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Sunday, October 25, 2020

Juggling multiple jobs -How Ashmanie Husein balances two businesses and a full-time job

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Juggling multiple jobs -How Ashmanie Husein balances two businesses and a full-time job

By Marissa Victoria Foster

s h ma n i e R o hit- Husein is good at what she does. And she is good at a lot of things, so it came as no surprise that she is able to balance a full-time job and two businesses. The 22-year old is a secondary school librarian, who grew up in the Line Path village in Corentyne, Berbice. She is also the proud business owner of “Jessi’s Touch of Elegance” and “Sweet Treats by Jessi”. Jessi’s Touch of Elegance is a beauty brand that she created through her love for makeup and fashion. This business provides services for special occasions. She is specialised and trained in makeup artistry, henna artistry, acrylic/gel nail art and hairstyles. Providing services for one business is already a handful, but Ashmanie has pushed above and beyond and recently started a new

Ashmanie Rohit-Husein

Henna design done on a bride by Ashmanie Husein from Jessi’s Touch of Elegance.

Desserts done by Ashmanie Husein from Sweet Treats by Jessi.

business. She launched “Sweet Treats by Jessi”—a business that satisfies a sweet tooth for all ages. Sweet Treats by Jessi provides a wide variety of assorted desserts and pastries, such as, cupcakes, birthday cakes, brownies, éclairs and much more. Her services are extended to not only Berbicians but also to Regions Four and Five. She does all of this while still maintaining her regular day job. Jessi explained that she’s quite the multitasker. She’s always on-thego and is well invested in self betterment. She is skilled in making desserts and pastries. Her beauty

skills are also like no other (hair, makeup and henna). As such, she has merged both businesses to offer one special occasion package to her clients. “Instead of them having to look for more than one person to get the job done— I do it all”, said Ashmanie. When asked how she copes and manages to run multiple businesses during the covid-19 pandemic, her response was, “running multiple businesses along with a full time job is no easy tasks, however, with the support of my parents, my husband, my in-laws and my cousins— I can manage to get it all done”. “They’re my main support system”. As if her schedules aren’t packaged already, she also finds time to create paintings. This skilled multitasker stressed that it is one

of her favourite hobbies and something she’s never given up on. Painting brings peace to her mind, on any stressful day. She’s currently working on expansion plans for her two businesses. She wants to offer more goodies and improved beauty services to her wonderful customers. Ashmanie is an example of how 24 hours in a day can never limit what we can accomplish. She hopes to serve as an inspiration as there should be no limit on the amount of titles one can have to his or her name. “Be sure to have a good support system, an organised plan, a structured day schedule and most importantly— love what you do”. If you have more than one dream job in mind, then you can have it. Use her story as motivation.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Battling and defeating breast cancer

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-The Roxanne Singh story

By Telesha Ramnarine BEFORE being diagnosed with breast cancer, Roxanne ‘Ann’ Singh led a vibrant, healthy lifestyle. Her life came crashing down, though, when doctors confirmed a positive test. Singh, 53, mother to four daughters, is a breast cancer survivor for the past three years, and has since joined the Guyana Cancer Foundation Survivors Club. It all began in 2017 when she felt a sharp pain in her left breast and subsequently discovered a lump. She initially took the right steps in doing research and calling up the ‘Cancer Institute’ to inquire about a possible doctor’s appointment. But she didn’t follow through with the necessary steps. In fact, she cancelled the appointment thinking that it was really nothing to worry about. But, with each passing week, the lump increased in size, causing her to finally visit the doctor.

She mustered up the courage to do an ultrasound followed by a monogram, which came back with possible malignant findings; this led to a biopsy. “Finally, after two full weeks of sleepless nights, I received a call that my results were ready. Since I have no family history of cancer, I took the results to my doctor with high hopes of all being well, but my wall of hope came crashing down when the doctor said the results were positive.” She was crushed. “I felt so many emotions all at once. I was shocked, numb for a few seconds, I couldn’t process what was being said to me. My tears started flowing and I couldn’t think about anything else; it felt

Singh at the launching of Breast Cancer Awareness Month recently.

like the end of the world for me.” After composing herself, she went back to the doctor and began the tall list of requirements that was needed

Losing her hair was especially devastating for her.

if she was going to recover. She did the first surgery, a partial mastectomy, and then began her eight sessions of chemotherapy, followed by 25 sessions of radiation ther-

apy. Currently, she’s on five years of hormonal treatment. Losing her hair was devastating to her, and it reminded her of her initial SEE PAGE XIX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Farmers Market aiming to revolutionise healthy eating in Guyana -More organic food, less plastic dependency

By Telesha Ramnarine

Organiser Diane Sinclair.

THE Almond Tree Farmers Market set for a November 14 start will promote organic food. The organiser is insisting that only those small-scale farmers who stay away from the use of chemicals, pesticides and the like will be welcomed. To this end, Diane Sinclair, who will be hosting the market for the first time ever, has her eyes set on only those farmers who can meet these standard. “I’ve been out there knocking on people’s doors inviting them to be a part of it. But we have a particular standard. We don’t just want anybody to come and sell. It has to be, as far as we can verify, that they don’t use chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers because then we will be like any other market in Guyana selling the same sort of things.” Diane formerly ran the Fitness Paradise Gym at Lot 229 Almond Street, Queenstown, but since the Coronavirus Pandemic forced her to close the business,

Handcrafted jewellery made from sea glass by Zoya Samaroo.

she realised that she now has the time to pursue the farmers market, which she had always thought about. The market will be on November 14, 21, and 28 and on December 5 right

The Farmers Market is catering mainly for those who may have any excess produce from their kitchen gardens.

there in Queenstown where she operated the gym. “I guess it took COVID and not having anything to do to make things happen. Now that you’re forced to close your business and have some time on your hands, then you go back to the drawing board.” Sinclair thought of hosting the market here because visiting them overseas was one of her favourite things to do whenever she travelled. “I also love the environment and am part of a farmer culture group who is into organic farming… according to the rules of nature.” According to her, the farmers market is mainly for those kitchen gardeners who may have excess fruits and vegetables from their garden and may be interested in bringing in an additional income for their families. “It’s a great place to come and sell directly to the consumers. The farmer gets more money in his pocket when he sells directly to you, whereas he would have to reduce his prices when he is selling to a middle man who has to sell to the market vendors,” she explained. The market, though, will not just feature fruits and vegetables. “It’s about local honey, art and craft. We have a young girl (Zoya Samaroo) who is about to graduate from the university, and these are See page XX

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Cultural icon Simon remembered as pro-traditionalist by indigenous community

GLOWING tributes have been pouring in for the late Joseph Barnabas Simon, who was buried last week in his home community of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission). He is being remembered as a cultural icon, who helped fellow community members embrace a more pro-traditionalist mindset. ‘Uncle Barney,’ as he was commonly known, passed away two Wednesdays ago at the age of 78. In the days that followed, friends and family members reflected on his life and accomplishments, while almost 300 of them joined him for his final farewell last Monday afternoon. His body was taken to three difference locations in the community before his final resting place, which

is where his parents, his third son and sister are also buried. Joseph Simon, who was the second cousin of master artist and archeologist, the late George Simon, was not only known at home, but by numerous national and international bodies as well. The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology mentioned him as one of the better-known Lokono-Arawak Mucru basketry, traditional weapon, and dugout canoe artisans of the tribe within Guyana. They also displayed a photo of him in action. Uncle Barney also appearance in the 1996 BBC documentary called ‘Spirits of the Jaguar’ in episode 3 of 4, which was titled ‘Hunters of the Caribbean Sea’ (released in

the USA in 1997). In the episode, elder Joseph Simon can be seen from minute 12:30 to 14:00 wearing a traditional weraka (cotton loincloth) and using a stone axe to fell a tree, which he then turns into a dug-out canoe. This is perhaps the first modern documentary film ever made for an International audience that featured Lokono-Arawak actors from Guyana. Prior to that, in late 1992, Mr. Simon’s third daughter Shirling married Damon Gerard Corrie, a well known and sometimes controversial Lokono-Arawak Guyanese descendant and CARICOM Indigenous rights activist from Barbados. With the help of his son-in-law and a prominent Taino-Arawak cultural activ-

Elder Simon can be seen on the cover photo of his son-in-law’s book seated in traditional attire and with temporary body tattoos, surrounded by some of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

ist and leader called Roberto Borrerro (another indigenous consultant contracted by the BBC to ensure accuracy) Mr. Simon soon embraced a more traditionalist standpoint in the community. He

felt that the youths had lost their heritage and wanted to remind them of the values of their ancestors and the use of the land. For the better part it has worked, but sticking

to tradition while navigating through life is no easy task for youngsters, so it continues to be a work in progress—one which the Simson family will continue in Uncle Barney’s name.

ANY times a wish stays a wish, but there is always an inkling of hope that somehow it might come true but more often than not, reality gets in the way. I grew up in a sugar estate community with lots of greenery, hard-working neighbours and pleasantries, but there was a separation. As a young girl walking home from school, I would often stop by the roadside of the estate manager’s compound under the shade of the huge flamboyant trees. When in bloom the ground became carpeted with the fallen flowers in a fusion of astounding red, yellow and pink colours—the splendor of nature, a gift to the earth. I

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

would scoop them up in my hands and throw them in the air, so they fall all over me. Some I would fill in my satchel to take home for the round glass vase on my small writing table. Flowers had become one of the loves of my life from a young age. They carried me to my dream world, where fairytales were real. I also had a deep appreciation for castles, manors and museums. Every time I stopped to play with the flowers I would look in awe at the classic, white colonial house, beautiful garden and neat, manicured lawns. My young heart wished that I could one day live there. I was not sure, at the time, how that could have

become a reality when my father was a labourer in the backdam.

My friends would look at me bemused, never showing any interest nor wishing

of interest. History had documented our lives and times from Co-

A few years later, we were transferred to Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of

for such a life, but I believed that living with the dream could have set the tone for a beautiful future. The years went by and I moved away to attend high school in New Amsterdam. I rode a ladies Raleigh bicycle then, although there were many things to see along the way to classes, I missed the huge flamboyant trees in stunning bloom. I had developed a deep passion for history and a curious mind. I would often chronicle places and things

lonialism to Independence, an unforgettable era I read extensively on. Life on the sugar estates and communities continued to change as new opportunities shaped our destinies. I never thought that the wish I had made years ago would have come true, but it did. And the day I left my parents’ home as a bride, I embarked on a new journey in life. A dream had found me, but would it be beautiful? Only time would tell! I did not get that wonderful feeling of bliss and happiness of being in a special place, although the colonial buildings at Blairmont and Skeldon estates were unique and beautiful, something from my dream was missing.

Demerara, and the moment I entered the estate manager’s compound, I fell in love with that place. The sprawling green landscape, astonishing variety of flowering trees, fruit orchards, colonial gardening relics and huge flamboyant trees that bordered the expansive grounds made me live my childhood dreams. I had an instinct that there was something different about the place and as I began to settle down, I wondered, “What mystery or magic does it hold?” What was unique about the compound was that it was separate from the main one, and surrounded by canals, like an island. I felt now the bliss and happiSee page XII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

By Michel Outridge This week the Pepperpot Magazine journeyed to the rural yet ‘bright’ community of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. Stewartville is densely populated with about 2,500 residents, a number of whom leave the village daily for work in the capital city. Sandwiched between Leonora and Uitvlugt, the area is home to auditors, brokers, teachers, security guards, bankers, landscapers, cane-cutters, police, private sector employees, small-business owners and bus drivers. Despite the daily movement, a number of persons work in the community, including at the

Noel Waithe

School. Stewartville Secondary

Stewartville Village.

nursery, primary and secondary schools. Some of the services include: the Baggot’s Driving School, a taxi service (located on the public road), several small shops, a tailoring establishment and the Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex. In the afternoons and weekends (pre-pandemic) villagers would gather at the Community Centre Ground, the ballfield and places of

worship. The community is divided into six sub-divisions which are Sea View, two housing schemes – Sarah’s Lodge Coop and Bangladesh, Side Line Dam, the Road Front area and the new housing scheme. The village has good roads, potable water, electricity, landline phones, internet services, and good infrastructure and is said to be a comfortable place to live.

Noel Waithe servicing the NDC’s tractor. (Carl Croker photos)

A church in the village.

There is no large-scale farming in this community as the vast backlands are utilised by GuySuco for canefields. There is no market within the village and many residents would utilise the market at the Leonora Public Road every Saturday to fulfil their shopping needs. Most residents also have small kitchen gardens and fruit trees in their See page XXIII

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Underlying and undetected health issues

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 terrifies me. It has claimed so many lives, infected so many more persons, and essentially, affected the entire world. More recently though, what has been worrying me is the prevalence of undetected underlying health issues. From March to now, information on this coronavirus has kept evolving. Even so, it was well articulated that elderly folks were more vulnerable to the severe and potentially fatal effects of the virus. Back in April, I attended a locally organised forum that was moderated by the current Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony. Then, I learnt that while children may have mild symptoms, they are more likely to transmit the virus to others, including older folks. Now, to be fair, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that persons of all ages can be affected by COVID-19.

However, it was emphasised that there is a greater vulnerability of becoming severely ill from this virus among older people. The WHO also said that individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as respiratory ailments like asthma and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart disease, were also particularly vulnerable. In Guyana, NCDs account for 70 percent of deaths, according to the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). Aside from asthma, I personally associated these medical conditions with older folks and thought that this was one of the reasons why they were so vulnerable. But, that is not necessarily the case. In a recent interview with the outgoing Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, I was told that these pre-existing conditions were manifesting in younger folks

(as young as late 20s) as well. Dr. Persaud related that the age range of persons with hearts issues have been on the decline. Simply put, this means that younger persons are developing the conditions that could lead to diabetes and heart diseases. Head of Medical Services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Mahendra Carpen said this too and stressed that these manifesting conditions would go undetected for years. In many cases, it is only until persons require emergency health care (if they get a heart attack, for example) do they realise that they have an underlying condition (like diabetes, for example). There are so many concerning aspects here. The first is, why are younger persons becoming more prone to developing these conditions? Our everyday habits, experts say, are major contributing factors. Dr. Persaud stressed the importance of eating healthy meals, exercising regularly, and consuming less alcohol as simple measures that significantly contribute to overall well-being. Then, there is the concern that these issues go undetected for years. They remain there, affecting us, and we simply do not know because we have not gone for a medical checkup unless there is some emergency need. In fact, Dr, Carpen pointed to a local 2019 study which showed that 30 percent of patients who go to the GPHC for emergency health care- due to a heart attack, for example- only then realise that they are also diabetic. To remedy this, regular checkups and screening should be done. But, as I have known all my life, we don’t really visit the doctor unless we feel like something is seriously wrong. I think this notion points to a privilege that we don’t have, but that’s a story for another day. Now, exacerbating those two aspects is that persons with these underlying and undetected conditions are more vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19. It has been reported that local medical professionals highlighted that most of the COVID-19 deaths were recorded in persons who had these conditions. Dr. Carpen related that primary healthcare in Guyana should be improved upon, instead of having a more reactive, “treatment-focused” approach to healthcare. Of course, we cannot forget the widely-known benefits of good everyday habits. Another overlooked but crucial factor is the need to know one’s medical history; many NCDs, according to the WHO, are impacted by one’s genetics. I am no medical professional but I understand how concerning this matter is. While we are currently enveloped in a pandemic, which has already placed a massive burden on the healthcare sector, it is now becoming increasingly apparent that we should focus more on the health and wellbeing of the population, generally.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020 Forrester Lumberyard and Building Complex at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. (Carl Croker photos)

Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex: A business of hope for Stewartville By Michel Outridge When Andrew Forrester started his business it was with $50,000 his grandmother had ‘scraped up’. Initially he had a few small tools, including a saw along with a horse cart, today that business has grown into a multi-million dollar complex. The business started 25 years ago when Forrester was forced to leave his job while working with a lumber dealer from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. With the knowledge gained over the years in the business he quickly balanced himself financially and expanded. Today, Forrester owns almost the entire street in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, where his business place is located. The business has five large bonds and from selling

lumber, he has added a huge hardware section to cater for the building needs of the people in the community. Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex does not have any other branches, but its provides reliable employment for many young people in the community. In total, the business employs 79 persons. Although some are from outside Stewartville, the majority are from the community. Operations Manager, Zilaka Williams stated that the goal of the business is to provide employment for the residents of Stewartville and to develop the human resource of the community. She added that they are always willing to employ young men and women from the village to mitigate crime and get the young people involved in meaningful earning activities. Williams reported that

the business’s core objective is being worker-friendly and to develop and strengthen young people in a holistic way. “We have an organised set-up here, everything is well-placed and nothing is left to chance or haphazard done and we observe all safety protocols, wearing our helmets and vests when on the worksite.” Williams noted that Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex is a good place to work because being a social worker, she would use her knowledge to listen and address concerns of all workers. “I am not only the Operations Manager but my door is always open to employees and around here we treat each other like a large family because we spend a lot of time here and we are comfortable around each other,” she said. Williams disclosed that

they have 20 office staffers who are women and they are respected and get along with their male counterparts, who work in the bonds, lumber yard and hardware sections. She stated that the business has all necessary equipment such as forklifts, trucks, loaders, cherry pickers, excavators among other things, so manual labour is limited. “Even during this pandemic we haven’t laid off any staff because we know they have to earn despite the virus, so we sanitise often and we have the facilities for hand-washing, for a safe and healthy work environment.” Williams added that in the offices they have screens setup for each employee to maintain social distancing and they too, exercise healthy habits of sanitising regularly. To keep the business opened, she noted that they had to remove and relocate employees from the bonds to other areas because they did not want it to be crowded. The business has a large parking area and an expansion project is being undertaken to open a ready-mix section in 2021 which will see employment for 40 persons. Williams during a tour of

The owner, Andrew Forrester.

the facility, told the Pepperpot Magazine that 15 readymix trucks have already been procured for that expansion and the building is also taking shape. She related that she has been with the business for more than 14 years and she is more than pleased to lend her services on a full-time basis and to see it grow even bigger considering how the business started. Like any other humble Delon Jacobs.

The expansion project scheduled to be opened in 2021.

person, the owner, Andrew Forrester is on the ground daily to assist staff and is readily available to advice and supervise employees if the need arises. Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex does their part to assist the needy. Among charitable ventures, they would distribute Christmas hampers to the elderly of the village and host a thanksgiving meal annually. Williams said they do not turn away anyone, once they show up for help they would try to assist in whatever way possible. THE FORMER HORSE CART OPERATOR Meanwhile, Delon Jacobs, who has been with the business for over two decades, was the horse cart operator, today he is a security personnel, who keeps an eye on everything. The 43-year-old is from the village and resides at the Side Line Dam. He began working with Andrew Forrester since age 10. He recalled that when See page XXII

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT â€• Sunday, October 25, 2020

African Holocaust

Commemoration reflections 2020

On October 12, 2020 ACDA conducted the annual MAAFA commemorating the millions who died in the middle passage, been brought into slavery

from Africa to shoulder the creation and sustenance of colonies in the Americas. Before the Africans, the choice was the Amerindian

tribes, to work in the mines and in the fields to fulfil the labour tasks of the tropical dependency, that which an ill-fed Europe craved.

Coupled with the looting of the civilizations they found in the Americas, their agenda of slave labour and the transferable diseases they brought diminished the populations of the Amerindians by over eighty percent. Thus, Africans were craved after because they had mastered agrarian systems and animal husbandry ahead of other nations. Their bodily strength and knowledge of the very crops

post 1492 colonisation made them perfect candidates. Moreover, they were symbolic of the Moors whose shadow the European were labouring to untangle their eight-hundred year mentorship from. The seawall event constrained by COVID-19 commemorated those who paid the ultimate price in the cataclysm of the middle passage. It remembered the ultimate toll they paid;

collectively we salute your memory today, you reside within us continually. The tribe of the holocaust are the ancestors upon whose foundations we today stand. In chains, they were taken through the macabre portals of the middle passage, shaken with fear and rage, no dreams of redemption, nor hopes or pleasant visions of the journeyâ€™s end. SolSee page XIV

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Former traffic cop using driving school to create better drivers By Michel Outridge Former traffic police Eldon Baggot wanted a new challenge, but he was good at his old job and it was close to his heart. So

air-conditioned Toyota Spacio, while he uses a comfortable 35-seater bus to do his transportation. “Being a traffic cop for 24 years I decided to exit the force and do my own busi-

Baggot’s Driving School in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. (Carl Croker photos)

he decided to do something he loves, while helping to keep Guyana safe. In 2014, after spending 24 years in the Guyana Police Force, the former cop started the Baggot’s Driving School and Transportation Services. The school is housed at his home in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara. Baggot teaches with his fully

ness and with the knowledge gained on the job, I was able to put that into practice.” Baggot told the Pepperpot Magazine that his business has bloomed over the years and although small he is managing quite well. Due to the pandemic though, his transportation service, which attracts both locals and foreigners, was

Eldon Baggot and his vehicle.

put on hold. Baggot said that while he does the practical lesson in his Spacio, the theoretical is done at home. The course runs for 16 hours at a cost of $30,000. “Being a cop, it is still in me, you know, so I have the patience to teach people to drive from scratch I would first tell them about the vehicle then eventually as they learn, I would take them on the road to drive.” The Stewartville resident related that his driving course is intense and he would take the driver on a walk around of the vehicle and point out the know-how even before they get inside. Baggot disclosed that he would only teach a person, who is the holder of a provisional license to drive, since he does things the legal way. The father of two stated that working with himself has been a blessing in so many ways because he can earn and still spend quality time with his family. As a cop, his work often took him away from home. Baggot reported that he would advertise his small business via Whatsapp and has adopted the ‘meet and greet’ technique so the word gets around about his small

business. However, in giving back to society, Baggot would from time to time volunteer his time and visit the Leonora Primary School where he would enlighten the pupils about road safety and the use of the roadway, to bring about awareness. “As a former cop, I always try to promote road safety and I would ensure the children are aware of how

Former traffic cop, Eldon Baggot.

to use the roads in an effort to minimise the incidents of road accidents and fatalities among children.”

Baggot, with his easy-going demeanour and positive outlook on life is the perfect driving teacher.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Reflection of a country girl ... See page XII ness for the landscape lent a certain type of romance to the mind. I had something interesting to do, to see, to learn in that little paradise every day from dawn to dusk. One of the things I learnt about the Leonora/Uitvlugt estates, were the names of the Dutch owners of the plantations which were Ignatius Charles Bourda and Ursillya, and their initials are engraved on the factory chimney of Uitvlugt. And of course, the fabled tale of Dutch colonial masters’ burial sites in the yard, none of which I saw. What I saw were huge snakes that were real! One day as I was walking under the canopy of the flam-

boyant trees, I saw a long snake slithering down one of the trees. I ran out of fear and the gardener told me there’s always snakes in the yard. “Why is that?” I asked. He told me that beyond the border of the grounds there were canefields, so when the cane is burnt, the snakes crawl over into the yard. That was scarier for me than stumbling on an old Dutch tomb, so I avoided that part of the grounds as best as I could. So many snakes were caught during the time I lived there, I just could not get the thought of snakes from my mind. Then one night I was awakened by a soft, hissing sound. I was not sure where it came from because everyone was asleep. I got up and slowly pulled aside the curtains from the

glass doors, leading to the veranda, I looked outside but saw nothing. “Strange,” I thought, “Did I actually hear that or was it a dream?” The next morning I went for a walk across the narrow waterway where a variety of exotic lilies grew in a section of the yard that was an abandoned tennis court. The wild flowers that grew there formed an amazing display of yellow across the court. Why I was there that morning, I wasn’t sure but as I stood there, looking around, a soft breeze blew, bending the soft stalks of the wild flowers and that’s when I saw the snake. It had raised its head and was looking at me! I dropped the basket of flowers I had in my hand that I had picked for morning prayers and ran, almost tripping over the old wooden bridge. I stopped in the middle of the lawn as the two gardeners hurried to see what was wrong with me. “Another snake,” I said, a little out of breath. They both smiled and said casually, “Yuh would geh accustom tuh it.” I shook my head, somewhat in disbelief. “How and when do I get accustomed to snakes?” They both advised me not to walk too far out on the grounds, but the nature lover in me wanted to see every flowering shrub, and blooming trees, to pick every fruit and look at the different birds flitting around in the garden heading to the bird bath. That night when everyone was asleep, I went out on the veranda and looked across the lawn to the tennis court that was veiled in darkness, and I asked silently, “Is something there from the past?” So many stories I have heard, and all the notes I had written in my journal, maybe it’s time for me to write from my own experiences, the historical past, the mysteries of the estate grounds, tales of Dutch ghosts and tombs, and the myth of a snake dynasty. Fiction and facts from a curious mind and living here in a world of my own, in the embrace of nature’s brilliance, the writer in me bloomed.

CHRONICLEPEPPERPOT PEPPERPOT――Sunday, Sunday,October October25, 4, 2020 CHRONICLE 2020

Schizophrenia

LAST week I received a request to discuss Schizophrenia, a disorder that is more common in Guyana than most people think. My hope is to reach out to those who may be suffering or watching their ple loved from this Hello Everyone, canones get suffer physical if they disorder. been I want to start off by sayingfind thatout fromthey whathave I’ve seen, many people who suffer from this in Guyana believe it to be hope this week has betrayed a demonic possession. Schizophrenia is awell. type of mental illness affects rean treated you - End of athat marriage/ individual’s thought processes, feelings and behaviour. Peorecentlywillre-seemlationship ple with thisI disorder as though they have (more often than not) lost touch with reality. My research shows ceived a request - Broken relationships that in 2013, there were 23.6 million people suffering from to discuss adultery withmore children andthanother famschizophrenia worldwide. It affects males females who typically start to show signs by age 15-16. Unfortunateand its effects on ily members ly, life expectancy of those with this disorder is about 10-20 years than those without it, due to its association mentallesswell-being. - Financial stresswith low energy, poor diet, obesity, increased risk of substance abuse womanbehaviours. had written - Medical consequences andAsuicidal

about her husband’s infideli- such as acquiring a sexually SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA ty and the anguish it brought transmitted disease (STD) types of schizophrenia symptoms: posiher.There Inegative thinkareit isthree an cognitive. important - Pregnancy (themselves tive, and psychosis topicTheto positive discuss, symptoms as it is so comprise or the outside person)such as hallucinations, delusions and unusual behaviour processes. prominent throughout our hallucinations and delusions. There is a difference between Hallucinations occur when the individual sees or hears things society. I myself know very Now, what that are not there -- that are not caused by any typedoes of stimulus. are similar, by a do stimulus. few Delusions relationships that arebut are caused cheating to theFor example, if the individual sees someone behind them, they monogamouswhich meansfollowed/stalked victim? will assume they are being etc. Negative symptoms are associated with in to be married to or to be in a It causesdisturbances extreme hurt, behaviour and emotions such as mood changes which may seem depression. loseself-esteem interest in previously sexuallike relationship withThey justwilllow and selfenjoyed activities, isolate themselves and seem more anxious/ one partner. doubt. It ruins the trust for irritated than usual. The cognitive symptoms include with We’re going to talk about not onlyproblems the current, butbrain also function such as memory loss, concentration/attention and beingbasic unfaithful in general for future relationships. even understanding. The individuals rarely ever, inThis this case, know that they have a mental disorder. as only married people can is called symptoms projecting,arewhen The positive, negative and cognitive the main signs of schizophrenia are other, fasteroften and commit adultery, but you butthethere victims are more earlier tell-tale signs that one can look out for. Someone who dodeveloping not have the to bedisorder married thantonot insecure is will start showafraid, abnormal social behaviour. They will fail to realise or accept reality in in order to be devastated by and untrusting in theirmany new situations due to false beliefs and confused thinking. There will a sudden lack in motivation and energy,This which that be betrayal. relationships. canresults lead in loss of productivity and efficiency at work, school or in For theSchizophrenia religious, adulhighcorrelated anxiety, depression home-care. is alsotohighly with irritable bowel syndrome and the onset of heavy tobacco smoking. teryWith is a sin; the word from and even suicide. any mental illness, especially schizophrenia, indiits Latinareheritage ‘adulteralso affect viduals at a high risk of being Cheating victims towill violence and abuse. During periods of psychosis, they are also more likely are’ means to corrupt. It is thanchildren if thepopulation. family is to be the perpetrators of violencethe the general one of the major causes of split apart. Typically, trust WHAT CAN CAUSE SCHIZOPHRENIA? breakups/divorce world- issues are also passed on to TheHowever, risk factors schizophrenia are much wide. its for effects them, affecting bothlike theirany fuother mental illness. One is much more likely to develop on disorder both individuals are brain turestructure, friendshipsgenes, and intimate the based on their family and personal history. This means the individual may have widespread. relationships. a chemical imbalance involving certain neurotransmitters Unfaithfulness/cheatI know manywith people in the brain, or may have a family member the who disorder. It is not caused by any particular gene but is more ing causes many when problems never beenorcheated on likely to develop a childhave is premature has probwithSeeboth cheater and (to their knowledge), but are pagethe XXII the victim, ranging from terrified of it because one of

or not; there are people who cheat and people who do not. It’s simply a personal choice. There will always be other problems to ‘blame’ the cheating on, but despite temptation, we as humans have the capability to choose whether we hurt someone deeply or not. The main reason always cited to me is a lack of attention. The partner has felt ignored by their significant other which has lowered their self-esteem and selfworth. Therefore, they seek attention elsewhere. There are many ways to give attention to your spouse. Some examples are constant communication of the problem—not talking, ignoring and holding a grudge solves nothing. Other examples are being physically and mentally present and affectionate, compassionate, patient, empathetic and sexually active. Human beings long for these types of connections. Basically, cheating is an external reaction to an internal problem. Participating in the above examples are internal solutions. What happens after you have found out? Well, there is a big deci-

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

African Holocaust.. From page X

diers, prisoners of war, tradesmen, farmers craftsmen and women, kidnapped victims, talented sons and daughters of Amon, Ogun, Yemadja, Vodun, Yahweh, the gods of the guilds and skies to whom they prayed fearing that they would be eaten by these strange cruel men in the belly of whose ship they were shackled. On their journey to Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara, and all the lands of the Americas, they are not Haitian, Brazilian, Columbian, Jamaican, American, Venezuelan, Cuban, Barbadian and Trinidadian. They all are the tribes that did not come to conquer, devastate and steal, but were captives, shackled and bound and in bondage their strength and knowledge drawn upon to create the world of the Americas we know today. They are us. The collective tribe that survived, from the ancient human ore of humanity, we are the steel from the fires of the ‘Holocaust’, the ore that passed through the Holocaust of slavery and its greater Lord of mischief. The making of the ‘Colonial’ infusing a spectre of self-loathing, that still haunts us today with the sentiments that are a burden of accommodating creeds rather than the consciousness of the harsh realities endured with its mythic perceptions of mental slavery, sentiments that would subjugate us to an even worse slavery. It is they, the fathers and mothers who survived and persisted, who birthed and fathered our families of flesh and blood around us that we must cast our memories upon today. Those who survived and endured, so that we may live upon the very soil, had their blood and sweat taken without pay to build plantations, towns and Forts, dig drains and canals, to civilise in design of Benin and old Ghana and Kumasi upon which the canals and planted trees of old Georgetown were fashioned. Unknowingly the colonial spectre whispered to us ‘The brilliance of the Victorian design” and how our fathers cherished the lie. But slowly we are growing out of that past shackle of mind and body to realise that the awakening came with the struggles to make this land whole, not only for ‘US’ but for all others who came indentured or by choice. Our fore parents stood their ground during the protests and resistance of the 1850s for stolen rights, the rebellion of 1905, and for the fundamental holistic organisations of 1919 and 1927 onwards that shaped the modern era. This, we must begin to unveil and surround our determinations upon, for without celebrating the profound self awareness through comprehending that divine providence never deserted us, for were we not through culture and thrift resurrected. Redefining ourselves against the onslaught of those who love to hate us, from Voodoo came Jazz, from the drums came Reggae from the flute and the comforting lullaby came the Blues, and the rhythms of the primordial ancestor Mother Calypso, Ogun’s gift, the Steel pan, rhythms that inspired from within to prevail, while others plot against around and within us. We celebrate the ancestors; Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Vesta Lowe, Forbes Burnham, the healing midwives of the villages, Walter Rodney, Denis Williams and Philip Moore, the relatives who perished in the rapids and manmade caves of the goldfields on our behalf over 150 years, and all those who in our lives we did not listen to, but now understand that they had imparted some wisdom to us, to them and those who we have forgotten through very recent times. The fathers, mothers, elder kin who worked into poverty in some cases, as maids, ironing women, shovel men and labourers so we could endure; today it is their day, and we resolve to face the challenges of this day with the courage, wisdom and perseverance that brought us here – now, to commemorate a most sacred MAAFA, in the telling year of 2020, of Pandemic and strife, that we must etch in its true context, within the recesses of our memories forever.

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

The balance that gives us life:

A Yin-Yang Philosophy

hat does a black and white world mean to you? Perhaps a world without colour where everything looks as if it’s from a 1950s sitcom, or maybe it’s the world written in a black and white newspaper or how about the world being a scale, constantly battling for a balance of good and bad energies? For me, it’s the latter and it can be simplified to the term; “Yin-Yang”. Yes, I’m sure you’re aware of what it is because of its famous black and white symbol. Perhaps, it is a bit too famous because its meaning gets lost in translation sometimes. It is more than a ‘cool’ tattoo design or wallpaper for your smartphone. It can be put into many metaphors but the one we mostly use is, ‘there is good in bad and there is bad in good’. In the symbol itself, there are two sides; Yin and Yang. The yin is dark/black side while the yang is the white/light side. Taijitu, which is just another word for ‘Yin-Yang’ seeks to explain that in life, there must be balance. Opposite sides cannot exist without each other and within one specific side, there is a bit of the other. Good cannot exist without bad, heat cannot exist without cold, dirty cannot exist without clean, the North Pole cannot exist without the South Pole, and so on. Our mindset is always based on removing all that is dark and evil, but do we ever stop to wonder that sometimes we may need it? Not to go off track but the famous Karl Marx developed

his conflict theory on one of the fundamental assumptions that societal conflict is what drives social change and development. Or, how about a famous scientific phrase, “for every action there’s an opposite reaction”—Newton’s third law. See, this can all be looked at differently based on what you perceive good and bad to be. Protesting are bad in the eyes of some but, would many of our successful legislations have existed without them? Would there be a number line with only even numbers? Don’t we need the odd ones too? For purposes of practicality, I truly believe it is all based on perception. Fire destroys homes and forests, it burns us if we get too close but it also helps us to cook delicious food and it keeps us warm when the place is cold. Nothing is truly evil nor is it truly good. In fact, there is no good reaction or bad reaction, it’s how they inter-

acts that matters the most. When we think of social issues, we can also pinpoint Yin and Yang. Perhaps, “world peace” cannot exist without “world-war”. I’d like for you to think of ways that this symbol relates to you and your life, how you can use it to help see your perception of what is good and what is bad in an entirely new way. Sometimes, I think that the best love stories are those where ‘Yin-Yang’ is noticeable. I am sure if by chance, Yin and Yang were ever real people, they’d probably mention something like this to each other, “I am in you and you are in me. There can be peace on earth, there can be a balance between opposing sides and we can all live in harmony. There is good, there is bad, there is good in bad and there is bad in good and then there’s the balance. That very balance is what gives us life”.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Fish Vending A necessary job for Neil Chatawoo

Home of Beryl Mortley.

By Michel Outridge It is with a sense of responsibility that Neil Chatawoo would take his bicycle, of which a carrier is attached,

and make his journey daily to several villages on the West Coast of Demerara, plying his trade as a fish vendor. The father of three decid-

ed to do the business after he quit his job at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, some years ago because of ill health. Chatawoo is responsible for providing for a physi-

cally-challenged child, who is totally dependent on him and his wife. The resident of Uitvlugt, Side Line Dam, would leave his home at 02:00hrs to venture to the Meadowbank

chase banga, trout and catfish among others, but the business is no easy task. “This job has its challenges, so I still make do even though I was robbed at gunpoint on three different

Village elder, Beryl Mortley.

Wharf to purchase the fish, he would return home to store them in a freezer before riding from village to village to sell his stock. “As a result of the Navatri season (which is nine days of fasting for Hindus in which no fish or meat is consumed), the business has slowed a bit but I have to still sell to earn,” he said. Chatawoo would pur-

occasions when going to buy fish to re-sell, but I still press on because I have to work to earn.” Chatawoo told the Pepperpot Magazine that he doesn’t drink alcohol nor smoke cigarettes because of his health condition. He has lived in Uitvlugt for 28 years. He noted that the conditions are deplorable when it rains, since the

dam is very muddy, which makes it inaccessible to traverse. THE VILLAGE ELDER Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine also met Stewartville’s elder, Beryl Mortley, who is bedridden after she fell four years ago. The 92-year-old has a caregiver during the day, while at nights, a male relative would stay with her. She lived all her life in that community and in her younger days, as a single parent of two, she used to work at the old match factory at Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. Along with her hip injury, Mortley is also suffering from hypertension and diabetics. A doctor would visit her for a medical checkup every other week. In January 2021 Mortley will celebrate her 93rd birth anniversary. Both of her children are living overseas. During the day, the elder would watch television or have a chat with her caregiver, Yvonne Livan.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020 The siblings, who are teachers, the Fredericks’s girls of Stewartville Village. (Carl Croker photos)

Home of the Fredericks’ sisters

‘The House of Teachers’

By Michel Outridge uring this pandemic it has been challenging for many, most of us had to quickly adapt to changes such as working from home and adhering to a curfew. Like the rest of us, teachers haven’t been excluded, they have been trying their best to school children online and with whatever resources they have at hand. Teachers Leona, Lydia and Syretta Fredericks all reside in the same house in Stewartville and have been utilising a single aged-desktop to have online schooling with their pupils and students. Leona told the Pepperpot Magazine that they are originally from Leonora, the neighbouring village, but have made Stewartville Second Street, West Coast Demerara, their home. They would often be re-

ferred to as the ‘house of teachers’, their mother was a teacher but has since retired. “Teaching wasn’t out first choice for a career but over the years we developed a great passion for it despite the challenges it comes with,” Leona said. She is attached to the Leonora Primary School and has been a teacher for the past 20 years, a job she takes seriously. While, her sibling, the youngest, Lydia, a primary school teacher has been in the profession for 19 years and her eldest sister, Syretta, a secondary school teacher for the past 15 years. “I was the first of my siblings to become a teacher. At that time when I was looking for a job even though I am qualified I did not get any response from the agencies I applied in writing to, so I applied for a teaching job and was successful, thus my

career as a teacher started,” she said. Leona reported that while on the job, she finished out her CPCE training. “This job is not easy but it brings out the best in me because the little ones depend on me to show up for classes and it is quite nice to have that classroom interaction and plus I get the respect of both pupils and parents alike.” The veteran teacher added that wherever she passes students (both present and past), they would call out for her and it is a good feeling being remembered as a teacher. Fredericks stated that since schools closed in March this year due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), it has been difficult, but they have been trying to homeschool pupils and students via online sessions on weekdays. “As is, we share an old

desktop computer so we take turns using it and it has been challenging because as teachers we coordinate and have different online sessions from Mondays to Fridays,” she said. The teacher stated that she would mostly use her phone to teach her pupils at different times in the day from 09:00hrs to after lunch with a few intervals. Fredericks told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have literacy, grammar, social studies, and language classes among others for the pupils which number about 20 between four teachers from her school.

Second Street, Sea View, Stewartville Village.

Leona Fredericks.

Sadly, though some pupils don’t have access to the internet and are missing out on the online classes as such, an assessment cannot be done because they are not receiving any home-schooling via distant learning. In total, Fredericks has

nine siblings, her father is deceased and her mother is retired. Leona and her sisters are very passionate about teaching and with the resources they have they are promoting home-schooling via the internet.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Guyanese Red Ladies in the spotlight

By Francis Quamina Farrier Some months ago, I wrote an article in which I ‘shook hands’ with the ‘Redmen’ of Guyana, so to speak. In that article I paid tribute to the late Dr. Michael Gilkes, who had just passed on due to health complications brought on by the coronavirus. The article was extremely well received not only by ‘Redmen’, but by a wide cross-section of Guyanese both at home and abroad. One level of observation which I received, was that I should consider it necessary to write another article - this time about the ‘Red Ladies’ which I am now embarking on. Topping the list of the appeals sent was Dorothy Taitt, the matriarch of the Georgetown ‘royals’ of the day. “You did not mention the titanic presence of Aunt Dorothy Taitt who encouraged us with our dreams.” I was gently chided by my dear Theatre Guild colleague of the past, Ricardo Smith. When the genteel, gentleman Ricardo chides you, it is time for you to straighten up and fly right. Get yourself in order and make corrections to whatever your misdemeanor may have been. Ricardo never looks down on anyone. He simply gives a hands-up to those whom he can help. In the end, you will always feel a sense of purpose after a discussion with him. As such, I am now on my way to pleasing not only Ricardo

Smith, but all who are interested in learning about some of the great ‘red’ heroines of pre-independence Guyana, principally Dorothy Taitt. Red Lady, Mrs. Dorothy Taitt, could have been a combination of Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, back in those colonial days. That remark must not be mis-interrupted to mean that I prefer the colonial days, since I do not. Bear in mind that Dorothy Taitt, or Aunt Dorothy as she was familiarly called, lived during the colonial era of our beautiful country. The big difference Aunt Dorothy had over those two powerful ladies of Great Britain, was Talent. As you see, talent with a capital “T”. I will be back to Aunt Dorothy shortly. I continue with the salutation, “Howdy, howdy, howdy!” That is the way ‘Red lady’ Pauline Thomas aka Auntie Comesee, used to address her audience at the commencement of her cultural presentations, whether on stage or on the radio. Pauline Thomas aka Auntie Comesee, was a public servant, and was also a dynamic singer and actress. I had the pleasure of directing her in one of my plays, “Manaka” at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Kingston, Georgetown. She was dynamic in her role as the no-nonsense Rhoda Souviner, a woman on a timber grant in Guyana’s hinterland. As Auntie Comesee, she would give condemnations

Dorothy Taitt in Georgetown in her colonial hayday of the 1940s.

as well as commendations to her audience, both male and female, regarding issues of the day such as how to behave in a world with HIV and AIDS. Red lady Pauline Thomas aka Auntie Comesee, became a household name all across Guyana. You would be pleased to know that Pauline Thomas, now in her 90s, lives in Canada and is still as vibrant as ever. In fact, she attended university while in her 70s and earned a degree. I continue with Sheila King. Professionally, she

was a social worker attached to a government department. She was also an actress, playwright and poet. Sheila King also appeared in a few of my plays, both on stage at the Theatre Guild and on radio at Radio Demerara. She was extremely disciplined and was a role model for younger females both on and off stage. On to Murray Street (Now Quamina Street). “The Taitt yard (which is located on the northern side mid-way between East and Thomas streets,) was known for its wonderful fruit trees, the

The B.G. Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert at Queen’s College. (Circa 1948)

most famous being the giant sapodilla that supported one of the first basketball rings in Guyana.” according to Dr. Vibert Cambridge, President of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. In his younger years, Vibert Cambridge and others such as Ken Corsbie, were youngsters who were regulars at “The Taitt Yard” and the palace-like Woodbine house. He and many others benefited from the cultural groundings from Aunt Dorothy. Dorothy Taitt dominated that Murray (Quamina) Street space without a doubt. She was the wife of Dr. Jabez Taitt whose clinic was within the building. Together the couple had seven children. A titan in the world of the Arts, she also dabbled in local politics as a one-woman battering ram, if you will. She was a fierce and fearless fighter for the under-dog. At a time when most “Red Women” would remain quiet, sometimes arrogant, in their privileged upper- middle class existence, Aunt Dorothy was out of the Taitt’s Yard, and in battles with oppressors of the less fortunate. She defended individuals of darker skin tone against whites and locals of lighter complexion against discrimination and bigotry. Some of her social fights were with the Mayor and Town Hall. She was not a bona fide politician or labour leader, but she functioned regularly as such. Servants and helpers with darker complexions were always treated with human dignity by Dorothy Taitt, unlike others of

her complexion. For Aunt Dorothy, there was life beyond “The Yard”. There were members of the underdogs of society who needed help, and she considered herself a helper and gave a hands-up wherever and whenever and however she could. As a Cultural activist and provider, Dorothy Taitt hosted rehearsals of many up-coming concerts of the performing arts - arts festivals included, at her Woodbine location. There was the occasion when her group entered the annual British Guiana Music Festival and was trounced by a group from New Amsterdam. For a Georgetown group to have placed second to a ‘country’ group was most humiliating. But Aunt Dorothy took it like a ‘man’ - rather, a woman - a red woman. There was no moaning or groaning or criticizing the winners. She herself was an accomplished singer. Her daughter Helen Taitt was one of Guyana’s greatest ballet dancers. All who embraced the performing arts, were welcomed into the Taitt Yard where they enjoyed all the available facilities and the open arms of Aunt Dorothy. While relative Dr. Michael Gilkes wrote and performed his captivating one-character play, “The Last of the Redmen,” the life of ‘Aunt’ Dorothy is ‘meaty’ material for a hit movie. Do you recall the Hollywood musical, “Calamity Jane” with Doris Day in the title role of a dynamic woman? Now, could you think of a play or movie based on the life of Dorothy Taitt? Certainly, the word “calamity” would not be in the title. Guyana’s Dave Martins composed a song with the title, “Caribbean, where are your heroes?” Maybe Dave will sometime compose a song with lyrics which state, “Guyana, remember your heroine. She was the boss at the Woodbine.” Aunt Dorothy Taitt showed that whether one is black or white, brown or yellow, dread or red, one should live one’s life to the fullest in harmony with every other fellow human as best as is humanly possible. Her time on earth was from 1896 to 1956, and it was to our fortune that it was spent in this 83,000 square mile solo South American English-speaking Land of Many Waters, Guyana.

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CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

The life lessons we learn along the way

LONG this big journey called life, we will experience many little expeditions which will affect us negatively or positively. We have to develop that mindset to deal with both, because I believe these invaluable life experiences mould us into the people we were created to be. A few weeks ago I began to document some of my own experiences and found them very interesting. My memory went off in the life of others around the world and their life experiences. The thoughts that were floating around in my mind caused great excitement. People who know me also know that when I am excited about something I take action. Action creates opportunity and massive action creates massive opportunity. In a few minutes I decided this will be my next book project, 365 Invaluable Life Experiences.” I did a post and short video on my FB page about invaluable life experiences and shared the two experiences below. In 2013 I visited India and on my way to Agra Fort, I met an unforgettable, beautiful, brown-eyed young Indian girl. She was obviously from an impoverished background. She politely asked the group to purchase some sparkly pens she was selling but we were not interested. It was evident that she needed the money, so we offered to give her without buying the pens. “I will only accept the money if you buy the pens” she confidently said. Even though she needed the money, she did not want handouts. She possesses that principle that many will envy and I admired that greatly. We bought all her pens! FAILURE Have you ever felt like a complete failure? When my daughter Marisca was 18 months, she almost died. She was

admitted to the public hospital because she had gastroenteritis. I had no money to take her to a private hospital. I was separated from her dad, so there was no support -- financial or otherwise. She was sharing a tiny crib with another baby and the baby died. One day as I was leaving the hospital she was crying and calling for her mommy; and as I turned and looked back, it was the worst feeling ever. I felt helpless and almost lost my mind. Thank God she made it and it is a lesson that failing does not make you a failure. I invited people to join me on this journey because every life has a story and no one can tell your story as you can. I am receiving very positive responses, which caused my adrenaline level to rise. We have people registered from various parts of Guyana, the USA, Canada, the UK, Sweden, the

Philippines, Singapore, Trinidad, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Suriname, and Australia, among others. I have a feeling that this will be one of the most impactful projects I have been part of. I just completed a call with the co-authors from Women Across Borders- Soaring to Greatness, which is the fifth anthology that will be launched on Amazon. Can you believe I have been fortunate to have a front-row seat to many stories from people around the world because I have published four anthologies? I encourage people to start writing because it may lead to you publishing your own book one day soon. How many would have believed that I would have published four books in four months. “My life is not interesting”, “my story is not good enough”, “only certain people can write a book”, “I did not do well in English” and so many other excuses. Every life has a story and no one can tell your story as you can. Be intentional, block some time every week, and write about things. Like Jodi Picoult said “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” Another quote I love to share is “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” — Louis L’Amour If you are interested in joining a Story Generator workshop at the end of the month, email info@createcompellingstories.com I am encouraging you to join me to share one of your invaluable life experiences as we continue to celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Battling and defeating ...

From Page III pain all over again. “It was more of a personal challenge even though I had a lot of support from family and friends. I knew so much, yet so little about cancer. My anxiety level was always high and I guess fear was actually my biggest challenge; not knowing if, how or when I will recover. The struggle for survival was real. I was mentally and emotionally drained.”

But the love and support from others helped her to pull through. “Especially from my children; they were and still are my towers of strength. My youngest sister also fought every step with me and I was fortunate to have had an entire social network praying for me.” Due to all of the treatments associated with the cancer, Singh said her immune system was badly weakened, especially after

chemotherapy. “Now even though, I’m a hundred percent better, I do not have the same vitality as before but I’m trying to get there.” Singh said her illness has made her realise just how fragile life is. “So now, my wellbeing is my number one priority. I continue to eat well. My diet has changed drastically; no meat, no dairy products, no sugar, no soda, etc. I am us-

ing lots of fruits, vegetables and beans and I drink only herbal and green teas. I do daily exercises and keep my stress level down.” Her advice to others like her is, “Stay positive. It is the most important thing that you can do; worrying only worsens your health. There will be days where it seems like things will never get better, but you will get through it.”

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020

Therapists leading virtual cancer awareness talk next week

NATURAL Therapist Liesl Dale Headley believes that many women are suffering with the plague of breast cancer simply because of their lack of knowledge on the subject. Determined to do something about it, she has decided to host a free breast cancer awareness seminar each year. This year’s seminar will be held virtually on October 30 from 6 to 8 pm and will stress on the importance of accepting that “prevention is far better than cure.” Headley, who operates Nature’s Own Body Clinic at Lot 95 First Street, Alberttown, will be joined by

Dr. Heather Morris, who is the Director of the Leprosy Programme based inside the Palms Geriatric Home, and Beautician Natasha Goodman, who is also a certified massage therapist. “I find it (the seminar) necessary because as women come to the clinic with different breast problems… the reason they are suffering is due to the lack of knowledge, so I feel very obligated to arm women and forewarn them with knowledge,” Headley expressed during a recent interview. This is the first time that Headley and her team will be doing a virtual seminar.

Trained massage therapist Natasha Goodman.

Natural Therapist Liesl Dale Headley.

They want all those who are interested in attending to register beforehand via e-mail (headleyliesl67@gmail.com) or phone (622 6064). After registering, persons will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting. “Women should know that there are certain things that they can do to prevent ever coming down with this plague of breast cancer. Even if their mom or dad or some other relative had cancer, there is no reason why you should sit down and wait for a malady like that to come upon you,” said Headley. She said she is hoping that after presenting this sem-

Dr. Heather Morris-Wilson.

inar, Guyanese women will be more conscious of their bodies, more eager to share any questionable situation they’re experiencing rather than keeping it to themselves, and that they will be more willing to have breast massages. Since talking about the breast and showing them out seem to be such a taboo subject for most people, Headley said the seminar is also expected to help women have the proper view of nudity. “Breast health is my passion. Since I started to operate 12 years ago, I have been

really promoting prevention of breast cancer or any cancer. In fact, all cancers start right in the area of the breast before it goes anywhere else. “I am very passionate about helping women take care of their breasts and I have seen so many helpless cases in which they come with their cancer very much advanced and we can’t be of any help to them. It’s really hurtful to see people leave the clinic without us being able to further help them,” Headley offered.

Farmers Market aiming to ... From Page IV

The farmers market will also include art and craft.

the stories that make this worthwhile…You know on the seawalls when broken bottles are washed up and they are worn away by the sea? They become beautiful little pieces. She makes the most amazing jewellery out it and these are the stories that we are trying to highlight.” Sinclair said the market is also intended to promote the reduction of plastic consumption. “We’ve been challenging our vendors to not use plastic. We are also appealing to the customers to walk with their reusable market bags so we don’t have to give them a plastic bag.” The market will also be promoting the need to eat healthy foods during the

pandemic. “The message we’re getting is mostly about mask wearing and washing your hands. But nobody is really talking about building your immune system; taking care of your body and mind and spirit.” She said the mission is to create a lively community space for the expressed purpose of sacred commerce of home grown, organic, recycled, repurposed, eco-friendly, handcrafted, locally produced products and produce. The market will allow both vendors and customers the opportunity to learn, teach, socialise, build relationships, earn and see what creative things are happening in the community in time for

the holidays and beyond. “We are excited to welcome children who wish to be a part of our EEE Programme (Encouraging Early Entrepreneurship). We believe this is an excellent opportunity for children to not only learn about sales, marketing and money management but to become creators of their own reality. “We wish to encourage all participants to pay closer attention to how our habits and lifestyle directly affect our lives and by extension, our planet for we are all connected.” The markets will open from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and Sinclair assured that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

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The EPA’S ROLE IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

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AGRICULTURE is the science or practice of farming, which includes cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. As Guyana celebrates Agriculture Month let’s explore the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as it relates to the agricultural sector. This year the theme for Agriculture Month is “Sustainable Agriculture for ensuring Food Safety and a Green Economy.” Responsibility of the Forestry and Agriculture Programme Area At the EPA the Forestry and Agriculture Programme Area is responsible for ensuring the development of standards that seek to restore and reclaim degraded agriculture and forestry lands, prevent release of contaminants to these lands, as well as to conserve and manage the associated resources. By conserving and managing agricultural and forestry resources, the Programme Area coordinates and implements activities in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05. Some of these activities include authorisation of developmental projects in the forestry and agricultural sectors, ensuring monitoring and compliance as well as responding to complaints related to agricultural and forestry operations. The EPA is committed to a strong partnership with the agricultural community to assist in fulfilling our mission of protecting human health and the environment. Activities that require environmental authorisation include: * Poultry processing; * Food-processing plants (including meat, fish/seafood,

and fruits);

* Milk-based industries; * Sugar manufacture and refining; * Rice-processing plants; * Livestock husbandry and production (> 500 heads of poultry, > 500 heads of swine); and * Mariculture/aquaculture facilities. Waste and the agricultural sector Agricultural wastes are generally defined as the residues from the growing and processing of raw agricultural produce such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, dairy products, and crops. Agricultural wastes include crop residues, weeds, leaf litter, sawdust, forest waste, and livestock waste. Land, air, water and noise

pollution are inevitable within the agriculture sector. As such, the EPA is here to ensure that guidelines are in place so that these wastes do not produce pathogen and disease transmission between animals, humans, and the environment. The guidelines which include those for swine and poultry rearing, can be accessed on the EPA website http://www.epaguyana. org/epa/. ONE MIGHT ASK: WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ACQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENT PERMIT? * An application form for Environmental Authorisation * Identification of the Permit Applicant (National ID card, passport). ? Proof of Land Ownership (Transport, Lease or other Agreement with the land owner or occupier, or acknowledgement of Application for Lease of State Lands from the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission). ? Map showing surrounding land uses, identification of receiving water(s) and the location of any existing or proposed intake and discharge structures and the location of any discharge. ? Site Plan showing the layout of the Operation. ? Project Description (summary). ? Business Registration/Certificate of Incorporation (if applicable). ? Any other information which the Agency may require under the Environmental Protection Act, 1996 or the Environmental Protection (Authorisation) Regulations, 2000. REMEMBER THE ENVIRONMENT IS EVERYBODY BUSINESS. HELP US HELP YOU. Reference https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/agricultural-waste https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41622.pdf https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-sector/agriculture-sectors-crop-naics-111-and-animal-naics-112 You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Forrester Lumber Yard and Building... From page IX

Operations Manager, Zilaka Williams, on tour of the facility in company of another employee.

the business started it was him, Mr Forrester, a saw and a very muddy dam. Jacobs used to use his horse drawn cart to fetch lumber from the main road to the shed where the lumber yard was. “I am very comfortable with my role here as a security guard and I ensure things are orderly in terms of traffic and the safety of both employees and customers. The father of eight, who delivered his son at home, in a chair, last week said he is please that he doesn’t have to leave the village for work. After work he walks home.

Schizophrenia From page XIII

lems during birth, especially with viruses. They may have had personal trauma such as physical or sexual abuse, which could be the trigger for development. HOW DO WE TREAT SCHIZOPHRENIA? Like most mental illnesses, schizophrenia cannot be cured, but treated in the sense where the individual could lead a normal and productive life. Treatment needs to include prescription medication and psychotherapy. This means, the individual must go to the nearest health centre if he or she is exhibiting possible signs and symptoms. Hospitalisation is required in severe cases to ensure adherence to medication, which is usually an issue with schizophrenia patients. While people with schizophrenia do tend to overuse drugs, the use of drugs can also bring on schizophrenia. This is particularly the case with marijuana. Heavy marijuana use over time has been known to bring out schizophrenia in individuals with a family history of the disorder. This long-term use will also eventually cause psychosis. In cases such as these, family involvement is crucial. There needs to be constant encouragement to remain on treatment. While parenting style is not a casual factor, patients do better with a positive family support system. Treatment should be a priority as untreated and severe cases may result in unemployment, poverty, lack of independence, substance abuse, homelessness and suicidal thoughts/ behaviours. There is a higher than average suicide rate associated with schizophrenia. My research shows that 20-40% of schizophrenic patients attempt suicide at least once. The individuals may be reluctant to seek help, again because they may not know/think anything is wrong. This is where you- family and friends come in. Encourage them to get help. Listen and understand, rather than judge. If you feel like you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms, please visit your nearest health centre and share your concerns. Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com If you would like private counselling sessions, please WhatsApp or call +592 623 0433 Suicide Prevention Helpline numbers: 223-0001, 2230009, 623-4444, 600-7896

CHRONICLE PEPPERPOT ― Sunday, October 25, 2020 A mandir in Stewartville.

Stewartville... From Page VII

yards. The people of this multi-ethnic village are very friendly and would sit and have a quick conversation at any time. When we visited, there was calm about the community except for the burst of loud music blaring from a sound system in the Old Housing Scheme, which has four streets that go around that section, on the seawall side. That area is very breezy with the cool air rushing in from the Atlantic Ocean. In Stewartville there is a section with several small roadside shops which sells fish, chips, other home-made snacks and cold beverages with adequate seating for a ‘sip and chat’ kind of thing. An exit from this village would be intentionally delayed because of the friendly and inviting locals. THE NDC Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met NDC councillor Noel Waithe, who has been residing in the village for the past 40 years. He reported that the village comes under the Stewartville/Cornelia Ida District NDC and covers six villages with 10 constituencies. Waithe is originally from Anna Catherina, but relocated decades ago. The 64-year-old stated that the area isn’t large in terms of acreage, but is populated and the people

The NDC building.

get along well with no racial tensions. Waithe pointed out that the NDC building has an ICT hub for schoolchildren to utilise for their research and homework. Due to the pandemic, it is however closed. The councillor noted that the village is also known for the name of the street ‘Tamarind Dam,’ which was once a dam but was transformed into an all-weather road years ago. Waithe’s primary project at present is the earth-filling of the flooded and overgrown burial ground within the village. When the Pepperpot Magazine caught up with him he was in the process of servicing the NDC’s tractor, trailer/slasher. “I will undertake this project free of charge because I want the burial ground to become sanitary and the current conditions are deplorable. When it rains it is flooded and the place is overgrown with thick bushes, a place for burial should be accessible and clean.” Waithe disclosed too that the NDC will also pave the four cross streets with asphalt, while at a later date the Sideline Dam would also be fixed. He related that although the Forrester Lumber Yard and Building Complex employ a number of youths, there is need for more jobs for young people, some of whom are idle in the village.

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THOUGHT FOR TO

DAY

I am certain of n the holiness of othing but the heart’s affections and th imagination – w e truth of at the imagination seizeshas must be truth – beauty existed beforewohether it JOHN KEATS (1 r not. Letters, To Ben 795-1821) jamin Bailey, 22 November 18 17

October 25, 2020 Dear Student, Welcome, dear friend. Do you know that interest leads to attention? Yes. It Does. Whatever is in your interest will gain your attention. Even during deep study at times, you will

be distracted. Suppress that interference. One helpful method is to keep working at a fair speed as you switch from one useful point to another. Your attention will sway if you concentrate too long on one point. Keep in touch with your study group. Be wise. Love you. GRAMMAR The ever-present sentence fragments A simple written sentence: A simple sentence contains only one subject and only one verb (predicate) either of which can be compound. It is considered a complete though OR one main idea. A complete thought includes contextual details to allow the reader to understand what is being said. Look for proper capitalisation, grammar and punctuation. The verb alone is called the simple predicate. The complete predicate is the verb plus all its modifiers or complements. Example: The old man sang the beloved songs of his ancestors. The simple subject is man; the simple predicate is sang. The complete predicate is sang the beloved songs of his ancestors. The sense of ‘sentence’ (or sentence sense) exists mostly in written and formal

speech. [Understand that dialogue structures in story writing are governed by their individual forms of speech and culture.] As was stated, a simple written sentence is also an independent clause. (The concept of ‘clause’ though already dealt with some time back, will be expanded further in later issues.) A written sentence fragment: A group of words that fails to have the requirements clearly referred to above as a simple written sentence, is called a written sentence fragment. No matter if the writer puts a capital letter upon the first word, and an end stop after the last, the group of words is still a fragment. If you read well, you will find that accomplished writers use fragments freely to make conversation sound natural. But, that is all in the business of accomplished writing, and knowing when and how to use fragments as part of your style. A good test to determine whether a group of words is a sentence, or a fragment is to take the group by itself and read it aloud. If it seems to make a statement that is understandable, it is probably a sentence – containing a predicate, and a subject about which the predication is made. There are many types of sentence fragments, but basically each fragment falls into one of the following

classifications: 1. A group of words without a verb or predicate The choir working hard to complete the Thanksgiving songs. 2. A group of words without a subject Responded in few words. 3. A group of words lacking both predicate and subject Depending upon the food and the door price. 4. A group of words forming a dependent clause After he had finally reached his destination. Note: Do Try to fit each of these five below into a group mentioned above to flex your understanding of different types of sentence fragments: i) A verbal phrase: to make red marble cake. ii) A part of a compound predicate: and spoke to all the interested freshmen. iii) An appositive: Elaine called the carpenter. The one who fixed the broken window last time. iv) A propositional phrase: at the beginning of the dreaded Language 2 course. v) A dependent clause: while they were making a thorough search. Sentence fragments can be properly treated: One way to treat a sentence fragment is to recognise what it is doing. And then, try to correct and restore it by adding the missing parts OR by attaching it to a main clause.

See the following sentence fragment restored: From the hotel windows From the hotel windows, the occupants were watching and video recording the arrests in the street below. Something to Do Which of the following groups of words are sentences? Which are fragments? Make complete sentences of the fragments. (Remember that a simple sentence is described above as a main clause.) 1. And sent up a cloud of dust. 2. There were several tense moments. During the second half. 3. I purchased some foreign jewellery. That my sisters like. 4. A diamond-encrusted tiara lying beneath the baby’s crib. 5. The cardinal whistling in the hedge and the squirrels chattering noisily from the treetops. 6. You should buy some of the newly designed sunglasses. To shield your eyes from the sun’s glare. 7. Because I have so much to do. 8. Stay with your mother. 9. My temper always rises. When I see a young girl mistreated. 10. Just as the meeting was being concluded. 11. They were the most popular rounders team that season. How Practiced are You with Commas? Add commas to where they are necessary. 1. Each married couple single parent and department was asked to contribute a reasonable sum to the building fund. 2. The warm green earth beneath the shrubs exuded a fragrance of spring. 3. Mrs. Hamilton stage director will examine all submitted project plans. 4. Mr. Chairman before we discuss the motion I am suggesting to have it restated. 5. To tell the truth they had forgotten the opening hour. 6. The room décor was beautiful and the colour scheme was just fine!

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Thermal Taste

Touch the tip of your tongue to an ice cube for a few seconds. If the flavour starts turning salty, you’ve passed the thermal taste test. Such an experiment exemplifies the finding that the temperature of the tongue tempers taste. Specifically, researchers have discovered that heating the tip of the taste and speech organ evokes sensations while cooling it produces sour and salty flavours. In other words, depending on the temperature of your food you can consider whether the meal is tasty or not. The temperature-taste tie could help explain how the brain is told what the tongue is experiencing, said study authors Alberto Cruz and Barry Green of the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CN. They described the first evidence that warming and cooling regions of the tongue can produce tastes. While pervious electrical recordings of taste nerves had pointed to their sensitivity to heat and cold as well as to chemicals, scientists have puzzled over whether the brain interprets such terminal stimulation as taste or as temperature. New research showed cooling the tongue tip about 15 degrees Celsius below normal mouth temperature produced a sour taste, chilling it another 10 degrees elicited a salty flavour and rewarming it induced the sensation of a sweet taste. While some of the 16 subjects noted no difference, many others reported a surprising “clarity and strength” in the effect, the researchers said. Researchers have absolutely no idea about the mechanism underlying the phenomenon. These findings remind us how little we know about the coding of sensation in the oral cavity. How the nervous system filters out activity due to changes in the temperature, pH, and various concentration gradients from those associated with tastes per se. Understanding how the nervous system is fooled into registering a temperature change as taste, may help us understand some of the basic processes in taste coding. Knowing that manipulating the tongue’s temperature can produce the same gustatory effects, as do chemicals, provides clues to the physiology of taste. It was discovered that specific tastes can be produced by temperature stimulation, just as certain chemicals can evoke only certain taste qualities. The implication is that the tongue’s receptors that respond to chemicals have properties that also make them sensitive to a change in temperature. Furthermore, the receptors that respond to cold and heat likely are not uniformly distributed since the thermal taste differs on different parts of the tongue,

Cheesy Eggplant Pizza Ingredients 1 large eggplant- sliced Pizza sauce Olive oil All-purpose seasoning 1 1/2 cup grated cheese Salt to taste Method: 1. Sprinkle salt on eggplant slices and leave to sit for 20 minutes, then extract extra moisture with a tissue towel. 2. Coat with olive oil and all-purpose seasoning. 3. Bake on medium heat for 10-15 minutes. 4. Spread pizza sauce with cheese toppings. 5. Bake for another 10 minutes.

the tip being the most prone to perceive sweetness, the side, sourness, and the back, bitterness. Thermal taste probably does not affect the taste of most foods and beverages because the temperature conditions that produce it are rarely encountered during eating and drinking, and when they are, the chemical taste of foods and beverages tend to mask thermal tastes. Frozen foods and desserts provide the best opportunity for determining how thermal taste can influence flavour. To a salt-sensitive person, for example, an ice cube held to the tip of the tongue will begin to taste salty after a few seconds. The

study is significant in at least three ways: First, thermal taste answers a very long-standing question about the temperature sensitivity of the taste nerves and indicates that the (central nervous system) interprets this stimulation as taste, not as thermal sensation. Second, the phenomenon raises several questions about the physiology of taste. Most notably, what is it about transduction mechanisms for the types of temperature change? And the third, the differences in incidence of thermal taste on different parts of the tongue and across individuals indicate that there is a great deal of diversity in taste innervations. Finding out more about this diversity should provide important new information about how the taste system works and how the perception of taste varies from person to person.

THE POEM The Story in the Poem To Be of Use by Marge Peircy The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shadows and swim off with some strokes almost out of sight. They seem to become natives to the element, the black sleek heads of seals bouncing like half-submerged balls. I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again and again. I want to be with people who submerge in task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who stand in the line and haul in their places, who are not parlour generals and field deserters, but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or when the fire be put out. The work of the world is as common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident. Greek amphoras for wine or oil, Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used. The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real. Something to Do 1. You and your study group together tell what the story in the poem is. Be sure to include the following: a) What is the speaker’s preference. b) Pointing out the metaphorical use to compare between oxen, water buffalo, and seals. c) Pointing out the skills and confidence of each in their own individual environment. 2. Does the poem find appreciation in all your study partners’ way of thinking? Why? Why not?

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