Guyanese youth and technology advocate; Samantha Sheoprashad
The journey to becoming one of Guyana’s leading youth and technology advocates
Samantha Sheoprashad
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Promoting a green economy through fashion this ‘Mash’
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Fashion Designer Carol Fraser
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HE fashion segment of Guyana’s Republic Jubilee to be hosted in February will be launched well before the end of this month, and convener Carol Fraser says she is looking to promote a green economy through fashion. Fraser, a fashion designer for 35 years, who is overlooking the fashion segment with direction from the Ministry of Culture, will also be serving in an advisory capacity. Speaking with the Peppperpot Magazine on Friday, she said the five–day event will be on at the D’Urban Park and will commence on February 14, 2020. While an exhibition will be held during the day, along with food and drink, the team is looking to do two fashion shows in the afternoon each day. They want to cater to the working class of people who can attend the event right after work without having to first go home and change. A later fashion show would cater to those who wish to come out in the evening. “This is an opportunity not only for the seasoned designers but for those who are not well known. They have a chance to come out and show Guyana and the international market what is going on,” Fraser expressed. In her bid to use the occasion as an avenue to promote a green economy, Fraser will be using environmentally friendly materials such as beads, seeds, leather, straw, leaves, grass, coconut shells, etc. These inexpensive materials can be used on
garments, bags, and everything that will be modelled. While persons will also be using synthetic materials, they will be doing so in a way that will still promote eco-friendly styles and fashion. “When persons look at our fashion lines, they can see where Guyana is headed, and we can promote our cultural identity through fashion,” Fraser said.
Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana K. J. Srinivasa discussed the possibility of an all-Indian team participating
In this petroleum era where people from all walks of life will come to Guyana, Fraser said the country’s culture can fade away and become history if Guyanese do not stand firm with it. “Fashion and the arts solve cultural conflicts and record history,” she noted. She said if persons would like to participate in the fashion display, they can contact telephone numbers 658 1155, or 670 6233. Meanwhile, this year, Guyana will celebrate being A Costume Designers’ a Republic nation
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
under the theme, “Guyana Together; Reflect, Celebrate and Transform.” The Government of Guyana through the Department of Culture, the 50th Republic Jubilee Inter-Ministerial and Central Mashramani Committee has since launched a calendar to observe the occasion with events to entertain and educate the Guyanese people. Pop-up concerts featuring Guyana’s local talent will be held in each administrative region throughout the festival period which commenced last October with the official launch held in Linden, said to be the birthplace of Mashramani. In preparation for the event, the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport had partnered with the Guyana Cultural Association of New York to host a Costume Designers’ Workshop. The five-day activity was aimed at enhancing the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, and it examined several areas like the history of the festival, mobility of floats and costumes, using recycled materials, using lights, animation through various means, including STEM and robotics; and performance and display. Furthermore, Minister of Social Cohesion George Norton and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana K. J. Srinivasa recently discussed the hosting of Guyana’s 50th Golden Republic Jubilee, and the possibility of an all-Indian team participating in the festivities. The team would include a cultural troupe for performances throughout Guyana; a few tech whizzes for the hosting of an Information Technology Symposium, as well as an Indian cricket team for an exciting Jubilee tournament.
Pop-up concerts featuring Guyana’s local talent will be held throughout the festival period
Workshop held recently
This year, Guyana will celebrate being a Republic nation under the theme, “Guyana Together; Reflect, Celebrate and Transform” (Ministry of Culture photos)
At the official launch in Linden last October
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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The journey to becoming one of Guyana’s leading youth and technology advocates
Samantha Sheoprashad By Marissa V. Foster
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amantha Sheoprashad is a well-known advocate in Guyana. Her successful projects and programme s have gained her a spot in many hearts. She has truly touched the lives of many young people. Her childhood was that of a simple country girl growing up in a typically male-dominated environment; catching fish, farming and playing cricket was her pastime hobbies. Samantha also spent a lot of time going to the Mandir researching scriptures, reading, teaching and singing bhajans. She was also aiming to become a female priest at a very young age. Education was stressed upon by her parents at a very young age. Her education began at the Enterprise Nursery School, then Enterprise Primary School then unto Annandale Secondary School. She pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at the University of Guyana then studied Entrepreneurship and Innovation through the Global Entrepreneurship Programme in University Massaschutes Lowell in 2016 and Leading Change through the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme with the University of Cambridge in 2017. Her experience thus far has been a great teacher. For the past 19 years, she lived and travelled across Guyana, London, United States, and the Caribbean volunteering, writing research papers, meditating, studying, speaking at forums (both international/local) and sharing wisdom. This journey, for her, was mostly about self-discipline, self-exploration, self-confidence, and service to humanity. Hinduism taught her levels of devotion and society was her canvas to practice some of the most difficult levels of devotion. At 13, her mandir was preparing her for loving the planet, the trees and animals and loving herself through eating healthy, staying healthy things to herself and being mindful. As a child, she did not realise that she would grow up to find these teachings useful. Her only desire is to serve, to make a difference and to help people
live more meaningful, find purposeful and become better versions of themselves; that is her purpose. Hardships Samantha suffered from depression which led to her being suicidal at one point, she said. However, with the right type of counselling and therapy, she recovered and took this opportunity to devote her life to creating awareness, opportunities to help persons with mental health issues. She created several videos highlighting young people’s views on Mental Health in Guyana, self-care work training and counselling services. One of her
most popular projects is Mental Health Matters, Stay Alive app and an article published on the Leading Change website. Her innovative side has merged significantly with Technology, Strategies, and people to create solutions to solve social issues such as our high unemployment rate, Mental Health and high failure rate for Mathematics in Guyana (MathGuru). Recognition Sheoprashad is an award-winning Youth Leader, Youtuber, Student, Software Developer and Social Entrepreneur. She is also Co-founder of Trifinity Solutions; a Digital
Marketing Agency. Among the titles, she also served in the capacity as Global Peace Ambassador-Guyana, Queens Young Leader 2017 (Winner), Caricom Youth Ambassador, ICS-30 Under 30 Young Emerging Leaders and Commonwealth Youth Representative. For the past 17 years, she has been working with the Youth Department locally to empower young people in Guyana, the Caribbean, North America, and the Commonwealth. She has made tremendous contributions to the Guyana National Youth Policy Consultation. Projects include creating awareness on the Sustainable Development
Goals in Schools, Free Education, Be-Youtiful, Finding Jobs for Young people, Entrepreneurial Camps and Mental Health Matters. In her computer scientist Cap, she dedicated her Master’s funding to implement award-winning apps; Stay Alive and Eco-naire which has leverage local impact to force policymakers to rethink Mental health and unemployment issues being rated very high in the world records. As if that is not enough, she co-founded a Tech company called Trifinity Solutions, which has been providing cutting edge Technological Solution System, Digital Branding & Business
Samantha Sheoprashad receiving her Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2017 from the Queen of England (Photos courtesy of Samantha Sheoprashad)
Coaching for Small Business and specialize in working along with startups and new/budding entrepreneurs to build, grow and maintain their digital presence. Samantha also initiated the Facebook Developer Circle Lead in Guyana launching with 150 Guyanese in attendance that focuses on the importance of the ecosystem for sustainable development in Guyana. She recently returned to Guyana from attending the Facebook F8 Summit and North America Developer Lead Summit which focuses on providing developers and businesses with resources to bring the world closer together through innovation and creativity. When asked what advice she has for young people with similar stories to her, she stressed by saying, “I would say to young people in my field to never give up. Stress and challenges are inevitable. Just find opportunities to learn and grow from it all. Forge and develop your own destiny no matter what the world says about you. You can achieve almost anything you want to – if you want to.?? The great thing about words is they are powerful. The problem with words is they are powerful. If you don’t like a word change it. If you don’t like a thought – change it. If you fail – try again.” Samantha continued by saying, “Every failure arms you with real change; real lessons and real possibilities. ??Think of the word ‘Impossible’ as two words: I’m possible. ?It isn’t about how hard you got hit but it’s about how hard you got hit but still moving forward. I would encourage finding a balance between what you want to do and what you can afford to do will be much easier. You will either be released from an unwanted and expensive commitment or discover a new way to adjust your lifestyle. It’s all about recognising opportunity when it arrives and is flexible enough to make the most of things. Understand that a small and unpleasant adjustment now will yield satisfying and enriching benefits for years to come. Self-care is important!”
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
Young creatives creative taking takingaa different route toward ‘Three degrees North’
By A l i s a Lashley
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istory has
deemed Art to be a portal of unique expressions. An individual may choose to translate his or her inner emotions through varying means of painting, sculpting and amongst other creative things. In the current era, it would seem that less emphasis is placed on self-expressing art, primarily amongst young people. There are a few, however, who, despite the many challeng-
es, have defied the odds, charged on with their brush and turned their God-given skills into businesses. Shamaar Oxford and Micheal Benn, both self- taught artists, together have proven to be nothing less than two of the nation’s fastest-growing young entrepreneurs. Combining art forms like graphite and Cartoons, the young creatives have done no wrongs in the marketing of their work on various social media. The two young men developed their love for painting a few years ago, and after perfecting their skills individually, they later fostered their business, Three Degree North. Three Degrees North is noted by the young men to be a trading and artistic brand,
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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Without policing, the economic shackles will eclipse every pay rise
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VERY crisis throughout our recent history, post-Emancipation onwards, has revolved around economic confrontation and abuses by dishonest plantation owners, shopkeepers and in the 20th century, with crooked scales. The 1889 riots began with a quarrel between a young boy and a shop owner over a gill bread. “The working people as consumers erupted against the most accessible agents in the hierarchy of exploitation--not the plantation capitalists nor the big import--export firms-- but the small shopkeepers.” Walter Rodney-A History of the Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905.
is populated by peoples who were not wealthy overlords from whence they came. Upon arrival to these shores, be they Mongolian or African tribesmen, Europeans and Asians alike, but they quickly fell in line with the purposely un-developing plural economic planter system that was supported by religious mythology, an aggressive edutainment propaganda system of definitions of where on earth heaven is. Thus, creating no majority recognition towards new options and frontiers, simply put, with no vision, nor urge to build a new road, but rather rename one that already exists, and to compound this laziness of spirit, that refuses to immerse one’s being to add to the landscape a new spark, like
doors, lobbying as best we can, in this world, as a nation without Ballistic missiles, then the thinking must evolve. I’m compelled to use the opposition leader, then as president, as an example of a mode of reasoning that belongs to what must change, evolve, or mature and be rejected in our self-interpretation. September 2006, Stabroek News, The then President advocated to students, that since ...”the Caribbean does not have the high number of export products as China, India, and the USA, we must sell services to the world, become the intellectual capital of the world,” but he did not expound to the students that he was addressing, what skills he was referring to that the rest of the world so
I have no knowledge that the Guyana dollar has been recently devalued, yet prices in the supermarkets have gone up over the past months. Is this politics? Because to squeeze the people towards betraying their own better interests have always been a mechanism of businesses wanting a special administration, in our case, who would waive taxes from them onto the public service workers who have carried our major tax burden since independence, or is it just the old proverbial greed? There was a chicken crisis of sorts, prices went up, the crisis is over but chicken prices remained the same. We experienced this when oil prices went up and minibus fares rose. When the oil prices stabilised, transportation prices remained the same. Providers of electronics and computers are in a maze of their own. Most of the more recognisable offer no backup services and questionable items when it comes to related chargers, etc. The comfortable nexus between inflicting price hikes and unreliable merchandise that keep consumers ‘hand to mouth’ must be challenged. It is a vicious, self-serving policy to enrich businesses who in the majority, have exhibited no corporate responsibility to support any area of sports, arts, or any social enhancement project, even a domino competition, or sponsor a school debate. Now that we have entered the realm of nullifying dual citizenship in respect of participating in public administration, another area must be explored, a declaration of assets abroad, with financial sources clarified. Guyana, like all of the New World, in the period of the Atlantic Slave Trade,
the proverbial Kakaroach, creeps into whatever initiatives the sincere few had crafted and struggled into being, not to enhance any proven idea, whether it be trade unionism, political parties, NGOs or religious standards. This callous opportunistic aspect of our nature will proceed to postulate, con and extract whatever they could for themselves and closest families, sprouting disillusionment where hope and aspirations once existed. The mocking irony is that they steal from this beautiful mudflat, where they wouldn’t voluntarily repair a bridge, or equip their old school with a laboratory and ensure it’s sustained, but right away they buy property(ies) in America, England and Canada. The fact is that history tells us that they are not unusual; this kind of clique has led to revolutions and social upheavals, even mass murders across time. Now be clear on this: if one is resident in another country it is understood that real estate purchases there is a necessary option, what is ‘our’ concern is when you deny contributing here through taxes etcetera, leaving the burden on people who can hardly visit the dentist, while you willingly pay taxes where you will hardly, ever truly belong. In our context, it is the lack of enforcement when laws are enacted, but however, laws must first exist to address deformities that have lasted far too long. If this country and its people as we are, are to survive outside of further confusion with respect to the social and economic ills that constantly creep into our lives, and instead hold on to the positive perspective of our country, we must continue to knock at
badly needed, that we possessed an excess of? Not for one moment did he contemplate or seem to recognise that both India and China had an excess of skills that they were eagerly trying to export or its qualified people were trying to privately export those very skills for external employment. This was a completely bizarre and ridiculous assessment by a president whose dismal vision of a nation (Guyana in particular) of tremendous resources as a hopeless vendor and remittance-subsidised economy, a perception, in four years another administration has begun to reverse. There is need for an aggressive consumer-monitoring authority that is proactive and has its own prosecuting and education arm. There are too many intentional violations and a philosophy that for every 10 per cent rise of national wages, a subsequent 12 per cent rise must be levied on goods. This increase in prices of consumer items should be a requested item based on established norms; not all companies or businesses behave this way, but many do. The trade unions must participate in rescuing both blue and lower-level white-collar workers. They in turn, after a worker has paid 20 years of union dues upon dismissal or retirement, the unions should present the worker with a percentage of dues paid, in good faith. We have got to address working-class relief, from 19th-century customs and practices, with new, progressive laws, and positively affect the social and domestic predicaments, that there’s so much pretence about, as to why our domestic life has so many fatal casualties.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
2020 brings a renewal of hope
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n my opinion, 2020 is the year that brings a renewal of hope for Guyana. With the production of oil, the upcoming General and Regional Elections and the commemoration of the country’s 50th anniversary as a Cooperative Republic, there are unique and distinct opportunities for Guyana to revisit and, if necessary, revamp how development is approached. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Guyana’s Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) could grow by 86 percent in 2020. They, however, cautioned that this forecast may be subject to large revisions, since even small changes to the projected oil output in 2020 could potentially result in major changes in the overall economic performance. Added to that, a recent World Oil report noted that with these current projected operation outcomes, “Guyana, with a population of less than 800,000, may end up producing more crude per person than any
other country in the world.” This means, ceteris paribus, Guyana may be one of the richer countries in the world on a per capita basis. In spite of this, Guyana finds itself in a precarious situation. Over the past few years, Guyana’s leadership has attempted to ensure that the country adopts more environmentally conscious policies, by trying to engage in sustainable ways of tapping into the country’s natural patrimony. Cognisant of this, it can be argued that the production of oil and gas
may come into direct conflict with that, particularly on the front of using more renewable energy sources as opposed to fossil fuels. As much as we may not want to admit it, or as much as we will try to direct focus otherwise, I believe that the extraction and production of oil and gas will be the central part of this country’s development. Naturally, the “resource curse” or “dutch disease” is one that we should be wary of. With this, the “booming” tradable resource (oil) can lead to the appreciation of an economy’s real exchange rate, but as a result of this, it is possible that the non-tradable export sectors (i.e., sectors such as agriculture for example) can record reduced performance reciprocally. However, through the
the natural patrimony. Long-term policies, however, may be dependent upon who is in government to actualise these policies. And now with General and Regional Elections occurring this March, it remains to be seen what policies will be used to propel Guyana. Will it be the same ones articulated now? Will there be a change? We will just have to wait until the post-March 2 period to find out. One thing is for sure, however: Guyana is irrevocably in pursuit of sustainable development. Now, let me factor in Guyana’s Republic anniversary. Though not entirely well-known, Guyana’s achievement of a ‘Cooperative Republic’ status is underpinned by a shift in the guiding economic philosophy, indicated by the
economic ideologies always seem to be contentious talk. If anything though, I do believe that coming 50 years from when this avenue of economic development was pursued should tell a tale of what avenues of development have worked for Guyana, and what avenues have not. As a country, we should be able to look back at the past 50 years and determine our trajectory for the next 50 years. That, for me, is the brilliance of observing our 50th Anniversary as a Cooperative Republic at this juncture of our development. I daresay, these occurrences and the pervasion of hope that they bring for Guyanese, seem almost cosmic in nature. I think the alignment of these three major events in the first
current long-term economic development policy articulated, the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), it has been outlined that the revenues garnered from the petroleum industry will be channelled into all things ‘green’ and is expected to foster the development of industries that will propel sustainable economic growth. What this means is that in any sector that will be developed further, or even be newly developed, it is expected that this development will be maintained at a certain rate or level, in a way that is not to the detriment of
word “cooperative.” This shift was intended to help diversify the economy and spur economic growth in a way that would empower the masses. It called for the distribution of wealth but required that each person had a role in generating this wealth. Effectively, this was a socialist philosophy articulated. With Econ 1001: Introduction to Microeconomics course being the only Economics course I have done so far, I am definitely not the most qualified person to speak on the merits or demerits of socialism; and,
few months of 2020 must be influenced by some sort of cosmic alignment, you know? Almost as though this could be the “One Destiny” being alluded to all these years. While I probably have no way of substantiating those celestial theories, I do know that 2020 is seen as the watershed year for Guyana’s development. I really hope that in the months ahead, we really ‘hold ah focus’ because what takes place in these upcoming months may very well set the tone for the rest of the decade.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
Did the year
Y
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2019 heal or hurt you?
ES, you’ve stumbled upon yet another New Year article again. It is yet one of many transitional periods of our lives, when we often reflect on the past year. While New Year’s Day was on Wednesday, we’re all still fresh off the boat into the year 2020. It takes about a month or two until you stop correcting your 19 to 20 in date slots and your mind keeps wandering off on having a ‘fresh start.’ The beginning of a new year can be very nerve-wracking, because we are faced with the past, whether we like it or not and whether we’ve had a good year or not. If you take a look at your social media, I
I have learned from those challenges. You can never run away from or get rid of the challenges and issues that come along with your life. Yes, we did not bargain for most of it, but at the end of it all, I am a strong believer that there is strength in pain. Suppressing the negatives only leads to more negatives. If your answer suggests that you were hurt, I urge you to learn from your challenges and find strength from them. There is a reason why people set ‘resolutions’ for themselves. It is a means of self-betterment and self-development; and while many of us will probably give up on our resolutions by March, the very concept behind a
realised that it’ll be another year of us getting a bit older, it’s another chapter to tell our grandchildren and it is also a blank book with 365 pages to be filled; how will you begin to write your story? Whether or not we have been hurt or healed, or even both, many of us will always find a way to focus on the negatives and that will ultimately lead to us repeating our past mistakes. Instead, I’d urge each of you reading this to grasp every new opportunity, each day and live for the present as you learn from the past, that will eventually better your future. Ellen Goodman perfectly said that, “We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room
am sure it is filled with many reflective posts from your friends and family. How does that make you feel? That question asked before can also lead to another question: “Has the year 2019 healed or hurt you?”. If I am to personally answer that, I must say that the past year hurt me to heal me. To further explain that; I have been hurt and has faced many challenges, many of which have hurt me tremendously. Nonetheless, I am healed by the fact that
resolution is important. A ‘fresh start’ at the beginning of the year is great, but we can always have ‘fresh-starts’ from challenging situations, no matter what time of year it is, with resolutions that’ll help heal us. If 2019 aided in healing you as an individual, then I am delighted to hear that. Nonetheless, do not allow that fact to deter you from further self-development and setting goals for yourself. Now that an entire year has passed and we’ve also
by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through our lives-- not by looking for flaws, but for potential.” I most certainly agree with her and yet again, I urge you all to ask yourselves, “Has the year 2019 hurt or healed me?”, If I was hurt, how can I change that? And if I am healed, then how do I continue down that very path?
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
The main cause of I
T IS well established that gum disease in its advanced state is the leading cause of tooth loss worldwide. It is this disease that is responsible for a significant portion of the toothless grins that we see so frequently. It is the same disease that contributes so greatly to the tens of thousands of denture existing mouths of our compatriots. For some indiscernible reason, nature has decided that the most devastating diseases of humans do not generally present notable warning signs. Among the numerous are cancer, AIDS, glaucoma and gum disease. For example, this happens to seven out of every ten Guyanese adults who have natural teeth. You are brushing your teeth and when you rinse and spit, you see blood. No big deal, you think to yourself; after all, nothing is hurting and it happens all the time anyway. Well, it is time to think again. You are very likely to be suffering from the worse dental disease in the books. Bleeding gums is a major sign of periodontal disease, chronic gingivitis
or periodontitis. All these high sounding words simply denote the condition we know common as gum disease. Gingivitis is inflammation, swelling and bleeding of the gum tissue caused by bacteria that naturally coats everyone’s teeth. The bacteria form a sticky, whitish film on the teeth called plaque. If the plaque is not properly removed every day, the bacteria produce poisons that irritate the gums and make them red, swollen and likely to bleed easily. Eventually, the poisons destroy the gum tissue causing it to separate from the tooth and form pockets. The pockets hold more bacteria and detach even further. This stage of the disease cannot be reversed and it can destroy the bone and soft tissue that support the teeth. This is why they shake excessively and have to be extracted. Most gingivitis results from poor oral hygiene. Incidentally, the cases of gingivitis which do not come as a consequence of poor oral hygiene may cause as a result of AIDS. Gingivitis usually develops due to not brushing and
tooth loss
flossing correctly or sufficiently and not having teeth professionally cleaned regularly. Other factors may in-
crease the risk of developing gingivitis. These include stress, hormonal imbalances like pregnancy, menstruation and the changing hormones of
adolescence. Some diseases such as diabetes and drugs like Dilantin (used to treat fits) can cause gingivitis flareups. Even habitually breathing through the mouth, which tends to dry out the gums and cause overgrowth of the gum tissue, can enhance the chance of one acquiring gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and it is completely curable. The damage caused by gum disease, on the other hand, cannot be repaired. How can you avoid gingivitis? Use the Dental One-in-One Rule, also known as the Rule of Thoroughness. Each tooth should be cleaned (brushed and flossed) for a period of one minute every 24 hours. Find a routine and stick to it. Start at one spot in the mouth each time and work around the mouth the same way each time. It will help to be consistent and prevent missing tooth surfaces. Remember to brush the tongue, gums and palate. If possible use tartar control toothpaste. It should be noted that toothpaste is not necessary to maintain good oral health. Finally, rinsing the mouth vigorously with plain water helps to keep down the bacteria population as a temporary measure in the absence of brushing.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
A playlist for the
end of a decade
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cade, where I choose my favourite song, one from each of the 10 years that are most recently gone by. Here’s to hoping that 2020 marks the beginning of a decade filled with new and beautiful music.
2011: “I Am the Best” by 2NE1 – K-pop has been around for a while and 2NE1 is one of the first K-pop groups to which I was introduced. “I Am the Best” has everything that anyone can want in a K-pop song. There is fashion, choreography, vocals, rapping, stylised lighting, and crazy set-pieces. It is one of the most popular songs of this genre, and one of my personal favourites, especially because of the badassery conveyed by the ladies who form 2NE1.
2010: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele – Raw, soulful, and emotional, this song is one that conveyed its themes to me quite well, even though I had no idea what ‘rolling in the deep’ initially meant. I think I can even remember the first time I heard it too. It was on a Top 10 list on VH1, I think. I was 18-years-old in 2010.
2 0 1 2 : “One More Night” by Maroon 5 – There were other choices for this year, such as “Diamonds” by Rihanna, “Gangnam Style” by PSY, and “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, but I chose “One More Night” because this is my list and I still love this song up to now. It is sexy in a raunchy, cool, modern, kind of way.
Lizzo, breakout singer of 2019’s ‘Juice’ – Image source: Wikipedia
HIS article w a s i n s p i re d by a friend’s WhatsApp status, which he posted as he was reflecting on the songs that he enjoyed over the past decade. I was going through his list when I realised that my choices would be markedly different from his choices, and I figured that the beginning of the new year would be a good time to look on all of the songs that emerged in the 2010-2019 period, for two main reasons. The first reason is simply because of nostalgia, which is the dominant feeling that emerges at the end of the year, as this list is being
compiled, and the second reason is for comparative purposes. What kind of music will the new decade offer us? Will there be more mumblecore rappers? Will more people begin to appreciate movie soundtracks? Will Rihanna actually bless us with new music? There is a third reason to this list, if I’m being honest. It has to do with the fact that music not being my forte, is not something that I have written much about, despite this being a column about the arts. Therefore, to make up for the lack of music-related articles in this space, I present to you my playlist of the last de-
2013: “Royals” by Lorde – Here was a teenager, a newcomer on the scene who was inspired by poetry and managed to comment on important issues without being extremely blatant about it. Symbolism, imagery, and mood are the dominant features of Lorde’s music, and she’s one of the few artistes who, I think, really gets it. 2014: “Chandelier” by Sia – At this point in the list, I am worried and surprised that my choices seem so run of the mill, as these are the same choices more than half of the young people in the world will choose anyway, but I cannot worry about that because these really are the songs that made the decade. For example, who can forget Sia’s soaring vocals or Maddie Ziegler’s dancing or the pure (after) party energy that this song spoke into our combined consciousness? 2015: “Lean On” by DJ Snake – This is one of the first songs that I can remember hearing that gave us that EDM/Electronic Pop sound that came to define a large subgenre of music in the 2010s. At the time, it seemed very modern, as all things related to technology usually do – but only time can tell how it stands up to scrutiny in the future. 2016: “Work” by Rihanna – Besides the sultry music video, this song is emblematic of Rihanna, who, undoubtedly, is one of the most iconic artistes ever. “Work” was catchy song, but more importantly, it also stirred up important conversations about the
use of dialect and non-English languages within music, which is part of a wider conversation about race and post-colonialism. 2017: “Discovering Daniel/Pray” from the ‘Once on This Island’ Revival – This year gave us the Broadway revival of one of the only plays to be based in the Caribbean, ‘Once on This Island.’ My favourite song comes at a crucial moment in the musical, when our heroine, Ti Moune, challenges both the gods and her fellow peasants as she tries to save the life of the wealthy boy who has met with an accident outside the village. It is a tense pairing of songs, bursting with Caribbean rhythms. 2018: “Shallow” from the ‘A Star is Born’ Remake – Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga paired up in this year to deliver not only an amazing film, but also one of the greatest love ballads ever. “Shallow” is for anyone who has been in love, and for anyone who wants to know what it is like to be in love. 2 0 1 9 : “Juice” by Lizzo – There is nothing better than a great song that is also about self-love. “Juice” is an anthem for everyone to learn to appreciate themselves. It’s almost as if by just listening to Lizzo or watching her in the video, it becomes possible for one to experience a growth in self-esteem and self-worth, and that’s why it is my favourite song of 2019. After all, everyone deserves to go into the new decade with a boost in self-confidence, with pride in who they are, loving every bit of themselves.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
Self-esteem and mental health
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HIS week I would like to talk about self-esteem and how it relates to our overall mental health and wel-being. This is a topic I have touched on many times but I still see at least three clients a week who show many signs of low self-esteem. Honestly, if I had to guess, I would say at least 75 per cent of our population suffers from low self-esteem and therefore, it needs to be spoken about again and again. I don’t think much attention is paid to self-esteem itself, but rather what it causes. For example, people may be receiving help for their depression and anxiety without even knowing the cause of it in the first place--which very often is a lack of self-esteem. They are treating the symptoms but not the cause. Even worse, there is no medication that one can take to increase their self-esteem- it must be done through counselling and practising new behavioural techniques. I want to start out by acknowledging the difference between self-esteem and self-confidence. Self-esteem refers to how we feel about ourselves. Do we like, care, value or respect ourselves? What is the overall view of ourselves? Is it positive or negative? Self-confidence refers to how we feel about our abilities. How do we think we can handle a particular situation? Can we do anything well or right? You can have one without the other as they actually have little influence on each other. Someone can have very high self-confidence but very low self-esteem and vice versa. Obvious examples of this would be celebrities who perform in front of millions of people but use a lot of drugs, or do so many inappropriate things to feel good about themselves. They definitely have high self-confidence but low self-esteem. It is much easier to develop and build self-confidence which is why I would like to focus on self-esteem. When people have high self-esteem, they not only like themselves but care, respect and value themselves. They like themselves just as they are without making huge efforts to change who they are. They do not associate their happiness to any external factors such as money, houses, new phones etc. They have healthy coping skills to deal with their stress and most importantly, setbacks and hardships do not diminish them; they are resilient and forgiving to themselves and others. Low self-esteem is not a mental illness in itself, but it should be. When one has low self-esteem, they dislike or even hate themselves. Feeling not good enough or sometimes even worthless,it is difficult to make decisions (as questioning yourself is common), easy to blame yourself for all your setbacks and believe no one likes you (simply because you don’t like yourself). These people are unable to recognise their strengths, focusing only on their negatives while constantly thinking or saying self-deprecating things. They compare themselves to others often, always believing they are lower than others. It goes without saying that they often feel sad, irritated and angry. Low self-esteem can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Worst of all (I think), it leads to a life of mediocrity. Imagine all the things we have missed out on simply because we thought we couldn’t do it or we were feeling badly about ourselves. The bottom line is if you feel a certain way about yourself,
you believe that is how the whole world sees you and nothing could be further from the truth. A wide range of biological, environmental or situational factors can cause low self-esteem. A person with mental illness in his/her family (especially if it is passed on) has high chances of developing low self-esteem. Growing up in an abusive household, seeing use or personally using drugs/alcohol, having low grades or unemployment, having a physical illness or just ongoing stress can all cause low self-esteem. I believe one of (if not the biggest) reasons for low self-esteem is social media. I think it is one of the biggest issues within our generation. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t anything wrong with having a social media account (I do); but there is if you don’t take the benefits out of it, but rather only the negatives. Social media causes self-comparison,
jealousy, envy and extreme and unprompted mood swings. It makes many people feel as though they aren’t good looking enough or rich enough or not travelling enough and millions of other self-deprecating things. On social media, we see everyone having good days and doing fun things, assuming that we may be the only ones struggling that day or any day. Again, incorrect. HOW CAN WE INCREASE OUR SELF-ESTEEM? The first thing you need to know is what makes you feel good in the first place. The quickest way to find out is to ask yourself what compliment you would like to hear the
most. Is it that you are smart, pretty, a good person? When you figure that out- then you know which area of your life you need to focus more on. Body image is highly associated with self-esteem and a negative body image is the biggest cause of low self-esteem. It is important to remember that self-esteem starts in the mind and not in the mirror. Having a healthy body image doesn’t mean that we love everything about ourselves, it means we accept what we look like without doing anything drastic to change the way we look to suit how we think we should look or worse- how others make us feel we should look. It means that we recognise our individual strengths far beyond our height, weight, skin colour and size of nose, eyes etc. If you don’t like the way you look, it is going to be much harder to like anything else about yourself. How to start liking yourself more? Take basic care of yourself- eat, sleep and exercise right. It makes a huge difference in how you feel. Avoid negative self-talk. For most of us, no one can be meaner to us than we are to ourselves which is a real shame. The rule of thumb is – if you wouldn’t say it to anyone else, do not say it to yourself. Set realistic goals for yourself-- both short and long term. I often see people set unrealistic goals and end up feeling like a failure when they cannot accomplish them. If you have big goals, that is fantastic, but do them in baby steps- give yourself a realistic time frame to get it done. Focus on your positives and reward yourself for them. You did a good job at work? Did you get an A in school? Did you clean your entire house today? These are things you should feel good about. Celebrate any and every success. Everyone who reads my columns knows how much I like writing lists, so make a list of everything y o u like about yourself. Add in something new every day. Eventually, you’ll see how easy this will become. Do things you enjoy doing and spend more time with people who make you feel good about yourself. Do not compare yourself to anyone. You are separate from your thoughts of other people. Also, remember, there will always be someone better and worse off than you. Most importantly, forget what people think. This is the fastest way of being self-conscious and unhappy. Not everyone is going to think nice things about you. Most people don’t even think nice things about themselves -- hence why I’m even writing this piece. Keep in mind that even if you do everything that I recommend, you still won’t feel happy all the time and that is fine, no one does. Embrace your bad days when you have them. Don’t beat yourself up over them, they will pass. I have come to understand that in life, we don’t get what we want. We get what we think we deserve; so believe that you deserve all the good in the world. Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
Focus CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
XI
on the Village
Union Village
Kamesha Fraser (Carl Croker photos)
Ushering in the New Year with a
‘moonlight cook-out’ By Michel Outridge
F
ORMERLY Number 30 Village, Union is a community nestled between Number 29 and Tempe villages, located on the West Coast Berbice and is home to about 200 people, who are either Indo or Afro Guyanese. The village runs from the sea defence to way down to the vast backlands and is home to a new housing scheme funded and built by Food for the Poor (FFP) Guyana which has 64 houses and a playground. The villagers sustain themselves through cash crops farming, cattle rearing and are some self-employed and it is said to be the ‘village of teachers’. The community has many shops and from the looks of things it is indeed a very quiet and scenic place to reside but the landmark of that place is the large Seventh Day Adventist Church located on the Public Road which is community-based. The Pepperpot Magazine visited the village of Union, West Coast Berbice and interacted with the residents, all of whom were eager to talk and shared their bit. Kamesha Fraser, a teacher, stated that Union is her home, the only place she wants to be because she is familiar with the people. “Union is a village where anyone can come and feel at home because we are a very
friendly people and we accommodate anyone,” she said. The 26-year-old stated that life in Union is very good providing you are employed or have a small business for your general upkeep and income. She added that they have good roads, street lights and good drainage and most people live in harmony because they all know each other being a small country-side village, all the people are locals.
is Afro-Guyanese so we are people of mixed race but we are good with that and all,” she said. Fraser told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is hoping to
Kamesha Fraser in her father’s pig and sheep pens
Kamesha Fraser parcelling off the ginger
“Having siblings, I come from a large size family, and with five siblings we live in an extended family setting and my dad is East Indian and my mom
North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini). The mother of one added that she would make purchases of ginger and yams in large quan-
extend her small business in the New Year by bringing dasheen, Morocut salted fish, turmeric and wild meat in addition to the ginger and yams she buys from
A Street in Union Village
tities and when it arrives at the wharf she would go and collect same after which it is either sold wholesale or retail at home or at the Rosignol Market. “For me, being a teacher is an income but to supplement my income I have my small business and it is something I wanted to do for a long time and I got the push from my family and I did it and I am looking to expand in 2020,”
she explained. Fraser stated that anyone can make life in Union because it is better to be self-employed and it has a lot of space to mind sheep, goats, cows and livestock on a large scale. Fraser reported that for 2020 she remains positive that great things will happen as such, she will make room for that kind of positivity in her life. Moonlight Cook-Out On Old year’s Night as customary, the entire street came together and contributed ingredients for a large pot of cookup-rice which was prepared “bush cook-style” at the head of the street. Fraser noted that annually it is a tradition and the villagers call it the “Moonlight Cook Out” with all kinds of meat in the pot to compliment the rice after which they will enjoy non-alcoholic beverages. “Everybody in this street does come out and assist with the pot and when it is done we sit and eat together and then break the New Year in church because we are a God-fearing people,” she said. That family will, however, usher in 2020 in church, a few villages away, the entire family will head down to Yeovil Pentecostal Church. “We ain’t short of anything here and that’s how people should live in peace and in unity for development and fostering good relations, “she said.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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The Decade of D O
N December 20, 2019, Guyana became a petroleum-producing nation, which signalled the beginning of a much-anticipated economic boom. President David Granger has said this major milestone in our country’s history will serve as a catalyst for development that will lead to an enhanced standard of living for all Guyanese. President Granger and the Government of Guyana has earmarked the next ten years, the ‘Decade of Development: 2020-2029’ as one which will bring unprecedented economic growth, massive infrastructural development, and equal access to education. This is Government in Action and this is the ‘Decade of Development’.
* Public infrastructure which will continue to be rehabilitated, upgraded and expanded; and more housing for low-income families,” the Head of State said. * Energy supply will be extended to more rural and hinterland communities; manufacturing enterprises will be catalysed by more reliable electricity; and the generation of electricity from sustainable sources will be expanded,” he said. President Granger, in his address on the observance of the New Year 2020, officially announced the launch of the ‘Decade of Development’ which he defines as a ten-year plan to accelerate Guyana’s transformation into a ‘green state’, a ‘digital state’, a ‘petroleum state’, and an ‘education nation’. “The first transformative process involves the transition towards becoming a ‘green state’ that will emphasise the preservation and protection of the environment and the graduation towards greater value-added production. The second will be the development of a ‘digital state’, which will connect every region, neighbourhood, village, community and government agency, generate ICT services and make public services more accessible. The third will be the emergence of an ‘education nation’, characterised
A group of students from the Bishops’ High Schoolb atythe every Ministry of Education’s Inaugural Education Expochild
The foun dat ion for the future “Guyanese can expect a higher quality of life over the next five years. We are looking beyond 2020. We are laying plans for the future. We are planning for improvements in our lives in the form of: * Economic growth which will accelerate as production increases and the major sectors become stronger and more resilient; farmers and fishers benefitting from the modernisation and diversification of their sectors; miners enjoying safer mining practices; * Education and healthcare which will continue to improve; information and communications technology will be extended countrywide to link all regions and communities; * Employment opportunities which will be available; citizens having larger disposable incomes and public servants’ emoluments continuing to grow to improve their standard of living;
at-
Empowerment President Granger said that from the Decade of Development Guyanese can expect to see major economic growth and job creation, free education from nursery to tertiary with major investment in our teachers; improved healthcare, safe and thriving communities, and a country marked by its modern infrastructure. The Decade of Development is particularly important, the Head of State said, as investments made during the ‘Decade’ will put Guyana on an upward development trajectory, beyond the petroleum sector. The President highlighted this point during his address to youth at the first Youth Empowerment Summit, which was held in Linden, Upper-Demerara – Berbice (Region Ten). “All around the world people are moving away from petroleum and you better learn that lesson that petroleum, Young whatever bonanza, whatever profi t s peo , Technolog whatever revenues we get, will not last forever. So, we have to put in place the Mathe type of development that would take us beyond petroleum. That is why I deliberately choose a ‘Decade of Development’, not a year of development [but] a decade because by 2030 this country m u s t
Trainee teachers fromevery the Cyril Potter College of be Education tending primary school, child graduating must more (CPCE) at the Ministry of Education’s Inaugural Education Expo from secondary school and the country having a developed
more highly educated workforce. The fourth will be the beginning of petroleum production which will result in faster economic growth, increased employment and economic opportunities and larger fiscal revenues. We can expect to live in a gentle, green and good country, during the ‘Decade of Development’ as a result of these changes,” President Granger said.
than it is at present… [Oil] wouldn’t last forever. Even some of the most productive petroleum countries now have the most successful solar energy generation plants. Some of the countries producing the most petroleum are also producing the most electricity from solar energy,” he said.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
Development
Education While addressing attendees at Queen’s College 175th anniversary celebration, which was observed in October, President Granger said special curricular emphasis on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will fuel the kind of development that will sustain all of Guyana’s sectors long after petroleum. “Information [and] communications technology will be the means through which the country will become more fully interconnected and integrated; ICT education is essential to equipping and preparing students for the knowledge-based industries of the present and future. ICT development will transform the economy. It will to add value to our service sectors, diversify the economy away from overdependence on primary production, move manufacturing ople Science, up explore the value chain a n d gy, Engineering, and tap into larger external ematics (STEM) mar-
kets. T h e ‘Decade of Development’ will introduce transformative
changes in education, particularly in science education. These changes will enhance schools’ scientific infrastructure – classrooms, and laboratories; increase resources available to schools’ administrators and improve opportunities for science and technology education for students and teachers,” President Granger said. President Granger also added that the ‘Decade of Development’ will see a level field of educational opportunities emerge between the hinterland and the coastland. “Education will be a cornerstone of the ‘Decade’ which will continue the task of repositioning education which commenced four years ago. Education is now
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His Excellency, David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
“During our ‘Decade of Development: 2020-2029’, envisages Iwokrama as a ‘living’ repository of the country’s unsurpassable biodiversity. Iwokrama will become the home of all of Guya n a ’s rich
and d i verse flora and fauna. Government will establish, at Iwokrama, a world-class centre of excellence for students and researchers i n terested in increasing their knowledge of our essential ecosystems,” the President said. The Head of State also said that The Mahaica River: A glimpse moving on the cor- during the ‘Decade’ Guyana will honour its of Guyana’s natural patrimony rect path. More than c o m mitments to place an additional two million hectares under conservation, a G$170 bilcommitment made under the Paris Agreelion have been exment, to pursue measures that preserve Guypended on education over ana’s biodiversity and ecosystem services, and to the past four years. Expenditure on the promote policies that reduce deforestation, improve public education sector moved from 14.8 per cent of the na- timber-monitoring, and promote low emission, low-carbon tional budget in 2014 to 17.0 per cent in 2017… The ‘Decade’ development of the country’s natural resources. will help to eliminate the educational inequalities between the President Granger sees Guyana leading the world in hinterland and coastland by devoting more resources to hinter- this sector. land education. It will allow the training of a greater number “Guyana has been a trailblazer in global environmental of hinterland teachers; offer improved student accommodation protection. Iwokrama has demonstrated how small states and transportation; and establish more hinterland schools and can punch above their weight in offering solutions to globother educational institutions,” he said. al environmental problems,” he said. These are some of the areas that President Grang‘Green’ development er and the Government of Guyana have targeted for In 1996, the Government of Guyana reserved 371,000 explosive development in the next ten years. First oil, hectares of rainforest for lasting ecological management. and the establishment of the oil and gas sector has The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conser- given Guyana momentum. Through sound leadership vation and Development is proof of Guyana’s commitment and continued prudent management of our resources, to eco-tourism, sustainable forestry, and the fight against Guyana will continue to gain momentum as it emerges climate change. into a ‘green state’ and the gateway to South America.
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Focus
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020 CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
No place like on the Village
By Michel Outridge
A
s a result, of a housing project funded by Food for the Poor (FFTP), Guyana 64 houses were built to accommodate the same amount of families at Union, West Coast Berbice. This new housing scheme was established about six months ago and it is outfitted with a play park for the children in the community, which is very convenient. The Pepperpot Magazine spoke to Monica Hero, one of the proud homeowners, who was at the time of the visit, sitting on her verandah, enjoying the cool back dam breeze. She disclosed that she was living at #28 Village before with relatives and today she has her own home, compliments of FFTP and she is very thankful. Hero has a daughter and she is very comfortable in her new house which has solar power and the housing scheme has good roads, bridges and drainage. “I am a hairdresser and in 2020 I want to be able to work from home where I hope to establish my small
LIFE IN THE COUNTRY Gladford Angus was on his way home with his goats which he was grazing in the nearby pasture. The 40-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is a watchman at nights and in the day he would tend to his goats and do other chores. John Usher is also a resident of Union Village and is an overseas-based Guyanese, who returns home for the holidays every year. He would come home with his wife to enjoy Guyana, his
homeland, he said. He added that he would visit two to three times per year and is very pleased with the development in the village because a few years ago the area where his house is used to be a swamp and now large houses have been built. Usher related that country life is good. A native of Union Village, he admitted that he comes back here to enjoy the simpler things in life such as gardening where he has crops for his own
The Food for the Poor Housing Scheme in Union Village (Carl Croker photos) kitchen. The 68-year-old admitted that he comes home as often as possible to bask in the quiet and peace of his country-side home and his country. Seventh Day Adventist Community Service Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine also met Yvette Price, who is the Leader for the Community Service of Union Vil-
The play park in Solus Christos Housing Scheme funded by FFTP
Some of the 64 FFTP houses in the new housing scheme
business but right now I am working at a salon,” she said. The FFP new housing scheme is called ‘Solus Christos’ at Union Village, which is situated nearest to the backlands area. This scheme has shops and a church and residents are also farming and rearing cattle, on a small scale.
home lage Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Chairperson of Number 28 Village. She reported that the church is the place of love and they as a group does fundraising activities to assist members of the village and it is a task she has been at for the past seven years and describes it as a ‘great joy’ to serve the community. Price added that the group would look at the needs of the people and as-
sist in whatever way possible. She added that they will soon provide 400 concrete blocks to a fire victim to aid in the rebuilding process. Apart from that, they have a school feeding programme, a clothing and footwear drive and also assist the needy with school supplies, food baskets and meals. Price stated that every month they hand out three food baskets to the needy through their “Love in Action” programme and from Ithaca to Kingelly villages they have an active clothing drive all year. “From Ithaca to Kingelly villages we have seven Seventh Day Adventist Churches and one company at Number Five village and we have all community-based programmes which cater for the needy,” she said. For the New Year, they will be doing community work in Bush Lot and from their in-gathering funds,
One of the most decorated houses in the FFTP Housing Scheme
Monica Hero
Gladford Angus taking home his goats after grazing them
they will assist the people of that village in whatever they can. “We meet the needs for the people and bring them to Christ as well because we see how people live and we comfort them and we pray with them and encourage them to give their lives to Christ, ‘ she said.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
XV
Focus on the Village
Giving service to the people
John Usher
Froggies Guinness Bar
Elder Seon Angus on his bicycle in the village (Carl Croker photos)
By Michel Outridge LDER Seon Angus is with the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Union Village, West Coast Berbice, which is a community-based church that is mandated to help all, including youths, who are encouraged to enhance their lives through meaningful activities. He disclosed that he has seen the youths gravitating to some unsavoury things in the community and he is tasked with spreading a positive message to them, so that they can utilise their talent to do good things. Angus added that they have a membership of more than 100 and every Saturday they focus on youths;they go in the community and motivate them to assist others and participate in community work. The elder pointed out that they assist residents at funerals or whatever situation they are in; they try to lend support by providing counselling and whatever else is needed. Angus told the Pepperpot Magazine that annually they have an in-gathering service where members pool their resources and they use that money for community
E
The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Union Village
service, but generally the church is sustained by tithes. At the Union Seventh Day Adventist Church they have five elders and they all participate in visitations in the community on Thursdays, Wednesdays and their Open-Day service on Sundays. Angus said they have a programme called “Ride your Storm,” where they have an active clothing drive and clothing baskets are distributed to residents. When the Pepperpot Magazine visited Union Village, Elder Angus was on his bicycle riding around the village ministering to the needs of the people and took the time to talk to us.
Froggies Guinness Bar
Hainesworth Sears is the man behind Froggies Guinness Bar at Public Road, Union Village, but he is hardly seen in the bar; this is because he spends most times in the kitchen assisting with the cooking. He described the place as a hotspot because people passing through would stop to get something to eat and drink and it is the ‘meeting place’ for villagers. Sears added that they prepare all their foods fresh daily from scratch and the dishes are all sumptuous and
Froggies Guinness Bar owner Hainesworth Sears
of high quality. When the Pepperpot Magazine visited, the place was packed with customers, all vying for attention to have their favourite foods to go. “We used to have a grocery shop here and as business slowed we decided to establish the Guinness Bar and sell the brand along with foods; and we have this place six years now,” he said. With its convenient location, Sears stated that the prices for food are very affordable and the foods are wholesome products and prepared in a clean and hygienic environment. As a countryman, he said he has four sons and they would be in the bar selling, while he prefers the kitchen to assist his four employees to ensure all food preparations are done properly. “We open from 07:00hrs to midnight or later depending on customers and we have the support of the village, because they come here and make purchases and that’s how we live here,” he said. He added that the nearest Guinness Bar is at Mahaicony and so far, business is fair, since food and Guinness go hand in hand.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
XVI
Oswin Carmichael
The simple life in Union Village
By Michel Outridge H AT T E R GOON Samaroo is a resident of Union, West Coast Berbice and his main source of income is rearing sheep. Within recent times however,he has suffered a setback because of thieves who carted off 40 of his sheep in only a year. Samaroo noted that apart from his sheep-rearing, he has a few pigs and has several banks of celery and two fishing boats. “In this village, you can’t sit down, you can’t be lazy because you will get nothing and you must work; do something to have your own small business which can bring
C
ing job at his house. The 24-year-old stated that he is a construction worker and being in the ‘know,’ he is assisting to beautify the house by doing some painting. “This place nice because you bred and grow here and in this village, everybody knows
each other so we are not strangers here and people are family-oriented and God-fearing and we live well,” he said. Carmichael added that he resides with his family of six and in his spare time they would enjoy a game of football at the incomplete playfield aback
Chattergoon Samaroo (Carl Croker photos)
the village. The Pepperpot Magazine also met Troy James, a miner, who was in the process of repairing a wooden bridge which was in disrepair and is traversed by the elderly in the village. “In the night a lot of people does use this
Focus on the Village
Oswin Carmichael painting his house
Troy James doing some repairs to a wooden bridge in his community
in an income to support your family,” he said. The 51-year-old related that he is trying with his business and he would buy sheep at $40,000 per head and when he suffers a loss it is not good for his small venture. He, like many others, are trying their hands at different businesses. The Pepperpot Magazine also caught up with Oswin Carmichael, who was putting some finishing touches to his paint-
The celery banks in Chattergoon Samaroo’s yard
bridge and I know it is not safe for them to cross, so I doing some patching up work because I don’t want anything to happen to anybody,” he said. James reported often he is away in the interior making a living and was home for the holidays, after which he will sojourn
to the hinterland for work. “If I get better materials I can make a better bridge, but for now I have to make it safe for people to use,” he said. The father of four stated that Union Village is a good place to raise a family and it will be his home always.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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Union Village
Focus on the Village
By Michel Outridge N the lovely village of Union, West Coast Berbice, Narine Ramlochan provides a service for villagers at his home. Located on the public road, the spot is ideal for visitors, where he also has a grocery shop and his private service as a Justice of the Peace and Commissioner to Oaths and Affidavits. Ramlochan said Union is his home and having retired as a school teacher and other jobs, he decided to establish his own business. In addition, he rears livestock of sheep, goats, meat birds and layers (chickens). This resident reported that he taught at Number Five, and Litchfield Secondary Schools; he also worked with the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Land administration
I
Union Village
A place of unity and thriving small businesses
Home of Narine Ramlochan Justice of the Peace Narine Ramlochan (Carl Croker photos)
section for some time and was with the US Air Force Base in Antigua. Ramlochan added that in 2017 he was appointed Justice of the Peace and life is quiet and comfortable in Union Village, a place of unity among its people of both Indo and Afro Guyanese and the growing population of people of mixed race, as well.
He disclosed that the village has seen its share of development in terms of having good drains and irrigation, asphalted roads and street lights. Ramlochan stated that Union Village sits in a basin and was prone to flooding, but within recent times they have had none. He related that a pump was installed to alleviate flooding; as such,
crops remain intact and no losses were suffered by farmers. “I am hoping with oil and gas it will stimulate growth in the economy and our country as a whole and ultimately, it will enhance the lives of our people too,” he said. Ramlochan stated that Union Village is a nice place for farming, livestock-rearing and small busi-
nesses because they have the space and people get along with each other and overall there is no conflict or any burning issues affecting residents. It was however noted that Union Village has many small businesses that seem to be thriving. The community is also home to Justice of the Peace, Allison Bourne.
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
ALBOUYSTOWN
STILL OFFERS BEST PROPERTY INVESTMENT IN THE CITY
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OME weeks ago, this column carried an article on Albouystown as offering the most profitable investment opportunity in the City of Georgetown and how a select group of investors are quietly buying up properties in the ward and seeing them increase in value with the passing of each month, since Albouystown properties are still available at knock-down prices. As a result of that article, several persons contacted us asking to introduce them to sellers or property agents who deal in Albouystown properties. Though we are acquainted with a few of such persons, the ethics of this column does not permit us to use it in any way which could be interpreted as advertising. Albouystown, before the 1960s, was regarded as any other ward in the city and purchasers bought properties at market prices which obtained in other parts of the city or happily rented houses or apartments there since rentals were slightly lower than inwards, like Queenstown. Owners generally resided on their properties and this ensured that houses and the environment were well-kept. Crime was almost unknown. Albouystown produced many of the main entrepreneurs and businessmen in Guyana; many of the country’s main professionals and scholars as well as the major trade unionists and politicians. The image of Albouystown up to the 1950s was that of a quiet suburban village. In the 1960s, racio-political conflicts were occurring in other parts of the city and country and these were brought into the ward to disturb the harmony and good fellowship which had always obtained among the various racial groups. Many of the settled inhabitants and property owners of the ward felt insecure and began to leave, renting their houses at cheap rentals. In a few years, the population of Albouystown had changed; houses and the environment were neglected; crime began to appear and by the 1970s, the ward came to be known as a “slum area” and property prices began to fall. In the last year, property prices in Albouystown have begun to rise, but many of the older property owners are still selling their properties at very reasonable prices as compared with property prices in other wards of the city. A small group of investors are quietly taking advantage of the knock-down prices since, in a year or two, the value of their investment would be doubled or tripled. The rising value of Albouystown properties could be attributed to many reasons:: In 2020, Guyana would have become an oil and gas country and the growth rate would have leapt from four per cent to five per cent to about 86 per cent per annum. Accordingly, prices would have also moved upwards and this would be seen in property prices in Albouystown. Rentals would also go upwards Independent of the impact of oil on property prices in Georgetown, inner-city renewal has already started and houses in Albouystown are being quietly refurbished or rebuilt; owners are again beginning to move back into their properties and slum yards are disappearing. It has now been realised that Albouystown is within walking distance to the commercial, administrative and legal hub of the country and this, together with the fact that it is on the way to the country’s two international airports - Ogle and Cheddi Jagan - and the fact that plans are afoot to convert Independence Boulevard into a highway connecting Ogle and Saffon Street, have attracted investors who are buying up property in the ward, confident that their investment would be profitable. Young people such as those employed in the Public Service, the Public Utilities and the commercial houses should take advantage of the opportunity of acquiring properties at very reasonable prices. Persons desirous of buying Albouystown properties should peruse the classified advertisement pages, especially the Sunday editions, to discover offerings.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
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Art in 2020
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T is the beginning of a new year. Most persons would set goals with the hope of accomplishing them within the year. Others continue to work towards goals from the previous year. I believe that as artists, our yearly goals include, serving better, developing our craft and increasing our earnings. “ Serving better” refers to our impact and influence in our community; being the voice of the people and portraying works that are of importance to them; using our gifts to advocate positive change; helping other sectors in whatever way we can; our ability to meet the demands of the market; our mentorship capacity of encouraging aspiring artists to pursue their dreams, and our determination to build art appreciation. We develop our craft in different ways. This includes completing an art course, experimenting with new materials, conducting more research and thinking outside the box. The exhibition, currently being held
at The National Gallery is entitled, “Portals Amidst The Deep.” It demonstrates evidence of research and exploration, qualities that create a stimulating and distinctive exhibition. If you have not yet visited the gallery, you have until January 10 to do so. As entrepreneurs, how to increase our monthly or yearly earnings is ever on our minds. We are conscious of our hard work and hope for better returns. Investing in art is always ‘ tricky.’ The reality is that the market isn’t steady. With an expected increase in tourism this year, artists must be ready for growing consumer demands and create pieces that represent who we are and that are easily transported. As we continue to be innovators, we shall see returns. Education is the key to success. Everything that artists hope to achieve starts with art education, not just for the upcoming or seasoned artists, but for the general public. I would like to see art education programmes on television and other mass media, as this
Mixed Media painting by Elodie Cage-Smith entitled ‘Afro Port’
would be a good source of influence. There are lots of things
in store for the arts this year. Visual arts teachers’ exhibition, E.R. Burrowes
School of Arts 45th Anniversary, Street art collaboration and so much more.
Be on the lookout. Have a productive and prosperous 2020.
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Young creatives taking ...
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
FROM PAGE IV ◄◄◄ where their art is portrayed on a widespread background or item so that individuals can view and enjoy on different levels of conceptuality. “There are artists doing what they have to do to attain recognition and to be on top, but they often times limit themselves to just the canvas and papers. As for me, I wanted to take a different route, to move upwards but to do so differently. I am displaying my art where ever it is possible to be placed, the only way forward is North, but in my case, three degrees in that direction because like I men-
tioned before, being different is key,” Shamaar expressed. Micheal further stated that they aim to allow their clients to bring their individual vision to life through the use of their art, adding, “When a client contacts us and states what they want, us to create, whether it’ll be displayed on a hat, bag, sneakers, wall and/ or t-shirt, we first do a sketch and then proceed to display it to the client. If it’s of their liking, we’d go straight ahead to painting. In other cases, if a client wants something else added to their item we’ll go
back to the sketch pad and create until it pleases them.” Comparing when they first started to where they are currently, the young men noted the tremendous improvements in their artistic and business management skills due to continuous dedication and practice. The young creatives further implore other young artists that are also developing entrepreneurs to work tirelessly to make their visions reality and to practice consistency in anything they endeavour.
CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020
Mithai
Ingredients » 3 cups all purpose flour » 1/4 tsp cinnamon » 1/8 tsp nutmeg » 2 tbsp sugar » Pinch of salt » 2 tbsp shortening about 1 cup milk Syrup: » 1 cup sugar » 1 cup water » 1 inch piece thinly sliced ginger » 1 stick cinnamon » ½ tsp pure vanilla extract » Powered by Chicory
Instructions ● Place flour, cinnamon,nutmeg, sugar and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine. Next add milk then knead to form stiff dough. You can use coconut milk as well. Set aside for half an hour. ● Next roll the dough to ¼ inch thickness, then using a knife or pizza cutter, cut into thin strips. ● In a heavy bottom saucepan add enough oil to deep fry, then place on medium fire. ● When oil is hot (tiny bubbles will form around the dough when it is dropped into oil) add strips of dough and fry until golden brown and crispy. ● Fry slowly so that the dough cooks all the way through and dries out in the middle. This ensures that the mithai is crispy and not soft. Remove from the oil and drain on a plate covered with paper towel. ● Place water, sugar, ginger and cinnamon in a heavy bottom sauce pot over medium fire. Using a candy thermometer cook until it reaches 225-235 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer, cook until sugar crystals form on the side of the pot. ● Add ½ tsp vanilla and stir quickly. Place the fried dough in a large metallic bowl. ● Pour syrup over and stir to coat. Allow the sugar to set, stirring occasionally to prevent the Mithai from sticking to each other. Enjoy!
jehancancook.com
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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― January 5, 2020