding, who gave him his camera to take pictures. These pictures were so good that some of them were actually used as the official shots. It came as a surprise to his family that their six-year-old had ability beyond his age. However, though the pictures were surprising, Taariq’s family knew he was artistic. “Ever since Taariq was in Nursery school his drawing ability was far beyond his age. His ability to capture details was evident and
stunned everyone,” his mother said, adding that he got into the practice of drawing pictures as thank you tokens to persons and family members who would give him gifts. Taariq describes himself as an ambitious young man. He has been practising photography on a professional basis for nearly three years now. He shared that because of his artistic eye, he developed a passion for photography and cinematography. “This is reinforced by my drive to grow creatively in my professional field of work... The love and obsession associated with developing and perfecting the quality of my work encourages me to be consistent, since I’m doing something I absolutely love. More so, it is always pleasing to convincingly know that I’m one step closer to being recognised internationally,” the prodigy said. When asked what inspires him to do what he does, Taariq replied, “Time is the most precious resource on earth, we may not be able to store it, get it back or even pause it; but we can capture that moment and return to it at our convenience. [It’s about] having the ability to capture moments of pride, joy, sadness, spontaneity, etc. moments that people can return to, moments that invoke some sort
of feeling or reaction when revisited. Thus, the ability to reminisce and create a time capsule inspires my work.” He added that he enjoys not putting out easily digestible material, he always wants to captivate the minds of viewers and clients. There’s no shortcut for hard work, he said, ‘to win some you have to lose some’ and most times having a good mentor is a great start. In addition, he had to get into photography with an open mind and a thirst to continuously learn more. Most of all, he never aimed to be like anyone else, because they already exist. He tries to be the best version of himself, so people can appreciate his unique form of artwork that he brings to the table. This, he encourages everyone else to do. Apart from his amazing photographic work, Taariq is also reading for a degree in Architecture at the University of Guyana.
Budding Guyanese photographer, Taariq Clarke
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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Kumaka farmer takes advantage of NAREI’s spices resuscitation initiative THE production of ginger in Guyana’s spices capital, Barima-Waini, has significantly increased owing to efforts being made by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to resuscitate this lucrative industry. According to NAREI’s Research Scientist, Ramnarace Sukhna, between 2016 and 2018, increases in acreages have highlighted the relationship between the growing demand for this commodity and the farmers’ response. In 2016, there were 46 farmers cultivating 90 acres of land. Within two years, 14 more farmers commenced planting ginger and the acreages increased to 90. The above figures represent data obtained by NAREI through collaboration with farmers in several communities such as Barima, Hossororo, Kachi-Kamo, Morwhanna, Lower Koriabo, St. Anslem, Kamwatta, and Aruau.
However, Suhkna clarified that there may be more farmers involved in ginger production but are doing so in remote areas. He related, that prior to the resuscitation project in 2008, ginger was already being produced in the region. The majority of the crop was exported to Georgetown with a portion reaching as far as Suriname. NAREI’s intervention resulted in more farmers dedicating lands for ginger production. One farmer, who has taken up the mantle to produce ginger on a large scale, is Victor Oselmo. The 56-year-old farmer owns 45 acres of farmlands, of which five acres is dedicated to ginger production. The average ginger production per acre is 8,000 pounds. The remaining 40 acres are used to grow yam and corn in a riverine community; he grows ginger in Kumaka- close to the market. Situating his ginger farm close to the
market has proven financially beneficial. Oselmo has been able to reduce his cost of production by reducing transportation cost. Also, easy access from farm to market has allowed him to access large quantities for huskers, who travel to Kumaka in search of quality spices, particularly ginger. Although Tuesday and Saturday are designated market days, Oselmo sells ginger and other crops daily at the Kumaka Market. There, he grasps the opportunity to sell his commodity to huskers. They often times pay $140 per pound for ginger. This price would fluctuate from time to time depending on the availability of ginger on the market. During
peak season (between November and December) ginger attracts a price of $500 per pound. Oselmo plans are to expand his cultivation, as well as introduce new crops such as turmeric and black pepper. The father of four has been utilising the technical support offered by NAREI’s Extension Officers to better his production. As such, he is confident that the spices industry will be a profitable one in Guyana.
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Being extroverted LAST week, I spoke about how being introverted can be beneficial. This week I will focus on the benefits of being extroverted (the opposite) as this column isn’t about getting people to change who they are but rather to accept it without lowering your self-worth. Also, I can effectively argue any side of a dispute - really could have also been a lawyer. Whether you are already an extrovert or an introvert wanting to expand your comfort zone, below are some undeniable benefits of this personality trait. Also known as ‘social’ or ‘outgoing’, extroverts are those that thrive in social situations that others may find overwhelming or nerve-wracking; they typically become energetic and excited when in these situations. Not unlike introverts, extroverts are often widely misunderstood and often branded as too hyper or attention seeking. There is much research which outlines the advantages of being extroverted. It is not difficult to determine that those who are more comfortable interacting with strangers, speaking up in public, take on leadership roles
or have no issue standing up for themselves are more likely to be successful in personal relationships as well as professional positions. This genuine enjoyment of socialising as well as the wider network it comes with, allows for higher than normal levels of self-esteem, self-confidence and overall self-worth. Even further, this personality trait results in a likeliness to thrive under pressure and a comfort in the spotlight that many envy. There are also many things I’ve noticed (and envied) about extroverts. There isn’t necessarily any scientific data to back these points up as they are my (and probably been yours) observations. Extroverts or common socialisers have a wealth of knowledge and information - both useful and useless. When you socialise often, with a wide variety of people, you learn the most random and often interesting things. They typically call this ‘rum shop gaff’ and it honestly has no limit- you guys know what I’m talking about. They have advanced social skills and there are rarely any gaps or awkward pauses during their conversations. I’m not one for small talk
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
and so I love when my extroverted friends are around. I’m always so impressed by the way they allow for flowing conversation. They are easily adaptable; my extroverted friends seem to fit in with any group, in any environment, at any time. Those who are more introverted tend to have clear-cut comfort zones while these individuals seem to consistently expand theirs. Extroverted individuals are more open to and even favour new experiences, they typically have a wide variety of interests and just as many hobbies. They also have the YOLO – you only live once- mentality which means that are more likely than others to have crazy and exciting adventures. Extroverts tend to be more emotionally open than most; they aren’t afraid or embarrassed to share their genuine feelings and opinions. Many people have a fear of doing this because of judgement or stigma but extroverts rarely hide their feelings. This is especially beneficial as a genuine expression of feelings has been known to drastically lower stress. It also doesn’t hurt that these open confessions help the silent sufferers around know that they are not alone in their experiences. Like any other personality trait, there are some downfalls. It is important to acknowledge these so that the extroverts currently feeling this way know that they are not alone. Extroverts often feel pressure to be fun and
energetic even when they are in a low moodwhich of course happens as they are human. As they are typically aware of their position and how they are viewed, they feel like they have ‘failed’ in the interactions where they did not live up to others unrealistic expectations. It also must be difficult to regularly experience what we apparently now call FOMO- Fear of missing out. It is a facetious term to explain that certain people (mainly extroverts) consistently and mainly want to go out simply because they are afraid of not being around when anything interesting or exciting happens. This must actually be quite difficult as many of us go out a lot- how often does something actually worthwhile happen? To be clear, there is no scientific evidence which supports that either being introverted/ extroverted makes the individual happier than the opposite trait; it is simply two different personality types and people are happy once they have accepted which they are. However, if you feel like you would be happier making a change, that’s okay too. Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always! Suicide Prevention Helpline – 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444 or 600-7896. Do not be afraid to reach out!
E S A C T FILES COUR
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Convicted rapist freed by judge’s misdirection Unsworn child allowed to corroborate sworn evidence By George Barclay
CONVICTED burglar & rapist, Boodram Lall, who in 1967 was found guilty on the unsworn evidence of a child that corroborated sworn testimony of the mother, appealed and was freed by the Guyana Court of Appeal. That court constituted by Chancellor Kenneth Stoby and Justices of Appeal P. A. Cummings and Victor Crane, found that the trial judge had erroneously told
the jury at the trial that the child’s unsworn testimony was capable of corroborating the mother’s evidence. As a result, the appeal was allowed and the convictions and sentences were quashed. The facts of the case disclosed that the appellant was indicted on two counts, firstly, for ‘burglary with intent to commit rape’ on `K .R’, a nine-year-old-
girl. The trial judge questioned the child and recorded the opinion that the girl was of sufficient competent understanding to give evidence, but he did not permit her to be sworn, as he did not think she understood the nature of an oath and, as a result she gave unsworn evidence. Her testimony, if admissible and if believed,
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folklore The Called
ABIGAIL was a special child. Everyone had known from her early years that there was something different about her. She always seemed to be lost in thought or just plain daydreaming. At first, everyone figured that it was just a phase she would grow out of. Unfortunately, this continued, and now as a nine year old, it seems to have gotten worse. Now, she not only daydreams but speaks to invisible or non-existing people. She has the habit of saying things that made others very uncomfortable. She often tells them what to expect in their future and is never far off. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings struggled to get her to concentrate on school and church and forget these strange impulses. Even though she tried it was no use. Pretty soon her friends started to avoid her claiming that she was a witch. Her teachers were no better. She was avoided as much as possible and in due course, her grades fell. Some adults laughed at it all and tried to make a fool of her, but ‘Abbie’ as she was fondly called, ignored them completely. As typical Caribbean parents, the Cummings tried flogging her. Every time she was caught speaking to “nobody” or predicting something she would get a sound thrashing. Through the tears and howling and after each confrontation she would go back to being herself. The next practical step was to have her exorcised. Pastor Osborne was summoned and launched into a noisy and confusing tirade about her being evil and the devil’s daughter. After about half an hour with no results, he took to beating the spirit out of her. The blows and licks with a pointer broom rained down on the crying child and when she couldn’t take anymore she blurted out, “Good for you. Sister Lolita (the Pastor’s wife) will find out about you and sister Sabatrie’s daughter”, who by the way was 14 and being counselled by the good pastor. The broom fell to the floor and the traumatised pastor whispered that there was nothing more he could do. The badly beaten girl was taken home. The pastor fell sick. Much as she hated to, Mrs. Cummings decided to try the Obeah Man as the last resort. Her husband refused to get involved and the child’s mother journeyed to Nabacalis backdam on the East Coast of Demerara, to consult with Papa Jack; a renown Witch Doctor. They arrived at the small 10 X 15 foot wooden hut and were ushered in. The room was dark and clammy and Abbie had to sit on the mud floor and wait because the Obeah Man was attending to another client. When he came into the room he apologised and sat facing the girl. He noticed the frown on her pretty face and asked, “Is everything alright?” “No.” was her quiet reply. “Mrs King will die in an accident on her way home.” This so shocked Papa Jack that he sat looking at her in wonder. Then he swung into action. Pulling his cell phone from beneath his African attire, he called a number and demanded they implored of Mrs. King to return to his house. While they waited he asked Abbie about her problem. “I don’t have a problem. Everybody thinks that I am kinda odd, weird or nuts; I guess.” She looked gloomily at her feet. “Are you?” He asked.
“No!” Just then a car swung into the driveway and Papa got up and went out. He came back with an obviously impatient client who was upset at being recalled back to his home. Each visit cost no less than $10,000 and in some cases much more. Papa told her that something terrible would happen if she went back right then. She sent the driver back to Georgetown and waited in another room. As Papa and Abbie chatted, the old man realised that the child was for real. He said as much to her distressed mother who asked him to cure her daughter. “There is nothing to cure. She has an extraordinary gift. I wish I had that. If I did I would be much richer.” He shook his head in wonder. Just then Mrs. King rushed into the room and told them that her driver had been killed in an accident on his way to Georgetown. Abbie put her head down and cried. She was certain that everyone would blame her. Back home an exhausted Mrs. Cummings tried to tell her husband about the visit. He would have none of it. Dressing quickly he headed for the sanctuary of the pub. The only alternative left was to keep her at home. Things quieted down for a while then her familiar behaviour resumed. She would sit and gaze into nothingness for long periods. Even when they tried to “wake” her from this state she would not respond until she was ready. Sometimes they would hear her speaking to someone but on checking saw nobody. This unnerved her siblings who were now afraid to sleep in the same room with her. She would suddenly get up at night and open the front door. When questioned she told them that her friends wanted to come in. The locks were quickly changed. One night the family was thrown into panic. Sometime after midnight, when everyone was sound asleep, Mr. Cummings opened his eyes to find Abigail standing on their bed looking down at them with a deeply curious expression. After the initial shock of the discovery, Mr. Cummings took charge. Abbie was relocated to a room for her alone and the door locked from the outside. The next morning the door was found open along with the front door. Sometimes at the table when everyone was eating Abigail would suddenly ask, “Want to hear something?” At first, everyone would humour her until they realised that this meant some sort of prediction. Now, as soon as the question was out of her mouth the family would respond with a chorus of ‘No’s’ or, they would disappear in different directions leaving her wondering why they had left. Her worst attribute was done in the dead of night. She would suddenly freeze and stare fixedly in one corner of the room and declare, “Mummy,” in a timid voice, “Someone is in here.” What scared everyone was that at these times she would break out in cold sweat or urinate herself. Both mother and father searched frantically for a solution. They both consulted a wide cross-section of professionals who were not only skeptical but found their story to be quite amusing. Claude Cummings sat in the small pub and downed his third Banks beer. This was his one outlet. He felt sorry for his wife
By Neil Primus
who spent most of her time with Abbie. His daughter had become the centre of attention in the family and, instead of getting much needed personal contact she was avoided as a rule. He drank late into the night feeling sorry for himself. Ever since he had moved to Ruimveldt his life had changed; his daughter’s too. As he sipped the beer, he thought of relocating but knew they didn’t have the financial resources. They were literally trapped in an environment that had become unfriendly and economically suffocating. “Hi there.” The old man sat opposite him at the small wooden table and plunked down a half bottle of El-Dorado Rum. “Take a drink with me. It’s my birthday.” Claude nodded and they drank and chatted. “How old are you now?” The old man thought for a moment then said, “Old enough.” Claude laughed. He liked the old fellow. He must be new around here because Claude had never seen him before. “You don’t live around here, do you?” The man nodded. “Sure I do, I have lived here for most of my life.” Claude shrugged; maybe the old guy was a watchman and was only at home during the night. “I live next to the playfield,” Claude offered. “I live in the field.” The old guy replied. Claude laughed loudly. The old man had a sense of humour. He would play along. “You must enjoy the games on weekends.” “I hate them!” The man sounded angry. “They really disturb me.” Claude could understand how the noisy football matches that sometimes ended in fistic encounters could be quite annoying to a senior citizen. “You could visit me if you like.” The old man looked steadily at him and nodded. Claude got up to go and his friend did the same. They walked through the dark streets and turned towards the houses where Claude lived. “I live in the white house; the one with the big tree in front. Drop in whenever you are passing by.” The man walked towards the field and Claude to his house. The next evening at supper Abigail walked in and announced that a friend was there. Her father ignored her and continued watching television. She left the room and returned with the old man in tow. Claude jumped up and greeted him. He introduced him to his family and they sat in the living room chatting. Abigail took to the visitor like a long lost friend. She had never had much contact with elderly folks, so her father was pleased that she didn’t show resentment or scorn. The discussion swung towards Abbie and her strange behaviour. As the old man listened to them his eyes were fixed on the child. When they were done he spoke. “Not the child’s fault you know. This place is not ideal for raising children. Abigail has a special sign, so she senses and sees what others can’t. Maybe you should think of moving.” “I have,” Claude replied. “We don’t have the money to do it. We tried to cure-her but that didn’t work.” The old man’s gentle eyes flashed angrily for a second then returned to its peaceful state. “There is nothing to cure. Trust me. I have been around much longer than any of you. She’ll see thing all the time if you stay here.” “Why?” Her mother’s question was also a plea.
“See the tree in front of the yard? That’s a Silk Cotton tree. It’s like a magnet for spirits.” This so shocked Claude that he was speechless for a while. His brain was working overtime. He would fell the tree tomorrow and that would end it all. “Thanks, old friend. I’ll cut it down and stop all this nonsense.” “Not enough.” The reply was quiet but firm. “This is nonsense!” Claude retort was an angry one. His emotional state had become fragile ever since he realised that he couldn’t help his daughter. “I tried everything. I think Abbie is sick but the doctors don’t know how to fix her.” The old man sighed. “Check with the City Council and see the plans of this area. Then you’ll understand.” The man stood up and said goodnight. With the girl waving goodbye he smiled at her and walked out into the night. At the Town Hall the next day, Claude waited for hours before he was able to speak to an engineer from the Planning Department. “Why do you want to see the plans of the West Ruimveldt area?” “Not sure myself.” Claude was embarrassed. “Which area specifically are you interested in?” “The playfield section,” Claude replied. “All I know about that particular area is that it was filled up before the housing scheme project began.” “Who owned it back then?” “The city, it was a burial ground.” Claude left the building in a baffled state. Now he understood. They had to move straightaway money or no money. When he explained it to his family they agreed that moving was the best option. It would take another month or so to complete arrangements. In the meantime, they would stick close to Abbie and ensure all went well. Two days later Abbie walked into the room beaming. “Somebody’s here.” Her mum hugged her and put her to sit on her lap. There’s nobody there, dear. Remember we talked about this. You have to try and ignore anything strange that you see.” “But they’re at the door mummy.” Claude went to investigate and came back with an old man. He wasn’t the friend he’d met at the pub but the resemblance was unmistakable. “My name is Curtis Burrows. I wanted to speak to you and your wife.” Claude wanted to speak to him too, so the kids were ushered from the room. “You resemble an old friend who visited us three nights ago. Is he your brother?” “No! No! Let me explain. I had a dream and my great-grandfather, Albert .told me to come and see you. He used to live on this spot. He’s also buried here. The man looked embarrassed. “Do you know what he looked like?” Claude asked? The man dug into his bag and brought out an old battered album. He turned a few pages gingerly, obviously aware of its age. He found the page he was seeking and offered it to Claude and his wife. They both stared down in shock at the old and slightly fading picture of their ‘old friend.’ At the bottom of the picture was written, Albert Burrows 1835 - 1910. Abigail was not the only one seeing things. The Cummings moved the very next day.
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
K-Pop and Guyana WHEN I was in high school, K-Pop was just starting to become a part of my consciousness. I remember one of my friends listening to Girls’ Generation, SHINee, and 2NE1, but they were not a dominant part
of the music landscape of the day, at least not in Guyana. However, with the rise of Generation Z (kids born around the mid90s to the early 2000s), there has certainly been an increase in both the output of
“K-Pop girl band, BLACKPINK”
K-Pop (Korean Pop) music as well as the number of listeners who indulge in this new and very modern form of music. K-Pop’s prevalence and impact on the world stage can be measured by the fact that there is a rising group of young people in Guyana, in this little South American/Caribbean country of all places, who listen to the genre and contribute to the conversation surrounding this particular brand of music in Guyana. An example of the influence of K-Pop on young people in Guyana can be seen in the way Caribbean Cinemas at the Giftland Mall recently announced that they would be showing the documentary film, “Burn The Stage,” which chronicles the story of the immensely popular Korean boy band, BTS, on tour. Furthermore, tickets for this film are more heavily priced than those for regular films at the same cinemas. Clearly, K-Pop is a trend that is making its mark on pop culture and it is a genre of music that we all need to pay more attention to. Perhaps one of the most interesting of all the features that govern K-Pop music, and perhaps the most easily identifiable of them all, has to be the presentation of many male members of K-Pop bands as forms that highlight the more delicate forms of what we do consider to be masculine. There is no doubt
that “pretty [often straight] boys,” with their willowy frames and soft features, form an important crux of the K-Pop musical-movement and while that aspect of the genre no doubt stems from the culture from which the music has emerged, it is still remarkably dissimilar from what has, for a long period, been the stereotype for the popular male musician in the West. Of course, this disparity is welcome, especially as we live in an era where acceptance is thankfully making its way in and homophobia is slowly, but surely, being shut out. The idea of effeminate men being hounded and obsessed over by thousands of beautiful women while their hyper-masculine counterparts glower in the background is one that is appealing to me and to many young people in the world, undoubtedly, and we all have K-Pop to thank for that. It is an indicator of the modernity of this peculiar artistic style, highlighting a changing world, in the way art is supposed to. Another interesting thing about K-Pop is the way it transcends global boundaries. There are K-Pop fans all over the world. Recently, several popular Western artistes have started to collaborate with K-Pop bands. Such artistes include heavy hitters such as Nicki Minaj and Turn to page XLII►►►
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NIS IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED THE name “National Insurance Scheme” (NIS) is known to all Guyanese, but the understanding of what it really is, is known by only a small minority of persons. Even many of those who are registered with it, do not fully know of all of its benefits and how important it is to cushion the misfortunes of life. The NIS is an insurance institution analogous to the commercial insurance companies. The only difference is the NIS offers a greater variety of benefits to its contributors at a cheaper cost than the private insurance companies offer. The NIS weekly payments are called ‘contributions’ while the payments to the commercial insurance companies are termed ‘premiums’. The main offerings of the NIS to its contributors are sickness benefits, whereby 80 per cent of the cost of the medicines prescribed by a doctor is borne by the Scheme, as well as the cost of hospitalisation and surgical operations. The Scheme is able to contribute to overseas treatment where the treatment is unavailable in Guyana and the patient has to undergo such treatment. The NIS also pays the wages for a limited period of a contributor who is hospitalised. There is also help accorded for spectacles, eye-care and dental care. What could be considered the centre-piece of the Scheme is its pension regime. There is, for example, ‘disability pension’ when a contributor is permanently disabled from working, a survival pension paid to widows of insured contributors, and the Old Age pension which becomes payable at the age of 60 years. There is even a payment towards one’s funeral expenses. The premiums to be paid to a commercial insurance company for such benefits would be prohibitive. Most people are interested in the Old Age pension, so we will give a short explanation of it: One has to make 750 contributions to qualify for an Old Age Pension. Such contributions are regarded as weekly, and may not be consecutive, unlike with commercial insurance companies where if one does not pay one’s premiums consecutively, the insurance policy will lapse. The NIS has been in operation for the last 50 years, and until two or three years ago its financial position was very strong. It had a number of income-bearing investments and the cost of benefits was balanced by contributions collected. The reserves of over 30 billion dollars were never touched. Now, in the last two or three years, contributions have been slightly short of the cost of benefits and a very tiny part of the reserves has been used to meet the deficit. The management of the NIS is fully aware and committed to taking measures to keep the reserves untouched, except for investments and that they have to work towards balancing the cost of benefits with contributions. Ideally, it is hoped that a surplus would accrue from contributions. The NIS is owed many hundreds of millions of dollars by several semi-governmental entities, such as the Georgetown City Council and GUYSUCO, as well as many big businesses. The failure of such institutions to pay the NIS the contributions they would have collected from employees, results in employees not being able to accession NIS benefits because they would not have been insured. Employees must keep a check on whether their contributions have been paid into the NIS, and they could do this by checking on the NIS. If their contributions have not been paid to the NIS, they should demand that the employer does so. The NIS, on its part, must begin the process of recovering the contributions owed by recourse to the Courts. Many employees, and especially the smaller ones, as well as a large number of East Asian businesses which have proliferated in recent years, do not pay NIS contributions either for themselves as self-employed owners or for their employees. This illegality could be addressed by NIS inspectors being more proactive and employees having the courage to demand the employers pay. Many small employers deceive their employees by telling them, that instead of paying their contributions to the NIS they will pay them instead, and it is only when it is too late that they understand how they have been exploited. In addition to the small shops and commercial establishments referred to, the employees
in the fishing and mining industries need to be educated as to the benefits of the Scheme. Efforts should also be made to bring the employers in these industries on board. The main reason why the self-employed in small businesses do not take advantage of the NIS, is simply that they do not know of the benefits the Scheme offers and at what economic cost. We have spoken with small shop-keepers, vendors, joiners, goldsmiths and other
tradesmen and have heard their plights, that they, unfortunately, did not know of the benefits of the NIS and their regrets that it may be too late for them to make 750 contributions to be able to accession a pension. It would be in the interest of shopkeepers, joiners, carpenters, vendors and tradesmen to invest in the NIS, since it is one of the most profitable investments they could have made.
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Mahdia ! p i h s n w o T
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becomes a town
AMID much pomp and ceremony, and in the presence of hundreds of persons, President David Granger declared Mahdia a town. Established in 1884, Mahdia, located in the Potaro-Siparuni Region, is now the 10th town in Guyana. President Granger, in his address, encouraged
the residents to diversify their economy to include manufacturing, agricultural production, and commerce among other critical sectors, thereby reducing its dependency gold mining. Here are some scenes from the historic ceremony:
President David Granger during his feature address at the ceremony (Photos by Svetlana Marshall)
President David Granger with Ministers of Government (from left) Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Alli; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Mahdia’s Regional Chairman, Bonaventure Fredericks President Granger pours coconut water on the soil as a symbolic declaration of Mahdia’s township status
The 18-tonne monument that was commissioned after Mahdia was declared a town
President Granger with (second from left) Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Protection, Amna Alli and Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan (second from right) along with community members in front of the sign welcoming visitors to Mahdia (DPI Photo)
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State of the Environment and Trends Part One
Fresh Water Resources GUYANA is well known for its expansive network of rivers, streams, reservoirs and drainage canals, providing an abundance of surface and ground water throughout the country for agriculture, industries and domestic uses. Many, while travelling, have marvelled at the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Rivers and
EPA team conducting water quality sampling
their tributaries carving through the terrain in this ‘land of many waters’. This prized resource, freshwater, is held in numerous surface and groundwater systems in varying quantities and in some cases based on seasonal variations. Surface water resources occur within the Coastal Lowlands, Interior Plains, Western Highlands, Southern Uplands and Southwest Savannahs. Groundwater is also abundant in coastal and inland aquifers, with most of the population relying on coastal aquifers for groundwater supply. PRESSURES ON FRESHWATER RESOURCES The EPA remains firm on its mandate to ensure that developmental activities are authorised, thus being given the necessary conditions to safeguard the health of freshwater ecosystems. Some pressures on our freshwater resources: 1. Changing population dynamics; 2. Views on the value of freshwater; 3. Consumption of food; 4. Economic policies; 5. Technology; and 6. General lifestyle is a driver of changes in water use. SOME AREAS OF CONCERN
With the majority of the population (90 percent) residing on the coast, biological and chemical contamination of surface water are highest in these areas. Saltwater invasion from the Atlantic Ocean also affects coastal water quality. Private water users are largely unmonitored, leading to over-exploitation of aquifers. GWI data from 2010 to 2014, indicate turbidity and total fecal coliform levels above WHO standards for coastal aquifers. Targeting such uncontrolled use is very important as Guyana is expected to experience higher temperatures and reduced precipitation levels, limiting water available for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses. The quantity and quality of freshwater resources are influenced: 1. Land-use change; 2. Construction and management of reservoirs; 3. Pollutant emissions; 4. Water and wastewater treatment; and 5. Climate change. Reported estimates of water withdrawal indicate that the greatest demand for water is from domestic, agricultural, mining and industrial purposes. Consequently, significant pressures are created from untreated waste, chemicals, and sediments being released into
waterways, as a result of absent or inadequate systems for the treatment of sewage, industrial and agricultural waste and proper tailings management. IMPACTS ON FRESHWATER RESOURCES The known pressures, present numerous economic, health, social and environmental impacts. Limited and reduced access to groundwater resources result in the use of surface water sources which usually require treatment. Treatment of surface water can be expensive and, and the quality of the raw water determines the required type of treatment. Many coastal dwellers purchase drinking water from private suppliers. However, this option would represent a cost-intensive alternative for the hinterland population who depend heavily on inland groundwater sources. Health issues from contaminated potable water supply remains a concern in both coastal and inland communities. Residents resorting to untreated water from creeks and rivers, in the absence of adequate groundwater sources and lack of regulation of private water suppliers, present an increased risk of acute diarrheal diseases. Surface water throughout Guyana serves as important
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Prophylaxis
SOME types of primary prevention require professional intervention. Poliomyelitis, smallpox, and diphtheria can be prevented by vaccines that stimulate the formation of antibodies in the blood, to combat the invading organism when we are exposed to them later. Until now, there are no effective vaccines to fight the multitude of bacteria and viruses that cause common oral diseases. Instead, we rely on preventive measures as personal oral hygiene and periodic dental prophylaxis, commonly called cleaning. The word prophylaxis means “to prevent”. In dentistry, the term refers to professional cleaning and scaling of the teeth by a dentist or allied professional. The purpose of prophylaxis is the prevention of gingivitis, pyorrhea and dental decay, but it should be clear by now that an occasional professional prophylaxis cannot substitute for adequate daily personal oral hygiene. Additionally, the purpose of a prophylaxis is to eliminate deposits on the teeth that cannot be removed by diligent brushing and flossing. It consists of scaling the teeth to remove tartar and coronal polishing to remove stains. Stains themselves present no significant problem other than that they may detract your appearance. It is the tartar and plaque on the crowns and roots above and below the gum – supragingival and subgingival deposits – that present a health risk unless they are removed. This is because you can lose the tooth if it is not eliminated. Plaque begins to form almost immediately after a prophylaxis, but it takes about three months for toxic products in retained deposits to mature to the point where tissue damage begins to occur. In a healthy mouth, this time is extended by daily brushing and flossing. Nonetheless, plaque creeps down along the sides of the teeth into the gingival sulcus. Since plaque cannot be removed completely from the sulcus by personal effort, periodic professional treatment, as frequently as every three months for patients with periodontal disease, is necessary to re-
move the remaining deposits. Thus, removal of soft and hard subgingival plaque, not stain removal, is the significant function of prophylaxis. Thorough tooth brushing and flossing every day, removes food debris and newly formed plaque and minimises tartar formation. But once plaque and tartar are firmly established beneath the gum tissue, professional scaling and root planning are necessary to remove it and to maintain periodontal health. Coronal polishing is usually performed with rubber cup mounted on the dental handpiece, what most people refer to as “the drill”. A small amount of polishing paste, similar to toothpaste but more abrasive is placed in the rubber cup, which is then rotated against the exposed surfaces of the teeth to remove the stains. Stains within the recesses of tiny cracks, pits, and fissures have to be scraped off with picks and scalers or blown away with a mildly abrasive air jet. Coronal polishing of all the teeth can be accomplished in a few minutes. Stains come in a variety of colours, from green to brown to black. Green stains are usually found on the upper front teeth of young children – the incisors. When these teeth first come into the mouth, they are covered by a thin cuticle, a remnant of the surrounding sac in which the teeth develop. This cuticle, which is stained by bacteria and fungi normally present in the mouth, usually wears off in a few years, but sometimes professional coronal polishing is necessary to remove it. I am always reluctant to clean children’s teeth because of the potential damage to the enamel, which, by the way, can never grow back. Similarly, in adults, the more the teeth are polished the more yellow they become due to the wearing away of the opalescent white enamel with the dental abrasives used by the dental professional. Some black and brown stains are the result of pigments produced by bacteria. Most stains in adults come from tobacco, coffee, tea and coloured food and can usually be removed easi-
ly. However, not all stains can be removed by coronal polishing. Tobacco stains can permanently discolour teeth in heavy users. Teeth of miners exposed to copper and iron dust may be permanently discoloured green or brown. Drugs containing similar metal salts have the same effects. But by far the
worst medically induced discolouration results from an improper prescription of tetracycline, an otherwise exceptionally safe antibiotic. Tetracycline staining occurs when the drug is administered during the last half of pregnancy and the first eight years of childhood. During the period crowns
of the permanent teeth are developing, and tetracycline produces a grey, yellow, or brown discolouration that ranges from mild to severe. Because most physicians and dentists are now aware of this danger and substitute other antibiotics, tetracycline staining in children is no longer as common as it
used to be. The condition is not damaging to the teeth other than their appearance. In many cases, the teeth can be bleached by a dentist to a natural light yellow-white hue. If repeated bleaching fails, then the teeth can be resurfaced with composite or laboratory-fabricated veneers.
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
All we had was each other Law students banded together to succeed
By Gabriella Chapman TEAMWORK definitely made the dream work for this year’s Guyanese batch of Hugh Wooding Law graduates, who all successfully completed their journey a few weeks ago. The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with a few of these new attorneys-at-law, to ascertain what drive kept them
going throughout their studies, since we all know that Law is one of the toughest, and noblest careers. These young individuals said that they owe it all to their fellow Guyanese classmates. We found this quite an interesting story to share because what they would have also expressed, is that upon entering the LLB programme at the University of Guyana,
the aim is to be one of the top 25 students. Only the top 25 students in the programme gain automatic acceptance into Hugh Wooding. The others gain entry at their own luck. “The minute you hit UG, you hear about the top 25, only the top 25 go to Hugh Wooding. And that’s quite unfortunate and challenging, especially for our year, since
over 80 students would have enrolled in the programme,” Ashley Henry said. Though they were saddened at the fact that the quota is so low, and that the dreams of a number of students will be crushed, they were forced to adopt a competitive spirit because they all wanted the same thing at the end of the journey. They described their three
Some of the Guyanese students that participated in the Hugh Wooding Law School’s first walk against domestic violence
years at UG as the toughest, since apart from having to keep in mind that there are only 25 spots, most of them were balancing jobs to help sustain themselves, as well as participating in extra-curricular activities. HUGH WOODING Upon securing a spot in the top 25 at UG, these attorneys said that the Hugh Wooding experience took quite a twist. “When we arrived in Trinidad we soon realised that it was no longer a competition. All we had was each
other,” one attorney said. Adding, that because most of them were so young and since they were no longer with their parents, they had to adapt to the new environment and practically take care of themselves. Samuel Glasgow, who will be admitted to the bar later this week, shared that they could not afford to fail, since the tuition alone is approximately three million Guyana dollars. In addition to tuition, they have to find airfare, monthly rent, food, clothing and other necessities. And with the Guyanese
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students being the minority in the school, they developed the brother-sister bond and looked out for each other throughout the two years. They shared that they would often have group study to ensure everyone understood their work and that everyone was prepared for the exams and so on. Glasgow said that their years at Hugh Wooding taught them a lot of self-building attributes, apart from the law. “Being away from our parents and being in a strange country, forced maturity on us at our young age. We had to learn discipline and time management, commitment and perseverance. We had to learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he said. The Guyanese group did practically everything together. They traveled the country to try to get as much exposure as they could, went on morning jogs, participated in competitions at the school, and waved their Guyana flag as proudly as they could. Though they were their brother’s keeper, Samuel said that finding time for themselves was also important. He said that for anyone, getting into any tedious career, mental and emotional health are of great importance. That they kept in mind and practised, and now, all of the Guyanese students who started in the 2016 academic year, were successful. Ron Motilall, Teriq Mohammed, Ashley Henry, Tiffini Barton, Shaunessy Profitt, Glendon Greenidge, Kaycia Ellis, Rebecca Khan, Tonza Sarrabo, Malika George,
Shivani Lalaram, Nikita Edwards, Saevion David-Longe, Tevera Franklin, Ayana Fable, Krystal Sukra, Christopher Thompson, Donavon Rangaiah, Kezia Campbell, Odessa James, Loretta Noel, Nirvanie Cheddie, Raeanna Clarke, Samuel Glasgow, Sarah Martin, Michelle Matthias, and Surihya Sabsook are the proud graduates. Of this batch, 22 have so far been admitted to the bar of Guyana, while the remaining five are scheduled to be admitted during the course of the week. NEED FOR LOCAL LAW SCHOOL Though these new attorneys were successful in their journey, they expressed the need for the establishment of a local Law School. “Although it was a successful journey, it was a heavy financial burden. Since our currency is so low, Guyanese students pay a lot more,” Glasgow lamented. They also shared that sometimes some UG students make the top 25 but they cannot go on to Hugh Wooding because they cannot afford it. “We were a little fortunate in our year because the government passed in their budget, a specified amount that will go towards payments for law school. For the two years, we received approximately 20,000 TT dollars. It wasn’t a whole lot but it came in handy to help us with food and rent especially,” Henry said. Adding that if they can continue that, and possibly increase the amount until Guyana is able to establish its own law school, it would
Some of the Guyanese students enjoying the island life
XXXI ease the burden on students and their parents. She stressed the importance of lawyers in this critical time of our country’s development. “I believe there are a lot of areas developing now especially with the oil and gas industry and everything that is to come, we will definitely need lawyers in terms of legislation and negotiation contracts especially,” she said. This they believe should strike the government to continue pushing to have a local law school established so that more persons can afford the opportunity of venturing into this noble career.
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‘We finally feel like Guyanese’ – Baracara connected to eGovernment Network Residents and NDMA team members mounting the satellite
Residents of Baracara Village now have an eGovernment ICT Hub in their community and hope that the presence of
free internet in the village will aid in the improvement of their agricultural practices while decreasing the migration of the village’s young people. A team from the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) visited the village in early October to begin the process of connecting the community to the NDMA’s eGovernment Network. This included the installation of solar panels, a satellite and a donation of 10 laptops at the Baracara Community Centre. Baracara residents were in full support during the exercise which saw scores of residents aiding the NDMA technicians in the mounting of the satellite and other infrastructural works. The installation was completed on October 19, and the residents expressed that the internet will
‘Papi’ examining a computer up close for the first time
help the residents in many ways. “We finally feel like Guyanese,”; “This is real happiness,”; “We are extremely grateful for this,” were some of the sentiments expressed by various residents, who said that for years they have felt neglected and forgotten, but that this feeling has slowly begun to change with significant efforts made by this administration which included the donation of a 20-seater speed boat by RUBIS under President David Granger’s Boats, Buses, Bicycles, Breakfast and Books (Five Bs) Initiative; and now the addition of an ICT Hub, which is part of the President’s vision to provide free internet access in poor, remote and hinterland communities. The Village, which is located 42 miles from New Amsterdam, Region Six, sits on the Canje River and is accessible only by an hour-and a half’s journey by speedboat. Residents claim Baracara’s population – which now stands at approximately 350 persons- was much bigger, but has seen a rapid decrease over the years due to a lack of modern amenities, employment and other facilities. “When I was growing up, over the other side of the bank use to have houses, but people either die out or migrate,” said the Village’s oldest resident, known to everyone only as ‘Papi’. The 84-year-old man, who said that he has seen a computer only once before in his life, was elated to see how the device was used and was also fascinated to observe the use of the NDMA’s drone which was used to capture images of the ongoing work at the Community Centre building. “I glad I come here today, or I would never have gotten to see this [drone] or these computers,” he said. Turn to page XXXV ►►►
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Wowetta women commission farine factory Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) would purchase their products and noted that their farine already avail-
Some of the products from the factory
The Wowetta Women’s Agro-processers group has officially dedicated their farine processing factory in the North Rupununi as part of the Agriculture Month 2018 celebrations. The factory project started in 2015 and was funded by the Canadian government with support from the government of Guyana, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and Conservation International. It was executed under the title: “Empowering the women of Wowetta to mitigate threats of food security resulting from drought, flooding wildfire and extreme climate change.” Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock were present at the dedication ceremony held at the Wowetta Benab, Annai sub-district Region Nine. During his feature address, Minister Allicock said that the project goes hand in hand with the government’s vision of creating a green economy by empowering the people at the local village level. From time immemorial, he said, the Indigenous people have been using cassava as their main staple and today cassava has about 20
by-products. “The farine factory will now need large supplies of cassava and you the people can supply the facility. Neighbouring Aranaputa has peanuts; let us begin to think about other products and support each other. Let us also begin to look at other crops that are not on the market and process it and make an income for yourselves and the villages.” Minister Allicock said that Wowetta is leading women’s empowerment in the North Rupununi and urged other villages to follow suit. Minister Holder said the contribution of the agriculture sector to the reduction of poverty and enhancement of food security can be undermined by both obvious and less visible disasters due to flooding and drought. “Therefore, we are tasked to with attaining more resilient food systems. To achieve this, we need to foster the development of those systems which are designed to reduce disaster risk, such as this farine processing facility with the stocking capacity of 10,000 pounds of farine.” The Agri Minister underscored the importance of adding value to their products. He assured the women’s group that the
able in the Guyana Shop in Georgetown. Janine Cocker, Counsellor, Development Coopera-
tion, Global Affairs Canada said her government is very pleased to be associated
with such a project that is aimed at securing livelihood options for the people.
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Calvin Lawrie while he was working at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, he has recently been transferred to the GPHC.
an assignment to portray what occupational therapy was and in so doing I did very in-depth research on the subject and realised there is a need in this country for occupational therapists. I was interested in what it offers and how I can help persons.” Afeeza: “The Rehabilitation programme at the University of Guyana has three deviations when you enter your third year and by default, I ended up choosing occupational therapy.” HOW HAS IT BEEN WORKING AS AN OT? Calvin: “I started working with children but I am now over at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation with orthopaedic patients… but the highlight is when you work with your patients and they are at one stage, a few weeks go by then they are at another stage and next thing you know they are walking out of the department or they can comb their hair or they can eat by themselves.” Errika: “Working now as an occupational therapist, I would say this was definitely the right choice. Some days my motivation to go to work is the fact that I love what I do. I enjoy seeing my patients get better and making progress.” Deoranie: At the Palms Rehabilitation centre, I had my first experience of working with persons with neurological conditions such as a spinal cord injury, a stroke and other varying conditions… Now with these diagnoses, there are impairments and limitations in doing certain activities in daily living, however, my aim or my goal as an occupational therapist is to get them as close to independence as possible.” Afeeza: “The professional itself is very interactive and individualized, however, it is very underrated and not very well known by a lot of persons whether in the health field and generally.” Occupational Therapy Day was first launched on 27th October 2010. Since then, it has become an important date in the occupational therapy calendar to promote and celebrate the profession internationally. The theme for this year is “Celebrating our global community.” The local therapists left these messages highlighting the importance and relevance of their professions. Calvin Lawrie who currently functions at the GPHC explained that “Occupational therapy has a lot to do with occupation and that is what we do from the time we get up to the time we sleep. We help you to get back to that function. It may be something that you might consider very small but to one of our patients taking a walk or going to the toilet and doing things for themselves to be independent, we as occupational therapists help them to regain independence.” Errika Canterbury assigned to service patients in the Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Region said, “For those who might question what we do, I would give them the definition of an occupational therapist: I am that person who helps another person with shoulder pain. Helping them put on their T-shirt, I am that person that teaches stroke patients how to put on and hook her bra with one hand, I am that helps you with the back pain and shows you how to lift and how to bend.” Occupational therapist attached to the Palms Rehabilitation Centre, Afeeza Khan simply said Occupational therapy “is important to everyday life. It helps you to do the things in life that you might have been doing but can’t do now due to an injury, pain or even a simple condition that you are not very sure of. As long as you have a limitation and its hindering your functionality occupational therapy steps in right there.” Lastly, Deoranie Babulal who was recently assigned to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre says she enjoys working with the children. “I like the fact that I get to help them to meet developmental milestones, to improve function basically, simple things like grabbing being able to creep, sitting up, holding stuff, making gestures, communicating with parents, understanding simple instructions.” Delicia Haynes.Story and Images : DPI
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XXXIII
Chairperson of the Wowetta Women’s Group, Priscilla Torres explained that the group started in 20o8 when it was observed that a large number of women in the village were migrating to Brazil to seek jobs. During that time, Torres said that the women’s group began farming several acres of land by way of self-help. The Village Council and Woweta Village Enterprise provided support to the venture. “Today, our dreams have come true. While we had a number of challenges, we are happy about with the success of the project and we are proud to say that we have achieved all of our goals.” From the inception of the project, the women benefitted from training in customer care, record keeping, maintenance, food handling and business management among other areas. Once completed, the facility was registered and an inspection conducted by the Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department. Story and Images: Synieka Thorne. (DPI) ◄◄◄ From page XXXII
Papi explained that he has lived in Baracara all his life and that he did not move primarily because of his financial inability to do so, but he is glad that he stayed because the village is his home and he would not trade his life spent there for any other experience. He stated, though, that he wishes to see more employment opportunities and modern amenities be implemented in Baracara, which would encourage the young people- many of whom leave the village and do not return- to stay and develop the village. “There are about at least 50 young people who have finished school here and who do not have any work… If we get things like the internet in this district then there would be less need to go and stay in Georgetown. I am very glad to know that this plan is coming,” he said. Residents using the internet on their mobile devices after being connected on the eGovernment network Baracara is a predominantly Afro-Guyanese community and is believed to be a former maroon settlement which dates back to the 1800s. Houses and facilities are located along the banks of the river and residents use boats to get from place to place. There is no electricity in the village, except for a few residents who can afford generators, and there is one landline phone which is located at the Baracara Community Health Centre. Residents are primarily involved in logging, cane, rice, ground provision and coffee cultivation. Since assuming office, President David Granger visited the community twice; first, in 2015- which marked the first occasion that a sitting president had visited the village in almost 33 years, and then in 2016 to commission the speed boat. Residents said that the NDMA’s move to bring connectivity in the village as part of the President’s vision was highly anticipated and a “dream come true”.
Two members of the Wowetta Women’s Agro-processers group showcasing their products.
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UN Convention on Journalists’ Safety Beyond the Runway
with Dr. Sonia Noel
... Inspiring lives through fashion NEW York City has always fascinated me for many reasons and it is viewed as city of endless possibilities. While visiting I look forward to attending a show on Broadway or dining at the Stardust Diner, home of the singing wait staff in Times Square. Just walking around Times Square generates an energy that provides a larger than life vision for our lives. There are so many nationalities, races, languages and a comfortable atmosphere to be you. I had made plans to meet with my friends, Monica Read and Claudia Vidal, who are both authors. Two amazing women with a passion to contribute to humanity and that is one of the reasons I connected so well with them. Claudia suggested that one of the things we should do is attend the UN Convention on Journalists’ Safety and I am happy we did because the discussions and testimonials were mind-blowing. I always admire the colourful flags in front of the UN buildings. The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, both in conflict and non-conflict situations, with a view to strengthening peace, democracy and development worldwide. Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists led the programme. He shared with us that he had a meeting the day before with various world leaders. Journalists from around the world made various presentations and shared experiences. G. M Jamali, who is from Pakistan and Chief Reporter of The Express Tribune, reported that in Pakistan the journalist there are fearless and are prepared to die for what they believe in and many were recently fired and hundreds are on a hunger strike in protest. Rana Rahimour, a
British Iranian journalist who works for the BBC World Service, shared stories of the horrible things that happened to her and her family because of her career choice. They received death threats and her parents were banned from leaving Iran and she was banned from entering her home country. It is alarming the number of journalists who were killed over the years. Jamal Khashoggi, a veteran Saudi journalist and author, was the most recent. His murder was part of the discussion and it was obvious the fear in many about their own safety. One of the highlights of the day was meeting the Champion of Change, Sheila Katzman. When I entered the room I saw this elegant woman who stood out because of the way she dressed. She approached me and said, “I know you.” I replied, “Maybe you do because I have that demeanour of someone you ought to know.” I said it with humour and then said: “I am Sonia Noel from Georgetown, Guyana.” We started a great conversation which continued after that event. Sheila Katzman is Jamaican born; a multi-talented broadcast and theatre professional focused on empowering and giving voice to local communities by developing participatory forms of media. As an applied theatre practitioner, she has facilitated leadership workshops around the world using theatrical arts, socio-dramatic techniques and radio as tools of social and political change. She serves as president of the US chapter of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) and as chair of the NYC for CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) coalition, advocating for a New York City Women’s Bill of Rights based on CEDAW. She shared some things she witnessed travelling around the world. She is so passionate about representing, especially
female journalists around the world. She expressed her disappointment with the attendance of Caribbean journalists at international conferences. I think in the Caribbean, journalists and media workers are in a safe zone compared to what happens in other parts of the world.
They play a very important role in our daily lives and are often disrespected. The next time you listen or watch the news, think about all the persons who are presenting and the ones behind the scene that made it possible for you to know what is happening in your
community and around the world. After the event, we stopped at a cafe a block away for our own discussion then headed to the subway for our respective trains to Long Island, Bronx and New Jersey. We took a few seconds to appreciate the talented
musicians performing in the subway and even started singing along to “There’s no Sunshine when she is Gone”. Let’s continue to respect each other and support the people that bring the news to us as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY
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General Medical Practitioner in the Health Ministry’s Rehab Department, Victor Allen.
He, too, feels that the ministry is doing a fair job but that more awareness needs to be created. “That’s a major key for the success of persons suffering from SCI. They need to know that services are available and through the rehab services and the Commission on Disability. If they get in contact with the commission, we can provide the services. In terms of higher education, I don’t know how far that has gone as yet.” Dr. Allen observed that many times after a SCI patient is treated, he returns home and is “locked away in a corner.” “Even family members treat them as if they’re just a vegetable; let them lie on a bed all day or sit in that chair all day. That idea has to be transformed.” While it may be difficult for some patients to reach out for treatment, Dr. Allen is saying that perhaps the government can provide assistance, so that the health officers can instead visit the homes of these individuals to offer the care. “After the therapy, life goes on. They need therapy, they need jobs, education. So the conference was basically to wake us up.” The officers will be providing the Ministry of Public Health with a full report on the way forward regarding SCI patients. “We hope that they will take it from there. We can continue to speak on behalf of SCI patients but without the policymakers, positive decision towards assisting the patients cannot be arrived at.” FINANCIALLY FRUSTRATING Thirty-year-old Suzana Da Silva who experienced major life changes when she was shot during a robbery back in 2014, that resulted in damage to her spinal cord and a life of being confined to a wheelchair, says that the first thing which hinders her from having a normal life in Guyana is lack of proper accessibility. “I think it’s a very important issue that should be looked at by our government. Multiple times when I need to go to a public building to conduct business, to my disappointment, I can’t even get in,” Da Silva said, as she called for the implementation of “strong laws” to ensure that business places and government offices are wheelchair-friendly. She said commendation is in order for the National Commission on Disability on the work that has been done over the years, and for the few businesses that have recognised persons living with disabilities by taking steps to effect changes to their building. “Quite a few physiotherapists are also doing a commendable job, but there is still a great need for equipment to facilitate in the rehabilitation of persons with SCI; and in the area of general health, there is still a need for proper access to both the doctor’s office and examination rooms.” Transportation access is another major hurdle facing SCI patients, Da Silva pointed out. “This hinders us from participating in society by conducting business or partaking in reactional activates, and it is financially frustrating for both the person with the disability and their family.” Another SCI survivor, Uttamkumar Isurdeen is hoping that the policymakers will cater for persons with disabilities and will make them a priority. “We have our lives to live and we can contribute in a meaningful way too.” Apart from making things more accessible, Isurdeen is calling on the government to provide grants to SCI patients, as opposed to public assistance only. “We have to buy medical supplies, do our health checks and so forth. There should be a system in place for us to be a priority in all places. We also need public transportation, ramps and signs at all important places.”
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Snapchat brings its camera to the desktop to add filters to your streaming videos
The conference call is going to be lit, fam Snap, which likes to call itself a camera company, is bringing that camera to the desktop. Snap Camera, which is available today for Mac and Windows, will integrate with apps including Twitch, YouTube, Skype, and Zoom. With Snap Camera running, you’ll be able to use Snapchat’s filters — lenses, in Snap speak — while streaming a game of Fortnite or updating your co-workers on fourth quarter sales. For Snap, a move to the desktop represents a way to extend its reach into users’ lives, while harnessing the advantages the company has built up in augmented reality filters. To use Snap Camera, install the app and select it as your camera output in a third-party desktop application. Using Snap Camera, you can choose from “thousands” of Snap lenses, both ones created in one-house and community lenses created using the company’s Lens Studio tool. You can search for lenses using keywords, save to them to your favorites using a star icon, or browse the lenses you’ve used most recently in a dedicated tab. A Snapchat account is not required to use the app. In fact, you can’t actually log in to Snapchat from the desktop app at all. The company says that 250,000 lenses have been submitted to date using Lens Studio, and collectively, they have been viewed 15 billion times. “We’re trying to find new distribution channels for those creators to surface their work,” said Eitan Pilipski, Snap’s head of camera platform. “We think this a very unique opportunity, bringing Snapchat AR experiences to the desktop.” Snap announced the integration onstage today at TwitchCon. The company built a custom integration for Twitch that lets broadcasters easily add and swap lenses while streaming. Fans will be able to unlock lenses they see on broadcasts by scanning QR codes (“Snapcodes”) on the stream, and they can even subscribe to Twitch channels via a call to action that will appear next to the Snapcode. If they subscribe, the broadcaster can unlock an additional lens for the subscriber to thank them. The Twitch integration will also include several new game-themed lenses, including ones based on characters from League of Legends, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. Snap announced its desktop camera a day after its most recent earnings report, in which the company disclosed that it had lost 2 million users in the previous quarter. The company is struggling to find new avenues for growth after Facebook cloned its Stories product across its entire suite of apps, dramatically blunting Snap’s momentum. But Snapchat continues to be used by 186 million people a day, many of them teenagers and young adults. That makes for a natural alliance with Twitch, which has all but replaced traditional television broadcasts for young gaming enthusiasts. Broadcasters will be able to assign lenses to hotkeys, enabling them to switch back and forth quickly and helping to enliven
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Samsung Galaxy S10 will reportedly come in 5G, Plus, budget versions
Samsung is reportedly following Apple’s lead by developing a trio of Galaxy S10 models, and is looking to launch a 5G version in the US. The standard S10 is codenamed “Beyond,” Bloomberg reported Friday, citing anonymous sources, and it’s roughly the same size as this year’s 5.8-inch S9 model. It’ll have triple cameras on the back and a front camera under the screen -- details that fit with rumors we’ve heard in recent months. Its OLED screen will apparently be curved on both sides, it has rounded corners, virtually no bezel at the top or bottom and have a fingerprint sensor under the display, according to Bloomberg. Samsung is planning on matching Apple’s iPhone XS Max and budget XR models by releasing a larger “Plus” version and a cheaper one that won’t have dual-curve edge screen or a fingerprint sensor, the report noted. It could also release one without a headphone jack. The South Korean company is in talks with Verizon to launch the S10 in the US with a 5G-capable chipset, according to the report. The report also reinforced a rumor that Samsung’s foldable phone is codenamed “Winner,” and suggested that the company has yet to choose between horizontal and vertical prototypes -- designers reckon the latter is easier to hold. This suggests that we won’t see it in November, as we heard last month. It won’t have a fingerprint sensor like the S10, but has an extra four-inch screen on the outside that’ll let you check messages and emails without unfolding it, according to Bloomberg. Samsung didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, while Verizon said in an email that it doesn’t comment on speculation or rumors. Earlier this month, Samsung Mobile CEO D.J. Koh promised that the foldable device will be a tablet with multitasking capability that’ll be “really meaningful to our customer.” The company is racing against Chinese rival Huawei, which may be aiming to launch its own foldable phone in November as it tries to snatch Samsung’s place as the world’s No. 1 smartphone seller.
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Apple isn’t selling its own cases for the iPhone XR, and that’s very strange
For the first time in years, a new iPhone has hit the market without any first-party Apple cases for the company to sell alongside it. The lack of such an obvious accessory is odd. Apple has made no public comment on why it hasn’t prepped its usual silicone and leather case options for the XR’s launch. A clear case that was mentioned in the company’s press materials in some regions has also been a no-show. If you walk into an Apple Store today, you’ll find a few options from Otterbox and other brands, but none from Apple itself. At least not yet. The iPhone XR’s vibrant new colors are hard to show off when the device is covered in a standard-style case. So that could certainly be a factor in why Apple decided against its usual playbook. But the company knows how to design a case with this in mind and has done so before. For the also-very-colorful iPhone 5C, Apple introduced silicone cases with big circular holes on the back to let the phone’s finish come through. The clear case seemed like it was meant to achieve the same effect — minus the polkadot look. You’ll find a slew of case options available at stores like Best Buy, Target, and from your carrier, but it’s unusual for Apple to cede such a crucial accessory for these glass-sandwich phones to others. It’s an easy $40 or $50 and as close as you can get to a guaranteed add-on for every iPhone that goes out the door. So it surprises me that Tim Cook of all people would be okay with giving that up. Even temporarily So what’s to blame? Unforeseen manufacturing stumbles? Clear cases aren’t difficult to make. Speck, Tech21, Otterbox, and even Best Buy’s Insignia brand have them for sale on day one. And it’s not like Apple is inexperienced on the silicone/ leather side. Is the company simply waiting and gauging interest with third-party cases before making the call to ship its own? Might we see them arrive better-late-than-never over the next couple weeks? Launch day iPhone XR buyers certainly have many choices, but the thing about Apple’s cases is that they’re usually quite good. They add minimal bulk, fit to perfection, and you know exactly what you’re getting. NOT THIS TIME. For now, if you’re looking for a case, Speck’s $40 Presidio Clear should be a decent option for displaying the XR color you’ve chosen. Tech21 also has one for the same price, and if you’re near a Best Buy, you can get a clear case for as little as 10 bucks. My only hangup with the hard clear cases is that they can quickly start to feel slippery and greasy in your hands. Spigen’s $13 Ultra Hybrid might be the ideal pick since you get the clear back with sides that are easier to grip and securely hold onto.
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Dua Lipa. What is it about K-Pop that makes it, unlike other niche musical genres that emerge out of particular cultures, able to evade borders and to find welcoming hearts in people all across the world? Could it be the integration of English words and phrases into the songs or band-names that makes them feel accessible even though they might not entirely be? In my opinion, the answer lies in language, but not only of the spoken kind. K-Pop is also addictive because one of its most important elements is dance. The choreography is always slick, honed to perfection, precisely certain and sharp. This sort of perfection is unusual and it stands out, as something that is attractive and alluring, as something that is interesting because of all the skill and hard work that goes into it. Similarly, K-Pop relies heavily on the aesthetics of costume and character – often shaping the band-members’ look in such a garish, colourful, overblown and cartoonish way, that just the sight of a K-Pop band, on account of its strangeness is enough to pull audience members and viewers in. Of course, to suggest that K-Pop is nothing more than pretty boys and girls in bright clothing, dancing to pop synth sounds is nothing but reductive. It takes actual talent to succeed as a K-Pop band, and an equal amount of hard work – as it is well known that the formation of these bands can take several years, with talented teenagers being trained, in an almost industrial fashion, for a long time until they are ready to be presented to the world. So, no, K-Pop is more than just the visual. K-Pop is definitely about the music as well – and K-Pop music is darn good. BLACKPINK’s “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du,” for example, is a sassy, groovy number that will make you want to dance as soon as they announce their name in the opening bars of the song, and it will keep you going until the very end even though you might not understand any of it until you Google a translation of the lyrics. Meanwhile, “Kiss and Make Up,” their collaboration with Dua Lipa is a spunky, sexy, fun number that showcases the girls of BLACKPINK to be right on par with British superstar, Dua Lipa. However, the most popular K-Pop band making the rounds right now is undoubtedly the boy band, BTS. Their “Fake Love” is a grungy ballad that does not require any translation whatsoever to make you feel the tenderness that underlies the tough outer demeanour of the music. My favourite BTS song, however, is “Blood, Sweat and Tears,” which is an addictive, smooth-as-butter, champagne-pop, number that just makes you sway and twirl and sing. However, the choices are not limited to these two bands – there are many, many more out there. To find them, all you have to do is conduct a simple Google search – or, better yet, ask for recommendations from one of the many, many young people in Guyana who are currently into K-Pop. ◄◄◄ From page XXVIII
ecosystems by providing a medium for habitat, food, and reproduction for aquatic life forms especially fishes, macroinvertebrates, plants, mammals, birds, herpetofauna, microbes, and drinking water for humans. Therefore, contamination from effluent discharge, runoffs and other waste inputs can cause these ecosystems to become unstable. You may remember the fish kills and mortality of other organisms during the OMAI cyanide spill of 1995. RESPONSES Local policies and plans as well as, international obligations support the protection of freshwater ecosystems. In 2015, the government decided that the National Water Council (NWC) as stipulated under the Water and Sewage Act 2002, should be resuscitated which would see the development of a National Water Policy. Legislation such as the Water and Sewerage Act, Environmental Protection Act, Mining Act, and the East Demerara Water Conservancy Act, work together to regulate development in an effort to safeguard the environment and its resources. Guyana is also a signatory to a number of international laws, protocols, agreements and declarations that place obligations on the government to manage water and land-based resources. These include the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Basel Convention for the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal, to name a few. If you wish to know more about the state and trends of Fresh Water Resources in Guyana, you can download the State of the Environment Report 2016 from the EPA’s website, www.epaguyana.org You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XIX
afforded strong corroboration of her mother’s evidence. The jury were directed that the rule of practice was to look for corroboration of the mother’s evidence. Quite properly, he told them that they could convict on the uncorroborated evidence of the mother but, he also told them over and over again that K. R.’s unsworn evidence corroborated the mother’s testimony. That court held (i) the unsworn evidence of a child could not be used to corroborate the sworn testimony of another person; (ii) the directions were of such a nature that it was impossible to say whether the jury relied for their verdict of “Guilty”, on the uncorroborated evidence of the mother alone, coupled with the warning that they were entitled to do, or, on the evidence of the child as corroborative of the mother’s testimony. That court which allowed the appeal – quashing the convictions and sentences – had made reference to nine cases. Queen’s Counsel Mr. J. O. F. Haynes had represented the appellant while, Mr. N.A. Graham, Senior Crown Counsel appeared for the respondent. Delivering the judgment of the Court, Chancellor Stoby said that the jury trial took place in April, 1967 at the Demerara Assizes. After a trial which lasted two days the accused was convicted on both counts and sentenced to concurrent terms of imprisonment of seven years. According to him, at the trial, a nine-year-old-girl, K.R. was called by the Crown, as a witness. The judge questioned the child, and at the conclusion of the questioning he recorded that in his opinion she was of sufficient competent understanding to give evidence. The judge did not permit her to be sworn as he did not think that she understood the nature of the oath, and in the result she gave unsworn evidence. Her evidence if admissible, and if believed, afforded strong corroboration of her mother’s evidence. The main ground of appeal, said the Chancellor, is whether the trial judge was correct in directing the jury that the unsworn evidence of a child could corroborate sworn evidence. The Chancellor explained, “The manner in which the law developed to permit the unsworn testimony of witnesses is not without interest. In early times, all evidence had to be given on oath and on the gospel; noone but a Christian could testify. Competency to testify depended upon acceptance of the witness’ belief in the gospel. Non-Christians and children of tender years were deemed to be ignorant of the nature and obligations of an oath, and they were not allowed to be sworn and so could not testify. Such was the state of the law until the celebrated case of Omychand v. Barker, (1744) 1 Atk 22 in which the depositions of Indian witnesses of the Gentoo religion taken by Order of Court according to the local ceremonies on commissions in the East Indies were admitted and read in evidence after being objected to. In the report of this case, at page 29, Lord Chief Justice Lee remarked that it was determined at the Old Bailey upon mature consideration, that a child should not be admitted to give evidence without oath; and Lord Chief Justice Baron Parker, in the same case said, that it was so ruled at the Kingston Assizes before Lord Raymond, where, upon an indictment for rape, he refused the evidence of a child without oath. The old cases of R. v. Powell (1775) 1 Leach 110 and R. v. Braster, (1779) 1 Leach 199, both emphasise the fact that, though there was no precise or fixed rule as to the time within which infants are excluded from giving evidence, the testimony of an infant was not receivable under any circumstance except under oath. After reviewing a number of cases, and perusing the directions of the trial judge, the Chancellor declared, “It is impossible for us to say which of these two alternative situations the jury accepted - whether they relied for their verdict of “Guilty” on the uncorroborated evidence alone coupled with the warning as they were entitled to do, or on the evidence of the child as corroborative of the mother’s. Indeed, the jury having been told that it would be dangerous for them to act on the uncorroborative evidence of K. alone may very well, it is contemplated, have heeded the judge’s warning and convicted with the help of the evidence of the child which was repeatedly suggested to them as being capable of corroborating the mother’s. “It seems to us that the likelihood of a verdict of “Guilty” returned in such circumstances without the proviso (14) being explained to them is unsafe, and founded as it is on a non-direction which amounted to a misdirection in law ought to be set aside in the interests of justice. “The appeal is allowed and convictions and sentences quashed”.Justices of Appeal Cummings and Crane concurred.
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STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Accurately identify the problem, and properly analyse and concisely state its conclusion to impress the examiner that you know what you are about. Have your response properly structured and logically presented. Have concepts, arguments, theories, ideas and practical implications well organised and linked in a logical sequence. Follow the structure implied by the question. Avoid contradictions and unsupported statements. Never waste
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
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the examiner’s time on a lengthy, undisciplined, repetitive answer you spent little time thinking about. Be wise. Love you
THE PASSAGE 1. Some Day My Prince Will Crawl A group of women writers in rewriting fairy tales tries to show that men and women can have equal opportunities. ….so Little Red Riding Hood took off her cloak, but when she climbed up on the bed, she was astonished to see how her grandmother looked in her nightgown. “Grandmother dear!” she exclaimed
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“what big arms you have!” “All the better to hug you with, my child!” “Grandmother dear, what big ears you have!” “All the better to hear you with, my child!” “Grandmother dear, what big eyes you have!” “All the better to see you with, my child!” “Grandmother dear, what big teeth you have!” “All the better to eat you with, my child!” With these words, the wicked Wolf leapt upon Little Red Riding Hood, and stopped a short right to the jaw. “HAI!” cried Little Red Riding Hood, giving a textbook karate jab to the ribs that brought the Wolf to its knees. “AKACHO!” screamed Little Red Riding Hood, following up with a neck chop, a double finger eye-prod, and a reverse groin kick. The Wolf coughed, once, and expired on the rug. At that moment, the door of the little house flew open, and the woodchopper burst in, brandishing his axe. “Little Red Riding Hood!” he cried, “are you all right?” “No thanks to you!” snapped Little Red Riding Hood snatching the axe from him, breaking it across her knee, and tossing it into the corner. “And while you’re at it, wash the dishes!” With which she cracked her knuckles and strode out into the forest, slamming the door behind her. (From Alan Coren: “The Sanity Inspector”; reprinted in “That’s Life!” By Alan Duff (CUP, 1979)) 2. The little girl and the wolf One afternoon a big wolf waited in a dark forest for a little girl to come along carrying a basket of food to her grandmother. Finally, a little girl did come along, and she was carrying a basket of food. “Are you carrying that basket to your grandmother?” asked the wolf. The little girl said yes, she was. So, the wolf asked her where her grandmother lived, and the little girl told him, and he disappeared into the wood. When the little girl opened the door of her grandmother’s house, she saw that there was somebody in bed with a nightcap and nightgown on. She had approached no nearer than twenty-five feet from the bed when she saw that it was not her grandmother but the wolf, for even in a nightcap a wolf does not look any more like your grandmother than the Metro-Goldwyn lion looks like Calvin Coolidge. So, the little girl took an automatic out of her basket and shot the wolf dead. Moral: It is not so easy to fool little girls nowadays as it used to be. (From “Fables for Our Time” by James Thurber)
Power without responsibility – the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages. RUDYARD KIPLING (1865-1936)
ABOUT THE EXERCISE The aim of the exercise is to help students who still find it difficult to understand and evaluate the information given in sev-
eral passages by asking them to compare passages on the same subject. You need to have two major skills to be gainfully involved here: ONE: you need to relate the information given in one text to that of another text; and TWO: you need to do note-taking. The exercise presents two different views of the same event and makes it easier on the student to judge each separate text by emphasising the differences and contradictions between them. WHAT TO DO a) Read the two stories “Some Day My Prince Will Crawl” and “The little girl and the wolf” until you think you get the gist of each. Now find out about the following aspects concerning the two; and write up the results in a table with three columns and five rows. In the first column headed ‘Aspect’, write these five aspects; one to each row: a) The little girl b) The wolf c) The grandmother d) The huntsman e) The moral b) Heading the other two columns side by side write: “Some Day My Prince Will Crawl” and “The little girl and the wolf.” c) Now try to give your understanding of each story aspect under each story. d) Discuss with study partners what you understand from each story. LAST WEEK’S RESPONSES Vocabulary Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the words in bold type in each sentence. 1. The council gave us no indication that you were going to demolish this remaining section of the wharf. (improve, erect, extend, abandon) 2. The trainee doctors interviewed patients pertinent to the chief surgeon’s perceived diagnoses. (relevant, suitable, irrelevant, decisive) 3. Petal Kingsley was determined to brew and sell the ridiculous bush medicine to a certain boastful foreigner. (efficient, arrogant, humble, condescending) 4. The board members of the Pentecostal church held diverse opinions about their bishop’s proposed method of raising church-building funds. (different, great, similar, various) 5. Both locks on the front door were still intact when I inspected them. (undamaged, broken, affixed, unexpected)
Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018
Sada Roti Ingredients 8 oz flour 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Instructions
Sieve flour. Remove a handful for rolling and kneading. Add salt, baking soda, and bicarbonate of soda to flour and mix thoroughly. Add enough water to make a firm dough and mix thoroughly. Knead in basin. Cover and leave to stand for 20 minutes. Heat tawah. Cut dough into 6 pieces and roll out each piece to 1/2 inch thick. Place on tawah and cook on both sides for 6 minutes. Pull tawah aside and lower burner. Cook roti on direct heat. Turn and cook on other side. Roti should swell and become a light brown color. Serve hot with Boulanger (bygan) Choka. Makes 6 Note Chopped onions, garlic and pepper can be added to the dry ingredients before the water is mixed in.
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Chronicle Pepperpot October 28, 2018