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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 PAGE 12

Young father optimistic despite the odds against him 24-year-old Dwayne Annibourne, seen here with his two-month-old son, is still holding on to hope that he will be able to regain feeling in his arm so that he can achieve his dreams and build a future for his son. Annibourneâ€™s arm was injured following an accident in February of this year. He is now awaiting a costly surgery that has to be undertaken in Cuba.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

The century-old Public Buildings on Brickdam, Georgetown, which houses the country’s Parliament (Photo by Francis Q, Farrier)

By Francis Quamina Farrier

E are now at the end of August and it is six months since the controversial General and Regional Elections of March 2, 2020 were held. During the hours, days, weeks and months since many voices both in Guyana and abroad were raised about democracy in Guyana. Some of those voices were extremely passionate. Voices were from both sides of the political aisle and some smack in the middle. Most of what came out, is that democracy is really not a one-event occurrence with citizens voting in free and fair elections every five years. Democracy should in fact be a daily exercise where all citizens are treated fairly and there are opportunities for them to reach their full potential as citizens of a sovereign nation. There were also some voices raised which were more in an advisory capacity. One such voice is that of Sir Ronald Sanders who is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States (USA) and the Organization of American States (OAS). What is special about this diplomat, is that he was born in Guyana and spent his early working years in radio as one of the celebrated broadcasters in the country during the 1970s. More recently from his Washington, DC, lockdown location, Sir Ronald Sanders referred to the future of Guyana in the short and long term. “The one upside of the challenges facing the new Government of Guyana is that the country’s economic growth in 2020 is projected at a whopping 52.8 percent- surpassing all 26 Latin American and Caribbean states. This trend is likely to continue for many years to come.”

Sir Ron also mentions the new oil and gas production which has already earned Guyana a bonanza in revenue. “Between December 2019 and June 2020, this newly found wealth in oil and gas provided the government US$95 million in royalties paid by ExxonMobil from its first two oil sales,” Saunders pointed out. With this emerging Oil and Gas wealth, Guyanese both at home and in the Diaspora are looking forward to peace and prosperity for all Guyanese as never before. “Money could go a very long way to alleviate the circumstances of the Guyanese people who, since the 1980s, have been the second poorest in the Caribbean; Haitians being the poorest,” Sir Ronald emphasised. He is very knowledgeable about the financial fortunes of Western developing countries such as Guyana, and predicts that, “Income levels should now increase, improving living standards for all, particularly the poor.” That, of course, is good news for those financially struggling Guyanese. And many are anxiously awaiting the day when there will be many more jobs available and with attractive salaries. Others expect to see the city of Georgetown void of pavement dwellers and beggars. It is known that there is some apprehension regards the way the oil and gas income will be used. As such it is very much the responsibility of the new government to keep the Guyanese people well informed regularly. There is a new and young president in the person of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. In his address to the nation after his swearing-in to the highest executive office in the country, he promised that his government will be for all the people. A present health challenge for the new government is the current COVID-19 pandemic. Although not as rampant in the early months, positive cases and deaths have been on the increase recently. That is as a result of too many

undisciplined citizens who are not observing the COVID-19 protocols. Guyana also continues to grapple with a border issue with neighbouring Venezuela. However, it must be noted that Venezuela seems to be like a neighbour who threatens you but gives you oil to rub your toe whenever you stump it. What will be the relationship between Guyana and Venezuela in the future now that Guyana has its own oil in abundance? That is left to be seen. Most importantly, the Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador shared his opinion of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM): “The way in which the Commission is appointed should be scrapped and replaced by a broad-based body, representing various sectors of the society,” he advises, emphasizing that, “ways should be sought to institutionalise ethnic balance, including by enshrining it in the country’s constitution.” Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders lauded the promises made to the Guyanese people by President Ali that his government is for all of Guyana. Sir Ron noted that, “Making a reality of this pledge will be the new Guyana government’s big- Guyanese Ron Sanders during his period as gest task, but one which will bring a popular radio broadcaster in the 1970s even bigger benefits to Guyana if (Photo compliments of Sir Ronald Sanders) it is accomplished.”

III

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

― Like it or not!

OMING from a family of sports personalities no doubt makes it easier for Nicholas Fraser to excel in the field; even now preparing to assist the University of the West Indies (UWI) with their online Bachelor Degree programmes.

physical education in sport. This September, UWI is implementing for the first time, three bachelor’s programmes in sports science, coaching, and leadership and management. These will be implemented on a fulltime basis online. “I was assisting them with developing the course materials etc. before they employed me. Sports is quite

should be embraced more fully. “We have a lot of places that provide higher education and these are skills that I think the lecturers should want to have. I am excited to learn alongside my students,” he mentioned. But his sport background will certainly help them deal with the challenges that may come along. “Sport is a very unique career path. It’s some-

Nicholas can now be dubbed a ‘sports pioneer’ in Guyana

Nicholas, born to David and Stephanie Fraser, who both held prominent posts in the world of sports, has been employed with the Ministry of Education over the past 11 years and is now the head of the Physical Education Department in the Unit of Allied Arts. He has been heading the Unit’s intervention in terms of teacher training in physical education, as well as coordinating national events for the ministry that has to do with

a practical area so it is very difficult to have this done in an online environment,” Fraser expressed during a Zoom interview with the Pepperpot Magazine. “This is the first time that I will be doing something like this. I really do think that online courses in the setting of COVID-19; that this is the future, like it or not,” he said. The Guyanese sports pioneer believes that online learning is something that

thing I chose even before I left school. Throughout school, I was involved heavily in sports and I got the opportunity to travel quite a lot. That was the experience that got me hooked in the realm of sports.” Nicholas ensured he got himself qualified, after leaving the prestigious Bishop’s High before pressing on to Cuba to complete Turn to a five- page XVIII y e a r

Nicholas Fraser

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Nareema Khan

― The Green Thumbs Creatives App By Marissa Foster

H E team behind the Green Thumb Creatives App applied for the UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2.0 and thus far, they successfully progressed to the Incubation stage. They are a group of three young people; Deopaul Somwaru,

Yasmeen Ba and Nareema Khan. They were tasked with coming up with a solution to the problem that many youth and small business owners may face when they aren’t aware of how to elevate themselves from having an unstructured or informal business to a formal business. Their solution to these plaguing issues is the “Green Thumb Creatives App” that follows the One-Stop-Shop approach. The app would facilitate business and self-development coaching, provide online marketing/ branding training and showcase funding opportunities for them as well. The team has acknowledged everyone’s willingness and desire to gather this information so that we may then implement in our entrepreneurial pursuits. The team is also tasked with creating a prototype of their proposed solution. They will be running various tests over the next week before their final presentation on August 31. The group also has been successful with funding opportunities from the Small Business Bureau, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Inc. and GBTI. Deopaul Somwaru, mostly known for his latest and most used mobile application;

Danzie-Black. Nareema Khan, one of the co-founders is quite passionate about this project, just as the other co-founders. When asked, “What does the success of this app mean to you?” She replied by saying: “I envisage a Guyana where youth who are not of talent have access to top tier business training and funding opportunities. I have always wanted to be a part of the solution and I believe along with my team, Yasmeen and Deopaul, we can be just that.” Yasmeen Ba expressed that: “While we are focused on creatives at the moment, we acknowledge that there are still areas for growth and we would like to branch off into other fields such as agriculture and dentistry. The Green Thumb Creatives team is currently planning orientation sessions. Deopaul will be introducing and explaining the app alongside its features and contents. Interested persons can contact them on greenthumbscreative@gmail.com to sign up for either their group sessions or one-onone. The orientations will be done via the Zoom app. When this clever trio succeeds, the Green Thumbs Creative App will be the first of its kind in Guyana.

Deopau Somwaru (Pictures sourced by Nareema Khan)

‘caronavirus’ tracking app is the app developer for this project. Yasmeen is another co-founder of the App. She is the research and logistic personnel behind this project. Nareema Khan is the marketing and public relations manager behind the said app. Together, they are hoping to change the way we view and use mobile applications for sustainable change. The group hopes to offer business training which will be done by Vishnu Doerga from Action Coach, branding training which will be done by Dr. Rosh Khan and business training from Lyndell

Yasmeen Ba

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

A few of Tappin’s tasty doughnut treats

By Naomi Parris

ITH the number of recorded cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 now surpassing over 1,000 cases locally, anxieties are high as Guyana seems to be heading for a second wave of the virus, however treating one’s self to a little sweet treat may be the best way to keep the fears and anxieties of the pandemic at bay. Offering a delicacy of Donuts, 18-year-old Chelsea Tappin has been making a variety of different flavours in the treat to tickle taste buds and soothe minds with her culinary skills during the coronavirus pandemic, with her small business. “Chell’s Donut Hub is a new business venture that provides delicious doughnuts for all sweet treat lovers. We officially launched on the 15th of August, 2020 and are always open for preorders. We do provide a pick-up or delivery service,” she said. Tappin related that she intends to add a little bit of sunshine to her customers during this unsettling time, as such her doughnut treats come in various flavours and customers also have the option of customising their own flavour and toppings to make their order/s special. “We desire that with every bite you are overtaken by joy and instant fulfilment. Our mission: to inspire humanity one bite at a time. We provide mainly cream filled and glazed doughnuts. Our cream-filled doughnuts are lemon flavoured with a hint of vanilla and Chelsea Tappin, CEO and founder of Chell’s Donuts

our glazed flavours are chocolate and vanilla. We also offer a wide range of toppings from the classic sprinkles, Oreos, marshmallows, M&M’S, and chocolate chips, and as such customers can customize their order,” she explained Admitting that it was no easy task to fulfill her business venture, Tappin stated that she was filled with doubt and questioned herself whether it would be the right time to open a business, especially a food business amid a health crisis, as well as would a business strive during such stressful time. However, her business has been booming since its launch and she is now on the hunt for new recipes to widen her menu, to add new flavours, glazes and toppings to her treat. Tappin, who hails from Linden, disclosed that she decided to share her hobby and love for doughnuts with the public as she found that in the process of making the treats it kept her busy as she took her mind off of the uncertainties of the pandemic. “Given the current situation, most definitely making doughnuts paves the way to alleviate boredom and serves as a positive distraction.” Additionally, the young woman noted that she also wanted to share the delight of her treats with other Lindeners. Aside from her love the culinary arts, Tappin is an aspiring Plant Pathologist studying Agriculture at the University of Guyana and an advocate for women empowerment. “I’m no stranger to girl empowerment as I’m an ambassador for Girl Stand Up - a project planned and organised by the non-profit organisation Impacting Communities Changing Lives (ICCL). It is dedicated to empowering girls to become socially conscious,” she said. The teen added her work in the local NGO pushes her to use her voice to advocate for the development of girls around the world, as this would help to shape the minds of strong empowered women of tomorrow that can then make effective decisions and set standards for themselves without fear. She disclosed that it was her advocacy work for women empowerment that motivated her to turn her hobby into a small business. “My motivation to start my own doughnut business stemmed from my long-lasting love for the treat, wanting to be an inspiration for others that may have the skill set to start their own business but are afraid too,” she said. The teen stated that although her business is still fairly new she can see herself building an empire that will not only benefit her but her future children giving them a financial head start in their lives, “I would like to create generational wealth. I hope to leave my future children something that they can continue to develop and work on.”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

HERE is a lot of ignorance in the world we live in, no doubt. I don’t need to recount the many ways vitriol has enveloped this world or even our Guyana. Despite this, I genuinely believe that we have to keep trying to build a better, more equitable, and respectful place to live for us all. A few of my schoolmates from my ‘QC’ days decided to make a WhatsApp group chat for us and our other friends to join so that we could all talk about cricket. The group evolved and welcomed anyone around our age who just wanted a space to talk about cricket, share memes and comfort each other during the anxiety-inducing matches played by the Guyana Amazon Warriors. It’s just our little niche community, and especially during these COVID-19 times where we aren’t able to congregate at a friend’s house or at a hangout spot to watch the game, this chat helps me to feel at ease, adapting to the new normal (I suppose). During last Sunday’s match, I was exhausted so I didn’t participate in the group as I usually would while watching the game. I stayed silent until I saw a statement that angered me. One of the Guyanese players- who was expected to bat well- had just been bowled out for a disappointing score, and a younger person made a statement involving a derogatory slur used to refer to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana. As we say in our common vernacular, I popped a fuse. It is well known that this word is derogatory and even if I wanted to give the young, educated man the benefit of the doubt- that he was igno-

rant of this slur- there was no context which logically warranted him referring to an Indigenous person or making a statement like that about an Indigenous person. If there was, the logic escapes me. What this is, is a classic example of the stereotypes and prejudices we continue to perpetuate and normalise, because it’s supposed to be funny. Spoiler alert: it is not funny. Amidst the barrage of match commentary, I replied to the message: “Come on, bro. Be a lil more mindful with your words.” The group went silent for a minute, and then it was back to the normal commentary on the match just as another wicket fell. No one else in that group- none of my “educated, top-school” friends- joined me in saying something. I sighed deeply. It bothers me even more that something like this came from someone who is supposed to be “educated”. In another few days, we’ll be celebrating Indigenous People, their culture, and contributions through Indigenous Heritage Month. This has been a staple celebration of our country for years now, and you would think that we have learnt to respect our Indigenous People by now. I guess not. This comes at a time when I am not sure if the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has once again reverted to its previous namethe Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. I learnt that the word “Amerindian” is a historical misnomer; it originates from the European invaders’ misconception of the geography of the Caribbean. “Amerindian” is said to be short for “American Indian” and historically, the Indigenous People in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean were

believed to be just like Native Indians in North America. Some argue that “Amerindian” is defined as an Indigenous person in the Americas (and, well, Guyana is geographically part of South America). I believe that the use of Indigenous People is a more suitable umbrella term, cognisant that ‘Indigenous People’ encompasses a myriad of ethnic groups (for example, there are Lokonos and Wapichans). What is important to note is that occurrences like these provide us with the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Indigenous Peoples in Guyana. And I hope that the new Minister uses this opportunity to encourage Indigenous People to interrogate their history and correct this and other historical misnomers, whether through a series of discussions, dialogue groups, or fora. I hope this opportunity would also be extended to other Guyanese so that they too can be more conscious and respectful. It is not just about being politically correct, it is about empowering people, allowing them to take control of their narrative; it is about fostering a space for mutual understanding and respect. I submit that actions like these are a crucial part of national healing and the national development of all people. Sometimes I wish persons would take the time to think critically and use at least some of the abundance of resources out there to learn. But I know for a fact that if there is a better reality out there, where we can be more respectful towards each other, learn to really love each other, and work together for our collective development, then that is worth it. It is incumbent upon all of us to do better.

VII

Focus CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

on the Village

H I S week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the community of Kuru Kuru which is located on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Kuru Kuru is between Yarrowkabra and Long Creek and is home to about 100 families mainly of Afro, Indo and Indigenous descent. This village is home to skilled workers such as, masons and carpenters, teachers, farmers, coal miners, woodcutters, nurses, small business operators and other professionals. Kuru Kuru is about 14 miles from the Soesdyke Junction and is approximately 30 miles from Georgetown.

vice in the community is very poor. There is a need for paved roads and an ICT hub with computers and a library in the village since many youths have nothing to do. Even though the land space is almost as large as Yarrowkabra, the neighbouring village it is not as densely populated. Kuru Kuru is managed by the Coop Society which consists of villagers and most of the lands have been allocated but not occupied. The lands are leased not sold and most people have not constructed anything on the land which is overrun by bushes. Kuru Kuru also has a ball field where the youths and men would play cricket

use and would go to that farm before the sun rises then start his block-making job. Conveniently, he works from home and that suits him just fine because he does not have to leave the village for work. The 35-year-old added that he is making blocks to supply the construction of a building in the village. He was assisted by a fellow villager at the time to meet the demand for the cement blocks he was making. Watson pointed out that it was only five

almost everyone.

Kelvin Watson (Carl Croker photos)

Kuru Kuru Village It is a hilly, sandy area with a lot of trees and other greenery and in almost every yard they have a thriving kitchen garden of fruits and vegetables. Kuru Kuru has several churches, shops and a creek at the back of the village but to get there one will have to walk a mile. The village only has the main road which is an all-weather one but it is in a very deplorable state and the internal streets are made of ‘dead sand’. The community has potable water but residents also depend on rainfall for water or go to the creek to source water for domestic purposes. There is no landline service in Kuru Kuru but they have both cellular networks and a few people have cable television. Villagers related that the internet ser-

and football. In this village, the people grow their own fruits and vegetables and would journey outside the community to make other purchases. THE MULTI-SKILLED RESIDENT The Pepperpot Magazine first met Kelvin Watson who resides at the first house in the village and operates a small grocery shop. He was at the time engaged in making cement blocks, a side business which also brings in an income. Watson reported that his wife would usually manage the shop while he does the block-making and tends to the farm, ducks and chickens. He has a kitchen garden for domestic

Blocks being made by Kelvin Watson at his home

years ago they got electricity but some people still don’t have and for the past three years, more people have moved into the village. “I like this place because you can work with yourself and it is very quiet and you have the leisure to do many things at the same time,” he said. He explained that some people in the village are related so he is familiar with

Watson told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has lived all his life in the community, a place of peace where he will remain because he has no intention of relocating. “This place is nice but you have to work hard. It is manual labour to make ends meet and you have to do more than one job, like me,” he said.

VIII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Focus C

By Michel Outridge

L E O N Ferrier is one of the oldest re s i d e n t s of Kuru Kuru Village and has been residing there since 1973. The 84-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that most of the elders she met living in the village have since passed away many years ago. When she relocated from the city to that community there were a handful of people already residing there and the place was very bushy. The mother of eight related that today, she has more than 30 grandchildren and a similar number of great-grandchildren. “In 1973 when we moved here the house was already built but it was sparsely populated and without light or water but then my husband was in politics and used to work with the now-late President Linden Forbes Burnham so his desire was to move up here,” she said. Ferrier stated that she used to live in Albouystown and then Lodge after which they relocated to Kuru Kuru which became her home. “Our house, a flat-concrete building which is still standing but in some state of disrepair was built in 1972 and a year after we moved here,” she said. The elderly resident reported that she used to work in the army as a civilian charwoman for many years before she retired and was attached to Camp Jaguar, Long Creek and Timehri bases. Nowadays she depends on her monthly pension and her children would also support her financially. Her wish is to rebuild the kitchen area of her house which fell apart and her

on the Village

daughter has secured the cement and blocks to make that possible. Ferrier stated that her husband, Nathaniel Moscatel, passed away in 1991 but by then the children were grown and able to assist her. Her son-in-law and two grandchildren reside with her as company but she does her own cooking and daily chores. When the Pepperpot Magazine caught up with Ferrier she was washing dishes at her stand up pipe area in the yard. “Life is what you make it so if you want it easy or hard you have to decide that and work towards it,” she said. She disclosed that Kuru Kuru is a quiet, peaceful place where people don’t interfere with each other so they live in harmony. Ferrier is in good health apart from her fading eyesight going bad and intense pains in her knees. THE TEACHERS OF KURU KURU Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met another resident, Phillip Gordon, a teacher attached to Dora Secondary School. His wife is also a teacher at the Yarrowkabra Primary School and they have a lovely home and three children. Coincidentally, the Gordons were celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary that day and were busy preparing food and drinks to entertain a few villagers and friends. Gordon, better known as ‘Sir Terry’, said he is a local of Kuru Kuru and is an only child. His father is from Region One (Barima-Waini) and his mother is from Essequibo. He added that even though they are separated they both live in the village. In his home, he has a corner which he calls the ‘academic corner’ which has

many trophies and other tokens of achievement that he, his wife and children would have garnered over the years for various academic and other accomplishments. Gordon stated that the academic corner is there as a reminder for the children to continue to excel in school. However, since the closure of schools countrywide, the teacher had to seek a part-time job as security personnel since they are not doing any virtual learning programme with students. “I am successful as a respected teacher both at school and in the village because I am a disciplinarian and I moulded myself after my role model, a teacher, George Daniels, who taught at McKenzie High School and I wanted to be just like him,” he said. Gordon explained that Sir Daniels is a one of a kind teacher in the sense that he has a way where he grasped the attention of his students and was always up to date with current affairs which he shared with the class. “He instilled discipline in us and for that, I am thankful because it made me a well-rounded person and I also deliver my classroom sessions just like him and it has proven to be successful,” he said. Gordon stated that Sir Daniels made class work interesting and everybody wanted to learn and he has adopted a similar teaching method and it is working well. “For me, discipline starts at home and my children are intact when it comes to that so I don’t have to worry when they go out- their attitude will portray such,” he said. He reported that life in Kuru Kuru is quiet and it is a good place to live because they have the space for fresh air and freedom

Cleon Ferrier (Carl Croker photos)

without the ‘hustle and bustle’ of a city lifestyle. Gordon stated that within recent times some Spanish people have moved in the village to work with residents on farms but mostly the villagers know each other. “We need an ICT hub for the youths and better roads because to get in and out of the village by taxi is very costly and it is a burden to villagers,” he said. Gordon added that his marriage is good all thanks to his wife, an Adventist, who is religious and a very praying woman, who has kept the family together.

The Gordons and their children

Phillip Gordon

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

r o t a v i t o m

Focus on the Village

The

youths

of the

By Michel Outridge

OT very many people would do what he is doing for the youths and young men of his village but he is doing it to enhance the lives of the people and not for fame. Mark David is a resident of Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, who is taking money out of his own pockets to purchase cement for the youths in the community to make blocks for sale. This initiative was conceptualised a few weeks ago when he was told the plight of many young men in the village who are jobless. David then used his money and gifted four young men to buy cement after which they began making cement blocks at his residence. The cement blocks would be sold and the profit would be divided and they would continue the process in order to earn a steady income. David told the Pepperpot Magazine that he decided to give the youths a start to earn a living because he is aware they are unemployed. The cement blocks are usually sold to

people who are constructing houses in the community and David would also let them use his vehicle to transport the blocks to the location. “I am not looking for fame or anything it is my humble contribution to the young people to do something with their life because nothing much happens around here,” he said. He is the lone occupant in his street which is located deep within the village where the lands around him are overgrown by thick bushes because they are owned by people who have not yet built anything on it. David has been dwelling in the community for the past 20 years but had left and returned three years ago. “This is my way of giving back to the community because I want the young men to have a future and not being idle so they have work right here and it makes me feel good they are occupied,” he said. The initiative started four weeks ago and when the Pepperpot Magazine visited

the young men were engaged in rapid block making in David’s backyard. David has a kitchen garden and a duck farm, all of which are for domestic use and would often give away to villagers when it is too much. However, he disclosed that without enough potable water he is unable to plant more because of the dry spell they are facing presently and the lack of water is causing the crops to die since the soil composition is sand. “The youths want to work but their options are limited- is either they cut wood or burn coals so giving work is keeping them out of trouble because whole day you used to see them walking around doing nothing,” he said. David revealed that a lot of young people in the community are qualified but have no jobs and it is sad to see some are wasting away their youthful days. “We want these lands to be occupied by the people within this village

Mark David

Athena Little (Carl Croker photos)

and the youths must benefit,” he said. THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met Athena Little, an Environmental Consultant with a private company based in Georgetown. She is a volunteer in her community, giving back her services to keep the place clean and tidy and is part of a youth group. Little reported that the 2 K’s Kuru Kuru Youth Group started two years ago and within that period they have collectively accomplished much. Today, August 30, they have planned a clean-up exercise in which 15 youths will come together for that cause. “The village not looking good right now with the garbage pile-up so we want to clean it up; make it more presentable,” she said. They have participated in Spelling Bees and won and competed in essays and craft exercises and did well. Little added that they have 20 members in the youth group but some are not active while others are there to assist. Indoor activities are held in the Coop Society Hall building in the village and they would often have outdoor trips as well such as hiking but since the pandemic, they have limited their meetings. She is one of many young people in the village who are aiming for the stars.

Pumpkin in David’s kitchen garden

Mark David’s home

By Michel Outridge

N Kuru Kuru Village, residents became multiskilled overnight to put bread on the table for their families. That is, they have to do more than one job to meet the financial expenses of the household. One of the jobs done by locals is coal-mining. This occupation provides an income for residents such as Darshan Dookram, who is also a farmer and a block maker. This resident of Kuru

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Kuru Village, Soesdyke/Linden Highway told the Pepperpot Magazine that coal-mining is a technical task that requires some form of knowledge and it entails long hours of hard labour. “This is not a job you can just come and do it, just so, it wouldn’t be easy because you have to know what you are about or you will be in trouble,” he said. Dookram explained that coal-mining is a lengthy process but he does it anyway because he has no other choice. First, he would gather waste wood from the nearby

sawmills and he would fetch it to his home. Waste wood consists of the ends of wood that are usually discarded. There, he would dig a pit, three feet by five feet, and lay beams of solid wood after which the wood ends acquired from the sawmills would be placed on top of the beams, from large to small. Dookram added that then branches would have to be cut from trees to cover the wood and it would be ignited causing the wood to be baked not burnt to ashes. He related that this part of coal-mining is tedious be-

cause you have to turn over the wood to ensure it doesn’t burn and check it constantly to make sure the wood is properly baked. The

the time because as a skilled mason/carpenter he also does those jobs that are required in that area. Dookram

Dookram is originally from North West District Region One (Barima-Waini) and left his home village in search of work and a better life and relocated to Kuru Kuru where he is eking out an honest living. He has been livi n g in the community for

Coal-miner, Darshan Dookram (Carl Croker Photos)

49-yearold disclosed that the process lasts overnight and run into days depending on how much wood was placed in the pit. He stated that after the coal-mining process is completed after 14 days the coals are placed in a salt-bag and sold for $700 per bag. “If you know what you are doing you can speed up the coal-mining process by four days because it takes 14 days to completely bake the wood,” he said. Dookram told the Pepperpot Magazine that a lot of people are into coal-mining because it brings in an income to the home and they need it. “This is a side hustle and it is not easy work facing the fire and heat but I have to do it because of my family,” he said. The resident admitted that the demand for coals is there but the process takes time and he does it when he has

pointed out that for one to have a roadside stand selling coals, permission from authorities must be granted which is a lengthy undertaking so often it is sold from their homes. He reported that some residents have a more modern operation for coal-mining in the form of a kilt pit but the process takes the same 14 days to fully complete. According to Dookram, coal-mining incurs a cost because he has to source salt-bags, wood and other materials to make the process possible. He stated that at times they have to buy wood and that in itself is costly and the profit isn’t attractive.

the past 23 years and said it wasn’t easy relocating because he had to start from scratch to build a house. The father of six pointed out that simple necessities such as reliable potable water can make life better for villagers. He explained that when they have the dry season like they do now, the lack of water causes the crops to die and they are forced to buy water which costs $3,000 for a black tank. Dookram added that a regular bottle of drinking water is $350 and it puts an unnecessary strain on his pockets. He also has a farm in his backyard which is for home use and the excess is sold or given away. “We are normal people here trying to earn but we need water to do many things and without that, there is only so much we can do,” he said.

Focus on the Village

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

By Michel Outridge

WAY N E Dexter is making the most of his life by being the captain of the Kuru Kuru Lions Football Team but also works as a block maker. The 21-year-old is very enthusiastic about football since growing up. He was so passionate about it he would play with his peers every chance he got. In primary school, he played with a team and in secondary school, he developed his skills and reached the point where he became captain of his village team. The team has competed and performed well in many games but they require sponsorship and gear to be better equipped to compete regionally. They are versed in SevenA-Side games and the team comprises of 10 youths from the community of mixed ages. “We have the potential to win at competitions but we need the push to hone in on our competitive edge,” he said. Dexter told the Pepperpot Magazine that most times they would play friendly games within the confines of the village. “Things are not easy here but we try with what we have and we are hoping for better,” he said.

a local, who owns a small shop in the village. One of his two sons is the NDC Chairman and they are both taxi drivers during the day in the city. The brothers would make the daily commute to Georgetown to earn and return to their home at nightfall. Ferrier explained that he retired from the position as NDC Chair and his son Oscari Ferrier stepped up for the position. He disclosed that the village is a Coop Society and is sparsely populated with about 100 families. Ferrier added that the village has been in existence for about 45 years and was established by the New Highway Producers Coop Society. He has been residing in Kuru Kuru for the past 11 years and when there was a

RAY FERRIER AND HIS SHOP The Pepperpot Magazine also encountered Ray Ferrier, Ray Ferrier’s yard with recreational swings

Focus

flood in 2015 he was looking for higher lands and acquired a plot in the community and relocated there. “When we first came here we were so at peace and comfortable it was three months after we went to the city,” he said. Ferrier reported that the lands are controlled by the Coop and some lands are privately-owned while some are leased. “This place needs a boost for the people here because they are struggling as is and the youths need skills training centre to learn a trade where they can become self-employed and the younger folk need an ICT hub to access the internet for schoolwork,” he said. The resident reported that last year the NDC acquired $500,000 and they cleaned up

the ball field and filled it with loam and sand making it more habitable. “The people are making the most of what this village has to offer by burning coals, making blocks or cutting wood,” he said. Ferrier pointed out that the village needs a lot of assistance to enhance the community and the lives of the residents and for that to happen they need better roads and infrastructure. “I was a mechanic and a miner but now I am of age and I have the shop to tend to and a kitchen garden and some chickens rearing going on,” he said. Ferrier disclosed that through the NDC 13 young people were enrolled in a training programme at Yarrowkabra to keep them occupied rather than becoming

Ray Ferrier and his wife, Jean Ferrier

idle. He added that there are no wholesome recreational activities as such, the young people are left on their own. THE ‘GO-TO-PERSON’ IN KURU KURU Retired teacher, Francis Little is utilising her skills and knowledge to assist the community as a member of the Coop Society and function as a mentor for the young people. This elder was instrumental in forming the youth group in the village along with Ray Ferrier and motivated her children to be a part of the organisation to do volunteer work. As a retired teacher who spends more than 30 years in the teaching profession, she would lend her support to the school children in the village because they would show up and there is no way she can refuse to help. Little is a respected villager, who is easy to talk to and is always willing to assist in whatever way she can to foster development. “Through the Coop Society, two youths from the village were selected to undergo skills training at NCERD and they returned to the community to teach others and that’s the kind of thing they promote to enhance the lives of others and the village itself,” she said. Little disclosed that the community needs a skills training centre for the many idle youths to learn a trade to become marketable in society. “This community is far away from the city so we don’t get a lot of visitors and the people from town don’t come here so we have to try and do whatever we can to make a living,” she said. The retired teacher told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been residing in the village since she was 15 years old and has grown quite a t -

tached to the place because she prefer the sand to mud. These days, Little would spend her time in her yard ensuring her garden is taken care of and would plant even more flower trees to beautify the environment. The 61-year-old is the mother of eight, all of whom have good jobs, including a captain in the army, an aspiring nurse, an environment officer, and an analyst. “I always encouraged my children to read and it was vital for their personal growth in academics and even today I still enjoy reading,” she said. In addition, Little stated that Kuru Kuru not only need a skills training centre but an industry where the young people will be employed because some are qualified with no jobs, as is. She reported that Kuru Kuru Village has 1,200 acres of land and it would be good for a library to be established, as well. “I worked hard so I am retired and it is time for me to enjoy my golden years and to read more books,” she said.

Football Captain Dwayne Dexter

on the Village

Retired teacher, Francis Little (Carl Croker photos)

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

THE STEVEDORES ― MASSIVE LOSS OF JOBS UNDOCUMENTED IN CONTEXT

have written about them as a historic form of employment that modernisation erased. But there is more. They represented a social and cultural period that must be contextualised for the record of acknowledging the realisation of change as a precedent, heralding that the horseman of change shall time again visit us. Whether we are ready or not, in the impersonal gallop of the progress we often long for but resent when it is upon us unfeeling and impersonal. Thus the Stevedore, now an artefact of memory, mostly to a passing generation. Thus we must revisit and add narrative to its impact on the human world that had become accustomed to what this gateway of employment offered as a way of life, that enabled sustenance, dependency and birthed champions, like Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, a profound and time changing national hero of modern Guyana.

el and cutlass while enduring perpetual mud and water- see Walter Rodney’s ‘A History of the Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905’ & Dr Winston Mc Gowan’s ‘A SURVEY OF GUYANESE HISTORY’: the Dutch capital before Stabroek was the island of Borselen up the Demerara River. This was replaced by the location named after the President of the West India Company Nicholas Gelvink, lord of Castricum, Backum and Stabroek. This site was bordered by a collection of plantations. The first record of wharf activities known to this writer to date that pertains to the descendants of modern Guyanese is from the biographer Henry Bolingbroke-1799-1806. “The banks of which, when the tide is up, appear like so many wharves, completely strewed with English manufactured goods, in bales, casts, trunks, or boxes. Here the spirit of business is perceptible: the negroes, clad in blue throwers and checked shirts, moving to and fro with alacrity, performing those offices

and the racial struggle to marginalise the ambitions of the manumitted Afro-population into a dependent low wage earner. Critchlow was 21 at the time of the profound 1905 protest-riots that emerged from the waterfront workers struggle to raise their measly pay and absence of worker rights to a more realistic existence. This riot extended beyond Georgetown and British Guiana and took the British navy to quell its anger. It was this event that launched the platform for the grassroots British Guiana Labour Union in 1919 and later the template followed by the first political parties that echoed the deep causes of the Stevedore BGLU into the pre and post Independence era. Thus the numerous Unions that followed, the political parties, all owe their era to the Stevedores and their courage that tore open with strength and blood, the movement for a better social existence. Contrary to popular social folklore there were no exclusive “Good old days”. British

illegal perks are not true. Not everyone was in the ship’s hatch or even paid attention to such options. A more steady earning capacity was more valuable than the hustle and its risks. The characters, around which such legends were reasonably created, were ‘Lizard’ Hubbard, Bellise, Lemon, Auger man, and Fowler, among others. At the Rice Board, there were always ready businesses eager to buy nice clean export graded sacks of rice, some nearby food businesses hardly purchased rice and beef products, the Abattoir was also linked to the waterfront. Then there were the boatmen who snuck under wharves and boreholes to extract into their waiting bags, rice, nuts and other imported grains. The waterfront also had its P-50 hustlers who targeted boxed merchandise, relieving them from especially the old three-wheel vehicles, the saying captured the gist of the hustle that “Any box is a Dollar” in defiance of the underpaid port police, managed

Stabroek was more so founded as a necessary port town following the invitation in the 1740s by Governor Laurens Storm Van’s Gravesande to British and Dutch plantation interests to occupy the colony of Demerara and convert it into plantations, with the river Demerara as most suitable to facilitate a commercial harbour, but the coast of Demerara was then unsuitable and had to be tamed or as some historians noted, to be civilised. To this end the strength and skill of the enslaved African were applied to this task, which was calculated to mean that the enslaved moved some 100 million tons of heavy waterlogged clay with shov-

which a white man, here and there distributed, dressed in nankeen pantaloons and a fine calico shirt directs from under an umbrella.” These descriptions obviously are not stevedores but a cadre of custom brokers alive and well in 1799. Without a doubt, the budding nature of a commercial township created on the bloodline of slavery and commerce. The living records of the Stevedores would emerge in graphic description- in the post-emancipation period that brought home the dependence of the mostly Afro Georgetown residents on the waterfront jobs for survival, in an overpopulated town where meagre wages

Guiana –Guyana was always a country that demanded struggle for change. Jobs were always a problem. For many a youth, to learn to read and write was enough, then they were thrown into the labour force, and with Georgetown and most likely New Amsterdam, the waterfront was a legal means to an end as a non-card stevedore, ‘boy-wuk’, or in or out pick-on labour. Three or four days of employment could put food on the table. The waterfront in Georgetown stretched from Ruimveldt to Kingston and employed thousands daily, including lunch women etc. The myths are that all who worked on the waterfront benefitted from numerous

by the defiant Sergeant Barker. However, with this latter group, none of them were waterfront employees. Then suddenly the waterfront of that age was no more, modernisations in merchant shipping, arson at Rice Board, a world that spanned over a century vanished. Some turned to crime. I know a few that suffered to nervous breakdowns, an income comfort zone disappeared and it had sad consequences. When I pass Lombard Street and glance at the old call-on-centre, through my mind’s eye the ghosts of another age do linger.

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Dwayne Annibourne with his two-month-old son

Young father optimistic despite the odds against him

By Naomi Marshall

WAYNE Annibourne is a second-year student of the University of Guyana whose aspiration is to become one of Guyana’s best certified mechanical engineers while making his family proud. From a tender age, the 24-year-old, who grew up in La Penitence, Georgetown with his mother and older sister, enjoyed fixing objects. This is what sparked his interest in becoming a mechanical engineer.

Additionally, Annibourne dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur to create and successfully spearhead his own business. In 2018, the youth that described himself as optimistic, caring, hardworking, ambitious and down to earth began his journey of becoming a certified mechanical engineer at the University of Guyana. While attending university, he was able to open a barbershop at his Middle Road, La Penitence home where he would cut hair after classes. This not only marked the commencement of Annibourne’s entrepreneurial journey but it also allowed him to assist in

the payment of his school tuition fees. He also collaborated with a friend to start an online shipment business, ‘Prime Global Shippings’. On February 22, 2020, however, Annibourne was greeted with circumstances that would halt everything he had going on in his life and potentially stop him from accomplishing his goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. On the said date, Annibourne was riding his motorcycle on the East Bank of Demerara when he got into a horrific hit and run accident. The father of one told the Pepperpot Magazine that he only remembers waking up in the hospital where a doctor explained to him that he was involved in an accident. Due to the misfortune, Annibourne’s right lung was punctured, his right shoulder was dislocated and his right hand was motionless. When a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was carried out on the young man, it revealed that his right hand was motionless due to damaged nerves. The future mechanical engineer was told that if the damaged nerves did not regenerate in three to five months on their own then the only way his hand could recover was through a ‘Brachial Plexus’ surgery in Cuba. “So I waited and did therapy but it has been five months now and there is no sign of the nerves regenerating on its own so I have to do surgery if I would have any chance of using my arms again,” Annibourne expressed. The cost of surgery is US$15,000 and since the accident, Annibourne has been unable to work in his barbershop. The young man’s coowned online shipment business has also been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult for Annibourne to acquire the US$15,000 on his own, as such, he is reaching out to the public for financial assistance. Annibourne stated that his future depends on the surgery and hopes that everything works out. “My arm, the pandemic, my degree and my success - so I could provide for my son and family.” Apart from fixing objects and barbering, Annibourne enjoys football, reading self-development books, learning new things and hanging out with friends. Persons willing to make donations can do so by making deposits into Republic Bank account number 962352807071 or can contact Dwayne Annibourne on +(592)619-4182.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

HIS is the last Sunday in my birth month and I am celebrating every second. Maybe you would have heard me say this before, it but I will say it again because life is short: “I LOVE LIFE”. We are three weeks into the BEYOND THE RUNWAY Show and I have already interviewed some amazing guests from around the world. The main objective is to give a platform to persons who are making a difference in the lives of people. The feedback from the interviews was amazing and I will share a little bit about my guests with you. My friend Richard Young came before my first guest because he wrote the foreword for the book BEYOND THE RUNWAY. My first guest was Shelly Munoz: Shelly A Muñoz is an award-winning educator, 20+ year veteran of the classroom, staff development instructor, and university professor. Her numerous recognitions include“Teacher of the Year” twice and she “has been chosen for many prestigious opportunities such as Space Camp for Educators & Sustainability Ambassador ( Honeywell ) Zero G’s ( Northrop Grumman) NASA Ambassador and MAVEN ambassador, just to name a few. Shelly has authored several educational journals and is featured in the NSTA STEM Challenges and Academic Success. She has delivered conference keynotes, workshops, and presentations in 10 states as well as in Asia and Europe. Shelly is the founder of STEM braced with Love, an educational outreach program that travels to orphanages throughout the world inspiring all children to reach for their dreams. With a mission of helping people live and love their best life, my other guest, Gabriel Funsho Babalola runs an online school namely “The well of wisdom Life School” where he helps students to live purposeful, fulfilling, happy and extraordinary life. He’s been involved in

teaching tens of thousands of people (mostly young people) life and entrepreneurship principles both online and offline across many nations. He’s also a tech-savvy serial entrepreneur, who owns one of the foremost advertising outfits in Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria. He’s a digital marketing professional, a public speaker. He’s an author, currently with published books to his name. Claudia Vidal is a Traning & Development Specialist with a background in Holistic and Integrative Psychotherapy. She loves helping people create meaningful work that benefits the collective wellbeing. Claudia has spent most of her career in the non-profit sector, gaining experience in programme coordination, risk management, & staff development. While training professionals is her primary job function by day, Claudia facilitates independent workshops at local schools and non-profit

organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and writing about her day-today experiences. I received so many messages requesting my fourth guest Peter Ivey back on the show and it is not because Forbes Magazine wrote about him. Peter Ivey is a serial entrepreneur, a chef, writer/author, a highly coveted speaker, a thought leader and a philanthropist. Originally from Jamaica, he has been living in New York for the past 20 years. He is the Founder and CEO of The Reggae Chefs®, a culinary services company that uniquely fuses Jamaican food and cultural expression through customized events. The Reggae Chefs® has been featured across a variety of platforms including Forbes and the New York Daily News and has been archived in The National Library of Jamaica. Ivey is the Founder and President of The League of International Chefs Association

(TLICA), a global network of socially-minded food industry professionals. He is a board member of the Jamaica Food Entrepreneurship and Services Training Space (Jamaica FEASTS). He is the Founder and President of Mission:FoodPossible, a not-for-profit organisation that was created to educate and feed the food insecure. Mission:FoodPossible was recently featured in Forbes Magazine as the possible answer to the world’s hunger problem. In March 2019, Ivey authored Coronavirus: Get Outta Here! One of the first children’s books on

the Coronavirus pandemic, the book has been included as one of UNICEF’s resources to help families. Ivey is also a regular contributor to LOOP, the largest Caribbean news media platform. Ivey received a Certificate of Special (US) Congressional Recognition for “Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community” in 2017. The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CACCI) also recognized Ivey with The 2016 Business Visionary Award and the 2016 Business Innovation and Game Changer Award from The

Caribbean-American Leadership Foundation. Ivey’s vision is to use his entrepreneurship skills, knowledge and experience to empower youth through self-reliance and to help sustain the global community through projects aimed at eradicating poverty and hunger. We also featured the co-authors of the Daddy’s Girl anthology. The co-authors shared the importance of fatherhood and the important roles fathers play in the life of their children. The visionary behind this anthology is Angelavette Williams-Hawkins from New Jersey. I met Ange in New Jersey at an event where we both were presenters. We connected and I invited her to speak at the Women Across Borders event in Manhattan. Peter Ivey also spoke at that event. We introduce our YouTube Channel which features a series of Beyond the Runway inspiring quotes in videos and other life-changing content. We launched the 21 Days of Intentional Growth which is the fourth virtual programme we host. Special prices bonuses until 31st August. The last month has been my best month for 2020 mainly because I experienced people’s lives changing because of these programmes. I feel blessed and thankful to God and the people who are supporting me. Join us every Saturday from 19:00hrs to 19:30hrs on Sonia Noel’s Page and Caribbean Power Jam New York. We have 24 hours more in August and I encourage you to do something to take you closer to your goals as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

E are sure you

would have encountered someone who either works in the gold bush or has plans to go into the gold bush. The gold mining sector contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Guyana

and is a source of income and livelihood for more than 17, 000 persons. Mercury, also known as ‘quicksilver’ or ‘silver’, occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It is, however, highly toxic when used in gold mining activities to amalgamate or bind gold. If this is not properly done using pits, sluice boxes, a retort etc. mercury can be released directly into the environment. Exposure to hazardous fumes can also result in serious health risks. MERCURY AND HUMAN HEALTH Exposure to mercury fumes affects the nervous and reproductive systems and damages brain function. Persons exposed to even small amounts of mercury can suffer from symptoms such as tremors, insomnia, memory loss, and head-

aches. The severity of the impact of exposure to mercury depends on one or a combination of the following factors: ■ The form of mercury (for example, methyl mercury or elemental (metallic) mercury); ■ The amount of mercury in the exposure; ■ The age of the person exposed (unborn babies & infants are the most vulnerable); ■ The duration of the exposure; ■ The exposure pathway (how the person is exposed

- breathing, eating, skin contact, etc.) and; ■ The health of the person exposed. HOW DOES MERCURY END UP IN OUR SYSTEM? Mercury readily seeps into water bodies where it builds up and changes form into a chemical known as methyl mercury. This form of mercury is easily taken up by tiny organisms which are eaten by small fishes. The small fishes may be eaten by bigger fishes, the bigger fishes by an even bigger fish and eventually by people. Therefore, with each fish eaten, methyl mercury builds up in higher amount. This process is known as bioaccumulation where the level of toxicity increases as it moves up the food chain. Additionally, people can eat fish contaminated with mer-

countries to sign the Minamata Convention on October 10, 2013. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from human-induced emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. Over the years, there have been several proactive steps taken to encourage the adoption of safer practices. One of which was the establishment of a National Working Group to guide the development of a National Action Plan, which will aid in the institutionalisation of the measures for the reduction of mercury use. Among the actors on the National Working Group are regulatory agencies, government ministries and non-governmental organisations. Another important action towards better mining practices is the development and/or promotion of options for mercury-free mining. Several alternative technologies do not require the use of mercury, including gravimetric processing, which is the easiest entry option. Panning, sluices and shaking tables are also applicable and offer a gold recovery rate of 71-75 percent free gold. These methods will not only protect the environment and public health from exposure to mercury but also contribute to Guyana meeting its obligations under the Convention. You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”,

C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges cury which isn’t gotten rid of by cooking. THE MINAMATA CONVENTION Due to many issues associated with mercury use, Guyana was one of the first

Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail. com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Last week, I spoke about the Phoenix Recovery Project. An inpatient drug facility in Guyana. I will continue this discussion by offering advice on how to help those around us who may be suffering from substance abuse. It is extremely difficult to see someone you love abuse alcohol as well as experience the negative effects that come along with it. I know you feel like doing everything possible. One thing that will remain constant is that you cannot force anyone to get help. However, once they have made this decision, there are things to do the can help them along. If you would like to open the conversation and express how you feel, you can stage an intervention. This is a planned and focused meeting where the loved ones of the addict tell him/her their concerns about their excessive drinking. It’s not to bully them but an attempt to open their eyes and allow them to see how their actions have been affecting you, them and everyone else around them. It can be just you or a team of people who are all close to and genuinely care about the addict. If there are any strangers, it must people professionals appropriate to the situation such as an addiction specialist or a doctor willing to help. The addict is not typically aware of the intervention before it happens. The intervention must only happen if the person is sober and therefore has to capacity to understand, process and remember the conversation. An intervention can understandably bring out a wide range of emotions so experts often advise that each intervention member prepares what they are going to say. This is typically done in a letter format addressed to the addict expressing your genuine concerns about their drinking. You can bring up certain examples of instances that were dangerous to them or those around them. This should be done in the form of “I” statements rather than “you” ones.

For example, people tend to respond better to “I feel like you are drinking too much” rather than the simple “you are drinking too much” as it’s less accusatory. Do not use negative labels such as “alcoholic” or “drunk”. It is possible that they still become defensive and may start yelling or even walk out. They may even blame you or other people for their drinking. You must not match their emotions. Their intention is typically to distract you so do not take any of it personally and do your best to stay on track of the plan. Simply say “please let me finish” and move forward. The most successful interventions come with a list of consequences if the addict decides not to make a change. This mustn’t come off as a threat so the language used is very important. For example, you can say “I’m worried that I am contributing to your drinking so if you continue to in this way, I can no longer financially support you or do this and that.” “I am worried about my safety so if the drinking does not change, I will have to leave the house.” You should be very careful with the words you use here because this is not supposed to be an empty threat. This is your final straw and an incentive for the addict to get help. Be sure you mean what you say because if you go this route, you have to be absolutely sure you are going to deliver as the hope is that the addict believes that treatment is better than the alternative consequences. In preparation for a positive response, you must be knowledgeable of all the possible treatment options. The following would not be a successful intervention. Loved one - okay, I’ll get help. What should I do? Where should I go? You- don’t know. You can also outline both short and long term goals for the loved one. This usually provides them with hope that they didn’t even know they had. Decide on a start date which should be the moment after the intervention. I know this will be a dif-

ficult conversation, one that even the thought of it may scare you. However, you are scared anyway, all the time. You may as well tell the truth about how you feel. If the addict is prone to violence, it is better to have more people around. Everyone in the meeting should display nothing but understanding, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude. An intervention helps to improve relationships, not end them. If the alcoholic refuses to get help during the intervention, there are still some things that you can do. The first and most important is to no longer enable their drinking. You may not even be aware that you are but most people close to an addict do. This is anything that makes drinking easier or have fewer consequences. This includes making excuses for them, cleaning up after them, paying outstanding drinking bills or anything along those lines. Most people do this because they are embarrassed for or by the addict but you are not responsible for their drinking and it reflects on you in no way. It sounds harsh but an addict won’t even realise he/ she has a problem unless they are made to feel the consequences. They typically have to hit their idea of rock bottom before they decide to make a change and sadly, you need to let them. To the best of your ability, make your living space an alcohol or drug-free zone. Do not bring any into the house- for you or anyone else. Do not drink in front of the addict - whether you have a problem with alcohol or not. Many people want their loved ones to stop drinking but they aren’t willing to stop themselves. If they do decide on treatment, offer support whenever they need it. It is beneficial for you to accompany them to any form of treatment they are choosingdoctor’s appointments or AA meetings. I have to remind every-

one that people have to slowly wean off of alcohol as it is very dangerous to the body to cut out alcohol if a large quantity is often consumed. Please see your doctor if this is what is decided.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@ gmail.com. Or WhatsApp +592 623 0433 to book private counselling sessions.

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!

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020 Nicholas travelled to Australia to pursue a Master’s Degree in Sports Management

programme in physical education and sport. Upon returning, he worked with the National Sports Commission as the assistant director and then moved on to the National Center for Education and Resource Development (NCERD). Nicholas was also able to go to Australia to pursue a Masters Degree in Sports Management for two years. “It has been

quite a journey,” he said. Speaking about the new course that he will be undertaking with UWI, Nicholas said: “I do think that we have a bit of persons who work within the realm of sports who need to place more importance on courses like these. We tend to believe that if you’re an athlete, you will be a good coach automatically. But there are many things that you must learn

Turn from page III that y o u should know before you become a coach.” In getting a job as someone who is in charge of a sports facility, or as a coach, Nicholas believes that you should place emphasis on training and development.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT â€• Sunday, August 30, 2020

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was asked by Trifinity Solutions to present on the topic; “Leading young people towards developing skills that are relevant to the future of work” for one of their online projects. I am sure some of you would have viewed the live video on their Facebook page but for those who have not, I will share some of the information that was shared by myself at the presentation. In case you’re wondering: yes, I am also an entrepreneur because, why not? I have turned a passion of mine- art and makeup - and made it into a business. The name of that business is MArt. I use my social work skills in my business the same way I’ve been using it with my writing—to inspire change. As such, MArt is more than just a business, it serves as an inspiration for young Guyanese in the field of art. As a young business owner with little to no experience in the business field, I developed and learned skills on my own to upkeep my

3. Financial management of the business: You will need to learn how to keep check of your stock/inventory; use apps like Sortly or Square App to do so. You will need to document all business transactions (receipts and bills on carbon are a great way to keep these records), or mobile billing apps. Get a business bank account and keep your business money and personal profits separately.

business. I will share with you how I’ve done that. I compiled a few skills that I think young entrepreneurs should acquire. 1.Networking: It is important to network with others. Be social and be sure to have friends/acquaintances in business. The more friends you have, the better. This is important if you ever want to embark on collaborative efforts or just for simple chats on your businesses (advice, resource base, etc.). 2. Learning how to use social media to the advantage of your business: Social media is changing the way businesses operate from a day to day business now. It is important that your business is noticeable on social media and google. The name of your business page should be the same the actual name of your business. You should utilise ads, promotions, Facebook/Instagram shop and tools, etc. You can also use social media statistics to analyse your audience.

You will need to learn how to efficiently and effectively communicate with others (your customers). You need to always keep a professional tone and also use “professional” means to communicate. Your social media pages, a business Whatsapp account, a business number, etc. can all be utilised to keep the communication between yourself and customers professional. Use professional words and phrases and avoid mixing personal conversations with business ones. You can also turn on automatic messaging for Instagram and Facebook. 6. Learning to adapt to new environments and times: A common mistake most business owners make is that they tend to get too comfortable. Take for instance the COVID-19 virus. Most businesses were not equipped for this virus or any other drastic change, whatsoever. Those businesses that were already acquainted with social media had an advantage over those

4. Time management and being organised: Managing your time is crucial, especially if you have other commitments to take care of apart from your business. Sometimes it is important to ensure that you manage your time effectively so as to not spend too much or too little time on a specific task. I manage my time by setting a schedule for the next day right before I retire to bed. I ensure to add everything to my schedule and the time I am supposed to do specific tasks. 5. Communication: This skill comes in handy for customer service representation.

who had to either make a new social media account to keep in contact with their customers or those who had to become more active online. As a business owner, I had to develop certain skills to adapt to the changing times. It is cruel that we acquire certain skills to help us in our journey in entrepreneurship. It is im-

portant to note that with every business, skills may vary and one skill may be needed more over the other but at the end of the day learning a new skill is never a waste of time. There is

no such thing as too much knowledge. I can specifically give you information on what worked for my business, hoping it works for

yours too but you will have to examine your business and find out what skills you ought to learn to ensure the success for you and yours.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

I N E T Y-E I G H T out of one hundred Guyanese can read and understand this newspaper. We should be proud of this fact especially when we consider that we are more functionally literate than the majority of the world’s nations including Brazil and the United States. But despite this fact, we have not been taking full advantage of our fortuitous situation generally as regards health guidance and particularly, oral health education. A few years ago, the American Dental Association held its annual convention which tens of thousands dentists attended. I happened to be in attendance. Participants once again emphasised the vital role played by print communication in the fight to minimise dental caries and gum disease. The organisation currently distributes millions of pamphlets as part of its national oral health education programme. Extracts from one of those pamphlets are presented hereunder. D aily brushing and cleaning between teeth are important to your dental health because they remove plaque. Plaque is a thin, colourless, sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat foods containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids which attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with the teeth. After many such attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity forms. If plaque is not removed with daily brushing, it eventually hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus forms near the gumline, gums can become irritated and inflamed. They become swollen and may bleed. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that usually become infected. If gum disease is not treated properly, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed and healthy teeth may be involved. It may surprise you to know that 50 percent of adults over the age 18 and

75 per cent of adults over the age 35 have some degree of gum disease. It is never too early to start fighting back. Your dental team can remove calculus from your teeth and treat gum disease that has already appeared. But daily dental care is in your hands. Brushing removes plaque and food particles from the inner, outer and biting surfaces of your teeth. Several different methods are acceptable. One acceptable method for removing plaque is as follows. Place the brush at an angled position to the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth in short( half a tooth wide ) strokes. Brush the inner tooth surfaces followed by the chewing surfaces. Use the ‘toe’ of the brush for the inner front tooth surfaces. Do not forget the posterior faces of the last molars. Finally, brush your tongue. For general use, select a brush with soft, end-rounded or polished bristles. The size and shape of your toothbrush should allow you to reach every tooth. Wornout toothbrushes cannot properly clean your teeth and may injure your gums. Once the bristles start to turn backwards, it is time to change the brush. Usually this occurs after three to four months of use. One way to clean between the teeth is with dental floss. Flossing remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and the gum line areas a toothbrush cannot reach. The following suggestions may help to learn about flossing. Break off about eighteen inches and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it is used. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and first finger with about an inch of floss between them. Use a gentle, “sawing” motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Hold it against your tooth, scraping the other side of it, as you guide it gently beneath the gum line. If none other is, this article is worth cutting out and keeping for constant reference.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Bush Medicines SAFER WITH CONTROLS

ODAY Western Medicine is regarded worldwide as the most effective system of physical healing. This was not always the case. In the Middle Ages, Eastern medicines, medical techniques and doctors were regarded as far more effective and sophisticated than which existed in the West. During the Crusades, for instance, when King Richard the Lion Heart was ill and on the verge of death, Salahudin, the Kurdish Muslim general who was fighting Richard, sent him his personal physician whose treatment was able to restore Richard to health. The Eastern Civilizations had developed their own complete systems of medicine which influenced each other and whose pharmacopoeias were all based largely on flora. The main systems in the ancient world were the Arab System, the Chinese System and the Ayurvedic System in India. and they were all respected worldwide and had numerous successes. But with the great scientific progress in the 19th and 20th centuries and with the detailed study of the human body. Western Medicine deservedly earned a universal trust and acceptability which none questioned. From about the middle of the last century, however, the Western Scientific community recognized the validity of the Eastern Systems and that much could be learnt from them in enriching their own System. Thus many Ayurvedic herbs and spices were rigorously tested and analysed and found to be medicinally helpful. Among these were turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, neem and other herbs came to be adopted in secondary Western pharmacopoeia, And so have techniques such as Yoga and Acupuncture. In Guyana, Western Medicine has continued to predominate, and the population have an unshakable belief in it. Yet, underground, there has always existed a body of folk medicines called by various names such as “bush medicines”, “tree medicines” and “alternative medicines” which drew its source from the medicines and medical practices used by the Amerindian peoples, and the African and Indian slaves and indentured labourers who populated the country between the 16th and 19th centuries. This corpus of folk medicines and practices has a wide clientele who use both Western as well as “bush medicines’ as they are generically called. These bush medicines could be obtained everywhere but especially in the markets. These vendors were immortalized in the “Weed song” sung by Bill Rogers in the 1920s where he names some of the bushes sold: • Man peeyaba, woman peeyaba • Taan-taan fall back and granny backbone • Bitter tally, lime leaf and turu • Putagee Bumba, Conga Lana and twelve o’clock broom • Miniroot, gullyroot and the ocean iron weed ... If one visits the Stabroek and Bourda markets, the vendors are still there, but the names they use for their bushes are less colourful than a century ago when Bill Rogers sung. The vendors sell various herbal teas for various disorders as well as specific bushes to cure specific diseases such as blood pressures, early breast cancer, diabetes, kidney and urinary problems, digestive problems, fevers, pains and so on.. The bushes on offer would include carilla bush, sweet sage, saijan seeds, mint, toyo, lemon grass, sour grass, pear leaf, sweet broom, various kinds of barks like capadilla for sexual prowess. Almost all vendors now have mixtures or extracts of the various bushes bottled. Over the years, several persons have organized groups of bush medicine practitioners and bush medicine vendors into groups but the most well-known is the ‘Guyana Association for Alternative Medicine Institute’ run by Dr Iamei Aomathi and an Amerindian group known as Medicine from Trees. Despite individuals claiming that they have been cured or relieved from many diseases by bush medicines, no comprehensive research has been done into how many people have been cured over a specific period, the type of diseases, the actual bush used, periods used, etc. Accordingly, using bush medicine could be a risk to health since the user would lack basic knowledge of many things he/she should know about the bush. before ingesting it. In the last quarter of last year, Dr Joseph Haynes, a well-known practitioner of both Western and Alternative Medicine, gave an interview to one of the dailies. After emphatically reminding that most of the drugs in the world were formulated from plants, he spoke of some of the pitfalls of using bush medicines without proper direction and con-

trols: “You don’t use bush like that and call it medicine. .all persons practising bush medicine must be trained, certified and monitored so that the right dosage, age group and other criteria are considered . . . we don’t know under what conditions these medicines are prepared; we don’t know the water they use to extract the drug from whatever bush they are using; we don’t know the combination of how many leaves they are using. . . And further, we don’ t have regulations in place that would have had the medicine tested, certified and proven that it will work for whatever condition it is said it

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will work for”. In other words, there is a risk in using bush medicines in the present uncontrolled conditions. There is certainly an immediate need for some Regulation of the bush medicine trade. Far more fundamentally, there is a need for scientific research into the drugs the bushes contain, the methods of extraction, the quantities to be used by a patient and the effects on the patient. before Government were to give its recognition and imprimatur on bushes and bush medicine practitioners.

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AUGUST 30, 2020 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student,

our revision timetable should be as important to you as your study timetable. Prepare well for the ex-

amination ahead by revising each lesson at the beginning of a new study session. Be not caught lacking with any of the difficulties listed here: too little revision, revising material that you had not previously mastered, running out of revision time and so

THOUGHT FOR TODAY The stage but echoes back the public voice. The drama’s laws the drama’s patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live. SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) Prologue at the Opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane, 1747 not covering the paper properly during exam, and then misreading or misunderstanding examination instructions. Revise. Remain focused. Love you. THE LETTER The Letters of Apology, Explanation, and Excuse Today, we go on with our series of letter writing. In this input, you need to do a lot of reading for information. More Information on Letter of Apology At some time, you will need to inform someone, of the reason for a mistake, negligence or incident that occurred. You do this to clear up miscommunication that resulted from sudden or unclear circumstances. This you do in a brief letter or note. Be strictly careful about how you treat with your facts, truth, and best language for each situation. The recipient can use it as a formal document, or record-keep for future reference. Yes, the letter of apology is important. It can be used for different kinds of transactions or situations. It draws much upon your character. In business, the letter of apology is used in response to a client who is concerned or enquiring about a situation or circumstance in a business transaction. What else do you need to know? Say that you are sorry to cause the hurt. Own up to your mistake. Describe what happened. Also, suggest a plan to fit the situation, such as a restitution or some other possible thing. Ask for forgiveness in a contrite way to be believed and forgiven. Note that, apologies, though short, do great battle with people’s conscience, character, and use of language. Fight and win. Grow strong to be able to apologise on behalf of someone else, or even for a 3rd party. More Information on the Letter of Explanation In the letter of explanation, you need to give precisely, the details of the situation or circumstance. Establish the mistake. Be factual in describing what happened that resulted in the current situation. Tell the truth. The truth prevents you from finding yourself in a difficult position immediately or later. If you have documents to support your claims, supply copies, even pictures or videos of them. And like in writing an apology, you suggest a practicable solution to correct the situation. More information on Letter of Excuse These letters are categorized for different situations. Last week’s standard letter which dealt with absence from school, is formal. Also, in this formal category can be added letters for absence from jury duties among others. Tailor your correspondence to match your request. [More on this next week.] MAKING SENSE of the PASSAGE Read the following passage carefully and then answer items 1-6 on the basis of what is stated or implied.

Dear Mr. Lopez: I strongly believe that our school should organise a girls’ soccer team, and I am not alone in this belief. After conducting a survey among the junior and senior girls at our school, I found that fifty girls would be interested in trying out for a soccer team. To discover how similar teams have worked out at other schools, I have talked to Ms. Young, the girls’ soccer coach at Fairfax High. When I asked her how the team has benefited the girls and the school, she said: “The girls on my team have become close friends. They help each other with everything – homework, personal problems.” She added, “Their grades have improved - they’ve become better all-round students and that’s always good for a school. A soccer team would be of equal benefit to all the girls at our school. Just like the girls at Fairfax, many girls here have trouble making friends. A soccer team might help them adjust to school life. Moreover, it would be simple to start a soccer team. I’ve already talked to my fellow gym teacher, Ms. Jordan. She is willing to take on the responsibility of coaching the team. The question where to practise isn’t a problem either, since the playing field isn’t used after three o’clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All that is needed is your support. (A Collection of CSEC Past Paper English A Paper - ) 1. What means the same as “trying out” in the last sentence in paragraph 1? (A) fitting on sneakers (C) seeking selection (B) being a part of (D) practising for a game 2. What is the purpose of the first sentence in paragraph 1? Does it suggest that the writer’s point of view is … (A) shared. (C) unanimous. (B) logical. (D) beyond dispute. 3. One of the following is not cited as a benefit of a soccer team. Select. (A) Teamwork (C) Improved grades (B) Friendships (D) Keen competition 4. The main purpose of the letter is to … (A) promote the benefits of sports for girls. (B) argue that all girls may be skilled at soccer. (C) win support for the establishment of a girls’ soccer team. (D) rally for better practice facilities for girls. 5. Which of the following techniques does the writer use to support her argument? ?. Citing evidence ??. Quoting experts ???. Showing the advantages (A) ? and ?? only (C) ?? and ??? only (B) ? and ??? only (D) ?, ?? and ??? 6. Which of the following is a statement of opinion? (A) “I found that fifty girls would be interested in trying out for a soccer team.” (B) “A soccer team would be of equal benefit to all the girls at our school.” (C) “She is willing to take responsibility of coaching the team.” (D) “The question of where to practise isn’t a problem either.”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT â€• Sunday, August 30, 2020

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Pumpkins Insect Pest Management

HIS week NAREI in Focus will begin a series on insect pest management in relation to pumpkins. We will be looking at the cricket and cutworm. Vegetable production occurs within a relatively short time frame and as such yield losses due to pests may be substantial if the problem is not identified early, and remedial action not implemented on time. Correct identification of the pest and an understanding of its behaviour, including its most vulnerable stages, would provide insights into its management. The early maturity of vegetables and short intervals between harvests during the cropping season impose constraints on the pest control strategy option. Care must be then taken if pesticide application is contemplated since there is the likelihood of high residual levels remaining in the product after harvest if an inappropriate formulation is used. Pumpkin is subjected to, attack from many insect pests and diseases. The following is a detailed description of the major pests and the appropriate management strategies that may be

employed for control. 1. Cricket Gryllotalpa spp. (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) Acheta spp. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) Symptoms Cricket attacks seedlings of all vegetables. Fully grown crickets are brown and are about 2.5 – 3.5 cm long. The various species of these insects usually live either in the soil, bushes or under decaying crop residues and vegetation. Mole crickets, which have heavily sclerotised front legs that are adapted for digging, are usually common in sandy soils (Figure 1). All crickets are nocturnal, feeding at night and secluded by day, under the soil. They feed at or slightly below the soil surface and can cause considerable damage before being discovered. Seedlings may be denuded of leaves or cut below the soil surface without any trace of insect on them. Crickets spend their entire life cycle below the soil, which may be for a period of approximately 28 -35 days. They are termed soil insects. CONTROL * Good field sanitation- rid the field of

weeds and plant residues from previous crops. * Cultural control: The areas where vegetables are grown should receive full sunlight, kept clean of weeds and all crop residues should be removed and burnt. Proper land preparation serves to control weeds, diseases, and soil insects, and also helps in the destruction of large soil clods, which act as hiding places for cricket. CHEMICAL CONTROL: • Any approved soil insecticide at the recommended rate may be applied, such as Basudin 60% E.C (Diazinon) or Vydate L 40%E.C at the rate of 10 ml to 4500 ml water, to seedbeds and cultivated cropping areas. 2. Cutworm Agrotis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Symptoms These are the caterpillars of various species of moth. They have a greasy appearance, are grey to brown with faint lighter-coloured strips, and when fully grown are usually the colour of the soil in which they live. They can be found on the soil surface, beneath leaves and under large soil clods. Cutworms are surface feeders and cut seedlings at or slightly above the soil

surface. Evidence of cutworm presence will be greenish-black excreta pellets below the seedling. Most of its lifecycle is spent below the soil which is for a period of approximately 21-28 days. CONTROL • Good field sanitation- rid the field of weeds and plant residues from previous crops. CULTURAL CONTROL: • The areas where vegetables are grown should receive full sunlight, kept clean of weeds and all crop residues should be removed and burnt. • Proper land preparation serves to control weeds, diseases, and soil insects and also helps in the destruction of large soil clods, which acts as hiding places for cutworms. CHEMICAL CONTROL: • Any approved soil insecticide at the recommended rate may be applied, such as Basudin 60% E.C (Diazinon) or Vydate L 40%E.C at the rate of 10 ml to 4500 ml water, to seedbeds and cultivated cropping areas.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, August 30, 2020

Ingredients ► 1 cup sugar •► 3 eggs ► 1-14oz can sweetened condensed milk ► 1-12oz can evaporated milk ► 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Method ■ Preheat oven to 350 degrees. ■ In a heavy bottom pot over medium low heat,

melt the sugar until it becomes a golden brown color. Do not stir, this will cause the sugar crystallize, instead move the pot in a circular motion.

■ Once the the sugar has completely liquefied pour into a 9 inch baking dish.

■ In a large bowl beat eggs. ■ Mix in condensed milk, evaporated milk and vanilla.

■ Slowly pour the mixture through a strainer and into the prepared pan with the caramel.

■ Place in 13Ã—9 baking dish and place into

oven (it is easier to pour the water while the pan is on the oven rack, this prevents spilling).

■ Pour warm water into the large baking dish

until the water is about half way up the sides of the pan with the custard.

■ Place into a preheated oven and bake for 1 hour.

■ Carefully remove from the water and allow to cool for at least 4 hours before serving.

■ To serve, invert custard onto a plate.

**Recipe adapted from Allrecipes

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT â€• Sunday, August 30, 2020