See inside: Circuitville residents working to develop squatting community
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Taking the JUMP
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27-year-old, Elizabeth Johnson (Delano Williams photo)
Patching things together ► Page
III
Single mother of four says vulcanising is her passion
‘Things looking up’ II
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Circuitville residents working to develop squatting community By Svetlana Marshall FOR MANY years the residents of ‘Circuitville’ – a squatting community situated on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway – have been dependent on a small creek and most importantly their ability to capture rainwater but life is getting tougher for residents there, particularly during the dry season. In a quest to secure one of the earth’s most precious resources, residents of Circuitville’, Yarrowkabra West, have been clearing unwanted vegetation to create a pond where water from a nearby spring can flow. It was approaching midday when the Pepperpot Magazine visited the community but Jose DeRocha and his neighbours had been out clearing the unwanted vegetation, since before the crack of dawn.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL DeRocha – a Brazilian, who has attained his Guyanese citizenship – did not say much as he was in hot pursuit of finishing his work, but Celia Dear said the struggle has been real. Dear, who moved to Circuitville 15 years ago when it was most- Jose DeRocha and other residents ly inhabited with of Circuitville, Yarrowkabra West trees, explained clearing unwanted vegetation in an that when there effort to create a pond where water is no rainfall, the from a nearby spring can flow more than 400 residents there have no other choice than to resort to a creek that falls within the parameters of the community. “It is really hard on us. No rain means that we have to fetch water from the creek, and that’s a good pull,” Dear said. The creek, located downhill, is close to a mile away from where the residents reside. Neisha McGarrell, a 37-year-old mother of three, said when the finance is available she would purchase drinking water from a canter that comes into the community but there are many days when she would have to resort to the creek for drinking water. It is also the creek that many residents use for washing and bathing. McGarrell and her family moved to Circuitville more Circuitville at a glance (Samuel Maughn photos)
explained her reason for moving to the squatting community. “I love up here. Despite we ain’t get water, I like the area, very quiet,” she added.
Neisha McGarrell collecting water from the creek at Circuitville
than two years ago after they had found it difficult to pay their house rent in the more regularised parts of the region. “Since 2005, I applied for a plot of land from Housing, and I ain’t get through yet and house rent is not an easy thing to pay, so I decided to move,” McGarrell said, as she
For 15 years Celia Dear and her family have been fetching water for domestic purposes. In this photo, she joins other women in Circuitville as they fetch containers filled with water uphill
AIMS AT DEVELOPMENT The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been making moves to supply residents there with potable water but has encountered some challenges. “Access to electricity in Circuitville, located on the Soesdyke Linden Highway, is a major determining factor for the supply of potable water to that community,” GWI Public Relations Officer (PRO) Leana Bradshaw, told the Pepperpot Magazine, while adding that the water authority is currently engaging the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) in order to secure electricity to power a water supply system in the area. In the meantime, GWI is examining the establishment of an elevated storage in order to provide residents with potable water, Bradshaw further added, noting too that it is the intention of the utility to rehabilitate an existing well in the community, from which water will be pumped to the elevated storage tank then distributed to the residents using gravity feed. “Plans are also underway for other major infrastructural works to be done in order to deliver potable water to the residents of the Circuitville community,” the PRO said. Melissa Mundo, one of the community leaders in Circuitville, told the Pepperpot Magazine that in addition to no potable water, the community lacks basic infrastructure including, no roads, no school or health care facility. But she acknowledged that the lack of these critical facilities are as a result of it being considered a squatting community. CHANGING THE STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY Over the past five years, Mundo and other community leaders have been pushing for the regularisation of Circuitville. Residents have been meeting with officers from the Lands and Surveys Commission with the hope of regularising the area. “In 2014, I went into Lands and Survey…196 of us went in and we made our first little initial payments…some of us didn’t go but I am hoping that something could be done for us,” Mundo said. Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GLSC) Commissioner, Trevor Benn told the Pepperpot Magazine that regularisation of Circuitville is a work in progress but the Commission has encountered a number of stumbling blocks that are hindering the process. Benn explained that the Commission has already conducted a survey to determine the occupancy of the area, however, persons are increasingly erecting structures making the process difficult. The GLSC Commissioner said residents need to cease all development in the area to allow for the Commission to complete its work. However, he emphasised that the Commission’s officers have commenced the groundwork. RECREATION Optimistic about Circuitville’s future, Samuel Simpson – a resident – said it is his hope to build a recreational facility in the area where the young and the old can interact. He said on the weekends the men in the community often times engage in a game of football, however, it is his hope to incorporate a volleyball court into the recreational facility to cater for the women as well. The troubles aside, Circuitville is the home to a Full Gospel Church. While residents live in the community, many of them, particularly the men, travel far afield to work while their wives remain at home and care for the children. Their children attend school in neighbouring communities such as the Yarrowkabra Primary School. Health facilities are also accessed in neighbouring communities along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
III
Patching things together
Single mother of four says vulcanising is her passion By Navendra Seoraj AS STEREOTYPICAL as it may seem, today, a majority of women are still often found behind a desk, neatly dressed and ready to type their life away on a computer. Rarely do you find a woman who is ready to dedicate her time and effort to fixing a grease-filled car or a dirty tyre as a career. Over the years, women have been at the helm of a revolution for equality and that includes filling the shoes of men by taking on similar challenges and tedious tasks, even if it means getting oil on their clothes, grease on their face and skin and a bit of dirt on their hands. One such woman is 27-year-old, Elizabeth Johnson, a vulcaniser/mechanic who spends her day working at RRT Enterprise on Regent Street, where she repairs dozens of tyres each day or even lends a hand to repair a car. Tyre vulcanisation is the process of adding new raw rubber to a damaged area of a tyre to create a repair suitable for the rest of the tyre’s road life. The single mother of four children has been in the profession for just over 10 years, not only because she loves what she does but because she has her children at heart and believes that she needs to work hard to give them a “better life”.
27-year-old, Elizabeth Johnson
she explained. While growing up, the young mother said she did not even think she would do what she does because her dream was to get a simple, but nice job that would help her to be a successful woman. THINGS WORKED OUT Although to her, the job is not exactly what she dreamt of, Keeping a smile even when things get tough (Delano Williams photos)
CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY “I started living on my own at the age of 17 and from then
Elizabeth Johnson doing what she does best
I started working at Tony’s Tyre shop in Mc Doom,” said Johnson. She admitted that she did not go to the tyre shop for a job initially but, instead, would go there to hang out with some friends who happened to be employed there. During her leisure time at the shop, she said she would look at how they would repair tyres and tubes with little or no pressure. After sitting and watching for a few months, her opportunity to try her hand eventually came when one of the employees stopped turning up to work. “Them boys said, ‘Come let we see what you could do,’
and they teach me a few things. Then, little by little, I learned the important things on my own,” said Johnson, adding that after realising that she liked the profession, she decided to stay and worked at Tony’s as a vulcaniser for nine years. Although Johnson parted ways with Tony’s she kept her knowledge of the profession close to her and now practices it at RRT. “The job pays well and as a woman, I decided to stick with the profession because I know I able with it but not every woman would be able with it. I believe I am tough because from small I used to struggle because it was me and my little brother and sometimes my mom would [not] be there for [us]”
it became something that she loves to do. Johnson said she will continue to be herself because she intends to work hard in order to ensure that her children get what they want. Despite being well at her job, Johnson believes that she could not have done it without the support and encouragement from friends and even strangers who are impressed by what she does. Even some of her co-workers are still amazed by her. They said she is one of the best employees on the job. “No matter how big the tyre is or how hard the task is, she gets the job done without a complaint or frown,” said one of Johnson’s workmates. The management and staff of RRT see her as an asset and believe that other women should take a page out of Johnson’s book. For women who might want to be a mechanic, an engineer or a technician but are afraid they would not make it, she encouraged them to be themselves, put their pride aside and just put their dream in front. A study in 2013 revealed that women made up less than two per cent of mechanics and auto technicians in the US, and only quarter of all employees in the motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment manufacturing industry were female. “Some days it will be hard and some things might be difficult to learn but just have faith, health and strength and do not let anyone down courage you or keep you back. Just do what you love,” said the young mother.
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Double the passion, double the joy – How Essequibo entrepreneur, Swetlana Mohamed balances her day job and her business By Indrawattie Natram FOUR years ago, 30-year-old Swetlana Mohamed of Lima Village on the Essequibo Coast could not imagine that she would be able to inspire young women through her own entrepreneurial ventures, but today she has no regrets and she is happy she took the advice of her dear friend who encouraged her to open her own catering business in Essequibo. Swetlana Mohamed is known for her decorative, delicious cakes throughout the length of Region Two but beyond her catering business, this woman has an interesting story to share. Her determination and positive approach to life is a perfect example for other young women to emulate; having mastered the craft of multitasking while using technology to develop her passion and earn a livelihood. Apart from her business “Aunty Otia’s Creations”, Mohamed is an Operations Technician at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Anna Regina Branch. She joined the GPL at the tender age of 17 and after undergoing an apprentice-
Swetlana Mohamed of Lima Village on the Essequibo Coast
years ago when some tenants of hers weaved their way into her heart with the birth of their baby boy, Bhaven. She said when the baby boy started to talk he could not pronounce her name correctly. “He started out with ‘Aunty’ then he added ‘Aunty
One of Swetlana’s Mickey Mouse creations
Her art which she does in her spare time
ship training programme, she was employed. But during her night shifts, Mohamed realised that she can do much more and as such would spend her past-time ‘YouTubing’- the modern-day form of learning new skills via video tutorials. Another one of her creations- a cake It was then that she grasped the skills of cake decorating, made in the form of a basket of flowers which added to the little knowledge that was shared by her mother in cake making. “I knew I just didn’t want to have one job and depend on that,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine. “I wanted to do something different and from then on I started to decorate cakes. I am happy I took that advice and encouragement from my friend. He recognised my talent and satisfaction that decorating cakes brought to me. I am better off today satisfying my customers and also giving my best as a technician.” Otia’ It was very endearing. As he grew older, every year As a hobby, she also dabbles in Art, paintings and bottle shortly before his birthday he would come to me asking what craft. At her home, she had on display various art pieces that cake I will be baking for him. It was always a joy for me to she created in her free time. surprise him and as such the business got its name,” she said. Mohamed said that the feedback from customers motivates UNVEILING HER SKILLS her to give her best in terms of her extraordinary creations. “I Mohamed said that the name for her business came a few juggle cake decoration and my job at GPL quite easily most
A birthday cake she did for little Bhaven when he turned five years old. Bhaven gave her business its name
times. At other times I have a minor struggle when I’m needed in two places at once but that’s not a regular occurrence,” she said. “I have a 48-hour work week at GPL working shifts. The rest of the time, I spend with my cakes or art.” Her favourite quote is a popular one from Meg Whitman: “Do what you love and success will follow, passion is the fuel behind a successful career.” With that, she advises young people to surround themselves with people who believe in their dreams, keep companionship with friends that motivate them and seek opportunities that expand the way they see life. Mohamed is currently doing cakes and catering based on orders and in the coming year, she plans to establish a storefront where customers can go and choose from a variety of products that will be readily available. She said the business gets challenging when she has multiple orders pointing out that it gets chaotic in the kitchen. She does all the baking and decorating by herself but also receives support from her mother who assists with tidying the kitchen. She said her parents have been her greatest support in all her endeavours and although she is divorced, she has no regrets in life.
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
V
Committed to her work Luann Nero and the joy of event-planning By Gibron Rahim ENTREPRENEURSHIP is more often than not a risky undertaking. Individuals who decide to start their own business do so without a guarantee that their time, effort and money spent will pay off in the end. Luann Nero is the owner of Aderita’s Creation - an event planning establishment which serves as a natural extension of and tribute to her family’s celebratory spirit. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that her family has always been very involved in planning and preparation when they host events at home. She noted that both her immediate and extended family display that same love for hosting events. “We are all into event planning – coordination, preparation, everything,” Luann said. She related that observing the adults in the midst of preparations while she was growing up led to her developing a passion for event planning. Luann’s interest then grew from a hobby into a business. She explained that, before she began Aderita’s Creation, numerous persons would really appreciate her and her family’s work and would often call her to handle their events as well. While Aderita’s Creation has been growing, Luann has also been maintaining her full-time career. She is currently employed as an Environmental Auditing Officer at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). Luann said that it was only a few years ago that she decided to turn her love of event planning into an official business venture. She explained that she would already keep herself occupied with creating articles, especially paper florals, in the evening hours after she returned home from work. Her work, which she would post on social media, would be well received and she would often receive orders. “That made me get more actively involved,” said Luann. Aderita’s Creation handles event planning for a variety of occasions. The businesswoman noted that they provide full catering and decorating services for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, among numerous others. “You just name it,” Luann said. This past Easter, she decorated hats and baskets for the occasion. Under Luann’s direction, Aderita’s Creation aims to deliver quality service to its customers. She is currently in the midst of preparations for a wedding that Aderita’s will be covering on the Essequibo Coast at the end of the month. “Location is not a limitation for me,” said Luann. “I can go anywhere.”
A backdrop Luann created for the 50th-anniversary celebration of her church, the Rose Hall Church of the Nazarene
Paper floral decorations and different kinds of background settings are among Luann’s specialities. She highlighted her use of upcycled bottles to create decorative pieces, explaining that she paints and applies glitter dust to design them. “I put them to good use,” she said, referring to elaborate wine bottles that would have otherwise been discarded. Luann also noted that she creates floral arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages to make her clients’ weddings as memorable and magical as they want them to be. Her decision to be more proactive in building her business required Luann to make some adjustments. Referring to her present schedule, she explained, “In the evening hours, when I come home from work, I minimise my rest time and chatting time.” She devotes her free time to make decorative pieces and other ac-
Luann (right) and Aderita’s Creation at the Women in Business Expo 2018
Luann Aderita Nero
tivities for Aderita’s Creation. “It took away some amount of leisure from me,” she said but affirmed, “I like what I’m doing.” Luann’s full-time career also allows her a fair amount of flexibility. Luann explained that sometimes she needs to be out in the field while at others she needs to be in the office. She is sure to schedule appointments around her job and noted that she has not had any issues managing both so far. If it happens that Luann’s schedule does not allow her to be present at an event, there are persons in place to whom she can delegate responsibility. “I have my mother and my sister,” she said. “They make a great team.” The shared responsibility through collaborative effort makes Luann’s balancing of the two aspects of her life easier. There are always moments that reaffirm Luann’s passion for the work she does through Aderita’s Creation. She admitted that sometimes, especially when the demand for her services is high, she considers working full-time in event planning but is then reminded of certain considerations. “I try to balance my activities,” she said. She noted that, so far, she has been able to manage all of her responsibilities. While passion is important to owning and operating a business, Luann noted that commitment is also a key aspect. Once the drive is there to accomplish a goal, she said, all that is needed is continued commitment to see results. “If you put your all into it and you work towards it, you don’t even have to wait for people to compliment you,” she said. The inner satisfaction, and sometimes amazement, of a job well done is its own praise. “You just have to commit yourself towards what you’re doing and you’ll get a love for it,” Luann emphasised. The same goes for her work as an environmental auditing officer. “I love my job, I love what I do,” she said emphatically. Luann’s advice to anyone looking to start a business is to tell the truth. “Be honest with your clients,” she said. “You be clear [and] very precise with them.” She noted that it is important, even if the client has initial doubts, to try to work along with them. “Communication is the key,” she said and related that the situation will improve from those initial tentative steps. “Things will get better.” Some of Luann’s decorated upcycled wine bottles
Taking the JUMP French World Traveller VI
By Michel Outridge
in his sleeping bag or under a tent so as not to spend money for accommodation. Then the cold, hard reality hit him and he was forced to sell his MacBook and camera to get some money to offset living expenses when he lost his job as a dishwasher.
FOR Antony d ‘Oliveira, eking out a living in the suburbs of Paris haunted him, especially since what he really wanted to do was explore the world. When he was 20 years old, the young adventurer- feeling disillusioned- decided to take the bold step and follow his dreams. Today, Antony is officially a world traveller and Guyana is the 60th country he has visited since he started five years ago. When he first started, Antony's goal was to broaden his scope as an individual and made up his mind to pick himself up and get moving.
EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME He related that his journey around the world is quite an experience having visited so many countries he got the chance to get a first-hand look at the varying cultures and lifestyles of peoples of the world over. Antony said essentially, people are all the same but are also different in their own ways; as such he believes that people should live as one
THE JOURNEY The 25-year-old Parisian first travelled to Australia where he stayed for nine months. He then made a stopover in Indonesia before returning home to France. It was then in the winter of October 2014 that he decided to fully pursue his adventure by taking his travels to the United Kingdom. And so, with no direction or plan in mind, but always this thirst for encounters, Antony picked himself up after returning from Indonesia just one month prior, and set out to see the world. Today, his travels have taken him to England, the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Japan, South Korea, Polynesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Kingdom of Tonga, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany , Denmark, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Portugal, Thailand, to quit, having exhausted his savings and pocket money. “It was with a little penny in my pocket that I decided to resume the road towards this new destination; with no knowledge or places to go, but still with this thirst for learning and to meet and live this life as if tomorrow was going to be the last," he said. "My beginnings in that country were remarkable. I found a job in Central London from the very first day I arrived and a hostel at an affordable price and made interesting connections. Over the days, this fine situation turned sour, more precisely at the end
Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Australia, India , Jammu-Kashmir, Nepal, Turkey, Georgia, Greece and Crete. Antony told the Pepperpot Magazine that over the years and through his many travels, he became aware that life was more than just a journey. THE JUMP While on the road, Antony conceptualised the idea of ‘The Jumps’- which enables him to live on the bare necessities; a concept which he labelled the ‘guinea pig of your own experience’. “The Jumps is a concept that has grown from day to day and keeps growing, enriching itself in a continual development. England 2014 (London): It was here that the Jumps were born. It was here that everything began. This trip was a huge click for me. It was the birth of this concept," Antony said. DIFFICULTIES He related that after travelling to Australia, to return to the starting place was difficult, so much so he wanted
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
of the month when my money ran out.” He told the Pepperpot Magazine at the end of the month he got himself a ‘miserable pay-cheque’ and having no more savings in his pockets he knew it would only last a few days. It was then this young man started to sleep in the streets
and not be divided. RACIAL PROFILING This traveller stated that his time around the globe has not been a ‘walk in the park’ and has had its difficulties. He admitted that as a black man travelling, he is sometimes profiled and when he is at some airports his passport is checked repeatedly and he is unnecessarily harassed. But during his travels he has met some interesting people from all walks of life; an experience he will continue to savour. “No matter how much or little you have, if you want to do something, money is no excuse since it is mind over matter and one just needs to motivate themselves to get up and make a start," he said. Despite all the travelling, this young man stated that perhaps one day he would like to have a family but for now, he will continue to get out of his comfort zone and be on the go no matter how difficult it is. Although he doesn’t have a target of how many countries he would like to visit he will continue to share his experiences through “The Jump” and enjoy the simpler things in life like sleeping out in the open. D ‘Oliveira was a participant at the recent Harmony Village at Main Street, Georgetown where he displayed his exhibition which comprised of photos of 50 countries he visited. It is through similar displays in various countries that Antony usually takes donations which he uses to provide for himself as he moves from place to place. The French man told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has composed his life travels in photos which he has on display wherever he goes and people can follow his journey on his Facebook page: Antony D'Oliviera.
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
VII
Stop complaining!
Be ‘instruments’ of change – ‘Heal Guyana’ urges
dilemma when it comes to the corrupt and inefficient leadership we complain about. Our unfortunate culture of ethnic voting over a non?partisan, merit-based approach to evaluating political performance is the single most destructive reality we have brought upon ourselves,” Lalljee-Richard said. Meanwhile, Heal Guyana, in its research so far, since its establishment in late 2017, has
By Telesha Ramnarine CRITICISING governments and policies would not be enough to effect changes to key issues affecting Guyanese; but Heal Guyana, a non-profit local organisation, wants each individual to step up and become the ‘instrument’ needed for such change. Businesswoman and Social Activist, Sharon Lalljee-Richard thought of forming the organisation along with co-founder Arun Sudesh Richard, due to deep concern over the state of Guyana’s
Arun Sudesh Richard Co-Founder Heal Guyana
Heal Guyana Founder Sharon Lalljee-Richard
“ethnopolitical vulnerabilities” and the apparent loss of will to have certain social problems addressed. Explaining what she meant by “ethnopolitical vulnerabilities,” Lalljee-Richard told the Pepperpot Magazine, in an interview, that it relates to how politics influence Guyanese, especially as it pertains to ethnic sensitivities and how these are used to cause divisions. “It is important for our people, the ordinary Guyanese citizen, to understand that they must take their rightful place in national development. In Guyana, we tend to take a very passive approach, leaving all of the major decisions in our country to the Government of the day to conceive and drive forward,” Lalljee-Richard expressed. “We are now in modern times. We must evolve as citizens to the point where we are no longer just critical of our Governments but we ourselves are willing to become instruments of the changes we need. By this, she said everyone doesn’t need to be made politicians but must become model citizens and strong advocates who insist on being served by the elected leaders and not the other way around. “This calls for a more solutions?oriented approach to the issues that affect us. As a matter of urgency, we must do away with blind political loyalty in its many forms and embrace an issues?based approach to holding our leaders accountable,” she said. NO INCENTIVE TO DO BETTER Heal Guyana promotes that any politician who realises that regardless of any wrongdoing they will continue to enjoy the benefit of acceptance by a particular ethnic group, will have “absolutely” no incentive to perform at their best and in the interest of others. “This is where, for decades, we have contributed to our own
found that Guyanese are most concerned about the issue of racial politics, along with crime and corruption as factors hindering the country’s development. Since its launch, Lalljee-Richard said a number of ‘public engagement pieces’ has been rolled out by Heal Guyana’s board of directors and wider membership. The organisation has 12 documented members and 89 volunteers. Also sitting on the board are Egbert Alexander Carter and Lawrence Lachmansingh. “We plan to continue to expand these and other efforts because we are firm believers in a more inclusive, communal approach to positive behaviour change and national development. We must start with ourselves and when each citizen is made stronger, our country and its leadership will invariably be rendered stronger. Rapid development in Guyana must be a team effort if it is to happen within our lifetime,” expressed Lalljee-Richard. EXPANDING MEMBERSHIP Heal Guyana is hoping to extend its membership systematically and to reach out to the private sector and to the citizenry for further voluntary assistance, inclusive of donations in order to continue and expand community efforts. “A hundred percent of all donations go to the projects themselves. Our directors and members are all volunteers, so no money goes toward paying salaries of officials or personal profits of any kind. As a registered, non-profit organisation, we are governed by strict levels of accountability which includes
financial audits.” Heal Guyana said it makes it a point to use the donations where they count the most. “So far, thousands of Guyanese both locally and within the diaspora have been receptive and we are determined to drive The Heal Guyana initiative forward, regardless of challenges,” Lalljee-Richard said. “We must press on towards critical thinking and put into practice a new culture of fairness, racial unity, compassion, equality, dignity, respect for our environment, non?violence, integrity and the common cultivation of wisdom within ourselves and each other in order to grow together,” she added. The organisation can be contacted at www.healguyana. org or on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
From Baracara, Berbice to Borough Hall, Brooklyn By Francis Quamina Farrier IT IS a very long distance from Baracara, Berbice, to Borough Hall, Brooklyn, New York, USA. The two communities are thousands of miles apart; one in South America, the other in North America. But that is the journey made by Vandell Park and his family over a decade ago. Vandell Park was a work colleague of
mine when we were reporters at the VCT Television Evening News, owned by Tony Vieira. We had not seen each other for a decade after he migrated to the USA. However, we spoke on the telephone from time to time. Last year, we finally met again in person; it was at the Borough Hall in downtown Brooklyn where we had a lengthy conversation about the media in
Revetment works at Baracara, Canje River (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier)
Vandell Park, formerly of Baracara, Canje, Berbice
few excerpts from that work-in-progress book, in this feature article. Here is the first: “As a boy growing up at Baracara on the Canje river, one of eight populated villages occupying the banks of the Canje river, beyond where cars and other motor vehicles can access by road, the first memory would be that of paddling in the canoe with your parents either to church or to the farm.” When on that first visit of mine to Baracara some 30 years ago, I witnessed many of the residents paddling their little canoes. On my 2016 visit, I saw an impressive in-
Residents disembark their speedboats at Baracara, Canje River (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier)
both Guyana and the USA. We also spoke of Vandell’s hometown, Baracara, which is located 50 miles up the Canje River in Region Six, Berbice, and the developments taking place there. We also discussed a book which Vandell is now writing about Baracara and his memories growing up in that distant riverine community. Baracara is actually 25 miles further down river from Magdalenenburg, where the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt, headed by Cuffy, commenced. With his permission, I will include a
crease of out-board engines powering little and not-so-little boats. It seemed like the spoils of a modern-day revolution by people who were many generations removed from slavery. In reference to the period of slavery in Berbice, Park writes in his book: “The 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion which took place at Magdelenenburg, some 75 miles up the Canje river, followed the Turn to page IX ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page VIII
US territory St. John’s Akan’s rebellion against the Danish in 1733, which can be considered the first famous major slave revolt after the modern day slavery started.” At Baracara of the 21st century, a number of projects have been undertaken; health facilities being a principal one and improved farming techniques- both crops and cattle included. With increasing river activities, especially speedboats, there arose the need for revetment works to a principal section of the river bank. That was not as successful as residents desired and the work is now a matter of debate and for correction. Two years ago, Baracara was elevated to become a National Heritage Community. There was even a visit by President David Granger who had a first-hand view of modern Baracara. As a historian, the President no doubt will enjoy reading the reminiscences of Vandell Park in his book: “There is nothing as beautiful as paddling up or down the river early in the morning and as the sun rises you can witness the mist rising from the water invitingly, tan-
talising your curiosity to find out where it’s coming from.” I have not as yet had that “Morning has broken” experience on the Canje River. However, returning to New Amsterdam from Baracara as the sun is setting, one can enjoy the sight of birds, especially the Canje Peasant, Guyana’s National Bird, winging their way back to their roosting areas. The many sights and sounds of Baracara still linger in the mind of Vandell Park as he writes his book about his hometown, while so many miles away in Brooklyn. “My wish for the people of Baracara is for the Government to pay an expert in agriculture to live at Baracara for about one year, showing and teaching the people how to farm commercially so they can make money and develop themselves,” Park told the Pepperpot Magazine. He is also of the view that, “Teaching the people how to be financially responsible and what they can do to become thrifty, will be a remarkable investment in both the human and natural resources of the Canje River.”
Residents in their speedboats in the Canje River, at Baracara (Photo by Francis Quamina Farrier)
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Occupational health and safety Even more crucial with oil production on the horizon
By Gibron Rahim OCCUPATIONAL health and safety is everybody’s business. This April, even as we observe Occupational Health and Safety Month, it is important to remember the importance of safeguarding the safety, health and welfare of workers. The principles of occupational health and safety become even more vital given that Guyana will soon become an oil producing nation. The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Michael
Williams who is Founder and President of Safergy Solutions. The firm offers emergency and safety management training and consultancy to companies in the oil and gas and other natural resources industries. “Occupational health and safety is vital for every employee,” said Williams, noting that it is also vital for every member of society. He explained that occupational health and safety does not begin in the workplace but rather, in the home. Older members of a household he said act as “safety officers”, enforcing safety principles that children learn as they are growing
Michael Williams, President and Founder of Safergy Solutions (Photo courtesy of Michael Williams)
up. “If we are unsafe in our practices then we will continue to have ill health and fatalities and the rest of it,” he related. Williams noted the importance of having the correct safety equipment for the correct job. “It is the right thing to do,” he said, “to maintain the duty of care, due diligence and compliance with regards to safety.” As an example, he explained the danger of a worker who is required to wear hearing protection of a particular specification failing to do so, either due to personal or their employer’s lack of due diligence. Over time, that skilled worker may become deaf due to the lack of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The correct safety equipment, he said, is critical for work and even in the home. Turn to page XIX ►►►
Unleashing a new talent
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
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Former Guyana Chronicle employee, Andrea Wilson’s remarkable transformation By Wendella Davidson AT AGE 16, a willowy Andrea Wilson, just out of high school started working at the Guyana Chronicle in the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department and was the first and lone female there. By the time she resigned a couple years later to search for greener pastures overseas,
she was already a force to be reckoned with in the area of graphic designing. Andrea subsequently made the British Virgin Islands (BVI) her second home where she, in addition to stamping her name as a talented graphic designer, is a photographer, a television producer and does advertising as well. She has also been creating ripples and raising eyebrows in the field of fashion designing. Just recently, Andrea showcased her designs in California, United States, where she was credited with rhapsodic reviews. She is excited to return
fulltime multimedia day job, undergo such a transformation and become so successful in an area where many are still struggling to hit the limelight? In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Andrea disclosed that she grew up with a fashionista mother and a grandmother who was a teacher and seamstress. “I used to Former Guyana Chronicle watch my mother graphic artist, now based dress for funcin the British Virgin tions, whether it Islands, joins America’s was an elaborate next US top model, African inspired Niama Mora on the runway as they look or a casual showcase `The Islander statement for dinSwim Collection’ during a ner with friends. show in Tortola She always looked amazing home and and even today her style is on point,” Andrea listed among her 2018 said. “On the other side, my grandmother project is the launch of was incredible on the sewing machine. No an activewear line in design was too difficult for her. Simply put, Guyana. the women in my family are bold.” But how did this So, for her, moving from being a graphic svelte Guyanese girl, artist to a fashion designer was a natural who still holds her step. “All I needed was the right inspiration and that creative jolt came in 2016 after a sailing trip around the British Virgin Islands. I had spent 16 years living on these amazing islands and wanted to add my own creative flair to the promotion of the territory and the Caribbean. I created a swimwear line — The Islander Swim Collection - using original prints of breathing scenes from around the Virgin Islands,” she said. According to Andrea, every piece of garment she produces “tells the story of these lovely islands, from The Anegada Bliss to Josiah’s Bay Surf’s Up Collection.” The Beach Collection, she assured is for everyone. “ Whether you are an avid surfer, a fun-loving teenager, a fashionista on the go or a mom who loves sailing. It’s fun, stylish and every piece makes a Virgin Islands statement,” she said. “My beachwear, which ranges from the men’s rash guards to women’s beach shorts, figure-flattering one-pieces to bold mix and match twopiece swimwear, come in all sizes and are from small to large and fits every body type effortlessly.” But indelibly etched in Andrea’s memory was “That moment... when America’s next top model, Naima Mora, signed on as the face of the collection. “I reached out, she loved the pieces and flew to the Virgin Islands for an October 2016 launch and photo shoot. That girl is a America’s next top sweetheart. She has since walked in all my model, Naima Mora shows, including the March 2018, Orange
County Fashion Week in the United States,” said Andrea, as she reminded that her designing is “definitely not a side gig. It’s my passion.” THE PROCESS Asked about her thoughts when putting together her pieces, Andrea said “I design pieces that I would proudly wear, and I do rock my swimsuits, [and I also create] pieces my mother and sister would love. Basically, I think of my family and friends when a new design pops into my head because they represent a wide cross-section of my clientele. I have beach crazy, conservative, tall, short, skinny, shapely relatives and friends and, trust me, they are not afraid to say, ‘I don’t like it.’” As for whether she had any formal training in fashion designing, Andrea reminded that she is a trained graphic artist and has two decades of work, under her belt for clients in the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. “When I am in my zone, especially around 02:00 hrs, I sketch dozens of designs and each is reviewed by a small absolutely unique team, then they are sent outside the Virgin Islands for production,” she disclosed. The March 2018 Orange County Fashion Week was an inaugural display for The Islander Swim Collection in the United States and according to Andrea, “It was absolutely fabulous. The reviews and interest made me forget all my struggles over the last few years, especially the deadly 2017 hurricane season.” She is ever grateful to Kathy Marino, and the organisers of OC Fashion Week, Luther Butler of Travelwize Agency and the team at Jahphix for their support. Andrea’s line was officially launched at the Miss British Virgin Islands Tourism Pageant in October 2016. “I have always wanted to create a line with a strong message; a collection that is Caribbean bold, reflecting the beauty and my deep love for these amazing islands while at the same time inspiring clients to think of ways they can help protect and preserve the magnificent Virgin Islands and wider Caribbean,” she said. She has also attended the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative Regional Workshop in Jamaica. So what’s next in the kitty for the up and coming, BVI-based Guyanese young designer and mother of two adorable sons? Andrea said, she will continue to work focusing on creating new design and fulfill her dream of showcasing her work in her homeland. “I am thankful for every opportunity. The feedback has so far been amazing and I am now more energised to create new looks for 2018,” she added. Among the many accolades, she has received include, the Best Designer Award at the 8th Annual Fashionista held in the United States Virgin Islands, an award sponsored by The Rare Fashion Magazine out of the United States. Meanwhile,The Islander Swimwear Collection is scheduled to be featured in an upcoming edition. Andrea was also recognised by the Unite BVI Foundation at the July Summer Sizzle Turn to page XIII ►►►
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Fruitful satisfaction Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
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The daily job of local fruit vendors By Shirley Thomas
systematic and sustained way and he must have assured customers since fruits are perishable. And so he began exploring the options. In order to catch an East Coast Demerara bus to get home, or having to go to the General Post Office or Medicare Pharmacy, Royston invariably found himself in the vicinity of Robb and Hinck Street – an area, which though not overcrowded, seemed always abuzz,
IT WAS out of necessity that Royston Jackson, an Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, youth made a decision to start selling fruits and to eke out an honest living. But today, having been in the business for about seven years, and eventually targeting and satisfying the needs of people whose wellbeing and sometimes very existence depends on the regular intake of particular fruits and vegetables, Jackson asserts: “It gives me a degree of satisfaction.” Growing up, Royston had needs which he could not expect his parents to continue providing indefinitely. Fruit vendor Phillipa Braithwaite, Moreover, Ann’s Grove the pineapple and the lemon – both is a place where there are with amazing health benefits and for little employment opporwhich there is great demand locally tunities for young people. “All I was concerned with was being able to earn an honest living and be independent and so I got on board with selling fruits that were accessible in the countryside,” he told the Pepperpot Magazine. But having started out as an itinerant vendor (walking and selling) with no fixed base from which to operate, he was faced with challenges – especially walking around in the hot sunshine or hustling to shelter from getting wet whenever it but yet, seemed to be a rained. safe environment for fruit Royston Jackson (at left) “I walked selling around Bourda Market, Stabroek Mar- vending. selling a customer ket, down Regent Street, Water Street- you name it,” he said. And blessed with the But again there were challenges - he had to contend with ability to strategise and competition from fruit vendors operating from fixed spots in think outside the box, he those same areas. “And whilst I got sales, it was not steady, reasoned that the prospects should be good for plying his but up and down and I needed something better,” the young trade. Full of confidence, he decided to give it a try and man told the Sunday Pepperpot. was lucky to secure a vending spot on the pavement – snug, sheltered from the elements and just outside of Medicare A DIFFERENT STRATEGY Pharmacy, frequented by health-conscious people and people By the time Royston was 25, he started reasoning that who understand the importance of fruits as amazing sources in order to earn his daily bread from fruit vending it would of vitamins and minerals. have to be on a bigger scale. It would have to be done in a “Being involved in the fruit selling business, over time ◄◄◄ From page XI
for promoting conservation of the environment through her designs and her collection was worn by the delegates of the 2017 Miss BVI pageant for the swimwear section; her Absolutely Unique Islander Resort BLUE
SPIRIT Collection was launched at the 2017 Summer Sizzle BVI on the main island of Tortola with the first showing of her THINK statement dress made, with an original print featuring the territory’s stunning flora and fauna, worn by model Naima Mora. Why BLUE SPIRIT? –Andrea says
I’ve come to realise that there are people who buy fruits depending on what their mind give them, while there are others who consciously go out in search of fruits and vegetables because they understand the importance of such fruits and many have healing properties,” he said. And so, Royston has employed a strategy which sees him placing emphasis on the sale of fruits that are known to be high in healing properties, and not readily available on other fruit stands. BENEFITS OF FRUITS Fruits should not only be eaten because they are attractive and delicious but for health considerations. Rich in vitamins A and C, plus folate and other essential nutrients, they may help prevent heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer and guard against vision loss. Therefore Royston is targeting essentially people who understand the true value of what he has on sale and who would consciously come in search of his fruits. ESTABLISHING HIMSELF Royston got going, operating from his new spot and on a much larger scale than he previously did while ‘walking and selling’. And from then on, he says, there has never been a dull moment. He is now sourcing his stocks from wholesalers who bring and offload their produce on the Stabroek Wharf. And these stocks he says, come from as far as Essequibo, Berbice, Parika, Linden, Essequibo, Laluni and elsewhere. “In fact, with the business being so demanding, I have to literally leave my home around 3:30 hrs every morning,
“the indomitable spirit of the ocean seduces you, you stand before that body of water that brings us together and you know you are a small part of something amazing. The Islander BLUE SPIRIT Resort Collection celebrates the wonders of the ocean. They say small ripples can
Turn to page XV ►►►
create big waves. For me, it is more than fashion. I am proud to add my efforts to the promotion of conservation and sustainability of the Caribbean. These islands have inspired my designs and I want them to be an inspiration for future generations. That can only happen if we act now.” ing Models rock gns Andrea’s desi
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Coconut waste – valuable soil amendment IN GUYANA, coconut palms are usually grown to produce water, oil and pointer brooms. The other parts of the palm and nut, though useful, are often times discarded. These valuable ‘wastes’ add to the country’s waste management challenge as well as greenhouse gas
emissions. Some of this waste, specifically coco-peat, the dust within the coconut husk can be converted and used as a form of growing medium so as to enhance the development of the rooting structure of coconut seedlings.
The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is currently conducting a comparative study of coconut seedling root development using coco-peat with the growth medium. This study aims to compare and assess the effects of using coco-peat as a form of growing medium for the germination of coconut seedlings with specific emphasis on the impact on root development. According to Dr Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NAREI, “The idea is to utilise coconut waste as a soil amendment…So far, the germination of the nuts using the peat is close to 90 per cent…This is significantly higher than the potting mixtures currently used, which is about 75 per cent... Further, there is even more germination done...There is also no need to water as often…I believe this substrate retains moisture and provides the ideal conditions for germination.” Dr Homenauth related that to conduct the research coco-peat was obtained from the Pomeroon area and various chemical and physical analyses were conducted. Soil samples of the control experiment were analysed to establish a baseline for an experiment. The seedlings were sown in separate experimental pots and monitored during the germination period, after which data regarding germination time, root length and the number of roots will be collected and analysed. This experiment is being conducted at the Hope Coconut Nursery by Research Assistant, Lalita Gopaul and is being supervised by Bibi Nariefa Abrahim with guidance from Dr Homenuath. Three growing media being used to set the coconuts for this experiment are (1) coco-peat mixed with soil at a 1:2 ratio, (2) soil only and (3) the medium currently used by the Hope Coconut Nursey (rice husk mixed with black sand). The experiment is arranged in a completely randomised design with three replicates per treatment. 3 Treatments × 15 Replications = 45 Coconut Seedlings Even though the initial stages of this experiment shows that cocopeat is a good soil amendment, the institute will await results before introducing it fully into the farming communities. Thus far, some farmers are using coco-peat on trial on their farms. Debbie Argyle, is a farmer operating at Supply, Region Four. She has partnered with NAREI to establish a demonstration plot for growing onions using coco-peat on her farm.
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page XIII
religiously – except Sunday, and head for the Stabroek wharf to buy fruits. It is challenging. I hardly get sleep at nights, but being a father of three, I constantly remind myself that, ‘Whatever is worth having, is worth working for’,” Jackson now 32, said with an air of satisfaction and conviction. WORTHWHILE SACRIFICE Meanwhile, also sharing a similar experience and success story is Phillipa Braithwaite, who lives at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and every day of the working week she travels to the same point of business outside Medicare Pharmacy. Braithwaite has been in the business for about the last five years and has no regrets. “It would be exciting, but challenging,” the mother of four says. “Exciting when you can make selfless sacrifice and watch your effort (business) grow. Particularly exciting too, are the days when senior citizens would come to the GPO to uplift their pension and come cross to purchase their supplies of fruits. Braithwaite however, said that the job could be challenging when you have to virtually walk a tight rope while being on the lookout for damaged or sub-standard or ‘touched fruits’ as we say.” The woman said that there are times when wholesalers attempt to get away with delivering fruits with insect bites and other forms of abrasions. “My plea to wholesalers would be: ‘For heaven’s sake, give us good produce because the money we pay you is good money.’”
Fruits on display at Royston Jackson’s fruit stand on Hincks Street
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
END PLASTIC POLLUTION
TECHNOLOGICAL advances have been moving at an increasingly rapid rate in the 20th and 21st centuries. Most advances, like for instance, pharmaceuticals, have after-effects which are sometimes only perceived after the damage has been done. An example of the after-effects of a very useful pharmaceutical: When aspirin was discovered in the 19th century, it was regarded as a wonder drug and new uses of it were found as time went on. Then, it was much later discovered that it could cause kidney and stomach damage. Plastics have been one of the great discoveries of the modern world. Plastics, as we know it, became ubiquitous only about 60
or 70 years ago and during that time, its use has grown at a phenomenal rate. It is used in clothing, not merely in raincoats, but as a substitute for cloth. Its use in the restaurant and catering industries is universal and it has largely replaced porcelain, chinaware and even glassware. And its use in industry and product design has been overwhelming. For example, in the motorcar and other engines, plastic parts are replacing metal parts and today it is rare to find a home refrigerator which is made purely of metal as had been the case merely 20 years ago. Indeed, all refrigerators on sale in Guyana have plastic bodies. There is no doubt that plastics have been
of great value and benefit to human beings. It has made products in common use more affordable and more convenient and has given greater ease of existence. But like the pharmaceuticals, its use also has negative after-effects, some of which were unforseen until they began to unfold with the effluxion of time. Human beings have so far created more than six billion tons of plastic waste, and in just 25 to 30 years from now, that amount will double. About 80 percent of this waste is deposited in landfills. Plastics do not disintegrate like paper and be integrated into the land and if plastics are burned, the fumes are toxic. In other words, plastic waste presents an environmental problem of immense magnitude. As plastics break down into micro-fragments, it can be ingested into the human body where it can build up in the bodies of organisms, can disrupt human hormones and cause many life-threatening diseases. It is also a danger to marine life since sea-birds, turtles and even fish become entangled with plastic bags and other plastic debris, become immobilised and die. Or very often, these marine creatures mistake plastic waste for food and when they ingest it, it causes internal blockages or destroys their digestive systems causing them a slow and painful death. Guyana’s rare turtles have been so affected. There are numerous other ways in which plastic waste negatively affect the quality of life: When plastic containers are thrown into the fields or open country, they accumulate water and serve as breeding grounds for malaria and other types of mosquitoes. Or when such waste is thrown into the canals and trenches, they block the drainage system causing floods. Today, the world has now become conscious of the dangers of plastic pollution and
people everywhere are trying to deal with it. The United Nations has declared April 22, each year as Mother Earth Day when the world is alerted as to the dangers of pollution facing human beings and indeed all animals. The theme of Mother Earth Day this year is appropriate, “End Plastic Pollution”. We should remind ourselves that ancient Man had great reverence for Mother Earth which was always deified. This wisdom of the ancients is only now being re-discovered. The theme “End Plastic Pollution” is supported by a number of suggestions which have been put forward by the United Nations, governmental personnel and NGO’s worldwide. Such suggestions would include joining, innovating and supporting educational activities propagating the dangers of plastic pollution. In Guyana, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is at the forefront of such educational activities. Such activities would help to let the Guyanese public learn to reject the use of plastics, or to reduce their use, or to reuse and recycle plastics. In this process of reducing or reusing plastics, citizens could take a number of simple actions: When one goes shopping, take one’s own reusable bag or ask for cardboard boxes or paper bags, politely rejecting the use of plastic bags. Use reusable bottles for water or reusable cups for drinks, avoiding the disposable bottles and cups. Individuals or members of groups can demand that corporations, which are responsible for producing or distributing goods which may add to plastic pollution, clean up such pollution. As citizens, or as members of groups, call upon Central and Local Government authorities to tighten or institute regulations to deal with plastic pollution.
FILES E S A C URT O C Doctor practised medicine for reward Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Magistrate convicted medico; conviction affirmed by Full Court IN 1967, a detective inspector used a police trap involving 3 decoys to trap a medical doctor who was practising medicine in a district for gain or reward. Following evidence a magistrate convicted the doctor who appealed. Conviction was affirmed by the Full Court. Doctor Doobay further appealed to the Criminal Appellate Court and lost. As a result of a police trap, three decoys went on three consecutive days viz, 4th , 5th and 6th January, 1966, to the home of the appellant who examined them, administered injections and supplied tablets for which services he was paid. He was later charged under Sec. 34 (1) of the Colonial Medical Service Ordinance, Cap. 134, for “practising medicine between the 4th and 6th January, 1966, in a medical district in which a duly registered medical practitioner resided, for gain or reward, on three different persons by administering injections and supplying tablets after examining them.” The Magistrate held that the appellant had ‘practised medicine ‘within the meaning of the section charged since the examinations, diagnosis and prescriptions done by him were acts in imitation of the professional practice of medicine and that they were against the law and fell within the ambit of the Full Court’s decision, in Matthews v Hinds (1941) L.R.B.G. 24., in which it was held that one instance alone was insufficient to constitute the practice of medicine. On appeal against his conviction and fine of $100 it was argued that (1) the complaint was bad for duplicity in that it was alleged that; (a) the appellant had practised medicine “ between the 4th and 6th January 1966 “ and; (b) he had done so for “gain or reward”; (2) there has been no allegation by the prosecution that the appellant had practised medicine whilst not being duly registered, and; (3) there was no evidence to show that a duly registered medical practitioner resided in the medical district alleged, i.e. Georgetown. Chief Justice Bollers delivering the reasons for the decision said that: (1) the Magistrate was correct in his finding that the appellant had practised medicine within the meaning of Sec. 34 (1) of Cap. 134, and that the charge was not bad for duplicity since the prosecution could have properly prefer in one information or complaint that several acts committed at different times of one day or dates between any two dates, each of which constitutes a separate offence, but only so long as they relate to an offence of a continuous nature or are demonstrative of a course of conduct manifesting one transaction. Here, the offence charged was the unauthorised practice of medicine for gain or reward on three consecutive days and the practice of medicine must necessarily be a continuous act, habit and repetition being of its essence: (ii) it is a misconception that it is incumbent upon the prosecution to allege that the appellant is not registered under the Ordinance. Since this is a fact peculiarly within the knowledge of the appellant, it is an exemptive provision under Sec. 8 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Ordinance, Cap.15 and no proof in relation to it is required from the prosecution. All they need is to allege that the appellant ‘practised medicine‘ for gain or reward in a medical district in which a registered medical practitioner resides and an evidential burden would then be cast upon the appellant, to be discharged on the mere balance of probabilities, that he was duly registered under the Ordinance , and (iii) the evidence of Dr. Sankar together with the wording of the applicable
subsidiary legislation was sufficient to prove this ingredient of the charge. Appeal dismissed - conviction and sentence affirmed. Editorial Note:- The appellant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Appeal No. 56 of 1967) was dismissed by that Court (Stoby, C.. Khan, C.J. (Ag.) and Cummings, J.A.) on 20th September 1967. R. H. McKay for appellant W. G. Persaud Acting Crown Counsel, for respondent Cases referred to:1) Matthews v. Hinds (1941) L.R.B.G. 24(F.C.). BOLLERS, C.J.: We upheld the conviction and sentence and dismissed this appeal for the following reasons: The charge which was laid contrary to s. 34 (1) of the Colonial Medical Service Ordinance, Cap.134 reads as fol-
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By George Barclay
lows: No one shall for gain or reward at any time practise, or hold himself out, whether directly or by implication, as practising or entitled to practise medicine of surgery in any medical district of the colony in which a duly registered medical practitioner resides unless he is registered under this ordinance. The substance of the particulars is that on three consecutive days, namely, the 4th, 5th and 6th January, 1966. The appellant in a medical district in which a duly registered medical practitioner resided practised medicine for gain or reward on three different persons by administering injections and supplying tablets after examining them. After hearing evidence in April and May, 1966, the learned Magistrate found the appellant guilty and convicted him and imposed a fine of $100.
folklore
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YOUR MOVE IT WAS a sad day for the Pilgrim family when Dexter had to bury his eldest son. The 17-year-old had died of malaria after contracting it on a visit to Dexter’s parents who lived in the interior of the
country. The father was devastated. He loved all four of his children but Kevin held a special place in his heart because he was the firstborn. The family mourned for weeks after but
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
By Neil Primus
Dexter took the death very hard. He became depressed and angry. He lost interest in everything and everyone. He soon lost his job. Dexter missed Kevin not only because he was the firstborn but because they were best friends. Every day for at least half an hour, the two crossed swords over the chess board. They were both very competitive and the game sometimes lasted for days. None of the other children showed the least interest in chess. The board sat there on the small circular glass table just as it had been the last time the two met. Kevin was winning at that point. Now Dexter would come home intoxicated and sit and play all by himself pretending that his son was sitting across from him. He was lost in his own sorrow and the family felt left out. As time progressed, he stopped this, then, things seem to be taking a strange turn. In the evening when he got home he would find the game set up as if a game was in progress. This perked him up because he felt that the others were showing an interest in chess at last. When he asked about it they all denied using the game. They never liked chess and did not intend to start now. He packed the game away, angry that someone was treading
on his sacred ground. The next night, he got home the game was set up again. This time he hid it in his locked desk drawer. The next night it was back. He accused the other children of interfering with the game. They all swore that they never did. In frustration, he threw it into the garbage. The very next night it was back in place. That was when the obvious hit him. He pondered on these strange events and tried to figure out his next move. Dexter could not bring himself to destroy the game. He decided to seek some advice. A friend introduced him to Pandit Sharma. After he had explained all that took place the Pandit asked to be allowed to visit the home. When the holy man arrived, Dexter showed him around. He was especially interested in the chess game. After the humming of Mantras, a blessing and the use of some strong incense, the man sat him down and explained. “Your son’s spirit is still lingering here.” “Why? Is something wrong?” “I’m afraid so.” “What is it? Tell me and I’ll fix it immediately!” “The problem is you, Dexter.” Turn to page XX ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018 ◄◄◄ From page X
BREAKING IT DOWN There is more to occupational health and safety than accessing and using the correct safety equipment, however. Williams explained that there are two indicators of occupational health and safety that always need to be observed – leading indicators and lagging indicators. He related that these two indicators reveal a company’s safety performance. Leading indicators are proactive measures of maintaining a safe work environment and include inspections and training while lagging indicators tell how many workers were injured given numerous factors. Occupational health and safety goals are geared toward improving safety performance and minimising injury through proactive measures. OIL AND GAS Given that Guyana will be producing oil as early as 2020, occupational health and safety will become of even greater importance. There are some considerations that Williams noted can potentially hinder Guyana’s efforts to improve its occupational health and safety to meet international standards. He related that one of these is our culture with regard to safety. “The culture of safety in Guyana is in its embryonic stage,” he said. He elaborated that our safety culture is growing but it is still at a very early stage. Williams pointed out that oil and gas is a high-risk industry. “What Guyana needs to do is to have a human resource pool that is trained and certified with regards to, not only safety, but,the environment as well with a zero harm approach,” Williams recommended. He explained that a zero harm approach indicates no harm to self, fellow employees, company property and the environment. A trained and certified Guyanese human resource pool will be able to access to employment opportunities. Williams noted that Guyanese are currently going to Suriname and Trinidad to be certified to work in oil and gas. He indicated that there is a need for the University of Guyana through the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) to offer occupational health and safety courses. He also related that there is a whole range of certifying subject areas that are not included in occupational health and safety apart from the law and compliance. “If we are not properly trained and certified, we will not be able to meet the job market requirements for employment.” UNDERSTANDING OHS Also speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine was Latoya Jack, co-founder and CEO of Kronoco Safety Solutions which she runs together with fellow co-founder Darrel Gilkes. The company offers occupational health, safety, environment and quality solutions to clients across all sectors of Guyana. Jack noted that it is only through considering the potential impacts of not having proper workplace safety standards and guidelines for work that we can truly understand the significance of occupational health and safety. “There are measurable consequences to our actions when we do not take safety on the job site seriously,” she said. She questioned the validity of the underlying belief in our society that occupational health and safety does not impact the individual. “The truth is, it impacts all of us equally in a way that we most times fail to realise,” Jack related. She noted that an injury to a single member of the family affects the entire family unit. While compensation from insurance may partially act to cushion the personal impact of injury, Jack explained that this then creates a burden on society and the state. Citing statistics collected by the International Labour Organisation(ILO), she said that the cost to the individual and society almost always outweighs the cost to the employer. “A clear understanding of this fact can help us to make better decisions about the way we get the job done,” she stated. The consequences of poor preventative health and safety measures, Jack noted include loss of productive time, loss of limbs or physical damage, vehicle and equipment/tools damage or fatality. She related that workers in agriculture, mining, forestry and construction are most at risk for injury from poor safety, health, and environmental conditions. Jack explained that PPEs must not only be capable of protecting against known hazards in the work environment. It is also important to ensure that the equipment chosen does not itself pose a risk due to incorrect fit, poor condition or incorrect levels of protection, she said. As an example, she related that there are long-term consequences of wearing boots with a steel toe cap as compared to regular boots or boots with a composite toe cap. “Similarly, regarding respiratory health, inhaling toxic chemicals and particles can have a significant impact on your health as you age,” Jack said. “Getting the right level of protection is crucial to preventing injury even after the job is complete.” THE NEED FOR TRAINING Training is essential, Jack explained, to being able to identify hazards, putting preventative measures in place and selecting the appropriate protective equipment for the task at hand. She related, “While there are some hazards that are obvious, it is usually the ones that are not so easily identifiable that have the potential for the most impact.”
Latoya Jack, CEO and Co-Founder of Kronoco Safety Solutions (Photo courtesy of Latoya Jack)
XIX Training, basic awareness and understanding of the responsibilities of both employers and employees can make the difference between personal loss and loss time, injury and even fatality, she said. “Training increases the ability to easily identify the hazards and can adequately aid in the protection of the individual and equipment.” Jack echoed Williams’ sentiments on the high health and safety risks associated with the oil and gas industry. “It is incumbent upon individuals working in and around the sector to be aware of these dangers,” Jack made clear. Use of the appropriate equipment she said is critical, as is ensuring that individuals working in those sectors are well trained to safeguard the wellbeing of all involved. “Understanding that oil and gas require full compliance with safety has a direct impact on how we can relate, do business with and support that industry,” Jack emphasised. She also noted the importance of creating and implementing legislation that will place us in a position to support the industry. Overall, “If we are not operating with a safety-first mentality then we will lose the opportunity to partake and reap the full benefit of being an oil producing nation.”
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
◄◄◄ From page XVIII
The mourning father sat there in complete bewilderment. How could he be the problem? Tears flowed down his astonished face. “You have not let him go. You are still holding onto him. He cannot go into the light because he loves you.” “Bu…Bu….But……” “He’s been trying to connect with you through the chess game.” Dexter was floored. He did not expect to hear any such thing. As far as he was concerned, some kind of Jumbie was at work, not his Kevin. He could not think of his son in such terms. “Don’t get rid of the game. Try to encourage the other kids to play. Tell them that Kevin still lingers. He does not want them
to forget about him or chess,” the Pandit advised, It worked. When the kids were told about this by the Pandit, they promised to start playing. Only the youngest girl really showed enough interest. Pretty soon, she and Dexter were keen rivals. The father stopped drinking and got a job. He began to show renewed interest in his family. The house became a home once again. Dexter had a strange but beautiful dream. Kevin was a short distance off and waving goodbye to him. His son was smiling happily. The father tried to follow him but the boy very sternly warned. “STOP! You cannot come with me! I love you, dad. Goodbye.” Then he was gone. Dexter awoke to feel a new peace within himself. Things were okay ever since.
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
THE SILKCOTTON TREE THAT ‘BLED’ By Abdool A. Aziz
IT WAS the only silk-cotton tree on the entire West Coast of Demerara and it was nearly a century old. It was colossal in the structure. Giant roots stared at you. Its huge trunk was like an obelisk with branches forming a canopy of shade and we love when she bows her cotton on the house-top, the yards and the roadway. It looks like snow-flakes, it was our landmark and we treasured her. But in 1949, the Ministry of Works decided the tree must go to clear the way for a road project. We protested but the heavy-duty bull-dozer came anyway. That morning we looked on sadly as the machine slammed her massive steel blades into the root. Her blade broke, the machine stalled. The root oozed a red substance. “See, I tell you,” blurted an octogenarian. “Tha tree got spirits, dey can’t bring it down.” Was it blood? No one dared to find out. That ill-fated bulldozer is still immobile 25 years old later, rusting and covered in weeds. It was rumoured that the operator died mysteriously. ‘BLASTERS’ FROM THE QUARRY The Ministry was not scared off. They were not superstitious. So they brought down men from the Makouria Quarry to blast her away. They bravely laid their cables and dynamites much to the disdain of the villagers. Again the police cordoned off the area. We were downtrodden. She would be blown sky-high. The nearby houses were abandoned for safety and all held their breath as the squatty operator went to the deadly plunger. He stood boldly and shouted. “Take a good look. Soon she will be gone. She can damage a bulldozer but not me. It blow up mountains and ah ain’t scared of jumbees. They better run out. Stand by to pick up the pieces!” He giggled as he bent placing his wicked hand on the plunger. A pall of sadness hovered over us. He pressed down on the instrument. There was a blast alright but it was not the dynamite. It was the plunger blowing up in the operator’s face. A sigh of relief for all. We cheered! The injured man, blood streaming down his face, was rushed to the hospital. He died subsequently. Another life taken by the spirit? LONGEVITY The authorities abandoned plans to destroy the tree. Instead they had a detour done similar to the one at Mahaica highway and that tree continued to blow her cotton for another decade. Old age brought her down. Past midnight there was a loud crash. We rushed outside to see the huge trunk on the roadway and her branches were scattered everywhere. So brittle, all in pieces. I picked a few cotton balls. I also dug out a dynamite and kept it as a trophy. Her gigantic root was still visible and my friend and I would play on it and around it. Whether the spirits were there or not we were not afraid. It took days to clear away the debris. Man and machine failed before the power of nature or was the supernatural at work? That rusting TD 18 bulldozer is a reminder of the limitation of man against nature and the unseen. Silk cotton trees are a mystery. Man has never succeeded to bring one down. A great void is left in our village. Our unique landmark is gone forever. So Sad!
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
#SupportCreativity
By Subraj Singh
‘A Quiet Place’ and the Horror of Silence “A QUIET Place” offers us to a rare innovative horror movie, swarming with monsters and full of heart. Strange monsters, fast and deadly, roam a rural area in the US. The monsters are blind and hunt by sound, using their complex system of hearing to pick up the smallest of sounds. The family at the centre of the story uses sign-language to communicate and, therefore, manage to survive
longer than many others. Yet, despite all of these references to sound, sound itself is not the most terrifying aspect of “A Quiet Place.” Silence, the lack of sound for broad stretches of time, and the horror – alive and throbbing with hunger – that exists in that silence are the elements that are used to create the moments of sublime tension that are found at several crucial junctions throughout the
“A Quiet Place – written by Bryan Woods, Scott Beck, John Krasinski; directed by John Krasinski; Paramount Pictures, 2018”
film. It is alarming that so many of us have now recognised the power of silence so late in the timeline of cinema, but, perhaps, this should not be surprising, because if darkness is to sight, then silence is definitely to hearing, and, at our core, we’re all scared of the dark, aren’t we? There have been countless horror films that have used silence (in conjunction with sound) to give us many memorable scares throughout the years. Think of the pause before the jump-scare sound that plays before the ghost emerges, or the silence that circles the heroine in the forest just before we hear the growl of the monster. These are moments in which silence is used to create fear, and they are techniques that have been used in countless movies. What sets “A Quiet Place” from other horror movies is its extensive use of silence as the major device, and without relegating it to the secondary position as a mere helper to the device of sound. In “A Quiet Place”, silence stands on its own and is a force that exists and operates as powerfully as the explosion of a meteor or the roar of a dragon. Apart from its excellent use of silence, the film does use sound to a lesser degree, exploiting it to ramp up tension and to create the chilly, dark atmosphere that was required for the film. Undoubtedly, the best thing about the movie, apart from its creativity with silence and sound, is the cast of the four actors who form the family unity. Noah Jupe plays the youngest child of the family and he is an actor so expressive that he brings to mind a young Dakota Fanning, imparting much with his eyes and appearing to be so engrossed in whatever he is acting out that it is sometimes possible to forget that what is flashing on the screen is only fiction and he is not actually a little boy trying to escape monsters and save his family, while being unable to make a single sound. He is a remarkable child. Equally good is Millicent Simmonds, a deaf actress who Turn to page XXXVI ►►►
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
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Immunising against the Dutch disease FROM the onset of the first massive oil discovery in 2015, Guyana has been alerted lest it succumbs to the infamous Dutch Disease- the resource curse that enables development in one sector at the expense of others. The disease seems pervasive and many oil-rich countries around the world have succumbed to it as a result. Take Venezuela for example, close to home. Just a few years ago, Venezuela was the richest economy in South America. In the 1990s it was actually deemed as the ‘powerhouse’ of South America and it was proven to have the largest reserves of crude oil. But everything changed in 2014 when the global price of oil crashed. This was because Venezuela depended heavily on its oil, its sole commodity to rake in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) earnings and the country has a heavy import bill. Examining the socio-economic conditions in Venezuela, it is not difficult to assume that the poor living conditions coupled with the economic crisis necessitated by the poor fiscal management were fostered by Venezuela’s dependence on the oil. As reported by the Independent, the country’s currency is practically worthless due to inflation skyrocketing by about 700 per cent, as recorded in 2017. What this translates to is that one U.S. dollar is worth (conservatively) about 8000 bolivars. For comparison, one U.S. dollar is worth about 218 Guyanese dollars.
And to illustrate just how dependent Venezuela is on oil, about 90 per cent of its GDP earnings is attributed to its oil production. Dozens of reports also indicate that access to health services in the Spanish speaking country is a challenge, while the use of utilities (such as electricity or water) has become severely limited. Many Venezuelans are currently fleeing their homeland in search of a better life elsewhere. Guyana, on the other hand, is a much smaller nation that was almost entirely reliant upon agriculture until it began diversifying its economy by developing other sectors and industries. Despite this, Guyana remains one of the poorest countries in the region (vis a vis its GDP), second only to Haiti. For the little country, however, U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil discovered the largest modern-day oil-find just offshore the country in 2015. Complimenting that initial find is the discovery of oil in six more wells. With oil production set to begin in 2020, the government of Guyana could quite possibly funnel the earnings from oil into developing the country. But the country is confronted with the threat of the disease- the curse that causes a country to bloom and then wither away. The disease is the negative impact on an economy caused by a sharp inflow of foreign currency (like money amassed from the production of oil) where the currency of the country appreciates but reciprocally making the country’s other
products less price competitive on the export market. When a commodity (e.g. oil and/or natural gas) takes over an economy (e.g. the Venezuelan economy) it lessens the development of or even eliminates entirely the other industries (such as the agricultural of manufacturing/ production sector), but boosts government revenue and promotes social welfare and development. When this commodity decreases, as evidenced by Venezuela, the country has already become dependent upon that sole resource and there are no replacement industries to fill the void. Guyana can learn quite a lot, especially with regard to the oil industry, from its western neighbour, though. Guyana has been historically known as the breadbasket of the Caribbean and in recent years its gold production has been, well… shining. And with its vast expanse of pristine forests and seemingly infinite set of rivers, the country has the ability to be a top tourist destination. It is known that oil and water cannot be mixed but what will happen to the land of many waters when its oil starts flowing? There is constant reassurance that Guyana would not succumb to this sickness but Guyana has a history of being dependent upon agriculture. Measures must be implemented to make Guyana immune to the disease. If there’s anything good that the land of many waters can learn from its Spanish speaking neighbour, it would be to take steps now to immunise against the disease.
A small town girl with a passion for poetry, advocacy
Marissa Foster
RAISING awareness about social ills through poetry and social media are 17-yearold Marissa Foster’s ways of doing what she loves w h i l e making a difference in society. The aspiring social worker of Rose Hall, Berbice uses her social media platform and literary pieces to address many topics, such as suicide, gender inequality, self-harm and mental illnesses. She discovered her desire to be an advocate during her high school days at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. In Fourth Form, she joined the Humanities stream and it was then she developed a passion for the arts; she started to learn about social ills, how to do makeup and also began writing poetry. Although Foster had an interest in helping people from a young age, she fully developed a liking for social work after returning to Guyana from the United States of America
where she represented her home country as one of eight youth ambassadors through the Youth Ambassador Programme in 2016. After the programme ended, the advocacy continued. Foster and the other youth ambassadors conducted an anti-suicide programme. Through the programme, there were workshops and sensitisation sessions at schools nationwide. Subsequent to those sessions, she continued along the line of advocacy by doing short videos on her Instagram page and other social media platforms. In addition to the prevention of suicide, Foster advocated for gender equality and human rights. In order to increase her knowledge and professionalism in the field of social work, Foster is pursuing a Degree in Social Work at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus. Although she puts her studies first, the young advocate has found time to be the secretary of the Social Work Students Association of the university and also serves in the same position for the youth group of the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church. “I aspire to become a professional social worker and to eventually gain a Master’s
degree in social work. I’d also like to be involved in more programmes similar to that of the Youth Ambassadors programme; I want to volunteer and advocate on a larger scale than what I am
Foster in front of the White House during her trip to the US as a youth ambassador
currently doing,” said Foster. She also intends to pursue her passion for the arts and acquire a professional makeup certificate one day. But her dreams and aspirations do not end there, as Foster also wants to write and publish a poetry book, become a policymaker and start her own organisation that will be geared at helping youths. On the topic of youth, the advocate encouraged young people to follow their dreams and do what they love despite what people say. “Be yourself. In order for you to climb the ladder of life, you need to put in the necessary work and never give up, no matter what life throws your way. Always be careful with the friends that you keep in your circle and watch your own back,” Foster asserted. The quote “our service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” which was perfectly said by Mohammed Ali, is what she tries to live by, so she always strives to help others.
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Establishing an independent, impartial and efficient legal framework THE ROCK upon which any democratic society rests is its Constitution as it is the Constitution of the country, which stands as the supreme law of the land and all citizens, regardless of race, religion or societal status are governed by and subject to its provisions. The Constitution guarantees the fundamental human rights of citizens. Guyana’s Head of State, President David Granger has, since his assumption to office, consistently stated that respect for the rule of law is the foundation of a law-based society, one which can be sustained only by an independent Judiciary.
of judges is necessary to ensure to that justice is delivered in a timely manner and is provided for by Article 128 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, which states that the “judges, other than the Chancellor and Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the President, who shall act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.” The road towards building an independent, impartial and integrity-based judiciary has not been easy for this administration as the Opposition remains bent on frustrating the process of ensuring substantive appoints for the positions of Chief Justice and the Chancellor of the Judiciary. On February 7, 2018, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, failed to show up for a JUDICIAL meeting with President David INDEPENDENCE Granger, Minister of State, Mr. President Granger has time Joseph Harmon and Attorney Genand time again noted that the eral and Minister of Legal Affairs, supremacy of the Constitution, Mr. Basil Williams with regard to the legitimacy of Government, Constitutional appointments of the efficacy of political democChief Justice and Chancellor of racy and the safety and contentthe Judiciary. The Constitution ment of Guyanese would be imrequires that there is meaningful possible without the existence consultation between the Head of of an independent judicature. State and the Leader of the OppoSpeaking at the May 17, sition for the appointments. 2017 swearing-in ceremony of President David Granger, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and a student It was the Leader of the Opthe Court of Appeal Judges, the from the St. Ignatius Secondary School cut the ribbon to officially open the Lethem Magistrate’s Court back in position who requested the oneebruary 2018 President said that Guyana is a month period to do, what he “The Executive Branch of the Government of Guyana parliamentary democracy, comdescribed as “his due diligence”. mitted to the rule of law and to the protection of the people’s has no interest in interfering in the adjudicatory role of the At that time, the Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams had said Judiciary. The Executive has taken steps to ensure that the that it is unfortunate that Mr Jagdeo failed to show up at the rights and freedoms. The Head of State noted further that the judiciary has a vital Judiciary does not feel beholden to the Government of the meeting, despite the President’s decision to grant his request role to play in maintaining its independence. Judicial officers, day. The enactment of the Fiscal Management and Account- for a month to consider the issues. he said, must demonstrate the highest standards of impartiality. ability (Amendment) Act of 2015 provided, for the first time, “We waited and the Leader of the Opposition was granted for the financial autonomy of the an entire month for due diligence and it is unfortunate that he judiciary in accordance with the hasn’t seen it fit to attend this afternoon or to indicate earlier Constitution. Judicial indepen- his disagreement with such appointment, so the nation is waitdence means that the judiciary ing and we will have to move on from here. Unfortunately, must be protected from both the Leader of the Opposition sent a short while before our private and partisan interests, meeting, three letters in which he indicated that in respect to such as from persons or pressure the appointments of the Office of Chancellor and Chief Jusgroups, and from the influence tice, that he was not in agreement,” the Attorney General said. and control of the other branches Despite these challenges from the Opposition, the Government of government,” he said. continues to press ahead in supporting the Judiciary’s ability to function as is constitutionally required. JUDICIAL In January, the Head of State swore in Human Rights APPOINTMENTS Activist and Attorney-at-law, Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan As part of ensuring that there as a new Justice of the Court of Appeal, while in February, is a strong Judiciary, which can he administered the Oath of Office to Senior Counsel Rafiq ensure that justice is adminis- Khan, swearing him in as Acting Justice of Appeal. Then in tered, President Granger said March, the Head of State swore in Attorney-at-law, Ms Fidela that the integrity of the judiciary Corbin-Lincoln as a Puisne Judge. These appointments, the requires, in part, that judicial President said, are geared towards preserving and protecting vacancies are filled expeditiously the rights of citizens to equal protection and benefit of the law. and meritoriously. The appoint“I have received such advice and I have acted dutifully in President David Granger hands over the Instrument of Appointment to Mr. Rafiq ment of an adequate complement accordance with the Constitution in administering the oath of Khan, who was sworn in as a temporary judge in February
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
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office today… This ceremony today, aimed at filling a vacancy in our judicial system, is a simple yet serious re-affirmation of the supremacy of the Constitution. It is a means of ensuring the independence, impartiality and integrity of the judiciary,” he said at the swearing-in ceremony for Ms Corbin-Lincoln. The President said that in addition to exemplifying the qualities of independence, impartiality and integrity, judicial officers must ensure that independence of the institution, which they serve by resisting any attempt at executive and legislative encroachment and guarantee the impartiality of their decisions by guarding against bias, prejudice and fa- Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon with the Chancellor of the Judiciary (acting), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice, Madame vouritism. Further, he said that Roxane George-Wiltshire, Chief Magistrate, Ms. Ann McLennan and members of the Judiciary at the opening of the $99M living quarters for they must ensure the integrity Judges and Magistrates at Suddie, Essequibo Coast in December 2017 of their reputations by acting, efficiency in apprehending criminal elements. communities in the Rupununi. “Prior to this office… court always, in a manner, which Reflecting on campaign promises, Minister Williams said was held occasionally and I’m being modest. For the Lethem upholds the dignity of their office. “The independence of the Judiciary is necessary to protect that Guyana was ‘turned upside down’ following 23 years of area, court was held once every three months, once quarterly, citizens’ rights and to ensure that legal issues are settled fairly. misrule and the Government is in the process of correcting the maybe two weeks within the quarter… Justice is not one-sided. The independence of the judiciary emphasises that the three deficiencies, which it inherited, particularly with respect to Justice has to be for both sides. For residents of the region, branches of Government; the executive, legislative and judi- the functioning of key related agencies. “You must have the persons coming all the way from Karasabai or even Aishalton, cial, respect each other’s Constitutional roles and functions. Courts on the one end, the police and the prisons at the other most of the time the court will be held here in Lethem and they The independence of the judiciary is respected and protected end, the probation, the prosecutions, the DPP [Director of will have to travel sometimes two days just to get to court. And by the Government of the Republic, which has no interest in Public Prosecution], so they have to be coordinated; you have if water is high, you’re familiar with that phrase, it would take interfering in the work of the judiciary or in undermining the to link, so we have to ensure that there is greater collaboration even longer for them to get to this court. We in the Supreme in the Justice Sector now,” the Minister said. Court, we do not sit in an ivory tower. We are in tune with rule of law,” he said. what is going on the ground and we care,” she said. Two members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), This care was further expressed and extended when on the body, which is intended to insulate judicial appointments IMPROVING ACCESS TO JUSTICE On February 2, 2018, residents of the Rupununi Region December 20, 2017, Minister Harmon, commissioned a $99M, from political partisanship and personal and other biases, were also sworn-in on May 17, 2017. The Judicial Service Com- were finally able to benefit from improved access to justice fully furnished modern living quarters facility for judges and mission, President Granger said, is an indispensable element of with the opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court magistrates at Suddie, Essequibo Coast, where he said that Guyana’s legal framework; the guardian of judicial autonomy Office and Courts at Annai, Aishalton and Karasabai. Pres- the project is part of Government’s investment in ensuring ident Granger, who travelled to the region for the opening improved delivery of judicial services and administration of and is the defender of its independence. “The ‘Commission’ is the guardian of judicial autonomy. ceremony, on that occasion, emphasised the importance of justice in the region. The Minister of State further said that it is It is the defender of its independence. It is the protector of all Guyanese having equal access to the law regardless of under this administration that the Judiciary has been strengthits integrity and impartiality… The JSC upholds the indepen- geographic location, socio-economic status, ethnicity or ed- ened, with Government’s emphasis on integrity, impartiality and independence. dence of the judiciary. It ensures by its diligence that judicial ucational level. “There can be no equality before the law without access “I believe that is a very important step… The location appointees possess the attributes and embody the personal values, which make them capable and willing to resist being to justice. The law should be a great leveller. It should not of these premises in immediate proximity of the court is influenced by improper partisan and personal interests,” the be a divider. It should not be an instrument of oppression of commendable as it removes the need of these officials to the rich against the poor, or of the strong against the weak. It commute from Anna Regina to this location, thereby saving President said. At the conclusion of the swearing-in ceremony, Member of emphasises citizens’ basic human right to have legal recourse precious time and money and enable them to discharge their the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Patrick Yarde said that and redress for wrongs committed against them and their functions with ease. The transition of accommodation of the body was finally established after being sidelined for many property and for the preservation of public order,” the Head our judicial officers to close proximity to the place of work and circumstances that are more comfortable should not be years under the previous Government. “We are extremely of State said. Ensuring equal access to justice under the law in the Ru- underestimated. The discharge of their functions as adjudisappointed that it was not filled for such a long time. It was clearly and, as far as I’m concerned, an act of wickedness by pununi has always presented a challenge with residents being dicators of the law requires clear thinking and legal writing the previous Government, denying Public Servants access to forced to travel from far-flung communities in the Region to that must be facilitated by provision of the best possible the Magistrates’ Court Office in Georgetown; some 425 km living and working environment,” Minister Harmon said. redress.” President Granger on July 28, 2017, unveiled the new In addition to the establishment of these constitutional bod- away. Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cum- wing of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature ies, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Basil Williams has pointed out that since the Administration took mings-Edwards described the difficulties residents faced as as a further demonstration of the commitment Government over, the Judiciary, Law Enforcement and related agencies a result of those challenges and noted that it was critical that has to the Judiciary. President of the Guyana Bar Associhave more closely aligned their functions, resulting in greater justice is brought to the doorsteps of the residents of the 89 ation, Mr Kamal Ramkarran, in his remarks, said that the new infrastructural developments are a testimony of Government’s commitment to the delivery of justice. He said, “The opening of this new wing is only the latest in a series of developments which have transformed the face of legal practice in Guyana. These developments show clear commitment by the Government and the Judiciary to a significant improvement to and delivery of justice.” Interference in any form stifles the judiciary and hampers the administration of justice in a just and fair manner. More than that, however, it depletes the moral fabric of the members of the profession and affects the public’s confidence in the judicial system. Therefore, the Government of Guyana; cognisant of this fact and with the commitment from President Granger and his Cabinet have embarked on a journey to ensure that an impartial, independent and integrity-based judiciaThe Leader of the Opposition, in an attempt to frustrate the process of constitutional appointments particularly the appointment of ry is built. the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary, was a no-show on February 7, 2018, for the meeting with His Excellency
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
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Happy Earth Day
Together we can #End Plastic Pollution OUR vision is that decades from now, those beautiful words penned by Valerie Rodway could be sung with sincere meaning and would be a true reflection of our native land. This vision, however, is under threat from plastic pollution. The global movement to ‘End Plastic Pollution’ that has been launched this Earth Day by the Earth Day network is very timely. Like many other developing countries, Guyana is challenged to successfully manage plastic waste which is being produced at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, we are also the recipients of transboundary waste on our shores. You have been seeing and hearing about the drastic impacts of plastic pollution on the environment, organisms, and human health. This Earth day it is important to acknowledge that we all have contributed to this problem, whether knowingly or unknowingly. The time is now for us to stop and evaluate our day-to-day decisions so that we can transform our desire to make lasting changes in our behaviour into action. PLASTIC POLLUTION IN GUYANA It is sometimes easier to think of problems affecting larger countries around the world because of messages being blasted in the media. We must, however, turn our attention to issues at home and get involved in the solutions. The State of the Environment Report 2016 highlights what is happening with regards to solid waste in Guyana. Did you know that an average of 166, 000 tons of municipal solid waste is generated every year in Guyana? It is also estimated that plastic waste, like plastic bags, bottles, plastic diapers and other plastics, contribute to 18 per cent of municipal solid waste (MSW). Even more startling is that, according to the National Solid Waste Management Strategy, total waste is expected to increase to over 200 000 tons annually based on a predicted 18 per cent increase of MSW per capita. WHERE DO THEY GO? In our beautiful capital city of Georgetown, plastics make up most of our solid waste besides mixed waste. While the Haags Bosch landfill receives much of the waste from Georgetown and the East Bank area, other major ways of garbage disposal include open burning, open dumping. Therefore, a lot of our waste ends up where it shouldn’t. Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has conveyed that plastic bags entering the sewerage system in the absence of screening processes in some cases, causes motor failure and blockage of the sewerage pumps, and thus the backing up of raw sewage in populated areas. We can also see the evidence almost anywhere. Compared to global standards our waste management system is far from ideal. What is the problem with single-use plastics? Where are they coming from? Who is using them? What needs to change? With advances in knowledge for green technology, many international companies have explored the options for producing more eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. There are many options for reusable shopping bags like linen and canvas. The lesser-desired biodegradable plastic bags have been on the market for several years. The much easier and faster option is, of course, to simply refuse single-use plastics. Every straw, plastic bag, take-out food container, coffee cup that we refuse will start to make the difference that is needed. “Ending Plastic Pollution is a group effort. It will only happen if we all know that we are working together to come up with every solution we can. We will reduce our consumption much more if we know that we are part of a community that is striving together to change our habits and behaviours. You will be joining a global movement of billions of people all doing the same thing. This will make a difference!!” – Earth
Day Network Come on board this Earth Day and always!!! LOCAL UPCOMING EVENTS ● Earth Day Opening Ceremony & Exhibition– April 23, 2018, Baridi Benab, State House ● Single-use Plastic Free Day – April 22, 2018 ● Trash to Fashion Show & Exhibition – April 27, 2018, Main Street, between Middle & Quamina Streets.
See our Facebook page for more details. You can also share with us your plans to go plastic free. Happy Earth Day You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Chronicle Pepperpot April 22, 2018
Games and mental health I OFTEN have people in my office who claim that they do not have the motivation to the “drastic efforts” it takes to better their mental health. This has resulted in me making numerous efforts to show that it is not always drastic measures that need to be taken; that we can do little things every day that help us to have better mental health and overall quality of life. A few days ago, I was having a tough day and I went to see some friends who were playing monopoly. They invited me to join in which I reluctantly agreed as it’s not a favourite of mine.
Within 15 minutes of playing the game, I began to feel better and had forgotten about my previous stressors; playing a game that I didn’t even particularly like! This got me thinking about another simple thing that we can do as a preventative and treatment measure for stress and mental illness- play games! I know some people think that time can be better spent but many games are unconsciously educational and actually teach invaluable lessons.
My research shows that there have been actual scientific studies done which show the numerous benefits of simply playing a game- both alone or socially. They have been done on both electronic phone/video as well as board games. Basically, they can work as a healthy distraction of the stresses of life that no one is immune to. The obvious first benefit is the social interaction that is required in most games. Remember that isolation fuels mental health issues. It can not only strengthen our current relationships but help to build new ones. It can increase our support system and allows us to better our social and communication skills. The benefits of gaming for, both young and the elderly have been proven to be numerous, in a variety of areas. Apparently, playing games stimulates our brains which allow for improvements in cognitive function. These include an increase in concentration, attention and memory. Different games can also build imagination and creativity as they force us to create virtual realities. I think even more importantly, many games teach us things that we need to practice or know in every -day life. They teach us logic, waiting, turn taking and flexibility. They aid in our ability to problem solve, learn management skills and strategic planning. It helps us to cooperate with others and learn to work in a team environment. We can see that just thinking about the rules of certain games such as monopoly, chess or dominoes. Other games can teach us world knowledge and culture, history, science, maths and geography. They teach us how to handle conflict, the development of new skills, ambition and even what we may want to do with our lives. For example, I have friends that decided they wanted to be bankers and real estate agents by simply playing monopoly. Many others teach us values and ethics than luck can change in an instant but to never give up. Learning all of the above at a young age, especially the emotional experiences of winning or losing can strengthen us which builds our level of resilience and persistence as well as our overall self-confidence and self-esteem. It also helps our compassion and empathy to develop as we all know the moment when we feel sorry for our friends that are losing badly at the game. Physically, games have been shown to lower stress and high blood pressure while relaxing our muscles and encouraging healthy blood flow to the brain. They also typically make us laugh which increases positive endorphins that promote happiness and positivity. Furthermore, some studies show that playing games not only alleviate symptoms of mental illness but can actually prevent and treat some such as mild anxiety, depression and Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Others show that it is healthy for the elderly to play often as it can prevent cognitive decline which means it lowers the possibility of developing mental health problems such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. It has even shown improvements in those with physical disabilities as most games can help with dexterity and coordination. Basically, games keep our bodies and minds active and healthy. I know that most people believe that constantly playing is not a good idea and I totally agree with you! However, studies have shown that frequent break time and play actually increase productivity and efficiency in the long run. I know, some of you may still not be convinced so maybe do a few things – schedule specific play times every day or every other day, choose games that you know can provide all the benefits listed above and give the game your undivided attention for the time being- especially when playing with loved ones. A little reminder that play is not just for kids. George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also please remember when you can come see me. Georgetown Public Hospital, Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 08:00hrs-12:00hrs Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers – 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444 or 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!
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The value of fluoride I NEVER would use a toothpaste that does not contain fluoride since becoming a dentist three decades ago. Most people should have at least heard of this substance called fluoride. Toothpaste manufacturers prominently include the effects of fluoride on the teeth in their advertisements. But while fluoride contained in common brands of toothpaste have some cavity prevention characteristics, there have been recent advances in this respect which prove to be more efficient. Fluoride has primarily been utilised as an anti-caries agent. Fluoridated toothpaste is probably the most commonly used method of caries prevention and has been cited as one of the central factors associated with a worldwide decrease in caries prevalence. The most commonly used fluoride compounds are sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). We who worked for years in the Dental Health Services of the Ministry of Public Health utilised fluoridated mouth rinse in our school programme. Fluoride combines with a mineral compound on the surface of the teeth to form fluorapatite which is extremely resistant to the corrosive action of the acids produced in dental plaque. The fluoride now being used primarily reduces the solubility of the enamel. But this is clearly not enough to ensure adequate oral health.
Extensive research has demonstrated that a new compound known as amine fluoride combined with stannous fluoride is superior to compounds in most toothpaste. It was shown that stannous fluoride acts as an antimicrobial agent which not only slows down the process of tooth decay but also possesses an anti-plaque, contributing to the prevention of gingivitis. In effect, here is a substance which promotes and maintains the integrity of the gums apart from the teeth. When the experiment was conducted, the objectives included studying the effectiveness of the new substance on three hundred 15-year-old school children. No pre-study cleanings were given, no oral hygiene instruction was offered and no close supervision was followed during the trial. The design was intended to represent conditions of the general public as far as possible. The teenage population was chosen as these subjects are known to often practice inadequate oral hygiene, experience gingivitis, but rarely demonstrate symptoms of periodontal (gum) disease. While fluoride exists naturally in groundwater, its content is critical. I have found, for example, that many young people who have lived on the East Coast of Demerara from Plaisance to Mahaicony have permanent brown to white discolouration
on their teeth due to excess fluoride in the drinking water of that area. The condition is called fluorosis and it cannot be cured. Chlorhexidine mouth rinse has been recognised in the literature as having an optimal and effective effect on the control of plaque, gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, as a result of certain side effects, including severe staining, taste impairment and strong antibacterial virulence, chlorhexidine is usually contraindicated for prolonged daily usage. Mouth rinses containing alternative compounds have been tested in numerous studies, including among special care patients, and it has been demonstrated that their effectiveness has been similar to that of chlorhexidine, without most of the
side effects and significantly less staining. In contrast to mouth rinses, clinical studies observing the amine-stannous fluoride compound have observed no staining problems. In addition, it is chemically stable to room temperature even after being stored for two years. Teenage participants at baseline did not present severe gingival pathology but a general improvement in gingival health was revealed over the interventional period. This meant that it was the first time that any toothpaste was proven to actually cure any oral disease. The significance of this discovery represents the beginning of a new and exciting era for dental public health and we who work in this field are striving to keep up.
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Motivation gets you going but discipline keeps you growing I AM still on a natural high from my Linden trip. It was awesome. My trip started as the chief judge for Happily Ever After by Miss Creative Hands which I attended with my baby sister and assistant, Denielle, who has been like my right hand lately. Next morning, the worship with Pastor Sills and his congregation was so anointing and the leadership sermon was profound. Francine Major hosted a book signing for LIVING WITH INTENTION Her Worship Waneka Arrindell, Mayor of Linden, gave brief remarks and former Mayor Carwyn Holland, read an excerpt from the book and reflected on how I personally inspired him over the years. I was anticipating a great interaction with the students for the school tour. In the morning, I met with the Grade Six students from Amelia’s Ward Primary, St Aidan’s Primary and Christianburg Primary. I instantly noticed on entrance how polite they were and was happy with how interactive they were. I shared some of my personal stories about when
I was their age and had their undivided attention. I gave them details on when I sold plantain chips, sugar cakes and other items in school. I discovered a young man in the class who sold icicles and had a similar entrepreneur spirit like I had at his age. I encouraged him to keep focused and that one day, it is possible to own his own company. I told them even if they did not get a top school they still possess greatness. The six secondary Schools that assembled at Lichus Hall were McKenzie High, Harmony Secondary School, New Silver City Secondary, Wismar Christianburg Multilateral, Linden Foundation Secondary and the Marcy Craig Institute. They took me back to my high school days. One of them wears the same shade of green that my school did. We spoke about ways you can give the world the best version of ourselves. I encouraged them to intentionally place a high value on themselves and the decisions they make today will affect their tomorrow. They were very receptive and asked questions. Many of them wanted one on one with me but time did not permit. Turn to page XXXVII ►►►
Beyond the Runway with Dr. Sonia Noel
... Inspiring lives through fashion
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plays the rebellious teenage daughter in the family. Simmonds does her part well, bringing a level of emotion, angst and guilt to her performance. She is a part of some of the film’s most terrifying outdoor sequences, including a horrifying scene in which she is sucked into a mountain of grain, which was as scary as any of the monsters of the film. Simmonds in playing this character – a well-developed, well thought out character who feels and expresses her feelings despite the double-barrier of having to communicate her feelings through her own deafness, as well as the soundlessness imposed on her as everyone tries to survive the monsters is a victory for differently-abled people, and indeed, it is difficult to remember the last time such representation was made onscreen. The mere presence of Simmonds and her strong performance is a reminder that those who are
different do have skills that must be utilised and dreams that must be fulfilled. John Krasinski, as the director of “A Quiet Place”, was pulling double duty by casting himself in the lead role, and yet he never faltered in either position. His role was that of the head and protector of the family – a part that could have been icy and distant from the other characters had Krasinski not imparted a kind of humanity within the character that came out so strongly that you could almost see the beating heart within the man, flaming with love for his family, or the cogs ticking in his brain as he constantly tried to work out what needed to be done in order to ensure their continued survival. The heartbreaking scene in the film’s climax that takes place between him and his daughter is one of the best parts of the movie, despite it being a moment that emphasised the theme of family, which, strangely, managed to run concurrently with the horror theme without clashing, and rather,
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complementing it. Emily Blunt as the mother and wife, pregnant and full of joy, warmth and humour – despite not being able to express any of it using her voice, gives the best performance in the film. There is a scene involving her and a nail and that made the audience gasp, flinch and scream in rapid succession. It was one of the best shot scenes in the movie, alternating between the threat of the monsters, Emily Blunt’s character, and utilising the audience’s knowledge of the nail stuck upright in the stair. Placing bets on the idea that every audience member thoroughly checked the next stair they encountered after seeing this movie might actually be quite rewarding. The moment when the characters begins to deliver her baby in the bathtub, as she lies there, bloody, crippled, and her hands clamped over her mouth as she tries to stifle the screams of pain that come with childbirth, all while one of the monsters is right next to
her might be one of the scariest, jaw-dropping sequences ever witnessed in a horror film. To paraphrase one movie-goer: “That scene gave me anxiety!” Blunt’s performance, as a tear-streaked, blood-streaked mother, barely breathing so as to not make a sound, trying to keep her newborn silent so as to not make a sound, and trying to locate her husband and her other children without making a sound will go down as one of her best performances. It is quite one thing for an actress to scream and shout and throw things as a way of expressing how her character feels. It is a more arduous, and more fascinating task, to express pain, love, grief and fear in total silence, using only body and expression instead of voice. All in all, “A Quiet Place”, is a remarkable film, bolstered by an interesting concept, an interesting cast, a mind-blowing performance from Emily Blunt, and some of the best scares to reach the Guyanese audience in recent years.
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One of my special moments in Linden was interacting with this young lady. During my presentation, I was discussing failure including my personal failures. I couldn’t attend school for one term because of financial constraints in my home. She shared with me that because of her failures in school some days she doesn’t even want to go to school, but after listening
to me she has decided to press the reset button and look at failure differently. I reminded the students that motivation gets you going but discipline keeps you growing. All the sessions were truly a blessing and it really energised me. We are all in, up in the valley sometimes but moments like these help me to get out.
Sharing with you some of the thoughts of people who were there. HER WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF LINDEN, WANEKA ARRINDELL “The Linden community was privileged to be graced by the charming Ms. Sonia Noel, role model, writer and motivational speaker. Her launch of the book Living with Intention was seen as timely and I know that it is time for us to have a mindset change in our town among the youths. This process has already begun as Ms. Noel was able to visit these schools and shared her knowledge while encouraging students to pursue their dreams.” COUNCILLOR ELEZE BENJAMIN HALL “It was my humblest pleasure to feel the warmth and comfort for the most part of a day, as I was privileged to be in the company of someone who is well known to society as ‘A prestigious personality’, Ms. Sonia E. Noel, a woman with a stately, gorgeous and fashionable character who would have visited Linden schools to share her motivational thoughts with students; with her main focus of encouraging them not to give up but to go hard after their dreams which will cause them to COMMIT, CONTRIBUTE and CELEBRATE as they grow older. . Telling one of her... stories to the pupils of two primary schools where she had them close their eyes as they listened carefully. At the end, when the pupils opened their eyes, everyone could have felt her pains as they all showed their surprise when she said, ‘THAT
XXXVII LITTLE GIRL I WAS TALKING ABOUT IS ME.’” SONIA FRASER, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER “Living With Intention motivational talk was an awesome experience for me. It gave some more strength and encouragement to continue on the journey to attain my best. From the interaction with students, I know at least a few lives were touched including mine. I trust that it finds root and blossom making those of us even better individuals. Thank you for your timely intervention.” Send us on your thoughts about the LIVING WITH INTENTION Motivation Tour beyondtherunway1@gmail.com. Remember to visit our FB page as we continue THE CELEBRATE this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
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English STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Some students, new to the coming examination, are still unable to manage their ‘nerves’ during study and examination days. Know that there are yet many ways you have not really tried. One way that many have found successful is to speak to their heart. You too can speak to yourself either silently or out loud, or even in writing. The objective is to convince yourself with personal and meaningful statements that you are strong and an overcomer. Communicate until the message is brought home to you. Be wise. Love you. The Excerpt After he left, I looked out of the window for a while, with my coat on and all. I didn’t have anything else to do. You’d be surprised what was going on in the other side of the hotel. They didn’t even bother to pull their shades down! I saw a guy, a grey-haired, very distinguished-looking guy with only his shorts on, do something you wouldn’t believe me even if I told you. First he put his suitcase on the
bed. Then he took out all these women’s clothes – silk stockings, high-heeled shoes, Barnadine: Thou hast committed – brassier, and one of those corBarabas: Fornication? But that was in sets with the straps hanging another country: and besides, down and all. Then he put on the wench is dead. this very tight evening dress. I CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE (1564-1593) swear to God. Then he started walking up and down the room, taking these very little steps, the way a woman does, and smoking a cigarette and looking at himself in the mirror. He was all alone, too. Then in the window almost right over his, I saw a man and woman squirting water out of their mouth at each other. It probably was highballs, not water, but I couldn’t see what they had in their glasses. Anyway, first he’d take a swallow and squirt it all over her, then she did it to him – they took turns, for God’s sake You should’ve seen them. They were in hysterics the whole time, like it was the funniest thing that ever happened. I’m not kidding, that hotel was lousy with perverts. I was probably the only normal bastard in the whole place – and that isn’t saying much. I’d near send a telegram to old Stradlater telling him to take the first train to New York. He’d have been king of the hotel. Something to Do Suppose this is the way you choose to write a story; by looking into windows, or houses or diaries, or at photographs. You shouldn’t stop there. You now have to choose a language to write, one that suits the character you set up yourself to be. Exercise: An effort to assist young writers broaden their vision in writing the short story - giving a lively account of events, hyping-up events, presenting description in a light-hearted fashion, still being effective. 1. Choose either to complete this story or write one more fitting your own experience. 2. Whatever your choice, think on the following searching questions: i) What aspects of story would you develop? Why? ii) What aspects would you add or subtract? Why? 3. If you choose to work with the given story, what would you have the narrator do next? Would you want him turn his attention to a sober side of the hotel, wake him from his spying or open more windows to him? What exactly would you have the ‘I’ narrator do? IMPROVEMENT OF EXPRESSION The treatment of a long sentence When we read works done by young writers, we sometimes notice that they try to pack into one long sentence, what could be more effectively expressed in two or more sentences. We ourselves need not fall into this unwise habit. This situation can be remedied. Sentences, phrases, clauses Whenever you write two sentences, or even think of two things one after another, there is usually some connection, some relationship of thought between the two. If this relationship is a close one, it is usual for it to be shown clearly by the running together of the two sentences into one. Example: I must lock the door. I want to keep in the crisp air. These two thoughts are closely related. The second is the purpose of the first; and they come into the mind together. They are therefore better expressed by: I must lock the door because I want to keep n the crisp air. OR I must lock the door to keep in the crisp air. The whole aim in sentence construction is to show clearly to the hearer or reader, the relation of thought. If you carefully examine examples from this point of view onward, you will find it easier to understand more about punctuation, and to create good sentences to heighten your examination responses. Let us look now at one possible kind of relationship. The Relationship of Equality Clauses that express equally important thoughts are called co-ordinate clauses if they are put into one sentence. This sentence is called a compound sentence. Example: 1. The old couple sat on the new sofa and peered into a “Girl” magazine. 2. We can recover the chairs ourselves or we can get Desmond to do it. 3. The young ladies could neither stop themselves from eating nor could they prevent themselves from watching television all day long. [“And”, “or”, and “nor” are called coordinating conjunctions.] It is not necessary, however, to have any conjunction at all in the compound sentence, but in the following case the coordinate clauses are separated by a semicolon rather than a comma. She spoke absolutely nothing; not even her facial expression showed any sign of sanity. Reminder: Compound sentences are not bound to have anything punctuation mark between the clauses unless the clauses are long, or unless there is a prominent pause before the second clause. Something to Do Find the compound sentence(s) in the following passage. When an octopus has eaten its fill of the swarming crabs and crayfish, it seeks a dark hole in the coral face, and anchors itself there with a few of the large suckers nearest to its body. Thus shielded from attack from the rear, with tentacles gathered ready to strike, it hides glaring in the shadows, alert for anything alive to swim within striking distance. It can hurl one or all of those whip-lashes forward with the speed of lightning, and once its dozens of suckers, rimmed with hooks for grip on slippery skins, are fastened about their prey, nothing but the brute’s death will break their awful hold.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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Entertainment
Judge delays ruling on deposition by Cosby accuser's friend The judge in Bill Cosby’s sex assault retrial on Friday delayed a decision on whether defense attorneys can introduce testimony from a woman they say could undercut his accuser’s claim that she was unaware of the entertainer’s physical interest in her. The 80-year-old entertainer, best known as the dad in the 1980s television hit series “The Cosby Show,” is on trial on charges of drugging and raping Andrea Constand, 45, a former employee of his alma mater, at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004. Constand is one of more than 50 women to accuse Cosby of a string of sexual assaults dating back decades, and hers is the only claim recent enough to be the subject of criminal prosecution. Cosby denies all wrongdoing, saying any sexual contact was consensual. Judge Steven O’Neill said he would rule on Monday, which could be the final day of testimony, on Cosby’s lawyers’ request to read parts of a sworn statement from Sheri Williams. Constand testified at the first trial that Williams was a good friend who stayed in touch when she told police in January 2005 about the attack. The defense team said it was unsuccessful in subpoenaing Williams to testify at the retrial and wanted to read from her deposition in Constand’s 2005 lawsuit against Cosby. The defense maintains Williams’ testimony upends Constand’s
claims that she was ignorant of Cosby’s amorous feelings toward her and was an innocent victim in the encounter. Prosecutors objected because they had no opportunity to cross-examine Williams when the deposition was taken in 2005. Cosby is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault, a second-degree felony. If convicted of all three counts, he would likely face at most 10 years in prison as a first offender under state sentencing guidelines, although Pennsylvania law allows for a maximum penalty of three consecutive 10-year sentences, a prosecution spokeswoman said. Constand filed a civil lawsuit after Pennsylvania prosecutors in 2005 initially declined to charge Cosby for the alleged assault. Cosby agreed to pay her $3.38 million to settle. The jury was expected to hear more defense testimony on Monday and then closing legal arguments before beginning its deliberations. The first trial against Cosby ended in June when the jury was unable to reach a
verdict. Cosby’s defense has portrayed Constand as a money-hungry con artist and tried to cast doubt on Constand’s statements that the pills left her too impaired to resist.
Probe into Prince's opioid death brings no criminal charges A two-year investigation into the death of “Purple Rain” singer Prince failed to determine where he obtained a counterfeit painkiller laced with fentanyl, resulting in no criminal charges, a Minnesota prosecutor said on Thursday. “Law enforcement was unable to determine the source of the counterfeit vicodin laced with fentanyl,” Carver County Attorney Mark Metz told a news conference. “We simply do not have sufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime related to Prince’s death.” Prince, 57, was found dead at his Paisley Park home and recording studio complex near Minneapolis on April 21, 2016. The official cause of death was a self-administered overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin. “Nothing in the evidence suggests Prince knowingly ingested fentanyl,” Metz said, adding there was “no evidence that the pills that killed Prince were prescribed by a doctor.” “There is no reliable evidence showing how Prince obtained the counterfeit vicodin laced with fentanyl or who else may had a
role in delivering the counterfeit vicodin to Prince,” Metz said. Prince, known for his androgynous style and sexually charged songs, crafted a public image of living a clean and healthy vegan lifestyle. But the investigation, which included searches of Prince’s computer, mobile phone records of his friends and interviews with associates, determined that Prince suffered from severe pain for a number of years and numerous painkillers were found in his residence, according to Metz. Some of the pills were prescribed to his bodyguard Kirk Johnson to protect the singer’s privacy, Metz said.
Chota Roti Ingredients 2 cups of Flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 nutmeg 1 tbsp baking powder 2 cups milk 1/4 cup water (Optional)1 egg can be added and 1 tbsp of melted butter Directions Add all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix well Pour milk, vanilla and water and mix well until it become a smooth batter Heat a flat pan and rub oil or butter on so batter would not stick Regulate heat so it would not burn the batter. Pour batter onto and let cook Cook until you see the bubbles then use a spatula to turn it over cook until you see batter harden and take it off the pan. Continue process until you use up all the batter Server with eggs, vegetables, pancake syrup or whatever you like. Recipe by: Oma Devi Watkins Photo: Oma Devi Watkins http://www.guyanadining.com